《The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection》


 Billionaire With Husband 1

    The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection


    Dreamy


    Fire


    "Averill, I can assure you, your cycle is perfectly normal."


    In the courtyard of Tranquil Clinic in Eden Vige, Felix Zeller slowly lifted his right hand with a look of helplessness. 4


    Before him stood six beautiful women, each with a unique charm. They were smiling as they patiently waited in


    line.


    "But Felix, I don''t feel well. Why don''t youe to my room and do a thorough checkup?" Averill Davis said suggestively.


    Felix smiled wryly.


    Ever since his mentor, Gerald Hoffman, brought him to this vige three years ago, he had faced constant teasing from these women, his fellow apprentices.


    Although he had gotten used to it, it was still tough to handle, especially when they were so alluring.


    "Averill, don''t push your luck."


    "Exactly! It''s my turn now. Step aside. Don''t even dream about having Felix all by yourself."


    As Leslie Brown sat in front of him, Felix sighed and pleaded, "Please, can''t you all be more like Eloise, Dahlia, and Karina? Focus on your training and stop wasting time here." However, his words fell on deaf ears. Leslie''s next move made his eyes widen in shock.


    Without warning, she began unbuttoning her top, revealing a stunning sight beneath.


    "Felix, my chest hurts terribly. Give me a thorough checkup"


    Felix swallowed hard, unsure of what to do. It was truly tormenting.


    "Dr. Zeller, there''s a letter for you," called a postman from outside just then.


    Felix hurried out, feeling a wave of relief wash over him.


    When he returned, everyone gathered behind him with great curiosity.


    Felix was just as puzzled. He couldn''t imagine who would send him a letter-his parents had passed away, and he hadn''t heard from any of his rtives in a long time.


    Opening the letter, he immediately sensed themanding tone in the writing before even reading the content.


    "Felix Zeller, I''m Xena Summers, your betrothed. Listen up. By the time you receive this letter, I''ll have be the first goddess of war in Dragonia. The difference in our status is far too great. "I''ve already torn up my copy of the marriage contract, and yours should be destroyed as soon as you receive this.


    Our rtionship was a mistake from the start."


    Felix smirked, finding Xena incredibly arrogant from the way shemanded him.


    "Haha! Felix got dumped!


    "Yeah, can you believe it? Our sweet and handsome Felix get dumped by a woman!"


    "Isn''t Xena the one Mr. Hoffman arranged for you to marry?"


    "The first goddess of war in Drago? Ugh, she thinks she''s so special. It''sughable. Felix is skilled in both medicine and martial arts. He just doesn''t show off."


    "Say the word, Felix, and I''ll get you Xena''s head."


    Felix felt surprisingly calm as he listened to their chatter.


    He knew of Xena but had never met her. Their marriage had been arranged by Gerald long ago, and he never expected it to be called off so abruptly.


    Truthfully, he could have any of his fellow apprentices if he wanted, but Gerald''s orders were clear: he wasn''t allowed to make any move on them unless he had fulfilled the marriage contract. "You''re going to look for Xe?a as Mr. Hoffman told you, am I right?" asked Mira Cohen.


    Felix nodded, his eyes filled with reluctance. But he couldn''t disobey Gerald.


    "Yes. I n to leave right away."


    Gerald had told him that whether the marriage was to be annulled or consummated, he had to obtain approval from Xena''s grandfather, Curtis Summers.


    No one else-not even Xena-had a say. So now, Felix had to seek out Curtis.


    The next moment, everyone extended their hands toward him.


    "Take these with you. When you meet Xena, beat her and make sure she understands that being a mere goddess of war means nothing in front of you."


    Felix was stunned. He didn''t know what they were offering but they had to be extraordinary.


    "This is a Supreme ck Card from Concord Bank. The bnce should be enough for you to spend."


    "Felix, money is toomon. Take this letter. Thergest listedpanies will be yours."


    "Take this fragrance pill I recently developed. Just one, and women won''t be able to resist you


    "Take this key. When you have time, visit the vault at Concord Bank. Everything you need will be there."


    Each of his fellow apprentices offered something unique, and Felix was deeply moved. They all genuinely cared for him, and over the years, they had be family to him Suddenly, something flew toward him. Felix swiftly caught it and found that it was a dragon-shaped ring. Its quality and feel hinted at its remarkable nature.


    "Felix only needs to bring that with him," came Eloise Foster''s voice.


    Instantly, Felix''s fellow apprentices wore expressions of utmost respect. Eloise, the most senior among them, was usually elusive and rarely revealed herself. "Dragon Alliance is a small faction I created years ago. The Dragon Ring represents my presence, and whoever


    wears it shallmand respect. You may go now."


    Felix felt grateful and dared not say much more than, "Thank you, Eloise."


    As he returned to his room to pack, he didn''t notice how dumbstruck the others had be.


    Heavens! The world-renowned Dragon Alliance turned out to be established by Eloise. And she called it a small faction. Perhaps only she could have described it so.

 Billionaire With Husband 2

    Chapter


    2


    By the time Felix stepped out of his room, everyone was already gone. With his departure, his fellow apprentices likely wouldn''t stay in Eden Vige either.


    Thinking about it made Felix fume. Three years ago, Gerald had brought him here and then disappeared without trace. It was utterly irresponsible of him. The sounds of knocking pulled Felix from his thoughts.


    He looked up to see several unfamiliar faces standing at the courtyard gate. Even though the gate was open, they hadn''t entered, showing some degree of politeness. Felix walked over and noticed a few Mercedes G-Wagons parked outside the clinic. Evidently, these were wealthy individuals.


    "Excuse me. Is the miracle doctor here?" asked a middle-aged man with gold-rimmed sses, looking very refined. His name was Vincent Kinsley.


    "The miracle doctor left this ce almost three years ago."


    Vincent''s face fell. The miracle doctor was a legend in Dragonia''s medical world. He was theirst hope, and now, he was gone.


    Beside him, a striking woman in a ck jumpsuit gritted her teeth and pulled out a ck-and-white card, throwing it to the ground in frustration.


    "Dad! I told you the Miracle Card is a scam, but you wouldn''t listen!"


    Miracle Card?


    Felix crouched down and picked up the card without minding the dirt on it.


    After examining it, he said, "This is indeed a Miracle Card. Who''s sick?"


    The so-called Miracle Card was issued by Gerald. There were only nine in existence, and whoever possessed one could request the miracle doctor''s services. As Gerald''s apprentice, Felix was well aware of this rule.


    "Do you know where the miracle doctor is?"


    Hope filled Vincent''s eyes, and the woman looked over as well.


    000


    debut since you have a Miracle Card, I can help you."


    ording to Gerald''s instructions, Felix wasn''t allowed to reveal their mentor apprentice rtionship to outsiders. Hence, this was the best he could do.


    "You? Dad, let''s go. The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment."


    The woman turned to leave, but Vincent grabbed her wrist


    "Wendy, your grandfather''s life is hanging by a thread. Since this young man says he can help, why not give it a try? He recognized the Miracle Card, which means he must be able to do something." Wendy Kinsley gazed at Felix with disdain.


    "Seriously? You think he can save Grandpa? Dad, you must be crazy! He looks too young! Even if he started practicing medicine from a young age, what can he possibly do now?"


    1/3


    Felix frowned. He was willing to help anyone who presented a Miracle Card, but Wendy''s back-to-back mockery was starting to annoy him.


    Still, he nced at the ambnce behind the line of Mercedes G-Wagons.


    "Your grandfather is probably in that ambnce, right? After sunset, he''ll start coughing up blood every hour. His breathing will bebored, and it''ll take about five minutes to stabilize. "After the third time, he''ll even start coughing up ck clots. This is my phone number. Call me when you change your mind."


    Felix was willing to help, but he wasn''t going to beg to do it.


    Watching as Felix walked away, Wendy remained scornful. A country bumpkin with delusions of grandeur. He probably saw our luxury cars and thought he could squeeze some money out of us." Vincent sighed but didn''t say anything more. He had taken Felix''s phone number, holding on to it as a sliver of hope.


    At that moment, Wendy''s phone rang. Her eyes widened as she listened to the call intently. 1


    "Dad! Let''s hurry home. Hugo has managed to bring the master healer, Dr. Fielding, to Avesburgh!"


    Vincent was astounded, thinking, "What? Dr. Fielding, one of the top ten healers in Dragonia? That''s excellent news! Surely, Dad would have a chance now."


    Byte afternoon, Felix had arrived in Avesburgh, where Xena resided, and headed straight to the address stated on the marriage contract.


    Despite feeling indifferent toward Xena, Felix knew he had to follow Gerald''s instructions. Everything depended on Curtis'' decision.


    After slipping the security guards with a few bills, Felix smoothly entered Silverwood, one of Avesburgh''s most luxurious residential areas. Interestingly, this neighborhood didn''t exist when he left Avesburgh three years ago.


    Arriving at Vi No. 8, he found the gate open, a sign of the owner''s confidence in the security measures of this residential area.


    He rang the doorbell, and soon, woman appeared.


    She had an assertive demeanor, short hair, fair skin, and most strikingly, impable features that rivaled some of Felix''s fellow apprentices. She was dressed in military attire, seemingly preparing to head out.


    ""Who are you?"


    "Felix Zeller. You must be Xena."


    Xena''s expression shifted slightly, then she stepped aside. "Come in."


    Once Felix was seated in the living room, Xena spoke up, "Tam Xena, alright. Haven''t I made myself clear enough in the letter?"


    Her expression remained stoic, asionally betraying a hint of disdain in her eyes.


    000


    "You have, but my mentor has repeatedly emphasized that only Mr. Summers Senior can speak on this matter. You don''t have that authority."


    Xena was genuinely stunned for a moment beforeughing in disbelief.


    "What did you say? I''m the foremost goddess of war in Drago, and you, a doctor from a small vige, dare to say Ick authority? It seems you''ve been isted from reality for too long. Felix could sense her air of superiority, but he remained unfazed. "Where''s Mr. Summers Senior?"


    Xena sat down as well, saying, "For Grandpa''s sake, I''m showing you some respect by letting you inside. You should learn some humility.


    "Our social standings are worlds apart, not just in this lifetime, but for generations toe,"


    When Xena saw that Felix was unmoved by her words, her gaze turned colder. "From what it seems, you haven''t tom up that marriage contract, have you?


    Felix nodded. "As I said, the decision lies with Mr. Summers Senior."


    The next second, Kena''s right hand held a handgun, its dark muzzle aimed squarely at Felix''s forehead.


    "Did you think I was being kind? Either tear up the marriage contract now or die for offending a goddess of war. Choose."


    Even though Felix had never had a gun pointed at him, he showed no fear. If he wanted, he could resolve the crisis in a blink of an eye.


    "I don''t care what you do. Your grandfather will be the only decision-maker."


    "You!"


    Xena red at him, filled with anger and frustration. It was just a bluff. She wouldn''t actually shoot him.


    The day after her promotion, her parents had presented her with the marriage contract.


    Proud and independent, Xena couldn''t fathom letting others choose her future husband. Particrly, she couldn''t ept someone like Felix-a seemingly ordinary man, even bordering on mediocrity. "Fine! You want to see Grandpa, right? Follow me.


    They reached the top floor of the five-story vi, where Felix saw Curtis lying in the bedroom.


    m


    "This is my grandfather. He fell into aa a year ago and hasn''t woken up since. I even sought the master healer, Dr. Fielding, but he couldn''t help.


    "So, you won''t be able to get anything from him. I''m offering you onest shred of dignity. Destroy the marriage contract, and I''ll do you a favor when you''re in need."


    #

 Billionaire With Husband 3

    Chapter 3 Chapter 3


    While Xena loved Curtis dearly and had tried every means to cure him, a troubling thought crept into her mind: she hoped he wouldn''t wake up at this moment.


    That was because Felix was insufferable. Not only was he useless, but he also dared to act superior in front of a goddess of war like her. He clearly had no idea who he was dealing with. Felix didn''t respond to her condescending remarks, Instead, he rushed over to check Curtis'' pulse, his expression growing serious. "It''s the Phantom Poison. No wonder." Xena


    frowned. "Are you saying Grandpa''s been poisoned?"


    "That''s right. It''s the most potent Phantom Poison there is. If it had been detected earlier, I could have neutralized it immediately. But it''s been over a year, and it has be moreplicated.


    "We need some rare herbs to treat it. Thankfully, the master healers you contacted did a decent job. Though they couldn''t remove the poison, they managed to keep him alive." Xena''s expression twisted with a mix of emotions. "Looks like I misjudged you. You''re not just a mediocre vige doctor. You''re a delusional one. Your act is almost impressive."


    She didn''t know much about medicine, but she had consulted countless renowned master healers for Curtis. did Felix think he was to judge them?


    Felix stood up and faced Xena. "I know you look down on me, but I''m not lying about your grandfather''s condition.


    To be honest, Xena couldn''t help but marvel at his shamelessness. It was truly unparalleled.


    "Now that you know Grandpa can''t speak, can you leave? As I''ve said before, destroy the marriage contract. Wee from different worlds, and the gap between us is unbridgeable. You should know your ce."


    Xena''s tone was firm and unyielding. She''d had enough of Felix''s impudence and wanted him to understand the true status of the first goddess of war in Dragonia.


    "I''ll gather the herbs and return to treat Mr. Summers Senior," Felix stated and promptly took his leave. It was as if Xena''s stunning beauty held no allure for him at all.


    Xena nced at Curtis with aplex look, then shut the door. Her phone rang just as she turned away.


    "Dr. Fielding, what can I do for you?"


    Xander Fielding, a renowned traditional medicine practitioner in Dragonia, was one of the top ten healers in the country and thest doctor to treat Curtis.


    "Lady Summers, after consulting numerous ancient texts and seeking advice from several senior experts, I finally understand why your grandfather remains unconscious." Xena''s heart leaped with hope. Her bond with Curtis was profound and irreceable.


    "Please, tell me."


    "Your grandfather isn''t ill. He''s been poisoned. And it''s the most potent Phantom Poison."


    Xena''s eyes shed with a cold glint, and she spoke through gritted teeth, "Please, Dr. Fielding, treat him. I will reward you generously!"


    However, Xander sighed deeply. "The dy has made things very difficult. I''m afraid I''m powerless. But..."


    His pause rekindled Xena''s hope.


    "But what?" she asked urgently.


    "But there''s one person who can cure your grandfather-the legendary miracle doctor. With his help, he can even bring the dead back to life."


    Xena knew of the miracle doctor, but he was elusive, having vanished years ago. His nine Miracle Cards had be rare treasures, and obtaining one was difficult, even for someone of her status. "Please, Dr. Fielding. Help me locate the miracle doctor. I will also mobilize all my resources."


    After hanging up, Xena suddenly froze in her tracks. "Wait! Felix also mentioned Grandpa was poisoned with the Phantom Poison. Could he actually be skilled?"


    But then she shook her head with a chuckle. "No way! It must''ve been a lucky guess."


    Felix felt a bit helpless upon leaving Silverwood. The herbs needed for Curtis were rare and nearly extinct, but he would usually have no trouble finding them.


    The problem was he didn''t have contact with any of his fellow apprentices, as Gerald had ordered him not to rely on them too easily.


    Therefore, he had no choice but to depend on himself. "I wonder how Uncle Warren is doing. Since I''m back, I should pay him a visit." Avesburgh was his hometown, after all. He had many connections there.


    Meanwhile, at the mansion of the wealthiest family in Avesburgh, Wendy and Vincent were anxiously waiting for


    someone.


    As a Mercedes-Benz pulled up, the two hurried over.


    "Mr. Kinsley, this is Dr. Fielding


    An elderly man and a young man stepped out, and Vincent and Wendy became extremely excited.


    "Thank you foring all this way, Dr. Fielding."


    The elderly man was Xander, a difficult master healer to reach.


    "Lead the way. The patient''s health is paramount."


    Wendy followed behind, walking alongside the young man, Hugo Lambert.


    "Hugo, thank you so much for your help."


    Hugo was from another wealthy family in Avesburgh, and he had long been infatuated with Wendy.


    "Don''t mention it, Wendy. My grandfather had some connections with Dr. Fielding. Otherwise, it would''ve been impossible to get him here. I just hope he can help your grandfather."


    Hugo had been yearning for Wendy''s attention for a long time, and considering the Kinsley family''s immense wealth, getting together with her would significantly benefit his family. Hence, he had spared no expense in bringing Xander over. Chapter 3


    Ten minutester, Xander lifted his hand from Bernard Kinsley''s wrist after reading his pulse.


    "Dr. Fielding, how''s my grandfather?" Wendy asked anxiously.


    Xander, ustomed to such reactions, shook his head slightly. "It''s toote. Your grandfather''s condition is due to an old internal injury. His lungs have been damaged for over a decade.


    "The asional coughing was a warning sign. Perhaps his pride kept him from mentioning it."


    Wendy was distraught. "That''s impossible! Grandpa has regr checkups. Everything was fine."


    Xander snorted. "Are you questioning my expertise? His lung injury involves a subtle, wandering current of air. Such things are undetectable by ordinary medical instruments." Wendy staggered back several steps, and Hugo hurriedly caught her, his expression just as grim.


    If they failed to save Bernard, it would undoubtedly affect his ns.


    Just then, Bernard suddenly sat up on the bed and began to cough violently. He spat out a mouthful of blood, struggling to breathe as if in the throes of a severe asthma attack. "Dad!"


    Vincent and Wendy rushed over to him.


    Wendy suddenly turned to look out the window. It was already dark.


    the recalled Felix''s words from earlier t

 Billionaire With Husband 4

    "Please, Dr. Fielding! Save my father. I''ll give anything!" Vincent pleaded desperately.


    Bernard''s life was crucial for the family, and as his son, Vincent was willing to do whatever it took.


    Xander sighed. "Your father will not make it through the night. But since I''m here, you have another option. I can extend his life by a month. Decide quickly."


    Before Vincent could respond, Bernard croaked out with great struggle, "D-Do it."


    Vincent quickly agreed. Prolonging Bernard''s life for a month was better than losing him now.


    Meanwhile, Wendy had slipped out of the room, looking visibly torn as she held her phone. She remembered the phone number Felix had given them earlier that day due to her sharp memory. "Grandpa, I''ll do anything for you," she murmured, her face set with determination.


    At a certain residential area in Avesburgh, Felix stood in front of a three-story vi, feeling a mix of emotions. It had been three years since hest saw Warren Quinton.


    Warren had been his father, Matthew Zeller''s, best friend since childhood, and they shared a bond closer than that of blood brothers.


    Just as Felix was about to ring the doorbell, he received a phone call from an unknown number.


    "Hello?"


    "This is Wendy, who brought over the Miracle Card earlier today. First, I want to apologize. Can you pleasee to check on my grandfather? He''s coughing up blood like you predicted." Felix couldn''t help but smirk. Some people just needed to learn the hard way.


    "Alright, Send a car to pick me up. I''m at Vi No. 6 in Azure Residences."


    "Okay. By the way, we have a master healer here who ims he can extend my grandfather''s life by a month."


    Felix replied casually, "Tell him to leave. Doing so will only make your grandfather beyond saving"


    As soon as he hung up, a voice called out, "Felix?"


    Looking up, Felix saw a middle-aged man in the yard, staring at him in disbelief.


    "Uncle Warren, it''s been three years. You look even younger than when Ist saw you.


    Warren''s eyes instantly filled with tears. He couldn''t believe it was his best friend''s son standing before him. Thank God! My prayers have been answered!"


    He rushed out and hugged Felix tightly, tears streaming down his face.


    After a brief but heartfelt reunion, they went inside the vi.


    "Nattie! Sasha! Look who''s here!"


    In the living room, a woman was lounging on the couch while watching TV, her legs extended in full view.


    "Ah! Pervert, what are you looking at?" she screamed when she locked eyes with Felix. Upon realizing he was a stranger, she bolted upstairs.


    ¦°


    "Warren, really? Sasha was practically naked. You should''ve told us someone ising! Who is he anyway?"


    Felix immediately recognized the two women. One of them was Warren''s wife, Nattie Wood, and the other was their beloved daughter, Sasha Quinton. 1


    "Nonsense! She''s not naked. And even if she were, so what? Felix isn''t a stranger."


    Nattie scrutinized Felix, and then it clicked. "Felix Zeller?"


    Her expression unexpectedly became bitter as she said, "What? Are you back to freeload off us?"


    Felix understood her implication. After his parents passed away, he lost interest in managing the family business, which was subsequently taken over by his rtives, Later, he met Gerald and decided to give the millions of dors left by his parents to Warren for safekeeping. But little did Nattie know that Felix no longer cared about money. "Shut it! Prepare some food. Now that Felix is finally back, we''re going to have a drink. Stop spouting nonsense if you don''t want me to get pissed."


    Sensing Warren''s rising anger, Nattie reluctantly went to the kitchen.


    As Warren led Felix to the dining table, he beamed with joy,


    "I''m so d you''re back. If it weren''t for your financial support, mypany wouldn''t be where it is today. You basically own half of thepany. "Also, I once made a promise with your father to arrange a marriage between you and Sasha. It''s about time we start nning your wedding Before Felix could refuse, Sasha, now dressed properly, reappeared.


    "No way! Dad, you want me to marry him? Absolutely not!!


    Sasha was undeniably beautiful, but the disgust on her face was off-putting.


    "Do you think you get to decide?" Warren bellowed,


    Sasha was near tears. "I won''t marry him! You said he spent thest three years working as a doctor in a small clinic in some vige. How could he be good enough for me?


    ¦Ó¦Ç?


    "So what if he gave us millions of dors before? The money would be long gone by now if he had kept it. Anyway, can''t we just repay him the money?"


    When Warren stood up, Nattie quickly intervened, holding him back as she ced a te of food on the table." Warren, calm down. This is all so sudden. Sasha needs time to process it. We should let them get to know each other first." Felix spoke up as well, "Uncle Warren, Aunt Nattie is right Marriage is a lifelongmitment, for each other should be mutual."


    and our feelings


    He knew Warren well-he was straightforward and valued loyalty. He rarely went back on his word. So, this way, they could ease the tension and find a reasonter to call the marriage off.


    Nattie gave Sasha a look, and thetter rxed a bit. "Dad, I''m sorry. It was just too sudden."


    As expected, Warren visibly calmed down. "Alright. You have three months. Then, you two will marry."


    Food was served, and Nattie smiled warmly. "Make yourself at home, Felix. You''re like family." Chapter 41


    Sasha sneered. "Mom, he came empty-handed."


    Felix ignored the two of them. He had onlye to see Warren after all. He had known for years that Nattie and Sasha were extremely opportunistic.


    "Uncle Warren, here''s to you." Felix raised his ss, cutting off Warren''s impending outburst.


    "Felix, tell me. What have you been up to? Three years ago you said you were going to work at a clinic in a vige, then changed your number. Do you know how worried I was? "Matt is gone, but I treat you like a son. Just let me know if you have any difficulties."


    Despite Warren''spany growing bigger over the past three years, he remained humble, which was Felix''s only sce.


    "Warren, you''re overthinking it. Felix is capable and doesn''t need our help," Nattie interjected, her tone implying that she didn''t want Felix to freeload off them.


    If he were to insist, they would repay the million dors he had given them, without interest, of course.


    "Exactly, Dad Felix is outstanding. He doesn''t need us," Sasha added.


    Felix was about to say something when the housekeeper, Brenda Criss, entered. "Mr. Quinton, there''s a Rolls-Royce Phantom parked outside. They say they''re waiting for Mr. Zeller." A Rolls-Royce Phantom was a rare sight in Avesburgh.


    Felix replied, "They''re here to pick me up.''

 Billionaire With Husband 5

    Chapter 5 Chapter


    5


    The Quintons turned to Felix, each with different emotions Warren felt an inexplicable excitement, whereas Nattie''s and Sasha''s faces were full of contempt. "Felix, you''ve really learned a thing or two in the past three years," Nattie remarked, her tone dripping with sarcasm despite the seeminglyplimentary words. "A Rolls-Royce? Felix, you''re amazing. I bet a helicopter wille pick you up the next time," Sasha chimed in with tant mockery.


    "Uncle Warren, I''ll visit you again," Felix said, ignoring their words. He had more pressing matters, as the person with the Miracle Card required immediate aid.


    As Warren saw Felix out, Nattie and Sasha reluctantly followed. Their expressions shifted slightly upon seeing the Rolls-Royce Phantom parked at the gate, but they remained unimpressed. "Are you Mr. Felix Zeller?" asked a man in a tailored suit and white gloves. He was Marco Jensen, the Kinsley family''s chauffeur.


    Upon Felix''s confirmation, Marco opened the car door for him and then swiftly drove away.


    Brimming with pride, Warren dered, "Did you see that? I knew Felix would rise to greatness. That was a brand-new Rolls-Royce Phantom! Sasha, marrying him would be your greatest fortune." Warren entered the vi with heartyughter, while Sasha crossed her arms with a sneer.


    "Dad is too biased toward Felix to see through his act. That car was obviously rented."


    Nattie nodded in agreement.


    "Exactly! Felix underestimates us if he thinks this will get him to marry you and take a share of our assets. Sasha, you need to make Felix back off within these three months." Sasha clung to Nattie''s arm, her eyes gleamed with confidence. "Don''t worry, Mom. I''ll get rid of him in a week!"


    At the thought of Felix''s shabby appearance, Sasha was convinced he was a good-for-nothing trying to marry her for her family''s wealth. There was no way he would seed.


    In the grand Kinsley Mansion, Xander was waiting for the concoction he was brewing to be ready. Only then could hebine it with acupuncture to extend Bernard''s life. "Dr. Fielding, the medicine is ready."


    A rich herbal aroma filled the room, and Xander stood up.


    "We can begin."


    Hugo had left, seemingly for some urgent matter. But his absence didn''t matter since Xander had promised to extend Bernard''s life. The Kinsley family would owe him a significant favor, and getting together with Wendy afterward would be a breeze. Wendy gathered her courage to speak up. "Dr. Fielding, could you please wait for a moment?"


    ""Hm? What do you mean?"


    As one of the top ten master healers in Dragonia, Xander had amanding presence. Wendy swallowed nervously under his intense gaze, clearly intimidated. Chapter 5


    "Please be understanding, Dr. Fielding. I''ve also invited another master healer. He. He ims he can cure Grandpa and not just extend his life."


    Before Xander could react, Vincent roared in anger, "Nonsense! Get out of here. Who do you think you are to make decisions?"


    Vincent was worried about offending Xander, as it would mean losing his aid altogether.


    "Dad, I''m telling the truth! It''s the young man who knows about the Miracle Card. I''ve already called him and sent a car to pick him up. He should be here soon." Vincent frowned at the mention of Felix. He remembered him well, especially after thetter had correctly predicted Bernard''s condition. For a moment, he was stunned. Meanwhile, Xander was just about to lose his temper when he heard about the Miracle Card.


    "Miracle Card? You... You''ve invited the miracle doctor?"


    Xander was on the verge of hysteria. Meeting the legendary miracle doctor and receiving guidance would improve his medical skills immensely.


    Wendy hadn''t anticipated Xander''s excited reaction and hurriedly exined, "Dr. Fielding, we do have a Miracle Card, but the personing isn''t the miracle doctor.


    "He''s a young man who knows about the Miracle Card and says he can save my grandfather."


    Xander''s expression turned sour.


    "Humph! You got my hopes up for nothing. Your understanding of the situation isughable. The nine Miracle Cards left by the miracle doctor have been widely known for years. Plenty of people recognize them. Yet, you put your faith in a newbie. Ridiculous!" Without waiting for Wendy or Vincent to respond, Xander continued, "Just tell me. Do you want me to extend his life or not? I''ll leave now if the answer is no.


    "You have no idea how valuable my time is. I wouldn''t even bothering here if it weren''t for the Lambert family."


    At this point, Vincent, who trusted Xander more quickly, smiled apologetically. "Dr. Fielding, please calm down. We ask that you proceed. I promise no one will interrupt you again."


    Noticing Vincent''s stern look, Wendy swallowed her words. She had only started to believe Felix because he urately predicted Bernard''s condition. Now, her faith wavered once again.


    Just when Xander approached Bernard to begin the acupuncture, the door swung open, and Felix walked in. He took one look and immediately frowned.


    "Doing that may extend his life by a month, but you lose the chance of fully curing him."


    Xander whirled around, furious. "Who do you think you are? How dare you question me!"


    Vincent panicked. He had been so focused on calming Xander down that he forgot about Felix''s imminent arrival. "Get him out of here! Now!"


    "Do you think I want to cure him? I''m only here because of the Miracle Card."


    With that, Felix stepped forward, his presence intimidating enough to silence some of them


    "Brat, are you the one boasting that you can cure Mr. Kinsley Senior? What a disgrace to the traditional medicine


    world. Now that I''m here, I''ll teach you a lesson!"


    Ignoring Xander''s rant, Felix paused in his tracks and raised his right hand.


    Three silver needles appeared between his fingers. With a swift motion, the room was filled with a harmonious sound as the needles flew toward Bernard. "Melodic Strike? How is that possible?"


    Xander was dumbstruck. Only highly skilled practitioners could make acupuncture needles sing. This


    demonstration alone left him in awe.


    Immediately, his eyes darted over to see the needles'' precisending points. At the same time, Bernard''s face had turned a healthy shade of red, his skin lightly trembling "The Pierce of Trinity," gasped Xander.


    Stumbling back a few steps, he copsed to the floor.


    His teeth were chattering as he asked, "Who... Who are you?"

 Billionaire With Husband 6

    +26 BONUS


    Although Wendy and Vincent might not have understood the full extent of what was happening, the sight of the arrogant Xander sprawled on the floor in shock made them realize Felix was the real deal. "Remove the needles in an hour. Your grandfather will wake up tomorrow fully recovered," Felix stated before turning to leave.


    He was here solely to fulfill Gerald''s duty concerning the Miracle Card.


    "Pierce of Trinity... My God, I can''t believe I witnessed the Pierce of Trinity." Snapping back to reality, Vincent quickly nudged Wendy. "Go after him!"


    Then, he helped Xander to his feet and asked, "What''s the Pierce of Trinity?"


    "It''s one of the most miraculous acupuncture techniques in traditional medicine," Xander exined instinctively.


    "The Pierce of Trinity can cure most ailments. Though it has been passed down, very few can perform it. I''ve practiced for five years and still haven''t mastered it."


    Reflecting on Bernard''s condition and the cement of the three needles, Xander had no doubt it was the Pierce of Trinity.


    "So... he is a highly skilled doctor?" Vincent asked.


    Xander red at him, suddenly remembering the importance of the situation.


    "Of course! He''s a real master healer. I''m not even close to his level! Remember. Remove the needles in exactly one hour, or suffer the consequences."


    He left behind a final warning before rushing outside.


    Vincent was ted. The effort of getting the Miracle Card hadn''t been in vain. Bernard was saved.


    In the spacious courtyard outside, Felix stood with a look of exasperation on his face.


    "Hey, are you going to give me a ride or not?"


    Kinsley Mansion was located in the suburbs of Avesburgh. He couldn''t possibly walk home.


    Marco was equally troubled. He bowed deeply to Felix and replied, "Sir, please don''t make it hard for me. Ms. Wendy just called and told me not to leave without her permission.''


    Wendy happened to arrive just then. She bent over to catch her breath, having run over the whole way. Her modest neckline had slipped, revealing more than intended.


    Nevertheless, Felix had spent the past three years with his six beautiful fellow apprentices and was entirely immune to such distractions.


    "What do you want?" he asked.


    Wendy answered in a hurry, "Thank you for saving my grandfather. I sincerely apologize for everything that happened this morning."


    Felix frowned. "You''ve already apologized. Now, can you let him drive me back to the city?"


    Wendy was genuinely puzzled. She was a sessful CEO well-known for her beauty and had plenty of admirers. Yet, Felix, brimming with youthful vigor, seemedpletely unaffected by her charms. Chapter 6


    "Can I know your name?"


    Felix started to grow Impatient. He simply wished to leave and search for the rare herbs to cure Curtis.


    "It''s Felix Zeller."


    At that moment, Xander rushed over with impressive speed. Those skilled in medicine often had various ways to maintain their health, and thus physical exertion was nothing to him.


    "Sir! I was blind to your greatness and offended you. Please forgive


    Felix''s expression darkened. "I''ll say this onest time. Can I leave now? As for you, get lost."


    Xander fell silent, and Wendy uneasily handed Felix a card.


    "Mr. Zeller, this is the Kinsley family''s Golden Card. It lists our family''s enterprises. With this card, you''ll receive VIP treatment anywhere."


    Felix took the card, not caring much about it. He just wanted to get out of here immediately.


    Sensing his impatience, Wendy signaled Marco with a nod


    As the car door opened, Xander clenched his teeth and said, "Sir! There''s a significant figure whose grandfather-


    Felix interrupted with a cold look. "What does that have to do with me?"


    Xander helplessly watched Felix leave. He thought perhaps thetter might be able to cure Curtis.


    Unfortunately, he had left a bad impression.


    "Ms. Kinsley, could you give me his contact information?" Xander asked.


    Wendy gave a rueful smile. "Dr. Fielding, you''ve seen how he is. We, too, initially underestimated him just as you did. I''m afraid I can''t."


    With a bitter chuckle, Xander also left. He would have to ry the news to Xena, hoping that her esteemed position might allow her to get Felix''s contact information from the Kinsley family.


    After all, finding the elusive miracle doctor seemed far less likely than reaching out to Felix.


    On the way back, Felix felt his stomach growl and asked Marco, "Does the Kinsley family own any restaurants? If so, drop me off at one of them."


    At the moment, he only had a little over 200 dors in his Cash App and no other savings, Gerald had left him a card with a huge sum of money, but he couldn''t use it until his and Xena''s marriage contract was resolved.


    As for the Dragon Ring from Eloise and its connection to the Dragon Alliance, he had no clue how to use it. Fortunately, Leslie had slipped her Supreme ck Card from Concord Bank into his pocket before he left, so money wasn''t a concern.


    But since he had taken Wendy''s Golden Card, he figured he might as well make use of it.


    Half an hourter, at one of Avesburgh''s most luxurious restaurants, Luxe Dining, two attractive women walked hand in hand toward the entrance.


    "The renovated underground parking lot is such a hassle. We have to park over there and walk."


    "Oh,e on. You want to eat something nice butin about everything. If you keep this up, I won''t buy you this meal." "Hey, don''t go back on your promise."


    One of them was Sasha, apanied by her best friend, Ruth Lester. They had agreed the day before to dine at Luxe Dining.


    Even for just the two of them, the meal would cost no less than 3,000 dors, which spoke volumes about Luxe Dining''s high-end prices.


    "Wow! A brand new Rolls-Royce Phantom. I wonder which wealthy family owns it," Ruth eximed, her eyes sparkling


    Sasha nced over, spotting the car parked not far away. A sense of foreboding washed over her. Sure enough, as the car door opened, the very person she despised stepped out. It was Felix


    "He''s quite a looker. Is he from out of town? I don''t recognize him."


    "Good thing I''m here, or you''d be fooled! That''s Felix Zeller, the guy I told you about. He rented that car to show off," Sasha said with a sneer.


    Ruth''s smile vanished. "Ugh, I thought he was some rich guy and was about to flirt with him."


    However, Sasha''s eyes gleamed with a n. Grabbing Ruth''s hand, she led her toward Felix. "It''s a perfect chance. I told my mom I''d make that jerk disappear within a week


    As Felix was about to enter Luxe Dining, he heard a sarcastic voice behind him.


    "Well, if it isn''t Felix! Are you nning to dine here? You know you can''t get in without a reservation, right?"

 Billionaire With Husband 7

    Felix turned and saw Sasha.


    Just his luck.


    He didn''t want to argue with her, but he decided to say, "Sasha, you don''t have to worry about what your father said. There''s no future between us. I''ll break the news to lifm in a month."


    Sasha chuckled. "At least you''re self-aware. That saves me the trouble. You''d better stick to your words, or you''ll regret it when I do it my way."


    Ruth chimed in, "You might not know how popr Sasha is now. She has more admirers than she can count, and many of them are from wealthy families. You''re no match.


    Then, she nced at the tail lights of the disappearing Rolls-Royce Phantom. "Renting a fancy car might change your appearance, but it won''t change who you are inside."


    Felix nodded, relieved Sasha wasn''t pursuing him. He never liked her, not three years ago, and certainly not now. Her family''spany''s sess had only made her more arrogant and superficial.


    As Felix headed into Luxe Dining, Sasha scowled, and her disdain became evident. "Are you deaf? I said you need reservation and a membership card to dine here. Don''t expect me to take you in." However, Felix ignored her.


    Sasha thought she was warning him out of kindness and felt disgusted by his ignorance.


    "Ruth, let''s wait a bit. If he gets kicked out and tries to me me, it might involve even my dad."


    "Good idea. We can''t let him take advantage of us.''


    From their spot, they could see the restaurant''s front desk. Felix had already walked up to it.


    "Good evening, sir. May I have your membership card or phone number, please?"


    Felix shook his head. "I don''t have one."


    Though the receptionist maintained a polite smile, there was a hint of mockery in her eyes. "I''m sorry, sir. We operate on a member reservation basis. You might want to try another restaurant." Felix reached into his pocket and pulled out the Golden Card Wendy had given him. "Will this work??


    The receptionist''s demeanor changed instantly. She became extremely respectful as she said, "Sir, my deepest apologies. With this card, you are one of our most esteemed guests. Would you prefer to dine in the main hall or a private room?" This was the first time she''d seen someone with the Kinsley family''s Golden Card. Suddenly, Felix seemed so much more attractive.


    "Get me a private room," Felix replied.


    Although he was dining alone and could have made do with a meal in the main hall, he didn''t want to risk running into Sasha. She would definitely ruin his appetite.


    Plus, he preferred a quick meal, which wouldn''t disrupt the restaurant''s business.


    "Sir, my name is Donald, the manager of Luxe Dining. It''s an honor to have you here. Please follow me," greeted Donald Peck, who had been instantly notified of the Golden Card''s appearance. Chapter 7


    "Sure."


    Outside, Ruth nudged Sasha, who was engrossed in her phone.


    "Hey, Sasha, what''s going on? Felix''s not getting kicked out but being escorted by someone who looks like the restaurant manager. Could his status be greater than we thought?" Sasha nced up briefly and scoffed,


    "Nonsense. He probably made a fuss about wanting to dine here. The manager is likely taking him somewhere discreet to handle the situation without disturbing the other guests."


    H


    Ruth''s eyes lit up. "You''re right. That guy''s so clueless. Luxe Dining is owned by the Kinsleys, the wealthiest people in the city. He doesn''t know what he''s getting himself into." Meanwhile, Felix was led into a private room. However, his expression soured immediately. The room was sorge and opulent that he felt awkward dining alone. "Could you find a smaller room? I''m just here for a simple meal," he said.


    "Of course. Please follow me."


    Given that Felix possessed the Golden Card, anypse in service could cost not only Donald''s job but also the. general manager''s. Therefore, he quicklyplied with his request. As they retraced their steps, a woman in a long white dress walked toward them.


    Her presence wasmanding, and even though she wasn''t deliberately showing off, her demeanor made passersby instinctively step aside, clearing a path.


    Felix sighed. He only wanted to have a meal, but his luck seemed to be taking a nosedive-first running into Sasha outside, and now encountering Xena. It was starting to ruin his appetite. Xena noticed Felix but didn''t pause her stride. With a cold tone, she remarked, "Tond a job at Luxe Dining must be quite an aplishment for you.''


    Her arrogance was palpable, as usual.


    Felix had no desire to exin to her. After all, Xena was no ordinary person. She was the formidable goddess of war. Even if Felix were the manager of Luxe Dining, it wouldn''t make a difference. Besides, their marriage was in Curtis'' hands, and Felix had no intention of currying favor with her.


    In fact, the sight of Felix brought Xena a sense of satisfaction, as the more he integrated into high society, more he would understand her elevated status.


    the


    She was confident that he would eventually find the situation absurd and might even voluntarily destroy the marriage contract.


    Upon entering another private room, Xena found a middle-aged man inside. He was of average height but had a sly, calcting look in his eyes. of your


    "Xena, please take a seat. I''ve ordered some favorite dishes."


    Perry Glover was Xena''s uncle. After all, not just anyone could invite her out for a meal.


    "Uncle Perry, don''t be so formal. You''ve got into some trouble again, haven''t you? You didn''t mention it over the phone, so it must be serious."


    od andwardly. "Let''s eat first. We can discuss it while we eat."


    Xena didn''t press further and sat down. She then said with a serious tone, "I heard from my deputy that you''ve been associating closely with Kane. Just a heads-up-thread carefully.


    "Kane is no ordinary man, and his background is quite tangled. Even I haven''t managed to find any useful information about him. I trust you understand the implications."


    Kane Guerra, also known as Lord Kane in the underground circles of Avesburgh, was a figure of immense power feared by many. Even the wealthiest families had to show him respect. When Perry was about to respond, Xena''s phone rang. It was from Xander.


    "Dr. Fielding, do you have any news?"


    Xena''s voice wasced with anticipation, her focus moved entirely to Curtis'' condition.


    "Sort of. I didn''t meet the miracle doctor, but I dide across a young man at Kinsley Mansion today. His medical skills, while not up to the legendary miracle doctor''s standards, are impressive and might be sufficient to treat your grandfather. 1 "I must admit that I''m quite impressed."


    Xena was surprised to learn that there was someone with medical skills surpassing Xander''s and that he was just a young man.


    "What''s his name? Where can I find him?"

 Billionaire With Husband 8

    "s, it was partly my fault. He simply looked too young. Before treating Mr. Kinsley Senior, we had a bit of a disagreement, so I didn''t manage to get his contact." Xena understood where Xander wasing from and couldn''t me him.


    No one would believe it when a young man imed his medical skills were superior to Xander''s, one of the top ten healers in the country.


    "Thank you, Dr. Fielding. I''ll follow up with the Kinsley family."


    Some hope was better than none. Compared to the elusive miracle doctor, Xena thought that the mysterious young man was undoubtedly worth pursuing. Felix felt thoroughly satisfied as he left Luxe Dining. The food was delicious, justifying its high price. Just th


    Warren called. Before leaving the Quinston vi, Felix had reluctantly given him his new contact


    information.


    "Uncle Warren, what''s up?"


    "Felix,e stay at my ce tonight."


    Felix tried to decline. "No, I-"


    "Don''t even try to fool me. I''ve known you since you were a kid. I can read you like a book. So, tell me where you''re staying, and I''lle over for a visit."


    Felix smiled wryly. He knew he couldn''t deceive Warren. However, he really didn''t want to face Nattie and Sasha again.


    "Okay. I''lle to your ce right now."


    "That''s more like it! Hurry up. You left too soon. This time, we can have a proper drink together."


    When he arrived, Nattie and Sasha were both present. Out of respect for Warren, they didn''t show any hostility, but they weren''t exactly weing either. "Sasha, didn''t y


    t you mention you''re going somewhere with your friends tomorrow afternoon?"


    Sasha replied, "Yeah. We''re going for outdoor barbecues. Why, Dad?"


    Immediately, she sensed something was off.


    "Bring Felix along. You two will get married eventually, and he should get to know your friends. It''s better for him to meet them early."


    Just as Sasha was about to object and find an excuse, Nattie interjected, "Your dad''s right, Sasha. You should bring Felix along. But remember. Some of your friends can be quite snobbish. You need to stand up for Felix, got 00


    Sasha smiled at her words. This could be a great opportunity for Felix to see the reality of things. "Actually, I was thinking the same. I just hadn''t found the right moment to tell Felix."


    -Warren was delighted. "That''s more like it! Felix, you see that? Your charm is undeniable. My daughter''s already falling for you."a


    Felix had no choice but to smile along. Warren was practically his second father, having saved Matthew''s life once.


    It was out of the question to refuse him.


    "Then, I''ll be counting on you, Sasha."


    Early the next morning, Felix finished breakfast and was about to leave when Warren asked, "Felix, where are you off to so early?" "Oh, I''m heading to Concord Bank to settle some things."


    Felix would need money to get the rare herbs needed for Curtis'' treatment. So, he had to use the card Leslie had given him. "Perfect! Sasha needs to handle somepany business at Concord Bank, too. You can go together."


    Seriously? The more he tried to avoid her, the more they ended up together.


    Sasha was clearly not thrilled, either, but she couldn''t go against Warren.


    As the car pulled away, Sasha looked at Felix with a mischievous smile.


    "Felix, do you know what car I''m driving?"


    "Porsche Cayenne," Felix replied absentmindedly, staring out the window.


    It had been three years since hest returned to Avesburgh, and the changes along the way were strikingly huge from hisst trip to the outskirts.


    Seemingly prompted by a thought, Sasha said in a different tone, "That''s right. I almost forgot your family used to do pretty well in business. Of course you''d recognize a luxury car." Felix turned to look at Sasha, who never missed a chance to mock him.


    "I''ve told you before. Nothing will happen between us. You don''t need to seize every opportunity to ridicule me. It''spletely unnecessary."


    Frankly speaking, Sasha wasn''t even that attractive, especially not whenpared to any of his fellow apprentices or Xena. Even Wendy was leagues ahead of her


    "Good. Just wanted to make sure," Sasha retorted.


    A momentter, the car abruptly stopped at a corner.


    "Get out."


    Felix frowned. "What do you mean?"


    "You''re really something, aren''t you? Concord Bank isn''t like other banks. It''s for the wealthy. With its headquarters overseas, regr customers must maintain a bnce of at least a million dors in their ounts. "You can''t even get through the door. You can pretend all you want in front of my dad. I''ll let it slide. But with me, you can drop the act."


    Seeing Sasha''s disdainful expression, Felix got out of the car.


    Did she really think he wanted to ride in her car?


    It wasn''t far from the bank now, and walking would give him a chance to reminisce about his hometown.


    Half an hourter, Sasha finished her business and came down to the lobby of Concord Bank, only to see Felix


    Chapter


    walking in. Her irritation skyrocketed.


    She thought, "Unbelievable! He actually followed me here? Does he think chasing me around will change my attitude? How ridiculous!" Sasha wore a scowl as she approached Felix.


    "You''re getting out of line! Enough is enough. Just because tny dad looks out for you doesn''t mean you can do whatever you want.


    "This ce is for the rich and influential. Are you trying to embarrass me? Get out of here right now!"


    Before the lobby attendant could approach, Sasha made her move first.


    She feared that if Felix started talking, the situation would be harder to handle. After all, she was a notable figure in Avesburgh now, and someone might recognize them.


    Felix sighed, his tone growing more serious. "Sasha, why are you so full of yourself? What I do and where I go are none of your business. Who are you to tell me what to do? If it weren''t for Uncle Warren, I wouldn''t waste my breath on you." Sasha was dumbstruck. Never had she imagined Felix would speak to her like that. Raised in privilege, she had never been treated this way.


    Just as she was about to retaliate, Felix turned his attention to Jamie Hamm, the lobby attendant standing nearby. "Hello, where''s the VIP section? Please take me there."


    Sasha couldn''t help butugh out loud. All she wanted now was to humiliate Felix while ignoring the curious looksing from others.


    "Haha! VIP section? Even the most basic VIP ount requires a minimum bnce of ten million dors. Do you even have ten thousand on you, you pauper?"


    Judging from Felix''s outfit and Sasha''s words, Jamie was skeptical that he was a VIP client. ording to the rules, they had to verify his identity first.


    "Sir, please show your bank card and verify your fingerprint here."


    Nodding, Felix handed over Leslie''s bank card.


    Jamie took it and gasped. "Is this... the Supreme ck Card?" Chapter 9

 Billionaire With Husband 9

    Jamie was stunned, as were others in the lobby who heard the words "Supreme ck Card",


    Sasha, too, gaped at Felix in disbelief.


    The Supreme ck Card was a rare status symbol. Only about 30 people in the world possessed it, each with wealth beyond imagination.


    So, how could Felix possibly be a holder of the Supreme ck Card? That was just absurd!


    Swallowing hard, Jamie stammered. He knew that even the cardholders of the next tier down, the Diamond Card, would be greeted by the bank manager at the door.


    Handling a Supreme ck Card was a first for him, and Jamie was beyond nervous.


    "P-Please verify your identity."


    Though the standard procedure was to immediately escort Supreme ck Card holders to the VIP room and notify the bank manager, Jamie was overwhelmed by the situation and couldn''t think straight. "Alright," Felix agreed, cing his right hand on the machine.


    Sasha''s mind was racing as she watched. She needed to figure out how to make amends for offending Felix all this while.


    She thought, "Oh, my God! Dad''s judgment was spot on. If I married Felix, our status and wealth would be unimaginable. I''m such an idiot. He''s been staying low-key all along, and I-" Beep, beep, beep!


    A rapid rm sounded from the machine.


    Jamie was dumbfounded, staring at the screen disying Felix''s card and his fingerprint verification attempt. The rm indicated that his fingerprint didn''t match the cardholder''s. "Sir, please try again."


    Felix frowned. Leslie had assured him that everything was in order, so this shouldn''t be happening. Reluctantly, he tried verifying his fingerprint again, only for the rm to re once more. At this point, Jamie smirked, his initial tension and fear evaporating.


    "Security!"


    Turning to Felix, he said, "You''ve got some nerve to impersonate a Supreme ck Card holder. Do we''re fools? If anyone could just pick up a bank card and use it, we''d have gone bankrupt ages ago."


    you


    think


    Jamie''s words, coupled with the machine''s rm, quickly drew mockingughs from others in the lobby, who resumed their business.


    Sasha was on the verge of a breakdown. She had just felt a pang of self-reproach for misjudging Felix and had even contemted how to apologize and curry favor with him, only to discover he was a fraud.


    "Your antics only make me despise you more. How could there be someone as shameless as you?" she yelled at Felix before storming off.


    She feared that staying any longer might provoke her to physical violence, which would be humiliating.


    Moreover, Felix''s actions could have serious consequences: Depending on how the bank handled it, he could face


    legal action.


    "You''d better notify your manager, or I''m afraid something unpleasant might happen," Felix said calmly. Jamie smiled smugly. "Oh, really? Well, you guessed right. Something unpleasant is about to happen. I''m calling the police, and you''re in big trouble." At that moment, Troye Miller, the bank manager, approached. Upon noticing themotion, he asked, "What''s going on here?"


    Jamie quickly put down the phone and politely responded, "Mr. Miller, this person picked up a Supreme ck Card and is trying to pass himself off as the cardholder. I was just about to call the police."


    Troye''s face turned grave. "You idiot! Did you forget our procedures? Any major client must be reported to top management for verification. Who are you to decide its authenticity?"


    Jamie shrank back in fear. He suddenly remembered that the bank indeed had such a policy. He shouldn''t have had Felix verify his identity. He should''ve escted the matter to a higher authority instead. "I''m terribly sorry, sir. Please follow me. He''ll be immediately dismissed," said Troye.


    Felix said nothing and followed Troye toward the VIP section.


    This was the proper protocol. Leslie wouldn''t have yed a trick on him. She must have given authorization, but only top-level officials would be aware of it. Jamie''s face turned ashen. He had no one to me but himself. His mistake had cost him his job.


    By the time Felix left the bank, not only had he retained the Supreme ck Card but also got himself a Diamond Card and transferred some money into the ount. Felix dialed Wendy''s number.


    ""Dr. Zeller!"


    "Just call me Felix."


    Wendy was over the moon. She couldn''t believe that Felix was reaching out to her again.


    "Alright, Felix."


    Felix continued, "Do you have time to meet? I need your help with something."


    As the wealthiest family in Avesburgh, the Kinsleys could easily procure rare herbs, much more efficiently than- Felix, who couldn''t seek help from his fellow apprentices. "Yes! But I''m a bit tied up at the moment. I hope you understand."


    "Sure. Just get in touch when you''re free."


    At that moment, Wendy had just arrived at the gates of Silverwood.


    She would''ve dropped everything if Felix wanted to meet, but she was already on her way to see Xena. She wouldn''t dare cancel on the goddess of war, no matter what. Thankfully, Felix seemed understanding, or she would''ve been in quite a predicament.


    As Wendy was about to ring the doorbell, the door opened.


    "Ms. Kinsley, pleasee in."


    213


    Seeing the casually dressed woman at the door, Wendy felt self-conscious. She had heard of Xena countless times but had never met her in person.


    Wendy thought, "So, this is the goddess of war? She''s breathtaking. Even I, a woman, am in awe. Men must be speechless around her."


    After entering the house, Wendy was noticeably nervous.


    The difference in their social standings was overwhelming. They were only meeting because Xena happened to live in Avesburgh. Otherwise, their paths might never have crossed. "Pleasure to meet you, Lady Summers."


    Xena smiled warmly. "No need to be so tense. I don''t bite, and I''m not here to reprimand you. In fact, I need your help."


    Wendy was taken aback. What could the powerful Xena possibly need from her?


    Noticing her look of confusion, Xena added, "I''ll be honest. I heard that a young man cured your grandfather. I want to know who he is and how I can contact him."

 Billionaire With Husband 10

    Wendy finally understood what Xander was referring to at that time. The big shot he had said needed help for her grandfather was none other than the war goddess, Xena Summers.


    "Lady Summers, please don''t misunderstand. I have no intention of keeping any help from you. However, I genuinely dare not proceed without permission from the master healer. I''m sure you know from Dr. Fielding what his temper is like." No interaction under this sky wasn''t driven by interests. Xena didn''t expect Wendy to exin herself so readily without excessive prodding.


    "Just say the word, and I''ll be at the Kinsley family''s disposal from here on out."


    Wendy was shocked to the core. Such a promise was priceless beyond words.


    Standing before her was the first goddess of war in Dragonia who possessed supreme power. With her on their side, her family would definitely soar to great heights.


    Yet, as soon as she thought of Felix, a pang of guilt surged within her again.


    "I''m so sorry, Lady Summers. This is not a matter of personal gains. Had it been anything else, I wouldn''t hesitate to exhaust my resources for you. How about this? I''ll ask the master healer himself. If he agrees, I''ll pass you his contact information." Her intuition warned her not to offend Felix. Though it was by virtue of the Miracle Card, he had saved her grandfather, after all. Disseminating means of ess would be akin to ingratitude.


    With that said, Xena couldn''t really force it any further.


    "Alright. Thank you."


    In all honesty, she, as the goddess of war, had countless means to get in touch with the young master healer. It wouldn''t be difficult for her to ess Wendy''s call records or hire people to tail her. Unfortunately, doing so would likely turn out counterproductive and cause her to lose Wendy''s support. In addition, she would be risking the respect of the temperamental master healer. She had no choice but to be patient.


    Meanwhile, Felix was once again in Sasha''s car. After all, Warren had repeatedly reminded them yesterday to attend the barbeque party together.


    "Felix Zeller, listen up! If you start acting all self-centered and bragging at my friends'' ce, don''t me me for turning against you!"


    Sasha''s expression was beyond grim. The incident at Concord Bank had thoroughly sickened her. If Felix acted that way in front of her friends, where was she supposed to hide her face?


    "I''m not bragging. You just haven''t put in the effort to find out the truth."


    Felix didn''t think it necessary to go out of his way to uphold a front or offer an exnation to anyone. His actions would depend on how others acted first.


    He scoffed.


    After Sasha pulled the car into the parking space, Felix got out and looked around.


    They seemed to be in a vi courtyard, with buildings Independent of each other. It was evident that thendscaping work was premier. It was clear that this was a yground for the wealthy. A day spent here would definitely cause a dent in the wallet. 1 Trailing behind Sasha into one of the vis, he found that there were about four to five people already chattering inside. He quickly recognized one of them as the woman he had previously met at the entrance of Luxe Dining


    "Sasha, you''re finally here. Is this the infamous Felix Zeller?"


    Ruth scurried over and extended her right arm.


    "Hello, I''m Ruth Lester. Ah, how embarrassing-you got me a present for our first meeting. But I suppose I deserve it as Sasha''s best friend."


    As soon as he heard her remark, Felix understood that Sasha was deliberately trying to embarrass him. She hadn''t mentioned anything about a gift to him.


    "I think you need to get your eyes checked, Ruth. Does this guy look like he has a gift with him?" A young approached with a bottle of beer, a delighted look on his face.


    man


    "Felix Zeller, right? Have you returned because you failed to make it out there? Living off others isn''t something a man should do.


    "Take me,


    Ivan Cameron, for example. To date, I have opened up several nightclubs without relying on my parents. This illustrates to a T how different people are different. Do you get what I''m saying?"


    The young man stood right next to Sasha as he spoke. Provocatively, he wrapped his arms around the woman who Warren had imed to be Felix''s future wife.


    "Only a man like me is worthy of Sasha''s hand. As for you, perhaps you should stick to ying in the dirt."


    Felix had long foreseen this situation.


    He instantly replied, "You all have your fun. I''ll leave in a bit."


    He had already informed Wendy about their meeting point. As soon as she arrived, he would get right down to business. He was only here to humor Warren.


    After taking two such heavy blows, Felix had been beaten into a pulp. Well, at least in Sasha''s eyes. He seemed devastated as he sat there despondently, and this view only filled her with joy. "Let''s forget about him. We''ll have fun without him."


    Ruth shot Felix with a scornful look, then turned to Ivan.


    "Ivan, I heard you invited Hugo this time. Is he reallying?"


    At this, everyone''s eyes lit up. They all knew who Hugo was. He was a true member of a reputable family in Avesburgh. He was someone who was a tier above them.


    That was how society worked. Even among the wealthy, people were still divided into different sses. Everyone yearned for connections with those above them.


    "Of course. As long as I ask, there''s no way Hugo would refuse. He should be here soon."


    He was smug. Looking around the room, he knew he was the only one in this circle who could afford the presence of someone at Hugo''s level.


    Sure enough, Sasha leaned on his shoulder with a content smile. Her gaze swept over Felix, who sat alone on one


    side. The difference between the two men was stark-there was absolutely no room forparison.


    "Wow, Ivan! Have you got a new watch again?" Ruth eximed, loud enough for Felix to hear.


    Since she did make a promise to her best friend, she had to make sure that she kept it.


    "Ah, this Omega? It''s just for fun. It''s only a few hundred thousand, not something to make a big fuss over."


    Eliciting no reaction from Felix, Ivan felt frustrated. He wasn''t satisfied. It felt like he was punching cotton.


    He didn''t hold back and taunted, "Hey, Felix Zeller, why don''t we y a little game? If you call me "daddy", I will give you this watch. Fair trade, eh?"


    The corners of Sasha''s lips pulled into a slight smirk. With her eyes, she signaled Ruth to get to work. Promptly, she sprung to her feet and ran over to tug at Felix.


    "Go on, Felix! That''s an Omega watch-an expensive watch worth hundreds of thousands of dors! It doesn''t matter if you have never heard of such a thing. We would never lie to you. You shouldn''t let this once-in lifetime opportunity slip away." With everyone''s attention pinned on him, Felix rose to his feet. Disdain sprouted in their hearts-it came as no surprise that a poor man like him would leap at the chance for a free luxury watch. Ivan was overjoyed watching him.


    "That''s right. I, Ivan Cameron, always keep my word. Call me ''daddy,'' and the watch is yours."


    Felix''s expression was exceptionally calm as he walked over and looked at Ivan. His eyes traveled between him and an amused Sasha.


    "To live a longer, more fulfilling life, one ought to leave a bit of room for others. I can take all the sarcasm that you throw at me, but this crosses the line."


    With that, he fished out his phone and fetched his Cash App bnce. Then, he turned the screen ton.


    "Do you think I care about your measly watch worth a few hundred thousand?"


    Before the few people couldunch their next set of insults, their eyes widened into saucers. They instantly started counting the zeros in their heads. "T-Ten million?"


    Ruth was the first to let out a scream, her features pretty much contorted in shock.


    She did know people who had a million dors in their bank ounts. But for someone to be daring enough to store ten million dors in their Cash App bnce, he must have an unimaginable level of wealth.


    Even Ivan himself was left speechless for a moment. Despite being wealthy himself, he didn''t feel confident topete with someone who had 10,000,000 dors just sitting in their Cash App.


    These funds hade directly from Felix''s bank ount. He found Cash App payments most convenient anyway. He couldn''t be bothered maintaining a bnce by transferring tiny sums across after each transaction. After her anger dissipated, Sasha heaved a sigh. "I can''t believe you fell for it.


    "This fellow tried to pretend he had a Supreme ck Card at Concord Bank earlier. With the advances of today''s software, an edited image can easily pass off as genuine. It''s unbelievable!" 1


    At once, Ivan blew his top.


    How dare you y tricks on

 Billionaire With Husband 11

    Just then, Felix''s phone rang. When Sasha and the others saw the caller ID, their fury was immediately extinguished.


    A phone call from Wendy Kinsley?


    Everyone knew of Wendy. She was the daughter of the richest man here, the drop-dead gorgeous CEO of Avesburgh, and the dream woman of countless men. Just this guy? Did he really have ess to Wendy''s mobile? That was beyond belief.


    At this point, Felix had already stepped aside to answer the call.


    "Are you here?"


    "In a few minutes, F-Felix. Since you''re there, I''ve made a reservation at Zenith Pavilion. We can talk there. It''s quite quiet. There''s no need to change locations."


    Although she had Felix''s permission to address him by his given name, Wendy still felt distinctly ufortable.


    "Okay. I''ll head over now."


    When he hung up, Sasha was about to burst into mes.


    "Felix Zeller! Are you not done yet? First, you show off with an edited image. Then, you hire someone to pretend to be the richest man''s daughter and call you at such a critical moment.


    "Do you think you can manifest these fake things into reality? If you think that''s how you can win my favor, you need to stop dreaming!" 1


    Felix thought they were thoroughly hopeless. He had revealed so many hints already, yet their arrogant attitudes remained steadfast.


    Naturally, he didn''t think any further attempts at exining would yield any results. It would be a mere waste of breath. Hence, he headed outside and grabbed a server.


    "Please take me to Zenith Pavilion."


    "Yes, sir. This way, please."


    In the courtyard, the group''s expressions grew increasingly peculiar.


    "Zenith Pavilion? Sasha, I must say, this guy''s acting skills are rather impressive. From renting a Rolls-Royce Phantom to now this, I have to admit that it''s almost admirable," Ruth couldn''t help but remark.


    Herment made sense because each vi in this clubhouse had its own name. Zenith Pavilion, being the most extravagant of the lot, didn''t really go by the reservation system. It typically only hosted the real big shots. So when Felix mentioned that he was heading over there, it only seemed like a massive joke.


    "Sasha, I think you might be overthinking it. That Felix guy is probably going to end up in a mental hospital within a month."


    Sasha nced over at Ivan with curiosity and asked, "Why?


    Who the fuck would spend all their time devising strategies to show off? If that''s not some sort of mental disorder, what is?"


    As soon as he finished speaking, the group burst intoughter. Sasha was in absolute hysterics-she couldn''t


    agree more.


    Outside, Wendy had just handed her car keys to the valet when a voice called out to her.


    "Wendy? What are you doing here?"


    She turned toward the source of the sound and was greeted by Hugo.


    She smiled. "Ah, Hugo! I''m here for a meeting. What about you?"


    Meeting Wendy here was a rather pleasant surprise for him


    "Some kids are having a barbecue here, so I just came to show some support. How''s your grandfather''s recoverying along?"


    Ultimately, Wendy deeply appreciated Hugo''s help. After all, he did summon Xander, who promised to extend Bernard''s life by a month. If it weren''t for Felix, Xander''s contribution would be indescribable.


    Hence, after a discussion with Xander, she decided that the Lamberts would receive a different version of the story. She would say that it was a master healer hired by Xander and the Kinsleys who jointly cured him. This way, Xander''s reputation would be protected without his role being overstated.


    "He''s doing great, and we only have you to thank, Hugo."


    Hugo was quick to offer a modest response, saying, "Don''t mention it. Without the master healer your family recruited, Dr. Fielding alone wouldn''t have been able to cure your grandfather. All he would have done was prolong his life." Deep down, Wendy knew that Hugo wasn''t half bad. However, she wasn''t oblivious. She knew his intentions extended past genuine affection. It was more about interests.


    As they entered, Wendy took the first turn toward Zenith Pavilion. Hugo only found it fitting given her status. It would be more surprising if she had gone somewhere else.


    As soon as Hugo arrived, Ivan and the gang weed him enthusiastically.


    "Hugo, you''rete! Some freeloader appeared at Sasha''s ce, asking for her hand in marriage. All on the basis of an old connection. T


    twas an absoluteedy show. He was showing off in various ways, but he didn''t even consider who we were. I''m not sure he thought it through-did he really think he could pull that off?"


    Hugo sat down, surrounded by admiration.


    He asked casually, "Is that so? Where is he? Has he left already?"


    At the mention of this, Ivan''sughter intensified.


    "Hugo, I''m sure you''dugh, too. That guy held a straight face the whole time as he told a server to bring him to Zenith Pavilion! I bet he only found out about it by chance and knows nothing about the reservation system. Isn''t he such a joke?" Ruth added, enjoying the mockery, "When he returned to Avesburgh, he rented a Rolls-Royce Phantom. Sasha sawi through it immediately, but her father was adamant that it reflected his sess.


    Hugo


    guffawed along.


    "It''s quite interesting, indeed-because I know who''s at Zenith Pavilion right now. That only goes to prove how big of a bluff that kid is."


    "Oh?" The group perked up in curiosity.


    "Who?"


    "Wendy! I met her at the entrance when I got here. If time allows, I might drop by to say hello in a bit."


    Again, everyone knew Wendy. There was only one person whom Hugo would speak about this way it was Wendy Kinsley, daughter of the richest man. In addition, it was alsomon knowledge that Hugo was openly courting her. But it was at this moment that Hugo sensed something amiss from the bizarre reactions amid the group.


    "What''s the matter?"


    Being her outspoken self, Ruth blurted, "Could it be true? Did Felix actually receive a call from Wendy before heading to Zenith Pavilion?"

 Billionaire With Husband 12

    Chapter


    12


    Hugo''s brows knitted together as his deep gazended on Ruth.


    "Are you saying Felix-the guy freeloading at Sasha''s-has Wendy''s phone number?"


    Ruth shrank back in fear, while Sasha stepped in to smooth things over.


    "Hugo, I''m afraid you''ve misunderstood. That guy just loves to show off. If you let me exin, I''m sure we can clear things up for you."


    After learning about Felix''s actions at Concord Bank and his presence here, Hugo let out a disdainful sneer.


    "That''s more like it. If someone like that had ess to Wendy''s contact, even pigs could fly!"


    Ivan quickly chimed in, "You''re right. It was just too much of a coincidence! We almost let that bastard fool us again."


    Hugo patted him on the shoulder. "How dare that piece of garbage that even Sasha despises pretend to have Wendy''s number? Don''t you guys agree that he needs a lesson?"


    Ivan caught his message without fail. He had long been thinking about teaching Felix a lesson for harboring thoughts about his woman. Now that he was trying to tarnish Wendy''s name, too, he best believed there be consequences to his actions!


    ""Don''t worry, Hugo. Leave it to me."


    Sasha didn''t intervene in this decision. Given Warren''s sentiments, she ought to refrain from drastic actions. In fact, it was a massive relief that someone else was stepping in. There was no way she would stop them. Meanwhile, in Zenith Pavilion, Wendy felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. She couldn''t exin why, but she found Felix somewhat mysterious yet incredibly charming.


    "The Kinsley family''s influence in Avesburgh must mean you know some secrets others don''t, right?"


    Once Felix started speaking, Wendy grew serious, too. If this mission turned out sessful, it would bring them


    closer.


    "What exactly are you referring to?"


    "Medicinal herbs used in traditional medicine-the kind that are extremely rare and unobtainable on the market."


    The cogs in Wendy''s mind started cranking. A momentter, her eyes lit up.


    1. up. 1


    "Ah, yes. There''s apany named Sunrise Bids. They''re quite powerful and have auction houses all over the country. There''s one in Avesburgh where they hold one auction a month. You can find all sorts there, including contraband." A slight frown furrowed Felix''s brows.


    "One auction a month. That''s far too long."


    Clearly, Wendy wasn''t finished.


    "They also eptmissions. However, the fee is quite substantial."


    Felix smiled. That sounded brilliant.


    "Do you have their contact?" he asked.


    Wendy didn''t want to miss such a perfect opportunity. She had a long chat with Vincent yesterday, all about how extraordinary Felix was. His medical skills alone were sufficient to make Xander bow down. They were far beyond what the Kinsley family could achieve. "I do, but dealing with them might be inconvenient for a new face. I''ll take you there. Once I set a time with them, I''ll notify you."


    "You can call them now."


    The marriage weighed on Felix''s mind like a burden. Therefore, it was his top priority to cure Curtis.


    "Okay."


    Sensing the urgency, Wendy hastily pulled her phone out. She wondered what could''ve motivated his haste. Her mind wandered. Could it be a woman? A girlfriend? A wife? A lover?


    After ending the call, she reported back, "All set. You can arrange themission after sunset tonight. It happens to be the monthly auction day today, too. I''ll also see if I can pull some strings to help you acquire those herbs."


    Felix nodded and rose to his feet.


    "Pick me up when it''s time."


    At this moment, Wendy seemed to remember something and hurriedly stopped him.


    "Um..."


    Felix spun around. "Was there anything else?"


    "Xander once mentioned a big shot to you. Her grandfather is ill, so she just wanted to see if she could get your contact."


    Without hesitation, he refused, "I''m not avable."


    There was no need to talk to Felix about being a benevolent healer. Gerald had taught him a great deal about that.


    When Gerald''s medical skills saw great improvements back in the day, he started practicing medicine to help the world. However, he didn''t get many returns on his good deeds. People were ungrateful, which led to all kinds of conflicts andints. In a fit of anger, Gerald issued nine Miracle Cards. This would turn out to be the token to obtain medical help from him. Each card was sure toe with a sizable cost-it would depend solely on whether one could shoulder it.


    Before Wendy could offer to see him off, Felix walked off in the direction of a real estate project he had found interesting online. He figured it was time to move out on his own.


    There was no way he could continue freeloading at Warren''s, where he had to endure the disgusting presence of Nattie and Sasha.


    As he passed an alley, he was stopped by a boy about 12 or 13 years of age.


    "Sir, would you like your shoes polished? For just two dors, I''ll make them shine bright. If they''re not clean, there''ll be no charge," he began. He had shoe polish smudges on his face, but his smile was exceptionally pure. "Sure."


    He entered the alley, where a simple chair waited for him. As soon as he sat down, the boy got right down to work


    "Where''s your family?


    The boy was hard at work, answering as he went.


    "My parents have both passed away. It''s just me and my little sister."


    Felix expected no less. Otherwise, there was no reason for a young child like him to be roaming around doing this instead of studying at school. No one would hire someone so young, either. That would be childbor. "How old is your sister?"


    "She''s six and in herst year of kindergarten. Thankfully, elementary school doesn''t cost much now with education beingpulsory. But I still need to earn more, or she won''t get proper nutrition."


    At the mention of his younger sister, the boy''s eyes overflowed with affection.


    "Sir, I''m done. Are they clean enough?"


    Felix nodded with a smile.


    "They''re very clean. Little guy, do you trust me?"


    The child scrutinized Felix for a moment, taking an extra deep look at his eyes.


    "I trust you! You give me a different feeling than others. Therefore, I trust you.


    Felix pulled out a 20-dor note and asked the boy to get a pen and a piece of paper. When he returned, Felix scribbled something on the paper. Then, he handed it back to the child, along with the Miracle Card he had recovered from the Kinsleys. "I won''t give you the two dors, but this here is called a Miracle Card. Consider it your payment."


    The boy scratched his head in puzzlement, yet he didn''t seem upset about not getting his two dors.


    "But sir, how do I use this?"


    Felix chuckled.


    "Go to the entrance of Luxe Dining Follow your instincts and give this to one of the patrons entering the restaurant. Tell them you want to sell this card ording to the conditions on the paper. From then on, your life and your sister''s will change." The recovered Miracle Card had to be spread out again as per Gerald''s orders. Seeing this determined, sensible boy, Felix''s heart was stirred.


    Only wealthy people could afford to dine at Luxe Dining. Those who didn''t recognize the card wouldn''t bother with the boy, but those who did would need no further exnation.


    As the boy watched Felix leave the alleyway, he rubbed the Miracle Card between his palms and gritted his teeth. His mind was made. "That man''s eyes are really clear. I trust him. I''m going to Luxe Dining!"

 Billionaire With Husband 13

    The Miracle Card worked in a rather straightforward way. On its flip side were multipleyers of a special coating. Each time it was retrieved, ayer would be peeled off to reveal a new phone number. This would be Gerald''stest contact information


    This system seemed to have no safeguards, yet it topped any high-tech security system. Only two people in the world could process the card for its next use-Felix and Gerald. They practiced the same unique technique, which was the only method to remove the coating.


    By now, the little boy had arrived at the entrance of Luxe Dining. He held the Miracle Card in his hands. The previous coating had already been peeled off by Felix, thus making it ready for use.


    The boy hastily stopped a heavily bejeweled woman and asked, "Excuse me, ma''am. Would you like to buy this?"


    Disgust instantly clouded her face.


    "Go away! Where on earth did this little beggare from? How useless can the security be at Luxe Dining? How could they let him linger around by the entrance?"


    Hearing themotion, a security guard rushed over and pulled the boy aside without another word.


    It wasn''t until thedy had entered the restaurant that he warned, "Hey, kid, this is no ce for you to loiter. Can you try not to put me in a difficult position?"


    The kid nodded in response, then left to stand a bit further away this time.


    A few minutester, a Mercedes S600 pulled over, and out stepped a well-dressed middle-aged man. There was


    clear kindness in his features.


    In a heartbeat, the child once again rushed ahead to stop him in his path.


    "Sir, would you like to buy this?"


    Despite being turned down once, he still firmly believed in Felix''s words.


    "You little brat! Are you seeking trouble?" The guard from earlier was furious. At once, he seized the boy by the neck. However, it only took one nce in their direction before the man''s interest was piqued. "Let go of him."


    Startled, the security guard released the child instantly and returned to his post. He figured the boy must have struck gold and met a kind man this time around.


    "Are you selling this to me?"


    "Yes, sir. If you are to buy this, you must do as the paper says," stated the little boy earnestly.


    After taking the little piece of paper from the boy, the man felt excitement surge through him. No. His eyes were not ying tricks on him. In his hands was a Miracle Card!


    No one could forge such a thing. Plus, the wealthy were no fools. They would detain the seller, only to free them once they could verify the Miracle Card by contacting the miracle doctor. The possibility of a counterfeit was virtually zero. He unfolded the paper, and a few lines of words came into view:


    "A 1,600-square-foot house in a central location within the city, five million dors in cash, plus someone to take care of this little boy and his younger sister until they graduate from college."


    The man was ecstatic.


    A Miracle Card! Something that would fit into your palm that, at an underground auction, once fetched a price of over two billion dors. Yet, he had just been posed with the opportunity to acquire it for way less!


    All the expenses added up, including the house and other items, wouldn''t exceed ten million dors. He was on cloud nine.


    "I''ll take it! Come with me. Don''t worry. I won''t hurt you."


    It didn''t matter who wrote the note. As long as the miracle doctor was involved, no one would dare go back on their word. This man was sure to honor the deal.


    He clutched the Miracle Card, and his lips curled into a smile.


    "Honey, you''ll be able to walk again soon, like any other normal person."


    Meanwhile, Felix was heading to the sales office that was now only three streets away. He didn''t deem it necessary to take a cab.


    Out of the blue, a van pulled up behind him. Five men leaped out and blocked his path.


    "If you know what''s best for you, kid,e with us quietly. That way, you''ll suffer less."


    The few burly men had expected Felix to scream or resist. However, to their surprise, he merely nodded and followed them into the van.


    One of them chuckled. "I''ve done this many times, but it''s obedient ones like you I like the most.


    Felix sat in the van, restless from the curiosity brewing in him. He wondered who it was to devise such heinous ns against him. He had to admit that that was the main reason heplied so willingly. A little over ten minutester, he was brought to an unfinished apartment.


    "Hank! Efficient as usual!"


    sa


    Two men sat on the first floor, one of whom was none other than Ivan. The other was a man in his 30s with long hair, whose gaze was cial and sinister. 1 Apanying them were about a dozen more men standing around-just the typical mobsters.


    "When have I ever failed to fulfill your orders, Mr. Cameron?"


    Ivan shed him a grin. He rose to his feet and turned to Felix..


    "Felix Zeller, I bet you didn''t expect to find me here, did you?"


    Felix shook his head.


    "Indeed. It was unexpected. I understand there exists some conflict between us over Sasha. But I don''t suppose we''ve had any direct shes, have we?"


    The smirk on Ivan''s face quickly disappeared. He spat on the ground.


    "Damn it! How are you still so calm? Even if we set aside the issue with Sasha, who gave you the balls to hire someone to impersonate Wendy and give you a call? Do you think you''re free to act cocky?" Now that these words were out, there was simply no room left for negotiation.


    +25 BOWES


    "Well, then, it seems we''ll just have to do what we have to do. You are right about one thing, everythinges with a price."


    A cold sneer yed on Ivan''s lips as he fell back into his chair. He made himselffortable in anticipation of Felix''s cries.


    With a slight wave of his hand, Hank''s underlings immediately charged at Felix.


    Thuds and crashes ensued, but within seconds, Hank furrowed his eyebrows. Ivan, too, was in utter disbelief. All his dozen or so men had been taken out before they could retaliate.


    "Hah! No wonder why you were so calm. You are a martial arts practitioner. But if you think you can walk out of here unscathed..."


    Ivan''s disparaging smile returned to his lips.


    Hank himself was a martial arts partitioner, with a formidable record of taking down 30-odd opponents with a knife-a specialty kitchen knife for vegetables, whether hard-skinned items or leafy greens. His performance history was no joke. Sure enough, Hank stood up and stretched his shoulders as he stalked over to Felix.


    ""You''re dead!"


    He threw out his right fist quickly and powerfully. Felix''sck of response in this timeframe was within his expectations. He knew his own strength well.


    Yet, in the next second, Felix managed to strike first. Hended a p square in Hank''s face.


    It rang so loud and crisp, echoing throughout the space.


    Then, Hank fell to the ground, motionless as if dead.


    Ivan sprung up in disbelief. He would have never imagined that even Hank could be defeated.


    "Felix Zeller! What do you want? You''re dead if you darey even a finger on me!"


    Unfortunately, his threats were to no avail.


    When Felix left the scene, everything was in shambles. Everyone in the building was either knocked out cold or writhing in pain, Ivan included. While his face was fine, his body throbbed in absolute agony. "Just you wait!"


    Rage zed in his eyes, but at that moment, his phone started ringing. As soon as he saw the caller ID, he forced himself to answer the call. He was terrified of his father discovering what he had done. "Dad"


    "Ivan,e home right now. I''ve just gotten my hands on the Miracle Card by chance. We can summon the miracle doctor to treat your mother now."


    Ivan''s eyes widened into saucers. Exhration washed over him, numbing the pain coursing through his body.


    "S-So, you''re saying Mom can walk again?"


    "That''s right. Come back, quick."

 Billionaire With Husband 14

    The Phoenix Legion was formidable force led by Xena. Apart from the highest authorities in Dragonia, the army only answered to Xena.


    The legion was stationed on the outskirts of Avesburgh. They upied a vast area and were equipped with all sorts of advanced weaponry. Whenever they were deployed victory was guaranteed.


    Because her unit was based here by national orders, Xena also had to reside in Avesburgh.


    At this moment, Xena was in her office at the headquarters of the Phoenix Legion, reviewing some documents,


    "There''s a possibility that the S-ranked fugitive group-the Menacing Four-could make an appearance in Avesburgh in theing days? Ha! Where did these thugs get the balls toe and make a mess in my territory?"


    Just then, her office door swung open, and in walked her subordinate, Belle Frost. She was drop-dead gorgeous, a stunning beauty who had been under Xena for a few years now.


    "Mdy, there''s news about the miracle doctor."


    Xena leaped to her feet. She hadn''t expected to hear back so soon.


    ""Let''s hear it."


    "The head of one of the affluent families in Avesburgh, Winston Cameron, has obtained a Miracle Card and has activated it. The miracle doctor is expected to arrive at sunset." Almost immediately, a frown appeared on Xena''s face.


    "The Camerons? They are ranked lowest among the reputable families in Avesburgh. How did they manage to get their hands on a Miracle Card?"


    Life could truly be unfair at times. She was the nation''s first goddess of war, yet she struggled to obtain a Miracle Card. On the other hand, the measly Cameron family managed to.


    In fact, she knew a few families who owned Miracle Cards. But they were all of such high status that she couldn''t simply force them to give it up. She did try negotiating with them over the phone, but no one was willing to part with the card. After all, a Miracle Card was their means of preserving a life on the brink of death.


    To think that a Miracle Card would end up in this tiny piece ofnd called Avesburgh. It was just odd."


    "Clear my schedule for the afternoon. I''m paying the Cameron family a visit."


    Xena knew this was a delicate matter, and no one would dare allow outsiders. Not without the miracle doctor''s permission. But who was she? The Cameron family wouldn''t dare turn her away. "Yes, ma''am!"


    Meanwhile, Felix had just stepped into a real estate office when he received a phone call from an unknown number.


    ""Who''s this?"


    "Felix, where are your manners? This was not how I taught you to behave."


    It was Gerald!


    The Phoenix Legion was a formidable force led by Xena. Apart from the highest authorities in Dragonia, the army only answered to Xena.


    The legion was stationed on the outskirts of Avesburgh. They upied a vast area and were equipped with all sorts of advanced weaponry. Whenever they were deployed, victory was guaranteed.


    Because her unit was based here by national orders, Xena also had to reside in Avesburgh.


    At this moment, Xena was in her office at the headquarters of the Phoenix Legion, reviewing some documents.


    "There''s a possibility that the S-ranked fugitive group-the Menacing Four-could make an appearance in Avesburgh in theing days? Ha! Where did these thugs get the balls toe and make a mess in my territory?"


    Just then, her office door swung open, and in walked her subordinate, Belle Frost. She was drop-dead gorgeous, a stunning beauty who had been under Xena for a few years now.


    "Mdy, there''s news about the miracle doctor."


    Xena leaped to her feet. She hadn''t expected to hear back so soon.


    ""Let''s hear it."


    "The head of one of the affluent families in Avesburgh, Winston Cameron, has obtained a Miracle Card and has activated it. The miracle doctor is expected to arrive at sunset." Almost immediately, a frown appeared on Xena''s face.


    "The Camerons? They are ranked lowest among the reputable families in Avesburgh. How did they manage to get their hands on a Miracle Card?"


    Life could truly be unfair at times. She was the nation''s first goddess of war, yet she struggled to obtain a Miracle Card. On the other hand, the measly Cameron family managed to.


    In fact, she knew a few families who owned Miracle Cards. But they were all of such high status that she couldn''t simply force them to give it up. She did try negotiating with them over the phone, but no one was willing to part with the card. 1 After all, a Miracle Card was their means of preserving a life on the brink of death.


    To think that a Miracle Card would end up in this tiny piece ofnd called Avesburgh. It was just odd.


    "Clear my schedule for the afternoon. I''m paying the Cameron family a visit."


    Xena knew this was a delicate matter, and no one would dare allow outsiders. Not without the miracle doctor''s permission. But who was she? The Cameron family wouldn''t dare turn her away. "Yes, ma''am!"


    Meanwhile, Felix had just stepped into a real estate office when he received a phone call from an unknown number.


    ""Who''s this?"


    "Felix, where are your manners? This was not how I taught you to behave."


    It was Gerald!


    TH


    Felix rolled his eyes.


    "You old bastard, you left me in Eden Vige for three years under the care of my fellow apprentices! All while you were out gvanting on your own."


    Evidently, he had underestimated how shameless his mentor was.


    "Don''t get too nitpicky on the little details. You had nine beautiful fellow apprentices surrounding you all day long. Oh, many men would kill to be in your position! Why are you grumbling at me?" Nonsense! The issue was that these beauties that surrounded him were ones he couldn''t touch. Surely there was nothing more torturous than that.


    "Stop talking crap. I''m hanging up," remarked Felix tly,


    Gerald flew into a panic.


    "You think you''re all grown up now, huh? How dare you hang up on me!"


    "Get straight to the point, then. I''m busy."


    Of course, Felix was just trying to pull Gerald''s leg. He wasn''t going to end the call for real.


    "Someone just activated a Miracle Card in Avesburgh. Handle it. I''m a little tied up here."


    Felix felt the muscles in his face twitch with anger. How frustrating!


    "Somehow, you know of my whereabouts all too well! You old coot, you were the one who created the Miracle Cards and distributed them. And now you''re shirking responsibility?"


    The dots finally connected in Felix''s head. Gerald must have orchestrated the Kinsley family''s trip to Eden Vige after their initial contact. This way, he could evade his duty and leave Felix in charge. From then on, whenever a Miracle Card was activated, he would be responsible for handling it while Gerald continued to live his life.


    Just then, a dainty female voice on Gerald''s end of the line interrupted their conversation, "Sir, my time is almost


    up."


    "Extend it! Ahem, I need to go now. Head to the designated location, and someone will pick you up."


    Felix''s expression darkened. He had been breaking his back working, all while Gerald enjoyed a massage.


    Despite his dissatisfaction, he still had no choice but to follow Gerald''s orders. Although he spoke disrespectfully to him, it was out of familiarity, not genuine disrespect.


    "Sir, what type of property are you looking for, and how big of a space do you desire?"


    The sales associate''s voice interrupted Felix''s train of thought, pulling him back to reality.


    "Do you have a vi that''s fully furnished and ready for me to move into?"


    He wasn''t trying to show off with a vi. He simply longed for some peace and quiet.


    The salesperson''s eyes lit up at the mention of a vi.


    "Yes, there is! However, the furnished vis won''t be officiallyunched for another three days. Shall we exchange contact information? I will inform you as soon as the sale is live." "Sure."


    Felix couldn''t be bothered having to deal with furnishing his own ce. Hence, this was the best option for him.


    The seconds ticked by slowly.


    The Cameron residence consisted of six interconnected vis, boasting a spacious area. Considering that they were the least affluent of the affluent, one could only imagine the extravagance of higher-ranking families. "Dad! Is Lady Summers reallying to our house?"


    Winston stood at the entrance of their residence, with his son, Ivan, beside him.


    "Of course. Straighten up now, will you?"


    The news of Xena''s visit almost made Winston jump for joy Lady Luck had finally smiled upon him. First, he acquired a Miracle Card at minimal cost. Now, Xena wasing over.


    Ivan, too, was in awe. The tingling in his scalp hadn''t disappeared as he fantasized about meeting such a big shot


    -one whom even the richest couldn''t easily summon. That could only signify the beginning of their family''s rising fortunes!


    "By the time Lady Summers arrives, you should be on your way out to pick up the miracle doctor. Remember, Everything must go ordingly. There is no room for error."


    Ivan nodded earnestly. "Don''t worry, Dad. This is Mom''s chance to be able to walk again! I won''t mess up.''


    Just then, Sasha called him. He picked up her call.


    "Darling, has Felix been admitted into the hospital yet?"


    When Ivan heard Felix''s name, the blood in his veins started to boil. After their previous encounter, he had to consult a traditional medicine practitioner for a massage to relieve his pain. Nevertheless, he remained sore. "Soon, my dear. I''ve got Hank on the job. I''ve got to go."


    Honestly speaking, he didn''t have to get involved further. Hank had his own connections. Considering the state he had been left in, Felix could only expect a more intense retaliation.


    As the call ended, a car pulled into their driveway. Xena emerged from the vehicle, followed by Belle, Both were d in their military uniforms, bringing with them an imposing air. "Wee, mdy, to my humble abode."


    Xena returned a slight nod and said, "Let''s talk inside."


    "Sure!"


    Once seated, she didn''t beat around the bush. With her status, she didn''t need to bother with the pleasantries with Winston.


    "I heard your family managed to acquire a Miracle Card. I would like to stay and meet the miracle doctor."


    Winston gritted his teeth at her request. Yet, he dared not hesitate much.


    "Of course, Lady Summers. I, Winston Cameron, will obey your everymand."


    The corners of Xena''s lips quirked upward into a slight grin. Things were going perfectly as expected. There was no way he would reject her request.


    She would finallye face-to-face with the miracle doci Curtis.


    Chapter 15.

 Billionaire With Husband 15

    Chapter


    15


    At sunset, Felix stood near a caf¨¦ in Avesburgh. He waited by the roadside for someone to pick him


    1. up.


    He was in quite a good mood now. He was d in white from head to toe, including a pair of snow-white shoes.


    "The old man definitely did this on purpose," he muttered.


    This attire was Gerald''s requirement, as a distinctive mark for recognition. He strongly suspected it to be a prank Gerald was pulling on him, but he ultimately had no choice in the matter.


    Since the Miracle Card was still in Avesburgh, it had to be the one he handed to the little boy. Its reputation and immeasurable value had to have made it an easy sell. It didn''t take long at all for it to change hands.


    As he pondered this, a Mercedes S500 pulled up to him. The driver''s door swung open, and Ivan stepped out of the


    car.


    He scanned his surroundings and reluctantly locked eyes with Felix.


    "Felix Zeller! What are you doing here!"


    As per Winston''s instructions, Ivan was here to pick up someone dressed entirely in white. He looked all around, but Felix seemed to be the only person fitting the description.


    Felix sized Ivan up, sighing internally about how interesting things were bing. It was clear that he was here to pick someone up. He had to admit that he hadn''t expected that the Miracle Card would end up in the hands of the Cameron family. What a twist of fate! "Motherfucker! I''m speaking to you!"


    Having been ignored, Ivan wasn''t pleased. He wouldn''t get intimidated by Felix just because he beat him up.


    Once he found the time for revenge, he was confident that there were at least a thousand ways he could get back at Felix. After all, such was the difference in their status. Felix couldn''t possibly fight back.


    "Did your family get a Miracle Card?"


    Ivan froze on the spot.


    He eximed, "How do you know about the Miracle Card?"


    "Stop talking nonsense. I''m the person you need to pick up. Let''s go."


    Regardless of personal grudges, Felix knew he had to fulfill themitment tied to the Miracle Cards. These were two separate issues altogether.


    When Felix casually opened the car door and helped himself in, Ivan simply blew his top.


    "Get out! What right do you have to sit in my car? I haven''t even settled the score with you yet."


    Without warning, Felixnded a p right on his face.


    "Watch your tongue. If I get out now, who are you going to bring home to your family?" he warned.


    This smack brought Ivan back to his senses. However, instead of acting rashly driven by anger, he carefully scrutinized Felix.


    "The miracle doctor. Are you the miracle doctor?"


    "I''m not the miracle doctor, but if I can stand here, I can solve your family''s problem. Let''s go."


    Ivan thought he was going nuts. It was an undeniable fact that Felix met all of Winston''s criteria-he was at the right location in the right attire. Even if he wasn''t the miracle doctor himself, he had to be an acquaintance. Heck, he might even possess extraordinary medical skills himself Good God! That could only mean that this fellow wasn''t faking it before-it was all genuine.


    At this thought, Ivan started trembling. His teeth chattered


    "Felix Zeller, no, Felix, I apologize for my disrespectful behavior from before. You can do whatever you want to me, but please don''t take it out on my mom. She desperately wants to be able to walk again."


    Given the circumstances, Ivan couldn''t afford to continue picking on Felix. In fact, he was overwrought about the impending treatment. Who could have guessed that he had offended such a powerful yet low-key figure?


    "That''s a different matter. Once I decide to help, I won''t hold back. Come on. Let''s go."


    Ivan couldn''t put a finger on his emotions at the moment. If things hadn''t unfolded like that today, his ns for revenge further down the line would undoubtedly displease Felix. What would then happen to him? He didn''t want to brood over the possibilities. "By the way, don''t tell Sasha," Felix added.


    If an opportunistic woman like Sasha found out, she was sure to start pestering him endlessly.


    He could certainly ignore her and block her out, but it would be a tricky feat to exin things to Warren.


    Reflecting on his own actions, Felix realized he needed to handle things better emotionally.


    It was a good thing no one believed his previous attempt at unting his wealth. Nevertheless, he ought to be more cautious in the future. One silly mistake could snowball into a sticky situation.


    "Yes, yes, Felix. Please rest assured. I promise I won''t tell anyone."


    Ivan wasn''t stupid. He knew his ce. Surely, there were reasons for Felix''s actions. Who was he to interfere? Even if they couldn''t be friends, he had to avoid making him an enemy.


    If that idiot Sasha were to learn that she had a golden suitor right beside her, she would probably bawl her eyes


    OUL


    Would Felix marry Sasha? That sounded highly unlikely.


    Despite being in the low rankings among the affluent families of Avesburgh, the Camerons still surpassed Warren''s status. Even Ivan wouldn''t marry Sasha-it was practically decided that she was unqualified. She was just someone he was fooling around with. "Did you say it was your mother who needed treatment?"


    In truth, Felix couldn''t give a flying fuck about Ivan. Now that the Miracle Card was involved, treating the patient. was paramount.


    "Yes, Felix. My mom''s legs were paralyzed four whole years ago. She didn''t fall or injure herself. She just suddenly lost the ability to walk. We''ve even consulted overseas specialists all across the world, but no one could diagnose a cause. At this point, we''re desperate." At this, Ivan grew emotional.


    "Please, Felix, you must help my mom. It is her ultimate dream to be able to walk again."


    Felix smiled


    "Looks like your parents share quite a good rtionship."


    The Miracle Card was meant to save lives. Cheryl Lloyd was ''t dying. She was only paralyzed. Using the card for this said a lot about her rtionship with Winston.


    Half an hourter, they arrived at the Cameron residence. Winston was on tenterhooks about his decision to allow Xena''s presence. He was afraid that an outsider might upset the miracle doctor and shatter Cheryl''s newfound hope.


    Yet, he didn''t have a choice. Xena''s superiority meant they couldn''t afford to turn her away. She was perfectly capable of ruining their lives and sending them back to square one. All with an effortless flick of her finger. Winston''s phone buzzed with a message from Ivan.


    He hurriedly turned to Xena, "Lady Summers, the miracle doctor is almost here."


    Nodding, she stood up.


    "I''ll go out with you to wee him."


    In his eyes, her offer was only appropriate. Though Xena was the legendary goddess of war, she wouldn''t dare act arrogantly before the miracle doctor. After all, who could guarantee they would never need medical help? What he didn''t know, though, was that Xena herself was a bundle of nerves. She could lower herself and beg, the miracle doctor refused to help, her options would still be limited.


    Ultimately, her status as a goddess of war meant nothing to the miracle doctor. She was no different than any other person. 1


    Soon, the Mercedes arrived. Ivan speedily climbed out and opened the rear door.


    Xena had been taking deep breaths to calm herself. When she saw the supposed miracle doctor, her expression froze.


    ""It''s you!"

 Billionaire With Husband 16

    Chapter 16 Chapter 16


    Xena couldn''t believe her eyes. Ivan had gone out to wee the miracle doctor, and there was no way the Cameron family would get something so important wrong, Didn''t this mean that Felix was the miracle doctor?


    How could that be? Felix was so young, and the legends about the miracle doctor had already been around for decades. The timeline didn''t match up.


    Winston was simrly confused. Who the hell was this guy that Ivan had brought in? Based on his looks alone, he couldn''t be the miracle doctor.


    Felix didn''t expect to see Xena around. He frowned when he saw her. "Why are there outsiders around?"


    Ivan didn''t dare say anything-he knew he was bound to upset someone, no matter what he said. More importantly, he couldn''t afford to offend any of the people present.


    Having outsiders around after summoning the miracle doctor with the Miracle Card was against the rules. Xander had been present at the Kinsley residence, but that was fine because he was also a healer.


    "An outsider?" Xena was already upset to see Felix. His words only set her alight. "You''re just afraid of me.


    sleeve, exposing you for the fraud you are, aren''t you? I have to admit that you''ve got quite a few tricks up your though.


    "I thought you''d gotten a proper job at Luxe Dining, but it looks like you''ve ultimately decided to be a conman. You even have the nerve to pretend to be the miracle doctor! Do you have the skills for that?" Winston hurriedly turned to her. "Do you know him, mdy?"


    "I wouldn''t say that. I''ve met him before and only know that he''s an average doctor from a tiny clinic in the countryside," Xena sald, her face devoid of emotion.


    "The Cameron family is considered reputable in Avesburgh, and it''s rather ridiculous that you haven''t seen through his schemes."


    With that, she got into the car and left. She''d been filled with hope before this, but all she''d gotten was Felix, the worthless piece of trash who didn''t know his ce. How could she possibly linger?


    As for how Felix had managed to trick Winston and where he''d found the nerve to forge the Miracle Card, those weren''t things she cared about. As Dragonia''s first goddess of war, her time was precious. She couldn''t continue wasting it there with them. Once she was gone, Winston''s expression turned ugly. "How could you get something so simple wrong, you scoundrel? How could you pick up the wrong person? Have you lost all your brain cells?"


    He didn''t pick on Felix because he knew the Miracle Card''s secret. He only thought Ivan had gotten the wrong


    person.


    This time, however, Ivan didn''t back down in the face of Winston''s fury. "I''m positive I didn''t get the wrong guy, Dad. Felix is here on the miracle doctor''s behalf, and he can cure Mom''s legs"


    Ivan was about to say something else when Felix approached him. "Where''s the Miracle Card?"


    For some reason, Ivan felt pressured as he looked into Felix''s eyes. He found it ridiculous. One needed time and experience to form a domineering andmanding presence-it wasn''t something that would appear overnight.


    No matter how powerful or influential, none of the sons of affluent families had made him feel like this before. Ultimately, he just pulled out the Miracle Card.


    "There we go. Now, take me to the patient," Felix said.


    Ivan kept shooting looks at Winston, and Felix sounded so confident. Winston didn''t say anything else about his Identity. "Come with me."


    He would allow Felix to check on Cheryl. If Felix could cure her, Winston would give him everything he wanted. But if he couldn''t, Winston would show him the consequences of fooling the Cameron family. Meanwhile, Belle sat in the car, looking guilty. "I''m sorry for giving you the wrong information, mdy. Please punish me."


    Xena waved a hand. "It''s fine. Having some news is better than nothing at all. It might''ve been a wasted trip, but at least I''ve gotten to see what Felix''s true colors are."


    She snorted. "How ridiculous. I suppose he''s only using his cover as a small-town doctor to go around scamming people." 1


    The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. How could Curtis have arranged for her to marry


    rv someone like Felix? I was bad enough that he didn''t have any redeeming qualities. He had to be a conman, tool


    She was already being kind and holding herself back because of their so-called engagement. Otherwise, she would''ve had him arrested and thrown behind bars!


    ''So that was Felix Zeller, mdy? Should I do something to put him in his ce?" Belle asked.


    Xena hesitated before rejecting her suggestion, saying, "No, it''s fine. People like him will eventually realize what the reality is like. Besides, I don''t have any ns to marry just yet. Just leave him to his devices." Belle understood that.


    Xena was a proud woman with many achievements under her belt, and no man had yet to catch her eye. How could she possibly want to settle down and marry someone?


    Back at the Cameron residence, Felix saw Cheryl, where shey in bed. A trace of confusion shed in her eyes when she saw him, but she soon regained herposure.


    Perhaps to every patient, everything and every one was worth giving a shot. Who knew? Maybe something would work.


    "Felix, please take a look at my mother''s legs," Ivan said.


    Felix checked Cheryl''s pulse before feeling her legs for a while. Then, he stood up.


    "Can you treat her?" Winston was still doubtful of Felix''s abilities. He''d even arranged for people to capture thetter once he revealed his true colors.


    Felix nced at Ivan before saying, "Your mother isn''t sick Someone caused her legs to end up like this."


    What? Cheryl wasn''t sick?


    Before Winston could say anything, Felix turned back to Cheryl. "Before you lost the feeling in your legs, did you feel any pain? It should''ve been faint and quick, almost as if you''d imagined it." Cheryl''s eyes widened. "How did you know that? I genuinely thought I''d imagined the feeling.


    Seeing that Felix had guessed correctly without Ivan and Winston even knowing about this, they couldn''t help feeling hopeful.


    Chapter 16.


    Winston immediately lowered his head respectfully. "Please forgive my earlier disrespect, sir. I''m willing to do anything and pay any price as long as you can get my wife back on her feet!"


    Felix nodded. It looked like Winston genuinely cared for Cheryl. He said, "That won''t be necessary. The Miracle Card is enough. Without that, I wouldn''t even be here.


    "Before we get into anything else, I should probably let you know what the situation is like. You should be more worried about the things I''m about to say, rather than just curing your wife''s legs." pointed at Cheryl''s legs and said, "Your family is a reputable one, so you should''ve seen some things in your lives.


    "The pr


    practice of martial arts has been around for centuries, and when we refer to someone as a martial arts practitioner, we normally mean people who have only learned martial arts informally.


    "Once they''re formally introduced to martial arts, they can be called martial artists. And what''s happened to your mother now is that a martial arts master has sealed her meridians. That''s why she''s lost the feeling in her legs." Ivan looked lost at his words, but Winston seemed to think of something


    Felix continued, "I''m going to start treating her now."


    It was the Cameron family''s business to discern which martial arts master they''d offended. Felix wasn''t going to Stick his nose into their issues.


    He was about to start treating Cheryl when the butler ran into the room. "Mr. Winston, Lady Summers is back. She wants you to show her the Miracle Card."

 Billionaire With Husband 17

    Before this, Winston would''ve demanded Fellx return the Miracle Card to him so he could show it to Xena. Now, however, things were different. Felix had yet to start treating; Cheryl, but he''d already diagnosed what''d happened.


    Even if Ivan didn''t understand what Felix meant, Winston did. He knew that the Cameron family did indeed have a hidden for who was a martial arts master. A few years ago, they''d received threats from this person, but Winston hadn''t expected Cheryl to be the one to suffer from it.


    Naturally, he believed Felix was the real deal. He sald hesitantly, "Mr. Zeller, what do you..."


    "Tell her that I''ve already taken back the Miracle Card and left. Or if you feel like you''ve been put in a tough spot, you can just ignore her," Felix said,


    After that, he pulled out two silver needles. This time, the acupuncture was only a helpful tool. What would really do the work here was his skills.


    As he started treating Cheryl, the butler stood by, feeling like he was between a rock and a hard ce. He couldn''t leave without a response, but he couldn''t just demand an answer. After all, Xena was the one waiting outside. He didn''t dare act rashly.


    "I''ll speak to her." Left with no choice, Winston could only head out there to speak to Xena. The others weren''t even worthy of attending to her.


    urfde!


    "Alright. Try moving your toe." Just then, Felix removed the silver needles.


    Cheryl no longer looked like she''d done before, and she moved two of her toes with everyone watching.


    "Oh, my God!" She was so agitated that she couldn''t say anything, and Winston and Ivan were bbergasted.


    Was that even considered a treatment? The whole thing had taken less than two minutes. It was amazing.


    "Remember to only try getting out of bed to walk around in the afternoon tomorrow. I''ve treated your meridians and muscles, but it''s been too long since you''ve used them, so you need to take things slow,


    "It''ll take about two weeks for you to start walking normally without anyone holding you up," Felix said.


    Now that he''d proven himself by making Cheryl''s toes move, no one dared to doubt his abilities.


    "Thank you! Thank you so much!"


    "Thank you, Felix!" Ivan cried. legs!


    Felix was already turning to leave as the Camerons thanked him. He said, "I already told you that I only came because of the Miracle Card. You don''t need to thank me. I''m leaving "


    The long corridor led to a spacious corridor, and Felix naturally saw Xena seated on the couch when he exited the corridor. However, they didn''t even look at each other, let alone speak.


    Almost as soon as Felix was gone, Ivan ran out as quickly as he could. He paused to greet Xena before running out of the house.


    A trace of curiosity shed in Xena''s eyes. She''d seen the rosiness in Ivan''s cheeks and the happiness he hadn''t been able to conceal. It was theplete opposite of how he''d been just moments ago. She asked Winston, "Has something good happened?" Heughed. "Nothing gets past you, Lady Summers. My wife has been cured, and I couldn''t be happier."


    Cured?


    +25 BOTES


    Xena frowned. "Did the actual miracle doctor appear in the brief period I was gone, treat your wife, and leave?"


    The speed at which that had happened was unimaginable. One wouldn''t even have had time to eat in such a short period, let alone treat a patient. How was it even possible?


    "I''ll be frank with you, mdy. The man you saw earlier, Mr. Zeller, is the one who cured my wife," Winston said.


    What? Felix?


    Xena''s expression shifted. If not for the fact that she knew Winston wouldn''t dare lie to her, she would''ve upped and left in that instant. Who the hell was he trying to kid? Could a small-town doctor like Felix really treat such aplex condition? 1 Beforeing to the Cameron residence, Belle had looked into the matter and found out that Cheryl''s legs had been like that for the past few years. There was no way it was just a simple illness.


    "Is he that great of a doctor?" Xena asked.


    One had to speak nothing but the truth to Xena, and it was true that Winston didn''t have the nerve to lie to her. And so, he said truthfully, "I''m not too sure about that. Mr. Zeller just said that Cheryl wasn''t actually sick. "He said her legs'' meridians were sealed by a martial arts master back in the day, leading to her losing feeling in them. Mr. Zeller has fixed it now."

 Billionaire With Husband 18

    Xena rxed in that Instant. She''d thought Felix was secretly some powerful medical practitioner if that were the case, she wouldn''t have known how to feel about the situation. Now, the secret was out.


    She herself was a martial arts master, so she understood what Winston meant. "So, that''s what it''s like. You have taken the wrong path over the years, so it''s no wonder your wife hasn''t gotten better. Indeed, that''s not something a doctor can cure. Ouly martial artists can do it.


    Winston went along with her and said, "Yes, exactly. I didn''t expect Mr. Zeller to be a martial arts master at such a young age."


    Her gaze turned disdainful. "A master?"


    How could ordinary people understand the world of martial arts? Perhaps Felix had actually reached the level of a martial artist, but how powerful could he be?


    In her eyes, he''d only gone from being a small-town doctor to a martial artist who wasn''t half bad. It didn''t make him that much worthier.


    "Where''s the Miracle Card?" she asked.


    "Mr. Zeller has taken it. Since Cheryl has been cured, there was no reason for me not to give it to him. Besides, you should be aware that the Miracle Card is rendered useless once the call has been made, mdy," Winston said. Felix had taken the Miracle Card?


    Xena stood up without another word. She felt that she now understood the situation-there was probably a tearn


    ehind Felix that had long since understood what was wrong with Cheryl. Their ultimate goal foring here was to get the Miracle Card.


    Making a phone call didn''t mean the Miracle Card was now useless. It would only be truly rendered worthless when the miracle doctor appeared, saved the patient, and took it back. That meant Felix was now in possession of a genuine Miracle Card. Some timeter, a Mercedes-Benz pulled over. Felix got out before getting into a Maserati driven by Wendy. They''d agreed to head to the underground auction together and were still in time for that.


    "L... Can I call you Mr. Zeller from now on?" Wendy asked tentatively. She felt beyond uneasy calling Felix by name.


    "Yeah," Felix said.


    Wendy was happy to hear that. "I''ve already informed my family to keep an eye out for the herbs you Mr. Zeller. I''ll inform you immediately should I hear anything."


    Felix nodded. "If you can get even one of those herbs, I''ll give you this Miracle Card aspensation."


    mentioned,


    Wendy gasped at the sight of the Miracle Card. Holy cow-how could those herbspare to the Miracle Card? The Kinsley family could do so many things if they had the Miracle Card in their possession. "That won''t do, Mr. Zeller! I-


    nt


    "We''ll do exactly as I say. Now, drive. I want to get some rest."


    Wendy was delighted. Things were going as Vincent had imagined. They were reaping the rewards so soon! If they were to get that Miracle Card and use it at the right time, it would be priceless! Chapter 11


    After a few minutes, Felix''s phone rang. The number wasn''t one he recognized, and he thought it was Gerald calling to assign him more work. He answered in resignation, "What now?"


    Then, the voice that rang out on the other end of the line made him roll his eyes. "Felix, it''s me. Xena Summers."


    He wondered why she was calling him. "I don''t think there''s for us to talk about."


    Xena''s haughty and imperious tone made another appearance. "You''re right. You''ve taken Winston''s Miracle Card, and I''m sure you haven''t given it to the person secretly backing you up yet. Hand it over to me right now, and I''ll consider letting you pursue me for some time."

 Billionaire With Husband 19

    Chapter 19.


    Felix''s expression became odd. Xena was quite narcissistic wasn''t she?


    "You''re insane."


    He hung up, not caring how furious Xena would be over his response. He continued resting


    He and Wendy arrived at the auction venue Sunrise Bids had set up near Avesburgh, which was at a farmhouse of sorts. They got out of the car and followed someone into the venue. It had to be said that things were much more convenient with Wendy around. The farmhouse looked old on the outside, but it was well decorated on the inside. The person who greeted them was a somewhat feminine-looking middle-aged man. "Long time no see, Ms. Kinsley."


    "Long time no see. This is Mr. Zeller, the one I mentioned to you before. Mr. Zeller, this is Louie Storm, Sunrise Bids'' person in charge for Avesburgh," Wendy said.


    After shaking hands, Felix got down to business. "I''m sure Ms. Kinsley has already informed you of my needs. How long will it take for you guys to acquire everything?"


    Louie chuckled. "I wouldn''t dare guarantee anything, Mr. Zeller. All I can say is that I''ll try my best. I do have good news, though one of the herbs you need, Bluesand, will be in today''s auction." Oh?


    Felix smiled. Now, this was a pleasant surprise. "Does this mean I have to bid in the auction like everyone


    else?"


    Louie nodded. "Yes, Mr. Zeller. That''s our rule, so I hope you''ll understand. Still, now that we''ve received your request, we won''t put the other herbs up for auction if we do manage to find them in the future."


    After all, Felix''s offer was too good to be turned down. Based on the market, the items wouldn''t fetch such a high price during the auction. Naturally, Louie knew what to do to make the most profit. "You can leave now. I''ll deal with the auction for Bluesand myself," Felix told Wendy.


    She didn''t dare refute him. She wanted to follow him but knew he was the type who wouldn''t change his mind once he''d made a decision. Besides, the auction house would arrange for cars to send the guests off, so she didn''t need to worry about him not being able to find his way back


    Felix followed an employee to a hall beneath the farmhouse. It had been decoratedvishly, which was enough to show Sunrise Bids wealth and influence. They''d probably spent an exorbitant sum building this underground auction house.


    Anyone participating in the auction could choose to wear masks to conceal their identities, but they could also choose to show their faces. Naturally, Felix chose thetter. He was the miracle doctor''s apprentice-why would he need to hide his face and identity? Only a few people wore masks in the auction house. It was evident that most of the people around were confident


    in themselves.


    Hugo sat in the row before Felix''s. He was on the phone with someone since the auction had yet to officially start. "Rx, Dad. No one can take away anything that our family is interested in. Do they even have the ability to fight against us? about Wand


    ''And don''t worry Once this illness thing is settled, I guarantee I''ll win her over within a month."


    Soon, the auction began. Item after item was disyed on stage, and the bidding was tense.


    Felix watched without bidding on anything. He had to admit that Sunrise Bids was quite capable-It had managed to get its hands on rare, odd, yet precious items.


    "Next up is our sixth item-Bluesand. It''s a rate herb used in traditional medicine, and I don''t think I''ll need to introduce its uses. Anyone in the know would already be aware of its worth.


    "The starting price is 500,000 dors, and each bid has to be at least 100,000 dors. Ladies and gentlemen, may start cing your bids," the host sald.


    you


    Anyone who would bid on Bluesand had to be a traditional medicine practitioner or from apany that produced pharmaceutical products. People who knew nothing about Bluesand wouldn''t bother participating in the bidding, so it would be a waste of time to introduce its functions. "Two million dors!" Hugo slowly raised his right hand, looking disdainful. He, like Felix, hadn''t bid on anything else before this.

 Billionaire With Husband 20

    Hugo wasn''t someone in the medical field, but he needed to get Bluesand to give it to Xander. His grandfather had ordered him to do so. After all, Xander was one of Dragonia''s top ten healers. It went without saying why they needed to be on good terms with him. The starting price for Bluesand was 500,000 dors, but it had now shot up to two million dors. It had scared off a number of people, but that didn''t mean everyone backed down.


    "2.3 million dors!"


    "2.7 million dors!"


    "2.9 million dors!"


    Hugo''s disdain grew. He raised his hand again. "Four million dors!"


    This time, no one dared to raise the bid. It was evident that Hugo had plenty of money at his disposal and wasn''t afraid of spending it. There was no point in following his bid. "Five million dors."


    Hugo heard the voice ring out behind him, but he couldn''t be bothered to see who it was. "Six million dors."


    Some people''s expressions shifted at that. Bluesand was only an herb. Was it really worth such a price?


    The host was the happiest person in the room-he would receive amission from this, after all. Based on the market rate, they would''ve been lucky enough to auction Bluesand off at four million dors. He didn''t expect the bids to reach a new high here. "Ten million dors." Felix raised his bid paddle.


    Hugo finally turned around to see who it was. He frowned when he saw that Felix was around his age. Thetter wasn''t a familiar face, so he probably wasn''t from Avesburgh


    Of course, there were many people who came from afar to participate in one of Sunrise Bids'' auctions. They couldn''t all be from Avesburgh.


    "11 million dors," Hugo said.


    To his surprise, Felix raised the bid without hesitation. The amount almost made the host faint.


    "20 m


    "20 million dors!"


    Damn it! Had he lost his mind?


    Hugo gulped, knowing he''d met his match. If Felix could spend 20 million dors on a silly herb, how much money did he actually have? Whatever it was, this made him remember Felix.


    Naturally, since Hugo had backed out, Felix won the auction for Bluesand. In the next moment, he headed for the backstage. The rest of the items on auction meant nothing to him, so it was time for him to leave.


    As he headed backstage, someone else got up. Thetter headed outside, though.


    Soon, Louie personally walked Felix out of the auction house and opened the car door for him. Thetter was an important customer, after all. Setting aside the requests Felix had put in for the other herbs, the fact that he''d spent 20 million dors on Bluesand was enough to prove how wealthy he was. "Have a safe trip, Mr. Zeller," Louie said.


    Unbeknownst to them, a car followed Felix from a distance. There were four men in the car.


    "Should we get him now?"


    "Let''s follow him first. We can''t afford to offend Sunrise Bits."


    "Fuck, the dude can spend 20 million dors on Bluesand but doesn''t have his own car? And he even has to take Sunrise Bids'' car. What a fucking waste of time!"


    "Cut the crap. The car will leave once the dude reaches his destination. We''ll have plenty of time to make our move once he''s alone. Whatever it is, we can''t lose Bluesand. It''s why we''re here in Avesburgh in the first ce." "You''re right!"


    Felix was almost reaching Avesburgh''s city center when his phone rang again. Once again, it was Xena. He wanted to reject the call but still answered it after some thought. Curtis was still sick, after all.


    Sure enough, Xena''s words made his eyes widen. "My grandfather''s awake." 2

 Billionaire With Husband 21

    Felix found it hard to believe. After all, he''d diagnosed Curtis himself and was positive that he''d been poisoned by the Phantom Polson. Even he needed those rare herbs to help him, let alone other master healers. Still, nothing was absolute. The world was huge-who could say that they understood everything about it? Perhaps a miracle had happened. At the very least, Xena wouldn''t lie about her grandfather''s condition. Felix urged the driver to speed up. When he arrived at Silverwood, he hurried inside. Once Curtis gave him an answer, he wouldn''t need to bother about the marriage contract anymore.


    He was almost reaching Xena''s vi when a light breeze blew past him. Four men suddenly appeared about five yards before him they were obviously there to stop him.


    "What do you want?" He frowned. He was in a hurry to see Curtis and didn''t want anything to be in his way.


    "We know you won the auction for Bluesand, brat, and it''s definitely still on you. Hand it over."


    They''de after him for Bluesand? No wonder he couldn''t shake off the feeling that someone had been watching him during the auction. It looked like this had been nned out long ago. "Will you let me live if I hand it over?"


    One of the menughed, finding Felix naive. "Don''t worry, brat. We were just joking. You don''t need to hand anything over-we can just take Bluesand from you after killing you."


    He and the other three men were about to attack when someone appeared beside Felix. They didn''t even see how she''d shown up.


    "The Menacing Four, S-rank wanted criminals. How dare you try to murder someone right outside my doorstep? You''ve got nerve."


    Felix didn''t expect Xena to show up. He was wondering why she''d been kind enough to help him when he heard her words. Then, he understood.


    If the four men were S-ranked criminals, that meant capturing them would be another achievement under Xena''s belt. How could she possibly let them off the hook?


    "You sound bold, littledy. Who the hell are you?"


    Xena''s eyes were filled with contempt as she said coldly, "You guys are unworthy of knowing who I am. You''d bettere quietly, or you won''t even get the chance for a fair trial. I''ll take you down right here and now!"


    She''d long since noticed the Menacing Four trailing Felix but hadn''t wanted to show up, thinking of having them teach Felix a lesson for calling her insane earlier. He''d even pretended to be a martial arts master at the Cameron. residence!


    Even if only one of the Menacing Four were to make their move, they would be enough to make Felix reveal his true colors. They weren''t that easy to handle, seeing as they were S-ranked wanted criminals.


    But after that, she''d considered the possibility of Felix being murdered just like that. She would feel bad about it, even if it was just a little bit.


    "You''re asking for it!" Seeing that Xena was so scornful of them, the Menacing Four exchanged looks. They seemed to sense that there was something special about her and decided to attack her together.


    With four punches, the Menacing Four were sent flying. They didn''t even manage to touch a hair on Xena''s head- the gap between their skills was too wide,


    +25 MAK


    Xena couldn''t help sneering when she saw the Menacing Four struggling to get to their feet despite their shok and terror. "You''re wasting your energy-you won''t be able to get up. Someone will be here soon enough to arrest you."


    She was pretty happy. She didn''t know what it was about Felix that had attracted the Menacing Four, but this another achievement under her belt.


    Since bing Dragonia''s first goddess of war, she''d be even more unwilling to hear anyone call her useless and kept trying to prove herself.

 Billionaire With Husband 22

    Chapter 22 Chapter 22


    The Menacing Four exchanged another look, and one snarled, "You think you can use us to im credit or something? Dream on! Let''s see whether you survive this!


    In the next moment, the four men stood up, and they looked very weird. Their bodies were all straight as rods.


    "Be careful." Felix didn''t know what was going to happen, but he had a bad feeling and reminded Xena to be careful. However, thetter remained as disdainful as before. Her gaze turned icy.


    Since the Menacing Four were so stubborn, she had to take them down on the spot. But before she could do anything, the four men stretched out their arms as blood spurted from their hearts. The blood merged before shooting toward Xena.


    Everything had happened so suddenly, and the blood moved too quickly. Xena didn''t have time to react. Oddly enough, the blood disappeared as soon as it came into contact with Xena''s arm. It was as if it hadn''t even existed.


    The Menacing Four copsed on the ground again. This time, they were dead.


    "Humph! What a useless trick. How ridiculous," Xena said.


    Felix frowned deeply as he watched her. She wasn''t disying any difort. Could it be that the Menacing Four had killed themselves to show off that shy, yet useless trick? Was that it? Or had whatever they did not taken effect because Xena was too powerful? She called her subordinate before turning to look at Felix. "Come inside with me."


    Since she was fine, he couldn''t be bothered to ask more. Curtis was his priority now. But as soon as they entered the vi, Xena headed straight to the couch in the living room and sat down.


    "Don''t you intend to let me see Mr. Summers Senior? Isn''t that why you told me he''s awake?" Felix asked.


    Xena sat there expressionlessly. "Grandpa''s still the same as always. Would you havee to see me if I hadn''t told you he was awake?"


    Damn it! She''d used Curtis'' life to trick him! What an ingrate!


    "If you leave now, I won''t let you see Grandpa, no matter what happens in the future," she continued.


    Felix, who''d just turned to leave, had no choice but to sit down. Xena was Curtis'' family, and she had every right to stop him from seeing Curtis. That wasn''t what he wanted.


    "Is this still about the Miracle Card?" he asked.


    She nodded. "I know you''re pissed at me, but I''ll be honest and tell you I didn''t mean for things to turn out like that. It''s just that there''s too big a gap between us. You''re an adult, so you should understand that."


    Felix nced at her. He didn''t want to say much on the subject but still asked, "Does money and power mean that much to you?"


    Surprisingly, she shook her head. "You''re too narrow-minded. Even if my man isn''t a hero, he needs to have some achievements under his belt. I don''t want a small-town doctor who''s trying to im credit for things he hasn''t done, like you."


    Before Felix could say anything, she continued, "At least we have onemon goal-to make my grandfather wake up. That''s why you should hand me the Miracle Card. 1


    "I''ll deal with the team behind you, and I''ll pay you ten million dors in cash. It''ll be more than enough for you to live out the rest of your life in luxury. Deal?"


    Felix sighed. Nothing would change even if she were to use this best.


    He was about to make things clear to her when she sudden

 Billionaire With Husband 23

    The scream of pain had been heartwrenching. Knowing what a powerful martial artist Xena was, it was easy to imagine how much pain she was in.


    When Felix darted over to her, she''d already passed out from the pain. He checked her pulse, and his gaze changed. Her heart had almost stopped beating. Was it because of that move the Menacing Four had pulled?


    Whatever it was, his priority was to save her. Felix didn''t want to be a doctor who could save the world, but now that this had happened before his very eyes, he couldn''t allow Xena to die just like that.


    After over ten minutes, he exhaled deeply. "You''re lucky you met me!"


    The move the Menacing Four had pulled was indescribably evil-the blood they''d spurted out had somehow enveloped Xena''s heart. She would''ve been doomed if Felix had been just a minuteter. In hindsight, how could they possibly have used their lives to pull such a dumb move?


    Felix had alreadyid Xena down on the couch. As he looked at her, he couldn''t help feeling a little sorry. After all, he was the one who''d lured the Menacing Four over. If not for him, she wouldn''t have had to go through this.


    When he left the vi, he ran into a fully armed team as they cleared the Menacing Four''s bodies. The one in the lead was a beautiful woman who frowned when she saw Felix. She didn''t ask him anything, though.


    Almost as soon as Felix left, a car pulled over, and a handsome man got out. The smile on his face made people naturally want to approach him.


    Belle was surprised to see him. "Jordan Hall?"


    His smile widened, and he snapped his fingers. "That''s right! Not bad, Belle. You still remember me."


    It really was Jordan!


    Back in the day, he''d been the man closest to calling Xena his own. Unfortunately, they were just about to make things official when his mentor had taken him away. They''d been in such a hurry to leave that Jordan hadn''t even had the chance to leave a message. "What are you doing here?" he asked.


    Belle smiled. "These are the bodies of the Menacing Four, S-ranked wanted criminals. Lady Summers took them out, and I''m here to clean up the scene."


    The Menacing Four?


    Jordan paid them no mind and said, "If you''re done, you can head inside with me. I''m a little shy to see Xena alone since I''ve just returned."


    At his words, Belle recalled that someone had called her twice earlier. She''d ignored the calls because she was carrying out her duty. Now, it looked like those calls were from Jordan. "I was so busy that I forgot all about that. Let''s go."


    They rang the doorbell for a long time, but no one answered the door despite the lights in the living room being on. Jordan immediately suspected something was wrong. "Do you know the passcode?"


    "Yes!" Belle wasn''t a fool. Such a situation had never happened before, and she threw caution to the wind.


    She keyed in the passcode, and they burst into the house.


    When they saw Xena lying on the couch, looking like she''d fallen asleep, they sighed in relief.


    Belle said, "Mdy, Jordan is back."


    Jordan watched Xena, the woman he loved. They''d been apart for two years, and she''d already be Dragonia''s first goddess of war. She was bing so outstanding that he was starting to feel the pressure.


    When Xena didn''t respond despite Belle calling her a few times, Jordan hurried forward to check her pulse. Then, he frowned. "Her heart is beating too slowly, and her pulse is weak. Something is definitely wrong with her."


    Unbeknownst to him, Felix had already treated her, so she would be fine. Her heartbeat and vitals would slowly recover, and she would be fine once she woke up.


    "W-What''s going on? Lady Summers has always been in good health. Do something, Jordan!" Belle cried. She was panicked, but Jordan''s presence calmed her somewhat.


    He was no simpleton, after all.


    He was the apprentice of Wesley Cane, the fifth most renowned master healer of Dragonia. Though he couldn''t im that he''d learned everything Wesley had to teach, he was definitely the cream of the crop of his generation. He was already an amazing healer in his own right. Chapter 23


    Belle said, "Mdy, Jordan is back."


    Jordan watched Xena, the woman he loved. They''d been apart for two years, and she''d already be Dragonia''s first goddess of war. She was bing so outstanding that he was starting to feel the pressure.


    When Xena didn''t respond despite Belle calling her a few times, Jordan hurried forward to check her pulse. Then, he frowned. "Her heart is beating too slowly, and her pulse is weak. Something is definitely wrong with her."


    Unbeknownst to him, Felix had already treated her, so she would be fine. Her heartbeat and vitals would slowly recover, and she would be fine once she woke up.


    "W-What''s going on? Lady Summers has always been in good health. Do something, Jordan!" Belle cried. She was panicked, but Jordan''s presence calmed her somewhat.


    He was no simpleton, after all.


    He was the apprentice of Wesley Cane, the fifth most renowned master healer of Dragonia. Though he couldn''t im that he''d learned everything Wesley had to teach, he was definitely the cream of the crop of his generation. He was already an amazing healer in his own right.

 Billionaire With Husband 24

    "Don''t worry. I''m here." Jordan couldn''t tell what was wrong with Xena, but he could make her heartbeat return to normal. With his skills, it was a small matter.


    About half an hourter, Xena woke up. "I..."


    She was surprised when she saw Belle and Jordan. "Joe? What are you doing in my house?"


    Belle hurriedly exined, "I can''t imagine what would''ve happened to you if not for Jordan being here, mdy. Who knows what would''ve happened if we hadn''t saved you in time?"


    Xena''s expression turned ugly at Belle''s words. She suddenly recalled what had happened-the Menacing Four''sst move had been powerful enough to harm her. If she had to describe how she''d felt, she would say the pain was literally heart-wrenching. Damn that Felix!


    Xena silently cursed him, her hatred for him surging. He might not have been able to help with his meager medical skills, but couldn''t he have called an ambnce? She couldn''t believe he''d left as if nothing was wrong with her. He''d left her to die! 1 "Thank you for saving me, Joe," she said. She couldn''t imagine what would''ve happened if Jordan hadn''t been around.


    "You don''t have to thank me at all. I didn''t expect this to happen during our reunion. Get some rest, Xena. I''lle visit you tomorrow." Jordan was a little confused.


    There hadn''t actually been anything wrong with Xena-all he''d done was help restore her vitals. How had he saved her life?


    Meanwhile, Felix was blocked by Nattie and Sasha as soon as he entered Warren''s house.


    "Get the hell out of here!" Nattie snarled.


    Felix nodded when he saw the ugly look on her face. "I''m perfectly fine with leaving as long as you can make Uncle Warren stop calling me."


    He didn''t want to hang around there, but wouldn''t it be troublesome to have Warren keep calling him back if he were to leave?


    At most, he would stay there for a couple more days. In two days, the fully furnished vis would be ready. Warren wouldn''t say anything if he were to move out then.


    "You''re shameless! All you know how to do is use my dad as a cover!" Sasha looked contemptuous.


    Nattie remained insistent. "I can endure you refusing to leave us andtching onto us when you''re incapable of doing anything else, but I can''t forgive you for going around and tricking people."


    Felixughed in exasperation. "I don''t think you have the right to tell me off for anything I do."


    Nattie found the situation ridiculous. "Yes, I don''t. I couldn''t be bothered about your affairs, but you had the nerve to get someone to impersonate Wendy Kinsley. You may have a death wish, but don''t drag us down with you! Are the Kinsleys people you can afford to offend?"


    So, that was the cause of this. Felix couldn''t be bothered to exin himself to them. "I''ll bear the consequences alone if anything goes wrong. I won''t drag any of you down with me." Chapter 24


    He wanted to sidestep them to head to his room, but they moved to stand in his way again.


    "You''ll bear the consequences? How are you going to do that when you''re a worthless piece of trash? The Kinsleys will ultimatelye after us if anything goes wrong! "Get the hell out of here, and leave our family alone! As for how you''re going to exin this to Warren, that''s your business. Be a man for once, Felix!" Nattie screeched. Felix was getting impatient. He pulled out his phone and called Wendy, putting her on speaker.


    "Mr. Zeller?"


    Felix looked at Nattie and Sasha when Wendy''s voice rang out. He said, "Some people don''t believe you''re Wendy


    are?" Kinsley. Why don''t you tell them who you

 Billionaire With Husband 25

    Wendy''s expression became odd on the other end of the line. This was her first time being asked to do something like this. "How would you guys like me to prove myself?"


    She didn''t know what else to say. In fact, she found the whole thing outrageous. How was she going to prove she was herself?


    In the next second, Sasha burst intoughter. "You really are the most shameless person I''ve ever met, Felix! You were worried we would ask you about this as soon as you got back, so you found an actress to put this show on with you, didn''t you?"


    F


    Nattie''s expression became uglier. "You''ve really bought yourself a one-way ticket to hell now. I have to kick you out today!" Just then, Warren appeared.


    Felix immediately hung up because he knew he could finally go to sleep. There was no need to continue arguing with Nattie and Sasha. Even though he''d already decided not to expose anything before Sasha, sometimes, he just had no choice but to do so. "Why are you guys just standing there?" Warren asked. He seemed to be in quite a good mood, and the faint scent of alcohol on him made it clear he''d had a few drinks beforeing home.


    ""Nothing. Dad, I''ll run you a bath," Sasha said.


    However, Nattie had made up her mind. "Warren, Felix has been going around and tricking people out there! He told Sasha''s friend that he knows Wendy Kinsley, the daughter of Avesburgh''s richest man. If he keeps this up, he''s going to get us in trouble!" The people in affluent families cared deeply about their reputations, so how could they sit by and allow Felix to go around smearing their reputations like that? It wasn''t toote for them to salvage the situation now. Otherwise, they would be doomed once Felix made an irreversible mistake!


    Warren frowned at that. "And here I thought you were talking about something serious. Felix is capable and outstanding-isn''t it normal for him to know Wendy Kinsley? I don''t know what you''re moring about. I''ve had enough of this. It''s time for bed." After that, he threw an arm around Felix''s shoulder and smiled. "I''ve never celebrated my birthday since your parents passed away, but I''m happy now that you''re back. I''m going to celebrate my birthday tomorrow night, and you have to be present. Don''t bring anything, you hear me?"


    Felix felt''a little guilty that he''d forgotten it was Warren''s birthday the next day. He remembered how Warren would always bring his family to the Zeller residence to celebrate his birthday. That was how things had always been until Felix''s parents passed away. "Alright. I''ll be there," Felix said. Since he was attending a birthday celebration, he needed to think of a gift.


    Around 10:00 am the following day, Felix appeared at Avesburgh''s antiques market because he knew Warren liked antiques. If he wanted to give Warren a gift, he had to pick something thetter liked. t


    He knew nothing about antiques but could sense energy because of his practice. Setting aside whether something was animate or inanimate, everything in the world, whether humans, animals, nts, or items, had its own energy.


    Felix could sense the intensity of the energy to determine how long the object had been around. He supposed it


    was somewhat of a shortcut to determine an object''s authenticity.


    Shortly after he entered the antiques market, Ivan appeared at the entrance. He said, "Why in the world did you even think ofing here? And you insisted on meing with you. Honestly, has the sun risen in the west?" The person with him gave him an awkward look. Before he could say anything, Sasha walked out from behind a pir. "Ivan, why haven''t you answered my calls or replied to my messages?"


    Ivan was furious when he saw her. He turned to re at his friend, but thetter had already run off. Before leaving, his friend even cried, "I''m sorry about this, but I owe Sasha one. I''ll treat you to some drinks one day to make it up to you!"

 Billionaire With Husband 26

    Seeing that Ivan was about to leave, Sasha hurriedly clung to his arm and cried, "Do you suddenly hate me so?"


    Her high-pitched voice drew the attention of the people around them. Ivan decided to just go along with her onest time. He''d yet to get a taste of her, but with Felix around now, none of that mattered anymore. He said, "No, of course not. I''ve just been busy because of my mother. Don''t be mad, okay?"


    Sasha knew about Cheryl''s condition and immediately settled down at Ivan''s words. "When are you going to introduce me to your mother?"


    "Let''s see how things go. Do you want to stroll around the antiques market?"


    Sasha nodded, her good mood restored. "It''s my dad''s birthday today. He likes antiques, so I decided to try my luck. It''s fine if I can''t find anything, though. I''ve already asked someone to prepare something else for me."


    Felix stopped before a stall in the antiques market and appraised the things strewn across the stall. It wouldn''t be an exaggeration to say the stall owner wouldn''t need to worry about money for years if he could sell any of the items there. Even experts in appraising antiques would miss out on precious treasures sometimes, let alone ordinary people or those who constantly dreamed of hitting the jackpot.


    "Has something caught your eye, kiddo? I have quite the reputation in this antiques market, you know. I guarantee I''ll give you a reasonable price," the stall owner, Mike Larson, said cheerily. (1)


    He could tell Felix knew nothing about antiques. It''d be a shame not to take advantage of that and make a huge sum off him.


    "How much is this porcin teapot, mister?" Felix asked.


    "My, you''ve got a good eye! You''ve found the most valuable thing I have here already. This porcin teapot was crafted by Henry Davies, a famous teapot maker from the Clearwater era. I had to search high and low to find this, you know."


    Felix knew nothing about antiques, but he knew Mike was making the teapot seem more important than it was to hike the price. So, he said, "Just tell me how much it is."


    Mike held out a hand, looking like he couldn''t bear to give such a low price. "Since you''re being so straightforward, I''ll sell it to you at a loss. 500,000 dors, no more, no less!"


    Seeing that, Felix also held out a hand. "I''ll counter-offer you 5,000 dors, no more, no less. I''ll pay you right now if you agree. If you don''t, I''m leaving."


    The porcin teapot''s energy didn''te from too long ago, but it had been around for a couple of centuries. That was why Felix wanted to buy it. It was more than enough as a gift for Warren.


    "5,000 dors? What are you even thinking? That''s not the way to haggle, kidd¨°," Mike said.


    Felix turned to leave without saying anything else, catching Mike off guard.


    Damn it, were youngsters nowadays so blunt and dense? Why hadn''t he offered any other prices?


    Mike had bought the porcin teapot in a small vige for 500 dors. Being able to sell it for 5,000 dors was enough of a profit margin. It was too bad it wasn''t easy to trick people nowadays. He''d sold many of his items, yet this porcin teapot remained unsold. "Fine, fine! Since we were brought together by fate, I''ll sell it to you for 5,000 dors. Oh, what a loss I''ve


    suffered," Mike said.


    Felix turned around to take the porcin teapot. He was about to pay for it when a voice rang out, "I''ll pay 10,000 dors for it!"


    Mike immediately stopped Felix from paying. It wasmon for people to make counter-offers at the antiques market, and any seller who was fortunate enough toe across that would make a huge sum. "This prettydy is offering 10,000 dors, kiddo. What say you?"


    Felix looked at Sasha, who''d appeared out of nowhere. He asked seriously, "Do we really have to do this?"


    Chapter

 Billionaire With Husband 27

    Sasha sneered. "Yes, I do! Get lost if you know what''s good for you. I''m telling you now that Ivan is here, too. Once hees back from the restroom and sees you here, I guarantee you''ll be dead meat."


    Felix didn''t want to waste time arguing with Sasha. However, it had been a while since he''d arrived at the antiques market, and the porcin teapot was the only item that had caught his eye. Secondly, since Sasha had mentioned Ivan, it meant it wouldn''t be long until she was out of his hair.


    So, he told Mike, "10,100 dors."


    Sasha burst intoughter at that. "Get the hell out of here if you can''t afford to buy anything. Stop acting like you''re some big shot!"


    Mike felt resigned. After some thought, he said, "Kiddo, you can''t scare yourpetitors off with that sort of counteroffer. You need to offer an amount that shows you''re serious about it."


    He actually wanted to tell Felix off for only increasing the price by a hundred dors. What if Sasha did the same? He would earn a lot less that way.


    Sasha was about to say something when Ivan returned from the restroom. She turned to him and said, "I was in such a good mood, but this pest has ruined it by harassing me. I can''t believe he stalked me all the way here! He''s so vile, isn''t he, Ivan?"


    Ivan followed Sasha''s line of sight and sucked in a breath. In that instant, he wanted nothing more than to strangle her.


    His n had been to endure her after being tricked to the antiques market by his friend-he figured it would be hisst time seeing Sasha, anyway. Who would''ve expected him to run into Felix?


    Sasha crossed her arms and got ready to watch the show when she saw Ivan approach Felix. After all, Ivan had told Hugo yesterday that he would teach Felix a lesson. How could she miss out on that?


    "I''m sorry, Felix. I-I was tricked intoing here. I''ll leave now, okay?" Ivan said.


    Felix waved a hand without saying anything. Feeling relieved, Ivan turned and ran off without any hesitation.


    Meanwhile, Sasha was dumbfounded. What the hell had just happened? Why had Ivan been so polite to Felix? Had she misheard the whole thing, or had the world just gone crazy? And why had Ivan fled like he was terrified of Felix?


    When she snapped to her senses, she forgot all about fighting Felix for the porcin teapot. She ran after Ivan, swearing to get to the bottom of this.


    Then, Felix turned to Mike, who had an odd look on his phone. He said, "A promise is a promise. I offered to pay you 10,100 dors, and I''ll do just that."


    Mike was a little frustrated, but he supposed he was still lucky enough to earn an extra 5,000 dors.


    Felix paid and took the porcin teapot. Then, another voice rang out, "This porcin teapot looks quite nice. I''m interested in it."


    Mike wanted to rip his hair out in frustration. If the guy hade just a minute earlier, there could''ve been another price war! It was too bad that he''d already epted Felix''s money and handed the porcin teapot over. There was nothing else he could do. Felix frowned at the man who''d suddenly appeared. "I''m not selling it. Could you step out of my way, please?"


    The man looked ordinary, but the contemptuous look on his face made it seem like none of the people present


    were worthy of being in his presence.


    Just then, a man with long hair shot out from behind the ordinary man. "Do you still remember me, brat?"


    Felix vaguely remembered his name was Hank-Ivan had been looking for him. "What does it matter whether or not I remember you?"


    Hank narrowed his eyes. "Looks like you''ve still got balls, Brat. Did you really think you could get away scot-free after beating me up?"


    The ordinary man turned away. As he did so, he said, "Come with me, or you''ll be theughingstock of this market."


    Felix followed him without hesitation. Since he''d run into trouble, he had to deal with it immediately. It would onlye back to bite him in the ass in the future if he didn''t nip it in the bud. Chapter 28

 28

    Meanwhile, Sasha ran after Ivan as quickly as she could, finally managing to stop him in the parking lot. "What did you mean by that, Ivan? Why were you so polite to Felix?"


    Ivan looked at her, his face devoid of emotion. "It''s none of your fucking business!"


    Sasha''s jaw dropped. Ivan had always been gentle and tender to her. How dare he speak to her like that! "You have to give me an exnation for this!"


    Before today, Ivan would''ve just pped Sasha and left. Who did she think she was, acting so obnoxiously before him? But now that he knew about the rtionship between Felix and Warren... Sasha was annoying, but if he really were to do anything to her, would Felixe after him?


    Left with no choice, he said, "Felix is trained in martial arts and is good in a fight. I''ve lost the nerve to pick on him now. Are you happy with that?"


    He got into his car and left, seeing that Sasha was no longer stopping him.


    After a while, Sasha returned to her senses, and her expression became ugly.


    "Humph! So Felix is nothing but a brute who only knows how to use his fists. And here I thought he had some secret tricks up his sleeve.


    "Ivan''s nothing but a coward, too. To hell with him being the son of an affluent family! If I were in his shoes, I''d have plenty of tricks to take Felix out. Ugh, what a loser!" she muttered.


    The ordinary-looking man led Felix to a courtyard within the antiques market and sat down. "Felix Zeller, right? Listen up, brat. I''m Ted Glover, and Hank is one of my men. You beat him up, which means you''ve disrespected


    1. me.


    "Now, Hank is going to return the favor. If you dare fight back, I guarantee you''ll meet a horrible end." Ted picked up a cup of coffee from the table, acting like no one would dare defy him.


    Hank immediately charged at Felix, wanting to attack thetter. However, he ended up being sent flying with just a kick.


    "Who do you think you are? What makes you think I''ll listen to you just because you say I can''t fight back?" Felix asked.


    Ted frowned. He didn''t look too pissed. Instead, he put down his coffee and waved a hand. "Send him to hell."


    A middle-aged man burst out of the room behind them, moving so quickly that he brought with him a gust of wind. He was evidently a martial arts master. Hank was nothingpared to him. Unfortunately for him, he was also sent flying with a single kick from Felix. The middle-aged man flew back even quicker than he''de. Then, he didn''t move anymore.


    This time, Ted''s expression shifted. There still wasn''t any fear in his gaze, though. "How interesting. It looks like I''ve underestimated you. It seems you''re a strong martial artist, not just a martial arts practitioner.


    "How about you work for me from now on? I''ll pay you a hundred thousand dors a month, Do you have any problem with that?"


    Felix shook his head and approached Ted. "Live by the sword, die by the sword. There aren''t any grudges between us, yet you had your men attack me with the intention to kill. Does that mean you''re ready to pay the price for


    that?"


    The middle-aged man he''d sent flying hadn''t held back when attacking him-it was evident thetter had aimed to kill. If that were the case, how could Felix just sweep this under the rug?


    "What? Do you think I''d be scared of you? Are you going to hurt me?" Even at this juncture, when there was no one else in the courtyard to protect Ted, he still sat there, looking calm andposed. He didn''t seem to be worried that Felix would dare touch a hair on his head.


    "Well, doctors are kind souls, after all. I''ll just break one of your arms and give you the chance to start a new leaf," Felix said.


    Ted parted his lips to say something, but all that came out was a pained howl. He never would''ve expected that not only would Felix dare to hurt him, but he would even go so far as to break his arm.


    Hank, who''d just managed to stagger to his feet, gulped. Fear filled his eyes. He couldn''t help thinking that they were all doomed.


    Ted was the son of Perry Glover, the chairman of the Goldwind Chamber of Commerce. Now that Ted''s arm had been broken, Avesburgh would descend into chaos!

 29

    Chapter 29 Chapter 29


    It was noon. Xena and Jordan were having lunch in a private room at one of Avesburgh''s restaurants.


    "I''m sorry, Xena. My mentor is focusing on researching new medical techniques, and it''s been years since he''s treated anyone. If not for that, I would''ve asked him to check on your grandfather," Jordan said.


    Xena nodded. "I appreciate the sentiment, Dr. Fielding has already verified that Grandpa''s been poisoned with the Phantom Poison. I don''t mean anything else by inviting you for lunch. Anyway, I doubt your mentor would be able to do anything even if he were around." Phantom Poison? As one of the best traditional medicine practitioners of the younger generation, Jordan had definitely heard of it before.


    "Phantom Poison? Xena, you might have to prepare yourself. Only the miracle doctor has ever managed to cure it, and that was for someone who''d been poisoned for a few days. Mr. Summers Senior has already been suffering from it for a whole year." He couldn''t bring himself to say anything else after that.


    However, Xena wasn''t a simple woman. She wouldn''t be so easily defeated. "I have faith that there will be a miracle."


    After some hesitation, Jordan said, "It''s too far-fetched to ce your hopes in the miracle doctor-the chances of finding him are too low. It''s also hard to get your hands on the Miracle Card. I do think that you can try your luck with something else, though." Xena indicated for him to continue.


    ? "My mentor told me that the miracle doctor''s apprentice has returned to civilization not too long ago, and it seems this apprentice of his has learned everything he has to teach.


    "In fact, he might have already surpassed the miracle doctor. If you can find him, I''m sure Mr. Summers Senior will be saved."


    Xena sighed. "I doubt it''s as easy as you make it sound."


    "Well, yeah. Even my mentor has only just seen him. He has no idea what the guy''s name is or how to reach him. Still, tracking him down will be much easier than finding the miracle doctor," Jordan said.


    Xena sipped her water and asked him to keep an eye out for her. She didn''t hold out much hope, though. The miracle doctor had been within her grasp, but she''d missed the opportunity to find him because of the Menacing


    Four.


    Felix had texted her and told her he no longer had the Miracle Card. That meant she''d lost her chance.


    Just then, Belle entered the room. When Xena saw how conflicted the former looked, she waved a hand. "Speak freely. Joe isn''t an outsider."


    Jordan felt pleased to hear that. It had been two years since they''dst seen each other, but it was evident Xena still had some feelings for him. As long as he put his heart into pursuing her, it probably wouldn''t take long for them to make things official. "Mr. Glover''s son, Ted, had his arm broken by someone. Dr. Fielding has already checked on him but can''t mend the break. He said whoever did it didn''t hold back-Ted will be disabled from now on," Belle said.


    She knew Perry was Xena''s uncle but couldn''t just say it aloud. Ted was considered Xena''s cousin, so Belle would have to inform Xena of this, no matter what.


    "Got it. Don''t bother about them." Xena figured that since Perry hadn''t told her about it, that meant he could handle it himself. Besides, Ted was indeed obnoxious. Learning his lesson by losing his arm wasn''t actually a bad thing.


    At the same time, he would realize there would always be people more powerful than him out in the world. It would be toote if he were to only realize that after losing his life.


    Around 3:00 pm, Felix and Wendy arrived at a ce in Avesburgh.


    "Mr. Zeller, the man I''m about to introduce you to, Thomas Camden, is renowned in Avesburgh for knowing everything about antiques. He''s also very wealthy.


    "If even he can''t determine the authenticity of your antique and restore it to its former glory, we''ll probably have to head to a bigger city," Wendy said.


    "Okay." Felix hade to see Thomas because of the porcin teapot. It didn''t look like it was in good condition, which exined why Mike had failed to sell it after such a long time.


    Of course, Felix wasn''t doing this because he was afraid of being humiliated. He just felt that gifting such a shabby teapot to Warren was a sign of disrespect.

 30

    Chapter


    30


    Felix was sure the energy in the teapot wouldn''t lead him astray. If that were the case, perhaps the porcin teapot had a hidden side.


    A middle-aged man in a suit approached. He looked spirited. "I''m honored and pleasantly surprised by your presence, Ms. Kinsley."


    Wendy said helplessly, "Oh, don''t tease me, Mr. Camden. We''re short on time, so we''ll get straight to the point."


    Felix pulled out the porcin teapot and said, "I don''t think this porcin teapot is as it seems. I''d like to ask you to take a look at it and see whether you can restore it, Mr. Camden."


    Thomas took the porcin teapot and started appraising it. Over ten minutester, his eyes lit up. "You''ve got a good eye, young man. You''ve got a treasure here!


    "There''s ayer of special material enveloping the teapot-only the teapot makers of the era knew how to create this. Ordinary people have no idea this even exists. Even I only learned about it after a recent gathering with a few old friends.


    "Once thisyer is removed, the real antique underneath it will be revealed."


    Felix smiled, pleased that he''d guessed correctly. "Does that mean you can do it, Mr. Camden?"


    "Of course! We have to keep up with the times, don''t we? I recently purchased a batch of removal liquid that''s specifically meant to remove this special material without damaging the antique. I only have a small bottle of the liquid, and that cost me over a million dors," Thomas said.


    He wasn''t telling Felix the price to make him pay-Wendy was the one who''d approached him for help, after all He only wanted Felix to believe that no amount of smooth talking would ever beat money. "Thanks for your help, Mr. Camden."


    The three went to a secret room. Perhaps it was because Wendy was present-Thomas put on gloves and personally attended to the teapot''s restoration. It was clear to see that his actions were careful and cautious.


    The teapot was soaked in the removal liquid, which was a purplish color, for about ten minutes before Thomas lifted it. Its appearance hadn''t changed, but its colors and details were more apparent.


    "You know about antiques, Mr. Zeller?" Wendy was surprised by the teapot''s change. She''d nevere into contact with antiques, but she''d heard of the things that went on in the industry. Ordinary people would only be tricked when buying antiques unless they were lucky.


    "Let me take a look at this porcin teapot and see what''s so special about it. Why would the maker use such a rare material to conceal its true appearance?" Thomas asked.


    Felix didn''t mind. He wanted to know the value of the porcin teapot, anyway. It was just out of curiosity, though.


    This time, it took about half an hour. From the look on Thomas'' face, it was clear there was something special about the teapot.


    He put it down so slowly that Wendy couldn''t stand it. It was almost as if he were holding a priceless treasure and was deathly afraid of anything happening to him. He was cautious with it to an extreme.


    "I won''t lie to you, young man. I already know what this object is," he said.


    "Please, be frank with me," Felix said.


    Felix was sure the energy in the teapot wouldn''t lead him astray. If that were the case, perhaps the porcin teapot had a hidden side.


    A middle-aged man in a suit approached. He looked spirited. "I''m honored and pleasantly surprised by your presence, Ms. Kinsley."


    Wendy said helplessly, "Oh, don''t tease me, Mr. Camden. We''re short on time, so we''ll get straight to the point."


    Felix pulled out the porcin teapot and said, "I don''t think this porcin teapot is as it seems. I''d like to ask you to take a look at it and see whether you can restore it, Mr. Camden."


    Thomas took the porcin teapot and started appraising it. Over ten minutester, his eyes lit up. "You''ve got a good eye, young man. You''ve got a treasure here!


    "There''s ayer of special material enveloping the teapot-only the teapot makers of the era knew how to create this. Ordinary people have no idea this even exists. Even I only learned about it after a recent gathering with a few old friends. "Once thisyer is removed, the real antique underneath it will be revealed."


    Felix smiled, pleased that he''d guessed correctly. "Does that mean you can do it, Mr. Camden?"


    "Of course! We have to keep up with the times, don''t we? I recently purchased a batch of removal liquid that''s specifically meant to remove this special material without damaging the antique. I only have a small bottle of the liquid, and that cost me over a million dors," Thomas said.


    He wasn''t telling Felix the price to make him pay-Wendy was the one who''d approached him for help, after all. * He only wanted Felix to believe that no amount of smooth talking would ever beat money. "Thanks for your help, Mr. Camden."


    The three went to a secret room. Perhaps it was because Wendy was present-Thomas put on gloves and personally attended to the teapot''s restoration. It was clear to see that his actions were careful and cautious.


    The teapot was soaked in the removal liquid, which was a purplish color, for about ten minutes before Thomas lifted it. Its appearance hadn''t changed, but its colors and details were more apparent.


    "You know about antiques, Mr. Zeller?" Wendy was surprised by the teapot''s change. She''d nevere into contact with antiques, but she''d heard of the things that went on in the industry. Ordinary people would only be tricked when buying antiques unless they were lucky.


    "Let me take a look at this porcin teapot and see what''s so special about it. Why would the maker use such a rare material to conceal its true appearance?" Thomas asked.


    Felix didn''t mind. He wanted to know the value of the porcin teapot, anyway. It was just out of curiosity, though.


    This time, it took about half an hour. From the look on Thomas'' face, it was clear there was something special about the teapot.


    He put it down so slowly that Wendy couldn''t stand it. It was almost as if he were holding a priceless treasure and was deathly afraid of anything happening to him. He was cautious with it to an extreme.


    ''I won''t lie to you, young man. I already know what this object is," he said.


    "Please, be frank with me," Felix said.


    Thomas looked at the teapot like he was reluctant to part with it. He said, "This porcin teapot is the masterpiece of Henry Davies, a renowned teapot maker from the Clearwater era. It''s called the Mystic Drake Teapot. "This has truly caught me off guard. Everyone knows Henry created the Mystic Drake Teapot, but no one knows there''s another one. The two are supposed to be a pair-thest one was auctioned for 20 million dors." 20 million dors?


    Wendy pped a hand over her mouth. The money wasn''t that big a deal to her, but it was so far-fetched to say a teapot cost that much, especially since Felix had bought it from the antiques market for a mere 10,100 dors. Thomas turned to Felix, suddenly agitated. "Please sell this to me, young man! With Ms. Kinsley here, I guarantee I won''t make you lose out. I''ll pay you 25 million dors for this!"

 Billionaire With Husband 31

    Anyone else would have leaped at the opportunity without a second thought. After all, Thomas had already mentioned how much he had sold the other Mystic Drake Teapot for, proving how sincere his offer was. Selling a teapot bought for 10,000 dors for over 20 million dors was like a golden ticket to financial freedom.


    But Felix shook his head. What he found somewhat amusing was that Mike''s supposedly false im was, in fact, true. The teapot had indeed originated from Henry Davies, the famous teapot maker of the Clearwater era. "Sorry, Mr. Camden, but I n to give this to an elder. It''s not for sale," Felix said.


    Thomas noticed Felix''s expression didn''t waver even when over 20 million dors was mentioned. Felix obviously didn''t care about money, and raising the price further would be futile.


    "But I can tell you who will receive this porcin teapot. It''ll be entirely up to him whether he decides to sell it," Felix added.


    Thomas saw a glimmer of hope and nodded politely. "Thank you, young man. We''re the type who can''t resist a good thing when we see it."


    Felix mentioned it because he knew he couldn''t make decisions on Warren''s behalf, and with Wendy showing such respect for Thomas, it was obvious that Thomas had powerful connections. For Warren, getting to know Thomas could be far more valuable than 20 million dors. "How much do I owe you?" Felix asked.


    Thomas deliberately put on a stern expression as he replied, "You''re making me sound like a miser. You''re Ms. Kinsley''s friend. How could I possibly charge you? Besides, you''ve already told me who the teapot will go to, and that''s more than enough." 1


    As they stepped out of the shop, Wendy teased, "You might be the only person who isn''t tempted by over 20 million dors."


    Felix thought for a moment before replying, "It''s connections that truly matter. Money? I can''t really speak on that, as I''m not exactly short on it."


    At night, Warren gathered with several of his rtives in avish private room at Steris Hotel. It had been years since hisst birthday celebration, and it wouldn''t have been right not to include some family.


    "Humph! Felix is actuallyte," Sasha grumbled, still annoyed by the fact that Felix had outshone Ivan.


    "Sasha, I bet he''s too embarrassed to show up after you saw the gift he bought."


    The young man who spoke was Milo Quinton, Sasha''s cousin. He had a talent for ttery and always knew what to say to keep Sasha in high spirits, which earned him plenty of favors.


    "I love hearing that. You''re probably right. If he does show up, I''ll make sure he''s thoroughly embarrassed!" Sasha dered.


    Just then, Felix walked in and handed Warren a gift. "Uncle Warren, happy birthday."


    "You brat, I told you just to show up and no need for gifts, but you never listen!" Warren chided.


    He was about to set the gift aside when Sasha stepped forward. "Dad, Felix really put a lot of thought into this gift. Why don''t you open it? It''s your birthday, and if Felix brought it for you, it must be something special." 1/2


    Warren frowned. Opening presents before everyone felt a bit improper, even if the giver was someone younger than him.


    "Exactly, Warren. Just open it. Felix drives a Rolls-Royce and knows all these wealthy people. I''m curious to see what he''s brought."


    Sasha''s face twisted with a mocking expression, with Nattie backing her up. She was clearly set on making Felix look foolishter.


    "It''s nothing too fancy, Uncle Warren. Go ahead and open it," Felix said, offering Warren a graceful exit.


    As the wrapping fell away, the Mystic Drake Teapot emerged.


    "What a beautiful piece!" Warren eximed. "Felix, you''ve really put your heart into this. Judging by the look of it, this must have cost you a pretty penny, didn''t it?"

 Billionaire With Husband 32

    Warren''s expression shifted. His deep love for antiques had honed his eye for detail far beyond the average person''s


    Sasha was confused when she noticed that the porcin teapot seemed a bit different from what she remembered. But deep down, she knew it was the same teapot. She couldn''t help but scoff inwardly.


    Did Felix really believe that a few cosmetic alterations could somehow make it more valuable? She thought he was such a fool and dismissed him as nothing more than a country bumpkin.


    "Yeah, Dad! This is pretty pricey. I actually saw Felix drop a whopping 5,000 dors on it at the antiques market. He''s so considerate, isn''t he?"


    The sarcasm in her voice was impossible to miss, and Miloughed right on cue.


    "5,000 dors? Felix, that''s an insult to Uncle Warren! Every guest here brings gifts worth tens, even hundreds of thousands of dors! How could you "


    "Shut up!" Warren cut him off sharply. In a deep voice, he said, "It''s the thought that counts. Do gifts always have to be judged by their price? Who told you such nonsense? I actually like this porcin teapot. Now, everyone, back to your seats!" No one dared to argue, though their eyes still betrayed their disdain.


    Warren hadn''t examined the teapot closely. Felix decided to leave it at that and took his seat.


    ? Meanwhile, Perry arrived at a building steeped in old-world charm in Avesburgh. Ted was with him, one arm dangling limply at his side.


    Though Xander''s treatment had eased the pain, Ted was now resigned to the harsh reality of having only one functional arm. The thought of it filled him with rage.


    "Calm down. You can''t meet Lord Kane looking like that."


    Ted forced himself to rein in his emotions at Perry''s words. He hadn''t anticipated that Perry would bring him directly to Kane rather than sending someone else. This could only mean one thing-Felix was as good as dead. There was no other possible oue. Kane was the undisputed underground lord of Avesburgh, a man so powerful that even Perry had to go out of his way to stay in his good graces. It was a clear indication of just how formidable Kane truly was. "Dad, why didn''t we tell Xena?" Ted asked.


    Perry frowned. "Don''t be foolish! Xena''s family, yes, but she''s already done more than enough for us. If we run to her with every little problem, we''ll lookpletely useless. Remember this-only in truly exceptional circumstances should we involve Xena!" As they entered the main hall, they were met with the figure of a burly middle-aged man seated in a wooden armchair at the head of the room. His hair was slicked back, and though his gaze was perfectly calm, Ted couldn''t summon the courage to meet his eyes. He couldn''t help but be awed. Even though he had encountered Kane several times before, he still found his gaze deeply unsettling.


    "Lord Kane."


    Kane offered a faint smile. "Have a seat. You must have a reason foring here. Perry, we''re on the same side now, so speak freely."


    Perry pointed at Ted, his voice filled with anger. "A martial arts master severed Ted''s arm, and even the top healer says it''s beyond repair. I''m asking you to avenge Ted. After all, you''re the best there is."


    Kane nced at Ted''s limp arm and nodded. "If even the master healer says it can''t be saved, then your opponent must be truly powerful. Since you''vee to me, how could I possibly refuse?"


    He suddenly stood up, startling Perry. "Lord Kane, you..."


    "My friend, since you''ve asked, I''ll take care of this personally. I''ll have him lying at Ted''s feet like a dead dog by midnight."


    Ted clenched his fists in response to Kane''s words.

 Billionaire With Husband 33

    "Dad, I''m leaving now. You know you and Ruth share the same birthday, right?


    Feeling she''d stayed long enough at the birthday party, Sasha stood up and kissed Warren on the cheek. She had promised Ruth she would be there for the second round of celebrations. "Okay. Take Felix with you," Warren replied.


    Felix felt a wave of helplessness. Warren was clearly eager to see him and Sasha together, but he probably had no idea how different Sasha could be when she was away from home, Seeing no point in arguing with Warren, Sasha smiled and said, "Alright, Feliz. Let''s go,"


    Warren seemed to have something else in mind and added, "I''ll call youter. Make sure Feliz picks up."


    A sh of irritation flickered in Sasha''s eyes. Warren had her exactly where he wanted her. She had intended to


    part ways with Felix as soon as they left, but now, it was clear she''d have to bring him along


    Felix had been hoping for the same thing-to go his own way-but now, it was obvious that those ns were ruined.


    After they had been gone for a while, Warren''s phone rang with an unfamiliar number. "Hello?"


    ""Mr. Quinton, this is Thomas Camden."


    Thomas Camden?


    Warren was stunned. He quickly stood up and moved toward the nearby rest area.


    Was this some kind of prank? Warren was a passionate collector of antiques, with a deep knowledge of the field He knew Thomas was a renowned figure in Avesburgh''s antique circles-a man of immense wealth and connections that reached far beyond what Warren could fathom.


    "Mr. Camden, how can I help you?" Warren asked.


    "I heard you''ve recentlye into possession of a porcin teapot. I was wondering if you''d be open to letting it go," Thomas said.


    A porcin teapot? Warren racked his brain and could only think of the one Felix had given him. He didn''t own a porcin teapot in his own collection. But how on earth did Thomas know about it?


    "To be honest, Felix visited my shop, and after using removal liquid on that porcin teapot, it was revealed to be a masterpiece by Henry Davies, a famous teapot maker from the Clearwater era," Thomas exined.


    Warren was shocked. How could Felix have such incredible luck that the item he casually picked up at the antiques market turned out to be a masterpiece? But Warren was no expert in porcin teapots and wasn''t certain of its true value.


    Thomas continued, "Mr. Quinton, if you''re willing to part with it, I can offer up to 25 million dors."


    Warren drew in a sharp breath. 25 million dors? Hispany was thriving, but he was still just a billionaire. 25


    million dors was no small sum to him.


    As Warren returned to the table, lost in thought, Nattie noticed his distracted expression and quickly asked, ''Warren, what''s wrong?"


    11


    Her question snapped him back to the present. He nced over at the table next to the couch, where all his gifts


    were piled up. To his rm, he saw Milo about to set the porcin teapot on the floor.


    "Don''t move!" Warren shouted, his voice thunderous, causing Milo to freeze in fear.


    He rushed over and carefully took hold of the porcin teapot. Only then did he let out a sigh of relief.


    "Warren, it''s just a shabby 5,000-dor teapot. Look at how you scared Milo. You''re really something," Nattie remarked.


    She couldn''t shake the unease growing inside her. Warren seemed to be cing far too much importance on Felix and this worn-out teapot, treating it as if it were a priceless treasure and even shouting at Milo during what was supposed to be a joyful celebration. "You don''t understand. This is a masterpiece by Henry Davies, the famous teapot maker from the Clearwater era. It''s called the Mystic Drake Teapot. Thomas Camden, the top collector in Avesburgh, just called and offered 25 million dors for it," Warren said. What was he talking about?


    Nattie was stunned, and the other rtives were equally shocked, their mouths hanging open as they stared at the porcin teapot. Could a mere trinket really be worth 25 million dors?


    "Isn''t that a scam? Warren, you can''t just believe everything you hear," Nattie said.

 Billionaire With Husband 34

    Warren shot back at Nattie, "You don''t know a damn thing! This is a genuine antique. A masterpiece! Do you even know who Thomas is? Would he lie to me? If I bring this to him now, we''ll get 25 million dors on the spot!" Nattie''s eyes lit up with excitement. "Then, what are we waiting for? Warren, I know you''re passionate about these antiques, but 25 million dors could change everything for our family."


    Even if Warren were a billionaire, his wealth was tied to the scale of hispany. The reality shifted once his bank loans and other debts were factored in.


    That was how things worked in the business world. When apany failed, the owner''s financial ruin coulde immediately. It was a stark contrast to the losses faced by ordinary people who rely on personal savings. Milo''s face was a mix of emotions. After all, they were discussing 25 million dors. Who wouldn''t be tempted by that?


    "No way! This was a gift from Felix, and I have to return it. It''s worth far too much. I can''t just keep it," Warren stated.


    Only then did everyone recall that the porcin teapot had indeed been a gift from Felix.


    "Uncle Warren, Felix just picked it up at the antiques market. He has no idea what it''s really worth. We can just keep this between us," Milo suggested.


    Nattie quickly chimed in, "Exactly, Warren! Felix gave it to you, so it''s yours."


    She couldn''t help but imagine Felix bing unbearably arrogant if he ever got his hands on 25 million dors.


    But Warren''s next words stunned everyone into silence. "You''re all judging Felix by your own standards. He knows exactly how much this is worth. Thomas even offered him 25 million dors for it, but instead of selling it off, he gave it to me." 1 Meanwhile, Felix and Sasha arrived at an ultra-luxurious karaoke lounge. The private room was buzzing with a lively crowd of men and women.


    "Ugh, Sasha! Why did you have to drag Felix along?" Ruth''s annoyance was evident when she saw Felix.


    "Do you think I wanted to? My dad made me bring him. Just ignore him and enjoy ourselves," Sasha responded.


    Felix had already made himselffortable in a corner, ready to leave as soon as Warren called.


    Just then, Sasha received a WhatsApp message from Nattie. She nced at her phone and quickly covered her mouth in shock. "Oh, my goodness! Felix actually struck gold?"


    Curious, Ruth immediately asked, "What happened?"


    "My mom just told me that the birthday gift Felix gave my dad-a porcin teapot he bought for 5,000 dors at an antiques market-turns out to be a genuine antique. Someone just offered 25 million dors for it." Ruth was equally shocked.


    "This is incredible! Your dad should sell it right away. That''s 25 million dors in cash!" Ruthughed heartily." Felix is going to kick himself when he finds out."


    Sasha''s mind started racing. She didn''t say much, but she was already plotting how to keep Felix from reiming the teapot. Losing out on something this valuable would be a disaster.


    Knowing Warren''s sense of honor, she was certain he would return the teapot to Felix. She couldn''t let that happen.


    Suddenly, someone paused the music and turned to Ruth. Shit! We''ve got a serious problem. I was about to step out to take a call when I found 20 or so waiters blocking the door. They said no one from our room is allowed to leave." Ruth wasn''t one to back down. She immediately bristled. "Who do they think they are? Take me to them! Are they asking for me to file aint?"


    But her friend grabbed her arm. The look of fear on the person''s face made it clear that something serious was going on. "Don''t! They say Lord Kane ising to our room to take someone. That''s Lord Kane! Do you think you can afford to cross him?"

 Billionaire With Husband 35

    Everyone''s faces were drained of color. Fear etched into their features at the mere mention of Lord Kane.


    Kane''s fearsome reputation as the lord of the underground was well known in Avesburgh, and crossing him was a sure path to a nightmarish end.


    "W-We didn''t do anything to anger Lord Kane." Ruth, Sasha, and the other women were trembling, barely holding back their tears.


    Kane''s reputation was so fearsome that just hearing his name sent everyone into a panic. The terror in the room made it clear what would happen when he actually arrived.


    "Yeah! Who would be foolish enough to cross Lord Kane?"


    "I swear I didn''t!"


    Everyone scrambled to defend themselves.


    Suddenly, Sasha''s eyes locked onto Felix, and she stormed over to him. "It''s you, isn''t it? You''re always lurking around and swindling people. You must be the one who crossed Lord Kane."


    Felix frowned. He had never even heard of this person. "No. It wasn''t me."


    The others in the room were all close friends who knew each other well, which only made Sasha more convinced that Felix was the culprit. Besides, she saw this as the perfect chance to shift the me onto him and resolve everything once and for all.


    If she seeded, she could regain control over her engagement, and their family could keep the 25 million dors.


    "Humph! Still trying to deny it? You had the nerve to get someone to impersonate the richest man''s daughter. What else wouldn''t you do? You must have done something to offend Lord Kane. It has to be you!" Ruth chimed in.


    "Exactly! Felix, own up to it if you''re a real man. It''s cowardly to throw us under the bus like this!"


    Everyone''s voices blended into a frantic chorus.


    Felix closed his eyes to block them out. He had no idea who Kane was, so there was no way he could have crossed him. He had no intention of getting involved in this mess-unless, of course, Sasha was the one Kane was after. Otherwise, he''d have no way to exin himself to Warren.


    "What do we do? What are we supposed to do? Lord Kane could be here any minute."


    The group''s panic swelled as the seconds ticked by. Sasha and Ruth finally broke down in tears. They had tried calling for help earlier, only to find that all their phones had lost signal. Someone` obviously had tampered with thework to keep them from contacting the authorities.


    Suddenly, a booming voice rang out, "Lord Kane has arrived! Silence, everyone!"


    The private room''s door had opened at some point, and around a dozen figures in matching ck suits filed in.


    Sasha and the others huddled together, their legs trembling uncontrobly. They were too terrified to speak a word.


    Momentster, three more figures entered the room. The man in the center was none other than Kane himself. His gaze was sharp and prating, and no one dared to meet his eyes. His presence was so intense that it seemed to freeze the air in the room even before he uttered a single word.


    "Who is Felix Zeller?"


    Felix Zeller?


    Sasha and the others turned toward Felix, who was still sitting on the couch with his eyes closed,


    So, it was him after all! Damn it! He had the nerve to deny earlier.


    Felix opened his eyes at the sound of his name and looked over. "I''m Felix Zeller. What do you want?"


    Kaneughed. "It seems young people these days don''t know their ce. You''re the first in Avesburgh who dared to speak to me like that."


    He waved his hand and added, "Everyone else, get out!"


    Sasha and the others didn''t need to be told twice. They bolted from the room. Only after they were safely outside did they finally sigh in relief.


    "Has Felix lost his mind? How dare he provoke Lord Kane? Ruth asked.


    Sasha burst intoughter. "It''s perfect! I''m finally free. Even if my dad finds out, he won''t be mad. After all, it''s Lord Kane who''s after Felix. Finally, that damned guy is going to disappear." Chapter

 Billionaire With Husband 36

    Nobody who offended Kane would ever appear again. It was rumored that they were either buried alive or jumped into the river, but in any case, they would certainly die. There was no other possible result. Felix stood up slowly and walked over. "I''m very sure that I don''t know you."


    Kane said, "Of course. You aren''t worthy of knowing me, but I''m sure you haven''t forgotten Ted, have you?"


    Felixughed at the mention of the name. "Oh, so you''re Ted''s backup. You should have said so earlier instead of wasting time. Let''s start, then."


    Felix crossed his arms. He didn''t look afraid at all, nor did he look as if he was ready to fight. He looked more like someone who was there to see what would happen.


    As Kane raised his hand, he suddenly saw that Felix was wearing a very unique-looking ring on his left hand. His expression changed at once. "You... You..."


    Felix was confused by Kane''s actions. "Why?"


    Kane swallowed and hastily took out a gold card. There was a very life-like dragon engraved on it. "Can I verify whether your ring is real or fake?"


    Ring? Felix looked down and remembered that he was wearing the Dragon Ring. Eloise had given it to him and said something about Dragon Alliance. "You''re from Dragon Alliance?" Kane gasped. If Felix could say that, it meant that there was no doubt about it. However, he still had to verify it.


    "Go ahead."


    After getting permission, Kane carefully held the card close to the ring. The card immediatelytched onto the ring, as if pulled by an invisible force.


    Kane''s expression changed drastically, and he fell to his knees. "Kane from Oasis Clinic of Dragon Alliance greets you, my lord!"


    The men who Kane had brought with him were all kneeling on the floor as well. "Greetings, my lord!"


    Felix wasn''t too surprised. After all, Eloise wouldn''t lie to him. He had actually been feeling confused about all of it, but now he had finally met someone from Dragon Alliance. Judging from the reactions of Sasha and the others, Kane had to be a pretty powerful man. That meant that Dragon Alliance probablymanded great respect as well.


    "Get up."


    However, Kane didn''t dare to do so. He was full of regrets as he said, "Please kill me, my lord. How could I have said those disrespectful things to you? I even tried to cause trouble for you!"


    The rules of Dragon Alliance stated that they would only acknowledge the presence of the Dragon Ring, not any person. Whoever had the Dragon Ring was the Dragon Lord.


    "You didn''t know, so I don''t me you. You may get up."


    "Thank you, my lord." Kane got up, looking very excited. He couldn''t believe he was meeting the Dragon Lord in this lifetime!


    He was only the deputy chief of Oasis Clinic, so it was a great honor for him.


    "Was Ted the one who told you toe? If he managed to get you toe, he was more influential than I thought.


    4


    Kane answered quickly, "My lord, he isn''t that influential. I don''t think much of his father, Perry, either, even though he''s the chairman of the Goldwind Chamber of Commerce. I am only coborating with him because I want to use him in the future." Oh?


    Felix was intrigued.


    "Well, you still came. Why did youe?" There was a serious look in his eyes.


    Kane wanted to p himself. The Dragon Lord was standing in front of him! Who else could matter? He was the only one who had to be wary.


    "I only got in contact with Perry because of his niece, and I just agreed to do him this favor at the same time."


    Gossip was a habit instilled in the bones of those in Dragonia, and now, Felix was even more curious. After all, Kane belonged to Dragon Alliance. "Who is his niece?"


    "The first goddess of war in Dragonia, Xena Summers!"

 Billionaire With Husband 37

    Felix looked displeased. Why did everything end up being connected to Xena? It was ridiculous. "Alright. You may leave."


    Kane hesitated for a moment and asked, "My lord, how should I deal with Ted? Should I just kill him? Or..."


    Felix frowned and thought hard for a moment before saying, "Whatever. Just get rid of him. Don''t tell him who I am, either."


    Usually, with Felix''s temper, Ted''s persistent pestering would have resulted in severe consequences. Ted would probably have ended up spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair.


    However, Felix had thought about it and decided that since led was a rtive of Xena, he would let it go. Although Xena was very haughty, if Curtis woke up and they decided not to call off the engagement, Felix would have to do. as Gerald asked and be a family with her.


    "My lord, I... Can I have your contact number? I may not be able to do anything big, but in a small ce like Avesburgh, I can still run errands for you!" Kane was extremely nervous. He was afraid he would offend Felix with the suggestion, as the two of them were miles apart in terms of status and influence.


    "Okay," Felix agreed. With someone like Kane around, he would be able to save himself a lot of time and effort. " By the way, ask someone to help me find these herbs. When you have news, let me know." "Yes!"


    Sasha entered Vi No. 6 in Azure Residence, and Warren immediately craned his neck to look at her. He asked at once, "Why did youe back alone? Where''s Felix?"


    Nattie was in an excellent mood because of the 25 million dors, so she said teasingly, "You little scamp! This is the first time you''re back before midnight! I can hardly believe it."


    Sasha did her best to look sorrowful and began to tell them her sob story. "Dad! Mom! Something happened."


    Warren jumped in shock. "Speak slowly! What happened?"


    "Felix. It was Felix. I don''t know how he managed to provoke Lord Kane, but he barged into our room and kicked everyone but Felix out."


    What? Warren immediately grabbed Sasha''s shoulders. "What did you say? Lord Kane? How is that possible? Lord Kane is such an important figure! Why would he hold a grudge against an ordinary man like Felix?" Even Nattie was frozen on the spot. They were talking about Kane, the man that even the elites didn''t dare to offend.


    "Dad, I''m telling the truth. I was scared to death!"


    Warren looked extremely anxious. He immediately got up to rush out. "This won''t do! Where were you just now? I''m going over there."


    Nattie and Sasha immediately grabbed hold of Warren.


    "Are you crazy, Warren? That''s Lord Kane! What use would you be if you went over? If you''re not careful, you might get yourself in trouble, too."


    Warren stopped struggling. What Nattie had said was true. He was nothing in Kane''s eyes, and as for his connections, none of them would be able to talk to Kane. Even if they could, they would not dare to.


    "I''m sorry, Matt!" Tears slid out of Warren''s eyes as he slumped sorrowfully onto the couch.


    Sasha looked at Warren, whose head was lowered, and she exchanged looks with Nattie. Both of them smiled. They had finally managed to make that annoying Felix disappear! It was excellent news that was worth celebrating. Even if Sasha didn''t get married to Felix, Warren was the type of person who would''ve ended up missing out on tens of millions of dors, including that porcin teapot.

 Billionaire With Husband 38

    Chapter


    38


    They sat there like that for half an hour. Finally, Nattie said, "Alright, now, Warren. Felix was a nice young man. It''s a pity that he was too inexperienced and ended up offending someone like Lord Kane. Anyway, we''ll just have to wait until tomorrow to see what the situation is."


    Warren didn''t say a word. His heart was aching terribly. How could he face his old friend, Matthew? What would Matthew be thinking as he looked down on them from above?


    At that moment, there was a familiar beeping sound. All three of them looked at the door, as it was the sound of someone entering the password for the digital door lock. However, they were the only ones who knew the password. Who would be pressing it at this hour? The door opened, and Felix walked in.


    Sasha''s eyes widened. "Y-You! How can it be?"


    She felt as if she was going insane. No one who provoked Kane had ever appeared again. Why would Feliz be an exception?


    Only Warren rushed over in excitement to hug Felix. "You little scamp! Do you know how worried I was?"


    Felix was touched. He knew Warren was sincere in his concern and in how well he treated him. "I''m sorry for making you worry, Uncle Warren."


    When they broke apart, Warren was suddenly confused. "You might not know what kind of person Lord Kane is, Felix. How did you escape unscathed?"


    That was what Sasha and Nattie wanted to know, too. It was iprehensible.


    "Well, he only came by for a couple of minutes. That Lord Kane guy looked at his phone, said he was mistaken, and left. I don''t know what was going on, either." Mistaken? Sasha was furious.


    Felix really had dumb good luck. It had happened several times already! First, it was the antiques market, and now, he had slipped through Kane''s fingers. It was ridiculous! 1


    "I''m d you''re alright. Go shower, get to bed, and let''s put this behind us." Suddenly, Warren thought of something. "Felix, that porcin teapot is much too expensive. Take it back." The moment the subject was mentioned, both Nattie and Sasha were nervous. They didn''t dare to interrupt, because they knew it would be useless.


    "Uncle Warren, I can''t take back what I''ve gifted. Besides, it was your birthday. I got that porcin teapot because I was lucky, so you can decide what you want to do with it."


    Before Warren could say anything else, Felix went upstairs, and both women breathed a sigh of relief.


    Humph! Thank God Felix had been tactful.


    Perry and Ted were waiting at Kane''s manor.


    "Dad, why isn''t Lord Kane back yet? With his power, it should have only taken him a minute to deal with Felix."


    Perry smiled and said, "What''s the rush? Lord Kane is dealing with it personally. I''m sure that nothing will go wrong."


    Five minutester, Kane appeared, and Ted immediately felt his scalp prickling. He finally had his revenge! However, no matter how hard he looked, he saw no sign of Felix at all. He was immediately flummoxed "Lord Kane, where''s Felix?" Kaneughed coldly and sat on his wooden armchair. "Felix? Get lost! You should be happy that I''m not holding you responsible for this!


    "Felix''s a distant rtive of mine, alright? If I find out you''re making trouble for him again, then don''t say I didn''t warn you!"


    Felix was a distant rtive of Kane? Was there anything more ridiculous than that?


    "Then, what about my arm?" Ted felt as if he was burning with anger. He was so angry that he was actually using Kane.


    "You brat, are you talking to me right now?"


    Despite Kane''s fury, Perry didn''t stop his son''s reckless actions, which was unusual for him. Instead, he said coldly, "Lord Kane, I may not be able to win against you in battle, but don''t forget that I have a niece!"

 Billionaire With Husband 39

    Kane''s eyes narrowed, and he looked quietly at Perry, who stood his ground in defiance.


    "Really? Then, you can tell Lady Summers toe looking for me." He pointed at Perry and said harshly, "Get out!"


    At that point, Perry had no choice but to leave with Ted.


    As soon as they got into their car, Ted began furiously pummeling the back of the seat in front of him.


    "I can''t ept this! Dad, why is Felix so lucky? How can he be a distant rtive of Lord Kane? Are we really just going to give up?" He looked at his crippled arm, feeling his rage burn.


    There was an icy light in Perry''s eyes, and he gritted his teeth as he said, "Calm down. I''ll find a chance to test the waters with Xena! If we act recklessly and Xena doesn''t help us out, everything our family has worked hard for will be ruined!"


    The Goldwind Chamber of Commerce that Perry had established had only developed to its current scale because many prominent figures had helped him on ount of Xena. They hadn''t done it for Perry at all.


    If those people learned that he and Xena were barely on speaking terms despite being rtives, everything would be ruined.


    "Dad, I understand. I''ll hold back for now. However, that doesn''t mean I won''t use my own ways to get back at Felix."


    Hm? Perry looked over at Ted and seemed to think of something. "You want to drag those people down?"


    . "Yes! Although Avesburgh isn''t a major city, there are still many skilled people hidden here who don''t respect


    Lord Kane. I know a few of them. We''ll just have to see how we can stir up a conflict between them."


    Perry nodded thoughtfully. "Go ahead. With how arrogant Felix is, I''m sure you''ll seed if you do it properly. For my part, I''ll try and find a chance to talk to your cousin."


    Thest time Perry had bought Xena a meal, it had been because he was in trouble. However, he had been afraid to tell her when he met her. Ultimately, it was because she had helped too much. If he kept on trying to take from her so greedily, it was sure to have the opposite effect eventually.


    The next day, Felix woke up early and told the housekeeper to rest. He made his own breakfast as a way to show his thankfulness, as the salesperson had calledst night to tell him that the vi would be avable for sale that day. That meant that Felix would be moving out.


    "You''re up early, Felix." Warren was slightly startled when he came down.


    "Enjoy your meal, Uncle Warren. I''ve already eaten, and I''ll be going out to deal with some errands."


    Warren was in an excellent mood because they had managed to escape unscathed despite provoking Kane. "Alright. Go ahead. Shall I ask Sasha to-"


    Felix hastily waved a hand. "No. Let Sasha sleep in. I''ll get a cab."


    If he got further entangled with Sasha, he was sure he would go crazy, especially when he remembered how she had behaved the night before. It was disgusting! Even if they wouldn''t marry, she shouldn''t have poured salt on someone else''s wound. While he was on his way, he received a call from Wendy. "Felix, my family is having a banquet tonight to celebrate


    my grandfather''s recovery, Will you be able to attend?"


    The banquet had actually been nned the day that Felix had cured Bernard, and all the invitations had already


    been sent out.


    However, Vincent and Wendy had been dithering about whether or not they should invite Felix, and whether he might reject them. That was why they had procrastinated on asking him until that day.


    "I won''t be attending


    She knew it! He had rejected them, but Wendy had another trick up her sleeve.


    "Felix, we used my grandfather''s recovery as an excuse to invite a very special person. ording to my sources, he probably has the Lovefruit. I just can''t be sure yet.


    "My father spoke to him personally, but he hasn''t said anything concrete. So, we were thinking of using the banquet to create an opportunity for you to meet him alone. Perhaps you can find a way to get it out of him."

 Billionaire With Husband 40

    The Lovefruit? That was one of the herbs required for treating Curtis. Felix would never refuse that. "Alright. Send me the address and the time."


    Finding something was purely based on luck. Expanding connections and money would only increase the chance of finding it.


    Kane was a good example. He was part of Dragon Alliance, and the Kinsleys could neverpare with him in terms of their resources. Despite that, there had still been no news from Kane, even though a night had passed.


    Conversely, Felix had already indirectly gotten Bluesand from the Kinsleys, and now, they had given him news of the Lovefruit. It really was just luck.


    At the Tabiner Bay sales center, Ruth was smoking outside with a woman.


    "Ruth, thank you for introducing two clients to me." The woman''s name was Sandra Todd, and she had met Ruth at a bar. The two of them had clicked immediately, and Ruth hadn''t cared about the fact that Sandra was just a salesperson at a real estatepany. "Why are you being so formal with me? It''s a pity that vis are so expensive, and none of my uncles and aunts have any ns to buy a house at the moment. I can only introduce a couple of clients who are looking for apartments."


    Apartments and vis couldn''t bepared at all because of the huge difference in price. If Sandra sold a vi, she would be able to take a break and go on a holiday at once.


    ? "Don''t say that! I''m already very thankful. However, I had a client today who is very likely to buy a fully furnished vi."


    Tabiner Bay was a newly built luxurious neighborhood, and the most expensive houses in it were the fully furnished vis, which were ready for clients to move into right away. It had five stories in total,plete with a front and backyard, elevators, and many other things. It cost 25 million dors. If Sandra managed to sell one, she would get amission of 1.25 million dors! That would mean she could sit back and rx for quite a while.


    "Really? I trust in your judgment. Is it an old man, a middle-aged one, or a young man?"


    Sandra thought for a moment and suddenly smiled. She hurriedly stubbed out her cigarette and put a piece of gum in her mouth before saying, "It''s a handsome young man. I wanted to ask you if you knew him, Ruth."


    If Ruth did know him, it would increase the chances of his making the purchase. If such a connection did exist, she might as well use it.


    "Really? Now I''m curious. When you meet himter, I''ll watch from the sidelines. If I know him, I guarantee I''ll be the perfect assistant for you. Don''t worry!"


    "Thanks, Ruth." Sandra''s phone rang. Her manager was calling. "He''s here!"


    She hastily spritzed some perfume on herself and rushed into the building, Ruth following close behind her.


    In the sales center, Felix had just sat down in an armchair. A server in charge of drinks was serving him.


    "Give me a ss of warm water."


    "Very good, sir. Please wait a moment."


    After a few seconds, Sandra appeared. "Sorry for making you wait, Mr. Zeller."


    Felix smiled and said, "I only just arrived. If it''s convenient, you can just take me to see the house. You don''t need to exin anything.


    If he liked it, he would buy it at once. He didn''t want to waste more time searching for a house.


    Just as Sandra was about to nod happily, Ruth came up beside her. "Damn! I thought it was a big client, but it''s just you! Felix, you lying asshole!"

 Billionaire With Husband 41

    After what happenedst night, Ruth disliked Felix even more. He ruined her perfect birthday party, and she was left more terrified than ever.


    To make matters worse, she received a WhatsApp message from Sashater that night, saying Felix was fine. It turned out the whole thing was a misunderstanding caused by mistaken identity, which only upset her even more. Thus, when Ruth saw that Sandra''s so-called important client was none other than Felix, she couldn''t help but speak harshly.


    "Ruth, do you know him?" Sandra asked in surprise but couldn''t feel happy about it. Ruth''s earlier remarks didn''t sound like those of a friend but rather like those of an enemy.


    "Well, we''re more than just acquaintances. Since you weren''t at the partyst night, I''ll fill you in on the details. The real culprit is this fellow named Felix!" Ruth replied.


    Felix frowned. "If you don''t want me to p you in public, you''d better keep your mouth clean." He was wary of Sasha because of Warren, but it was a different story when it came to Ruth.


    Ruth sneered and retorted, "How amusing! Do you really think a mere insignificant doctor and fraud like you can p me? Come on, then! I''m standing right here. If you''ve got the guts,e and p me!"


    After saying that, she nudged Sandra. "Don''t waste your time on this idiot. It''d be a miracle if he could buy a bathroom, let alone a vi. He''s probably into you and trying to trick you! His con game is truly something else." Sandra was shocked to find out he was a con artist. Her face turned visibly displeased.


    In her line of work, she had encountered many swindlers who pretended to buy vis or high-end apartments. They''d rent a luxury car, all just to get with saleswomen like her.


    "I''m interested in buying a house. Can you assist me?" Felix didn''t want toplicate things. He had plenty of time to deal with Ruthter, so he directly stopped a passing salesperson.


    The salesperson, Alice Fuller, was visibly surprised and instinctively looked at Sandra. After all, stealing someone else''s client was hical.


    Since Ruth had made things so clear, Sandra didn''t want to waste more time on Felix. She naturally passed him off to Alice. "You may take over."


    "Alright, sir. Please follow me," Alice said.


    As Sandra watched Felix leave with Alice, she breathed a sigh of relief. "Ruth, thank goodness for you, or I would have been duped. Even if I could hold back from crossing any lines, my time would still be wasted."


    Ruth smiled and nodded. "Helping you is the least I can do. Let''s go smoke to unwind. I''ll also think of some other potential clients to introduce you to and share some funny stories about Felix. His deceit is just so tant!" Half an hourter, Ruth had already left, and Sandra was enjoying coffee in the rest area.


    Suddenly, Alice rushed in. Her face was full of excitement. "Ladies! I''m treating everyone to avish dinner tonight. Go all out, and don''t hold back!"


    The sales staff quickly caught on and asked, "Did you just close a big deal?"


    "That''s right! The fully furnished vi was sold for 25 million dors, and the buyer paid in full immediately. I''ve never witnessed such a quick purchase before. I hardly had to exin anything. I just showed him the vi, and he paid right away!" Alice replied. Chapter 41


    Everyone was so envious upon hearing that.


    Alice promptly went to Sandra and said, "Sandra, thank y that client. I never thought I''d be able to sell a luxury, full


    Sandra found it hard to believe. Her expression was one of


    Everyone was so envious upon hearing that.


    Alice promptly went to Sandra and said, "Sandra, thank you that client. I never thought I''d be able to sell a luxury, fully


    Sandra found it hard to believe. Her expression was one of


    Everyone was so envious upon hearing that.


    Alice promptly went to Sandra and said, "Sandra, thank you. I owe you a favor. I appreciate you letting me have that client. I never thought I''d be able to sell a luxury, fully furnished vi." Sandra found it hard to believe. Her expression was one of confusion, and her lips trembled.

 Billionaire With Husband 42

    "Are... Are you saying that the buyer was the client I passed on to you?" Sandra asked.


    "Yes. It''s Mr. Zeller. You must join us for dinner tonight!" Alice replied.


    Sandra was stunned. She was overwhelmed by the thought of Felix paying 25 million dors in full. Her eyes reddened, and she almost burst into tears.


    After snapping back to reality, she rushed out of the sales office and called Ruth.


    "Sandra, what''s up?" Ruth answered the call.


    Sandra was on the verge of a tirade. Losing over a million dors inmission because Ruth interfered was infuriating. Alice might have appeared to be thanking her, but in reality, she had be the joke of the whole department. However, Ruth''s wealthy background and her past assistance to Sandra made it impossible for Sandra to lose her temper. "Ruth, that Felix guy really bought a fully furnished vi from my colleague. He paid 25 million dors all at once." "No way!" Ruth eximed.


    Sandra could tell from the crack in Ruth''s voice just how much that had shaken her.


    "It''s true, Ruth. Could you be mistaken about Felix?" Sandra asked.


    Anyone who could buy a vi in full so smoothly couldn''t be a con artist.


    "Got it." Ruth ended the call.


    At that moment, Ruth was out shopping with Sasha. Seeing her hang up the phone, Sasha quickly asked, "What happened? That shout of yours just scared everyone around."


    Ruth swallowed hard. Her expression was one of intense astonishment. "Felix just bought a 25-million-dor vi in Tabiner Bay and paid in full. Could it be that he''s truly wealthy but just keeping a low profile?"


    Frowning, Sasha clenched her teeth and said angrily, "He doesn''t have a penny! He talks one way but acts another. He imed he wouldn''t take back the generous gift he gave my dad. Now that he has money to buy a vi, my dad must have given him that porcin teapot."


    Hearing that, Ruth felt relieved. The 25 million dor figure matched up perfectly. "This guy is really cunning, fitting the profile of a con artist. He even knows to invest in property for appreciation. Aren''t you going to ask your dad?" Sasha was deeply upset. That 25 million dors just went down the drain.


    "What''s the point of asking? With my dad''s obstinate nature, no one can change his mind once he''s set on something. Besides, the teapot has already been sold, so it''s pointless to say anything." As she spoke, her body began to tremble. On second thought, she uttered, "No! I can''t just let this go. Felix pushed me into this, and I need to teach him a lesson." 1


    Ruth seemed to have an idea and patted Sasha. "Calm down. Your dad went through a lot to get that invitation to the Kinsley family''s banquet. You can''t do anything stupid today. However, I do have an idea that could ruin Felixpletely." Hearing that, Sasha immediately turned to her. "Tell me quickly! I''m getting really fed up with Felix."


    She had originally nned to hire some thugs to deal with Felix but had suddenly remembered Ivan mentioning that Felix was quite a fighter. Thus, Ruth''s input was crucial at this point.


    Ruth suggested, "Why don''t you bring Felix along to the Kinsley family''s banquet? The guests there are all either wealthy or prominent figures from Avesburgh. What do you think will happen if Felix tries to scam or does something impulsive there? "Moreover, didn''t he previously have someone pretend to be Wendy?"


    Sasha''s eyes gleamed in an instant, and she snickered. "You''re such a great friend! This n of yours is brilliant. I''m going to call my dad right now."

 Billionaire With Husband 43

    Having bought a bunch of daily necessities from the supermarket, Felix began setting up his new vi. It wasn''t too much trouble since he was living alone.


    He had also bought basic condiments and fresh ingredients, nning to cook something at noon.


    Just then, Kane showed up.


    "Please take a seat. I''ll prepare the meal," Felix said.


    Tears of excitement brimmed in Kane''s eyes, and he felt that even if he were to die right then, he would have no regrets. He never thought he''d get to eat Felix''s homemade dishes. Even the deputy leader of Dragon Alliance probably didn''t get that kind of treatment. In fact, Felix had hime over because he needed to report something.


    When the food was served, Felix smiled and said, "Have a taste."


    His cooking skills were no joke. They were honed by the constant pressure from his fellow apprentices during his time at Eden Vige.


    "It''s delicious! My lord, the food is superb," Kane remarked.


    Felix started eating, then said, "You can just call me Felix from now on. By the way, what did you need to tell me?"


    After a moment of hesitation, Kane said, "Here''s the situation, my lord. I mean, Felix. You disappeared for about ten years, and Dragon Alliance is no longer a united front.


    "Those who felt capable and skilled started to set up their own factions. Even though they haven''t withdrawn from the alliance, it''s now quite divided."


    Such a situation was to be expected. Felix knew Eloise well. When she was interested in something, she threw herself into it entirely. Once her interest waned, she wouldn''t care at all.


    In other words, even if Dragon Alliance were topletely dissolve, Eloise wouldn''t bother with it.


    "I''m busy at the moment. Let''s discuss itter," Felix said.


    Eloise could afford to be indifferent, but Felix could not. After all, since Eloise gave him the Dragon Ring, it was equivalent to passing on Dragon Alliance to him. Consequently, he had to take responsibility. He had to ensure that the next time they met, he''d return a fully intact Dragon Alliance to her.


    Kane naturally didn''t dare say more. He only shared what he knew. It wasn''t his ce to judge or decide Felix''s actions.


    After Kane left, Felix received a call from Warren.


    "Uncle Warren," he greeted. He was about to inform Warren that he intended to move out.


    Warren went straight to the point. "Felix, there''s a grand event tonight organized by the Kinsley family, the wealthiest in town. I managed to get an invitation. You shoulde along, too.


    "To be honest, I forgot about it because of what happenedst night. It was Sasha who reminded me. It seems like you two are getting along quite well."


    Felix was at a loss for words as he listened to Warrenugh. He figured that if Sasha was so eager to have him attend, she must have something up her sleeve.


    After a brief pause, he replied, "Uncle Warren, since you''ve put it that way, I certainly won''t refuse. By the way,


    I''ll be moving out today. Thank you so much for taking care of me over the past few days."


    This time, Warren didn''t question much. "You bought a house? It must be one of those fully furnished, move-in- ready ces, right? I happen to have some time right now. Is it okay if Ie over to check it out?" "Sure. I''ll send you the address." Felix knew it was bound to happen. Warren wouldn''t be at ease until he saw it for himself.


    An hourter, to Felix''s surprise, not only did Warren arrive, but Nattie and Sasha came along as well.


    "Haha! See that? I''ve always said Felix is a capable guy. In no time, he has secured a vi worth tens of millions of dors. Come on. Let''s take a look around," Warren said.


    Nattie and Sasha couldn''t quite bring themselves to smile.


    Sasha, in particr, slowed her pace and pulled Felix aside. "Felix, you''re really something. You say one thing to my face and do another behind my back. You said that porcin teapot was a gift to my dad, and now, you''ve taken it back? You sure are shameless."

 Billionaire With Husband 44

    Felix blinked in surprise. He didn''t expect that Sasha thought his purchase of the vi was linked to selling the porcin teapot.


    "Well, it''s up to you if you want to think that way." He was unwilling to exin or rify, as it would likely lead to endless questioning. After the house tour, Warren was quite pleased. Suddenly, he felt a bit unwell.


    When Warren went to the washroom, Nattie took the opportunity to say, "The gold you gave us back then was worth at most ten million dors. Now this vi is valued at 25 million dors. "If I say the extra amount is interest, you probably wouldn''t believe it yourself! But in any case, we are fully settled. Do you have any issues with that?"


    Felix was nearly convinced by Nattie''s logic. She talked as if the porcin teapot belonged to her.


    "Fine. Whatever you say," Felix replied.


    Nattie then took out a printed document. "I understand you likely don''t have the original IOU with you, so just sign this. Otherwise, it''s just an empty promise." When he gave the gold to Warren back then, Nattie also insisted on a formal IOU.


    "I''ll sign," Felix said.


    Once Felix finished signing, Nattie and Sasha finally smiled. They had settled one matter and could now handle Felix without restraint.


    Just then, Felix''s phone rang.


    Seeing that it was Louie from Sunrise Bids, Felix felt a burst of excitement, thinking it might be news about the herb.


    Felix answered the call. "Is there any news?"


    "Yes. We''ve obtained it. However, as you mentioned, Grimflower is very hard to distinguish and can easily be confused with Beamflower. We''d appreciate it if you could verify it yourself. "We''ve paid half of the money. If it turns out not to be Grimflower, a refund can be arranged at any time," the caller said.


    Felix smiled. "Alright. Give me the address, and I''ll head over now."


    Just as he hung up the phone, Warren came out of the washroom.


    Felix informed him, "Uncle Warren, I have something urgent to attend to, so I need to leave now. Please lock the door when you leave."


    "Okay. Go ahead with your business," Warren responded.


    Watching Felix rush out of the neighborhood, Sasha couldn''t help but sneer. Someone like him who didn''t even have a car was acting like he was some big shot. Just the thought of it made herugh.


    Louie arranged to meet Felix in a private room at a restaurant at 3:00 pm. Felix was puzzled by Louie''s choice of location, but it didn''t matter. The herb was the priority.


    Chapter


    "What a pity! It''s Beamflower. But this can still fetch a good price," Felix remarked


    Louie sighed. "Sorry for making youe all this way for nothing, Mr. Zeller."


    Felix smiled and waved his hand. "No. Sunrise Bids has proven its sincerity. I''m quite satisfied with your promptness. Keep up the good work, and I''ll ensure you receive a personal reward of seven figures or more. Well, I shall take my leave now." Louie was excited when he heard about the seven-figure reward and became even more motivated "Mr. Zeller, have a safe trip."


    With money able to move mountains, Felix didn''t mind spending whatever it took. If it meant improving Louie''s efficiency, spending a few million dors was worth it.


    As soon as Felix stepped out of the private room, he heard an ear-piercing voice echoing down the hallway. "Let go of me! Get your boss over here! I know Felix. Tell your boss I really know Felix!"

 Billionaire With Husband 45

    Chapter 45 Chapter


    45


    As Felix turned around, he saw several security guards dragging someone toward him. The noise earlier was the person being dragged shouting.


    "It doesn''t matter who you know! Shut him up. How dare he cause a scene here? He must be out of his mind!" coe of the security guards said.


    Felix furrowed his brows as he recognized the person being dragged. It was Sasha''s cousin, Milo. That guy had been quite sarcastic toward him at Warren''s birthday party. He didn''t understand why Milo was calling out his


    name now.


    As Felix was about to ignore the situation and leave, Milo saw him and shouted as if he were a savior, "Felix! He''s Felix! He really knows your boss!"


    The security guards turned their attention to Felix, and one of them promptly inquired, "Sir, do you know CUT boss?"


    Felix shook his head. "I have nothing to do with this."


    Although he didn''t know the reason Milo was being treated that way by security, he felt thetter deserved it. After all, he was just as much a troublemaker as Sasha and Nattie.


    No, wait! Felix, you have to save me! Sasha said you''re the only one who can help me. This restaurant is owned by Ivan. I made a mess of the private room out of impulsiveness, and I''m willing to pay for it. Please help me, Milo pleaded. Hearing Ivan''s name, Felix finally understood why Milo was saying so. It seemed Sasha hade up with this scheme.


    "We''re not that close," Felix remarked as he walked away, unmoved by Milo''s persistent pleas.


    Just then, he received a call from Warren. "Felix, I have an awkward favor to ask. I heard from Sasha that you and Ivan are on good terms. Could you please give him a call?


    "Milo has acted impulsively and offended someone, and I''m not in a position to address it myself."


    After all, the Cameron family was one of the prominent families. Even though they were ranked low, they were beyond Warren''s influence. Otherwise, Sasha wouldn''t have associated with Ivan since she had always been known for her high standards. "Since you''ve asked, there''s no way I could refuse to help." Felix then turned and told the security chief, "Get your boss on the line."


    It might have been Felix''sposed expression or something else that made the security chief hesitate, but he ended up calling Ivan. "Boss, there''s someone who wants to speak with you."


    Felix took the phone and said, "This is Felix."


    In an instant, Ivan''s tone on the other end became extremely respectful. "Felix, is there something you need?" Since he didn''t have Felix''s contact information, this was the only way he could get in touch with him.


    "There''s someone named Milo causing trouble at your restaurant. Have him pay for the damages and then let him go," Felix said.


    Got it, Felix," Ivan replied.


    Milo watched as Felix turned and walked away. As he was released, his eyes were filled with bitterness rather than gratitude.


    He was frustrated that even after his desperate plea, Felix had not offered assistance. He guessed that the call was probably made by Warren, which was why Felix intervened.


    "Damn it! Felix, you''d better watch out. Do you think you can get away with everything just because you''re a martial artist?" Milo muttered.


    At dusk, Felix waited for a short while at the entrance of the new neighborhood before Sasha arrived in her car. Once he got into the car and saw that it was just the two of them, he promptly asked, "Where''s Uncle Warren?"


    "My parents went ahead. If I hadn''te to pick you up, I''d have arrived a long time ago. So, cut the chatter, replied Sasha.


    Felix closed the car door and asked, "If you dislike me so much, why did you still invite me toe along?" Sasha gave him a scornful nce before pressing the elerator. "I invited you? Heh! You must be dreaming! My dad wanted to broaden your horizons, so he used me as an excuse. I really doubt your intelligence."

 Billionaire With Husband 46

    Chapter 46 Chapter 46


    Felix was well aware that Warren would never lie in his life, so it must have been Sasha who suggested it. However, it didn''t matter to him. He could tolerate it as long as it wasn''t too much.


    Besides, he had already promised Wendy he would attend the banquet. The process didn''t matter as long as the oue was right.


    The scale of the Kinsley family''s banquet was impressive, with the venue set at Snowfall Manor near the suburbs. The luxury vehicles along the way indicated that Avesburgh''s elites were all attending As they reached the manor''s entrance and got out of the car, Sasha suddenly remembered something. She nced at Felix. "I left my bag in the car. Could you get it for me?"


    "Why can''t you get it yourself?" Felix retorted.


    Sasha was stunned. She never expected Felix to talk like that. He was just too obnoxious.


    "Do you want us to stand here and argue so others canugh at us? Or do you want me to tell my dad that you have no sense of chivalry?" she asked.


    Not wanting to argue with Sasha any longer, Felix turned and went to the car.


    Meanwhile, Sasha quickened her pace to the entrance. After presenting her invitation, she was naturally allowed


    1. in.


    Each invitation was valid for one guest, and Warren had managed to get two, which must havee at a significant price.


    Sasha''s intention in making Felix retrieve her bag was to give him a taste of humiliation. It would be utterly embarrassing if he were to be denied entry in front of everyone.


    Only at the appropriate moment would Sasha strike and go over to escort Felix in. She wanted Felix to understand what high society was like, so he wouldn''t try to elevate himself by associating with her.


    As expected, when Felix showed up, he was stopped by the guard. "Sir, may I see your invitation?"


    Felix did have an invitation. Wendy had sent it over a long time ago, but he hadn''t brought it because Warren told


    him not to. 1


    "I''m Felix." He assumed that if Wendy was unable to handle such a minor issue, it''d clearly show herck ofpetence.


    As expected, the guard had a list, and after checking it, he immediately stepped aside. "Mr. Zeller, you may enter." Hiding somewhere inside, Sasha''s mouth slightly dropped open. Even though she couldn''t hear their conversation, she was quite surprised to see Felix walk in confidently.


    "Humph! It must be because the guard saw us arriving in the same car that he let him through. That''s fine. This is just the beginning.


    #1


    After sneaking out, Sasha didn''t even bother to exin.


    She asked, "Why are you so slow?"


    Felix handed her the bag and asked, "Where''s your dad?"


    He nned to deal with Warren swiftly and then call Wend to arrange a meeting with the difficult individual to obtain Lovefruit. That was the main objective and the real reason for his visit. He certainly wouldn''t forget. Chapter 46


    "Stay close to me. If you get into any trouble, I won''t be responsible," Sasha reminded him.


    The front yard was bustling with people,ughing and talking in small groups. That was how these events were. Those with an eye for opportunity recognize it as a valuableworking opportunity that could result in a coboration. As Sasha walked by, she spotted Hugo standing somewhere and was instantly delighted.


    She knew Hugo would be there. He was her second n, and she didn''t expect to find him so quickly. ncing at Felix, who was still clueless, Sasha couldn''t help butugh. "Felix, Hugo is in a different leaguepared to Ivan. Let''s see if you can get through this without a hitch."

 Billionaire With Husband 47

    "Felix,e with me. I''ll introduce you to some people who could be useful to youter." The moment Warren saw Felix, he almost dragged him away immediately.


    "Uncle Warren, thank you for your good intentions, but I have my own approach. I''m really not that keen on this," Felix replied.


    Warren smiled and patted Felix on the shoulder. "Alright. I guess I was being too eager. Go ahead with Sasha and get to know some of the younger folks." "Okay," Felix responded.


    After Warren left, Sasha''s expression turned icy. "Don''t expect me to show you around."


    Felix said nothing and headed to a corner. He nned to grab something to eat and then call Wendy.


    If he hadn''t given prior instructions, Wendy would have already been at the entrance to greet him personally. He didn''t want Sasha to see the other side of him. After all, he wouldn''t need to keep up the act much longer.


    Meanwhile, Sasha approached Hugo. She looked a bit nervous. "Hugo, do you remember me? I was also at Ivan''s barbecue party that day."


    Hugo furrowed his brows, obviously unhappy about being disturbed. "What do you want?"


    With that, he disyed a look of disdain. Anyone with a bit of sense could tell he was trying to dismiss her.


    Sasha noticed that, too, but she still mustered the courage to continue, "Hugo, do you remember the guy named Felix who pretended to know Ms. Kinsley? I don''t know why, but Ivan didn''t deal with him, and he somehow made it to the banquet." Hearing that, Hugo''s expression changed. He hadn''t anticipated Ivan to be so unreliable in handling things.


    "Where is he? Take me to him." He thought that since Felix was there, it was only right to teach him a lesson.


    After all, Hugo didn''t need to lift a finger to deal with most people. His mere presence was enough to terrify them.


    "Hugo, pleasee with me. By the way, Felix was brought in by my dad and has nothing to do with Ms. Kinsley," Sasha exined, fearing Hugo might get the wrong idea.


    Unbeknownst to her, Hugo didn''t consider that at all. He believed that someone so trivial, who was scored even by Sasha''s circle, had no standing with Wendy, let alone being invited to the banquet.


    While Felix was having ice cream in the corner, he saw Sasha leading a young man toward him. He figured that had to be her real purpose for bringing him to the banquet,


    Sasha remarked, "Felix! I warned you not to cheat and deceive. Now, it seems the consequences are here. This is Hugo, a renowned scion from Avesburgh."


    Just as Sasha was ready to watch the show and see what Hugo would do, she heard no sound at all. She quickly turned around and found Hugo staring at Felix intently. "Do we know each other?" Felix asked, which brought Hugo back to reality.


    Hugo smiled and replied, "No, but we''ve met before. At the Sunrise Bids auction, we were botti bidding for Bluesand."


    Felix acknowledged with a nod. "Is there anything else you need?"


    To be able to spend tens of millions of dors on a mere herb, one had to be quite affluent. Moreover, Bluesand


    +25 BOWS


    wasn''t that important to Hugo. He had already found something else to send to Zander. Naturally, he wouldn''t want to be Felix''s enemy,


    It seemed that Felix was not lying, after all. He indeed was acquainted with Wendy.


    "No. Sorry for the disturbance." With that, Hugo turned and walked away,


    He thought that as long as Felix wasn''t pursuing Wendy, he wouldn''t be an enemy, Having another friend, especially someone as capable as Felix, was definitely an advantage.

 Billionaire With Husband 48

    Chapter


    48


    Sasha was dumbfounded. Her mind wentpletely nk.


    She couldn''t grasp why Hugo not only acted like he knew Felix but also didn''t cause him any trouble. He even had a smile on his face. That was utterly baffling. She wondered if Hugo was being careful because Felix was known to be a strong fighter. However, as soon as that thought crossed her mind, she dismissed it.


    The Lambert family was powerful and prestigious in Avesburgh, far beyond what the Cameron family couldpare to. There was no way Hugo would be intimidated by someone just because they were good at martial arts. "You should use your time to do something worthwhile."


    After saying that, Felix left. He needed to find Wendy.


    Sasha stared nkly at his departing figure, and a terrifying thought suddenly crossed her mind. She couldn''t shake the feeling that Felix might be a sessful person.


    "No! That can''t be!" Sasha gritted her teeth and stomped her foot in frustration. She had to figure out the reason behind Hugo''s behavior, or she''d never have peace of mind1


    In a room within the manor, Felix and Wendy were waiting for someone.


    "Felix, that man is Gilbert, a businessman from Avesburgh. He runs several factories and is worth close to hundreds of millions of dors," Wendy said.


    Felix frowned. "If that''s the case, your dad should have absolute dominance over him. Was he not sessful?"


    Wendy nodded and replied, "Yes. Normally, a person like Gilbert would go to great lengths to find an opportunity to connect with our family. He was indeed like that initially, but his attitude shifted entirely when Lovefruit was mentioned." "Understood. Leave it to me," Felix reassured.


    Shortly after, a middle-aged man with a slightly balding head walked in. "Ms. Kinsley, is there something you need from me?"


    It was obvious that the person was Gilbert Murphy. His attitude toward Wendy revealed the difference in their social status.


    "This is Felix Zeller. In fact, he''s the one interested in the Lovefruit you have." Wendy went straight to the point.


    Felix promptly chimed in, "Mr. Murphy, name your terms. If you really have Lovefruit, I''m willing to agree to anything."


    Upon hearing that, Gilbert frowned. However, with Wendy around, he didn''t dare to overreact. He could only give a wry smile and say, "Ms. Kinsley, Mr. Zeller, I really don''t have the Lovefruit. I''ve already said this many times." Based on his intuition, Felix was certain that Gilbert possessed it.


    "How about this? Since you''re unwilling to reveal the reason and Lovefruit is such a rare herb, it must be for treating someone, right? I''m a traditional medicine practitioner. I''ll solve your problem, and you''ll give me Lovefruit," Felix suggested. Gilbert remained silent, but his gaze expressed undeniable skepticism.


    "You don''t believe it? My grandpa was treated by Felix," Wendy added.


    Gilbert was stunned and looked at Felix again in disbelief. He couldn''t believe that Bernard was treated by this young man. It seemed too incredible.


    As for whether it was a scam, that was impossible. Wendy''s high status in Avesburgh meant she would never lie. Otherwise, if word got out, it''d be a huge embarrassment for the Kinsley family.


    "Can you give me a day to think it over?" Gilbert asked.


    "Sure. Just let Wendy know once you''ve made up your mind," Felix said.


    Just then, Wendy''s phone rang. It was Vincent on the line. "Wendy,e to the entrance. The goddess of war, Xena, is here!"

 Billionaire With Husband 49

    Hanging up the phone, Wendy hurriedly left after informing Felix. "Felix, I have to leave now! The goddess of war, Xena, has arrived unexpectedly. I need to go greet her


    Felix nodded in acknowledgment. He wasn''t nning to leave just yet. He didn''t care why Xena had shown up suddenly, as long as he didn''t run into her.


    A few minutester, Wendy and Vincent were at the door to wee Xena''s arrival. Bernard, as the central figure of the event, was also there. With Xena''s high status, there could be no room for any oversight. "Dad, why has Xenae all of a sudden?" Wendy asked.


    Vincent shook his head. "I don''t know. I just received the news myself. Could it be rted to Mr. Zeller?"


    Hearing that, Wendy also thought it might be the case. It seemed that Xena hadn''t given up.


    "Listen up, both of you. Since Mr. Zeller refuses to reveal his personal information, we absolutely can''t disclose it, no matter who the other party is," Bernard stated. To him, it was a matter of principle, especially since Felix was his savior. Meanwhile, in a luxury sedan near Snowfall Manor, Xena and Jordan were chatting in the back seat.


    "Xena, this is utterly impossible. How could a young man treat a condition that even Dr. Fielding couldn''t cure?" Upon learning that Bernard had been cured, Jordan promptly dismissed the news.


    "So, are you suggesting that Dr. Fielding is lying?" Xena asked.


    Jordan was momentarily at a loss for words. Despite his mentor, Wesley, being ranked several positions higher than Xander, he wouldn''t dare to speak ill of his senior.


    "If it''s true, then I have nothing more to say. I know all the top young apprentices in the field. At least in my view, no one''s medical skills can reach that level. It''s possible to surpass many traditional medicine practitioners, but surpassing Xander? Not likely." Just as he finished speaking, Xena offered a possible answer. "What if it''s the mysterious apprentice of that miracle doctor?"


    Jordan''s eyes immediately lit up. "Right! Only that person could aplish it. I''m almost certain it''s him."


    Suddenly realizing something, Jordan smiled and said, "You''re using the Kinsley family''s banquet as a chance to gather intel, aren''t you?"


    "Exactly. This matter concerns my grandpa''s life, so I can''t just give up easily. Even if I don''t say anything, my presence at the Kinsley family''s event is obviously advantageous for them. They''re not dumb, so they will certainlyprehend," Xena replied. In fact, there was nothing wrong with Xena''s statement.


    The presence of the goddess of war at the Kinsley family''s banquet was an immense honor. No matter what the real connection between them might be, it''d appear entirely different to outsiders.


    At that time, people who were usually out of reach for the Kinsley family might suddenly be very enthusiastic. Therefore, the benefits of her showing up were evident.


    "What if they continue to hold their ground?" Jordan asked


    A cold glint shed in Xena''s eyes. "Then, don''t me me for using measures. I''ll monitor their phone calls, movements, and so on."


    Jordan shook his head and said helplessly, "Xena, take my advice. This tactic won''t work. Do you think the miracle doctor''s apprentice is just anyone?


    "The Kinsley family isn''t in a position to retain his contact details. Once the treatment is over, there will be no further interaction. You should understand that." Although Xena said nothing, her worry was evident.


    Jordan was right. What she could obtain from the Kinsley family was probably just a name and a description.


    However, that would be sufficient. With her capabilities, she could surely track him down anywhere in the country.

 Billionaire With Husband 50

    When the cat arrived at the manor, both Xena and Jordan got out, and the Kinsley family immediately greeted them, "Wee to the banquet, Lady Summers."


    Xena nodded in response. "There''s no need to be so formal I heard that Mr. Kinsley Senior has fully recovered from his illness. After all, he did a lot of good deeds for Avesburgh back in the day. It''s only right that Ie to visit him."


    As she spoke, she extended her right hand. "This is Jordan Hall, the apprentice of Wesley Cane, who ranks fifth among the top ten master healers."


    The crowd was somewhat astonished. Anyone who rode with the goddess of war had to be extraordinary.


    "Wee, Mr. Hall," the crowd greeted.


    When the group entered the front courtyard, all the guests who had already received the news were visibly excited


    didn''t dare to approach. They could only watch from afar.


    y goodness! It''s the goddess of war, Xena. I can''t believe I''m seeing her in real life. She''s so gorgeous." Sasha''s face flushed with excitement. Xena was her idol, and she believed that living like Xena was the highest form of sess for a woman. "She''s indeed gorgeous and graceful," Nattie chimed in.


    After hearing Nattie''s remark, Sasha sighed. "I wonder what kind of man she''ll eventually marry."


    Bernard, Vincent, and even Wendy were all fully aware. Xena''s move had invisibly elevated the Kinsley family''s status significantly. That was a real advantage that no one could deny.


    The pity was that it involved Felix. Otherwise, it would have been a golden opportunity for the Kinsley family to build a connection with Xena.


    The group moved on without stopping and entered the building. After all, they couldn''t leave Xena standing outside under everyone''s gaze.


    As they walked, a door ahead of them opened, and Felix appeared. He hade out to find a restroom because of an urgent need. Unexpectedly, he ran into the very person he least wanted to see. With their gazes already fixed on each other, he could only stride confidently toward her.


    Although the corridor was quite wide, it appeared cramped because of therge entourage with Xena and several bodyguards.


    One of the bodyguards gave Felix a fierce re. Seeing that thetter continued to advance, the bodyguard immediately spoke up, "Please make way for Lady Summers."


    However, Felix ignored the bodyguard entirely. He continued to walk without pausing, showing no sign of giving


    Way.


    "Take him down!" The bodyguard gestured with his hand. He was deeply annoyed.


    Given Felix''s actions, they had reason to suspect he had ulterior motives. Taking him down was certainly not a problem and didn''t vite any rules


    Upon seeing that, Wendy and the others looked somewhat panicked but dared not speak out.


    At the crucial moment, Xena intervened, "Let him through


    She hadn''t expected to see Felix here and was surprised that such a rural doctor had the credentials to attend the banquet. However, given the fraud team backing him, she could see why it made sense. (1) As they brushed past each other, neither of them made any eye contact. They acted as if they didn''t recognize each other.


    Xena had no intention of interacting with Felix in such a public setting as it would lower her status.


    The Kinsley family felt a sense of relief. It was a false rm in the end. Otherwise, being caught in the middle, they wouldn''t have known how to handle the situation.


    As they were passing the room where Felix had juste out, the door opened again.


    Gilbert ran out, calling out to Felix, "Dr. Zeller! I''ve made up my mind!"


    4


    Gilbert''s sudden call brought Xena to an abrupt halt. She turned to look back, and instinctively, the others followed her lead.


    A sense of dread tightened in Wendy''s chest. The shout from Gilbert felt like a harbinger of trouble.


    What could unfold now?


    Felix, however, remained unfazed. With no secrets to hide, he weed the opportunity for Gilbert toe to terms with the situation.


    "Let''s go inside and discuss this further," he said.


    As Felix led Gilbert back into the dwelling, Xena''s eyes flickered with disdain.


    "Master healer? If a small doctor from the countryside could bebeled as such, then this title had lost all its value," she thought as she continued on her path, convinced that Gilbert was another victim of Felix''s schemes. "People are truly amusing these days. Master healer-what a joke!" Jordan scoffed, echoing the sentiment that the title had be a mere shadow of its former self.


    Xena would have apprehended Felix long ago if it weren''t for the engagement. However, she had instructed Belle to investigate Felix''s team instead.


    Once they uncovered the truth, she would ensure that they were dealt with.


    Inside the house, Gilbert still appeared shaken. Initially focused on Felix, he turned to find arge group gathered, all members of the Kinsley family. He suddenly realized how rude it was of him not to acknowledge their presence.


    "Mr. Murphy, tell us. Who''s the patient here?" Felix prompted, bringing Gilbert back to reality. His face was etched with anxiety and concern. (1


    "It''s my five-year-old son." Gilbert sighed, his voice heavy with worry. "I don''t even know if he''s truly sick."


    This revtion came as no surprise. If the illness were treatable, Gilbert wouldn''t be in such distress.


    "Who told you that Lovefruit could cure your son''s condition?" Felix inquired.


    Gilbert offered a bitter smile.


    "No one. My connections can only lead me to doctors who are just as stumped as I am. I know that the master healers often look for these rare herbs.


    "By chance, I came across Lovefruit and bought it at a high price, in hopes of gathering enough herbs for when a true master healer appears to heal my son. But who would have thought..."


    He felt as if fate was ying a cruel trick on him. If only Wendy had mentioned earlier that the master healer who cured Bernard needed the Lovefruit, he would have relented much sooner.


    "Let''s discuss your son''s condition in detail, then we can head to your home," Felix suggested.


    "So soon?" Gilbert felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. At least Felix seemed approachable, without any airs about him.


    "It''s quite strange. My wife and I took our son on a trip six months ago. When we returned, he began waking up every night at 1:00 am, making this eerie sound thatsted about five minutes before returning to normal. 1/2


    4


    "And after that, he just couldn''t fall back asleep," Gilbert exined, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.


    "While it''s not life-threatening, theck of sleep over the past six months has caused him to lose over 20 pounds. It also led to malnutrition. The doctor warned that if this continues, things will only worsen." From Gilbert''s description, it was hard to pinpoint the illness.


    Typical illnesses would manifest physical changes, yet aside from waking at 1:00 am and making the noise, Gilbert''s son showed no other symptoms.


    "Let''s go to your home and see your son''s condition for ourselves," Felix decided.


    Noticing Gilbert''s embarrassment, he continued, "Of course, treating the sick is our priority. Besides, with me here, do you think the Kinsleys would hold it against us for leaving early?" Today''s Bonus Offer


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 Billionaire With Husband 51

    Gilbert''s sudden call brought Xena to an abrupt halt. She turned to look back, and instinctively, the others followed her lead.


    A sense of dread tightened in Wendy''s chest. The shout from Gilbert felt like a harbinger of trouble.


    What could unfold now?


    Felix, however, remained unfazed. With no secrets to hide, he weed the opportunity for Gilbert toe to terms with the situation.


    "Let''s go inside and discuss this further," he said.


    As Felix led Gilbert back into the dwelling, Xena''s eyes flickered with disdain.


    "Master healer? If a small doctor from the countryside could bebeled as such, then this title had lost all its value," she thought as she continued on her path, convinced that Gilbert was another victim of Felix''s schemes. "People are truly amusing these days. Master healer-what a joke!" Jordan scoffed, echoing the sentiment that the title had be a mere shadow of its former self.


    Xena would have apprehended Felix long ago if it weren''t for the engagement. However, she had instructed Belle to investigate Felix''s team instead.


    Once they uncovered the truth, she would ensure that they were dealt with.


    Inside the house, Gilbert still appeared shaken. Initially focused on Felix, he turned to find arge group gathered, all members of the Kinsley family. He suddenly realized how rude it was of him not to acknowledge their presence.


    "Mr. Murphy, tell us. Who''s the patient here?" Felix prompted, bringing Gilbert back to reality. His face was etched with anxiety and concern. (1 "It''s my five-year-old son." Gilbert sighed, his voice heavy with worry. "I don''t even know if he''s truly sick."


    This revtion came as no surprise. If the illness were treatable, Gilbert wouldn''t be in such distress.


    "Who told you that Lovefruit could cure your son''s condition?" Felix inquired.


    Gilbert offered a bitter smile.


    "No one. My connections can only lead me to doctors who are just as stumped as I am. I know that the master healers often look for these rare herbs.


    "By chance, I came across Lovefruit and bought it at a high price, in hopes of gathering enough herbs for when a true master healer appears to heal my son. But who would have thought..."


    He felt as if fate was ying a cruel trick on him. If only Wendy had mentioned earlier that the master healer who cured Bernard needed the Lovefruit, he would have relented much sooner.


    "Let''s discuss your son''s condition in detail, then we can head to your home," Felix suggested.


    "So soon?" Gilbert felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. At least Felix seemed approachable, without any airs about him.


    "It''s quite strange. My wife and I took our son on a trip six months ago. When we returned, he began waking up every night at 1:00 am, making this eerie sound thatsted about five minutes before returning to normal. 1/2


    4


    "And after that, he just couldn''t fall back asleep," Gilbert exined, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.


    "While it''s not life-threatening, theck of sleep over the past six months has caused him to lose over 20 pounds. It also led to malnutrition. The doctor warned that if this continues, things will only worsen." From Gilbert''s description, it was hard to pinpoint the illness.


    Typical illnesses would manifest physical changes, yet aside from waking at 1:00 am and making the noise, Gilbert''s son showed no other symptoms.


    "Let''s go to your home and see your son''s condition for ourselves," Felix decided.


    Noticing Gilbert''s embarrassment, he continued, "Of course, treating the sick is our priority. Besides, with me here, do you think the Kinsleys would hold it against us for leaving early?" Today''s Bonus Offer


    %

 Billionaire With Husband 52

    Businessmen were still businessmen, after all-they had a lot to consider.


    "Yes, Dr. Zeller," Gilbert answered.


    As the two left the banquet, only Xena, Jordan, and three members of the Kinsley family remained in the reception


    room.


    "I don''t like to beat around the bush. You should understand the benefits of my visit today! You can also amplify these benefits, which can work in reverse," Xena said harshly.


    Upon hearing Xena''s words, Wendy and the others changed their expressions. They wondered if this was a threat.


    However, it was undeniably a fact-if Xena wanted to take action against the Kinsleys, she could do so in the blink of an eye.


    "Xena, the Kinsleys have be the wealthiest in Avesburgh. While I can''t say they''re cunning, they certainly hold their own," Jordan yed the role of the peacemaker.


    Jordan had known Xena for quite some time. He understood how to navigate the situation.


    "You should also understand. After all, Mr. Kinsley Senior was once bedridden and in danger of losing his life. Xena''s actions are only natural!


    "How about this? If you can reveal the identity of that mysterious practitioner to me, my medical resources are at your disposal. Whenever the Kinsleys have such needs in the future, just one phone call will suffice," he added.


    Though Jordan might not have been well-known among ordinary people, his mentor, Wesley, was a true master healer ranked fifth in Dragonia, giving weight to his words.


    For a moment, Wendy and Vincent were at a loss for words. They looked at Bernard, who had the authority to speak. He would know how to handle the situation.


    "Lady Summers! I have lived my life without ever owing anyone anything. My granddaughter has already sought the opinion of that young master healer, and he declined. Therefore, we cannot disclose any information. After all, he is my savior. If onecks a conscience, what is the point of living?"


    Xena''s gaze was sharp as she looked at Bernard, who had fought through life for decades. Even with these life experiences, he was still overwhelmed by her re.


    This was the demeanor of someone in a position of power.


    "I understand. Mr. Kinsley Senior is indeed a person of character. Let my visit today serve as a celebration of your recovery."


    With that, Xena stood up to leave. She knew there was no point in prolonging the conversation or wasting time.


    Jordan remained silent. He recognized that Bernard was resolute.


    He was a person of principle, and threats or inducements would not affect him.


    Just as Xena was about to reach the door, Wendy suddenly spoke up, "Lady Summers, please wait!"


    Bernard''s expression instantly changed.


    "Wendy! How dare you!"


    Wendy did not want to see her grandfather''s hard-earned legacy crumble overnight at Xena''s hands. But she hadn''t considered the consequences. Chapter 52


    "Lady Summers, I can only tell you his name. Please, spare the Kinsleys. This is all I can do!"


    Bernard was so angry that he could barely breathe. Vincent could only support him, unsure whether to stop Wendy.


    At that moment, Xena''s beautiful eyes flickered with excitement.


    "Speak up!"

 Billionaire With Husband 53

    As Wendy was about to speak, Bernard regained hisposure and shouted, "How dare you!"


    In the next moment, Bernard suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and copsed into Vincent''s arms.


    Wendy was so frightened that she burst into tears and hurried outside.


    Even Xena''s expression changed. Bernard''s loyalty was more intense than she had anticipated, to the point of spitting blood over this matter. "Joe," she whispered.


    Jordan nodded in acknowledgment and rushed over to check Bernard''s pulse. His assistance helped calm Vincent and Wendy down a bit.


    "It''s nothing serious. It''s just a case of stress. A few days of rest will do him good, but during this time, make sure he doesn''t face any more pressure."


    Given the sudden events, if Xena continued to press on the issue, she would no longer deserve the title of goddess of war.


    She left with Jordan.


    "Grandpa! I''m so sorry!" Wendy cried like a child.


    She just didn''t want the Kinsleys to be defeated. But it wasn''t her intention to anger Bernard to the point of spitting blood.


    Vincent, understanding the situation, refrained from scolding her further.


    "Wendy, don''t say anything more, not even in private. It''s better if your grandfather remains unaware. If he finds out, you''ll be the sinner of the entire Kinsley family. Even I, your father, won''t forgive you," Vincent murmured. After all the effort to bring Bernard back from the brink of death, if Wendy were to cause him harm again, it would be unimaginable.


    "I understand, Dad. I won''t act on my own again. I promise." Wendy answered.


    As time passed at the Murphy residence, Felix looked at the little one sleeping on the bed, a faint smile appearing on his face.


    "Dr. Zeller, should I wake him?"


    Felix stopped him.


    Gilbert appreciated this greatly, as his son, Zane Murphy, could only fall asleep after 9:00 pm and would wake up promptly at 1:00 am. Those few hours of sleep were crucial.


    "I''ll take a look first."


    Sitting on the bed, Felix checked Zane''s pulse and shook his head.


    "His body is fine except for some malnutrition."


    "What?" Gilbert was stunned. This was just the same conclusion as other doctors.


    "Don''t worry. I have a vague guess already. We''ll see when he wakes up," Felix said.


    This statement didn''t ease Gilbert''s anxiety.


    "No, Dr. Zeller! Other doctors wanted to check at that time, but when Zane woke up, he made such strange sounds. The closer you get, the more you feel anxious and weak, and you can hardly stand, let alone check his pulse or treat him," Gilbert exined. Felix stood up and waved his hand.


    "That''s fine. I''ll handle it. I''ll cure your son."


    As seconds ticked by, the moment finally arrived. Gilbert and his wife, Jane Connor, could only stand at the bedroom door, knowing all too well that getting any closer would intensify the feelings they had previously experienced.


    Only Felix stood by the bed, seemingly unconcerned.


    "Honey, is he... Is he going to be okay?"


    Upon hearing Jane''s words, Gilbert shot her a re.


    "Be quiet! Dr. Zeller has cured Mr. Kinsley Senior. To say he is ourst hope is not an exaggeration. Just watch closely!"


    Jane listened. However, she didn''t feel confident about Felix because of his looks.


    At that moment, Zane, who had been sleeping, suddenly sat up without any warning and made strange sounds from his mouth.


    Even Gilbert and Jane instinctively took a step back in fear, while Felix, unaffected, immediately checked Zane''s pulse.

 Billionaire With Husband 54

    Felix''s lips curled into a slight smile. It was exactly as he had anticipated.


    He picked up the bowl he had prepared earlier and ced it by Zane''s mouth. Then, he gently patted Zane''s back three times with his right hand.


    On thest pat, Zane surprisingly opened his mouth and expelled something into the bowl.


    To the astonishment of Gilbert and Jane, Zaneid back down and fell asleep again.


    "All done."


    "All done?" The couple stared wide-eyed, unable toprehend the unbelievable turn of events.


    It wasn''t until Felix approached them with the bowl and pointed to its contents that they understood.


    "This bug is the reason for your son''s condition." Felix showed them the bowl.


    They looked down to see a white, worm-like creature in the bowl, resembling a dead earthworm,pletely still.


    "This creature is extremely rare. It''s called a Snowbug. I won''t go into the details, but when it encounters a human, it will actively burrow into their body without leaving any wounds. "Once inside, the Snowbug will only be awake for about five minutes each day, which is when your son makes those noises. It''s a form of self-protection for the Snowbug


    "For the rest of the day, the Snowbug remains asleep, and by then, it can''t be detected, no matter how skilled the healer is or how advanced the technology is."


    After exining, Felix asked, "When you went on that trip, did you go to any snowy mountains?"


    Gilbert felt a chill run down his spine. Felix was truly impressive.


    "Yes. We did climb a snow mountain," he answered.


    Nodding, Felix handed over the bowl.


    "Just throw it in the trash. Mr. Murphy, can you pass me the Lovefruit now?" he asked.


    "Of course! Thank you so much, Dr. Zeller." Gilbert passed him the herb.


    Once he received the Lovefruit and confirmed it was genuine, a smile spread across Felix''s face.


    With the addition of Bluesand, he now had two types of herbs, leaving him with just seven more to collect out of the nine he needed. While there was still a way to go, it was a positive development. 1 Moreover, he had received news from Kane regarding two more herbs, which Felix had personally instructed to acquire and confirm.


    It was already past 2:00 am when they returned to Tabiner Bay.


    As they approached the vi, they found the road blocked with armed guards stationed everywhere and a security line set up.


    "I live inside. Can I go in


    Felix asked.


    The officer in charge was surprised to see anyone at this hour, especially since the Tabiner Bay vis had just opened and few had been sold.


    "The Phoenix Legion under Lady Summers is on a mission. Please leave!"


    "Xena again?" Felix frowned but said nothing, slowly backing away.


    There was no way he was going to wait here. If he wanted to get in, there was no way anyone would notice him.


    As Felix stepped back, Belle arrived at the security line, and a vehicle pulled up.


    The car door opened, and Xena stepped out.


    "What''s the situation?" she asked.


    Belle''s expression was serious.


    "Mdy! We have confirmed that the Super S-rank wanted criminal, Nocturno, has taken a child hostage, threatening to kill him if he doesn''t see you, so we haven''t dared to act rashly!"


    "So it was Nocturno!" Xena felt a sense of urgency. This was no ordinary wanted criminal. She didn''t have absolute confidence, especially with a hostage involved.


    "Keep your guards up. I will go meet Nocturno."

 Billionaire With Husband 55

    "Mdy."


    Belle grabbed Xena''s arm, knowing just how terrifying Nocturno was as a wanted criminal.


    Unlikeinals who acted in the dark, he often appeared in public, yet he remained elusive due to his extraordinary strength.


    Even now, no one knew what his limits were.


    "I''ve already called headquarters. Should we wait for their support before proceeding?"


    Xena patted Belle''s arm, fully aware that she meant well.


    "It might be toote by then. Regardless of Nocturno''s intentions to see me, this is undoubtedly the best opportunity to take him down. If we wait for headquarters, Nocturno isn''t a fool-he''ll have already escaped," Xena said. "Don''t worry. I''m not that easy to deal with, either," she added.


    Though she said this, Xena felt uncertain. Every Super S-rank wanted criminal was formidable in their own right.


    Meanwhile, Felix had returned to his vi. He didn''t intend to turn on the lights. Given the armed guards outside, suddenly illuminating the ce would be highly suspicious.


    After changing into his slippers, Felix nced toward a dark corner of the living room.


    "Come out. What are you up to?" he demanded.


    A few secondster, someone emerged, carrying a four or five-year-old unconscious girl.


    "Kid, you noticed my presence?" the figure spoke.


    Felix frowned.


    "You''re beyond the worst if you treat a child like this."


    The figureughed eerily.


    "Heh, judge only after you go to the underworld."


    As the words left his mouth, the figure who stood five feet away raised his hand to attack.


    But Felix''s voice echoed from behind him.


    "The one who needs to reflect in the underworld is you."


    A minuteter, Felix appeared on the balcony of the vi''s top floor, looking out at the park outside themunity, and threw the body he was holding out into the distance.


    He could manage that with his strength. Otherwise, he probably wouldn''t have been able to throw it out of his backyard, let alone that far.


    At that moment, Xena stood at the entrance of the vi, taking deep breaths.


    ording to Belle, Nocturno was inside this vi. All the surveince had been destroyed. Hence, it was impossible to pinpoint anything further.


    Such a skilled individual could control their body temperature and other factors, rendering high-tech detectors like thermal imaging useless.


    Now, she was about to face Nocturno, and with the added pressure of ensuring the child hostage''s safety, the difficulty had escted to the highest level. Just then, the front door of the vi opened, and a figure emerged, cradling a child.


    As Xena thought it was Nocturno, her eyes widened in shock as she saw the emerging figure.


    "Felix?"


    Felix was also somewhat annoyed. He couldn''t dy any longer. The child''s family must have been frantic.


    He needed to ensure she was only unconscious and not in any other danger, so he intended to hand her over to the Phoenix Legion as soon as possible.


    He never expected to find Xena standing at his front door.


    "What are you doing here?"


    "What am I doing here?" Xena was momentarily at a loss for words.


    "Never mind. You arrived just in time. I saw this child on the couch in my living room when I got up during the night. I don''t know what happened. Regardless, you''re the goddess of war. You can handle this child, right?" "The child''s safety was the priority." Xena epted the child and spoke into her earpiece, "Belle, bring the team over!"

 Billionaire With Husband 56

    Xena nced at Felix with aplex expression.


    "Please wait in the yard. My people need to search your vi. Don''t worry. We won''t mess up the ce," she said.


    "Okay." Felix nodded.


    When Belle emerged from the vi with her team, Xena left with just a nce. However, before departing, she said, "Sorry for the trouble."


    Felix was surprised. It was a miracle that this woman could maintain such a good attitude in front of him.


    The child had already been sent to the hospital, and her parents were notified. Xena and Belle then drove toward the Phoenix Legion headquarters. Most of their personnel had been dispatched throughout Avesburgh to search for Nocturno, although they knew the chances of finding him were slim. But one question lingered.


    Why had Nocturno suddenly abandoned the child and not killed Felix, who was also sleeping in the vi? This waspletely out of character for Nocturno. He was known to be brutal, which was why he was ssified as a Super S-rank wanted criminal. "Mdy, there''s no sign of Nocturno in the vi, and there are no traces of a struggle," Belle reported.


    Xena nodded, then asked, "Did Felix purchase that vi himself?"


    Belle was taken aback. She couldn''t help but wonder if Felix''s finances were more important than Nocturno''s whereabouts.


    "I''ll have someone check right away," she said.


    Just as she finished speaking, her phone rang. Belle''s expression turned to shock after listening.


    "Mdy! We found Nocturno''s body in the woods near Tabiner Bay," she eximed.


    Xena''s eyes immediately sharpened as she demanded, "Let''s go!"


    Upon arriving at the woods, someone quickly reported the situation.


    "Mdy, it''s Nocturno. There are no external injuries, but his heart has beenpletely shattered. This was the work of a martial arts master. It seems Nocturno didn''t even have a chance to fight back."


    "This also exined why the child hade out of Felix''s vi unharmed-Nocturno was dead, so there was no way anything could have gone wrong," Xena thought, before saying, "Who could have done this?" Rubbing her chin, Xena searched her mind for relevant information but found nothing until Belle spoke up.


    She said, "Could it be Felix? Remember thest incident? We confirmed he''s also a martial artist."


    Instantly, Xena scoffed.


    "Felix? You''ve got to be kidding! Nocturno is a Super S-rank wanted criminal. Even I don''t have absolute confidence in taking him down, so how could Felix possibly do it? "Moreover, Nocturno''s death indicates he was killed instantly. If Felix had that power, why would he settle for


    425 BOAS


    being a small-town doctor? It''s ridiculous!"


    She brushed off the idea.


    Belle stuck out her tongue, realizing she had only mentioned it casually. After all, there weren''t many martial arts geniuses like Xena around.


    Suddenly, she thought of something and spoke up again," Felix was just an average vige doctor, how could he afford to buy that vi?


    "The vis in Tabiner Bay are all fully furnished and ready to move in, each priced at around 25 million dors. Even a well-known doctor might struggle to fork out that much money."


    "Vi?" Xena furrowed her brows. This was indeed a significant point of suspicion.


    Even if Felix had a fraudulent team behind him that shared profits, it wouldn''t amount to over 20 million dors. Could it be that Felix was genuinely hiding his strength? Was he testing Xena, the one he had marriage ties with?

 Billionaire With Husband 57

    Felix had already changed into his pajamas and finished washing up. He was now preparing for bed.


    However, just then, the doorbell rang. He was puzzled.


    Who could be visiting at thiste hour?


    His expression was strange as he saw Xena on the video monitor.


    "Do you have something else to discuss?" he said.


    Seeing that Felix was outside but hadn''t opened the gate, Xena felt a surge of irritation. However, remembering her inner suspicions, she held back her frustration.


    "Although it''s a bitte and my visit is somewhat inappropriate, is this how you wee your guests?" she snapped.


    Felix opened the gate and turned to walk away.


    "Come in," he said.


    Xena was even more annoyed by his attitude.


    After all, she was the first goddess of war in Dragonia-beautiful and talented, the dream woman of countless


    men. 1


    Yet, every time she encountered Felix, it felt as though he had a way of filtering out her extraordinary beauty as if he simply couldn''t see it.


    ? "Get to the point. I''m about to go to bed," Felix added.


    Not wanting to dwell on anything else, Xena got straight into the matter.


    "You''re a martial artist, right?" she asked.


    Felix frowned. He wondered how Xena knew he was skilled in martial arts. If she dared to ask, she must have already gathered some information. ""Yes," he answered.


    "Then be honest with me. Did you kill Nocturno? This man in the picture," Xena asked.


    Felix nced at the photo Xena held and shook his head, saying, "I''ve never met this person. Besides, do I look like a murderer to you?"


    Xena wasn''t ready to give up. So far, Felix was the prime suspect, and she couldn''t think of anyone else.


    "He is Nocturno, a Super S-rank wanted criminal in Dragonia. He was powerful and ruthless. He had hundreds of victims in his hands. So, can you tell me the truth now?"


    Felix continued to shake his head. He didn''t even bother to say another word. He had never felt the need to exin himself to anyone.


    He would never deny something he had done, but this situation was entirely different.


    First, whether Nocturno was a Super S-rank wanted criminal or not, he was indeed a killer. Second, Xena was the goddess of war who was responsible for such matters. Admitting this would mean he would bebeled a murderer, and Felix had no authority inw enforcement.


    Thus, he would never admit to this, and from Xena''s attitude, it was clear she knew he was a martial artist but was uncertain about his true strength.


    "Fine."


    With that single word, Xena left, but her suspicions remained unshaken.


    Once outside, she got into the car, and Belle asked curiously, "Mdy, did he admit to it?"


    "No. Felix said he''s never met Nocturno."


    Just as Belle was frowning in thought, her phone rang. After listening for a moment, she hung up and smiled.


    "It seems it''s not Felix, after all. I just received news that he was able to afford this vi because he got lucky at an antique market. He found a genuine antique porcin teapot and sold it for 25 million dors." Xena chuckled self-deprecatingly and waved her hand.


    "Let''s go. I thought he might surprise me."


    If Felix truly had the power to take down Nocturno in a blow, she wouldn''t mind giving him a chance to pursue her. Unfortunately, the reality was what it was, and nothing could change that.


    Killing Nocturno, a Super S-rank wanted criminal, was a significant matter. Anyone with sense would know that, so even if Felix were a fraud, he wouldn''t lie about this situation.

 Billionaire With Husband 58

    Chapter


    58


    At 10:00 am, Sasha entered a caf¨¦ in Avesburgh.


    "Good morning, Mr. Glover," she greeted.


    The one who had called her out was Ted.


    His stature was far beyond her reach, and she had heard he had a terrifying background. Even Hugo would respectfully address him as Mr. Glover.


    When she received the callst night, she was puzzled. No matter how hard she thought about it, she couldn''t figure out what she had done to warrant a meeting with Ted.


    "Have a seat," Ted said with a smile. "I looked around and found out that you know Felix. Your rtionship with him is not ordinary."


    Instantly, Sasha stood up again, her expression inplete disarray.


    "Mr. Glover, let me exin. While I do know Felix, I dislike him. I would not be in touch with him if it weren''t for my dad. So, whatever trouble he''s caused has nothing to do with me or my family," she rified. In her view, Felix, the big fraud, had somehow gotten on Ted''s bad side. It took guts to mess with someone of his


    stature.


    "You misunderstood. Please have a seat." Ted tried to appear as calm as possible because Sasha was the one who had lured Felix into offending a few of his important people.


    Compared to threats and inducements, cooperation from the heart was the most important.


    "I do have a grudge against Felix, but I''m clear-cut. I know you two don''t get along, either, so isn''t the enemy of my enemy considered a friend?" he continued.


    Sasha''s eyes brightened, unable to suppress the joy welling up inside. She wondered if he meant that they were friends. She thought her parents would be overjoyed if they knew about this.


    Any businessman would know the outrageous influence the Goldwind Chamber of Commerce wielded in Avesburgh. If she couldtch onto this connection, it would be a breeze for Warren''spany to take it to the next level.


    "Yes, Mr. Glover. I wish Felix would just disappear. Too bad I found out he knows martial arts, so I''m really at a loss," she said.


    Ted scoffed. That bastard Felix not only knew martial arts, but he was also a powerful martial artist at that. Otherwise, would he be going through all this trouble?


    He then said, "Do you want him to disappear? I can make it happen. It just depends if you''re willing to cooperate."


    Meanwhile, Felix arrived at the Range Rover car dealership.


    Since he didn''t know how long he''d be living in Avesburgh, he decided to buy a car to get around. It would be more convenient than taking taxis.


    In this regard, his preference had never changed. He had loved Range Rovers since he was little-the same car his father used to drive.


    "Sir, what model are you interested in?" A sales associate at the entrance greeted Felix.


    While he didn''t look impressive to the salesperson, she acknowledged she shouldn''t judge a book by its cover. The sales staff had learned to be smart, ncing at the sales associate, Felix furrowed his brows.


    The salesgirl was attractive, and the professional attire entuated her figure. Her physique far outshone her looks.


    Seeing Felix standing still, openly ogling her, the sales associate felt a secret thrill.


    "I could easily manipte this perverted customer," she thought.


    However, Felix''s next words left her dumbfounded.


    "Get me another salesperson!"

 Billionaire With Husband 59

    "Change?" The sales associate was taken aback by the request.


    She knew the customer was always right, but she seemed to have a bit of a temper and dared to question him.


    "Why?"


    Felix frowned even deeper.


    "Looks like the favors from back then have gone to waste. It''s only been three years, and you don''t recognize your cousin. Sabrina, you haven''t changed at all."


    Indeed, the woman before him, with her stunning figure, was Felix''s cousin, Sabrina Zeller, the daughter of his fifth uncle.


    When Sabrina heard this, her eyes widened as she took a closer look at Felix, finally recalling something


    "Oh, my God! Is that you, Felix? I can''t believe you''re still alive!"


    This instinctive reaction revealed the nature of their rtionship.


    "I don''t want to waste time talking with you. Get me another sales associate. You wouldn''t want me to file aint, would you?"


    Whether from his father''s side or his mother''s, those rtives were all ungrateful ingrates. When Felix''s father was doing well in business, he had helped each of them multiple times. But what happened in the end?


    The moment his parents passed away, they all began to fight over thepany. Each of them prioritized their interests.


    Not a single one of them genuinely cared about Felix, which ultimately led him to lose faith as he gave away millions in gold to Warren.


    "Ha! Don''t think just because you''re in our car dealership means you''re automatically a customer. You''re an exception, you poor thing.


    "Sure. I''ll get you a different sales associate, but she''ll probably just take you on a quick tour."


    Recognizing Felix, Sabrina sneered and walked away.


    Was Felix trying to show off? Did he think he was still the cousin who used to follow her around, trying to win her favor? Now that he was broke, what was he doing back in town? Was he trying to embarrass himself? How dare hee to look at a Range Rover? Sabrina didn''t know who gave him the nerve to act like that.


    "Hey! That customer wants a different sales associate to serve him. I''ll be honest. I know him-he''s my cousin, and he''s a real deadbeat now."


    What was supposed to be a simple change in sales associates turned into a moment of disdain from the sales staff.


    "Sabrina, you''re joking. Just send Nina over. There''s no need to y this game with him."


    Their rtionship was unusual. It was just some light teasing. There was no way she would waste her time sending her good friend over for this. Soon, a sales associate named Nina approached Felix. From her nervous demeanor and anxious eyes, it was clear


    she hadn''t been in the role for long.


    "Sir, which model are you interested in?"


    Felix didn''t care about her amateur sales skills. He was here to buy a car, not a sales associate.


    "I want a Range Rover with the highest specifications. Just take me to the payment counter now."


    "Huh?" Nina was stunned. Even though she was new andcked experience, she had never encountered a customer like this before.


    Not only was he skipping the usual vehicle inspection, but he was also forgoing a test drive and going straight to the purchase.


    "What''s wrong? Is there a problem?" Felix asked.


    Once she regained herposure, Nina felt a surge of joy.


    "No! Not at all! Please follow me. We have the Range Rover with the highest specifications in stock. You can drive it away today!" she eximed.


    After the payment went through, Nina was at a loss for words. This was truly beyond anything she had ever experienced.


    Felix was purchasing the top-of-the-line Range Rover, and after all the additional costs, the total came to 400 thousand dors. The fact that he could make such arge payment without batting an eye left Nina in awe of how good it was to be wealthy.

 Billionaire With Husband 60

    Chapter


    60


    As Nina prepared the sales agreement, Felix waited in the lobby.


    Milo entered the car dealership and headed straight for Sabrina.


    "Sabrina, let''s have lunch together. I was taking care of some business around this area and thought of you, but you didn''t answer my calls at all," Milo said.


    Sabrina sneered. She usually had men interested in her wrapped around her finger, and Milo was one of them.


    After he bought a Range Roverst time, he had been pestering her relentlessly.


    "Oh, Mr. Quinton, I''m at work. How could I have time to answer the phone?" Sabrina replied.


    After saying that, Sabrina suddenly thought of something and looked on the verge of tears, which Milo noticed.


    "What''s wrong? Who''s bullied you?" he asked.


    Sabrina forced out a tear. "I''m... I''m fine!" she said.


    This was the perfect opportunity for Milo to impress the woman he loved.


    "Tell me! Damn it! Who dares to bully you? I''ll stand up for you," he bellowed.


    "Mr. Quinton, you''re so good. I feel so safe with you," Sabrina said, batting her eyshes.


    Sabrina pointed to Felix, who was sitting in the distance. "It''s that man there. When he came in, his eyes were practically falling out of his head. I didn''t want to serve him, but he stillined about me."


    ? Milo was fuming. He had fallen head over heels for Sabrina. He knew this was his chance to impress her.


    "Just watch," he said, striding over to Felix.


    Sabrina hurried after him.


    This was a customer dispute. She had nothing to do with it. Thepany wouldn''t punish her for sure, so she might as well enjoy the show.


    Did Felix think he could humiliate her just because she was merely a car dealership sales associate? She was excited to see how things would unfold. Although Sabrina knew Milo wasn''t a rich kid, he did have some money and knew many people. Dealing with Felix would be a piece of cake.


    Approaching Felix, Milo pointed his finger. "You bastard! How dare you bully Sabrina? Get up!"


    Felix slowly looked up at Milo, his tone very t. "Are you talking to me?"


    Milo was taken aback. Why did it have to be Felix, of all people?


    He wouldn''t have cared about Warren''s affection for Felix in the past, but now, he couldn''t do anything about it. He knew he was no match for Felix.


    But with his beloved Sabrina watching nearby, he couldn''t afford to be embarrassed. He took a deep breath.


    "Felix, did you bully someone named Sabrina? She''s my girl, and I demand you apologize to her immediately!" he


    shouted.


    Felix''s expression was one of confusion. "I saved your life. So, what right do you have to yell at me here? Get lost, Chapter 60


    or I''ll make you."


    Just as Milo''s face fell, and he was unsure of what to do, Hiba appeared, leading, two middle-aged men in suits, clearly of high rank


    "Mr. Carter, this is Mr. Zeller," Nina introduced,


    Approaching them, the manager shook Felix''s hand.


    "Mr. Zeller, I''m the manager of this dealership. Thank you for choosing to purchase from our store. To show our respect, our superior would like to give you this car for free. If you agree, the payment will be refunded to your ount shortly," Sabrina moved closer following Jim Carter''s sudden arrival, seeing, Jim shake Feliz''s hand and offer him a free car, her mouth hung open in shock.


    What was going on?

 Billionaire With Husband 61

    Nina was equally stunned. When she''d been preparing the agreement earlier, Jim had approached her. Once the agreement was ready, he followed her as she brought the document to Felix.


    She didn''t expect to see him bow and scrape before Felix, even offering to give him the car for free. It was a top-of-the-range Range Rover worth 400 thousand dors! "No, it''s fine," Felix said.


    Jim seemed to expect Felix to turn him down. He lowered his head respectfully again. "Understood, Mr. Zeller. Once again, allow me to thank you for patronizing our store."


    He turned and pulled Nina aside. "Remember to satisfy whatever requirements Mr. Zeller has. You don''t need to ask me for permission."


    "Yes, sir!" Nina said.


    Jim walked off, sighing in relief. Only then did he realize his forehead was covered in sweat. It was his first time dealing with a customer of such wealth and status, after all. How could he not be nervous? Felix had used Concord Bank''s Diamond Card to pay for the car. "Wealthy" couldn''t even begin to describe a customer at that level. To put it crudely, he could buy a few publicly listedpanies for fun if he wanted.


    Nina might not have recognized the Diamond Card, but the ounts officer sure had. They''d immediately informed Jim of this, who had, in turn, informed his boss.


    Jim hadn''t been joking when offering to give Felix the car for free. It was more than worth it if giving away a 400-thousand-dor car could buy them a rtionship with someone who owned a Diamond Card. It was too bad Felix hadn''t epted the offer. Milo was also stunned. Was Felix really just a mediocre vige doctor? Why had Jim offered to give him the car, then? It was ridiculous. Jim''s attitude had been much too humble, too.


    He couldn''t do anything to Felix. After witnessing what had happened, he hurried off, not even bothering to give Sabrina a heads-up. He had to tell Sasha about this as soon as possible.


    "Sabrina." Sabrina''s friend approached her, looking bitter. "Do you regret this? I looked into your so-called broke cousin and found that he paid for a 400-thousand-dor Range Rover in one go. You saw how the store manager acted around him, didn''t you?" She didn''t need to say anything else. Sabrina was already stunned. She couldn''t believe that Felix was so much better than he''d been before his three-year disappearance. What had happened there? Or was this all just a facade? Meanwhile, Milo got into his car and called Sasha. "You''ll never believe what I just went through, Sasha. Felix..."


    He told her what had happened. She said in astonishment, "Are you sure you weren''t seeing things? Can someone like Felix really afford to buy a Range Rover? And you said the store manager attended to him in person with such a humble attitude..." "I''m positive! I wouldn''t dare lie to you, Sasha. Could it be that there''s a side to Felix that we aren''t aware of?"


    Sasha''s voice suddenly shot up several octaves. "Oh, no! My dad must''ve given Felix some money out of guilt. That''s why he could afford that Range Rover!" 1


    Was that the case? Milo wasn''t convinced, though. That didn''t exin Jim''s behavior. However, before he could say anything, Sasha had already hung up.


    Just then, someone knocked on his window, scaring him. He hurriedly got out of the car when he saw that it was


    Sabrina.


    "Sorry, Sabrina. That guy''s name is Felix Zeller, and I know him. I''ll be frank with you-he''s a practitioner of martial arts, and I don''t stand a chance against him in a one-on-one duel. Don''t worry, though. I''ll make sure to avenge you!"

 Billionaire With Husband 62

    Sabrina knew she''d guessed correctly when she heard Milo''s words. He did indeed know Feliz. She said, "That doesn''t matter. Since you know Felix, tell me what he''s doing now. How can he afford to buy such an expensive Car?"


    Now that his doubts had been cleared, Milo returned to being disdainful, "What? Do you think he''s someone important? Well, you''re wrong. Here''s the truth."


    He told her what Sasha had said and spread his hands. "All I can say is Uncle Warren dotes on Feliz too much. You have no idea how pissed Sasha was! The money would''ve been hers in the future, after all."


    So, that was it. Sabrina rxed and even patted her chest dramatically, which made Milo stare. He couldn''t help it


    -she was just too well-endowed.


    "Ultimately, he''s still the same worthless loser I know him to be. To think I thought he''d made it big! It''s disgusting that he''s using his father''s friendship with your uncle to scam your uncle out of his money," Sabrina said.


    Felix left in his brand-new Range Rover at around 4:00 pm. He turned down the dealership''s offer to have a ceremony to celebrate him buying a new car. He didn''t even want them to decorate the car for any photos. Instead, he just got in the car and drove off. Sasha called him while he was driving. Shemanded, "Come with me to a gathering tonight."


    Felix felt resigned. "Did Uncle Warren put you up to this again?"


    "Of course! Why else would I be telling you about this? You already humiliated me enough with the things you did during the barbecue party," she snapped.


    It looked like he had to find an opportunity to make things clear to Warren. He couldn''t allow things to continue like this. 1


    The only issue was that Felix genuinely felt bad about having to do it. It was clear Warren thought of him like a son, so how could he hurt Warren when thetter was the only family he had left?


    He said, "Got it. Let me know when it''s time."


    Sasha''s tone became mocking. "Ha! You want me to let you know so you can drive your new Range Rover here and show off to me?"


    Milo had been around when Felix had bought the car, so he wasn''t surprised that Sasha knew about it.


    She continued, "Why aren''t you saying anything? You disgust me, Felix. How much more money are you going to scam my dad out of? You''d better not cross the line, or you won''t be able to handle the consequences!"


    Felix couldn''t be bothered to exin and hung up. After everything that had happened since his parents'' deaths, he''d long since seen through how nasty people could be. He didn''t want to waste his breath on people like Sasha. Just then, his phone rang again. This time, the call was from an unknown number. Felix wondered whether it was Gerald again. As soon as the call was connected, the voice on the other end of the line made him smile bitterly.


    "Do you miss me, my precious apprentice?"


    "Fuck off! If you have something to say, you''d better spit it out."


    Felix knew Gerald had to have something in store for him if he were calling.


    "Tsk! Your temper''s getting worse by the day. I had your fellow apprentices drop everything to spend three years with you at Eden Vige to temper your mind and character. Looks like it didn''t work," Gerald said.


    To temper his mind and character? It had been more of a training for his patience and endurance! Felix was a normal man who''d spent three whole years with a group of beautiful women he couldn''t touch. Any man would be able to understand how he''d felt. "Hurry up and tell me what you want, Mr. Hoffman. I''m worried I''ll lose it if you drag this out any longer," Felix said.


    Gerald got to business after having had his fill of teasing Felix. "I owe Wesley''s father a favor, and the kid''s finally


    brat!" asked for help. I told him and his people to look for you in Avesburgh. Remember not to disgrace me, you


    Was he talking about Wesley Cane, who was ranked fifth among the top ten master healers of Dragonia? The guy''s beard had gonepletely white, yet Gerald still referred to him as a kid. Damn!


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Hoffman. You know what I''m capable of Everything will be fine," Felix said.

 Billionaire With Husband 63

    425 BCARS


    At the infirmary of the Phoenix Legion''s base in Avesburgli, Jordan retrieved the silver needles administered to one of the patients. "Alright. You''ll make a full recovery after resting for about a week."


    There were a few people in white doctor''s coats standing nearby. They were doctors based at the Phoenix Legion''s base and were abination of traditional and modern medicine practitioners. They had to be of a certain standard to be a part of the Phoenix Legion, but at that moment, they couldn''t help pping their hands agitatedly.


    "As expected of Dr. Cane''s apprentice! You''re amazing!"


    "To think you''re already so aplished at such a young age. It''ll only be a matter of time before you be one of the nation''s best doctors!"


    Jordan was long used to hearing ttery like this. After all, he was one of the best doctors among the younger generation. At least he hadn''t shamed Wesley.


    "Thanks for this, Joe. Things had happened so suddenly that my soldier would''ve been permanently affected by this if you hadn''t been here," Xena said.


    Her words pleased him. If they continued like this, the chance for him to confess his feelings for her would soon arrive. He said, "I was only doing my duty as a doctor. I need to talk to you about something, Xena." "Okay. Let''s go to my office."


    When they arrived at Xena''s office, Jordan looked at her with bright eyes. "My mentor ising to Avesburgh in a few days."


    Xena didn''t expect to hear that. It had been years since Wesley had made any public appearances, let alone treated anyone. He was usually focused on refining his medical skills. Why was he suddenlying to Avesburgh? "Does he have something urgent to attend to?"


    Jordan shook his head. "I don''t know the details yet-it''ll have to wait until he arrives. He''s promised to take a look at Mr. Summers Senior, though."


    Even someone of Xena''s temperament couldn''t suppress her agitation when she heard that. Wesley was ranked fifth among the top ten healers of Dragonia and a much better doctor than Xander.


    "Joe, I... I really don''t know how I can thank you for this," she said.


    Jordan felt like she was worth jumping through hoops for when he saw her like that. Still, he said, "Don''t get ahead of yourself, though. If even Dr. Fielding can''t do anything about Mr. Summers Senior''s condition, my mentor might only be able to give you some hope. He can''t guarantee anything."


    "I''m happy enough with that," Xena said.


    Once Jordan left, Belle entered the office, looking grim.


    Xena asked, "How is it? Have you verified it?"


    Belle nodded. "Yes, ma''am. ording to the confidential information we''ve gotten from the headquarters, we only have the right to know about Nocturno because they''ve downgraded him after his death. Inferno is also a Super S-ranked wanted criminal, and he''s Nocturno''s brother."


    Initially, this piece of information had been nothing more than a rumor. The headquarters had never confirmed anything, not even when Xena had asked about it. She didn''t know why it had to be kept confidential, but at least


    they''d finally announced the truth after Nocturno''s death.


    Her phone rang. She answered it and frowned as she listened to the person on the other end of the line, Her temples throbbed. After hanging up, she said, "The headquarters is sending an Asura over here."


    An Asura? Belle sucked in a breath when she heard that. Anyone who could be an Asura was the cream of the crop and only carried out special missions.


    The war division handpicked these superb warriors, and they only reported to the chief as well as the Four Great Warlords. Not even Xena, a goddess of war, could order them around.


    "If they''re sending an Asura over, does this mean Inferno really mighte to Avesburgh to avenge Nocturno?"


    Belle asked.


    Xena took a deep breath. "I can only say it''s a possibility. It''s always better to be safe than sorry, anyway. Of course, it''d be best if we could take Inferno out while we''re at it." Belle couldn''t deny that, but she also couldn''t keep a hint of fear from flitting past her eyes.

 Billionaire With Husband 64

    Belle said, "This is Inferno we''re talking about, ma''am. If the headquarters has sent an Asura over to help, it''s clear that Inferno is much scarier than Nocturno. You..."


    Xena held up a hand, her expression grim. "Don''t say such pessimistic things! I didn''t get to where I am today by pulling funny tricks and hiding from danger. We''ll immediately start setting up our defenses when the Asura gets here. Inferno might show up at any moment." "Yes, ma''am!" Then, Belle thought of something. "Mdy, we''ll be using the vi at Tabiner Bay as our defense base, and Felix is the owner. What should we..."


    A trace of disdain flitted past Xena''s face. "All irrelevant people have to be cleared out when the Phoenix Legion is conducting its business. So what if it''s Felix? Issue him a notice-that''s good enough!"


    Felix received another call from Sasha that evening. "Come to Club Neuf. I''ve arrived earlier because I have


    something to do, so someone else will meet you at the entrance. I want you out of my sight once my dad callster.


    11


    How ridiculous. She made it-sound like he was desperate to be with her.


    He said, "Got it."


    Sasha had already arrived at Club Neuf. She followed Ted into a spacious,vishly decorated private room. Inside, a young man was surrounded by a dozen beautiful women. Judging from the pair of burly bodyguards outside the room, the young man wasn''t a random Joe. "Mr. Barton."


    Sure enough, Ted''s tone was ingratiating when he greeted the man. It proved Sasha had guessed correctly.


    Saul Barton looked up. He appraised Sasha before smiling. "Not bad. I suppose she does have a hint of naivety. Come sit with me."


    Before Sasha could do anything, Ted pushed her over to Saul. At the same time, he whispered, "You''d better do whatever Mr. Barton wants of you and don''t piss him off. If you please him, he''ll deal with Felix with a snap of his fingers. You and your family will benefit from this, too!"


    That sounded like a sweet deal. Sasha immediately perked up. She said, "Don''t worry, Mr. Glover. I''ll make sure Mr. Barton is satisfied."


    Ted nodded and smiled ingratiatingly at Saul again. "Have fun, Mr. Barton. I''ll be waiting outside."


    He snapped his fingers, and all the women in the room followed him out. Sasha was the only one left to apany Saul. She couldn''t help feeling rather awkward at being left alone.


    As the seconds ticked, Ted finally received a phone call. "Felix is here, Mr. Glover."


    Ted''s gaze turned cold. He straightened up where he stood outside the private room, looking forward to seeing the show he''d orchestrated y out.


    Inside the private room, Sasha couldn''t drink anymore. "Mr. Barton, I-I can''t drink anymore."


    Saul frowned. "Are you that bad at holding your liquor? You''re not at the stage that I want you at yet! Did you know that the best time to fuck a woman is when she''s tipsy but notpletely drunk?" Sasha''s head was already spinning. She couldn''t drink anymore. "I honestly can''t drink anymore, Mr. Barton."


    Her body swayed, which gave Saul a sliver of the feeling he wanted. He picked up a ss of liquor and poured it down her shirt. "If you can''t swallow it with your mouth, you''ll have to make up for it with other parts of your body."


    The iciness of the liquor woke Sasha up a little. She opened her eyes to find that Saul already had her pinned to the couch. "W-What are you doing?"


    He rubbed his hands and leered at her. "What am I doing? You, of course! It''s what every man should do! Remember to resist, okay? The more you resist, the more excited I get!"


    Chapter as

 Billionaire With Husband 65

    Sasha looked like the promiscuous type, but she knew just where to draw the line. She knew it was important to remain chaste inntil marriage, so she''d never crossed the line. Even when dating yboys, she hadn''t gone to fourth base with them. She would never have allowed them to take her away. 1


    And so, Saul''s sudden attack had scared her. If Ted had made it clear that this was the price she had to pay to take Felix down, she would never have agreed to it,


    "Let me go! Help!" she screamed.


    At the same time, Felix arrived at the private room that Sasha had told him about. He ignored the two bodyguards standing outside and looked at Ted. Thetter pretended to be surprised. "What are you doing here, Felix?"


    In truth, he was delighted. Everything was going ording to n.


    "Fuck off!" Felix wasn''t interested in knowing what Ted was up to. The fact that he could still walk around like a normal person was only because he was Xena''s rtive.


    "What makes you think you can act so obnoxiously around me, Felix? One day, I''ll get back at you for what you did to my arm!" Ted snarled.


    It went without saying that the soundproofing at a high-end club like this was top-notch, but Felix wasn''t a regr Joe. He could already hear Sasha crying for help inside the room.


    He took Ted and the two bodyguards out-they didn''t stand a chance against him-before kicking the door down.


    The scene that greeted him was of Saul pinning Sasha to the couch. His hands were already on the belt around her pants. "Stop!"


    Saul looked up, his gaze bing pissed. "Who the fuck are you? Get the hell out of here!"


    Then, he turned back to continue with what he was doing. He didn''t care that Felix was still standing there.


    Under normal circumstances, Felix wouldn''t interfere if Sasha was being bullied as long as it wasn''t too outrageous. Now, however, this had to do with her chastity. Since he''d stumbled upon the matter, he wouldn''t be able to face Warren if he didn''t help Sasha. He strode forward and grabbed Saul by the neck, flinging him away. Thetter crashed against the wall and passed


    out.


    "Are you okay?" He helped Sasha up.


    She was so frightened that she threw her arms around him and cried, "I was so scared, Felix!"


    "I''ll take you away from here. No one can hurt you with me around," Felix said.


    Ted only managed to stagger to his feet while suppressing the pain in his gut a few minutes after Felix was gone. He headed inside the private room to see Saul passed out on the floor. He bared his teeth in a feral grin. "You''re dead meat this time, Felix. Saul''s father won''t hesitate to kill you-you won''t make it past this!" he growled.


    Sasha was feeling much better when they were almost at Silverwood. She was still a little tipsy but had managed to calm down. "Felix, you-"


    Felix was in the driver''s seat. He didn''t want to have anything to do with Sasha, so he cut her off, "Don''t thank me.


    I only saved you for Uncle Warren''s sake."


    Gerald and Felix''s fellow apprentices had tempered his mind and character over the years-Felix was like an amicable old man most of the time. Still, what Sasha said next made his blood boil. "Yes, You saved me, but why didn''t you beat that guy up to get even for me? You might be a martial arts practitioner, but you don''t have the courage to go up against that guy! I can''t believe you." That was Sasha''s first time being treated that way. If


    virginity then and there. How could she possibly boelix had been just a littleter, she would''ve lost her


    satisfied with Saul merely being thrown against a wall?

 Billionaire With Husband 66

    "Whatever," Felix said, feeling exasperated. Sasha was probably the first person he''d ever met who would resent the person who''d saved her.


    "You can''t refute me, can you? Anyway, think about how long it took you to arrive after I told you toe! If you''d arrived earlier, you could''ve drank with Mr. Barton on my behalf. None of this would''ve even happened!" Sasha snapped.


    Felix knew martial arts and seemed to be quite good in a fight-if Ivan''s words could be trusted. Yet, in the end, he''d let Saul off the hook just like that. Sasha didn''t believe Felix would''ve allowed the matter to slide so easily if the woman he loved had been in her situation. 1


    They finally arrived at the Quinton residence. Warren and Nattie were home, and Felix hadpleted his mission. Thus, he said, "I''m leaving, Uncle Warren."


    "Alright. Drive safe."


    Sasha burst into tears almost as soon as Felix was gone.


    Warren hurried over to her, his heartache clear. "What''s wrong, Sasha?"


    "I was almost raped, Dad," she cried.


    "What?" Warren''s blood boiled. "Who''s the bastard who dared to do that to you? Did you call the police?"


    "I-I didn''t know him. Felix brought me to a gathering and stepped out for a while. That guy just pounced on me and pinned me to the couch. I only managed to get away when Felix came back and pulled him off me," Sasha said. Nattie gnashed her teeth when she heard that. She grabbed Warren''s cor and snapped, "Did you hear what Sasha said, Warren? Look at what your precious Felix did! He set up this whole thing to traumatize Sasha!" Warren frowned. "Felix can''t be behind this. I watched him grow up, and I know he''s still the same person he was before leaving.


    Sasha sobbed harder. At that, Nattie said coldly, "Still waters run deep. Didn''t it ur to you that Felix is just good at putting on an act and tricking you? Sasha can''t possibly be using her chastity to nder him, can she? Listen up, Warren. If I find Felixing here or that you''ve asked Sasha to spend time with him, I''ll divorce you!"


    Warren saw the menacing look in Nattie''s eyes and listened to Sasha''s sobs. He knew this wasn''t the time to argue and had no choice but to go along with Nattie.


    "Fine. I promise I won''t do anything anymore. I will get to the bottom of this, though -I won''t let anyone get away with treating Sasha like that! If Felix really is behind this, I''ll teach him a lesson!" he said. In truth, he still didn''t think Felix would do something like this. Unbeknownst to him, Sasha was delighted by this turn of events. Thanks to this, she wouldn''t need to worry about having to marry Felix in the future. It was the only silver lining of this incident.


    Half an hourter, Felix was back at Tabiner Bay. He saw a tall, beautiful woman standing outside his door.


    She asked, "Are you Felix Zeller?"


    He nodded. "Yes, I am. Did you need something?"


    "I''m Belle Frost, Lady Xena Summers'' deputy. This is a regtory permit from the Phoenix Legion that Lady Summers herself has signed and approved. You''re required to ept it immediately," Belle said. Xena again? Why couldn''t he be free of her wherever he went?


    Felix took the permit and read it. His expression darkened when he was done. "Tell Xena that her permit doesn''t work on me."

 Billionaire With Husband 67

    Xena had actually ordered Felix to stay away from his vi for a whole week. Who was she joking? Why did he have to get her permission to stay in his own house? She was abusing her power, wasn''t she?


    Seemingly expecting Felix to react like this, Belle said frostily, "Look closely, Felix! This is a military order. If you refuse toply, we can arrest you and lock you up for a week-your vi will still end up empty. The choice is yours."


    Felix looked at the regtory permit. He couldn''t deny that Xena had indeed signed the permit in her capacity as a goddess of war. It was also stamped with the Phoenix Legion''s official stamp. If he were to go against them, he wouldn''t even be able to lodge aint. "Fine, then. I''ll do as you say." Felix left, feeling a little mad at himself.


    Why did he have to get mad at a woman? He could''ve just agreed to do as Xena ordered and secretly returned if he wanted. No one would notice him, let alone stop him.


    He figured that his vi wasn''t the only one Xena was taking control of. For all he knew, she was using the whole of Tabiner Bay for whatever she was nning. He could sense there were many people in the area. He didn''t care what she was up to, though. Belle never would''ve expected that Felix had reappeared in his bedroom at his vi after disappearing from her sight. He just didn''t bother turning on the lights. She called Xena and said, "He''s agreed to leave, mdy."


    This was within Xena''s expectations-she hadn''t expected Felix to put up a fight. She could look past him acting obnoxiously around her when it came to menial matters, but what could he do when she oppressed him in her capacity as a goddess of war? It was also a good opportunity to show him what true power was like. She said, "If that''s the case, have the secret forces retreat."


    Belle didn''t understand this. "But why?"


    "Chain Asura is the oneing this time. He called me, and we discussed matters over the phone. Having other people around will make it easy for Inferno to figure out something''s wrong. Thus, they''ll just be unnecessary casualties.


    "He and I are the only ones who''ll need to lie in wait," Xena said.


    Belle couldn''t deny that. Inferno was scarier than Nocturno and so powerful that even the headquarters didn''t have a proper report on him. The secret forces didn''t stand a chance against him.


    Her order for the secret forces to retreat made things much easier for Felix. At least he could stand before the window now.


    ...


    Meanwhile, Ted stood in a VIP hospital room at one of Avesburgh''s hospitals. He faced a burly middle-aged man, his expression respectful.


    "I didn''t expect Felix to know Sasha Quinton, Mr. Barton. I''m really sorry that he had to butt in at that moment," he said.


    The middle-aged man was Saul''s father, codenamed Ironhulk. Anyone who ran in the underground circles had heard of him, and they feared him more than they did Kane.


    Ironhulk didn''t dare offend Kane, either, but at least Kane was reasonable sometimes. Ironhulk was nothing but a heartless murderer.


    "Humph! You would''ve lost both your legs by now if not for your father''s sake, Ted!" Ironhulk had spent too many years in the underground circles to take Ted''s word for it.


    He knew what exactly had happened but chose not to do anything to Ted because thetter was rted to Xena. He would only go to such extremes if Saul had lost his life in the process.


    Ted didn''t dare say anything else, knowing he would only slip up if he were to say more. He slowly lowered his head.


    "Go. I don''t care why Felix Zeller did it, but the fact that he''s made Saul end up in the hospital is enough to sentence him to death," Ironhulk snarled.


    As expected, Ironhulk was still as cruel and domineering as always. It didn''t matter what methods he employed-the end result was that Felix would die. He would have to endure inhumane torment before his death, which was more than enough to make up for the pain Ted had gone through with his arm.

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    Ironhulk looked at his subordinate. "Go and drag Sasha Quinton to the dog farm. Since this Felix Zeller is so powerful, I''d like to see whether he can save her twice."


    Two hourster, sometime past 1:00 am, Felix appeared at Kane''s house.


    "I''m so sorry to disturb you at this hour, Mr. Zeller. I should''ve been the one to go to you," Kane said, looking distressed. Felix himself had mentioned that Kane could contact him anytime if he had news on the herbs.


    So, he''d called Felix upon returning from his trip to another city. He''d suggested heading over to Felix''s vi, but thetter had said he woulde over instead.


    Felix said, "It''s not too convenient to meet at my ce for the time being."


    How could they discuss anything if he couldn''t even turn the lights on at his vi? He didn''t want to have anything to do with Xena before Curtis woke up. Sasha was already enough trouble for him. "Did you really get the things?" Kane nodded and had someone bring them two bunches of herbs. "You can check them, Mr. Zeller. The healers I asked verified that these are genuine."


    Felix checked the herbs and smiled. "And genuine they are. Good job!"


    After adding these two to the count, he had already collected four herbs and was getting closer to his goal.


    "It''s my honor to have been of help, Mr. Zeller." Kane was delighted. Felix was the Dragon Lord; "not bad" was considered high praise. It was enough to leave him excited for the rest of the night.


    "No. I''ve always been one to reward those who deserve it." With that said, Felix pped a hand on Kane''s chest.


    Thetter didn''t know how to react at first. Then, he shut his eyes, seemingly focusing on something. After about a minute, he opened his eyes again, which glinted. He fell to his knees before Felix. "Thank you, my lord!" Kane''s practice had been stunted for several years without any breakthroughs, yet Felix had helped him ascend to the next stage just by pping him on the chest. It was a reward that no amount of money could buy. "You may rise. Continue searching for the rest of the herbs. If you do well, I''ll reward


    you ordingly. It''s only right," Felix said.


    Kane couldn''t help thinking how perfect Felix was. The traitors in Dragon Alliance would get what wasing to them!


    Felix was about to get up and head home when his phone rang. It was a video call from Sasha. He wanted to hang up when he checked the time and realized it was unusual for her to call at that hour. So, he answered. "Felix, save me! Help!"


    In the video, Sasha had been bound to a chair, her eyes red from crying. The scary thing was that there were four savage pit bulls surrounding her and barking at her like mad. Even a man would be terrified by this, let alone Sasha. Just then, a man''s huge face blocked the camera. "Come to Hairot Dog Farm in the eastern suburbs, brat. If you don''t get here before sunrise, we''ll have fun with this chick before feeding her to the dogs."


    The call ended there, leaving Felix with an ugly look on his face. Who was so determined to get him that they would even drag Sasha into the fray?


    "Hairot Dog Farm belongs to Ironhulk, Mr. Zeller," Kane said.


    Felix slowly stood up at that. He didn''t care who Ironhulk was. Instead, he said, Listen to mymand, Kane Guerra, deputy chief of Dragon Alliance''s Oasis Clinic."


    Kane felt his heart race with adrenaline. He got on one knee and cried, "Kane Guerra, at your service!"


    Since his parents'' deaths, Felix had hated it whenever his enemies tried to drag his friends and family into the fray. Ironhulk had no idea he was courting death. "Raze Hairot Dog Farm to the ground. Leave no one alive!"

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    Felix''s brows were tightly furrowed on the journey to Hairot Dog Farm. "Why did you bring so many guns along?"


    Kane hurriedly exined, "Ironhulk is in the business of arms and weaponry, Mr. Zeller. He has many men reporting to him and a whole lot of guns. He''s considered important in Avesburgh''s underground circles. He might not dare to challenge me, but we do need to keep ourselves safe from him." Felix''s expression turned odd. "You''re afraid of mere guns?"


    Kane smiled bitterly. Only then did it ur to him who Felix really was. "I apologize, Mr. Zeller. I overstepped my boundaries."


    Sasha was bound to a chair in the courtyard of Hairot Dog Farm. She no longer had tears to shed, and she was so terrified that she kept mumbling to herself. "This has nothing to do with me, I swear. Felix is the one behind this. Please, let me go." Ironhulk red at her from his seat nearby. "Say another word, and I''ll have my men take you inside."


    Sasha immediately shut up. Her hatred for Felix grew-why did she have to get dragged into this when this was his problem? At the same time, she was worried about her parents. The men had knocked Warren and Nattie out when barging into their house and abducting her. 1


    "I suspect Felix won''t dare toe here when he asks around and finds out Hairot Dog Farm belongs to you, boss," a subordinate said.


    Ironhulk waved a hand. "It doesn''t matter. He can run, but he can''t hide. I''m giving him a chance to save himself now-if he doesn''t show up tonight, I''ll send him and his family to hell!"


    Saul had never been treated like this before. If not for that, Ironhulk wouldn''t have bothered dealing with Felix in person.


    Just then, a Range Rover pulled up. The door to the front passenger seat opened, and Felix


    got out.


    Sasha became agitated when she saw this. She was about to scream for Felix to atone for his sins so she could get away, but she remembered Ironhulk''s earlier warning. Ultimately, she kept her mouth shut and looked at Felix expectantly.


    Ironhulk nodded. His subordinates released the dogs-eight pit bulls barked and raced toward Felix. Everyone watched with relish, already able to imagine what a horrible end Felix would meet.


    +25 BORUS


    The pit bulls had been specially trained. Even a martial artist could be ripped to shreds in seconds, let alone a regr guy.


    Felix didn''t even bat an eye. He continued walking calmly, only ncing at the dogs as they approached. Then, something miraculous happened-the eight ferocious dogs abruptly stopped with their tails between their legs. Some of them even peed out of fright. Ironhulk frowned and slowly stood up. "So, you''re a martial artist, brat. Is that why you had the nerve to hurt my son?"


    Kane had earlier told Felix that Saul was the one who''d tried to force himself on Sasha. He also knew now that Saul was Ironhulk''s son.


    Felix said, "I don''t want to waste my breath on you. Let her go."


    Sasha was still around, and Felix didn''t want her to witness how bloody things could get. If not for that, he would''ve made his move without saying a word.


    "Let her go? It looks like you don''t understand how I work, brat! No one I bring to this dog farm can leave alive," Ironhulk said.


    At his words, close to 60 people appeared. They weren''t wielding weapons, but they all looked confident. Sure enough, they reached behind them before aiming their guns at Felix.

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    Chapter 70 guns. To


    Felix felt resigned as he looked at the scene before him. He didn''t want Kane to make an appearance. He''d only brought thetter along just in case. It looked like it would be hard to get Sasha, who was fully conscious, out of here without things getting bloody. Meanwhile, Sasha''s fear and horror had turned to despair at the sight of all the any regr individual, seeing a gun was about the scariest thing that could happen to them. She knew that Felix was dead meat, which also meant she was doomed. Suddenly, she regretted everything. She wouldn''t have met Saul if not for her agreeing to help Ted take Felix down, and none of this would''ve happened.


    At that moment, Felix snapped his fingers. Someone got out of the Range Rover''s driver''s


    seat.


    Ironhulk''s expression changed drastically when he saw who it was. "L-Lord Kane?"


    Kane stood beside Felix and said coldly, "You''ve got guts, Ironhulk. How dare you try to pick on my distant rtive? Even I have to address him as Mr. Zeller!"


    Sasha gasped. It hadn''t been long since she''d met Kane, so she recognized him. So, there hadn''t been any misunderstanding. Felix really was rted to Kane-that alone was enough for him to do whatever he wanted in Avesburgh.


    Ironhulk subconsciously took a step back. He never would''ve expected a nobody like Felix to have someone like Kane on his side.


    "Why aren''t you letting her go yet?" Kane bellowed.


    Ironhulk''s men paled at that. They couldn''t help it-Kane was infamous in Avesburgh. They knew how domineering and authoritative he was.


    Ironhulk gnashed his teeth. A bold idea formed in his mind when he realized Kane was alone. He said, "I wouldn''t dare defy you, Lord Kane. I''ll release her right now."


    As he spoke, he ced his right hand behind him and gestured to his men. They were all his closest confidantes, and they understood what he meant. They were scared out of their wits but couldn''t possibly go against Ironhulk when he''d already given the order. Sasha ran to Felix at top speed upon being released. The arrogant and condescending attitude she usually had around him was nowhere to be found. "Felix, I¡ª"


    Felix knocked her out before she could get any further. Then, he caught her and carried her to the Range Rover. He said to Kane, "I''ll leave this to you, then. Remember what I said- raze the ce to the ground."


    "Yes, sir!"


    Ironhulk''s tricks hadn''t escaped Felix''s and Kane''s notice. Besides, they had no intention of giving Ironhulk a second chance. He was as evil as they came, so his death would benefit society.


    As soon as Felix got into the car, one of Ironhulk''sckeys ran over, shouting, "The dog farm... People are surrounding us, boss! There are even snipers!"


    Ironhulk whipped around to look at Kane. Now he knew that he was the fool here. At the same time, Kane''s figure disappeared from view. All he left behind was a booming, "Kill!"


    Felix looked down at Sasha as he left the dog farm, feeling guilty. She was getting her just desserts because of what she''d done, but Ironhulk had only gotten involved because Felix had injured Saul. And so, as an upstanding man, he wouldn''t absolve himself of the me.


    Just then, his phone rang. It was a call from Warren. As soon as he answered it, he heard Warren bellow, "If anything happens to my daughter, I won''t forgive you, Felix!"

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    Warren''s roar was just as Felix imagined. After all, Sasha had been abducted by Ironhulk in the middle of the night. How could her family be unbothered?


    "Uncle Warren, Sasha''s safe. I''m sending her home now," Felix said.


    "I''ll be waiting!" Warren boomed. Felix could tell that Warren was genuinely furious this time. Felix also clearly knew that Sasha had been abducted precisely because of him.


    When they arrived at Silverwood, Nattie was in tears. "Sasha!"


    Felix ced Sasha on the couch and said, "She''s fine. She just passed out.''


    At least Sasha wasn''t tortured-this was the only thing that reassured Felix.


    "You animal! Get lost! You''re nothing but trouble, and you''ve even dragged our family into this. Warren and I were beaten up, and all you did was a simple bandage job. Get out of here!" Nattie demanded. Felix said nothing in reply. He only approached Warren while gazing at him.


    "Tell me honestly. How have I treated you?" Warren asked.


    "You''ve treated me as your godson, Uncle Warren. You''ve been nothing but good to me.''


    At that moment, Warren''s gaze was filled with immense disappointment.


    "Why didn''t you tell me when you were in trouble? I would''ve sold everything I had to help you settle your troubles. Why did you choose the most dangerous and hated way to handle it?"


    Without any warning, he pped Felix across the face.


    "Leave! Don''t you dare call me Uncle Warren again! It''s over. I have no shame-at least I can hold my head up to your father in the underworld when I die."


    Felix smiled bitterly without exining himself. He simply turned and left, thinking this was probably the best way to end things.


    Gerald had always said that peace could only be found in Eden Vige. As one stepped into society, too many things would be beyond one''s control. Leaving right now might have been a way of protecting the Quintons. Felix had left for around ten minutes. Just then, Sasha, who had been lying on the bed, woke up.


    "Sasha! Don''t be afraid-you''re safe now."


    "How are you feeling now? Do you need to go to the hospital?"


    Seeing her parents'' concerned looks, Sasha gradually came to her senses. She looked around but failed to find the figure that had been engraved in her mind. "Mom! Dad! Where''s Felix?"


    Nattie''s face immediately fell. "From now on, don''t you dare mention that scumbag again! He''s not rted to us anymore. Ask your father if you don''t believe me." Warren nodded his head in agreement. "Sasha, I was wrong. I didn''t expect Felix to be a troublemaker. He didn''t even tell me about the trouble he had caused. "Otherwise, how could it have almost ended in tragedy? I''ve already dealt with him. I''ve also told him that I''ll never have contact with him anymore.


    IT


    Sasha widened her mouth in shock. She nearly went hysterical. "No! How could you misunderstand him? He had saved me-twice!""


    Nattie knew the "hero to the rescue" trick had always been effective. She wasn''t surprised at all. "He ought to save you. If it weren''t for him causing trouble, how could these happen


    wake up. you at all? Your mind is still hazy. Go to sleep, and everything will be over when


    Yet, Sasha became more distressed. "Dad, Mom, you''ve gotten it all wrong! Lord Kane- Felix is Lord Kane''s distant rtive! I saw it with my own eyes. ording to the family hierarchy, Felix outranks him in seniority." Nattie had wanted to retort. Yet, she froze in ce upon Sasha''s words. Nattie blinked rapidly, and no one knew what had gone on in her mind.

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    Although the information shocked Warren, he quickly frowned and said, "So what? As Lord


    you. Kane''s distant rtive, he couldn''t handle trouble like this and even affected


    "This means that Felix has offended someone far more dangerous and beyond our reach! From now on, Felix no longer has anything to do with our family. This might sound irresponsible, but it''s for your safety." After he was done speaking, Warren turned and left. Only he knew whether he genuinely intended to cut ties with Felix.


    "Mom!" Sasha looked helplessly at Nattie, who was still in the bedroom. Reflecting on Felix''s actions, Sasha realized that Felix had never deceived or pretended. All of his past actions were absolutely genuine. Just the fact that he was Kane''s rtive had enabled him to aplish things easily. Besides, Felix had saved her twice. She had to marry him-how could she wait for other women to throw themselves into his arms? Nattie said, "Sasha, if Felix really is Lord Kane''s rtive, then listen to your father. However, I''ve spoken too harshly, and your father even pped him. You can only rely on yourself if you want to mend ties.


    "Also, don''t tell any rtives about this. Or else, they woulde up with ways to tter Felix. The more people there are, the messier this will be.


    "Understood? Just tell others that they''ve cut ties."


    Huh? pped?


    Sasha felt her heart ache. Yet, her confidence was boosted as well-she knew she could win him back. 1


    The next morning, Ted carried his items and pretended to visit Saul. Yet, he was informed that Saul had died of a sudden heart attackst night.


    An unsettling feeling washed over Ted. He frantically made a few calls. A''reply came after about half an hour.


    "Ironhulk has gone missing, along with hisrades."


    Ted''s face fell as he heard the news. Clearly, Ironhulk had been dealt with by Kane. Ted thought that Ironhulk would dare face Kane head-on since he had abundant weapons and men. Besides, this incident involved Saul, who was Ironhulk''s son. Unexpectedly, Ironhulk had perished.


    "Felix, don''t celebrate too early. Ironhulk''s just a start-the following ones never even acknowledged Lord Kane. Just you wait!"


    At the same time, in Xena''s office in Avesburgh, a middle-aged man entered the room. Even a goddess of war like Xena had to stand up and wee him.


    "Sorry for troubling you to take the trip here, Chain Asura."


    Though they didn''t have official rankings, any Asura from the headquarters still held significant positions. Xena wouldn''t dare put on airs before them.


    "What trouble? We''re just doing things for the nation. Has that vi been purged?" Xena nodded. "Arrangements have been made. We can go there anytime."


    "Inferno''s a night owl-he''ll never make moves during the day. We''ll just have to go there and stalk him around sunset. If the information we''ve received is true, he should appear these days.


    "By then, I''ll pretend to be the vi''s owner. You''ll hide in the shadows and capture him in one go."


    Xena''s phone rang the moment they stepped out of the office. It was Felix. She picked it up


    ? since it was a rare urrence. Besides, he was the owner of the vi.


    "Listen up, Xena! I don''t care who''s Ted to you. Tell him not to piss me off again, or else, I won''t let things slide. This is the final chance I''m giving for Curtis'' sake."


    With just those words, Felix hung up abruptly.

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    Completely unbothered, Xena sneered.


    It seemed that Felix was giving Ted a chance, but it was just Felix''s attempt to involve her and rid himself of these troubles once and for all.


    He was just a reckless brute who knew martial arts. He should''ve evaluated his own capabilities before acting impulsively.


    Now, the damage was done, and people were starting to take revenge. Only then did Felix realize the danger. How ridiculous!


    So what if he was a martial artist? Perry''s Golden Chamber of Commerce had developed significantly over the years with Xena''s hidden assistance. They could easily take Felix down by relying solely on themselves. Besides, Felix definitely didn''t qualify to pursue her if he couldn''t even get past Ted.


    In Sapphire Paragon, a high-end restaurant in Avesburgh, Sabrina was having lunch with Lawrence Schneider. He was a plump, middle-aged man.


    Suddenly, his expression changed as he received a phone call. He quickly wiped his mouth and said, "Babe, go ahead with your meal. Save some of the wine after you''re done. I''ll need to leave since I have urgent matters." Sabrina smiled sweetly. "Alright, darling. Take your time."


    Although Lawrence was older, Sabrina had him wrapped around her finger since he wasn''t smart. She didn''t have to sleep with him and still had money to splurge-what was not to like?


    Sabrina grabbed the bottle of Roman¨¦e-Conti wine from the table. It cost 20 thousand dors- they would only drink a small amount whenever they came. Before this, she had never imagined a bottle of wine to be so expensive. She wanted to pour herself another ss before asking the waiter to store the bottle. Just then, she saw Felix walking in.


    "It must be God''s will! Felix, let''s see you fall hard this time," she thought to herself. Without further hesitation, Sabrina stood up and headed toward the cashier while holding the bottle of wine. Her steps were quick, and her motives were clear.


    Just as she leaned forward to collide with Felix, he stepped away and avoided her. She lost her bnce and stumbled. Although she didn''t fall, the bottle of wine did. It hit the ground and shattered.


    The process might have been different, but the oue was still the same. Sabrina didn''t bother and started her act straight away.


    "Ah! You... Don''t you have eyes? Can''t you watch where you''re going? Do you know how expensive this wine is?"


    Felix frowned. He wondered who it was, only for it to be Sabrina, his malicious cousin. Did she not see or hear anything about what happened at the car dealership?


    "I didn''t touch you," he said.


    Knowing that he would deny it, Sabrina pointed at him as other customers in the


    restaurant looked over. "You sidn''t touch me? You clearly tripped me-or else, how could the wine have dropped?


    "This bottle of Roman¨¦e-Conti costs 20 thousand dors. I don''t care whether you''ve heard of it or not-pay up!"


    "Oh, Felix Zeller, I bet you''ll be begging on your knees this time. Milo told me this morning that Warren had cut ties with you. Without his financial support, I bet you can''t evene up with a few thousand dors, let alone 20 thousand dors," she thought. It wouldn''t take long for Warren to get that Range Rover back from Felix. He had brought these miseries all upon himself.


    Other customers were stunned. Although the prices here were high, a 20-thousand-dor bottle of wine was indeed shocking-after all, it was no small amount.


    They felt Felix was unlucky and would be more careful walking in the future.


    Just then, the manager, Tim Jenkins, approached them. Since Sapphire Paragon had a


    significant background, he had authority in dealing with matters.


    "Excuse me. I''m the manager here. What happened has already happened. We''ll still have to handle things calmly, don''t we?"


    27

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    Not wanting to be deemed as unreasonable, Sabrina crossed her arms and coldly spoke, Fine, then. It''s better now that you''re here. This bottle of wine worth 20 thousand dors was shattered thanks to this man right here. "Mr. Schneider had it stored in your restaurant-you can verify this easily."


    Upon her words, Tim understood that the wine couldn''t be fake-any wine had to be authenticated before storage at Sapphire Paragon.


    Otherwise, if the staff had damaged it, how could thepensation be settled if the guest merely stated any amount?


    A card appeared before Tim as he looked toward Felix.


    Felix said, "Any issues with you taking care of things? I''m not wasting another word with this woman.


    00


    Sabrina rolled her eyes. "Who do you think you are? How shameless to ask someone else to handle matters for you."


    However, Tim''s eyes widened in extreme shock the next moment. Oh, dear! Was that a Golden Card? Unbelievable! A VIP hade to dine here.


    "Our dearest VIP, I sincerely apologize for this incident. Please proceed to your private room-I''ll handle things on my end," Tim said respectfully.


    Felix put the Golden Card away and headed toward the private room. He came here because Wendy had invited him for a meal. Sapphire Paragon was just another one of the Kinsleys'' businesses.


    Yet, he didn''t expect to bump into Sabrina, his sly cousin, there.


    Not only were the other customers stunned, but Sabrina was also bbergasted. What was that card? Why did Tim''s attitude change so dramatically in an instant?


    "Madam, our restaurant willpensate for the wine. I''ll ensure that the same bottle of Roman¨¦e-Conti worth the same price will be on your table the next time youe. Would you be satisfied with that?" Tim asked.


    Sabrina felt that she was on the brink of insanity. Did they really just agree to settle things this way? "W-Who is he? Why is your restaurant covering his bill?"


    "That''s not for you to bother about. As long as things are resolved to your satisfaction, that''s the best oue, no?"


    Tim didn''t dare to question a VIP holding a Golden Card. Despite her many questions, Sabrina turned and left.


    She was confused about what was going on. She wanted to know exactly what kind of card did Felix hold. She nned to ask Milo whether Warren had truly cut ties with Felix.


    After a while, Hugo arrived at the restaurant. Tim greeted him warmly, "Wee, Mr. Lambert! The private room has been reserved for you."


    "Okay."


    Tagging along, Tim''s eyes darted around as he whispered to Hugo, "Mr. Lambert, Ms. Kinsley is also dining in one of the private rooms.


    Hugo had often tipped generously for such information. "Oh? Which room? Who is she with?"


    "She''s in Room 3 with a rather handsome young man. I''m not sure about other details." A rather handsome young man? Hugo frowned and decided to check it out for himself. Given his rtionship with Wendy, he wouldn''t be too intrusive. At the same time, in Room 3, Wendy was apologizing to Felix for nearly revealing his identity to Xena.


    "You''re treating me to a meal because of this? You don''t have to do this. I''m not the type to hold grudges," Felix said.


    *Wendy heaved a sigh of relief upon his response. She stood up and approached Felix with a


    bottle of wine. Yet, she stumbled on her high heels and lost bnce, falling sideways.


    Thankfully, Felix reacted swiftly and held her, preventing her from falling to the ground. He caught the bottle of wine with one hand. Wendy ended up leaning into Felix''s arm in an intimate position.


    At that moment, the private room''s door opened, and Hugo stepped inside. "Wendy, I-"


    He stopped in his tracks as he saw their affectionate actions. His expression darkened drastically.

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    +26 BONUS


    Wendy was already nervous. Although she had feelings for Felix, she was afraid to offend him too much. Now that Hugo had suddenly appeared, she quickly stood up.. "Hugo, what brings you here?"


    She was rather unhappy with Hugo''s sudden intrusion. Nevertheless, he had contributed to treating Bernard. Hence, Wendy still had to show some gratitude.


    Hugo regained hisposure and forced a smile. "I heard you''re dining here, so I came to have a look. Did I interrupt anything?"


    Felix understood that there was more to his words, but he remained unbothered. After all, nothing was going on between him and Wendy. Even if there was something between them, Felix wasn''t one to care about others'' opinions. "Indeed, it''s a bit inconvenient right now. I''m having a meal with my friend."


    Damn it! Hugo wondered if Felix was trying to chase him away.


    Though he still had a smile stered on his face, his gaze toward Felix became icier. "I


    shall not interrupt your meal, then. Since you and Wendy are so close, we''ll have to keep in touch more often."


    Hugo left the room before Felix could say anything. He had initially assumed that Felix and Wendy were just friends.


    Yet, the scene he witnessed just now made him change his mind. The slight flush on Wendy''s cheeks had said it all. Hugo felt that Felix was asking for trouble bypeting with him for Wendy.


    "Mr. Zeller, do you know Hugo?"


    Felix swallowed a bite of steak and shook his head. "Not really. We''ve met each other a few times at the auction and party."


    Wendy still looked apologetic after a moment of hesitation. "I''m sorry for troubling you again, Mr. Zeller."


    Smiling, Felix replied, "What''s wrong? Is Hugo considered trouble to you?"


    He had sharp eyes-he could certainly detect that Hugo was after Wendy.


    "No! That''s not what I meant. I know the Lamberts aren''t as powerful as us, but I heard his grandfather has strong connections. I''ll rify things with him and make sure he doesn''t bother you." Felix couldn''t control what Wendy wanted to do. If she could convince Hugo, it would be


    giving him a way out. Otherwise...


    After finishing his meal, Felix was about to get into his car when Kane called. "Mr. Zeller, that woman called Sasha came to my clinic, mumbling about seeing you."


    Felix had blocked Sasha''s WhatsApp and added her number to his cklist. There was no need for putting on an act since Warren had cut ties with him.


    Who knew that Sasha was such a stubborn woman? She had even appeared at Kane''s clinic


    -she truly had some nerves.


    "Just chase her away. Say something harsh, and she''ll never dare to show up again."


    "Alright."


    Just as Felix thought, Sasha was such an opportunist. After witnessing that he had connections with Kane, she immediately clung to Felix.


    At 2:00 am, a figure mysteriously appeared in the backyard of Felix''s vi in Tabiner Bay, amid the nighttime silence.


    A voice came from behind the figure before it could make any more moves. "So you''ve turned up, Inferno."


    Inferno turned around. Under the light, his face etched with scars was revealed.


    "Xena Summers? The goddess of war?"


    Xena''s gaze was icy as her body prepared for action. "That''s right! Your brother Nocturno


    is dead. Your best choice is to surrender and face legal consequences. Or else, you''d end up worse than him."

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    Inferno''s brows twitched as he sneered, "Hah! must''ve underestimated your abilities. Interesting that you could find out that Nocturno''s my brother. What a shame, though- why does it matter?" He hade here with a simple objective, which was to capture the vi''s owner and interrogate them to find out who killed Nocturno.


    Even brief descriptions would be enough for him to deduce the culprit. After all, only a few people were capable of killing him.


    "Are you belittling me?" Xena''s strong presence surged. After bing the goddess of war, she paid more attention to her ego. She wouldn''t tolerate such an attitude from others. "Xena Summers, my brother came to you just to savor the feeling of sleeping with the goddess of war. Even he had dared to do so-do you think you''re a match for me?" "What about me?" a voice interrupted Inferno.


    Chain Asura appeared before him.


    "You must be the Asura from the headquarters! You seemed well-prepared, but what a


    have underestimated my true powers. Very well. I shall send you both


    shame that all of...


    to the underworld."


    Inferno made his move after he was barely done speaking. Taking on two people at once, he still managed effortlessly. Indeed, his abilities were far better than Nocturno''s. Within just a minute, Xena was caught off guard. She was struck and was sent flying like a broken kite.


    Without Xena controlling Inferno, Chain Asura was also kicked. He stumbled back as his face fell.


    He knew that he and Xena would perish tonight if the fight persisted. Inferno''s abilities were far superior to what the intelligence had described. "Fighting all day in my house-how annoying!


    On the brink of consciousness, Xena heard a familiar voice. She saw a blurry figure standing before Inferno. "Is this... Felix''s voice?"


    Inferno furrowed his brows. "And who might you be?"


    Felix seemed extremely displeased, especially with Inferno. "Because of you, I have to sneak around in my own home. Enough with your nonsense!"


    The next moment, his hands suddenly reached out to Inferno. Thetter didn''t have time to react-his neck was snapped before he could even see the movement of Felix''s hands. 7/2


    Not far away, Chain Asura was perplexed. Inferno was a Super S-rank wanted criminal who defeated him and Xena easily. How was he just killed like that? How absurd! Felix turned around and smiled as he saw Chain Asura. "Long time no see, Chain."


    He swallowed as he stared at Felix in disbelief. It''s you! Mr. Zeller?"


    Smiling, Felix nodded. "Hah! Who knew we''d meet each other again?"


    Chain Asura was a subordinate of Felix''s fellow apprentice, Delh Roth. He was a loyal one who paid many visits to Eden Vige to find her. Hence, he and Felix naturally knew each other. "Thanks for saving us, Mr. Zeller." Chain Asura realized that Felix was Delh''s fellow apprentice-no wonder he could kill Inferno instantly.


    "You''ve killed him yourself. None of this has anything to do with me," Felix replied.


    Being able to team up with Xena meant that Chain Asura had some sort of authority, too. Hence, Felix had appeared-otherwise, things would be hard to exin. Chain Asura was conflicted. Just then, Xena, who had been unconscious, started convulsing violently.

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    "Please save her, Mr. Zeller."


    Chain Asura knew who Felix truly was. Naturally, Felix was the most suitable one to treat


    Xena at that moment.


    Yet, Felix simply shook his head. "He didn''t intend to kill her that blow was to just make her pass out. Her convulsions are due to her own physical state. She''ll be fine after a while."


    Chain Asura was shocked. Felix clearly learned his medical skills from the miracle doctor, Gerald. How remarkable of him to know what was going on at just a nce. But why did Inferno leave Xena alive? "Also, someone''sing."


    Upon hearing this, Chain Asura quickly turned toward Xena. Sure enough, an emergency call button was shing, signaling for the Phoenix Legion to send support. It seemed that the button was triggered right after Xena had been struck.


    Felix didn''t n to leave since this was his home. Xena''s condition was something he had discovered during her previous treatment. It wasn''t dangerous as of now, but it could pose


    a threat in the future.


    Of course, he didn''t n to meddle until the prenuptial agreement was finalized. Besides, even if he told Xena about it, she wouldn''t believe him.


    Just then, arge number of troops from the Phoenix Legion arrived at the scene, including Belle and Jordan.


    "Mdy!"


    "Xena!"


    The two of them rushed over to Xena hurriedly as she was still convulsing.


    "Belle, leave it to me!" Jordan said.


    Although Belle was anxious, she knew she couldn''t be of much help. She nodded to him and approached Chain Asura. "Lord Asura, is this that Inferno you all spoke of?" ""Yes. He''s dead now."


    Belle heaved a sigh of relief. This was her first time seeing Xena injured so badly-she had blood at the corners of her mouth, and she was convulsing continuously all while being


    unconscious.


    "Felix, why are you here?"


    He met Belle''s gaze and chuckled in amusement. "Interesting-this is my house, and


    you''re asking why I''m here?"


    Belle frowned. "It''s your house, alright. But didn''t I show you the regtory permit? Do you know you''re viting the military orders?"


    She thought that Felix was extremely lucky. If weren''t for Chain Asura killing Inferno, just the shockwaves from the fight alone could have killed him on the spot. After all, he was just a mere martial artist. "Belle, I''ve temporarily treated Xena with acupuncture. We''d still need to bring her back for further treatment-we can''t just do it here Jordan said.


    Fortunately, he had spoken up. Belle didn''t want to continue dealing with Felix and started giving orders.


    Chain Asura said, "Thank you so much for today, Mr. Zeller. I''ll report back now."


    After everyone left, Felix entered his vi and turned on the lights. He was finally able to stay in his own house freely.


    As a new day dawned, Xena woke up.


    "How are you feeling, mdy?"


    Seeing that Belle and Jordan were present, Xena nodded. "I feel great. There''s not much of a problem."


    Suddenly, her expression changed. "Inferno! Wait. Why am I here?"


    Gently pressing on Xena''s arm, Belle said softly, "You don''t have to worry, mdy.


    Inferno''s dead! You were unconscious when we arrived. Thankfully, you have the foresight to have Jordan on standby with us."


    Inferno was already dead? Xena didn''t even bother to thank Jordan for saving her once again. Shocked, she asked, "How did he die? Who killed him?" "You and Chain Asura."


    At that moment, Belle was extremely confused. She gave Jordan a look, silently asking if Xena''s injury wasn''t fully healed yet.

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    "Xena, don''t think too much. Inferno is dead, and Chain Asura has taken his body to report back to the headquarters. He says that you deserved half of the credit. All you have to do now is to rest up." Rest?


    Xena got out of bed straight away. Her mind became increasingly muddled.


    Inferno was dead? And killed by Chain Asura? Impossible-she remembered everything clearly before she was struck.


    Even when she and Chain Asura had teamed up, they were still at a disadvantage. What was more, he was the only one left after she lost consciousness. How could he have killed Inferno alone? "By the way, there''s something else I have to tell you, mdy. Felix was also there when we arrived. He had vited military orders and sneaked back to his vi. Should he be punished?" Xena widened her eyes in shock immediately. "Y-You''re saying that Felix was there, too?"


    "Fighting all day in my house-how annoying!" The voice echoed in her mind. She remembered it clearly. Someone had said it before she lost consciousness that night. It sounded very much like Felix. "Yes! What a surprise to you, right? How daring of him!"


    "Get out, both of you!" Xena spoke icily.


    Belle and Jordan didn''t dare say anything more and left.


    With only herself in the room, she immediately took out her phone and called Chain Asura.


    "Have you recovered, Lady Summers?"


    "Yes, I''m alright now. Tell me. What happened after I cked out? I hope you can tell me the truth."


    Chain Asura chuckled, sounding confused. "What''s wrong? Didn''t your subordinates tell you everything? I killed Inferno after you cked out."


    Impossible! Xena wasn''t a fool that could be tricked easily.


    "Let''s not beat around the bush, Chain Asura. You too know how powerful Inferno is- there''s no way you killed him by yourself. I heard someone speaking before I cked out. Was there some other help?" For some reason, Xena was extremely conflicted-she hoped to hear Felix''s name but


    didn''t want to at the same time,


    "You must be hearing things at that time! I did kill Inferno. I was just testing the waters at the start, How could he be a match for me once unleashed my true powers? It''s just unfortunate that it involved you. Any other questions?" His unnatural tone made Xena remember that be was an Asura, Being questioned continuously would certainly upset him.


    "Nope, Sorry, I got a bit too emotional,"


    "Alright. Rest well,"


    Was it really not Felix? Gazing out the window, Xena felt that there was more to what truly happenedst night. Was she really hearing things? It felt so real, though.


    As she recalled it, there was no doubt that it was definitely Felix''s voice. But if it was, why would Chain Asura cover things up? It didn''t make sense.


    A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Jordan''s voice came through, "Can Ie in, Xena?"


    "Sure."


    Looking joyful, Jordan entered the room.


    Xena was curious. "Thanks for saving me against night, Joe. Is there any good news you have?"


    He smiled. "There''s no need to! There''s good news, for sure. Mr. Cane has arrived in Avesburgh-he''s on his way here as we speak.


    Xena was thrilled. With the help of Wesley, one of the top ten master healers in Dragonia, there were better chances of Curtis getting cured.

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    "Great! Wait for me in the living room, Joe. I''ll take a bath and wash up. It''ll be too disrespectful to meet Mr. Cane looking like this," Xena said.


    Jordan was exhrated as well. Once Wesley healed Curtis, everything would fall into ce for him to be with Xena.


    At the same time, Felix stood outside the mansion and rang the doorbell. Yet, it was Belle and Jordan who came out.


    "Felix? What are you doing here?" Belle disliked him strongly. He was a useless good-for- nothing, but he still fantasized about marrying Xena.


    Just because of that prenuptial agreement? He was craving for what he was not worthy of! Even Jordan alone could easily take on an army of Felixes. "I''m here to visit Mr. Summers Senior. Is Xena here?" Felix asked.


    He hade over because Louie had obtained a Grimflower and delivered it to his vi. Felix verified that it was indeed genuine and came over immediately.


    After treating it with acupuncture techniques, the Grimflower could stop the Phantom Poison from spreading in Curtis'' body. Once the nine other herbs were collected, treatment would be easier. It would be highly beneficial for him in the future as well. Hence, Felix still had toe despite his dislike for Xena.


    "So what if she isn''t? I''m sure Lady Summers had already rified things with shameless of you to still show up here. Get lost!" Belle snapped. you. How


    Jordan also frowned. From Belle, he had learned about Felix and Xena''s promise to marry. Hence, it was natural that he didn''t have good feelings toward Felix. Back then, Jordan didn''t cause trouble because hepletely looked down upon Felix. He said, "Felix! The most important thing in life is to recognize your own worth and to face reality. Even an office worker would never consider a useless vige doctor like you, not to mention Xena.


    "Besides, I heard from Xena that you''ve joined a group of scammers. You''re lucky she didn''t arrest you, so don''t push your luck."


    F¨¦lix nced at him and frowned. "And who might you be?"


    "How dare you!"


    Belle stepped in. Pointing at Felix, she coldly said, "Who is he? How bold of you, Felix! He''s Jordan Hall, the apprentice of Wesley Cane, who''s ranked fifth among the top ten master


    healers of Dragonia.


    "Jordan already has outstanding medical skills at this age. He''s deemed as a prodigy who might surpass Mr. Cane in the future. You, on the other hand, don''t even deserve to shine his shoes. How dare you speak that way?"


    A voice suddenly broke the tense atmosphere. "Let him check on Grandpa-I''ll give him five minutes. Chase him out when time''s up."


    It was Xena speaking from the third floor. She opened the windows and turned to leave.


    "Humph! Come on in. You only have five minutes. Or else, don''t me me for what happens after!"


    Jordan wasn''t angry since he knew Xena''s concerns. In a while, Wesley would be arriving soon. If Felix continued being unreasonable here, it would be too impolite.


    Ignoring the two of them, Felix headed directly to the room where Curtis was.


    Jordan tailed him closely. Seeing Felix taking out two silver needles, preparing to treat Curtis, he stopped him. "What are you doing?"


    "I don''t have to tell you what I''m doing. The two of you can leave," Felix said.


    Belle moved over to intervene. Jordan was furious. "You''re just a no-name doctor from some vige. You can only treat fevers or colds. How ambitious of you to treat Mr. Summers Senior! "Aren''t you overdoing it, trying to prove yourself in front of Xena? Do you even know what illness Mr. Summers Senior has? Ridiculous."

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    At the same time, Belle also threatened Felix, "Either you keep the needles, or I take action. I''m sure you know the consequences."


    Felix had enough of Belle and Jordan. With a tapping gesture of his right hand, he made them stand frozen in ce,pletely unable to move.


    They could onlymunicate with their eyes since they couldn''t even open their mouths.


    "The spell will be automatically removed after half an hour," Felix said.


    After inserting the two silver needles, he ced the Grimflower into Curtis'' mouth.


    He then left the room under Belle''s and Jordan''s furious gazes.


    20 minutester, Xena had finished showering. After getting dressed, she arrived on the top floor. She was perplexed upon seeing the two of them standing stiffly in ce. "What''s wrong with the two of you?"


    She noticed that they could only gesture with their eyes. Realizing what might have happened, she tapped with her right hand. Straight away, the two of them were able to move again.


    "Something''s wrong, mdy! Felix is more powerful than I thought. I''m no match for him -he struck my acupoints and made me stand frozen in ce!" Belle eximed.


    Jordan pointed at Curtis. "That''s not the main point! He used the silver needles on Mr. Summers Senior and even shoved something into his mouth. He''s asking for it!" Xena''s face fell. How dare Felix tamper with Curtis? Did he have a death wish?


    Just as Jordan was about to remove the Grimflower from Curtis'' mouth, his phone rang. Xena, don''t move! Mr. Cane''s here. He''ll make the decisions-heaven knows what Felix has put."


    He was right. Xena hurried downstairs with Belle and Jordan.


    A car had just stopped outside, and an elderly man appeared. Though his face was full of wrinkles, he had ck hair and seemed energetic.


    "Mr. Cane!" Jordan called out.


    "Thanks foring, Dr. Cane. Sorry for the trouble," Xane greeted respectfully.. Wesley smiled. "My dear apprentice had kept begging me toe. How couldn''t I?" Knowing that Wesley was creating opportunities for him, Jordan felt deeply grateful. "Alright. Let''s have a look at your grandfather. Although I''m known as a master healer, I can''t guarantee that I can cure every disease out there. Be mentally prepared," Wesley said.


    Chapter Bu


    In the bedroom on the top floor, everyone held their breaths as they watched Wesley checking Curtis'' pulse.


    Jordan was even more anxious than Xena, as this was a significant event in his life. Medical skills were one thing, but marrying the goddess of war herself was another.


    After a few minutes, Wesley sighed. "The Phantom Poison has intoxicated your grandfather. I can''t do much it''s the most poisonous thing in the world, after all. Besides, quite some time has already passed."


    Was it really impossible? Although Xena was mentally prepared, she couldn''t help but feel disappointed. "Still, thanks foring over, Dr. Cane."


    Just as Wesley was about to stand up and leave, something came to Jordan''s mind.


    "Mr. Cane, please have a look at what''s inside Curtis'' mouth. That Felix had ced something in there when we weren''t looking. I''m worried."


    Although Wesley didn''t say anything, he nodded and proceeded to press an acupoint on Curtis'' jaw. Curtis'' mouth then opened widely. Wesley''s expression changed as he saw what was inside. "Is this... a Grimflower?"

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    Jordan''s expression turned horrifyingly sullen once he heard the word "Grimflower". He barked, "Damn it! Felix has got some nerve!"


    A sense of foreboding arose in Xena''s heart as he asked, "W-What is it?"


    "Grimflowers are rare herbs, but they''re highly poisonous. How cruel of Felix!"


    The news was so shocking that it sparked murderous intent in Xena and Belle at once. They wondered if Felix resorted to extreme measures because he couldn''t get what he wanted. Even if that were the case, wasn''t he being too bold?


    "Quit panicking!" Wesley spoke up while ring at his precious apprentice. "You''re right. The Grimflower is indeed highly poisonous. However, whether it''s harmful depends on the state of the person ingesting it and how one prepares this herb."


    After saying that, Wesley pointed at Curtis'' mouth. "This specific Grimflower looks paler. It''s evident that someone has treated it with acupuncture methods."


    "Acupunture?" Even for Jordan, that was his first time hearing about such a bizarre thing. Mr. Cane, do you mean traditional medicine practitioners like us can also perform acupuncture on flowers?"


    Wesley nodded. "Of course, it''s possible to perform acupuncture on anything. It merely depends on how advanced your medical skills are. The person we''re dealing with is extremely skilled in medicine for performing acupuncture on the Grimflower to this extent. "Their skills can put me to shame, at the very least."


    The three froze, rmed that a mere Grimflower could make Wesley admit defeat.


    "Don''t worry. Alternatively, you should thank the person who put this herb in your grandpa''s mouth. If all goes well, it will prevent the Phantom Poison from spreading in his body. That''s a good thing," said Wesley.


    He then stood and headed out. "I''ve got other pressing matters, so I''ll be on my way now. There are only two ways to save your grandpa.


    "First, find the elderly miracle doctor and have him take action. Or, you can locate the person who put this Grimflower into your grandpa''s mouth.


    "Thetter can very likely save your grandpa''s life."


    Although Jordan''s mind was still a mess, he still sent Wesley to the door.


    Only Xena and Belle remained in the bedroom, their features wide with shock.


    Xena asked, "Could it be that I misunderstood Felix? Maybe his medical skills are great, but I never allowed him to demonstrate his abilities."


    Although Belle found it annoying to admit, she couldn''t refute the former because Felix had indeed ced the Grimflower into Curtis'' mouth. She had witnessed it with her eyes.


    Not to mention, she realized she would''ve been the most at fault if she had stopped Felix from doing it. That struck fear into her chest.


    Xena fell silent for a while before making up her mind. "Belle, get me a suitable time to have a proper chat with Felix."


    "What''s there to talk about?" Jordan re-entered the room with a face full of disdain. " Xena, you don''t actually believe Felix is behind this, right? Fine. He is, and I saw him do it- but do you even know what the actual truth is?" A slight frown marred Xena''s face as she looked at Jordan. "What are you implying?"


    Jordan let out a frosty chuckle. He refused to ept a countryside doctor would have better medical skills than him, much less Wesley. That was just impossible.


    "It''s obvious Felix somehow got this Grimflower, which has already been treated with acupuncture, through sheer dumb luck. To some extent, he''s still a doctor and has likely read some medical books with relevant knowledge. "That must be why this has happened. Otherwise, do you seriously think Felix can surpass Mr. Cane''s medical skills at his young age?"


    Any regr person would agree with Jordan''s rationalization. After all, Felix would have long been famous if he actually possessed such incredible medical skills. He wouldn''t be living his current humdrum life. Chapter 22

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    Chapter


    82


    "Mdy, I think what Jordan said is right. Felix must have gotten this Grimflower by luck," said Belle.


    A whileter, Xena sighed. "Regardless, it''s undeniable that Felix has helped me this time. Belle, please arrange a slot in my schedule. I''m going to buy Felix a meal as a token of my gratitude."


    Jordan sighed in relief, thinking it was fine for Xena to buy Felix a meal. He felt someone of Felix''s caliber couldn''tpare to him. Because of that, he believed they would be in serious trouble if Xena believed Felix''s medical skills were superior to Wesley''s. Meanwhile, Felix had returned to his vi in Tabiner Bay. He had just arrived when he saw Sasha standing at the entrance to his property.


    "Felix," she greeted.


    "What are you doing here? We no longer have anything to do with each other."


    Sasha bit her lower lip, seeming to have predicted this oue. "I''m sorry, Felix. I was being too haughty before. I swear, I''m not approaching you because you and Lord Kane are rted. I''m doing it because you saved my life twice." She gave a pleasant excuse, but would Felix believe her?


    "If that''s what you truly think in your heart, don''te looking for me for a month. I may reconsider making you my friend again after the month is up." It was merely a dying strategy.


    Felix wasn''t entirely sure whether he would still be in Avesburgh in a month.


    As expected, Sasha agreed to it.


    "Alright, Felix. I promise I won''t seek you out anymore for one month." Sasha had no choice but to agree since she had cut off all her chances with Felix before. It wasn''t going to be easy to regain his trust now.


    Most importantly, Warren had previously pped Felix and cut off all ties with thetter. Sasha wouldn''t have such a hard time getting back in Felix''s favor if Warren hadn''t done


    80.80.


    Felix had just entered his house when he received a call from an unknown number.


    The caller said, "Felix? It''s me, Hugo."


    Wendy had probably failed to convince Hugo otherwise. After all, this phone call wouldn''t have happened if she had seeded.


    "Is something the matter?" Felix asked.


    "I''ll give you three days to leave Avesburgh. I don''t want to hear any other promises from you. Got it?"


    "What if I refuse to leave?" Felix answered.


    Hugo chuckled. He found Felix truly overbearing for daring to speak arrogantly, even when Felix had seen him bid tens of millions of dors to purchase the Bluesand herb. Wendy was right-there was more to Felix than met the eye.


    Hugo replied, "You''re refusing to leave, huh? Sure. You''ll be getting a surprise from me


    tomorrow."


    Wealthy heirs like Hugo often hired others to teach their enemies a lesson, which didn''t seem like a big deal to Felix. So, he couldn''t care less about Hugo''s threat.


    Felix wanted to get a quick rest when his doorbell rang again. He felt slightly annoyed, thinking it had to be Sasha again.


    Yet, he frowned once he saw who the visitor was on the doorbell camera. Even then, he didn''t hesitate and headed straight to the door.


    Two people stood at the entrance. They were Felix''s cousin and aunt, Sabrina and Jolene


    ? Lowe.


    Felix questioned. "I''d like to know how you guys found out about me living here.''


    Sabrina let out a shrillughter before snarling, "You''re truly an idiot! Don''t you know Milo and I are acquainted?"


    After she left the caf¨¦ yesterday, she contacted Milo to ask about Felix and Warren''s rtionship. Milo ultimately confirmed that Felix and Warren had cut ties.


    From there, Sabrina assumed Warren couldn''t retract the items he had given to Felix all at once. The card Felix showed her in the caf¨¦ had to be one of the things Warren hadn''t taken back yet. Naturally, Sabrina wanted to take action on her n.


    "I suggest you watch your words. I may not hit women, but bitches are an exception!" Felix barked.


    Jolene''s features darkened when she heard the former insult her daughter. She fished out a few things from her handbag just then. "Since you''ve returned, Felix, you should pay back the debts your parents owe from back then."

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    The debt his parents owed?


    Feliz took the papers from Jolene and instantly frowned. "These are thepany''s debts from back then. What do they have to do with my parents?"


    To his surprise, his words made Sabrina''s body tremble with sheer rage. "Bullshit! My family had the leastpany shares back then, and we needed to pay off these debts before anyone acknowledged our worth. "Why else would I sell cars when I could''ve enjoyed my life as an heiress? Anyway, it alles down to your parents'' debt from back then. We''ve already paid back the debt, so it''s only natural that you pay us back." Feliz inhaled deeply, suppressing the zing mes in his chest. He feared he would rip the two women to shreds if he unleashed his rage.


    These rtives of his had gotten a share of thepany back then, yet they were now shamelessly doing this. "Mark my words. Don''t me me for taking extreme measures if you daree to our house again." Jolene spoke up when Felix turned on his heel and was about to go back inside, "You can''t avoid this. I may be civil while bringing this up to you today, but I won''t be as nice the next * time." Ultimately, the mother and daughter duo had set their sights on Felix''s vi. Plus, they knew Felix and Warren had cut ties.


    They believed obtaining Felix''s vi would be easy if they pressed on about the debt. After all, the vi cost over 20 million dors, a massive and luxurious asset in their family''s eyes. At around 11:00 pm, Wendy drove over to pick up Felix.


    "Are you sure what I want will be there?" Felix asked.


    Wendy tensed. "I''m not too sure. There''s only a possibility that it''ll be there, but I''m inexperienced at this. That''s why I figured it''d be easier if you came along, Felix."


    The ce they were going to was a hotel''s banquet hall. It was an auction held by Avesburgh''s Traditional Medicine Association. However, the auction was merely a disguise. There were two ulterior motives. Firstly, it was a gathering of the Traditional Medicine Association''s members. Secondly, it was to raise funds for the association. Avesburgh''s Traditional Medicine Association had no miracle doctors. That said, they were


    still a local association. So, people like the richest family, the Kinsleys, would provide some financial support for the association.


    They also did so because it was a task from the head of their family. Besides, it didn''t cost


    them much to do it.


    Naturally, Wendy received an invitation.


    "We''d be wasting time anyway, even if we didn''t do anything. So, it''s worth going there as long as there''s a possibility of finding what you want," she exined.


    In truth, Wendy knew well that genuinely valuable things wouldn''t appear at an auction of such level. She was merely using this as an excuse to spend more time with Felix.


    Upon arriving at the banquet hall, Wendy naturally received all the attention since she was the event''s sponsor. The association''s chairman, Simon Lowell, and other relevant senior officials lined up on both sides to wee her. "Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Ms. Kinsley. Please have a seat."


    Wendy and Felix had sat at the table at the forefront of the banquet hall.


    That was when Felix noticed someone whispering something into Simon''s ear. Simon then hurried to the banquet hall''s entrance.


    "Interesting. It seems Mr. Lowell has invited a big shot for tonight''s event," Felix murmured. He didn''t care much for that since he had only attended to try out his luck. So, he couldn''t be bothered with whomever Simon had invited. Soon enough, Simon and his senior executives flocked around a young man as they entered the hall.


    Simon announced, "Everyone, today is the auction of Avesburgh''s Traditional Medicine Association. We''re honored to have invited Dr. Jordan Hall, the apprentice of the master healer, Wesley Cane! Everyone, please wee him with a warm round of apuse!" Wendy hurriedly joined in on the apuse. Only small frys attended the event in the past, so she never paid them any mind. However, she was surprised that the association had sessfully invited someone who was such a big deal this time.


    Even if nobody knew who Jordan was, the sole fact that he was Wesley''s apprentice was enough to make others respect him.


    Not to mention, Wendy had previously met Jordan at her family''s banquet. She even saw Jordan standing alongside the goddess of war.

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    Chapter


    84


    "We''re all involved in this industry. Plus, I''m here to join in the fun today. Please forgive me for the intrusion." Jordan kept a low profile, causing everyone to apud him more enthusiastically. Of course, he ended up sitting at the first table in front. That said, his smile dropped once he saw Felix.


    "Mr. Lowell, I hope you won''t think I''m being immature and foolish for saying this-but shouldn''t Avesburgh''s Traditional Medicine Association have stricter guidelines when epting new members in the future?"


    Simon, who had also sat down, furrowed his brows in confusion. "What do you mean, Dr. Hall?"


    Even an idiot would understand the situation after seeing Jordan viciously sneer at Felix.


    "To my knowledge, this Felix guy is a doctor from the countryside. His medical skills are mediocre, which we can ignore, but he sometimes scams people!


    "I fear Avesburgh''s Traditional Medicine Association''s reputation will be damaged if people discover such a person can join your association," Jordan stated.


    Before Simon could respond, Wendy was the first to express her displeasure. "Dr. Hall, was it? Shouldn''t you consider your words carefully before criticizing others? What right do you have to judge Felix? Do you know him that well?"


    Jordan frowned. "Wendy, have you be conceited and unreasonable from being the wealthiest man''s daughter? You aren''t in the medical industry, yet you think you can talk to me this way?"


    Simon was caught in the middle because he couldn''t afford to cross any of them. If he aided Jordan, the Kinsley family would never invest another cent into the association again. That was undeniable.


    On the flip side, offending Jordan would lead to more serious oues. Simon would lose his position and be unable to remain in the association if he crossed Jordan.


    "Don''t waste your breath on this idiot, Wendy." Fortunately, Felix spoke up just then.


    That surprised Wendy, but at the same time, her heart skipped with joy because the former had said her name.


    "An idiot?" Jordan was pissed. He bellowed, "Felix, would you believe it if I coul make your life difficult at any second just because you''ve disrespected me?"


    Jordan never nned on taking Felix seriously. However, Felix had helped Curtis with a stroke of luck. That naturally angered Jordan a great deal.


    Felix gradually stood, thinking there was no need to continue this. After all, how could one befortable if they had to share a table with Jordan? "Fine. I''ll ensure you vanish from this society for five years since you''ve provoked me several times." Jordan found the former''s im ridiculous. "You''d best apologize to me in front of Xena tomorrow morning! Otherwise, you won''t even get the chance to regret not doing it!"


    He already nned on confronting Felix for what happened earlier today. Little did he expect to bump into Felix here, but since he did, he conveniently said it to Felix.


    He felt it was best if Felix apologized to him in Xena''s presence. If not, he would resort to all sorts of tactics to get even with Felix.


    Felix couldn''t be bothered to deal with Jordan, so he left at once with Wendy in tow.


    Nothing could stop Wendy from leaving, no matter how much Simon apologized. Deep down, Simon felt incredibly bitter and regretted inviting Jordan to the auction. At that rate, Jordanpletely offended the association''s financial backer. "Sorry, Felix. I didn''t think Jordan would show up." As Wendy exited the hotel, she wanted to p herself. She intended to spend time with Felix through this auction, but her n backfired,


    "It wasn''t your fault. You don''t need to send me off. I''m going to take a walk," said Felix before he strolled off.


    He didn''t go far before taking out his phone to make a call. Felix had always been a man of his word, so he was determined to fulfill his deration of making Jordan vanish for five years. "Have your apprenticee over, too, for tonight''s treatment. "He''s a youngster, so there''s no harm in having him gain more experience."

 Billionaire With Husband 85

    Felix strolled down the street and had unknowingly arrived at a downtown area.


    There, he saw a woman in her 30s. Her eyes were red and swollen as she actively spoke with people who passed by. "Miss, do you have the ametrine blood type? What about you, sir? Do you have ametrine blood?" s, her efforts were unsessful. Passersby who were nice would reply, "No." As for those who had fouler tempers, they treated her like she was a lunatic. Some even shoved


    her away. Even so,


    the woman continued her task of asking around for that specific blood type. Felix could tell the woman likely hadn''t slept for several days from her haggard appearance.


    "Sir, do you have the ametrine blood type?" She stopped Felix in his tracks to ask the same question.


    000


    "Is someone in your family ill and needs to have extra blood in case of transfusions?" Felix replied.


    It was the first time someone had asked her a question in response. Her gaze was bleak and devoid of hope. Yet, she wanted to vent her emotions, so she cried while exining, "M- My three-year-old is sick. "The hospital can operate on her, but she has a very rare blood type-ametrine blood. The operation can''t happen without extra ametrine blood in the hospital''s reserves. So, this was the only stupid solution I could think of." As a master healer, Felix naturally knew about ametrine blood. Most average people had never heard of it. Their knowledge of blood types only extended to the Rh-negative blood type.


    However, there was also the Rh-null blood type, which was rarer than the Rh-negative blood type. It was said that the urrence of the Rh-null blood type was one in six million people. Ametrine blood was much rarer than this. Anyone could tell the woman''s attempt to find ametrine blood wouldn''t work even if she asked around for ten years.


    The human body was peculiar and would sometimes undergo strange mutations. Such was the case for the woman''s three-year-old daughter. One''s blood type wasn''t 100% guaranteed to be like their parents. "Take me to the hospital," Felix stated.


    "What?" The woman''s eyes grew wide. "S-So, you have ametrine blood?"


    "Yeah."


    In truth, Felix didn''t have ametrine blood. He had merely learned some special techniques from Gerald. Because of that, his blood became versatile and could work in transfusions for any blood type.


    He believed in not going out of his way to save everyone. Even so, he would never sit back and ignore it if he encountered someone in need.


    "That''s great! Thank you so much! Please follow me!" the woman eximed.


    Felix didn''t n on treating the girl himself. Since the hospital had said they could fix things with an operation, why would he bother doing anything extra? He figured donating his blood was more than sufficient.


    On the way, Felix phoned Kane after learning which hospital the girl was in. He asked Kane to inform the hospital''s director of his situation.


    After all, medical tests wouldn''t show that he had ametrine blood, but he knew well enough that his blood would work for the girl.


    The hospital''s director was already waiting when the woman and Felix arrived at the girl''s ward. "Thank you for your help, Mr. Zeller."


    Felix exited the room with the director in tow after the medical staff drew his blood. "Is everything arranged?"


    The director nodded. "Yes. I''ve arranged everything and will perform the operation in person. Rest assured, Mr. Zeller. Everything will go ording to Lord Kane''s instructions."


    After all, the surgery concerned a human life. Strict investigations would follow if any idents urred. In that case, the director would bear the most responsibility if anyone discovered the girl''s and Felix''s blood types weren''t a match.


    However, Kane had already given the orders, so the director had to do it. Besides, the director believed Kane had no reason to harm an innocent person, and thetter had no grudges against the girl.


    "I''ll leave it to you, then," Felix answered.


    He had taken a few steps when he heard someone calling from behind. Turning his head, he soon saw the woman from earlier and a man kneeling on the ground.


    "We don''t even know your name, sir! We''ll never forget how you showed us great kindness today!"

 Billionaire With Husband 86

    A smile appeared on Felix''s face as he said, "There''s no need for that. Knowing your good character, you''ll surely raise your daughter to be someone who can contribute to her country well. That''ll be the best repayment."


    At the same time as he left, a woman stood before a huge floor-to-ceiling window in a room elsewhere. The view of her figure from behind alone was enough to make one''s imagination go wild.


    Someone entered the room and spoke up at once. "Miss, we''ve just received news that the DNA you''ve been searching for has been found in one of Avesburgh''s hospital''s databases."


    The woman didn''t look back at the former, nor did she turn around. Only her slight chuckle filled the air. "Is that so? It seems that when there''s a will, there''s a way."


    "But, miss, even the Zeller family has given up. Why are you still putting in so much effort to search for it?"


    After a brief silence, the woman''s voice rang out again. "He''s my fianc¨¦, after all. Wouldn''t he find his life a little less fun without seeing me? Have Yvonne Cooper scout out the scene in Avesburgh first. I''ll go there in person when I have the time in the future." "Understood."


    At sunset, Jordan stood before Wesley with slight trepidation. The two were in a suite at a five-star hotel in Avesburgh.


    "Mr. Cane, am I really qualified enough to meet the apprentice of the miracle doctor?" Jordan asked, trembling with excitement.


    Wesley had brought him to Avesburgh before revealing why they had gone there.


    It turned out that someone was so ill that even Wesley couldn''t do anything about it. In the end, Wesley had no choice but to call in the favor owed to his ancestors by the miracle


    doctor.


    Only then did hee to Avesburgh. Yet, he was surprised that the miracle doctor wasn''t there. Instead, the miracle doctor''s apprentice would help with the favor.


    Wesley could receive such aid because he shared his ancestors'' bloodline. So, it was understandable that the miracle doctor agreed to help.


    Wesley dared not invite others without getting permission from the miracle doctor first. However, things were different now. He voiced "Yeah. I''m a little confused, too. The apprentice himself called me and asked to bring you along so you could learn a thing or two." EBONDS


    Jordan straightened his back upon hearing that. "I''ll do you proud and not disgrace your name, Mr. Cane!"


    Such an opportunity was more important than anything to any traditional medicine practitioner.


    "Remember. This apprentice is either of simr age as you or younger. Make sure not to show contempt or be judgmental toward him just because of it."


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Cane. I know better than to do that," Jordan answered.


    They were meeting the miracle doctor''s apprentice, after all. Why would the apprentice''s age matter? The person''s title alone was worthy ofmanding respect.


    "Oh, right, Mr. Cane. I have a favor to ask. It''s about="


    Wesley raised his hand to interrupt before Jordan could finish speaking. "I know you''re hoping to ask the apprentice to help Xena''s grandfather, but you don''t have the right to."


    Jordan chuckled bitterly but wasn''t upset. Instead, he found the exnation reasonable since the gap between him and the apprentice was truly colossal.


    "But I''ll bring it up to the apprentice after hepletes this treatment. At the very least, you''d be doing the best you can for Xena, regardless of whether we sessfully get the apprentice''s help."


    Jordan was contented enough upon hearing that from Wesley. After all, nobody knew the miracle doctor''s apprentice, much less thetter''s temperament.


    "Joe, you should reel it in now. Devoting your full focus to one woman will affect future achievements, and you won''t live up to my expectations." your


    Jordan was about to say something when the doorbell rang.


    Wesley hurriedly stood and went to the door with Jordan close in tow. They knew the miracle doctor''s mysterious apprentice had arrived.


    Once Wesley opened the door, he smiled and said, "We appreciate youing all this way, Dr. Zeller. You have my gratitude."


    Jordan wanted to greet the apprentice with the utmost respect. Yet, he stiffened like a statue once he saw thetter. He wondered if it was a hallucination because the person outside the door was undoubtedly Felix.

 Billionaire With Husband 87

    "Dr. Cane," Felix greeted Wesley with a smile.


    Although they had never met before, the fact that Felix appeared at this specific time meant that he was undoubtedly the apprentice of the miracle doctor.


    "You''re even younger than I imagined." Even Wesley was careful to speak in a respectful tone when he addressed Felix. The first reason was because Felix was the miracle doctor''s apprentice. Secondly, Felix''s medical skills were indeed superior to his own, so he had no right to be resentful. The miracle doctor had only taken on this one apprentice throughout the years. This spoke


    volumes about Felix''s talent.


    Felix said, "Let''s focus on saving the patient."


    Wesley didn''t notice that his own apprentice was standing frozen on the spot. He led Felix into a bedroom, where a woman and a month-old infant were present.


    "Dr. Zeller, this child is my great-grandson. He was born without innate energy, and I truly have no way to help him."


    It turned out that the child wascking in innate energy. No wonder Wesley decided to redeem the precious favor for his great-grandson. A favor from the miracle doctor should only be used after much thought and deliberation. After all, there could only be one chance to use it.


    Felix replied, "I understand. Leave it to me."


    Every person would be nourished by innate energy in the womb, which was extremely important for one''s future. Deficiency in innate energy might not be apparent at first, but side effects such as intellectual disabilities and uncoordinated movement would manifest as the body developed.


    Modern medical instruments could never detect this deficiency. If Wesley were to ignore this, the child would essentially be doomed. Regardless, Felix couldn''t be bothered to delve into the specific reason why this happened. "Thank you, Dr. Zeller."


    Wesley sighed in relief. Not only was he at a loss, but so were many of the master healers who couldn''t do anything to help the situation. Yet, healing this condition seemed to be as simple as lifting a finger to Felix. Jordan was pacing back and forth in the living room with beads of sweat on his forehead." Felix... Felix is actually the mysterious apprentice of the miracle doctor! Heavens, how could you y such a joke on me?"


    He could no longer muster up any resentment toward Felix. The difference in their status was as far apart as the heavens and the earth. It was clear after seeing how respectful Wesley was of Felix. Resolving the situation might have been simpler if it weren''t for their previous conflict. Unfortunately, his repeated humiliation had likely made their reconciliation impossible.


    Jordan''s expression shifted drastically as his anxiety grew. He didn''t believe that Felix would sweep things under the rug. After all, Wesley had said that it was only because of Felix''s permission that he was there.


    Now Jordan realized that it wasn''t about letting him observe and learn. Instead, Felix had brought him here to punish him.


    Time passed slowly. After half an hour, the bedroom door finally opened. Clearly, replenishing deficient innate energy wasn''t an easy task for Felix, either.


    "Dr. Zeller, you''ve truly opened my eyes. Such amazing medical skills... I had no clue how you did it even after seeing it with my own eyes," Wesley spoke, his eyes filled with admiration. In the medical field, skill came first. Age didn''t matter much. "Dr. Cane, you''re too kind. Mr. Hoffman assigned this task to me, so how could I not do my best?"


    ? Suddenly, Wesley noticed Jordan standing nearby. The expression on his face and the fear in his eyes made Wesley realize that something was wrong. Previously, all his thoughts were focused on getting his great-grandson treated.


    Felix spoke, "I''m sure you''ve guessed by now, Dr. Cane. Yes. Your beloved apprentice Jordan used to treat me as an adversary."


    What? Wesley''s expression darkened. "You idiot! How dare you consider yourself worthy to treat Dr. Zeller with disrespect? Who gave you the nerve to do that?"


    Terrified, Jordan fell to his knees before Wesley. He was too frightened to say a word.

 Billionaire With Husband 88

    "Dr. Zeller, you can decide on how to deal with him. He brought this upon himself!" Wesley didn''t even want to know the details of what happened.


    If he didn''t make his stance clear right now, he himself would get in trouble once Gerald turned up.


    "Confine him for five years and ban him from stepping out into the world!" Felix left after saying that, leaving Jordan with a bitter smile on his face.


    The same words Felix had spoken earlier in the morning at the Traditional Medicine Association echoed in Jordan''s mind. He hadn''t expected Felix''s words toe true so quickly, nor did he have a chance to resist.


    "Mr. Cane, I''m sorry," Jordan said.


    Wesley patiently listened to Jordan''s exnation. Then, he sighed and shook his head. "In the end, it''s all because of a woman''s charms! Luckily, Felix isn''t a ruthless man. If he really wanted to kill you, I wouldn''t have been able to protect you, either." What else could Jordan do? He felt nothing but a sense of relief.


    "Mr. Cane, should I tell Xena about this?"


    "Who would have thought that the soon-to-be fianc¨¦ whom Xena never took seriously


    would turn out to be the miracle doctor''s apprentice, the man whom she had been desperately searching for?


    With his identity alone, it was no longer a question of whether Felix was unworthy of Xena. The tables werepletely turned in this situation.


    "Don''t do that. How she interacts with others is her business. If you meddle, it could lead to worse consequences. Do you really want to rekindle this feud?" Wesley''s words woke Jordan up. Indeed, Felix must have had his reasons for not revealing his identity. Meddling would only make things worse for himself. When Felix returned home, his phone rang. The call was from Belle. Although he hadn''t saved the number, he recognized it at first sight. "What''s the matter?" "Felix, Lady Summers is inviting you to lunch tomorrow. The location is at... Don''t bete!"


    Felix frowned, feeling annoyed. "If you''re inviting someone to a meal, you should at least. be cordial. Are you ordering me around?"


    Clearly, Belle was also displeased. "Know your ce! You just happened to get lucky and help Lady Summers by ident. You should be grateful she''s inviting you to a meal. How


    dare you spout such disrespectful words?"


    Felix let out a coldugh. "I don''t need it.


    With that, he hung up.


    It was utterly ridiculous. Did they think they were entitled to supreme honor because they were ordained by the heavens? Who were they trying to impress by acting so high and mighty? Meanwhile, Kane had just returned to the courtyard from running errands. Upon entering the main hall, he saw a middle-aged man sitting in his wooden armchair.


    "Kane, long time no see," the man said.


    Kane''s expression shifted as he took a closer look at that man. "At your service, Mr. Rush. I''m Kane Guerra, deputy chief of Oasis Clinic."


    The man before him was none other than Daniel Rush. He was the chief of Lawson Clinic, which was a member of Dragon Alliance.


    Lawson Clinic was considered one of the top five most powerful entities within Dragon Alliance, far superior to Oasis Clinic. Even the chief of Oasis Clinic would have to greet Daniel with respect. "Take a seat. There''s no need to be so formal."


    Kane''s eyes were filled with curiosity as he took a seat. "What brings you here, Mr. Rush? It has been over three years since west met!"


    Daniel nodded and smiled slightly. His appearance was quite fearsome. Even if he was smiling, his menacing look would likely scare a child into wetting their pants.


    "It''s been three years, indeed. I''m here this time for something important. If I am sessful, it will have a profound impact on the future of Dragon Alliance," Daniel said.


    Oh? Kane raised an eyebrow. He now realized the gravity of the matter,


    "Yes," Daniel said. "It''s about the goddess of war, Xena Summers."

 Billionaire With Husband 89

    Chapter


    89


    The goddess of war, Xena Summers?


    Kane was even more confused. What did Xena have to do with this?


    "My nephew will being to Avesburgh in a few days. His goal is to marry Xena," Daniel exined.


    Kane furrowed his brows. This seemed like a personal matter. How did it involve Dragon Alliance? "Mr. Rush, forgive me for speaking frankly, but I still don''t understand."


    Daniel stood up, as if he already expected Kane''s reaction. "I came here just to notify you, as you have the most widespread influence in Avesburgh! My nephew also wants to join Dragon Alliance, but hecks the necessary qualifications. "However, everything will fall into ce once he marries Xena. At that point, Dragon Alliance will rise to a new level with the goddess of war on our side. I''m sure you understand the implications."


    Daniel turned to Kane. "If my nephew needs help, you wouldn''t refuse to lend a hand, would you?"


    Kane smiled and said, "Of course not. This is a small matter."


    However, he kept his true thoughts to himself. If it were in the past, Xena might have indeed been useful. Outwardly, Dragon Alliance might seem united, but they were secretly fragmented on the inside. However, it was just a matter of time before Dragon Alliance would be reunited now that the Dragon Lord had returned. There was no use for Xena at this point.


    Early the next morning, Sasha appeared with Ruth at the mall almost as soon as it opened.


    "It''s unbelievable! He''s so despicable! I already humbled myself so much, yet Felix still treated me like that!" Sasha fumed.


    Standing beside Sasha, Ruth also had a look of disbelief on her face. Who would have thought that an utterly worthless man like Felix actually had a powerful rtive like Kane?


    It seemed that Felix''s talk of vis and his being an acquaintance of Wendy wasn''t just bragging, after all.


    "Don''t be discouraged, Sasha. I can''t speak for other things, but if you end up with Felix, you''ll never have to worry about food or clothing at the very least. You''ll be able to do as you please in Avesburgh.". Chapter 89


    Of course, Sasha knew this all too well. Otherwise, why would she have humbled herself so much before Felix? "Well, I have a feeling that things won''t go so smoothly."


    At that moment, Ruth received a call. She said goodbye and left in a hurry, leaving Sasha alone. She entered a Guci store. There was no better way to vent her negative emotions than shopping until she dropped. "How much is this bag?"


    "Miss, this bag is a new arrival to the store. It is priced at 550 grand."


    550 grand? Sasha''s face fell. Although her family was well-off, she wasn''t at the level where she could afford such an expensive bag.


    Suddenly, a voice spoke up, "Wrap up all these bags. I''m giving them to this youngdy."


    The store clerk saw who it was and immediately spoke respectfully, "Yes, Mr. Glover. Please wait a moment!"


    Sasha turned around and saw Ted. "Mr. Glover, I... I need to leave," she stammered.


    It was all because of Ted that she was nearly sexually assaulted. Although she hated him with all her heart, she didn''t dare to offend him. "Don''t go, Sasha. Consider these bags as an apology for what happenedst time. I had no


    ? idea that things would almost go that way.


    *


    For her? Sash was stunned. The total value of those bags was at least five million dors. How could a woman not be tempted? 1


    Ted said, "I know you''re trying to pursue Felix, but is he even paying attention to you? I can pay you three million dors upfront. Once the job is done, I''ll give you another ten million dors!


    "All


    you


    need to do is help me lure Felix out again. Besides the money, I''ll also arrange for your father''spany to join the Goldwind Chamber of Commerce.


    "Once that happens, you don''t need to rely on Felix anymore. Your family will still be one of the most influential families in Avesburgh!" Chapter 90

 Billionaire With Husband 90

    Chapter


    90


    So many benefits? Sasha hesitated for a moment as she thought of Felix''s indifference toward her.


    Ted continued, "Heh! I know you''re worried about Lord Kane. I knew about Felix''s connection to Lord Kane a long time ago, but so what? I''m still going to teach him a lesson! Why? Because the backing of the Glover family is something even Lord Kane can''tpare to." Sasha''s doubts dissipated with his assuring words. The frustration of unrequited love would turn into hatred easily. Moreover, she never had much affection for Felix to begin


    with. 2


    Her recent change of heart was purely due to Kane''s influence. Now, even that concern was taken care of. Why wouldn''t she take advantage of another prospect with a better opportunity?


    "Mr. Glover, I''ll do whatever you say, but I have one condition. You can''t let anything like that night happen again. I''m not a promiscuous woman with loose morals," Sasha said.


    Ted sneered inwardly. The people he hired this time wouldn''t spare a nce at a vulgar woman like her. He only needed Sasha to lure Felix out.


    "You''re a wise woman who recognizes an opportunity. I''ll inform you once everything is in ce"


    Meanwhile, Felix was driving his Range Rover out of the city. He was headed toward a cemetery in Avesburgh.


    Today was the death anniversary of his grandfather. The only people he still feltpelled to pay respects to were his grandfather and parents. As for his grandmother, she had passed away before he was born. Felix had no emotional connection to her. There weren''t many cars headed to the cemetery since it wasn''t a holiday or a special


    asion.


    As Felix drove, he suddenly mmed on the brakes. A young man stood in the middle of the road. He seemedpletely unafraid to stop the car with his body.


    As soon as Felix''s car came to a halt, the man rushed to the driver''s side window. "I''m sorry, I really had no other choice..."


    The man stopped mid-sentence when he saw Felix smiling at him. He widened his eyes in shock. "What the hell? Felix?"


    Felix was also genuinely surprised to see that the person who stopped his car was actually


    his childhood friend, Jack Graham. Otherwise, he would have yelled at him already Jack, I can''t believe it took you this long to recognize me."


    Jack regained his senses after a minute and punched Felix excitedly in the arm "When did you get back to Avesburgh? I heard from our old ssmates that you disappeared for TREE years, and no one could reach you. I even tried calling, but you never picked up. That''s not cool!"


    As if he suddenly remembered something, Jackadded, "Let''s talk on the way. My car broke down. Damn it! No one would even stop to help, so I had to risk my safety by gging down a car like that."


    "Alright."


    Felix knew that Jack''s grandfather and his had passed away on the same day. They always paid their respects together. The Graham family had a rule that their memorial services couldn''t go past noon. That was why Jack was in such a hurry. "Weren''t you staying abroad?" Felix asked.


    Jack had gone abroad after graduating college, so it was rare to even meet up once a year since then.


    "Don''t bring that up. It''s a long story filled with heartache. The important thing is, I''m back in Avesburgh for good," Jack replied.


    Neither of them asked each other about their current jobs or other personal details. Good friends didn''t need to dig that deep.


    At the cemetery, they parked the car and went in separate directions. They would meet up and return together after paying their respects.


    Felix had only walked for a while before stopping in his tracks. There was a woman standing in front of his grandfather''s grave. He could tell she wasn''t a member of the Zeller family, as he didn''t recognize her at all.


    At that moment, the woman turned around and took off her sunsses. She stared directly at Felix and said, "Felix, am I right? Let me introduce myself. I''m Yvonne Cooper."

 Billionaire With Husband 91

    Honestly, Yvonne was very pretty. Even though she couldn''tpare to Xena, she definitely had Wendy beat. Her figure was incredibly striking, especially when she was dressed head to toe in ck. "I don''t think we''ve met before."


    Felix didn''t recall ever knowing a woman named Yvonne.


    He nced back at the gravestone, and Yvonne''s voice turned a little wistful. "My entire four


    years of college were funded by Mr. Zeller Senior. It wouldn''t be an exaggeration to say he was like family to me. He was a good man, always humble about what he did.


    "I only recently found out who he was. But by then, it was already toote."


    A college student sponsored by his grandfather? Felix''s brows rxed.


    It made sense. His grandfather, Phillip Zeller, had always been generous, often helping kids from underprivileged areas. Sponsoring a college student wasn''t out of character for


    him.


    "You seem to be doing pretty well for yourself now. I''m sure my grandpa would be proud."


    He walked over, pulling out the offerings he''d bought, and began arranging them neatly by the grave.


    Yvonne remained silent, quietly watching. This was a time to honor emotions, not a moment to interrupt with words.


    It wasn''t until Felix finished his prayers that Yvonne finally spoke again. "I suppose you could say I''m doing alright now. Since Mr. Zeller Senior is no longer around, I''m nning to give back to his hometown, Avesburgh. "I''m thinking of starting a business there. Would you be interested? I could offer you the position of vice president."


    Felix smiled. He knew her offer stemmed from the connection she had with Phillip.


    "It''s alright. I hope everything goes well for you in Avesburgh."


    He had nned to leave right then, but after a moment''s thought, he figured she was sincere and had shared a close bond with Phillip. So, he initiated another conversation.


    "Let''s exchange numbers. If you run into any trouble while setting up your business there, let me know. I''ll help however I can."


    "Really? Well, it seems like you''re just as remarkable as your grandfather. Thank you in advance."


    After Felix left, Yvonne pulled out her phone.


    "Did you meet him?"


    "Yes. Your information was spot on. Thanks to Phillip, Felix didn''t put up any guard with me. Honestly, my first impression of him wasn''t bad at all."


    With that, the call ended abruptly from the other end, but Yvonne wasn''t surprised. It was just the way things were.


    You could never truly know someone, no matter how good the first impression was. What mattered was what was buried deep inside.


    But Yvonne suddenlyughed and shook her head.


    "Even if Felix turns out to be exceptional, what difference does it make? Compared to you, he''s got generations to catch up on. I don''t get why you''re so curious about him."


    After Felix waited in his Range Rover for a while, Jack finally showed up. He seemed a lot more at ease now that the visit was over.


    "Not bad, Felix. Driving a Range Rover now? Looks like you''ve done pretty well these past three years."


    Felix teased back, "You were the guy driving a Bentley back in the day, and now, you''re poking fun at me?"


    Back then, Jack''s family business was far more prominent than Felix''s. It was no surprise that he''d gone abroad. Even after so many years, his parents were still living overseas. None of it could have happened without money But then, Jack unexpectedly gave a bitter smile.


    "Family? My parents are the reason I came back. They had another kid-a boy. They''ve decided all their assets will go to him. So, since they don''t need me anymore, why should I stick around abroad?"

 Billionaire With Husband 92

    Felix couldn''t believe it. He knew Jack''s parents. Could they have been so influenced by the different cultures overseas after moving abroad that their mindset had changed? It seemed almost heartless.


    "Let''s not dwell on it," Jack said with a dismissive wave. "I may be broke now, but I''ve still got my skills. I passed the final interview for a new job, and I start tomorrow. Wish me luck, friend." They didn''t need a lot of words between them. If Jack ever really needed help, Felix knew he''de to him, and vice versa. That was just how their friendship worked over the years. But this time, Felix decided he would offer help quietly from behind the scenes. He wanted his friend to move on from the sadness his family had caused him as quickly as possible. Since Jack''s first day on the job was the next day, and making a good impression was important, their ns to catch up that night were put on hold for another time.


    As Felix pulled up to his driveway in front of his vi, ready to park in the garage, he saw Belle standing in front of his car, blocking the way.


    Felix was starting to get irritated. Did she really think he wouldn''t do anything to her just because she was Xena''s subordinate?


    "You-"


    He barely got a word out after stepping out of the car when Belle, to his surprise, sincerely apologized, "Felix, I''m sorry for the way I spoke to you over the phone earlier. My tone was out of line."


    Felix was taken aback. This woman was just like Xena-proud and headstrong. And now, she was apologizing to him?


    "I ept your apology. Now, can you leave?"


    But it was clear from Belle''s expression that she wasn''t happy about having to say sorry.


    "It''s still about the dinner invitation. Ms. Summers genuinely wants to thank you."


    Now, Felix was confused.


    "Thank me? What for? There''s no way Xena would have any reason to be grateful to me. We''re worlds apart.


    Hah! So, Felix was aware of that? Well, at least that was progress.


    "She wanted to thank you for finding the Grimflower and using it on Mr. Summers Senior."


    Ah, that was what it was about. Felix quickly pieced things together.


    +25 BONDS


    Given the connection between Jordan and Xena, it must have been Wesley himself who followed up on the matter. Jordan might have recognized the Grimflower, but there was no way he could have known the full details without Wesley''s help. "Fine. Just tell me the time and ce."


    Felix figured if he didn''t agree, Belle would keeping back to bother him. Dinner wasn''t a big deal he could handle that. Meanwhile, Warren and Nattie walked into the general manager''s office on the top floor of the Everbright Group headquarters.


    "Please wait a moment, Mr. and Mrs. Quinton. Mr. Lambert will be out of his meeting shortly," the secretary said before stepping out.


    As soon as she left, Nattie leaned in, whispering, "Warren, why on Earth would someone like Hugo want to meet you? And why did he specifically ask you to bring me along?"


    Warren shook his head, still puzzled.


    "I have no idea."


    That matter bothered him, too. Compared to the Lambert family''s Everbright Group, "Warren''s business was just a small-time operation. There was no reason they''d ever have any connection. Yet here they were, being invited out of the blue.


    "Do you think it''s possible that Hugo wants to coborate with us? If we can catch a ride on that ship..."


    "Don''t get ahead of yourself. I have a bad feeling about this."


    About ten minutester, the office door swung open, and Hugo entered.


    Warren and Nattie quickly stood up, not daring to show any disrespect in front of someone from such a prestigious family.


    "Mr. Lambert," they greeted him.


    Hugo said nothing, simply sitting behind his desk. His voice was cold when he finally said, "Make sure Felix is out of Avesburgh by sunset or your business, Mr. Lambert, will be doomed."

 Billionaire With Husband 93

    Hugo had the confidence to speak that way because he had the power to realize such a


    threat.


    The Lambert family was one of the most prominent families in Avesburgh, only a step behind the Kinsley family, the wealthiest in the city. Shutting down a small business like Warren''s would be a simple matter for him.


    The shock on Warren''s and Nattie''s faces made it clear that they realized Hugo wasn''t joking


    "Mr. Lambert, are you talking about Felix Zeller?" Nattie asked, lost in disbelief.


    "What? Did I mispronounce something?"


    Nattie became anxious as Hugo confirmed his own statement.


    "If you''ve got a grudge against Felix, take it up with him! What does this have to do with us?


    Hugoughed.


    "What''s this? Still trying to y innocent in front of me? I know exactly what your rtionship with Felix is. When you want to take someone down, you hit where it hurts most. If I''m going to deal with Felix, of course I''m going to go after his weakest points." Hugo wasn''t like the brainless second-generation heirs who would just send people to rough Felix up. What was the point of that? This wasn''t some old-school society where every issue was solved with violence. That was ridiculous! Just as Nattie was about to protest further, Warren stepped in, cutting her off. "To be honest with you, Mr. Lambert, I used to treat Felix like my own son. His father and I were practically brothers. But because of certain things, we both havepletely fallen out." Warren sighed.


    Felix had a knack for attracting trouble. He hadn''t even been back in Avesburgh for long, yet he''d already made so many enemies, and each one was more powerful than thest. "You can leave now," Hugo said tly.


    It was obvious he didn''t believe them. Nattie, now desperate, blurted out, "My husband''s telling the truth! Mr. Lambert, have you even done your research? Felix is rted to Lord Kane." Kane? Hugo narrowed his eyes. Even if the richest family in the city was involved, he wasn''t going to let Felix off the hook. But now, Kane was involved?


    "Felix might have some family ties to Lord Kane, but we''re not saying this to threaten you,


    Mr. Lambert. We just want to be clear that we''ve cut all ties with Felix. Whatever you want to do with him, that''s your business. "Please don''t drag us into it. Even if my husband''spany goes under, Felix won''t lose a wink of sleep over it."


    Hugo could sense a different tone creeping into Nattie''s voice. It felt like an insult, as if she thought he was intimidated by Kane.


    "By sunset," Hugo repeated coldly. "I''m not joking. If Felix isn''t out of Avesburgh by then, I''ll personally shut yourpany down.


    "And as for Lord Kane? Do you really think the Lambert family is afraid of him? Even if he showed up in person, I''d say the same thing." Nattie was terrified. Did the Lambert family have some hidden backer that could stand up to someone as powerful as Kane?


    ""Nattie, let''s go."


    There was no point in dragging this out further. Staying any longer would just be a waste of time.


    "Call Felix! Why should our family have to pay for the trouble he''s caused? Hasn''t he done enough damage to Sasha after what happenedst time?" Nattie fumed as they left.


    This whole ordeal had convinced her once and for all that she needed to keep Sasha away from Felix. It didn''t matter if he was rted to Kane.


    Someone like Felix, who constantly attracted trouble, was bound to get himself into a mess even Kane couldn''t save him from. And when that happened, their entire family would be caught in the fallout.


    "Leave it. I''ll handle it," Warren replied. "Remember. We''re no longer involved with Felix. Don''t bother him."


    In truth, Warren regretted the way things had gone down. The p fromst time still weighed heavily on his conscience. He hadn''t bothered to find out the truth before acting. How could he ever face Matthew in the afterlife after that? If losing his business could put an end to the feud between him and Felix, then at least he''d be feeling less guilty.

 Billionaire With Husband 94

    Chapter


    94


    From the way Hugo spoke, it was clear that Kane''s influence didn''t carry much weight here. It seemed unlikely that Felix had any other tricks up his sleeve.


    Meanwhile, Felix was standing in the front yard of his vi in Tabiner Bay, his face dark. He was staring at the group of a dozen people gathered just outside the gate. "Felix! Pay up!"


    "You finally showed your face! Time to settle your father''s debts. It''s only right for the son to pay what the father owes."


    "Damn! You disappeared for three years. Why didn''t you just vanish forever?"


    "Enough talking! Pay up already. I''m owed 600 grand. Start with mine!"


    These people had shown up out of nowhere, flooding in all at once, and not even the security guards could stop them.


    "What gives you the right toe and harass me?" Felix asked, his eyes narrowing in


    anger.


    Back when his parents ran their business, they never had significant debts. In fact, they gave money to charity every year. How could they possibly owe money to these people now? "Harass? Tell me. Isn''t Matthew Zeller your father? And didn''t he run Zeller Group?"


    Felix wasn''t going to deny it.


    "Yes. My father was Matthew Zeller, who built Zeller Group from the ground up."


    "Then, there you go! Zeller Group owes us money. If we don''t demand you for it, who else are we going to ask? We''re not leaving until you pay us up."


    The crowd was getting louder, their shouts ovepping. If more people had lived in Tabiner Bay, thismotion would have been a spectacle-an embarrassment. But Felix didn''t care about appearances. He just wasn''t going to tolerate this nonsense. "In a few minutes, you''ll be begging me to let you leave."


    The dozen or so people scoffed, clearly unimpressed. Did Felix really think he could drive them away and make them beg him to let them go? Ridiculous!


    What was he going to do- rely on that fancy vi behind him to scare them off? Who did he think he was fooling?


    Just then, the roar of engines filled the air. The group turned instinctively to see what was happening. A dozen off-road vehicles pulled up, and out of them stepped dozens of men,


    all holding weapons.


    "You think hiring some thugs will scare us? Dream on, Felix! Call the cops now!" one of the men in the crowd shouted.


    The leader of the group, a burly man, pulled out arge machete and grinned menacingly at the crowd.


    "I''m Stinger. Here under Kane''smand. You''ve got three seconds to kneel, or you''re dead."


    What? Kane? These guys might not have met him personally, but everyone knew who he was. And this man-Stinger-was rumored to be one of Kane''s most trusted subordinates, a ruthless man who wouldn''t hesitate to kill. Looking at the scene now, it was clear this was no joke.


    In an instant, the entire group of debt collectors dropped to their knees, trembling, not a single one daring to remain standing.


    Stinger stepped forward, stopping at the gate. He nodded respectfully at Felix. "Mr. Zeller, I apologize for arrivingte. I didn''t mean to let these lowlifes disturb you."


    Mr. Zeller?


    The debt collectors'' eyes widened in disbelief. Kane''s right-hand man was addressing Felix as Mr. Zeller. How was that possible?


    "Mr. Zeller, want me to finish them off?" Stinger asked, his voice cold.


    The men kneeling on the ground immediately started begging for their lives, all the bravado from earlier gone.


    "Mr. Zeller, please have mercy!"


    "We won''t bother you again, we swear!"


    Felix scanned the crowd, and they fell silent in an instant.


    "Who sent you here to collect the debts?" he asked coldly.

 Billionaire With Husband 95

    In that moment, the responses came quickly.


    "Ken Zeller"


    "Carson Zeller"


    "Bryan Zeller"


    Each name that was called out made Felix''s disappointment deepen. They were all his father''s siblings-his own rtives.


    Years ago, Matthew had handed thepany over to them. And now, they were pulling this kind of stunt on their nephew? It was revolting beyond words.


    "Are these debts something my father owed?" Felix asked coldly.


    No one dared to lie anymore.


    "No, Mr. Zeller. The debts are from the current Zeller Group. They''ve been stalling on payments, and just yesterday, they told us to collect it from you. They said if we harass you for three days straight, they''ll pay us back." "That''s right. That''s what happened!"


    ""Same for me."


    Felix waved them off dismissively. "Get lost."


    The


    group


    scrambled to leave, practically falling over themselves in their haste. Once they were gone, Felix turned to Stinger.


    "Stinger, what did you find out?"


    Stinger, ever respectful, replied, "Zeller Group is hosting a celebration banquet tonight at Lakeside Hotel."


    "A celebration banquet?" Felix let out a mirthlessugh.


    "Looks like fate doesn''t approve of their dirty tricks, either. If they want to act like they don''t know their own blood, I''ll make sure they pay the price."


    He gave Stinger a sharp look. "Notify Lord Kane. Tell him to be ready."


    For the past three years, Felix had


    Cained his mind to stay clear of family grudges during his time in Eden Vige. He had no ns to reconnect with the Zellers, but today, he finally understood the phrase "ungrateful wolves in sheep''s clothing". The family''s betrayal was unforgivable. And there was no doubt in his mind that Sabrina and Jolene had yed a major role in all of


    this.


    As night fell, the banquet hall at Lakeside Hotel buzzed with activity. Zeller Group wasn''t a hugepany, but it was leagues ahead of Warren''s business. Naturally, the event drew arge number of employees and guests.


    In one corner of the hall, the Zeller family had gathered. Even though they were siblings, it was clear that Carson held the most sway. Ever since Matthew had passed away, Carson, the second eldest, had be the family patriarch. "Carson, that move of yours was brilliant. I bet Felix will be running with his tail between his legs by tomorrow," one of his brothers remarked.


    "Exactly! He should''ve stayed gone after vanishing for three years. What made him think he coulde back?"


    "And don''t forget. He gave all that hidden gold to Warren back then. We were kind enough not toe after him for it, and he still didn''t show any gratitude. He''s practically begging for trouble!"


    The Zellers all chimed in, sneering and mocking, their faces full of contempt.


    "Let''s not forget that this was all thanks to Sabrina," Carson added, nodding at his niece."


    ? If it weren''t for her, we wouldn''t have known Felix had returned. Who knows what he was scheming behind our backs?"


    Sabrina smiled humbly. "Uncle Carson, it was just luck. If it weren''t for your wisdom, I never would''ve guessed Felix''s real goal was to reim Zeller Group."


    They all assumed Felix had returned to take control of thepany, which would threaten their interests. After all, getting their hands on Zeller Group in the first ce had involved some shady tactics, none of which would stand up to scrutiny. "Our family rewards those who contribute," Carson said with a grin. "Sabrina, you did well this time. I remember the head of the logistics department is retiring next month. How about you take over the position?"


    Sabrina and her family beamed with delight, Atst, she was being given a real position of power within Zeller Group. And the logistics department was no small prize-the opportunities for profit were endless. All their hard work had finally paid off. "Thank you, Uncle Carson. I''ll work hard to prove myself."


    Sabrina exchanged a look with Jolene.


    It seemed like her mother''s advice had been spot on-good things came when you listened to your elders. Instead of wasting time and effort trying to snag that vi, this was a much better reward. Finally, she could quit her salesgirl job at the car dealership.

 Billionaire With Husband 96

    "It''s funny, isn''t it? I heard Felix also cut ties with Warren. Apparently, he managed to squeeze nearly 30 million dors out of him, thanks to Uncle Matthew''s old connections," Sabrina said with a smirk. Someone immediately chimed in with augh, That''s about as far as Felix''s talents go. Warren must''ve been the fool here. If it were up to us, Felix wouldn''t have gotten a single cent."


    At this point, Carson spoke up, "Enough of that Get ready, everyone. The big shot I went to great lengths to invite ising. After tonight, Zeller Group is going to soar to new heights!


    11


    The group eagerly moved toward the banquet hall''s entrance, with Sabrina trailing behind. She leaned in toward Jolene curiously and whispered, "Mom, who''s this big shot Uncle Carson is talking about?" Jolene smiled knowingly. "It''s someone from the Kinsley family, the wealthiest family in the city. They''re interested in investing in Zeller Group, and the deal is almost finalized. If all goes well, we''ll be set." The wealthiest family in the city? Sabrina''s eyes lit up.


    With her soon-to-be promotion as head of the logistics department, she couldn''t be happier. The stronger Zeller Group grew, the more powerful she would be. This was a dreame true.


    As they neared the entrance, two men suddenly flew backward into the room, crashing through the doors.


    "What''s going on?" Carson and the others stopped in their tracks, staring at the scene in


    shock.


    "Mr. Zeller! This man doesn''t have an invitation, but he insists on barging in. He clearly knows some martial arts, and we couldn''t stop him," one of the guards reported to Carson.


    Carson waved the guard off, then turned to Felix with a cold stare. Despite the three years that had passed, there was no way he couldn''t recognize his nephew.


    "My dear nephew, if you wanted to attend the Zeller Group''s celebration banquet, all you had to do was ask. I could''ve sent you an invitation. There was no need to bring your backwoods behavior into this civilized affair."


    His words instantly silenced the rest of the Zellers, who had been on the verge of hurling insults. They realized there were other guests present, and they couldn''t afford to tarnish the family''s reputation.


    "What gives you the right to still call yourself my uncle? After all the disgusting things


    you''ve done, why bother pretending to be honorable?"


    Carson''s eyes narrowed dangerously at Felix''s defiance..


    "You''d better think it through before you spit those words, Felix. Almost everyone in the room is your elder. Don''t be surprised if we decide to put you in your ce if this attitude of yours persists. And believe me. We''ll be well within our rights." Felix''s smirk was equally cold.


    "We could''ve let bygones be bygones. I was willing to ignore the shady ways you stole thepany. But you just couldn''t resist provoking me, could you? Now, you''ll have to deal with both old scores and new ones."


    The room erupted with anger.


    "Felix! Watch your mouth!"


    "You''ve been gone for three years. Have you forgotten how to respect your elders?"


    "So you want to settle the score? Fine! Let''s talk about the millions in gold you stole from thepany back then. If you don''t care about the family, don''t expect us to show mercy. Either pay up today, or we''ll make sure this ends badly for you.'' Felix scanned the room, seeing the hypocritical faces of his so-called family members. They had been so humble and so sycophantic when Matthew was alive. And they had be shamelessly arrogant, throwing usations at him.


    "Are you done talking? Good! Here''s my final word. Starting tomorrow, Zeller Group will be managed by a new team. You parasites will be removed from thepany, and everyst cent that you''ve stolen will be returned to thepany. Not one penny will be left in your pockets." Today''s Bonus Offer


    X

 Billionaire With Husband 97

    The Zellers froze for a moment. Then, they either burst outughing or wore looks of


    disdain.


    "Felix, you''re kicking us out? On what grounds? With that foul mouth of yours?" one of them sneered.


    Seeing a crowd of guests gathering to watch, Carson decided to make his move. He was already in the right, so there was no reason to hold back.


    "You''re the one who started this, and as your uncle, I''ve been more than fair. You''re the one who doesn''t know how to appreciate kindness!" he snapped, raising his hand inmand. "Get him out of here!" At his signal, a group of ck-suited bodyguards rushed toward Felix, clearly prepared for


    this moment.


    Nearby, the spectators murmured among themselves.


    "Felix? Isn''t he Matthew''s son?"


    "Yeah, that''s him. I heard he disappeared for three years, and now, he''s back."


    "He''s young and full of himself. He probably thinks he can reim what was once his, but does he really believe that''s possible?"


    "This kid doesn''t get it. He didn''t take over when he had the chance, and now that his uncles have turned thepany around, does he think he can just walk in and take it back? The world doesn''t work like that."


    But as they gossiped, Felix easily took down the bodyguards, dropping them to the floor without breaking a sweat. None of them could evenst a single exchange with him.


    "You think you can get rid of me with your trashy bodyguards?" he asked coldly, looking at his defeated attackers.


    Carson''s face turned dark with anger. "Felix! You''ve crossed the line! This is awful society. Just because you can fight doesn''t mean you can rule the world. In Avesburgh alone, there are more powerful people than you could ever imagine!"


    Felix stepped forward, and the Zellers instinctively backed away.


    "Oh, yeah? Name one," Felix challenged.


    "How I''m gonna win."


    At that moment, a voice came from behind, "How about me?"


    "Mr. Mitchell, you''re here!"


    Carson and the others brightened as they turned to see a young man walk up to them, his expression full of arrogance.


    "Mr. Zeller, what''s going on? Isn''t this supposed to be a celebration banquet? What''s with all the people lying on the floor? Is this all because of that guy? You guys are so pathetic." Carsonughed awkwardly. "Yes, yes. It''s just a minor issue. This is my nephew, Felix. I''ve tried to go easy on him for the sake of family, but instead, he''s been pushing his luck."


    Leo Mitchell turned to Felix, looking him up and down with contempt.


    "Simple enough. Now that I''m here, I''ll handle it," Leo said, pointing arrogantly at Felix. "You can leave now. I''m giving you one minute. If you''re still here after that, you''ll regret it."


    Felix couldn''t help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation.


    "And who the hell are you?"


    Leo was taken aback, then he let out augh, though it wasced with anger.


    "Who am I? Oh, you''ve got guts. I''ll give you that. Fine. Let me enlighten you. My name''s Leo Mitchell, and my uncle is Vincent Kinsley, the richest man in Avesburgh. Better not wet your pants when you hear that, or I''ll lose all respect for you."


    The guests in the room were visibly shocked. No one had expected Carson to bring in someone from the Kinsley family, the wealthiest family in the city. It was a bold move.


    Everyone turned their eyes back to Felix, expecting him to fold under pressure, apologize, and leave in disgrace. After all, who in their right mind would go up against the Kinsley family?


    But Felix remained perfectly calm.


    "Scared? That''s amusing. Your uncle, Vincent, bows and greets me with respect when he sees me. So I wasn''t wrong when I asked who the hell you are, was I?"


    The Zellers were stunned at first, but soon, their shock turned into malicious glee. Felix was digging his own grave now. He dared to insult Leo, and even worse, he had the audacity to im that the richest man in Avesburgh would bow to him. This was beyond reckless it was suicide.


    The guests had the same reaction. Some even whispered that Felix had to be out of his mind.


    Chapter

 Billionaire With Husband 98

    Leo was shaking with rage, his whole body trembling as he pulled out his phone.


    "Alright! Keep acting tough! You said my uncle bows to you, right? Fine! You''re dead! No one''s going to save you now!" "Let me make the call."


    Before he could dial, Felix had already beaten him to it. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number, putting it on speaker. "Yes, Felix," a woman''s voice answered on the other end.


    "Do you have a cousin with thest name Mitchell?" Felix asked casually. "He seems pretty full of himself. I''ll leave the rest to you-I don''t want to see him again." Cousin?


    Wendy''s voice suddenly grew cold. "Leo Mitchell! Is that you?"


    In an instant, the once-arrogant Leo turned into a meek kitten. "Wendy? Is that you?" "Who else would it be? Haven''t I told you to never mess with anyone named Felix? What? Did a horse kick you in the head, or have you gone deaf?"


    Leo swallowed hard, his eyes filled with fear. Wendy had indeed warned him, but how could he have known that someone like Felix, who even his cousin and uncle feared, would show up at this small banquet?


    "Get your ass back here, now!" Wendy ordered before hanging up.


    Leo was on the verge of tears. "I''m sorry, Mr. Zeller! I was wrong. I-I''m so sorry," he stammered as he apologized, then scrambled to leave, practically crawling his way out.


    The room fell silent. The entire Kinsley family was dealt with by Felix with just a single phone call-it was unbelievable.


    Felix turned back to the Zellers. "I was willing to let you keep Zeller Group out of respect for my father''s bloodline, but you couldn''t leave me in peace. Did you really think I was joking?"


    The Zellers were too terrified to speak, their fear paralyzing them. The only one still holding his ground was Carson, his face twitching between fear and defiance.


    He suddenly shouted, "With so many witnesses here, Felix, you think you can just steal Zeller Group back? I don''t care who you know we''ll take this to court!" Taking this to court?


    Felix raised his right hand, and dozens of people stormed into the banquet hall.


    "Lord Kane!"


    Someone in the crowd gasped. Those who recognized him immediately stepped back in fear, not wanting to get caught up in whatever was about to happen.


    Felix had deliberately waited to call in Kane because he wanted to see just how far his so-called family would go. And now, the oue was just as he''d expected-utter disgrace.


    The Zeller family copsed, and their spirits were broken. If there had been a sliver of hope when Leo was chased off by an unknown phone call, Kane''s appearance crushed whatever was left. Defying Felix now could mean losing more than just thepany-it could mean losing their lives.


    "Felix, please!" Carson suddenly begged. "I''m your uncle! Please spare us this once. We can''t survive without Zeller Group. If you take it away, we''ll have nothing!"


    Felix ignored the pleading, his eyes locking on Sabrina and Jolene.


    "Sabrina, Jolene-this is all your doing, isn''t it? Don''t worry. Your punishment will be worse."


    The two women recoiled, trembling. A mere nce from Kane was enough to send them into a panic, and they both fainted from fear.


    "I''m not here to negotiate with you," Felix said coldly. "Kane, I''m leaving this to you. By tomorrow, everything I said must happen."


    "Understood, Mr. Zeller," Kane responded with a firm nod.


    As Felix turned to leave, Carson suddenly mustered hisst bit of courage, gritting his teeth. "No! You can''t do this, Felix! I have something you need. You have to believe me!"

 Billionaire With Husband 99

    Chapter


    99


    Felix paused and turned to look at Carson,


    "You''re saying you have something I need?"


    Carson swallowed nervously, knowing this was hisst card to y.


    "That''s right. I have your parents'' photo album-the one from when they were young. It''s in my possession.


    "Felix, I''m begging you. For the sake of family, let us off this time. I''ll return the album to you untouched, I swear." Felix smiled at the mention of that.


    He chuckled softly. "The photo album? Keep it. Instead of using it as a bargaining chip, why not look through it yourself? Maybe it''ll remind you of the people who helped you get to where you are today." Carson''s face went ashen.


    Who could have imagined that the "worthless" Felix, who disappeared for three years, would return with such power? The wealthiest man in the city, Kane-any one of them could crush the Zeller family without a second thought, yet they all treated Felix with respect.


    But too bad there was no cure for regret in this world.


    ...


    On his way home, Felix received a call from Kane.


    "Felix, we''ve handled everything with the Zeller family. There''s something I need to report, though. It''d be best if we could discuss it in person. When would be a good time for you?"


    "Come by my ce," Felix replied.


    Not long after, Kane arrived at Felix''s home.


    "What''s so important that it has to be said in person?" Felix asked.


    Kane''s expression was serious.


    "Daniel from the Dragon Alliance Lawson Clinic reached out to me."


    Lawson Clinic? From what he knew through Kane, Dragon Alliance was a powerful organization, and Lawson Clinic was ranked fifth in its hierarchy-significantly more influential than Kane''s Oasis Clinic.


    "Is it about Dragon Alliance?"


    "No. It''s about Daniel''s nephew," Kane exined. "His nephew ising to Avesburgh in a few days, and he wants our help. Normally, this wouldn''t be a big deal, but the reason I''m telling you is because his nephew has his sights set on pursuing Lady Summers." Since Kane already knew about the marriage agreement between Felix and Xena, how could he not mention it?


    Felix had a strange expression on his face. His expression grew amused. "Anyone has the right to pursue whoever they want. Leave it be.


    He was clear that his rtionship with Xena was nonexistent at this point. Unless Curtis woke up and demanded the marriage contract be honored, it didn''t concern him.


    "Understood, Mr. Zeller."


    Meanwhile, at Lambert Mansion, Warren followed Thomas into thevish living room, carrying a gift. In the end, he decided to sell the porcin teapot to Thomas. He needed the money badly, after all. Though it had been a straightforward transaction, Thomas still considered himself indebted to Warren. First, he genuinely enjoyed such collectibles. Second-and more importantly-was because of Felix. Felix was someone who Wendy would personally apany, so he had to be someone worth respecting. It was a favor worth keeping in mind.


    "Thomas, what brings you here today?" asked a middle-aged man, Callum Lambert, Hugo''s father.


    Everyone who knew Callum understood that he was someone who hid a dagger behind their smile. "Mr. Lambert, you know I''m the straightforward type, so I''ll get to the point."


    "Then, let''s sit and talk. It''s rare to have you speak so openly."


    After they sat down, Thomas introduced Warren, then got straight to the matter, just as he''d said.


    "I owe Mr. Quinton here a favor. And since your son is targeting hispany, I was hoping to y the role of mediator and see if we can smooth things over."


    If you carried enough weight, people would listen without you needing to say much. Otherwise, no matter how persuasive you were, your words were just empty. "Oh? Is that so?"

 Billionaire With Husband 100

    Callum appeared somewhat surprised and then turned his head, calling out, "Hugo,e here and exin what''s going on."


    To Warren''s surprise, Hugo was there, too. He felt a sinking feeling in his gut.


    Out of all the connections he had, the most influential person he could reach was Thomas. The others wouldn''t even get the chance to step through the door, let alone strike up a conversation with Callum.


    Sure enough, Hugo walked up to Warren, who had just started to stand. Without any warning, Hugo kicked him squarely in the chest, sending him stumbling back.


    His face was icy as he said, "Warren? I gave you a chance, didn''t I? I said by sunset, and clearly, you failed to deliver. Just wait-within a week, yourpany will be done for."


    Even Thomas hadn''t expected Hugo to act so brazenly,pletely ignoring his presence. Warren was, after all, his guest, and in normal circumstances, even the most disrespectful people would think twice before acting out in front of their host.


    "Enough! Let him go!" Callum finally barked, his tone switching to a more diplomatic one as he turned to Thomas with a smile.


    "Thomas, please don''t be offended. My son has been spoiled rotten by his mother. Hugo, apologize to Mr. Camden, now."


    Hugo grudgingly lifted his foot and, with a much more subdued expression, turned to


    Thomas.


    "Mr. Camden, I''m sorry. I wasn''t aiming this at you-it''s just that Warren crossed the line.


    Now fully aware of the father-and-son act, Thomas realized they''d never intended to give him any real respect. They''d yed the ssic good cop, bad cop routine, showing him just enough courtesy to avoid an outright conflict but clearly not taking him seriously. "Humph! Things are never as simple as they seem. Mr. Quinton, let''s go.


    11


    Humiliated and enraged, Warren followed Thomas out, not even bothering to wipe the footprint from his chest.


    He had never been treated like this in his entire life, and to have ite from someone younger was unbearable.


    "Thomas is amusing." Callum sneered after they left, patting Hugo on the shoulder. "His connections are impressive, no doubt, but he''s got nothing to do with me. And yet, he still dares toe here and ask for favors? Looks like age hasn''t done his brain any favors. 1/2


    "Do whatever it takes. You must marry Wendy. It''s crucial to our family''s n. Anyone who tries to intervene had better think twice."


    "I understand, Dad."


    After dropping Warren off at home, Thomas, who was still fuming, immediately called Wendy.


    ""Mr. Camden?"


    "Wendy, there''s something you need to know.


    After listening to what Thomas had to tell her, Wendy was shocked.


    "What? Hugo is trying to kick Felix out of Avesburgh? And he''s targeting Warren, too?"


    Wendy was well aware of theplex rtionship between Felix and Warren. Though they seemed to have severed ties on the surface, she knew that Felix still cared in his own way. Could Hugo really be so blind to this? "Thank you for telling me, Mr. Camden. I''ll take care of it," she said before hanging up.


    Wendy''s mind was racing as she paced in the living room. Vincent noticed her agitation and frowned.


    "What''s the matter?"


    Still undecided, Wendy knew she couldn''t handle this alone. She turned to Vincent for help, exining the situation.


    After hearing everything, Vincent''s face darkened.


    "Is Hugo out of his mind? Here''s what we''ll do. Tomorrow, you and I will visit Callum ourselves. Since this whole mess involves you, it''s best if we resolve it directly. It will also give us a chance to exin things to Dr. Zeller." Wendy nodded, relieved that Vincent was on board. But a sense of guilt still weighed heavily on her.


    "I just hope Hugo can be reasoned with. If not, things could get messy once Felix has to step in." Today''s Bonus Offer


    X

 Billionaire With Husband 101

    Early in the morning, Felix was leisurely strolling through the park in Tabiner Bay, breathing in the fresh air.


    After a short walk, he paused. His attention was caught by an elderly man who was standing nearby. Beside the old man was a beautiful woman, and a middle-aged man stood a few steps behind them. "This old man."


    Felix studied the elderly man for a moment, hesitating before he finally decided to approach.


    "Grandpa, what do you think of Tabiner Bay?" the woman asked, her bright eyes sparkling.


    The old man nodded approvingly as he looked around. "It''s nice and peaceful. It''s a good ce to spend my retirement. But, ah... There''s no ce quite like home."


    The woman smiled, her eyes full of affection. "There''s even a fishing area here. I think it''s perfect for you, Grandpa! But I won''t have much time to visit you if you stay here. Are you sure you don''t want to live with us?" Just as the old man was about to respond, a voice interrupted, "Excuse me, sir."


    Felix had approached, but the middle-aged man stepped in front of him, blocking his way. Felix didn''t try to push past. He knew the man was a trained bodyguard, evident by his sharp gaze and prominent cheekbones. "Are you talking to me?" the old man asked, looking at Felix curiously.


    Felix nodded. "Yes, sir. If I''m not mistaken, you''re a veteran-someone who''s been on the


    battlefield."


    Earlier, Felix had sensed the intense air surrounding the old man. It wasn''t the kind of violence that came from reckless killing, but the hardened presence of a soldier who had seen battle.


    Growing up in a family with strong moral values, Felix had always respected revolutionary heroes. He knew that without their sacrifices and determination, the peace and prosperity of today wouldn''t exist. "Leave us alone," she said sharply. "Grandpa is in good health, and we don''t need any strange people bothering us."


    But the old man waved her off. His curiosity was piqued. "How did you know I was a veteran?"


    Felix smiled. "There''s no need for you to know the specifics. I came over because I noticed


    something about your health. As a veteran, you deserve to live a long and healthy life."


    Before Felix could continue, the young woman exploded in anger. "That''s nonsense! My grandfather is perfectly healthy! If you keep talking like that, I''ll rip your tongue out!" "Jairo, throw him out."


    The man, Jairo, who was now ring at Felix, took a threatening step forward. His expression had turned icy at Felix''s words about the old man''s health.


    "Are you leaving on your own, or do I need to help you?"


    Felix sighed, already expecting this reaction. He had done what he could, and at least he had a clear conscience. He was about to turn around and leave when the old man''s voice called out again. "Wait, young man. You said I''m unwell. What exactly is wrong with me? If what you say makes sense, I''ll listen. But if you''re trying to scam me, you''ll face legal consequences. You can still walk away now." The young woman''s face flushed with frustration. "Grandpa! He''s clearly just a swindler. Why would you believe him?"


    But the old man silenced her with a raised hand, turning his full attention to Felix.


    "Every night between 3:00 am and sunrise, you feel sharp abdominal pain, don''t you?" Felix asked calmly.


    I


    The old man''s expression changed immediately, while the woman scoffed. "Is that all you''ve got? You''re just guessing! My grandfather is too kind-if it were up to me, would''ve pped you by now." "Enough!" the old man snapped, his stern voice cutting her off. He turned back to Felix, his eyes narrowing. "How did you know that?"


    Felix''s expression remained steady as he replied, "I''m a traditional medicine doctor.''


    The old man looked shocked. "A traditional medicine doctor? However, traditional medicine practitioners rely on observation, asking questions, listening, and touch. How could you have diagnosed me just by looking?" The young woman''s mouth fell open in disbelief, unable toprehend what was happening as she looked between Felix and her grandfather.

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    "Grandpa! Is what he''s saying true? How could that be possible?" Sherlyn Holt gasped in disbelief.


    The old man let out a bitter smile and nodded,


    "Yes, Sherlyn. Around midnight, every night, I''ve been suffering from severe abdominal pain. I''ve had my medical team and a few highly regarded doctors examine me privately, but none of them could find the cause.


    "Since I wasn''t experiencing any other issues, I didn''t want to worry you, so I kept it from you."


    After revealing this, his expression grew thoughtful. "I never thought that I would


    encounter such a young master healer here in Avesburgh at my age. It seems fate is being kind to me."


    Jairo and Sherlyn were stunned and speechless. How could they believe that Felix, whom they had initially dismissed as a chatan, was now being hailed as a master healer?


    "Sherlyn, apologize to him."


    Taking a deep breath, Sherlyn walked over to Felix and apologized respectfully, "I''m sorry for my rash behavior earlier. Please, forgive me and help my grandfather."


    She had no doubts now. If Felix could diagnose her grandfather''s condition without even checking his pulse, there was no way he couldn''t cure him.


    Felix waved off her apology. "There''s no need to apologize. I wouldn''t havee over if I weren''t willing to help. Your grandfather has dedicated his life to serving the country, so how could I stand by and do nothing now that I''ve encountered him?" The old man, Ernest Holt, was moved by Felix''s words. Indeed, fate had brought this moment to him.


    "I still didn''t get your name, sir."


    "My name is not important," Felix replied.


    Sherlyn, still anxious, asked, "Sir, where would be the best ce for you to treat my grandfather? We''ll go wherever you need us to."


    Felix shook his head and gestured toward Ernest. "Here is just fine."


    He took out a set of silver needles and began pressing Ernest''s abdomen with his right hand, gradually increasing his speed. Even Jairo, who had seen many powerful people in his lifetime, was astonished. Felix''s movements were so quick and precise that his hands blurred, making it clear that


    this young man wasn''t only a skilled doctor but also a capable martial artist.


    When Felix''s right hand finally stopped moving, his left hand flicked, and the silver needles that had been ced into Ernest''s acupoints flew out in reverse.


    Suddenly, Ernest coughed up a mouthful of blood, mixed with dark clots.


    "Grandpa!" Sherlyn cried out, startled.


    But Ernest, with blood still on his lips, smiled. "Don''t worry, Sherlyn. I feel better than I have in years. Young miracle healer, your skills are indeed extraordinary. But what exactly was wrong with me?" Felix pointed to the blood on the ground.


    "You were affected by a form of Southeast Drasian voodoo. The curse was cut short before it could be fullypleted, which is why it wasn''t detected in your medical exams.


    "However, as you''ve aged, the residual voodoo poison in your abdomen began to resurface. If it hadn''t been expelled today, your life would have been in danger within a month, and even God couldn''t have saved you then." Ernest''s eyes widened as memories of an incident from his time on the battlefield resurfaced. His respect for Felix deepened.


    "Thank you, young sir. You''ve saved my life. How can I ever repay you?"


    But Felix was already walking away, his voice trailing behind him. "I don''t need anything from you. It''s simply what you deserve."


    As Felix''s figure disappeared into the distance, Sherlyn''s eyes followed him, her heart fluttering. This was the first time a man had made such asting impression on her.


    "With a heart like that, it''s no wonder he has such incredible medical skills at such a young age," Ernest murmured to himself, gently patting Sherlyn''s head.


    "He''s gone now. Let''s head back. I just want to get a good night''s sleep," Ernest added with a look of contentment on his face.


    Sherlyn, her cheeks flushing, quickly changed the subject. "Grandpa, what about the dinner Mr. Lambert Senior is hosting for you tonight? Are we still going?" "Of course," Ernest replied with a chuckle. "It''s just a casual dinner and nothing fancy. Let''s go."

 Billionaire With Husband 103

    Not long after Felix returned home, the doorbell rang. To his surprise, it was Yvonne, the woman he had met at the cemetery. Felix couldn''t help but feel a bit suspicious. Was she following him?


    Still, he opened the door and stepped outside.


    Yvonne stood there holding a gift box, her face showing clear surprise when she saw Felix.


    "Felix? You live here?"


    Felix nodded. "Yeah. Why do you look so shocked?"


    Pointing to the vi next door, Yvonne smiled.


    "What a coincidence! I just moved to Avesburgh and needed a ce to stay. A friend rmended Tabiner Bay, and I thought I should introduce myself to the neighbors. I never expected it to be you!" Felixughed at the unlikely twist. "Well, now that you know it''s me, there''s no need to bring any gifts."


    Yvonne''s genuine personality was bing more evident to Felix, and he realized that Phillip''s support of her years ago hadn''t been shortsighted.


    "Honestly, I''m a bit envious," Yvonne admitted with a yful smile. "You''ve got such a luxurious vi."


    Felix was about to respond when Yvonne added, "Oh, and by the way, don''t get the wrong idea. I didn''t buy the vi next door-how could I afford something like that?


    "Mypany bought it, and they let me stay there temporarily. It wouldn''t look good for someone in my position to live in a regr house."


    Felix nodded in understanding. Even though vis like theirs could easily cost over 201 million dors, it wasn''t unheard of forpanies to purchase them for high-ranking employees.


    "Felix, since we''re neighbors now, would you like to join me for lunch? I don''t have many friends here in Avesburgh, and it''s my first time cooking in the new ce. It''d be nice to have somepany."


    "Sure," Felix agreed. Given her connection with Phillip coupled with her warm demeanor, he didn''t see any reason to refuse.


    Around noon, Felix arrived at Yvonne''s vi, which had a simryout to his own. The


    only difference was the interior design, which was uniquely hers.


    "Make yourselffortable," Yvonne called from the kitchen. She was busy cooking, wearing an apron over a pink nightgown.


    It wasn''t hard to imagine that any man would feel lucky to be in Felix''s position right now. Yvonne''s beauty was undeniable-she was even more striking than Wendy. The soft light and homey setting only added to her allure. "Alright! Lunch is ready!" Yvonne announced as she brought out thest dish. She


    removed her apron, revealing a stunningce-trimmed nightgown. From behind, it looked modest, but the front was daringly low-cut, with ace pattern that gave a hint of what was underneath.


    Noticing Felix''s brief nce, Yvonne chuckled, seemingly unfazed. "I''m not one to care about what others think. I believe our bodies are gifts from our parents, and there''s no need to cover up too much. As long as I''m notpletely naked, I''mfortable wearing whatever I want."


    Felix smiled and gave her a thumbs-up. "You''re definitely a free spirit."


    Yvonne handed Felix a dish. "Here. Try this. It''s a dish from my hometown. I hope you like


    it."


    After taking a bite, Felix nodded in approval. "It''s good. Really good."


    As Felix left after lunch, Yvonne stood by the window, watching him thoughtfully.


    "His eyes are so clear," she muttered to herself. "Is he really that good at hiding his true thoughts, or is there something else about him?"


    She was confident in her appearance-her body and face had captivated many men, especially when she wore something as revealing as thece nightgown.


    Most men would''ve stared openly, but Felix only nced once before moving on, without a hint of desire or greed in his eyes. It was baffling.


    "It''s alright. I''ve got time. I''ll figure out what kind of person he really is."


    Meanwhile, about half an hourter, Belle sat in a private room at a restaurant in Avesburgh with a dark expression, her mood as stormy as ever.

 Billionaire With Husband 104

    "That bastard, Felix! You invited him to dinner and he''s over 20 minuteste!" Belleined angrily.


    Xena, however, remained calm. "It''s fine. He has his reasons for being upset. But if he can''t even handle this, it only confirms what I''ve always thought of him-he won''t achieve much."


    After a pause, something seemed to cross her mind. "Have we heard anything from Joe?"


    Belle shook her head. "No. We haven''t been able to reach him. I don''t know what''s going on with him. He just disappeared without a word. It''s strange."


    Jordan''s sudden and unexpected disappearance was weighing on Xena''s mind. She knew why he had returned to Avesburgh-he was clearly trying to pursue her again. But for him to vanish just dayster didn''t add up. "Never mind. If we can''t contact him, there''s no use worrying. He might have his reasons."


    At that moment, the door to the private room opened, and Felix finally walked in.


    "Felix! Do you even know what time it is? Who shows up thiste?" Belle shouted, her anger boiling over.


    Ignoring herpletely, Felix sat down and turned his attention to Xena. "I''m here to ept your gratitude, but I know that no amount of gratitude is going to change what you think of me. Besides, I''ve already eaten. Xena''s face remained expressionless.


    11


    "At least you have some self-awareness. That shows you''re notpletely beyond hope. I''m serious about thanking you, though. I''ve always been fair in giving credit where it''s due. The herb you found really did help my grandfather, and for that, I owe you my thanks." "Anything else?" Felix asked tly.


    When Xena shook her head, Felix stood up.


    "As I told you before, I wasn''t joking about Ted. If you don''t stop him froming after me, the consequences for him will be severe. I''ve already given you all the leeway I can.


    With that, he turned and walked out, leaving Belle seething, her fists clenched in frustration.


    "Is he threatening you? My God! How can someone be so full of himself? He''s afraid of Ted, but he''s trying to make it look like he''s the one in control. His arrogance is absolutely disgusting!" she fumed. Xena, who was now standing as well, replied coldly, "Let''s treat it like a skit. Whatever


    revenge Ted seeks, Felix will have brought it upon himself. It''s pure ignorance to provoke people more powerful than him."


    Meanwhile, in a private room at another upscale restaurant, Vincent and Wendy sat across from Callum, waiting for an answer.


    Callum finally let out a bitterugh.


    "Mr. Kinsley, to be honest, I don''t know what that kid is up to. You know how it is with young people. We old folks shouldn''t get involved in their rivalry, should we?" Callum was fully aware of Felix''s growing closeness to Wendy. He had no intention of allowing that to continue, so he was unwilling to give Vincent the favor he sought. He was betting on Hugo to win over Wendy, and if that happened, there would be no need for further negotiation.


    Hearing this, Vincent sighed, shaking his head. 1


    "Callum, you''ve let your cleverness get the best of you. You think I''m here to talk about Felix? You''re wrong.


    "I''m only here out of respect for the help your family provided during my father''s illness. I''m offering you a chance to avoid disaster, but it seems you''re not interested."


    He had tried to warn about Felix''s capabilities, but Callum clearly hadn''t taken.it seriously.


    Wendy, also standing now, spoke with a cool tone, "Since we couldn''t reach an agreement, the next time you see me, it will be with Felix himself. I hope you''re prepared, Mr. Lambert, because I''m not sure you can handle what''sing." Today''s Bonus Offer


    X

 Billionaire With Husband 105

    Billionaire With Husband 105


    Callum didn''t take Wendy''s warning seriously at all.


    "Let it be. It''s time you both met some of the connections my father has. Maybe this will help spark some chemistry between Hugo and Wendy," he muttered confidently.


    He knew very well what gave Wendy her confidence-Felix''s connection to Kane. But could Kane really dominate all of Avesburgh? The answer was obviously no.


    Meanwhile, night had fallen at Tabiner Bay, and Wendy was sitting on the couch in Felix''s vi, her face tense.


    "What brings you here tonight?" Felix asked, genuinely curious. He knew her visit wasn''t about the herbs this time.


    "Felix, I''m sorry," she said suddenly.


    Her unexpected apology made him frown. "What do you mean?"


    For Wendy to show up personally, Felix knew it had to be something significant.


    "It''s about Hugo. I couldn''t stop him, and now, he''s made his move. I only just found out when my father and I went to talk with his father, Callum. Unfortunately, it didn''t help. They seem to be relying on something... or someone." Felix''s thoughts shed back to Hugo''s earlier threatening phone call. He asked calmly, "What did he do?"


    Wendy hesitated for a moment, seemingly afraid to reveal the truth. "Hugo went after Warren."


    When Felix heard that, especially the fact that Hugo had humiliated Warren by stepping on him, his anger red. He could no longer suppress it.


    "It seems Hugo has had it too easy in this world. Time for him to experience something different," he muttered darkly.


    Wendy had been right to worry. Despite their fallout, Felix still held a deep respect for Warren. There was no way he would allow Hugo''s behavior to g¨° unchecked.


    "Kane, head to the Lambert family. Bring Hugo to me," Felixmanded over the phone.


    "Understood!" Kane replied.


    After hanging up, Felix turned his attention back to Wendy.


    "Hugo is pursuing you, and he knows about my connection with Kane. But he still acts so boldly. That means he''s aiming for something bigger, isn''t he?"


    Wendy nodded, sharing the same confusion.


    "Honestly, Felix, I''ve wondered about that myself. I''ve heard bits and pieces about Callum''s connections, but this time, their confidence is clear-they aren''t afraid of Kane.


    "It''s odd that Callum is letting Hugo chase after me. It feels like they have something, or someone, backing them."


    Felix sneered, brushing off the topic. "We''ll find out soon enough if they truly don''t fear Kane. Regardless, I think it''s time I pay them a visit."


    He was prepared to let Kane handle it, but if things didn''t go as nned, Felix wasn''t about to let Hugo enjoy any more time feeling untouchable. The fact that he had treated Warren like that sealed his fate. No one-not even the Lambert


    family''s connections-would save him now.


    At the Lambert mansion, Callum and Hugo stood in the courtyard with a dozen bodyguards, seemingly awaiting someone.


    "Dad, do you really think this will be enough to handle Kane?" Hugo asked, feeling uncertain now that Felix had called in such a powerful figure.


    Callum chuckled. "You think your grandfather was bluffing all these years? Hiswork isn''t something to be taken lightly. I won''t say we have someone who canpletely overpower Kane, but I know of at least two or three people who can stand against him. "And one of the most powerful men is having dinner with your grandfather inside right now. So what are you worried about?"


    Hugo''s eyes widened, and he nced back toward the house.


    "Dad! You mean the old man from the Holt family in there is one of Grandpa''s strongest connections? I-I... never would have guessed. I thought he was just some retired veteran!


    "His granddaughter, though-she''s absolutely stunning."

 Billionaire With Husband 106

    Earlier, everyone had been at the entrance to wee the guests.


    To be honest, Hugo couldn''t see anything particrly special about the elderly man. He was sitting in an 80-thousand-dor Cadic CT6, apanied by a middle-aged man and a beautiful woman. Unexpectedly, the elderly man was actually so formidable.


    "I''m not sure about Mr. Holt''s status, but he''s undoubtedly significant. Dealing with Lord Kane should be a breeze for him. Even your grandpa said that Mr. Holt maintains ties with our family because of your great-aunt." After saying that, Callum suddenly became serious. "Have you developed feelings for that youngdy?"


    Although Hugo didn''t respond directly, his eyes spoke volumes.


    "Keep your feelings in check! You''re not in a position to touch that woman. The gap between you and her is too vast to bridge. Focus on dealing with Wendy. That n is critical, and we cannot fail" Was it that serious?


    Before Hugo could process his thoughts, a Mercedes G-Wagon drove in. Kane emerged from the passenger seat, followed by three others.


    The scene was much more underwhelming than Callumn and Hugo had imagined.


    "Lord Kane, you should''ve given us a heads-up beforeing. I would''ve prepared for your visit."


    Knowing Callum was just putting on a front, Kane wasn''t in the mood for pleasantries. "I don''t waste time on small talk. Since you''re here to wee me, you must know why I''m here." Callum still wore a smile on his face. Although Hugo might have been intimidated by Kane in other settings, he felt no fear considering who was dining in the room behind him.


    "Oh, Lord Kane, I''m not a prophet. How could know what you''re here for?"


    With a scoff, Kane stepped forward and pointed at Callum


    "ying dumb, are we? I''m taking you with me, Hugo. If you try to stop me, it won''t be just your son who suffers but your entire family"


    Without waiting for further orders, the three men behind Kane moved toward Hugo.


    Meanwhile, a group of ten bodyguards had already moved into action, shielding Huga +25 BORUS


    Their intentions were clear without needing to be stated.


    "You''re going too far, Lord Kane!" Callum''s smile vanished as he stared at Kane.


    "Even if you''re Lord Kane, you should think twice beforeing to my home to take my son. Otherwise, you might stir up trouble so big that even you can''t handle it." Kane smiled. "Interesting. This is the first time someone in Avesburgh dared to speak to


    me that way.


    "Get him!"


    Although there was a significant numerical disparity, with Stinger among them, all ten bodyguards were taken down within a minute.


    "No one I wish to take has ever left without my consent!"


    When Callum saw Hugo already restrained, his face turned a deep shade of anger. "Kane Guerra! This is my territory! You cannot take my son!"


    He immediately pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Dad, Kane is disregarding us and insists on taking Hugo."


    After a brief conversation, Callum ended the call, and his previous smile reappeared. "Now, it''s not just about whether you can take my son, but whether you can leave here in one piece."

 Billionaire With Husband 107

    Seeing Callum''s confidence, Kane shook his head and waved his hand, signaling Stinger and his team to release Hugo and step back.


    "Very well, Callum. I''m curious to see what kind of backup you have to defeat me."


    Felix had ordered this task, and Kane needed to handle it thoroughly with no loose ends. Any hint of trouble reaching Felix would be seen as a serious dereliction of duty. "Ha! You''re indeed someone of great stature, Lord Kane. Your action now might help you avoid some me."


    At this moment, four people emerged from the house behind them-two elderly men, a middle-aged man, and a beautiful woman.


    "Kane, is it true that you''re here to take Hugo?" Once they stopped, Callum''s father, Edward Lambert, was the first to speak. His tone carried a certain air of authority.


    "Indeed. He has crossed the wrong people. What problem could there be with me taking him away?"


    After saying that, Kane shifted his gaze to Ernest, who was standing next to Edward.


    Despite Ernest''s in appearance and calm eyes, Kane sensed there was more beneath the surface. After all, as the deputy chief of Dragon Alliance''s Oasis Clinic, he had a keen eye for such things. "Sir, I presume you''re a major support for the Lambert family. Am I right?" Kane asked with a faint smile.


    "Edward said that you''re the local kingpin of Avesburgh''s underworld. I didn''t expect you to be so refined," Ernest replied.


    Upon hearing that, Kane cupped his fists respectfully.


    "That''s an overstatement. To be clear, I must take Hugo with me today. If you insist on intervening, please provide me with a reason for leaving on my own."


    Before Ernest could respond, the beautiful woman spoke haughtily, "This is my grandfather, Ernest Holt. If you had any real skill, I''m sure his name would be enough to deter you. Ernest Holt?


    Kane was struck with shock. Judging from Ernest''s unperturbed demeanor, as if he wouldn''t flinch even if the sky fell, it seemed highly likely that thedy was telling the truth.


    It made sense why Callum and Hugo were so confident. The Lambert family had actually


    aligned with such a significant figure.


    Ernest was a revolutionary. Even setting aside his status, his son was now a high-ranking general, someone Kane could not provoke.


    "Don''t be rude!" Ernest suddenly scolded Sherlyn and then turned to Hugo. "Have you killed anyone, Hugo?"


    Startled, Hugo quickly replied, "I haven''t, Mr. Holt."


    "Have you injured anyone?"


    Injured? Hugo thought that Ernest was likely referring to the incident with Kane.


    "No, I swear!" The kick he had given Warren was more of a blow to Warren''s pride rather than causing physical harm.


    Ernest then turned to Kane. "Is what he says true?"


    Kane, a man of distinction, had no reason to lie. "As far as I know, he''s telling the truth."


    Ernest nodded. "In that case, you may leave. Do note back to trouble the Lambert family."


    Leaving? That was impossible! The final decision didn''t rest with Kane.


    Just as he was about to take out his phone to make a call, apuse sounded. "As expected from the revolutionary I admire! You don''t make conclusions based on just one side of the story." Everyone turned to see Felix approaching while pping his hands.


    In fact, he had arrived earlier but stayed hidden to gauge whether Ernest was worth his intervention, though Ernest''s presence was unexpected.

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    Chapter


    108


    Felix was satisfied with this oue. Ernest did not immediately drive Kane out because of Hugo.


    "Felix Zeller? How dare you show up?" Hugo sneered upon seeing Felix.


    "The Lord Kane you were so proud of will leave defeated. Do you really think you can turn things around? What a joke!"


    Before Hugo could continue, Callum pped him across the face. "Shut up! This is not your ce to speak."


    What a foolish son! With Ernest present, Hugo should be trying to make a good impression as an innocent party. His provocation only served to bring momentary pleasure and greater loss. "Sir?" Ernest, recognizing Felix, immediately stepped forward to stand in front of him.


    "Mr. Holt Senior, it''s a surprise to see you again so soon," Felix greeted.


    Following behind, Sherlyn had a surprised expression.


    "Are you the one with a grudge against Hugo?" Ernest, being an elder, could quickly discern the situation.


    Before Felix could respond, Edward was already anxious. "Do you know him, Mr. Holt Senior?"


    Though he had never met Felix, Edward knew from Hugo''s earlierments that this young man was the Felix who almost pursued Wendy.


    "I don''t just know him," Ernest replied with a smile. "He even saved my life. Now I finally know your name."


    Felix saved Ernest''s life?


    The revtion hit the Lamberts like a thunderp.


    Hugo''s body trembled uncontrobly. He panicked about what to do.


    Ernest, the connection they were so proud of, had called Felix his savior. It was clear where Felix''s status trulyy.


    "If that''s the case, then I won''t meddle."


    Ernest''s words made the Lamberts'' faces go pale. If he stepped back, who else could handle Kane? No one.


    "I beg you, Mr. Holt Senior. Hugo is my most cherished grandson. I was the first to hold him when he was born. Please help us," Edward pleaded.


    With a frown, Ernest looked at Edward. "Do I need to follow your orders?"


    Edward quickly waved his hands. "No, no! Of course not."


    Hugo, finallying to his senses, kneeled before Felix. "I was blind, Mr. Zeller! Please give me another chance. I promise to stay away from Wendy and never show up again." Sherlyn looked perplexed. She wondered if all this drama was really caused by a woman named Wendy, Could Felix really be so shallow?


    Felix''s treatment of Ernest during the day had left a deep impression on Sherlyn. Who would have thought that such a melodramatic scene would unfold by evening?


    "You''re free to pursue whomever you like. It''s none of my business, but you''re too arrogant."


    After saying that, Felix turned to Ernest. "But since Mr. Holt Senior is present today, I must pay him some respect. Hugo, let''s bury the hatchet." He then extended his arm for a handshake. Bury the hatchet?


    Hugo couldn''t believe his ears. Ernest also frowned. The rapid turnaround was startling. Given Kane''s earlier stance, the situation seemedplex. Was it really resolved just like that?


    Seeing Hugo still on his knees, Felix narrowed his eyes. "What now? You don''t want to?"

 Billionaire With Husband 109

    Upon receiving Felix''s assurance, Hugo leaped up. "No, no! Thank you, Mr. Zeller, for this opportunity. Thank you!"


    Hugo grasped Felix''s hand with both of his, showing immense gratitude. When he realized Felix was Ernest''s savior, he thought his fate was sealed. To his surprise, the situation took a dramatic turn.


    "Are you happy with this result, Mr. Holt Senior?" Felix asked as he prepared to leave.


    Ernest''s eyes gleamed with a brief sh of insight, and he nodded. "Yes! Perhaps life''s destiny is truly preordained."


    Felix smiled. As expected of someone who had survived the battlefield, Ernest saw through the essence of the handshake.


    On their way back, Kane couldn''t help but ask, "Mr. Zeller, are you really letting Hugo off the hook? Regardless of your Dragon Lord status, you could have done whatever you wanted after saving Mr. Holt Senior''s life." Felix shook his head. "No, Kane. You''re still too caught up in the underworld mentality and seeing things narrowly.


    "With Mr. Holt Senior''s status, even without my presence, he was ready to question Hugo fiercely about any wrongdoing before he would even consider protecting him. Do you expect me to take Hugo away right in front of him?" Kane was stunned. Indeed, he hadn''t considered this aspect. Being ustomed to dominating in Avesburgh, he hadn''t thought that far ahead.


    "What I did was only preserve Mr. Holt Senior''s dignity while ensuring Hugo faced consequences. That''s the best oue."


    Upon hearing that, Kane gasped. It seemed the handshake wasn''t just about reconciliation. Felix had clearly done something. He truly was impressive.


    After Felix left, Ernest also departed.


    "Grandpa, I still don''t understand what you meant by yourst words to Felix," Sherlyn said, puzzled.


    Ernest nced at her and sighed, "What I meant by destiny is that Hugo likely has only a few days left to live."


    "What?" Sherlyn was shocked. Even Jairo, sitting in the passenger seat, narrowed his eyes. Clearly, he hadn''t anticipated this, either.


    "Felix is a master healer. People only know that master healers are excellent at saving lives but they also excel at taking lives invisibly Felix''s medical skills are extraordinary.


    He can diagnose and treat my illness just by locking.


    "If I''m not mistaken, that final handshake was the moment that determined Hugo''s fate."


    Sherlyn, being sharp-witted, quickly connected the dots. "He really is exceptional! He managed such a perfect resolution even in that situation and upheld your dignity. Impressive!" Ernest nodded. "Yeah. He will undoubtedly be the brightest star on the future stage of Dragonia."


    Sherlyn was surprised that Ernest gave such high praise. She asked coyly, "Grandpa, do you think Felix would be a good match for me? My dad would definitely approve, right?"


    It seemed Ernest had anticipated this question. He yfully tapped Sherlyn on the nose. Pursue him if you want. Felix is much more than just a good match.


    "If our family could have such a son-inw, it would be a tremendous blessing! But I do have one question for you. What does ''the cream of the crop'' mean?"


    11


    Without hesitation, Sherlyn replied, "It means the best of a group. You''re underestimating me, Grandpa."


    Smiling, Ernest continued, "What I like is the literal meaning of the idiom. Cream represents the male, while crop signifies the female. If Felix is the cream, don''t you think the surrounding ''crops'' will be impressive as well?" Sherlyn was struck by Ernest''s words and soon, wore a smile. "Since you support me, I have nothing to worry about. No matter how many women there are, I''m not afraid."

 Billionaire With Husband 110

    The sun rose. Felix had finished his morning routine and was pacing back and forth in his


    room.


    He was debating whether he should approach Warren and seek forgiveness. Hugo''s troubling actions toward Warren weighed heavily on Felix''s conscience.


    He remembered clearly from his childhood that even Matthew had said more than once that Warren had a straightforward personality and would never let himself be taken advantage of. Yet now, because of him, Warren was trampled by Hugo and didn''t dare say a word.


    Even though Felix had already dealt with Hugo, and Hugo''s time was running out, he couldn''t openly acknowledge it.


    Just then, Kane''s call came through. "Mr. Zeller, I''ve found out that Warren left early this morning and is at the office of Concord Bank''s deputy manager."


    Unable to contact Warren directly, Felix had asked Kane to find out.


    "Got it." After hanging up, Felix made up his mind and drove to Concord Bank.


    Half an hourter, in the office of Concord Bank''s deputy manager, Warren was pleading earnestly, "Alex, wasn''t the loan supposed to be fine? Why was it suddenly rejected? Mypany desperately needs that money."


    Alex Barrett''s face was stern. "Warren, to be honest, I only said I''d try to help, not that it was guaranteed. If we weren''t old ssmates, you wouldn''t even have gotten through my door."


    Warren''s expression shifted, and he tried again. "Did someone interfere? Is that why my loan was rejected?"


    He thought of Hugo, who had both threatened hispany and had the capability to act on


    1. it.


    However, this remark offended Alex, who immediately made a gesture to show him out. "Interfere? Warren, do you think so little of me? If I wanted to mess with you, I wouldn''t be so roundabout. Besides, it''s just a 200-million-dor loan. "By normal procedures, you wouldn''t even qualify to approach me, but I still tried to help. The rejection is due to issues with yourpany, not because I manipted anything."


    Warren quickly apologized, "No, Alex. I¡ª"


    "Enough! Get out. I''m deleting your contact details."


    Alex had only just started to push Warren to the door when it swung wide. This caused the already-irked Alex to snap at the secretary who entered. "Don''t you know I have a guest? Get out!"


    Startled, the secretary nervously exined. "Mr. Miller asked me to bring this gentleman directly to your office. I-I had no choice."


    Troye? Alex sighed, realizing it might be another influential connection pushed to his desk.


    After taking a deep breath, Alex stered on a forced smile and turned to the neer. But the next moment, he was struck dumb.


    If he wasn''t mistaken, the person walking in was the same one who had used the Supreme ck Card previously. It was the man whom Troye and several deputy managers had cautiously attended to.


    Before Alex could say anything, Warren spoke up with a frown, "Felix? Oh, great! You''re all grown up now and sent people to follow me? Get out of here!"

 Billionaire With Husband 111

    Chapter 111.


    Alex was terrified. He immediately shouted at Warren, "Warren! Are you out of your mind? How dare you speak to Mr. Zeller like that? You''re the one who should get out!"


    Then, he hurried over to Felix, his attitude groveling. "I''m really sorry, Mr. Zeller. This is one of my clients. Please don''t mind him.''


    However, Felix only looked at Warren. His eyes were full of guilt. "I''m really sorry, Uncle Warren. I''ll wait for you outside. I owe you an exnation."


    After saying this, Felix turned and walked out, leaving Alex standing there, dumbfounded.


    Uncle Warren? Felix, the holder of the Supreme ck Card, was addressing Warren as Uncle Warren"? What was going on?


    "Humph! I''d like to see what kind of exnation you think you can give," Warren muttered.


    Seeing Warren head for the door, Alex quickly came to his senses and grabbed hold of him. "Warren! Y-You know Mr. Zeller? Why didn''t you say so earlier?


    "Consider your loan approved. No, I''ll get you a one-billion-dor loan right now at the lowest possible interest rate. How''s that sound?"


    Alex wasn''t joking. If he crossed Felix, one word from him would have even the manager packing up, let alone a deputy manager like himself.


    Warren didn''t refuse. He simply replied, "Thanks for that."


    He thought that Alex''s respect for Felix must have stemmed from Felix''s connection to Kane, so he didn''t dwell too much on it.


    As he walked out of the bank, Warren spotted Felix waiting not far away. He walked straight over.


    "I''m truly sorry, Uncle Warren," Felix said with his head lowered. The guilt weighed heavily on him.


    "What do you have to be sorry for? You''re doing great, strutting around under Lord Kane''s name and acting all high and mighty.


    "But could you do me a favor and let everyone know that you and I are no longer connected? You have a big gang protecting you. I can''t afford to cross those people."


    Warren''s words were sarcastic, but Felix had no right to be upset. After all, this was all his fault.


    "Hugo won''t be a problem anymore. It was just an ident. Uncle Warren, tell me how I can make it up to you."


    Warren let out a snort. "I''ll be grateful if you and your people just stop bothering me and my family."


    Though Warren didn''t know how Felix had managed to deal with Hugo, there was no guarantee it would end there. Felix''s growing arrogance from his ties to Kane made it likely he''d provoke an even more terrifying enemy next time.


    Warren wasn''t one to shy away from a fight, but he wasn''t about to let himself be dragged into something he didn''t want any part of. When he first heard that Felix had angered Kane, he hadn''t hesitated to confront Kane himself, but things were different now. "Uncle Warren, please just give me a chance to make up for this," Felix pleaded.


    He knew that if things ended here, he wouldn''t even have the face to visit Matthew''s grave in the future. He truly wanted to make amends for the mess Hugo had caused.


    Warren looked at Felix. Knowing Felix''s personality, he decided to speak frankly. "You want to make it up to me? Sure. Since you said so, do you know Ster Group? One of Dragonia''s top tenpanies. I''ve heard that they will being to Avesburgh tomorrow. "They''re nning to build a city within a city in the suburbs, with an estimated investment of 50 billion dors. If you''re really sorry, make my Velocis Ventures one of the partners. Can you do that?"


    Without a moment''s hesitation, Felix agreed. Even though he had never heard of Ster Group before, he nodded immediately. "Yes! Just wait for the good news, Uncle Warren."

 Billionaire With Husband 112

    Before leaving, Warren added onest condition. "If you can''t make this happen, publicly dere that we have nothing to do with each other. Make it a clean break, and don''te near me again."


    Warren mentioned the partnership on purpose. Ster Group''s visit to Avesburgh and their n to build a city within a city in the suburbs were genuine. Everyone in the business world knew about that.


    However, their prestige was unmatched. Ranked tenth in Dragonia, Ster Group was far beyond Kane''s reach. For Felix, it was an impossible task.


    Warren''s real aim was to sever ties with Felixpletely to prevent any potential danger to his family in the future.


    Money was secondary to him. As long as he had enough to get by, it was sufficient.


    Having epted the deal, Felix wasted no time and rushed to Kane''s ce. "Kane, have you heard of Ster Group?"


    Kane nodded. "Yes, I''ve heard of them. They''re the tenth-rankedpany in Dragonia. You can probably imagine just how significant they are."


    He then seemed to realize something. "What''s wrong? Are you interested in Ster Group''s n to invest in a city within a city in Avesburgh?"


    Felix was surprised Kane knew about it. It seemed that Kane was well-informed about


    business matters.


    "I''m not interested, but I need to make Warren''s Velocis Ventures one of their partners."


    "I see." Kane pondered for a moment before replying, "That''s beyond my scope, but the chief of Dragon Alliance''s Oasis Clinic should be able to help. Oasis Clinic handles all of Dragon Alliance''s funds. They have many industries in Dragonia." The chief? Felix knew Dragon Alliance could handle this task. "Have the chiefe see me,


    then."


    "On it!"


    That night, at a bar in Avesburgh, Felix and Jack sat across from each other. After a bottle of b¨¦er each, Felix finally asked, "How''s the first day on the job?"


    Jack pounded his chest proudly. "I''m solid, man. No worries! I''m already the sales manager. Pretty awesome, right?".


    "Wow!"


    Regardless, Felix would still look into it. Although Jack wouldn''t bring it up to maintain appearances, Felix would still discreetly assist behind the scenes. Everything would be fine as long as it was done subtly and remained undetected. After another round, Jack extended his hand. "Can I borrow your car tomorrow? I need to pick someone up at the airport."


    Without hesitation, Felix handed over the keys. ''Is my car good enough for you?"


    "It''s perfect! If a top-spec Range Rover isn''t enough, should I drive a Rolls-Royce? Come on! Let''s drink!"


    After a few rounds, they decided to head home as Jack needed to work the next day. Since they were heading in different directions, Felix chose not to ept the ride and left for a cab on his own.


    Jack had already called a chauffeur service from his phone.


    While waiting, two people who had clearly been drinking heavily came out and headed straight toward Felix''s Range Rover.


    "O-Open the door!"


    Noticing the car wasn''t moving, one of them gave hispanion a nudge.


    The other pped his forehead and said, "Damn, I forgot! We rented this Range Rover. We drove a different car today. It''s not even here."


    Jack frowned as he watched the two men wobble across the street.


    Felix''s car was a rental?

 Billionaire With Husband 113

    Byte morning the next day, both Xena and Belle were seated in a private dining room at a restaurant in Avesburgh.


    "Mdy, ording to the intel, the president of Ster Group was supposed to attend. However, our team at the airport confirmed that only the vice president arrived. Is it still necessary for you to host this lunch?"


    Xena chuckled. "Don''t say that. Ster Group is ranked tenth in all of Dragon¨ªa, and they''re investing here in my hometown. As the host, it''s only right to treat them to a meal.


    "Besides, others might not know, but you surely know that Ster Group is just the smallest of that person''spanies."


    That person?


    Belle suddenly remembered and immediately smiled.


    "I understand now, mdy. You''re extending this courtesy more because of that person''s influence. Though I must say, Ster Group''s president is quite the mystery. No one even knows their name yet. If you''d let me investigate further, I''m sure we could uncover it." Xena shot her a yful re, feeling a little exasperated. "There are plenty of things to be curious about. Do you think you can know them all? Besides, what use is it to us to dig any deeper?"


    Belle stuck out her tongue and fell silent. She was aware her curiosity sometimes got the better of her.


    At that moment, the door to the private room opened, and a man entered.


    Belle''s eyes immediately lit up. The young man was incredibly hot-the kind that made it hard to look away. His demeanor was equally striking, radiating an unusual charisma.


    "Lady Summers, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Joshua Rush. Thank you for the invitation. It''s truly an honor."


    Upon hearing the name, Belle was even more surprised. So this was Joshua Rush, the vice president who was actually leading the Ster Group delegation. He was far more dashing in person than in any photo she had seen, Xena, still seated, gave only a slight nod. "No need for formalities. Please, sit."


    As the first goddess of war in Dragonia, Xena was well within her rights to stay seated, and Joshua didn''t seem the least bit offended. In fact, he seemed to regard her action as entirely appropriate.


    "I''m grateful Ster Group has chosen to invest in Avesburgh," Xena continued.


    Joshua smiled in return. "Avesburgh has great potential. Our decision to invest here wasn''t made on a whim. It followed careful consideration and thorough research."


    The meal progressed smoothly, with both sides enjoying the conversation. Sensing that the time was right, Joshua suddenly broached another subject.


    "Since I''ll remain in Avesburgh as the project leader for the city within a city development, I''d like to exchange contact information with you, Lady Summers. After all, we''re not familiar with the city. "Despite Ster Group''s reputation, we''re still concerned that we might struggle against local forces. So..."


    Though Joshua left the rest of his sentence unsaid, Xena easily understood what he was implying.


    "Sure. You can take down Belle''s contact information. She''s my subordinate. As long as it''s nothing illegal, she can handle it for you."


    In the underground parking lot, as Joshua watched Xena''s car drive away, a sly smile tugged at his lips.


    "As expected from my future wife! She''s both graceful and strong-willed. Xena Summers, you''re destined to be mine. Only by marrying you can I secure my ce in Dragon Alliance and carry out my uncle''s n. ""You won''t escape from me," he thought.


    Around 4:00 pm that afternoon at Tabiner Bay, Felix was about to leave his front yard with his fishing gear when he heard a car horn. Frowning, he turned to see a care to a sudden stop just a few feet away. Seeing that Felix remained still, the person in the car swung the passenger door open. To his surprise, Belle stepped out with a face full of disdain.

 Billionaire With Husband 114

    "Felix! Are you blind? Can''t you see the caring?" Belle shouted.


    Felix''s face darkened. "This is a residential area. Even if a car ising, basic courtesy says the driver should give way to pedestrians. Don''t you even know that much?"


    He was well aware that Belle was intentionally picking a fight. He had seen the car approaching from a distance, but it had suddenly sped up.


    "You''re saying I''m the rude one?" Belleughed incredulously. "Do you think just because you''re a martial artist, you can act arrogant and reckless, thinking a speeding car can''t kill you?" Felix, clearly uninterested in continuing the argument, nced at the figure in the back seat of the car. "What is it this time?"


    Instantly, Belle''s irritation hit its peak. "Oh, my God! How can someone be so shameless? Do you really think every time Lady Summerses to Tabiner Bay, it''s to look for you?" "It''s better if she''s not here for me."


    Felix made his way over to the neighborhood''s artificialke, where Ernest was fiddling with a fishing rod. Beside him stood Jairo, the bodyguard who remained vignt as he scanned their surroundings. "Sorry that I''mte, Mr. Holt Senior," Felix greeted.


    Ernest smiled warmly. "Oh, you''re notte. I''m already grateful that you''re taking the time to fish with an old man like me."


    Most people would assume that spending time with Ernest was an attempt to curry favor, but Felix was different. He had no such intentions.


    "Better to spend time here than sit around idly. Besides, my dad used to take me fishing all the time when I was a kid."


    As they settled in, Ernest suddenly gave Felix a mischievous grin. "Felix, what do of Sherlyn?"


    Felix responded bluntly, "She''s pretty decent.


    Pretty decent?


    Jairo, standing nearby, twitched slightly at the remark.


    you think


    He had never heard anyone describe Sherlyn in such lukewarm terms. Most men, even without the added prestige of Ernest being her grandfather, would bepletely smitten by her. 1/2


    But to Felix, she was merely "pretty decent".


    "I''m d to hear you say that. I can assure you of one thing. Sherlyn''s character is impable, and she''s incredibly capable," Ernest said.


    Felix couldn''t help but feel a little awkward. It almost sounded like Ernest was trying to set


    with Sherlyn.


    him up


    Meanwhile, Belle and Xena were walking toward the artificialke.


    "Mdy, it''s truly unexpected that Mr. Holt Senior would return to settle down here," Belle remarked.


    Xena nodded in agreement. "Yeah. If it weren''t for my lord informing me, I wouldn''t have known."


    Belle hesitated before cautiously asking, "Mr. Holt Senior has retired for quite some time now. Do you think it''s a bit... excessive for you to personally visit him?"


    Frowning, Xena said seriously, "Even though he''s retired, he stillmands respect. Mr. Holt Senior earned the admiration of the Four Great Warlords, and his son is now a high-ranking general.


    "While he''s technically one rank below me, his connections and influence far outweigh mine. So, do you think I should pay him a visit?"


    Belle fell silent. At least her suspicions were right. The notification from the warlord had a clear purpose. If Xena could get close to Ernest, it would greatly increase her chances of rising to the rank of warlord in the future. "Look, mdy. That must be Mr. Holt Senior fishing, right?"


    Following Belle''s finger, Xena quickly noticed another man and came to aplete stop in her tracks.


    At that moment, Belle also saw him and was utterly stunned. "Is that Felix sitting next to Mr. Holt Senior?" Chapter 115

 Billionaire With Husband 115

    Belle lost it at once. "How is this possible? Does Felix actually know Mr. Holt Senior? How?"


    It was utterly outrageous. Ernest held a position of immense significance. Even someone like Xena had to pay him a personal visit, let alone ordinary people. "Calm down. It''s just fishing. Mr. Holt Senior isn''t the type to block off the entireke for himself. Let''s go."


    Belle felt a bit better after hearing this. Otherwise, she wouldn''t know how to process the situation.


    Before they could get close, Jairo intercepted them. His voice was barely above a whisper, yet the two women could hear him perfectly.


    "Mr. Holt Senior is fishing. No one is allowed to disturb him."


    Xena''s expression shifted slightly. As expected from Ernest''s personal bodyguard! Jairo''s strength was undeniable, likely on par with her own. "Okay. I''ll wait here."


    As time dragged on, Belle''s frustration mounted. While she and Xena stood idly by, Felix was happily fishing with Ernest. This was maddening. After over two hours, Ernest finally stretched and sighed. "Bad luck today. I only caught six fish."


    He then nced at Felix''s bucket, envy evident in his eyes. "You caught over a dozen?"


    Felix chuckled. "Just like you said. It''s all about luck.''


    "Don''t fool me. Your skills are genuinely impressive."


    As Xena watched them chat amiably, her expression changed. It seemed Felix really did know Ernest. It wasn''t just a coincidence that they were fishing together.


    "I think I''ll head back and rest," Ernest said.


    Felix''s spirits were lifted as he hadn''t gone fishing in a long time, so he said, "You go ahead, Mr. Holt Senior. I''ll stay and fish a little longer."


    "Okay." Ernest packed up his gear.


    Only after that did Jairo take over. He knew that these fishing tools were Ernest''s prized possessions, and he wouldn''t let anyone else handle them, so Jairo didn''t dare interfere. Xena, you''re here? Have you been waiting long?" Ernest asked.


    "It hasn''t been too long. It was fine as long as I didn''t disturb your fun," Xena replied


    respectfully.


    Ernest smiled as he walked ahead.


    "Why don''t youe over and sit for a while? I''ll be settling down in Avesburgh from now on, and I might need to ask for your help with a few things."


    "You tter me, Mr. Holt Senior."


    After walking a few steps, Xena couldn''t contain her curiosity any longer. "By the way, may I ask who the person fishing with you was? I''d love to have the chance to meet him." Ernest chuckled lightly. "Just a neighbor of mine."


    Having lived for so many years, he certainly knew how to avoid trouble. Whether Felix wanted to be known was his own business. There was no need for him to promote Felix''s


    name.


    If word got out about how Felix had cured him, the line of people seeking Felix''s help would likely stretch around the block.


    Hearing this answer, Xena and Belle both felt sense of relief for some reason. The truth was, they knew that Felix''s vi was right next to Ernest''s. It was merely a stroke of luck. Plus, it was clear Felix had no idea about Ernest''s true identity. He thought of him as just an old man enjoying his retirement.


    Meanwhile, Joshua arrived in Kane''s courtyard. "Lord Kane, please ept these gifts as a token of my respect."


    Kane, aware of Joshua''s status, wouldn''t be dismissive. "No need for formalities. Your uncle gave me a heads-up. There''s no need for such pleasantries."


    However, Joshua quickly waved. "No, Lord Kane. Business is business. I''m here as the vice president of Ster Group to invest in Avesburgh. I might need your assistance in areas." many

 Billionaire With Husband 116

    Since Felix had said it was fine, Kane wouldn''t reject Joshua either. "Helping with other matters is fine, but when ites to winning over the goddess of war, that''s all on you." "Don''t worry, Lord Kane. I understand that Xena is out of reach, but I''m 80% confident. Anyway, once I sessfully join Dragon Alliance, I will definitely remember your kindness, "Joshua said.


    Kane suddenly caught on to a crucial point. "You''re one of the people from Ster Group who came to Avesburgh to invest? You''re the vice president?"


    Joshua smiled. This was exactly the reaction he wanted.


    Although Dragon Alliance was powerful, Kane was just the deputy chief of Oasis Clinic. Meanwhile, Joshua''s position as the vice president of Ster Group was quite significant. "Yes, and I''ll also be the project head for the city within a city development." Kane''s expression brightened instantly after hearing that.


    "That''s great! If you have decision-making power, can you do me a favor? Can we include Velocis Ventures as one of your project''s partners?"


    Although Ster Group could easily take on the 50-billion-dor city within a city project alone, they hade to Avesburgh with a mandate to support local businesses.


    They had announced that they would select five partnerpanies. This prompted Avesburgh''s businesses to spring into action. Everyone wanted a piece of the pie.


    That was a 50-billion-dor megaproject. Being selected as one of the partners would guarantee a windfall for any business involved.


    "Since you asked, it''s no problem at all. I do have the authority to decide on a partner," Joshua replied confidently.


    Kane was overjoyed. He finally got another chance to showcase his worth in front of Felix. "Thank you."


    Meanwhile, Felix had just arrived home when he received a call from Kane. With


    unwavering confidence in his voice, Kane spoke in a way that left Felix with no reason to doubt him.


    "If you can handle it, then there is no need for the chief toe over.


    "Understood."


    As sunset approached, there was a knock on the door. Yvonne walked in. "You''re too polite,


    Felix. Did


    you feel the need to do the same just because I treated you to a meal?"


    Yvonne''s eyes sparkled with amusement as she watched Felix cook.


    "It''s only proper to return the favor."


    After a while, they sat down at the dining table, and Yvonne took out a bottle of red wine. "I didn''t know what to bring, so I figured I''d share this bottle of Roman¨¦e-Conti someone gave me. Let''s finish it." "Sounds good."


    After a few bites of food, Yvonne raised her ss. "Felix, thank you for making me feel a touch of warmth in this unfamiliar ce. I''ll drink to that!''


    As he watched Yvonne finish her drink, Felix was about to take a sip when he suddenly frowned.


    "Why aren''t you drinking? Are you afraid that there''s poison in my wine?"


    Knowing Yvonne was just joking, he asked, "Are you sure this wine is from your friend?" Yvonne looked puzzled. "Yeah, a very good friend of mine sent it. It''s quite expensive, so he had someone fly it over personally. Is there a problem? Or can''t you handle red wine?" Felix shook his head and took a small sip. Instantly, his expression changed dramatically.'' Oh shit! This is Phytarone!"


    Upon hearing this, Yvonne was even more puzzled. "What do you mean?"


    Felix looked at Yvonne with a dead serious expression. "Take off all your clothes! I have to treat you right now, or it''ll be toote!"

 Billionaire With Husband 117

    Chapter 117.


    Yvonne could hardly believe what she had heard. She stared at Felix in disbelief. "Felix! I considered you a friend, and now you want me to strip myself?"


    How could he ask her to take off her clothes with such righteous conviction? It was truly disappointing. However, Felix was unfazed by her misunderstanding.


    He stood up and exined, "Trust me. This red wine has been mixed with a substance called Phytarone, a potent aphrodisiac. The form for Phytarone has long been lost, and the remaining quantities are extremely rare. Do you understand what I''m saying?" Yvonne disyed her disdain as she looked at Felix. As a martial artist, she wouldn''t fear him harassing her.


    "Ha! I must say, your story is so ridiculous I almost believe it. Are you going to say that if you don''t treat me, I''ll end up wanting your body due to the effects of Phytarone?"


    She wasn''t lying. The bottle of wine had indeed been gifted by her best friend-someone she had known for over a decade. There was no way it contained anything questionable.


    After taking a deep breath, Felix exined patiently, "If it weren''t for your connection to my grandpa, I could easily ignore you and throw you out given your attitude right now.


    "Just wait and see what happens. You have one minute left. If you don''t agree to my treatment, there''s nothing more I can do. If you want to save your life, you''ll have to resort to sleeping with a man."


    Yvonne shook her head with a bitterugh. As she stood up, her eyes were filled with a disappointed look. "You really can''t judge a book by its cover. Our friendship ends here, Felix Zeller."


    She gathered her things and headed for the door. Yvonne felt eager to book a flight home to report back. As it turned out, her boss'' fianc¨¦ was nothing but trash.


    Although Felix had managed to hide his true nature well, he revealed himself so quickly. Moreover, the excuse he used was utterly absurd.


    Felix didn''t say another word. He couldn''t force treatment upon her; that would vite medical ethics. Whether in traditional or modern medicine, saving a person required consent unless the patient was unconscious or unable to express their will. Just as Yvonne reached the door, she suddenly frowned. She felt a surge of heat erupt within her body. "What''s happening?"


    As she attempted to take another step, the heat began to spread through her limbs.


    In an instant, she stumbled and turned to Felix in disbelief. "Y-You were telling the truth?"


    Felix sighed. "Do I have any reason to lie to you? Unfortunately, the best time for treatment has passed. If you want to save your life now, you''ll have to find a man. Just go outside and pick someone."


    At that moment, Yvonne could still maintain someposure and speak with Felix because her powerful martial artist self was temporarily protecting her mind.


    However, she could still feel the terrifying energy surging through her body. She could only hold on for 30 seconds at most.


    At that point, she would likely have to do exactly what Felix said-find some random man and beg him to sleep with her. If that truly happened, the only option she''d have upon waking would be to take her own life.


    At the thought of this, tears streamed down her face. She had preserved her purity for so many years. How could she casually give herself to a man? If it came to that, she''d rather die. 1

 Billionaire With Husband 118

    "Felix! I''m sorry. I''m really sorry for doubting you. It''s my fault. Please save me!" Yvonne


    cried out.


    Seeing Yvonne approaching him, Felix sighed in resignation. "I''ve already told you-


    Phytarone is extremely potent. Even I can only guarantee treatment in the first few minutes, but now it''s toote."


    Yvonne gritted her teeth. She knew that she was close to losing her rationality, so she made up her mind.


    "If doing it with a man is the only way to save my life, I hope that man is you!"


    Right then, Yvonne''s face turned bright red, and she clung to Felix as if she were an octopus. Her lips wandered clumsily on his face and her hands clutched his. Even though she couldn''t control her body, her mind was clear. She was fully aware of everything she was doing at the moment.


    The fact that Felix could still think straight in this situation was already quite remarkable.


    In the end, he gave a bitter smile before carrying her.


    Yvonne was quite beautiful. Whether it was her appearance, figure, or temperament, she was the type of woman men could only dream of.


    If it were any other man in this situation, they might have already lost control and eagerly reciprocated her invitation.


    But Felix honestly did not like being forced to do such things, as they were quite unmeaningful. Nheless, with a life at stake, what choice did he have?


    After a night of madness, Yvonne woke up. Shey in bed as her mind reyed the scenes from the previous night.


    She never would have guessed that she was capable of such reckless abandon,


    At that moment, her body felt morefortable than ever. The feeling was something she had never experienced before.


    "I never thought I would lose my first time like this."


    Yvonne looked rtively calm. Strangely, the fact that Felix was the one she gave her first time to made it feel somehow eptable to her


    She got up, went downstairs, and saw Felix was making breakfast.


    "Oh, you''re awake."


    Aplex look crossed Yvonne''s face as she stared at his back.


    "Yeah. Thank you forst night. Can we act as if nothing happened?"


    Regardless of what happened, Felix was her boss'' fianc¨¦. If her boss found out about this, the consequences would be unimaginable. "Sure, though I don''t really want to do that as a man.


    Felix was a man of principles. Technically, since Yvonne had slept with him, she should be considered his woman now.


    But given that she was under the effects of Phytarone and considering what she had just said, he agreed without much thought. "Thanks."


    After breakfast, Yvonne left the vi. A cold look lingered in her eyes as she thought abo that bottle of red wine.


    "If I didn''t meet Felix and had drank that bottle of red wine alone... I need an exnation when I get back."


    She didn''t want to think about what would have happened if she were alone. She might have just run out on the streets like a madwoman looking for a man. Naturally, she couldn''t let the mastermind behind this off so easily.


    As soon as she got home, her phone rang. She panicked when she saw the caller ID. She barely managed to calm herself after taking a few deep breaths. "Miss."


    The call was from none other than her boss. How could Yvonne not be nervous after what had happened with Felix? "How did it feel?"


    Confused, Yvonne didn''t quite understand the question.


    "Miss... I-I don''t understand your question."


    What her boss said next made Yvonne''s jaw drop in disbelief.


    "I''m asking you how being intimate with Felix felt."

 Billionaire With Husband 119

    Yvonne''s mind wentpletely nk; she could hardly believe what she had just heard.


    "That''s right-I was the one who prepared that bottle of red wine," her boss said.


    Upon receiving verbal confirmation, Yvonne was instantly overwhelmed with mixed emotions. She didn''t know what to say.


    "What? You have a problem with that?"


    Upon noticing her boss'' tone, Yvonne quickly replied, "No, no! I wouldn''t dare! My life is yours, after all. So, of course, I wouldn''t have a problem with something like this."


    Yvonne had once been left destitute, and it was her boss who had taken her in and given her a second chance at life. As such, she was not exaggerating when she said that.


    "Don''t overthink it. Felix and I are simply not meant to be, but it''s only fair that I give him a little something since he''s my fianc¨¦.


    "A woman like you will be utterly unattainable to him in the future. When we finally meet one day, he''ll know that he should be content."


    Yvonne could only take it with a bitter smile. Her boss'' intellect could not be rivaled, after


    all.


    Since everything had been meticulously nned, Yvonne was bound to share that bottle of red wine with Felix sooner orter. It was all just part of her mission. "Continue with your tasks as nned. This incident changes nothing. Understood?"


    "I understand, miss. Rest assured-I willplete the mission without fail."


    Meanwhile, in a caf¨¦, Joshua was meeting with Belle.


    "Mr. Rush, you said there was an urgent matter concerning me. I hope you have a good reason to summon me. You know the consequences if you don''t." Belle had a dark expression because Joshua''s tone on the phone earlier made her feel as if she was being ckmailed.


    "Please, sit. You''re Xena''s subordinate-how would I dare do anything to you? You''re overthinking."


    After Belle sat down, Joshua pulled out a tablet, operated it briefly, and handed it over to her.


    "I''ve arranged for a master healer to treat your father. In addition, I''ve left him five million. That should be enough to cover for his future living expenses." What? Her father?


    Belle furrowed her brows as she looked at the photos, videos, and everything else on the


    tablet.


    It was true that her father was still alive, but he was aplete scoundrel. Not only did he kill her mother, but he was also abusive toward Belle.


    Belle''s life only took a turn for the better when she met Xena, which was right around the time she was considering suicide.


    "Who told you to do all that? Did you think I would be grateful for this?"


    Joshua merely smiled at her questions.


    "At the end of the day, he is the man who gave you life.


    "Since Xena knew everything and hated him, you refrained from any actions ormunication even after discovering your father was seriously ill and living a tragic life for fear that Xena would find out, right?" Belle fell silent-Joshua was right. Back then, she wished that her father would just die, but as time passed, her heart softened.


    He was still her father no matter what. Yet, because of Xena, she didn''t dare to reach out, and that tormented her for years.


    Now that her father had been cured and had money to live out his remaining days in peace, it felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.


    "Go on, then. I know you didn''t do this out of the kindness of your heart."


    Joshua let out a sigh of relief. Luckily, his judgment was correct, and it seemed like he made the right move.


    "It''s simple. I want to pursue Xena. You''re her deputy-if anyone understands her best, it''s you..I need your help."


    Now that Belle understood his intentions, she smiled. She had been worried that Joshua would ask her to do something illegal or immoral, which she would never agree to.

 Billionaire With Husband 120

    ""You want to pursue Ms. Summers?" Belle asked.


    Joshua nodded with a serious look. "That''s right."


    "You do know that she''s the first goddess of war in Dragonia and the dream girl of most men, right? What makes you think you are qualified to pursue her?"


    Joshua already had an answer prepared for this question.


    "I''ll let you in on something. My uncle is the chief of Dragon Alliance''s Lawson Clinic, and I''m not too shabby myself, being the vice president of Ster Group and all. Is that not good enough?" Belle was slightly taken aback.


    "To be honest, your position as vice president of Ster Group isn''t worth mentioning, but your uncle''s position does mean something."


    As Xena''s deputy, needless to say, Belle knew how powerful Dragon Alliance was. That faction was where hidden talents thrived, and being one of the chiefs for Dragon Alliance was quite a feat. "Before I help you, you should know something. If you can''t even handle the matter, don''t think about pursuing her," Belle said.


    Not wanting to miss out on the information, Joshua paid close attention to her.


    "Ms. Summers is betrothed to someone."


    Shocked, Joshua grimaced.


    "Are you serious? How is that possible? How can someone like Xena have anything to do with something so outdated? She''s betrothed to another? What era are we in?"


    If this were true, the matter would be quite troublesome.


    "You don''t need to be too worried about that. Firstly, her betrothed is someone very ordinary who would never catch her eye.


    "Secondly, the only one who could intervene, Mr. Summers Senior, has been in aa for


    a year now.


    "However, I have this feeling that Mr. Summers Senior could wake up at any time. So, if you can make her betrothed disappear before he wakes up, wouldn''t you have a better chance?" With how much Belle hated Felix, this was a great opportunity for her to use Joshua.


    "Heh, I have to say, the information you provided is quite crucial. Don''t worry. Whether the


    guy is ordinary or capable, he''s nothingpared to me,"


    At 3:00 pm, at the entrance of a vi at Tabiner Bay, Felix looked at Sasha with a frown.


    "Was I not clear enough thest time? Why are you here again?"


    Sasha looked sorrowful.


    "Felix, I know you hate me. I know it''s impossible to win you back, and I''ve alreadye to terms with it. So, can you at least have onest meal with me? I promise I won''t bother you again after this," She finally sounded reasonable, so Felix had no reason to refuse. It was better than hering to pester him repeatedly and him being unable to do anything about it because of Warren/


    Since she had taken the initiative to suggest this, then this was naturally the best oue.


    "Fine."


    After Sasha told him the time and ce, tears began to flow from her eyes.


    "I finally understand what regret feels like. Felix, thank you for agreeing to have onest meal with me."


    As Felix watched her leave, he shook his head helplessly. If this incident could help Sasha mature, then he would be helping Warren in a way,


    Her personality was bound to get her in trouble sooner orter. Changing before causing a major issue was indeed the best oue for everyone.


    As Sasha left Tabiner Bay, she took out her phone with a sneer.


    "Mr. Glover, he''s agreed to the arrangement, but are you sure that he''ll explode at that time?"


    Ted''s confidentughter echoed from the other end.


    "Don''t worry. With how highly Felix thinks of himself,bined with Lord Kane''s backing, he''s bound to do something about it. Just sit tight and enjoy the show."

 Billionaire With Husband 121

    Felix stood at the entrance of an alley at around 7:00 pm with a confused look.


    He stood at the location Sasha had given him, but no matter how much he looked around, the ce didn''t seem like there would be a restaurant there. "Felix."


    In less than a minute, Sasha appeared.


    "Is the restaurant here?" Felix asked.


    Sasha answered with a smile, "Yes, there''s a fondue restaurant here that''s been around for years. The food is really good."


    Fondue? Felix wasn''t going to question it. It didn''t matter what they ate. He''d be gratef as long as Sasha would stop bothering him.


    As they turned the corner into the alley, the fragrant aroma of food hit them, instantly increasing his appetite.


    There was indeed a fondue restaurant nestled in the alley. There was even a line of people waiting to be seated at the entrance.


    "Don''t we need to line up?" Felix was puzzled when he saw Sasha walk right in.


    "No need. I''ve known the owner for a long time and reserved a table ahead of time."


    The restaurant was small and was run by a couple in their 40s. The husband worked in the kitchen, and the wife handled the front. Their roles were well-defined. After sitting down, Sasha smiled sweetly.


    "I couldn''t decide where to go for ourst meal together, so I thought of sharing this ce with you, Felix."


    "Thanks."


    If it were anyone else who didn''t know of her past, they might genuinely fall for her act.


    When the food was served, the rich aroma filled the air. Even Felix couldn''t resist taking a


    bite.


    ""What do


    you


    think?"


    "It''s pretty good."


    Just as he was about to take another bite, a group of about a dozen men dressed in ck stormed into the small restaurant, making the already cramped space even more crowded.


    "Everyone out. This ce is now fully booked. We''ll cover your meal costs, and you''ll each get 500 dors aspensation."


    A situation like this clearly wasn''t something ordinary people would want to challenge. Moreover, getting 500 dors inpensation was a win-win for most.


    Within moments, the restaurant was emptied, leaving only Sasha and Felix. The rest of the patrons walked out happily with their money.


    The expressions of the couple running the restaurant suggested that this wasn''t the first time such a situation had urred, as they seemedpletely unbothered.


    "This is ridiculous!" Sasha''s expression darkened. She looked at Felix, silently hoping he would get mad and do something about it.


    ording to Ted''s reasoning, there was no chance Felix would just leave quietly, given.s knack for stirring up trouble and his backing from Kane. Sasha believed that as well. However, what Felix did next left Sasha utterly stunned.


    "Let''s not. They are already being quite polite about booking the whole ce. We cane byter."


    With that, Felix stood up, walked over to the men in ck, took his 500 dors, and turned to leave.


    Aftering back to her senses, Sasha was utterly dumbfounded. But knowing that it would be nearly impossible to create such an opportunity again, she let her hatred consume her rationality. She abruptly mmed the table and stood up.


    "What do you think you''re doing? This is too much! We''re all here to eat. What right do you have to kick us out?"


    Felix, who was almost at the door, walked back to her front with a frown.


    "Everyone, my sister here got a little worked up. Please forgive her. We''re leaving now."


    The moment he grasped her hand, Sasha shook him off.


    "And you call yourself a man? They''re tantly pushing us around, and you''re just going to back down with a smile? Well, I''m not leaving! Let''s see what they can do to me!" 2/2

 Billionaire With Husband 122

    Felix didn''t give Sasha''s behavior much thought.


    After all, Sasha was used to being pampered by Nattie, and with this being a sort of farewell, she was likely in a bad mood. Felix thought it was only natural for her to be a bit temperamental.


    "It seems you two prefer to suffer the consequences rather than do things the easy way.


    The men in ck surrounded them, and Felix raised his hand.


    31


    "Guys, running a small business isn''t easy for these folks. If you have any problems with me, let''s settle them outside."


    Seeing Felix head outside, Sasha breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally taken the bait.


    Just now, she had acted out of desperation. It would have been a big problem if Felix had truly abandoned her. Thankfully, everything was back on track.


    There were only a dozen or so bodyguards. It also seemed like their employer hadn''t shown up yet.


    Since Felix didn''t want to cause trouble, he suggested, "How about you let us finish our meal first, and we''ll leave right after?"


    "Heh, isn''t your sister pretty tough? You want to back down now? It''s toote!"


    After a brief scuffle, all the bodyguards were now lying on the ground, groaning in pain. The restaurant owners were quite shocked by the sight.


    "Let''s go." Felix signaled to Sasha before paying for their meal and leaving.


    As they turned a corner, a woman in a form-fitting white jumpsuit and a middle-aged man was walking toward them.


    The way the woman was walking was dignified, and her long hair swayed rhythmically. She had an outstanding figure but a in face that did not fit the aura she had.


    "A deal''s a deal. Don''te looking for me again. Don''t worry about what just happened. They''lle after me instead of you if they want revenge."


    Sasha lowered her head. "I''m sorry for causing trouble during ourst meal together, Felix.


    11


    "It''s fine. I''m leaving now. Be sure to keep your promise."


    As Felix walked away, Sasha smiled slightly. Just as she was about to take out her phone, Ted suddenly appeared beside her.


    "Mr. Glover, does this mean it worked?"


    Ted couldn''t stop grinning.


    "Of course! Dora''s extremely prideful. Having all her bodyguards beaten is a serious offense. There''s no way anyone can resolve this conflict now."


    Out of curiosity, Sasha asked, "Who''s this Dora anyway? Is she the woman from earlier?" "You don''t need to know that. Just know that anyone targeted by Dora rkson is history!"


    The moment Felix got home, his face paled. The gate was open, and so was the door to the house. It seemed like a robbery had taken ce


    When he entered, he saw six people in his living room. They were either sitting or standing around, each looking more arrogant than thest. "Do you realize this is trespassing?"


    One of the burly men spat on the floor before saying, "Trespassing? Heh, I wouldn''t know. Why don''t youe and exin it to me?" Right as Felix got closer, the man swung his baseball bat without warning.


    With a single punch, the baseball bat shattered, leaving the others frozen in shock. That was a solid bat, yet it broke with a single punch?


    "I''m in a bad mood right now, but I''ll leave a few of you unscathed to clean this mess up. Just as Felix was about to make another move, the burly man returned to his senses and stepped back, shouting, "Damn it! Tryying a hand on us! Just so you know-we work for Lord Kane!"

 Billionaire With Husband 123

    They were Kane''s men? Felix pped the burly man, sending him straight to the ground.


    "The rest of you, clean this ce up quietly. Otherwise, don''t expect to leave here unharmed."


    There was no way they were actually Kane''s men-his men would have recognized Felix. If they were indeed Kane''s men, they would be fools.


    Felix''s smack didn''t seem all that frightening, but how he broke the bat was so intimidating that the remaining men quickly started cleaning up the ce.


    A few momentster, they stood in the garden, none daring to meet Felix''s gaze.


    ""Who sent you?"


    At that moment, a car abruptly pulled up at the gate, and a few armed men got out.


    "There''s been a report of an assault here. Everyone, stay where you are, and don''t move!"


    As if their saviors had arrived, the thugs all pointed at Felix.


    ""It was him!"


    "That''s right! He attacked us for no reason. We don''t even know if our friend is dead or alive."


    The guns were quickly pointed at Felix. The leader then made a hand signal without saying a word.


    "We''re taking you in for questioning. If you resist, we have the right to shoot you on the spot!"


    Felix frowned as if something had clicked in his mind. The thugs causing trouble were just a cover. The Phoenix Legion, who had just arrived, were the real issue.


    Was Xena trying to deal with him? That didn''t seem likely. Xena had too much pride; if she wanted to make a move, she''d do it openly and not resort to such underhanded tactics.


    And just like that, Felix was taken away, unaware that Ernest, standing in the courtyard of the nearby vi, had witnessed everything.


    "Mr. Holt Senior, do you n to intervene?"


    Upon hearing Jairo''s words, Ernest snorted coldly.


    "Hmph! To think there are such disgraceful scoundrels within the Phoenix Legion-what a stain on their honor."


    Jairo inwardly sneered. Ernest had always detested those who disrupted order, and now he


    had witnessed it happen firsthand.


    Those people had trespassed on Felix''s property and tried to attack him, yet the one defending himself was the one being taken away? How absurd! "Should we give Xena a call?"


    Ernest waved his hand dismissively. "No need. Get the car. I recall that Brad is in the Phoenix Legion. It''s time to visit my old friend''s grandson."


    Jairo could tell that Ernest was truly angry this time. If Xena could not handle this situation well, she''d be in serious trouble.


    Though Ernest was retired, his influence remained. Many of his former subordinates now held high-ranking positions in the military, making his reach clear.


    After some time had passed, Belle received a call from Joshua at the Phoenix Legion base. "Your n worked far better than anything I could have done, Ms. Frost."


    It was Belle who had instructed him to send the thugs to harass Felix, knowing full well that Felix was a martial artist. What would happen next was practically inevitable. "I''m not fond of Felix as well. By the way, how badly hurt are your men? Is the report out yet?"


    Joshua might have been smiling, but his voice was heavy with sorrow.


    "Felix was ruthless. The guy that got hit by just one p died on the spot. He didn''t even make it to the hospital."


    What? The guy died? Belle was shocked. Although she disliked Felix, she didn''t think he was the kind of person who would brazenly do something so reckless.


    Any martial artist would be fully aware of their own strength. Would they really use their full power just to teach someone a lesson?

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    "I''ll send you the relevant information right now." Joshua hung up the phone before stretchingzily.


    "Handling one measly martial artist is too easy


    Joshua believed that Xena''s fianc¨¦ was just some loser, so it was only natural for Xena not to care about him.


    To Joshua, this issue could already be considered resolved. Even if they decided it was excessive self-defense, Felix would still get a few years in prison.


    At the Phoenix Legion base, Belle entered the interrogation room where Felix was being held with a tablet in hand.


    "Felix, do you know why you were brought here?"


    Felix stared at Belle expressionlessly. "If I find out that you''re involved in this, not even Xena can save you."


    Belle immediately grew anxious at his words.


    "Are you really threatening me right now, Felix? Can''t you see where we are? Do you really think you can leave here unscathed just because of your meager connections with Ms. Summers?" With that, she ced the tablet on the table.


    "The person you hit has died after failed rescue efforts. Do you realize how serious this is?" Was he dead? Felix frowned at the scrolling information on the tablet, but he wasn''t nervous.


    He was fully aware of his own strength; a single hair wouldn''t fall if he intended it not to. That smack would, at most, have knocked the burly man out; how could he possibly be dead? Felix could bet his life that something shady was going on.


    "So, you''re saying I''ve been identified as the one who killed him?"


    With a sneer, Belle crossed her arms.


    "I''ll just ask you one question: Did you hit this person?"


    "I did."


    Belle was surprised that Felix didn''t deny hitting the man after finding out he was dead. "Then why even ask? Felix, you''re a martial artist; you know how powerful a single blow


    can be. You could even kill a bear with one hit, let alone a normal person."


    Felix now had a feeling that Belle was involved somehow. Even if he didn''t know everything, he was sure that the basic procedures weren''t being followed. There was undoubtedly something going on.


    "Where''s the autopsy report? Is the Phoenix Legion always this careless when detaining someone?"


    With a bang, Belle mmed her hand on the table, her icy gaze fixed on him.


    "Do we need you to teach us how the Phoenix Legion operates? Felix, someone wille to interrogate you about the incident. You''d better be honest, or your sentence will be even longer!"


    Right then, there was a knock on the door, and someone walked in.


    "Ma''am, Lady Summers wants you to see her right now."


    "Understood."


    Belle felt a bit nervous. Could Xena have found out about the matter?


    But then again, that didn''t seem likely. She had sent only a few of her trusted subordinates, and there was no way Joshua had said anything. The chances of anyone knowing were slim. As she headed toward Xena''s office, Xena suddenly opened the door and walked out. "Mdy, what''s the matter?" Belle asked.


    Xena walked away quickly, with Belle trying to keep up.


    "Mr. Holt Senior hase. I just received the news;e with me to wee him."


    Ernest Holt? Belle''s jaw dropped, her heart racing wildly.


    Why would Erneste to the Phoenix Legion at such a critical moment? It was practically unheard of for someone retired to do so.


    Images of Ernest fishing with Felix suddenly shed in her mind, causing Belle to cover her mouth.


    Could he be here because of Felix?

 Billionaire With Husband 125

    The anxious and hesitant Belle couldn''t help but take the risk and ask, "Mdy, w-why has Mr. Holt Senior suddenlye to the Phoenix Legion base?"


    "He''s here to see Colonel Bradley Sutton. It turns out that Bradley''s grandfather was Mr. Holt Senior''srade-in-arms. I just found out about this as well."


    Belle instantly felt a great sense of relief, like the weight on her shoulders had suddenly been lifted.


    She had been terrified moments ago, thinking Ernest came specifically because of Felix, which would have caused a major problem.


    Not long after, a car slowly pulled up, and Ernest stepped out with his bodyguard, Jairo Acosta.


    Not only did Xena and Belle rush forward to greet Ernest, but a sharp-eyed middle-aged man also approached.


    That man was none other than Bradley Sutton, a highly influential figure and a colonel in the Phoenix Legion.


    "Mr. Holt Senior!"


    Seeing Bradley''s salute, Ernest said with a smile, "I''m retired now. No need for salutes."


    Bradley''s eyes were filled with a look of admiration. Since childhood, he had heard his grandfather tell countless stories of Ernest''s legendary exploits. Ernest was undoubtedly his greatest hero. "Brad, how are things in the Phoenix Legion?"


    Bradley walked beside Ernest, looking a bit nervous.


    "Things are going well, Mr. Holt Senior. Lady Summers is a great leader. Everyone in the Phoenix Legion respects her deeply."


    Bradley wasn''t trying to tter anyone; he was just stating facts. With his current rank, there was no need to butter up


    Xena.


    If she had made any mistakes, he would have been the first to call them out. This wasn''t a bureaucratic world; things were more straightforward in the Phoenix Legion. "Oh, it seems Xena is quite capable,"


    Xena quickly gave a modest smile. "You''re too kind, Mr. Holt Senior."


    However, in the next moment, Ernest changed the subject.


    "The Phoenix Legion must be busy these days, right? Besides your regr defense


    D


    assignments, you''re also handling street fights and trespassing incidents? Do you have enough personnel? If not, make sure to request more from the higher-ups."


    The previously rxed atmosphere became tense in an instant. Even Xena seemed confused, unsure of what Ernest meant by that.


    Only Belle''s heart raced as if she had understood what he meant, though she wondered if she was just overthinking things.


    "Mr. Holt Senior, you must be joking. Street fights and trespassing are handled by the police. If we had to take care of those things as well, even tripling our manpower wouldn''t be enough," Bradley quipped with augh. Since Bradley and Ernest had a special rtionship, it allowed the former to say things even Xena wouldfi''t dare.


    "Is that so? Maybe my eyes were ying tricks on me then. Jairo, I must have seen it wrong earlier, right?"


    Jairo replied earnestly, "You did not see wrong, Mr. Holt Senior. I was there too and saw the Phoenix Legion apprehending someone for trespassing."


    What?


    Bradley and Xena froze in their tracks. They finally realized that Ernest''s visit to see Bradley was just an excuse and that his real purpose was contained in what he had said.


    "Mr. Holt Senior, please wait a moment. I''ll have someone look into this immediately. The most likely scenario is that they happened upon the incident on their way back from a mission. "Otherwise, there''s no way we''d specifically handle a trespassing case."


    But to everyone''s surprise, Ernest raised his right hand and calmly said, "There''s no need for that. I''m not giving orders here. I''m just a little curious about something.


    "The Phoenix Legion did apprehend someone, but it wasn''t the trespassing thugs-it was the homeowner. Has some neww been passed that I, an old man, don''t know about?" If things were a bit unsettling before, then the atmosphere now was so chilling it made one''s skin crawl.

 Billionaire With Husband 126

    Xena began, "Mr. Holt Senior, I can assure you that the Phoenix Legion would never..."


    Ernest shot Xena a sharp nce before she could finish her sentence.


    "Xena, you''re still young. There are some things you shouldn''t speak about so definitively. There is a difference between not knowing something and not revealing something." Just as Xena was about to make another firm statement, Belle piped up, "I''m sorry, Mr. Holt Senior. S-something like that did happen. I just found out about it as well." Xena abruptly turned to Belle, looking as if she wanted to devour thetter.


    "Do you know what you''re saying?"


    Belle, filled with fear, replied, "Y-yes, it''s true. And the person who was taken is Felix Zeller."


    Right then, Ernest patted Bradley on the shoulder.


    "Let''s head to your office, Brad. I''ll be leaving right after. I''m not as energetic as I used to be now that I''m older."


    After they left, Xena had a grim look on her face.


    "Speak! Tell me everything, down to thest detail!"


    In the interrogation room, the person across from Felix was mming the table every so


    often.


    "Hey! Your attitude could affect the final sentencing. What, do you think self-defense gives you the right to kill someone? I suggest you fess up."


    Felix remained unafraid throughout. After all, he knew exactly what had happened.


    "I''ve already told you-I just smacked him. I didn''t kill him."


    It was then the door suddenly opened, and someone walked in. Felix recognized him as one of the people who had apprehended him.


    ""You can leave now."


    When the door was closed, the originally stern expression on the man''s face turned into a pitiful look.


    "Mr. Zeller, there''s been a misunderstanding. I have elderly parents and young children to take care of. Could you please give me a chance?"


    What the man said took Felix by surprise. Felix hadn''t sought help from anyone, so why had this person''s attitude changed?


    "What do you mean by this?"


    "Lady Summers will be here soon. Could you exin this to her, Mr. Zeller? Tell her we were misled by those people at the time, but we know the truth now and are about to arrest those who trespassed." Xena? Now, this was getting interesting.


    know


    "Don''t you know that justice will eventually be served? If Xena hadn''te, you very well what would have happened to me today. I can help you, but if you want my help, you need to expose Belle." The man smiled bitterly.


    "Mr. Zeller, you''ve really misunderstood. This has nothing to do with the deputy. It was entirely my decision."


    Felix had finally pieced everything together. With the scandal now exposed, Belle had her scapegoat take the fall. As expected of a favored person by Xena''s side, Belle was quite the cunning one. Since the man was dead set on it, no matter what Felix said, it would be impossible to make him betray Belle.


    A few minutester, Xena came in with Belle. The man from earlier bowed his head without saying a word. "Take him away! He''ll be dealt with ording to militaryw!"


    "Yes, mdy!"


    Xena acted swiftly, not giving the man a chance to plead his case. The man was immediately taken away.


    Only then did she turn her gaze to Felix. Belle also turned to Felix, her expression very calm. Since someone had already admitted to it, Belle was cleared of any involvement.


    Moreover, with how much Xena disliked Felix, Xena''s mind wouldn''t be changed in the slightest, no matter how hard he tried to convince her.


    "Belle, remove his handcuffs."


    Just as Belle was about to do so, Felix looked at Xena and said, "You can remove them, but you need to agree to one condition, Lady Summers. If you don''t, you can just leave me here.

 Billionaire With Husband 127

    Chapter


    127.


    Belle was instantly displeased by what Felix said.


    "Felix Zeller! Don''t push your luck. To err is human. Besides, Lady Summers came personally because of the mistakes of her subordinates. What more do you want?"


    Seeing how Belle, who had someone else take the fall, was still so arrogant, Felix couldn''t help butugh out of sheer anger.


    "Shut it!" Xena reprimanded before turning to Felix.


    "I do owe you an apology for this. I take full responsibility for not providing proper leadership. Those involved will be handled per thew as well. Now, tell me what is your condition?"


    -


    Ernest was still at the base. Was Felix going to ask for him toe and remove the handcuffs himself?


    If that happened, Xena''s future would bepletely tarnished. This matter could either worsen into a big deal or be something trivial, but releasing Felix was the best thing


    to do for now.


    "It''s easy. In the future, when I go to visit Mr. Summers Senior, you must not stop me.


    Was that it? Xena had even prepared herself to kick Belle out and endure some personal grievance. Who would have thought that Felix''s condition was just a small request? This was not something hard at all. "Alright, I agree."


    Once the handcuffs were removed, Felix turned to Belle.


    "Could I have your deputy take me back, Lady Summers? That shouldn''t be an issue, right?


    11


    Xena nodded. "Belle, take him home."


    Throughout the journey, neither of them said a word. When they reached Tabiner Bay, Felix spoke just before getting out of the car.


    "The moment Mr. Summers Senior wakes up will be the moment you pay the price for your foolish actions."


    At the moment, Felix couldn''t do anything about Belle because he knew that she was not the real mastermind behind this incident.


    And because of Xena''s involvement, he couldn''t use force against Belle either. As such, he told her he was going to wait until Curtis was awake.


    By then, regardless of whether the engagement was fulfilled, he could act freely.


    Belle had a look of disdain. How could a mere martial artist speak to her that way? She found this situationughable.


    After leaving the residential area, Belle called Joshua. "Is everything settled on your side?"


    "Don''t worry. I''ve already arranged for someone to take the fall. Ms. Summers definitely won''t look into it. But, is Felix really acquainted with Ernest?"


    This was what Joshua was concerned about.


    Ernest was a powerful figure, and if Felix was really connected to someone like him, Joshua wouldn''t dare do anything to Felix anymore, even if he was the bravest man alive.


    "It''s just a coincidence. I forgot to tell you-Mr. Holt Senior has returned to Avesburgh to live out his days in peace, and he bought a vi right next to Felix''s. Also, since Felix enjoys fishing, they''ve be good neighbors. "Today''s events just happened to be witnessed by Mr. Holt Senior. With how much he hates bad behavior in the military, it was only natural for him to step in."


    So that was how it was. Joshua breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Got it. This incident caused quite a stir, so I won''t need your help from here on out. I''ll handle Felix myself."


    After hanging up, Joshua turned to his subordinate standing nearby.


    "Did you get the information?"


    "Yes. However, we couldn''t find anything about what happened during the three years Felix went missing. Everything else is in this file."


    As Joshua looked through the information, he abruptly narrowed his eyes.


    "Warren Quinton? Velocis Ventures? He sees Felix as his godson?"


    He muttered to himself as his mind raced. When he saw another piece of information, he


    looked shocked.


    "Felix is a distant rtive of Lord Kane? How credible is this?".


    His subordinate quickly answered, "This is absolutely credible!"


    Joshuaughed, remarking, "This is getting more interesting by the minute. So, the reason Lord Kane wanted Velocis Ventures to be one of the partners for the new city within a city project was because of Felix!"

 Billionaire With Husband 128

    After Joshua gave it some thought, he continued, "Then I will y along. On the day of the announcement, I''ll put Felix on the spot and humiliate him in front of Xena. "Then, I''ll get serious and deal with him so that both his spirit and body suffer a serious blow."


    His subordinate frowned before asking, "Sir, wouldn''t this upset Lord Kane?"


    Joshua sneered.


    "So what? My uncle has said that anyone who dares to obstruct me on the path of pursuin Xena will be dealt with. Lord Kane is just the deputy chief of Oasis Clinic.


    "Even their chief has to show some respect in front of my uncle. Why should I fear him? Since he has chosen to stand against me, it''s only natural that I don''t have to y nice."


    After a short pause, he ordered, "Notify everyone that Ster Group''s banquet for the city within a city project has been moved up to the night after tomorrow."


    That night, in a booth at a bar in Avesburgh, Jack waved at Felix when the former saw him


    enter.


    "The car has been washed, and the gas tank is full. There shouldn''t be any problem with what I''ve done, right?"


    Seeing the car keys being handed over, Felix helplessly remarked, "You''re being too polite with me."


    Jack smiled. "This is just basic courtesy. We should be transparent with each other about everything since we''re close friends!


    "Also, even though I just returned, I''m already considered a middle manager in apany. As such, if there''s anything I can help with, don''t hesitate to ask!"


    Ever since Jack found out that Felix''s car was rented just for show, the former had been feeling terrible.


    He kept wondering if Felix had been going through tough times in recent years, facing difficulties that had turned thetter into someone who would seek worldly pleasures. That wasn''t the Felix he knew. But being too straightforward might hurt Felix''s pride, so he could only hint at it.


    "Sure. If I have difficulties, I will definitely tell you."


    Felix didn''t think much of what he said since they had always beenmunicating this


    way.


    "My girlfriend wille overter; I''ll introduce you guys."


    Girlfriend, huh? That meant that the person he went to pick up at the airport was his girlfriend.


    "My girlfriend is Trina Xenos. I met her abroad. She''s two years younger than us and also from Avesburgh. She''s a pretty nicedy. After she heard that I came back to Avesburgh for work, she also came back.


    "1


    Felix smiled in response. "Then she''s truly a woman worth investing in. She traveled such a long way just for you, so you shouldn''t let her down."


    "I won''t. I''m not an ungrateful person."


    After a while, Trina arrived. She was quite attractive. Trina was the cute type, and she spoke politely.


    "Trina, are you nning to find a job here? I have some connections in Avesburgh, so I can help you out."


    Trina raised her ss. "Thank you, Felix, but my family is already working on it. If nothing goes wrong, I should be able to work in Ster Group''s office in Avesburgh."


    Hearing another person mention Ster Group, Felix could only nod in response.


    "Ster Group is definitely not something the averagepanies in Avesburgh canpare to. I wish you the best."


    That said, Felix still nned to tell Kane about it. After all, since her family was working on it, no one would notice anything if he just sped things up a bit.


    The three chatted andughed for over 20 minutes when suddenly, a dozen or so men in


    ck burst in.


    "I want everyone to get out!"


    After a loud shout, the speaker turned and pointed directly at the table where Felix and the others were sitting.


    "You three at this table are the exception!"

 Billionaire With Husband 129

    Chapter


    129


    Upon witnessing such a scene, the people in the bar fled in fright.


    "What is the meaning of this?"


    Jack frowned. He didn''t understand why their table was the only one that wasn''t allowed to leave. Trina moved closer to him, clearly terrified. "They''re probably here for me. You guys should leave first."


    Felix stood up and walked toward the man in ck as he spoke. "They have nothing to do with this. I''ll stay."


    The man in ck@neered, but he didn''t try to give them a hard time. His men immediately cleared a path for them.


    "What the hell are you saying? How can I leave at a time like this? Trina, you should go."


    Jack, following behind Felix, cursed before shoving Trina toward the exit.


    They had been close friends for years. He could not leave Felix alone in such an obviously


    terrible situation.


    "Jack, I can handle this. Trust me, okay? Besides, Trina''s here; her safety should be your top priority."


    Ignoring the look Felix was giving him, Jack forcefully pushed Trina away without hesitation.


    "You guys still have the time to put on a disy of loyalty? Haha! You''ll have reason to cry soon enough."


    The helpless Felix also knew that no amount of persuasion would make Jack leave.


    "Do you have a n? These guys look like professionals. It''s probably going to be tough for us to get out of this." With a smile, Felix patted Jack on the shoulder.


    "I have everything under control. Don''t worry, and don''t bother calling the police."


    At this moment, a few more people entered, and leading them was a woman with a great figure but an average face.


    She stopped and sized up Felix.


    "You''re the one who beat up my dozen bodyguards yesterday, right? You''d better not deny It; maybe then I''ll see you with a bit more respect."


    Felix scoffed. How could he bother denying something like that?


    "It was me.".


    The woman chuckled while someone brought her a chair. She then sat down.


    "How dare you touch my men? I am Dora rkson! And you''re just a brute who knows a little martial arts. Since you admitted it upfront, I''ll give you a choice. Would you like a broken arm or a broken leg?" Jack paled, unable to believe what he heard. He had thought at most they''d get a beating, but now it had escted to the point of losing a limb.


    "Who gives you the right to do so? This is a society ruled byw-aren''t you afraid of going to jail?"


    Without even looking at Jack, Dora spat, "Beat him!"


    A man stepped forward and was about to hit Jack when Felix sent the man flying with a single kick.


    "There isn''t a person in this world who can break my arms or legs."


    Oh? Dora wasn''t surprised at all, given that a dozen bodyguards had already been beaten by Felix.


    "Since you''re so stubborn, I''ll make the choice for you. Break one of his legs."


    In the next moment, one of the three middle-aged men who hade in with Dora immediately attacked Felix. From his speed and the force of his fists, it was clear he was also a martial artist. Anyone who could employ martial artists couldn''t be someone ordinary.


    With Ted as an example, he only had one martial artist as his bodyguard back then, whereas Dora had three.


    Just when Dora thought the matter was over, Felix made his move. With just a p, her proud martial artist was knocked down, lying motionless as if dead.


    "To avoid further esction, let''s end it here. What do you say? After all, clearing an entire restaurant out just for fondue was a bit too much anyway."

 Billionaire With Husband 130

    Jack was dumbfounded. He had been in fights before, and from the aura and speed of the middle-aged man, it was clear to Jack that the man was formidable. Yet, he was easily dealt with by Felix.


    "I underestimated you." Frowning, Dora waved her right hand, sending the other two martial artists charging forward.


    s, the oue didn''t change as both of them copsed after being hit by Felix.


    At this point, Dora was utterly shocked.


    "Interesting. I didn''t think that I would meet a martial artist like you over fondue."


    Even though her three pirs of strength were unconscious, Dora remainedpletely unflustered, which piqued Felix''s curiosity.


    ""Can this matter be over now?"


    After all, this was a mess Sasha had created, and Felix didn''t want to waste more time on it.


    Dora didn''t answer his question. She merely gave him a long look before turning to leave.


    Now that the bar was finally empty, Jack piped up, "Dang! Felix, you''re that strong?"


    Tilting his head, Felix answered, "I learned some martial arts from someone over the past three years.''


    That made sense to Jack, and he soon calmed down.


    "But you''d better be on your toes. I have a feeling that that woman is not someone ordinary. She definitely won''t let this go."


    After Jack took a cab and left, Felix turned to look in a direction before disappearing on the sp¨®t.


    Dora entered a spacious apartment in Avesburgh, only to find someone already sitting in the living room-it was Felix.


    "You followed me here?"


    Expressionlessly, Felix said, "I just don''t want this matter to drag on."


    With a smirk, Dora suddenly began unbuttoning her shirt.


    "Fine. We can talk after I shower."


    She showed no reservation whatsoever, undressing in front of Felix until she was left in nothing but her purple lingerie. She then entered the bedroom. Chapter 130


    Throughout the entire process, Felix didn''t avert his gaze. He knew that Dora wasn''t bold enough to gopletely naked.


    As for what he had just seen, it was no different than seeing women in bikinis at the beach.


    About 40 minutester, Dora came out in a sexyce nightgown and sat across him.


    "I''ve not only underestimated your martial arts but also how sophisticated you are."


    Felix asked, "Your men will be here in a few minutes, right?"


    A shocked look crossed Dora''s face, but she quickly regained herposure.


    "Fine! Since you''ve figured me out, let''s wait for the person I summoned. If even he isn''t a match for you, then we''ll shake hands and call it a truce!"


    The whole situation started because of a few injured bodyguards anyway. She wanted to save her reputation, but it depended on the cost.


    If Felix had been ordinary, the oue would have been decided already, even if he were a


    mediocre martial artist.


    But if he could even defeat the person she had called this time, the matter wouldn''t be worth pursuing anymore.


    "Before he arrives, I have a few questions for you. Although I am prideful and impulsive, I tend to calm down afterward. And I feel like the conflict between us is moreplicated than it seems."


    She paused before asking, "Was it you who took that woman to eat fondue, or was it that woman''s idea?"


    Felix furrowed his brows deeply. Could there really be more to this?

 Billionaire With Husband 131

    "I didn''t know about the restaurant before that night," Felix answered truthfully. He was curious if there was really more to this than met the eye.


    "Heh! Now this is getting interesting. Everyone who knows me is aware that I go to that fondue restaurant at the same time every week. If someone wanted us to sh, that would have been the perfect time."


    Dora was above doing things this way, but Felix''s unexpected strength, along with her calmness now, made her rethink things carefully.


    Felix also began to consider the situation. After hearing what Dora said and recalling Sasha''s reaction at the time, he did think it was a bit suspicious.


    At that moment, the door opened, and an old man entered after entering the residence''s passcode.


    "If you can beat him or even end the match with a draw, then we''ll call it even."


    After speaking, Dora backed away a bit. This action showed just how extraordinary the old man''s strength must be, as she was clearly afraid of getting caught up in the fight.


    "I hope you can keep your word!" Felix''s aura surged toward the old man just as he spoke.


    In less than a second, the calm old man unexpectedly took several steps back, shock written all over his face.


    Immediately, the old man gave a bitter smile and bowed, saying, "I never expected to meet such a young martial arts master in this day and age. I know I am no match for you, but I still hope that you will not harm Ms. rkson."


    Felix nodded before turning to leave. After a thought came to Dora, she quickly called out, If I find out that someone is really behind this, I''ll let you know."


    Once the door closed, Dora turned to the old man. "Are you really not his match?"


    The old man smiled bitterly before shaking his head. "Ms. rkson, you''re really overestimating me. From the aura he just released, I can tell that he could kill me with one flick of his finger. The fact that he didn''t go on a rampage is something we should be grateful for." Dora''s jaw dropped a little. Was Felix that powerful? She knew exactly where this old man ranked in terms of martial strength in the family, so his assessment carried even more weight.


    "What an interesting man. Since he lives in Avesburgh, I want to try recruiting him into our family,"


    Back at Tabiner Bay, Felix noticed the lights were still on in Yvonne''s vi. After some thought, he decided to ring the doorbell.


    "Felix? What brings you here at this time of night?"


    Felix handed over the container of fondue he was carrying.


    "I saw you were still up. I got two portions of fondue. It''s pretty good. You should try some.


    11


    Yvonne epted the container and watched him walk away. Her eyes had aplicated look in them, but she didn''t say anything in the end.


    Back at home, Felix sighed repeatedly.


    "Even though there were no feelings involved, we did do something very intimate. I can''t help but feel a bit bad about it."


    Yvonne was entirely responsible for what happened between them that night. Felix had only been forced into it to save her life, but now his feelings had be moreplicated. No one knew what would happen next between them.


    In the morning, Nattie came downstairs and saw Warren sitting on the couch in a daze. She couldn''t help but ask, "What''s wrong, Warren?"


    Although Hugo''s crisis had been averted, Nattie didn''t seem very happy.


    That was because since Sasha had inexplicably given up on pursuing Felix, Nattie was sure


    that their chance to rise to the top had disappearedpletely.

 Billionaire With Husband 132

    "I''m just a little surprised," Warren said.


    Nattie walked over in confusion, only to see Warren hand her the invitation in his hand.


    She took one look and gasped sharply. "This... Isn''t this an invitation to Ster Group''s partnership banquet tomorrow night?"


    Sasha, who had juste downstairs, rushed over excitedly.


    "No way! It''s real. Dad, how did you manage to receive this? There are so many bigpanies in Avesburgh that don''t even qualify for an invitation, yet you got one?"


    Nattie became even more overjoyed.


    "That''s not all. It''s said that those who get an invitation will likely be one of Ster Group''s partners for the city within a city project. Doesn''t this mean our family has a chance too?"


    While the mother and daughter were thrilled, Warren was unable to smile.


    "I know how I got this invitation. I just didn''t expect him to pull it off."


    Him? Nattie was somewhat confused. "Warren, do you know someone like that?"


    ""It''s Felix."


    Warren had mixed feelings about this. Although Felix hadn''t contacted him yet, the invitation was genuine, leaving no need for further exnation.


    "That''s not possible!" Sasha roared instantly.


    "Dad, Felix may be Lord Kane''s rtive, but we''re talking about Ster Group here-a giant corporation operating across the entire country. Not even Lord Kane can influence Ster Group, so it is impossible that he could do it for Felix." Nattie agreed with her statement.


    "Warren, are you lying to change our impression of Felix? There''s no way Lord Kane even has connections to Ster Group."


    Warren stood up and took back the invitation.


    "Whether you believe it or not is up to you, but I''ve only ever mentioned this to Felix. Since we''re invited, let''s just attend tomorrow. If I really be one of their partners, I''ll repay Felix somehow."


    He had nned to cut ties with Felix before, but he didn''t think this would happen.


    As for the mother and daughter, they didn''t care how they got the invitation.


    If they could form a connection with Ster Group, their future would be bright. Who made the connection didn''t matter at all.


    In Felix''s vi at Tabiner Bay, Felix received a call from Jack. After asking aboutst night, Jack changed the subject. "Felix, there''s a ss reunion tonight. Can you make time toe?"


    Felix had no interest in ss reunions. It wasn''t about him thinking he was better than others; it was that he saw these gatherings as insignificant.


    Being ssmates was just abel. After entering the workforce, everyone would inevitably change-gone was the innocence of the past.


    "I''m not going. Besides, no one told me about it."


    "Well, I''m telling you about it now. I''m the one who organized it."


    Felix was confused. "You don''t seem like the type to do such things."


    Jack sighed, remarking, "What can I do? One of our old ssmates is in charge of an important project for ourpany. If I can close the deal, the chairman has promised to promote me to vice president in a year." So that was how it was. Felix had no choice but to agree.


    He hadn''t even begun lending a helping hand to his friend, but his friend seemed to have already found a good opportunity. Felix decided to go and see how likely sess was. If it couldn''t work out, he nned to step in. Right as he hung up, a call from an unfamiliar number came. Felix answered the call without much thought.


    "Felix, it''s me-Dora. You didn''t forget about me after just one night, did you?"


    A thought crossed Felix''s mind. "You''ve already found out?"


    After a burst ofughter, Dora replied, "Of course, and the person behind it surprised even


    me."

 Billionaire With Husband 133

    "Please borate," Felix said. He believed that although he had only exuded his demeanor a bitst night, given the elder''s strength, the elder must have been frightened. The grudge with Dora would naturally dissipate as well. "Sure, but you need to treat me to a meal."


    A while of silenceter, Dora still didn''t want to borate further. So, before ending the call, Felix said, "It doesn''t matter to me."


    Felix left and arrived at Xena''s house around 10:00 am. He had contacted her previously.


    "Let''s go up."


    After opening the door, Xena remained expressionless. At least, she was someone who kept to her word. She didn''t stop Felix from visiting Curtis. For some reason, she followed him upstairs.


    Felix began to check on Curtis. Then, he let out a sigh of relief. The Phantom Poison didn''t continue to spread. If so, once he got thest few herbs, he could start saving Curtis. Besides that, he could make sure that thetter could live for a while longer. When Felix was about to leave, Belle suddenly showed up. At first, she was full of smiles, but when she saw him, her expression turned cold. She despised his guts.


    "Mdy, do you really allow Felix to visit Mr. Summers Senior at any time he wants?"


    Xena nodded. "I''ve already made a promise. How can I go back on my word? I don''t care about what he wants to do."


    Belle was unhappy, but she knew she couldn''t change Xena''s mind. So, she smiled and said, "Joshua informed me just now that the general manager of Ster Group has arrived. He wants to have dinner with you tonight." Had the general manager finally decided to show himself?


    "Sure."


    Even though only the chairman of Ster Group had the qualifications to have a meal with Xena, considering all aspects, she needed to contribute to her hometown after all. Thus, she had to meet up with the general manager.


    "Mdy, Joshua is excellent. He''s so young, yet he''s already the vice president of Ster Group. I can''t imagine how bright his future is.


    Xenia nced at Belle strangely. "What''s the matter? Are you interested in him?"


    Belle quickly waved her hands. "No, I was just saying. How can I be worthy of such an excellent man? He should be with you instead.


    Xena didn''t realize that there was another meaning to Belle''s words. She smiled and said, " But it''s time for you to consider marriage now. If there''s a suitable man, please tell me. I''ll support you."


    Belle felt helpless. She couldn''t push it too far. Otherwise, Xena would realize that something wasn''t right. Based on thetter''s reaction, it was clear that Joshua wasn''t worthy of her attention at the moment. If he wanted to pursue her, he still had a long way to go.


    At sunset, Felix went to a private room in a luxury restaurant in Avesburgh. In the private room, only Jack was there.


    "Did Trina note with you?"


    Jack seemed very happy. "No, she''ll start working tomorrow. She said she needed to prepare herself. She didn''t expect to receive news so soon and actually got into the office of Ster Group in Avesburgh."


    Naturally, Felix had expected it to happen. After all, he had contacted so many people. If he couldn''t even do such a minor matter sessfully, how could he partner up with Warren''spany?


    "Who are you inviting this time?"


    "Do you remember James Lynch?"


    After thinking for a while, Jack finally remembered who James was.


    "Him? I think it''ll be a sess. After all, we didn''t have any grudges with James when we


    were in school."

 Billionaire With Husband 134

    James wasn''t someone who stood out. In school, he kept a low profile. It was unexpected for him to be wealthy. As expected, no one could predict one''s fate.


    Since they used to be ssmates, the pretense of a ss reunion was the most appropriate setting. If Jack had invited James alone, there would have been a high probability that he would have been rejected as they weren''t close friends in school. There would be nothing he could do about it.


    As time passed, their high school ssmates entered one by one. Of course, all they engaged in was small talk. The people who had sessful lives would take the initiative to speak up and ask about other people''s work as well as questions about status and wealth Atst, James arrived. He came together with a ssmate, Harvey Johnson, who was known as Gray. His hair color was gray, which was why he acquired such a nickname. When Felix saw Harvey pulling the chair for James, he guessed that Harvey was like a minion to him. "Felix, what''s your current job?"


    Once everyone had arrived, Jack gave an opening speech. Afterward, the conversation flowed, with everyoneughing and talking, gradually drawing out each other''s thoughts.


    "I''m unemployed right now."


    Because of that answer, many people scorned Felix. Perhaps they didn''t say anything because they needed to respect Jack. All of a sudden, Harvey chuckled.


    "Have you not found a job yet? We''re all ssmates. We should help each other! James''pany has recently opened a factory. The factory stillcks a head of security. I think you''re suitable for the job. Don''t you think so, James?"


    At those words, the other people found Harvey''s words strange, not just Felix. All of them used to be ssmates. If they had to rmend a job, they would rmend a normal job. A security guard? It was a humiliating rmendation.


    "That''s right. I''m short of a head of security. Felix, are you interested in this job? I can just tell them to hire you." Although James was smiling, everyone could tell that he was acting arrogant.


    "There''s no need for that. I''m contented with what I have now," answered Felix with a smile after nudging Jack, who wanted to speak up. Of course, he couldn''t embarrass his friend.


    Harvey shook his head and said, "What a pity. Finding a job these days is so difficult. Among the people who want to be the head of security for James'' factory, there''s one from a prestigious university.


    "Felix, you shouldn''t miss this chance. James is willing to give you the chance because we used to be ssmates."


    Seeing that Harvey was still going on about it, Felix frowned. Jack couldn''t hold back any longer and raised his ss.


    "Let''s stop talking about this. Come on. Let''s cheer again."


    However, James had no intention of raising his ss. Instead, he looked at Felix and said, " Felix, I sincerely want to help you. How about this? Since we used to be ssmates, I can increase your sry as the head of security to 5000 dors. You should be happy with that, right?" Upon hearing that, Jack was enraged. "James, what do you mean by that? You can''t insult him in such a manner. Drop it now."


    No one expected the reunion to be so intense when it had just begun. Most importantly, they knew that James was a big shot now. Besides, Felix was unemployed. No one would be willing to meddle in this matter.


    "Jack, how could you be so impolite to James?"


    Harvey got up and pointed at Jack with a vicious gaze. With a smile, James hinted at Harvey to sit down before he pointed at Felix.


    "Jack, I know why you invited me here. If you want to continue the discussion, make Felix leave. With him around, there''s no need to discuss anything. You can make the choice."

 Billionaire With Husband 135

    Upon hearing James say that, everyone understood the situation. No wonder Harvey made things difficult for Felix the moment he entered the room. It turned out they were doing it on purpose. They didn''t hide the fact that they were targeting Felix at all. Jack narrowed his eyes and stared at James. "Before making Felix leave, I want to know how he has offended you.''


    Felix was silent because he knew what Jack''s temperament was.


    "Do you remember the most beautiful woman in our ss back then? She was my crush, but Felix was her boyfriend for two years. I''ve been holding onto this grudge for a long time."


    When Felix heard that answer, his expression became strange, let alone the others. Was this considered a grudge? What a joke. Just because James couldn''t get the woman he wanted as his girlfriend, he didn''t allow anyone to date her either? As expected, Jack chuckled because he was furious. "Just because of that? It has already been so many years."


    However, James remained serious. "That''s right! From young until adulthood, I mean until this moment, I''ve only liked her. But she''s tainted by Felix. What do you think?"


    When Jack was about to say something, Felix stopped him. "So, you don''t allow anyone to get together with a woman you can''t get? I have a girlfriend now, and she''s someone you can never get either. How about that?"


    Since James only wanted to use words, Felix wouldn''t use his fist to retaliate. At that, James chuckled.


    "Felix, it isn''t that I look down on you. It''s just that you''re currently poor and unemployed, How can you have a girlfriend? Wait. There are many women who have no taste now.


    "Even if you have one, do you think I''m still the person who doesn''t say anything like how I was in the past? How about you call your girlfriend over? In five minutes, I will make her sit next to me and massage my shoulders obediently. Do you believe me?"


    After stepping into the society, James had learned the truth of the world. There was nothing money couldn''t solve. If there was, it was because he didn''t have enough money. So, it would be easy for him to snatch Felix''s girlfriend.


    "Alright then. I''ll call her over right now. If you can make her massage your shoulders, you can make me do anything."


    The smile on James'' face deepened. "That''s what you said. Everyone, please be a witness."


    "If you fail, give the project you have to Jack."


    James figured he couldn''t possibly lose. After all, he doubted that Felix''s girlfriend had ever seen money anyway since he was so poor.


    "Sure!"


    Although Jack didn''t say anything, he was deep in thought. He already knew that the Range Rover was rented by Felix. The person who could do such a thing was most likely that woman. Now that James was wealthy, it would only take a moment for Felix''s gold-digging girlfriend to be dazzled by the money. "Felix, why don''t we forget about it? Let''s leave."


    Upon hearing that, Felix smiled and said, "Don''t worry. I know my limit. You can continue with the reunion. Don''t let this dampen the party''s atmosphere."


    The other ssmates were happy to watch the situation. Of course, no one would leave at this moment. Besides, after drinking alcohol, they seemed more proactive.


    "James, Felix is a dumbass! He probably thinks that his family is still wealthy. He has never experienced the pain of having no money. So, let''s have him experience it now." Harvey was busy gloating. Everyone knew how well-off Felix was in the past. Sadly, his family''spany waster divided up among his rtives. Now, he was a nobody.


    A whileter, the door of the private room was pushed open, revealing Wendy. At that moment, she was more nervous than ever before. No matter how great the contract she had negotiated or how important the person she had met, none of those momentspared to the anxiety she felt now.

 Billionaire With Husband 136

    4


    Felix didn''t have a choice, so he sent Wendy a message and had her act as his girlfriend. What did that mean? She had always wanted to be his girlfriend, and now, her dream hade true. Even though it was just an act, she was satisfied with it. "Wendy,e and take a seat."


    It was only then that everyone else returned to their senses. Wendy was very beautiful and had a great demeanor. Who would have thought that Felix''s girlfriend was such an excellent woman? "Nice to meet everyone."


    Wendy greeted everyone before sitting beside Felix obediently. James had gone to the restroom, and Harvey was feeling unhappy about the situation''s development. He couldn''t believe that Felix was still showing off. He felt that Felix was going too far to support his lie. Besides, why would such a woman like Felix? It didn''t matter, though. Something great would happen soon.


    "Felix, your girlfriend is so beautiful. Is she an actress you hired temporarily?"


    Without sparing Harvey a nce, Felix said, "I''ll give you some time. Go and find an actress as beautiful as she is."


    Harvey''s expression was ghastly. Where could he find an actress as beautiful as Wendy? Her beauty wasparable to a celebrity. At this moment, James entered the room. Harvey quickly weed him and pulled the chair for him. "James, Felix''s girlfriend has arrived."


    Felix''s girlfriend had arrived? With a smile, James turned to look at the woman. Meanwhile, Harvey had gone out of the room. He followed James'' order and went to


    withdraw 500 thousand dors.


    In the current society, paying with bank cards was the most convenient method, but presenting cash had the biggest visual impact.


    "Felix, is she your..."


    Before James could finish his words, he widened his eyes in disbelief.


    "M-Ms. Kinsley?"


    Wendy was confused, but because she was acting as Felix''s girlfriend at the moment, she didn''t dare to go overboard with her acting. So, she asked politely, "I''m sorry, but do we know each other?"


    After confirming it again, James took a sharp breath.


    Wendy was the daughter of the wealthiest family, the Kinsley family. There was no way he was wrong because he had seen her at a few banquets. Besides, there were only a few people who had such looks and demeanor in the entire Avesburgh. "N-No, we don''t."


    Of course, Felix could tell that he now had the upper hand as James sat down dejectedly. He immediately said, "James, didn''t you say you''re going to make my girlfriend massage your shoulders? You can start now."


    Upon hearing that, James felt ufortable. He hurriedly got up and said, before leaving, "I have something to attend to, so I''ll take my leave now."


    What a joke. Why would he give Wendy money when she was richer than him? He would just embarrass himself. If he did do it, his reputation and all his aspects would be doomed when the word spread. "Hold on!"


    Before James could walk out the door, Felix said coldly, "You seem to have forgotten about our promise."


    James turned around and saw that everyone was looking at him. He began to tremble. Although everyone tried to hold themselves back, it was obvious that they were gloating. Jack was the most obvious one of them all. He didn''t even bother hiding it. Instantly, James was enraged. "Felix! Can''t you just let me go? Are you really going to embarrass me like that?"


    Felix remained expressionless. "I only offend whoever offended me."


    Upon hearing that, James was anxious. "Alright then! If you think you can bully me because your girlfriend is the daughter of the Kinsley family, you''re wrong!"


    In an instant, everyone present had their jaws dropped. They were stunned. Was Felix''s girlfriend the daughter of the Kinsley family?

 Billionaire With Husband 137

    Jack was dumbfounded. He didn''t expect Felix to have such a wealthy girlfriend. Since James was the one who said it, it was most likely the truth. Upon hearing what James said, Felix smiled. "If you don''t fulfill your promise, you''ll pay a huge price one day."


    Since James had openly challenged Felix, he was no longer frightened. He snorted and said, "I''ll wait for you to make me pay the price!"


    Once James left, the private room fell intoplete silence. After all, no one could be themselves when they were dining with the daughter of the Kinsley family.


    "Jack, I have something to do, so I''ll be taking my leave now. You guys can continue."


    Felix knew that the atmosphere would continue, thus he got up and left with Wendy.


    "Alright. Go ahead," Jack said.


    Jack was sincerely happy for Felix to be able to have such a girlfriend. It seemed that he had misunderstood thetter. The Range Rover must belong to Felix. It didn''t matter who paid for it anymore. "Thank you."


    After exiting the restaurant, Felix expressed his gratitude toward Wendy. At that, she quickly waved her hands.


    "No, it''s my honor to act as your girlfriend."


    Although Felix knew what Wendy was thinking about, he didn''t expose her thoughts. Instead, he pulled out a Miracle Card.


    "Keep this. Aside from that, the person sitting next to us just now was Jack Graham. He''s my best friend. Can you send someone to contact him? He initially had a huge deal tonight, but I ruined it."


    Wendy felt like she was about to go insane. "I''ll send someone to contact him, but this Miracle Card is too expensive. I can''t ept this.''


    With a smile, Felix stuffed the card into her hand. "I''ve said it before previously. When I find the herbs, I will give them to you. Naturally, Gilbert''s Lovefruit is included. Besides, you helped me just now. Please just take it."


    After Felix left, Wendy stood in the same spot in a daze, looking at the Miracle Card. Only those who knew the card would understand how valuable it was. It was highly likely that


    Vincent and Bernard would be ecstatic.


    When she arrived home, she learned that both of them had been waiting for her for a long


    time.


    "Wendy, d-did he really give you the Miracle Card?"


    Wendy took out the card and looked at Vincent with a slightly angry gaze.


    "Dad, are you suspecting Felix''s character?"


    Vincentughed awkwardly before apologizing. Then, he turned to look at Bernard.


    "You can decide on what we should do with this Miracle Card to maximize the benefits of


    our family."


    Suddenly, Wendy said, "You mustn''t give it to Xena. It''s obvious that she and Felix don''t like each other. Now that the miracle doctor doesn''t show up anymore, once there''s a Miracle Card, Felix will be the one to carry out the treatment. So..." Bernard nodded. He seemed to have an idea already.


    "Let''s auction it! With ourwork, we can''t contact the group of people at the top of the pyramid. We can only maximize our benefits through the auction.


    "As long as we promote it in advance and maximize the publicity measures, all kinds of big shots will gather at the auction. Even if Xena wants to get the Miracle Card, the possibility of her getting it is very low."


    When Vincent and Wendy heard that, their eyes lit up with excitement.


    "Dad, you''re right. By then, we can say that we don''t want money and that we only want business coboration or other stuff. It is indeed the best way to maximize our benefits."


    Meanwhile, Xena had arrived at a restaurant. However, Joshua was the only one in the private room.


    "Are you the only one here?"


    With a smile, Joshua poured a cup of tea for Xena.

 Billionaire With Husband 138

    "Our general manager has something to dost minute and has returned to thepany. He told me to apologize to you sincerely," Joshua said.


    Upon hearing that, Xena got up. "Joshua, if you want to gain a high status, then don''t y tricks. If you y tricks, you''ll only suffer losses."


    Xena was the first goddess of war in Dragonia. How dare a mere general manager of Ster Group deceive her? What aughable situation it was. After listening to what Joshua said, she already knew his true motive. How could she continue to stay in the private room? A few minutester, Belle entered the private room and looked at Joshua''s dark expression. Helplessly, she said, "Look. I''ve already told you that Ms. Summers is extremely smart and that your trick won''t work on her. Do you understand the consequences of your actions now?"


    Joshua clenched his fists. Then, all of a sudden, he smiled. "If so, I can only show my true value. Otherwise, it''ll be impossible for me to ask her out to a meal again."


    Belle nodded. "That''s right. If Danieles, Ms. Summers will definitely respect him. By then, you still have the chance to make things right."


    After saying that, she seemed to have thought of something, "Is it true that you''re going to embarrass Felix at yourpany''s coboration banquet tomorrow night?" "Of course! It''s easy to humiliate him."


    Belle was extremely happy. "That''s great! Although tonight didn''t go well, Ms. Summers has already agreed to attend the coboration banquet tomorrow night. She won''t go back on her word!


    "If Felix is humiliated in front of so many people, he won''t have a chance to be with Ms. Summers anymore. Whether or not you can win her over, at least you have one less rival"


    Joshua smiled but didn''t say anything Since the beginning, he hadn''t thought of Felix as a worthy opponent. How could a piece of trash be his opponent?


    The next morning, Felix drove to a grocery nearby to buy some ingredients to make a meal. He was nning to call Yvonne over to eat.


    Yvonne was someone who gave her virginity to him, so how could he forget about her so easily? Having a meal together was just an excuse. The truth was that he had something to tell her.


    As a man, Felix felt like he owed her something It wasn''t something that a meal could resolve. When he arrived at the grocery''s parking lot and was about to park his car, two


    Buick MPVS appeared out of nowhere. They trapped his car between them.


    Then, James and Harvey appeared with more than ten thugs holding batons. "Get out of the car!" James shouted.


    When Felix got out of the car, he didn''t look frightened.


    "I knew you would lose your cool, but I didn''t expect you to lose it so quickly."


    When Felix said that he was going to make James pay the price, he wasn''t going to look for


    thetter himself. After all, a person who liked to bully the weak such as James would always seek death on his own.


    "Felix! Stop acting so arrogantly! Look at the current situation. Since you dared to embarrass James in front of our ssmates, you''ll die today!"


    Felix looked around and felt quite disdainful. "Just with these thugs?"


    James took a step forward and snorted. "I don''t care what means you used to make Wendy be your girlfriend. It isn''t important anymore! I''m going to show you today what it means that there''s always someone better in this world. "I''ll mercifully tell you right now whose support I have. It''s someone who doesn''t even care about the Kinsley family!"

 Billionaire With Husband 139

    Chapter


    139.


    Looking at how proud James was, Felix couldn''t help but interrupt him. "I''m listening."


    James snorted and acted prouder than ever. "You''re unknowledgeable and think that the Kinsley family controls Avesburgh. In actuality, there are a few hidden affluent families that truly control the ins and outs of Avesburgh. And I''m the rtive of one of the affluent families. Are you afraid now?"


    Felix''s expression became strange. That exnation would make sense for James was so arrogant. "What a coincidence! I happen to know someone from one of the affluent families you mentioned. Since everyone''s here, I should let you meet each other." Then, Felix pointed at a Porsche 911 that was nearby and made a gesture with his finger. He didn''t say anything.


    "Felix! Just admit that you''re afraid. If you''re a man, just admit it. Who are you trying to deceive?"


    When Harvey had just finished shouting, the door of Porsche 911 opened. After that, a woman got out of the car and slowly walked over to them.


    The woman was Dora. When Felix drove out of Tabiner Bay, he noticed that she was following him from behind. Initially, he wanted to ignore her, but who knew that James would show up?


    "Another wealthy woman? Felix, I envy you. But even knowing the daughter of the Kinsley family can''t help you. Wendy''s appearance and demeanor are better than hers. Do you think she can save you?"


    All of a sudden, James pped Harvey on the face. Then, he pointed at thetter in fear and shouted, "How dare you talk about her like this? Beat him up!"


    Although the thugs were confused, they had no choice but to punch and kick Harvey. On the other hand, James hurriedly greeted Dora. He became very humble.


    "Dora, are you here to buy stuff too?"


    Even though Dora looked indifferent, she raised her hand and pped James.


    "If I weren''t here, how would I find out that you were using the rkson family''s reputation to act arrogantly outside?"


    Without waiting for James to respond, Dora pped him again.


    "If I hadn''te, would I have known that the man you''re dealing with is the man I like?"


    What? The man Dora liked? Felix? How could this be?


    "Felix, are you happy with how I dealt with this? By the way, he''s only a distant rtive on


    my mother''s side. I don''t know him well."


    Felix couldn''t believe that the family James knew was actually the rkson family. Before getting into the Range Rover, he said, "I won''t meddle much in your family affairs." Although Felix said that, given Dora''s personality, James knew he was still going to be doomed. "Dora! I''m sorry. I''m really sorry. I didn''t know you and Felix knew each other."


    James was already on the ground begging Dora. It was obvious that he was terrified of her.


    "It''s fine. You can think about it while sitting in the wheelchair for the rest of your life."


    Dora tapped on James'' face lightly before pointing at Harvey who was getting beaten up. "He''s very rough with his words. Having a tongue in his mouth is an embarrassment to mankind."


    "Yes, miss!" a voice suddenly said.


    No one could see who spoke up, but Harvey and James had disappeared. It was as if they were never there. At once, the thugs ran away in a panic. None of them dared to stay behind. Meanwhile, in the grocery, Felix was pushing a cart when Dora suddenly appeared.


    "You have quite the personality. I don''t believe that you aren''t curious about the fondue incident."

 Billionaire With Husband 140

    Chapter 140.


    When Felix heard that, he said without stopping in his tracks, "Of course, I''m curious. But it depends on you whether or not you want to tell me about it."


    Dora pouted. It was the first time she met such a man like Felix, but she couldn''t do anything since he was very powerful,


    "I hate you. You''re no fun at all. I''m sure my findings will shock you. But even if you treat me in this manner, I''ll still tell you about it. I want you to have taste of knowing who the enemy is but can''t take action."


    Upon hearing that, Felix couldn''t help but turn to look at Dora. "Are you saying that even you can''t do anything to the mastermind?"


    Dora nodded without hiding the hatred in her eyes. "That''s right! That guy has a great support. I can''t deal with him. Otherwise, my family will be in trouble. Besides, I don''t have sufficient evidence."


    After standing in the same spot and thinking for a while, Felix chuckled and shook his head. "I think I know who it is. It''s Ted Glover, isn''t it?"


    Dora widened her eyes. It was obvious that she was extremely stunned. "H-How did you know? No! You sent someone to investigate it secretly too, didn''t you? Or did you look for Sasha?"


    While walking forward, Felix exined, "No, Ted already has grudges against me. He provoked me in the past, and I broke one of his arms."


    Dora was shocked. Excitedly, she held his arm. "Oh my! It turns out that you''re the one behind Ted''s broken arm. We''ve been discussing this. We wondered who could be so brave


    as to break his arm.


    Then, Dora frowned. "It''s so strange. With his current situation, it''ll be easy for him to take revenge. So, why does he want to use me to make things difficult for you? Even if he knew that you''re a potent martial artist, he wouldn''t just let you go. Besides, you broke one of


    his


    arms."


    ""I''m not sure."


    Upon seeing that Felix wasn''t affected by it, Dora asked curiously, "Hey! After Ted did such a thing to you, did you take any action again?" "Yeah."


    It was a simple response, but Dora could sense great energy from it. For some reason, she Immediately said, "You need to think it through. Regarding Ted''s broken arm, I don''t know why the person supporting him didn''t show up. But if you''re going to harm him again, you will be doomed."


    After ncing at the ketchup in his hand, Felix put it in his cart and said, "Do you mean that the goddess of war, Xena Summers, is supporting Ted? Even a king isn''t above thew, let alone a scum like Ted."


    Felix was so manly! How could he not catch Xena''s eyes? Now, Dora had be more interested in Felix.


    "I''m going to leave now."


    Dora seemed to have thought of something. She didn''t continue to ask any more questions. Instead, she chose to leave in a hurry.


    After picking out the ingredients, Felix drove back home. Once he had arranged everything, he decided to head out and invite Yvonne. When he had just opened the door, he saw Xen standing at the entrance. She had her right arm raised. It seemed that she was about to press the doorbell. "Are you looking for me?"


    Felix frowned and walked over to Xena. He didn''t know why she was looking for him.


    "Come in."


    However, Xena had no intention of going in. So, Felix became annoyed.


    "If you have something to say, hurry up and say it. I have something to do."


    At this time, Xena finally spoke up. With a cold voice, she said, "I heard that you''re nning to make things difficult for Ted."

 Billionaire With Husband 141

    Chapter 141.


    Felix''s expression turned rather peculiar when he heard those words. He did not reproach Dora for ying both sides. Instead, he was surprised that Xena woulde all the way here because of him. Had she discovered something? "I don''t n on causing trouble for anyone. After all, I''m aw-abiding citizen."


    Xena furrowed her brows. She stared at Felix for a long while before speaking again.


    "That''s for the best. You know very well how unworthy you are. You think I came here because I was worried about your safety? You''re wrong! If it weren''t for your contribution in finding the Grimflowerst time, I wouldn''t care about you at all." She turned and took a few steps, then looked back. "People like you need to know their ce. Living an unsatisfactory life should be the least of your worries. If you lose your life, you won''t even have the chance to regret it."


    Felix smiled as he watched the car drive away. "It''s better if you think that way."


    He went to the neighboring vi and rang the doorbell.


    Yvonne appeared. "Is there something you need?" she asked.


    you free?"


    "I bought some ingredients and wanted to invite you over for lunch. Are After a moment''s hesitation, Yvonne nodded for some reason. "Alright. I''ll be over in a bit!"


    Ten minutester, Yvonne had not shown up. Ernest arrived instead. "Mmm, it smells delicious! Felix, I had no idea you were such a good cook. Mind if I join you for lunch?"


    Felix wanted to refuse. But after some thought, he realized this was the first time Ernest had reached out. How could he say no? Besides, he had already guessed that Ernest was the one secretly helping clear Phoenix Legion''s name when they were framed. Otherwise, why would Xena get involved in such a small matter without Felix even asking?


    "Sure."


    Ernest immediately turned to Jairo beside him. "You can go eat on your own. No need to worry


    about me."


    If it were anyone else''s ce, Jairo would never leave Ernest''s side. But Felix was different. If he had meant harm, he would not have saved Ernest in the first ce. Plus, Felix was very strong, so Jairo feltfortable leaving for a while,


    As time passed, Ernest noticed that Felix was still cooking and blushed. "Oh, my! I''ve really gotten old. I can''t read the room at all! You''re clearly preparing food for someone since you''re making so much food. I''ll head back now and drop by another time."


    1/2 Chapter 141


    Getting on in years would often bring loneliness, and Ernest was no exception. His children were all busy with their own lives. Although Sherlyn had decided toe to Avesburgh to pursue Felix, she still needed to sort outpany affairs beforeing. This was why Ernest hade to visit.


    "It''s just a female friend, Ernest. It''s no trouble if you stay. Trust me. Otherwise, I would have refused earlier," Felix said. He had already texted Yvonne about Ernest being there. From what he knew of her, she probably would not mind.


    Besides, his rtionship with Yvonne wasplicated at the moment. Having someone else there might actually help ease the tension. 1


    "Alright. Since you insist, I will stay just this once. Besides, my appetite is already growing just because of how good your food smells." "Then, please eat plenty when it''s ready."


    As if she had a sixth sense, Yvonne appeared just as thest dish was being served." Yvonne, this is Ernest Holt, who''s also my neighbor. Ernest, this is Yvonne Cooper. She''s new to Avesburgh." Yvonne''s eyes changed after just a nce at Ernest, though she hid it well. But how could it escape the notice of someone like Ernest?

 Billionaire With Husband 142

    Chapter


    142


    "Nice to meet you, Mr. Holt Senior."


    "Well, well. Yvonne, you''re quite a beauty with great poise. And to have Felix cook such a feast for you! Seems like you two have quite a special rtionship." For some reason, Yvonne seemed flustered. "You must be joking, Mr. Holt Senior. Felix and I are just friends. His grandfather helped support me in the past." After Yvonne finished exining, Ernest sighed. "No wonder Felix has such strong values. It runs in the family."


    The meal went smoothly. Ernest left early, as if knowing he should give the two young people some time alone. As soon as he stepped out, he called Sherlyn. "Grandpa."


    "My dear granddaughter, you havepetition. Though I''m not sure of her exact background, in looks and other aspects, she''s only slightly behind you.''


    Sherlyn pouted. "Humph! Don''t you have confidence in your precious granddaughter, Grandpa? As long as Felix isn''t married, I still have a chance. But hearing you say that, I think I need to speed up wrapping up my affairs here." Back in the vi, Felix wiped his mouth and looked at Yvonne. "There''s no right or wrong about what happened before. But as a man, I feel I should do something for you as a favor. I''ll do it as long as it doesn''t go against my principles." A mix of emotions shed in Yvonne''s eyes. Felix was even more admirable than she had imagined. The incident in bed was entirely her own doing, yet he was the one feeling guilty.


    "No. That incident was my own fault. It had nothing to do with you. How could I ask for anything more?"


    Felix stood up and poured Yvonne a ss of water. "Whether you ask or not is up to you. But I won''t take back what I''ve offered."


    Shaking her head, Yvonne was at a loss for words. In this aspect, Felix was so simr to her boss. But what could someone like Felix really do to help her?


    "Sit for a bit. I''m going to take out the trash."


    He had made a table full of dishes, so there was a lot of kitchen waste. Leaving it would make the ce smell. With no housekeeper, Felix would naturally have to take care of it himself. As soon as Felix left, Yvonne quickly picked up her phone. "I''ve made a discovery here."


    "Go on."


    Yvonne''s most admired person and the one she would always be unwaveringly loyal to was her mistress. Only those who truly knew this woman understood just how terrifying she could be.


    "Felix knows Ernest Holt. We just had lunch together at Felix''s ce.


    "Mr. Holt Senior moved back to his hometown, Avesburgh, to settle down a few days ago. He lives in Tabiner Bay, so it seems he and Felix are neighbors.


    "Mr. Holt Senior is an upright man, with no airs about him. Felix clearly doesn''t know his true identity, but interacting like this can only benefit him. If one day he truly approves of Felix, he might lend him a helping hand." With that, the call ended. Yvonne smiled bitterly. Just as she thought, even in this


    situation, or even if Felix really had some connection with Ernest, it would not mean much in her boss'' eyes.


    Standing up and walking to the living room, Yvonne suddenly noticed something on the coffee table. Picking it up, her expression turned strange. "An invitation to Ster Group''s business g?"


    After examining it carefully and confirming it was real, she rubbed her chin thoughtfully. Who invited Felix? Could it be that he''s hiding some secret that even I couldn''t uncover?"

 Billionaire With Husband 143

    As night fell, the ballroom on the third floor of a five-star hotel in Avesburgh became the venue for the Ster Group''s business g.


    Normally, apany of this caliber would host events at extremely grand locations like resorts. But no one thought that way here, as true luxury came from thepany''s own solid reputation.


    Countless people were desperate to attend butcked the qualifications to receive an invitation.


    "Dad! Do... Do you think we can really get one of the partnership slots?" asked Sasha nervously.


    The Quinton family of three had arrived. As the future inheritor of the family business, Sasha naturally wanted theirpany to be as strong as possible.


    "I don''t know."


    Beside them, Nattie smiled. "Of course we can. The fact that Felix got Lord Kane to arrange an invitation for us means a lot. Why else would he invite us? No matter what, Felix wouldn''t dare mess with your father like that."


    Hearing this, Sasha''s eyes lit up. "You''re right, Mom. If Lord Kane wasn''t confident, Felix wouldn''t have managed to get us the invitation. That would backfire on him."


    Warren frowned. "Enough. Let''s find a ce to sit." The g tonight was of such high caliber that he did not recognize anyone. Even if he wanted to mingle, he frankly did not have the status to do so.


    But as they were looking around, someone approached them. "You must be Mr. Quinton?"


    Nattie and Sasha exchanged a nce, both filled with pride. So what if theirpany was small? Getting an invitation already said a lot. Besides, someone was alreadying to curry favor with them.


    At this moment, Felix also entered the ballroom. He did not want to show up at first, since anything Kane arranged would not go wrong. But after some thought, he felt it would be disrespectful to Warren, so he decided toe in the end. "Mr. Zeller, you''re here, too?" Not long after he entered, Wendy came over to him.


    "Yeah." As the wealthiest family in Avesburgh, the Kinsleys were the only family that was guaranteed one of the five partnership slots with Ster Group. Everyone knew this.


    "Go ahead with your business. I''ll leave after the announcement."


    "Oh." Though a little disappointed, Wendy was still happy. After all, she had gotten to


    pretend to be Felix''s girlfriend once and even received a Miracle Card from him. She was already very content.


    Kane had note. His identity made it somewhat inappropriate to attend such asions. It would be fine as long as everything was arranged properly.


    "Well, well! I thought my eyes were ying tricks on me. Felix, how did someone like you manage to join such a high-end event?" After a while, Belle approached, making Felix frown.


    "If we have nothing to say to each other, why bothering over just to embarrass yourself?"


    Embarrass herself? A cold glint shed in Belle''s eyes. She had never despised a man so much before. "Felix, you won''t always be so lucky."


    Seeing Felix ignore her, Belle suddenly smiled. "I saw Warren earlier. Logically speaking, hispany shouldn''t even be on Ster Group''s radar. Even some bigpanies in Avesburgh wouldn''t give him the time of day. Yet he got an invitation. Must be your handiwork, right?"


    Felix was losing patience. "Belle, you''re testing my tolerance." If she really made him upset, he would not wait for Curtis to wake up before he dealt with this woman himself.


    However, Belle was unbothered. "I know you''re relying on Lord Kane''s support. But sometimes, people from no-name ces like you could be too naive. Do you really think everything will go your way? Soon, you''ll see quite a show.'' Today''s Bonus Offer

 Billionaire With Husband 144

    As Belle left, Felix furrowed his brows. He sensed something was off but was unable to pinpoint it.


    There would certainly be problems if Xena had Interfered. But from what he knew of her, Xena was not petty enough to do that. That woman was just too proud and dismissive of others. She was not one to y underhanded tricks. In a room within the ballroom, Belle entered to find Joshua already seated. "Did you see Ms. Summers?" she asked.


    A sh of displeasure crossed Joshua''s eyes. "I did, but she ignored me. It seems she''s still upset about the dinner incident."


    Belle nodded and smiled. She said, "Don''t mind it. I''ve told you. Many pursue Ms. Summers. You need to be patient! By the way, has your


    has your uncle arrived?"


    "Yes. He should bending soon anding straight here. Remember to pass on my message. This is our make-or-break moment.


    More than that, Belle looked forward to seeing Felix''s shocked expressionter. Afterward, Joshua would do something that would deliver a crushing blow. She was sure that after tonight, she would never see that detestable man again.


    He really ought to take a good look at himself. How dare he dream of marrying Xena based on an engagement promise from their older generation? Utterly ridiculous!


    As time passed, the main event of the business g began. Joshua took the stage and grabbed the microphone. "Thank you all for attending Ster Group''s g. Without further ado, I''ll now announce the five partnerpanies for the city-within-a-city project."


    All thepany representatives who were invited tensed up. They knew this was the moment that would decide their fate. Naturally, the Quinton family was among the most anxious, though Warren remainedposed.


    If they seeded, he would thank Felix. If not, he would use this chance to cut tiespletely and ask Felix to stop interfering in their lives. He had only one daughter and did not want to relive the kidnapping scenario ever again. (1 Scanning the room, Joshua spotted Felix standing in a corner and the eager Quinton family. He could not help but smirk a little.


    "The first partnerpany is Kinsley Corporation!" There was little reaction from the crowd. They were the richest family, after all, so theirpany would naturally have a guaranteed spot.


    Even Wendy and Vincent simply raised their champagne sses to acknowledge the congrattory looks from others.


    "The secondpany..." As Joshua continued announcing, those chosen expressed their excitement in various ways. Some covered their mouths with both hands, while others even jumped up. All were overjoyed. "Dad! What''s going on? Was Felix really just toying with you?" Sasha''s face darkened as only one slot remained.


    "Be quiet. If it''s meant for us, it''s ours. If not, no amount of fussing will change that." Warren was calm, though he felt uneasy inside. It would be really disappointing if Felix was ying with him as well. "The fifthpany is Luminary Enterprise."


    As the finalpany was announced, the three Quintons stood stunned. Theirpany, Velocis Ventures, was not among the five partners.


    What did this mean? It meant Felix had indeed been toying with them.


    Instantly, Sasha turned to search the room. Her eyes were quickly locked onto a certain


    corner.


    ""Felix! You bastard!"

 Billionaire With Husband 145

    Felix''s face remained expressionless. But truthfully, he was caught off guard.


    This was something he had instructed Kane to handle. Kane must have been very confident for him to take full responsibility without involving the chief of Oasis Clinic. Yet it had somehow gone wrong.


    Combined with Belle''s earlier words, it seemed someone had interfered. They clearly did not care about Kane''s involvement. Felix took out his phone and called Kane.


    ""Mr. Zeller."


    "Velocis Ventures wasn''t chosen by Ster Group as their business partner."


    What? On the other end, Kane felt like he had been hit by a bomb and instantly broke into a cold sweat. The consequences of this were extremely serious. If Felix thought he was being toyed with, Kane''s life would definitely be in danger. "Mr. Zeller, I... I really don''t know. I..."


    "Who did you talk to?"


    Felix was a reasonable person. From his interactions with Kane recently, he knew Kane was loyal to Dragon Alliance. So naturally, he would not dare defy Felix, the Dragon Lord. There must be some strange circumstances at y.


    "I spoke with Joshua, the vice president of Ster Group. He''s leading this event and will be the main person in charge of the project. He really did agree, and securing one slot shouldn''t have been difficult for him at all. How could this have gone wrong?" Vice President Joshua?


    Felix looked at the young maning off the stage. He had just been introduced, so Felix knew exactly who Kane meant. Without saying more, Felix hung up.


    If they wanted to y dirty, he would crush them publicly.


    But as he took a step, Sasha and Nattie blocked his way. "Felix! Feeling guilty and trying to run?"


    Nattie pointed at him usingly. "Getting cocky, are you? You know how well my husband treated you. Is this how you repay his kindness? By making a fool of him?"


    Making a fool of him? The words died in Felix''s throat. Indeed, given the current situation, it did look like he had made a fool out of Warren on purpose. They were given an invitation but were not selected as one of the five partners. If that was not making a fool of someone, then what was?


    Sasha and Nattie made no effort to lower their voices. Many guests overheard them. Such


    an incident should have brought security running, but Joshua had already instructed them to stand down. He was eager to watch the show


    "How''s that? Entertaining enough?"


    Belle smirked nearby. She nodded and said, "Indeed, this is even more satisfying than beating Felix up. He''spletely humiliated this time, especially with Ms. Summers watching over there."


    Sure enough, Xena sat with several important figures on the other side. The suddenmotion naturally caught their attention.


    "See that? After this incident, Xena will be utterly disappointed in Felix. Then, when I make him vanish, she won''t even bother to ask about it."


    Back with Felix, Nattie was truly furious.


    "You trash! Scum! Troublemaker! First, you got my daughter kidnapped and nearly ran ourpany into the ground. And now this? As if not satisfied ying your games in the shadows, you''ve brought it out in the open? "My husband will never forget this humiliation for the rest of his life!"


    Right then, Warren approached, his face ashen. "Enough! Haven''t we embarrassed ourselves enough? We''re going home!"

 Billionaire With Husband 146

    Felix felt truly guilty. He had meant to make amends for past wrongs but seemed to be worsening the situation instead.


    "Uncle Warren, I-"


    "Shut up. I don''t want to hear your voice now or ever again. Is that clear?" With that, the Quinton family left.


    Felix''s anger began to rise. Ignoring the stares of others, he walked toward Joshua.


    "Felix, what a show! If Mr. Rush hadn''t been so kind, security would have thrown you out already. You''re a disgrace!"


    Smack!


    Suddenly, Felix''s hand struck Belle''s face. Then, he turned to Joshua. "Come with me."


    The only sound in the hall was Felix''s footsteps. Everyone else stood frozen in shock. After all, Belle was Xena''s assistant. She had just been pped in front of everyone-that was outrageous! "Felix!" Belle''s enraged shout terrified the crowd, but Joshua held her back.


    "Calm down. Look at Xena''s expression-something''s off. I''ll deal with Felix."


    Belle turned quickly, startled to see Xena''s unusually cold gaze. She hurried over. "Mdy, I


    "Let''s go." Without another word, Xena walked out.


    Everyone made way for her. Only after she left did whispered discussions break out." What''s going on? Did Lady Summers just leave after her assistant got pped?"


    "It doesn''t make sense. Does that man have some powerful backing? Something even Lady Summers fears?"


    "You''re all ridiculous! It''s a public event-Lady Summers has to follow protocol. You expect her to beat the man up here? It''d be front-page news tomorrow."


    "Exactly! That punk clearly doesn''t know who Belle is. How arrogant! He''ll be crying tomorrow. Just wait."


    People preferred to believe Xena was maintaining her public image rather than immediately retaliating. The other possibility of Felix having even more powerful connections seemed impossible. Meanwhile, Felix entered a room off the hall and sat on a couch. Joshua followed so


    "What an impressive bravado! But you''re truly brainless if you think that prenuptial


    after.


    agreement lets


    you


    manhandle Xena''s assistant as you please."


    Prenuptial agreement?


    Felix seemed to realize something. "So, you''re the one who dropped Velocis Ventures."


    Joshua smirked. "That''s right. I agreed to Lord Kane''s request, then did the opposite. Frustrated? Too bad. What can a useless nobody like you do about it? You should be praying you''ll stay alive after pping Belle." It seemed Joshua''s revenge stemmed from Xena, with Felix merely being her fianc¨¦. That was the root of his enmity.


    "Have you considered the consequences of your action?"


    Joshua''s expression turned strange before he burst intoughter. "You''re asking about consequences? You brat, what are you going to challenge me with? That foul mouth of yours?"


    Just then, the door opened and a voice rang out, "Am I qualified to challenge you, then?"

 Billionaire With Husband 147

    Felix was quite surprised by the person who entered.


    Joshua turned with a scowl and was about to bark out. But he suddenly froze and quickly changed his tone. "Ms... Ms. Cooper? Why are you here?"


    Indeed, it was Yvonne who had arrived. From Joshua''s address, Felix guessed that Yvonne had to be the president of Ster Group. What a coincidence!


    "As president, am I not allowed at Ster Group''s city-within-a-city partnership g?" Yvonne entered with a stern expression, followed by two others who appeared to be high- level executives.


    "Of course, I... I was just surprised. Please forgive me.


    After sitting down, Yvonne spoke, "Notify Warren Quinton of Velocis Ventures that Ster Group has added another partnership slot for the city-within-a-city project. It''s for hispany."


    "Yes, ma''am!" One of the executives left immediately.


    Joshua had a bad feeling. "Ms. Cooper, won''t the other five partnerpanies object to this?"


    Yvonne gave him a cold and disdainful look. "Does Ster Group ever need to consider our partners'' feelings in our decisions? Joshua, you''re bing more and more delusional. I''m starting to doubt if you can continue to work as our vice president." Joshua hurriedly waved his hands. "That''s not what I meant, Ms. Cooper. I''m truly just considering thepany''s interests."


    Yvonne let out a coldugh and pointed to the door. "You may leave. Go to headquarters tomorrow to process your resignation."


    Joshua''s face darkened, thinking he must have misheard. "Why? Ms. Cooper, what did I do wrong?"


    "Nothing. Felix is my friend. You''ve offended me by targeting him. So, you can get lost now.


    Felix was surprised by Yvonne''s forceful attitude. He had not noticed this side of her before, but now, it was on full disy.


    Joshua turned to Felix with eyes full of disbelief. How could this man be friends with Yvonne? It was too much!


    Once upon a time, Joshua had liked Yvonne and still could not forget her. If his un not arranged his marriage to be with Xena, he would have pursued Yvonn¨¦ long ago.


    had


    1


    +25 BORUS


    Now, both women, who should have been his, were deeply connected to Felix. His anger instantly boiled over. "Fine! It''s just a vice president position. I don''t want it anyway!


    "But remember this, Yvonne. I''m not as simple as I appear. Before long, you''ll be kneeling and begging for my forgiveness."


    Yvonne shook her head, thinking the shock must have addled Joshua''s brain. "Get out!"


    As he was about to leave, Joshua''s phone rang. He checked it and grew ecstatic.


    After replying, he arrogantly pointed at Yvonne. "Haha! My uncle is here. Sorry that I misspoke earlier. You won''t be kneeling to beg my forgiveness in the future-it''ll be right now!"


    Ignoring the man''s final bout of madness, Yvonne stood and said to Felix before leaving," Felix, I''m sorry. I hope my amends aren''t toote."


    Felix remained seated on the couch, smiling. "Not at all. Thanks."


    He had finally made up for his debt to Warren, but Felix was not leaving yet. Though Joshua had been fired, Felix did not feel satisfied. He wanted to give Joshua some physical pain so he would truly remember what he should not mess with. Joshua did not try to stop Yvonne from leaving. Once his uncle arrived, Yvonne would surelye running back to kneel before him.

 Billionaire With Husband 148

    "Felix! Don''t celebrate too soon. Did you really think being a vice president at Ster Group was my only backing? Hah, what a joke!


    "I admit that your connection to Yvonne as president was unexpected, but so what? You have no idea who my uncle is!"


    Felix asked with a curious face, "Oh? Then, tell me. Who''s your


    uncle?"


    "Have you heard of Dragon Alliance?"


    Hearing those three words, Felix was able to connect all the pieces. No wonder Kane had asked Joshua for help. His uncle was also part of the Dragon Alliance. Based on that trust, Kane''s mistake was understandable. "Never heard of it."


    This response left Joshua feeling dissatisfied. He sneered and said, "Of course not! Why would I discuss Dragon Alliance with trash like you?


    "It''s a terrifying existence you could never imagine in your lifetime. And my uncle is a member. Forget about you-even that bitch Yvonne will have to apologize to me soon!" The door opened, and a middle-aged man entered.


    Joshua immediately went to greet him. "Uncle! Yvonne wants to fire me. You have to help me! How can I pursue Xena if I''m no longer the vice president of Ster Group?"


    Even with his uncle''s status, Xena was still the country''s first goddess of war. How could her future husband be a nobody? So, Joshua certainly did not want to give up this prestigious position. After joining Dragon Alliance, he would have dual status befitting Xena.


    "Why are they firing you?" Daniel frowned.


    Hearing this news right as he arrived displeased him greatly. He had already put in a word with Ster Group. How else could his young nephew be vice president? Did this mean they were not even showing him respect anymore? Such audacity! "Because of him!" Joshua pointed.


    Following his finger, Daniel noticed another person in the room.


    With a calm expression, Felix did not even stand up when Daniel entered. He had made a terrible first impression.


    "His name is Felix Zeller. He''s the one Xena''s grandfather arranged an engagem with. Yvonne wants to fire me just because I went after Felix!"


    +25 BORUS


    Daniel turned to his subordinate. "Bring Yvonne over. She''s just the president of Ster Group. How dare she disrespect me?"


    "No need to call Yvonne. This is my business. It''s not nice to keep bothering others. You''re Joshua''s uncle?" Felix asked.


    Huh? Daniel looked at him coldly. "How dare a nobody like you speak to me this way? p him!"


    Felix stood up and kicked the rushing man to the ground. "You want to p me? What gave you the courage to do so? Is it your Dragon Alliance status?" Joshua was overjoyed inside. He knew from Belle that Felix was a martial artist. He had surely offended Daniel by daring to use force now.


    Sure enough, Daniel''s eyes narrowed. "So you''re a martial artist. No wonder. But in my eyes, you''re still just a nobody."


    To everyone''s surprise, the door burst open again as Kane rushed in right then. "Daniel! How dare you disrespect the Dragon Lord? Get on your knees now!"

 Billionaire With Husband 149

    Chapter 149 What?


    Daniel looked at Kane in disbelief, then back at Felix. Could this man before him actually be the mysterious Dragon Lord of Dragon Alliance?


    Kane was furious. After receiving Felix''s call, he rushed to the g right away. He would


    not dare discuss such matters over the phone. He could onlye and apologize to Felix in person. After finishing his sentence, Kane immediately knelt before Felix.


    "My lord! I have failed in my duties. Please punish me as you see fit."


    Suddenly, loudughter rang out. "Lord Kane, your acting is truly impressive."


    Even Daniel was startled. Why was Joshua causing trouble at such a critical moment?


    "Uncle Daniel, you really believed that? I''ve checked. Felix is Lord Kane''s rtive and is even younger than Lord Kane. Now that you''re here, Lord Kane is putting on this act to protect Felix. I must say that it''s very convincing." Daniel frowned, barely containing his anger. "Kane, is he your rtive? Did you think I''m an idiot and could be so easily fooled?"


    Honestly, Kane had not expected Joshua to still dare twist the truth at this point.


    "Believe what you want. Just don''t wet yourself in fearter." Tired of wasting time, Felix took off his dragon ring. "Verify it yourself. You seem to be a veteran of Dragon Alliance, so I''ll give you one chance."


    If Dragon Alliance did not belong to Eloise, Felix would not have handled it this way. He was not showing respect for Daniel but for Eloise.


    "The Dragon Ring!" Seeing the ring presented to him, Daniel''s body went rigid. His hands trembled as he epted it. If not for the alliance rules requiring verification, he would not have dared to make this move.


    When the verification seeded, Daniel fell to his knees with a thud. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. "My lord! I was too foolish by offending you. I don''t ask for another chance, but I will atone for my sin with my death!" Joshua was dumbfounded.


    Of course he knew what the Dragon Lord meant since he had an uncle who was a chief in Dragon Alliance. But he still struggled to believe that Felix was the founder and Dragon Lord of the alliance. This might exin why the usually arrogant Yvonne woul elp Felix. "Uncle Daniel! Save me! Please save me." Coming to his senses and seeing Felix looking at him, Joshua truly wet himself in fear. His legs went weak. He was unable to run even if he


    wanted to.


    "Save you?" Daniel stood up and grabbed Joshua''s cor. "You beast! You nearly got me killed, and you expect me to save you?"


    The next moment, there was a crack as Daniel snapped Joshua''s neck. Kneeling again, Daniel''s eyes were full of pleading. "My lord, please kill me."


    Though he said this, how could he not want to live? But facing the Dragon Lord, not even the vice leader of the alliance would have any chance of resistance.


    Once, there had been a rebellion in Dragon Alliance. It was said the Dragon Lord appeared and killed all the rebels with a single palm strike. Since then, everyone had been behaving.


    But after that incident, the Dragon Lord disappeared again for many years. So now, signs of rebellion were emerging once more in the alliance.


    Felix had not expected Daniel to be so decisive in killing his own nephew without hesitation.

 Billionaire With Husband 150

    "This matter ends here." Felix left after saying that. Only then did Daniel let out a long breath and slump to the ground.


    The reason why he killed Joshua without hesitation was simply to save himself. Otherwise, his own chances of death were also high as he faced the Dragon Lord. After all, Joshua was not his son.


    "Kane, you nearly got me killed this time." Daniel shot a resentful nce at Kane. He could not help but feel angry.


    Kane gave a bitter smile in response. "Daniel, what could I do? How could I dare reveal the Dragon Lord''s identity without his permission? The key issue is that you spoiled Joshua too much. He didn''t even respect me as the deputy chief of Oasis Clinic! "The Dragon Lord was truly generous. When I informed him about Joshua, he said Joshua was free to pursue her, despite his prenuptial agreement with Xena. But Joshua shouldn''t have interfered with the Velocis Ventures matter." Daniel was left speechless.


    Indeed, if he had known Felix''s true identity, he would not have dared speak carelessly without approval, either. "Did the Dragon Lord say anything about dealing with the current rebellion in Dragon Alliance?"


    Kane shook his head. "No. The Dragon Lord has important matters at hand now. As for the rebellion, he''ll likely intervene when he has timeter."


    Meanwhile, Xena and Belle were on their way back. "Are you angry that I didn''t stand up for you?" Xena asked.


    Belle, who had been silent the whole time, quickly replied, "Mdy, I wouldn''t dare."


    "Though you may not dare say it, you''re thinking it, right? Do you know why I turned a blind eye to it? It''s because you really disappointed me.''


    Disappointed? Belle did not quite understand her meaning.


    "You''re my assistant. While not exactly second only to me, you clearly have a prominent status. And Felix? He''s just an ordinary man, but you personally went to provoke and humiliate him.


    "You''ve been with me so long, yet your perspective hasn''t changed at all. How can I not be disappointed?"


    Belle lowered her head in shame. Indeed, Felix was far inferiorpared to her. V should she bother with such trash?


    "I look forward to seeing you change. As for Felix''s p, we''ll set it aside for now. There wille a day when he pays the price."


    "Yes, mdy. I''ll do as you say." Just then, her phone rang.


    Belle was about to reject the call, but Xena, though looking out the window, spoke up, "I


    know you sent someone to monitor Joshua and Felix. What''s wrong? Afraid to answer now?


    11


    When they left earlier, Belle had indeed given such an order. She wanted to know how Joshua would deal with Felix to slightly ease her anger. But it had not escaped Xena''s notice.


    "I... I''ll answer."


    In truth, Xena was also curious. Felix daring to p Belle was likely due to the prenuptial agreement, but what backing did he have against Joshua? Though they had only met a few times, she could tell Joshua was ambitious and not to be underestimated. "Ma''am, something''s happened."


    Belle almost rolled her eyes. Of course something happened-Joshua was going after Felix, after all.


    "If there''s evidence, make an arrest," she said. She had no choice but to respond this way with Xena present.


    "No! It''s not about Felix. Something happened to Joshua. He seems to be dead!"

 Billionaire With Husband 151

    "What?" Belle was shocked. Even Xena turned to look, but Belle was too focused to care now. "Are you sure?" she demanded.


    "I''m certain! A middle-aged man carried Joshua out the back door over his shoulder. I''m sure he was already lifeless. Judging by how his head was hanging, his neck was likely snapped."


    The Phoenix Legion had no shortage of experts. The person Belle sent was also a martial artist who was fully capable of sensing a normal person''s breathing. There was no chance of a mistake. "Who was in the room at the time?"


    "Felix, Joshua, that middle-aged man, and Lord Kane, who was thest to enter."


    Taking a deep breath, Belle hung up and immediately reported everything to Xena." Mdy, I suspect that the middle-aged man is Joshua''s uncle. But how did Joshua die?" Xena furrowed her brows. "Is it possible Lord Kane killed him? Though that seems too brazen, unlike his style."


    Belle strongly agreed with that point, as she knew a secret. "Mdy, I can guarantee it wasn''t Lord Kane. He wouldn''t dare!"


    Now, Xena was curious as she stared at Belle. "Because Joshua once told me his uncle is a member of Dragon Alliance. Lord Kane couldn''t possibly match him in status or strength."


    Dragon Alliance? Xena''s brows were knitted together.


    She had not expected things to get even moreplicated by involving Dragon Alliance. That was an incredibly powerful organization in their country. Even she, as the goddess of war, had to show respect to their deputy leader,


    "Felix must have killed him before the others arrived."


    Xena immediately dismissed Belle''s guess. "Felix isn''t stupid. There''d be no chance to dispose of the body in that ce. Besides, you said Felix left safely with Lord Kane. As a Dragon Alliance member, would Joshua''s uncle ignore his death and let the killer leave unharmed?"


    Belle was dumbfounded. Indeed, that was impossible. Not only overlooking a rtive''s death but letting the murderer leave unscathed? "Mdy, should we intervene in this case?


    After pondering for a moment, Xena spoke, "With Dragon Alliance involved, we must proceed cautiously. If not, we''d be needlessly inviting trouble! You should meet Joshua''s uncle in my name and ask about the situation.


    Bartning


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 Billionaire With Husband 152

    Sasha quickly chimed in, "Exactly, Dad! You''re really too kind."


    She thought to herself gleefully, "Felix is such an idiot. He helped our family so much, but now he''s going to be utterly destroyed by Dora. Just thinking about it makes me so happy!"


    Though he said nothing more, Warren had his own ns. He could not simply ept this without giving anything in return.


    As a new day dawned, Kane appeared at Felix''s home around noon. "Mr. Zeller, we have news about the Shimmeroot."


    Oh? Felix smiled, as Shimmeroot was one of the herbs needed to treat Curtis. "Did you get it, or..."


    Kane had woken up ecstatic to this news from his subordinates. He finally had a chance to make up for his mistake.


    "Not yet. It''s in a vige on the outskirts of Avesburgh. But the old man is very stubborn. He says it''s a family heirloom and won''t sell at any price. My men even brought ten million dors in cash, but the old man wouldn''t budge."


    Another tough case? This was somewhat simr to the matter with Gilbertst time. But having a lead was enough. Felix would handle it personally. "I''ll go this afternoon."


    Having interacted with Felix for some time now, Kane understood what the Dragon Lord was like, so Kane would not dare use force. If not, he might have just taken the Shimmeroot by now.


    "Where''s Ted?" Felix had warned Xena before to keep her cousin in line. Otherwise, he would not be merciful if Ted caused trouble again. Felix always kept his word. "Eating at Lily Garden Restaurant."


    Eating? Felix frowned. If there were many people, it might be difficult to deal with Ted.


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Zeller. He''s in a private room, but he''s only invited one person and his father, Perry." Kane knew what Felix intended and had already gathered the necessary information. "Alright. I''ll head over now."


    ly my In a private room at Lily Garden Restaurant, Ted was pouring coffee while Perry spoke enthusiastically, "Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Ms. Cooper. It''s honor."


    Seated beside Perry was Yvonne. "No need for formalities, Mr. Perry. You managed to connect with our chairman through your connections. I only came to dine with you in his


    Chester 10


    ce"


    Yvonne was puzzled.


    That morning, her boss'' consin-Ster Gronds chimman had called. He had asked her to have lunch with Perry, the chairman of Avesborgs wed Chamber of Commerce. Since this was unprecedented, it could only men that Perry had strong backing, "The pleasure is ours, Ms. Cooper. The future coordion tween Goldwind Chamber of Commerce and Ster Group will rely heavily on your wor


    Though sess was almost certain, Perry was shrewd, minting a humble attitude. "Dad is right," Ted added as he set down the teays "Ma Coope, you''ve be Ster Group''s presidentat such a young age. We have much to leam from you."


    Ted ttered her shamelessly. In truth, he had been smitten the moment he saw Yvonne She was everything he dreamed of-a woman with beauty, grace, and status.


    Perry could easily guess Ted''s thoughts. When he had invited his niece, Xena, to dinner before, what he really wanted to discuss was cooperation with Ster Group. Now, it seemed Zena had indeede through. She actually managed to connect them to their chairman.


    Just as Perry was about to continue with pleasantries, the door opened and Felix walked in. "Ted, it''s time we properly settle our ount."

 Billionaire With Husband 153

    Chapt¨¦r 153


    Felix had not expected Ted and Perry to be meeting with Yvonne, but that was no longer important now.


    Ted''s face darkened at Felix''s sudden appearance.


    Cooperation with Ster Group was a big deal. While their connections ensured it would not fall through, upsetting the president would certainly be bad. Besides, Ted had ns to pursue Yvonne, so Felix''s intrusion would be humiliating.


    "Felix! Don''t you dare y the victim! Come outside with me." Ted walked over hastily.


    Perry put on a smile and said, "Ms. Cooper, please pay this no mind. It''s just a minor conflict between young people."


    Yvonne nodded, curious about how Felix kept antagonizing these important figures. Did he really have such capability? She had intervened with Joshua, but what about the Glover family? Anyone who could contact their chairman was certainly of no simple character. Ted was relieved when Felix followed him out. Arguing in the private room would have damaged his image and embarrassed Perry.


    "Are you fucking insane bying to find me here?" Knowing Felix''s connection to Kane, Ted did not consider his whereabouts a secret. He would have already attacked Felix if he could actually beat Felix in fighting.


    "Taking just one of your arms clearly wasn''t enough for you to reflect on your actions."


    Ted snickered. Now that they were outside, he had nothing to hold back. "Just one arm?" He angrily patted his limp shoulder. "Goddamnit! I''m disabled for life, and you speak of it like it''s nothing!"


    Felix shook his head and reached out. He patted Ted''s shoulder before thetter could dodge. "I know about Dora''s situation now. You''re the mastermind behind it. So, cherish your remaining time."


    With that, Felix left, leaving Ted bewildered. "This bastard must be truly insane! He came just to throw a couple of threats at me?"


    Clearly, something had gone wrong with Dora''s n, but it did not matter now. Once this cooperation with Ster Group was secured, Ted could take revenge with full force.


    Half an hourter, Yvonne left. After seeing her off outside the restaurant, Perry frowned and asked, "What did Felix want with you?"


    Ted scoffed. "What else? He''s Lord Kane''s rtive, so he must know about our backing. He just came to make some threats. But Dad, I suspect something''s wrong with Felix''s head. When he left, he patted my shoulder as if we were friends." Chapter 153


    Patted his shoulder? Perry''s expression changed. "Let''s go! We need to see Xena."


    Dragged into the car, Ted was still confused. "Dad, why are we seeing her? To thank her for helping us secure the cooperation with Ster Group?"


    But Perry looked gravely serious. "Felix is a martial arts master. If he came personally, he wouldn''t leave without doing anything! I''ve heard stories of martial artists who can inject their internal energy into others, which could kill them when it takes effect after a few hours. "We''re not martial artists, so we must go to her to make sure you''re safe. This risk must be eliminated!"


    What?


    Shocked, Ted''s mouth was agape. If Perry had not mentioned it, he would not have considered this possibility. Now, he really felt he might be in danger.

 Billionaire With Husband 154

    Chapter 154 +25 80X8


    "Hurry! Drive faster!" Perry urged. Though he had martial artists protecting him, they were not nearly as good as Xena. Going to her was definitely the safest option.


    Meanwhile, Xena was already waiting outside the Phoenix Legion headquarters, having received word of their arrival.


    "Xena," Ted greeted with a forced smile as he got out of the car. He could barely hide his panic. "Xena, I-" But before he could finish, he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood and copsed. "Son!" Perry quickly caught him.


    Xena instantly appeared by their side. After extending her right arm, her eyes turned ice-cold. "Ted... is dead."


    What?


    Perry could barely breathe and nearly fainted. They hade as fast as possible, yet tragedy still struck.


    Belle watched in shock. Did Ted die from a sudden illness or something else? My God! As a cousin of Lady Summers, Ted had died right in front of her. What a catastrophe!


    Regaining his senses, Perry roared to the sky, "Felix! I''ll have your life for this!"


    Felix?


    Xena frowned and asked sternly, "Uncle Perry, what exactly happened?"


    Grabbing Xena''s arm, Perry wept. "Xena, you know Ted was always healthy and had no illnesses. This is all Felix''s doing! We were dining at a restaurant when Felix came. Though he didn''t attack, he patted my son''s shoulder. "I know he''s a martial arts master, so I felt something was off and brought Ted here immediately. But... we were still toote."


    Hearing Felix''s name, Belle could not miss this chance to add fuel to the fire. "How dare he! Does being a martial artist mean he can do as he pleases? Mdy, I request permission to arrest Felix immediately!" Xena gave


    her a cold look. "On what charges? What evidence do you have?"


    "Uh..." Belle fell silent. She had spoken impulsively with no real evidence.


    "Uncle, I''ll have the Phoenix Legion doctors perform an autopsy on Ted. If we find any traces of foul y, I assure you I won''t let Felix off."


    425 BOAS


    Looking at Ted in his arms, Perry''s voice was hoarse as he said, "You must avenge him. You must!"


    After making arrangements, Xena left with Belle. They would be notified immediately of any results. On the way, Xena recalled Felix''s earlier phone call, warning her to keep Ted in line. She had not expected things to actually go this far. "It must be Felix''s doing. He''s too despicable. Breaking Ted''s arm wasn''t enough. He actually murdered Ted."


    Hearing Belle''sint, Xena asked with a serious tone, "You''re a martial artist, too. Can you inject your energy into someone else''s body and control its burst?"


    Belle shook her head. "The energy would burst immediately if I do it. I can''t control the timing."


    Xena continued, "Neither can I. So, are you suggesting Felix''s martial arts skills surpass even mine?"


    Belle gave a bitter smile. How could Felix be that strong? But to pin Ted''s death on Felix, what other exnation was there? Yet it did not make sense.


    "Say no more. I''ll meet Felix myself. If he can''t give me a reasonable exnation, he shouldn''t me me for being merciless!"

 Billionaire With Husband 155

    At Tabiner Bay, Felix sat in the courtyard of his vi as if he were waiting for someone. His


    phone


    rang.


    It was Kane.


    "Mr. Zeller, Daniel just called. He said Belle came to ask him aboutst night''s incident in the g room. He told her Joshua died of a sudden heart attack and didn''t reveal your identity."


    Felix knew someone was watching outside-someone Belle likely sent. Joshua''s death could not be kept secret forever, as it would eventually reach Xena. This was why Felix had not immediately driven Daniel out of Avesburgh.


    Others'' words might be useless, but Daniel was the chief of Dragon Alliance''s Disciplinary Hall. His status spoke for itself. Belle would at most ask a few questions and would not dare verify personally. So, Joshua''s matter was easily settled. Tell Daniel to call Belle back and say this..."


    "Understood, Mr. Zeller."


    Felix was not one to always hide things. Sometimes, what had to be done should be done- just like Ted''s death now. Xena''s side surely had no evidence.


    However, he did not want Xena fixating on him and disrupting his life. So he needed some irrelevant information to distract her.


    Just as he put down his phone, a car stopped at the gate. Xena and Belle got out. "Felix! Feeling guilty? Since your gate''s wide open, did you know we wereing?" 1


    Listening to Belle''s barrage, Felix threw her a nce and replied nonchntly, "I''m just sunbathing. You''re overthinking things."


    Raising a hand to stop Belle''s further questioning, Xena stared at Felix. "Ted''s dead!" From Felix''s reaction to this news, Xena was certain he had killed her cousin.


    "Is that so? Karma is real, then. I guess even God couldn''t stand that scumbag''s actions anymore."


    Taking a deep breath, Xena asked again, "I just want to know, do you have anything to do with Ted''s death? I''ll still consider you a real man if you admit to it."


    Seeing Xena''s still superior attitude, Felix said irritably, "Whether I''m a real or not can only be verified in bed, can''t it?"


    Belle''s eyes reddened. "Felix! How dare you flirt with Lady Summers?"


    "That''s what she asked. I just responded in kind."


    172


    Clenching and unclenching her fists, Xena had never been so infuriated. Yet, constrained by her dignity as the goddess of war, she had no way to deal with Felix for now. "They''re doing an autopsy on the body now, and we have the surveince video of you patting Ted''s shoulder.


    "If we find even a trace of evidence, I''lle for you myself!"


    Standing up, Felix smiled. "Xena, don''t think you''re some almighty being who can do whatever you want. Let me tell you. Don''t make baseless usations without evidence. Also, do you really think you can deal with whoever you want? At least I''m not in that category." Belle wanted to p him. His words were too ridiculous. "Who do you think you are? Do you think someone like Lady Summers can''t deal with you?"


    Just then, her phone rang. Though it was an inappropriate time, Belle was Xena''s assistant and could not miss any calls. It could be crucial military information.


    Noticing that it was Daniel''s number, which she had just savedst night, she grew curious.

 Billionaire With Husband 156

    ""Mr. Rush."


    "Ms. Cooper, I forgot to tell you somethingst night. Felix is also a member of Dragon Alliance."


    What?


    Belle''s mouth dropped wide open as she stared at Felix in disbelief. To be honest, she had never experienced such an overwhelming shock in her entire life.


    In her eyes, Felix had always been an ordinary doctor from the countryside. And now, she was suddenly told that he was a member of the extremely prestigious and powerful Dragon Alliance. Could there be anything more shocking than this? "What''s wrong?"


    Seeing Belle standing there as if she had turned to stone, Xena frowned. Something important had clearly happened.


    Belle, being snapped back to reality, looked slightly fazed. She managed to gather herself." Mdy, just now... Daniel called me. He said..."


    Xena''s expression darkened. "Don''t make me ask a second time!"


    Belle swallowed. She really didn''t want to say it out loud. "He said Felix is also a member of Dragon Alliance!"


    In an instant, Xena narrowed his eyes. She turned to look at Felix, and his expression didn''t look remotely as exaggerated as Belle''s.


    "ording to the rules set by Dragon Alliance and the Four Great Warlords, if a Dragon Alliance membermits a crime, the punishment will be handled by Dragon Alliance''s Disciplinary Hall. Am I wrong?"


    Felix said this because Kane had told him, which was why Daniel made that phone call.


    Xena did not refute it.


    The most mysterious figure in Dragon Alliance, the Dragon Lord, had indeed established this rule with the Four Great Warlords in the past.


    It wasn''t for the sake of favoritism, as during the trials at the Disciplinary Hall, their side would also send people to monitor the process and make sure it upheld fairness and justice.


    In fact, Dragon Alliance members who broke thew would probably prefer being punished by groups like the Phoenix Legion. After all, Dragon Alliance''s internal rules were much harsher, and most were death sentences. Chapter 156


    "You''ve certainly given me a huge shock."


    The man she had once looked down upon as a marriage prospect turned out to have a hidden identity as a Dragon Alliance member. While this didn''t make him part of the upper echelon, it was enough for him to match with women from a few prominent families. "There''s nothing I can do if you keep wanting to cause trouble."


    Felix sneered coldly.


    "Now that you''ve revealed that you are a member of Dragon Alliance, it only further proves you''re the one who killed Ted."


    Felix shrugged his shoulders.


    "You''re the first goddess of war of Dragonia. I can''t stop you from saying whatever you want, can I?"


    Belle remained silent. Felix''s identity had caught herpletely off guard, leaving her mind in chaos.


    At this moment, Xena took a few steps forward, staring directly into Felix''s eyes. "Just having the chief of Disciplinary Hall im that you''re a member of Dragon Alliance doesn''t mean anything! Do you think I''m so easily fooled? "Don''t bother showing me that so-called Dragon ID card, either. Daniel could easily give you one if he wanted to."


    Felix was growing impatient.


    "Why do I have to prove anything to you? Ridiculous!"


    "If you don''t prove it, then you are the prime suspect in Ted''s death. I''ll send the Phoenix Legion to escort you to their base for interrogation every day. Is that what y


    you


    want?"


    Damn it! This annoying bitch!


    If that happened, Felix would have no free time left.


    "So, how do you want me to prove it?"


    Xena left onest sentence, and then she left.


    "At least three chiefs of Dragon Alliance must all meet me in person. If they all say you''re a member, then you definitely are!"

 Billionaire With Husband 157

    Xena gave a deadline of three days. She clearly wanted to test whether Felix had any connection to Daniel or if he was genuinely a member of Dragon Alliance. real


    "Mdy, you don''t believe Felix is a member of Dragon Alliance?"


    Upon hearing Belle''s question, Xena looked over and immediately sensed something off.


    "Are you serious? You''re my deputy, yet you''re concerned about a member of Dragon Alliance? Why are you still so easily shaken?"


    Belle froze, carefully pondering the meaning behind those words.


    "Whether he is ornot is secondary. We''ll know in three days. Let''s deal with it then."


    After Xena left, Ernest came to the courtyard.


    "Felix, things are so lively here! And all your guests are big names, too."


    Felix could only smile bitterly.


    "Please, don''t tease me."


    Sitting down, Ernestughed. "With your reputation as a skillful doctor, even someone like Xena will eventually fall for you."


    Felix shook his head and sighed. "My mentor always taught me to follow my conscience. As for Xena right now, she''s not worth my attention. So, let''s take things step by step and see where they go."


    Ernest gave him a thumbs-up. It was rare to find a young person with such capability and patience. Nowadays, when young people achieved something, they wanted the whole world to know about it. But Felix was the opposite. "I owe you my life. Let me know if you need me to step in and have a word with Xena. Even though I''m retired, my words still carry some weight.


    Felix politely declined. "There''s no need to trouble you, Mr. Holt Senior. I can handle it myself."


    They chatted for a while, and just as Ernest was about to leave, his phone buzzed with a video call. Seeing it was from Sherlyn, he picked it up immediately. "Have you checked into the hotel?"


    From the background Sherlyn was in, it seemed like evening, and she seemed to be abroad


    "Grandpa, are you losing your eyesight? Look at what I''m wearing. Of course I''ve already checked in!"


    But the next moment, Ernest turned the phone toward Felix. "Felix, my eyesight is not


    +25 BONES


    good. Can you take a look and see what my granddaughter is wearing?"


    Honestly, Felix wasn''t mentally prepared for what he was going to see. On the screen, Sherlyn was dressed in a very revealing nightgown.


    "F... Felix? Grandpa, you''re so annoying! I''ve already taken off my makeup!"


    That was thest thing she said before hanging up, leaving Ernestughing uncontrobly while Felix shot him a darkened gaze.


    "Mr. Holt Senior, you''re really too mischievous."


    Even Jairo, who was standing nearby, was amused. Ernest seemed to be serious about having Felix as Sherlyn''s husband. After all, he was trying to matchmake his beloved granddaughter with him.


    "Since I retired and moved back to Avesburgh, my mindset has changed quite a bit. But Felix, I''ll vouch for Sherlyn''s character. She''s very outstanding and has a good attitude. So when the time is right, I hope you''ll consider it."


    Before Felix could respond, Ernest hummed a little tune and left, clearly in a great mood. Felix had a helpless expression on his face. Having spent three years surrounded by nine beautiful female apprentices in Eden Vige, his biggest fear was being surrounded by beautiful women again. Despite all his efforts, he found such a thing was inevitable.


    As night fell, Perry paced restlessly at home. He kept looking at the old Noviea phone on the table.


    Finally, the phone rang, and he quickly answered.


    "Perry, we''ve verified your capital. Inferno n has decided to take on the mission. This will be a fight to the death!"


    The call ended, and Perry burst into maniacalughter. "They''ve epted my request! Inferno n epted it! Son, your father can finally avenge you!"

 Billionaire With Husband 158

    Even though Xena was reliable, with the halo of the goddess of war, she insisted on following rules and procedures. They found no signs of foul y in Ted''s autopsy. In other words, I was impossible for them to arrest Felix.


    How could Perry just sit by and do nothing? His only son was dead. What was the point of making any more money now? At his age, it was impossible to have another child.


    So, he used all his connections to find the terrifying Inferno n, draining all his savings. Finally, they epted the job.


    Normally, an assassin wouldn''t cost much, but Perry wanted an ultimate contract. This meant that even if Felix killed the first assassin, Inferno n would keep sending stronger assassins until Felix was dead.


    "Felix, I''m waiting for the day you die!


    Meanwhile, Felix was drinking with Jack.


    "Jack, you''ll get drunk soon if you keep drinking like this. Don''t you want to talk to me about it?"


    Jack kept gulping down one drink after another. His eyes were filled with anger. Something was clearly wrong.


    "Is this about the contract with the Kinsley family?"


    Shaking his head, Jack took another shot. "No. Ms. Kinsley has given me more than enough. Thepany has already signed an agreement with me, and a promotion for Joshua is more or less guaranteed. "Honestly, Felix, I''m really grateful for all the help you gave me when my family abandoned me."


    Jack was a man, too, and he wanted to prove that he could make it without relying on his family.


    "Then, what''s the problem?"


    With a bitter smile, Jack raised his ss again, but Felix stopped him.


    "This is such a humiliating thing. I didn''t even want to talk about it, but... Alright. Since I called you out, I guess, deep down, I wanted to vent."


    "Trina... my girlfriend, she broke up with me. She said I''m not good enough for her anymore."


    425 8098


    Trina broke up with him? Felix was confused. His first impression of Trina was very good.


    "She just got a job at Ster Group. We celebrated together, just the two of us. I told her about how my family had kicked me out, and... Well, turns out, I was an idiot." Felix was surprised.


    "You didn''t tell her before? Didn''t she follow you to Avesburgh?"


    Jack shook his head.


    "I only told her that my family wanted me to go back to Avesburgh to further my career. I didn''t want to bring up the shameful thing. But whatever! I guess this just showed me who she really is. Come on. Let''s drink!"


    They clinked sses, and Felix spoke seriously, "Jack, I know you''re feeling wronged. Do you want to teach Trina a lesson? You know I have the means to do it."


    After all, it was Felix who had helped get her the job in the first ce. He had been feeling good about that since.


    Jack hesitated for a moment, and then, he got up.


    "I need to go to the bathroom. We''ll talk more when I get back."


    As Jack went to the restroom, Felix had a thought. He took out his phone and sent a voice message to Kane.


    "Lord Kane, notify the three chiefs of Dragon Alliance toe to Avesburgh as soon as possible."


    However, what Felix didn''t know was that right as he was speaking, the bar''s sound system let out a loud buzzing noise. This caused Kane to only hear part of the message, which was to notify the chiefs of Dragon Alliance toe to Avesburgh. Kane was ecstatic.


    "Oh, my God! Is the Dragon Lord finally restructuring Dragon Alliance? He''s gathering all the chiefs at Avesburgh. That''s a grand scene that hasn''t happened in years!"

 Billionaire With Husband 159

    When Jack returned, Felix could see that he was conflicted. Clearly, he truly loved Trina. Otherwise, he wouldn''t be acting like this.


    "I''ve thought about it. I want to give her another chance. I''ll find some time and talk to her again."


    "Alright. Do whatever you feel is right. I''m always here if you need me."


    At that moment, Felix''s phone rang.


    It was Kane.


    "Felix, we found the old man."


    Previously, Kane had mentioned that there was an old man in a vige on the outskirts of Avesburgh who possessed the rare herb, Shimmeroot. But even after offering ten million dors in cash, the old man wouldn''t budge, iming it was a family heirloom. Felix had nned to visit the old man after dealing with Ted, but the man had disappeared. He had asked Kane to station people to watch the area, but they lost track of him. Now, unexpectedly, they had news again. ""Where is he?"


    "You won''t believe it. This old man actually owns a vi in Azure Residences. He''s inside now, which exins why money didn''t move him at all."


    Azure Residences? Didn''t Warren live in Azure Residences?


    "I''m heading over now."


    It must have taken Kane a lot of effort and manpower to track down the old man in just half a day.


    "Jack, I''ve got something urgent to handle."


    Jack nodded.


    "Go ahead. Don''t worry. I''m not stupid enough to hurt myself over a woman."


    Hearing this, Felix felt reassured.


    When Felix arrived at Azure Residences, Kane was already waiting for him at the trance.


    "Vi No. 7, Mr. Zeller. I can guarantee the old man is inside this time,"


    The old man turned out to be Warren''s neighbor. Felix silently hoped he wouldn''t run into


    those two women.


    "Having too many people would onlyplicate things. You stay out here."


    With such a stubborn old man, Felix wasn''t sure if he could convince him. Having Kane inside wouldn''t help and might even backfire.


    As he approached the vi, a car up front suddenly shed its high beams, ring directly into Felix''s eyes. A few secondster, the lights turned off, and Sasha got out of the car. "Felix, are you here to take credit?"


    It was exactly the situation he had wanted to avoid. Not wanting to deal with her, Felix kept walking.


    Unfortunately, Sasha wasn''t the nice type. She blocked his path. "Do you know how rude it is to ignore someone?"


    She had figured it out. Felix deeply respected Warren and felt guilty toward him. No matter what kind of support he had, she felt she could act as she pleased.


    ""What do you


    Sasha smirked.


    want?"


    "Nothing much. This time, you handled things like a decent person. That''s how you should always behave! You know how much damage you''ve caused my family. It won''t be settled with just a few small gestures. "Also, take me off your cklist. I''m in charge from now on. I expect you to show up whenever I call you."


    Felix stared at her and asked, "Are you done?"


    "Yes, for now. That''s all I''ve thought of for the moment. I''ll add moreter."


    p!


    Out of nowhere, Felix raised his hand and pped her across the face.


    "My respect is reserved for your father. You and your mother? You''re nothing in my eyes. If you dare to cause a scene again, I won''t hesitate to have Kanee and personally talk to you." "Get lost!"


    Sasha was terrified. Felix''s gaze was terrifying. She covered her face and ran


    ck home.


    Felix didn''t care whether sheined or cried. He had done the best he could. Even if Warren himself came to question him, it wouldn''t make any difference.

 Billionaire With Husband 160

    When Felix arrived at Vi No. 7, it was pitch dark inside, as if no one lived there.


    But since Kane had said the old man was inside, Felix would like to think he was right.


    He rang the doorbell. If he wasn''t the one who needed the old man''s help, he wouldn''t have done so with such patience.


    After a full half-hour of ringing the bell, the courtyard gate finally opened, but no one came out. The door to the vi opened only after Felix had walked a few steps further. It was still pitch dark inside the vi, and there was no one around.


    A tablemp in the living room was turned on with a click, and there was an old man sitting in an armchair.


    "You must be with them. Are you trying to buy my Shimmeroot? You''re quite persistent. You''ve been politely ringing the doorbell for half an hour.''


    Felix walked over and said earnestly, "Sir, I truly need the Shimmeroot to save someone''s life. I hope you can make an exception. Name me whatever conditions you have."


    The fact that this old man had managed to escape Kane''s watchful eyes indicated that he knew martial arts, catching even Kane off guard. That was why he had stationed a martial artist at the vi this time. There should be no more mistakes made. The old man shook his head and said, "I''m not selling it, nor do I need anything. You should leave now. The fact that I even agreed to see you is my final act of generosity."


    Now that Felix hade this far, there was no way he was leaving without the Shimmeroot. The matter with Curtis weighed heavy on him, and he needed to resolve things with Xena as soon as possible. He couldn''t afford to drag it out any longer. "Try to list your conditions. What if I can meet your conditions? Just as you''re a martial artist, I, too, have something you may not be aware of."


    A faint smile appeared on the old man''s face.


    "From the moment you walked in, I could tell you were different. But you''re still young, and you don''t understand how cruel this world can be. Go. Don''te back again."


    At that moment, Felix suddenly picked up a cup from the coffee table and, with a light twist, broke it in half. He casually tossed one half into the dark corner of the room.


    "In that case, I will let you owe me a favor. We will talk again," said Felix. With that, he turned his gaze to the dark corner where the cup had flown. "Right now, you can only move your legs slowly Listen to me and walk over here, or


    something worse will happen to you."


    When Felix threw the cup, the old man had already been startled. As far as he could sense, there were only the two of them in the room. How could there be a third person?


    Yet, after a few moments, a figure did emerge. The person walked in with a strange gait, as if he could only move his legs, and his upper body was paralyzed.


    "Killian! Is that you?"


    The old man clearly knew this person. His facial expression changed drastically.


    "After all these years, you still think I''m alive, and you''ve even found me here!" The old man''s body trembled with anger as he asked, "Why did youe back? ording to the contract, I was supposed to be free! Why do you still want to hunt me down?" Felix, meanwhile, found the situation odd. The middle-aged man he had hit kept ncing back and forth between him and the old man, as if he couldn''t tell what their rtionship


    was.


    Then, the man named Killian suddenly let out a bitterugh and fixed his gaze on Felix. "You''ve misunderstood. I''m here... to kill him.

 Billionaire With Husband 161

    Felix frowned.


    When the man first appeared, he had sensed a murderous intent aimed at him, but it quickly disappeared and shifted toward the old man. Yet now, he just heard that the man was here to kill him.


    "You''re here to kill me?" the old man asked, astonished.


    Killian gave a bitter smile. He could move his legs and his facial muscles slowly. To be frank, Felix''s strength had amazed him. With just half a coffee cup, Felix had rendered him immobile with almost no visible injuries on his body. "That''s right. But we underestimated you."


    The old man, finally understanding the situation, took a step back in shock but said nothing.


    "Interesting. You must be a professional assassin, right? Seems like your organization is on the brink of destruction," Felix said.


    He was no stranger to assassin organizations. Back in Eden Vige, assassins had managed to locate him. The nine female apprentices became furious.


    On that same day, three of the apprentices left the vige, and by the next day, the assassin organization had been wiped out entirely.


    Now, it seemed he was dealing with another assassin organization, most likely sent by


    Perry.


    Killian sighed. "You are indeed formidable, but you still don''t understand how terrifying Inferno n is. The contract said that they want you dead. Even if you kill me, can you handle other stronger assassins they are sending next?" What? They wanted him dead?


    The old man gasped, taking another step back. From the way the assassin spoke, it was clear the old man had once been involved with Inferno n.


    "If I''m the target, then I look forward to facing your stronger assassins," Felix said.


    Just as he was going to end Killian''s life, the old man suddenly interrupted, "Stop!"


    Felix nced over at him, and the old man swallowed nervously before sp king, "If you can make him tell the truth about whether Inferno n knows I''m still alive and if they have any ns against me, I''ll give you the Shimmeroot."


    The old man realized that Felix was no ordinary person. After all, Killian was a five-star assassin from Inferno n, yet he had been subdued so easily. There was a real possibility


    that Felix could help him get the information he needed.


    "Deal," Felix said.


    However, Killian turned to look at the old man, his eyes shing with mixed emotions.


    "Leo, you don''t need him. I can tell you myself. Why owe a favor to a dying man? Inferno n truly believes you''re dead. I should have agreed to go with you back then. Although I will live in hiding, at least I would have had some freedom. But s, there''s no medicine for regret."


    Leo clenched his teeth and shouted, "I don''t believe you! Not a single assassin from Inferno n can be trusted. None of you!"


    He turned to Felix "Can you really make him talk?"


    "Of course!"


    Without further dy, Felix took out the silver needles and stuck them right into Killian''s scalp.


    "You can ask him now. First, you can ask him whether I''m lying."


    Leo was stunned. Was it that easy? Could these needles really make a professional assassin tell the truth?


    With little hope, he asked several questions. To his surprise, all the answers seemed to be


    true.


    "Killian, tell me. Does the n believe I''m dead? Have they stopped the investigation?" Killian''s expression remained nk as he mechanically responded, "You are already dead. Inferno n is no longer investigating the matter."

 Billionaire With Husband 162

    The old man let out a sigh of relief and nodded at Felix. Then, Killian copsed to the floor.


    "Someone wille to deal with the body."


    Since the old man was also an assassin, his background was not clean, either. Thus, Felix didn''t mind killing someone in front of him. It wasn''t a big deal


    "I keep my word. Wait here, and I''ll get the Shimmeroot for you."


    As for the so-called Inferno n, Felix didn''t take it seriously at all. As long as he was strong, everything else would just be a piece of cake for him. It was just noises and not real danger.


    By the time Felix left the vi, Kane, who had already been notified, brought people over to handle the body inside.


    Meanwhile, in Vi No. 6 next door, Sasha was tearfullyining to Nattie, who had just returned. "Mom! Felix is such a jerk! He actually pped me in the face. You have to stand up for me!"


    Although Nattie was also angry, she managed to stay calm. "Sasha, just bear with it for now. Your father just signed the contract, and we need to keep things stable for a while. If we have a falling out, and Felix interferes and gets our license revoked, our losses would be huge."


    Her words made sense, but Sasha found it hard to swallow.


    "So... am I just supposed to take this p for nothing?"


    Nattie smiled. "Don''t worry. I''ve already told your father that we need to show Felix more gratitude and keep a good rtionship with him. The better he treats Felix, the more Felix will end up owing us. All we need to do is reap the rewards.-


    "At the same time, you need to change your temper. Once we have a real backing and no longer need to care about Felix, we''ll settle it all


    As she listened, Sasha''s eyes grew brighter. "Mom, you''re right! I''ll be patient, and when the moment''s right, I''ll strike in one blow." (1


    Early the next morning, life in most parts of Avesburgh remained as usual. However, the upper echelons were in a frenzy because of a piece of shocking news.


    "Dad, is the Kinsley family serious about this?"


    In the living room of the Cameron family, one of Avesburgh''s prestigious families, Dora was the first to raise the question.


    "Dora, do you think they''d mess around with something like the Miracle Card? The real question is, how did the Kinsley family get so lucky to acquire it?"


    Vincent had been extremely cautious about the Miracle Card upon acquiring it, so nobody knew about it. Outsiders thought it was the first time the Kinsley family had obtained the card.


    "That''s right. The Miracle Card is sought after by every single family in Dragonia-even by those in the very top ranks. The Kinsley family has been really lucky.


    "First, Bernard gets cured by Dr. Fielding, and now, they''ve got the Miracle Card. No wonder they''re putting it up for auction."


    At this point, Dora''s father, Franklin rkson, spoke up, "No matter what, we need to be prepared. Even though the odds are slim, we must try to get in touch with Vincent before the auction tonight. And if we can''t, we''ll still bid at the auction." Dora felt helpless.


    The Kinsley family''s move was ruthless. They had made the auction public, leaving no one daring to take the Miracle Card by force. Stealing the Miracle Card would mean offending the miracle doctor, and no one was willing to risk that. "Dad, let''s not even talk about thepetitors from outside Avesburgh. There''s someone right here in Avesburgh who we can''t possibly contend with. Maybe it''s best not to waste our efforts."


    Everyone looked at Dora, and even Franklin frowned.


    "Who are you talking about?"


    "The goddess of war, Xena Summers. Because of Mr. Summers Senior''s condition, she must be determined to get the Miracle Card, no matter what."

 Billionaire With Husband 163

    At the headquarters of the Phoenix Legion, Belle was flushed with excitement. "Mdy! I''m sure Mr. Summers Senior is definitely going to be saved this time!"


    Xena was equally ted. After all, it was the Miracle Card at stake. Once they had it, the miracle doctor would surely appear, and Curtis illness would be cured without question.


    "Don''t get too excited just yet. We still don''t know exactly what the Kinsley family wants in exchange, and the publicity for this auction is everywhere. Even though it''s only been one day, many big names are bound toe in." However, Belle was unconcerned. "I''d like to see who dares disrespect you."


    The smile on Xena''s face faded as her voice turned cold. "Though I am a goddess of war, there are plenty of people in Dragonia who don''t take me seriously. Don''t try to tter me. It won''t help us secure the Miracle Card." "Oh, I''ll investigate which influential figures areing to the auction."


    Xena raised her hand to stop her. "No need to do that. Whoever is meant toe wille. With the Miracle Card involved, no one can afford to sit still. Have we contacted the Kinsley family?"


    Belle shook her head. "Every member of the Kinsley family has switched off their phones. The entire Kinsley household is locked up tight. They clearly don''t intend to see anyone."


    It was just a casual question. Xena knew the Kinsley family was handling things correctly. Anyone else in their position would have done the same. If they made exceptions, they would offend powerful people left and right. Even seeing just one person could cause big trouble.


    "Go ahead. I need to make a few calls to make sure we have the best chance tonight at the auction.


    In a vi at Tabiner Bay, Yvonne was holding her phone.


    ""Miss, are you really noting to Avesburgh for the auction?"


    She heard that the Kinsley family was auctioning the Miracle Card in Avesburgh, but had yet to receive any instructions from her boss. Thus, she couldn''t help but ask.


    "I originally nned to go, but some troublesome people are also attending *fter discussing it with my family, we decided not to."


    For someone to be considered "troublesome" by her boss, Yvonne couldn''t even imagine who these people might be. After all, she was merely ackey and didn''t know everything. Chapter 163


    "You can go ahead and go to the auction. Keep an eye on how things y out."


    As for who would end up with the Miracle Card, any important person with enough influence would know immediately. It didn''t require Yvonne to personally report back.


    "Understood!"


    After hanging up, Yvonne could understand why her boss wasn''t too invested in this. After all, she already possessed a Miracle Card. Having another one would merely be a bonus, but only if it came at a reasonable cost. Meanwhile, in the vi next door, Felix was on the phone with Jack.


    "Felix, I''m honestly embarrassed to ask, but the boss is putting pressure on me. If I can''t handle this, my promotion to vice president might be affected."


    Felix felt annoyed.


    "Didn''t you guys just close a big deal? Does your boss really still dare to threaten you?"


    If that were the case, Felix thought he''d send Kane over to give them a warning.


    "No, no. You''ve misunderstood. The boss wants to invite Wendy for dinner tomorrow. A few of the senior management, including myself, will be there. It''s just dinner. I can''t exactly refuse outright, can I?" So it was just dinner? Felix was speechless.


    "Felix, don''t you already have Wendy''s phone number? Just call her directly. Why are you dragging me into this?"


    He had already made arrangements to make sure Wendy wouldn''t refuse Jack.


    "I did call her! But her phone went straight to voicemail. What else could I do? It would be easier if it was just about the promotion."


    "You can go ahead and go to the auction. Keep an eye on how things y out."


    As for who would end up with the Miracle Card, any important person with enough influence would know immediately. It didn''t require Yvonne to personally report back.


    ""Understood!"


    After hanging up, Yvonne could understand why her boss wasn''t too invested in this. After all, she already possessed a Miracle Card. Having another one would merely be a bonus, but only if it came at a reasonable cost. Meanwhile, in the vi next door, Felix was on the phone with Jack.


    "Felix, I''m honestly embarrassed to ask, but the boss is putting pressure on me. If I can''t handle this, my promotion to vice president might be affected."


    Felix felt annoyed.


    "Didn''t you guys just close a big deal? Does your boss really still dare to threaten you?" If that were the case, Felix thought he''d send Kane over to give them a warning.


    "No, no. You''ve misunderstood. The boss wants to invite Wendy for dinner tomorrow. A few of the senior management, including myself, will be there. It''s just dinner. I can''t exactly refuse outright, can I?"


    So it was just dinner? Felix was speechless.


    "Felix, don''t you already have Wendy''s phone number? Just call her directly. Why are you dragging me into this?"


    He had already made arrangements to make sure Wendy wouldn''t refuse Jack.


    "I did call her! But her phone went straight to voicemail. What else could I do? It would e easier if it was just about the promotion."

 Billionaire With Husband 164

    Wendy''s phone was turned off? Felix was baffled. Someone like Wendy would never turn off her phone or let it out of her sight, even for a moment. This was odd.


    "Alright. Leave it to me. I''ll make sure tomorrow night''s dinner goes as nned. You just


    ahead and make a reservation."


    go


    "Haha! I knew I could count on you!"


    This was what true friendship meant. No matter Felix''s status or connections, in Jack''s eyes, he was simply his good buddy and nothing more. If something came up, they wouldn''t hesitate to ask each other for help, and vice versa. Felix called Wendy, but once again, her phone was off. He frowned.


    When it was nearing noon, Felix drove his Range Rover out. Since Wendy''s phone was still turned off, he decided to visit the Kinsley family.


    It was partly because of Jack''s problem. Another part was because he was worried something might have happened to Wendy. After all, they had developed a certain level of friendship since getting to know each other.


    When he arrived at the Kinsley residence, the gates were tightly shut, with a dozen guards standing in front, looking as if they were facing a great enemy.


    But that wasn''t all. Felix''s instincts told him there were even more people hidden in the shadows. Only a fool would believe nothing was going on.


    He parked the car and lowered the window.


    A guard approached.


    "I''m here to see Ms. Kinsley."


    "Apologies. The Kinsley family is not seeing guests today. Please leave."


    They didn''t even ask the guests'' identities and just outright refused all visitors. Could the Kinsley family really be in big trouble?


    "My name is Felix. You can inform them."


    There was no need to inform anyone now. Upon hearing his name, the guard''s expression and gaze imm¨¦diately changed.


    "Sorry, Mr. Zeller, but... could you please show your ID? I can''t let you in until I confirm your identity."


    "No problem. You''re just doing your job." Felix smiled. He handed over his ID, and soon, the gates swung open, letting the Range Rover through.


    This scene was seen by the spies from other families outside. They quickly took out their phones to report. Felix was the first person to enter the Kinsley family estate. It was definitely a big deal.


    It might even mean that the auction tonight would be canceled because the Miracle Card had found its owner.


    At the Phoenix Legion headquarters, Belle received the news. "Mdy, someone has entered the Kinsley residence."


    Xena looked over curiously and asked, "Do we have any pictures?"


    "It just came in. Let me see... Though, it''s probably not someone we know."


    For someone to be able to enter the Kinsley residence at such a critical time, they had to be an extremely important figure. After all, even Xena, the goddess of war, had been turned away. It was impossible for an ordinary person to get in. "Was he Felix?"


    Seeing the photo, Belle''s eyes widened, and she quickly zoomed in. She could swear it was Felix, and the license te of the Range Rover also matched.


    "Are you sure?"


    Xena frowned and reached for the phone.


    Belle hurriedly handed it over. "It really is Felix."


    Belle was instantly annoyed. Felix seemed to be everywhere, and I was driving her mad.


    "Mdy, this doesn''t mean anything. Wendy invited Felix to her family banquet before, likely because of Kane. It doesn''t matter much to let someone as irrelevant as him in the house. The other families will quickly find out and won''t take him seriously." However, after thinking it over, a smile suddenly appeared on Xena''s face. "No, you''re wrong. Felix might just be the one who can help me! Let''s go to Tabiner Bay!"

 Billionaire With Husband 165

    When Felix parked his car, Wendy and Vincent were already waiting for him.


    "What''s going on here?"


    Felix got out of the car with a puzzled expression. Since nothing seemed wrong, why were all the guards stationed outside? And why did they have their phones turned off?


    Wendy looked embarrassed. Felix rarely contacted her, yet today of all days, he did, and it just happened to be the day they were auctioning off the Miracle Card. She felt awkward about bringing it up. "Felix, there''s... a bit of a misunderstanding here. Let''s get inside, and I will exin?"


    "Sure."


    A few minutester, Felix had a strange expression on his face. "That''s it?"


    Wendy nodded. "Yes. My father and grandfather were even worried that you might be upset."


    Felix chuckled and leaned back on the couch. "The Miracle Card has already been handed over to you. How you deal with it is up to you. Why would I be upset?"


    Hearing this, the members of the Kinsley family all breathed a sigh of relief. It truly would have been a shame if they had a fallout with Felix because of this misunderstanding.


    "Felix, did youe to see me for something?" Wendy asked.


    "Yeah. Jake''spany''s president wanted to invite you to dinner tomorrow night. Since he couldn''t reach you, and I couldn''t either, I thought something might have happened to you, so I came over personally."


    Wendy''s heart raced. Was Felix worried about her safety? It felt a bit too good to be true, but she was genuinely happy.


    "Sure. I can make it. I''ll give him a call in a bit."


    Felix nodded, ready to leave, but then, a thought struck him. "Give me an invitation to the auction. I want to see who ends up with the Miracle Card."


    He didn''t care who won it. He just wanted to see for himself, so he could tell how far away the Miracle Card might end up being when it was eventually used. After all, Gerald had clearly washed his hands of it. When the time came, Felix was sure he would be the one receiving the call.


    "Okay, Felix," Wendy agreed.


    When Felix returned to his vi at Tabiner Bay, Xena was already waiting at the gate. For a moment, he nearly thought of calling Kane to hurry up and bring the chiefs over. Luckily, it seemed Xena wasn''t here for that.


    "I''vee to talk to you about something else. There are still two days left to prove your identity. I won''t rush you."


    Something else? Felix was a little perplexed, so he opened the gate.


    "Come inside and talk."


    It seemed Xena hade alone, knowing that Belle''s presence would not help and might even be counterproductive.


    Once inside, Felix sat down in the living room and smiled. "What''s the matter? Finding it hard to talk? It''s not like there''s anything between us that involves love or anything that''s difficult to say, right?"


    It was the first time Felix had ever seen Xena look even slightly flustered, which was surprising for someone as prideful as her.


    Sensing the mockery in his tone, Xena frowned and asked, "You just came back from the Kinsley family, didn''t you?"


    Felix didn''t deny it. "Yes. I figured my movements wouldn''t escape your notice."


    Since the Kinsley family had announced the auction of the Miracle Card so publicly, and Felix''s strong hunch that there were people lurking in the shadows to observe the event, there was no way Xena wouldn''t have been aware of it. "In that case, I need you to do me a favor."


    Leaning forward slightly, Felix''s face took on an amused expression. "When you ask for a favor, you should at least act like it, right?"


    Although Xena had expected it wouldn''t be easy, the way her emotions were already being affected by just a few words was something she hadn''t anticipated.


    Taking a deep breath and thinking of Curtis, Xena managed to push her emotions aside.

 Billionaire With Husband 166

    "Felix, I beg you. Please help me. Take me to the Kinsley residence. Please," Xena begged.


    However, Felix shook his head. "I''ve already said it before. Your grandfather''s illness can only be treated this way. Now, we stillck three kinds of herbs. Even if you invite the miracle doctor, there will still only be this treatment." ff


    Upon hearing that, Xena was enraged. There was a look of disappointment in her eyes. Even if you''re a member of Dragon Alliance, do you think you can control everything? Do you know everything? Felix, you need to be humble. "Now, I understand why you acted the way you did before. It''s Dragon Alliance that you''re proud of, isn''t it? In Dragonia, there are factions greater than Dragon Alliance. Besides, you''re only a member."


    When Xena saw how unbothered Felix was, she said, "Let me ask you. Are you chief or deputy chief of Dragon Alliance?"


    "No."


    ""The vice leader?"


    "Nope."


    Felix was telling the truth. It was true that he didn''t hold any of those positions.


    "I hope you can remain this way. Perhaps you will lose yourself in this vast world before I even take action."


    Then, Xena left. She was truly disappointed. Although it was challenging to get into Dragon Alliance, once someone had gotten into it, it meant they weren''t ordinary. Nheless, it was the first time she had met someone like Felix.


    He was only a member of Dragon Alliance, but he didn''t even respect the miracle doctor. Someone like him was bound to stay in the same spot for the rest of his life. And it was highly likely that he would face trouble.


    When Belle, who was waiting outside, saw Xena''s expression, she knew wasn''t sessful.


    "Mdy, I''ve already told you. Felix isn''t a reliable person."


    Without stopping in her tracks, Xena waved her hand. "Go all out for the auctionter tonight. No matter what, I have to get the Miracle Card."


    Meanwhile, in the vi, Felix received a call from Kane.


    "Mr. Zeller, they can reach Avesburgh before sunset."


    After thinking for a while, Felix said, "I''ll meet them at noon tomorrow. You can find a ce and have them wait there. I''ll meet them there."


    He had decided to check out the auction tonight. Besides, Xena definitely had no intention of verifying his identity as a member of Dragon Alliance that day. It would be best to wait until tomorrow.


    "I got it, Mr. Zeller."


    When the sun had begun to set, Felix prepared to leave. He got into his car and drove out of the house. Then, he noticed that Yvonne''s car had alsoe out of the garage.


    Without thinking much about it, Felix continued to drive. At one point, he realized that Yvonne''s car was following behind him. It wasn''t on purpose. It probably meant that they were going to the same ce, Snowfall Manor, where the auction would be held. The banquet to celebrate Bernard''s recovery was previously held there as well. Felix saw Yvonne''s car pull over and stop through the rearview mirror a few minutester. At the same time, she shed the headlight, so he quickly pulled over, too.


    Yvonne walked over and said helplessly, "You should be heading to Snowfall Manor, too, right? My car broke down. Can you take me there?"


    Felix nodded. "Sure. Hop in."


    When Yvonne was about to open the car door in the back, a car stopped beside her. Then, a voice sounded.


    "Yvonne? Why are you getting into an old Range Rover? Get into my car. Sit in the


    passenger''s seat. In my car, there''s nothing blocking in the middle. It''ll be easier for us to talk."

 Billionaire With Husband 167

    Felix looked to the side. He didn''t know what car it was, but based on the current situation, it should be a luxury car. However, the person driving the vehicle was rude. People tended to act wildly nowadays, and that person''s intention was obvious. Nevertheless, Yvonne didn''t get angry. Instead, she squeezed out a smile. "Mr. Zimmerman, you''re here too. I don''t want to trouble you."


    Before stepping on the elerator and speeding away, the man said, "It''s rare for me to want to spend time with you. Sadly, you missed the chance."


    He was very arrogant and was extremely blunt. He didn''t bother to hide his thoughts at all.


    "Felix, he''s George Zimmerman. He''s a big shot from Yartford. You shouldn''t offend him," Yvonne said.


    After getting into the car and advising Felix, Yvonne regretted her actions. They weren''t in a romantic rtionship, so why would he get angry because of what George said?


    "It seems that the auction this time has attracted the attention of many big shots."


    Yvonne didn''t know if Felix had changed the topic on purpose. Although she felt sad, she also felt fortunate. "Yeah. It did attract quite a lot of big shots. My chairman wanted me to go over just to join in the fun. I can''t get the Miracle Card after all." When they arrived at Snowfall Manor, there wasn''t anyone outside as the auction was being held inside a hall.


    When they entered, there were already many people in the hall. The Kinsley family had made the right choice for not arranging tables and chairs. It was because it was impossible to know the status of a guest.


    Since there were no seat arrangements, the guests could stand anywhere they liked. If there were seat arrangements, who would sit at the front and at the back? It would be easy to offend the people attending. "I''ll head over there first. There are a few people I must greet."


    "Alright."


    After Yvonne left, Felix grabbed some food and ate in the corner, filling his stomach a little. The process had nothing to do with him. He only needed to witness the result


    Actually, there were a lot of ways for him to find out who got the Miracle Card in the end. His motive foring here was to witness how popr a Miracle Card was. "Mr. Zeller, why are you here?"


    Suddenly, a voice sounded. When Felix saw Chain walk over, he was astonished. Chapter 167


    "I''m here to join in the fun. What about you? Are you interested in the Miracle Card"


    Considering the rtionship Felix had with Chain and Delh, how could he not take action if they wanted something? Thus, the Miracle Card held little significance for Chain


    "An elder is here as well. The headquarters has ordered me to protect him. I thinker''s unnecessary, but I just came for formality. The martial arts masters he has around him are stronger than me. So, I''m just having a good time here and walking around the ce." If the headquarters sent an Asura to protect a person, it meant that the elder had a high status. Even if the elder didn''t have the same status as Emest, it would be sim


    "Mr. Zeller, d-do you know where is Ms. Roth?"


    Upon seeing how awkward Chain was, Felix teased, "What''s the matter? Do you like her? Do you want to pursue her?"


    Chain was frightened. In a panic, he waved his hands. "No! Mr. Zeller, please don''t joke about such a thing. I''m loyal to Ms. Roth. I would never think of that."


    Of course, Felix was joking. "Don''t worry about it. To be honest, I don''t have the contacts of my fellow apprentices. It''s an order from my mentor. Everything depends on fate." Meanwhile, Belle followed behind Xena absent-mindedly. There were many big shots present that night. There were a few who needed Xena to greet them first.


    When Belle saw the scene in a corner, she was stunned. She quickly whispered something into Xena''s ear when Xena wasn''t busy.

 Billionaire With Husband 168

    "Mdy, look there. Why does Chain know Felix?" Belle whispered to Xena.


    Xena turned to look at them before turning back.


    "Chain is friendly. Previously, the arrest happened in Felix''s vi. Didn''t you say it yourself? Felix showed up in the end. So, why is it strange?"


    Xena''s words made sense. Belle red at Felix. She felt uneasy. Although Felix''s status in Dragon Alliance hadn''t been confirmed, she hoped he didn''t have another hidden side.


    After all, when Felix acquired the Phoenix Legion, he and Belle became enemies. Thus, she hoped that he, as her opponent, would be weaker.


    As time passed, the auction had begun. Bernard was hosting on the stage, but he didn''t dare talk much. Since many people present were more affluent than the Kinsley family, it was most polite to keep it short.


    "Thank you, everyone, foring here. There''s no need for cash to bid on the Miracle Card. I just hope that you all can write down how you can help the Kinsley family. We''ll pick who can provide us with the most significant help and make an announcement. "Let''s start then."


    Then, the hostesses entered from the side door one after another, all holding trays. There were around 100 people. Since there were so many of them, it was sufficient to provide one-to-one service. This arrangement was very considerate toward the auction attendees. However, Xena went up to the stage at this time. "Everyone! A few of you know that my grandfather has been bedridden for a long time. The Miracle Card is my only hope! I hope you all can do me a favor. I will remember your kindness and repay you." All the guests were businessmen. Everyone knew how she would repay the favor and who she was talking about.


    It would count as a favor if they were more affluent than her. If not, they wouldn''t have had the courage to make her repay the favor. They might get ignored even if they asked her to repay the favor.


    "You''re too kind."


    "You''re so filial."


    "Don''t worry, Lady Summers. I won''t fight with you for the Miracle Card. I''m just here to join in the fun."


    A few people spoke up and gave Xena a way out. Nevertheless, she felt a bit disappointed because the people who had the capability to go against her remained silent.


    $25 BOOS


    Even though she knew it was useless to say those things on the stage, she had to do it for Curtis, even if it meant embarrassing herself.


    Just then, Felix saw George moving away. Thetter was pulling Yvonne to the east side corridor. It was obvious that she was unhappy, but she had to obey him.


    A while of hesitationter, Felix made a move.


    In a room in Snowfall Manor, Yvonne looked at George, frightened.


    "Mr. Zimmerman, what are you doing? Aren''t you going to bid?"


    George gazed at her brazenly. "The elders in my family will bid. I only attended the auction


    but because I was bored. I didn''t expect to meet you here! It has almost been half a year, you''ve changed a lot. You have be more womanlike, and your figure and appearance have improved. "You''re making me fall for you."


    George was known to be a yboy in Yartford. It was said that he partied every night and had slept with countless women. Thus, Yvonne didn''t take his words as a joke.


    "Mr. Zimmerman, please have some self-respect! You should know who I am."


    Licking his lips, George suddenly grabbed Yvonne''s arms. "I know! B-But I can''t hold myself back."

 Billionaire With Husband 169

    Yvonne broke out of George''s grasp and stepped back. Then, she shouted sternly, "Mr. Zimmerman, please calm down!"


    But George didn''t care. Instead, he sat on the couch and gestured at her toe over. "I know you''re a martial artist, so I won''t force myself on you. Let me put it this way.


    "If you don''t serve me well, what kind of oue do you think you''ll get based on my family''s and my capability? Frankly, you''re just a dog raised by someone else. Isn''t it only a matter of seconds for her to abandon you when there are benefits to reap?" Yvonne''s face turned pale. It was because whatever George said was the truth. Even her life belonged to Xena, When needed, Xena could use her at any time. For example, didn''t Xena arrange


    for her to sleep with Felix previously?


    Right when Yvonne was feeling sad, the door opened, and Felix walked in.


    "Yyonne, I''ve been looking for you. Come with me. I have something urgent to discuss with you."


    With a frown, George looked at him. "Get out!"


    Felix turned to look at him. "Are you talking to me?"


    Then, George nced at Yvonne. "Tell him who I am. Make him leave right this instant. Otherwise, the situation will be worse when I get up."


    Before Yvonne could say anything, Felix spoke up. "I don''t care who you are or what status you have. I can run to the hall and shout everything you said to Yvonne just now if you want. You can continue to say filthy things."


    George''s expression changed at that. There were many big shots in the hall. Even if he could suppress the news, his reputation would be affected. His father would definitely beat him up.


    "You''re bold. I like how you don''t care about your life," George said while pointing at Felix before leaving.


    "Are you alright? I can''t believe he''s so bold," Felix said.


    Yvonne chuckled bitterly. "I''m sorry. I couldn''t react in time just now. I''ve put you in trouble."


    Trouble? Felix was confused. "Do you mean George?"


    "Yeah. His family is terrifying. Once you be his target, you won''t have a good oue. I''ll try my best to think of a way to protect you."


    Then, Yvonne hurriedly walked out of the room. She felt touched and thought that being


    saved by a man was great, especially since it was Felix with whom she had slept. But after thinking about it for a while, she realized how severe the consequences were.


    She went to another room and gave Xena a call


    "Is the result out?"


    "No, Ms. Summers. Something happened."


    After Yvonne finished speaking, the person on the other end of the lineughed meaningfully.


    "He''s quite righteous. Sadly, one''s actions will only be considered righteous if one has capability in this world. Otherwise, one will only be an idiot! Forget about him. Since he wants to act as a knight in shining armor, let him pay the price for it. I won''t help him. That''s all." Yvonne was shocked. How could Xena be so heartless? Felix was Xena''s fianc¨¦. Why didn''t she want to help him?


    "No! I need to think of a way to save Felix. All of this happened because of me. He shouldn''t be implicated."


    20 minutester, all the papers had been gathered. Bernard went up on the stage again." We''ll use the quickest time possible to choose the winner. Please hold on for a moment.''


    A woman stood next to him when he was about to put down the microphone. The woman had an average appearance, but her gaze was domineering.


    "There''s no need to choose. We, Moonshadow Alliance, want the Miracle Card."

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    Moonshadow Alliance? Felix frowned. He had never heard of such an alliance. What shocked him more was that the big shots were chatting loudly about it. Not even a single person discussed it quietly.


    "This is my identity token. It''s an identification method of Moonshadow Alliance that all of you know."


    Bernard turned around. His excitement was shown on his face. "H-Hold on for a moment!"


    While holding the identity token, Bernard quickly ran down the stage. He seemed to know how to determine whether it was real.


    "Chain, what''s Moonshadow Alliance? It seems powerful. Why doesn''t anyone question it when the situation is rted to the Miracle Card?"


    Chain, who was next to Felix, had a strange glint in his eyes. He realized that Felix didn''t care about the outside world.


    "Moonshadow Alliance is a mysterious alliance. I heard that it''s on par with Dragon Alliance. Aside from that, it has always been overbearing. There''s more detailed information, but it''s kept a secret in our headquarters. At least, I can''t look into it with my current status." Was Moonshadow Alliance that powerful since it was on par with Dragon Alliance? "No wonder," thought Felix. After all, Eloise founded Dragon Alliance.


    Among Felix''s nine fellow apprentices, Eloise was true to her name. She wasn''t afraid of anyone. He didn''t expect the appearance of Moonshadow Alliance. The waters of Dragon Alliance ran deeper than he had thought.


    "Aren''t they afraid of impersonations? Could one earn everyone''s trust with just an identity token?"


    Chain chuckled bitterly. "No one dares to impersonate them. The identity card is like the Dragon ID Card of Dragon Alliance. Whoever impersonates them won''t end up dying alone. All their family members will be sent to the underworld. Who dares to do that, and in front of everyone at that?"


    Soon, Bernard returned to the stage after returning the identity token to the woman. "It''s our honor to have you here."


    Clearly, that woman was a part of Moonshadow Alliance.


    The other people who came to participate in the bidding of the Miracle Card let out a helpless sigh. Although they were all big shots, it was unwise for them to be enemies with Moonshadow Alliance for a Miracle Card. It wasn''t worth it either.


    "Since no one has an objection, I''ll take the Miracle Card. Tomorrow, the following matters will be handled by someone from Moonshadow Alliance, who''s in charge of external affairs.


    11


    The woman was truly confident. It was a nk check, and the members of the Kinsley family were all delighted. It was as if they had earned a lot of benefits. They weren''t afraid of getting scammed at all.


    Since the result was out, Felix didn''t need to be there anymore. Nevertheless, he only left after watching George leave. He figured that thetter wouldn''t make things difficult for Yvonne again. As for whether or not George would take action against him, he didn''t care. "Felix, I''ll head back with you."


    When Felix had just left the hall, Yvonne caught up to him. Her gaze had already expressed her thoughts.


    "Sure."


    Even though Felix wanted to tell Yvonne that George wasn''t a threat to him, he decided to let it go.


    On the way to Tabiner Bay, nothing happened. At that, Yvonne let out a sigh of relief. "George came with the elders of his family. He should be on the ne back to Yartford. Perhaps he doesn''t take you seriously because you aren''t important. Otherwise, based on his personality, he would have blocked your way when you were on your way back home.''


    Felix hummed in response and wished her a good night. He parked the car properly and entered the vi from the garage. When he entered, the lights in the living hall suddenly turned on. The curtains were all closed.


    George was sitting on the couch with his legs crossed as he looked at Felix mockingly. "Your Range Rover is too slow. You''ve wasted a lot of my time."

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    Standing to each of George''s sides was a middle-aged man. Anyone would know that they


    were both highly skilled martial arts masters. After one


    from the Zimmerman


    family would not skimp out on their bodyguards.


    "You''re here to seek revenge on me?" Felix mocked.


    George chuckled coldly. "Seek revenge? Someone like you isn''t even worthy of that. I''m just crushing a fly on my way before boarding the ne."


    Suddenly, loud footsteps were heard. The people next to George were on guard at once. Their eyes were full of suspicion because they didn''t actually feel anybody else''s presence.


    However, Felix had sensed them a long time ago. He had thought that they were George''s men. But now, he knew that he had been mistaken.


    "That''s quite the description. You''re referring to yourself as the fly, right?"


    The footsteps stopped, and a woman appeared in the middle of the living room. She red icily at George.


    Immediately, George jumped to his feet. Even Felix had also recognized the woman by now -she was one of the members of Moonshadow Alliance who had left everyone speechless at the auction the other day. "You... What are you doing here?" George asked, feeling extremely confused.


    "Someone like you does not have the right to question me. Now get the fuck out of here. If you dare to cause any trouble for Felix again, you are therefore making yourself an enemy to the whole Moonshadow Alliance!" What? Felix actually had ties to people from Moonshadow Alliance?


    George was extremely shocked to hear her words. He didn''t want Moonshadow Alliance to treat him as an enemy. His family wasn''t strong or powerful enough to go against them.


    "I''m leaving at once. I''m sorry. It was just a misunderstanding."


    George didn''t dare to linger around anymore after that, worried that the woman would suddenly go back on her word. He scurried off at once without looking back.


    "Why are you helping me? I don''t think we know each other," Felix asked, looking at the woman. He was curious about her. He didn''t have any dealings with Moonshadow Alliance at all.


    A split secondter, however, the woman suddenly got down on one knee and eximed respectfully, "Greetings, Mr. Zeller!"


    As soon as the words spilled out of her mouth, Felix couldn''t help but burst intoughter.


    "This Moonshadow Alliance you speak of belongs to one of my fellow apprentices, right?"


    "That''s right. It was founded by Ms. Dalilia Moore."


    Dahlia? No wonder. The legends about Moonshadow Alliance seemed pretty simr to those of Dragon Alliance. It had been Dahlia after all.


    "Does Dahlia need a Miracle Card?"


    When Felix thought about this, a weird, confused look appeared on Felix''s face. Something just didn''t add up.


    "No. Ms. Moore auctioned off the Miracle Card because she wanted to give you more freedom."


    Dahlia had certainly thought of everything. It was also obvious she knew that as long as the Miracle Card was shown, Gerald would definitely do something about it. But of course, Felix would end up being the one doing his bidding instead. "Please thank Dahlia for me."


    "Yes, sir!"


    After the woman left, Felix sat down on the couch as all nine of his fellow apprentices'' faces shed briefly in his mind.


    Since both Eloise and Dahlia had contributed greatly to the formation of Dragonia, the other seven had certainly contributed something, too. But they were just too secretive about it.


    Suddenly, a series of loud knocks sounded at the door.


    Felix opened the door and revealed Yvonne from behind it. She looked so anxious that the tears were about to spill from her eyes.


    "Felix! You''re okay!" she eximed, throwing her arms around him at once. "I was nearly scared to death! I just saw George leaving your mansion from my window. I thought something terrible had happened to you!"


    After she was done speaking, she probably realized that she was acting inappropriately, so she hurriedly let go of him. Her face was flushed a deep red.


    Other than that one time she had slept with Felix, Yvonne had never gotten physically intimate with any other men, not even hugs. Yvonne only took orders from Xena, so what she did earlier had been entirely instinctive.


    "I''m fine. George just came to warn me. He left after threatening me."


    The hug from Yvonne reminded Felix of that wild night he had with herst time. He also couldn''t help recalling Yvonne''s beautiful curves on her body.


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    "Warn you? George Zimmerman?"


    Yvonne couldn''t quite believe what she heard. George was someone who would hold grudges and seek revenge whenever he had the chance. Why did he let Felix go so easily this time, especially after Felix had interrupted him in the middle of his ns? Chapter 172

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    "Oh, maybe it''s because he thinks I''m not worth his time because even flies are more significant than I am," Felix replied.


    He couldn''t possibly answer that Moonlight Alliance was Dahlia''s property, which was the main reason why George ran for his life, could he?


    "Whatever it is, I''m just d to know that he didn''te here to continue causing any trouble for you."


    It still didn''t quite make sense to Yvonne, but the oue was what was most important to her anyway.


    "Since you''re alright, I''ll be going back, then," Yvonne said.


    Truthfully, Yvonne had already developed feelings for Felix. After all, during their parents'' time, it wasmon for people to first get married before falling in love with each other.


    Of course, it was impossible for her not to develop any feelings for Felix after sleeping together once and asionally spending time together like this.


    However, Felix was Xena''s fianc¨¦, so whatever Yvonne did, she didn''t dare to harbor any hopes for their rtionship. Unless Xena decided one day that Felix didn''t deserve her anymore and decided to call off their engagement, Yvonne would just stay put.


    Still, Yvonne would only go for Felix if Xena was also willing to return her freedom to her.


    On the other hand, Xena looked at Curtis lying in bed as her eyes turned wet with tears.


    "I''m sorry, Grandpa. I was unable to get my hands on the Miracle Card.''


    She hadn''t had the full confidence to get it in the first ce. But when Moonshadow Alliance suddenly showed up halfway there, there was nothing Xena could have done. So what if she was the goddess of war? Moonshadow Alliance didn''t even see her as a threat. After that, Xena had tried talking to the woman behind Moonshadow Alliance, but she got rejected. She didn''t even get to see her. This was the first time Xena felt like a failure after bing the goddess of war.


    Her phone rang. It was a call from Hector Downy, the Warlord of the East. Out of the Four Great Warlords, the Warlord of the East was akin to her mentor and lifesaver. She was who she was today because of him. ""My lord."


    "Xena, I know you''re feeling sorry for your grandfather, but let me tell you some news. I hope it''ll be of some help to you."


    News from Hector? Xena felt excited. After all, he was the Warlord of the East, so news from him would definitely be very valuable.


    "Thank you, my lord."


    "Don''t thank me just yet. It''s still up to you, and this time it''s mostly dependent on luck. Seth Fingle, the fourth-best master healer in Dragonia, will be going to Avesburgh in two days to give out free treatments.


    "I''ll send you the address in a while. But I won''t be able to control whether or not he picks you to be one of his patients after that."


    What? Seth Fingle?


    Xena gasped. As expected of the Warlord of the East-he could actually track down the whereabouts of master healers like Seth!


    Everyone in Dragonia knew that Seth would asionally pick a random city to go to and choose ten "lucky" patients to cure them of their illnesses. However, nobody ever knew when or where he would pop up next, so it was practically impossible for anyone to guess beforehand. "My lord, whether or not we get chosen, your information on his next destination is already very valuable to me."


    Hector chuckled. "It''s important to be respectful to your elders, and you''ve been doing a marvelous job at it."


    As soon as the call ended, Xena received a message detailing Seth''s next destination clinic in two days. This was the same as getting the chance to be the first in line.


    Since the clinic Seth was going to was also a very well-known clinic among the locals there, naturally, there were plenty of patients who were already waiting their turn to be called. Xena would need a lot of luck to be one of the ten lucky ones called. Just then, her phone rang again. It was a call from Felix. Since Xena was in a good mood, she answered the call immediately.


    "Xena, the three chiefs of Dragon Alliance you''ve been wanting to meet areing tomorrow. I''ll send you the address now. See you at 10:00 am tomorrow."


    2

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    Felix hung up immediately after that. Xena got so mad that her eyebrows shot up at once.


    "Fuck you, Felix! Are you telling me what to do?


    However, when she thought of the fact that Seth would soon being in two days, she managed to calm down afterward.


    Xean went downstairs and retrieved the encryptedptop the headquarters had provided her with. Then, she went into the database.


    She was able to search up information on each of the chiefs from Dragon Alliance. She didn''t want to appear ignorant when she went to meet them tomorrow.


    Since there was an agreement between Dragon Alliance and the headquarters, Xena was able to find the information she wanted. However, there were few people who had ess to retrieve this kind of information. Only a handful of people had ess, and Xena was one of them.


    Even Belle wasn''t allowed to ess confidential information like this. Of course, Xena wouldn''t tell her either. That was against the rules.


    After all, if the enemies of Dragon Alliance were to get hold of such information and misuse it, they would be able to attack the alliance too easily.


    Around 9:00 am the following day, nine people gathered in the massive presidential suite of a certain hotel. There were both men and women in the lineup, and the youngest of them all was at least in their mid-40s. These nine people were the nine chiefs of Dragon Alliance. They held so much power and authority that regr people would not be able to imagine it.


    "Kane, you know the consequences if you lie to us," a burly, muscr, and unfriendly-looking man said. His eyes were hostile.


    "How could I possibly dare to lie to you about anything concerning the Dragon Lord? Do


    think I want to die that much?"


    you


    Kane nearly rolled his eyes in exasperation. Why would they still worry that everything was a farce if he was already standing there with them? How would it benefit him anyway if he lied? "It''s true. I''ve seen the Dragon Lord," Daniel said, immediately attracting everyone''s eyes.


    "Mr. Rush, you... You''ve seen the Dragon Lord?


    Daniel nodded, but he didn''t know what else to say. After all, it had been a terrible and embarrassing episode when he first met Felix. He had even nearly lost his own life then!


    $25 BORUS


    Chanter 173


    How could he possibly tell that to the other chiefs?


    "That''s wonderful! The Dragon Lord is back! I want to see if those rebels will finally cower away in fright," the same burly man replied with a cold sneer.


    "Haha! Now, we only know that a deputy chief rebelled. With the nine of us here, we still don''t know whether we''ve got any defectors in our midst."


    Everyone fell into silence. It was true. There had to be a chief or two who was also nning to betray the group. It was just that they were hiding it too well and gave nothing away.


    "Then, if the Dragon Lord appears, doesn''t that mean he''s exposing his true identity to the rebels and defectors?"


    Kane shook his head, unable to control his chuckle.


    "You don''t have to worry about that. The rebels won''t even have the time to hide themselves from the Dragon Lord-how do you suppose they''d be able to get anyone to assassinate him? Do they even have the capability to do that?"


    That was the truth. The Dragon Lord was not a force to be reckoned with. He was about to eliminate the Dragon Alliance very soon, and the rebels were running out of time. They wouldn''t dare to provoke the Dragon Lord first. That would only speed up their own destruction.


    Just then, the men at the hotel entrance sent a message to Kane. As soon as he saw it, he immediately said, "The Dragon Lord is here!"


    All at once, the chiefs got to their feet. It would be a lie to say they weren''t the least bit anxious about the meeting. After all, besides Daniel, none of the others had ever met the Dragon Lord before.


    A few minutester, Kane pushed the door open and stood behind it while Felix entered.


    The nine chiefs in the living room didn''t seem to look surprised or shocked at Felix''s young age. They only showed him the utmost respect.


    After all, the Dragon Lord wasn''t someone who could be easily justified withmon sense. They would behave the same even if the person who walked in were a mere child. "Greetings, my lord!"


    The nine chiefs nodded respectfully at Felix. None of them dared to look straight into his


    eyes.

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    However, Felix frowned when he nced around the room. "Why are there so many people here?" he asked.


    Kane was stunned. He hurriedly looked up and said, "My lord, is there... Is there something wrong?"


    Felix walked over and took a seat. "Everyone, you may raise your head."


    He then looked at Kane and said, "I told you to just bring three chiefs. Why did you bring them all?"


    Only three? Kane was startled. He hurried over to retrieve his phone, sweating profusely all over his face. "My lord, you told me to bring them all."


    After listening to the voice message, Felix sighed in exasperation. Kane probably didn''t pay particrly close attention to the message, and part of it had indeed been drowned out by the harsh speaker sound. So, Kane couldn''t be med for the mishap. "Whatever. Now listen up, all nine of you. In a while, the goddess of war, Xena Summers, will being. I need you to vouch that I''m a member of Dragon Alliance. Understand?"


    The chiefs exchanged looks of confusion. Was this all the Dragon Lord wanted them to do? They had thought that they had been gathered for something important. They certainly weren''t expecting something menial like this.


    In fact, a few of them found it ridiculous. Why did the Dragon Lord still need other people to vouch for him to be a member of Dragon Alliance?


    "What''s the matter? Is this too much to ask of you?"


    It wasn''t until Felix suddenly spoke again that the chiefs hurriedly responded in a panic. They didn''t dare disobey him.


    "As for the rebellion within Dragon Alliance, I will deal with them personally once I''m done settling the tasks I have on hand."


    This was Eloise''s property, after all, and he had to give the chiefs some sort of reassurance before they thought that the Dragon Lord had abandoned them.


    The chiefs rejoiced. With Felix''s word, they no longer had to worry about the rebels. They figured that the rebels would very soon regret it


    After that, Felix stood up and told the chiefs to act casually. He didn''t want Xena to learn about his true identity just yet.


    It was only by keeping things as they were that Curtis'' decision would seem more genuine


    after he woke up. Also, Xena''s reactions would then reflect her true emotions as they came from the heart.


    After all, they were going to spend the rest of their lives together, and Felix didn''t want to do it with someone materialistic who was only staying for his wealth and power.


    Felix went to the hotel entrance to wait for Xena. A whileter, a woman walked past him, and he suddenly started sniffing the air.


    Snakefruit? That scent was unmistakable!


    Excitement flickered in his eyes. Snakefruit was one of the ingredients that Curtis needed for his cure. It had a very unique fragrance. Anyone who came near the fruit would get the scent on their body, but it was only detectable by a martial artist''s keen sense of smell. Just as Felix was about to go after the woman, Xena suddenly appeared, making Felix forget about his ns. It didn''t matter anyway. It wouldn''t be hard for him to get information on the woman since she was staying in this hotel. "Let''s go."


    Felix didn''t even properly greet Xena, which ruffled Belle''s feathers.


    "You!"


    Xena held her hand out to stop Belle. She didn''t want to make a huge fuss in public and attract too much attention like this.


    They entered the presidential suite. Belle couldn''t hold back anymore and snapped, "You sure know how to pick a ce, Felix Zeller!"


    However, she immediately went silent when she saw nine pairs of eyes on her. She suddenly felt a sense of indescribable pressure.


    Xena also frowned slightly. She didn''t think that there would be so many people present.


    But, as she scanned the room, she couldn''t stop the waves of shock that consumed her. The nine people in the room matched the profiles she had just seen in the database the night before.


    In other words, all nine chiefs from Dragon Alliance were here.

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    "Lady Summers, may we know the reason for your sudden visit?" Daniel asked. His sudden question snapped Xena back from her stupor.


    "Didn''t Felix tell you?" Xena replied.


    Daniel briefly nced at Felix before answering, "What was he supposed to tell us? We''re here for a meeting while Felix is out running errands. Don''t tell me you''re here just because you''re upset that we didn''t tell you beforehand we wereing to your territory."


    The nine chiefs from the Dragon Alliance were having a meeting in Avesburgh. However, Xena, the goddess of war, had heard nothing about it. She felt like a failure at that. However, by this point, Xena did not need to ask any other questions. She had already heard enough to confirm that Felix was indeed associated with the Dragon Alliance.


    "I''m sorry for interrupting. I''ll be leaving now," Xena said. She turned, intending to leave.


    Belle immediately went out after her with a look of confusion on her face.


    "Mdy, only the chief of the Disciplinary Hall, Daniel Rush is in there. Aren''t you going to ask the other people in there?"


    How could this prove that Felix was rted to Dragon Alliance? Wasn''t this going a little too easy on him?


    "The other nine people in the room are the nine chiefs of Dragon Alliance. What more should I even ask?"


    What? Be was shocked. Were all nine chiefs of Dragon Alliance gathered in that one single room? That had to be a joke, right?


    Belle sighed in relief just a whileter. "Thank god they''re all just here for a meeting. Otherwise, I''d have thought that they were here for Felix."


    Xena scoffed and said, "You''re overthinking things. If that was really the case, then Felix would have at least had to be a deputy chief or something. But do you even think that it''s remotely possible?"


    "Of course not! Who does he think he is?" Belle mocked with a loud sneer. She suddenly asked, "So, mdy, now that you know Felix is from Dragon Alliance, what do you think of him?"


    She was worried that Xena would change her mind about Felix once she learned about this. After all, she and Felix were still engaged to each other.


    "Nothing has changed! I never thought much about him, and I never will. Also, he''s nothing but a tiny errand boy for Dragon Alliance. Does being a member make him worthy


    429 BOARIS


    of me? That''s preposterous!"


    Belle sighed in relief. It was just as she thought. Although they had both been taken aback by Felix''s identity, it still didn''t manage to change anything.


    Half an hourter, the nine chiefs had already left. Kane then walked into the presidential


    suite.


    "Mr. Zeller, we''ve found her."


    Felix couldn''t afford to dy looking for the woman from earlier. Curtis still needed a cure, and he had to act as quickly as possible. Also, if the woman was from out of town, then there was a probability that she was leaving today as well. "Where is she?" Felix asked.


    "In room 1302. It''s a business suite."


    Anyone who could afford to book a business suite in a grand hotel like this was definitely someone rich and well-to-do.


    "Got it."


    Kane passed a ck case over to Felix. He had just told one of his men to withdraw five million dors from the bank in cash and put them in the case. Felix then left with it.


    He reached the door to room 1302 and pressed the doorbell. The door was opened by a crack with the chain still secured to the lock. It was obvious that the person was being


    cautious.


    "Who are you looking for?"


    Felix stered a smile on his face, trying to look as harmless as possible.


    "Hi, miss. I just need to ask you something. If you''re worried, then we can talk right here.''


    With that, Felix opened the case, revealing all of the cash inside. The woman''s mouth fell wide


    open when she saw it. She was obviously very shocked.


    "W-What is it that you want?"


    The woman was very suspicious of Felix, not knowing what he was up to. Why would he suddenly give someone he didn''t know arge sum of money? This was something that wouldn''t have happened even in the movies! 11


    "You just need to give me some information, and this five million dors will be all y promise there''s no funny business involved," Felix said bluntly.


    1. rs. I


    Five million dors was a lot of money. Unless the woman was from a particrly wealthy Chapter 195


    family, there was no way she would ever be able to resist it.


    "Tell me what you''ve got to say first," the woman shot back.

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    "I just wanted to know if you''d been somewhere in the past three days where you smelled something unusual," Felix told the woman.


    Snakefruits had a particrly strong fragrance, but regr people wouldn''t be able to tell where the smell wasing from. Also, the snakefruit scent would onlyst a maximum of three days on a person before disappearing. That was why Felix structured his question like that.


    The woman frowned as she thought for a long time. Her eyes lit up as she replied, "Now that you mention it, I went hiking with a friend the other day and smelled a really nice scent somewhere in the hills. But we somehow just couldn''t pinpoint its exact location." Felix''s smile widened. It was just as he had suspected.


    "Can you please tell me where it is? I can give you the money first if you''re worried they might be fake. You can check the authenticity."


    There were ways for people to verify the authenticity of banknotes online nowadays. So, Felix just closed the case back up and passed it to her.


    After hesitating for a moment, the woman removed the chain lock on her door and quickly took the case from him. Then, she shut the door behind her.


    A few minutester, the door finally reopened. However, this time, Felix was directly invited into the room. After all, it was quite suspicious for him to continue standing in the doorway like that.


    "It was on a deserted hill in the north of Avesburgh. I can tell you my exact route.''


    11


    After the woman was done exining to Felix, she suddenly got curious and asked, "Aren''t you worried that I might be lying to you?" "Nope."


    So what if she really lied? Kane would send his men after her anyway. They naturally had other ways to deal with her if she dared to lie.


    Felix left. He had just reached the corner of the corridor when a young man suddenly stopped him. His name was Sam rkson.


    "What''s your rtionship with Nora Pearson?" Sam asked.


    Nora Pearson? Felix had no idea who he was talking about.


    "I don''t know anyone by that name," Felix replied.


    Sam got anxious and eximed coldly, "You brat, you''d better spit out the truth! You don''t know her? If you don''t know her, then why did you juste out of her room?" 1/2


    Oh, so that woman''s name was Nora Pearson. Felix was dumbfounded. How much of a coincidence could it be that he would run into her boyfriend or husband on the way out?


    "I don''t have any inappropriate rtionships with her. As for what I was doing there, you can ask her about it."


    Things were bound to get messy if Felix were to exin it. The misunderstanding would be easily resolved if the man would just meet Nora


    Seeing that Felix was about to leave, Sam suddenly punched him, but Felix caught his fist in mid-air.


    "If you don''t want to spend a couple of days in the hospital, then get out of my way!"


    Sam was the one at fault since he started it first. So, Felix just shoved him aside and left. Sam red at Felix''s disappearing figure, his expression turning darker and darker. "Fuck! This isn''t over! You''d be dead meat by now if only I''d brought my bodyguards with me today! Just wait and see!"


    Then, Sam stormed toward room 1302. Whatever happened after Felix saw Nora was no longer his business.


    By that time, Felix had just entered the elevator. There was a masked man in it, and the birthmark on his forehead was particrly noticeable.


    Felix picked up a strong blood scent from him. There was only one exnation for this, and that was this man had just killed someone. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have smelled like


    this.


    He didn''t want to poke his nose into business that didn''t concern him. If he did, he might get the Phoenix Legion involved, which was thest thing he wanted to do. He didn''t want to see either Xena or Belle at this point.


    The elevator doors opened on the sixth floor, revealing a woman behind them. Felix frowned at once. The woman about to enter the elevator was none other than Xena.


    A split secondter, something else unimaginable happened. Xena grabbed Felix''s arm and dragged him out of the elevator. She said, "I''m sorry, honey, but please don''t get mad at me."

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    Felix didn''t struggle against Xena and just followed her out of the elevator. Since Xena was here, that meant the masked man in the elevator had to be one of the most dangerous wanted criminals out there.


    He debated with himself for a brief moment. Ultimately, just before the doors closed, he shook his hand and secretly shot a needle at the man still inside.


    With how powerful the masked man was, Xena was definitely going to have to put up a serious fight if she wanted to take him down. And since Felix had run into their little operation here, he figured he should help her.


    In addition to that, they were in the middle of the bustling city center. If Xena and her team couldn''t control the masked man, there would be other innocent casualties along the way.


    As expected, the smile on Xena''s face had long vanished. "This ce is very dangerous. Leave as quickly as you can!" Then, she sprinted toward the emergency staircase.


    Felix couldn''t deny that the somewhat coquettish Xena just now had a certain charm to her. Any man who saw her like that would instantly fall for her. After all, Xena was often cold, aloof, and serious, with a certain air of power and arrogance to her. Of course, with her current power and position, it felt like a whole other experience altogether.


    Xena reappeared on the ground floor. With her ability, it was an easy task for her to outrun


    the elevator.


    "Has the crowd been evacuated?" Xena asked.


    Belle hurriedly answered, "They''ve all been evacuated. You can do everything you need in the hotel lobby, mdy."


    Xena''s eyes were trembling with anger. One could tell that she was furious this time.


    "This Santhor guy is quite the cocky guy, isn''t he?" Belle quipped.


    "Move aside. The elevator''s almost here."


    Belle didn''t dare to say anything more and quickly backed away,


    She was also furious. The masked man in the elevator was a killer with the nickname Santhor. He preyed specifically on women and was on the top of the wanted criminals'' list.


    Santhor would always disappear without a trace after each murder. There was also no rhyme or rhythm to his killing sprees. Coupled with his strength and ability, he h managed to evade thew. Iways


    Nobody expected him to continue with his murder spree in Avesburgh. After all, this was


    Xena''s and the Phoenix Legion''s home ground. The fact that he still came here in the open meant that he never gave a fuck about the goddess of war. Of course, Xena would get furious about it.


    If she hadn''t coincidentallye here to verify Felix''s connection to Dragon Alliance, Santhor would have just walked away scot-free


    Just then, the elevator doors opened: Santhor walked out of the elevator and looked around the empty lobby, where Xena was standing far yonder. The expression in his eyes didn''t change at all. In fact, he slowly took off his mask, revealing the smile on his face. If Felix had been there, he would have understood why Santhor had to wear that mask. Aside from the birthmark on his forehead, there was another huge birthmark on the right side of his face. It made his face look distorted and ugly.


    "Xena Summers, the goddess of war, right? I''ve wanted to meet you for a long time. Getting to witness you call a stranger ''honey'' and act all cutesy right in front of me? That alone makes dying worth it," Santhor remarked. Xena''s fury peaked. So, she had been made a fool of after all. Santhor had recognized her from the start. He was simply just enjoying the show.


    "Die!"


    Xena couldn''t stay still anymore and lunged at him. She thought it wasn''t necessary for any more small talk, especially with high-profile wanted criminals like him.


    "Haha! I''m just going to use ten moves to kiss your delicious red lips and force them open with my tongue to taste the insides of your mouth," Santhor said sleazily as he fought her back.


    However, he had only managed to finish half of his sentence when Xena suddenly struck him in the chest.


    "Impossible!" Santhor yelled.


    It was only then that Santhor''s expression changed. He could feel that his movements had slowed down, and his body felt as if it didn''t belong to him.


    "What have you done to me?" he roared.


    Xena ignored all of his yells as she continued attacking him. In less than half a minute, Santhor''s body was kicked up into the air, and he flew backward by a long distance. Then, hended on the ground and stopped moving altogether.

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    Belle immediately ran over to check on Santhor


    "Mdy, he''s dead!" she eximed.


    Xena scoffed coldly. "He deserves to die. He''s the most disgusting wanted criminal on the list. Take him away!"


    Xena looked calm on the surface, but deep down, she was thoroughly confused. The database has said that Santhor was a very powerful person. The Earthen Hall probably couldn''t even handle him, but she had defeated him way too easily just now.


    In fact, she hadn''t even attacked him with all of her might. She recalled the final expression Santhor made before his death and wondered if she had been lucky enough to attack him right when he was feeling unwell. Perhaps something had happened to his physical body...


    However, none of that mattered anymore as long as this was the final oue.


    Time passed by quickly. Around 4:00 pm, Felix arrived at the deserted hill Nora had told him about. However, with his keen sense of smell, he had already detected the unique snakefruit scent at the foot of the hill. "Not bad."


    He smiled lightly and started up the hill. At the very least, Nora hadn''t lied to him, which saved him lots of time.


    After obtaining the snakefruit, he only needed two other types of herbs to make the cure for Curtis, and he would soon wake up.


    When he reached his destination, Felix immediately saw the fruit on the ground. It looked like a peach with half its body buried in the ground. Only the tip of the fruit could be seen above ground. Regr people could just walk past it without even realizing it was there. "Got it."


    Felix kneeled down and was about to dig the fruit up from the ground when a voice suddenly sounded beside him.


    "Brat, you better not touch that thing, or your life will be in danger."


    Felix turned around and saw a plump-looking middle-aged man standing about 15 feet away from him. The man was staring seriously at him.


    "I''d like to know then what kind of danger my life would be in," Felix remarked


    The man replied in an icy voice, "You''re going to regret it if you don''t listen to me. The thing you''re about to touch is extremely poisonous.


    "Don''t even think about eating it-just touching it will also cause your imminent death in half an hour. Or, maybe you think you can get to the nearest hospital from the middle of nowhere within that time?" After thinking for a bit, Felix suddenly grinned. The snakefruit is poisonous, you say? That''s the first time I''d ever heard of it."


    The man didn''t think Felix would know the name of the fruit. And, in the next second, Felix had already dug up the snakefruit from the ground without hesitation. The man''s expression immediately darkened. "You brat, you dare to fool me?" the man eximed. +


    Felix thought nothing about him. "You were the one who wanted to trick me first and then snatch the fruit away from me. I was simply returning the favor."


    The man cracked his neck and came closer to Felix. 1


    "Really? Because I wasn''t lying when I said your life would be in danger. Not because of the fruit, but because of me!"


    Felix frowned. Then, he lightly stomped on the ground, emitting a shockwave toward the


    man.


    "I''m in a good mood today, and I don''t particrly want to see any bloodshed. So, get out of my way," Felix said.


    Felix was a healer, first and foremost, and Gerald had told him before that he couldn''t offset the number of people he killed with the number of people he saved. So, it was best for him to control his urge to kill. (1 The man stopped in his steps. From this shockwave, he sensed that Felix was quite powerful despite his young age. He had underestimated himpletely.


    "Young man, I am from the Great Imperial Sect of Dragonia. Are you sure you want to do this?" the man asked.


    Felix shrugged. "I''ve never heard of that before. If you''re not going to get out of my way, then don''t me me for what''s about to happenter."


    The man was furious. What did Felix mean by saying he had never heard of the Great Imperial Sect? Still, he forced himself to remain calm.


    "Even if you''ve never heard of the Great Imperial Sect, you should have heard of the goddess of war in Dragonia. She is a member of our sect!" the man shouted. 1

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    Felix was rather taken aback to hear the man''s ims, but that was just about it. After all, Xena couldn''t have conjured all her fighting skills out of thin air. She had to have had a mentor or at least a sect from where she trained and learned them.


    Felix figured the man had to be telling at least 80% of the truth. Xena''s status now was anything but ordinary. None of the sects would ever dare to crack a joke in her name like this unless they were from an extremely powerful one. The repercussions could be terrible if anyone else found out.


    Thinking that Felix must be shocked, the middle-aged man turned cocky and said, "Now that you''re scared, you''d better hand over that snakefruit to me. It will only be a waste for you to take it away."


    Felix shook his head. "I''m not giving you the snakefruit, ever. It''s still the same thing for me. I''m not in the mood for bloodshed today, so leave now."


    The next second, the man suddenly released his aura into the air. It was so powerful that the earth began to shake.


    "You brat! Since you don''t know what''s good for you, let me teach you a good lesson today!


    His voice dripped with murderous intent. Of course, Felix didn''t back down anymore either. After a few exchanges, the man''s lifeless formy unmoving on the ground.


    Felix didn''t leave after killing the man. Instead, he turned toward the woods in the back and said, "Done watching? Are you going toe out, or do I have toe and get you myself?"


    A few secondster, an old man came out, coughing non-stop. "Ah, I''m just a passer-by. I saw nothing!"


    Felix''s expression was calm. He said, "You''re from the Inferno n, aren''t you? I''m only asking you to reveal yourself. If I had wanted to kill you, you''d have been dead a long time ago!


    "Go back and tell your upper management to stop meddling with me. Otherwise, I''ll find time to destroy all of you!"


    With that, Felix left. The old man''s back was dripping with cold sweat. His eyes were also brimming with fear.


    "T-This... This is way too different from what the database told us! Can even a five-star assassin kill someone like him? Would a human assassin even be able to get the the first ce? Isn''t he going to be our biggest problem now?" done in


    The old man had been shadowing Felix for a while, waiting for the right time to strike. He


    never expected to follow Felix to this abandoned hill and witness him killing that man from earlier. The old man would have struck instead if it hadn''t been for that middle-aged man''s interference.


    Now, the old man was just thankful to be alive.


    After all, that middle-aged man from earlier was already powerful enough to give him a hiding, let alone Felix, who had easily killed that very same man in just a few seconds. The thought of it alone was simply horrifying. On the other side of things, at the Phoenix Legion''s base, Belle entered Xena''s office with a conflicted expression.


    "Mdy, Santhor''s autopsy report is out," Belle reported.


    Normally, high-profile wanted criminals like Santhor would be sent straight to the headquarters, whether they were captured dead or alive, without an autopsy. But this time, it was different.


    Xena had personally given the orders to perform an autopsy on Santhor''s corpse. This was something Belle just couldn''t wrap her head around. 1


    Xena took the report from Belle and went through it seriously for a while. She then frowned and asked, "Was there nothing out of the ordinary with him?"


    ording to the report, there was nothing wrong with Santhor''s body. This made Xena feel even more suspicious. She was so consumed in her thoughts that she never even realized that Belle was chewing on her lower lip. "Yes, mdy. There was actually something weird..." Belle said hesitantly.


    What? Xena looked up and asked, "Then, why was it not documented in the autopsy report?


    "I


    Belle retrieved a silver needle and said, "A silver needle was discovered in Santhor''s body.


    It was about an inch under his right armpit. There aren''t any reasons as to why the needle


    would be there.


    "The discovery wasn''t included in the report because I was worried the headquarters would ask about it once they saw it in the system."


    A silver needle?


    Xena got up and walked over, taking the needle from Belle and scrutinizing it carefully.

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    "Doesn''t this look like an acupuncture needle to you?" Xena asked.


    Belle replied, "Yes, mdy. The needle has been confirmed to be an acupuncture needle."


    Xena had a strong feeling that this needle had to be the reason for Santhor''s easy defeat just now. It had suppressed his true power, making it easy for her to take him down.


    "Get all of the hotel''s security footage here at once. I want to go through them myself," Xena dered.


    "Yes, mdy!" Belle nodded.


    Just then, a voice appeared in Belle''s in-ear microphone.


    "Mdy, Perry Glover is here."


    "You may leave now. And ask him toe in," Belle replied.


    Xena felt sorry for Perry when he finally came into her office. Her uncle looked as if he had just aged by ten years.


    "Xena! It''s been so long! Why have you still not arrested Felix yet?" Perry questioned.


    Perry was at his wit''s end. He had expected that Xena wouldn''t have done anything much on her side, but to think that even the Inferno n hadn''t made much progress either! Could Felix possibly be an indestructible god, given how hard he was to kill?


    "Uncle Perry, although I''m the goddess of war, I can still only take action based on concrete evidence. As of now, there hasn''t been any solid proof that can directly convict Felix of the crime. What am I supposed to do about it?" Xena retorted.


    She didn''t mention that Felix was also a member of Dragon Alliance. Hence, even if there was enough evidence, it wouldn''t be up to her to deal with him.


    "Proof! You talk about proof all the time! I don''t care; he was the one who killed my son! There can''t possibly be anyone else. Fine! Since you''re unwilling to do this for me, then consider us no longer rted!" Perry shouted.


    Xena didn''t stop him and just let him leave. She had to stick by her principles with everything she did. Otherwise, it wouldn''t do if she were to set ¨¤ bad example for her underlings. Even if she agreed with Perry and thought that Felix had killed Ted, it was still only a hunch, nothing more.


    As the sun began to set, Felix arrived at a restaurant. He had done everything he could to turn down Warren''s invitation for dinner, but failed. Warren had called him multiple ti until Felix finally agreed.


    "Uncle Warren," Felix greeted. He entered and saw that Warren was the only one there.


    Felix then sighed in relief.


    ""Have a seat, Felix."


    There was a conflicted look in Warren''s eyes as he gestured for Felix to sit next to him.


    "Felix, this coboration with Ster Group is very important to me and my family. I owe you a favor for it. But on a separate note, I really hope you can settle down and stop causing trouble everywhere you go just because you have people supporting you."


    Felix knew that Warren was just trying to keep his family safe, especially since Sasha had gotten abducted thest time. There was nothing wrong with Warren''s behavior as a father.


    "I understand, Uncle Warren. Don''t worry. We won''t keep in contact anymore after this. This way, even if Lidentally get into trouble, it won''t have anything to do with you anymore." Warren opened his mouth to say something but hesitated and ultimately said nothing. At that point, he no longer knew what was the right or wrong thing to do.


    Just then, the toilet door opened, and Sasha walked out.


    "Felix, you''re here," Sasha said.


    Since Warren was there, Felix just nodded slightly as a greeting.


    Sasha didn''t seem to mind. She had already nned to remain mum about the matter for now anyway. There would be a dayter when it was finally time for revenge. Her phone suddenly lit up with a message notification. It was a text message from her friend, Nora.


    "Sasha, you know a lot of people, right? Can you please help spread the word? I''m looking for something. If I can''t find him in three days, my boyfriend will beat me to death!" Sasha didn''t feel like answering. She wasn''t exactly close friends with Nora, so she decided to just reply half-heartedly.


    "Who is it? I''ll help you, of course."


    A whileter, she received a photo. Sasha was shocked when she looked at it.


    The man in the photo was none other than Felix!

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    Sasha was confused. Why would Nora be looking for Felix? There didn''t seem to be a possibility for the two of them to even know each other.


    In her circle of friends, Sasha looked down the most on Nora. She was a good-for-nothing sugar baby who would willingly bend over backward for money.


    It was most probably because Nora''s family''spany had gone bankrupt a few years ago, but she hadn''t wanted to give up living her life of luxury.


    So, if she wanted to getrge amounts of money quickly, the only way to do so without bing a prostitute was to be a sugar baby to married men. "Who''s your boyfriend? Why would he want to kill you? That''s too ridiculous."


    However, Nora''s reply instantly made Sasha rejoice internally.


    "Believe me, Sasha, he''ll really kill me if he had the chance! He doesn''t even give a fuck about people like Lord Kane. Please, can you find this someone for me?"


    Someone who didn''t even care about Lord Kane? Sasha briefly nced at Felix and wanted tough out loud.


    Finally, Felix had offended someone he shouldn''t have. With that in mind, Sasha decided she didn''t mind being the catalyst.


    After eating for about half an hour, Felix started feeling antsy. He could sense that Warren had changed. Of course, this wasn''t his fault. He just wanted to protect his family from harm.


    "Uncle Warren, I''m seeing another friend after this. I''ll take my leave now."


    Warren sighed inwardly. He knew that his rtionship with Felix would be thoroughly over once they were done with dinner.


    "Okay, go then. Don''t act rashly anymore next time," Warren advised.


    However, Sasha didn''t want Felix to leave just yet. She was still waiting for the uing drama to unfold! How could she just let Felix leave like this? She could still feel the p on her face whenever she thought about it. Now was the perfect time for her to get her revenge. She wasn''t going to let it slip by!


    "Felix, we haven''t even had any to drink yet. How could you leave like that? Let''s just drink a little. Think of it as my apology to you for being so wild and recklessst time," Sasha said.


    Warren feltforted when he saw his daughter acting so understanding like this. Finally, she had grown up.


    Felix couldn''t refuse, so he raised his wine ss and clinked his ss with hers.


    He had just finished his wine when the door to their private dining room was kicked open with a loud bang. A dozen men then filled up the entire room. Unsurprisingly, the person leading everyone was the young man from the hotel the other day. "You bastard, I wasted so much of my time looking everywhere for you! Did you really think you could hide from me?" Sam shouted.


    Warren got up, his expression looking as ck as thunder. He didn''t think Felix would have offended someone else so quickly, right after he had just told him to tone it down earlier.


    "What do you want? Felix is rted to Lord Kane, so apologize at once!" Sasha eximed.


    Sasha sounded as if she was standing up for Felix. However, she was just confirming what Nora had told her. She wanted to know if this boyfriend of Nora''s really wasn''t afraid of people like Lord Kane.


    As expected, Samughed.


    "Haha! No wonder you were acting so recklessly thest time! It was because you were rted to Lord Kane. So what?


    "Listen up, you fucker. My name is Sam, Sam rkson, from the rkson family, one of the top billionaire families in Aveburgh! Ask your beloved Lord Kane whether he dares to meddle in any of our businesses!"


    The rksons? Sasha was simply overjoyed. Although she hadn''t been able to contact Ted for a few days, she still couldn''t forget what had happened at the fondue restaurant the other day.


    Now, Felix was in trouble with the rksons. He wasn''t going to be able to escape unscathed this time!


    "Uncle Warren, you both should leave now," Felix advised.


    Felix could tell from the look in Warren''s eyes what he was thinking. Luckily, Felix had already told them that their rtionship would be over after tonight, so they wouldn''t be dragged into messes like these anymore in the future. "Watch your back!"


    Warren left with Sasha after yelling that at Felix. Meanwhile, Sam''didn''t stop them and just let them go. It was obvious that his only target was Felix.


    "Alright, so get on your knees now and grovel. You should be thankful that I didn''t cau any trouble for your elders," Sam jeered.

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    Felix nodded. "Because of this, I''ll give you another chance. It''s up to what your sister chooses to do after that."


    His sister? Sam''s smile vanished. How dare such filthy trash like Felix bring up Dora? Did he really think that he could start spouting nonsense just because he had heard something from Kane?


    "Give me another chance? You''ve got the nerve! Although Nora''s just one of my toys, I absolutely do not allow anyone else to touch her before I''m done ying with her.


    "But really, I''m surprised that you''d actually give a slut like her five million dors cash. Is she even worth that much?"


    Sam had been thoroughly shocked when he saw all the cash at the hotel that day. Sure, he was filthy rich, and five million dors was just another figure to him. But that was the first time he had seen it in cash form.


    "I''ve already told you that it was a misunderstanding. I gave her five million dors in exchange for some information. Can we end things here now?" Felix sighed.


    Sam waved his hands and sat in the chair his henchmen brought for him. "Begin now!"


    Seeing this, Felix took a step forward, and something creepy immediately happened. Every one of Sam''s henchmen suddenly rolled their eyes to the top of their heads and fell to the ground as if they were mass possessed. "I told you that I''d give you another chance. Let''s go."


    Back at Kane''s manor, Sam slowly opened his eyes.


    "Call your sister, Dora rkson."


    Sam was shocked. He turned around and saw Felix sitting in the yard, barbecuing some meat. It felt eerily out of ce for some reason.


    Sam then turned to the other side and saw that Kane was also there. He was in the midst of skewering the meat for the barbecue. Everything was just unbelievable.


    "Lord Kane! What is the meaning of this? Do you not recognize who I am?" Sam shouted.


    Kane didn''t even spare Sam a nce. Without looking up from his meat, Kane replied, "Don''t ask me, ask Mr. Zeller. He''s the one you offended. You''d better do as he says." Fuck, so this Felix guy really had ties to Kane after all?


    "Call Dora and tell her that you offended me. She''ll know what to do. Of course, my hunch


    might be off, so this is your chance. It''s up to you whether you want to take it or not," Felix said bluntly.


    When Sam heard Felix''s voice again, he took out his phone. This wasn''t his territory after all, so he couldn''t act rashly for the time being. He didn''t retort and called Dora instead. "Dora? I''m in some hot water."


    As expected from a member of Avesburgh''s prestigious rkson family-Sam spoke calmly and unhurriedly.


    "You fucking brat! Did you get yourself into trouble again this time? Did you leave a trail? Or is the other party demanding too much?" Doras asked.


    "None of them. I got abducted. Someone named Mr. Zeller?"


    "Mr. Zeller?" Dora screeched, her voice rising by a few octaves. "Why the fuck would you go and offend that bastard? Where are you now?" "At Lord Kane''s."


    Sam''s


    eyes


    flickered. He could tell from Dora''s tone that she knew who Felix was. It was simply unbelievable.


    "Listen to me, you idiot. Even if he hits you, you''d better grin and bear with it! Don''t make him mad, because your family won''t want to be caught dead avenging you!"


    Sam inhaled sharply at Dora''s final sentence. His eyes finally showed a hint of fear. How could Dora also tell him something simr to this? Who the heck was this Mr. Zeller anyway? Just then, Kane''s phone also rang loudly. He nced at the screen and hurriedly answered


    1. it.


    "Chief. What? Say that again!"


    At Kane''s exmation, even Felix turned to look at him while still barbecuing the meat. Kane just turned around robotically to look at Felix, his eyes trembling in disbelief. "Mr. Zeller... The chief of Oasis Clinic... is dead.

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    Felix was also taken aback to hear the news. Thinking back, he had only met the Oasis Clinic chief just a while ago. He was honest and looked like he would do well in business and managing money. How could he just die in the blink of an eye?


    "Did he die of an illness or other causes?" Felix asked.


    If someone had poisoned him, that meant the rebellion in Dragon Alliance was so serious that they would dare to kill the chief. It was evident that they were unscrupulous with their


    ways now.


    Kane shook his head.


    "I don''t know. Mr. Zeller, the vice leader wants me to go over at once. I think he needs me to stand in as the temporary chief."


    In Dragon Alliance, it was challenging for someone to be promoted from a regr member to a deputy chief, let alone be promoted to chief from deputy chief.


    Kane knew he shouldn''t be the next in line between himself and the other deputy chief. Maybe it was because the news that the Dragon Lord had returned had already spread among the rest of the members. Although Felix hadn''t given out any instructions, the vice leader would have to consider the issue on hand. Otherwise, it would have been stupid and foolish of him to make such a decision.


    "Then, go," Felix said.


    In reality, Kane didn''t want to leave. He could benefit more by sticking with Felix and doing things for him. But now, it looked as if Felix wasn''t keen on having him stay.


    Soon, the meat was done being cooked. Felix passed a few skewers of meat over to Kane.


    "You''ve done really well. I won''t forget everything that you did. Eat up," Felix said,


    Felix''s words gave Kane the reassurance he needed. Kane''s perspective shifted as he now felt more touched than ever before. After all, Felix was the Dragon Lord, and it hadn''t been necessary for him to speak so kindly to him like this. "Thank you so much, Mr. Zeller!"


    Sam watched everything from the side. His brows furrowed every now and then. Ever if Felix were rted to Kane, it just didn''t make sense for someone of Kane''s age to be talking to Felix in such a polite manner.


    "If you get confirmed, send someone to Avesburgh as well. I''ll still need someone to take


    care of small matters for me asionally."


    Felix didn''t n on getting his hands dirty all the time. It was a lot more convenient for him if there was someone like Kane around to do his smaller bidding


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Zeller. I will definitely send someone capable of assisting you."


    Kane was beyond grateful. The Dragon Lord trusted him, which was evident in how he talked to him. Felix even trusted him enough to appoint someone else an errand boy for him! Kane couldn''t help but feel a little smug at that thought. Half an hourter, Dora finally arrived.


    Kane had already left by then. After all, the death of a chief was a serious matter, and the vice leader had also personally told him to return. And, with Felix''s reassurance, didn''t dare to dawdle.


    Kane


    "Dora!" Sam called out to Dora as soon as he saw her, but he was immediately given a death re from her.


    "Shut up!" Dora shouted.


    She then looked at Felix with all smiles and said, "Mr. Zeller, my younger brother is just a dumb idiot because he doesn''t know any better. Since he still has all four limbs with him, that means there''s still room for negotiations, right?" Sam couldn''t believe what he had seen or heard at how coquettishly his sister behaved with Felix. She usually only ever acted that way with their father or grandfather. Anyone else who witnessed it would most probably get a punch in the face. Yet, here she was now, acting like this with Felix!


    At once, Sam could feel his back getting wet with cold sweat. There was only one reason for his sister''s behavior-the rksons did not want to get involved with Felix because there was nothing they could do about him.


    "I can forget about you snitching to Xena, but your little brother here acted too pompously and needs to be taught a lesson."


    Dora touched her nose rather cutely and said, "Oh, but Mr. Zeller, I couldn''t help it! She''s Lady Summers, after all! Even aristocrats like us would still want to get as close to her as possible. We''re all businesspeople, you see. It can''t be helped." In actuality, Dora was more shocked that Felix was still fine even after she had snitched about him to Xena. Did he perhaps have some sort of rtionship with her?


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 Billionaire With Husband 184

    "How about this-I''ll sleep with you for a night, and you let my brother go?" Dora offered.


    Sam''s jaw dropped open. He felt once more just how terrifying Felix must be for Dora to offer up her body to him like this. Most importantly, he could see the anxiety and desperation in her eyes. He didn''t know what to think anymore.


    "Jack Graham is a manager from thispany. He''s a good friend of mine. The rksons have a lot of resources to go around, right? It shouldn''t be a problem for you to coborate with them on something, right?" Felix asked while handing Dora a business card. Was that all? Dora took the business card from Felix''s hand and blinked at him in


    confusion.


    "Are you sure you really don''t want to punish me hard in bed for what my brother did to you?"


    Felix was rendered speechless. He was toozy to reply to her, so he just waved her off.


    It wasn''t until Sam had left the premises and gotten into Dora''s car that he finally dared to speak up. "Dora, how did you and Mr. Zeller get to know each other? Why are you treating him like this?"


    A hard smacknded at the back of Sam''s head as Dora yelled at him. "Didn''t I tell you to stop being so cocky and learn to read the room? Why must you alwaysnd yourself into sticky situations like these?


    "I don''t know what else Mr. Zeller is hiding from me. Did you really think I''d offer myself up if he only had his martial arts skills?


    "I''m bringing you back home now and putting you under the protection of all the other martial arts masters within the family. Killing you would be as easy as crushing an ant for him!"


    Sam didn''t dare to speak anymore. He was extremely grateful then that he had let Warren and Sasha go earlier. Otherwise, he wouldn''t even have had a second chance.


    After Felix was done eating his barbecued meat skewers, he returned to Tabiner Bay. As for Kane''s manor-if Kane really were to ascend the ranks and be the next chief, he would be a lot busier running around Dragonia.


    If that time came, Kane would have to give up his manor. Luckily, Felix decided to take over the ce. It would be a convenient ce for him to settle things whenever he was th


    Plus, back at Tabiner Bay, both Yvonne and Ernest were his neighbors on either side of his vi. They would want toy as low as possible.


    Felix didn''t drive straight into the garage. Instead, he stopped the car at the entrance to the yard because Xena was there. He didn''t know how long she had been waiting for him there. "What''s the matter?" he asked.


    "I hope you''ll tell me the truth. Tell me, what is this action you''re doing in the video?"


    Xena didn''t bother beating around the bush and took out her iPad. Then, she tapped on the screen to y the security camera footage from the hotel.


    In the video, Xena had dragged Felix out of the elevator. However, just before the doors closed behind him, Felix''s wrist suddenly trembled.


    The movement was so quick that the video speed had to be slowed down many times before it could be seen.


    "Well, you suddenly acted that way with me and called me ''honey''. I was so taken aback that I trembled for a bit. Is that a crime now?"


    Felix knew that Xena would be able to find the needle on Santhor. Of course, he had to deny it. He didn''t want to be invited to the Phoenix Legion base again.


    Xena held Felix''s gaze for a long time. She was sure Felix had something to do with the needle she found. There simply weren''t any other suspects.


    "It doesn''t matter whether you or someone else did it. You''ll be cooperating with Phoenix Legion to provide us with useful information. It''s not a crime. You''ll even getmended for it. I don''t know why you''re so apprehensive about this. "I won''t move if you won''t tell me," Xena informed him.


    Xena knew that Felix was a martial artist. She had also checked all the angles of every security camera footage from the hotel. The only person who could have lodged the silver needle in Santhor was Felix. It couldn''t possibly be anyone else. Even Xena didn''t know why she was so stubborn about proving herself right this time. Was it because she had learned that Felix was part of Dragon Alliance and was starting to fantasize about him?


    Felix was amused. A teasing look appeared on his face as he looked elsewhere. "Sure. Do you dare to spend a night with me? I''ll tell you the truth if you do."


    Just as he was feeling smug about it, Xena answered without hesitation, "I do!"

 Billionaire With Husband 185

    Felix thought he was hearing things. Did Zena really agree to his proposition? He stared at her in shock


    "Are you sure you know what you''re saying? You''re Dragonia''s goddess of war. Do you even know what kind of position that is?" Feliz asked,


    Xena''s facial expression remained unchanged. I just want to know the truth, that''s all It has nothing to do with whether or not you''re a member of Dragon Alliance. You should know that more than I do." Of course, Feliz knew that. It didn''t mean that Xena would change her attitude about him just because he was a member of Dragon Alliance. At the very most, she just thought slightly better of him now. "Alright. Since that''s what you said."


    Felix didn''t believe it. He didn''t think that Xena would put aside her ego and really sleep with him for the night.


    After entering the vi, Felix went straight into his bedroom.


    "Xena Summers, there''s still a chance for you to leave if you regret this," Felix warned.


    He didn''t know what got into Xena today. Maybe she was possessed? But Xena''s answer was the same as before. She wasn''t leaving until she got her answer. Felix didn''t know why she was so stubborn about it.


    "I won''t regret this," Xena repeated with determination after looking at the bed. "You said that I only had to spend the night with you. You said nothing about having sex. It''s just purely sleeping, nothing more."


    To her, the goddess of war, she would still be holding on to her principles as long as she did not have sex with him. She wouldn''t feel guilty at all.


    Also, Felix wasn''t just a random person. He was technically still engaged to her, after all.


    Actually, deep down, she still refused to ept that she didn''t feel as repulsive toward Felix as before anymore. If that weren''t the case, she would never have agreed to lie in the same bed as him, even if they did nothing but sleep. Felix was stupefied. It looked as if Xena wasn''t joking.


    "Fine, fine. You win. Go to sleep, then. I''m tired, too."


    After Felix was done washing up, he saw that Xena was already lying in bed with the vers over her body. Although she hadn''t taken off a single garment of clothing, any man would still feel something if they saw a beautiful woman like her lying in their bed.


    Felix then took off his shirt and went to bed wearing only his underwear. He dove under the covers, making Xena anxiously switch her sleeping position so she wouldn''t have to look at him.


    No man had ever been so undressed before her. This was the very first time, and yet, she


    had allowed it.


    Felix''s unique scent started to spread. Xena could feel something in her chest and started getting anxious. She was well-prepared to chop Felix''s dick off if he were to eveny a finger on her.


    Meanwhile, Felix wasn''t having it easy either. Although his manly scent propagated throughout the room, Xena''s scent was even more mesmerizing and intoxicating. Her sweet scent kept attacking his senses, reminding Felix of his wild and passionate night with Yvonne.


    Felix knew that had it not been for the Grimflower he had given to Curtis and the revtion of his identity as a member of Dragon Alliance, Xena would never havee this far nor taken this step.


    Sometimes, a person''s subtle changes were not noticeable immediately. Xena probably never even realized that her "sleepover" or determination to seek the truth were nothing more than just flimsy excuses.


    Finally, Felix couldn''t stand it anymore. Neither of them would be able to go to sleep like


    this.


    "I know a special technique that allows me to sense a person''s physical condition when they''re close to me. That masked man had a very weak kidney, and I could smell blood on him. That''s why I inserted a needle into him. Otherwise, it wouldn''t have been of any use anyway."


    Xena blinked. It seemed as though she had underestimated Felix''s capabilities. Still, it didn''t sound like he was more powerful than her. After all, it wasn''t surprising for Santhor to have a weak kidney.


    Why else would he target only females on his cruel killing spree? In fact, there were grounds for Xena to suspect that it had something to do with Santhor''s cultivation method.

 Billionaire With Husband 186

    "You''ve got your answers. You can go now," Felix said.


    *25 8095


    But Xena was stubborn as ever. After all, she was the goddess of war. "I said I''d leave at dawn, and I will."


    Felix could not take it anymore. How was he supposed to sleep with her there? He got up, threw on his clothes, and headed for the door. "You stay and rest then. I''m going to grab something to eat." Xena bolted upright. As Felix''s silhouette disappeared beyond the door, she became furious. What was his deal? Did he find her repulsive or something?


    She was Lady Summers, the first goddess of war in Dragonia, and the fantasy of men everywhere. They had shared a bed, and he just... walked out? Gosh! If word got out, no one would believe it.


    Felix left Tabiner Bay and wandered the streets. He eventually found himself near the alley where Ted and Sasha had tried to set him up at that fondue restaurant.


    "I wonder if they''re still open."


    Though he was not hungry, the memory of that fondue tempted him. It was already midnight, so he did not expect much from a hole-in-the-wall joint. But sometimes life could be full of surprises. Not only was it open, but the ce was packed. "Ma''am, you''re open prettyte tonight, huh?" Felix had to wait for a bit before he got to sit down. Across from him sat an old man and a younger guy. The old man had three empty bowls in front of him, while hispanion had not touched a thing. The owner seemed to have recognized Felix as her face lit up with joy. She said, "It''s our restaurant''s anniversary. We''re open until three in the morning - it''s kind of a tradition."


    "Cool. One fondue, please," Felix said.


    Meanwhile, the old man set aside yet another empty bowl and said, "I''ll have another one."


    This old guy really had quite an appetite. Felix even caught a whiff of the extra spicy fondue, which was something that would make most youngsters sweat, let alone the old people.


    The young man was a little exasperated as he asked, "Master, you''re still eating?"


    The old man red at him. "Of course! I rarely get to visit Avesburgh these days. I''ve been craving this taste, so I''m going to eat my fill. Stop yapping, or go cool off outside if you can''t handle it." Just as Felix finished eating, a woman who had just paid her bill suddenly copsed with a


    loud thud. It startled everyone.


    "Quick, call 911!" the owner shouted as she reacted swiftly. But the old man who had been eating moved even faster. He rushed to the woman''s side.


    "No need to call. There''s no time. I''m a doctor, just leave her to me," he said as he checked her pulse with his left hand. Meanwhile, his right hand had somehow already held a few silver needles.


    Seeing the owner''s hesitation, the young man boasted, "Don''t worry. My master is a true master healer. He''s way better than any doctors in the hospital. This woman''s lucky he''s here." The old man had already inserted one needle into the woman''s head and was about to ce a second when a voice rang out.


    "Wait! If you ce that second needle, this woman will surely die."

 Billionaire With Husband 187

    Just when the old man was about to insert the second needle, he looked up at Felix, who had suddenly spoken.


    "Listen, kid. Don''t you know she''s having a stroke? This first needle will only buy her five minutes at most. These five minutes are crucial for treatment. Do you want her to die?"


    Felix was well aware the woman was having a stroke, but he had his reasons for intervening.


    But before he could exin, the old man''s apprentice eximed, "You idiot! If you''re not a doctor, shut your trap, and don''t interrupt my master when he rescues someone! And if you are one, you should know how high the risk of death from a stroke is. Are you trying to kill her?"


    This outburst riled up the other customers in the fondue restaurant. Given the age difference, everyone was more inclined to believe the old man was a master healer, whereas Felix was just causing trouble.


    "Hey, boy, have you been hitting the sauce? How dare you butt in on something this serious?"


    "Yeah, just watch quietly or get out of here."


    "What''s wrong with you? Do you have a grudge against her or something? If it''s really a stroke, waiting for an ambnce would be toote. This master healer is kind enough to help, and you''re trying to stop him?"


    As people continued to criticize him, Felix ignored them. Seeing the old man about to use the needle again, he had no choice but to reveal the truth. "Besides the stroke, she also has tremors at her neck''s acupoint. If you "


    "What did you say?" The old man''s face turned pale as he cut Felix off. He checked the woman''s pulse again, carefully this time. After just a few seconds, his eyes widened with realization and remorse. He produced two more silver needles before changing his approach. Felix stayed quiet. He had underestimated the old man. This guy''s medical skills might even surpass Xander''s. With just a hint, he immediately knew what to do.


    When the old man stood up again, he turned to the restaurant owner and said, "Please call her family, or just dial 911. She''s out of danger now."


    The crowd apuded as they saw the woman''s condition improving. But then, to everyone''s surprise, the old man bowed to Felix "Young man, thank you for speak Otherwise, I would have made a grave mistake, ending my career.


    1. up.


    What? The entire crowd in the fondue shop fell silent. Everyone stared in disbelief. That


    young man who seemed to be talking nonsense, Was he actually right?


    "Master, what are you- Shocked, the apprentice was about to say something when the old man ordered, "Apologize to him."


    Unable to disobey, the young man bowed to Felix. "I''m sorry, I lost my temper earlier."


    Felix helped the old man up with a smile and said, "No need for formalities. We both wanted to help. That''s what matters, right?"


    After Felix left, the apprentice finally asked quietly, "Master, was he really correct?"


    The old man nodded. "Indeed. That woman was suffering from both a stroke and tremors at her neck''s acupoint at the same time. It''s hard to diagnose both without careful examination as the stroke symptoms can mask it. I was too hasty earlier."


    Good heavens, it was true! The apprentice felt a chill run down his spine. As a traditional medicine practitioner himself, he knew that if his master had inserted that second needle, it would have relieved the stroke but caused the tremors to reach a critical point. The woman could have died within seconds.

 Billionaire With Husband 188

    Suddenly, something urred to the apprentice. His face turned pale as a chill ran down his spine. "But, Master! He... he never even touched that woman. How did he know about the tremors at the neck''s acupoint?"


    The old man smiled wryly. "In traditional medicine, we rely on observation, listening, inquiry, and palpation. Have you forgotten?"


    "Of course not! You also can diagnose just by looking, Master. That woman''s condition was sudden, so you checked her pulse to be sure. But that young man... how old is he? And he could diagnose the neck tremors so precisely, even with the stroke masking it." Shaking his head, the old man sighed. "Ah, Dragonia is full of hidden talents. Who would dare im to be the best? As far as I know, only four people in the entire country can diagnose neck tremors by sight alone during a stroke."


    The young man knew who three of those were. They had to be the top three master healers and the miracle doctor, who was almost like a mythical character.


    "Let''s go. It''s a shame we had that conflict. I would have liked to get to know that young master healer better," the old man said.


    Early the next morning, Xena left the vi. She knew Felix was sleeping in the guest room, which only fueled her resentment.


    Though she left openly, she still used her martial arts skills to avoid being seen. However, she forgot that Felix''s neighbor, Ernest, was not an ordinary man. Ernest''s bodyguard, Jairo, spotted her and looked perplexed.


    "Lady Summers? This is..." After some thought, he put down his watering can and entered the vi. "Mr. Holt Senior, Xena just left Felix''s vi. She used her skills to avoid detection. It seems she spent the night."


    He would not bother with such gossip if it did not involve Sherlyn. Ernest''s lips curled into a slight smile. "Heh, if she''s being secretive, it means Xena doesn''t know Felix''s actual situation. Sherlyn still has a chance. Go back to your gardening." "Yes, sir!"


    Almost as soon as Xena left, Felix headed out. He picked Jack up in his Range Rover and drove to a traditional medicine clinic in Avesburgh called Herbal Haven.


    "Are you sure you don''t want me to take a look?" Felix asked.


    Since returning to Avesburgh, Jack had been having asional abdominal pain. i.id not affect his work or life much, but it was annoying. Neither modern nor traditional medicine


    had helped.


    His boss suggested trying Herbal Haven, so he had spent five thousand dors on a scalped appointment for this morning.


    "Get out of here! Do you think you''re some kind of all-around genius? I''m already grateful you''re keeping mepany so I won''t be bored." Knowing that Jack''s condition was not serious, Felix did not push it.


    When they arrived at Herbal Haven, even Felix was surprised by what he saw. "Now that''s impressive."


    It was no mere clinic - it was almost a small hospital. It was five stories tall with a spacious lobby, which was already crowded with people even from the outside.


    "See? This is why I wanted you toe. The waiting is the worst part. We can chat about life to pass the time," Jack said cheerily.


    As they were about to enter, Belle appeared. "Hmph! How unlucky to run into such an unpleasant person everywhere I go."


    Felix was about to ignore her when he saw Xena arrive too. This piqued his curiosity. What kind of doctor was practicing at Herbal Haven? Even the proud Lady Summers, who could summon master healers like Xander at will, hade here for treatment. Chapter 189

 Billionaire With Husband 189

    Xena ignored Felix and entered the lobby with Belle. Herbal Haven was where Hector had informed her that Seth would be offering free consultations today. Her presence here was no coincidence. Not only had theye, but they had also brought along a few ordinary people to increase their chances of being chosen. Of course, Xena could not be too obvious about it, or Seth might catch on. "Jack, what''s wrong?" Felix asked. He noticed Jack was still standing frozen in ce a few steps behind.


    "Holy crap!" Jack snapped out of his daze. He grabbed Felix''s arm as his excitement was beyond words. "Did... did you see that woman? My god! I didn''t know such beauty existed in this world! Just one look and I feel like she''s stolen my soul." Felix knew Jack was talking about Xena. He was not the only one-many in the lobby were stealing nces at her. She was indeed stunning.


    "Besides her beauty, what else did you notice?" Felix prodded. After some serious thought, Jack replied, "She seems cold... like she''s unapproachable."


    "Well, there you have it. Just focus on getting your treatment and forget about it." The ce was so crowded there was nowhere to sit. Luckily, the two found a corner to stand in, while Xena and Belle stood on the opposite side. "Stop staring." Felix was rendered speechless as Jack kept sneaking nces at Xena. But then again, it was not every day an ordinary man got to see the legendary Lady Summers in person. Today was indeed a stroke of luck. Ten minutester, an elderly man in a white coat emerged.


    ""Dr. Brooke!"


    "Hello, Dr. Brooke."


    "Dr. Brooke, why are you out here?"


    Judging by everyone''s greetings, this man had to be the top doctor at Herbal Haven. He was probably also the one Jack hade to see.


    "Everyone, I have incredible news! Seth Fingle, Dragonia''s fourth-ranked master healer, has suddenly arrived at our clinic. He''s offering free consultations today. Everyone here will receive a number, and Seth will randomly select ten people to treat." Then


    What? The fourth-ranked master healer in all of Dragonia? The crowd was stunn they erupted in excitement. Even wealthy people could not usually get an appointment with such a renowned healer, and now they had a chance to be treated personally. Chapter 189


    475 BAW


    Felix was bemused. It was no wonder Xena was here. She must have gotten advance notice about Seth''s visit. She was really going all out for Curtis.


    "Bro! Is this my lucky day or what? If I get picked, I''m sure he can cure my stomach pains for good!" Jack eximed.


    Of course! If Seth could not cure something that simple, he would not deserve the title of being a master healer.


    "I think you''ve got a good chance of being picked." Felix was just trying to be encouraging He did not know Seth personally. Even if he burst in there iming to be the miracle doctor''s apprentice, they probably would not believe him. So it really was all down to luck. Soon, everyone had received a number, including Felix. If chosen, Seth would give enough time for people to bring in sick friends or rtives, and he would see one patient per number.


    "Mdy, don''t worry. With those extra people we brought, we have six chances. Surely one of us will be picked." On the other side, Belle reassured Xena, who remained expressionless. There were more people than she had anticipated, which would lower their odds even further.

 Billionaire With Husband 190

    Just then, a young man appeared in the lobby. He held up his phone and said, "I''ll now draw ten numbers. Those selected will wait to be called for treatment. The rest can continue to see Dr. Brooke." Felix''s expression turned peculiar after he saw the young man. Wasn''t this the guy from the fondue shopst night?


    If that was the case, then the old man who treated that woman must have been Seth, the master healer. No wonder his medical skills were so impressive-Felix had only given a hint, and he immediately understood everything. ncing at the nervous Jack beside him, Felix hesitated but decided to go over briefly. Having Seth examine his friend would put Jack''s mind at ease, and Felix also had another matter to attend to.


    After the ten numbers were drawn, Jack was disappointed. So was Xena on the other side, slightly shaking her head.


    "What? None of us got picked?" Belle was stunned. Their luck was terrible. Neither she, Xena, nor any of the people they had brought along had been selected.


    "Let''s go." Xena was about to leave, but Belle was unwilling to give up and suggested, Mdy, I could burst in there and reveal your identity. Surely Seth would be willing to help then."


    11


    Xena shook her head again. "We''re talking about Seth, the fourth-ranked healer in Dragonia. Why would he care about me, a mere goddess of war? It would be futile."


    They had not walked far when Belle suddenly noticed something surprising. "Mdy, look! Felix is going in. Has he lost his mind?" Indeed, Felix was walking toward the guarded room but was immediately stopped by security guards. "Even if you were selected, you still have to wait for your number to be called. Understand? Go back and wait patiently," one guard said.


    Felix replied, "I know the young man who just went in. Could you please inform him?"


    The two guards sneered. They had seen too many people like this. Even when Adam Brooke asionally invited famous doctors besides Seth here, people always tried to sneak in. "Leave now, or we''ll have to get rough!" the guards threatened.


    Belle''s expression was full of mockery as she witnessed this. "Who does he think he is? Even a chief of Dragon Alliance wouldn''t catch Seth''s attention, let alone some nobody. It''s ridiculous." Xena said nothing more, though she also thought Felix was being reckless and


    presumptuous. She turned to leave.


    Just then, the door opened, and the young man appeared. He was surprised to see Feliz. It''s you!"


    Felix nodded past the guards. "I''d like to see your master."


    The young man immediately weed Felix in with utmost courtesy. The two guards broke out in a cold sweat. They became worried they might lose their jobs. They had not expected this guy to actually know Seth. Once outside Herbal Haven, Belle asked again, "Mdy, are you sure you don''t want to try again?"


    Xena looked at the clear sky before replying, "Seth only treats ten people in each city during these free clinics. No one has ever changed his rules. Why waste more time? Let''s go."


    As she was about to get in the car, Adam rushed over from Herbal Haven. "Miss, please wait."


    Xena looked at him quizzically, so Adam hurriedly said, "Dr. Fingle requests your presence.

 Billionaire With Husband 191

    Xena was stunned. She had not been selected, so why was Seth requesting to see her? It did not make sense.


    "Thank you, we''ll be right there!" Belle quickly responded before turning to Xena. "Mdy, it''s strange, but why question it? Your grandfather''s life is at stake."


    Xena agreed. This was not the time to overthink things. As they were about to enter, Felix walked out of the room. Despite passing each other, he did not say a word.


    "Did he get picked? Talk about dumb luck," Belle-muttered. Xena did not dwell on it and went inside.


    "Hello, Dr. Fingle," Xena greeted.


    Seth remained seated as he said with a smile, "No need for formalities, Lady Summers. I''ve heard about your grandfather. I wanted to let you know that after I treat these ten patients, I''lle to your home." Though overjoyed, Xena could not help but ask "If I may ask, Dr. Fingle, why are you willing to see my grandfather?"


    A flicker of confusion crossed Seth''s face. But, given he was experienced at his job for a long time, he quickly replied, "Someone put in a good word. I couldn''t refuse. You may go now."


    As they left, Xena spotted Felix in the lobby and murmured, "Could it have been Felix?"


    Belle immediately dismissed the idea. "Impossible! Mdy, how could Felix have connections with someone like Dr. Fingle? Even his Dragon Alliance membership wouldn''t be enough." 1 But Xena seemed convinced. Ignoring Belle, she walked right up to Felix. "Felix, did you ask Dr. Fingle to treat my grandfather?"


    Just as Belle was about to scoff, Felix replied, "That''s right." Belle was shocked to hear his


    answer.


    Xena''s expression turned conflicted. She was at a loss for words. To use such a massive favor for Curtis'' sake... Her impression of Felix changed once again.


    "You''re bluffing! Mdy asked a simple question, and you''re taking advantage of it! What if we took you to confront Dr. Fingle right now? How would you save yourself then?" Belle mocked.


    When faced with Belle''s challenge, Felix looked at Xena and replied, "I happen to know his apprentice. Regardless of our rtionship, we share amon goal, which is your grandfather''s health and recovery."


    In truth, Felix was trying to make Xena understand that Curtis'' condition was beyond most doctors'' help. He worried that one day, without his knowledge, Xena might bring in someone who not only could not help but might worsen Curtis'' condition. Then, all nine rare herbs he had collected would be for nothing.


    "Thank you. I won''t forget this favor. I''ll repay you someday," Xena said.


    As they left, Jack returned from the bathroom. His expression was full of curiosity. "Wow! Do... do you know that beautiful woman?"


    Felix shook his head. "No. She just had a question."


    Jack was disappointed. Though he knew he had no chance with someone like Xena, even just sitting at the same table for drinks would have been amazing if Felix at least knew her.


    "Felix really has incredible dumb luck. He just happened to know Dr. Fingle''s apprentice," Belle muttered.


    After Xena heard Belle''s muttering, she frowned as they left Herbal Haven.

 Billionaire With Husband 192

    "Are you saying he shouldn''t have acked by. Figgle to see my grandfather?" Xena questioned


    Frightened, Belle quickly waved her hands. "Nano! Mdy, you know that''s not what t meant "


    "Sometimes it''s better to say lees. Regardless of everything else, Felix did a good thing this time," Xena childed.


    The more Xena spoke, the more ufortable Belle felt. "Mdy, Felbe must have ulterior motives. He''s going to such lengths to save Mr Summers Senior because of that prenuptial agreement. When he wakes up, you''ll surely do whatever he says." Even Xeba was at a loss for words, especially since Belle''s reasoning seemed sound. "It doesn''t matter now. I just hope Grandpa will be alright. We''ll deal with the restter."


    Xena''s response had actually shown her changing attitude toward Felix. She was no longer as aggressive and unyielding as before, though she had not realized it herself.


    At two o''clock in the afternoon, in Xena''s home, Seth slowly stood up. "Since you''ve already consulted Xander and Wesley, my answer is the same as theirs. I''m afraid I can''t help your grandfather''s condition."


    Despite preparing herself for this, Xena could not help but feel disappointed.


    "Dr. Fingle, is the miracle doctor really the only one who can cure him?" Belle asked.


    Seth nced at Belle, then looked at Xena. "Don''t worry too much. Sometimes, it''s all up to fate, and what you''re desperately searching for might be right in front of you!"


    Seth was puzzled that Xena did not know about Felix''s medical skills. But as an outsider, he felt it was not his ce to reveal it. He could only offer them this subtle hint. After Seth left, Belle pondered his words. "Right in front of you? What''s that old guy talking about? Mdy, did you understand?"


    Xena shook her head. "No, it''s probably just his way offorting me.


    Just then, a car pulled up, and someone unexpected stepped out.


    "Mr. Davidson? What brings you here?" The visitor was Olly Davidson from the Great Imperial Sect. As the sect leader''s disciple, Xena naturally knew who he was. "Xena, let''s talk inside," Olly said.


    Belle sensed the situation and did not follow them in. As Xena''s assistant, she knew Xena


    came from the Great Imperial Sect, so this could have been sect-rted business. It would not be appropriate for Belle to be there.


    In the living room, Xena poured Olly some water and asked curiously, "Mr. Davidson, has something serious happened?"


    Olly nodded. "Jayden is dead."


    Xena was shocked. Jayden Harrod was one of Olly''s disciples, so Xena knew who he was. How could he be dead?


    "You''reing to me, so I assume Jayden didn''t die of natural causes. Do you want me to investigate?"


    "Yes. Jayden''s body was found on an abandoned hill outside Avesburgh. He left saying he had information about a rare herb called snakefruit. You know he was obsessed with traditional medicine. I never stopped him as long as it didn''t interfere with his martial arts training. I never thought..." Snakefruit? Xena had never heard of it, as she waspletely ignorant about traditional medicine.


    "Your investigation will be much easier than if our sect did it. I''ll give you a lead. Snakefruit has a unique scent. Anyone who''s been near it will carry that smell for three days. So you have just over a day left. I hope this helps," Olly said.

 Billionaire With Husband 193

    Chapter


    193


    Olly took out a box and opened it, releasing a unique scent. "This is a snakefruit. I can lend it to you for now. Have your people smell it. You might get some leads."


    Xena did not take it. That was because she realized she found the scent oddly familiar. She was certain she had smelled it on someone before. "What''s wrong? Does it ring a bell?" Olly asked


    As she was snapped out of her thoughts after hearing Olly''s question, Xena quickly said, "Not yet. Don''t worry, Mr. Davidson. I''ll assign more people to investigate this." "Good. Thank you, Xena. He was my disciple after all, and it concerns the reputation of the Great Imperial Sect. We need answers."


    After Olly left, Xena suddenly froze. She remembered why the scent was familiar-she had smelled it on Felix. When she shared a bed with Felixst night, she wondered why he smelled so good. She had assumed it was a men''s cologne, but now she realized it was the scent of snakefruit.


    Since Felix was also a martial artist who was stronger than she had initially thought, it was entirely possible he could have been the one who killed Jayden.


    "Mdy, what''s wrong? What is this thing? The scent is so unique." Belle approached and curiously eyed the snakefruit in the box.


    "It''s nothing," Xena replied, closing the box. A flicker of uncertainty crossed her eyes as she struggled to decide whether to confront Felix about this.


    As night fell, Jack raised his ss in a private room of a seafood restaurant in Avesburgh. "I feel like a new man, bro! That master healer really is something. Just a few needles, and I''m all better."


    If even Xena had seen Seth, there was no way Jack would be left out.


    "Take it easy." Felix was full of smiles. Jack was his only close friend, and he wanted to


    look out for him.


    "Come on! We''re not leaving until we get wasted. Next stop, the club. I promise you''ll have a st!"


    Two hourster, they left the restaurant. Felix''s alcohol tolerance was legendary, and Jack had paced himself, knowing there was more drinking ahead.


    As they exited the private room, they ran into a couple. The woman was clinging to the man''s arm sweetly.


    +26 BONUS


    "Trina!" Jack''s expression darkened. His rtionship with Trina had not been short, and he could not just forget her. He had even stopped Felix from seeking revenge on her for the sake of their past rtionship. But now that he saw Trina being so intimate with another man, especially just days after their breakup, he could not help but feel angry.


    "Babe, do you know him?" the man asked.


    Trina nced at Jack contemptuously and sneered. "Oh, that''s my ex-boyfriend, Jack. How unlucky of us to run into him and ruin our mood!"


    The man smirked. "Jack, is it? Well, I''m Trina''s boyfriend now, so you''d better not have any ideas. I could crush trash like you easily."


    Jack was shaking with anger. He had not sought revenge even after being humiliated and dumped like that. But this chance encounter had revealed Trina''s true, ugly colors.


    "My darling here is the director of Ster Group''s Avesburgh office. In a few years, he''ll be promoted at headquarters. His future is limitless.


    "Do you


    I understand now why I broke up with you, Jack? Without your family''s money, you''re nothing. You''ll be stuck grinding away at some smallpany in Avesburgh for the rest of your life," Trina mocked. Felix watched silently. He knew Jack was about to explode from anger. Unfortunately, Trina was too materialistic to realize how good Jack had been to her, let alone know just


    was. how extraordinary his friend Felix

 Billionaire With Husband 194

    As expected, Jack looked at Felix while clearly trying to suppress his anger. "Felix, I''ve realized something. This kind of woman isn''t worth pining over."


    Felix nodded and took out his phone. Trina continued to look down on them. "What? It sounds like you want revenge. But do you even have the means to do it, Jack? You''re just a washed-up loser who tricked me intoing to Avesburgh. How dare you talk big?" Her boyfriend also threatened, "You really dont know what''s good for you!" Her boyfriend also threatened,


    Right then, Felix''s call


    he knew she would not refuse his request.


    rtionship was still. He was calling Yvonne, of course. Though their


    "Felix, what''s up?" Yvonne asked.


    "I need you to fire two people from your Avesburgh branch''s office. One''s named Trina, and the other is her boyfriend."


    "Alright!" Yvonne readily agreed.


    After he hung up, Felix patted Jack''s shoulder. "Let''s go. It''s taken care of."


    Jack immediately felt relieved and left with Felix without another word.


    "Idiots!" Trina cursed under her breath.


    Her boyfriendughed. "Birds of a feather flock together. That guy with Jack must have brain damage. He thinks he can get us fired with just a phone call? How delusional." "Exactly, darling. They''re clearly not right in the head," Trina said with a smile.


    The next moment, both their phones rang. As they answered and heard the voice on the other end, their faces instantly turned pale. They had indeed been fired, all within a matter of minutes. In other words, Felix was not joking. He could ruin them with just one phone call.


    Trina was filled with regret. With a friend like Felix, how could Jack''s future be ordinary? But it seemed toote now.


    Felix and Jack then arrived at their next stop, a club in Avesburgh. Jack immediately ordered two girls to join them and fully let loose. It was probably a reaction to Trina''s earlier provocation. "Felix, are you sure you don''t want to choose one?" Felix shook his head. "No thanks. I''ll just drink."


    These run-of-the-mill girls could not catch his eye. Besides, he was not interested in that sort of thing. Just then, the manager walked in with a beautiful woman. He told Felix, "Sir, this is Madeline, one of our top girls. What do you think?"


    It was the manager''s primary duty to ensure every man who came to spend money had a beautiful woman by his side. The profits from this were substantial, after all. Felix was about to refuse without even looking up when Jack eximed, "Holy shit! Madeline?" Hearing this name, Felix instinctively looked over. When Madeline''s face came into view, he was also stunned.


    This was the same girl James had mentioned at the ss reunion when he tried to cause trouble for Felix. She was their former ss beauty, the one Feliz had dated back then. Who could have imagined that the girl so many had secretly admired would end up as a hostess in a club?


    Just as Madeline fully recognized them and was about to turn and leave, the manager''s walkie-talkie crackled. After listening for a moment, he suddenly shouted at the girls with bulging eyes, "All of you, get out! The Phoenix Legion is here for an inspection!" Even the manager was panicking, The Phoenix Legion? Why would they bother inspecting a club for paidpanionship? It seemed like overkill.

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    Felix''s expression mirrored the manager''s confusion. Since when did the Phoenix Legion have time for this? Or was there something more going on here?


    "Bro, what the hell? I''ve never heard of the Phoenix Legion messing with ces like this before." Jack''s eyes widened. He looked to Felix for answers as the hostesses scurried out. "Rx. They''re probably using this as a front to catch some fugitive," Felix guessed. His exnation seemed to satisfy Jack. It made sense; otherwise, it would be hard to justify why the Phoneix Legion woulde all the way to this club.


    "So, what about Madeline? I''m still in shock seeing our former ss sweetheart here, of all ces," Jack remarked.


    Felix''s expression darkened. He could not believe it either. Back in their innocent days, he and Madeline had dated for two years.


    They had been naive then, and a kiss was as far as things went. There was definitely no rolling around in the sheets, but the memories they shared were still sweet. Madeline had been smart, beautiful, and kind. Of all the people Felix knew, she seemed the least likely to end up in this line of work.


    "Not to butt in, but maybe we should call her over and find out what happened. You''ve got the means to help, after all," Jack said.


    Jack also once had a crush on Madeline, but he had never mentioned it after she started dating Felix. Because of this, their friendship had not suffered because of a girl.


    "Yeah." Felix had been nning to do just that as he felt uneasy about the situation.


    Suddenly, the door burst open, and armed personnel entered. One pointed at Jack. "You, out!"


    Felix gave Jack a reassuring look, and he left without fuss. He had not done anything illegal, after all. Momentster, Xena walked in alone to Felix''s surprise.


    Felix turned to her. "Isn''t this overkill? Using the Phoenix Legion to raid a club just to mess with me?"


    Contempt shed in Xena''s eyes. "I didn''t peg you for such a yboy who woulde to a sleazy joint like this. Do you really get off on women who only care about your wallet?" Finding out Felix was here had pissed her off. After all, she had slept next to Felix justst night. She was practically the dream girl of countless men. Yet, he had not batted an eye and even left abruptly. And now he was here at a club. Frankly, Xena felt like she had been pped in the face.


    "What I do and where I go is none of your business. At least until Mr. Summers Senior wakes up, I''m a free man," Felix retorted.


    Fair enough. Xena did not want to keep bickering. She looked him in the eye and pulled out a photo. "Felix, be honest with me. Have you ever seen this guy?"


    One nce was all it took for Felix to recognize him. It was the guy who had fought him for the snakefruit on that hill.


    "Never seen him," Felix replied coolly.


    Whoever was behind the man had acted really quickly.


    He had considered getting rid of the body but decided it was not worth the trouble. The only witness was that assassin from Inferno n, who would never talk to the authorities. Even if Xena dug something up, she would have no solid evidence. "That was awfully quick. You barely looked at the photo." Even a rookie cop would have caught that, let alone a goddess of war like her.

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    There was no way Felix did not know that man. His eyes seemed to ask if Xena had any proof of his crime.


    "I said I don''t know him. Why would I need to look closely?" Felix shot back.


    Xenaughed coldly and said, "You smell like snakefruit. I caught a whiffst night, and I can still smell it now! The guy in the photo had also been near a snakefruit. So I''ve got good reason to think you''re a prime suspect in his death!" Felix leaned back on the couch. Crossing his legs, he lookedpletely unbothered." Smell? That''s rich. If a woman dies and you smell the same perfume on another woman, does that make her a murderer? What kind of logic is that?" Xena was fuming. She had expected this, but she had not realized Felix would be this brazen. She knew exactly how skilled Olly''s disciple had been. Even someone with a gun would have had a hard time taking him out. "Fine. In that case, be ready to report to the Phoenix Legion anytime," Xena said with a


    huff.


    In the past, Felix might have been worried about the time wasted. But now, with his Dragon Alliance membership out in the open, he had an ace up his sleeve. "I''ll cooperate once, but if you keep harassing me without cause, remember-I''m a Dragon Alliance member. I''ll report this


    up the chain."


    Xena''s expression darkened. She hadpletely forgotten about Dragon Alliance. "Alright, Felix. Keep it up. Your luck will run out eventually. You can''t cover your tracks perfectly every time."


    Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Phoenix Legion, Belle was listening to a subordinate''s report.


    "I see." She frowned hard as she listened.


    Xena had sent people to investigate a hill and left her out of itpletely. If Belle had not had her own trusted informants, she would have been totally in the dark. Her frown deepened as she quickly looked up the victim''s name in the system.


    "The Great Imperial Sect? Isn''t that Ms. Summers'' sect?" She then checked the surveince footage of a club in Avesburgh and confirmed that Felix had indeed been there recently.


    It all made sense now. This sect member''s death was connected to Felix.


    "Is Xena keeping me out of the loop because she''s worried I''ll abuse my authority against


    Felix due to personal feelings?" Convinced her analysis was correct, Belle suddenly smiled.


    "If Felix is still showing his face in public, it must be like before-Ms. Summers has no solid evidence. Even if she suspects him, he''s not going down. Not with the Phoenix Legion''s methods, anyway."


    After muttering to herself, she made a phone call. "Write an anonymous letter to the Great Imperial Sect. I''ll dictate, you write."


    Back at the club, Jack returned after the Phoenix Legion had left. "What was that all about, Felix? They just stuck me in another room and did nothing."


    Felix, of course, did not mention Xena''s visit. He just smiled and said, "Don''t worry about it. The ce is still open; don''t let it ruin your mood. Let''s carry on."


    Jack nodded. "Right, we still need to deal with the Madeline situation!"


    Felix beckoned to a hostess who had just entered. "Go get your manager for me."


    When the manager arrived, Felix said, "Bring me that beautiful woman you rmended earlier."


    The manager smiled apologetically. "I''m afraid Madeline''s gone home. She''s one of our top girls, so she has a lot of freedom. How about I find you someone else, sir?"

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    Madeline had gone home? Felix fell silent as he rested his chin on his inteced fingers.


    Everyone has a golden period in their past, especially during their school days. Whether it was a real rtionship or just a crush, seeing that person again as an adult felt like a good ending to their youth. This was especially true for Felix and Madeline. How could he not care when he saw her in this situation? "I''ll pay 50 grand. Get her back here," Felix said.


    The manager shook his head. "Sir, it''s not about the money. It''s in her contract."


    Felix raised his offer. "200 grand."


    The manager froze as he gawked at Felix. Had he heard that right? 200 grand?


    "I''ll throw in another 50 grand for you if you bring her back." Money was no object to Felix. He had more than he could spend anyway.


    "Give me half an hour, sir. She''ll be here, I guarantee it." Money really could make people do anything.


    "Damn, first love''s got some pull. 250 grand, just like that." Jack gave him a thumbs up. He did not think it was a big deal. Before his family cut him off, he would have done the same. It was all about having the means.


    20 minutester, Madeline was back. She was dressed casually instead of her work outfit.


    "You can go," Felix told the manager. After the manager left, Jack tactfully excused himself to the bathroom, leaving Felix and Madeline alone.


    "It''s been a while," Felix said.


    Madeline sat down next to Felix while leaving a gap between them. Her eyes seemed to hold a storm of emotions.


    "250 grand just to see me. Is it really worth it?" She did not seem surprised that Felix had that sort of money.


    ""Yes." Felix nodded.


    After a moment of intense eye contact, Madeline pulled out a cigarette, lit it up, and took a deep drag.


    "I pegged you right back then. I can see it in your eyes that you haven''t changed much. But I''m not that same girl who used to snuggle up to you anymore," Madeline remarked. Felix hesitated, then asked, "What happened? This can''t be what you really want.'' If he remembered correctly, Madeline had gotten into a top university. How did she end up


    Chapter 197 here?


    Upon hearing nothing from Madeline as she smoked, Felix pressed on, "If you can see I haven''t changed, then you know how 1,feel about all this."


    Madeline finally cracked after hearing what Felix said, and tears spilled down her cheeks.


    "Mom died in a car crash. Dad fell apart and started gambling. He lied and said he was still in business. He took out loans using my ID on top of his own debts. Even with my fancy degree, I could never pay it all back. What choice did I have?" She let out a bitterugh. "Pretty pathetic, huh?"


    Felix gently stroked her head and pulled her close. "However much it is, I''ll cover it. It''d be one thing if I didn''t know. But now that I do, as my first love, you deserve a chance at real life. No one''s going to stop that."


    Without waiting for Madeline''s response, Felix continued, "You gave me two years of your youth. That''s priceless. Here''s my number. When you''re ready to ask for my help, call me."


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    X

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    By the time Jack returned to the private room, Madeline was gone. "What happened?" he asked.


    After Felix exined the situation to him, Jack sighed deeply. "Family can really mess you up, huh? I got kicked out, but at least I''m not drowning in debt. Damn."


    It was midnight when they got back to Tabiner Bay. Instead of going home, Felix went to Yvonne''s vi. He had received a call earlier.


    "Yvonne, what''s up? It''s prettyte," he said after he greeted her.


    Yvonne nced at Felix. She then got up and said, "Have a seat. I''ll be right back."


    She came downstairs a momentter, and Felix froze in his tracks. Yvonne was not even wearing pajamas. She was in purple lingerie that would make any man lose his mind. Her face was slightly flushed, and her eyes kept darting away, which made her even more alluring.


    "Afterst time, I... I''ve been thinking about it every night. Would you be willing to sleep with me again? I''m not looking for amitment or to disrupt your life."


    Felix felt torn. Normally, he would jump at the chance, but he had his principles.


    "Can you give me some time? If you still feel this wayter, I''ll marry you." Without waiting for Yvonne''s answer, Felix left.


    Yvonne stood there, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment. After a while, she called Xena. "Miss, I did as you asked. But he didn''t make a move. He just said that and left.''


    "Interesting. With your looks and figure, most men would be putty in your hands. Did he actually resist?"


    Yvonne continued, "Yes. Also, miss, Felix knows I''m the president of Ster Group, but he hasn''t tried to suck up or anything. He only asked me to fire two nobodies. I''m having trouble figuring him out."


    She was beingpletely honest. If nothing else, Yvonne''s loyalty to Xena was unquestionable.


    "Seems my fianc¨¦ has hidden depths. Keep it up. Hearing this, I''m actually curious to meet him myself. I should be able to free up a day within the month," Xena said.


    Was Xena reallying?


    Panic shed in Yvonne''s eyes, and she lightly pped herself. What was she thinking? With Xena''s charm, Felix would probably fall for her instantly. Meanwhile, Yvonne was just


    a servant. What right did she have to dream of a future with him? She had to get a grip!


    Meanwhile, a whistling sound pierced the air at the Great Imperial Sect headquarters in Dragonia. A guard caught something.


    "How dare you trespass on the Great Imperial Sect!" A few figures darted out at incredible speed.


    The guard who caught the object looked at it. It was a letter addressed to "Olly Davidson of the Great Imperial Sect, regarding the truth of your disciple''s death".


    The guard would have ignored it if it had just been the first part. But the second part of the sentence changed everything.


    Ten minutester, a voice thundered throughout the sect. "Felix Zeller? I''ll tear you limb from limb!"

 Billionaire With Husband 199

    The next morning, Felix got a call from Kane. "Mr. Zeller, we''ve figured out how the chief died. It was because his martial arts technique went wrong, not foul y."


    Since it was not murder, Felix rxed a bit. He could now focus on Curtis'' situation. "What about you?" Felix asked.,


    Kane replied, "I''ve been promoted to Chief of Oasis Clinic, so I can''te back to Avesburgh. Mr. Zeller, the person I found for you should be there in two days max. Her name''s Vivian. She''s somewhat of a niece to me. "She''s been with Dragon Alliance for almost four years and is a martial arts prodigy. She''s already Deputy Chief of the Earthen Hall."


    The Earthen Hall? Felix was surprised. It was one of the top divisions in Dragon Alliance, as the people there handled all assassination missions. Getting in there required serious skill. For Vivian to have be a deputy chief in just a few years was indeed impressive. "Alright, tell her to contact me when she arrives," Felix said.


    "Oh, and Mr. Zeller, I''ve left Avesburgh''s underworld forces in Stinger''s hands. If any punks give you trouble, just have Stinger handle it."


    At noon, in Vi No. 6 of Azure Residences, Warren and Nattie were startled by Sasha bursting in during lunch. "Hah! Mom, Dad, great news!"


    Warren frowned. "Stop yelling. Sit down and eat."


    But Nattie was curious. She asked, "What''s the news, Sasha? Never mind your dad. I want


    to hear."


    Sasha hurried over and sat next to Nattie. "Mom, I just heard from a friend. Avesburgh''s underworld is in chaos. Kane''s gone to who knows where. Now his right-hand man, Stinger, is in charge."


    Kane was gone? Even Warren perked up after hearing that. Nattie''s eyes lit up. "Kane''s'' gone? Hah! Doesn''t that mean Felix has lost his backup? Wait, if Stinger is Kane''s right-hand man, he''d probably still look out for Felix."


    Sasha scoffed. "Mom, you don''t get it. My friends have it all figured out. Stinger''s no Kane. Kane had connections and skills. The big shots respected Kane himself, not just his position! I''ve even heard that some of Kane''s old allies are already plotting to grab power. How can Felix do anything big now?"


    Just as Nattie was about to respond, Warren interrupted, "Enough! Don''t discuss this


    Charter 199


    again. Felix has been more than fair to us. If anything, we owe him. Whether he gains or loses his foothold, you''re not to cause him any trouble. If I hear you have, I''ll cut you off!"


    Sasha shrank back. She had never heard Warren being so harsh to her. But she had no intention of letting it go. That p still stung in her memory. She would certainly cause trouble, but it just had to be subtle enough that Warren wouldn''t catch on.


    Meanwhile, Felix was having a farewell lunch with Wendy. The Kinsley family''s Miracle Card had been auctioned off to Moonshadow Alliance, giving them substantial benefits. Avesburgh was now too small for the Kinsleys. They were off to bigger ces with greater potential. With Moonshadow Alliance''s backing, establishing themselves in a major city would be a breeze


    They were not abandoning their Avesburgh assets entirely and would leave some rtives in charge. However, as time passed, they would likely lose interest in these smaller holdings too.

 Billionaire With Husband 200

    "Mr. Zeller, I can''t thank you enough. Our family''s fate wouldn''t have changed without your help," Wendy said.


    Felix smiled and said, "That''s just how fate works. You earned this. Why thank me? You helped me plenty with those herbs, too."


    Wendy seemed to have gathered her courage and finally said, "Mr. Zeller, do I... do I have any chance of being with you? Given your talent, I know I don''t deserve to be with you! But even if I could just be your mistress, I''d be willing to be one." Wendy was the heiress of Avesburgh''s wealthiest family. Anyone who heard her speak so humbly in front of a man would have been shocked.


    Felix shook his head. "You deserve better. You''ve only seen one side of me, you hear me?"


    Though she had expected this, Wendy could not help feeling disappointed. "I understand. Mr. Zeller, I''lle back to visit when I can. I won''t ask for much. Just answering my and having a meal with me would be enough." "We''re friends. Isn''t that what friends do?"


    calls


    As they were finishing up, Felix''s phone rang. It was Xena calling, which annoyed him. She seemed determined to drag him to the Phoenix Legion base for questioning and wasting a whole day.


    "I''m eating. I''lle over when I''m done," Felix told her.


    But Xena''s tone sounded urgent. "Listen, Felix! You''re in danger. Go somewhere crowded, preferably a busy street. Got it?"


    He was in danger? Felix was puzzled, but what really caught his attention was the genuine concern in Xena''s tone. That was unexpected. "Alright, thanks for the heads up."


    A crowded ce? If she had told him that, he would definitely go somewhere quiet. He wanted to find out who could be so powerful that Xena felt the need to warn him.


    Wendy hugged Felix tightly as they were about to leave the private room. Her body trembled slightly. "Please, let me hold you for a moment. Is that okay?"


    Felix did not stop her. He patted her back. His master, Gerald the Miracle Doctor, had once said Felix was destined to be surrounded by beautiful women. But the final oue would depend on his own choices.


    "Thank you, I feel better now. Mr. Zeller, please let me know if you ever get married." Wendy''smiled sweetly while fighting back tears. He was the first man she had fallen for so deeply, yet she could not have him. Only she knew how much that hurt.


    hapter


    "Of course!" Leaving the restaurant, Felix searched online and found an abandoned construction site. It was the perfect ce for an assassination attempt.


    Sure enough, an old man appeared opposite him as soon as he entered. "Are you Felix Zeller?"


    Felix was calm. "I am. Are you here to kill me?"


    The old man frowned. "Hmph! You''re not as simple as I thought. You already knew! The hill, the snakefruit, and the dead man who was my disciple. He must have introduced himself, yet he still died. You clearly don''t take the Great Imperial Sect seriously. "Today, I, Olly Davidson, will make you pay!"


    Just as Olly was about to attack, a voice rang out. "We saw your disciple die. You might not be a match for Felix alone, but he''s as good as dead with me here."

 Billionaire With Husband 201

    A middle-aged man appeared as he said those words. His presence was intense, which made Olly''s brow furrow slightly. Just by the aura, this neer seemed to match Olly in power. As for who was actually stronger, it would only be clear after a fight. But right now, Felix was the main issue.


    "Did you witness my disciple''s death?" Olly asked.


    The middle-aged man''s lips curled into a smirk. "Not personally, but our guys saw it. Your disciple was killed in an instant. You really think you can take this guy down solo?"


    Felix turned to face the man. His eyes shed coldly. "Inferno n, I gave you a chance. You''ve got balls sending someone else. Get ready to be wiped off the map then."


    He had enough on his te and did not want to waste time on this. Plus, these assassin groups were a pain to track down. But with Dragon Alliance in his pocket now, it would not be impossible If he really wanted to find them.


    "Inferno n?" Olly''s expression changed, and he chuckled and said, "Felix, you''ve been busy making enemies. Even an assassin group like the Inferno n wants your head."


    While not the absolute top assassin group in Dragonia''s underworld, Inferno n was publicly number one. The two above them were rumored to have been around since thest dynasty. It was impossible for any ordinary man to contact them.


    "If you both want me dead, cut the chit-chat. Come at me." Felix had his hands sped behind his back. Killing these two pieces of trash would be a piece of cake.


    "Hold it!" Xena burst in right then and nted herself next to Felix. "Mr. Davidson! We haven''t got all the facts. You can''t just execute an innocent man."


    Olly''s expression darkened. "Xena, I get it. You''re the goddess of war. Since you''re all about evidence, you can''t touch this punk. But I know what went down. He killed my disciple, no doubt about it."


    The goddess of war? The Inferno n guy''s eyes narrowed. He had not counted on the famous Lady Summers showing up. But so what? As long as they did not touch her and just killed Felix before bailing, there should be no problem. He was not stupid enough to mess with Xena anyway.


    "No way! Mr. Davidson, please back off. Give me more time." No way was she letting Olly kill Felix on her watch. That would be a stain on her reputation as the goddess of war.


    Xena had her people in the Great Imperial Sect. When she heard Olly was on the warpath, Felix was her first thought. She had a good idea who had leaked the information, but that was tomorrow''s problem.


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    "Are you really going to stop me?" Olly stepped forward, making his stance crystal clear. Seeing Xena''s firm nod, he looked at the middle-aged man.


    "I''ll handle her, you take Felix! Xena, let''s see if you''ll y by the book and arrest me after Felix dies."


    A sweet scent drifted in just as things were about to pop off. It was followed by an angelic voice. "Two old farts ganging up on one guy? Real ssy."


    A woman appeared in a long yellow dress with her hair pinned up. Her beauty and presence stunned even Xena, who was clearly outssed


    Olly was fuming. People kept popping up here like a game of whack-a-mole. This was getting ridiculous, "And who the hell are you?"


    The woman shed Felix a dazzling smile, then said, "The one who''s going to kill you guys.


    Without so much as twitching a muscle, she unleashed a wave of energy. Xena hit the deck and fainted.


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 Billionaire With Husband 202

    Olly and the man from Inferno n were still standing, but their eyes were wide with disbelief. A momentter, blood trickled from their mouths.


    "You... you..." Olly sputtered, unable to get out another word before he and the middle-aged man copsed.


    Felix shook his head with a wry smile. "Rosalie I could''ve handled this myself."


    The woman who had appeared was Rosalie Evan, his senior. Even Xena could not match her beauty.


    Rosalie rushed to Felix''s side before touching his face and legs. He dodged away. "Oh, Felix, let me check if you''re hurt."


    Felix was terrified. He had experienced Rosalie''s boldness all too well during his three years in Eden Vige. One wrong move, and she would eat him alive, leaving nothing but bones.


    Rosalie pouted and nced at Xena. "This woman is useless. If someone dared touch my man, I wouldn''t waste time talking. I''d have already taken them out. Yet she''s still ying by the rules. Should I just off her so you and I can ride off into the sunset?" Used to such wild talk from Rosalie, Felix quickly said, "No way. Let''s just get out of here."


    "Okay, okay. Mr. Hoffman was passing through Avesburgh and wanted to check on you. I''m starving, by the way. Take me to get some food."


    His nine seniors were always elusive. They had all left Eden Vige, but finding him was child''s y for them.


    A whileter, Xena came to. Staring at the two corpses nearby, she wondered who that woman was. Was she connected to Felix?


    A flood of questions hit Xena. She was still in awe. That woman was stunningly beautiful and impossibly powerful. Without even moving, just a pulse of energy knocked Xena out cold and instantly killed Olly and the other guy. It was mind-blowing.


    She knew the woman had not intended to kill her, or she would be dead too. Nevertheless, she had to exin Olly''s death to the Great Imperial Sect herself. Otherwise, the sect leader would be furious, and Felix would definitely be caught in the crossfire again. Meanwhile, Rosalie was savoring some fondue at a restaurant in an alley. "Delicious! This is amazing, Felix. You really know what I like."


    Knowing Rosalie''s taste, it was inevitable he would bring her here. "Hurry up and eat. Xena''s probably got people looking for me."

 Billionaire With Husband 203

    Chapter


    203


    Rosalie was unbothered. "Rx. Someone''s taking care of the surveince cameras. Unless we bump into her, she won''t find us."


    After she had six pots of fondue, the owner''s face twitched in shock. This gorgeous and fit young woman could eat more than a burly man. It was terrifying. Finally, Rosalie wiped her mouth and forcefully ced Felix''s hand on her stomach.


    "I haven''t gotten fat, have I? Still feel good, right?" Embarrassed, Felix quickly pulled Rosalie outside. "Are you leaving, or...?"


    Rosalie lightly tapped Felix''s head. "You little rascal. Are you trying to shoo me away after just having a meal together? Come to the hotel with me. I''ve got a secret to tell you." Secret? Felix rolled his eyes. "No way. If I go, you''ll definitely try to take advantage of me."


    Leaning in close, Rosalie whispered, "You sure? Then I guess you don''t want to know about your other fianc¨¦e''s identity."


    After they arrived at the hotel room, Felix asked again, "Rosalie, can you tell me now?"


    No matter how yful his seniors were, they never lied. So he definitely had another fianc¨¦e, but he could not remember a thing about her.


    "What''s the rush? I''m tired from traveling. I need a shower. Wait here!" Rosalie said.


    Felix sighed. Now that he was here, he knew he was at her mercy.


    Around 15 minutester, a voice came from the bathroom. "Felix,e in and help me with my back."


    Felix hesitated. For the sake of learning about this mysterious fianc¨¦e, he went in.


    Damn. He almost turned right back around. Rosalie was lounging in the bathtub with her smooth shoulders on full disy.


    "What are you standing there for? Come here." She turned, presenting her back to Felix.


    "Rosalie, do we have to do this? I''m a guy too, you know."


    Rosalie smirked. "I know that. I''m not asking you to do anything weird. Just hold it together, okay? Remember, you''ve got a fianc¨¦e. If you get any funny ideas about me, that''s harassment."


    Felix reluctantly approached. Squeezing some body wash onto his hands, he started rubbing her back. As his hands touched her silky skin, his mind began to wander.


    "Rosalie, do I really have another fianc¨¦e?" He had to change the subject somehow.


    "Mhmm." Thankfully, Rosalie decided she had teased him enough. "She''s in Yartford, and her family''s considered top-tier in Dragonia. I only found out recently. To be blunt, she''s even more impressive than Xena." What? So it was true? "Mr. Hoffman couldn''t have arranged this too, right? How could I not know about it?"


    Rosalie stretched her neck before continuing. "It''s not Mr. Hoffman''s doing. Your grandfather arranged it when you were babies.


    His grandfather? As Felix was puzzling over this, Rosalie dropped another bombshell. " Your other grandfather! That''s right, Felix. Your deceased parents were your adoptive parents. You have birth parents, but that family''s given up looking for you. So don''t worry about getting tangled up with them."


    Felix''s expression barely changed. There was just a flicker of surprise on his face when he first heard what Rosalie said. "That''s good."


    To him, he only had two parents the ones he paid respects to every year. As for these so called birth parents, he would not give them the time of day even if they showed up. "They''ve stopped looking, but your fianc¨¦e is pretty interesting She never gave up. She''s been using her own resources to search for you, Surprising, isn''t it?"


    After a moment, Felix said, "Let her look if she wants. Girls from families like that, they''ll probably just take one look at me and say, ''You''re not good enough.'' End of story."


    Rosalieughed as if she had expected this attitude from him.


    "I''m done." Without warning, Rosalle stood up and turned around.


    Luckily, Felix had been on high alert. He spun around and rushed out; otherwise, he would have been caughtpletely off guard. If he had actually looked at Rosalie and admired her perfect figure, she definitely would not have held back. In the end, Felix would have been the one suffering,


    "You timid thing. You''ve got no guts at all. Are you even a man?" Aftering out, Rosalie Heft. With Gerald''s instructions, she naturally did not leave any contact information.


    Once he heard his supposed other grandfather arranged it, Feliz lost all interest in hearing more. Whoever this other fianc¨¦e was, she would have nothing to do with him.

 Billionaire With Husband 204

    Just seeing Rosalle had made Felix happy. Since his parents passed, his seniors and Gerald had be his family. How could he not be thrilled?


    His phone rang. Seeing it was Madeline, Felix felt relieved. He did not want to rekindle their romance it had to do with her working at the club. He just wanted his first love to enjoy life again, that was all. "Madeline."


    "Felix, I''ve made up my mind. I want a chance to find my own life again. So... please help me."


    Over the afternoon, Felix paid off the loans Madeline''s dad had taken out on her phone. He then hit up several banks and paid off over six million dors in total. It would have taken Madeline forever to pay off such a massive sum on her own. "How many lenders from the underworld forces do you still owe money to?"


    Madeline replied, "Just one more to go."


    It made sense. These guys were on her back every day, so of course, she would pay them off first.


    When they neared a pawn shop, Felix motioned for Madeline to stop. "Let''s wait for someone, then go in together."


    He had called Stinger toe too. With Stinger there, they would avoid a lot of hassle.


    "Felix, thank you. I''ll pay you back-"


    Before Madeline could finish, Felix cut her off, "Don''t bother. If I can afford to pay off your debts, it means this money''s nothing to me. Actually, if you keep thinking about paying me back, haven''t we wasted our afternoon? You still wouldn''t be free to live the life you want. "Or are you saying those two years of your youth are only worth this much?"


    Madeline was speechless. She felt touched by his speech.


    "Even if you didn''t tell me, I know you haven''t changed. After your dad started gambling, you could have contacted me. But you chose to cut ties. Wasn''t that because you didn''t want to burden me?"


    He was right. That was precisely what Madeline had thought. She was someone who would handle things herself and never troubled others. Even if Felix had still been her boyfriend then, she would have broken up without hesitation.


    "Well, well. Isn''t this our star girl, Madeline? Did some big shot tip you? Here to pay off debts?" Just then, some thuggish guys came out of the pawn shop. They changed direction


    when they spotted Madeline.


    "Hunter, I am here to pay.


    The guy called Hunter Adams was a big, burly man with a thick gold chain around his neck. "What''s the point of these piddly payments? How many times have I said it? Be my girl, and I''ll wipe the te clean!"


    Hisckeys chimed in, "This is the fifth time my bro''s offered. Don''t you know a good deal? If Hunter didn''t like submissive girls, you would already be on your back."


    Felix stepped forward and said, "It''s two million total with interest, right? I''ll pay now. Where''s the IOU?"


    The group turned to Felix. Hunter was pissed. "You''re quite a rich brat, aren''t you? I can''t me you since Madeline''s a real firecracker. No wonder you''re hooked! But that two million dors wasst month''s news. Withpound interest, it''s three million now. Can you afford that?"


    Three million? Felix frowned. This was clearly extortion. "Either I pay you two million now, or you can wait and discuss it with Stinger when he arrives. Your choice."


    Hunter''s face changed. His body trembled slightly. "You... you know Stinger? This..."


    But the next moment, he burst outughing. "Hahaha! This idiot. You''re trying to use Stinger to scare me? What, did you just time-travel from ancient history?"

 Billionaire With Husband 205

    Felix had met Stinger several times and thought he was decent. He was Kane''s right-hand man, after all. But he was already facing rebellion right after taking over.


    "If it were Kane, I''d be on my knees apologizing and wiping the debt. It''s a shame you only know Stinger." Just as Hunter finished, a car pulled up, and Stinger stepped out.


    "Stinger! What an honor! What brings you to our shop?" In a heartbeat, Hunter''s tune changed. He was now all smiles and bows.


    "Mr. Zeller." Ignoring Hunter, Stinger went straight to Felix and bowed. Hunter''s eyes widened. It seemed this young guy was a bigger fish than he thought.


    "Give me your ount number. I''ll transfer now." Felix kept it short. Proving his earlier bravado, Hunter coughed up his ount details.


    When the text alert pinged, Hunter checked and frowned. "500 thousand dors? What''s the deal?"


    Felix pocketed his phone. "I told you the price changes when Stinger shows up. Now, you only deserve 500 thousand for the principal." Stinger shot Hunter a sideways nce. "Got a problem with that?"


    Hunter forced augh. "No way, Stinger. With you here, I wouldn''t darein even if I had balls of steel."


    With that, Hunter scurried off with his crew. Stinger was about to speak, but Felix beat him to it. He asked with a smile, "You got this under control?"


    Taking a deep breath, Stinger said, "Mr. Zeller, trust me on this. It''s just growing pains; some rats are trying to y both sides. Give me a week, and I''ll have Hunter kneeling before you and apologizing."


    Felix nodded and left with Madeline. If Stinger could not handle Avesburgh''s underworld forces, he would not be worth Kane''s time training him.


    "This is where you''re living?" Felix was shocked to see Madeleine''s ce. It was in a rundown part of town where the rent was merely five hundred dors a month.


    "I have to pinch pennies where I can. It would be faster to pay off debts that way.


    Madeline started packing. Felix had insisted on giving her five million dors. This city held nothing for her now. Plus, girls in her line of work often bounced to a new city to settle down once they had made their bank. Staying was not an option. As she finished up, Felix smiled and said, "Take care of yourself in the new ce. I''ll drop by when I can. And when you tie the knot someday, don''t forget to invite me. I''ll be there


    425 BORRIS


    for sure!''


    With tears flowing down her cheeks, Madeline hugged Felix tight. "How lucky I am to be able to meet a guy like you! 1.. I''m lost for words."


    Before Felix could respond, Madeline stepped back and started unbuttoning her shirt. "I''m still a virgin. Take me! It''s not about paying you back. It''s because you''ve always had a ce in my heart."


    In one afternoon, Felix had spent over ten million dors on her without asking her to pay him back. His kindness was off the charts. It had literally pulled her out of hell.


    Felix raised his hand to stop Madeline. "You know that''s not who I am, right?"


    Crouching down, Madeline broke into sobs. If her dad had not been such a monster and if her mom had not died in that crash, maybe she and Felix could have had their happily ever after. But that ship had sailed long ago. Today''s Bonus Offer


    X

 Billionaire With Husband 206

    Chooter 200


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    At the same time, a helicopter descended over the Great Imperial Sect. Xena stepped out, apanied by two subordinates carrying a corpse covered with a white cloth.


    Every seat was filled except one in the Great Imperial Sect''s council hall.


    The five remaining elders, the sect leader, and the deputy leader were all present.


    "Ms. Cunningham."


    Xena greeted Jaxon with a deep bow. The sect leader of the Great Imperial Sect, Jaxon Cunningham, sat in front of everyone with a solemn expression.


    "It''s been years, and yet you came back only to deliver a corpse. As your mentor, I can''t help but feel ashamed."


    Anyone else could hear the dissatisfaction and anger in his tone, not to mention Xena. "Mr. Cunningham, Olly was killed by a mysterious woman. I''m doing everything I can to track her down," Xena exined. Just as she finished speaking, an elder interjected.


    "Xena, we old folks may be on the verge of death or hidden away in the mountains, but we''re not ignorant. Are you trying to absolve that man named Felix of any crime?" Bang!


    The deputy sect leader suddenly mmed the armrest of his chair.


    "Xena! It''s a bit too obvious that you are siding with the outsiders, right? Don''t forget, the Great Imperial Sect raised you. Even if you''re now the goddess of war and Hector is your main support, do you think you''d have ever been worthy of his recognition without the Great Imperial Sect?"


    The other elders nodded one after one, clearly agreeing with the deputy leader''s words. Xena, feeling helpless, continued, "Mr. Cunningham, please give me some time to investigate. I will show no leniency if there''s even a shred of evidence!"


    The room fell silent as everyone turned to the sect leader. Ultimately, the final decision rested with him.


    Jaxon pondered for a long while before finally speaking.


    "Since the founding of the Great Imperial Sect, aside from the war decades ago, we haven''t


    had any


    deaths. But now, two people have died in quick session, and one of them was


    an elder. Moreover, the killer was the same person!"


    With that, Jaxon stood up.


    "You asked for evidence, but that''s only because you are the goddess of war. But when do we ever ask for evidence? There''s no such thing as rules and procedures on this side of the world! If we wait for evidence, the Great Imperial Sect will be wiped out sooner orter.""


    Xena''s expression changed drastically. She hadn''t expected such words from her mentor, who had always doted on her. A growing sense of foreboding swept over her.


    "Mr. Cunningham! You..."


    "Shut up!"


    A loud roar interrupted her, and Jaxon''s white beard trembled violently.


    "All signs point to Felix! Even if, as you say, some mysterious woman was involved in Olly''s death, how could Felix be excluded from this? Go and get him, and we''ll learn who this woman is. "The Great Imperial Sect will not remain silent after such humiliation."


    The elders and the deputy sect leader all stood up.


    "Mr. Cunningham, please give the order!" the elders shouted in unison.


    Xena felt bitterness in her heart. She knew there was no turning back at this point. However, as the goddess of war, her principles would never waver.


    "Mr. Cunningham! If you insist on going after Felix without any evidence, then you might as well kill me too."


    Jaxon''s eyes narrowed. It looked as if two sharp beams of cold light shot from them. His gaze locked onto Xena''s determined expression.


    "You think I won''t?"


    *

 Billionaire With Husband 207

    Ten minutester, Inside the craft the memiers was enren, and the one said were


    sepkan driving the creat Imperial Sert


    "Mr. Commingham! Are we really going to Brix Xena? that fine?"


    The deputy set leader, who was arrogant and she of Xena, now appeared worried


    After all, while his seniority might allow him to great her this way, Xena''s identity as the goddess of wat was a whole different matter.


    "Exactly, Mr. Cunningham. Xena is the goddess of war, and if Hector gets involved, we''re in serious trouble."


    In Dragonia, were there sects that dared to defy the Warlord of the East openly? Yes. But the Great Imperial Sect was definitely not one of them. The authority of the Warlord of the East wasn''t just an empty title. However, Jaxon didn''t seem concerned.


    "There''s no need to worry! We''ll just say that Xena was deep into her cultivation and returned to the Great Imperial Sect to go into seclusion. Even the Warlord of the East won''t interfere."


    The crowd''s eyes brightened. This n was clever! Xena was a member of the Great Imperial Sect, so it would make sense for her to return to seclude herself for cultivation.


    Moreover, they were only keeping her under the best conditions, so there was no


    mistreatment. This n was sure to work.


    "Once we''ve dealt with Felix and that woman, we can offer up someone for Xena to take back with her. It''ll give her something to report."


    With that, their attention turned to how they would kill Felix.


    The second elder, Mart¨ªn, stood up and said, "Mr. Cunningham, I''ll bring Felix here."


    Given his close rtionship with Olly, the sixth elder, it was no surprise that he volunteered.


    To everyone''s surprise, Jaxon shook his head and said in a serious tone, "No, you can''t. What if that mysterious woman is still lurking in the shadows? You''ve heard what Xena said. She instantly killed Olly and one of Inferno n''s top assassins. What could we possibly achieve if you went alone?"


    The room fell into silence. If Xena wasn''t lying, it proved that the woman''s strength was at least on par with the deputy sect leader. Sending an elder-level fighter would be no different than sending them to their death.


    "Here''s what we''ll do. We will investigate the matter first. Then, bring someone close to Felix here as a guest of the Great Imperial Sect. We should follow the principle of not involving family members, but we''re left with no choice now. Once everything is settled. we''ll send that person back withpensation


    It didn''t take much thought to realize that Jaxon''s strategy was the wisest and safest long as Felix came to the Great Imperial Sect, no matter how powerful the woman behind him was, she would be forced to retreat. It was far safer than sending people to assassinate him in Avesburgh.


    At the airport at Avesburgh, Felix, who had just seen Madeline off at security check, was about to leave when someone stopped him.


    "Felix, what a coincidence! Since I''ve run into you, I don''t have to go looking for you."


    Felix frowned as he looked at the woman in front of him. It was Ruth, Sasha''s close friend. She hadn''t shown up in a while, probably because she had learned about his rtionship with Kane. But now, why was she acting so arrogant again? "Do I know you that well?"


    Ruth smirked and crossed her arms.


    "Oh, keep pretending! Do you think we''re deaf? Don''t you know that Kane has left Avesburgh? Your support is gone now, so what are you so smug about?"


    Felix had ignored her before because she was unimportant, but if she kept pushing, he wouldn''t hold back.


    "So, what do you n to do now that my support is gone?"


    Ruth sneered, "Ha! I thought you''d never admit defeat!"

 Billionaire With Husband 208

    hapter 208


    "Simple! You''ve humiliated me, and you even lift Sasha.


    "He''s made it clear that I should inform you of this. Tomorrow night, go to this ce and apologize to her and me. Otherwise, don''t me her for not giving any face, not even for her father," Ruth dered. Felix smiled.


    "Alright, I''ll definitely be there. You can also tell Sasha that from now until the meeting time tomorrow, she still has a chance to change her mind. Otherwise, I''ll make sure she spends the rest of her life in a wheelchair."


    Did Sasha really think that just because Warren had her back, she could act as she pleased? She had already been involved in a lot of messy situations.


    "Interesting. I''ll be sure to pass on your message."


    Meanwhile, in a high-end caf¨¦, Jack arrived at the entrance. Judging by the interior, he could tell that the person who had arranged to meet him wasn''t ordinary. The person had only mentioned they were Felix''s friend and nothing else. When he entered the room, Jack was stunned. The woman sitting inside was a breathtaking beauty, almost on par with Xena. She was indescribably gorgeous.


    "H-Hello," Jack stammered.


    The person who had arranged the meeting was Yvonne. She smiled and said, "Please have a seat, Mr. Graham."


    Though he hadn''t been nervous before, he was now after seeing such a stunning beauty.


    "You''re a friend of Felix? I''m really surprised."


    Yvonne''s smile deepened. "Oh? Are you surprised that he shouldn''t have friends, or that his friends are this beautiful?" Her yful remark made Jack blush, leaving him unsure of how to respond.


    "Let''s get to the point," Yvonne continued. "My name is Yvonne, and I''m the general manager of Ster Group."


    What?


    Jack''s eyes widened in shock. It finally made sense why Trina had been able to get into Ster Group''s Avesburgh office so quickly and why she had been fired just as quickly. It turned out Felix was connected to the general manager of Ster Group. "H-Hello, Ms. Cooper," Jack stammered. He was now nervous not just because of her beauty but because of her status.


    "Don''t be so formal. I''m a friend of Felix, and since you''re his close buddy, there''s no need to be so polite. We''re friends, too," Yvonne said


    Afterposing himself, Jack managed to smile. "What can I do for you, Ms. Cooper?"


    Yvonne took out a contract and ced it on the table.


    "Sign this, and you''ll immediately be the head of Ster Group''s Avesburgh office. If you don''t want to stay in Avesburgh after some time, you can transfer directly to a position at thepany''s headquarters." Jack swallowed hard. What? Head of the Avesburgh office? That was a huge leap!


    Signing this contract would mean he would instantly be someone many big names in Avesburgh would want to curry favor with. Leaders like those in his currentpany would be beneath him. After pondering for a while, Jack frowned.


    "Haha! There''s no such thing as a free lunch. I assume you want me to do something that would hurt Felix, right? I''m sorry, but no matter how much I want to seed, I won''t do it at the expense of our friendship." Yvonne''s lips curled into a slight smile, and she took out another contract.


    "This contract will take effect three years from now. By then, you''ll not only be the


    Vice President of Ster Group, but you''ll also own one percent of thepany''s shares. Don''t tell me that does not tempt you?"

 Billionaire With Husband 209

    How big was Ster Group? It was a top-rankpany in the entire Dragonia.


    Forget about being a vice president, just passing theyers of screening to work there was something most people could only dream of-the kind of dream that would make youugh in your sleep. The benefits and perks offered there were unimaginable for an ordinary office worker.


    Plus, to add one percent of shares in thepany, there were simply no words to describe how valuable that was. Most people would grab the pen and sign the contract immediately after seeing it. To put it bluntly, even if Yvonne mistreated themter, they would do it without hesitation.


    What was more important, poverty or dignity? Only those who had truly experienced it knew the answer.


    However, Jack didn''t hesitate even for a second. His expression darkened, and he stood up.


    "Ms. Cooper, I don''t care what your status is. If you dare to harm my buddy, I''ll give up my life to drag you down with me!" a


    As he was about to leave, Yvonne smiled and said, "No need to rush off. Do I look like someone who would harm Felix?"


    Jack, who was confused, stopped and looked back at her.


    "Sit down. I do have a favor to ask of you, but I promise it won''t harm Felix in any way. Besides, with my position, if I really wanted to harm him, would I need your help?"


    For a moment, Jack was stunned. That''s right. Yvonne was the general manager of Ster Group. Would she really need his help to deal with Felix?


    "So... Ms. Cooper, why did you ask me here then?" Jack asked.


    Yvonne had only been testing Jack''s loyalty to Felix. She was impressed by how deep their friendship ran. He didn''t even flinch at the tempting offers.


    "I brought out these two contracts because I wish you could report Felix''s daily activities to me. You can tell me anything thates to mind, whether it''s from the past or the present. I want to know everything about him."


    Jack swallowed hard and sat back down in disbelief.


    "Are you trying to chase after my buddy?".


    If he hadn''t misheard, that was what it sounded like.


    Yvonne thought for a moment, then nodded slightly. "If you want to think of it that way, that''s fine."


    +25 801


    What? Felix, that rascal!


    What kind of charm did he have to attract someone like this? It was Yvonne, the general manager of Ster Group, who had a figure and face that could drive countless men crazy. Was she actually chasing after Felix? And now she was even trying to get more information about Felix from him?


    Jack grinned widely and pulled both contracts in front of him. "Ms. Cooper, if that''s the case, then we''ve got a deal! I''ll make sure you know every detail, even the kind of underwear Felix likes to wear. No one knows him better than I do.''


    After Jack left, a middle-aged man entered the caf¨¦.


    "Ms. Cooper," he said.


    Yvonne ced her coffee cup down and, with a stern expression, said in a low voice," Proceed with missus''s instructions."


    "Sure!" he replied.


    Indeed, everything was done under the orders of her missus. Yvonne was merely the executor. She felt somewhat uneasy.


    Although she was certain her missus wouldn''t be romantically interested in Felix-since the two of them were worlds apart-the attention surrounding him seemed to be growing. Could there really be a chance in the future?


    Just thinking about the man she had once passionately entangled with in bed possibly ending up with her missus didn''t sit well with her. It caused her to feel ufortable.


    At night, Felix returned to Tabiner Bay. He saw a woman standing at the vi''s entrance. She was dressed in a white T-shirt and tight jeans. Her figure was wless from the side, and her profile was perfect. 1

 Billionaire With Husband 210

    Chapt¨¦r 210


    The girl''s ponytail swayed as she turned around, seemingly having heard the sound. She was indeed very beautiful, with a mix of innocence and allure that was hard to define. The girl bent over in a bow, her eyes sparkling with excitement.


    "I''m Vivian Murphy, the deputy chief of Dragon Alliance''s Earthen Hall. I''ve met the Dragon Lord before."


    If they weren''t outside, Vivian would probably have already kneeled down.


    "So, you''re Vivian? It seems you''vee a bit early."


    Felix opened the gate, and Vivian followed closely behind.


    "I have the opportunity to serve the Dragon Lord. How could I let anything else distract me?


    Vivian''s heart was still far from calm. When Kane had informed her that she would be serving the Dragon Lord directly, the emotion she felt was indescribable.


    Once inside the living room, Felix gestured for Vivian to sit.


    "To be a deputy chief of one of the Dragon Alliance''s subsects at such a young age is an impressive achievement.''


    "Thank you for your praise, Dragon Lord."


    Felix had a few things he needed to discuss with Vivian regarding Dragon Alliance, which might take some time. So, he stood up and said, "Please make yourselffortable. I''m going to take a shower, and then we''ll talk."


    Vivian''s face flushed immediately. She lowered her head slightly as she said, "Dragon Lord, would you prefer me to serve you whilepletely undressed or in my underwear? Or, if you have any special preferences, I can buy the appropriate clothes." Serve him while he showered? Felix''s expression became strange.


    "Do you have some kind of misunderstanding? Did I ever say I needed you to serve me while I shower?"


    "Huh?" Vivian covered her mouth and said, "M. my uncle told me I was supposed to serve you in everything you do. Isn''t that what he meant?"


    This must be Kane''s way of teasing Felix.


    "No need. Your role is to help me handle certain trivial matters. I have arms and legs, so why would I need someone to shower me? Besides, it''s not appropriate for a young woman


    like you.


    "Also, from now on, just call me Felix."


    Watching Felix''s back as he went upstairs, Vivian wished she could find a hole to hide from embarrassment. Although she had initially felt some resistance, she now strangely felt a sense of loss.


    Oh my god! The Dragon Lord was even younger and more handsome than in the pictures. This was exactly the Dragon Lord Vivian always dreamed of!


    Never mind bathing him, but even if it were... well, even if it were something more intimate, she would probably just put up a pretended protest before giving in.


    Five minutester, Felix had just begun to feel the water hitting his body when he heard someone outside the bathroom door. He frowned. The next moment, Vivian''s anxious voice came from outside.


    "Felix! A letter just came in. I went outside but couldn''t find anyone! It says that if you want to save your buddy Jack''s life, you must visit the Great Imperial Sect."


    Vivian followed the rules, so she didn''t intend to read the letter. However, when she grabbed it, the angle at which she held it made the words clearly visible to her.


    She didn''t know who Jack was, but since he was referred to as a "buddy," he had to be someone important to Felix. Without thinking too much, she rushed upstairs immediately. Before thest word had even left her lips, the bathroom door opened, and Felix snatched the letter with a darkened expression.


    He looked at the red paper and confirmed that it was indeed a threat.


    The short message on the letter was like a sharp knife stabbing into Felix''s heart, causing his eyes to sh with an unprecedented level of murderous gaze.


    Jack had already been through enough misfortune, having been kicked out by his own family. If something happened to him because of this...


    "The Great Imperial Sect? I will make sure they don''t exist anymore," Felix muttered angrily.

 Billionaire With Husband 211

    Chapter 211 $2999995


    At that moment, Vivian was utterly at a loss. Felix had hurriedly rushed out of the bathroom while in the middle of his shower.


    Looking at his solid chest, abs, and droplets of water glistening on his body, she felt her breath quicken. She had seen things she definitely shouldn''t have seen, "Call and gather all the members of Earthen Hall immediately. We''re heading to the Great Imperial Sect!" Felix ordered.


    "Got it!" Vivian responded.


    In the nearby vi, Yvonne received a phone call.


    "Ms. Cooper, just as I was about to act, someone else made the first move. Since I didn''t have orders and it all happened suddenly, I can''t follow from behind."


    Oh? Was someone else trying to kidnap Jack?


    Yvonne frowned. Her missus'' n had been to kidnap Jack and then notify Felix. Since Felix was martial artist, they wanted to test his capabilities, especially in a state of extreme anger, when a person could perform at their peak. The two contracts were meant aspensation for Jack''s kidnapping.


    For someone who piqued her missus'' curiosity, they had to be tested to their limits in every way. But Yvonne hadn''t expected someone else to take the same action, albeit likely for different reasons. "Where have they taken him?" Yvonne asked.


    "To the Great Imperial Sect."


    The Great Imperial Sect? Of course, Yvonne was familiar with it. As someone who always stayed close to someone as high up as her missus, she knew about far more than just the business world.


    While the Great Imperial Sect wasn''t an absolute top-tier sect in Dragonia, it was quite respectable. The main reason for its prominence was that the sect leader, Jaxon Cunningham, had a disciple who was now Dragonia''s goddess of war. That elevated their status a lot.


    But why would the Great Imperial Sect kidnap someone as ordinary as Jack? Could it also be because of Felix?


    "I''ll consult the missus," Yvonne said.


    A short whileter, Yvonne made another phone call.


    "Stand down. You can withdraw now."


    "Understood!"


    Her missus'' new orders were for Yvonne to personally go to the Great Imperial Sect and see what was happening. Clearly, her missus was also intrigued by the fact that the Great Imperial Sect had kidnapped Jack. It was obvious that it was rted to Felix. Late at night, in a guest room at the Great Imperial Sect, Xena sat with a troubled expression.


    "Am I really worried about Felix?" she wondered.


    Since they had detained her, her mind had wandered, but in the end, all her thoughts had revolved around Felix.


    "Mr. Cunningham, where does this leave me?" she muttered to herself.


    She opposed her sect because of her duty as the goddess of war. If even she allowed the random capturing and killing of people, wouldn''t that betray the trust her country had put in her? But not everything could be within her control.


    Just then, someone entered and brought her food.


    "Ms. Summers, please eat something. The food from earlier has gone cold.''


    The person then reced the cold dishes with fresh ones before leaving quickly. Xena''s eyes shifted. She quickly reached under the bowl and found a note hidden there. She had her own people, within the Great Imperial Sect, and this young apprentice was one of them. The fact that she hade at this time meant there was important information to ry.


    "Ms. Summers, Mr. Cunningham has ordered people to kidnap and bring Jack, Felix''s best buddy, to the sect to force Felix to visit. But don''t worry, Mr. Cunningham has said that the hostage will be treated well."


    Xena stood up from her seat. Her worst fears became reality. She hadn''t expected her mentor to go to such extremes to the point of kidnapping an ordinary person to force Felix to surrender.


    Her mentor was a meticulous man. When he acted, it was always with certainty of sess. This wasn''t just about Felix; it was also about the mysterious woman Xena had mentioned before.

 Billionaire With Husband 212

    But once Felix entered the Great Imperial Sect''s territory, it would all be beyond everyone''s control. Xena knew very well that the Great Imperial Sect still had a Supreme Elder whose strength was unfathomable.


    No matter how powerful that mysterious woman might be, there was no way she could stir up the slightest trouble here.


    "Mr. Cunningham, how could you..."


    Xena smiled bitterly. There were things she couldn''t say out loud. She was well aware of the kind of person Olly''s apprentice was. He was someone who only cared about personal gain. He became arrogant and reckless, thinking he had the sect''s support. There was no need to investigate what had happened. Felix must have been the first to discover the snakefruit, and Olly''s apprentice had tried to kill him and steal it, only to be killed himself in turn.


    On this side of the world, people would say he deserved it. However, ording to Dragonia''sws, Felix had stillmitted murder, and there was no doubt he would be charged with excessive self-defense.


    But what was the point of thinking about that now?


    "Felix, every year on the anniversary of your death, I''ll remember you," she muttered.


    There were only two guards at the gate, and Xena could have easily slipped out. But Jaxon had warned that doing so would be a betrayal of loyalty that would damage their rtionship. She could only stay put and let the situation unfold. Boom!.


    Suddenly, a deafening crash echoed throughout the hall. Everyone in the Great Imperial Sect, including Xena, heard it clearly. Her eyes flickered with mixed emotions, and she could only respond with a long, weary sigh.


    "Mr. Cunningham! Someone has crashed the main gate!"


    In the council hall, an apprentice had rushed in to report the noise. Jaxon'' stood headed outside.


    up and


    "How bold! Let''s go!"


    No one could have expected Felix to arrive in such a manner. Was he not afraid at all? Once one had entered the Great Imperial Sect, a massive martial training arena woulde into view. This was where the Great Imperial Sect apprentices practiced. At that moment, Felix was already standing there with Vivian beside him, and behind them


    stood 21 figures in red-and-ck cloaks, all wearing spine-chilling masks.


    These 21 individuals were members of Earthen Hall.


    Each hall within Dragon Alliance had its own responsibilities. Earthen Hall specialized in assassinations, so they prioritized quality over quantity. While there were only a little over 20 of them, every member possessed formidable skills, particrly in assassination techniques.


    Although they weren''t skilled at direct battle, they were more than sufficient to go against the Great Imperial Sect.


    Even the chief of Earthen Hall had requested to join Felix, but Felix declined.


    At that moment, Jaxon arrived with a group of the Great Imperial Sect''s top martial arts


    masters.


    "So, you are Felix?" Jaxon asked coldly.


    Felix''s expression remained grim.


    "Cut the nonsense! You have five minutes to bring Jack here, unharmed. If not, I''ll make sure there isn''t a single brick left standing."


    Vivian tossed an hourss onto the ground, and the sand began to flow. The message was


    clear.


    Jaxon squinted his eyes.


    "You''re quite arrogant, aren''t you? You have no respect for the Great Imperial Sect. I don''t even need to ask. I can already tell that you killed two of my apprentices."


    Felix didn''t respond. His gaze remained fixed solely on the hourss.


    Seeing this, Jaxon shifted his focus to Vivian.


    "So, is this the woman who killed Olly? Hah! At least you have some nerve and showed yourself instead of hiding."


    Hearing these words, Felix''s expression twisted with disdain.


    "If the woman you speak of had reallye here, there wouldn''t be anyone left alive in the Great Imperial Sect," Felix said.

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    Jaxon frowned, wondering why the mysterious woman hadn''t appeared there.


    "Mr. Cunningham! Why does that matter? Let''s just get Felix first!"


    Upon hearing the deputy chief''s suggestion, Jaxon nodded and uttered three words.


    "Take him down!"


    In the next instant, the deputy chief shot forward like an arrow. The stone bs beneath him cracked with every step, revealing the immense power he possessed.


    However, Felix stood there with his hands behind his back, seemingly uninterested in making a move.


    "Hmph! And trash like you dares to attack the Dragon Lord?"


    Vivian disappeared from where she stood, and a muffled bang followed. The deputy chief was sent flying back even faster than he had rushed forward. If not for Jaxon holding him, the deputy chief would have crashed headfirst into the wall. "There''s not much time left. You''d better make good use of what remains of your five minutes," Vivian said coldly before returning to Felix''s side.


    The development of the situation left the Great Imperial Sect members stunned. No one had expected Felix to remain motionless while a single move from the woman beside him could send their deputy chief flying.


    "There arews in the country and rules in the martial world. All you''ve thought about is avenging your apprentice, but have you considered whether your actions are right or wrong?" Felix asked calmly, detailing his reasoning.


    1


    "Felix! You killed them, and now you talk to us about right and wrong?"


    "Do you really think you can humiliate the Great Imperial Sect just because you have a strong fighter by your side? Ridiculous!"


    Seeing as Jaxon remained silent, Felix was disappointed.


    "It seems that you, the chief of the Great Imperial Sect, aren''t that great after all."


    Taking a step forward, Felix''s expression remained cold.


    "You arrogant brat! I''ll show you who I am!"


    The number of supporting fighters or silly tricks was useless in duels between top martial artists. Only real strength mattered. That was why Jaxon hadn''t summoned the rest of the sect members. If they couldn''t take down Felix, sending more people would be futile. As the Great Imperial Sect''s most formidable fighter, Jaxon wanted to take down Felix


    himself. However, Felix remained standing with his hands behind his back, still unwilling to make a move. The elders and deputy chief grind their teeth in frustration. His arrogance was simply intolerable.


    Once again, Vivian moved, meeting Jaxon in the center of the martial arena. The sounds of explosive collisions and air being torn apart echoed continuously as the two shed. The fight was intense, with no clear winner in sight,


    Felix silently marveled at the capabilities of Dragon Alliance. Vivian was merely a deputy chief, yet her strength wasparable to that of the chief of the Great Imperial Sect. If the chief of Earthen Hall himself hade, how much more terrifying would it have been? However, Felix reckoned that Vivian might be an exception. From what he could see, Jaxon''s strength was on par with Xena. If every deputy chief of Dragon Alliance were this powerful, it would be impossible to imagine the strength of those ranked even higher. As time passed, the elders and the deputy chief exchanged uncertain nces. The fact that their chief was locked in an even fight with a woman apanying Felix shook them.


    "Time''s up." Felix''s voice rang out.


    Their attention had been focused on the battle, but Felix had been looking at the hourss. At the exact moment thest grain of sand fell, he asked for the battle to stop.


    Vivian did one final strike before withdrawing to Felix''s side.


    "The five minutes I gave you are over. Your choices are now yours to make. Those five minutes were given out of consideration for the way you treated my buddy, Jack. But clearly, you don''t know how to cherish it."


    Felix''s top priority ining to the Great Imperial Sect was to rescue his buddy. The members of Earthen Hall, skilled in assassination, had already infiltrated the sect and found Jack. He hadn''t been harmed at all. Instead, he had been treated well. That was the only reason Felix had allowed five minutes for them to make their decision.

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    Almost as soon as Felix finished speaking, someone rushed to Jaxon''s side and informed," Mr. Cunningham! Jack has been taken by someone else."


    At that moment, Jaxon finally realized that they were the fools. Felix might have looked like he was doing nothing, but in reality, everything had been meticulously nned. The five minutes he gave them were nothing more than time for them to repent. Thinking of this, Jaxon started trembling with anger and roared furiously, "Well yed, Felix! The younger generation truly surpasses the older ones. But do you really think you can wipe out the Great Imperial Sect just like that?"


    Felix had no intention of responding. He had given them enough time, and it was time to release the strength he had been holding back.


    Just as he was about to raise his hand and signal the Earthen Hall members to begin the ughter, Xena appeared. She stepped directly in front of Jaxon and the others.


    "Mr. Cunningham! Please stop it here!" she shouted.


    Jaxon was still enraged.


    He pointed at her and said, "If you still see me as your mentor, get out of the way! They''ve stomped all over the dignity of the Great Imperial Sect, and you''re still trying to uphold your idea of justice?" Xena''s heart filled with bitterness as she pointed at Felix. Her voice was now much lower.


    "They might not know, but how could I not? Those people behind Felix... They are members of Earthen Hall, the assassins of Dragon Alliance. Mr. Cunningham, don''t you understand what that means?" What? Dragon Alliance?


    The expressions of Jaxon and the others changed in an instant. None of them had imagined that Felix was associated with Dragon Alliance. They had also heard of Earthen Hall''s terrifying reputation. If they targeted a person, that person wouldn''t even know how they had died.


    No wonder they were all wearing masks.


    It was only now that Xena realized just how dire the situation was. She never expected Dragon Alliance to take Felix''s side, even sending Earthen Hall assassins to back him.


    While Xena didn''t know the internal workings of Dragon Alliance, it puzzled her. Did Dragon Alliance offer this kind of support to every member in trouble, or was Felix a special case?


    Although the Great Imperial Sect was a respectable sect, it was nowhere near powerful enough to oppose Dragon Alliance. Now, even her title as the goddess of war couldn''t calm the current tense stand-off.


    "Mr. Cunningham, let me speak with Felix, will you? Or do you really want to see the Great Imperial Sect destroyed?"


    Having spent some time with Felix, Xena couldn''t im to know him well, but she understood that he wasn''t the type to provoke others without reason. If they acted now, there might still be a chance to salvage this situation.


    As she turned to leave, Jaxon suddenly grabbed her by the shoulder and violently flung her to the other side of the arena, away from both factions. It was as if he was cing her in a neutral position.


    "Felix! Is the support from Dragon Alliance the only reason for your arrogance?" Jaxon sneered. "Yes, the Great Imperial Sect may not be qualified to make enemies of Dragon Alliance, but you have crossed the line!" Felix frowned, momentarily distracted by Xena''s presence. He hadn''t expected her to be here, and now he hesitated, unsure if he should proceed. He wasn''t even listening to Jaxon''s rant.


    "Today, I''ll show you that the Great Imperial Sect is not so easily bullied! You attacked and killed my apprentices first. I refuse to believe that Dragon Alliance would bepletely unable to be reasoned with if I went to them afterward!" With those words, Jaxon turned toward the grand hall behind him and knelt down. The deputy chiefs and the elders all did the same.


    They all knew what this gesture meant-Jaxon was summoning the Supreme Elder.


    A voice echoed across the hall in the next moment, "Summon the Supreme Elder!"

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    Supreme Elder? Felix remained indifferent. Soon, the sound of something cutting through the air echoed. The elder''s presence preceded his arrival.


    "Who dares disturb the peace of the Great Imperial Sect?" the Supreme Elder questioned.


    At that point, Xena had rushed in front of Felix. She had a solemn expression.


    "Felix! Just admit your fault quickly. I might be able to plead for mercy on your behalf! If the Supreme Elder hears the full story, you''ll have no chance of survival!" Felix responded with a dismissiveugh.


    "To be honest, don''t you think it''s rather ridiculous? First, you refuse to reason with me. Now, after killing me, you think you can reason with Dragon Alliance. And what do they call the Great Imperial Sect?"


    Vivian, standing beside Felix, also chuckled coldly. Indeed, this situation embodied the saying that only the strong ones knew how to reason. The weak ones weren''t even qualified to ask for it.


    "None of that matters now! If you die, it will all be toote. I can guarantee that Dragon Alliance won''t go to war with the Great Imperial Sect over a mere member like you. Do you understand?" Xena advised urgently. "A mere member?" Vivian''s expression twisted in disbelief. Did Xena think Felix, the Dragon Lord, was just a member of Dragon Alliance? How absurd.


    "Thanks for thinking about me, but I''ve already given them their chance," Felix said calmly. "Now go back to your ce. If you stay, it''ll only stain your reputation as the goddess of war if they call you a disgrace to the sect." Furious, Xena red at Felix before storming off.


    She thought he was being ungrateful. Fine, he could die if he wanted! She shouldn''t have offered any help in the first ce.


    Meanwhile, the Supreme Elder materialized before the kneeling Jaxon and the others. He had already been briefed on the situation.


    The old man raised his head suddenly, locking eyes with Felix from across the arena.


    "Dragon Alliance? So what? A life for a life-that''s the natural order of things. After I''ve dealt with you, I''ll send a letter to Dragon Alliance''s vice leader. Nothing wille of it."


    With those words, the Supreme Elder stepped forward, crossing a great distance in an instant. A powerful palm strike shot through the air toward Felix.


    "You deserve it!"


    As expected from a Supreme Elder, his actions were swift and decisive. Not one second was wasted.


    Vivian''s face turned pale. Without hesitation, she shot herself forward to shield the iing attack.


    The elder''s strike proved he had reached the Martial King level. Although Felix hadn''t given the order, Vivian didn''t hesitate and stepped forward to fight it.


    At the Martial King level, a martial artist could generate Primordial Energy, which represented the peak of what one can achieve in martial arts. If they could absorb and release that energy, they would reach the level of a Martial King. Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The elder''s palm strike sent waves of energy tearing through the arena, and even stone bs were sent flying in the air. An overwhelming force surged toward Felix.


    Vivian stood firm, pushing her innate energy to the limit. She extended her hands and closed her eyes tightly.


    The power of a Martial King was far beyond her ability to withstand. She hadn''t even developed Primordial Energy. If the attacknded on her, it would mean her death.


    The members of the Great Imperial Sect had a smug look on their faces. Xena couldn''t bear to watch and turned her head away. After all, they had a marriage contract in ce. She had to ensure his body was intact for the burial. Else, she wouldn''t be able to exin it to Curtis in case he woke from hisa one day.


    She didn''t know how to feel about this. She felt guilty despite knowing that she had done everything she could.


    Just as Vivian braced herself for death, everything suddenly stopped. It was as if the attack had never even existed.


    "Vivian."


    Hearing Felix''s voice, Vivian withdrew to his side. She knew that the Dragon Lord had intervened.


    On the other side, the Supreme Elder''s brow furrowed deeply. He was the only one who had sensed the overwhelming force that had fenced off his attack. A power far beyond his own had suppressed his strike effortlessly.

 Billionaire With Husband 216

    "Who is it?" Just as Gregory uttered those words, Felix raised his right hand and pointed at


    him.


    "Thunderstrike," Felixmanded.


    Then, a deafening rumble of thunder sounded as the dark clouds covered the moon, sending chills down everyone''s spines.


    Before anyone could react, a bolt of lightning tore through the night and struck Gregory. With a tremendous boom, the ground exploded, and he was left standing in a hole, blood gushing from his mouth. His face was etched with shock and disbelief. "Who? Who did this?" Gregory cried out in anguish before copsing to the ground.


    Even in death, he could not believe it was Felix who had struck him down. After all, only an exceptionally powerful being could summon lightning. Hence, someone of Felix''s age could not have possibly possessed such terrifying strength. "Mr. Burton!" Jaxon and the others rushed over, their faces filled with grief. No one could have imagined that the Great Imperial Sect''s most powerful Supreme Elder would meet his end so soon after emerging from seclusion. Xena stood frozen in ce, reying the scene of the lightning strike in her mind. In her experience, only the Four Great Warlords could unleash such a terrifying attack.


    Although she had seen Felix raise his hand just before the thunder struck, just like Gregory, she still could not believe it was his doing. She assumed it must have been a high-ranking member of Dragon Alliance lurking in the shadows. 1 Xena considered herself a martial arts prodigy. Even if someone surpassed her, reaching the Grand Elder''s level would be regarded as unbelievable. Hence, summoning a lightning attack from the sky was simply out of the question. When she snapped back to reality, she realized Felix and the Earthen Hall members had already left. There was no time to dwell on other matters. She quickly ran over to check on Gregory.


    Meanwhile, as Vivian descended the mountain with Felix, she could not hide her frustration. She asked, "Are we really just leaving like this?"


    Felix nodded. "Yes. Things areplicated with Xena around. Have your people stand by nearby. As soon as Xena leaves, eliminate all the elders and higher-ups of the Great Imperial Sect."! Understood!" Vivian replied.


    Felix was determined not to let anyone involved in Jack''s kidnapping go unpunished. With


    hismand, the Earthen Hall instantly vanished into the shadows. Though none of them could match Jaxon in a fair fight, their specialty was assassination, and the oue was already decided. "What about the woman hiding in the shadows? Should we deal with her?" Vivian asked, surprising Felix.


    "How did you know it was a woman?"


    Indeed, since entering the Great Imperial Sect, he had sensed another presence watching from afar, seemingly content to observe without interfering.


    "I was born with heightened senses, which might exin why I progress so quickly in martial arts. I caught the scent of her perfume a while ago-it''s Chanel."


    Felix was impressed that Vivian even identified the brand. However, the mention of the perfume triggered an image of someone in his mind, and he quickly frowned. "Head back first. I''ll handle this," he said before disappearing.


    Left alone, Vivian curiously sniffed her cor. "Strange. Does he prefer women who wear perfume? Looks like I still have a lot to learn," she mused.

 Billionaire With Husband 217

    A figure was darting down in the mountains surrounding the Great Imperial Sect. The rocks and trees seemed to pose no obstacle, showcasing the person''s incredible agility. "Leaving so soon after the show? That''s not very polite," a sudden voice called out.


    The figure halted, peering into the darkness at the person blocking their path.


    It was Felix, of course. He was curious about this hidden observer who had not interfered or shown any killing intent throughout the events.


    Felix sniffed the air and chuckled. "Ah, that perfume. Still nning to stay silent?"


    As the clouds parted and moonlight returned, Felix could make out the silhouette of a woman in tight-fitting dark clothes. When she removed her veil, Felix sighed.


    "It really is you, Yvonne," he said. The mention of Chanel perfume had made him suspect her identity.


    Even without their passionate night together, he had grown familiar with her scent during their encounters. After all, she had once told him she only wore Chanel perfumes.


    "I didn''t think you''d notice my presence," Yvonne replied, her face a mix of emotions.


    The night''s events had revealed many of Felix''s secrets, leaving her mind reeling. As Felix approached, Yvonne remained calm, her eyes fixed on him.


    "Tell me, Yvonne. Grandpa wouldn''t support someone as young as you with such incredible martial arts skills and the position of Ster Group''s president without good reason.''


    Felix had been suspicious since learning of Yvonne''s role at Ster Group but had not found the right moment to ask.


    Meanwhile, Yvonne remained calm despite his usation. "When I revealed my position as president, I wasn''t nning to keep up that lie," she exined. Felix realized she must have mastered some unique technique that had hidden her martial arts abilities from him. Clearly, her skills were far from weak. "Yvonne, do you have any ill intentions toward me? Please look me in the eyes when you answer," Felix requested.


    Their eyes met, and Yvonne, with nothing to hide, replied without hesitation, "No."


    Satisfied, Felix left without further questions.


    Yvonne lingered for a moment, biting her lower lip. "I wonder how Miss would react if she knew about Felix. I should go back and figure out how to exin this."


    When Felix returned home, he found Jack waiting in the living room. Overwhelmed with guilt, Felix began, "Jack, I-''


    To his surprise, Jack rushed over and embraced him, saying, "I''m just d you''re okay." Then, he punched Felix in the chest. "Don''t you dare apologize! That''s what friendship is about-sharing the good times and the bad. Did you think I''d enjoy the perks of your status and then abandon you when things got tough? I''m not that selfish."


    Felix was touched by Jack''s loyalty, noting the stark contrast between his reaction and Warren''s.


    "But seriously, man, you could''ve at least assigned me a secret bodyguard or something." Jack joked. "I''m not married yet. If I got kidnapped and kicked the bucket, that''d seriously suck."


    Felix could not help butugh. "I was nning to have someone protect you anyway. You''re pretty much the only person I truly care about now."

 Billionaire With Husband 218

    Jack pped his hands and grinned. "Well, I''m off to bed, then," he said, his carefree attitude a blessing in its own way.


    A whileter, Vivian walked in and reported nervously, "Mr. Zeller, there''s one more thing I forgot to mention."


    She was still adjusting to her new role serving the formidable Dragon Lord, and it showed.


    ""What is it?"


    Vivian handed him a piece of paper. "We found this in Olly Davidson''s room at the Great Imperial Sect. It seems to be the cause of everything."


    After reading it, Felix frowned. His analysis was correct-Xena would not have supported the Great Imperial Sect''s actions against him. Someone else was pulling the strings from behind the scenes.


    Judging by the level of detail in the letter, the person behind it knew far too much. Hence, it was surely not an outsider.


    An hour passed, and Felix remained seated in the living room, expecting a busy night. Suddenly, the door burst open, and Xena stormed in, fuming.


    "Felix!" she shouted.


    Felix stayed seated, annoyed by the intrusion. "Does being the goddess of war give you the right to break into people''s homes?"


    "Cut the crap!" Xena pointed at Felix, her body shaking with anger. "A Great Imperial Sect''s Supreme Elder is dead. Who did it?"


    Felix had used Thunderstrike to create confusion. He replied sarcastically, "How should I know? Maybe God himself couldn''t stand the Great Imperial Sect''s ways and struck him down."


    As Xena was about to retort, Felix stood up. "Stop interrogating me like a criminal! The Great Imperial Sect is practically your second home. Why don''t you investigate their kidnapping of Jack and their attempt on my life? Or are you only interested in hassling me? Xena took a deep breath, realizing she had been too impulsive. "One of my seniors was responsible for kidnapping Jack. He''s been captured. As for Mr. Cunningham trying to kill you... Well, aren''t you still living and breathing without a scratch on you?" Felix found her response interesting. Apparently, they had found a scapegoat. "If that''s what you believe with your superior intellect, I have nothing more to say. You can leave now."


    42520S


    Felix knew no one could be truly fair and impartial, so he did not bother arguing further. Even Xena, for all her titles, had to weigh her options. Nheless, his ns for the Great Imperial Sect elders remained unchanged-they would still have to pay with their lives, "You can eithere with me to the Phoenix Legion base, or I''ll send people to arrest you publicly," Xena threatened. "I suspect you''re involved in Mr. Burton''s death. You need toe in for questioning."


    Felix''s temper red. "Get out! I''m not a pushover. Even if you had evidence, I''m a member of Dragon Alliance. You have no authority over me."


    Xena''s eyes narrowed as she stared at him, a fierce resolve in her gaze.


    "So that''s why you''re so confident. You''re relying on your Dragon Alliance membership, aren''t you? Fine! You''ve forced my hand. I''ve never let emotions cloud my judgment, but I''ll make an exception for you!" She added, "By sunset tomorrow, I''ll have you removed from Dragon Alliance! If I fail, our marriage contract bes effective immediately!"

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    After Xena left, Vivian called Felix. "Mr. Zeller, the Phoenix Legion haspletely surrounded the Great Imperial Sect. What should we do? Do we keep waiting?"


    Felix had anticipated this. He knew mentors were like parents-no matter how Jaxon had treated Xena, she would always care for him unless he had done something unforgivable.


    As the goddess of war, Xena understood the Earthen Hall''s assassination capabilities all too well. Jaxon and his people would not stand a chance, so this was her only option. Moreover, Felix could tell her n from her remark just now.


    Once he was no longer a member of Dragon Alliance, the Earthen Hall would have no reason to keep their forces at the Great Imperial Sect.


    "Hold our position for now. We''ll see how things y out tomorrow night," Felix instructed.


    "Yes, sir!" Vivian replied.


    4


    At dawn, Yvonne, who had not slept all night, finally made the call.


    "Do you have a surprise for me?" the woman''s voice chimed with a yful tone, indicating she was in a good mood.


    "Yes, miss. I went to the Great Imperial Sectst night and discovered something-Felix is a member of Dragon Alliance."


    It was widely known that to be selected by Dragon Alliance meant someone was certainly extraordinary-someone the average person would want to curry favor with.


    "Oh? That''s better than I expected. At least he''s not aplete loser. Keep observing him. I should be able to spare a few days this month to meet him in person."


    After hanging up, Yvonne''s eyes flickered with uncertainty. She had held back some of her observations, like her suspicion that Felix might be more than just an ordinary Dragon Alliance member, and her gut feeling told her that he was behind the lightning strike that killed Gregory.


    If Felix was just an ordinary member, why would all the other members of the Earthen Hall, except for the chief, gather? While Dragon Alliance had made it clear that harming one of their own was a direct challenge to their authority, something felt off.


    As everything unfolded, she hid in the shadows and watched everything more clearly than anyone else. Even though she believed Felix was responsible for the strike that killed Gregory, it seemed too far-fetched-he was too young to wield such terrifying power.


    Nheless, Yvonne had no proof, so she decided to investigate further on her own, lest she receive an earful.


    Around noon, Felix arrived at a small two-story building on the outskirts of Avesburgh. He had received a text from an unknown number, likely from Ruth.


    The message said Sasha had an important dinner to attendter in the night and had to reschedule their apology meeting for lunchtime.


    It was obvious that the chance Felix had given Sasha to reflect had been wasted. He knocked on the tightly closed shutter, and it quickly opened to reveal two scruffy young


    men.


    ""Felix Zeller?"


    "That''s me."


    ""Come on in."


    The moment Felix stepped inside, the shutter nked shut behind him. It was clear enough that something unpleasant was about to go down.


    Still, Felix could not help but feel puzzled. Sasha knew he could fight, so what was the point of hiring these thugs?


    As he pulled back the curtain, Felix found himself facing about a dozen people. Only three were seated-Sasha, Ruth, and a man.


    The seated man grinned when he saw Felix.


    "Well, well, what a coincidence! I didn''t expect we''d meet again so soon and under these circumstances."

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    Felix stared at the man for a moment before it dawned on him. "You''re the guy who lent money to Madeline, right?" "That''s right! We''ve met before, so you can just call me Mr. Adams," Hunter replied with a grin.


    Felix frowned.


    Stinger was supposed to deal with this guy already, but here he was, seeming morefortable than ever.


    Sasha interrupted, "Mr. Adams, we''ll deal with your grudgeter. I haven''t had my say yet."


    She turned to Felix, her voice dripping with contempt. "Felix, you''ve lost your protection now that Lord Kane is gone. Don''t you think it''s time to settle the score for hitting me and disrespecting me repeatedly?"


    Ruth chimed in, "Exactly! This punk humiliated me, too! It''s time we get even."


    Felix yed along and asked, "What do you want me to do?"


    Sasha leaned back, crossing her legs with an air of superiority. She smirked, thinking she had the upper hand. After all, once you lost your connections in the real world, you were nothing more than a powerless nobody. Acting tough would only bring more trouble. 1


    Then, she dered, "It''s simple. Get on your knees, bow to Ruth and me, sincerely apologize, and from now on, address us formally whenever you see us. Do that, and I promise you can leave unharmed."


    Felix could not help butugh at her audacity. "You think these goons are enough to intimidate me? That''s hrious."


    Sasha remained unfazed. "I know you can fight, but haven''t you heard of guns? You''re alone now, and Lord Kane isn''t here to save you.


    As if on cue, Hunter pulled a handgun from his waistband and twirled it in his hand, a cocky grin on his face. Felix shook his head and locked eyes with Sasha.


    "I gave you plenty of time and chances. In the end, you chose your own path."


    Suddenly, the metal door burst open with a loud bang, and dozens of men rushed in. Startled, Hunter raised his gun.


    "Stinger? What''s the meaning of this?"


    Stinger walked straight up to Hunter. "Go ahead. Shoot me if you''ve got the guts!"


    Hunter gulped hard, his gun trembling as Stinger disarmed him. He stammered, "I was


    just doing a small job for some extra cash. If you want to protect this guy, I''ll just leave."


    Sasha was enraged. She shouted at Hunter, "Are you even a man? You took my money, and now, you''re backing out? I''m not someone you can push around!"


    Stinger shoved Hunter before he could respond. "Shut up and stay put!"


    Hunter''s face darkened, clearly annoyed. "Come on, Stinger. I''m doing you a favor here. You can''t seriously think you can do anything to me, can you?"


    In response, Stinger punched Hunter''s face, sending him reeling back, clutching his nose. As Hunter realized his nose was broken, he yelled, "My nose! Stinger, are you trying to get yourself killed?" "Touch me again, and Lord Jamison will end you!" Hunter threatened.


    Stingerughed coldly. "Go ahead and send Harold after me. See what happens."


    Felix''s expression changed when he heard that name.


    Harold Jamison? Why did that name sound so familiar?

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    After pondering it for a while more, Felix still could not put a face on that name. Not wanting to waste more time, he grabbed a machete from one of the thugs and threw it with deadly precision. Hunter was about to retort Stinger, but he was silenced immediately.


    The de sank deep into Hunter''s chest. He stared in disbelief at his chest, mumbling, "Y- You killed-"


    Yet, before he could finish his sentence, blood gushed out from his mouth, and he copsed to the ground.


    Meanwhile, Sasha and Ruth screamed in terror, having never witnessed such a brutal act of violence before. The sight and smell of blood filled the air, intensifying their fear.


    Felix approached Sasha, who broke down in tears. She pleaded desperately, "Felix! Please don''t kill me! I''m sorry! I truly am! I promise I''ll never bother you again!"


    Ruth was equally terrified and instantly fell to her knees, trembling and sobbing. "It was all Sasha''s idea! I had nothing to do with it! Felix, please let me go. I don''t want to die!" Felix simply waved his hand.


    Stinger understood his signal and had his men drag Ruth away.


    "Sell her overseas," hemanded coldly.


    "Yes, sir!"


    As Ruth was taken away unconscious, Sasha realized the horrific fate that awaited her friend. She knew what would happen to a woman sold abroad.


    She shook uncontrobly as she wrapped her arms around Felix''s leg. She was well aware that he was not bluffing. After all, he had just killed someone right in front of her, and now Ruth was gone-there was no telling what he would do next. "Please, spare me onest time for my father''s sake! I''ve learned my lesson!"


    Felix crouched down, his face devoid of emotion. "I gave you too many chances. You chose this path yourself," he said tly. "And don''t bring up your father. He''s not you."


    With a swift, powerful strike to Sasha''s shoulder, Felix left her writhing in pain. After a few moments, she realized she could not feel her legs anymore and began to panic. "My legs! Why can''t I feel my legs? Why?"


    Felix stood up and dusted off his hands. "You''ll spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair, pondering why you ended up in this state. Feel free to go to the police or tell your father the


    truth, but I can easily find a scapegoat. As for you, things will only get worse-believe me."


    As Sasha looked into Felix''s eyes, she saw a frightening, hellish gleam that would haunt her for the rest of her life.


    Felix then left, knowing Stinger would clean up the mess.


    As he stepped out of the building, a thought suddenly struck him. "Wait a minute... Harold Jamison? Isn''t that the name of my aunt''s son? No wonder it sounded familiar."


    However, he quickly dismissed the idea, knowing it was impossible for his cousin to be involved in Avesburgh''s underworld power struggle.

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    At 3:00 pm, Felix and Jack sat across from each other in an all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant. Jack grinned andmented, "Great minds think alike, huh? Neither of us had lunch, so this timing is perfect."


    Felix looked puzzled and asked, "Don''t you have work today?"


    "Nah, I switchedpanies," Jack replied casually.


    Felix was surprised, knowing that Jack had been thriving at his previous job and was on the verge of bing a vice president thanks to Felix''s influence.


    Jack continued, "I just started at my new ce this morning. I''m now the head of Ster Group''s Avesburgh office. It was a no-brainer, really."


    Seeing F¨¦lix''s stunned expression, Jack chuckled and ced a few pieces of meat on Felix''s te. "Eat up, Felix. I owe you a lot, you know."


    Felix was baffled, knowing he had not spoken to anyone about this. He wondered how Jack had managed tond such a position without connections.


    After a heartyugh, Jack exined, "The president of Ster Group is chasing after you, and you''re not even interested? Come on, Felix. Your standards are too high! As your best friend, I had to help out. I''m even writing up a strategy guide for her, including your preferred underwear material."


    Felix''s face twisted with amusement and disbelief. "Are you seriously selling me out like this?"


    Jack rolled his eyes. "Come on! Sell you out? I get a career boost, and you get a hotdy. It''s a win-win."


    Just then, a woman walked by their table. Then, she suddenly returned and sat right next to Felix. She said cheerfully, "What a coincidence! We''re even running into each other at a barbecue joint."


    Though her looks were average, her figure and demeanor were impressive enough for Jack to secretly marvel at Felix''s way with women.


    "Hi, I''m Dora rkson," she introduced herself, extending a hand.


    Jack quickly got up. "Uh, I need to use the restroom."


    Seeing Felix continue to eat without acknowledging her, Dora grew frustrated. She leaned in, emphasizing her assets. "Hey, can''t you at least look at me?"


    Yet, he still did not respond. Dora decided to drop the bombshell she had been saving for tomorrow''s meeting. She whispered, "I have information about a herb called Veilflower."


    That did the trick. Felix immediately wiped his mouth and looked at her. "You serious?"


    Dora was annoyed by his previous indifference. Sure, she was not the prettiest, but she had a killer body.


    She huffed and said, "I''m not telling you now."


    After that, she stood up to leave, secretly expecting Felix to stop her. She even deliberately slowed her pace, but Felix did not call out to her. This only angered her further, and she turned back to wait for him to emerge from the booth. Meanwhile, Felix had gone right back to his food, and his phone buzzed at that moment.


    It was Vivian calling.


    "Vivian, what''s up?"


    Vivian''s voice sounded tense as she said, "Mr. Zeller, one of the chief leaders has arrived in Avesburgh. H-He''s specifically requesting to meet with you!"

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    Felix had not met any chief leaders since taking over Dragon Alliance, so this was a first. It seemed that after the recent gathering of all chiefs, someone had finally grown restless.


    "Let''s set it for tonight," Felix replied to Vivian''s call.


    Vivian hesitated before asking, "Mr. Zeller, could I meet you in person?"


    "Sure," Felix agreed.


    Within 20 minutes, Vivian arrived. Felix had already sent Jack away, knowing his friend would have teased him endlessly about Vivian''s beauty.


    "What''s the matter? Why do you need to talk about it in person?" Felix asked.


    Vivian sat across from him, her eyes zing with anger. "Mr. Zeller, Mr. Jones is out of line! I can''t believe he''s demanding that you go to him!"


    So, it appeared that Yale Jones was the chief leader who hade to town.


    Felix frowned. "He told you that himself?"


    Vivian nodded. "Yes, and he insisted even after knowing your status as the Dragon Lord."


    Vivian was fuming. Ever since joining Dragon Alliance, she had heard countless stories about Felix''s feats, and he was practically her role model. Especially after Felix had effortlessly summoned lightning to strike down Gregory-it was a disy of power she would never forget.


    For Yale to act so arrogantly in front of Felix was infuriating. She snapped, "He must be trying to rebel!"


    Felix wiped his mouth and stood up. "If he wants to see me, why not? I''m sure Mr. Jones will have a reasonable exnation."


    No organization would tolerate a second-inmand summoning the leader to pay respects-it was practically asking for trouble. Felix was only human, and this behavior naturally did not sit well with him, either.


    Later, Felix and Vivian arrived at the entrance to the presidential suite of a hotel in Avesburgh. When he saw Belle standing guard, Felix quickly understood what was happening.


    Belle was unaware of Vivian''s identity and simply assumed she was someone who had a good rtionship with Felix from Dragon Alliance. She blocked Vivian''s path and stated, Wait outside. Only he goes in."


    11


    As Vivian was about to protest, Felix intervened, "Stay here."


    Before entering, Felix suddenly remembered the letter Vivian had given him earlier. He showed it to Belle. "Belle, are you familiar with this letter?"


    A flicker of surprise crossed Belle''s eyes before she mocked, "Felix, do you think you have the right to question me? How funny!"


    Felix said nothing more, crushing the paper to dust in his hand. His suspicions about Belle were not unfounded. After all, the only people who could ess that kind of detailed information were likely linked to Xena. Adding in the motive for revenge, Belle''s involvement seemed all but confirmed. Inside, he found Xena sitting in the room. Upon seeing him, she immediately said, "I told you I''d have you removed from Dragon Alliance by sunset. Did you think I was joking?"


    Felix smiled. "Lady Summers, you''ve gone to great lengths for a nobody like me. Even bringing in Mr. Jones. Impressive! I imagine it cost you quite a bit."


    Xena bristled at his words. Indeed, calling in a Dragon Alliance chief leader hade at a steep price. She had used up a major favor she had been saving for her future bid to be a warlord, all because of Felix.

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    Xena snapped, "Enough talk! Mr. Jones is waiting inside. Listen carefully, Feliz! If I catch you slipping up even once, I''ll make your life a living hell!"


    Without Dragon Alliance''s protection, Xena believed Felix would be powerless. Even though she was not close to Gregory, Jaxon was clearly affected by his death.


    The image of Jaxon grieving still haunted her, and she was determined to make Felix pay. If it were not for her duty as the goddess of war to follow the rules, she would have struck Felix down long ago. "There might never be a day like that between us," Felix replied calmly.


    He suspected Dora was not bluffing about having information on the Veilflower. If he could get his hands on it, he would be just one herb away from waking Curtis. That was the real reason for his confidence.


    As Felix entered the suite''s bedroom, a faint breeze closed the door behind him. Then, he Studied the middle-aged man standing before him with interest. The man was about six feet tall, with a rugged beard, a square jaw, and an approachable smile. "Yale Jones?" Felix asked.


    Yale smiled. "The one and only."


    Felix settled into a chair nearby and asked, "What gives you the nerve to call me here? Xena might not know better, but surely you''re not ying dumb at your age?"


    Instead of answering right away, Yale sat beside Felix, almost as if to imply they were equals. "Let me see the Dragon Ring. I''ve never actually held it before."


    Felix tossed the ring to Yale, curious to see his next move.


    Yale caught it, his eyes brimming with excitement. In the next moment, he boldly slipped it onto his own finger-a tant act of defiance that would have outraged any Dragon Alliance member.


    "From now on, I''m the Dragon Lord of the Dragon Alliance," Yale dered boldly.


    Felix remained silent, waiting for Yale to continue his performance.


    "I was the first to be promoted to chief leader in the Dragon Alliance, so you could say I''m one of the founding members. I''ve seen the Dragon Lord, albeit only from behind. But I can assure you, the Dragon Lord is a woman, and you..."


    Yale paused, twirling the ring on his finger. "I might as well tell you now-I was behind the rumors of traitors in Dragon Alliance. It doesn''t matter what your rtionship with the real Dragon Lord is. It''s time for a change in leadership, and I never expected obtaining the 1/2


    Xena snapped, "Enough talk! Mr. Jones is waiting inside. Listen carefully, Felix! If I catch you slipping up even once, I''ll make your life a living hell!"


    Without Dragon Alliance''s protection, Xena believed Felix would be powerless. Even though she was not close to Gregory, Jaxon was clearly affected by his death.


    The image of Jaxon grieving still haunted her, and she was determined to make Felix pay. If it were not for her duty as the goddess of war to follow the rules, she would have struck Felix down long ago. "There might never be a day like that between us," Felix replied calmly.


    He suspected Dora was not bluffing about having information on the Veilflower. If he could get his hands on it, he would be just one herb away from waking Curtis. That was the real reason for his confidence.


    As Felix entered the suite''s bedroom, a faint breeze closed the door behind him. Then, he studied the middle-aged man standing before him with interest. The man was about six feet tall, with a rugged beard, a square jaw, and an approachable smile. "Yale Jones?" Felix asked.


    Yale smiled. "The one and only."


    Felix settled into a chair nearby and asked, "What gives you the nerve to call me here? Xena might not know better, but surely you''re not ying dumb at your age?"


    Instead of answering right away, Yale sat beside Felix, almost as if to imply they were equals. "Let me see the Dragon Ring. I''ve never actually held it before."


    Felix tossed the ring to Yale, curious to see his next move.


    Yale caught it, his eyes brimming with excitement. In the next moment, he boldly slipped it onto his own finger-a tant act of defiance that would have outraged any Dragon Alliance member.


    "From now on, I''m the Dragon Lord of the Dragon Alliance," Yale dered boldly.


    Felix remained silent, waiting for Yale to continue his performance.


    "I was the first to be promoted to chief leader in the Dragon Alliance, so you could say I''m one of the founding members. I''ve seen the Dragon Lord, albeit only from behind. But I can assure you, the Dragon Lord is a woman, and you..."


    -


    Yale paused, twirling the ring on his finger. "I might as well tell you was behind the rumors of traitors in Dragon Alliance. It doesn''t matter what your rtionship with the real Dragon Lord is. It''s time for a change in leadership, and I never expected obtaining the

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    Yale was taken aback, but he quickly chuckled and said dismissively, "You young folks sure know how to talk big these days."


    If it were not for his worry about the real Dragon Lord showing up too soon, he would have swatted Felix like a fly.


    "This is your aunt, Yvette Harrington, right?" Yale asked, tossing a photo onto the table.


    Felix''s expression faltered as he picked up the photo. The woman in the picture was attractive, with a sweet smile. Time seemed to have been kind to her. She was indeed his mother''s younger sister-there was no way Felix would not recognize her. "So this is your trump card?" Felix asked, his voice steady.


    Yale smiled. "Don''t you think it''s enough? I''ve investigated you thoroughly. Your father''s rtives are worthless-you''ve taught them a lesson before I even had to lift a finger. But your aunt... She''s different, isn''t she?"


    Felix remained silent, memories flooding back. The Harrington sisters had their share of conflicts when they were younger, leading to minimal contactter in life. However, Felix''s mother, Cordelia Harrington, had always expressed regret and asked him to visit Yvette on her behalf if he ever had the chance.


    Even though he had no real bond with Yvette, as thest blood rtive from his mother''s side, he had intended to check on her once things with Curtis were settled. Yet, it seemed Yale had gotten to her first.


    Yale continued, "Stay put in Avesburgh, and your aunt will be safe. Even though you can''t find her, I promise she''s living quitefortably."


    After all, Yale was the Dragon Alliance''s chief leader, and his capabilities were not to be underestimated. A single photograph was enough to prove his point.


    "You''ve won," Felix conceded, standing up to leave. Until he could locate Yvette, he had no choice but to y along with Yale''s demands.


    "I''ve removed you from Dragon Alliance as Xena requested. I take it you don''t have a problem with that?"


    "Got it."


    As Felix exited the bedroom, Xena noticed his numb expression and frowned. She could not help but ask, "Are you really so indifferent about losing your Dragon Alliance status?" Felix countered, "Isn''t this what you wanted? Now, you can act freely once you find dirt on me."


    any


    Outside, Belle could not contain her mockery. "Felix, let''s see how cocky you are without Dragon Alliance''s support. There''s always a spot for you in the Phoenix Legion''s interrogation room." Vivian nearly lost it and was ready to put Belle in her ce, finding her unbearable. As they left the hotel, Felix raised his empty hands to Vivian.


    He said, "Yale took my Dragon Ring. There''s no need for you to follow me anymore."


    He did not exin much to Vivian, knowing it was impossible for them to contact Eloise, nor did they have the power to influence someone like Yale.


    Vivian was shocked, struggling to believe what she was seeing. ording to Dragon Alliance''s rules, whoever possessed the Dragon Ring was the Dragon Lord, and no questions would be asked. Despite her dismay, Vivian took a deep breath and dered, "Mr. Zeller, unless Dragon Alliance recalls me or assigns me a new task, I''ll remain by your side. That won''t change."

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    Vivian felt this whole situation was not as straightforward as it seemed-just a gut instinct. Somehow, she trusted Felix more than anyone else right now.


    Hearing Vivian''s deration, Felix smiled. "Alright. Then, I''ll have to trouble you for a bit longer. I have a task for you-I''ll pay you five million dors to flood social media with one name."


    Vivian looked puzzled. "What name?"


    "Averill Davis," Felix replied.


    His n was simple. He needed Averill to find Yvette. After all, Yale was a high-ranking member of Dragon Alliance, and he would surely have the means to keep her well beyond the reach of ordinary people. However, Averill was no ordinary person. When Felix returned to Tabiner Bay, he found Nattie waiting at the entrance with Sasha in a wheelchair.


    She lunged at Felix, grabbing his cor. Her face contorted with rage as she shouted, " Felix, you bastard!"


    "Can I help you?" Felix asked calmly.


    Nattie''s body trembled with anger. "How can you be so calm? Did you do this to Sasha''s legs? Fess up if you''re a real man!"


    Felix nced at Sasha, noticing the fear in her eyes. He knew this was just Nattie''s spection. He responded, "What does her being in a wheelchair have to do with me?"


    Sasha was visibly frightened, but she gathered the courage to say, "Mom, i-it really wasn''t Felix. Let''s go home, please. I''m begging you.''


    She was traumatized by Felix. Losing the ability to move her legs was horrible, but it was still better than ending up like Ruth, who was sold overseas and was living a fate worse than death.


    Nattie red at Felix and spat, "Felix, if I find out you had anything to do with this, I swear I''lle after you!"


    Felix shrugged off the threat, unfazed. As he stepped into the courtyard, Yvonne entered right behind him.


    She said, "I''ve heard everything."


    "What exactly did you hear?" Felix was puzzled


    "I know you''ve been expelled from Dragon Alliance," Yvonne replied. Ever since their encounter with the Great Imperial Sect, Yvonne had seemed more open, as if she had stopped holding back. Felix raised an eyebrow. "Well, aren''t you well-informed?"


    He was impressed by how quickly Yvonne had gotten the news. It was almost immediate- he had to admit that he had underestimated her


    Yvonne pressed on, "If you want to regain your Dragon Alliance status, I can help you."


    It was not that Yvonne was all-powerful. She simply had gotten a call from her boss tipping her off about the situation. Even she was surprised to learn Felix had been dismissed from Dragon Alliance so so quickly.


    Felix was shocked. He had not expected Yvonne to have influence over Dragon Alliance. There''s no such thing as a free lunch, right? What would I have to do? And please don''t say something like sleeping with you."


    Yvonne blushed, inwardly cursing herself. Her previous attempt at seduction had clearly left an impression. "There''s a price, but it''s smallpared to regaining your Dragon Alliance status. You might evene out ahead." Felix''s curiosity was piqued. He had initially nned to deal with Yale once Averill


    contacted him, but Yvonne''s offer intrigued him. "Interesting. Tell me about this ''price.'' I''m all ears!"

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    +25 BOXES


    At that moment, Yvonne''s expression suddenly becameplex, as if she had something difficult to say. This piqued Felix''s curiosity even more, making him wonder if the situation was not as simple as it seemed.


    "Y-You just need to kneel before me and p yourself twice. Then your Dragon Alliance status will be restored tomorrow," Yvonne stated, looking relieved after speaking,


    Yvonne figured her boss wanted to test Felix''s pride and character as a man, but she could not understand why the kneeling had to be directed at her. Either way, whether Felix agreed or refused, whatever good impression he had of her would probably evaporate.


    Sure enough, Felix furrowed his brows and stared at Yvonne, making her nervous. He replied, "Yvonne, I didn''t realize you were into that kind of thing. Thanks for trying to solve my problem! A man kneels to no one else except his mentor or seniors. Sorry, but that''s a hard pass!"


    With that, Felix went inside, leaving Yvonne standing there alone. She bit her lip as if she had suddenly lost something important.


    In truth, someone else would have done as asked. After all, kneeling and pping yourself was nothingpared to the status of being a Dragon Alliance member. To put it into perspective, many would have lined up to do much worse if offered 100 thousand dors. Sometimes, pride was just a word. If Felix was not Gerald''s apprentice, he might not have cared much about his dignity, either. However, given his skills and position, he had no reason to degrade himself.


    As he sat on the couch, Felix decided to call Dora.


    "Humph! You jerk, I thought you weren''t going to talk to me anymore," she answered.


    Felix spoke sternly, "Cut the chit-chat. How did you know about the Veilflower?"


    "Wendy told me, of course. The more people involved, the more leads we get. See? I got the information right away. Aren''t you happy?" Dora replied.


    Felix smiled, realizing that even though Wendy had left Avesburgh, she had helped him once again. "The Veilflower is indeed important to me. Name your price. What do I need to do for you to tell me?" he asked. Dora was overjoyed, realizing that this information was precious to Felix. "It''s simple. Marry me, and everything I have will be


    yours.


    "Try again. And remember. My patience is limited," Felix warned.


    Dora pouted. "You''re no fun at all. Fine. Since Sam offended youst time, I''ll tell you. But I hope that if my family ever needs help, you''ll lend a hand."


    Felix agreed without hesitation. "Deal!"


    As the sun set, Felix and Dora arrived at an abandoned school on the outskirts of Avesburgh. Felix frowned as he surveyed the area. Except for the light from the school''s guardhouse, the surroundings had an eerie, deserted feel. "Are you sure this is the ce?"


    "Of course! I''m not senile. They said there''s a guy working as a security guard here, watching over the school''s assets. He should be in the guardhouse," Dora retorted.


    ording to Dora, one of her family members had invested in a vacation resort out of town and overheard a local viger mention the Veilflower. After receiving 500 thousand dors, the person spilled the details.


    They had discovered Veilflower on a mountain, but the person''s uncle, who was based in Avesburgh, had also been searching for it. He had arranged to have it shipped to him, and getting this location cost another half a million dors.


    In total, they had spent a million dors on the Veilflower before even getting their hands on it, demonstrating the lengths people would go to obtain such a rare herb. Since the door was already open, they walked right in. It was Dora''s first time seeing someone with missing limbs.

 Billionaire With Husband 228

    4


    Inside, a middle-aged man sat in a chair, missing his left arm and right leg. He was casually sipping from a bottle of liquor. "Are you Gabriel Wade?" Dora began.


    But Felix nudged her aside and spoke up, "Hello, we''re sorry to disturb you."


    The man took another swig and looked at Felix with amusement. "I''m just a cripple. Why are you being so polite?"


    Felix''s expression was serious. "I always respect those who''ve fought on the battlefield."


    The man chuckled. "Well, well, you''re an interesting one. You can sense the killer instinct in me, huh? Impressive."


    Felix had indeed noticed it as soon as they entered. This man had clearly seenbat, which exined his missing limbs.


    "You''re alright, kid. I''m Gabriel Wade. What brings you here? It''s been years since anyone''se around. I''m curious," Gabriel said.


    Dora stayed quiet, letting Felix take the lead. "Mr. Wade, I know you have the Veilflower. I was wondering if you''d be willing to sell it to me. Name your price. I need the Veilflower to save a life!" When Gabriel heard the mention of Veilflower, his expression darkened. "Humph! Those good-for-nothing kids back home would sell out for money. No wonder you found this


    ce.


    "Get out! I''m not selling the Veilflower. Even if you brought me the moon, my answer would be the same."


    Just as Felix was about to speak, the door was kicked open.


    "You''re pretty cocky, huh? I can''t give you the moon, but how about trading your life for the Veilflower? Any problems with that?"


    Three men entered. The one in the middle was young, smoking a cigarette with a smug expression. The two men nking him were middle-aged and exuded the air of skilled fighters. "Zachary? What are you doing here?" Dora asked, surprisingly recognizing the young man.


    "Well, if it isn''t Dora! No wonder I had a feeling I''d run into someone I knew." Zachary


    Xanthos smirked.


    Frowning, Dora whispered to Felix, "We''re in trouble. Zachary''s from the Xanthos family. They''re the second most powerful of the three big families in town-way stronger than my


    family in many ways. But why is he interested in the Veilflower, and how did he find out about this ce?"


    The three hidden powerhouses in Avesburgh were indeed formidable. The fact that Ted could manipte them into feuding with Felix before showed that they did not even consider the Kinsley family and Kane as threats.


    Of course, that was also because Kane had never revealed his position as the deputy chief of Dragon Alliance.


    "Dora, why don''t you and your littlepdog run along now? You should know that the Veilflower''s going to be mine. Don''t let a silly herb ruin our rtionship," Zachary taunted


    Dora was clearly intimidated, but Felix was not backing down. "Mr. Wade hasn''t made his decision yet. Anyone canpete for it. May the best man win."


    Dora was conflicted.


    Felix was impressive, but the Xanthos family was not to be underestimated. Their martial artists were far superior to her family''s.


    Suddenly, Gabriel smashed his liquor bottle on the ground and shouted, "All of you, get the hell out! You have no idea who I''m saving this Veilflower for. Even if Lady Summers herself showed up, she wouldn''t dare take it from me!" Chapter 229


    Gabriel''s words caught Zachary''s attention.


    Zachary scoffed. "What a joke! A cripple with a big mouth. I wasn''t caled to be set of guy like you."


    He took a drag from his cigarette and waved his hand dismissively "Take out his after les Maybe then he''ll understand the kind of attitude he should have when taking is me*


    Even Felix found Gabriel''s im about Xena a bit exaggerated, the he was just aging scare them off.


    As one of Zachary''s henchmen stepped forward to carry out the coder Feit moved in front of Gabriel.


    "This is a transaction, not an extortion. You''re free to leave if you don''t want to buy There''s no need for violence."


    Without waiting for Zachary''s order, the man threw a pin at Fain. They were used bullying others with Zachary, and anyone who dared to stand up to them had to be ready t face the consequences.


    A dull thud echoed through the room. Felix stood unharmed, while the attacker few out the door,nding heavily on the ground. He twitched a couple of times before goingpierely motionless. Zachary scowled and turned to Dora. "Dora, are you sure you want to pick a fight with me? Think about the consequences."


    Dora quickly waved her hands. "Don''t look at me! I don''t know him. I swear


    Zachary was satisfied with her response, and he tumed his attention back to Felix. "YouTE got two choices. Either get on your knees and beg for forgiveness, then cripple one of your arms, or you and your family will face a miserable fate. None of you will be spared." The fact that he was already threatening Felix''s family so casually showed bow line regard the Xanthos family had for others.


    "Get lost!" Felix''s response was short and to the point.


    The remaining middle-aged man was worried that if Felix lost control and hurt Zachary, the consequences would be disastrous. It was better to retreat for now.


    So, he whispered to Zachary, "Mr. Xanthos, this guy is strong. We shouldn''t risk it right


    now."


    Zachary red at Felix for a long moment before grinding his cigarette butt into the floor." We''ll settle thister!"


    As Zachary left, Dora looked worried. "Honestly, I hope you''ve got some hidden skills up your sleeve. Yourbat abilities alone aren''t enough to take on the Xanthos family." Felix shrugged it off and turned back to Gabriel, who spoke coldly, "Don''t think I''m grateful just because you solved this problem. The Veilflower isn''t meant for you. Leave now."


    Felix was not about to give up. If he could get the Veilflower, he would only need one more item to wake Curtis up. "I said you could name any price. At least give me a chance."


    Seeing that this would not be resolved quickly and that she would not be much of a help, Dora chimed in, "Felix, I''m heading out. I need to report what happened to my dad. You know how it is with these powerful families. Don''t say I didn''t do my part!" "Alright. You go ahead," Felix replied.


    Perhaps because Felix had shown honor and followed the rules, Gabriel angrily pointed at something and said, "Fine! Can you make me normal again, like a regr person?"


    His arm and leg were not just injured. They werepletely gone. Even the most skilled doctor would not be able to help. Gabriel was clearly trying to make Felix give up. "If that''s what you want, sure. Give me a day. I''ll need to go to the hospital morgue to find suitable limbs for you."

 Billionaire With Husband 229

    Gabriel''s words caught Zachary''s attention.


    Zachary scoffed. "What a joke! A cripple with a big mouth. I wasn''t caled to be set of guy like you."


    He took a drag from his cigarette and waved his hand dismissively "Take out his after les Maybe then he''ll understand the kind of attitude he should have when taking is me*


    Even Felix found Gabriel''s im about Xena a bit exaggerated, the he was just aging scare them off.


    As one of Zachary''s henchmen stepped forward to carry out the coder Feit moved in front of Gabriel.


    "This is a transaction, not an extortion. You''re free to leave if you don''t want to buy There''s no need for violence."


    Without waiting for Zachary''s order, the man threw a pin at Fain. They were used bullying others with Zachary, and anyone who dared to stand up to them had to be ready t face the consequences.


    A dull thud echoed through the room. Felix stood unharmed, while the attacker few out the door,nding heavily on the ground. He twitched a couple of times before goingpierely motionless. Zachary scowled and turned to Dora. "Dora, are you sure you want to pick a fight with me? Think about the consequences."


    Dora quickly waved her hands. "Don''t look at me! I don''t know him. I swear


    Zachary was satisfied with her response, and he tumed his attention back to Felix. "YouTE got two choices. Either get on your knees and beg for forgiveness, then cripple one of your arms, or you and your family will face a miserable fate. None of you will be spared." The fact that he was already threatening Felix''s family so casually showed bow line regard the Xanthos family had for others.


    "Get lost!" Felix''s response was short and to the point.


    The remaining middle-aged man was worried that if Felix lost control and hurt Zachary, the consequences would be disastrous. It was better to retreat for now.


    So, he whispered to Zachary, "Mr. Xanthos, this guy is strong. We shouldn''t risk it right


    now."


    Zachary red at Felix for a long moment before grinding his cigarette butt into the floor." We''ll settle thister!"


    As Zachary left, Dora looked worried. "Honestly, I hope you''ve got some hidden skills up your sleeve. Yourbat abilities alone aren''t enough to take on the Xanthos family." Felix shrugged it off and turned back to Gabriel, who spoke coldly, "Don''t think I''m grateful just because you solved this problem. The Veilflower isn''t meant for you. Leave now."


    Felix was not about to give up. If he could get the Veilflower, he would only need one more item to wake Curtis up. "I said you could name any price. At least give me a chance."


    Seeing that this would not be resolved quickly and that she would not be much of a help, Dora chimed in, "Felix, I''m heading out. I need to report what happened to my dad. You know how it is with these powerful families. Don''t say I didn''t do my part!" "Alright. You go ahead," Felix replied.


    Perhaps because Felix had shown honor and followed the rules, Gabriel angrily pointed at something and said, "Fine! Can you make me normal again, like a regr person?"


    His arm and leg were not just injured. They werepletely gone. Even the most skilled doctor would not be able to help. Gabriel was clearly trying to make Felix give up.


    "If that''s what you want, sure. Give me a day. I''ll need to go to the hospital morgue to find suitable limbs for you."

 Billionaire With Husband 230

    Felix knew he had to go through official channels to avoid unnecessary trouble. The morgue seemed like the best option, as there might be people willing to sell deceased bodies for the right price.


    Gabriel was stunned. He could not believe Felix had actually taken him seriously. "Are you making fun of me?"


    Felix shook his head. "The Veilflower is extremely important to me. I wouldn''t joke about this, especially concerning your ability to move freely again."


    His medical skills made this possible, though it would be difficult and take considerable time. However, he was confident in his sess rate.


    "Get out!" Gabriel snapped, enraged despite Felix''s serious expression. He grabbed another bottle of liquor from the table and started drinking.


    "I''ll go prepare now ande back before noon tomorrow. I promise you''ll be back to normal," Felix assured him.


    Gabriel''s face showed nothing but contempt. He could not be bothered to say anything more. He had consulted several master healers before, and they all said it was impossible. So, it was impossible for him to believe a young man like Felix.


    As Felix stepped out of the guardhouse, he heard the sound of helicopter des. Looking up, he saw lights blinking in the night sky as a helicopter approached. However, he did not think much of it, as it was not an unusual sight in this city.


    To his surprise, Gabriel hobbled out on his crutch, his face filled with excitement as he gazed at the approaching helicopter. He urged Felix, "You should leave now!"


    Felix frowned. "Why? Is the real buyer on that helicopter?"


    Gabriel sighed, his tone almost fatherly. "Look, kid. I like you. You''ve got integrity, and you helped me out earlier. That''s why I''m warning you.


    "You''re right. The person I''m giving the Veilflower to is on that helicopter. You have no idea who he is or the power he wields. So please, just go. I don''t want to have to exin your presence."


    Gabriel''s words only piqued Felix''s curiosity. It seemed his earlier ims were not just to scare them off. He wondered who could possibly be on that helicopter that even Xena would not dare to mess with.


    "I''m not leaving," Felix insisted. "If you''re so certain, then I''ll buy the Veilflower from them instead."


    Gabriel was shaking with anger. He had never met someone so stubborn and clueless. He


    grumbled, "Fine! Stay if you want. But don''t say I didn''t warn you when things go south!"


    By now, the helicopter hadnded in the open area of the abandoned school, not far from where they stood. The whirring of the des filled their ears.


    As the cabin door opened and someone stepped out, tears welled up in Gabriel''s eyes. He tossed aside his crutch and dropped to one knee, using his right arm to maintain bnce.


    Felix was amazed by this dramatic disy. Gabriel''s emotions were genuine, not forced by the neer''s status or any kind of pressure


    Suddenly, Gabriel cried out, "I, Gabriel Wade, havemitted a grave sin! I''m at your service, Warlord of the East!"

 Billionaire With Husband 231

    If Zachary and Dora were still here, they would definitely be grateful for their early departure. Because if Gabriel wasn''t lying, the person approaching now was Hector Downy, the Warlord of the East. Who would dare provoke him seeing that he was one of the top figures


    of Dragonia?


    Even Felix narrowed his eyes slightly and muttered, "The Warlord of the East?"


    Gabriel heard Felix, but he didn''t have time to worry about thetter. He had already given him plenty of chances earlier. It was up to the warlord to decide how to handle things, which was beyond Gabriel''s control.


    Hector stopped in his tracks. He was middle-aged, with a presence that made the air seem to go still, even though he wasn''t intentionally exerting any pressure. His gaze was deep and intense, making the atmosphere tenser. "Gabriel, what crime have youmitted?"


    Gabriel didn''t dare lift his head.


    "I failed my mission. All my teammates perished, and only I managed to survive. That is my crime!"


    His sorrow was evident in his words. For a soldier, there was no greater pain than losing theirrades in battle.


    Hector raised his right hand slightly, and Gabriel felt a gentle force helping him to his feet.


    "I''ve always said. You''re a hero, not a criminal. But the barrier in your heart is one that no one else can help you with. You''ll have to ovee it yourself."


    Gabriel fell silent, then took a small box from his pocket. "This is the Veilflower you''ve been searching for, my lord."


    Ever since one of his formerrades mentioned that Hector was looking for the Veilflower, Gabriel had been tirelessly seeking it. Atst, after relentless efforts, he received good news from home. Hector took just one look at the box and said, "We''re looking for the Veilflower for an old war hero. Its importance is something you can probably understand, so you''ve done a great service this time!" When Gabriel heard his reply, his eyes filled with emotion. Perhaps this would be the moment to resolve his inner turmoil.


    Just as Hector was about to take the box, Felix, who had been standing quietly on the side,


    spoke up, "Mr. Downy, it''s been a while."


    In an instant, Gabriel shouted angrily, "How dare you address the Warlord of the East like that?"


    The two attendants beside Hector also shot Felix hostile looks, seemingly just waiting for


    the order to take him down.


    To everyone''s surprise, when Hector turned to look, his eyebrows twitched a few times, and then he smiled in delight.


    ""Felix Zeller?"


    Felix gave him a small smile. "I thought you wouldn''t recognize me, Mr. Downy."


    From the moment Hector had appeared and started talking to Gabriel, he hadn''t even nced at Felix. It wasn''t arrogance-it was just a habit. So, Felix hadn''t thought much of


    1. it.


    Then, the next moment, Hector suddenly hugged Felix andughed heartily.


    "When did you leave Eden Vige? You didn''t even let me know."


    Gabriel was stunned. What was happening? Felix actually knew the Warlord of the East, and it seemed like they were old friends that hadn''t met in a long time.


    Recalling all of Felix''s actions earlier, Gabriel swallowed hard. Could it be that he was already in trouble again right after earning some credit?


    "It''s been a while since I left, and my mentor gave me strict orders. Besides, I didn''t have your number. How was I supposed to contact you?"


    Hector nodded and turned to Gabriel. "Gabriel, do you have any wine here?"


    "Yes, my lord."


    Watching the two walk away, Gabriel felt relieved that Felix didn''t seem inclined to make trouble. However, he also learned a valuable lesson. There are hidden talents everywhere.

 Billionaire With Husband 232

    "Refreshing!"


    Inside a room, Hector and Felix had downed half a bottle of liquor in one go, and the smile on Hector''s face grew even wider.


    "It''s always the best to drink with you, young man."


    Felix hadn''t expected that the Veilflower Gabriel found was meant for the one and only Warlord of the East. He knew him because of Gerald.


    He''d met him more than once before. What left Felix speechless was how Gerald casually called him "Hector", as if his prestigious title meant nothing in Gerald''s eyes.


    However, Felix couldn''t do the same. He had to show respect by calling him "Mr. Downy". After all, the man was a hero who protected the nation.


    After hearing Felix''s story, Hector furrowed his brows.


    "Do you need the Veilflower, too? That''s going to be tough."


    The fact that even he found it difficult showed that the other person needing the Veilflower was equally important.


    "Mr. Downy, about that old war hero you mentioned, did he fall ill?" Felix asked.


    Hector shook his head.


    "No, it''s not him. He''s close as a brother to Brandon Quinn, who is currently the third-ranked master healer in Dragonia. It''s Brandon who needs the Veilflower, so I was helping him search for it. This flower is truly rare. Aside from Gabriel''s discovery, there''s no trace of it anywhere else."


    Just as Felix was about to speak, Hector pped his thigh. "I must be getting old! Felix, take the Veilflower with you. I''ll exin the situation to Brandon myself. I don''t believe he''d refuse to show respect to your mentor, the miracle doctor."


    With that, Felix didn''t hesitate to ept it. "Thank you, Mr. Downy. If you ever need anything, just give me a call."


    "What are you talking about? When I was gravely injured and your mentor wasn''t around, weren''t you the one who saved me? I owe you my life."


    After finishing a bottle of liquor, Hector, clearly busy with other matters, was about to leave when something crossed his mind.


    "Oh, right. Since you''ll be staying in Avesburgh for a while, let me give you a number. She''s like a student of mine, and you might''ve heard of her. She''s Xena Summers, the goddess of war. If you need anything while I''m traveling around, you can reach out to her." Chapter 232


    Xena Summers.


    Felix''s expression turned odd. He hadn''t expected that the person supporting Xena was none other than Hector himself. What a small world.


    "It''s fine, Mr. Downy. I can take care of myself"


    He knew that if he epted the contact, Hector would definitely inform Xena, and that wasn''t what he wanted. He needed to wait until Curtis woke up.


    "Fair enough, I''m just thinking too much. Given your skills, what trouble could you possibly have? I''m off, then."


    The helicopter took off, and Gabriel left with them. Regardless, he had achieved great merit, and Felix had even told Hector to follow his instructions to find an arm and a leg When the time came, Felix would personally help Gabriel be whole again. Just as he was about to leave, Felix''s phone rang.


    It was Stinger calling.


    "Stinger, what''s up?"


    But the voice on the other end wasn''t Stinger''s. It sounded anxious. "Mr. Zeller, I''m one of Stinger''s men. He''s been taken by Lord Jamison and is currently at Lord Kane''s old estate. I didn''t know who else to turn to, so I called you." Lord Jamison? Felix recalled the incident with Sasha and frowned.


    Under normal circumstances, he wouldn''t intervene, as doing so would mean that Stinger couldn''t handle things on his own. However, since he was the one who killed Hunter, he bore some responsibility in this matter. "I''m on my way."

 Billionaire With Husband 233

    In the courtyard of Kane''s estate, Stinger was tied to arge tree. His upper body was bare, while a whipshed across his skin, leaving bloody marks one after another. Yet, Stinger refused to make a sound.


    Not far away, a middle-aged man sat in a grand armchair with his feet propped on the seat, his expression full of disdain.


    "Killing someone like Hunter is one thing. You can do that as you please. However, Stinger, what you should never have done is disrespect Lord Jamison."


    When the whipping stopped, Stinger red fiercely.


    "Skyler, cut the crap and stop pretending to be the good guy! Even if I didn''t look down on Harold, do you think he wouldn''t havee after me? When Lord Kane was around, you acted like ackey. Are you acting so tough now just because you''ve found a new person to support you?"


    The middle-aged man, Skyler Stevens, chuckled.


    "Let me tell you something. Lord Jamison is taking over Avesburgh''s underground scene. It''s not because Lord Kane''s gone, but because Lord Kane got lucky and left in time. If he hadn''t, he''d still be forced out."


    Stinger spat out a mouthful of blood, still defiant. "I know I''m a dead man walking, but don''t celebrate too soon. Once Lord Kane finds out, he''ll definitely avenge me."


    Skyler stood up slowly, rubbing his hands together. "Calm down. I never said I''d kill you off just yet. I heard there''s a guy Lord Kane calls ''Mr. Zeller.'' It seems like he''s some kind of rtive of Lord Kane. How about you call him over to save you?"


    "Mr. Zeller?" Stinger furrowed his brows. Outsiders might think he was just a rtive, but they didn''t know that Felix was the most terrifying one of all. He let out a coldugh.


    "Who the hell do you think you are? You''re not even worthy of meeting Mr. Zeller! Do whatever you want. Just stop whining like a little girl."


    "You ungrateful piece of trash!"


    Skyler sat back down and raised his hand. "Keep whipping him. I want to see how tough this guy really is."


    Just as Skyler''s underlings were about to swing the whip again, ackey ran in.


    "There''s someone outside named Felix Zeller. He says we should let Stinger go."


    Stinger lowered his head, surprised that Felix had actually shown up. He felt ashamed and couldn''t bring himself to look up.


    "Let him in." Skyler''s lips curled into a slight smile as he turned to look at Stinger. "So much for that tough talk. When did you sneak a message out, huh? Well, it doesn''t matter. You''re saving me a lot of trouble."


    When Felix entered and saw Stinger''s condition, he casually waved his hand. Just like that, an invisible de cut through the ropes, instantly freeing Stinger.


    ""Mr. Zeller, I-"


    "We''ll talkter."


    That simple gesture left Skyler and his men in shock. It seemed like magicpletely over the top-especially since they knew how tightly the ropes had been tied. However, Skyler recollected himself, thinking he had it figured out.


    "I guess you''re a skilled martial artist. Otherwise, you couldn''t have done that.'' Felix remained expressionless, staring directly at Skyler. "Are you Harold Jamison?" Stinger, who had staggered closer, quickly corrected him, "He''s Skyler Stevens, one of Harold''sckeys. Harold isn''t here, Mr. Zeller."


    Since he wasn''t Harold, Felix wasn''t going to waste any more time. A surge rippled out from him, and all of Skyler''s henchmen copsed to the ground.


    of energy


    Before Skyler could fully register what was happening, he cried out in pain, realizing that one of his legs had been broken, leaving him sprawled on the ground.


    "Tell him to get Harold here, or else, he''ll end up as a cripple."


    Even Stinger was startled. Felix''s ruthlessness this time was a stark contrast to before.


    Skyler, terrified to his core, quickly reached for his phone. He had no intention of bing


    a cripple. Losing a leg was bad enough, but the thought of losing everything was


    unbearable.

 Billionaire With Husband 234

    "Mr. Zeller, I''m sorry. I''m so useless!" Kneeling on the ground, Stinger looked up at Felix.


    Felix raised a hand. "You are indeed useless, but taking over a city''s underground forces isn''t something you can achieve with manpower and ruthlessness alone. You need a powerful person to back you up!"


    How did Kane manage it? It was all because he held the position of the deputy chief in Dragon Alliance, allowing him to act decisively without overthinking.


    "Now that things have reached this point, go ahead and do what you need to. I''ll be your backer and back you up!"


    Since he was already involved, Felix wasn''t interested in stepping back. People like Stinger could be quite useful in certain situations.


    Hearing this, Stinger became ecstatic. His hesitation and fear stemmed fromcking strong support. With Kane gone, he couldn''t keep relying on him. It would be far too cowardly. With Felix''s support, he could finally act without restraint. "Lord Jamison said he''ll be here in half an hour, Mr. Zeller," Skyler said.


    However, Felix didn''t bother to look his


    way.


    Stinger understood immediately, grabbing Skyler by the hair and dragging him to the backyard, where the oue was self-exnatory.


    About half an hourter, a subordinate entered. "Mr. Stinger, Lord Jamison has arrived, but he''s alone. He didn''t bring any of his men."


    Felix, who had just taken a sip of water, raised an eyebrow in surprise. Coming alone like this meant that Harold was quite confident, seeing no threat in anyone here.


    Seeing Stinger look his way, Felix gave him a slight nod. "Let him in."


    "Yes, sir!"


    Shortly after, even before Harold appeared, his voice rang out, "This courtyard of Lord Kane''s is rather exquisite. I like it a lot, Stinger. Why not give it to me?"


    When Harold finally appeared, Felix narrowed his eyes, thinking he might be seeing things.


    Anyone who hadn''t met Harold would assume that he was someone over 40 years old, given his title. However, the person standing in the courtyard was a young man. He seemed to be even younger than Felix.


    "Is that Lord Jamison?" Felix asked, turning to Stinger, who nodded,


    ""Yes, Mr. Zeller."


    Stinger didn''t think much of it. Everyone asked the same question the first time they met Harold.


    However, Harold fixed his gaze on Felix and suddenly spread his arms,ughing loudly." My dear cousin, it''s been so many years since west met, hasn''t it?" he said.


    Cousin? Stinger almost lost his bnce, and the other underlings looked equally bewildered. They thought Harold was joking, but then Felix stood up.


    "Harold, it has indeed been a long time."


    Felix was just as puzzled. When he first heard the name "Harold", he thought of his aunt, Yvette, whose son had the same name. However, he never thought they''d be the same person. Seeing him now, he realized it really was his cousin. 11


    The atmosphere in the courtyard grew extremely tense. Stinger kept swallowing nervously, struggling toprehend that his enemy and his supposed backer were actually cousins. Could anything be more absurd?


    "So you lured me here on purpose, Harold? Did you know all along?"


    Harold, standing still, smiled. "Of course! Now that you know that I am Lord Jamison, the matter of who controls Avesburgh''s underground scene should be resolved, right, cousin?"


    Felix didn''t hesitate, saying, "Sure! However, I have one condition. You need to tell me where your mother is."

 Billionaire With Husband 235

    Faced with such a request, Stinger dared not object. Everything was up to Felix. After all, he would''ve been dead if Felix hadn''te to his rescue, leaving him no grounds to negotiate.


    "We were having a perfectly good conversation about business. Why bring up my mom?"


    Although Felix was silent, his stern gaze made his intentions clear.


    Harold shrugged. "I have no idea where my mom is. How could I tell you?"


    Felix stepped forward and pped Harold across the face.


    "Your mother''s life is in danger. Despite being her son, you don''t care. You''re not worried, and you don''t even try to find her. How can you ept the things your enemy gives you? What a man you are!"


    Harold''s expression turned dark as his hands clenched for a moment, but he forced a smile. "A smart person knows when to adapt to the situation.


    ''Do you think everyone is as headstrong as you? Do you think everyone loves to fight against something they can''t win, just to prove a point?"


    From the moment Harold walked in, Felix had understood that this was all orchestrated by Yale. He had confined Yvette and sent Harold to Avesburgh to hold Felix in check. It was his way of reminding Felix of the power he was up against. "Do whatever you want, but you won''t touch Stinger and his people. That''s my bottom line.


    11


    Harold shot a disdainful look at Stinger before turning back to Felix. "My ambitions go far beyond Avesburgh''s underground, Felix. This city is just a stepping stone. So, of course, I''ll agree to your terms.


    "However, let me make one thing clear. My benefactor has made it known that if I suffer any harm in Avesburgh, my mother will suffer the same. If I lose an arm, so will she."


    Felix had never been close to Harold, but he knew thetter hadn''t always been so heartless. However, given his current attitude toward his own mother, Felix thought he had fallen even below the level of a beast.


    "If you evere to your senses,e and look for me."


    With that, Felix turned and left. Yale''s scheme to bind him through such means was clever, but the vice leader underestimated one key fact: Felix wasn''t fighting alone-he had nine fellow apprentices.


    On the way back, he received a message from Dora, who exined that she had been forced


    6381


    to reveal Felix''s information to Zachary.


    Felix wasn''t bothered by this. If Zachary wanted trouble, he could seek him out anytime. Even if Dora had made mistakes, Felix wouldn''t me her. After all, it was mainly thanks to her efforts that they managed to obtain the rare Veilflower. Soon, a new day dawned. In the morning, Felix was tending to the flowers and nts in his courtyard when a voice interrupted him.


    "How do you still have time to fiddle with these things when you''re about to lose your life?"


    Turning around, Felix saw Zachary entering his courtyard, apanied by an elderly man with a menacing gaze.


    "Am I about to lose my life? Are you here to kill me?"


    Seeing Felix''s casual response, Zachary felt a pang of irritation when he noticed Felix was still focused on watering the nts.


    "It''s broad daylight, and we live in a society governed byw. How could I possibly kill you? Really, listen to yourself."


    Just then, the old man beside him released a wave of energy, which enveloped Felix. "How does that feel? I''ll give you one more chance to kneel and apologize to me, and maybe you''ll have a chance to change your fate."


    The old man was a powerful martial artist serving Zachary''s family. Otherwise, Zachary wouldn''t have dared to confront Felix directly. The oppressive energy released earlier was meant to intimidate Felix, making him realize the gravity of his situation and forcing him to kneel.


    Zachary figured that Felix would fall to his knees almost immediately.

 Billionaire With Husband 236

    Just as Felix straightened up, the roar of engines erupted outside, and two military-green vehicles stopped at the gate.


    Zachary furrowed his brows, as anyone could tell that these were exclusive vehicles of the Phoenix Legion. However, he wondered why the Phoenix Legion hade. That was a question worth pondering.


    The car doors swung open, and Belle stormed out first, nked by several armed soldiers.


    "You are suspected of murder and assault, Felix Zeller. You are required to assist in the investigation."


    Zachary quickly stood up, pulling the elderly man along as he headed outside. With the Phoenix Legion involved, there was no way he could continue to trouble Felix. If he were to fall into their hands, even his father would have no way to rescue him. "You must be quite the arrogant guy, Felix," Zachary thought. "Even the Phoenix Legion is stirred up. It''s a pity I can''t kill you myself."


    Unbothered by Zachary''s departure, Belle kept her gaze fixed on Felix.


    "Are you done?" Having just been removed from Dragon Alliance, Felix didn''t expect Xena to retaliate so quickly, fueling his growing disdain for her. "You want to arrest me?"


    With a loud click, the soldiers of the Phoenix Legion in the courtyard all aimed their machine guns at Felix, ready to pull the trigger at any moment.


    "What murder or assault have Imitted? Belle, you''d better give me a reasonable exnation."


    more?" A cold smile crept across Belle''s face as she said, "Sasha Quinton! Do I need to say


    Sasha Quinton? Felix''s brows furrowed deeply. Sasha actually had the guts to use him? It seemed that he had been too kind to her.


    "Fine. I''ll go with you. However, remember that there will be consequences, Belle. Some things I was meant to do will be expedited."


    Belle couldn''t care less about Felix''s threat, as she hade prepared.


    Moving closer, Belle whispered, "Do you really think that we can''t do anything to you just because Sasha only used you? You''re gravely mistaken!"


    Everything was already in ce. There was no way Felix could escape this time.


    "Wait!" Suddenly, Yvonne stepped in, blocking their path.


    "Who are you? Do you know the consequences of obstructing the Phoenix Legion''s work?"


    Yvonn¨¦ showed no fear. "I am Yvonne Cooper, president of Ster Group. Felix is my friend, and I want to know what crime he hasmitted that requires the Phoenix Legion''s direct involvement and the mobilization of such arge force."


    Given her status, Yvonne was well aware of the Phoenix Legion''s jurisdiction. Nheless, she needed to rify this. Otherwise, how would she report back to her boss?


    Belle''s face darkened upon hearing that. She hadn''t expected that even the president of Ster Group, whom Xena had not met, would be a friend of Felix. Who did this man think he was?


    If it had been anyone else, she would have taken them away without hesitation. However, given Yvonne''s status and the substantial investment Ster Group was bringing to Avesburgh, it could draw the attention of many powerful figures if she did not handle the matter properly.


    "Ms. Cooper, we cannot disclose the specific details at this time. Please do not obstruct us from carrying out our duties."


    Belle''s refusal to show her any respect left Yvonne with no choice but to step aside. Yvonne nned to inquire through other channelster.


    Just as Belle breathed a sigh of relief, another voice rang out, pushing her fury to its peak, " Did I allow you to take him away?"

 Billionaire With Husband 237

    Belle shot an intense re at the neer, her fury palpable. "Are you done? How dare you obstruct the Phoenix Legion''s operations? Capture her!"


    Seeing another woman appear, who was even more stunning than Yvonne-almost on par with Xena-Belle didn''t recognize her and decided to make an example of her. Without saying a word, a middle-aged man stepped forward. This caught Belle''s attention, and her expression changed. Immediately, she halted her order. "Stop!" She recognized the middle-aged man as a bodyguard closely associated with Ernest, named Jairo. The woman who had spoken on behalf of Felix earlier was clearly an important person


    "The Phoenix Legion is quite impressive. Is your word alone enough to take someone away? I''m standing right here, and I would like to see you try!"


    Jairo was there to protect none other than Sherlyn, Ernest''s precious granddaughter. Felix -recognized her at once.


    "Ms. Holt, thank you so much. However, it''s no problem for me to go with them," Felix said.


    Felix felt puzzled. Given Ernest''s character, he wouldn''t easily take sides without understanding the situation, especially when it involved an official operation by the Phoenix Legion.


    Upon hearing Felix''s address, Belle''s expression darkened. As she suspected, the woman was indeed Ernest''s granddaughter, Sherlyn.


    Forget about Ernest himself. Even Sherlyn''s father held amanding position, to whom even Xena had to show respect. It made Belle afraid to take Felix away.


    "Ms. Holt, I am just doing my duty. Please don''t make this difficult for me."


    With a cold nce at Belle, Sherlyn replied sternly, "Well, Felix is my grandfather''s neighbor. If he were truly a heinous person, my grandfather would have moved away long ago. Are you questioning my grandfather''s judgment?"


    "Good Lord!" Belle gasped internally, as Sherlyn used a powerful card so soon. It appeared that she had no reservations about using Ernest''s name.


    Felix was equally surprised that Sherlyn would defend him so fiercely. After reflecting, he realized they had only met a couple of times. Did she really need to go to such lengths?


    As the situation escted, Belle''s hatred for Felix only intensified. Why did he have such luck, with neighbors who were big shots and top-tier beauties? Moreover, given that he was already engaged, had she considered Xena''s interests in this situation at all?


    +25 BOHUS


    "I must take him away, Ms. Holt. Are you really going to use Ernest or your father to stop me?"


    Just as Sherlyn was about to speak again, Jairo intervened, covering Sherlyn''s mouth and pulling her aside.


    "Go ahead, but I have a message to convey. Your power and authority were granted by the people. Whatever you do must adhere to regtions. Otherwise, the people can reim the power they''ve given you."


    Although she didn''t quite grasp the full meaning of this statement, Belle had no intention of lingering with Sherlyn out of the way. If Ernest were to show up, she would have no chance to retaliate.


    After everyone left, Yvonne pondered thoughtfully.


    Sherlyn''s unexpected appearance and her protective stance seemed a little excessive. Was there a hidden secret that even she was unaware of?


    "Are you done causing a scene?"


    In another vi, Ernest was brewing coffee, casually addressing Sherlyn as she entered without lifting his head.

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    Sherlyn sat across from Ernest, fuming and pouting adorably. "Humph! Grandpa, you don''t care about me anymore. You''re not standing by my side."


    Ernest, rxed in demeanor, handed her a cup of coffee. "Do I not care about you? Otherwise, would I have sent Jairo to apany you?


    "You''re getting more and more mischievous. After all, they''re conducting an official operation. Do you think that just because I or your father is involved, they''ll let you off unconditionally? What do we needws for, then?"


    While she understood his point, Sherlyn was still upset. "I finally managed toe back, and I can only hang around for two days. I was looking forward to having dinner with Felix to bond with him, but the Phoenix Legion intervened. How can I be in a good mood?" Taking a sip of coffee, Ernest said, "You know Felix''s situation. Everyone has a breaking point, and I suspect he''s about to explode this time. The reason I had you go is to give someone a chance, but it''s a shame."


    Ernest was no ordinary person. Although retired, he could learn anything in no time, which was why he said what he did.


    Meanwhile, as they approached the Phoenix Legion base, Felix finally spoke, "Xena probably doesn''t know about this operation, right?"


    Belle''s eyes flickered with a hint of panic, but it vanished quickly. "You''re at death''s door and still want to see Ms: Summers? Where were you before? Given that we already had aplete chain of evidence against you, do you think Ms. Summers still needs to show up? I can easily deal with you myself."


    Though she didn''t answer directly, Felix understood he had guessed correctly. Xena was indeed not involved. After all, she wouldn''t act recklessly. Clearly, Belle had orchestrated everything behind her back.


    "Since that''s the case, I won''t hold back."


    "Hold back''?" Belle thought to herself, scoffing internally.


    They had arrived at the Phoenix Legion base. Did he really think he could use his martial skills to turn the tide? Dream on! Even the most wanted criminal wouldn''t dare to cause a scene at the Phoenix Legion, let alone Felix.


    After they reached a room and were locked inside, it wasn''t long before Warren entered, surprising Felix.


    "Uncle Warren?"


    Warren''s expression wasplex. He didn''t sit down but stood facing Felix. "Did you cripple Sasha''s leg?"


    To be honest, Felix found it hard to face Warren. Although he felt Sasha deserved it, he could never say that out loud.


    Seeing Felix remain silent, Warren took a deep breath and continued, "No matter what, we''re even now."


    Felix forced a smile. "Uncle Warren, since we''vee this far, I don''t want to keep anything from you. Otherwise, I might feel like I owe you something.


    "You know that Sasha was involved with Ted Glover, right? She plotted against me multiple times, including schemes that could have resulted in my death."


    As Warren turned away, his body visibly trembled. He shook his head slightly, choosing not to respond as he exited the room.


    However, Felix felt a sense of relief. He knew Warren believed him, meaning his strained rtionship with the Quinton family would soon be a thing of the past. Regardless of the current situation with Sasha, it would soon bepletely resolved. When Belle appeared again, Felix sent a text message.


    The moment that message was received, it marked the beginning of Belle''s countdown to her demise.

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    "Dad! Did he confess?" Outside, Sasha sat in a wheelchair with Nattie beside her, both of them looking expectantly toward the door.


    Of course, Belle was present, too. It was her idea to send Warren in, hoping to leverage their rtionship to break Felix''s psychological defenses and force him to confess, which would make everything easier. "No, Sasha. Let''s go home. Can we start over?"


    Sasha was stunned upon hearing Warren''s words. Then, she immediately erupted in anger. "Excuse me? Are you even my father? Your daughter is now a disabled person, needing a wheelchair to go qut, and you still have the audacity to lecture me about starting over?" Seeing Sasha''s tears flowing, Nattie became furious. "Are you even a man? You can''t even protect your daughter! I was blind to marry you!"


    Unexpectedly, Warren suddenly raised his right hand and pointed sternly at Sasha. "Do you dare say you''re innocent? Sasha, look me in the eyes and tell me you did nothing


    wrong! We''vee this far, and it''s all your own doing, isn''t it?


    "Did Felix ever intentionally make things difficult for you? Tell me!"


    Sasha was shocked, as this was the first time Warren was treating her harshly. She introspected and realized it was indeed all her fault. If she hadn''t kept causing trouble for Felix, even coborating with Ted to the point of wanting to kill him, none of this would have happened.


    "I don''t care! Anyway, Felix is the one who did this to my legs. I saw him kill someone with my own eyes! You''ll definitely bring him to justice, right, Ms. Frost?"


    Although the process had been rocky, Belle had long since made her arrangements and nodded slightly. "Don''t worry. We won''t let any criminal go unpunished."


    After Belle left, Warren sat in a chair, feeling defeated.


    "You were worried from the beginning that Felix would try to take our family''s property, and you''ve held onto that mindset until now without thinking it through. You must think that he has no backing now that Lord Kane has left, right?


    "Just yesterday, I went to the Ster Group''s office in Avesburgh, and the current person in charge is Felix''s close friend, Jack Graham. So, let me ask you. Since Felix has lost his. status, how did he win Jack a middle management position in a hugepany like Ster Group?" Nattie and Sasha were both dumbfounded. If that were true, it only meant that Felix was more impressive than they had imagined.


    However, after just a few seconds, Sasha hardened her expression. "So what if he''s impressive? Felix is now in the Phoenix Legion''s custody. He''s done for!"


    Just then, Belle entered the room with two rough-looking thugs.


    ""Is that him?"


    The two thugs looked at Felix and nodded in unison. "That''s right. He killed Mr. Adams."


    "Yeah, he was so decisive when he killed Mr. Adams, and then, he crippled Sasha''s legs. We all saw it clearly."


    With a wave of Belle''s hands, the two thugs left.


    Belle smugly said to Felix, "Those two are Stinger''s subordinates and were present at the crime scene. On top of the victim''s statement, we have two witnesses. Do you really think you can escape conviction? I don''t even need your testimony to put you on trial right now." Stinger''s subordinates? Felix found it ridiculous. Even if he had a knife to Stinger''s throat, none of his subordinates would dare betray him. This was clearly a show arranged by Belle. "Belle, I can only say that Xena must be blind to have chosen you as her deputy. Although I don''t have much praise for that woman, her sense of justice is unquestionable.


    "Yet you, who have been by her side, have stooped so low as tomit perjury. Your death will be well-deserved."

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    Belle burst outughing.


    "You''re already a prisoner under arrest, and you still think you can kill me? Given my status, don''t you know that just saying that is already a crime?"


    Unfazed, Felix asked, "Since you say I''m going to be sentenced to death, can you tell me why you hate me so much?"


    Belle''s eyes nearly turned red with rage. Crossing her arms, she said, "Why? It''s simple. You''re not worthy of Ms. Summers. You should have broken off the engagement and gotten lost!


    "However, you act so high and mighty, as if nothing can truly catch your attention. You rely only on your status as a member of Dragon Alliance and your martial prowess.


    "Ms. Summers is kind-hearted and doesn''t want to go against her grandfather''s wishes, so of course I must eliminate obstacles for her. Ms. Summers''s future husband should be an outstanding man. You, on the other hand, are nothing!" With that, Belle stormed out.


    Felix said nothing, only concluding that she was delusional, havingpletely imagined


    herself as Xena. (1


    Meanwhile, in a certain part of Yartford, Xena received a phone call.


    "Ms. Frost has brought Felix to the station and won''t allow any of us to interfere or get involved, Ms. Summers."


    Xena furrowed her brows. "I see."


    What tricks was Belle up to this time?


    At least as far as she knew, Felix hadn''tmitted any crimes. If she was doing this just to vent her frustration, it was going too far. Did she really think she could use the power granted by the people as she pleased? After trying to call Belle several times without sess, Xena stood up.


    "Belle, you can''t act rashly!" she thought.


    She immediately called Bradley, and he answered the call quickly.


    "I''m almost there, Ms. Summers."


    Xena was confused. "What do you mean?"


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    "Didn''t you ask me toe to the province to assist local forces in eliminating bandits and thieves? Your signature is on the document from Ms. Frost."


    Without saying another word, Xena hung up the phone, her body trembling slightly." You''ve got some nerve, Belle! Prepare the ne. We''re heading back to Avesburgh immediately."


    She suddenly had a very bad feeling and wasn''t sure if she would make it in time.


    At the Phoenix Legion''s base in Avesburgh, Belle wasn''t alone when she returned to the


    room.


    "Felix, here''s the case report. You can sign it now."


    Felix didn''t even nce at it and directly said, "You know I won''t sign it. Likewise, you also know that my refusal won''t have any impact on what happens next, right?"


    Belle smiled. "You''re very clever. Indeed, it won''t have any effect. I''m just going through the motions. You killed one person and crippled another, so sentencing you to death is proper and legal."


    In the next moment, she leaned forward and whispered, "Once you''re gone, Ms. Summers won''t be held back by anyone. She won''t have to waste time on you. Ultimately, your death is caused by your ipetence." Felix leaned back, cing his legs on the table. You''ll soon find out whether or not I ampetent."


    As soon as he finished speaking, the door was flung open.


    "Come quickly, Ms. Frost! The Warlord of the East is here!"

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    "What!"


    Belle stared in disbelief. She thought she had misheard.


    "You... You said the Warlord of the East is here?!


    Oh, my God! Why would the Warlord of the East appear out of the blue? Usually, visits like these were always announced in advance. There was no way anyone would be caught off guard like this. Moreover, Xena was attending a meeting in Yartford. Belle had never weed such a high-ranking figure alone, and she was nervous.


    "Hurry up! Lead the way!" she urged.


    As they rushed outside, the subordinate, feeling slightly calmer, quickly said, "Ma''am, I''m sorry! I got too excited and misspoke. It''s not Mr. Downy himself. It''s his deputy, Lady Leia. Was it Leia Woods? It didn''t calm Belle. This was no trivial matter, either. Why would someone like Leia visit without warning?


    Just like how she represented Xena in Yartford, Leia represented the Warlord of the East. Even if it wasn''t as overwhelming as Hunter''s own visit, her presence was simrly intimidating.


    She strode quickly to Xena''s office and pushed the door open. As expected, Leia was already there, looking over some photographs disyed on the wall.


    "Lady Leia." Belle greeted politely.


    Without looking away from the photos, Leia smiled.


    "Lady Summers truly lives up to her name. What an inspiration for women everywhere. Look at these photos of her aplishments. How admirable they are!" Although thement was somewhat baffling Belle smiled politely and nodded in agreement.


    "Indeed, she''s extraordinary. But, Lady Leia, you are also someone I greatly admire. How many women are qualified to serve as the deputy of the Warlord of the East?"


    Leja finally turned around. Her face revealed a dignified presence. She was not exactly beautiful, but she was strikingly.charismatic. Her gaze was so piercing that even Belle found it hard to meet her eyes.


    "You''re right. Serving as a deputy isn''t easy. You need both virtue and talent, and you must constantly anticipate the needs of those you serve. Sometimes, one misstep can lead to


    many more."


    Belle could only respond with a forcedugh. She was still not sure about the purpose of


    Leia''s visit.


    Leia walked over to the window, gazing outside as she spoke casually, "Lady Summers is at a meeting in Yartford, and Bradley is off dealing with bandits in Lofrenia. Right now, you, Belle, hold the highest rank in the Phoenix Legion." Belle''s face paled as she hurriedly rified, "Lady Leia! Why would you say that? I have no other intention besides carrying out my duties. Even if you''ve heard gossip, you must know I''m not that kind of person!"


    "Don''t misunderstand. I''m here on official business," Leia said. "But we''ll have to wait for one more person before we can proceed."


    Someone else wasing? And if Leia was waiting for them, they had to be incredibly important. Belle wracked her brain but couldn''t think of anyone in Yartford worthy of such attention.


    A few minutester, a knock came on the door.


    "Come in," Leia called.


    The door opened, and a man walked in. He was dressed differently from the Phoenix


    Legion.


    "Lady Leia, we''ve brought Felix."


    Then, Felix himself stepped in. Belle''s eyes widened in shock. Her mind went nk for a


    moment.


    "You may leave now," Leia told the escort.


    After the door closed, Leia cupped her hands in respect toward Felix. "Dr. Zeller, I apologize for the inconvenience. Mr. Downy had urgent matters and couldn''t make it, so he sent me. I hope you can understand." Felix smiled warmly.


    "No problem, as long as the issue is resolved."


    "Dr. Zeller? Belle swallowed nervously.


    Leia''s respectful attitude had shaken her. She was offering an apology on behalf of Hunter! How was this even possible?


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    "Then, Dr. Zeller, if you have no other agenda, shall I begin?"


    Felix nodded calmly.


    "Go ahead."


    At that moment, Belle regained herposure Though her voice trembled, the fact that she could formplete sentences proved her mental resilience.


    "Lady Leia, I... I didn''t know you knew Felix. I believe this whole thing was a deliberate frame-up by Sasha. It was all due to my misced sympathy. When Lady Summers returns, I will ask for her forgiveness."


    Leia''s gaze sharpened, and her voice turned icy "You are the deputy of the Phoenix Legion. You should make decisions based on evidence. How can my mere presence acquit Dr. Zeller of wrongdoings?"


    Belle was in a panic. She couldn''tprehend how Felix could have ties not only with Leia but seemingly even with Hunter. Even Felix''s former status as a member of Dragon Alliance was far from enough for him to make such a connection. Before she could say another word, the person who had left earlier returned. He brought with him the two thugs who had used Felix, along with several members of the Phoenix Legion.


    Without waiting for Leia to question them, the two men immediately dropped to their knees, weeping and confessing.


    "Ma''am, it wasn''t our fault! She... She made us lie and use Mr. Zeller!"


    "Yes, it was her! Please don''t kill us!"


    A Phoenix Legion soldier was thest to speak. He gave Belle a bitter smile and said, Ma''am, I have no choice but to confess. If I don''t, my family and livelihood will be at risk Please forgive me, but it was all your idea." Leia''s cold voice cut through the air, "You were quite clever. You don''t do things yourself but instead push it all on those who can easily shed themselves of any responsibility.


    "Go on!"


    Belle was now speechless. She knew there was nothing she could do now. Even if Xena rushed back now, it wouldn''t save her.


    "Last time, we broke into a civilian''s home and arrested Mr. Zeller. That was also on Belle''s orders. But back then, she found someone else to take the fall."


    With a subtle nce from Leia, Sasha was pushed into the room. Tears streamed down her Chapter 242


    face.


    "TV


    was wrong! I shouldn''t have lied! My broken legs have nothing to do with Felix! Nothing at all!"


    Sasha looked utterly frightened. She had already decided to leave Yartford and never face Felix again.


    Just moments ago, someone showed her evidence of her crimes, including her plot with Ted to frame Felix. They were all clearly captured on surveince footage. She couldn''t fathom who possessed such power.


    She now understood that if she continued to use Felix, that would be the end of her. She finally realized the true identity of the person she had been trying to provoke.


    She wasn''t being held ountable for her actions probably because her father, Warren, only had one daughter. Compared to death, losing her legs seemed like a blessing in disguise. 1


    Once everyone had left, Leia turned to Felix.


    "Dr. Zeller, I will take Belle with me. While her crimes do not warrant death, she will never see the light of day again."


    Felix gave a cold smile. Did they really think he would let Belle live? He had already taken care of it.


    "Great!"


    At that moment, Belle lifted her head and shouted at Felix with grievances, "Who are you, really?"


    Felix turned away, leaving one sentence behind.


    "I am merely the student of the miracle doctor."

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    The student of the miracle doctor!


    Belle''s eyes filled with rage when she heard Felix''s words. She staggered a few steps back, suddenly understanding everything.


    All the previous incidents in which she thought Felix was involved now madeplete sense. It also made sense now that Hunter had sent his deputy to deal with this matter.


    "Miracle doctor! Felix is the miracle doctor''s student. The person Lady Summers has tirelessly searched for... turns out to be a rural doctor we all looked down on! What a joke!" Belleughed. She began to act weirdly, crying andughing at the same time. She muttered to herself nonstop, causing Leia to frown.


    It was clear that the shock had gotten to her mind.


    Outside, Felix walked calmly, just in time to see Xena approaching from the side. Their eyes met for a brief moment, but neither said a word as they continued in their respective directions. "Felix has been released?"


    A terrible foreboding swelled in Xena''s chest. She quickened her steps.


    She had rushed back using a fighter jet. She couldn''t tell the reason, but she felt that Belle arresting Felix this time would spiral out of control. Now, it seemed her fears were based.


    Or else, how could Felix have been freed before she even showed up? She had even sent Bradley away. It made the situation harder to justify.


    As Xena approached her office, Leia walked out with Belle.


    "Leia?"


    Xena was taken aback. She hadn''t expected L to be here.


    "Lady Summers, you''ve returned rather quickly."


    Xena looked at Belle, whose expression made it clear she had lost her mind.


    "What happened to Belle?"


    Without even ncing at Belle, Leia replied calmly, "We received a report that Belle abused her power and misjudged things. Given the sensitivity of her position, Mr. Downy ordered me to handle the matter personally. "I apologize for not informing you beforehand, Lady Summers.


    Chaptes 241


    "As for her current state... It seems she couldn handle the shock of falling from being the deputy of a goddess of war to bing a prisoner."


    Xena''s expression grew conflicted. Belle had been with her for a long time, and she had treated her like family. To see someone she was so close to be so unrecognizable overnight was painful.


    "I''ll be taking a few others along with Belle. I will send you a report by tomorrow," Leia said before turning to leave with Belle.


    Xena stood rooted in ce, watching them leave, unable to say a word.


    It was obvious now. Belle had orchestrated Felix''s arrest with made-up or insufficient evidence.


    "Belle, you''ve disappointed me."


    She struggled toprehend why Belle would do such a thing. What was her obsession with going against Felix? Had Leia not intervened, Belle''s crimes would have been even


    more severe.


    Meanwhile, after leaving the Phoenix Legion''s base, Felix didn''t head home but went straight to a restaurant. It was around noon, and Jack had invited him for lunch. He wasn''t aware of the dramatic events of the morning, where even the deputy of the goddess of war had been taken down.


    "Why did you invite me to lunch?"


    For Felix, life remained as usual, unaffected by Belle''s downfall.


    Jack frowned. "If I''m not mistaken, the chairman of Velocis Ventures, Warren Quinton, is your uncle, right?"


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 Billionaire With Husband 244

    "Yes. Is there a problem?"


    Jack''s expression turned a bit strange when he heard that.


    "Two hours ago, Warren asked to withdraw from Ster Group''s city-within-a-city. project. ording to the contract, he has to pay a hefty penalty fee. The amount is sorge that even selling his entirepany wouldn''t cover it. But all Warren told me was to talk to you about it."


    Withdrawal?


    Felix sighed quietly and drank the full cup of water. He knew full well why Warren was backing out. The entire family was most likely preparing to leave Yartford for good.


    Although Felix said nothing, Jack continued, "This matter was too important for me to decide on my own since I''m still new to the role. So I consulted with the president Surprisingly, she approved it.


    "Not only did she waive the penalty, but she also reserved the project slot for you."


    Having met Yvonne, Jack wasn''t too surprised by the situation. At most, he was just curious.


    "Well, it''s her decision. I won''t interfere."


    Jack nodded with a smile.


    "I''m heading to Yartford the day after tomorrow for a meeting. You know Madeline will be there, too, right? I already reached out to her, and we''re nning to have dinner. Just don''t get jealous, okay?"


    Madeline would be in Yartford? Felix didn''t probe further. After all, the capital of Dragonia wasn''t an easy ce to navigate.


    "Yeah. When you meet her, lend her a hand if you can. I can tell that she hasn''t changed despite everything. She''s worth helping."


    "Don''t worry. I''m a mid-level manager in Ster Group now. I have leverage."


    As their meal wrapped up, Jack seemed to remember something. "Got time tonight? Let''s grab a drink."


    Felix frowned. "Probably not. I still have something to deal withter."


    He couldn''t ignore the issue with Zachary, who had already sent people to his house. that Felix had safely walked out of the Phoenix Legion''s base, there was no doubt trouble would follow. And he wasn''t the type to sit back and wait for the enemy to attack. Chapter 244


    "Alright. Let me use the restroom." Jack got up but suddenly froze in ce.


    "What''s wrong? Did you not make it in time?" Felix joked with a smirk as he continued eating.


    "No... She''s... She''s stunning! My God! Is that an angel?"


    Hearing this, Felix sighed and reluctantly looked up. He saw that every gaze in the hall was now fixed on a woman gliding gracefully toward them.


    She wore a fitting red dress. It was elegant and modest, yet it highlighted her beauty in all


    who the right ways. The faint smile on her face was captivating, enough to enchant anyone. saw it.


    It w


    I wasn''t just Jack who was mesmerized. Even the women present couldn''t move their eyes away from her, momentarily forgetting to chastise their boyfriends. To Jack, the woman''s beauty even surpassed that of Xena.


    Only Felix feltplicated upon seeing her. The woman was none other than his senior -apprentice, Averill. While he had hoped this n might work, her sudden appearance


    suggested that things wouldn''t be simple, especially given her unpredictable temperament. As expected, the next moment, Felix heard a voice directly in his mind, transmitted through an advanced martial arts technique that only those who were highly skilled could perform. "Felix, Leslie is also here... and she''s angry.

 Billionaire With Husband 245

    Felix''s expression changed. Leslie wasing too? Averill was already enough for him to deal with. If Leslie joined in, he couldn''t imagine how things would turn out.


    "But don''t worry. I''ve sent Leslie away for now. If you cooperate andpromise with meter, I''ll not only help you out but also make sure that Leslie won''t bother you for a while."


    Although those words calmed Felix a bit, he knew very well that "cooperating" with Averill wasn''t going to be as simple as it sounded.


    Jack couldn''t stop gawking at her as Averill walked closer. Then, sure enough, she sat directly next to Felix and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Darling, sorry that I''mte."


    What?


    Jack nearly lost his bnce and had to grab the chair to steady himself.


    Every man seeing this scene could practically hear their heart shattering into pieces. How could Felix get such a perfect woman?


    Even Felix couldn''t help butugh at Jack''s reaction.


    "Jack, is it really that shocking?" he teased.


    Taking a few deep breaths, Jack hurriedly sat down. His dder had probably stopped functioning long ago.


    "You... You two... What''s going on?"


    Averill wrapped her arm around Felix''s, pressing her ample chest against him


    intentionally, making him very aware of her presence.


    "What? Can''t you tell we''re in a rtionship?" said Averill.


    Jack was dumbfounded.


    He blurted out, "But isn''t Felix''s girlfriend supposed to be Wendy?"


    What? Averill slowly turned toward Felix with an intimidating look.


    "You dare find a new love behind my


    back?"


    Felix sighed helplessly. "It''s just a fake rtionship."


    Why was he even exining this to his senior apprentice?


    "Fine. I''ll let it slide this time."


    Jack felt his scalp tingle. Felix''s romantic luck was unbelievable. Wendy, the daughter of a


    billionaire, was willing to pretend to be his girlfriend. Then, there was Yvonne, the stunning CEO who pursued him. And now, a literal fairy kissed him in public.


    How much more unreasonable could this be? How could any man stand this?


    "Hi, I''m Jack, Felix''s buddy," Jack greeted, extending his hand awkwardly.


    Averill shook his hand gracefully. "Hello, I''m Averill."


    "Let me get some more food for you."


    But Averill, unfazed, picked up Felix''s utensils and started eating from his bowl without hesitation.


    "It''s fine. There''s still plenty left. Enough for me."


    As she spoke, she ced her hand directly on Felix''s thigh, causing his body to tense up. Even though Felix was no stranger to being teased in Eden Vige, this was on another level. Half an hour passed, and the dinner was finallying to an end. Felix spent the entire meal on edge.


    As soon as he came out of the bathroom, Averill teased him, "Are you feeling ufortable, Felix? Do you want me to help you out back at your ce?"


    Her eyes yfully drifted down as she spoke.


    "No, no! That won''t be necessary! Averill, please! I''m begging you. I really came to you for something serious!"


    Averill draped her arm over his shoulders.


    "Whatever it is, can''t it be discussed in bed?" she teased.


    Finally, after Felix''s relentless pleas, Averill relented and returned to her normal demeanor. "Okay, then. What''s so urgent that you had to hunt me down like this?" Felix''s expression grew serious.


    "My aunt, Yvette Harrington, has been imprisoned by someone. I need you to find her and keep her safe for a while. Once I''ve dealt with this person, everything can go back to normal." Today''s Bonus Offer

 Billionaire With Husband 246

    Averill blinked her eyes a few times and asked, That''s it? Are you sure you''re not just sit? Are you sure you''re not just frustrated and need me tofort you?"


    Felix gave a bitter smile.


    "That''s really it. I''m hoping you can help, Averill."


    "Alright. I get it. What a bore! If I had known it would be this dull, I wouldn''t have gone through the trouble of diverting Leslie.''


    Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the Great Imperial Sect was grim. After all, their Supreme Elder, who was considered the guardian of the sect, had perished. Who could possibly feel good in such a situation? "Mr. Cunningham! Are we just going to let this slide?"


    Days had passed since the incident. Though the elders gathered in the council hall daily, no one had much to say.


    The deputy sect leader red angrily, sharing the same frustration as the rest, who were visibly unable to let go of their indignation.


    Jaxon nced around and said coldly, "And what should we do? Even our Supreme Elder was struck dead by a lightning bolt. Do you really think we could kill Felix?"


    The room fell silent.


    Indeed, Felix had been expelled from Dragon Alliance, but no one was certain whether the one who summoned the lightning was someone from Dragon Alliance or Felix''s own connection. Without confirmation, who would dare make a move? "We should leave it to Xena. I know her well. Despite her devotion to her duties as a goddess of war, her heart is still with the Great Imperial Sect."


    What else could they do at this point? They had no other options.


    "Mr. Cunningham!" A student suddenly rushed in, as if there was something urgent.


    Everyone present was suddenly on edge. After all, the Great Imperial Sect could not withstand


    any more shock.


    "What is it?"


    "A young man has arrived outside the gate, iming to be Jaden Hault, an elder of Crimsor Sage Sect. He wishes to meet you.


    An elder of the Crimson Sage Sect? A young


    man?


    That didn''t sound right. No elder of any sect would be young, let alone someone from Crimson Sage Sect, the third top sect in the Dragonia. Elders of such a powerful sect were all formidable and naturally older in age. How could there be a young elder? "Ridiculous! How dare you believe such an obvious lie? Throw him out!" one of the elders shouted, scolding the student for being useless. It was unthinkable that someone would take a con artist''s words seriously.


    The student was frightened, but he stood his ground. "But... But he has the identity token of Crimson Sage Sect. We couldn''t tell if it was fake."


    Any martial artist knew the weight Crimson Sage Sect carried. Who would dare expel someone iming to be from the sect? Offending them would lead to trouble on both ends.


    Suddenly, the deputy sect leader seemed to recall something. "Mr. Cunningham! Do you remember the martial arts tournament you attended with Xena eight years ago?


    "I remember you mentioned that a Supreme Elder from Crimson Sage Sect was present and caused a sensation. That elder had even talked to you.


    "Eight years ago?" Jaxon furrowed his brows, and then his expression shifted.


    "Yes! Now that you mention it, I remember. That Supreme Elder did approach me, and I found it odd at the time. Moreover, he said..."


    Jaxon abruptly stood up, as if struck by an unbelievable realization.


    "He said that after seeing Xena, he cast a divination and predicted that she was destined to marry his student. This union, he imed, would bring unimaginable benefits to both of their skills." His gaze turned toward the gate.


    "Could it be that the young man named Jaden is the student the Supreme Elder mentioned?

 Billionaire With Husband 247

    What?


    Jack nearly lost his bnce and had to grab the chair to steady himself.


    Every man seeing this scene could practically hear their heart shattering into pieces. How could Felix get such a perfect woman? Even Felix couldn''t help butugh at Jack''s reaction.


    "Jack, is it really that shocking?" he teased.


    Taking a few deep breaths, Jack hurriedly sat down. His dder had probably stopped functioning long ago.


    "You... You two... What''s going on?"


    Averill wrapped her arm around Felix''s, pressing her ample chest against him


    intentionally, making him very aware of her presence.


    "What? Can''t you tell we''re in a rtionship?" said Averill.


    Jack was dumbfounded.


    He blurted out, "But isn''t Felix''s girlfriend supposed to be Wendy?"


    What? Averill slowly turned toward Felix with an intimidating look.


    "You dare find a new love behind my


    back?"


    Felix sighed helplessly. "It''s just a fake rtionship."


    Why was he even exining this to his senior apprentice?


    "Fine. I''ll let it slide this time."


    Jack felt his scalp tingle. Felix''s romantic luck was unbelievable. Wendy, the daughter of a


    billionaire, was willing to pretend to be his girlfriend. Then, there was Yvonne, the stunning CEO who pursued him. And now, a literal fairy kissed him in public.


    How much more unreasonable could this be? How could any man stand this?


    "Hi, I''m Jack, Felix''s buddy," Jack greeted, extending his hand awkwardly.


    Averill shook his hand gracefully. "Hello, I''m Averill."


    "Let me get some more food for you."


    But Averill, unfazed, picked up Felix''s utensils and started eating from his bowl without hesitation.


    "It''s fine. There''s still plenty left. Enough for me."


    As she spoke, she ced her hand directly on Felix''s thigh, causing his body to tense up. Even though Felix was no stranger to being teased in Eden Vige, this was on another level. Half an hour passed, and the dinner was finallying to an end. Felix spent the entire meal on edge.


    As soon as he came out of the bathroom, Averill teased him, "Are you feeling ufortable, Felix? Do you want me to help you out back at your ce?"


    Her eyes yfully drifted down as she spoke.


    "No, no! That won''t be necessary! Averill, please! I''m begging you. I really came to you for something serious!"


    Averill draped her arm over his shoulders.


    "Whatever it is, can''t it be discussed in bed?" she teased.


    Finally, after Felix''s relentless pleas, Averill relented and returned to her normal demeanor. "Okay, then. What''s so urgent that you had to hunt me down like this?" Felix''s expression grew serious.


    "My aunt, Yvette Harrington, has been imprisoned by someone. I need you to find her and keep her safe for a while. Once I''ve dealt with this person, everything can go back to normal." Today''s Bonus Offer


    "L


    et him in immediately!"


    After recalling the incident, Jaxon hurriedly gave the order. What shocked everyone was that the moment the words left his mouth, a young man suddenly appeared in the hall. No one


    present had noticed how he entered.


    Jaden was a handsome young man with a unique air, which set him apart. He was the type that would stand out instantly in a crowd.


    Mr


    Cunningham, I am Jaden Hault, the Ninth Elder of Crimson Sage Sect. Nice to meet you," Jaden greeted with a calm smile.


    Although this was a rather casual gesture considering their ranks, Jaxon didn''t take it as arrogance. Instead, he eagerly stepped down from his seat, no longer daring to remain at the head of the hall.


    "Mr. Hault, it is an honor for the Great Imperial Sect to receive someone of your stature," Jaxon said warmly.


    After the two sat down, Jaden finally spoke, "I''vee today for your student, Xena. I believe you''ve already recalled what my mentor told you eight years ago?"


    Jaxon nodded. "I thought it was just a joke back then and didn''t take it seriously. I never imagined his words coulde true one day."


    "My mentor usually doesn''t say much. Once he spoke, it was certainly no joke. I only recentlypleted the tasks he set for me, which is why I''m now here to fulfill that promise."


    Jaxon hesitated for a moment before asking curiously, "Was your mentor not worried that my student might already be married after these long eight years?"


    Jaden''s confidence was unwavering.


    "Impossible! My mentor''s divinations are never wrong. Xena''s destined husband is none. other than me, which means she must still be unmarried. Am I correct?"


    Such arrogance! Jaxon couldn''t help but chuckle. "Well, well! My student is quite proud and not easily impressed by ordinary men. But convincing her might still be a bit tricky."


    With a powerful and well-connected figure like Jaden at his disposal, how could Jaxon resist using this opportunity for revenge?


    "Oh? Mr. Cunningham, do tell me what I can do" Jaden said without hesitation.


    "So, a man named Felix Zeller has been relentlessly pursuing Xena. I disapproved, and he sneaked into the sect and killed our people."


    Before Jaxon could finish, a dangerous glint shed in Jaden''s eyes.


    "I understand. Within three days, I''ll return with Felix''s head as my first gift to you."


    With a wave of his hand, a chair across the room exploded into pieces. Jaden left behind one final remark as he vanished: "If I fail, I will end up like that chair."


    The other elders were stunned, and Jaxon couldn''t stop grinning.


    "Amazing! At such a young age, he''s already be an elder of Crimson Sage Sect. His strength is remarkable. He has reached the realm of Martial King. Just like the Supreme Elders, he knows how to release his Primordial Energy. 1 "This time, Felix is as good as dead!"


    Meanwhile, in Yartford, Felix sat in the passenger seat of a car and leaned forward to nce at the dashboard. The car was crawling along at 25 miles per hour, making him sigh helplessly.


    "I told you not to force yourself. Just give me the address, and I''ll go on my own."


    The driver was Dora, who still hadn''t fully made up her mind. "Let me think a little more. My sixth sense tells me that if I don''t go with you, I''ll miss out on something big.


    Felix


    asdn''t know where the Xanthos family, one of the reputable families, was based. He


    asked Dora for the location, as that was the easiest solution. But now, Dora was driving absurdly slowly.


    "What exactly would you be missing?" Felix couldn''t help butugh.


    To be honest, Dora was quite endearing at times, behaving more like a child than an adult.


    If I


    with you,


    go with


    you, won''t you owe you. "I just feel like the Xanthos family won''t be able to beat me a favor? Even if I don''t actually help, at least it will look like I have got your back, right?" Today''s Bonus Offer

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    Finally, Dora made up her mind. "Let''s do this, Dora, have never gambled once in But this time, I''ll go crazy with you!"


    my


    life.


    Just as she finished speaking, three cars suddenly appeared, blocking the road both in front and behind. Dora was forced to m on the brakes.


    "Are they out of their minds? Who dares block my car?"


    But the next moment, she saw the license tes and immediately knew she was in trouble.


    "Damn! It''s my dad''s car."


    Sure enough, the door of the Rolls-Royce opened, and a middle-aged man stepped out. Right beside him was her brother, Sam.


    "Damn it! It was Sam. He must have ratted me out."


    Dora turned to Felix with a pitiful expression. "Felix, can youe down with me? Otherwise, my dad will definitely kill me this time. Please help me exin."


    Felix sighed. He did owe Dora a favor for helping him earlier, so doing her this small favor was no big deal. "Alright."


    After they stepped out of the car, the middle-aged man''s expression softened slightly when he saw them. "So, you must be Felix. You''re indeed a promising young man. You''re so powerful at such a young age. I''ve never seen anything like it."


    The higher someone''s status was, the more they understood the importance of martial artists, which was why Franklin greeted him so courteously.


    "Don''t tter me, Mr. rkson. Dora wasn''t going with me. She was already getting out of the car," Felix said.


    After shooting a stern nce at his daughter, Franklin continued, "Let''s be honest, Felix. Let me give you some advice. Don''t act impulsively. I know the rkson and the Xanthos families are among the so-called elite, but there''s still a significant gap between us. "The Xanthos family''s martial arts masters are not the people you can easily handle."


    From his perspective, Felix seemed like a reckless and overly confident young man, thinking he could conquer the world with his fists alone.


    "Thank you for your advice, Mr. rkson. But if I don''t deal with this trouble now, it v. only be worseter."


    With someone as arrogant as Zachary, there was no chance of dealing with things


    rationally.


    "Alright. It seems like you have made up your mind. But please understand why I can''t let Dora get involved. All the best!"


    An extravagant family banquet was taking ce at the Xanthos residence. Nearly every important member of the Xanthos family was present. 1


    The reason? It was because Bradley, who was also the cousin of the Xanthos family''s patriarch, Benedict Xanthos, was back.


    In this world, almost everyone was practical. It was just a matter of how phony someone could go. In elite families like these, such attitudes were even more tant. If Bradley weren''t themander of the Phoenix Legion, he certainly wouldn''t receive such grand treatment. "Brad, it''s been a while since we had a meal together. If I hadn''t said I was sick, you''d probably still be avoiding me, right?" Benedict teased.


    Bradley sighed. "Work has been keeping me busy, Ben. I''ll drink as an apology."


    Belle''s arrest, along with everything that happened in the Phoenix Legion that day, had left Bradley stressed. He just wanted to drink to escape the hassle for a bit.


    At that moment, Zachary approached, raising his ss. "Uncle Bradley, let me offer you a toast."


    After they finished their drinks, Zachary didn''t leave.


    He smiled and said, "I saw the Phoenix Legion mobilize their teams to arrest someone today. Do you know about it, Uncle Bradley? Honestly, I can never get enough of witnessing the grandeur of the Phoenix Legion in action." Bradley frowned. "Who did they arrest? I wasn''t in Yartford today."


    Bradley wasn''t there? Zachary had intended to leave it at that, but his curiosity about Felix''s fate got the better of him. If Felix were sentenced to death, it would save him a lot of trouble.


    "Uncle Bradley, could you help me ask around? They arrested someone named Felix Zeller. Judging by the scale of the operation, it seemed like a serious matter. A friend of mine is really curious about what happened."


    The next moment, Bradley stood up abruptly. "Who did you say they have arrested?"

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    hapter 249


    Bradley''s sudden reaction left Zachary stunned for a moment, but he quickly chuckled.


    "Felix? He was just a friend of mine."


    Before he could finish, Bradley''s sharp gaze locked onto him, and his tone became sterner. "Tell me the truth. Is he really just a friend, or are you trying to dig up information about Felix?"


    How could Bradley not know his nephew''s character? Zachary was notorious for stirring up trouble. As themander of the Phoenix Legion, Bradley had dealt with all sorts of cunning individuals. He could easily tell when someone was lying. The room fell silent as everyone turned to watch, especially Benedict. He stood up and sterly said, "Tell your uncle the truth!"


    A man of his experience could easily sense the seriousness in Bradley''s demeanor.


    Although Zachary was puzzled, he hurriedly told the truth, "Uncle Bradley, it''s true. I wanted to find out more about Felix. We had some disagreements, but it''s not a big deal. I saw with my own eyes that the Phoenix Legion took him away." Everyone knew about the power of the Phoenix Legion. Those being taken away rarely came out alive.


    "How bad is your disagreement with Felix?" Bradley asked with a frown, waiting for Zachary''s answer.


    "Brad, who exactly is Felix? Is he really that powerful?" Benedict asked with a grave expression.


    Bradley nodded. "Extremely powerful! If Zachary''s disagreement with him is serious, even I might not be able to intervene."


    Benedict''s face darkened, while Zachary seemed unwilling to ept the truth.


    "Uncle Bradley, aren''t you exaggerating? Even if he hadn''t been taken by the Phoenix Legion, I dug up his background. His main supporters, Lord Kane and the Kinsley family, are both out of the picture now."


    Zachary held back from saying what was on his mind. Even if they were still around, why should the Xanthos family fear them? It was somethingughable.


    "What a fool!" Bradley snapped.


    His gaze grew even more serious. "Felix has been released without charges! I suspect at he has some connection to Ernest Holt. Do you think Ernest is someone you can afford to offend?"


    Since Ernest visited the Phoenix Legionst time, Bradley knew he had other purposes other than meeting him. Based on what he discoveredter, he was certain Felix and Ernest. weren''t just neighbors. They had a far closer rtionship. "Mr. Holt Senior?"


    Everyone in the room gasped. They all knew Bradley''s connection to Ernest and understood what kind of person he was.


    Only Zachary still wouldn''t relent. "No way, Uncle Bradley! What could Felix have done to be connected to someone like Mr. Holt Senior?"


    Bradley couldn''t help butugh out of frustration. "Fine! I even suspect that Felix is connected to the Warlord of the East. But if you don''t believe me, that''s your problem. I''ve said all I needed to.


    "If you remain this stubborn, don''t expect me to attend your funeral."


    Bradley stormed out, leaving Benedict in a panic. He grabbed Zachary and, in a fit of rage, kicked him hard.


    "What an ungrateful fool! You won''t even listen to your uncle? Would he lie to you?"


    A connection to Ernest was already terrifying, and now, there was mention of the Warlord of the


    force so mighty that even sacrificing the entire Xanthos family wouldn''t be enough to save them.


    Only


    Only now did Zachary realize the gravity of the situation, and fear began to creep in.


    "Uncle Bradley, I was wrong. Please... Please help soothe my situation with him. I didn''t offend him that badly. We never even got into any physical fight. Please!"


    Meanwhile, Felix, who was now driving alone, suddenly received a call from an unknown number. He didn''t hesitate to answer it right away.


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    Chapter


    250


    "Felix, I''m Bradley Sutton, colonel of the Phoenix Legion. My grandfather was oncerades-in-arms with Mr. Holt Senior."


    Felix''s attitude naturally shifted when he heard Bradley''s introduction. If Ernest was a war hero, how could Bradley''s grandfather be any less significant?


    "Hey, Bradley, what can I do for you?" Felix asked with a friendly tone.


    "Alright. Zachary is my nephew. From what I understand, your disagreement with him isn''t too serious. Could you do me a favor and allow him to apologize to you? Honestly, I only just found out about this situation." Felix pulled the car over to the side of the road, smiling. "Since it is you, of course, I''ll give you this courtesy."


    After all, their disagreement hadn''t gone too far. If it had, even Bradley''s intervention wouldn''t have helped.


    "Thank you very much. I''ll make sure my cousin keeps an eye on Zachary in the future." With that matter resolved, Felix turned his car around and decided to head home.


    Meanwhile, Dora, who was sitting in Franklin''s car on the way back, pouted unhappily.


    Sam, who sat in the passenger seat, sighed and said, "Come on, Dora. Don''t be upset. You were gambling with the fate of our entire family! And it''s obvious that Felix is trying to fight an uphill battle.


    "If you had gone with him, the Xanthos family would have resented us, and it would''ve caused even more trouble."


    Frowning, Franklin added, "See? Your younger brother is being more sensible than you. Felix may be a powerful martial artist, but nowadays, what truly matters is who has your back. Stop sulking, and don''t leave the house for the next few days." Dora shook her head, still holding firm to her belief.


    "Dad, I followed you back as you asked, but I still think Felix is far from simple. He said he could help our family with the Veilflower. If I had gone with him tonight, we could''ve deepened our rtionship."


    "Deepen our rtionship"?" Sam scoffed. "If Felix steps foot in the Xanthos residence, he won''t even get the chance to regret it afterward."


    Just then, Dora''s phone rang, and her expression immediately changed. "It''s Zachary."


    Sam jumped at the opportunity to mock her. "See? You didn''t even go, and he''s alreadying to stir up trouble. Good thing I told Dad in time, or things would be much worse." Dora red at Sam and reluctantly answered the call. "Zachary, what do you want?" "I... I really need your help, Dora. Could you set up a meeting with Felix for me? I want to sincerely apologize to him. I was blind and made a mistake. Please, I''m begging you!


    "I swear I''m not drunk, and my mind is clear right now. Please don''t ask any more questions and just help me arrange a meeting with him. I need to apologize in person. I''ll be extremely grateful afterward!"


    Dora listened, thinking she might be hallucinating. She wouldn''t have believed it if Zachary hadn''t kept emphasizing his seriousness.


    After she hung up, even Franklin couldn''t suppress his curiosity. "What''s the matter? I thought I had already exined everything to his dad."


    Bam!


    Dora angrily punched the back of the seat, fuming.


    "This is all your fault! I could have... Never mind. It''s toote now. Zachary called to beg me to arrange a meeting with Felix so he could apologize in person!" What?


    Sam and Franklin gasped in unison.


    Zachary wanted to apologize in person? Could Felix really possess some hidden, unimaginable power? Or did he have a powerful person backing him? 1

 Billionaire With Husband 251

    After Felix arrived at Tabiner Bay, he pulled into the parking lot and handed his keys to the security guard. He then told Dora to send someone over for the car. As he walked past Yvonne''s vi, he noticed her sitting in her yard, even though it was alreadyte. "Want toe in for a bit?" she offered after they locked eyes.


    "It''s alright. I''m kind of tired."


    Curiosity flickered in Yvonne''s eyes. Felix actually managed to get back from the Phoenix. Legion unscathed. It seemed unlikely that they would arrest someone by mistake.


    It would be ridiculous if the Phoenix Legion had mobilized their teams without solid evidence, wouldn''t it?


    "What other secrets are you hiding, Felix?" As Yvonne muttered to herself, she steeled


    herself.


    This was precisely why she was sent here. But part of her hoped she would not uncover anything. If she did, the chances of him being together with her boss might just be higher.


    Felix had barely stepped into his yard when Sherlyn dashed over. "Look who finally decided to show up! You''ve been released for a while, and you''re onlying home now!"


    Helpless, Felix turned around. "I had some business to take care of."


    Sherlyn walked in while carrying two bottles of liquor and some snacks. "I don''t care. I''m leaving tomorrow, so you have to have a drink with me tonight."


    She was truly living up to her reputation as Ernest''s granddaughter.


    "Turns out, Belle had a lot of issues. The Warlord of the East had to send people to haul her


    OFF That''s why you were released," Sherlyn exined after they sat down at the table. She


    looked at Felix expectantly, but he only nodded.


    "Oh, I see."


    Sherlyn was taken aback. Instantly, she felt somewhat hurt. "I guess I shouldn''t be surprised. With your skills, I wouldn''t bat an eye if you said you knew the Warlord of the East personally." Only then did it dawn on her that Felix might have orchestrated the whole thing himself since he was such a great master healer.


    "No. I should thank you for helping me out today. Thanks for your concem, too."


    T


    Sherlyn finally cracked a smile after hearing this. "Humph! That''s more like it. I''ve always been straightforward, and I''ve already set my sights on you.


    "Once I''ve sorted out things at thepany, I''ll move to Avesburgh to live at Grandpa''s ce. That''s when I''ll officially start pursuing you."


    Felix sighed. "We''ve only met each other a few times. What you''re feeling toward me ist admiration and not love."


    Pursing her lips, Sherlyn was unbothered. "You''re the only one whom I''d rather marry first and fall in love withter. I know I''ll end up loving you anyway.


    "You''re exceptional and have a great personality. Even my grandpa respects you. I can''t just let you slip away, so don''t try to talk me out of it! I have the right to pursue you, and you''re free to ept or reject me, too."


    If that was the case, there was no point arguing further. So, they started drinking.


    Half an hourter, Jairo appeared in the yard of Ernest''s vi. He stood by the fence as he stared in a particr direction.


    The air was thick with murderous intent. Whoever was approaching was no amateur, but who were they after?


    His job was simple: protect Ernest at all costs. He could not leave his post without direct orders from Ernest, even if his neighbors were in danger.


    He had heard about someone lower-ranking than Ernest being lured away once. Jairo was not about to make the same mistake, especially with Ernest fast asleep now.


    Jairo''s instincts were spot on. Someone was indeeding, and they were radiating intense hostility. Felix must have picked up on it, too, if Jairo could sense it.


    But Felix was having dinner with Sherlyn, who was now a bit tipsy and chattier than usual. This was not the best time to head outside, so he decided to see how things would unfold on their own. Today''s Bonus Offer

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    Outside, Jaden was approaching slowly with a faint smile on his face. "He can''t even sense the killing intent I''m releasing on purpose. This Felix guy is pretty average, isn''t he?"


    He wanted to test the waters, Otherwise, nobody could have noticed his movements with


    his skills.


    "Are you Jaden Hault?" A woman suddenly appeared and blocked his path.


    Jaden squinted as he sized her up. He then smiled. "Well, well, if it isn''t Xena Summers! Never thought our first meeting would be at such a ce and timing."


    marry


    Jaden had seen Xena''s pictures countless times, Even if she had looked hideous, he would still her and treat her well. That was because his mentor''s divination demanded it. However, what man wouldn''t appreciate beauty?


    He had been struck by her looks in the photos, so he was naturally overjoyed. He had basically already imed her as his woman.


    "You''re indeed very strong. I can tell just from your killing intent." Xena had mixed feelings about this. She never expected someone like this to suddenly show up and pursue her.


    Jaden was the top student of the Supreme Leader of Crimson Sage Sect, which was ranked third in Dragonia. He was also the youngest elder in the sect''s history. These titles alone made him a worthy match for her.


    As he was being praised by his future wife, Jaden could not help but feel pleased. "Xena, you don''t have to sell yourself short, either. Once we''re married, I promise your skills will skyrocket.


    "Though you can''t possibly catch up to me, those ordinary folks won''t even be in the same league as you anymore."


    Xena stepped closer to Jaden. If she had not seen it with her own eyes, she would not have believed that this man was already on par with thete Supreme Leader of the Great Imperial Sect. And he was only about Felix''s age. "Let''s go somewhere else. I have something to talk to you about." Xena was here because an insider from the Great Imperial Sect had tipped her off.


    "Of course, I''d never refuse an invitation from a beauty. Meet me at the neighborhood entrance in five minutes."


    But Xena shook her head. "I came here to stop you from killing Felix."


    Jaden''s eyes shed coldly, and his demeanor changed. "Interesting. You actually care so much about this Felix guy. Chapter 252


    Jealousy could drive people crazy. Since Jaden had already imed Xena as his woman, his anger was understandable,


    "It''s not about caring for him. As the goddess of war, I won''t let you kill people as you please. If you do, I''ll hate you even if I don''t have any evidence to catch you."


    Jaden could tell from her eyes that she was telling the truth. He quickly smiled again." That''s a problem, then. I''ve already made a vow to your mentor."


    Xena did not back down. She knew a skilled man like Jaden could kill Felix easily. And she would never be able to find any evidence of his doing. "Me and my mentor are not the same. Even if you


    kill Felix, It won''t make me like you even more. Do you understand?" Jaden suddenly turned toward somewhere. He smirked. "Look. Felix has juste out. Perhaps this is fate."


    As he spoke, Jaden raised his hand slowly.


    How dare that worthless manpete with him for a woman? It was time for him to die.


    +

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    hapter 253


    Xena knew Jaden had already achieved the level of Martial King. He was capable of projecting Primordial Energy to kill invisibly. The security cameras had already been destroyed. There would be no evidence even if the murder happened right before her eyes. Martial artists of this caliber were normally handled by the headquarters. Even as the goddess of war, she was not qualified to face someone of his strength.


    In desperation, Xena blurted out, "If you kill him, I will never be with you!"


    Frowning, Jaden lowered his hand. "Fine. I''ll spare his life since you''re the goddess of war and have duties to fulfill. But you''ll have to exin this to your mentor. If not, my vow to him would be a joke."


    Xena sighed in relief. "I''ll exin everything."


    The two of them left.


    In the yard, Felix had just seen Sherlyn off, too. He merely nced their way without much concern. He would have confronted Jaden for sure if Xena had not been there. But since she was present, he preferred not to get involved. Xena stopped walking when they were near Tabiner Bay. Jaden tried to take her hand, but she pulled away.


    "What''s wrong? Don''t you see we''re a perfect match? You''ll be mine sooner orter, so why resist?"


    Sensing Jaden''s domineering attitude, Xena worried that he would kill Felix if she could not keep him calm. Her mind raced for a solution.


    It was not that she cared for Felix. She just could not bear the thought of someone dying because of her. Even if she were not the goddess of war, she would feel terrible if such a thing happened.


    Finally, she had an idea. "I''m not in the mood for romance right now because my grandpa''s been bedridden and unconscious for a long time. Do you understand?"


    Jaden smiled. "You should have said so earlier. I''m the elder of Crimson Sage Sect, and my mentor is the Supreme Leader. I know plenty of master healers. I''ll find you the best one a soon as possible, so your grandpa will be fine for sure."


    Although she was somewhat pleased, Xena could not help feeling bitter. She would not have paid him any attention if Jaden was just a powerful martial artist. But his other roles and titles were impossible to ignore.


    "If you can find a master healer to cure my grandpa, I''ll give our rtionship a try."


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    Jaden''s smile widened when he heard her response. He nodded and vanished, which made. him seem like a man of action.


    Standing there alone, Xena suddenly wondered, "Why do I hate this Jaden guy for no reason? He meets all my criteria for a partner, so why?"


    Jaden was handsome, young, powerful, and backed by Crimson Sage Sect. He seemed perfect in every way. If Belle were here, she would probably have approved wholeheartedly. Besides, this was their first meeting. How could she dislike him already? For some reason, Felix''s image popped into her mind.


    "Because of Felix? That''s impossible!" Shaking her head, Xena left.


    She refused to believe her dislike for Jaden stemmed from his attempt to kill Felix on their first meeting. That would mean she had feelings for Felix, wouldn''t it?


    The next morning, Felix and Ernest were fishing in the neighborhood pond. Ernest had not caught a single fish for some reason.


    "You brat, how much did you let my granddaughter drinkst night? She''s still not up.


    Felix felt awkward. "Mr. Holt Senior, she''s the one who kept drinking. I couldn''t stop her, so please don''t me me for this." Today''s Bonus Offer

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    It was just a joke.


    Ernest continued, "Promise me something. If you give it a shot and still don''t have any feelings for Sherlyn, tell her straight. I''m worried she''ll fall too hard and end up hurting moreter."


    Felix gave a wry smile. "Do you really think I''m that irresistible?"


    To his surprise, Ernest nodded firmly. "That''s right. Some people are born to be great. So, women would flock to them naturally. My granddaughter is not some untouchable goddess after all-it''s only natural she''d fall for you." Such high praise thade Felix feel a bit awkward, "If that''s how it turns out, I will,"


    This seemed to be just the warm-up. Ernest set down his fishing rod and looked Felix in the eyes. He said, "I''ve got a favor to ask you."


    Felix became a bit fidgety. "You''re always making me nervous."


    Ernest waved him off with a grave look. "This is about our national pride. I don''t take that lightly Our Dragonian culture has kept martial arts alive for thousands of years, and the same goes for traditional medicine! "Foreigners can''t hold a candle to us, but they''re developing their own stuff, you know?"


    Felix nodded. "I know."


    Traditional medicine was still being passed down these days. But all the rules and old-school teaching methods meant truly effective practices were bing rare. Meanwhile, modern medicine was booming. Perhaps it was because of convenience and poption factors, which were things nobody could control.


    "As the


    world''s sup Guneria has been throwing their weight around as usual by


    meddling in medicine, too.


    "They''ve been contacting our Traditional Medicine Association for a showdown. They''re iming that they''ve cooked up some miracle drug that can cure any early-stage cancer in two hours t.


    "Now, they''ve threatened us to ept the challenge, or they''ll start smearing traditional medicine as all bark and no bite all over the world."


    Curing early-stage cancer in two hours? Even Felix was shocked.


    "That medicine would cost a fortune, right?"


    Ernest sighed. "Yeah. It''s super expensive, but the sess rate is extremely low. Perhaps only 20 people in our country could afford it. But these guys are loaded and love to show. off. They''d burn through a vial of that ridiculously pricey stuff just to humiliate us. How can we let that slide?"


    Without hesitation, Felix shook his head. "There''s no way we can."


    "They''ve set some rules, too. Our traditional medicine practitioner has to be under 30 years old. I''ve managed to get a nomination spot, and I''m hoping you''ll give it a try. This is about our country''s reputation, Felix. I''m begging you."


    As a decorated war hero, Felix''s love for his country went without saying. Seeing Ernest about to stand and bow, Felix quickly supported him. "I''m in, Mr. Holt Senior. You don''t have to do that! It''s my duty as a Dragonian."


    Ernest beamed, as if Felix agreeing to go meant they had already put Guneria in its ce. In all his years, he had never seen a young practitioner with skills like Felix''s.


    They had just settled back down when Felix''s phone rang. It was an unknown number.


    But as soon as he answered, Gerald''s voice exploded through the speaker. "You little punk! I''m very angry now, and there''s going to be hell to pay. If you so much as think about saying ''no'' to what''sing next, I swear I''ll cut you off as my student faster than you can blink!" Chapter 255

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    Felix stood up. He had never seen Gerald this furious before, so something big must have happened.


    "I''m listening, Mr. Hoffman."


    Even Ernest looked over curiously. For someone as young as Felix to have such exceptional medical skills, his mentor could not be an ordinary man, either.


    "Guneria''s gone too far! How dare they look down on our traditional medicine that''s been passed down for generations? There''s going to be a medicalpetition with them soon. Felix then realized that Gerald''s anger was because of the same thing Ernest had just mentioned. "Mr. Hoffman, another respectable hero had already asked me to participate. Don''t worry. I''ll make sure those Gunerian jerks leave in tears."


    Geraldughed. "Is that so? Then, I won''t say much more. If you don''t crush thempletely, don''t bother showing your face to me again."


    "Mr. Holt Senior, my mentor''s call was about the same thing. He''s furious, too.


    §±


    Ernest smiled. Having devoted himself to the country, he naturally respected and admired patriots. Considering Gerald''s attitude, it was no wonder that Felix had such strong values. "Felix, it''s all on you now. I''ll let you know when thepetition date is near." By noon, Felix''s phone rang again as they were packing up their fishing gear to head back for lunch. It was andline number.


    "Is this Felix Zeller?"


    "Yes, it is."


    Felix was still puzzled when the caller continued, "I''m the manager of Westside Restaurant. Your brother just trashed our most expensive VIP room. You''d better get here. right away, or things are going to get ugly." Brother? Felix frowned. "What brother?"


    "His name is Harold. Isn''t he your brother? Is this kid messing with me?"


    Hearing the name, Felix could not help but sigh He had barely met the kid, and he was already causing trouble. "Just make him pay for the damages."


    It was just property damage, after all. With Harold''s current situation and Yale''s sur from Dragon Alliance, he surely had cash to spare.


    rt


    "He''s refusing to pay and is being a total jerk about it. He just told us to call you to handle it. If you don''t show up, don''t me us for getting rough."


    ording to Harold, any harm done to him would be inflicted on his mother, Yvette. Felix could not let that slide.


    His mom had always cared deeply for Yvette as her sister. Now that he was capable of helping out, how could he let his aunt get hurt? He would be letting down his mother. "I''m on my way."


    Back at the vi, Sherlyn stopped him just as he was about to drive off. "Felix, mind giving me a lift to the airport?"


    Anyone with half a brain could tell Sherlyn was doing this on purpose. Someone of her status surely had a private car and driver at her disposal.


    "No! Got an emergency, so I have to go now."


    Watching the Range Rover peel out, Sherlyn stomped her foot in frustration. "Ugh! Felix, you jerk! A knockout like me asks for a ride, and that''s how you respond? Just wait until I''m back!"T Standing in the yard, Yvonne had caught the whole scene. She looked on with a hint of curiosity.


    Sherlyn''s looks and presence slightly outshone even her own, so she clearly was not from any ordinary family. The fact that even the Phoenix Legion seemed wary of her yesterday said a lot, too. For a woman like that to be so interested in Felix was certainly intriguing.


    ''Today''s Bonus Offer

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    Just then, Yvonne''s boss called.


    "Miss."


    "That woman in the photo you sent yesterday is Sherlyn, Ernest Holt''s granddaughter."


    What? Ernest Holt? Yvonne was shocked. Having followed her boss for so long, of course she would know such a prominent figure.


    "My goodness, miss! How could someone of Sherlyn''s status be associated with Felix?"


    Surprisingly, sheughed. "Ernest has settled in Avesburgh, right next door to Felix. Given how low-key Ernest is, some interaction as neighbors should be normal. It''s probably just surface-level pleasantries, nothing big. "As for why Sherlyn helped Felix, perhaps Ernest just didn''t like how the Phoenix Legion was making such a fuss over an ordinary person, so he sent his granddaughter to smooth things over. No need to read too much into it. "But if Felix really did earn Ernest''s support, he might just have a shot at climbing the socialdder."


    The call ended abruptly, leaving Yvonne with a bitter smile. The reason why her boss could be so open-minded was probably because of her status and position. Her boss might respect Emest, but Sherlyn? Probably not so much.


    It was pure chaos in the best VIP room of Westside Restaurant, with all sorts of broken items littering the floor. Harold was sitting in a chair and ying on his phone. He seemed unbothered by the dozen or so men in ck suits standing nearby. "You brat, do you know who owns this restaurant? And you''ve got the nerve to sit there ying on your phone?"


    There was a middle-aged man sitting nearby. He was the restaurant manager, Logan.


    Carson.


    "Look. I was in a bad mood, so I broke some stuff. Didn''t I tell you? My cousin will handle it. He''s a big shot, you know. You''ll be satisfied."


    Logan sneered. "Is that so? You''d better hope you''re telling the truth. If this doesn''t get sorted, your life might be on the line."


    As the manager, this was his first time dealing with such a situation. He wanted to handle it himself first so that he would have some leverage when reporting this matterter. That was why he was waiting for Felix to arrive. Chapter 256


    "Mr. Carter, that Felix guy is here," a staff member reported, and Logan nodded. "Let him in."


    As Felix entered, he surveyed the room. It was indeed trashed, just as Logan had described on the phone.


    Even with Felix there, Harold kept ying on lils phone and barely acknowledged him. Felix, hurry up and clean up this mess. I''m getting bored."


    Ignoring Harold, Felix turned to Logan. "Name your price. I''ll pay the damages now."


    Logan smirked. "Hah, straight to the point! Alright. Let me break it down. This room had genuine antique paintings. Add in all the other stuff, and we''re looking at ten million dors in damages.


    For just one room, ten million dors seemed like an outrageous demand. Anyone would think it was aplete rip-off.


    "Fine."


    Felix''s quick agreement caught Logan off guard.


    Harold immediately stood up and pped. "Wow, you''re so generous! Ten million dors in damages, and you didn''t even flinch!"


    But inwardly, Harold was gloating. "Do you think I chose Westside Restaurant by chance.


    and you can resolve the issue just by paying them off? Just wait. The real show''s about to begin."

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    "Just give me the ount number."


    Logan smiled. Judging from Felix''s attitude, things would be easier to deal with. "Not so fast. After paying, this Harold kid has to be a greeter at the restaurant entrance for a week. He''ll have to be on his knees and greet every customer whoes in round the clock." Felix, who was about to open his banking app, frowned at Logan. "Is that really necessary?"


    Harold cheerfully shrugged. "I don''t mind. I trashed their stuff, so of course I should apologize properly."


    Despite Harold''s nice words, he would likely kick up a fuss once the money was transferred. This was clearly meant to humiliate him, so there was no way he would actually kneel there as a greeter.


    "Who owns this ce?" At this point, Felix had to address the root of the problem.


    Logan looked Felix up and down with a disdainful look. "What? Trying to pull strings? Let me tell you something. The owner of this restaurant is way out of your league. Even Avesburgh''s richest couldn''t help you. Got it?" How powerful could he be?


    As Felix was about to speak, Harold hurried over. "Felix, this ce belongs to the Xanthos family. They''re one of those hidden elite families. Most people can''t even get info on them. I''ll just do as they say. I really don''t mind." Harold''s behavior made Felix want to p him. It was sickening. If he was truly willing to kneel, why trash the room in the first ce?


    But these words made Logan''s face darken. "Damn it! I thought you were just some nutcase, but you came here to cause trouble on purpose. Grab him!"


    Indeed, the restaurant belonged to the Xanthos family. Harold had trashed it while. knowing this was not something money could fix. It was a tant disrespect to the Xanthos family.


    As two men in ck grabbed Harold, Logan saw him still smiling andpletely lost it." You can smile all you want. Even if you survive this, you''ll be a cripple."


    Harold shook his head, unfazed. "My cousin''s a big shot. Who cares about the Xanthos family? I dare you to touch me."


    Logan snickered as he pointed at Felix, who was taking out his phone. He said, "Him? You brat, I''ll let you off the hook since you offered to pay. Now get lost!" Just as Felix was about to call Bradley, Dora called first. Figuring she might be able to


    handle this, he answered.


    "Felix, um... Zachary wants to apologize to you in person. Could you meet him as a favor to me?"


    Zachary? Felix''s expression turned odd. What perfect timing!


    "Is he with you? Put him on."


    Felix switched to speakerphone.


    "Mr. Zeller, I really know I messed up. Please give me another chance."


    Logan blinked. The man''s voice sounded familiar.


    "Zachary, I''m at Westside Restaurant. My cousin trashed a room here. Could you handle it? You''re on speaker."


    Zachary!


    Logan gasped as his face turned pale. No wonder the voice was familiar. It was Zachary, the young heir of the Xanthos family, who was in charge of this restaurant.


    ""Mr. Xanthos!" In his panic, Logan spoke first, setting off Zachary''s temper.


    "Logan, you idiot! How dare you mess with Mr. Zeller? Who cares if he trashed one room? Even if he wrecked the whole ce, I''ll allow him to do that. If he''s not satisfied, you''d better renovate the whole damn ce and let him trash it again. Got it?" Today''s Bonus Offer

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    Good lord!


    Terrified, Logan swallowed hard. Felix must have had an insanely powerful background if even Zachary had to speak that way to him. "Y-Yes, Mr. Xanthos. I understand."


    Felix then said to Zachary, "You don''t need to see me anymore. Let''s end this here."


    After Felix hung up, Logan broke out in a cold sweat. He fell to his knees. "Mr. Zeller! I''m sorry for being so blind and offending you. Please spare me. I have parents and children to feed, I..." Felix waved him off. "I won''t do anything to you. After all, you gave me a chance earlier. I''m taking him with me."


    As Harold followed Felix out, his face darkened. He could not believe that even the Xanthos family, the second richest family in Avesburgh, could be so afraid of Felix. How was this possible? "Harold, you can keep trying to annoy me like this, but remember this. Once I find your mom, the price you''ll pay will only get steeper.


    After leaving those words behind, Felix set off.


    Harold punched the wall in frustration. "This isn''t over, Felix. I refuse to believe there''s not a single person in all of Avesburgh who doesn''t fear you."


    Back at Tabiner Bay, Felix found Wendy waiting at the gate. She should have left Avesburgh earlier. "Why are you here?"


    Wendy greeted Felix with a sweet smile. "I missed you. Is that okay?"


    "Come in, and we''ll talk."


    Inside, Wendy knew her priorities and got straight to the point. "Felix, as you know, my family has managed to establish itself in Yartford with the Moonshadow Alliance''s help. We can''t hope to be top-tier, but we''re content. My social circle has changed as a result." Felix listened quietly. He knew Wendy would note in person unless it was about something important.


    "There''s a group chat in my circle. Yesterday, someone mentioned that the Golden Prime Auction was starting. They even posted the auction list. Guess what I saw? Moon''s Tear!"


    Felix was instantly excited. Moon''s Tear was the final herb-or rather, fruit-he needed to treat Curtis. When fully ground, it formed a single drop of water, hence the name.


    "Are you sure?"


    Wendy nodded hard. "Absolutely! I did some digging. This Golden Prime Auction is super high-end and held once a year in Yartford. Only the truly rich and powerful can get the tickets. Everything there is guaranteed to be authentic. No doubt about it." Felix smiled. This could finally resolve his situation with Xena. "Get me the ticket, Wendy. You''ve done such a huge favor for me again. I''ll remember this. If your family ever needs anything, just contact me."


    But Wendy looked embarrassed as she brushed her bangs. "Um... Felix, my family''s still low-ranking in Yartford. We''re barely holding on with the Moonshadow Alliance''s help just so that we''re not totally outcasts. "So... I can''t get a ticket to the Golden Prime Auction."


    Felix immediately pulled out his phone. "No worries. This information is enough. I''ll handle the ticket situation.


    He called Vivian right away. "Vivian, get me a ticket to the Golden Prime Auction in Yartford."


    But Vivian''s response caught Felix off guard. "Felix, I don''t have the connections to get a Golden Prime Auction ticket."

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    Hearing Vivian say the same thing, Felix thought he must have misheard. After all, Vivian was the deputy chief of the Earthern Hall in Dragon Alliance. How could she not get a ticket to this so-called Golden Prime Auction?


    "Felix, Golden Prime Auction tickets are never sold. They''re distributed based on qualifications, and it''s only held once a year. No one who gets a ticket ever resells it. Even among our Dragon Alliance chiefs, only a select few qualify as far as I know." Felix understood now. Though Vivian did not say it outright, it was clear that Kane, who had just be chief of Oasis Clinic, would not make the cut. "I see."


    On the other end, Vivian felt bad. Felix had only asked for one thing, yet she was powerless to help. The key was that Yale had taken the Dragon Ring now. If not, getting a ticket would have been a breeze.


    Without the Dragon Ring, only she and Kane would recognize Felix as the Dragon Lord. Others would not see him that way anymore.


    The Dragon Alliance''s rule was clear: the members would only recognize the ring and not the person. In other words, if one could not even protect the ring, he was not fit to be the Dragon Lord.


    Felix understood this, too. Without the Dragon Ring, he could not count on Dragon Alliance. "Felix, I''ll think of some other ways.


    Sensing something was off, Wendy silently vowed to help Felix get a ticket.


    "Don''t bother. It''s just a ticket. This matter won''t stump me.


    Despite his words, Felix was truly at a loss. He could not exactly summon another fellow apprentice the same way, could he? Gerald would probably blow a fuse.


    After seeing Wendy off, Felix spotted Yvonne in the yard and suddenly had an idea. He hurried over. "Yvonne, I need a favor."


    Yvonne was surprised Felix would ask her for a favor. "Alright. Come in."


    In the living room, Felix got straight to the point. "Yvonne, do you know about the Golden Prime Auction in Yartford?"


    Yvonne nodded, "Yes. What about it?"


    After all, Yvonne was the president of Ster Group. She might just have the right


    connections.


    "I want to attend this auction. Can you try to get me a ticket? I''ll owe you one."


    The safest bet would be asking Ernest, for whom this would be trivial. But Felix did not


    want to involve him in such minor matters unless absolutely necessary.


    Puzzled, Yvonne looked at Felix. Why this sudden interest in the Golden Prime Auction? "To b


    honest, my status isn''t high enough to get a ticket."


    She had attended the auction before. In fact, she would go with her boss every year. Her boss was one of the few people Yvonne knew who were allowed to bring multiple people in with just one ticket. ""You can''t either?"


    Felix could not hide his disappointment. As he was about to leave, he suddenly thought of something. "Remember that arrogant young heir from Yartford, George Zimmerman?" Why did he bring up George now? Yvonne felt Felix was acting strange. "Yes. Why do you


    ask?"


    Felix had not forgotten. Yvonne had said George''s family was so powerful that even she would not be able to handle them.


    "Can you give me his phone number?"


    Of course, he could not involve Moonshadow Alliance, and there was no need to exin everything to Yvonne anyway. Today''s Bonus Offer

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    Yvonne looked at Felix with a strange expression. "I don''t know what you''re nning, but people like that block all unknown numbers. It''d be useless even if I gave you his number." Felix had forgotten about that. He hesitated, then said, "Can I use your phone to call him, then?"


    To his surprise, Yvonne handed over her phone without hesitation. But she warned, Whatever you''re going to say, apologize immediately if he gets angry, and don''t say anything else." "I understand."


    Yvonne was curious about Felix''s intentions.


    It would not matter even if this angered George and he took it out on her. Unlikest time, this was not her personal issue. With Felix involved, her boss would not stay out of it. George would have to behave if she stepped in. Felix went into the guest room on the first floor and dialed George''s number using Yvonne''s phone. It rang for a long time before someone picked the call up.


    "Yvonne, make it quick. I''m busy."


    "George, it''s Felix."


    There was a rustling sound on the other end, and then George spoke again, his tone different, "Oh, Mr. Zeller! We left in a hurryst time. We should have exchanged contact info. I guess we got off on the wrong foot. "You haven''t taken offense, have you? I promise I won''t have any more inappropriate thoughts about Yvonne."


    In truth, no one among the super-rich families was a fool. Even seemingly wild and reckless young


    heirs like George were smart enough to understand the concept of maximizing benefits.


    For instance, George now knew Felix had the backing of a powerhouse like Moonshadow Alliance. Since they had not truly shed or had any irreconcble grudg¨¨s, of course, he would help Felix out.


    "I need a ticket to the Golden Prime Auction. Can you manage that?"


    Georgeughed. "No problem! I''ve got you covered. Just let me know when you''re in Yartford, and we''ll go in together."


    George''s family had to be really formidable. Such a hard-to-get ticket was a small matter to him.


    Meanwhile, in Yartford, George hung up and looked at a middle-aged man sitting nearby.


    "Dad, this is interesting. Remember that Felix mentioned? He just called me using Yvonne''s phone and asked for a Golden Prime Auction ticket. Strange, isn''t it? With Moonshadow Alliance backing him, why ask an outsider for a ticket?"


    The middle-aged man pondered, then said, "Don''t worry about it. Everyone has their quirks. You''ve seen Moonshadow Alliance backing him up, and that''s enough!


    "Your grandfather won''tst much longer, so he''ll start drafting his will soon. You know how crucial it is for me to be the family''s leader."


    George''s eyes lit up. "Dad, you mean if we have Moonshadow Alliance''s support, your chances would be much higher?"


    "Exactly! So, maintain a good rtionship with this man Felix."


    Back in Avesburgh, Yvonne immediately called the phonepany to retrieve the recording of thest call after Felix left.


    "George, it''s Felix."


    "Oh, Mr. Zeller! We left in a hurryst time. We should have exchanged contact info." After listening to the entire conversation, Yvonne was dumbfounded. "How... How could George be so polite to Felix? And he called him Mr. Zeller''? What on Earth is going on?"

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    Dazed, Yvonne sat on the couch. She could notprehend this.


    Last time, George had personally shown up to cause Felix some trouble. When he left in the end, she had assumed Felix was just too unimportant for George to bother with. That was why Felix had been let off the hook, or so she thought.


    After hearing their conversation over the phone now, she finally understood. She had been. puzzled all this while.


    George was not the type to let things slide. Spoiled as he was, he was not stupid. If he could mess with someone, he would certainly go for the jugr. Yet, Felix had walked away unscathed.


    "Why on Earth is George so cautious around Felix? And since when does he call anyone'' Mister''?"


    These questions buzzed around in Yvonne''s head, which gave her a migraine. She even wondered if she should be reporting this to her boss.


    After some contemtion, Yvonne decided to keep it to herself. If she had not slept with Felix, she would have spilled every detail. But now that George was in the mix, this was no longer a minor matter. For some reason, she hoped her boss would not cross paths with Felix again.


    That night, Felix dropped by Xena''s ce to check on Curtis. After all, he would start treating him once he got his hands on the Moon''s Tear in Yartford.


    Xena opened the door without a word and led Felix to the top floor.


    After a thorough once-over, Felix was quite pleased with the result. A rare smile crossed his face. The Grimflower fromst time had clearly done its job. "I''ll be taking my leave now."


    When they reached the living room, Xena spoke up, "Wait."


    Confused, Felix turned around. He could not think of anything left to discuss with her. Biting her lip, Xena finally said, "About Belle, I want to apologize on her behalf. As her boss, I bear some responsibility, too."


    Felix was not surprised. Xena was actually a decent person in many ways. She was true to herself. Her only w was her excessive pride.


    He could not me her for this. As the goddess of war, of course, she had the right to be picky about her partner. It was not unreasonable for her to want an equally or more


    impressive husband, given her own excellence


    But whether Felix would engage with that was His own business. "It''s all in the past now."


    Seeing Xena hesitate, Felix frowned and waited.


    "You should tear that prenup up. Otherwise, you''ll be in real danger. I can protect you for now, but not forever."


    Felix recalled the strange young man with Xena the other night. This warning probably stemmed from that encounter. "If I die because of something like this, it just means I wasn''t skilled enough. I appreciate your concern, but some things are beyond your control, aren''t they?"


    over her. His words made sense, but Xena still did not want anyone to lose their life Please listen to me. This isn''t about whether I respect you or not anymore. It''s a really serious issue this time."


    Felix left after saying, "I''ll say it again. When your grandfather wakes up, I''ll do whatever he says.''


    Xena was exasperated. He had clearly misunderstood her concern for him. If Felix ever crossed Jaden, he would be dead meat for sure. At least she could sleep easy, knowing she had said her piece. Now she was even more baffled about why Curtis had set up an engagement for her with such a stubborn man. It was beyondprehension.

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    Chapter


    262


    Two days flew by. A ne touched down in Yartford at 10:00 am. Not long after, Felix and Jack hugged at the exit.


    Jack teased Felix the moment hended, "Were you worried I''ve got something going on with Madeline? Coming all the way to Yartford to keep an eye on us, huh?" Felix yfully punched his arm. "Come on. Let''s head to the restaurant. Madeline''s already waiting for us."


    The Golden Prime Auction was not until evening, so Felix had time to kill. Plus, he wanted to see how Madeline was adjusting to life in her new city.


    "Life is interesting sometimes. Maddy''s life in Avesburgh was hellish. But ever since she bumped into you, it totally changed for the better after she moved to Yartford."


    Intrigued, Felix asked while they were in the car, "What do you mean? Are you talking about her career or love life?"


    Jack shed a double thumbs-up. "Both."


    As Jack filled him in, Felix could not help but smile. With the few million dors he had given her, Madeline had rented a ce in Yartford, then leased a nicemercial space to open a pasta shop. Felix knew Madeline had a rtive who had once run a killer pasta joint but had to shut down for some reason. It would not have been difficult for her to obtain their recipe.


    "Don''t underestimate this little pasta shop. From what I hear, the annual revenue of a tiny ce like that on Yartford''s busiest street could be even higher than some Avesburgh''spanies." Felix nodded in agreement. Big cities meant toughpetition and crowds, but also more opportunities.


    "What about her love life?"


    Jack''s expression turnedical. "Now that''s a wild story! This good-looking guy startsing to Madeline''s shop and has pasta a few times a day. It''s totally love at first sight.


    "He''s officially pursuing her now, and Madeline seems pretty into it. I''d bet they''ll be official within a month."


    At the restaurant, the mood was upbeat all around, especially for Madeline. She was glowing, which was aplete transformation from before. As a former campus belle, it was no surprise she was turning heads again. "Felix, this toast''s for you! Without your help, I''d still be living lifelessly in hell."


    Madelin


    joy was genuine. This man, whom she had once had feelings for, had truly


    changed her life.


    "Seeing you like this puts my mind at ease."


    Sitting down, Madeline pulled out a contract from her bag. "The pasta has been a hit. I''m nning to expand the business in the future. Felix, there''s a 40% stake in here for you. And I won''t take no for an answer." Without hesitation, Felix signed. Refusing would have been disrespectful to Madeline.


    Jack apuded, and Madeline''s smile widened. She had been worried Felix might decline, which would leave her in an awkward spot.


    "Let''s drink till we drop! Felix, I know you''ve got ns tonight. But with your tolerance, that''s no problem, right?" 1


    Felix nodded. He was about to raise his ss when his phone rang. It was Harold. Knowing the kid was probably up to no good, Felix answered anyway.


    "Hey, Felix, I''ve been bored out of my mind in Avesburghtely, so I''m thinking of visiting Yartford for some fun. What do you think?"

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    22


    Felix was not surprised. Yale was the Dragon Alliance''s vice leader and now held the Dragon Ring as the new Dragon Lord. Tracking Felix''s movements would not be hard. "What if you''re not bored?" Felix asked. Harold chuckled and said, "Simple. I just got to Avesburgh, right? Though everyone''s calling me Lord Jamison, the truth is I''m short on cash. My ce is pretty crappy.


    "So, I was wondering if you would lend me your big vi to crash in? And you know I don''t like sharing a roof with others. You get it, don''t you?"


    He wanted Felix''s house?


    Felix said, "Fine. I''ll give you the passcode. You can move in today and stay as long as you like."


    Haroldughed. "Thanks! Guess I won''t be heading to Yartford, after all."


    After hanging up, Felix''s mood remained unaffected.


    Harold thought he had all the time in the world to y games, but it was quite the opposite. With Averill''s skills, finding Yvette would only take a few days.


    The Golden Prime Auction was set to start at 8:00 pm sharp. On his way there, Felix got a call from Wendy. "Felix, I... I need to see you about something important. Can youe to Sunside Caf¨¦?" Important business at this time? Felix frowned


    He was about ten minutes away from the five-star hotel hosting the auction. Everyone knew what Yartford traffic was like-a round trip could waste a lot of time.


    Though he was over an hour early, he could not afford to waste time. The Moon''s Tear was at stake. Still, Felix did not answer right away. He checked his navigation app and found that Sunside Caf¨¦ was just across from the hotel. That made things easier. "Alright. I''ll be there soon."


    The Golden Prime Auction was exclusive and high-end. The entire five-star hotel was booked out, and its entry was restricted to ticket holders only, who would be free to do anything once entered.


    Rumor had it that even all the hotel staff got the day off and were reced by the organizers! people. That was how over-the-top it was.


    At the caf¨¦, Felix spotted Wendy in aer of the main area. "Wendy, what''s so urgent?"


    Wendy opened her purse and pulled out a gold embossed card. "Felix, this is a Golden


    Prime Auction ticket. I got one for you. I knew you''d be in Yartford today and wanted to surprise you, so I didn''t tell you earlier."


    Felix did not take it. Instead, he looked at Wendy intently. "I told you I''d handle it. Why did you go through all this trouble?" Huh?


    Wendy stiffened. "You... You got one?"


    Just days ago in Avesburgh, she had seen Felix make a call, and the person could not help.


    "Yeah. Thanks for your thoughtfulness, but just return the ticket. I''m sure getting this ticket would cost you a lot."


    Even he had to call George in the end, which showed how hard these were to get. With Wendy''s current status, it would have been extremely difficult. And she could not have asked Moonshadow Alliance, so the chances of her getting a ticket were even slimmer. Realizing she had overstepped, Wendy forced a smile and said, "Well, it''s great you got one. I was worried. No problem. I''ll just return this one."


    ¦°


    Felix looked at her seriously. "Are you in any trouble? You have to tell me if you are."

 Billionaire With Husband 264

    30


    Wendy tucked the ticket away and picked up her coffee with a smile. She said, "What trouble? You''re overthinking, Felix. I''ll just return the ticket. It''s no big deal.


    "Cheers! Here''s hoping you snag that Moon''s Tear at the auction!"


    As Felix took a sip of coffee, he got a call from George. "Mr. Zeller, are you there yet? I''m on my way."


    "Yeah, I''m at Sunside Caf¨¦."


    "Cool! I''ll meet you there. It won''t be long.


    Just as he hung up, a middle-aged man appeared at their table. "Ms. Kinsley, you know Mr. Jackman''s temper. We''ve got five minutes left. You''d bettere with me now."


    A flicker of panic crossed Wendy''s eyes. She hurriedly stood up while pulling out the ticket again.


    "Please give this back to Mr. Jackman. My friend already has a ticket. Tell him I''m grateful and that I''ll make it up to him however I can."


    But the man did not take it. Instead, he sneered and said, "Wendy Kinsley, when has Mr. Sean Jackman ever taken back something he''s given? Everyone in Yartford would know the


    answer.


    He grabbed Wendy''s arm. "The deal''s done. You don''t have the right to back out. Come with me to meet Mr. Jackman. Don''t keep him waiting."


    In a sh, another hand gripped the man''s wrist. "Let her go.


    The middle-aged man barely nced at Felix, who had suddenly stood up. A sharp pain instantly shot through his wrist, so he had to release his grip. "You brat, you got a death wish? Mind your own business!" Ignoring the man, Felix turned to Wendy. "I asked you to be honest. Don''t you consider me a friend?"


    Wendy panicked. "Felix, stay out of this. I can handle it."


    The middle-aged manughed as if he were enjoying the show."


    "Hah! So Wendy wanted the ticket for you, huh? Well, let me do you a favor and enlighten you. She got that ticket from Mr. Jackman by agreeing to sleep with him before the auction and spend the whole night after the event pleasing him. "We even had a traditional medicine practitioner check on her. She''s a virgin, alright! If not, there''s no way someone like her would score a ticket from Mr. Jackman.''


    What?


    Felix''s face darkened. He never imagined Wendy would pay such a steep price for him. No wonder she managed to get the ticket, though it was quite impossible to get it.


    "Wendy! From now on, remember this. I, Felix Zeller, would never force anyone into anything, and I''d never let you sacrifice yourself like this. Got it?"


    Seeing Felix''s anger, Wendy nodded frantically. She did not dare to meet his eyes.


    "Interesting! At this point, do you still think you can do something about it? Mr. Jackman could destroy a nobody like you without breaking a sweat.


    "So I''m asking you. Are you going to scram or not?"


    Felix shielded Wendy behind him. With the auction starting soon, he wanted to avoid trouble. He then said, "Go tell your so-called Mr. Jackman to leave Wendy alone from now on. If not, George Zimmerman won''t let him off easy." George Zimmerman?


    The middle-aged man narrowed his eyes, then burst outughing. "You''ve got guts, kid! Heard a name and think you can scare me with it? Did you really think I haven''t seen it all? If you really know him, why don''t you call Mr. Zimmerman right now?" As soon as he finished speaking, someone tapped his shoulder. "I hear you''re looking for me?"

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    Chapter 265 Chapter


    265


    The middle-aged man spun around. Seeing who had tapped his shoulder, his scowl instantly melted into a fawning grin. "Mr. Zimmerman? You... You must be joking. I''d never dare summon you."


    Without warning, George, who had just appeared, pped the man hard across the face. You piece of trash! How dare you talk to Mr. Zeller like that?"


    Mr. Zeller? -guy "Mr.


    The man''s mind went crazy as he started to panic. Did George really call this guy Zeller"? No way! Felix was Wendy''s friend, so his social status had to be so low that he would not even be fit to lick Sean''s boots. But the evidence was right in front of him, and he did not dare doubt it. "Mr. Zimmerman, please forgive me. I had no idea."


    Another pnded.


    George waved his hand dismissively. "Get out! You''re not even worthy of apologizing to Mr. Zeller. Tell Sean Jackman about this. He''ll know how to deal with it.''


    "Yes, yes! I''m leaving right now!"


    Felix kept quiet. With George stepping in, Wendy was out of the woods.


    "Hey, Mr. Zeller, I hope I didn''t crash anything? That jackass is just Sean''sckey for dirty work. He''s brainless and not even worth mentioning."


    The fact that George could not be bothered to exin who Sean was spoke volumes about their status gap. After all, the fact that Sean could dish out a Golden Prime Auction ticket meant his family background was not ordinary. "What... What about this ticket?" Wendy was still reeling from the revtion that Felix had such clout even in Yartford. In her book, Sean was already the top dog.


    "Anyone can snag the auction list. If you''ve got your eye on something, go for it. If not, sell it off before kickoff for cash or favors. This thing is gold.


    Prompted by George, Wendy was still on the fence until Felix chimed in, "The ticket''s yours now. Do whatever you want with it. Just let me know if you want to check it out." Reassured, Wendy watched Felix and George leave. She then quickly rang her dad. Vincent could squeeze way more value out of this ticket than she could.


    "Oh, yeah, Mr. Zeller. I wanted to ask-do you know Lady N, too?"


    Lady N?


    Felix looked puzzled. Dragonia was not exactly crawling with royalty, so what gave?


    "Never heard of her. What''s with her title?"


    Now it was George''s turn to be surprised, but he became relieved and said, "Ah, my bad. I figured since you knew Yvonne, you''d be in with Lady N, too! "She''s not royalty or anything. ''Lady'' is just a nickname our crowd gave her. She''s so high and mighty, so it fits."


    One thing clicked for Felix-Yvonne definitely had someone in her corner. And for George


    because to talk like this, that someone must be a real heavyweight. "Did you bring this up she''s hitting the auction, too?"


    George nodded. "Yeah. She attends the auction every year. Better pray what you''re after doesn''t catch her eye. If not, there''s no chance you''ll be able to get it." Felix was not sweating it. No one was going to keep him from the Moon''s Tear. It was his ticket to freedom, or even his shot at happily ever after.


    In the hotel ballroom, plush, oversized armchairs were neatly lined up, each over three feet apart. Clearly, the guest list for this shindig was pretty exclusive. Chapter 266

 Billionaire With Husband 266

    Felix and George settled into the fourth row, gesturing to the staff to push their single-seater chairs together. Considering the high-profile attendees present, Felix could not help but feel curious about George''s bold move. It was a clear statement to others about their close rtionship..


    "Showing


    ving me this much love? What if my ties with Moonshadow Alliance aren''t as close as you think?" Felix teased.


    George shrugged casually and said, "Come on. A friend is a friend, and having more friends means more opportunities. I''ll prove myself through actions. If I ever need your help and you''re able and willing, I won''t hesitate to ask. If you can''t, no hard feelings. Life''s unpredictable, you know?"


    Felix nodded in agreement, a smile ying on his lips. Then, George continued, "The first


    W rows are off-limits to the younger crowd.


    George''s exnation hinted at his own elevated position. In other words, the fourth row onward was where the younger generation could sit, proving George''s position.


    He went on, "But the real VIPS? They''re up in those private boxes above us, with one-way ss. We can''t see them, but they see everything. Do you remember the Lady N I mentioned earlier? She''s in one of those. Among our generation, she''s one of the only three allowed inside."


    Felix''s interest was piqued as it implied two other youngsters were on her level. Nheless, he did not bother asking for details and just waited for the auction to begin,


    Meanwhile, in one of the private boxes, Yvonne stood attentively beside the woman she was bound to serve for life. N Hughman wore a purple veil, revealing only her eyes. Yet, those eyes alone were captivating enough to mesmerize any man who dared to look. "Miss, that''s Felix Zeller," Yvonne said.


    N nced in the direction Yvonne pointed andmented, "That''s interesting. Sitting with George, no less? No wonder he got in."


    Even though Yvonne was anxious, she tried to maintain herposure and replied, "I haven''t found out what their connection is yet. As far as I know, their only interaction was at the Avesburgh auction for the Miracle Card."


    After a moment of contemtion, N spoke again. "George may act like a spoiled rich kid, but he''s actually pretty sharp. If he''s treating Felix like that, there might be more to him than we''ve discovered."


    She paused, then added with a hint of mischief "It''s amusing that the person in the next box doesn''t even realize his own brother is down there."


    +23 BONUS


    Yvonne gasped. "Miss, h-he''s here too? I thought he never showed interest in these events.


    "Let''s leave that as a mystery for now. George''s behavior has piqued my curiosity about Felix. Let''s keep watching."


    N raised her right hand, and Yvonne immediately knew what she wanted. Then, Yvonne approached the microphone and announced, "Nine and 18."


    Everyone in the hall heard her, and George even pulled out his phone to check the auction list. He said, "That''s Lady N calling her interests on items nine and eighteen. Why don''t you check if they sh with what you''re after?" Felix''s expression fell as he nced at the list. Item 18 was Moon''s Tear-the very thing he hade for. It seemed he would bepeting against N after all.


    C

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    hapter 267 Chapter 267


    George keenly noticed the change in Felix''s expression. He patted Felix''s shoulder sympathetically and said, "Tough luck, Felix. Take my advice-you can''t outbid Lady N.


    Felix furrowed his brow and asked, "Is it always about money at the Golden Prime Auction?


    If it came down to cash, N might have the upper hand; someone with her status in Yartford would surely not be short on funds. Unless Gerald''s assets were unfrozen for him, Felix was unsure if Leslie''s Concord Bank''s Supreme ck Card would suffice. George exined, "Not always. Most items go for cash, but some have weird requirements. You never know until the moment arrives." With concern evident in his voice, he added, Felix, you''re not seriously thinking ofpeting with Lady N, are you?" Felix could not help but chuckle. "What''s wrong? Worried that I''ll drag you into this?" To his surprise, George shook his head. "That''s not it. It''s all fair game in auctions. Besides, Lady N isn''t petty enough to hold grudges over bidding. I just really think you should trust me on this one-going up against her is a waste of time."


    Felix remained silent and turned his attention to the stage. Regardless of who else was after the Moon''s Tear, he was determined to get it. If he missed this opportunity, it was hard to tell when or if another one would actuallye again.


    As time ticked by, the auction officially kicked off. The auctioneer took the stage, unfazed by the high-profile crowd. "Let''s get straight to it! Our first item is an authentic Bowen Truman painting, submitted by a clientst month."


    Though Felix had already gone through the auction list, seeing and hearing the items presented live still made him inwardly marvel.


    It was no wonder so many elites attended the Golden Prime Auction-starting with an original from the legendary painter was a move that would have been the grand finale at most other auction houses.


    "50 million dors!"


    "70 million dors!"


    As soon as the auctioneer finished speaking, bids came in one after another. Everyone here possessed unbelievable wealth. In the end, the painting sold for a staggering 620 million dors, a sum that would make an ordinary person pass out from shock. Only by seeing it firsthand could one truly grasp the idea that any problem money could solve was not a problem at all.


    "Nothing catches your eye?" Felix asked George curiously after a few more items had been auctioned off.


    George shrugged. "Nah, I''m just here for the show. Honestly, the only thing that really interests me is women."


    Just then, the auctioneer announced the ninth item. "Next up, we have Moondust, a rare medicinal herb. I won''t go into its properties-those who need it know what it does. There''s no starting price, and there''s no bidding increments. Let''s begin." None of the items had a starting bid or increment limits. After all, the people present were influential figures, and adding such restrictions would have insulted people of this caliber.


    Felix''s attention sharpened. This was one of the two items N had expressed interest in earlier, the other being the Moon''s Tear.


    "Watch this," George whispered. "You''re about to witness Lady N''s power in action."

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    Chapter


    268


    George had murmured under his breath, which piqued Felix''s interest. Indeed, for the first time, no one in the entire hall ced a counterbid, proving that George had not been exaggerating.


    "30 million dors," the electronically-altered voice from earlier announced. It was done. to protect the identity of those in the private boxes.


    Knowing the drill, the auctioneer did not wait for another bid and immediately brought the hammer down. He dered, "Sold for 30 million dors! Congrattions!"


    Even though N could have easily won with a casual bid of a few hundred thousand, she chose to pay a respectable amount. It spoke volumes about her wealth and integrity.


    "Still think you have a shot at Item 18?" George persisted, trying to dissuade Felix from challenging N as he was unaware of just how crucial Moon''s Tear was to him.


    "We''ll see. I think I know what Lady N is up to," Felix replied.


    George could not help but be curious and asked, "Oh? Care to share?"


    Felix exined, "Moon Dust and Moon''s Tear,bined with other rare ingredients and prepared by a skilled master healer, can create a medicinal powder with incredible skin- rejuvenating properties when added to bathwater. It''s beyond anything modern skincare can achieve."


    George''s eyes widened in surprise. "Hold up! Are you telling me you''re a traditional medicine practitioner?"


    Felix simply nodded, not saying more. While George had a hunch that Felix was definitely someone skilled in medicine, he did not press for more details.


    As the auction progressed, item after item came and went until it was finally time for the Moon''s Tear.


    The auctioneer announced, "Next up, Item 18, Moon''s Tear. The seller has a special requirement-bidders mustpete based on their connections. Whoever can present the most aplished master healer will win. Let''s begin."


    George sighed. "Now, you truly don''t stand a chance. Competing with N''s connections? Even my grandpa wouldn''t dare make that im."


    To George''s surprise, Felix''s lips curled into a faint smile. This method actually worked in his favor, much more so than a mary bid would have. As expected, the room fell silent, waiting for N''s bid.


    "I can secure the services of Brandon Quinn, the third-ranked master healer in Dragonia," the altered voice rang out again from N''s private box.


    Everyone understood she could likely summon an even higher-ranking healer, but such decisions depended on the item''s worth. It seemed Moon''s Tear was valuable enough for her to involve Brandon, but it was not worth calling in bigger favors.


    After all, master healers held a unique status. Even if someone was an influential figure, when it came to a master healer, it was up to them whether they granted you the favor. Furthermore, their connections often came with life-saving debts that made them nearly untouchable.


    The auctioneer was about to close the bidding, assuming no one would challenge N''s impressive connection. However, just then, Felix raised his hand, leaving George utterly speechless. The auctioneer said, "Please hold on. Our sta

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    Chapter 260 Chapter 269


    Felix''s bold move caught the attention of everyone in the room. The crowd whispered among themselves, wondering who this neer was. They could not believe that he actually dared to challenge N as he would surely not stand a chance.


    Even the auctioneer, who had hosted the Golden Prime Auction for years, was taken aback by this unprecedented turn of events. It was his first time seeing someonepeting against N. Yvonne reported, "Miss, Felix raised his hand.


    She was stunned by his action and could not understand what Felix was trying to achieve. It would have beep understandable if he had been at the event alone. However, he was with George, who would have undoubtedly warned him beforehand. N''s eyes sparkled with intrigue as she watched the scene unfold below. "Let''s see what kind of connection he can pull out," she mused.


    There were only a few true master healers in Dragonia, and the top three were so highly regarded that even many so-called important figures would not have the privilege of requesting their help. If Felix could present someone more impressive than Brandon, it would indicate he was not an ordinary person.


    While everyone was waiting for Felix to make a fool of himself, he said, "I have a Miracle Card!"


    The announcement sent shockwaves through the audience. Everyone present knew the Miracle Card was a priceless, life-saving asset. Its appearance at an auction was unheard Miracle Card was a priceless, li of, save for a recent event in Avesburgh where Moonshadow Alliance had acquired one.


    If an organization as formidable as Moonshadow Alliance coveted a Miracle Card, there was no need to exin its worth. Yet, this unknown young man imed to possess one. It seemed unbelievable.


    Nheless, no one was more stunned than George. His mind went nk as he tried to process the idea that Felix actually had a Miracle Card.


    Up in her box, N asked, "Is Felix the type to boast and lie?"


    Still in shock, Yvonne replied, "From what I know, Miss, he doesn''t have such tendencies. Perhaps he really does have a Miracle Card?"


    N shook her head and stated coldly, "If it''s a lie, you can pack your bags and leave Avesburgh. A liar isn''t worth our time. But if it''s true, well, that''s almost moreughable. Using a Miracle Card for a mere herb? That''s short-sighted, to say the least." The auctioneerposed himself and addressed Felix, "Sir, we''ll need to verify the authenticity of your Miracle Card."


    Several experts approached Felix, and he handed over the card. Given the gravity, a thorough inspection was performed right on the spot. Such a valuable item demanded the utmost scrutiny.


    The Miracle Card was actually the one from the Kinsleys, which he had kept after Moonshadow Alliance''s departure. Since it was useless to Dahlia, he decided to hold on to it, thinking it mighte in handy someday. Little did he know that "someday" would


    Even without the Miracle Card, Felix was determined to get Moon''s Tear. After all, it was essential to his future happiness and was worthy of any sacrifice.


    After a while, the card was returned to Felix. The auctioneer, his voice tinged with awe, announced, "After thorough examination, we can confirm that

 Billionaire With Husband 270

    The moment the auctioneer confirmed the Miracle Card''s authenticity, the room erupted. The once-quiet auction hall was buzzing with discussion. After all, the power and value of a Miracle Card were impossible to ignore.


    "F-Felix actually traded a Miracle Card for Moon''s Tear?" Yvonne stuttered, dumbfounded by Felix''s decision.


    As N said before, Yvonne also thought it was simply short-sighted of Felix to do so. With the right strategy, a Miracle Card could yield an unimaginable return.


    For instance, the Kinsley family from Avesburgh had been wise.


    They made a spectacle of auctioning off a Miracle Card, which caught the attention of Moonshadow Alliance. Consequently, they had gone from being a small local name to a recognized force in Yartford, gaining a foothold in record time. Hence, Yvonne regarded Felix''s move as a waste.


    N''s disappointment was palpable. "If you don''t have anything worth keeping in Avesburgh, don''t bother going back," she told Yvonne coldly.


    Yvonne could sense her frustration. If N had the Miracle Card, she could have achieved so much more. Yet, Felix had traded such a valuable item for something so trivial.


    "Miss, I have a few things to get. So, I''ll make a quick trip back," Yvonne replied.


    "Sure"


    Yvonne let out a quiet sigh of relief. It was clear that after this, N no longer had any interest in Felix, and given their difference in status, it was unlikely their paths would cross again.


    Down in the auction hall, chaos reigned. Wealthy bidders shouted offers at Felix, desperate to acquire the Miracle Card for themselves.


    "Young man, do you understand what you''re giving up? No matter how rare Moon''s Tear is, it''s nothingpared to the Miracle Card! Name your price; I''ll give you anything for it! "I''ll give you anything you want!"


    "Sell it to me! I need that Miracle Card-with it my loved one would rio longer be bedridden!"


    The security guards struggled to maintain order as the crowd surged forward.


    George sat beside Felix, utterly dumbfounded. He could not believe he had been sitting next to someone with a Miracle Card all this time.


    If only he had known Felix had a Miracle Card and was willing to use it for Moon''s Tear, he would have arranged something with his father. The old man would surely bend over backward to negotiate with N-no cost would have been too high. Suddenly, a booming voice cut through themotion. "Silence!"


    A middle-aged man had appeared beside the auctioneer, his presencemanding immediate respect.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Golden Prime Auction. Since the gentleman has chosen to offer the Miracle Card, we must honor our obligations and procedures. Please return to your seats."


    The crowd reluctantly settled down, aware of the auction house''s powerful and mysterious backers. Soon after, the auctioneer received word through his earpiece.


    "The seller has made their decision. Moon''s Tear goes to the gentleman with the Miracle Card."


    A collective groan sounded from the crowd as it was an obvious conclusion. After all, the requirement to win the bid was to secure a renowned master healer, and a Miracle Card was as good as summoning a miracle doctor. In all of Dragonia, no one could im better skills. As Felix''s expression lit up with a satisfied smile, George could not help but chuckle wryly. "Felix, you really gave me the shock of a lifetime. I''m surely getting an earful from my dad when he finds out."


    Felixughed. "I owe you one for getting me in here. You''ll see the payoff soon enough."


    With that, he stood to leave. Now that he had Moon''s Tear, he was eager to return to Avesburgh and begin Curtis'' treatment.

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    Chapter 271 Chapter 271


    When Felixnded in Avesburgh at midnight, his phone buzzed with missed calls and messages as he turned it on. Among the callers were people from Tabiner Bay, Emest, and even Xena.


    Felix was puzzled, wondering why so many people tried to reach him even at thiste hour. After a moment of hesitation, he decided to call Ernest back. The man had tried several times, so it had to be something urgent. "Mr. Holt Senior, I justnded. Is everything okay?"


    "You need toe back quickly. Your vi caught fire. It''s just been put out, but there''s nothing much left"


    Felix''s mind immediately shed to Harold, and he made a silent decision as he rushed to Tabiner Bay. When he arrived, Xena was waiting at the entrance, and the vi was nothing more than a charred shell behind her. "Do you need the Phoenix Legion to help with the investigation?" Xena asked, her expression neutral.


    She knew a regr fire would unlikely harm a skilled martial artist like Felix unless he had been incapacitated. Besides, her offer was more about making amends for Belle''s earlier behavior than any genuine concern. "No need," Felix declined.


    Xena nodded and started to walk away. However, Felix stopped her and said, "I''d like to visit your grandpa tomorrow."


    Xena kept walking as she responded, "Go ahead. I won''t be there tomorrow, but I''ll let the housekeeper know." Felix was relieved to hear that. With Xena out of the house, he would not have to worry about holding back.


    He was also grateful that the herbs he had collected earlier were stored at Kane''s ce. It would have been a catastrophe if they had been lost in the fire Harold had set. The vi could be rebuilt, but those herbs were priceless


    As he was thinking this, he received a call from Harold, who said, "Felix, I''m sorry. I had only been staying there for a few hours when the fire started. Maybe it was a short circuit or something? Anyway, I barely got out alive! Seriously, though, the quality of your ce was awful."


    Felix did not bother to respond and hung up. After all, he would make sure Harold faced the consequences of his actions soon.


    The following day, Felix arrived at Xena''s house to treat Curtis. The grueling processsted from morning until sunset, leaving Felix tired but satisfied. When he was done, Felix checked Curtis'' pulse onest time and smiled the treatment had been sessful. Curtis had been bedridden for a long, so it would likely take about a week for him to fully recover and move around again. Felix had flushed the poison from his body and helped regte his internal energy, though his cirction was still somewhat unstable. As he left Silverwood, Felix felt like the moon shone brighter than usual, or perhaps it was just his mood. Curtis'' recovery meant the marriage contract between him and Xena would finally conclude. Whatever the oue, it would be better than the endless uncertainty. Shortly after Felix''s departure, Xena returned home. She asked, "Did Felix leave?"


    The housekeeper replied, "He left just a while ago."


    "Didn


    he say he''de in the morning?" Xena frowned, thinking he was lying when he said he would visit Curtis in the morning.


    "Oh, he dide in the morning, miss. He''s been here all day and didn''t even have lunch, asking me not to disturb him," the housekeeper rified.

 Billionaire With Husband 272

    Xena scoffed at the idea that Felix had stayed all day. She thought it was a pathetic attempt impress her, doubting that his presence could actually wake Curtis. Nheless, she did not dwell on the matter and stepped out into the courtyard, her gaze fixed in the distance as if waiting for someone.


    About half an hourter, a car pulled up, and Jaden stepped out. "Xena, I''ve brought Dr. Quinn," he announced proudly. 1


    Xena had rushed back to Avesburgh because Jaden had managed to secure Brandon''s services. Despite being only one rank above Seth, Brandon''s medical skills were vastly superior.


    Among master healers, the top three were the true legends. Even Xena herself did not have the influence to summon him, so Jaden''s sess was impressive. She believed if anyone could heal Curtis, it would be Brandon.


    As Jaden finished speaking, he opened the car door, and a man in his 50s stepped out-it was none other than Brandon himself. Unlike the usual elderly doctors with graying hair, Brandon had achieved his high ranking at a rtively young age, a testament to his extraordinary talent in medicine.


    "Dr. Quinn, thank you foring," Xena said politely.


    Brandon frowned, cutting through the pleasantries. "Let''s skip the small talk. My time is valuable. Where''s the patient?"


    His unfriendliness demonstrated the confidence that came with his reputation. Even Xena, the esteemed goddess of war of Dragonia, was just another person to him.


    "Please follow me, Dr. Quinn," Xena said, leading the way.


    Jaden followed, feeling rather pleased with himself. He had called in a favor from his mentor to get Brandon here. Otherwise, not even his own reputation as Crimson Sage Sect''s youngest elder would have been enough,


    With Brandon on their side, there should be no further obstacles in his future with Xena.


    When they reached the top floor, Xena opened the door, and Brandon walked in without hesitation. He ordered, "You two stay outside. No one is allowed to watch while I work."


    "Of course, Dr. Quinn. We''ll leave it to you."


    Once the door closed, Jaden tried to reassure a visibly nervous Xena, "Don''t worry. With Dr. Quinn here, Mr. Summers Senior is sure to recover. You know how difficult it is to get him toe, which just shows how skilled he is."


    Xena managed a weak smile. "I hope so. Thank you for everything, really."


    12


    Jaden chuckled. "Don''t mention it. We''re practically family." Trying to lighten the mood, he brought up something else, saying, "Oh, by the way, I heard a funny story in Yartford today. Some idiot at the Golden Prime Auction used a priceless Miracle Card just to bid on a single herb.


    "Can you believe how stupid that is?"


    Xena frowned, more concerned about the sudden reappearance of Miracle Cards than the story itself. These cards had been elusive for years, and she could not help but wonder if it was a sign that something bigger was about to happen. "What a waste," she replied.


    "Right? The news has spread everywhere. Talk about dumb luck-that guy got his hands on something most people can only dream of."


    Before he could say more, the door suddenly swung open, startling both of them. Brandon stood there with his expression grim and unreadable, causing Xena''s heart to sink. She braced herself for more disappointment as her body trembled slightly.

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    "Dr. Quinn, how did it go?" Jaden asked on Zena''s behalf as he sensed her tension.


    Brandon''s scowl deepened, and he scoffed. "Did you really call me all the way here for this? He''s fine. He''ll be up and about in a few days."


    The renowned doctor was clearly annoyed at being summoned for what he considered a trivial matter. After all, Curtis only had some blocked cirction-nothing that required a master healer. Any decent hospital or regr traditional medical practitioner could have handled it.


    "He''s... cured?" Xena stood frozen in disbelief while Jaden rushed to see Brandon off.


    When Jaden returned, he saw Xena still standing at the same spot. He urged, "You should go check on Mr. Summers Senior!"


    They went inside the room together. Although neither were doctors, they were impressive martial artists and could roughly assess someone''s physical condition.


    Since Xena visited Curtis daily, she immediately noticed the dramatic difference. Hisplexion was rosy, and his breathing was steady and much steadier.


    "It''s a miracle! Grandpa is really recovering!" Xena eximed, overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. She turned to Jaden, her eyes shining. "Jaden, thank you so much!" Xena was in disbelief at the massive gap between a top-three master healer like Brandon


    and others ranked in the top ten. Seth had informed her that there was no hope, yet Brandon had healed Curtis in a matter of minutes. It was beyond extraordinary.


    J?den smiled warmly. "You''re more than wee. I''ll head out now and visit when Mr. Summers Senior wakes up."


    He understood that timing was everything and that it was important to give Xena space. Right now, Xena''s focus was entirely on Curtis, and staying would not aplish much. It was better to let things progress naturally; his next visit would mean even more. After Jaden left, Xena sat by Curtis'' bedside. "Grandpa, when you wake up in a few days, I hope we can finally get Felix out of my life. We owe Jaden too much to do otherwise."


    Although she had not officially epted Jaden, she was ready to give him a chance after this inciderit. After all, Jaden was exceptional in every way and now had even saved Curtis'' life. Ignoring that would be unreasonable.


    A part of Xena was already starting to believe that Jaden might be the person she had been waiting for all along. Meanwhile, Felix returned to Kane''s old ce after grabbing a quick bite.


    With his vi burned down, this was his temporary home. He knew he probably would not


    return to Tabiner Bay, as renovating it would take over a year and seemed pointless now. More importantly, he had to wait for Curtis'' decision when he woke up.


    Just then, footsteps echoed in the hallway as Yvonne walked in. She had called Felix earlier and hade here to find him.


    "It''ste. What brings you here?" Felix asked.


    Yvonne''s expression appeared conflicted as she prepared to say goodbye to the man who had been her first. "I''m leaving Avesburgh tomorrow," she announced softly. Felix felt a twinge of emotion after hearing her words. After all, Yvonne had been his first woman, even if their rtionship had beenplicated and unclear.

 Billionaire With Husband 274

    "Is that so? Well, I wish you safe travels," Felix responded.


    Yvonne tried to hide her disappointment behind a smile. She asked, "I wasn''t going to mention this, but... why didn''t you maximize the benefit of having a Miracle Card?" She had spent enough time around Felix to know he was not foolish, and her curiosity about his choices was natural.


    Felix chuckled. "You were also at the Golden Prime Auction? I did maximize my benefit.


    Moon''s Tear was exactly what I needed most."


    Realizing further discussion was pointless, Yvonne turned to leave. "Good luck with everything. Bye, Felix."


    As she turned to leave, Felix suddenly stood up. He wanted to say something, but the words would note out. For some reason, Yvonne was walking really slowly too. Just as she reached the threshold, Felix asked, "Can you stay?"


    Yvonne froze on the spot, tears streaming down her face. She did not dare turn back, fearing she would give in and stay for good. While she did not care what would happen to her, she knew she would only drag Felix into her mess. N''s wrath was not something anyone could endure. Ever since crossing paths with her, Yvonne''s fate had been sealed. Her choices were no longer her own.


    She stepped out of the courtyard with a heavy heart and joked weakly, "Stay? Are you going to make me your woman and take care of me forever?"


    Felix stood there, silent for a long time. He would be lying if he said he had no feelings for


    Yvonne.


    After all, they had shared something intimate, and he genuinely thought she was a good person. Moreover, she had shown genuine concern for him more than once. Sadly, everyone had their own burdens to bear.


    Yvonne hade into his life with a purpose, which meant she might never be free to choose her own path. Still, Felix decided that if Curtis agreed to dissolve the engagement, he would find Yvonne. It was his responsibility as a man to step-up.


    The next morning, Felix was enjoying the fresh air in the courtyard when Harold walked in, making himself at home. Hemented, "Nice ce, Felix. It''s better than that vi of yours. How about letting me enjoy it too?"


    Felix looked at him and asked in a serious tone "Harold, have you thought about your future?"


    +25 BOALS


    Haroldughed. "My future? Of course. At my age, I''m already a big deal in Avesburgh''s underground scene. Isn''t it obvious how limitless my potential is?"


    Felix shook his head and looked up at the sky. "Here''s something you should know. Aunt Yvette means little to me, but I have to care for certain reasons. You, on the other hand, mean absolutely nothing. As long as Aunt Yvette is alive and can continue living, that''s enough for me."


    Harold understood the meaning behind his words. Yet, he was unfazed and retorted,


    head, You''re nothing but a big talker! You don''t even have the guts to touch a hair on my Felix."


    Just then, Felix''s phone chimed with a text from an unknown source-not just a regr phone number. Itread, "Felix, Yvette has been found, safe and sound. I''ll protect her for three days. That should be enough time for you to clean up your mess, right?" Chapter 275

 Billionaire With Husband 275

    Felix breathed a sigh of relief when he received the text message. Averill hade through for him just as expected.


    Locating someone Yale had hidden away was a task akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Yet, she was highly efficient, taking only a few days toplete what seemed nearly impossible.


    Felix turned his attention back to Harold, who was still sprawled in the chair as if he owned the ce. Then, Felix approached with a smirk and ordered, "Call Yale. Tell him I have crucial information about the founder that I need to discuss in person. Felix knew this would guarantee an immediate meeting with Yale, who could not afford to ignore anything rted to Dragon Alliance''s founder.


    Harold scoffed. "Do you think I''ll just do what you say? That''s rich. Maybe if you got down on your knees and begged, I might consider it."


    Before he could finish his taunt, Felixshed out, shattering the bones in Harold''s left arm with a swift kick. Next, he inserted a silver needle to keep Harold from passing out from the pain. He asked coldly, "Ready to make the call now?" Harold''s face had turned pale from the pain. He was shocked by the sudden violence. He shouted, "You''ve lost your mind! If you do this to me, they''ll do the same to my mother!"


    Felix responded with another brutal kick, this time to Harold''s left leg. Harold''s screams of pain echoed through the room.


    "Any more objections?" Felix inquired calmly.


    Terrified, Harold finally relented and cried out, I''ll


    o it! I''ll call him right now!"


    Felix smiled, satisfied. "That''s better. Remember, if you say anything out of line, I have countless ways to mak you wish for death."


    After Harold made the call, Yale''s response was exactly as Felix had predicted-he took the matter very seriously.


    "He''s out of the country but wille to Avesburgh to meet you as soon as possible,'' Harold reported.


    Felix then called Stinger before turning back to Harold with a chilling reminder. " Remember what I said earlier? Aunt Yvette''s feelings mean nothing to me."


    Harold was terrified and pleaded for his life, "Please, Felix, you can''t kill me! I''m too young to die!"


    Felix sat in another chair, silent and unmoved by Harold''s desperate pleas. His response


    only made Harold panic further.


    "If I die, my mom dies too! Blood is thicker than water, right? I still remember the gifts your mom used to send on holidays!"


    Felixughed. "After everything you did, I can''t believe you have the nerve to call her your mom. You truly have no respect for her."


    At that moment, Stinger entered with his men. Filled with hatred for Harold, Stinger knocked him unconscious with a single punch. "Mr. Zeller, I''ll take him from here," Stinger said.


    Felix nodded, "Good. The underground scene in Avesburgh is yours now. Without Harold, the others are just a disorganized rabble." Stinger was ted. "Thank you, Mr. Zeller. If I can''t maintain control now, I deserve nothing but death."


    Later that afternoon, Felix set up the grill for a barbecue. Then, Ernest arrived with Jairo in


    tow.


    "Mr. Holt Senior, please try this and tell me how it tastes," Felix offered, handing him a skewer.


    As Ernest was about to take a bite, Jairo interjected, "Mr. Holt Senior, about the doctor''s- Ernest silenced him with a sharp re before he could finish.

 Billionaire With Husband 276

    Chapter


    276


    Ernest snapped, "Mind


    ur own business! With Felix here, I could eat poison and be fine. Those doctors worry too much." He waved off Jairo''s concerns dismissively.


    Felix chimed in with a reassuring smile, "It''s alright, Jairo. I treated Mr. Holt Senior recently, and his health is excellent. He doesn''t need any dietary restrictions. Why don''t you try some, too?" Seeing Ernest nod in agreement, Jairo rxed and sat down. Only around Felix could he let his guard down and enjoy himself, trusting in Felix''s skills as a master healer and his formidable abilities. "By the


    way,


    the medicalpetition I mentioned is set for the day after tomorrow in Yartford. You need to be there by noon tomorrow.


    "It''s a big deal-nine talented and young traditional medicine practitioners willpete for the chance to face off against Guneria''s modern medicine in the final round," Ernest said.


    Felix nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation as it involved national pride. He replied, "I''ll leave first thing in the morning."


    Ernest looked relieved. "Honestly, knowing you''re on board puts my mind at ease. I wasn''t sure what we''d do otherwise."


    Jairo set down his skewer and grumbled in annoyance, "Those Guneria folks are seriously disgusting. They even set an age limit. Why don''t they mention all the resources they poured into developing their drug?"


    Felix agreed with his statement, "Even if they didn''t say anything, Guneria''sck of integrity is nothing new. The only way to shut them up is to beat them fair and square." The three men shared a heartyugh, feeling a sense of satisfaction. Dragonians would never go looking for trouble, but they certainly were not afraid of it either."


    Meanwhile, Jaden was sitting with Jaxon in a restaurant in Avesburgh. While he did not actually hold Jaxon in high regard, he had to show deference due to Jaxon''s role as Xena''s


    mentor.


    He said with feigned respect, "Mr. Cunningham, I''m truly sorry for making youe all this way."


    Jaxon''s expression was dark with anger. "Xena told me what happened, but do you think the Great Imperial Sect can take this insult? Gregory died because of Felix. If we don''t resolve this, we''ll be aughingstock forever!"


    Jaden sighed, feeling frustrated. "There''s really nothing we can do. You know Xena''s principles as the goddess of war. If word hadn''t leaked out, Felix would already be dead. But now she''s watching me closely. If Felix dies, it''ll definitely strain our rtionship." "Isn''t Felix just a small fry? Why don''t you take care of him yourself, Mr. Cunningham?" Jaden pressed, dismissing Felix as insignificant.


    Jaxon mmed his hand on the table. "Do you think I haven''t considered that? Weter found out that the woman who showed up at the Great Imperial Sect was Vivian Murphy, Deputy Chief of Dragon Alliance''s Earthen Hall


    "Even though Felix has been expelled from Dragon Alliance, Vivian still watches over him. What can I do against that?"


    Jaden''s interest was piqued when he heard Vivian was involved, and he finally understood why Jaxon could not make a move. After all, Jaxon had no means to go against someone of Vivian''s status. Nheless, there was no way Jaden would let Felix mess up his future marriage prospects.


    Jaxon''s expression softened slightly, and he added, "Mr. Hault, I''ve devised a n. If


    you''re willing, I guarantee we can eliminate Felix without Xena harboring any resentment.


    §±

 Billionaire With Husband 277

    Being the shrewd old fox he was, Jaxon could see right through Jaden. Ever since Jaden had found someone to cure Curtis and Xena had helped defuse the situation, Jaden''s interest in Felix had waned significantly. However, Jaxon had his own cards to y. "Mr. Hault, there''s something I forgot to mention. There''s a reason behind Felix''s persistent pursuit of Xena," Jaxon whispered.


    This caught Jaden''s attention, though he tried to appear nonchnt. "What reason could there be? It''s just a chance encounter that led to an infatuation with Xena''s beauty, status, and charisma. It''s only natural." Jaxon shook his head. "No, it''s because Felix and Xena are betrothed."


    Jaden was stunned to hear the news. His expression changed, and a cold glint shed in his eyes. He barely contained his anger as he asked through gritted teeth, "Do you understand the gravity of what you''re saying?"


    He did not spell it out, but Jaxon was not dense. He replied calmly, "I wouldn''t stoop so low as to fabricate lies just to get rid of someone. This is the truth. Think about it-how else would someone like Felix even have the chance to meet Xena?"


    He continued, "Mr. Summers Senior arranged the engagement long ago. And Xena, being the obedient granddaughter she is... well, now that you''ve cured Mr. Summers Senior, anything could happen when he wakes up.


    Jaden cursed inwardly, knowing the bethroral would change everything. Even if Felix was a nobody, as long as Curtis turned out to be old-fashioned, he might insist on honoring the agreement.


    "Mr. Cunningham, tell me about this n of yours. I''m all ears," Jaden said.


    Satisfied with Jaden''s reaction, Jaxon smirked. "Xena has two rtives in Avesburgh. After her parents disappeared, she became even closer to them. Her uncle, Perry Glover, is a wreck after his son''s ident, but we can use her other uncle, Eric."


    "Eric lives a quiet life in the suburbs of Avesburgh," Jaxon added. "He has a son who''s obsessed with martial arts, but Eric has forbidden him from training, even threatening suicide. Not even Xena dares to interfere."


    Jaden nodded, catching on. "I see where you''re going with this."


    Although they were on the same page, Jaxon felt the need to emphasize a point. "You can''t be involved in this at all. But I''m sure someone of your status and resources can find the right people to handle this discreetly. When it''s done, everything will seem to have fallen into ce naturally."


    That night, Felix arrived at Xena''s ce. She had called and invited him over for dinner. To his surprise, the housekeeper was nowhere to be seen, and Xena herself was in the kitchen, wearing an apron.


    "I''m surprised you came," Xena remarked, looking less like the fierce warrior she was known to be and more like a warm, down-to-earth woman-the kind who would make a perfect wife.


    "I should be the one surprised. You invited me for dinner, and you''re cooking yourself?" He hade to see what Xena was up to, knowing theirplicated rtionship would end in a few days. After that, Xena finished cooking thest dish, took off her apron, and sat across from Felix. "Try it," she urged simply.


    Felix nodded and took a bite. The taste was surprisingly good. He doubted anyone could imagine that the formidable goddess of war was also an excellent cook.


    "It''s delicious," heplimented earnestly.


    Xena seemed pleased with his response but did not eat any food herself. Instead, she just sat there, watching him silently.

 Billionaire With Husband 278

    After 15 minutes, Felix wiped his mouth, having eaten without interruption or questions. He asked, "I''m done. Can we talk now?"


    Xena nodded and began, "My grandpa has recovered. He should wake up any day now."


    Felix was not surprised by this news. As a skilled martial artist who visited Curtis daily, Xena would naturally notice any improvements in his condition.


    However, he did not share the truth about Curtis'' recovery because he saw no need to. If Curtis set him free, he and Xena would have no further connection, so why bother? "That''s good news," Felix replied simply.


    Xena seemed puzzled by hisck of reaction but did not dwell on it. After all, they were not family, so she could not expect him to be emotionally invested.


    "I sincerely hope you''ll break off the engagement yourself. I don''t want my grandpa to face


    situation as soon as he wakes up," Xena stated firmly.


    Felix stood up. "I''m sorry, but as I''ve said before, I respect the older generation. This isn''t my decision to make."


    Gerald''s instructions were clear, and Felix intended to honor his arraignment. However, his response only angered Xena.


    "I''m trying to be reasonable here, and this is your attitude? Arranged marriages are outdated! As a woman, don''t I have the right to pursue my own happiness? Why are you doing this to me?" Xena shouted.


    Felix felt a pang of guilt seeing Xena like this. He understood that everyone, even the formidable goddess of war, had the right to pursue their romantic rtionships. Yet, sometimes, one could not have it both ways.


    "I''m truly sorry. If Mr. Summers Senior disapproves of this marriage, I''ll walk away immediately and never bother you again," Felix said.


    As Felix left, Xena fumed. She knew Curtis all too well-the stubbornness of the older generation would not be changed by a serious illness. Now, her only hopey with Jaden. Perhaps Curtis'' gratitude for saving his life could put an end to this ridiculous situation. The following day, Felix headed to the airport. The medicalpetition with Guneria was too important to risk any dys. However, he had overlooked one crucial detail- Brandon''s involvement, which had elerated Curtis'' recovery without Felix''s knowledge. At 9:30 am, the door burst open as Xena rushed in, having sped from the Phoenix Legion headquarters.


    "Where''s Grandpa?" she demanded, startling the housekeeper who had called to inform her of Curtis'' awakening.


    "Mr. Summers Senior left, and I couldn''t stop him. He wouldn''t let me follow!"


    Xena was not overly worried. She had people stationed around the vi just in case something like this happened. A quick phone call revealed Curtis''s whereabouts.


    As she got into her car, Xena forced herself to stay calm. Since Curtis was already awake, she needed to act fast to prevent the engagement from being enforced. Without hesitation, she called Jaden..


    "Xena, has Mr. Summers Senior woken up?"


    Xena took a deep breath and replied, "Yes, he has. Jaden, Grandpa''s gone to the cemetery to visit Grandma''s grave. I need you to meet me there right away. I-I need your help."

 Billionaire With Husband 279

    In the cemetery, Jaden and Xena walked toward a distant figure. An elderly man stood alone before a gravestone, his silhouette a picture of loneliness.


    "Isn''t this too sudden? Mr. Summers Senior doesn''t even know I''m the one who saved his life," Jaden whispered.


    His confidence was shaken after learning about Felix and Xena''s engagement. After all, the greatest favor had not been reveal yet.


    Xena reassured him, "It''s fine. I''ll exin everything. Grandpa knew about his condition before he fell into aa."


    Relieved, Jaden teased, "So, does this mean you''re ready to date me?"


    "I promised I''d give us a chance if you saved Grandpa," Xena replied. "I''ll keep my word, but we''ll need time to be an official couple."


    Jaden nodded, "I understand. Once we fall for each other, it''s a lifelongmitment. I''m not in a rush."


    To him, the wait was nothing. His mentor had already pointed out the benefits of having Xena in his life for his martial arts training. If he had been patient for eight years, a little more time would not have mattered. Besides, he was confident in his charm and the debt of gratitude the Summers family now owed him; everything would fall into ce soon enough.


    As they approached, Xena signaled for silence. After about 15 minutes, Curtis turned around. He was not surprised to see Xena and opened his arms, smiling warmly.


    "Xena, thank you. It must''ve been tough," he said softly.


    Xena''s eyes welled up as she embraced Curtis. Since her parents'' disappearance, they had only each other and a bond beyond words.


    "It was all worth it to see you awake, Grandpa," Xena murmured.


    Curtis patted her head affectionately, then looked at Jaden. "And who might this be?"


    Xena seized the moment. "Grandpa, this is Jaden Hault, a friend of mine. He''s the one who brought in Dr. Brandon Quinn, Dragonia''s third-ranked master healer, to cure you." Curtis raised an eyebrow, impressed that such a young man had such connections. "Is that so? Jaden, I owe you my life. Thank you."


    Eager to make a good impression, Jaden replied humbly, "It''s nothing, Mr. Summers Senior. I''d do anything for Xena."


    Xena noticed Curtis'' smile faded slightly at these words and began, "Grandpa, Jaden..."


    However, Curtis cut her off. "Jaden, I''ve just woken up, and my mind is a bit foggy. How about this? In three days, I''ll host a feast at home to properly thank you for saving my life."


    Curtis'' stubbornness took Xena and Jaden aback. Even so, Jaden still politely replied, "Of course, Mr. Summers Senior. I''ll take my leave now."


    It did not take a genius to see that Curtis had already caught on. Even with the life-saving favor in his corner, Jaden was politely shown the door.


    Yet, Jaden did not let it discourage him and remained optimistic. After all, a nobody like Felix could notpete with him for Xena. Besides, Jaxon''s n would soon be in motion, eliminating Felix without arousing Xena''s suspicions. Xena protested, "Grandpa, how could you do that? Jaden went to great lengths to save you! Even I couldn''t have managed to get Dr. Quinn!"

 Billionaire With Husband 280

    Chapter


    280


    Curtis'' frown deepened. "I told you before that your future husband woulde for you. this year. You were supposed to marry him, not get involved with another man.


    "Are you disregarding my wishes? I''ve never opposed anything you wanted to do in your life. Is fulfilling this one engagement too much to ask?"


    Xena sighed. It was true that Curtis had always supported her choices, even when her parents objected. Perhaps that was why she became the formidable warrior she was. Besides, the engagement was indeed his only request. "But, Grandpa," Xena pleaded, "Marriage is a life-changingmitment. Why are your clinging to this outdated concept of arranged marriages? Don''t I have a say in my own love life?"


    Curtis patted Xena''s shoulder. "I''m not old-fashioned, sweetheart. This engagement wasn''t my idea-it was your great-grandpa''s.


    Xena gasped. She thought it was impossible, given how far back this mess actually started, Not only that, but her parents were probably not even born then.


    Curtis continued, "It''s true, and you know I never lie. Your great-grandpa and Felix''s mentor arranged this marriage. The first girl born in your generation was to fulfill it. If no girls were born, the agreement would be void." Despite trusting Curtis'' honesty, Xena was still full of doubt. "But that''s absurd! The engagement specifies Felix''s name and his address in Eden Vige. How could this be possible if Felix wasn''t even born when it was made?" The whole situation felt surreal, challenging everything she knew.


    Curtis chuckled wryly. "I''m just an ordinary man, Xena. Your great-grandpa was a warrior, which is where your natural talentes from. Warriors of that era were capable of extraordinary things beyond our understanding. Don''t ask me to exin-I simply can''t." With the conversation going nowhere, Xena decided to change tactics. "I don''t care! Grandpa, I''ve met Felix. He''s not entirely hopeless, but I can''t stand him. He''s as stubborn as a mule andpletely unsuitable for me.''


    "Besides," she continued, "What about Jaden? He likes me, he''s exceptional, and he saved your life. Wouldn''t our family be seen as ungrateful if we dismissed him?"


    Curtis fell silent, caught in a dilemma. Breaking the engagement would make him a disobedient son, betraying his promise to his father. However, honoring it would mean disregarding Jaden''s life-saving deed. Seeing Curtis'' hesitation, Xena felt a glimmer of hope. She believed there was room for negotiation, and the life debt to Jaden seemed to be tipping the scales in her favor.


    "Grandpa, please... Just let me choose my own path in love. Okay?"


    Curtis wrestled with his thoughts for several minutes. As he steeled himself to speak, he noticed something odd about Xena. Her eyes were open, but she appeared frozen,pletely unresponsive.


    "She''s fine," a calm voice said from behind. "Xena, as Felix''s master, it''s about time we


    met."

 Billionaire With Husband 281

    "Grandpa, did I... did I just space out?" Xena furrowed her brows, feeling like something had been off previously. However, she couldn''t quite put her finger on it. It all felt very strange.


    Curtis took a step forward. "Come on, let''s talk about it when we get back. I''ve already


    made


    up my mind.


    He understood how much his father sacrificed for this marriage arrangement. Felix''s master was such a powerful figure. However, they still needed to consider the realities of the present world. Still, Curtis swore not to disappoint his father. As soon as Felix stepped off the ne in Yartford, someone came up to greet him.


    "Mr. Zeller, I''m with the headquarters of the Traditional Medicine Association. You can call me Howard. If you need anything today or tomorrow, just let me know."


    Felix nodded. "Thanks for your help, Howard."


    Howard Xavier, who was rtively young, was genuinely surprised by Felix''s demeanor. Felix was thest of the nine young, renowned doctors to arrive. The others had already gotten there.


    A member from the Traditional Medicine Association headquarters was assigned to greet each of them. The private group chat of the ushers was full ofints as the doctors were either arrogant or had a bad attitude.


    However, the fact that they were selected from all over the country proved their skills in traditional medicine, so a bit of pride was to be expected.


    It seemed there was only one other person whose attitude was as polite as Felix''s-a


    woman.


    "Mr. Zeller, do you have any dietary restrictions?" Howard asked while walking, sensing that Felix seemed approachable enough for small talk.


    "No, just arrange whatever you see fit. Thepetition is in the afternoon, right?"


    "Yes, and you are free to do as you wish in the evening," Howard replied. There was something he didn''t mention. Out of the nine participants, only one would emerge as the winner.


    The eight who lost could either stay to watch the next day''spetition against the modern medicine practitioners from Guneria or leave. It was up to them. So far, no one could say for sure who would win.


    "Is there someone among us who''s considered the favorite?" Felix asked.


    Howard hesitated for a moment before speaking up. If Felix had been like those arrogant. doctors, he wouldn''t have dared say a word.


    "Well, the one getting the most attention right now is a woman named Zara Morgan. Rumor has it that she''s a disciple of Ss Grayson, but who knows if it''s true."


    Felix knew that name. Ss Grayson was the second-best master healer in Dragonia. Anyone talented enough to be his disciple must have been incredibly gifted, so it made sense that she would be so highly regarded. Just then, Howard''s phone buzzed with a call. Without checking who it was, he hung up. Since he was in the middle of an important task of weing a VIP, he couldn''t afford any mistakes.


    He couldn''t help but feel a bit frustrated. Ever since he started studying traditional medicine, he had even fewer friends, and his phone rarely rang. He hadn''t bothered setting it to silent, which led to his current situation. However, less than ten secondster, his phone buzzed again.


    "Go ahead and take it. I''m just an ordinary person. It might be something important," Felix said.


    Hearing that, Howard finally pulled out his phone. Seeing that it was his mom calling, he hesitated momentarily before answering.


    "I''m busy right now, Mom! What''s going-What? How dare he? That bastard!"


    After hanging up, Howard''s face darkened, and he pressed down on the elerator.


    "Trouble at home?" From the backseat, Felix didn''t need to look at Howard''s expression to figure out the general situation.


    "N-No, it''s nothing, Mr. Zeller. I''ll take you to the headquarters of the Traditional Medicine Association first."

 Billionaire With Husband 282

    hapter 282


    The traffic situation in Yartford being terrible wasmon knowledge. Hence, Felix immediately said, "As long as it doesn''t dy my participation in thepetition, we can head to your ce first. I hope you know that I mean it sincerely." Howard couldn''t help but feel moved by that. Instead of continuing straight, he immediately made a right turn. "Mr. Zeller, thank you, really. My family is in serious trouble, but I promise it won''t dy you.


    "Where''s your home?" Felix asked. After getting an answer, he sent out a quick message on WhatsApp. He certainly didn''t want this situation to cause any dys.


    About half an hourter, they pulled into an older residential area. The neighborhood clearly showed its age, with cars parked everywhere. Only olderplexes from back in the daycked nned parking spaces.


    "Mr. Zeller, please wait here. I''ll head up and deal with this," Howard said before entering the building nearby. Felix got out of the car as well, and less than a minuteter, three people came rushing over.


    "Hello, Mr. Zeller!" They greeted Felix, who nodded back at them.


    "Go upstairs and handle it as quickly as possible," Felix instructed.


    "Yes, sir!


    Once the three went inside the building, Felix''s phone rang. It was Jack calling.


    "Am I not the best? I''m letting you take all the credit while I hide in the shadows."


    Indeed, Felix had messaged Jack earlier. As a mid-level manager at Ster Group, Jack had been in Yartford for a few days, so he must''ve had some useful connections. Handling a minor issue like this was no problem for him. "Thanks for allowing me to show off, Mr. Graham."


    "You''re such a sweet talker! Anyway, I''ve got to catch a flight, so let''s meet again in Avesburgh."


    "Sure."


    Since Felix had already sent the location and information, Jack had arranged for the best men to help him. Hence, less than ten minutester, eight rough-looking individuals appeared before Felix, leaving with their tails between their legs. Shortly after, Howard came out of the building with the three men Jack had sent over, looking puzzled.


    "Mr. Zeller, we''ll take our leave now," they said.


    Fellx waved them off, making Howard pause momentarily before bowing deeply.


    "Mr. Zeller, you''ve helped me so much. I really don''t know how to thank you."


    No wonder such an important figure like Grant Yates came to settle things for him. It turned out Felix had made it happen.


    "It''s a small matter. Can we head out now?"


    "Yes! Mr. Zeller, please get in the car.


    Despite his young age, Felix was already so skilled. He truly was no ordinary person. Even in a major city like Yartford, resolving issues like that was effortless for him. It was impressive, to say the least.


    They arrived at the headquarters of the Traditional Medicine Association. The traditional courtyard-style architecture sprawled over a considerable area. Considering thatnd in Yartford was worth its weight in gold, it must''ve cost a fortune. "Mr. Zeller, pleasee this way. I''ll take you to your room to rest."


    Following Howard, Felix reached his guest quarters and was thoroughly impressed.


    The room was over 300 square feet and even had front and back courtyards. It seemed that while they focused on healing and saving lives, they certainly knew how to enjoy life too.


    "Mr. Zeller, I''ll leave you to rest. If you need anything, just press the call button in your


    and I''ll be here right away." room,


    Howard had barely opened the door when loud grumbling voices drifted in from outside.


    "Damn it! So, this Felix guy finally shows up, huh? I''d like to see just how important he thinks he is. How dare he arrivest and make Zara wait for so long? That''s a crime in itself! "Liam, just stop talking. I didn''t ask you to tag along.


    Felix furrowed his brows. He had barely arrived, and others were already causing trouble.

 Billionaire With Husband 283

    The next moment, Howard was shoved aside as a man and a woman entered the room.


    "So, you''re Felix Zeller?"


    Liam Lawson''s expression was disdainful, and he rudely pointed at Felix with his right hand. He looked like an average guy. There was nothing particrly striking about his


    appearance.


    The woman, on the other hand, looked even worse. Her face was covered in pockmarks, and her mouth had a slight nt. However, her hair looked impressive. Thick and jet- ck, it was tied in a ponytail.


    Seeing that Felix continued sipping his tea and ignored them entirely, Liam became angry and was about to speak when the woman interrupted.


    "My name is Zara Morgan. I''ve already defeated the others who were selected toe here. They all admitted that their medical skills couldn''tpare to mine. Now, you''re the only one left. I don''t want to waste time, so let''s have a match.


    "If you beat me, the right topete against the modern medicine practitioners from Guneria tomorrow will be yours."


    Liam found the moment to eagerly chime in, "Everyone who was nominated to be here has some skills, but none of them acted like you. No one pretended to be so mysterious. Just admit that you''re no match for Zara!"


    Setting down his teacup, Felix stood up, feeling unexpectedly amused.


    "So, you''ve defeated everyone else, including this loudmouth here?"


    Liam paused momentarily, then realized Felix called him the "loudmouth". He seemed to be about to explode angrily, but Zara shot him a warning nce.


    "That''s right. Will you ept my challenge?" she asked.


    Felix smiled.


    "You''ve saved me a lot of time. Why wouldn''t I ept? Just let me know how you would like topete and when you would like to do it."


    That was great news. He had expected someplicated set of rules, but Zara had handled it all herself.


    "Since this is an informalpetition between us and we don''t have patients at the moment, we''ll have to use a few alternative methods," Zara said. She raised her right hand, and with a flick, a silver needle flew out, producing a crisp, ringing sound as it vibrated through the room.


    +26 BONUS


    Liam boasted proudly, "See that? Zara can perform the Melodic Strike at such a young age. Can you do that? If not, then just leave already!


    Felix frowned, finding Liam''s constant ttery extremely irritating. He didn''t bother to waste another word. With a flick of his hand, he also sent out a silver needle, producing the same clear, resonating sound.


    This time, Liam''s expression clranged. He hadn''t expected Felix to be capable of making the needle sing too.


    Still, Zara remained calm, her expression unchanged. She simply said, "Besides me, you''re the third person among us nine who can perform the Melodic Strike. Let''s continue!"


    However, Felix shook his head.


    "Your skills are impressive, but I''m a bit tired. I don''t want to waste any more time." He still hadn''t fully recovered from the aftereffects of treating Curtis, so resting a bit longer would definitely be better for him. Liam, who had initially intended to tone things down after seeing Felix''s Melodic Strike, immediately became annoyed again.


    "Aren''t you being too arrogant? Wasting time? Zara''s abilities are just the tip of the iceberg, yet you are getting cocky already. With a mindset like yours, there''s no way your medical skills are that great."


    He might have acknowledged that he wasn''t a match for Felix, but he was convinced that Zara could definitely beat him.


    On the other hand, Zara looked at Felix with curiosity and smiled. "I''d like to hear what you mean by not wasting your time."


    Felix waved a hand. "Howard,e here for a moment. The energy in your lungs is a little weak, but it''s nothing serious. Since we''re here, I can help you with some treatment if you''d like."


    Howard quickly ran over, eager for the opportunity. How could he refuse? Even as a staff member of the Traditional Medicine Association''s headquarters, it would normally take a lot of connections to see a practitioner of Felix''s caliber. "I''d be honored, Mr. Zeller. Please go ahead."


    Before Felix could start, Liam burst outughing. "Even I can tell that the energy in his lungs iscking, yet you''re using this little problem as a basis to im that you are better than Zara? Come on. Don''t be ridiculous!" Chapter 284.

 Billionaire With Husband 285

    hapter


    284


    "Shut up!" Zara snapped at Liam, her patience finally worn thin.


    Since meeting Felix, she had sensed something exceptional about him-a feeling that he wouldn''t be easily defeated. She had tried to maintain her focus, preparing herself for the toughest challenge. However, Liam''s repeated interruptions had tested her limits. Hence, she was genuinely angry.


    Seeing that his attempts to Ingratiate himself had backfired, Liam quickly zipped his mouth and shook his head, signaling that he would keep quiet.


    At that moment, Felix flicked three silver needles, which flew precisely into Howard''s acupoints. Howard instantly closed his eyes, his expression turning to intense rxation and enjoyment.


    "That''s it?" Even though Liam had vowed to stay silent, he couldn''t help but stifle augh, his expression twisting with amusement.


    However, Zara suddenly strode over to Howard and observed him closely. After a moment, she inhaled sharply and opened her eyes in disbelief.


    "Oh my God! How is this even possible?"


    Felix sat back down, taking a casual sip of his tea. "You''re clearly someone who knows their craft. Otherwise, I would have wasted a lot of time exining."


    Liam, still clueless, walked over to Zara. "Zara, what''s the big deal? Isn''t he just doing a simple needle technique?"


    Zara turned sharply to Felix, her eyes filled with awe, and then sped her hands together in a formal gesture of respect.


    "I concede defeat! I admit my loss wholeheartedly. You are the right person to represent Dragonia''s young generation of traditional medicine practitioners. Victory will be yours!"


    Without waiting for a response, she turned and left the room, leaving Liam bewildered. He had no choice but to chase after her.


    "Zara, what''s going on? You''ve prepared so thoroughly for thispetition against Guneria''s team, and you''re just handing it over like that?"


    Zara let out a bitterugh as she stopped in her tracks.


    "My mentor has always reminded me that there''s always someone better than us. I never thought I''d encounter it firsthand today! Handing it over to Felix? You''re giving me too much credit. Do you know what technique he just used to treat that man?" Liam shook his head. "I have no idea."

 Billionaire With Husband 286

    "I am also withdrawing!" Liam dered.


    After witnessing Felix''s use of the Pierce of Trinity firsthand, Liam had no objections to his skill, so he saw no point in continuing thepetition.


    With Liam and Zara withdrawing, the other eager participants hesitated. After a moment, they each followed suit and withdrew as well. After all, if they couldn''t even defeat Zara, they stood no chance against Felix. It was better to step back than risk embarrassment in such a crowd.


    The turn of events didn''t surprise William. He then turned his attention to the burly man who had initially voiced objections.


    "What do you think?" William asked.


    The man had a displeased expression. "Hmph! I seriously question the intentions behind


    these nominations! How can you expect such a bunch of weaklings to represent our country?


    "It''sughable that theyck even the courage topete, yet they dare to call themselves the best young practitioners in traditional medicine!"


    Liam was irritated by the remark. While they might not be the absolute best, they were certainly recognized figures in the field of traditional medicine-far from amateurs. It was one thing to hear criticism from fellow practitioners, but for an outsider to insult them like this? "And who are you, exactly? How much do you even know about traditional medicine?" Liam asked.


    Narrowing his eyes, the man responded coldly, "I am Timothy Hunter, an admiral under the Warlord of Thunder''smand. Are you implying I have no right to speak?"


    At that, Liam quickly shut his mouth. He wasn''t foolish enough to provoke someone of Timothy''s rank, especially an admiral of the Warlord of Thunder.


    "Contact each rmender and have them call in person. Thispetition must proceed.


    After speaking, Timothy red at Felix with evident displeasure. He suspected that Felix had manipted the situation to gain the spotlight for the event on the next day, seeing it as a ploy for personal gain rather than a matter of national pride. Timothy had the same concept on the battlefield wherever he went-only true skill mattered. He had little respect for those he perceived ascking responsibility or concern for the nation''s honor.


    "Felix Zeller, is it? Who rmended you?"


    Felix frowned, feeling annoyed by Timothy''s hostility. He sensed that this wasn''t just about the importance of the event. Frankly, if Zara had been the one chosen, Timothy probably wouldn''t have said a word. It boiled down to Felix''sck of reputation. "My rmender? It''s Ernest Holt," Felix responded.


    Timothy, who seemed ready to retort, froze at the name. Even with all his bravado, he wouldn''t dare question Ernest Holt''s judgment or use him of poor decision-making.


    After all, Ernest was a revered elder, respected even by the Warlord of Thunder himself. He was someone who would even pay his respects if they met. Timothy certainly couldn''t afford to be disrespectful.


    As Timothy awkwardly found himself at a loss for words, someone whispered into William''s ear, prompting him to say, "Ladies and gentlemen, while your privatepetition didn''t break any rules, it''s not enough to satisfy everyone''s concerns. "Since you agreed to participate initially, you should follow the official process. Isn''t that right, Zara?"


    Zara had clearly been the leader of the group, and if she agreed, the others would follow. After a brief hesitation, she reluctantly said, "Alright, Mr. Ziegler, let''s follow the formal procedure."


    With a small smile, William continued, "Perfect timing, as Dr. Fielding has also arrived. He will serve as the judge for thispetition. Let''s begin the preparations."

 Billionaire With Husband 287

    Everyone was shocked when they learned that the judge for thispetition would be Xander Fielding. He was ranked tenth among the ten best master healers of Dragonia.


    Even though he held thest spot, being one of the top ten was still a prestigious position, especially among those studying traditional medicine. Many considered him a role model. After a while, William returned, looking utterly respectful as he walked beside Xander.


    "Dr. Xander Fielding!"


    Everyone stood up to greet him, including Zara. Regardless of who their masters were or how their skillspared to Xander''s, showing respect to a senior was a given.


    Felix also paid his respects. Even though it wasn''t his first time meeting Xander, he saw no reason to act arrogantly. 1


    Seeing Xander as a potential savior, Timothy wasted no timeining, "You''ve arrived just in time, Dr. Fielding. These youngsters decided on the oue in private without realizing how crucial tomorrow''s event was."


    11


    Although Zara had agreed to follow the process, given her reluctant agreement, there was no guarantee she would fullymit to thepetition. Xander''s presence was now seen as the only way to ensure fairness.


    Xander nodded, then directed his gaze toward the nine nominees. His expression shifted noticeably when his gazended on Felix, and a sense of relief crossed his face.


    Before arriving, he had wondered if Felix would be among the candidates. If he were, then the oue of the event would be secure.


    With a smile, Xander asked, "If I''m not mistaken, the winner you all decided on privately is him, correct?"


    As Xander gestured, everyone was stunned. His guess was spot-on as he was pointing straight at Felix. However, how could Xander have known? Xander''s medical skills were extraordinary, but they didn''t grant him the ability to see the future. "How did you know, Dr. Fielding?" William couldn''t contain his curiosity and spoke up on everyone''s behalf.


    "Well, I''ve met Felix before and have witnessed his medical skills. Since he''s here, there''s no way anyone else would be the winner.


    Such high praise, especiallying from Xander, left many in awe. It wasn''tmon to hear the tenth-ranked master healer speak so highly of someone.


    The only one unhappy was Timothy, who had hoped for support but found Xander praising


    Felix instead. This was infuriating!


    13


    "Since it''s Felix, there''s no need for an internalpetition. I''ll take my leave now. As for tomorrow''s showdown, there''s no need to worry. With Felix on our side, victory is assured.


    With a


    Xander departed, leaving the room inplete silence. If his earlier words had been generous praise for a younger talent, his final remarks were almost over the top. It was as if he no longer considered Felix a junior but saw him as an equal. Otherwise, why would he confidently dere victory? "Well, even Dr. Fielding agrees. What do you think?" William''s words snapped Timothy out of his daze.


    With a cold snort, he turned and left in a huff. What else could he do? He would only embarrass himself if he kept insisting on his stance even when Xander had spoken.


    "Alright! Felix Zeller will represent our nation''s young traditional medicine practitioners in tomorrow''spetition against Guneria. Everyone is dismissed."


    Just as Felix stepped out of the Traditional Medicine Association''s headquarters, he found himself stopped by Zara.


    "Felix, you''ve broken new ground. Among the top ten master healers of Dragonia, each has their own personality, but none of them have ever acknowledged someone of our age group like that. Congrattions!" "Thank you," Felix said, noting that Zara was a decent person-well, that was aside from her less-than-ster looks.


    "Where are you staying? Could we exchange contact information?" she asked.

 Billionaire With Husband 288

    After a moment of hesitation, Felix agreed to exchange contact information with Zara.


    "I live in Avesburgh," he said.


    With his details in hand, Zara smiled sweetly as she watched him enter a taxi.


    "I''ve met an interesting person, sir. It''s the first time since leaving the mountain that I''ve been defeated by someone my age," Zara muttered.


    Felix soon arrived at a bustlingmercial street in Yartford. He couldn''t help but marvel at the sight. There was a small, 20-square-yard pasta shop with a long line of customers. People were eating their pasta while standing or squatting all around. "Indeed, when one door closes, another opens. It''s just a matter of time."


    This pasta shop belonged to Madeline. Despite its tiny size, its prime location in the city meant that the annual rent was a steep one million dors. While a price might be unreasonable in a ce like Avesburgh, it was apparently worth it in Yartford. "Felix, you''re here," Madeline greeted him warmly as she stepped out of the shop.


    "Impressive! With a business like this, you must be earning a few million dors a year. Is it always this busy?"


    "Yes, though weekends are even busier. Do you believe in my vision of opening a chain of shops now?" she replied with a smile.


    Felix chuckled. "I''ve always believed in you. You mentioned you needed to discuss something important, and I happen to have time tonight."


    It turned out that Jack had let something slip, casually mentioning Felix''s whereabouts, which led to Madeline messaging him even before he had arrived at the Traditional Medicine Association.


    Lowering her head, Madeline''s smile faded, and she spoke softly. "To be honest, I feel a bit. embarrassed asking for your help."


    Felix shook his head. "I''m already here, so there''s no need to feel that way. Besides, given our rtionship, you can ask me for anything."


    Seeing his first love settling into a stable life made him genuinely happy.


    "Well, you probably already know that a man starteding to the shop for noodles, and we grew closer. He began pursuing me, and I like him, too. While we haven''t officially defined our rtionship, we''re pretty much in a rtionship. This morning, he suddenly told me that his sister wanted to meet me and invited me to dinner. I couldn''t turn her


    down, so I agreed."


    Hearing this, Felix quickly grasped the situation. "Are you nervous about going alone?"


    She nodded, and from her expression, Felix could tell that traces of her past insecurities still lingered.


    "I''d like you to pretend to be my cousin and apany me. He''s a good guy, and I don''t want to miss out on this chance."


    "Sure, but you need to call me cousin first," Felix joked, making Madelineugh. She yfully hit him with her fist.


    "Ugh, you''re just looking for a chance to take advantage of me, huh?"


    Suddenly, she eyed Felix from head to toe. "The current you is exactly the type of guy women fall for easily. You have no idea how hard it was for me to move on.


    Felix could see the sincerity in her words. He didn''t want to hold on to anyone unnecessarily.


    "As long as you''ve moved on, that''s all that matters. Shall we head out now?"


    Madeline responded with a mysterious smile. "Of course! But in Yartford, you have to experience the subway. Let me show you what it''s like."


    Felix was taken aback. He had never ridden the subway before.


    Just then, Xena called him, and Felix could guess the reason.


    "Felix, my grandfather has woken up. He wants to see you. It''s time we resolved the matter of our engagement."

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    hapter 289


    Although Curtis had woken up a few


    days earlier, Felix hadn''t been overly concerned, knowing that each person''s recovery time depended on their physical condition.


    "I''m in Yartford. I''ll see him when I get back," he replied to Xena.


    In response, she abruptly hung up, showing her impatience.


    Around 7:00 pm, Felix and Madeline arrived at the restaurant.


    "Does your boyfriend''s family have a lot of money?" Felix asked, ncing at the upscale entrance, which suggested a high-end dining experience.


    Furrowing her brows slightly, Madeline replied "No, he just works at apany, eaming a little over ten thousand dors monthly. However, this is his family''s first time meeting me, so it''s understandable they''d want to splurge a little." That made sense to Felix. A young man was already seated inside when they entered the private room.


    "Luke, let me introduce my cousin, Felix Zeller. He happened to be in Yartford for business, so I invited him along. Is that okay?" Madeline asked.


    Luke Sanders, who had friendly-looking features and wore sses, smiled warmly.


    "No problem at all. Hello, Felix."


    "Hello," Felix responded politely.


    As the three of them sat down, Luke mentioned, "Maddy, my sister got caught in traffic, so


    she''ll be a bitte."


    After chatting for about half an hour, a woman entered the room. Her expression was cold, though she had a well-maintained, polished appearance.


    "Maddy, this is my sister, Lilian Sanders. Lilian, this is Madeline Brooks, whom I told you about. And this is her cousin, Felix Zeller," Luke said.


    Madeline extended her hand to greet Lilian, but Lilian merely nced at it disdainfully before sitting beside Luke. Her actions created an awkward atmosphere. "Lilian, what are you doing? That''s really rude!" Luke protested, clearly upset by Lilian''s behavior.


    "What did I do? I''m refusing to shake her hand because she''s dirty," Lilian replied dismissively.


    Initially, Madeline had nned to overlook any unpleasantness, thinking Lilian might just be in a bad mood. However, those words struck a nerve, causing her to snap back.


    "I''m dirty? And what exactly makes you think you can say that? Even people who have lived rough lives show more ss than you."


    Lilian let out a mockingugh.


    "Oh? Then you must be familiar with those kinds of people, right? Well, it makes sense. After all, someone who worked as a hostess in a bar would''ve met all kinds of people." Madeline froze, speechless and unable to respond.


    Felix remained silent, observing the situation. It was clear that Lilian had done her homework and had run a background check on Madeline''s past. Clearly, there was more to their family than what met the eye.


    While most people present knew about Madeline''s past, Luke didn''t. Hence, he was infuriated as he retorted, "You can leave right now, Lilian. If I had known you nned to intimidate Maddy like this, I would never have agreed to this meeting." Lilian pulled a file from her bag and tossed it onto the table.


    "Take a look for yourself, idiot! Madeline used to work as a bar hostess in Avesburgh. Am I wrong to call her dirty? How dare a woman like that dream of marrying into our family?"


    A bar hostess?


    arees


    Luke stared nkly at the documents on the table while Madeline rushed toward the door,, her eyes brimming with tears. However, the next moment, Luke ran after her and grabbed her arm.


    "Maddy, I don''t care about what you''ve done in the past. I love you for who you are, and your past doesn''t matter to me," he said.


    Madeline was stunned. She had never expected such a deration from Luke, and it had caught herpletely off guard.


    "Lilian, I fell in love with Maddy at first sight, and I will marry no one but her. Digging up her past is pointless and won''t change my feelings."

 Billionaire With Husband 290

    Lilian mmed her hand on the table, fury radiating from her.


    "Are you an idiot? A woman like her is fine for a fling, but marrying her? Do you think Mom and Dad would ever agree to that? Absolutely not!"


    After saying that, she turned her gaze to Madeline. It was clear she understood Luke''s character.


    "Listen carefully, Madeline, if you truly love my brother, then stop pestering him! You know what kind of person you are."


    At that moment, Felix finally spoke up. "It''s true that Maddy worked as a hostess in a karaoke bar. That''s undeniable, and I believe she wouldn''t try to argue against it. But everyone deserves a chance, don''t they? "Maddy''s father left her with a heavy debt, and she had to take this job to pay it off as quickly as possible. She has maintained her integrity. She was just a hostess and didn''t do


    ing inappropriate."


    He walked over and patted Luke on the shoulder, continuing, "I''m saying all this because I think your character is worth defending. At least Maddy didn''t make a mistake in choosing you. One day, you''ll be grateful for the decision you''re making right now." Grateful? Lilian scoffed.


    "I''m telling you, they don''t have a future! And let me make this clear, Madeline Brooks. If you don''t leave my brother, I will use my connections to make sure you can''t survive in Yartford."


    Luke was furious as he shouted, "Don''t you dare!"


    With her arms crossed, Lilian remained unmoved.


    "My brother has this ridiculous fantasy of finding a woman who isn''t materialistic or snobbish, so he pretends to be an ordinary office worker in Yartford. Do you think that is really the case?"


    She raised her wrist, clearly showing off her watch. "This Omega watch isn''t cheap. It is a little over a few hundred thousand dors. Our family is not an ordinary family! A person like you isn''t even good enough for an average person, let alone for our family. "I advise you to be wise. Otherwise, you won''t even have the chance to regret itter.


    As Madeline''s expression shifted, Luke quickly exined, "It''s not what you


    think! Maddy, I really didn''t mean to hide my family background. I just wanted to find someone I could genuinely share my life with. If my family really disapproves, I can cut ties with them.


    Cut ties? Madeline hadn''t expected that Luke would be willing to give up his privileged life for her.


    "You''re right. I really don''t deserve you, Luke. Please don''t look for me anymore."


    Madeline struggled free and turned to leave. Lin, who was about to say something, suddenly smiled broadly. This was the oue she wanted. Otherwise, it would have turned into a different scenario entirely if she had taken action. Just then, Felix stopped Madeline.


    "Maddy, do you really like him? That''s all I want to know-just answer me truthfully.


    Madeline looked at Felix. When she turned back, she saw that Luke''s eyes were filled with hope, as if this answer would determine everything.


    "I do. I really like Luke. Although we haven''t been together long, he makes me feel good." Felix''smiled and took Madeline''s hand, cing it with Luke''s.


    "Then keep going. I will support you both!" Felix dered.


    Turning his gaze to Lilian, he spoke firmly, "The Sanders family isn''t as exclusive as think. Madeline would be losing out by joining your family!"

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    Chapter


    291


    Since Felix had promised to support her, Madeline stood up straight. She longed to prove. herself, especially since she had found sess in her work. She wanted to find love and a family full of warmth, too.


    She had known Felix since they were young. He wasn''t one to make empty promises. Since he was standing up for her, he must be confident about himself.


    Lilian, however, sneered in disdain. "She''s losing out? Are you even hearing yourself? There aren''t many in Yartford who would dare to say that about joining our family. Ha! Birds of a feather flock together."


    Felix casually tossed a Diamond Card from Concord Bank onto the table, saying, "We''re about the same age, right? Let''s see how rich you really are."


    With a quick nce, Lilian recognized the card. After all, given her family''s financial standing, there was no way she wouldn''t recognize a Concord Bank Diamond Card. Her expression briefly changed, but then she scoffed.


    "So, you aren''t entirely useless. I guess you must be some sort of big shot in Avesburgh. But do you think the high society of Yartford cares only about money? You can''t buy status and identity with money. Having a Concord Bank Diamond Card doesn''t change a thing."


    If Felix had his Supreme ck Card with him, it would have easily resolved the situation. In fact, he could simply make a phone call to resolve a minor issue like this.


    Just then, Luke said, "Thank you for standing up for Maddy and me. You don''t need to prove anything else. If my family truly won''t ept our rtionship, I''ll take action. Trust me."


    Madeline echoed his sentiment, saying, "That''s right. I believe in Luke, and that''s enough.


    Hearing that, Felix knew he didn''t need to interfere further. If Madeline ran into troubleter, she could call him. Besides, he could still observe Luke''s sincerity over time through this incident.


    "If nothing changes in three days, I''ll fulfill my promise," Felix said.


    Lilian merely sneered, convinced that Felix was all talk. To her, he was just another country boy overly reliant on money. In Yartford, money didn''t make a person omnipotent. It was merely the bare requirement for one to be acknowledged. Leaving the private room, Felix and Madeline walked ahead while Lilian helt Luke back.


    "Come home with me now, and let''s rify everything with Mom and Dad! Don''t you know that there''s no turning back once Dad makes up his mind?" Lilian scolded.


    Luke looked ahead at Madeline''s figure, his gaze resolute.


    "Can you put aside your sense of superiority and try to understand me for once? Please, I''m begging you. Just do this for once-for the first andst time."


    However, Lilian gave no answer, leaving him a bit disappointed. Nheless, his decision remained the same.


    "Is that Walter?" Lilian suddenly asked.


    The sudden question caught Luke''s attention. He was excited to receive a reply so quickly, but he was soon disappointed to find out that it was about something else.


    "I guess so," Luke replied.


    At the hallway corner, a man appeared carrying two bags. At the sight of Felix, he hesitated. His steps faltered as he quickly stepped to the side and bowed deeply as Felix passed by. "Mr. Zeller," the man called out to him.


    Without breaking his stride, Felix only nced at him. Unable to ce his finger on who he was, Felix walked away.


    After Felix left, Walter sighed in relief and continued forward until he stopped in front of the Sanders siblings, who were both looking at him with strange expressions.

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    Chapter


    292


    "Hey, are you two here for dinner too? Are you here for dinner with Mr. Jackson?" Walter asked.


    Lilian hurriedly replied, "No. Is Sean having dinner here?"


    "Yeah, he''s having a meal with a few heavy drinkers. I was just on my way to grab more wine from the car. Anyway, I gotta run."


    Just then, Luke stopped him and asked, "Walter, do you... do you know that guy?"


    They had seen it clearly. Walter had stepped aside and respectfully bowed to Felix. It felt so surreal to them.


    Walter turned back to them, his brow furrowing. "Not exactly. Why are you asking? Do you know him?"


    If Walter didn''t exactly know him, why was he acting so respectful to him?


    Luke''s mind raced as he asked again, "Isn''t he Felix Zeller?"


    Instantly, Walter''s expression turned serious. "That''s right! Did you offend him? Be honest; this could be serious."


    Lilian trembled slightly. She opened her mouth but seemed lost for words. Luke, however,ughed.


    "Come on, Walter, rx. He''s my girlfriend''s cousin. There''s no way I''d offend him.


    Walter''s eyes lit up as he grabbed Luke''s arm in excitement. "Are you sure? You''d better not lie about something like this."


    "Yeah, I''m not lying."


    Walter didn''t waste another second. He hurriedly led Luke away, with Lilian close behind.


    "Wait here. Mr. Jackson will be out shortly."


    Walter returned in less than a minute, apanied by a young man.


    "Sean," the Sanders siblings said, greeting their cousin with utmost respect.


    "Luke, you''re saying Felix is your girlfriend''s cousin?" Sean asked.


    Luke swallowed, surprised that he had managed to pull Sean into this situation. What exactly was going on? Things weren''t quite unfolding as he had expected.


    The entire family''s fortune was due to Sean''s family, and Sean was the eldest and most likely future leader of his family. Even Luke and Lilian''s father showed him respect. Chapter 292


    "Yes, Sean. My girlfriend''s cousin happened to be in Yartford, so we had dinner together." Hearing that, Seanughed and pped Luke on the shoulder, clearly thrilled. ""Wonderful!"


    He looked at Luke with approval.


    "You''re on a lucky streak! Get close to her and get married soon! If everything goes well, my family might be looking to you for help someday.


    "Come see me at thepany tomorrow. I''ll have a contract ready. Marry Felix''s cousin and your fortune will surpass your father''s," Sean said.


    With that, Sean went back inside, his mood evidently much brighter. Thest time he had inadvertently offended George, he hadn''t been able to rest easy until he found a way to make amends. Now that he had finally found a way, his relief was palpable. As Walter turned to leave, Lilian, finally realizing the gravity of the situation, grabbed his arm. She was almost on the verge of tears.


    "Walter, please, tell me. What''s the rtionship between Sean and Felix?"


    What rtionship did they share? Walter let out a wry smile.


    "Well, it would be great if they had a rtionship! Let''s just say even George calls Felix Mr. Zeller.'' That should tell you all you need to know."

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    Outside the restaurant, Felix and Madeline stopped in their tracks.


    "Felix, thank you. Perhaps I''ve said that too many times, to the point it''s lost its meaning," Madeline said.


    Felix smiled. "You don''t need to thank me. Just make sure you don''t look down on yourself.


    Madeline brushed her bangs back, looking calm and collected. "Don''t worry. I won''t do that again. However, I didn''t expect Luke to stand up for me like that today." Felix nodded. "He''s a good guy. It''s hard for him to hold onto such values, especially given his wealthy background."


    At that moment, Luke and Lilian hurried over.


    "Maddy, my... my sister wants to apologize to you," Luke said.


    Madeline raised an eyebrow. She looked at Lilian, who couldn''t even meet her acted so differently from her earlier haughty demeanor.


    gaze.


    She


    "Do I deserve your sister''s apology? Since she has already spoken her mind, there''s no point in her putting on an act."


    Felix, however, seemed to understand the change. It was likely because of that earlier encounter with Walter.


    "I''ll be going, Maddy. Call if you need anything," Felix said.


    As Felix hailed a taxi, Lilian nudged Luke, who hesitantly added, "Mr. Zeller, my parents are hosting a dinner for Maddy tomorrow night. Could you join us?" Dinner at their home? Madeline was stunned. Lilian''s sudden apology,bined with this invitation, was no coincidence. Clearly, Felix''s influence was at y.


    Felix didn''t ept the invitation, saying, "I''m heading back to Avesburgh tomorrow. Take


    care.


    After Felix got in the taxi, Lilian finally said, "Maddy, I apologize. My attitude earlier was terrible. I''ve been having my own rtionship troubles and wasn''t in a great ce." Madeline nodded. "I understand. However, I''m busy tomorrow night, so I won''t be joinin With that, Madeline left. With Felix supporting her, she saw no need to humble herself further.


    Sure enough, Lilian grew frantic as she gripped Luke''s arm with a pleading look in her


    eyes. Her parents already knew about everything.


    "Help me! Or Mom and Dad will be furious with me. If Sean hears about this, I''m done for. I really know I was wrong."


    Who would have thought that a woman with a past working as a hostess at a bar would have such a powerful patron supporting her? And that person evenmanded the respect of George, one of Yartford''s most infamous figures.


    Only a handful of people could keep him in line making Felix''s position obvious.


    1


    "Alright, I''ll do my best. I just hope you''ll consider changing your perspective after this," Luke said.


    At the headquarters of the Traditional Medicine Association, Felix was up early. He wasn''t nervous. He simply wanted to show the proper respect for the asion.


    "Go get ''em, Felix!" Zara said.


    In his apartment, Zara set the breakfast she had brought on the table.


    Felix felt a little frustrated. "I could''ve eaten at the dining hall. You didn''t need to bring me breakfast."


    Zaraughed. "No way! Today''s important, and you need to be in peak condition. Let me take care of you. This concerns the pride of our nation, after all. You probably don''t know, but the representative from Guneria is another young guy who''s totally arrogant. He''s acting like he''s already won."


    As Felix sat down, he replied confidently, "Don''t worry. I''ll make sure he leaves our country crying."

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    "Do you need me to feed you?" Zara asked,


    Felix looked at Zara, puzzled. For some reason, she seemed like a different person. She was suddenly acting warm and even showing a bit of a softer side.


    "Don''t act like that. You''re making me nervous," Felix said.


    Felix devoured his breakfast, wanting to get through the meal quickly. Meanwhile, Zara sat across from him, resting her chin on her hands


    "Is it because you think I''m ugly?" she asked.


    "No, not at all. I''ve been around many beautiful women, so I don''t care if a person is beautiful or not. We are all given a life. Beauty has advantages, sure, but being less attractive doesn''t mean you can''t live a full life." Zara''s eyes brightened. "Impressive. That''s the most sincere answer I''ve heard from a


    man."


    By 10:00 am, people began arriving at the Traditional Medicine Association headquarters. This event was not open to the public, so the attendees were limited to those who witnessed the rmendation of nine candidates the previous day. In addition to that, the two young prominent figures Liam mentioned were present too.


    The young representatives from Guneria were all apanied by senior figures in the medical field. Therefore, the Dragonian side didn''t feel the need to diminish their standing either.


    At this moment, N and Yvonne entered the venue. Despite her face being covered with a veil, all eyes were drawn to N. Everyone present knew the status shemanded.


    "Miss," Yvonne said, "I''m curious. Why did you suddenly take an interest in this event and cancel two important meetings to be here?"


    Sitting down, N calmly replied, "As a child, I dreamed of bing a doctor. It''s normal for me to be interested in this field. Besides, witnessing the talents of our young people promoting our nation''s prestige in person-is that an opportunity we get often?" Yvonne nodded. She noticed that the guests had nearly all arrived, so she refrained from saying more.


    After a few minutes, she leaned over again.


    "Miss, I''ve just received word that he''s noting.


    N nodded. "Never mind him."


    At that moment, Liam approached bravely but was intercepted by Yvonne. "Uh, Lady N, may I have your autograph? I''m a big fan."


    Without even ncing at him, N responded, "If you''re the one chosen for the uing trial, I can give you a thousand autographs. Otherwise, please leave."


    Liam smiled wryly as he turned away. Even though he could sense her coldness, he wasn''t the least bit upset. After all, she was Lady N,


    Just as Liam left, Timothy settled into the seat beside her, looking rxed. "You''re here carlier than usual, Lady N. Hope you don''t mind being seated next to me? "You''re kidding, Tim. Since you''re back in Yartford, I should be the one taking you to dinner." It was clear they were well acquainted and shared a friendly rtionship.


    "What are you talking about? I''m on a tight schedule. I''ll be heading back right after this to


    report in. The leader has warned us all to be cautious. Since the elder of the I n is


    resurfacing, we''re to keep things under control"


    Oh? N''s brow furrowed. That dude from Inferno n was on the move again? It had been at least five years. Who was it that was so hard to kill that such a highly skilled person was required? "Mr. Hunter, who''s representing us in today''spetition?" Yvonne asked on behalf of N after sensing her curiosity.


    A brief look of frustration crossed Timothy''s face as he raised a hand, pointing. "It''s that young guy who just walked in."

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    Following Timothy''s pointed direction, Yvonne was stunned. If not for her training, she might have blurted out her true thoughts..


    Felix Zeller? It was actually Felix!


    N couldn''t help but nce over as well, and a flicker of surprise crossed her gaze. This trial was kept highly confidential. Otherwise, they wouldn''t have needed Timothy to ensure order and security. Not even N knew who the representative would be. Learning it was Felix was shocking as he was the fianc¨¦ she had dismissed. Not only was he a doctor, but his skills had also reached such a high level.


    "Tim, you don''t seem thrilled about this choice," N stated. She had known Timothy for years, so she easily understood his tone.


    "Of course I''m thrilled. Why wouldn''t I be?"


    Since Felix had already been selected, Timothy knew he shouldn''t make discouraging remarks. They were all representing Dragonia, and unity was paramount.


    "Take a seat for now. The team from Guneria just arrived, and one of them is a general, so I should go greet them," Timothy said.


    As soon as Timothy left, N leaned slightly toward Yvonne.


    "Did you know that Felix has medical skills?"


    Yvonne, visibly anxious, collected herself before replying, "No, I didn''t. The only time I can recall is... the night I... we... well, when he noticed something in the wine. He sensed it immediately and even offered to treat me, but we got distracted. Please forgive me, miss." N sounded expectant as she said, "Interesting. So, the man I put aside now surprises. me in this way. If he truly wins this trial, perhaps I can see him in a new light."


    Despite his status as the best traditional medicine practitioner, that was as far N''spliment for him went. What would Felix think if he heard that?


    Meanwhile, Felix had noticed Yvonne and immediately furrowed his brows as his mind raced to decipher the situation. It seemed likely that Yvonne''s visit to Avesburgh was arranged by N, though he couldn''t be certain.


    But why would she do that? Why would someone of her stature care about someone as unknown as him? Surely there was more to it.


    Felix''s thoughts were interrupted by Zara.


    She asked, "What''s wrong, Felix? Are you fascinated by Lady N? You''ve been staring."


    Coming back to the moment, Felix replied, "I''m just curious. I overheard Liam say she''s the goddess of his dreams.


    Zara chuckled. "Lady N is mysterious, all right. No one has ever seen her face besides her family. But her eyes alone are enough to mesmerize a person. But who knows? Maybe she''s as ugly as I am under that veil." Changing the subject, Felix asked, "I heard that the Guneria team brought all sorts of equipment for the result verification?"


    "Yes, but don''t worry. We''ve got top modern medical experts on our side too, so they can''t manipte the oue. Just focus on doing your best."


    Finally, the Guneria team arrived. There were nearly 30 people in all. Their representative was a young man with striking blond hair and an arrogance that might as well have been engraved on his face.


    "I''m Elliott Phillips, here representing Guneria''s Institute of Advanced Medical Research. I''ve always loathed Dragonia''s ancient traditional medicine. You''d better not let me down, "he said arrogantly.

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    Elliott, dressed in a whiteb coat, was clearly one of the lowest-ranking members at the research institute despite his arrogance. He was a mere front for the team''s efforts in developing the so-called "miracle drug".


    Guneria had deliberately chosen someone of such low standing as their representative, making their contempt for thispetition evident.


    "I''m Felix Zeller, representing Dragonia''s traditional medicine scene," Felix announced, expressionless. The best way to deal with a provocateur was through actions, not speech.


    With a dismissive wave, Elliott gestured to a foreign man to approach.


    "This is the patient we brought, as per the agreement. He has early-stage lung cancer. You''re free to verify his condition."


    Simrly, William had a middle-aged man stand beside Felix. He was a 53-year-old male also with early-stage lung cancer, ensuring equal conditions for a fairparison.


    Felix began examining the patient. Though he had already assessed the condition at a nce, under so many watchful eyes, he still went through the procedure carefully, even if just for show. After taking the pulse, Felix gave William a slight nod. "No issues."


    Meanwhile, the modern medicine practitioners were busy drawing blood and hooking the patient up to various machines, leaving everyone else to wait. Elliott, never one to idle, used the opportunity to taunt Felix.


    "You''re Felix, right? Let me be clear. The anti-cancer drug developed by Guneria''s Institute of Advanced Medical Research will treat early-stage lung cancer in just ten minutes after injection."


    Ten minutes? The expressions of everyone present shifted. Cancer, even in its early stages, was notorious for being difficult to treat, and doing so in ten minutes seemed unbelievable. Felix allowed a slight smile to appear on his face.


    "Is that so? Well, congrattions then! I hope it''ll be perfected soon and used to benefit humanity atrge."


    Benefit humanity? Elliott sneered. That wasn''t happening. This trial alone was a massive expense, and the treatment wasn''t here to serve the world-it was here to bring Dragonia down a peg. Elliott said, "Perhaps you didn''t understand me. If you don''t think you can cure your patient within ten minutes, just concede now. That way, we''ll save this precious vial of medication."


    His arrogance was unbearable. Timothy clenched his fists, muttering under his breath," Damn it! I just want to rip this Elliott guy into pieces."


    N''s eyes sparkled. If Guneria''s ims were true and they could cure early-stage lung cancer in ten minutes, then Felix might indeed struggle. The difficulty was undeniably high.


    Beside her, Yvonne''s heart raced. If Felix lost, Guneria would surely broadcast the failure, and he would bear the responsibility of tarnishing Dragonia''s traditional medicine scene. William and the doctors of Dragonia shared equally dark expressions, understanding well how outrageous a ten-minute cancer cure was. Felix''s odds of sess had seemingly dropped to zero.


    Throughout the exchange, William appeared deep in thought, troubled by the ease and confidence on the faces of Guneria''s team.


    Atst, he whispered, "Initiate n B."

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    In most cases, nobody would reveal all their cards before a criticalpetition, especially with stakes this high. However, Elliott had done just that because he was overconfident. It showed his contempt for traditional medicine, and it was a tactic clearly nned in advance.


    Realistically, even in a hospital setting, the process of drawing blood and analyzing it would take longer than ten minutes; let alone curing a stubborn illness like cancer that imed countless lives each year.


    "We''ll see," Felix responded, maintaining hisposure. The Dragonian way was to act with overwhelming force only when necessary, leaving no room for the opponent to recover. Talking thore would be pointless.


    A few minutester, Elliott announced, "We''ve confirmed everything on our end. If you''re ready, we can begin anytime."


    Just as Felix was about to speak, William abruptly stood up, saying, "Apologies, but Felix was a temporary recement. The real representative has now arrived."


    What? Felix frowned. He hadn''t been informed of any such arrangement. Looking at Zara and the others, he saw that they, too, wore expressions of confusion.


    Yvonne, on the other hand, let out a sigh of relief. She had wanted to see Felix show up Guneria''s arrogance, but at the same time, she feared that a victory would rekindle N''s interest in him.


    "Tim, what''s going on?" N''s voice echoed in Timothy''s ear, though her lips hadn''t moved.


    He turned to her, impressed. "Impressive. You''ve even mastered telepathy. Your skills have truly advanced."


    Telepathy was a skill reserved for those beyond the Martial King level in the realm of Martial Emperor. N achieving this at such a young age was remarkable.


    "Can''t you say more?" she asked, puzzled. The honor of the nation was at stake. It was not a trivial matter, and William, the president of Dragonia''s Traditional Medical Association, wouldn''t dare make such a decision on his own without prior approval. "Just part of our prearranged n B," he said. "In this scenario, we cannot afford to lose. Did you really think what you saw was all there was?"


    Why hadn''t the stronger young representative been present from the beginning? That was the obvious question everyone had in mind. Was it because Elliott revealed their drug''s ten-minute treatment im? Timothy smiled. "Of course. Even I, a non-specialist, know Felix''s odds of winning aren''t


    high in a timeframe of ten minutes. If it were one of our top ten doctors, that would be different, but not for a younger contender.


    "If Elliott hadn''t bragged early, we''d have let Felixpete. However, with n B in ce, our chosen representative is guaranteed victory. There are sensitive reasons why I can''t say more, so just watch."


    At this moment, Elliott''s mocking voice resounded in the hall. "Well, I didn''t expect Dragonia to use tricks like this."


    William quickly replied, "You misunderstand. There are legitimate reasons, and since thepetition hasn''t begun, there''s no issue with switching participants, is there?"


    Felix remained silent, though he, too, wanted answers. Speaking up now would only add to theplication. Recognizing this, Zara and the others, despite their bewildered expressions, also refrained frommenting Elliott scoffed. "You''re right. Since thepetition hasn''t started, by all means, go ahead and change your representative."

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    Elliott looked utterly confident, convinced that as long as Dragonia didn''t resort to breaking the rules by bringing in their seasoned traditional medicine masters, they had no chance of winning in the ten-minute timeframe. Just then, a young man stepped into the courtyard, exuding an air of pride and poise. Like Felix, he appeared to be around the same age.


    "Is that him? Or are you nning to switch again?" Elliott asked with disdain, throwing in a bit of mockery.


    This time, William remained silent, letting the young man speak up once he had arrived. "Do you think a miere miracle drug can challenge our thousands-of-years-old traditional medicine? Ridiculous!" the young man said. Oh? Elliott smirked, noticing that this new guy had quite an attitude. "Alright then, let the contest begin."


    But under everyone''s watchful gaze, behind his back.


    the young man stood there with his hands sped


    "A contest? Are you even qualified? I am the direct disciple of Gerald Hoffman, and you. think you''re worthy of my efforts?"


    The room fell silent as everyone gasped, and the realization set in like a shockwave. Forget the people of Guneria. Even those on the Dragonian side were taken aback before erupting in excitement.


    This was Gerald''s disciple! If he was here, there was no need to even question the oue. The Dragonians'' victory was guaranteed.


    Even N''s eyes flickered with interest. Gerald''s name carried tremendous weight, and while it was known he had a disciple, no one had ever identified who it was.


    To see them appear now was beyond expectation. Given that the honor of their country was on the line, it made sense that Gerald would send his disciple to represent Dragonia.


    Only Felix had a strange expression. After all, his mentor had ten disciples, nine of whom were women. Felix was the only male disciple. So who was that guy?


    "Tim, I think I''ve figured it out. You don''t have to exin it anymore," N said, her eyes returning to a calm gaze. If the young man were truly Gerald''s disciple and had been stationed there all along, he could have simply reced Felix from the start, making a n B" unnecessary.


    Timothy didn''tment, as his only concern was that the winner needed to be from Dragonia. Nothing else mattered.


    "Look at the people of Guneria. They seem familiar with Gerald''s name," Yvonne whispered to N, whoced her fingers together. Of course, they had heard of him. Otherwise, why would they go to such lengths to set up this confrontation?


    After a moment of tense silence, Elliott gritted his teeth and jeered, "So what if you''re Gerald''s disciple? You think we''d surrender just like that?"


    With that, the young man moved, stepping closer to Elliott and handing him a piece of


    paper.


    "My mentor said that medicine exists to heal, not to serve as a pawn for someone''s glory. I won''t waste my skills on this match. Take a look at this letter, and then get out."


    Elliott reached out to take the note, but a senior member of his team, likely someone with significant authority, stepped in and took the paper instead. After reading it, his expression darkened, and he shook his head at Elliott. Despite his resentment, Elliott could only sigh in resignation. "Alright. Since he''s Gerald''s disciple, we concede."


    Seated beside Zara again, Felix focused intently on the crumpled note, genuinely curious. What could have been written on that note to make Guneria surrender instantly? And, more importantly, was it really written by Gerald? Chapter 299

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    No one could have expected that the highly anticipated medical showdown between Dragonia and Guneria would end so dramatically. After all, both sides had taken it so seriously. However, Guneria had conceded defeat willingly.


    "The legend of Gerald Hoffman truly stands unchallenged. No one can defeat him now, and he''ll still remain unrivaled," Zara murmured.


    That prompted Felix to ask curiously, "What do you mean?"


    "Back in the day, when Gerald practiced medicine to save lives, though he spent most of his time in Dragonia, he also traveled the world. It''s said that many top figures across the world, from politics to business, were saved by Gerald. Just imagine his influence overseas. "Whatever was on that note, it must have been something dramatic enough to make Guneria''s team give up without a fight," Zara exined.


    Felix''s eyes sparkled with newfound curiosity. He hadn''t realized Gerald had ventured worldwide. He had always thought he had remained only in Dragonia.


    "Are you heading back to Avesburgh now?" Zara asked as Felix rose to leave.


    "Yes."


    Zara hesitated for a moment before saying, "Even though I understand your frustration, some things are out of our control."


    Felix just smiled, leaving without a word.


    In a room at the Traditional Medicine Association headquarters, Timothy, William, and the young man iming to be Gerald''s disciple were gathered.


    "Mr. Ziegler, do you see now? I told you this approach would work. No need for a n B. The effort, time, and cost we invested to find out who Gerald treated in Guneria turned out to be very useful."


    The note contained information known only to Gerald, and since he wasn''t one to boast, finding out through other means had proven incredibly difficult.


    William smiled ruefully. "I understand, but as healers, shouldn''t we let our skills speak for themselves? That would''ve been the best way to defeat them."


    Timothy sipped his tea, a faint look of disdain crossing his face.


    "They can treat early-stage cancer in ten minutes. Do you think Felix could''ve done the same? It''s clear he couldn''t. Otherwise, you wouldn''t have put n B into action."


    At that moment, the door swung open, and Felix entered, ignoring the two guards who had. tried to stop him. William gestured for them to step back.


    "Felix! I know you want an exnation, but there isn''t one. Results are what matter most. Or do you think your skills surpass those of Gerald''s disciple?" Timothy asked, his tone. sharp.


    Felix replied firmly, "You have your principles, and as a practitioner of traditional medicine, I have my own values. While I can''t condone your behavior, I''m in no position to say you''re wrong." Turning to the young man, he asked, "Are you really Gerald''s disciple?"


    The young man opened his mouth, ready to confirm it, but something in Felix''s gaze unnerved hint. It left him stammering and unsure of what to say.


    "If he isn''t, then are you Gerald''s disciple?" Timothy asked pointedly.


    Without another word, Felix left. He hade only to voice his opinion, hoping that in future situations, such deception would be avoided.


    In the expansive parking lot at the Traditional Medicine Association headquarters, the Guneria delegation was busy loading their equipment onto arge truck. Elliott''s expression was still filled with resentment. "What exactly did that note say? Are we really giving up on the pride and honor of our nation so easily?" he asked.

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    Elliott''s mentor sighed helplessly. "I can only tell you that this concerns a major figure whom Gerald once saved. To be blunt, if we refused to concede and insisted on a


    If


    showdown with Gerald''s disciple, it would anger him greatly.


    "And if that happens, our research funding would likely be shed by at least half. Is that really what you want?"


    Stunned, Elliott fell silent. Losing half of their funding would be catastrophic and was practically a death sentence for theirb-a burden no one could bear.


    "Is Gerald really that extraordinary? I just can''t believe traditional medicine could be that powerful," Elliott,muttered.


    Patting him on the shoulder, the mentor said, "To be honest, I, along with most others, opposed this so-calledpetition. We''ve seen firsthand the incredible strength of Dragonia''s traditional medicine. It''s truly like battling death itself. However, some people just refuse to believe it.


    "Well, don''t dwell on it. The people of Dragonia prefer to keep a low profile and don''t care forpetition. Even if they win, they won''t make a big show of it. So, you might as well act like this whole thing never happened."


    On the other hand, if Guneria had won, they would have surely flooded the media with news. However, having lost, they would remain silent.


    "Hold on!" came a voice as they were about to board their vehicle for the airport. Felix suddenly appeared.


    "Felix? Are you here to mock us?" Elliott scoffed.


    Felix shook his head.


    "Not at all. You even brought people who speak fluent Dragonian for thispetition, so it''s clear you prepared well. I wanted to ask if the early-stage lung cancer patient you brought is still here?" "Yes. Why?" Elliott replied, puzzled.


    With thepetition over, they certainly weren''t going to use their expensive specialty medication on that patient. That was why Felix was looking for them.


    "Could you bring him over? I''d like to show you something in person," he asked.


    Elliott was about to refuse, but his mentor waved a hand, signaling for him to allow it. The mentor looked thoughtfully at Felix.


    "You remind me of another traditional healer Lonce met-focused and unwavering.


    The mentor, who had read the note himself, clearly had the wisdom and experience to recognize Felix''s abilities.


    "Thank you." Felix nodded. "I just want to demonstrate a simple truth to you. That''s all."


    At that moment, the patient was brought over.


    Without warning, Felix flicked three silver needles into his hand and began. In one swift motion, he executed the Pierce of Trinity technique before cing another five needles at an incredible speed. Before anyone could react the patient already had eight silver needles ced along specific points.


    "What are you doing?" Elliott shouted, furious. He reached out to remove the needles, but his mentor stopped him.


    "Felix, is this what you wanted to show us? Are you trying to tell us that we were bound to lose this match from the start? Even without Gerald''s disciple, the oue would''ve been the same?" "Exactly," Felix replied calmly.


    Elliott sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm "How convenient! With no one paying attention, you get to boast about winning if you seed, and if you fail, you can simply deny it. Quite the clever scheme! They were right to pull someone as devious as you from the stage."


    Felix turned, raising his hand, and all eight needles retracted back to him in one smooth motion. "In Dragonia, we wee guests, but we show no mercy to adversaries. I don''t ever want to hear a single word ndering traditional medicine again, or you''ll regret it." Angered, Elliott was about to chase after him when he noticed something strange. The patient was jumping around, full of energy.


    "I... I''m cured? My God! I''m actually cured!" the patient shouted.

 Billionaire With Husband 301

    ok a minute! Are you seriously Elliott shouted.


    Just as Elliott said that, his mentor loaded the pat immediately!" he directed.


    When the examination was done, Elliott stood in reports. He was feeling an overwhelming wave of


    The patient they brought from the Guneria, whopletely cured,


    "Elliott, do you believe in the wonders of traditio Elliott gave his mentor aplicated look.


    "But... How is this even possible? A person with What''s the point of spending years and huge am developing?"


    The mentor chuckled. "Every field needs pionee old history. Keep working hard, and we can creat


    For the rest of his life, Elliott knew he wouldn''t f shattered by that man.


    At the headquarters of the Traditional Medicine strange ache in her heart when she saw Felix lyi "You''ll be okay," she whispered softly.


    N had predicted that Felix wouldn''t let the m she had sent Yvonne to find him. But she hadn''


    After what felt like an eternity, Felix woke up.


    "Felix, how do you feel? I was going to take you steady, and there didn''t seem to be any externa by morning, I definitely would''ve taken action, Seeing that it was Yvonne, Felix managed a fair


    "I''m fine. You made the right choice by not tak His condition was, of course, rted to the trea circumstances, he could only spend five minut Chapter 301


    "Bullshit! It only took a minute! Are you seriously done? Say one more word, I dare you!" Elliott shouted.


    Just as Elliott said that, his mentor loaded the patient onto the truck. "Start examining him immediately!" he directed.


    When the examination was done, Elliott stood in ce, stunned, as he stared at the test reports. He was feeling an overwhelming wave of emotion.


    The patient they brought from the Gune, who was in the early stages of lung cancer, waspletely cured.


    "Elliott, do you believe in the wonders of traditional medicine now?" his mentor asked.


    Elliott gave his mentor aplicated look.


    "But... How is this even possible? A person with early-stage cancer was healed in a minute! What''s the point of spending years and huge amounts of money on the drugs we''ve been developing?"


    The mentor chuckled. "Every field needs pioneers, doesn''t it? Dragonia has a 5,000-year-old history. Keep working hard, and we can create miracles of our own, too."


    For the rest of his life, Elliott knew he wouldn''t forget Felix. His entire worldview had been shattered by that man.


    At the headquarters of the Traditional Medicine Association, Yvonne appeared. She felt a strange ache in her heart when she saw Felix lying unconscious on the floor. "You''ll be okay," she whispered softly.


    N had predicted that Felix wouldn''t let the matter with the Gunerian delegation go, so she had sent Yvonne to find him. But she hadn''t expected to find him in such a condition. After what felt like an eternity, Felix woke up.


    "Felix, how do you feel? I was going to take you to the hospital, but your breathing was steady, and there didn''t seem to be any external injuries. Though, if you hadn''t woken up by morning, I definitely would''ve taken action," Yvonne said. Seeing that it was Yvonne, Felix managed a faint smile.


    "I''m fine. You made the right choice by not taking me to the hospital."


    His condition was, of course, rted to the treatment he had performed. Under normal circumstances, he could only spend five minutes healing the patient without harming his


    own body.


    However, he was responsible for upholding the honor of traditional medicine and the nation''s dignity. He had to demonstrate his skill to leave asting impression on those from Guneria so they wouldn''t dare challenge him again. However, this caused his energy to be chaotic. It affected his nerves and he became unconscious.


    "I''m just d you''re okay," Yvonne said.


    She let out a breath of relief. Thinking back to the scene six hours ago, she realized that Felix had filled her heart entirely. There would be no room for another man in her life.


    "How did you find me?" Felix asked.


    Yvonne replied, "My mistress knew you would go to the parking lot to confront the Gunerian delegation, so she sent me to look for you. She also told me to deliver her message in person. No phone calls allowed." Her mistress? It was N, then.


    Felix was puzzled. "Lady N wants to see me?"


    After biting her lip, Yvonne nodded. "Yes. Miss would like to meet you. She has some free time tomorrow at noon."


    Felix chuckled and shook his head. "The legendary Lady N wants to meet me? I''m truly ttered! I suppose she also sent you to Avesburgh for this reason, right?"


    When Yvonne nodded in confirmation, Felix gave his answer. "Tell her that it won''t be necessary. I''m just a nobody, a mere novice with some medical skills. There''s no need to trouble her with someone like me." What? Felix refused?


    Even


    Yvonne was stunned. N''s invitation had never been declined before, let alone by a man. While a part of her felt oddly pleased, she mostly felt admiration. Felix clearly understood who N was, yet he turned her down. "Aren''t you curious? Don''t you want to know why she sent me to Avesburgh to approach you?" Yvonne asked.

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    Lying t on the bed, Felix responded, "Does it really matter?"


    Yvonne was at a loss for words, unsure how to answer. Without specific instructions from N, she didn''t dare speak further.


    "Rest well. I will take my leave," she said softly


    As she reached the door, Felix''s voice followed, "Soon, I''ll have my answer. When the timees, I want to hear what you truly feel in your heart."


    Yvonne gripped the door handle tightly and left him with a final parting remark before closing the door. "I hope you find happiness in your life. As for my answer-you''ll never get it.


    Without dwelling on it, Felix picked up his phone and saw a missed call from an unknown number. He immediately dialed back, only to discover it was a disconnected line.


    Just a few secondster, another call from a different number came in. He picked up, and he heard Gerald''s voice.


    "You little brat. You''re not even picking up your mentor''s calls now?" Gerald chided. Felix sighed, exasperated. Older people always had different phone numbers. He was already doing well by constantly answering those calls.


    He exined, "Mr. Hoffman, there was a bit of an incident during the challenge with the Gunerians."


    After listening, Gerald''s tone turned cold. "They tried to y tricks, didn''t they? And they had the nerve to mess with me? Don''t worry about it. I''ll make sure certain people learn their lesson. That bastard, the Warlord of Thunder, is getting ahead of himself." There weren''t many people in the world who dared to call the Warlord of Thunder a


    bastard.


    Felix began, "Alright. Since that''s taken care of


    Before Felix could finish his sentence, Gerald hung up abruptly, leaving him so frustrated he nearly smashed his phone.


    Meanwhile, Yvonne returned to the mansion in Yartford. The estate had a white tower for female guardians to practice their techniques.


    Although it waste at night, the tower''s lights were still on. After hesitating for a long time, Yvonne finally decided to enter.


    #


    "Has Felix caught your fancy? You''re onlying back now," teased N, who sat cross-legged with her eyes closed.


    Though her tone exhibited a hint of yfulness, she remained calm andposed.


    Startled, Yvonne quickly exined, "Miss, it''s not what you think. When I found Felix, he had copsed and was unconscious. I didn''t dare bring him directly here, so I took him to a nearby hotel. I only left after confirming he was awake." N slowly opened her eyes and looked at Yvonne. "Is that so? Then instruct the staff to prepare for the lunch tomorrow."


    Although Felix hadn''t made a direct move, the fact that he stood out from the nine young medical talents was impressive enough. That was the reason N wanted to meet him. Although there was no grand banquet, it was certainly not casual either. "Wait, did he decline?" she asked, noticing Yvonne''s prolonged silence.


    "Yes, miss. He refused. He said he''d return to Avesburgh at dawn."


    "Let him be, then," N directed.


    At that moment, someone entered the room without a word. Yet, it seemed N already knew who it was.


    "Let him in. The rest of you, leave."


    As Yvonne exited the room, she noticed a figure approaching. The person was wearing a ck cloak with their head concealed beneath a hood.


    Yvonne wondered who it was. N had never dismissed her for another guest before.


    The identity of anyone N met privately was always a closely guarded secret, but this was the first time Yvonne had witnessed such a strange interaction.


    As the door closed behind the mysterious guest, the hooded figure removed his hood and immediately began speaking.


    "Lady N, have you thought over what I proposed? This time, those people abroad have agreed to everything."


    If Felix were present, he would have been utterly baffled. The man addressing N was none other than Yale Jones, the former vice leader of Dragon Alliance, the very person who had stolen his Dragon Ring.

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    N gazed at Yale with an unreadable expression. She reminded, "Remember what I said. before? There''s a one-month trial period. Mr. Jones, are you perhaps being a bit too impatient?"


    A hint of displeasure shed across Yale''s face, and he responded in a low voice, "A month. is too long. Those people abroad have already agreed. Why insist on waiting another day or two? Besides, I am now the Dragon Lord; there''s no need to pretend it was otherwise." A subtle smile appeared at the corner of N''s lips as she waved her hand dismissively.


    "But are you truly secured in your title as Dragon Lord? Leave now. I said one month, and


    decision." one month it will be. No one can change my


    Yale clenched and unclenched his fists, but he ultimately left without saying another word.


    The next morning, Felix returned to Avesburgh and went straight to Xena''s home. After all, there was nothing more pressing on his agenda.


    When he knocked on the door, Xena opened it with an expressionless face.


    "Come in," she said.


    In the living room, Curtis rose to greet him, a clear indication of the importance he ced on Felix.


    Curtis said, "Felix, I''ve been waiting to see you


    Seeing that Curtis was in good spirits, Felix couldn''t help but feel happy. "Your recovery is what matters most.


    Once they were all seated, Curtis smiled warmly. "Xena told me you''ve been staying in Avesburgh for some time. I assume it''s because of the engagement, correct?"


    Felix nodded. "Yes. I can''t go against my mentor''s orders. Now that you''ve recovered, I''ll follow whatever decision you make."


    Sitting beside Curtis, Xena''s gaze grew cold.


    What a talented actor Felix was. When he was dealing with her, he was always so stubborn and headstrong. But now? Now, he was as obedient as a child. Was that all just for show?


    After a brief moment of thought, Curtis said, "Times are changing. I understand that young people today prefer to fall in love first and marryter. Although you and Xena both Histened and willing to honor the agreement between elders, forcing things won''t lead to happiness. You understand that, right?" Chapter 203


    Felix was overjoyed to hear this. It seemed like Curtis was about to reject the engagement altogether, which was exactly what Felix had hoped for.


    "Please continue. I''ll follow your advice," Felix said eagerly.


    With a smile, Curtis continued, "So, I''ve decided to have you and Xena date for a month. After that, if either of you feels the rtionship isn''t working, we can call off the engagement. How does that sound to you?"


    A month! Felix sat there stunned, unsure of how to respond.


    This suggestion infuriated Xena, and she pointed angrily at Felix.


    "What''s with that expression? Are you upset about it? Do you even know who I am? I''m the mighty goddess of war! Do you have any idea how many people would jump at this chance? And you dare show such an attitude?" "Xena!" Curtis frowned, prompting Xena to sit back angrily in silence.


    "Mr. Summers Senior, since you''ve made this decision, I have no objections," Felix said. with a polite smile.


    Relieved by his agreement, Curtis nodded. "Good. I''ll leave the rest to you young people. I can guarantee that Xena won''t turn down any invitation from you. As a man, I hope you''ll take the initiative.


    What else could Felix do at this point? After thinking it through, he realized that enduring nother month wouldn''t be too hard. It wasn''t a big deal.


    "Don''t worry. I know what to do," he said calmly.

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    Chapter


    304


    Curtis stood up and stretched before saying, "I''ve only recently recovered, and some of my friends keep inviting me out, so I''m heading out. Xena personally made lunch today, so stay and eat, Felix." "Alright," Felix agreed.


    The moment Curtis left, Xena shot an annoyed re at Felix.


    "Don''t think that just because my grandfather said we''re in a rtionship, you can ask me to do anything," she spat out.


    Felix spread his hands nonchntly. "Rx. I''m not interested in you. I just need to get through this month."


    "You!"


    Xena''s body trembled with anger. She was the dream girl of countless men, and yet here Felix was, saying he had no interest. It felt like an insult.


    "Are you eating or not? If not, you can leave," Xena said.


    With a wave of his hand, Felix turned to leave. He wasn''t about to waste his energy interacting with Xena. Since they both disliked each other, he figured that for the next month, he would just put up with it for Curtis'' sake. Although the engagement wasn''t officially canceled, at least there was now a clear path ahead. It was better than the uncertainty he had faced before.


    As soon as Felix left, Vivian appeared. She was waiting nearby for him.


    "Vivian, there''s nothing much left for me to do here. You''re free to move about as you please from now on."


    Reluctantly, Vivian said, "Felix, the Dragon Lord... Yale informed me that he''ll meet you tomorrow night."


    As the deputy chief of the Earthen Hall under Dragon Alliance, Vivian calling Yale by his name was enough to make it clear that she held little respect for Yale.


    "Got it," Felix replied calmly.


    After dealing with Yale tomorrow night, Felix knew he would finally feel unburdened. Then, it would be time to think about his future


    There was still room for growth in both his medical skills and martial arts, but his progress was stalled by an unblocked meridian within his body. However, he could sense that it wouldn''t take much longer to break through.


    12


    After Vivian left, Felix decided to walk to Kane''s courtyard instead of taking a cab. That ce was now his home..


    As he crossed a narrow alley, a tall young man approached. The man was enormous, nearly six feet tall. He wore a ck tank top that entuated his exaggerated muscles.


    Just as they were about to pass each other, the young man suddenly threw a punch toward Felix''s stomach.


    The attack came so unexpectedly that most people wouldn''t have been able to react in time, but Felix dodged it with ease and frowned.


    "Are you out of your mind?" Felix shouted.


    The


    young man, looking agitated, didn''t respond and swung another punch. This time, Felix caught the man''s wrist mid-swing. "Looks like you really are crazy."


    Just as Felix was about to kick him, the young man blurted out, "Please! Just let me hit you once! Just one punch!"


    Felix''s expression turned strange. He had never encountered someone like this before. It was as if the man was addicted to something.


    "And why should I let you punch me?"


    Feeling the pain in his wrist, the young man realized he wasn''t Felix''s match, but he continued pleading.


    "Please! If Ind just one punch on you, a mentor promised to teach me martial arts. My dream is to learn martial arts, and I''ve finally been given a chance. I beg you to help me! You don''t look like an ordinary person. One punch won''t hurt you. Squinting, Felix''s grip on the man''s wrist shifted slightly, and he took the opportunity to feel the man''s pulse.


    Initially, Felix thought the young man was just crazy. But now, something felt odd. With a quick pulse reading, he indeed found the problem.


    "Kid, you''re about to die," Felix revealed.

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    "I''m going to die?" the young man asked, stunned. He knew how healthy his body was. How could he be about to die?


    "You don''t believe me? Let me show you some proof," Felix said calmly.


    With that, he extended his other hand toward one side of the alley, releasing a powerful suction force from his palm. This was an advanced use of Primordial Energy, something only those at the Martial Emperor level could control with such ease.


    The next moment, as the young man watched in disbelief, a figure was pulled through the air toward them. Judging by the expression on the man''s face, it was clear he hadn''t expected to be pulled out from his hiding spot.


    "You weren''t just recording for fun, right?" Felix asked.


    The middle-aged man who hurtled toward them was shocked, but his eyes kept darting back and forth as if calcting his next move.


    "W-what do you want? What did you do to me? Let me go!" the man shouted.


    Felix gave a cold chuckle and released him. Initially, he thought the man had simply taken out his phone to record what he believed would be a street fight. But after detecting the strange toxin within the young man''s body, Felix realized there was more to this situation. The middle-aged man straightened his clothes and put his phone away.


    "You''re crazy! I was just passing by, and when I thought you two were about to fight, I pulled out my phone to record it as evidence. I''ve already called the police. Don''t you darey a finger on me!"


    Felix sneered. "An ordinary person, dragged by a force from more than 30 feet away, would at least show some fear. But you? You stayed surprisingly calm. You''re right about one


    thing-I won''ty a single finger on you..


    "But I''ll break five of your fingers for you.


    With those words, Felix swiftly snapped all five of the man''s fingers, leaving him howling in pain as he copsed to the ground.


    The young man was so terrified that he pressed himself against the wall, trembling. "N- no! Don''t hurt me! My name is Lennox Glover! My cousin is Xena - the goddess of war! You can''t harm me!" Xena? Felix''s expression darkened. Why did everything seem to connect back to that troublesome woman?


    With a kick, he knocked the man unconscious and turned his gaze toward Lennox.


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    Chapter 305)


    "If you hadn''t run into me, you''d already be dead by now. Now tell me, who promised to teach you martial arts?"


    Terrified out of his wits, Lennox dared not lie. "I-I don''t know his name, but he shattered a giant stone with just one palm strike! He told me that if I wanted to learn martial arts, I had tond a punch on you. Everything I''ve told you is true!"


    The situation began to make sense now. Lennox had been poisoned with an extremely subtle toxin thaty dormant in his body. The moment he experienced any sudden impact or shock, the poison would activate, killing him in less than five seconds.


    but


    The mastermind behind this scheme had calcted things perfectly. Any normal person, when attacked by a stranger, would retaliate. A calm person might try to reason, someone with a shorter temper would fight back immediately.


    The plot was well thought out, but the person who nned this had underestimated Felix''s self-discipline as a martial artist. Felix wasn''t that arrogant. If Felix had kicked or pped Lennox, the toxin would have been activated, and Lennox would have been dead. The key was that the poison would dissipate too quickly for detection, even in an autopsy. The me for Lennox''s death would, of course, fall on Felix.


    20 minutester, Xena arrived at the scene.


    "You''re here alone?" Felix asked.


    She didn''t answer. Instead, she rushed to Lennox''s side, checking on him.


    "He''s fine. He was just unconscious," Felix assured her.


    Hearing this, Xena turned to Felix with a cold, piercing gaze.

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    §ã


    "What happened?" Xena asked.


    After thinking it over, Felix had decided to call Xena to handle the situation. He couldn''t be bothered, and he didn''t bother to treat Lennox either.


    "Your cousin showed up out of nowhere and attacked me. I had no choice but to knock him. out," Felix exined.


    Xena clearly didn''t believe him and said, "Impossible! He''s the only son of my third uncle. Just like my uncle, he is honest and straightforward. He would never attack someone without reason." Damn it! Felix was displeased that Xena didn''t believe him.


    "Oh really? Honest and straightforward, is he? I don''t know about that, but he seems to be a martial arts fanatic. Am I wrong?" Felix retorted.


    Xena went silent. Indeed, Lennox had dreamed of practicing martial arts ever since he was young, but her uncle never allowed it. Otherwise, she would have asked him to join Phoenix Legion long ago. "What about him?" Xena asked.


    "From the moment Lennox arrived, he had been hiding behind the alley and taking pictures with his phone! That''s really suspicious. Isn''t this your responsibility?


    "Anyway, I''m leaving. And a piece of advice for you. Don''t allow your cousin to experience any major impact. Take him to see a miracle doctor now. You are a goddess of war. It shouldn''t be too hard to find one, right?" Felix responded.


    Don''t allow him to experience any major impact? And find a miracle doctor? Xena was confused. After hesitating for a long time, she finally pulled out her phone and made a call.


    Although she didn''t think well of Felix, she knew that he wasn''t unreasonable. They were only involved with each other because of a marriage arrangement. For now, she had no choice but to trust him.


    One bit of luck was that Xander happened to be in Avesburgh for business, and they had already nned to meet for tea that afternoon. Xena''s friendship with Xander was considered good. Meanwhile, in a vi, Jaden received a phone call.


    "Mr. Hault, the n failed! Felix did nothing except hold Lennox by the wrist the entire time. He didn''t even lift a finger!"


    What? Jaden frowned. Every martial artist had their pride. If an ordinary person attacked without reason, how could Felix not retaliate? What was he, a kind deity? "And then what?" Jaden asked.


    The voice on the other end became tense. "Then Felix called Xena over. Now both Lennox and my man have been taken away by her." Jaden''s expression darkened. "Idiots! Cut off all loose ends. Xena must not find out about anything. Also, proceed with the other n." "Yes!"


    Time passed, and Xander arrived at Xena''s vi.


    "Apologies, Xander, but I won''t be able to have tea with you today."


    Xander smiled. "No need to be so formal between us. Let''s first take a look at your cousin. Saving lives is more important."


    As they walked toward the bedroom, Xena mumbled, "Maybe I''m overthinking it. Lennox lookspletely


    fine."


    Deep down, she didn''t fully believe Felix''s warning.


    "Since we''re here, we might as well check," Xander said.


    When they reached the bedroom, Xander began examining Lennox''s pulse. His brow furrowed deeply as he did so.


    After releasing Lennox''s hand, Xander let out a long sigh. "Your cousin is very lucky, to say the least."


    He was lucky? Xena felt her heart clench. Was there really something wrong?


    "What do you mean by that? Is my cousin actually sick? He''s always been in good health," Xena remarked.


    Shaking his head, Xander exined, "He''s been poisoned. The reason I say he''s lucky is because if he had experienced even the slightest impact, he would have died."

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    Xena stood frozen in ce. Xander''s words repeated in her mind. It was exactly the same as what Felix had warned her earlier. "What''s wrong?" Xander asked.


    It wasn''t until Xander spoke again that she snapped back to reality, realizing now wasn''t the time to dwell on those thoughts. "So... Can you cure my cousin?" Xena asked hesitantly.


    Xander nodded. "Yes! The poison in his body is strong. It will only be triggered by physical impact. But once it is identified, treating it is quite straightforward."


    Suddenly, a thought struck Xena. "Wait a second. You said his body can''t handle any impact, but he was knocked unconscious by someone!"


    A strange look crossed Xander''s face. He sighed helplessly. "You''re a skilled martial artist yourself. Do you really think it always takes force to knock out an ordinary person? Just a touch to the right pressure point would have been enough. Xena fell silent as she watched Xander begin the treatment, but her mind drifted back to Felix. Why had he said what he did? Could he have known about the poison in Lennox''s body as well?


    In just about ten minutes, Xander put away the silver needles.


    Xena began, "May I ask, how advanced must someone''s medical skills be to detect the poison in my cousin''s body?"


    "It wouldn''t take much. Any skilled doctor could manage it," Xander replied.


    It seemed like Felix had really been hiding something. He wasn''t just an ordinary rural doctor. However, even this revtion did not entirely change Xena''s opinion of him. "By the way, is Curtis not home? I wanted to check on how well he''s recovering." Xena shook her head. "No, but he''s doing great. In fact, he''s been wandering around outside, probably to make up for being unconscious for so long."


    The truth was that Xander''s reason for agreeing to meet Xena for tea wasn''t just casual. He hade to figure something out.


    Once they were in the living room, he asked, "Did you use the Medical Card, or did you find the mysterious disciple of the miracle doctor?"


    Xena shook her head. "Neither. It was Dr. Quinn who cured my grandfather"


    "Dr. Quinn?" Xander''s brows furrowed deeply.


    His reply was immediate and firm. "Impossible! Lady Summers, I don''t doubt Dr. Quinn''s medical skills. He is much better than I am. But the poison in your grandfather was Phantom Poison, and it had been in his body for so long. Dr. Quinn couldn''t have cured that. Had she not known Xander well, Xena would have been offended by his response. "I saw it with my own eyes. Are you saying you don''t trust me?"


    Xander took a deep breath. "I believe you, of course. But I''m telling the truth-Dr. Quinn could not have done it. Let me put it this way. Dr. Quinn doesn''t allow outsiders to watch his treatments, but surely you know how long he took to cure your grandfather?" How long it took? Xena remembered it clearly.


    "It was very quick, just a few minutes," she replied.


    Xander''s expression grew even more perplexed. "That makes it even more impossible. Your grandfather''s condition was so severe that even the miracle doctor himself wouldn''t dare im to heal him in mere minutes. And yet, Dr. Quinn did?" a seemed displeased, Xander decided to push things


    Noticing that further. Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number, putting the call on speaker.


    "Xander? What''s the matter?"


    Given that both of them were among the top ten doctors in Dragonia, it wasn''t unusual for them to have each other''s contact information. Xena also recognized the voice-it was none other than Brandon himself.


    "I just have one question. If someone is poisoned with Phantom Poison and acupuncture has temporarily kept them alive, but they''ve been bedridden for three months, can you cure them?" Xander asked.

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    Brandon answered right away, "How could that be possible? Xander, are you out of your mind? It was Phantom Poison, and you say they''ve been bedridden for how long? You''re overestimating me. I bet only two people in the world could cure it. "If you talk nonsense like this again, don''t me me for cklisting you.


    The sound of the call ending left Xena utterly stunned.


    "Now, do you


    believe me?" Xander asked.


    Xander''s expression was grave. The situation was too strange. Curtis had been cured, but they had no clue who did it. His curiosity was piqued to the extreme. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have made that call in the first ce.


    After a long moment, Xena anxiously asked, "Then who could it be? I didn''t call any famous doctor. I know my own abilities. I couldn''t even afford to hire Dr. Quinn, let alone a miracle doctor."


    Xander cautiously said, "Think carefully. As the goddess of war, you must have arranged for someone to secretly guard the vi and protect your grandfather. It would be nearly impossible for an outsider to enter. So, who else has ever entered the vi?" Who else? After thinking it over, Xena could onlye up with one answer.


    "There''s only one other person, but it can''t be him. Although he is a doctor, I know his skills inside out. Even if he was hiding something, there''s no way he could cure Grandpa." "Oh?" Xander''s interest was piqued. "Don''t rush to make judgments just yet. Can you arrange for me to meet him? All I need is a handshake to get a sense of things."


    Seeing Xena hesitate, Xander asked with a hint of doubt, "What? Don''t you want to find out who saved your grandfather?"


    Biting her lip, Xena finally conceded. Even though she was convinced it couldn''t be Felix, she gave in to Xander''s insistence. "Fine, I''ll try to arrange a meeting."


    At sunset, in Kane''s courtyard, Felix received a call from Xena.


    "It''s confirmed. Lennox has indeed been drugged, but the person was masked, so the sketch is useless. The guy you knocked out told us who was behind it, but by the time we got there, that person was already dead," she informed him.


    him. "Lady Summers, I''m not your superior. You don''t have to report your investigations to me."


    Felix looked uninterested. He was slightly confused about why Xena call


    It was strange. Judging by her usual demeanor, Xena wouldn''t behave this way.


    +25 BORUS


    "You were involved, so you have the right to know. Also... are you free now? I''d like to treat you to some fondue."


    What? Felix pinched himself, thinking that he was dreaming. This was the same woman who treated him like a nobody earlier, and now she was reporting things and inviting him to dinner?


    He declined, "I''ve got ns tonight. Maybe next time..."


    "If Grandpa hadn''t asked me to, do you think I''d be calling you? Felix, are you even a man?


    Hearing this, Felix sighed in relief. This was more like the Xena he knew. Anything else would have felt odd to him.


    "Fine. Send me the address, and I''ll be there."


    Could it be that Xena had a change of heart and wanted to try getting along? No, that was unlikely.


    Back at the vi, Xena hung up the phone. Her emotions were in turmoil as she turned to look at Xander. "He agreed. Let''s head out."

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    When Felix arrived at the restaurant, he pushed open the private room door, but Xena wasn''t there. Instead, there was only Xander, who stood up, looking shocked. ""You... it''s you!" Xander eximed.


    With a casual smile, Felix raised his hand and was about to leave. "Sorry. Wrong room."


    However, Xander hastily called after him. "No! You''re not in the wrong room. This is the one Xena booked."


    Felix hesitated for a moment, but then he walked back inside. He asked, "What''s going on? Did Xena invite you


    too?!!


    Xander''s emotions were a tangled mess. He never would have imagined that the


    mysterious doctor who cured Curtis turned out to be the young man he had once met at the gathering. Fate really had a strange way of ying tricks.


    "I asked Xena to bring you here because I suspected that someone other than Dr. Quinn cured Curtis. Now, my biggest doubt has been cleared."


    After hearing Xander''s exnation, Felix couldn''t help butugh. He hadn''t expected such a misunderstanding. It must have been that just as he finished treating Curtis, Brandon had shown up right afterward.


    In such circumstances, of course, Brandon wouldn''t have suspected anything.


    "That''s right. I''m the one who treated Curtis," Felix said.


    Although Xander had already guessed it, hearing Felix''s confirmation still left him in awe. As expected. Your medical skills exceed my imagination. It''s a rare blessing for Dragonia''s traditional medicine legacy to have a miracle doctor as young as you." After saying that, a thought crossed Xander''s mind. "Can... can I tell Xena about this?"


    Felix smiled. "Whether you tell her or not is up to you. I have no right to tell others what to do, right?"


    In truth, Felix didn''t want him to reveal it, but he never forced anyone to do anything. He meant what he said.


    "By the way, where''s Xena? She invited me to dinner, but she''s not here?" Felix asked. Xander hesitated for a moment, then said, "While we were on the way here, the Phoenix Legion received an urgent mission, so she had to head back." Meanwhile, at the Phoenix Legion''s base, Xena had just entered her office. A man sat


    "Xena, why haven''t you found yourself a new deputy?" the man asked.


    Anyone who could address the goddess of war so casually had to hold a high position. If Felix had been there, he would''ve recognized the man. It was none other than Timothy Hunter, the admiral working for the Lord of Thunder. Judging by the smile on his face, he and Xena seemed quite familiar with each other.


    "I haven''t really thought about it yet. I''ll figure it outter. Tim, what brings you here all of a sudden and with so many Asuras? What''s the matter?" Timothy''s smile faded, and his expression became serious.


    "We''ve received intel that the old man from the Inferno n has arrived in Avesburgh. The chances of capturing him are slim, but we still have to try." What! Xena opened her mouth slightly in shock, and her eyes widened.


    "You''re talking about the King of Hearts from the Thirteen Aces, who was on the list of Super S-rank wanted criminals? The one who goes by the God of Death? Hasn''t he been missing for years? There were even rumors that he had retired. Why would he reappear now?"


    Timothy shook his head. "Who knows? Maybe the Inferno n took on a difficult mission, and their strongest assassin failed to carry it out. If the God of Death doesn''te out of retirement, how else would they save their reputation?"


    Xena fell silent. This was undoubtedly a major event. Among the Super S-rank wanted criminals, the most dangerous were the Thirteen Aces. There were thirteen of them, ranked from the Ace to the King. The lower the number, the greater their strength and the more terrifying they were.


    Every one of these individuals was a ruthless killer. Dragonia had been hunting them for years, but capturing them was extremely difficult. Chapter 310

 Billionaire With Husband 310

    For instance, the God of Death was an excellent assassin skilled at hiding. Even if the Phoenix Legion managed to find him, keeping him captured would be a whole other challenge.


    "Though my superior and yours don''t exactly get along, we''re still friends. Since we''re in Avesburgh, I had to notify you. If we really take down the God of Death, naturally, you''ll get a share of the credit," Timothy sald. Xena was genuinely touched. Any one of the Thirteen Aces on the Super S-rank wanted list didn''t need to be put on trial. If found, they could be killed right away. That kind of honor was unparalleled. It could be said that whoever earned such a credit would have no trouble getting promoted.


    "Bring a few capable fighters with you; the others shouldn''t join. They''re just cannon fodder for the God of Death. Your job is only to locate him. When the timees, I''ll make my move with a few Asuras." Xena nodded and headed out. She was the strongest in the Phoenix Legion, yet even she wasn''t confident in fighting against the God of Death. Thus, it was unnecessary to involve anyone weaker.


    Meanwhile, back in Kane''s courtyard, Felix was grilling some meat. He was hungry, and there was no way he would have eaten a meal with Xander.


    So, after some casual conversation, he hade back to his own ce.


    "What? Are you just going to sit there watching me grill meat?" Felix suddenly asked, though it seemed he was addressing no one in particr.


    About ten secondster, a thin, elderly man appeared a distance away. He was dressed in a ck suit, and his sharp gaze was piercing.


    "You''re the only target I''ve observed for so long without making a move. No wonder the others were troubled by you. Someone your age, yet you can detect even my presence. Calling you a prodigy wouldn''t be an exaggeration," the man observed.


    Felix continued grilling, unfazed. "So, you''re an assassin from the Inferno n? I was wondering why things have been quiet for so long. Turns out you were holding back for a big move."


    The old man cracked his neck and gave a sinister grin. "No more talking. I am thest remaining founder of the Inferno n, known as the God of Death, Today, I''vee to send you to death!"


    Instead of fear, Felix chuckled in delight. "That''s perfect. It looks like this annoying itch of Inferno n won''t be bothering me anymore.


    "I''ll only use one move. Whether you live or die, it depends on your fate."


    With that, Felix raised his hand, pointed a finger, and muttered under his breath, "Three- Breath Thunder!"


    Boom!


    Though the night was bright with moonlight, the sky suddenly rumbled with the sound of thunder. The God of Death, who had been ready to act, immediately tensed up. His expression became deadly serious. "Ghost Step!" the God of Death shouted.


    In the next instant, the God of Death moved. He dashed swiftly to the left with a strange technique, leaving an afterimage in his original spot.


    Boom!


    Just as he dodged away, a bolt of lightning struck the ground where he had stood.


    But now, the God of Death was charging directly at Felix. It wasn''t that he didn''t want to use his techniques. Instead, something ominous was brewing in the sky. He had no time but tobat Felix more directly. Boom!


    Another bolt of lightning crashed down. Although he dodged it again, it came dangerously close this time. It almost struck him.


    Feeling the danger, the God of Death''s scalp tingled. He didn''t care to continue the assault and turned to flee, but it was toote. Boom!


    The third bolt of lightning tore through the sky and struck him directly.


    Felix shook his head slightly. "You really are like a rat scurrying through the streets. There are quite a few powerful fightersing in this direction. If I''d known this would attract so much attention, I would''ve handled it more discreetly." What irritated Felix the most, though, was the presence of a particrly familiar energy among the forcesing in. It was Xena''s.

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    hapter 311


    The God of Death was in no state to listen to Felix''s chatter and immediately fled. Now that he was terribly injured, finding the master healer would be his only chance at survival.


    Felix decided not to go after him. There was no point since the Inferno n would not dare cross him again. Besides, it would practically be impossible for the God of Death to escape with so many martial arts masters rushing over here. This actually worked in Felix''s favor. At least he could wash his hands of the whole affair and avoid all the troubles that would follow.


    In the nearest alley, Xena arrived at the scene. Though the thunder had died down, she could sense where it came from with her skills. While she could not confirm it was the God of Death, the sudden thunderp was definitely suspicious.


    A figure suddenly darted into the opposite end of the alley. Their eyes met for a split second before the figure charged straight at her. Xena''s expression fell as she recognized the old man as the God of Death, who was rankedst among the Thirteen Aces. But she quickly noticed his weak breath, his scorched body, and the blood trickling from his mouth. He was heavily wounded!


    Xena steeled herself and moved toward him. This was the opportunity of a lifetime. Normally, the God of Death could end her with a single move, but things might go differently in his current state.


    Minutester, Timothy arrived with a few Asuras. They frowned when they saw the scene before them. Xena was standing there breathing heavily. Though unharmed, she had clearly just fought with everything she had. Someoney on the ground motionlessly, who seemed to be dead already.


    "The God of Death!" one of the Asuras eximed as he stepped forward. Timothy also recognized the lifeless figure.


    "You okay, Xena?" he asked.


    Xena nodded. She was clearly still rattled by what had just gone down. "I''m fine. The God of Death was terrifying. I just got lucky."


    Even in his weakened state, she had barely survived while fighting at full strength. If he had been even slightly less injured, she would be the one lying there.


    "Luck requires skill, too. But I''m more curious about who managed to hurt the God of Death in the first ce. It must have something to do with that thunder and lightning we witnessed," Timothy said.


    Timothy was dumbstruck as well. Who would have thought that a small town like Avesburgh would harbor someone powerful enough to bring the infamous God of Death to


    his knees? They Imnew it could not have been Xena-she had merely seized an opportunity, The gap in their abilities was simply too big.


    "Mr. Hunter, should we search the area?" an Asura asked.


    Timothy shook his head. "For someone who''s powerful enough to injure the God of Death this badly, we wouldn''t be able to find them if they don''t want us to. Besides, there haven''t been any major crimes in Avesburgli, which means they can''t be a criminal. We''ll just let it go." He then smiled at Xena and said, "You''ve aplished something incredible here, Xena. You''ll definitely be promoted to Warlord."


    Taking down a member of the Thirteen Aces was considered an extraordinary achievement by headquarters.


    "That''s not true, Tim. This was a team effort." Xena did not want to take undue credit as she had only finished off a wounded opponent, She understood these basic principles of diplomacy.


    Timothy''s smile widened. He said, "Credit where credit is due! This victory is yours alone, and none of us contributed anything. Even if luck yed a part, you still took down the God of Death. The achievement belongs to you.


    Ch

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    hapter 312


    Timothy leated in and said with phytat tone the boner mit wel


    a


    heights, and that''s just how it is put your is different there fargetoing no elenk whe you be Warlord"


    and Xena was ecstatic. She had not expected Timothy to decline my ss ath by the but This meant she could skip the ultimating the world to youmnes to Warlord directly. The boost in her status world in fremsendant


    On her way back, Zena nced at a courtyard residence ding the west where slizom lived. While the sight sparked a thougs, she did not donation le


    She figured that Kander must have met with Felizty now. Then the cucked a met


    westcos What was she thinking? How could Felix possibly have healed Cutal Homes for young to have stich amazing medical skill


    Early the next morning, Felix headed out to go fishing with mest. He then found a car rudely blocking his gate. The only way out would be to step over the vehicle wineer parked here had to be really inconsiderate and nude. There was not even a phone number left on the dashboard,


    After looking around and seeing no sign of the owner, Felix could only step on the hood to get past. As soon as he jumped down, three burly men appeared.


    "How dare you step on my car!" one bellowed.


    Felix frowned. "Is this your car? Move it. I don''t want to waste time talking"


    The thug pointed at him arrogantly. "Move it? Who are you to order me around? This is my brand new car, and your stepping on it has already decreased its value. Pay me 100 thousand dors, or you''re not going anywhere."


    Hispanions joined in with threats. "Who do you think you are to step on Greg''s car, you piece of shit?"


    "You better pay up quick, or you''re dead meat.


    Their taunts grew increasingly offensive. Felix''s frown deepened as he noticed a few people filming from a distance. This felt simr to yesterday''s incident with Lennox Vivian! Handle this."


    Before the thugs could process his words, a woman appeared before them..


    "Leave it to me, Felix." She had already knocked out the people filming and disabled the


    security cameras. With just a wave of her hand, the three thugs copsed right after she spoke. Chapter 312


    "Find out who''s behind this. I don''t want this happening again," Felix ordered before. leaving. He suspected the mastermind behind both this and


    nox''s incident was the same.


    Someone was clearly trying to provoke him into action, though their motives remained unclear.


    Most importantly, this was his first encounter with someone using such bizarre tactics against him.


    Meanwhile, Xena left the Phoenix Legion base afterpleting the paperwork overnight. She would fly to Yartford that afternoon to report to Hector about the God of Death''s death. After all, proper procedures could not be skipped for such a significant event. But instead of heading home, Xena went straight to a cafe where Xander was waiting ording to their phone conversation, he had discovered who had healed Curtis.

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    At the cafe, Xena found Xander happily digging into his meal. "You''re really enjoying your breakfast, Dr. Fielding."


    Xander smiled and said, "Indeed. Everything tastes better when your mind''s at ease."


    Xena watched him eat in silence. Though burning with questions, she could not bring herself to speak.


    Finally, Xander wiped his mouth, his eyes showing a glint of admiration. "I have to say, Lady Summers, you''re really a lucky one. Not only are you climbing the ranks, but you''ve got some remarkable friends." Friends? Xena was puzzled. "What do you mean?"


    Now, it was Xander''s turn to look confused. Could there be a misunderstanding? "Isn''t Felix your friend?"


    Felix? A sense of unease crept over Xena. "Are you saying Felix is the one who healed Grandpa?"


    Xander nodded. "That''s right! Remember what I mentioned before? Mr. Kinsley Senior was cured by a young doctor whose skills are even better than mine. You tried to look into it, but the Kinsley family kept quiet.


    "That person was Felix. Since no one else had private ess to your grandfather, it''s pretty obvious when you think about it."


    Xena gasped, covering her mouth as her eyes widened with disbelief. Felix, whom she had always thought of as a simple country doctor, was actually a master healer who outshone even Xander. And he had saved Curtis. She would not have believed them if anyone else had told her this.


    "I should get going. I''ll leave you guys to deal with the matter." With his many years of experience, Xander could sense theplicated rtionship between Xena and Felix.


    Her phone''s ringing jolted her back to reality. It was Jaden. "Can we have dinner tonight, Xena?"


    "I can''t make it. I''ll be flying to Yartford this afternoon for a report. Let''s do that another day."


    Now that she knew Jaden was not Curtis'' savior, how could she face him? He had gone to such lengths to bring in a master healer like Brandon only for fate to throw a curveball. "Sure, we''ll catch up when you''re back." She still had not told Jaden about Curtis'' order to date Felix. She would keep stalling as long as possible since it was only for a month anyway.  Chapter 313


    But those were her previous thoughts. She had now discovered that Felix was not some mediocre traditional medicine practitioner but rather a brilliant one. He was probably the best among young practitioners even. With that said, she needed to approach everything with a fresh look.


    After lunch at Ernest''s ce, Felix returned home around one in the afternoon. He had barely stepped inside when someone knocked, even though the gate was open. It was Xena. "What brings you here?" he asked.


    Xena met his gaze withplicated emotions. Why did you keep it a secret? What were you afraid of?"


    From this, Felix knew Xander must have spilled the beans. But it did not matter anymore. "What was there to tell? Your grandfather''s recovery was all that mattered. Did you expect me to brag about it? Or did you think I did this just to please you?" Xena, who had just started seeing him in a new light, nearly lost it.


    "Is that really not the case though? Since you im it was all for my grandfather without


    ulterior motives, you could have told Xander to keep it a secret! Why let me know if not to change how I see you so we can get engaged?"


    any

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    "You''ve earned tChapter 314


    he right to pursue me now. You''re getting closer to my ideal of what a man should be," Xena remarked.


    At this, Felix could not help butugh bitterly. "I really don''t know what to say to your narcissism. Think what you want. It''s just one month, then we go our separate ways and never cross paths again." His attitude enraged Xena.


    "Did you seriously think being known as a teenage practitioner would make me chase after you? Let me tell you something. You''ll never be able to catch up to me. I''m about to be Dragonia''s first female Warlord and stand as equal with the Four Great Warlords. "Do you really think you have the right to act high and mighty with me?


    "Think carefully. I''m willing to give you a chance because you''ve proven your worth. If you miss this opportunity, you won''t get another!"


    After Xena left, Felix collected himself. While her arrogance had not really affected him, thought of enduring it for two more weeks gave him a headache. Shortly after, Vivian arrived.


    "Felix, I followed the trail based on these people''s confessions. The mastermind was careful, and the final lead died before I got there. But everything points to the Longman family, which is the richest family in Yartford. Though there''s no concrete evidence."


    the


    The Longman family? The richest family in Yartford? Felix frowned. It seemed that he really had been offending the powerful families quite frequently. By his count, he had now managed to antagonize all three of Yartford''s hidden powerful families, "Got it. You can go now.


    Vivian nodded. She thought of something before she left. "Can I join you for tonight''s meeting with Yale?"


    Felix waved her off. "You don''t have to go. After tonight, Yale will be gone. I''ll promote you to the chief of the Earthern Hall, and the current chief will take Yale''s position as deputy


    chief."


    Though their time together had been brief, Vivian had proven herself worthy of reward. While most would celebrate such a promotion within Dragon Alliance, Vivian felt no joy. Bing chief meant leaving Felix''s side to manage the Earthern Hall, so she might not see him for a long time. But one could not disobey the Dragon Lord''s orders. What choice.


    did she have?


    After a nap, Felix''s phone rang. It was an unknown number. It could not be Gerald again, could it?


    He answered and couldn''t help but smile bitterly, for it was Gerald. "Have you been missing me, Felix?"


    Felix felt helpless. "You''re calling quite oftentely, Mr. Hoffman."


    "Do you think I want to? Someone used a Miracle Card, Would you rather I handle it myself?


    A Miracle Card? Felix guessed it must be the one he had sold at the Golden Prime Auction. He had wondered why nothing had happened with it yet. Clearly, he had jinxed it.


    Meanwhile, Rosalie was pouting somewhere in Dragonia. "Karina! Can''t you go easy on me? I came all this way to visit you, and you''re being so mean!"


    Across from her, a woman checked her phone and stood to leave. Frustrated, Rosalie yelled, "Where are you going?"


    Karina''s cold reply came, "Mr. Hoffman has a task for me. Stay here

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    As night fell, Felix drove to an old, run-down dojo on the outskirts of the city. Getting out of his car, Felix found the ce deserted. He muttered, "First, he picks this dump, then he''ste."


    He was exhausted. Just when he had thought things were settling down, someone had used the Miracle Card. This meant another trip to Canraville the day after tomorrow. But he would not have to take a flight this time. He could drive there since it would be just a few hours on the highway.


    Five minutester, headlights appeared from afar, and a car pulled up beside his Range Rover. Yale stepped out, his face a mask of displeasure.


    "What''s with that face? Isn''t being Dragon Lord everything you wanted?" Felix mocked. Yale''s voice was ice-cold as he said, "Skip the chit-chat. What''s so urgent? Is this about her?" He was confident Felix would not dare try anything. After all, Felix was now bound by Yvette''s situation. Yale had also made Harold stir up all sorts of trouble here in Yartford. "You''re right. It is urgent. It''s time to end you," Felix said bluntly.


    Yaleughed. "Interesting. You won''t even be able to take me even if you want to. Besides, don''t you care what happens to your aunt?"


    This puzzled Felix. "Why would you lock someone up and stop checking on them? Won''t you feel something''s off when your men go silent for days?" Yale''s brow furrowed as it clicked. He said, "So you got Yvette out. It seems I


    underestimated you again. In that case, I''ll send you to your grave. Everything''s in ce. anyway."


    With everyone except N backing him, he felt untouchable.


    But Felix''s expression was full of disdain. "Is that so? When the founder shows up, you''ll learn how pathetic your schemes are against real power."


    Dragon Alliance was Eloise''s creation, and Felix knew exactly what she was capable of.


    "Time to die." Without another word, Felix moved. Lightning crackled around him as he vanished. He then reappeared instantly before Yale.


    He moved so fast it was practically teleportation. Even a martial arts master-like Yale couldn''t react. "How dare someone like you even think of meeting Eloise? Dream on!" Felix''s hand shot out. His palm crackled with menacing silver light as he grabbed Yale''s throat.


    "I, I''m the Dragon Lord! You wouldn''t dare!" Yale was mortified. As the deputy chief of Dragon Alliance, his power was considerable. Yet, he was helpless against a young man like Felix. It was something he had never expected "Stop!" Two figures burst from the parked car, shouting in unison.


    "They''re also the deputy chiefs of Dragon Alliance! Kill me, and you''ll have the entire Alliance hunting you! Think carefully, Felix. I wear the Dragon Ring! By ourws, I am the Dragon Lord!" More deputies? Felix had not expected this. His lips curled into a slight smile. "Is that so? So what if you''re the Dragon Lord?" Boom!


    Lightning erupted from Felix''s hand, so bright that the two deputies had to shield their eyes. When they looked again, Yaley motionless on the ground. His lifeless body was charred ck. "You!" They were stunned and furious. Yale had been even stronger than them, yet he had died just like that. They would not have believed it possible if they had not seen it with their own eyes.

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    Felix picked up the Dragon Ring with a smile. "What? Do you have a problem with that?" The two deputies exchanged nervous nces. They had to keep their mouths shut because they knew Felix could end them just as easily. They would not have any chance to escape. "Vivian,e over here." After saying that, Felix mused on how true strength would always speak for itself. Vivian came to his side nervously. She expected to be scolded for showing up uninvited.


    Watching Felix take Yale down in an instant had blown her mind. She had known he was strong, but this was something else. As a deputy chief of Dragon Alliance, Yale was snuffed out like a candle. "Here, catch."


    She caught the Dragon Ring on reflex. "Felix... what''re you doing?"


    He said with a smile, "What does it look like? Put it on. You''re the Dragon Lord from now on. You''ll be in charge of all affairs within Dragon Alliance."


    The deputies showing up had changed his ns. Being the Dragon Lord meant nothing to him now, especially with the Xena situation almost wrapped up. Since Vivian had proven herself loyal and capable, he might as well hand it over. With two deputies as witnesses, nobody w


    cause troubleter.


    Vivian was dumbstruck. She held up the ring and said, "Felix, I can''t! I''m not cut out for this!"


    He put on his stern face on purpose as he looked at her. "Are you refusing me now? Ask them this. Once that ring''s on your finger, who would dare to question your status as the Dragon Lord?"


    The veteran deputies nodded hurriedly. "That''s right. The ring makes the ruler."


    "Take it, Vivian. With us backing you, nobody would dare say a thing."


    Under Felix''s steady gaze, Vivian had no choice. She slipped on the ring. "I''ll make Dragon Alliance greater than ever, Felix."


    She knew keeping her position meant she had to keep Felix close. Without him, even these deputies would not really follow her.


    LIL


    An hourter, Felix walked into a bar downtown. Jack had called for drinks on his way back, so here he was. "Jack, I''m not as free as you think, you know."


    Chuckling, Jackined, "Please, you''re practically set for life now, so don''t y busy.


    you now?" What? Do I need to book an appointment just to have drinks with


    After that, he lowered his voice and said, "Look, my girlfriend''sing. I just wanted you to meet her."


    Another one? Felix raised an eyebrow. "Moving kind of fast, aren''t you? If this isn''t serious, there''s no need to bother with introductions?"


    His phone rang. It was a call from Dora. After telling Jack to hold that thought, Felix answered. He still owed her one, after all.


    "Felix... I know this is asking a lot, but you''re all I''ve got," Dora said.

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    +25 BOHUS


    Dora had always been a nice person. She was still being polite even after Felix had already told her she could cash in that favor anytime.


    "Just tell me. I will help you if I can," Felix said


    "Great! There''s this VIP who''s sick. We heard that whoever can find a doctor to cure him will earn enough rewards to boost my family up a level. We could easily be the second most powerful family in the city."


    Her voice quickened with excitement. Clearly, she did not want to miss this chance.


    "Someone with your martial arts skills must have serious connections. Could you find us a master healer? They already tried Dr. Fielding, who''s ranked tenth in the country. But even he was stumped. I''ve told you everything, but I wonder if it''s too much to ask


    Most people, or even the big shots, would lose hope after Xander failed to treat a patient. Getting one master healer did not guarantee ess to better ones. Even Xena could not get Brandon to help.


    "Sure. Come by my ce tomorrow morning," Felix agreed.


    Dora was surprised by his quick agreement, but she knew Felix was a man of his word. "Sure! Thank you so much!"


    Hanging up, Felix felt a little helpless. It was interesting how she asked him to help find a master healer as a favor.


    "Hey!" Jack rapped on the table to get Felix''s attention.


    "I''m serious about this one! I met her again in Yartford and found out she was also single! She''s my college ex-girlfriend. We dated for two years before breaking up."


    Felix rolled his eyes. "Bro, you''re going back for seconds?"


    ''s wrong with that? The breakup


    Jack took a swig of beer, brushing off the teasing. wasplicated. We''re good together anyway, and we both want this. Yeah, she works in Canraville, but distance isn''t an issue. I''m not that busy anyway." Felix did not really care either way. Something caught his eye. He asked, "Is that her?"


    A woman in a red dress had walked in. With her hair in twin tails, she gave off a sweet, demure vibe. She looked pretty, too.


    "Yep, that''s Vanessa," Jack said.


    Just then, some drunk guy pped her butt. Felix instantly got up with a frown, but Jack held him back.


    "Don''t worry. Nessa wanted to look gentle and make a good first impression on you. But that handsy bastard is about to see her real side"


    Real side? Before Felix could wonder what that meant, Vanessa spun into a roundhouse kick that sent the drunk flying out the door. Her sheer force was impressive.


    Vanessa barked, "How dare you touch my ass, asshole!"


    The drunk''s friends scattered in terror. Vanessa smoothed her dress and walked over.


    "Nessa, this is my buddy Felix. Felix, this is Vanessa Mayer."


    She extended her hand apologetically. "So sorry about that, Felix. I''m not usually like this." Her voice had gone soft and high-pitched, which made Felix speechless. "Look, Vanessa. You''ve got my support if Jack likes you. There''s no need to put on an act," Felix said.


    After studying him for a moment, Vanessa suddenly rxed. She grabbed a beer and popped the cap off with a flick of her wrist.

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    "Why didn''t you say so earlier? The act was killing me! Come on, let''s drink. Whoever stays sober is a loser!" Vanessa said joyfully.


    Jack threw up his hands. "Man, I actually liked the sweet act. Felix just had to ruin it with


    one sentence."


    The next thing he knew, Vanessa pinched his ear. "Oh yeah? Love the cutesy voice, do you? Wait till we get home. I''ll talk like that all night long. You''ll get your fill, I promise!" Felix could not help but grin. Vanessa was quite the firecracker.


    Two hourster, Jack was carrying a passed-out Vanessa as he red at Felix. "Damn it, man. Couldn''t you have slowed her drinking down? So much for setting the mood tonight."


    Felix ignored him and made a gesture. Vivian appeared, handing over a tablet. Jack was already used to seeing all the beauties around Felix.


    "Thanks." Vivian turned away with a heavy heart. Who knew when she would see him again?


    "It''s my first time meeting her, so I wasn''t sure what to get her. Give her this when she wakes up tomorrow," Felix instructed.


    Jack looked at the tablet with a surprised look. "I''ve never seen anyone give someone a tablet as a gift before. Got it, thanks,"


    The tablet was just the wrapper-the real gift was inside. Felix had Vivian load it with premium martial arts techniques from Dragon Alliance. Eloise was the one who had founded Dragon Alliance, after all. Their techniques were top-notch. He could tell that Vanessa was a martial artist, so it seemed like a fitting gift.


    The next morning at Jack''s ce, Vanessa woke up and looked around. She then smacked the sleeping Jack awake.


    "Nessa! Can''t... can''t you be gentler? I was having such a nice dream.


    Vanessa scowled. "Your friend''s a beast at drinking. I can usually hold my liquor, but he knocked me out cold."


    About to doze off again, Jack quickly pointed at the table to divert her attention. Before turning away, he said, "That''s Felix''s gift for you. Let me sleep a bit more, Nessa."


    Gift? Vanessa went over. She raised an eyebrow when she saw the tablet. "A tablet? Interesting."


    She found a folder after switching it on. After browsing, for a few minutes, her eyes went wide, "These techniques. Holy shit! is he really just giving away these priceless martial arts techniques to me? Who is Felix?" Meanwhile, Felix opened his gate just as Dora was about to knock. "I thought you''d still be sleeping."


    Felix gestured to his car. "Let''s go. Time''s wasting."


    But Dora hung back. Peering into the courtyard, she asked curiously, "Where''s the master healer? Or are we picking them up somewhere?


    Felix had forgotten about that part. "I''m the master healer. Trust me, let''s go."


    Dora drew in a sharp breath. She would haveughed if anyone else had said that. But Felix was different-a fighter and a healer? That was wild.


    As they drove off, Felix asked, "So, can you tell me who''s the patient?"


    Dora nodded. Still processing her shock, she answered promptly, "It''s someone from the Longman family. The richest and most powerful family in Yartford."

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    The Longman family? Felix chuckled. He had been nning to check out the Longman family today anyway. Vivian''s investigation had linked them to the troublemakers who had staged that scene and filmed it.


    But Gerald''s call about the Miracle Card call had pushed those ns back since he had to go to Canraville tomorrow. Dora''s request really came at a perfect time.


    "That smile of yours gives me the creeps for some reason," Dora remarked.


    Felix did not reply to that. He just gazed out the window. This visit would definitely smoke out whoever was pulling the strings. It would be one less headache to deal with. Franklin and a few others were standing at the Longman residence, waiting.


    "Mr.Zeller," Franklin greeted Felix with the utmost respect. The others were probably Longman family members.


    "Dora, where''s the master healer?" someone asked while peering into the empty car.


    "This is Felix Zeller, the master healer I brought," Dora replied.


    It was a gamble. It seemed unlikely for someone to be good at both fighting and healing. But after everything she had seen, Dora could not doubt Felix anymore.


    A sh of doubt crossed Franklin''s eyes as well, but he quickly nodded and backed her up. That''s right. Mr. Zeller will surely cure Joseph''s illness."


    Seeing their confidence, the Longman family members held their tongues. They decided to trust Felix despite his young age.


    Upon entering a massive bedroom, Dora whispered, "That''s Joseph Longman, the family head. He''s the one who got some strange illness."


    On their way over, she had exined how impressive Joseph was. When the previous head of the family died years ago, everyone expected the family to struggle and decline. Instead, Joseph had led them to new heights, which showed real leadership. That was why they were so desperate. The Longman family would fade from Yartford''s power structure if anything happened to Joseph.


    Felix nodded. He walked over and checked Jospeh''s pulse for show, then said, "It''s curable.


    As relief spread through the room, he added, "It''s a congenital defect that''s only showing symptoms now. I can cure him, but he''ll never walk again. He''ll need a wheelchair for life. No master healer can change that. Your call." Chapter 319


    A wheelchair? Nobody dared make that decision Who would want to be responsible if Joseph woke up angry about losing his legs?


    "Felix, can you wake him up? This is such a big decision, so we should let him make the call, "Dora suggested.


    Everyone quickly agreed to Dora''s suggestion.


    "Sure," Felix agreed.


    After inserting one acupuncture needle into Joseph, he woke up from aa. After hearing about the situation, he did not hesitate. "Do it. It''s better to be crippled than dead."


    Felix had to admire him. Put this man in Yartford and he would still make waves. No ordinary man would make such a quick decision about losing his legs.


    20 minutester, Felix stood. up.


    Joseph woke almost instantly.


    "Dad!"


    "Uncle Joseph!"


    "Joseph!"


    "Done."


    The family crowded around as Joseph shook his head, smiling. "The pressure in my head is gone. My mind''s clear again."


    He turned to Felix. "Thank you, Mr. Zeller."


    He then told Franklin, "I''m a man of my word, Frank. Give me a few days, and we''ll work out the details."


    Franklin smiled. He knew Joseph had kept his promises. That was why he immediately had Dora cash in Felix''s favor when he learned the situation. This would be huge for their family.

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    "I''ve paid back Dora''s favor, so I''ll now settle ounts with the Longman family," Felix suddenly said.


    The celebration died instantly at Felix''s words!


    "Felix, what are you doing?" Dora was confused, Franklin stood there sweating as well. "Nothing much. I don''t start fights, but I finish them. Joseph, someone from your family has been orchestrating schemes against me. They hired thugs to harass me while others filmed from the shadows. Do you want to handle this yourself, or should I start digging? It''s up to you."


    In the past, anyone who dared talk to Joseph like this would have been crushed. But things were different now. After all, Felix had just casually treated an illness that had stumped Xander. His connections and power had to be terrifying.


    Even a hardened yer like Joseph knew when to back down. "Mr. Zeller, give me some time to deal with this. If someone from my family has schemed against you, I''ll send them over to you myself."


    Felix smiled slightly. Joseph had not disappointed him. He knew how to read the room.


    As Felix turned to leave, Adam Longman, a young man from the Longman family, dropped to his knees. "Dad! It... it was me. I arranged everything against Mr. Zeller. You don''t need to investigate."


    Adam had been there earlier to greet them. When he realized Felix was the master healer who would be treating his father, his mind had been racing. Now that Joseph was cured, he could tell that Felix was not just some ordinary practitioner. "You fool! You nearly destroyed our family! Who put you up to this? Tell me now!" Joseph shouted.


    If he could walk, Joseph would have beaten Adam on the spot. Their family could not afford to offend such a great master healer like Felix.


    Havinge clean this far, Adam held nothing back. "It was Jaden, the youngest elder of Crimson Sage Sect. We were acquainted, and I thought aligning with the Sect would help our family. I never thought..."


    Joseph raised his hand as pain shed across his face. "Guards! Break his arm."


    Then, he quickly turned to Felix and pleaded with a careful voice, "Mr. Zeller, could show mercy to my son? He was just a pawn in this. Please."


    you


    Felix turned and walked away. But then he said something that had everyone sighing in relief, "I appreciate how you handled this. Your son can keep his arm."


    Chacher 300


    -25


    Meanwhile, Jaden was pouring tea for an elder at Crimson Sage Sect. "Mr. ck, is your information solid?"


    The old man named Cecil ck nodded. "Of course. I still have some connections. Once Xena is promoted to Warlord, her standards will rise. Your pursuit won''t be so easy then."


    Jaden smiled. His destined partner had really been proving her worth. Then, his phone rang. The news made his eyes turn cold.


    "Jaden, we''re in deep trouble! Felix just saved my father, and his medical skills are even better than Dr. Fielding''s. I... I had to tell them about you. I''m so sorry, I had no choice! Please forgive me!"


    Hearing this, Jaden forgot all about punishing Adam. When Felix seemed ordinary, any game was fair y. But it was an entirely different story now.


    He mused, "A master healer? So you have been ying it low-key, haven''t you, Felix? If that''s how it is, no more games. I''m way better at this than you are.

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    Around six in the evening, Felix was sitting in his courtyard when Kane walked in. "What brings you here?" Felix asked.


    Kane''s expression showed the same respect as always. Just like Vivian, Felix was the only Dragon Lord in his eyes and no one else. "Mr. Zeller, since you finally gave me a task, I had to report back personally."


    That was true. After Vivian left, Kane was Felix''s go-to person for intel. But he had not expected Kane to show up in person. "I appreciate it. Have a seat."


    Once he sat down, Kane got straight to it. "You told me to look into that guy Jaden. Turns out he''s quite the yer. He''s the youngest elder in Crimson Sage Sect''s history. His mentor is one of their sect''s Supreme Elders too, and he''s actually the oldest and strongest amongst them."


    Crimson Sage Sect? Felix was unfazed. "So he''s got an ancient mentor backing him. That''ll be a bit of a hassle."


    By hassle, Felix meant time-wasting instead of fear. Even Kane could read that much. "How do you rate our chances if Dragon Alliance fights against their sect?" Felix asked.


    Kane furrowed his brow. He thought carefully before answering, "Honestly, we don''t stand any chance against them! We''ve got them beat on reputation. But in terms of raw power, we''d get crushed unless you or the founder stepped in."


    He felt safe being blunt as he knew Felix would prefer the truth. Crimson Sage Sect was top-tier and was packed with master arts masters. Jaden, for example, was already a Martial King at his age.


    Truth was, Dragon Alliance would have been the more powerful one. But their founder had. not been seen in ages. Most groups only left them alone out of lingering fear of that founder, nothing more. "Got it." Felix did not care about the hidden politics. Jaden had to be killed. ying games with him had already cost two lives, so he was clearly ruthless. Why wait to take him out?


    But it would have to wait until after he dealt with the Miracle Card''s matter tomorrow. Time was tight and of the essence.


    "Do you want me to have someone track Jaden''s movements? To keep an eye on him 24/7?


    ''Kane asked.


    Felix shook his head and said, "There''s no need for that. He''s a Martial King. Who could you possibly hire that could tail him without getting spotted?" Kane was speechless. He had not thought it through. Of course, any of his people trying to


    follow a Martial King would be spotted instantly. It would be useless.


    "Oh, Vivian has just been promoted to Dragon Lord. She''s still young, so she''s bound to miss things. You should help her out as a senior"


    Kane nodded. "Count on it. Who else would I support? Actually, thank you for giving her the chance. That girl has integrity, among all other things"


    The next morning, Felix was driving to Canraville. He spotted a Porsche Cayenne pulled over near the highway entrance with the hazard lights on. A woman was leaning against it, seeming to wait for someone. Felix pulled over and got out. "Vanessa? What are you doing here?"


    Sure enough, it was Jack''s girlfriend. What a coincidence.

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    Vanessa''s expression lit up when she saw Felix "You came at the right time, Felix! My car broke down. I just got off the phone with Jack when you showed up." Her car broke down?


    Felix then asked, "Are you heading back to Cantaville?"


    "Yeah, it''s my nephew''s birthday tonight. What about you?"


    "I''m driving there too."


    In typical Vanessa fashion, she did not hesitate to ask for his help. "Perfect! Why don''t you give me a ride? I''ll tell Jack to send someone for the car. It''ll save me a ton of time." "Sure."


    On the road, Vanessa kept studying Felix till he got ufortable. "Is there something on my face?"


    She shook her head and turned serious. "Do you know how precious that martial arts scripture you gave me is?"


    Felix smiled. "It doesn''t matter. It''s fine as long as you like it."


    Vanessa continued, "So you did spot that I''m a martial artist. That''s impressive. It''s wild that a regr guy like Jack has someone like you for a friend.


    "But honestly, thank you. That scripture was exactly what I needed. Nobody can even buy something like that with money."


    It was unusual for Vanessa to be so polite, so Felix joked, "I should be thanking you. You''re a martial artist, yet you''re willing to date my ordinary friend."


    She propped her long legs on the dashboard, looking unbothered. "So what? I''m not hung up on that stuff. I''ll date someone if I like them and move on if I don''t. Jack''s great, especially in bed. He''s an absolute beast.


    Felix cringed hard. Only Vanessa would casually drop something like that with zero filter.


    As he dropped her off in Canraville, she suddenly remembered something. "Hey, call me if you face any troubles while you''re in town. I can''t fix everything, but I can handle the small stuff."


    "Alright."


    Felix arrived at a hotel 20 minutes before the noon meeting and waited by the streetside. A Ford Raptor pulled up right at noon. The driver, Baldo Peterson, stepped out with a cigarette dangling from his mouth. With just a tank top on, he clearly did not care about


    appearances.


    "So you''re the miracle doctor?"


    Felix frowned. Baldo showed zero respect, which irked him. Still, he had to do his job since a Miracle Card was used. "Let''s go."


    As Felix got in, Baldo chuckled. "Hehe! I didn''t expect the miracle doctor to be so young. If you hadn''t dared to answer me, I''d have thought I had the wrong guy."


    Getting no response from Felix, Baldo shrugged and hit the gas. After an hour, the skyscrapers faded as they reached Canraville''s outskirts.


    The Raptor entered an abandoned vige that seemed long deserted, Watching the massive truck squeeze through the narrow vige roads, Felix almost wanted to get out of the car and walk. The surroundings were irrelevant. He just needed to treat his patient and leave. The truck stopped in an open area.


    "Where''s the patient?" Felix asked.


    Baldo turned. He looked at Felix with an intriguing smile. "If I''m not mistaken, you''re the miracle doctor''s mysterious disciple, right?"

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    Something felt off at this point. Before Felix could speak, all hell broke loose.


    Boom!


    All four doors of the Raptor exploded outward, with windows shattering everywhere. Baldo went flying through the windshield to somewhere about 50 feet away. Only then did he manage tond steadily.


    Even with blood trickling from his mouth, he wore a sinister grin. "Haha! It seems you''re both a master healer and a martial artist, just like the miracle doctor."


    Felix stepped out, studying Baldo. That hit was not weak, yet Baldo only had minor injuries. He had to be a Martial Emperor, at least.


    "Did you use a Miracle Card just to try and kill Mr. Hoffman? I''m impressed by your audacity and your stupidity," Felix sneered.


    Baldo licked the blood from his lips as his grin widened. "Nope! Who''d dare target the miracle doctor? You''re his disciple, so we knew you''de instead. Get it?"


    Oh? Felix''s eyes showed contempt. "But you''re not in my league either."


    A breeze whispered through, and suddenly, a hunched old man appeared beside Baldo. His hair was sparse, and his clothes were ragged like a beggar''s. Still, his presence made Felix


    tense up.


    "Mr. Vernon, I could have been killed if you came anyter," Baldoined.


    The old man raised his hand, eyeing Felix. "I''m Vilebane Vernon. Have you heard of me?"


    Vilebane? Felix shook his head. "No."


    Anger shed across Vilebane''s face. As he made a step forward, thunderous booms could be heard instantly. Over a dozen craters exploded in the ground. He could cause such destruction with just one casual step. Vilebane was really on another level. "Ha! That bastard miracle doctor really doesn''t even think I''m worth mentioning to his disciple! How delightful!"


    Felix remained still but was ready to strike. This was his first real threat ever since he became Gerald''s disciple. Honestly, he was not sure about his chances. Vilebane was just too strong.


    "I''ll never manage to kill him in this lifetime. But he has to pay for what he did to me! When I heard you were handling the Miracle Cards I knew my chance hade.


    no


    "The miracle doctor swore never to take a male disciple, yet he broke that vow for you. It shows how much he cherishes you. Killing you should break his heart nicely! Ha!"


    Vilebane had long targeted the Miracle Cards, but they were too precious. They were possessed by either terrifying family ns or powerful figures. His closest chance was at the Kinsley family''s auction in Yartford, but Moonshadow Alliance got it instead. It was another group he could not mess with.


    Finally, he got lucky when a Miracle Card appeared at the Golden Prime Auctions in Yartford. The buyer''s background was significant but manageable, so he got his hands on it easily.


    "It seems like a fight is inevitable! But let me ask you something, old man. Who are you to judge someone as great as Mr. Hoffman?" Felix jeered.


    Vilebane narrowed his eyes and smiled.

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    "Nice talk. Let''s see if you can walk away alive today!" Vilebane snarled.


    The one who could strike first would certainly gain the upper hand. Having sensed Vilebane''s power, Felix was not about to wait around. He thrust both hands skyward as his energy surged. The clear sky instantly darkened with storm clouds. The sight of that astounded Baldo, who was hiding in a nearby building. "Damn! He must''ve started training in the womb. Just his opening move could kill me ten thousand times over!" Boom!


    Thunder rolled as five massive lightning bolts crashed down, each thick as pirs. It was a terrifying scene to behold.


    "Five Thunders Strike!" This was Felix''s strongest move. Before this, no one had


    warranted using it until he met Vilebane. The thunderous impacts carved a massive crater in the ground.


    "Not bad, kid!" To Felix''s horror, Vilebane''s voice cut through the chaos. Felix instinctively leaped back. Vilebane appeared before him almost immediately with his fist stuck out.


    As the punch missed, he opened his palm and released a cloud of blue powder. Despite holding his breath right away, Felix was shocked to find the powder seeping through his skin.


    "This is... Phantom Poison!" He recognized it immediately. It was definitely the same poison that had affected Curtis.


    "That''s right! Phantom Poison is my masterpiece! I could kill you instantly, boy. But after how the miracle doctor humiliated me, a quick death would be too good for you. Let''s y for a while!"


    While talking, Vilebane never stopped attacking. Felix could barely defend, let alone counter. Worse, he could tell Vilebane was toying with him by pulling his punches. At full strength, Felix would have been down already.


    There was another problem. Normally, he could remove Phantom Poison quickly. But there was no time to do it between defending Vilebane''s relentless attacks.


    Wham!


    After dozens of attacks and the poison slowing him down, Felix took a palm strike to the chest. He flew back 50 feet and barely managed to stand.


    He coughed blood, and his face turned pale. As he pulled out a silver needle, Vilebane''s voice boomed beside him.


    "Did you think I''ll give you time to heal? The miracle doctor really has chosen the right disciple. You''re already a Martial Saint at your age, and you can even remove Phantom Poison. Ha! The more impressive you are, the more exciting it''ll be to kill you!" Felix threw the needle, but Vilebane did not even bother dodging. As another palm strike came, Felix could barely raise his arms to block. He went flying again. As he crashed through a wall, it crumbled down.


    "Come practice on him, boy. He''s only at half strength now."


    At these words, Baldo charged forward with eyes gleaming with madness. "Thanks, Mr. Vernon! Haha! You''re the miracle doctor''s disciple, huh? I''ll have my foot on his head in three moves! No, wait, that''s too nice. I''ll piss on his skull!"

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    Chapter


    325


    In Dragonia, martial arts had ancient roots. The modern ranking was simple. Anyone below a Martial King was just called a martial artist. Only those who were Martial Kings or above would be respected in those circles. Above Martial King were levels most could only dream of. For example, there was a Martial Emperor, a Martial God, and a Martial Saint. Felix was now a martial artist who had achieved the level of a Martial Saint. Most old-timers died without being able to reach that level. To achieve it so young, Felix had to be even better than a prodigy to make it possible.


    So Baldo became utterly excited watching Felix drag himself from the rubble. As he was just a Martial Emperor, the chance to rough up a Martial Saint, who was also a genius, had him shaking with excitement. "I''ll take my time with you!" Baldo moved in as he switched from fist to palm. First, he wanted to p Felix, as nothing could be more disrespectful than that.


    "Know your ce!" Felix roared. As his foot came up, Vilebane cursed and flicked his finger. But it was toote. Baldo''s jaw was caught in Felix''s kick. It sent him spinning through the air before Vilebane caught him. "Mmph! Mmph!" Blood poured as Baldo tried to speak through his shattered jaw.


    "How dare you, Felix Zeller!" Vilebane''s expression darkened. Indeed, his finger-flick saved Baldo''s life. But attacking Baldo right in front of Vilebane was a pure insult.


    "If I''m going down, I''m taking someone with me. Send him over again if you''ve got the guts." Felix spat blood too. He had to force his energy out. If not, he would have been too weak to fight Baldo.


    Then, Felix was surprised to discover something had cracked inside him. He had broken through the level of a Martial Saint to the peak of mortal power.


    "What kind of timing is this?" So what if he had broken through? The Phantom Poison was spreading, and there was no way his body would heal. Even at full power, matching Vilebane would be a stretch. His chances of winning were even less now.


    As a powerful martial artist, Vilebane spotted it instantly. "You actually broke through the Martial Saint level now? What a joke. Now die!"


    Something told Vilebane to stop ying around, or things might get worse. He moved in for the kill as his hands arced through the air.


    Just then, beautiful flute music filled the air. It was impossible to trace where it came from. Vilebane''s expression fell. He looked up to see a figure floating down with a flute at her lips.


    $75 BOAKIS


    Chapter 32%


    Her purple dress and hair danced in the wind. The musle was urgent yet gentle, which matched her otherworldly beauty. It was such a breathtaking scene,


    "The Silver Flute! You''re... the miracle doctor''s third disciple, Karina Smith!"


    Felix heard and caught sight of Karina. He managed a weak smile. "Karina, it''s been a while."


    As Felix rxed, Vilebane went stiff. He bolted without a second thought, leaving even his dying disciple behind.

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    Just then, the flute''s melody shifted dramatically, causing Vilebane to turn pale with shock as he felt an invisible force m into his body. When Felix looked over, he found Vilebane copsed on the ground, his limbs twisted in hideous angles that barely resembled anything human anymore.


    Terror filled the dying man''s eyes as he struggled to form hisst words. "W-Why are you here? Why..."


    With Vilebane''sst breath, Felix felt his own strength giving out. Just as he was about to fall backward, he noticed a sweet, floral scent filling the air, and someone caught him. "Well done, Felix," Karina said.


    Looking up at the breathtaking beauty before him, Felix managed a weak smile before losing consciousness. This was Karina, ranked third among the senior apprentices in terms of power.


    While he had always known about her abilities, this was his first time witnessing her in action, and it was absolutely mind-blowing. Vilebane, who had nearly killed Felix, did not even make Karina break a sweat-she simply yed her signature flute, and he was dead. When Felix finally regained consciousness, he felt better than ever before, and the Phantom Poison in his system had vanished entirely.


    "Mr. Hoffman gave me a pill to bring to you. Don''t get the wrong idea. I haven''t suddenly taken up medicine," Karina said.


    Her voice brought him fully awake, and he realized he was back in his own home.


    11


    "Karina, thank you for saving me," Felix began, but then something clicked in his mind. Wait a minute! You mentioned Mr. Hoffman''s medicine? Does that mean you came to save me on his orders?"


    Karina nodded. "Of course. Did you think I was just hanging around with all the time in the world or was somehow psychic?"


    Felix''s mind raced as he tried to process this information while Karina moved to sit on the edge of his bed.


    She exined, "Mr. Hoffman knew your meridian channels needed external stimtion to break through. He predicted Vilebane would seek revenge through the Miracle Card and use you to get to him. Everything went exactly ording to his n."


    Felix could not help butugh bitterly. "Well, I guess I should thank him then! My meridians would have opened in a month anyway. He sure knows how to surprise me!" "Oh?" Karina''s beautiful eyes sparkled as she gently touched Felix''s cheek. "Maybe Mr.


    Hoffman was being a bit nosy, but now that your meridians are open, you can start practicing the Dragons Destroyer.


    "Plus, you can begin searching for the nine dragon vertebrae left behind on Earth when the ancient dragon transformed and departed-your power will skyrocket like never before."


    Felix was already aware of these because Gerald had exined them before. There was no way he would pass up this opportunity.


    Karina continued, "Vilebane wouldn''t have dared to attack you if he didn''t have help. ording to Mr. Hoffman, Vilebane would never act alone. This may be the work of those old bastards lurking in the shadows.


    "You need to collect those dragon vertebrae quickly, Felix. We can''t always count on Mr. Hoffman predicting everything and sending me or the other senior apprentices to save you in time."


    Felix shook his head with a smile, feeling his determination return. "Don''t worry, Karina. I promise this won''t happen again.".


    Suddenly, Karina stood up and began removing her purple dress. Her cheeks were slightly flushed. "Actually, there''s one more thing I need to ask of you."


    Felix felt his scalp tingle. If she needed a favor, she could have just said it-there was no need to undress herself.

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    To be honest, Felix had always seen the nine senior apprentices as potential partners, but he was also a man of principles. Even now, with temptation at its peak, he held firm to his values.


    Karina''s purple dress had fallen, and she stood there only in her undergarments. She was the definition of perfection, with curves in all the right ces and a face that could mesmerize any man whoid eyes on it.


    Nheless, Felix held himself back, resisting the urge to pull her onto the bed. He stuttered, "Karina, I-I haven''t resolved my engagement situation yet."


    Karina''s slight blush only made her more alluring. "But I can''t just use words when I ask someone for help. I have nothing else to offer, so I can only offer myself. Don''t worry, we don''t have to tell anyone."


    Could he really? If it were that simple, he would have made a move on Averill long ago. He replied, "That''s not necessary, Karina. I''d move heaven and earth to help you anyway!"


    Karina slipped her dress back on with swift, decisive movements as soon as the words left his mouth. Felix caught the yful glint in her eyes and realized he had been yed. Truly, none of the nine senior apprentices were as innocent as they looked. "Karina, that was so mean!" Felix grumbled.


    She shed him a radiant smile that seemed to light up the room. "Oh? And if I were to take it off again, would you really dare act on it?"


    Felixughed helplessly-they both knew he would not dare; he was all talk.


    Then, Karina exined, "Mr. Hoffman finally agreed to do a reading for me. Surprisingly, it turns out my brother has a living descendant. I''m too focused on training to be aware of worldly affairs, let alone managing rtionships. I was hoping you could check on them and offer some support."


    The matter seemed simple enough for Felix, but something still puzzled him. "Of course, I''ll handle it perfectly for you! But wait-Mr. Hoffman is so stingy, and readings drain his energy significantly. How did you convince him?"


    Karina opened the bedroom door and dropped a bombshell that left Felix dumbfounded. She said, "I prepaid a million-dor membership at his favorite spa."


    Setting aside the disturbing thoughts about Gerald, Felix began to examine his own situation. Years ago, when Gerald took him as an apprentice, he imnted a dragon scale in Felix''s body.


    He could have progressed faster, but the scale had absorbed most of his energy, keeping him stuck at the Martial Saint level.


    Now that his meridians were finally open, the dragon scale had been fully merged, allowing him to practice his true technique, the Dragons Destroyer. ording to Gerald, he would be nearly unbeatable once he collected all nine dragon vertebrae left in this world. Just as Felix was about to get some more rest, his phone rang-it was Jack. He answered, " Jack, what''s the matter?"


    He checked the time; it was past 10:00 am, and he had been out all night.


    "Hello, is this Mr. Felix Zeller?" an unfamiliar male voice came through the phone, causing Felix to sit up straight.


    ""Yes, that''s me!"


    "Mr. Jack Graham has been in a car ident and is being treated at Mercy Hospital. You''re listed as his emergency contact, and given the severity of his injuries, we need you toe immediately."


    Felix was shocked to hear that Jack was in a car ident. "I''m on my way!"


    When Felix arrived at Mercy Hospital, the nurse did not lead him to the operating room as expected. Instead, he went to a VIP ward, which left himpletely puzzled.

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    The phone call had mentioned that Jack''s injuries were severe, and Felix had been prepared to rush straight into surgery to save bilin. Yet, here he was at a ward.


    "Jack!" One look at his friend lying in the hospital bed told Felix everything he needed to know-aside from some surface wounds, Jack was fine enough to recover at home. "Nurse, what''s going on here?" Felix asked, confused.


    The nurse smiled, seemingly expecting his question. "Your friend got lucky. A master healer happened to be giving a lecture in our traditional medicine department and rushed over as soon as they heard about the ident." Felix breathed a sigh of relief, d his best friend was okay. He had been absolutely terrified during the drive over.


    "Do you know what caused the ident?" he asked the nurse.


    The nurse nodded and exined, "A drunk driver hit your friend''s car. The driver died instantly. Only Mr. Graham and one passenger from the other car made it to the hospital with serious injuries."


    Felix was shocked to hear that the person was drunk driving at such an early hour. It was clear that he must have been drinking all night. It was simply reckless.


    "Could you tell me where this master healer is? I''d like to thank them personally," Felix said, deeply indebted to whoever saved Jack''s life.


    "They''re treating the other ident victim in the next room. If you wait outside, you


    should be able to catch them."


    Felix waited by the door of the neighboring VIP ward for about 30 minutes before it finally opened. Several doctors in white coats emerged first, looking like senior staff or specialists. "Dr. Morgan''s skills are absolutely incredible," onemented.


    Another chimed in, "Indeed! Even with such severe injuries, Dr. Morgan managed to treat the patient so easily. I wouldn''t have been confident about the oue in the operating room."


    "Also, Dr. Morgan is still so young. Even though I practice modern medicine, I must admit that our country''s traditional medicine has a promising future."


    Felix''s expression turned curious as he watched them pass, and sure enough, Zara walked out next. He realized the master healer the nurse mentioned must have been her. "Felix?" Zara looked equally surprised to see him.


    "Can we talk?"


    "Sure," Zara replied. Then, they moved to the sitting area in Jack''s ward, where Zara eximed, "What a coincidence! I had no idea Jack was your close friend!"


    Felix chuckled. "Right? Thank you so much. I don''t know if I would have made it here in time otherwise."


    Zara waved off his thanks, looking slightly tired. "My mentor always taught me to help those in need. That''s why I sometimes give lectures on traditional medicine at hospitals around Dragonia. When emergencies like this happen, I can''t just stand by and watch." After chatting for a while, Zara''s phone rang. She replied to the message and said to Felix, "My friend''s here to pick me up for lunch. Felix, your friend will wake up in a few hours. Once I''m settled in Avesburgh, you won''t ignore me, are you?"


    "How could I?" Felixughed. "Dinner''s on me tonight-whatever you want. Come on, I''ll walk you''down."


    While they had only been casual acquaintances before, things were different now since she had saved Jack''s life. Hence, Felix needed to thank her on Jack''s behalf.


    In the parking garage, a young man was leaning against a BMW. When he saw Zara, he smiled. However, his gaze froze when he saw Felix, and he blurted out, "Felix?"

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    Felix narrowed his eyes as he studied the young man. Between the photos me hud dooms him and the fact that this stranger knew his name, he was sure this was fiden. "Jaden, I never expected we''d meet like this," Elix said.


    Suddenly, Zara stepped between them, fixing Jaden with a serious look "What do you think you''re doing?" she asked, sensing his murderous intent.


    Jaden took a few steps forward, his gaze zing with cold fury. "Step aside, Zara Felix must die- I was going to handle this after our lunch, but it seems fate wants him dext sooner rather thanter."


    "You''re the one who came knocking," Feliz sneered.


    Their hostility angered Zara. "Both of you, shut up! I''m standing right here, and neither of you better dare make a move!"


    Jaden fell silent for some reason, and Felix also held his tongue. Felix would not have cared about Zara''s intervention in the past, but now she had eamed his respect by saving Jack''s life- that had to count for something Seeing the tension ease slightly, Zara spoke again. "Jaden, leave now. I''ll contact youter


    After throwing a few cold res at Felix, Jaden finally got in his car and left. It was clear that Zara held significant influence over him.


    Zara asked, "Felix, what''s going on between you and Jaden? It seems like there''s no way to fix it!"


    Felix shrugged helplessly. "Honestly, I''m not entirely sure of the reason. All I know is he''s tried to kill me several times. What am I supposed to do, just let him?"


    Zara could tell Felix was being truthful, but it still puzzled her. After a moment''s thought, she said, "I know Jaden-he''s not someone who kills without reason.


    "Look, Felix, would you do me a favor? Stop pursuing this conflict with Jaden, and I''ll talk to him about leaving you alone. I know it''s unfair to ask this of you, but I''ve known Jaden for over a decade, and I can''t just stand by and do nothing." Only someone who knew Felix''s impressive skills could understand her concerns. Even though Jaden was also skillful, someone was bound to get hurt if they fought-Zara did not want to witness that.


    Felix nodded without hesitation and turned to leave, but not before warning, "Fine, I''ll do this for you, and we''ll call it even for saving Jack. But tell Jaden to stay away from me if hees after me again, he''s dead, and no one will be able to stop me. Chapter 329


    +25 BORUS


    He left, and his words hung heavy in the air. Zara watched him go, musing on his words. She thought, "Felix, I''m actually trying to save you here. You don''t stand a chance with Jaden''s strength and the entire Crimson Sage Sect backing him. Half an hourter, in a luxury home in Avesburgh, Zara confronted Jaden. She asked, "So, you really won''t tell me why?"


    She studied Jaden''s unreadable expression, hoping to get a clue. Soon, Jaden sighed and gave in. "Fine. Remember the woman I told you about?"


    "Yes, what about her?" Zara asked.


    "She''s engaged to Felix," Jaden exined. "I didn''t think much of him at first, but now I''ve discovered he''s a prodigy in traditional medicine. How can I just let that slide?"

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    Zara sighed deeply, amazed that two exceptional men were at odds over a woman. It really was true that love could bring down even the greatest of men.


    "If it''s about a woman, why notpete for her fairly? Jaden, you know how exceptional you are. Why resort to such extreme measures? Zara suggested. Zara knew better than to try talking Jaden out of pursuing the woman entirely. After all their years of friendship, she understood how important this woman was to him and his mentor.


    Jaden frowned, clearly annoyed. "Zara, given our rtionship, how can you take Felix''s side? I''m really disappointed in you!"


    Zara reasoned, "Then you should know exactly what kind of person I am! You''ve seen Felix''s medical skills. Do you really think he''s as simple as he appears? Look, he''s agreed to let bygones be bygones and won''t cause you any trouble. Just stay calm and use your natural talents to win her over properly."


    Given their sibling-like rtionship, Jaden had always respected Zara. Eventually, he relented. "Fine, I know you mean well. But if Felixes after me, don''t me me for showing no mercy."


    Their simr warnings gave Zara an uneasy feeling that conflict might still be inevitable.


    At sunset, Vanessa rushed into the hospital with tears in her eyes, only to find Jack and Felixughing together in the room. She immediately ran over and punched Jack.


    "Damn it! I was worried sick the whole way here, but you don''t even look like you''ve been in an ident!"


    Jack quickly hugged her apologetically. Her tears spoke volumes about her concern.


    "I''ll leave you two lovebirds alone," Felix said, heading for the door.


    "Felix, thanks for everything. Let me walk you out!" Vanessa offered.


    In the hallway, Felix remembered something. "Hey, Nessa, could you help me track down someone? She lives in Canraville and is just an ordinary citizen."


    Vanessa gave him a reassuring grin. "Leave it to me-I''ll get you that info ASAP!"


    Just as he left the hospital, Felix received a call from Curtis asking him toe over for lunch. From his tone, Curtis seemed particrly cheerful.


    Felix could not refuse Curtis, especially since their arrangement only had a month left. With that in mind, he picked up some gifts and headed to the vi, where Curtis was busy


    in the kitchen with several dishes alreadyid out.


    "Felix,e in! Thest dish is almost ready. Could you go to the third floor and tell Xena lunch''s ready?"


    "Sure," Felix replied, surprised to see Curtis cooking himself.


    It had to be something really special to put Curtis in such a good mood, even more than when he had recovered. While Felix had visited the vi many times, he usually went straight to Curtis'' room on the top floor. Even so, he knew where Xena''s room was. Her bedroom door was open, so Felix walked right in. "Xena, Mr. Summers Senior says-


    00


    He stopped mid-sentence, suddenly flustered as Xena met his eyes and screamed at the top of her lungs.


    "Get out!" Xena shouted.

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    Felix quickly stepped out but finished delivering his message. "Mr. Summers Senior says lunch is ready."


    The bedroom door mmed shut as Xena sat on her bed, looking upset. Her hair was dripping wet and wrapped in a towel. Though nothing was really exposed, she felt vited.


    She believed this kind of scene was meant for a husband''s eyes only, not Felix''s. If she had known Curtis had invited Felix for lunch, she would never have chosen this time to shower.


    With the female housekeeper and Curtis being her own family, she felt safe enough to leave her door ajar. After all, none of them would enter without her permission. Yet, this had led to this embarrassing scene.


    "That damn jerk!" Xena cursed, seething at the thought of Felix seeing her fresh from the shower. 2


    Ten minutester, Xena came downstairs wearing overly modest clothing that covered everything possible. 1


    "Xena, are you going out?" Curtis asked, confused since she had agreed to have lunch at home.


    "No," she replied curtly.


    Only Felix understood her meaning, though he found it somewhat amusing. He could not believe she was this upset when she had only revealed her cleavage and legs just now. "Grandpa, why didn''t you tell me you invited Felix?" Xena asked.


    Curtis sighed, clearly aware that their fake rtionship was not improving. "With such good news, of course, your boyfriend should be here to celebrate," Curtis insisted. Knowing Curtis'' stubbornness, Xena gave up arguing.


    "Felix!" Curtis raised his ss with a bright smile and exined, "Xena has done extraordinarily well. After her report in Yartford, Lord Hector himself confirmed that headquarters had approved her promotion. In one month, she''ll officially be a Wady!" Pride shone in Curtis''s eyes as he continued, "She''ll be the first Wady in Dragonia''s history! She''ll stand equal with the Four Great Warlords, maintainingmand of the Phoenix Legion while also governing three provinces. Isn''t that impressive?" "Yes. Very impressive," Felix agreed politely, knowing this would only make Xena more arrogant. Nheless, it did not matter to him,


    "Cheers!" Curtis eximed.


    After a toast, Xena focused on eating, clearly wanting to avoid conversation.


    "By the way, Felix," Curtis added, "Xena''s moving to Canraville tomorrow to prepare for her new position. You should go with her. I know you don''t have any real work keeping you in Avesburgh."


    "What?" Xena protested before Felix could respond. "Grandpa, why does he need toe to Canraville?"


    Curtis'' expression turned stern. "Don''t be ridiculous! He''s your boyfriend. You can''t have a long-distance rtionship. You agreed to date for a month, so do it properly, especially now that you''re bing a Wady." Taking a deep breath, Xena conceded, knowing she could not win against Curtis. "Fine, I have no objections."


    She thought it might be good for Felix to see just how powerful her new position would be. Then, when their month was up, he could leave without making a scene or begging Curtis for another chance.


    Felix had no objections either. After all, Curtis had the final say. "Yes, Mr. Summers Senior, I''ll do as you suggest."


    After finishing the delicious meal, Felix made sure topliment the cooking.

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    $20 BORS


    "Your cooking is amazing, Mr. Summers Senior" Felix praised genuinely.


    Curtisughed heartily. "Of course it is! That''s how I won over my wife back in the day!"


    While the two men chatted happily, Xena was left to her own thoughts. She had initially felt a strange, inexplicable attraction to Felix, but his attitude during their initial encounter ruined that.


    After learning about his medical skills, she even made an effort to talk to him. Yet, his attitude remained unchanged, causing her feelings to shift once again. Just then, Xena''s phone rang, and she quickly stepped into another room to answer. "Lord Hector," she answered respectfully. She knew that even after her promotion to Wady, she would maintain the same level of deference to her mentor and benefactor.


    "There''s a concert in Canraville in three days. I want you to personally handle the security, "Hector instructed.


    Xena almost could not believe what she heard. It was ridiculous to hear that a mere artist''s concert required her, a Wady, to act as security.


    Before she could object, Hector continued, "It''s not just any event-it''s Dreamscape''s first concert after disappearing for three years. The headquarters considers it highly important, and many big shots will attend. Do you understand?"


    Xena gasped when she heard the name, suddenly understanding why she was chosen. Dreamscape was known as the "Angel''s Voice", and the news instantly dissolved Xena''s negative feelings about the assignment.


    "I''ll ensure everything goes perfectly, Lord Hector!" she promised.


    Dreamscape was not a typical entertainment industry figure. In fact, they were just someone who loved to sing. They never didmercial performances, movies, or advertisements. Even at rare concerts, they wore a mask, keeping their identity secret. Years ago, when a major earthquake hit Dragonia, Dreamscape performed three days and nights to encourage trapped victims and rescue workers.


    Miraculously, everyone trapped beneath the rubble survived, iming Dreamscape''s voice had filled them with strength and hope. Even the rescue workers said the music made their exhausting work feel lighter.


    When Xena emerged from the bedroom, she heard Curtis'' excited voice saying, "My God! Dreamscape is finally back after three years with a new concert?"


    "Who''s Dreamscape?" Felix asked, genuinely confused as he had never followed entertainment news.


    +25 BORUS


    "You don''t know Dreamscape? Let me tell you all about them," Curtis said enthusiastically,unching into the story.

 Billionaire With Husband 333

    Telepathy? Felix smirked and kept driving, ignoring the voice. It was amusing that simply having lunch with the Summers family had attracted this kind of attention.


    As he pondered the matter, he realized that Phantom Poison, which had affected Curtis, was incredibly rare and valuable, After encountering Vilebane, the creator of that poison, Felix knew that ordinary people could not possibly ess someone of that power level. In other words, the Summers family had a hidden enemy who was finally showing their hand. After some hesitation, he called Xena, who actually answered.


    "What do you want?" Her cold tone immediately irritated him.


    If Curtis had not been such an honorable man who respected their engagement and them a month to get to know each other and see if they could make this arrangement work,


    gave Felix would not have bothered getting involved.


    "Come to my house. There''s someone you need to take into custody," he stated.


    "Are you ordering me around?" Xena snapped.


    "Whatever. It''s your choice," Felix replied and hung up.


    Arriving at Kane''s ce, Felix parked and sat down in the yard, knowing the person behind the telepathy would not give up so easily. Sure enough, a hideous middle-aged woman appeared in the courtyard within minutes. "You little brat. Not only did you ignore my message, but you didn''t even stop your car!"


    Felix calmly picked up his teacup after sizing her up. "Why should I stop? You should have stepped in front of my car if it was urgent."


    The woman sneered, "If there weren''t so many witnesses around, you think I wouldn''t have? Come with me. Be my puppet, and you''ll discover what true glory means."


    Felix took a sip of tea and shook his head. "You''re just a piece of trash barely reaching the Martial King level, yet you dare make demands of me?"


    Without Felix making any visible movement, the woman suddenly copsed, unable to feel her legs. Terror crossed her face as she realized this young man''s power far exceeded hers


    she could not even detect his movements, let alone defend against them.


    "You''d better release me, or everyone in your bloodline will die!" When Felix continued drinking his tea, ignoring her, she pressed on, "I''ll tell you the truth-I work for Madam Spring. Are you sure you want to make an enemy of her?" Felix frowned, recognizing the name of the powerful old woman from a conversation between Averill and Leslie about a high-profile incident.


    "One more word, and I''ll tear your mouth apart. Your choice," Felix warned, making the woman fall silent as her eyes darted around, searching for an escape.


    It was interesting that someone like this Madam Spring had targeted Curtis, especially since they seemed to have no apparent connection. Felix quickly dismissed these thoughts


    -with Xena involved, he did not need to waste mental energy on it.


    About 20 minutester, Xena entered the courtyard and looked suspiciously at the woman. "Felix, what are you doing?"


    Felix gestured toward the woman as he stood up. "She''s all yours. You might get some details about Mr. Summers Senior''s poisoning from her."


    Xena''s eyes widened in realization, and her expression immediately turned serious. Curtis'' brush with the deadly Phantom Poison had been weighing on her mind, and she had been desperate to uncover the truth before the culprits could strike again.

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    The woman huffed. "Ha! I was careless this time, but Xena, you won''t get anything from me, and your grandfather-he''ll die in absolute agony!"


    Blood spurted from her mouth as sheughed, and within seconds, she was dead.


    Felix shook his head in disappointment. "For someone about to be a Wady, you''re quite slow. I gave you such clear hints, yet you didn''t restrain her-and now she''s dead. Don''t me this on me!" Xena was furious, holding back the urge to p him. "I just got here and knew nothing about the situation! How was I supposed to react that quickly? Since you could subdue her, why didn''t you restrain her yourself?" Felix changed his approach, realizing arguing with her was pointless. "She only mentioned working for someone called Madam Spring. That''s all I know. You can go now."


    The name clearly meant something to Xena. She gasped and immediately grabbed the woman''s body before rushing out.


    The next morning, after breakfast, Felix drove with Jack in the passenger seat. He gave Jack a sidelong nce and asked resignedly, "Are you really here just to see me off?"


    Jack grinned. "Come on, why so grumpy about havingpany? It''s a long drive to Canraville, and I''m doing you a favor by keeping youpany."


    Felix knew better-Jack was obviously using this as an excuse to visit Vanessa in Canraville.


    "Since Nessa''s in Canraville and you''re also going there, I guess I''ll have to request a transfer there as well," Jack admitted.


    After a moment''s hesitation, Felix responded, "That''s your business. I can''t really talk to Yvonne about it in my current situation."


    Since hisst conversation with Yvonne, he had decided not to contact her until the situation with Xena was resolved.


    "Don''t worry. Ms. Cooper likes me, and I''m confident I can get transferred," Jack assured


    him.


    Having promised Curtis, Felix nned to head straight to Canraville to find a ce to live. Just then, Vanessa called, and after hanging up, Jack smiled. "Nessa''s throwing you a wee dinner tonight and inviting some friends so she can properly introduce me. You won''t turn us down, right?" Jack asked. Though Felix was not a fan of such gatherings, he could not refuse Vanessa. "Sure. You''d probably beat me up if I didn''te."


    425 BCAUS


    "That''s more like it!",


    Just as they hit the highway, Jack suddenly sat up straight with an incredibly scheming grin that made Felix ufortable.


    Felix urged, "Just spit it out!"


    Jack gulped nervously before saying in a ttering tone, "Felix, Dreamscape''s having a concert in Canraville. You could definitely get me a ticket with your connections, right?"


    Felix could onlyugh helplessly at Jack''s apparent fondness for Dreamscape. "Sorry, but you''re asking the wrong person. I don''t have any connections for that.


    Just as Jack was about to respond with disappointment, Felix''s phone rang. It was Yvonne, and despite Jack''s presence, Felix answered through the car''s Bluetooth. "Yvonne, what''s up?"


    Upon hearing his boss'' voice, Jack immediately sat up straight as Yvonne spoke. She said, I want you to think carefully before answering-miss would like to invite you to Dreamscape''s concert. Will you ept?"

 Billionaire With Husband 335

    Jack did not know who this "miss" was that Yvonne referred to with such respect, but he focused entirely on the concert mention.


    "Please thank her for her kindness, but I''ll have to decline," Felix responded, puzzled by the invitation.


    He had not really shown his medical skills during thepetition with Guneria, so it was strange that N was suddenly so interested in him. Not only had she not been angry when he declined her dinner invitation, but now she was offering concert tickets. "I understand. I''ll ry your response," Yvonne said before hanging up.


    Before Jack could speak, another call came in-this time from Sherlyn, whom Felix had not heard from in a while.


    "Hello, Ms. Holt," Felix answered.


    "Hey! Can''t you just call me Sherlyn?" she protested.


    Felix felt awkward with Jack sitting right there. "Go ahead, Sherlyn. I''m listening."


    "That''s better! You must know about Dreamscape''s concert in Canraville, right? Would you like to go with me? You won''t say no, will you?"


    Another Dreamscape concert invitation? Felix realized he had underestimated the situation. Having N and Sherlyn involved suggested that many VIPs would attend- something unprecedented in the entertainment industry.


    A mere celebrity in the entertainment industry would not even be qualified to meet someone like N, yet N was interested in Dreamscape''s concert. This showed that the artist was obviously on an entirely different level. "I''m not really into concerts, sorry," Felix declined politely.


    Sherlyn persisted, but after several attempts, she finally hung up, disappointed. At this point, Jack could not keep quiet anymore.


    He eximed, "What the hell, man! I thought you didn''t have connections for Dreamscape tickets! Two women just offered you tickets, and this is how you treat your best friend?"


    Seeing Jack pretend to whine dramatically, Felix gave in to his friend''s theatrics. "Fine, fine! I''ll try to get some tickets, but don''t get your hopes up too high."


    Felix had no other choice since N and Sherlyn had brought up the concert when Jack was around. Otherwise, it would not have been so troublesome. In the end, he decided to call Vivian.


    The call quickly connected, and Vivian asked, "Felix, how can I help?"


    "Can you get tickets to Dreamscape''s concert?"


    Jack tensed up excitedly, suddenly remembering Vanessa and holding up two fingers.


    "I can, but they''ll only be in Section A since VIP seats are invitation-only. Each VIP ticket has a name on it and can''t be transferred. I hope you understand, Felix."


    Jack could barely contain his excitement when he heard that. He had seen the concertyout and knew the seats in Section A were only 16 feet behind the VIP section. It was already more than enough for him.


    "Great. Could you get four tickets for Section A and send them over to Canraville?" Felix requested.


    "Sure. They''ll be there in three hours."


    After hanging up, Jack was thrilled. "You''re the best! You even got me extra tickets!"


    Felix smirked. "Don''t get too excited-you only get two. I need the other two for something else."


    Since he had requested tickets, he might as well make the most of it. Felix nned to give one ticket to Wendy, who had helped him a lot. As for the other, it would be a perfect icebreaker when meeting Karina''s brother''s child. After all, who could refuse a Dreamscape ticket?

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    "Fine, two tickets it is. I''m easy to please," Jack conceded.


    After reaching Canraville, Jack was furious to learn that Ster Group''s executives had made a surprise visit to the Avesburgh office. He had to rush back by train, as entertaining the executives that evening was non-negotiable.


    At New Glory''s luxury real estate office, only a few sales agents were with clients, as such high-end properties naturally drew limited customers. Just as thest clients left, a sharp p echoed through the office, drawing everyone''s attention. "Ms. Martinez, w-why did you hit me?" Michelle Smith asked in disbelief, holding her cheek.


    "Why? You worthless bitch! I lost a vi sale because you offended my clients. Tell me- don''t you deserve that p?" Julia Martinez snapped.


    Michelle fought back tears as she defended herself, "They tried to get handsy, and I didn''t even say anything-I just walked away! How is it my fault if they won''t buy?"


    Julia pointed at Michelle angrily, her eyes burning with rage. "Oh, still talking back?"


    Then, she raised her hand for another p while the other agents looked on with mixed expressions. Even so, none none stepped forward. After all, Julia was their top seller, someone even their manager would not even cross.


    As Michelle closed her eyes in fear, the expected pain never came. She opened her eyes to find a young man holding Julia''s wrist.


    "Let go of me! Who the hell are you?" Julia demanded.


    Felix, who had intervened, frowned. "So this is the level of professionalism at the


    prestigious New Glory? It surely is something else."


    Realizing Felix might be a potential client, Julia quickly changed her tone. "I''m so sorry, sir. This is a personal matter-we apologize for the disturbance."


    Felix released her hand with a snort and turned to Michelle. "I''m interested in vi. Could you help me?"


    buying a


    Michelle stood frozen in disbelief, but Julia quickly stepped between them. "Sir, I''d be happy to show you our vis. We have specific assignments here, and she''s not authorized to sell them."


    "She''s right... I''m not authorized to sell vis. I''m sorry," Michelle admitted.


    Felix smiled inwardly, knowing Michelle was Karina''s brother Carlile Smith''s only living


    Chamter 336


    descendant a fact even Karina had not know before. The circumstances of her birth might have beenplicated, but that was not his concern-he just needed to look after her, as Karina had requested.


    "No authorization? Well, I insist on having her sell me a vi. Is that going to be a problem?


    Julia fumed. She was the undisputed queen of this office, and even the sales manager did not dare cross her. Looking Felix over more carefully now, she decided he could not possibly afford their 50 million-dor vis. He was probably just some nobody trying to impress Michelle.


    Julia crossed her arms arrogantly and stated, "Let me be clear-nothing happens here without my say-so. Besides, do you even have the means? We require a financial check before showing our vis."

 Billionaire With Husband 337

    Julia felt justified in her attitude, both from her assumptions and because financial checks were indeed required to purchase at New Glory it waspany policy.


    Looking at Felix''s attire, with no designerbels and not even a luxury watch that any sessful person would wear, Julia was convinced he was just a nobody trying to show off.


    Felix remained calm. "A financial check? Where do we do that?"


    "We can verify it right here," Julia said with a smirk, thinking Felix was just another shameless person.


    Someone quickly brought over a card reader while the other agents shared Julia''s skepticism about Felix''s buying power. Only Michelle inexplicably believed in him, though her position made her hesitant to speak up.


    "Sir, please present your bank card and enter your PIN here. The machine won''t charge you -it just needs to verify you have at least ten million dors in avable funds. The light will turn green if sessful," Aaron Turner exined. Felix nodded and handed over his card. The moment Aaron nced at it, he froze.


    "Aaron, what are you waiting for? Run the verification!" Julia snapped impatiently.


    Aaron suddenly became extremely respectful. "Sir, please wait a moment," he said as he quickly pulled out his phone to make a call.


    Julia was puzzled by his reaction. She peered at the card and gasped. "A Concord Bank Diamond Card?"


    391a recognize a Concord Bank


    As a top seller, Julia was familiar with wealthy clients and Diamond Card. However, these cards required a minimum of five billion dors in deposits to qualify for consideration-and even then, approval was not guaranteed. Julia refused to believe the young man in humble attire could actually own a Diamond Card. Anger suddenly red in her when she caught Michelle from the corner of her eye. She shouted, "Verify it! It must be fake!" Since it hade to this point; Julia had to persist in her belief. Otherwise, she would be held responsible if Felix turned out to be fake.


    Just as Aaron hesitated, a middle-aged man in a suit rushed over. He said, "Sir! I''m the manager here at New Glory. Please ept our sincerest apologies and allow me to escort you to our VIP reception room for personal service." Felix smirked. "Weren''t we doing a financial check?"


    The manager waved his hands and replied, "With a Concord Bank Diamond Card, just


    Chanter 337


    showing it is sufficient. Please forgive our oversight."


    After all, no one would dare forge a Concord Bank card-the penalties were severe, and the cardholder could not fake actual payment.


    "I still think we should verify it. The card''s authenticity is questionable," Julia persisted.


    The manager had just eased the tension, but Julia was still running her mouth. The manager pointed toward the door and dered, "Report to HR immediately. You''re dismissed!"


    Top sales or not, Julia had overstepped in a way that was now risking thepany''s reputation.


    "It''s fine-let''s do the financial checking right here," Felix insisted, wanting to establish his credibility for Michelle''s sake and put Julia in her ce once and for all.


    When the green light illuminated on the card reader, everyone was stunned. Such a young man with a Concord Bank Diamond Card seemed impossible, and Julia''s face turned pale as she realized how big a mess she had made. Today''s Bonus Offer

 Billionaire With Husband 338

    .


    Suddenly, Felix pped Julia twice and yelled at her, "Listen here! Michelle is my cousin, and you''re getting off easy with just two ps. Now get out of her!"


    No one thought Felix''s actions were rude. Instead, everyone seemed to find them justified. Even Julia had to back away with an apologetic smile-such was the difference in their social standing.


    After reaching the VIP reception room, the manager quietly excused himself while Michelle remained extremely nervous.


    "I''m sorry about earlier. I just can''t stand seeing injustice, and I was only nning to buy a vi when I saw you being bullied. That''s why I stepped in, and I hope you don''t mind that I called you my cousin," Felix exined.


    Michelle finally rxed at his exnation, as his words put her previous concerns at ease. "Thank you, Mr. Zeller. There aren''t many people like you these days," she said gratefully. "Please, call me Felix. Let''s go check out the vis. If I find one I like, I''ll buy it immediately. I prefer being straightforward," he replied.


    Michelle had already received authorization


    from the manager to sell vis. While themission would notpletely change her life, it would definitely help improve her immediate circumstances.


    Besides, this was just Felix''s first gift, and many more woulde. After all, if he could not handle Karina''s request as her junior, it would reflect poorly on him.


    When the deal was closed, Michelle could hardly believe her eyes.


    "Michelle, I can tell you''re sincere. If any of my friends want to buy property, I''ll definitely rmend you," Felix said warmly.


    Michelle was overwhelmed with gratitude. Tomorrow was her birthday, and this felt like the best early birthday gift she could ever receive.


    "Thank you, Felix. Thank you so much," she replied earnestly.


    After leaving the sales office, Felix received a call from an unknown number. He expected it to be Gerald, but it turned out to be a courier.


    "Mr. Zeller, there''s a package for you," the courier said.


    Felix did not think much of it at first and started to say, "I''m not in Avesburgh. Please leave it at-"


    The courier''s next words caught him off guard. "I''m in Canraville, and this package is extremely important. It must be delivered to you personally."


    Felix was surprised they knew he was in Canraville. After some thought, he gave them the address of the upscale restaurant where he was meeting Vanessa. He was curious about what could be so important it required personal delivery. Before long, Felix arrived at the upscale restaurant in Canraville. Though Jack had to return to Avesburgh for an emergency, Vanessa had insisted hee since he had already promised, so he nned to make a brief appearance. When he entered the private room, instead of finding Vanessa, he saw four people-two men and two women-ying poker.


    "Is this the room Vanessa Meyer reserved?" Felix asked.


    All four studied him briefly, and one of the women stood up and walked toward him, saying, "Yes! Oh! You must be Jack? Come in, Nessa''s stuck in traffic, but she''ll be here soon."


    Felix felt obligated to correct the misunderstanding. "I''m not "


    "Listen here, Jack!" One of the young men suddenly stood up, mming his hands on the


    table and looking at Felix with disdain.


    He continued, "I don''t care about your family background or status. You''re not good enough for Nessa. You don''t understand our circle and never will, got it? If you''re smart, you''ll leave now!" Hearing this, Felix smiled. "Well, why don''t you tell me about your circle?"


    The young man looked around dramatically. After that, he shook his head and pulled something from his bag, pping it on the table.


    "Other examples probably wouldn''t mean anything to you! But do you know what this is? It''s an A-level ticket to the Dreamscape concert. Now you should understand just how far apart our worlds are!"

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    The others looked at Felix with simr contempt, clearly disapproving of Jack and Vanessa''s rtionship. The Dreamscape concert was the hot topic of the moment, making it the perfect tool for their mockery. Moreover, these were Section A tickets-something even many wealthy people could not get their hands on, let alone what they considered a country bumpkin from Avesburgh like Jack.


    A strange glint shed in Felix''s eyes, but before he could speak, the woman who had greeted him intervened. She scolded, "Robert! Nessa''s already talked about this, and you know her temper! Can''t you tone it down?" The woman then tugged at Felix''s sleeve and added, "Don''t mind him-he just likes to joke around. Please, have a seat."


    Robert Sharkey tucked the tickets away, and his expression softened slightly. "I''m just trying to be nice here, not insult you. Our circle isn''t something ordinary people can just join, and Nessa has other admirers. You''ll be in trouble once your name gets out there."


    Looking at Robert''s expression, Felix could tell he was being sincere, which made the situation somewhat interesting. He stated firmly, "First, my name is Felix Zeller. Second, Jack is my best friend, and I believe what matters most is that he and Nessa love each other. 11


    When they realized they had made a mistake, they all exchanged nces. Robert pped the table again and said, "Felix, why didn''t you say you weren''t Jack earlier? You got me all worked up for nothing!


    "But since you''re his good friend, please pass along my message-I''m trying to help. When the real yers show up, it''ll be toote for regrets.


    Vanessa''s friends seemed decent enough, though Robert came across as somewhat elitist, but not unbearably so.


    Felix shook his head slightly before speaking again. "Jack is my best friend, and while your words weren''t directed at me, they were still out of line. Since you didn''t mean real harm, just apologize to my friend in front of me, and we can move past this." "What?" Robert dramatically cupped his ear, his expression exaggerated. "I don''t think I heard you correctly."


    The woman immediately became anxious. "Felix! Nessa''s friends aren''t people you want to mess with. Please don''t add fuel to the fire-even Nessa won''t be able to smooth this over when she arrives!"


    "Thank you for your concern," Felix replied before turning back to Robert. "But I insist-


    you need to apologize to Jack."


    Robertughed. "If Nessa weren''t about to show up, you''d be in serious trouble already! Let me make this clear-I won''t apologize even if Nessaes! So you''d better keep your mouth shut before I lose my temper, or things will get really messy." Just as he finished speaking, the door to the private room opened. Everyone expected to see Vanessa, but instead, more than a dozen people in purple suits filed in and formed two


    neat rows.


    "Royal Elite Courier Service at your service!"


    Felix was puzzled, but Robert and the others jumped to their feet. "Royal Elite Courier Service? Impossible!"


    Seeing everyone''s shocked expressions, Felix quickly asked the woman beside him, What''s Royal Elite Courier Service?"


    The others nearly rolled their eyes at his ignorance of the famous courier service.


    Are you


    serious? Royal Elite is the world''s most expensive courier service. They only handle high-value items and offer triplepensation for any damage. Their minimum service fee starts at a million dors, and they won''t transport anything worth less than ten million. "Even billionaires think twice before using their services!"

 Billionaire With Husband 340

    "So the delivery fee alone starts at a million dors?" Felix thought to himself, amazed at the extravagant cost.


    It seemed incredibly expensive, but then he realized there were plenty of ultra-wealthy people who valued this level of service. For them, it was not about the cost-it was about the prestige. "Which one of us would even qualify to receive something from Royal Elite?" Robert asked after recovering from his shock. No one answered, which made the situation even more intriguing.


    Anyone who used Royal Elite Courier Service had to be extremely wealthy and prestigious, and the recipients were usually just as notable. Moreover, Royal Elite was known for its in-person signatures and perfect delivery record even a single mistake would be scandalous and damage its reputation.


    Just then, another person in a purple suit, though notably darker than the others, entered carrying an exquisite square box with both hands. Everyone watched as he approached Felix and stopped. "Mr. Zeller, your delivery. Please sign for it."


    Felix''s curiosity faded, turning into slight resignation. "Were you the one who called me earlier?"


    Though he had suspected it earlier, he had not dared assume. After all, he had thought it was just a regr delivery. It seemed clear this was likely set up by one of the senior apprentices as a prank. "How do I sign for it?" Felix asked.


    "Just epting the box is sufficient, sir. We''ve recorded the entire process.*


    Royal Elite Courier Service''s reputation for perfection meant Felix did not need to worry about any procedural issues.


    "Alright," Felix said, taking the box.


    The courier bowed and stated, "Deliveryplete. Thank you for your eptance.


    Goodbye."


    Long after they left, the room remained silent as everyone stared at Felix in disbelief. After all, this was Royal Elite they were talking about!


    Robert, in particr, kept gulping nervously. He had just finished demonstrating his supposed superiority over Felix, and now his face stung with embarrassment.


    Royal Elite was beyond anything he could dream of even his father had once tried to use their service for a valuable item. However, he declined when they quoted a three-million-dor delivery fee.


    Felix remained quiet, examining the exquisite box with its lifelike engravings and what appeared to be gold ting. The box alone looked valuable enough to fetch a significant price. The room''s atmosphere finally lightened when Vanessa arrived. "Sorry I''mte, Felix. There was a traffic ident," she apologized. She was about to make introductions when she noticed something odd, particrly the box in front of Felix.


    "Holy shit! Is that Royal Elite Courier Service? Am I seeing things?" Vanessa eximed, clearly familiar with their distinctive boxes.


    "Yes, it is Royal Elite, Nessa. Felix just received it," the woman confirmed.


    Vanessa moved closer and squeezed Felix''s shoulder yfully. "Come on, Felix, we''re all friends here. Can I see what''s inside?"


    Felix nodded without hesitation but then pointed at Robert. "No problem. But first, he needs to apologize to Jack. This is hisst chance."

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    Vanessa''s eyes narrowed as she shot Robert an icy re. "Robert, didn''t I specifically warn you about looking down on Jack and his friend? What''s your problem?"


    Given their years of friendship, Robert was not particrly bothered by Vanessa''s confrontation. However, Felix''s actions had thoroughly infuriated him.


    Robert replied, "I''m just giving them a reality check. Nessa, you know how I am. But Felix, calling me out like this in front of everyone, is crossing a line. Do you think getting some fancy delivery service makes you better than me? The waters in Canraville run deeper than you can imagine!"


    Instead of apologizing, Robert became even more hostile. Vanessa was furious, but before she could speak, Felix held up his hand to stop her.


    "That''s not the point here; the main issue is that a real man keeps his word about making an apology," Felix stated calmly.


    He was already acting considerate for Vanessa''s sake, but if Robert insisted on being disrespectful, he had other ways of handling it. Of course, it would not be as gentle as his current approach. 1


    Robert scoffed. "You expect me to apologize? Dream on! I''m done with this dinner, but don''t worry-it won''t affect my friendship with Nessa. How long have you even known each other?


    "And that precious box of yours probably only contains something with tens of millions at best. Do you think that gives you the right to act high and mighty?"


    As Robert stormed toward the exit, Felix remained unfazed. He figured Robert would have plenty of time to regret his actionster. Since Vanessa was curious and he had no idea what was inside, Felix immediately opened the box.


    "Is this..." Vanessa''s anger instantly evaporated as she reached for the item inside, her expression frozen in shock. "Oh my God! A VIP invitation to Dreamscape''s concert?"


    The others could not believe their ears and quickly gathered around. When they confirmed it was genuine, their jaws dropped in disbelief.


    Getting Section A tickets to Dreamscape''s concert was already a challenge, and even Robert had only managed to get one through family connections. Yet, Felix had received a VIP invitation.


    Everyone knew Dreamscape''s iron-d rule-VIP invitations were reserved for the nation''s elite across all fields. Hence, that ticket alone spoke volumes about Felix''s status.


    Robert, who had reached the doorway, stood frozen in ce. He would not have cared if the box contained items worth billions. After all, money could not always buy influence. *


    But a VIP invitation to Dreamscape''s concert? That was an entirely different matter.


    "Wow, Felix! So that''s why Jack mentioned you gave us Section A tickets-you''re actually sitting in VIP! That''s incredible!" Vanessa was not entirely surprised, considering he had casually given away powerful techniques as wee gifts. "Who even sent this?" Felix muttered in annoyance.


    The others were thunderstruck by his reaction. They could not believe that he was actuallyining about this.


    "Who sent it? Felix, only Dreamscape herself has the authority to issue VIP invitations," Vanessa exined. "No connections or individuals can influence that process. So, who else could have sent it?"


    Felix frowned as he tucked the solid gold VIP ticket into his pocket. This was bizarre since he did not know Dreamscape. Why would she send him a ticket?


    Instead of dwelling on it, he turned his attention to admiring the box, much to Vanessa''s visible frustration.

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    "Felix! Are you out of your mind? You''re seriously not nning to go?" Vanessa''s voice was filled with disbelief.


    "Nope," he replied simply. His brief response sent chills down everyone''s spine, as only someonepletely clueless would say something like that. "You have to go. Those VIP seats at Dreamscape''s concert are incredibly rare," Vanessa


    don''t show insisted with absolute seriousness. "I can personally guarantee that if you every Dreamscape fan in Dragonia will make your life a living hell."


    Felix looked up at Vanessa, and upon seeing her dead serious expression, he could only nod in resignation. "Fine, I''ll go."


    up,


    At that moment, Robert approached them with an awkward smile stered on his face."


    for Nessa''s Um, Mr. Zeller, I was wrong earlier. I''m really sorry. I hope you''ll forgive me, sake at least."


    The contents of that boxpletely humbled Robert. He knew the consequences would be severe if he did not apologize now.


    When Felix remained silent, Robert quickly added, "My bad. I also need to apologize to Jack. I was being a jerk, and I promise I''ll apologize to him in person when I see him next time." Vanessa chimed in with a few supporting words, finally giving Felix a reason to let it slide." Apology epted, but I don''t really have a good impression of you now. You know what to do, right?" "Of course! I''ll leave now. Thank you, Mr. Zeller."


    Everyone knew that Robert''s departure only meant one thing-Jack was officially epted by the group of friends. Regardless of Jack''s profession or social status, none of that mattered anymore-having a friend like Felix backing him up was more than enough.


    As sunset approached, Felix found himself at an upscale restaurant near the outskirts of Canraville. The ce had an elegant ambiance with its ssical architecture and pavilions, while the soft sound of traditional music created a soothing atmosphere." "Wendy, this ce must cost a fortune," Felixmented.


    Indeed, Wendy had chosen this restaurant. Life had a funny way of working out-she had also just moved to Canraville a few days ago to expand her business.


    With Moonshadow Alliance supporting operations in Yartford, things were stable there. Besides, she was young and ambitious, and it was only natural for her to seek growth. "Compared to the Section A tickets you gave me for the Dreamscape concert, is the cost 1/2


    really worth mentioning?" Wendy''s smile was as sweet as honey.


    She still could not believe that Felix had remembered her and gifted her one of those impossible-to-get Dreamscape concert tickets. More importantly, Felix was nning to settle in Canraville, which meant they could see each other regrly.


    "So you''re a Dreamscape fan too?" Felix asked


    "Of course. After what Dreamscape did during the great earthquake crisis, who wouldn''t be? She''s nothing like those superficial celebrities out there."


    After chatting over their meal for a while, Felix asked, "Do you know the owner of this ce?"


    Wendy gave a mixed response, somewhere between a nod and a shake of her head. "I guess you could say I sort of know him. I met Mr. Larry Laird at a dinner event my dad took me to.''


    "Tell me more about him."


    Wendy nodded and continued, "Mr. Laird is something of a legend in Canraville. He''s a brilliant businessman and the city''s restaurant mogul. Plus, his younger brother is one of the major yers in Canraville''s underground scene, so people tend to show him respect." Seeing that she was not getting to the point, Felix interrupted, "How does hepare to your father now?" 1


    This time, Wendy answered without hesitation, "He''s definitely not on the same level. Are you looking to do business with Mr. Laird, Mr. Zeller?"


    Felix hesitated for a moment before saying, "No. It''s about grave relocation."

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    Wendy was taken aback and eximed, "Grave relocation?"


    The topic seemedpletely disconnected from their previous conversation, and she could not help saying, "Mr. Zeller, L... I don''t quite understand."


    Felix knew he needed to exin, though he kept it brief. "I need Mr. Laird to relocate his family grave. It might seem like an unreasonable request, but it has to be done. Could you ask your father if he can help make this happen?" Given everything Felix had done for her family, Wendy could not refuse to try at least. "Of course, let me make a quick call."


    This unusual request stemmed from Felix detecting one of the ancient dragon''s spine fragments in the area. Since his meridians had evolved and the dragon scale had fully bonded with him, he could sense all nine spine fragments of the ancient dragon within a certain range.


    ording to Gerald, most fragments were marked on the map he provided. However, there was always the possibility that some had been discovered by chance or imed by others.


    This restaurant was not marked on the map, yet Felix had sensed the fragment clearly upon entering. After a quick inspection, he discovered the fragment was buried beneath a grave in the restaurant''s private back garden.


    Though the gravestone was unmarked, its location in the restricted area suggested a connection to the owner.


    The ancient dragon''s spine fragment would take at least a week to harness with his current abilities properly. Breaking in or working in secret was impossible as it would only escte the situation, and any interruption during the process would force him to start over. Hence, persuading Larry to move the grave was the best option.


    After about 15 minutes, Wendy returned with an apologetic expression that suggested bad news. "I''m sorry, Mr. Zeller. My dad immediately called Mr. Laird and offered to hire the best expert for the relocation.


    "Given my dad''s current status and sincerity, we thought it would be an easy request, but Mr. Laird refused."


    Felix frowned, but his mood quickly returned to normal. "It''s fine. Let''s continue our meal. Forget I mentioned it."


    Wendy looked a bit uneasy, feeling she had let Felix down. She wanted to make a good impression, yet this favor had backfired.


    As they were finishing up, a fat middle-aged man entered their private dining room,


    apanied by a manager pushing a cart loaded with premium alcohol worth a small


    "Ms. Kinsley, why didn''t you tell me you were dining here? Your father would scold me for being rude"


    As she stood up, Wendy whispered to Felix, "That''s Mr. Larry Laird."


    Felix smiled as this saved him the trouble of seeking the man out himself.


    "Don''t worry about it, Mr. Laird. I was just having a casual dinner with a friend," Wendy replied politely.


    Just then, Felix spoke up. "Wendy, you can head out. I''d like to have a word with Mr. Laird."


    "Of course, Mr. Zeller. I''ll take my leave then."


    Larry was a seasoned businessman and immediately noticed the power dynamic between them. The Kinsleys were already impressive enough, with Moonshadow Alliance backing them and their rising influence in Yartford, yet their precious heiress was showing such respect to this young man.


    "May I ask who you are?" Larry asked.


    "I''m Felix Zeller. I''m nobody important," Felix replied with a smile. "Please, have a seat, Mr. Laird. I have a matter to discuss with you.''

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    Larry took a seat and gestured to the manager, Instructing firmly, "No one enters without my permission."


    Once the door closed, Felix said, "I assume you''ve figured things out, Mr. Laird?"


    Larry nodded. "I''d be a fool not to. When I see you dining with Wendy right after Vincent''s call, it''s not hard to connect the dots."


    His gesture with the expensive drinks was clearly an attempt to smooth things over after rejecting Vincent''s request. It was obvious that Larry was a real people-pleaser.


    Felix said, "Alright. Let''s just get straight to the point. I need you to relocate that grave. I only need ess to the back garden for a week, and after that, you can do whatever you want with it."


    Larry seemed troubled. "Mr. Zeller, seeing how Wendy respects you, I know you''re no ordinary person. But that grave means a lot to me, and there''s a precious family heirloom buried beneath it. I simply can''t agree to this."


    Larry assumed Felix had somehow learned about the family heirloom and was after it. What he did not realize was that Felix was actually a reasonable person; otherwise, he would already be dead.


    "Let''s not dance around it and just name your terms. If I can meet them, we have a deal. If not, I''ll walk away," Felix stated firmly.


    Of course, walking away was not really an option since the dragon''s spine fragment was too important. Besides, that thing could not be moved by ordinary means-no human or machine could budge it without rare materials, which was why Felix needed this arrangement in the first ce.


    Larry was about to deflect again, but something in Felix''s eyes made him reconsider. After a moment''s hesitation, he said carefully, "Since you put it that way, I''ll make one request. If you can fulfill it, I''ll relocate the grave immediately and give you a week''s ess to the back garden."


    "Go on," Felix replied, curious about what Larry wanted. It clearly was not money or connections, especially since Vincent''s current status far exceeded Larry''s.


    "My family''s ancestry is in culinary arts. It''s been my lifelong dream to honor their legacy. I''ve managed to secure a ce in Dragonia''s culinary scene, but true sess is incredibly challenging. Unlike other businesses, connections alone aren''t enough." Larry gestured at their nearly empty tes. "You''ve tasted our food, Mr. Zeller. Be honest -how was it?"


    Felix nodded. "It was excellent, and I mean that sincerely."


    Chapter $44


    "Exactly! I''m not just bragging the quality speaks for itself. But I can''t seem to build the right reputation. The elite won''t give me the time of day, and average customers won''t make enough impact. I''m just missing that one crucial element." Felix''s


    patience was wearing thin. All this talk was starting to feel like stalling "Just tell me what you want. I''ll worry about whether it''s possible."


    Larry''s stubbornness was frustrating, but his request aimed higher than even Vincent could reach, "I was wondering if you could arrange for Lady Xena Summers, Dragonia''s first goddess of war, to dine at my restaurant?"

 Billionaire With Husband 345

    Felix''s expression shifted slightly when Xena''s name was mentioned. Of all the possibilities he considered, Xena was not among them.


    Mistaking Felix''s reaction for hesitation, Larry decided toy all his cards on the table, " I''m not just talking about a quick meal, Mr. Zeller. I want to give her a grand reception-if you understand what I mean.


    Larry''s motivation made sense. He was devoted to his restaurant business, and what better way to gain instant recognition than hosting a celebrity of Xena''s caliber? With proper publicity, sess would be inevitable.


    "Let me guess-you also want to take photos with her and disy them in your restaurant? "Felix asked wryly.


    Larry shifted ufortably. "Come now, Mr. Zeller, I know my boundaries. Lady Summers isn''t some regr celebrity, so photos are obviously out of the question."


    The mention of Xena made Felix contemte the situation carefully.


    He considered potential alternatives but realized even someone like Vivian, the current head of Dragon Alliance, would not have the same impact as Xena. After all, Dragon Alliance was just a private organization unknown to most ordinary people. "I''ll see what I can do and let you know," Felix finally said.


    Larry was surprised. He had expected immediate rejection, but it seemed there was actually hope. "Wonderful! I look forward to hearing your good news.


    Larry was not trying to make things difficult; he genuinely wanted to get his name out there in the culinary world. As Felix left the restaurant, he could not help but feel both amused and troubled.


    He thought Larry had given him quite the challenge. Anyone else would have been manageable, but Xena?


    Just then, Curtis called. "Hey Felix, Xena just moved to Canraville. She''s new to the area and doesn''t know anyone. Would you mind helping her get settled?"


    Felix would never refuse a request involving Xena, whether it was for his own sake or not. He asked, "Of course, but isn''t it a bitte to visit?"


    "Don''t be silly. I told you she had just arrived. Go ahead. It''s fine," Curtis insisted.


    Felix genuinely respected Curtis. Over the past month, he consistently created


    opportunities for Felix and Xena to connect. If things did not work out between them after all this, it would be entirely their own fault.


    Chapter 345 4


    Xena''s new residence was near the outskirts, not far from the Wolfie troops'' base. The base, which had longcked direct leadership from headquarters, was finally getting its Wady.


    When Felix arrived, the lights were on in the vi, suggesting she had indeed just arrived and was likely still unpacking. Even with everything prepared, personal items would still need organizing. After ringing the doorbell, Xena''s voice came through. "Why are you here?"


    Felix wanted to respond sarcastically but thought better of it. "How else would I know your address?"


    When the door opened and Felix entered, he found Jaden already there helping Xena unpack. Jaden said rudely, "There''s nothing for you to help with here. Are you expecting Xena to serve you tea or something?" Felix/ignored Jaden and turned to Xena instead. "Can we talk?"


    Xena hesitated before agreeing. This was the first time she had seen Felix so direct. If nothing else, she still had not found any leads about Curtis'' Phantom Poison incident until Felix provided that name-Madam Spring.

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    Since Felix had been dragged into the Phantom Poison incident because of her, Xena felt somewhat guilty. Thus, she agreed to the talk. Alright."


    As they walked out, Jaden seethed with frustration. If not for his promise to Zara, he would have confronted Felix already.


    "Felix, I''m going to win Xena over before she bes Wady," he muttered. "If you''re smart, you''ll back off now. Zara can''t protect you forever." While walking through the neighborhood, Felix decided to skip the small talk. "Have you heard of Yardley Dining?"


    "No, I haven''t." Xena shook her head.


    However, her heart unexpectedly raced, and she could not exin why. Was Felix really nning to pursue her?


    "I need a favor from Mr. Larry Laird of Yardley Dining," Felix exined. "His condition is having you dine at his restaurant-a very formal, special dinner."


    Hearing that he was asking for a favor, Xena''s excitement instantly deted. "Absolutely not! I''m about to be a Wady. Do you expect me to be a promotional tool for a random restaurant? That''s ridiculous!" 1


    She had a point-even A-list celebrities would hesitate to do such promotions, let alone someone of her status. Moreover, Yardley Dining was not even internationally renowned.


    "If you agree, I''ll be at Mr. Summers Senior''s beck and call whenever he has any health issues," Felix offered. It was hisst resort-the only thing he could think of that might persuade her.


    After a long moment of consideration, Xena nodded. "Fine. You better keep your word."


    While Xena might have reservations about other aspects of Felix''s character, his medical expertise was undeniable. She was still investigating Madam Spring and had no guarantee of catching her.


    Hence, having a master healer on call would provide peace of mind, especially since Madam Spring seemed to be ying a long game with Curtis'' life.


    Although only the top two master healers in Dragonia could refuse to see her once she became Wady, she still felt that Felix was uniquely skilled among master healers.


    "Thank you," Felix said before turning and walking away without another nce.


    Xena gritted her teeth, frustrated that her usual charm seemed ineffective on him. When she returned to the vi and opened the door, a powerful waye of energy surged toward her.


    She mumbled, "What was that?"


    Jaden rushed over with concern. "Xena, are you alright?"


    "Was that you?"


    Jaden smiled proudly. "Yes, I was on the verge of a breakthrough, though I didn''t expect it to happen just now. I''m d you''re okay."


    Xena''s eyes shed with a hint of envy. "You''ve advanced from Martial King to Martial Emperor?"


    Jaden nodded and suddenly dropped to one knee, producing a ring. "Xena Summers, I never thought I''d fall for anyone until you came along. You''re about to be Wady, and I''ve just reached Martial Emperor status. Be with me-we''re meant to be together."

 Billionaire With Husband 347

    Jaden''s sudden proposal caught Xenapletely off guard. In all honesty, the man kneeling before her checked all the boxes of her ideal partner-handsome, kind, aplished, and backed by the prestigious Crimson Sage Sect.


    Sadly, the timing was not right. Xena exined gently, "Jaden, you know my grandpa asked me to date Felix for a month. There''s still about two weeks left. I hope you understand."


    Jaden stood up, looking somewhat embarrassed. "I''m sorry. Ipletely forgot about that.


    The euphoria from his breakthrough had made him impulsive, momentarily forgetting about Felix, whom he considered insignificant. Nheless, he noticed the look in Xena''s eyes and felt he still had a chance, especially considering Xena''s promotion to Wady would happen muchter.


    Shortly after Jaden left, the doorbell rang. Xena was a little annoyed, wondering how everyone seemed to know her whereabouts so easily. Then again, it could be Felix.


    But as soon as she saw who it was, she went straight to greeting the guest.


    "Leia, what brings you here?" Standing at the door was Hector''s deputy, Leia, with whom she had always maintained a good rtionship.


    "Lord Hector sent me. There are some matters we need to discuss in person," Leia replied.


    Since Hector sent Leia, it had to be important. Thus, Xena invited her inside and took her seriously. "Sure. Come on in."


    Once settled in the living room, Leia, known for her straightforwardness, got right to the point. "The Wolfie troops aren''t just any military unit-they''re meant for a Warlord. While your promotion to Wady is certain, wouldn''t you prefer real authority rather than just a title?" Xena frowned. "Are you suggesting there are rebels within the Wolfie troops?"


    Leia shook her head. "It''s not quite that simple. These troops from headquarters aren''t truly disloyal. The difference lies in how they follow orders. Do they think strategically about aplishing the mission, or do they just go through the motions?


    "For example, if you ask one to head east, do they just step in that direction and stop after one step, or think ahead on how best to get there? Neither approach technically disobeys orders, but which would you prefer?"


    The answer was obvious to Xena. "While both follow orders, I''d prefer those who think strategically." After all, every leader would want capable, intelligent subordinates rather than mindless followers.


    "Exactly. The key figure here is Alistair Hill, themander. He''s an exceptional officer with admiral potential, but he''ll likely resist your leadership. He''ll follow orders but without initiative or strategic thinking."


    The prospect of having someone of admiral caliber under hermand excited Xena. After all, such talent was rare, especially when not already imed by others. "Please, Leia, I need your advice. This is crucial for me." Leia raised two fingers and exined, "There are only two ways to earn Alistair''s genuine respect. First, overwhelm him with superior strength, but that''s impossible since he''s at Martial God level."


    That was the in truth. Xena herself was only nearing Martial King and was still far from Jaden''s level, let alone Alistair''s.

 Billionaire With Husband 348

    Leia continued, "The second way is to do him a favor. The only opportunity we know of is through his chronically ill sister. But this won''t be easy-Alistair once used his greatest war achievement to convince Lord Hector to summon Ss for her, but even Ss couldn''t help."


    Xena''s expression fell. If Dragonia''s second-ranked healer, Ss, could not help, what hope was there? Any leader knew the invaluable worth of having a capablemander. Hence, earning Alistair''s genuine respect was crucial to securing her position as a Wady. "Leia, did youe here just to discourage me?" Xena asked with a bitter smile. "Both options are impossible for me."


    If Ss could not help, what could she do? Even if she did be Wady, getting Ss'' attention was not guaranteed. And as for the top-ranked healer, that was even less likely.


    Leia replied, "Don''t you know any master healers? Dragonia''s history spans centuries. The current top-ten-ranked healers are just those who seek the spotlight. What about the hidden masters?


    "Take the miracle doctor, for instance. He''s nearly impossible to find, but whenever he appears, he never fails to cure what others can''t."


    Leia''s words sparked something in Xena''s mind, and Felix''s image shed through her thoughts. He had cured Curtis'' long-standing Phantom Poison, so perhaps he had the skills to help Alistair''s sister. It might be a long shot, but it was worth considering. "I might have an idea, though I can''t guarantee sess," Xena replied thoughtfully.


    Leia warned, "Remember, since Ss'' attempt, Alistair''s grown skeptical of regr healers. If you want to try, you''ll need to find the right moment-don''t be too direct."


    Xena nodded. "Got it."


    Meanwhile, Felix had just arrived at his newly purchased Serenity Manor, which came fully furnished. Otherwise, he would have just flipped it after helping Michelle meet her sales quota.


    As he entered the vi''s courtyard, his arms suddenly shot out to catch a woman falling from above. "Well, this is different," Felix remarked wryly.


    As he examined the unconscious woman in his arms, he could not help but feel a tug ofpassion. She wore a white dress and, despite her haggard appearance, possessed an eyes closed. ethereal beauty that stirred protective instincts even with her


    "Lucky for you, you found me," Felix muttered.


    4


    He carried her into the vi, not out of any inappropriate intentions, but because she was near death. While he was not one to actively seek patients, ignoring someone in such dire need would be inhumane.


    About five minutester, a man appeared in the Serenity Manorplex. He sniffed the air, and his expression darkened instantly. "The scent has faded! This is bad.""


    After surveying the area, he reluctantly pulled out his phone, and the look in his eyes reflected both guilt and fear. With trembling fingers, he dialed a number.


    "Speak!" The single word from the other end made the man shudder.


    "Captain Hill, M-Ms. Hill is missing," he stammered.

 Billionaire With Husband 349

    Half an hourter, a group of men arrived at the scene, each exuding a fierce, battle- hardened demeanor. It was clear they were experiencedbat veterans.


    "Captain Hill, punish me as you see fit," the first man said with his head bowed low. "I failed to protect Ms. Hill."


    The man whomanded such respect appeared to be in his 40s, with a square jaw and a cross-shaped scar on his forehead. His cold gaze alone was enough to send a shiver down anyone''s spine.


    Alistair replied, "It''s not your fault. Yara has been suicidal for a while now. She must have used her inner energy for that burst of movement, despite her condition. You couldn''t have kept up. Did her trace disappear here?"


    The man nodded. "Yes, she could be nearby or much further away."


    Thanks to his unique practice, he could track a person''s scent as long as they did not leave a certain radius.


    Alistair bit his finger until it bled and began murmuring something. His men''s faces paled at this action, and one spoke up urgently. "Captain Hill! Your injuries haven''t fully healed -using the Blood Tracking technique could permanently damage your foundation!" Alistair ignored the warnings-everyone knew how much Yara Hill meant to him.


    "I found her! Someone masked her presence. That''s why the trail vanished. Let''s go!"


    Felix, who had just gone downstairs of his newly purchased Serenity Manor, was about to get a drink of water when his front door was kicked open. Immediately after, a group of men stormed in.


    "Seize him!" Felix frowned but did not resist as two men grabbed his arms.


    Soon after, Alistair came downstairs carrying the woman Felix had just treated. "You''re a martial artist. Why did you mask my sister''s presence?"


    Alistair''s eyes gleamed dangerously, though he maintained some restraint after seeing Yara was unharmed.


    "I just treated her. Anyway, I don''t appreciate you breaking into my home, so get out!"


    One of the men holding Felix barked, "How dare you! Do you know who you''re talking to? This is Commander Alistair Hill of the Wolfie troops. Do you want to go to prison?"


    Felix remained stern. "I don''t care who you are. I''ve broken nows-you''re the ones who broke down my door, and now you''re trying to y the victim?"


    Suddenly, something urred to Alistair. "Check Yara''s condition," he ordered urgently.


    The only man in civilian clothes stepped forward to check her pulse. He was clearly a doctor. After a moment, his eyes widened in shock.


    "This is impossible, Captain Hill! Ms. Hill''s pulse is better than ever-she seemspletely healed! Dr. Grayson said she wasn''t supposed to survive another use of her inner energy for more than three days, but now... I can''t exin this!"


    This was exactly what Alistair had suspected. Though not a doctor himself, as a powerful martial artist, he knew Yara had used her energy with suicidal intent. Yet when he held her, her breathing was steady, nothing like someone at death''s door.


    "You can''t exin it, but someone can," Alistair said. He gently ced Yara on the couch and walked over to Felix, signaling his men to release him.


    To Felix''s astonishment, themander of the Wolfie troops dropped to both knees before him.


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    Alistair dered, "In my life, I''ve only kneeled before my parents, but today, I kneel before you, sir. Please, I beg you to save Yara''s life."


    The dozens of men present suddenly dropped to their knees as well. They all owed their lives to Alistair many times over, so this gesture came naturally to them.


    Alistair continued, "We broke into your home and attacked without knowing the truth. I''ll cut off my own arm if that''s what it takes for you to forgive us and save my sister.''


    11


    He raised his right hand, his expression unchanging as he prepared to strike his left arm.


    "If you actually do that, I won''t help Yara," Felix warned quickly.


    Alistair was caught off guard, and his eyes lit up with hope. "You''ll help her?"


    Felix sighed. In truth, he was genuinely moved by Alistair''s character. He had met many military men before, but never one like Alistair someone whobined fierce loyalty with such devotion to family. "Everyone, please stand up. This is making me ufortable," Felix stated. After they rose, he looked at Yara and said, "I''ve only temporarily saved her life. She has about two months at most-that''s my limit."


    Alistair felt his emotions churn, shifting from gratitude to disappointment. He thought he had finally found a hidden master healer who could cure Yara, but two more months were all they could buy her. He mumbled, "It is what it is. I understand." Felix shot him an annoyed look. "Would you let me finish?"


    Alistair looked embarrassed, unsure how to respond.


    Meanwhile, Felix exined, "Yara''s condition isn''t an illness, but it''s her constitution. The only cure is practicing a specific type of martial art, not just any kind-it has to be exceptional." Hope returned to Alistair''s eyes. "Please tell me more."


    Felix felt a headacheing on. When he caught Yara, he recognized that her constitution matched Leslie''s exactly. To survive, she would need to be Leslie''s apprentice.


    Gerald had already set rules that only Felix''s future students required his personal approval. However, his nine other senior disciples could ept any pupil at will.


    Felix said, "I know someone whose martial arts could save Yara..I''m certain she would ept Yara as a student, but the challenge is finding her-it might take some time." Alistair was d to hear that. "Thank you so much, sir. If you''d like, I can help search for her."


    Felix shook his head. "Better not-she doesn''t react well to strangers."


    He realized he would need to contact Averill again since she was the only one who regrly used a phone; the others found it pointless.


    Just then, someone rushed in. "Captain Hill! Someone noticed you mobilizing us from the Wolfie troops. We just got word that Lady Summers is almost here. What should we do?" "We''re leaving!" Alistairmanded, not wanting anyone else involved in Yara''s


    treatment.


    However, a familiar voice rang out. "Am I really that unwee, Alistair?"

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    As the sound faded, Xena walked in and was surprised to see Fritz there she quiriday masked her reaction and ignored him, secretly hoping he would not mention their rtionship in front of her subordinates, especially Alistair that would be ton embarrassing "Lady Summers!" Alistair and the others bowed respectfully. Just as predicted, Alistair was not the type to disrespect authority, though his true loyalty remained questionable


    Xena acknowledged them with a slight nod. "Quite amotion here. Is there anything i can help with? I know I don''t officially start until tomorrow morning, but I hope you don''t mind me asking."


    The others remained silent until Alistair spoke up. "It''s nothing serious. My sister just went missing for a while, but we''ve found her. Thank you for your concern, Lady Summers


    Felix stood there silently, smart enough to pick up on Xena''s deliberate attempt to hide their rtionship.


    "I see. I''m d it was just a false rm," Xena replied.


    As Alistair picked up Yara again and headed for the door, he suddenly remembered he had not gotten Felix''s contact information. If Felix had found someone who could save Yara, how would he know to contact him?


    However, Xena was still lingering there, and Alistair hesitated before deciding his sister''s life mattered most. Bracing himself, he walked over.


    "Sir, I haven''t gotten your name and contact information yet," Alistair said respectfully.


    The formal address surprised Xena. After all, someone as proud as Alistair showing such deference was unheard of.


    "I''m Felix Zeller. Here''s my number." Felix did not hesitate, though he was slightly surprised to learn that this man was Xena''s new subordinate.


    "Thank you," Alistair replied simply. Even though he did not borate, his expression said it all he would do anything Felix asked without question. "Wait!" Xena called out as Alistair turned to leave, making everyone look at her curiously." Did you have some kind of conflict with him?"


    Alistair frowned. "No."


    Biting her lip, Xena walked to Felix and firmly stated, "Alistair, you can be honest with me. Felix is my boyfriend, but if he''s done anything wrong, I won''t show any favoritism!"


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    Alistair''s expression changed dramatically as this was perhaps the most shocking news he had heard in years.


    "You''re Mr. Zeller''s girlfriend?" he asked, looking at Felix for confirmation.


    Felix nodded resignedly as he replied, "Yes, we''re dating."


    He was always honest about facts, regardless of circumstances or feelings. Besides, he promised Curtis to make Xena his girlfriend, and that was that.


    After getting confirmation, everyone''s expression changed, and Alistair rxed. "In that case, I must thank you too, Lady Summers. It seems Mr. Zeller came to Canraville because of your new position, which gave Yara a chance to meet and be treated by him."


    -


    Xena was thrilled Felix being her boyfriend meant his favor to Alistair indirectly came from her, which should help secure this powerful ally''s loyalty.


    "Alistair, I always speak the truth. I already know about your sister''s condition, and my boyfriend happens to be a master healer. I was nning to discuss this with you tomorrow and have him examine her. What a coincidence that you''ve met tonight!"

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    Recognizing Xena''s honesty, Alistair had already begun to ept his new superior. "Thank you for your concern, Lady Summers. Mr. Zeller has already found a way to treat Yara- now I just need to wait." After Alistair left, Xena turned to Felix. "You''ve done me a huge favor."


    Felix was annoyed. Xena had directly imed him as her boyfriend without giving him a chance to exin, and she had gotten away with quite an advantage.


    He stepped closer to her with a mischievous look. "Oh really? How do you n to thank me?


    For some reason, Xena felt flustered. He was standing so close that his scent overwhelmed her senses, leaving her feeling strangely unsettled. She stuttered, "W-What are you doing?


    Wanting to teach her a lesson, Felix suddenly grabbed the back of her head and kissed those coveted lips that many men had only dreamed of touching. The sudden contact left Xena''s mind in chaos-she had never been touched by a man before, so her stunned reaction was natural.


    When Felix''s tongue brushed against hers, she snapped out of it, pulling back with a furious re. She shouted, "Felix, how dare you!"


    Felix just smirked and deliberately licked his lips, appearing unsatisfied. "How dare I? You pretended not to know me when you arrived, then imed me as your boyfriend when it suited your purposes. This kiss is nothingpared to your cunning and what you gained." Xena was speechless. Anger radiated from her, and she stormed out of the vi. However, Felix was unconcerned about her thoughts. After calling Kane to continue their online strategy from before, Felix could only hope Averill would arrive quickly again, as he had no other options.


    The next day, near noon, Felix was heading to a restaurant in Canraville when he received a call from Yvonne. He assumed it was about N and asked, "Yvonne, what''s the matter?"


    "Nothing really... I heard you''re staying in Canraville. I justnded and was wondering if I could take you out for lunch?"


    Despite expecting Yvonne to avoid him because of N, her call stirred something in him. "Let me treat you instead. I''ll text you the address, so juste straight there," Felix said.


    Michelle was celebrating her birthday at the restaurant, and he had a Section A ticket to Dreamscape''s concert as her perfect birthday gift. When he stopped at a red light, someone suddenly knocked on his window.


    Felix was startled to see Averill-that was incredibly fast of her. "Averill, you''ve been in C¨¢nraville all along?"


    Averill got in the car with a smile. "Yeah, have you been missing me? This is the second time you''ve called. Or maybe you''re having some physical needs?"


    Felix rolled his eyes. "Allow me to be blunt, Averill. Can you help me contact Leslie? I really need her help. It''s a matter of life and death."


    Unexpectedly, Averill''s smile vanished. "You already know?"


    Felix was dumbfounded, not knowing what she was talking about.

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    When Averill saw Felix''s expression, she became puzzled as well. "Don''t you know why Leslie needs to see you?" Felix felt like an idiot,pletely lost in this conversation. "Did something happen?"


    "I''m not here because of your online messages. I''m here specifically under Mr. Hoffman''s orders," Averill exined.


    The mention of Gerald made Felix realize the gravity of the situation. His eyes turned cold with concern as he asked, "What happened to Leslie?"


    "She went somewhere and was poisoned with something rare-even Mr. Hoffman hasn''t seen it before and can''t cure it. He immediately sent her to find you. Since I was already in Canraville, Leslie asked me to give you a heads up."


    "


    Felix felt both anxious and helpless. "How can I help if even Mr. Hoffman can''t cure it?" Averill nodded confidently. "If Mr. Hoffman says you can do it, then you definitely can. I don''t know the details, but Leslie will arrive in Canraville around 11:00 pm tonight. Just wait at home, and she''ll find you. I need to go now. I''ve got some errands to handle."


    With Averill gone, Felix was left with nothing but questions. If Leslie could travel on her own, her condition could not possibly be too severe. If that were the case, what kind of poison was it?


    After mulling it over without any answers, Felix decided to set aside his worries. He would find out everything when he saw Leslie that evening.


    Meanwhile, in a private room at a restaurant, Michelle had just finished making her birthday wish and gazed lovingly at the handsome man beside her.


    "Jude, this is my happiest birthday ever. Thank you!" Michelle eximed.


    Jude Austin, her boyfriend of three months, smiled warmly. "Silly girl, I''ll celebrate your birthday every year from now on with endless surprises. Come on, let''s have a toast!"


    Michelle hesitated at the offered wine. "I-I better not. You know my tolerance-one ss and I''m out".


    A college reunion had taught Michelle about her low alcohol tolerance, and as a girl, she had avoided drinking since. It had even affected her real estate sales, as clients often preferred agents who could socialize over drinks.


    Jude smiled gently and handed her the ss. "Are you afraid of me? It''s your birthday-one exception won''t hurt. Just take a small sip."


    Secretly, Jude thought, "Damn bitch! You''re the only woman who hasn''t put out even after three months. Tonight, you''re mine no matter what-no way you''re staying sober!"


    Michelle shyly agreed and lifted the ss to her lips. She would have been devastated to know her boyfriend''s true thoughts.


    Just then, the door suddenly burst open, and a heavy-set woman stormed in. "I knew it! My friend wasn''t lying! You''re really out with other girls behind my back!"


    Jude jumped up in panic and rushed to her. "Baby, don''t misunderstand! She''s just like a little sister to me, nothing more!"


    The woman struck Jude across the face. "You''re just a pretty boy I keep around. Without me, you''re nothing! How dare you lie to me? Get out of my sight!" Michelle stood up, frozen in shock.

 Billionaire With Husband 354

    "Jude, what''s going on?" Michelle asked.


    Before Jude could answer, the heavy-set woman grabbed Michelle''s hair. "What''s going on? He''s my sugar baby. How dare you seduce him? I''ll teach you a lesson, you little homewrecker!" Just as she raised her hand to strike, a voice cut through the tension. "Stop right there!"


    The woman turned, eyes narrowing. She mocked, "Who the hell are you? Are you trying to y hero? Ha! So this little homewrecker has some tricks up her sleeves, huh? She''s not just after one man!" Felix stepped into the room, striding confidently to Michelle''s side, who was still trying to process what was happening.


    He warned, "Watch your mouth! I suggest you leave now. I would''ve taught you a lesson if it weren''t for Michelle''s birthday!"


    After all, this was Karina''s niece, and Felix did not treat this matter lightly.


    The woman scoffed. "Interesting. Do you know who I am? How dare you talk to me like that!"


    Tired of the drama, Felix pulled out his gift. "Michelle, this is your birthday present- Section A tickets to Dreamscape''s concert."


    The woman''s eyes widened at the sight of the genuine ticket, and she immediately released Michelle, backing away in fear. "I''m so sorry! I''m leaving right now! I''m really, really sorry!"


    Dreamscape''s concert tickets were hard toe by, especially for Section A, and only big shots could snag them. There was no way she wanted to mess with someone like that.


    "Take that trash with you! Are you still keeping his manhood intact after how he yed you?"


    Taking the hint, the woman redirected her anger at Jude, dragging him out. "Don''t worry, sir. I''ll make sure he never hurts another woman again.''


    Felix turned to Michelle with a gentle smile. "Happy birthday, Michelle."


    Everything had happened so fast that Michelle''s emotions were in turmoil. She was not concerned about Jude anymore, but Felix''s actions made her overthink. "Mr. Zeller, why are you so kind to me?" Understanding her thoughts, Felix replied, "You remind me of my sister. Do you believe that?"


    Michelle did not believe him, but she kept quiet. She knew she was not a great beauty, but she was attractive enough, and rich men typically had simr tastes.


    "I understand your concerns," Felix continued, "But don''t let those thoughts ruin your birthday. I hope you don''t mind that I brought my girlfriend to celebrate with you."


    The door opened, and Yvonne walked in. Michelle was stunned by Yvonne''s beauty and grace-she had never seen anyone like her before.


    "Happy birthday, Michelle!" Yvonne smiled, presenting her with a Cartier watch.


    Finally, Michelle smiled genuinely, realizing how ridiculous it was to think Felix would be interested in her when he had someone like Yvonne. Maybe he really did see her as a sister how wonderful it would be to have such a brother.


    After dinner, they dropped Michelle off at her home. In the passenger seat, Yvonne turned to Felix with aplex expression.


    "Felix, Lady N wants me to tell you the truth. Even I don''t know why, but she wants to give you a chance-a chance to change your lifepletely."

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    Felix chuckled. "You don''t need to tell me. Whatever story Lady N and I share, I don''t want to know."


    As if anticipating his response, Yvonne ced her hand on his thigh. "This is my mission, so please don''t make it difficult. What you do after hearing it is your choice."


    When Felix remained silent, Yvonne continued, "The parents who passed away weren''t your biological parents. Your true bloodlinees from the Greene family of Yartford- one of the most powerful families in Dragonia.


    "I know, but in my heart, I only acknowledge those two as my parents," Felix replied firmly.


    Yvonne frowned, not expecting


    Yvonne frowned, not expecting this response. The Greene family made a marriage contract with Lady N''s family years ago. Though no specific names were mentioned, ording to the agreement, you and Lady N are the intended couple." Felixughed bitterly. This exined N''s interest-like Xena, she was bound by a


    "Well, I''m honored! But given Lady N''s status and position, she probably just wanted to check on her potential spouse. She couldn''t have any other intentions," Felix said.


    Yvonne nodded slightly. "That was true before, but things are different now. I''ve never seen someone reject her twice, yet she seems more interested than ever."


    N had first invited Felix to dinner, which he declined, and then Dreamscape''s concert- Yvonne had thought N would finally give up, but instead, she sent Yvonne on this mission.


    Felix scoffed. "ying hard to get wouldn''t work on someone like Lady N. Besides, I''m not ying-I genuinely don''t want any connection with her."


    Sighing, Yvonne smiled wryly. "No one can understand her thoughts, not even me. I can''t answer that question."


    "Just tell me then-what''s this opportunity she''s offering?" Felix stretchedzily.


    Yvonne exined, "Your victory in the medicalpetition against Guneria proved you''re the most talented rising traditional medicine practitioner in Dragonia. Lady N offers to help you improve.


    "If you can surpass Brandon Quinn, Dragonia''s third-ranked master healer, within five years, she''ll consider you a potential husband candidate. Those were her exact words."


    Felix stared at Yvonne before bursting intoughter. "A potential candidate? If bing Dragonia''s third-ranked master healer only gets me consideration, it means either Lady


    N is crazy, or her confidence surpasses everyone else''s by miles."


    "She has earned that confidence," Yvonne replied seriously. "You haven''t even glimpsed of how powerful she really is.


    Felix shook his head and pressed the gas pedal. "Tell Lady N that I''m too lowly for her consideration. Since she doesn''t take the marriage contract seriously either, let''s leave it at that. Where should I drop you off?" However, Yvonne was not ready to give up. "Let me tell you more about Lady N. It''ll help you make a better decision. Anyone else would kill for this opportunity."


    "No need. And don''t bring it up again," Felix stated firmly.


    When they reached Yvonne''s ce in Canraville, just as she was about to open the car door, she suddenly grabbed Felix''s arm.


    "Felix, would you do it for me? If you gain Lady N''s approval... I''ll be yours too!"

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    When a woman said something like that, it showed just how strongly she felt.


    Even Felix was taken aback as he reached out to touch Yvonne''s face. "If I can marry you one day, I won''t need anyone''s approval. I hope you can understand that."


    As the car door opened, Yvonne said, "I belong to Lady N in both life and death. Even if I''m deeply in love, we cannot be together without her permission. I hope you understand that as well."


    At sunset, the entrance of Yardley Dining was lined with a red carpet and nked with rows of elegant torches. The waitresses, d in dresses, wore bright smiles and were fully prepared for the grand event. A banner that hung above the entrance read, "Wee to Yardley Dining, Lady Summers."


    The restaurant was closed to the public that day, all for the sake of one guest-Xena Summers. The smile on Larry''s face as he surveyed the restaurant showed how happy he was.


    Larry Laird, the owner of Yardley Dining, hadn''t expected Felix to pull it off. On top of that, he had managed to bring her over for dinner so soon.


    "Why aren''t the lights on over there? Get them fixed right away!" Larry instructed.


    "Yes!"


    Everyone knew how important that night was, so no one dared to ck off. As restaurant staff, they were witnessing a momentous asion.


    After all, Xena was the only goddess of war in Dragonia, and news was spreading widely that Xena was about to be promoted to be one of the Great Warlords. Having such a person dine at Yardley Dining-and allowing it to be publicized-would greatly benefit their restaurant.


    "Sir, there''s a disturbance at the entrance!"


    Upon hearing the restaurant manager''s report, Larry''s expression darkened with anger. Damn it! Are they deliberately trying to sabotage me? Let''s go!"


    Anyone who dared to ruin the day would be his lifelong enemy.


    At the entrance of Yardley Dining, five meny on the ground moaning while arge man stood, visibly shaken. He was staring at the middle-aged man before him. Despite his gentle demeanor, the middle-aged man was ruthless. All five of therge man''s guards were knocked down instantly.


    "You''d better think carefully! Our boss will be here soon, and if you leave now, I can pretend nothing happened."


    The middle-aged man maintained a light smile, unfazed. "Oh? I''m actually curious to see what your boss can do about me! The fact is, it''s an honor for you to have my employer dine at your restaurant. After all, you''re not open to the public today. Adding one more person shouldn''t be a problem, right?"


    Furious, therge man suddenly pointed at the banner. "Damn it! Open your eyes and take a good look! Our boss is hosting Lady Summers tonight. I don''t care who your employer is. He''ll have to face the consequences if he disturbs her dinner!"


    His remark finally made the middle-aged man nce up at the banner, and his smile faded.


    At that moment, Larry also arrived. Taking in the situation, he lividly said, "Leave. I don''t want toplicate things today."


    To his surprise, the middle-aged man grinned and replied, "You''re doing this because of Lady Summers? That''s excellent. Have her dine with my employer, then."

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    Larry frowned deeply. The middle-aged man was definitely not joking. He seemed to expect that his employer would be served.


    Dreamscape was holding a concert in the provincial capital on the following night. Considering that, he had heard that many influential figures were already arriving in town, some of whom could rival Xena''s status and even look down on her.


    If Xena were promoted to a Great Warlord, her status would rise even further, but for now, she still held the title of goddess of war.


    Hence, Larry knew he had to change his approach to the man before him. "Sir, could you do me a favor? It''s really not easy to have the goddess of war here. I''m begging you."


    Having big names dine in his restaurant was undoubtedly good as it showed his food''s poprity. However, he wouldn''t be allowed to publicize it, so it wouldn''t bring the publicity that Xena''s presence would bring.


    The middle-aged man sneered, refusing to back down. "I can''t grant that favor. My patience is limited. You have five more minutes to think it over. If you still refuse to back down, you''ll just have to deal with the consequences."


    Just as Larry was feeling frantic, a Range Rover pulled up, making him even more anxious. He knew it was Felix''s car. He would have gone out to confidently greet Felix if it had been earlier. However, with a troublemaker in the mix, he worried that Felix would get angry, which might jeopardize Xena''s visit.


    With a heavy heart, he approached Felix.


    "Why do you seem so unhappy on this asion, Mr. Laird?" Felix asked.


    Though Larry wore a smile, Felix could see the worry in his eyes.


    "Mr. Zeller, I... I really can''t bring myself to say it," Larry said.


    Just then, the middle-aged man approached and bowed to Felix. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Zeller!"


    The sudden scene left Larry''s mouth agape in shock. What was happening? Why was a man without regard for Xena Summers, the goddess of war, bowing to Felix?


    Felix looked equally puzzled. He asked, "Do we know each other?"


    The middle-aged man''s demeanor had shifted from arrogance to humility. "I''m one of Mr. Zimmerman''s subordinates. I''ve seen you in Yartford."


    Mr. Zimmerman? Felix thought for a moment before responding, "George Zimmerman?"


    Felix smiled. "So that fellow is in Canraville, too? Oh, I forgot that tomorrow night is Dreamscape''s concert. He can''t miss that. Is he dining here as well?"


    The middle-aged man quickly replied, "Mr. Zimmerman had dinner herest year and really enjoyed a few dishes, so he wanted to dine here tonight. But..."


    Connecting the dots with Larry''s distress, Felix understood what was going on. "Tell George not to cause any trouble! He cane back tomorrow if he wants to eat here. I have something important to take care of tonight." Dragonspine was a matter Felix did not want toplicate. On top of that, he had made a promise to Larry, and he intended to keep that promise. Besides, Xena was a handful. If someone else caused a scene, it would cost him a lot. "Alright, I understand, Mr. Zeller."


    Watching the middle-aged man leave, Larry couldn''t help but gulp repeatedly, feeling overwhelmed. He seemed to finally grasp just how terrifying the man in front of him truly


    was.


    He could make Vincente over with just a phone call and set up a meeting with Xena within minutes. On top of that, he had effortlessly sent away an unknown big shot who had just appeared. Larry didn''t know how to describe what he was feeling. "Thank you! I really didn''t know what to do just now, Mr. Zeller!" Larry eximed.

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    Felix smiled. "I promise I''ll take care of everything. Also, Xena should be arriving soon."


    At that moment, Larry was much more respectful than before. If anyone caused trouble for Felix, he would do everything in his power to protect him.


    After about ten minutes, Xena arrived. As she exited the car, fireworks wereunched all around her. Furrowing her brow, she was surprised by the grand wee. However, her expression rxed when she spotted Felix. They both had the same principle in dealing with matters-once they made a promise, they had to follow through.


    Once they entered the restaurant''s private room, exquisite dishes were served one after another, and Felix began to eat.


    "Are you not hungry?" he asked, noticing that Xena hadn''t picked up her utensils.


    She shook her head slightly.


    "Since you''re here, you should at least eat a little. It''s polite," Felix insisted.


    Hesitating for a moment, Xena finally took a small bite, and the delicious food sparked her appetite.


    "If


    you manage to cure Yara Hill, make sure to let me know," she said.


    The mention of Yara Hill caused Felix to lose his appetite. After all, Leslie wasingter and he couldn''t fathom why Gerald was so certain he could solve this problem.


    "I''ll let you know," he replied.


    After a while, Xena noticed something and red at Felix. "What are you looking at?"


    He was clearly staring at her lips, which only reminded her of the kiss that had been forced on her the previous night, making her furious.


    "You have some food on your lips," Felix remarked.


    Xena quickly wiped her mouth and found he was right.


    "Don''t worry, My actionsst night were just punishment for you stealing my credit. I have no interest in you," he said dismissively.


    Hearing that, Xena was exasperated. "No interest? Felix! You should say what''s on your mind if you''re a man. I can''t guarantee anything else, but you have a perfect woman with my qualities, charm, and status right next to you!" Felix didn''t want to argue as he knew she was just being stubborn.


    After giving a cold snort, Xena lost her appetite. They stared at each other for a while behes deciding it was time to leave,


    "Have everything packed up for me, Mr. Laird, Felix requested.


    The food was delicious, and he thought they could all enjoy the meal together if they managed to cure Leslie. It would be a waste to leave it behind.


    At the vi, Felix paced back and forth in the living room, feeling restless as he awaited Leslie''s arrival.


    Suddenly, his phone rang. It was George calling


    "Mr. Zeller, I didn''t expect you to be in Canraville! You must be done eating by now. Do you want to grab a drink?" George asked.


    Felix wasn''t in the mood. "No thanks. Let''s do that another time."


    "Alright, but I have to ask-are you nning to go to Dreamscape''s concert?"


    George was worried about whether Felix had tickets. Given his connections to Moonshadow Alliance, it was impossible for him not to secure at least one. "Yeah."


    "Great, see you at the concert then."


    After hanging up, Felix felt really antsy. As time dragged on, his worry intensified.


    Even though Leslie''s condition didn''t seem too serious, he couldn''t shake off his bad premonition.


    Finally, the doorbell rang. Felix didn''t even nce at the video inte. He bolted out the door. Seeing the figure standing at the gate, he let out a breath he didn''t realize he was holding. "You finally made it," he said.


    As the woman smiled, she suddenly stumbled backward, causing Felix''s heart to race.


    ""Leslie!"

 Billionaire With Husband 359

    In a bedroom of the vi, Felix furrowed his brow deeply. He had been checking Leslie''s pulse for a long time, but he couldn''t sense any abnormalities in her body. He was at a loss about why she had fainted. "Could it really be a toxin I''ve never encountered before? Even Mr. Hoffman can''t do anything about it? How can I possibly resolve this?" he mused aloud as he felt his anxiety grow.


    The nine fellow apprentices were like family to him, and seeing Leslie copse in front of him caused him to feel immense pain.


    Just then, Leslie opened her eyes, managing a weak smile. "Did I faint? How long has it been?"


    "It''s been half an hour," Felix replied.


    "That''s longer than before. At first, it was just a bit of dizziness, but now it''s half an hour. If this continues, I might not wake up at all the next time I faint."


    Leslie was undeniably beautiful. Her short hair entuated her delicate and refined appearance, bringing out the fairness of her skin. Her words and expressions stirred a deep sense of affection in Felix.


    "Leslie, did Mr. Hoffman say anything about how to save you? I really have no clue. I''ve checked you thoroughly already but found nothing."


    Hearing that, she turned her head away shyly, her cheeks flushed. "Actually, I didn''t want to look for you because I know you wouldn''t want to help me using Mr. Hoffman''s method.


    "What are you talking about?" Felix was furious. "If there''s a way, I''ll do anything to save you! How could I not help you?"


    He had prepared himself for something difficult, realizing that Leslie implied the solution would be extremely challenging.


    "Do you really want to know?" Leslie asked.


    Looking at Leslie, Felix''s eyes were filled with unwavering determination. "Yes! No matter howplicated it is, I''ll save you."


    Leslie slowly sat up, still a bit hesitant. She lowered her head and continued, "Mr. Hoffman said the poison in me is very unique. It''s somewhat simr to Damiana Sap, but it has its differences. The only way to cure it is to follow the nature of the poison itself. Do you understand?"


    It was simr to Damiana Sap? Felix was dumbfounded. Wasn''t that a poison that had


    aphrodisiac properties? How could it be rted to this situation?


    "What do you mean?" Felix asked.


    Leslie rolled her eyes at him. " tool! I can''t believe you haven''t figured it out,


    considering you''re Mr. Hoffman''s most aplished medical student."


    Seeing Felix still looking confused, Leslie had no choice but to exin, "I need to find a man, or else the toxins in my body won''t be released!


    "ording to Mr. Hoffman''s calctions, every time I faint, the time between episodes will increase by several folds. In three days, I could fall into a deep sleep for several years- or maybe forever."


    In an instant, Felix stood up, his face filled with disbelief. "This... this is impossible! I can''t do that, Leslie!"


    Leslie, who had been feeling shy, instantly had a cold demeanor. She walked toward the door, saying, "Fine, I''ll leave. I, Leslie Brown, will not randomly find a man just to save my life. Remember to prepare a good grave for me. Don''t forget that I was once your fellow apprentice."


    Just as she reached the door, Felix grabbed her arm. "Leslie, if that''s really the case, then I''m willing to help you."


    She turned around as a single tear escaped her eye. "Are you sure you aren''t forcing yourself?"


    In the next moment, Felix swept her into his arms. "Not forced at all. In a way, you''re already my woman. However, I still need to take care of some matters."


    After some time of tossing around, Leslie put on her clothes again.


    "I feel like you''re even more charming now, Leslie," Felix said.

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    Leslie''s face turned red again after hearing Felix''s words. Recalling the wild moment they shared, she felt a longing to experience it once more but forced herself to suppress those urges.


    "Stop joking around. Didn''t you say you would introduce me to an apprentice? Bring her over," Leslie instructed.


    "Alfight."


    After his call with Alistair, Felix was about to say something when Leslie ced a finger on his lips.


    "You don''t need to make me any promises. I understand your situation."


    Felix felt moved that his fellow apprentices truly understood him. Inparison, Xena seemed tock in that aspect.


    Just half an hourter, Alistair rushed in with his sister. "Yara, thank Dr. Zeller for saving your life."


    Having been unconscious previously, Alistair sincerely appreciated Felix''s help.


    "No need to thank me. Have my fellow apprentice take a look at her first."


    up


    with joy. Nodding, Leslie approached and examined Yara. Her expression soon lit


    "Yes, the constitution of her body is perfect for the cultivation I practice. Felix, you''ve helped me immensely this time!"


    Her unique constitution made it challenging to take on a disciple, and she hadn''t expected this issue to be resolved so easily.


    Gerald Hoffman had ten disciples in total, each inheriting different cultivation methods. Only Felix''s medical skills were directly inherited from him. The rest of his apprentices had much more freedom in their paths.


    "Do you want to be my apprentice?" Leslie asked.


    Yara looked at Alistair.


    Alistair asked, "Will Yara''s health issues be resolved after she bes your apprentice?"


    "Absolutely! I can guarantee that. However, once she agrees to be my apprentice, she must leave with me immediately, as her condition is serious. It will take at least six months before she can reunite with you," Leslie replied. Alistair sighed with relief and sped his hands in gratitude. "Then I entrust my sister to you."


    With that, Leslie took Yara away. Meanwhile, Alistair looked back at Felix, who waved his hand.


    "Well, I was just helping Leslie, so you don''t need to thank me. In your position, serving the country is the greatest gratitude you can offer me."


    Admiration filled Alistair''s eyes. He had never felt this way about anyone before.


    "Yes! Don''t worry, Dr. Zeller. I will remain true to my intentions and will wholeheartedly support Lady Summers in the future."


    Why would Xena need his support? However, Felix couldn''t voice out that thought.


    ...


    Meanwhile, at the entrance of a luxurious mansion in Canraville, a car was stopped.


    "No matter what you''re doing, it''s toote. Leave immediately!" a guard said rudely.


    The driver shot a cold nce back. "Tell Andrei that Perry Glover, president of the Goldwind Chamber of Commerce, is here to see him. It is an urgent matter.


    The guard''s expression soured. "Who do you think you are to name-drop my employer? You''ve got some nerve. Do you think I''m dumb enough to wake him up just because you said a name? Get lost!"


    Being scolded by a mere guard made Perry''s body tremble with anger. Ever since his son died, he hadn''t been able to calm down.


    "You know what? Now that I think of it, since you''re so important, why didn''t you just call my master? Do you not have his contact information?"


    The other guardsughed, thinking that Perry was an idiot. If he really had the connections, they would have already received a notification to open the door instead of having to y this ridiculous game at this hour Perry took a deep breath and pulled something out of his pocket. It was a remote.


    "Take a look in the back seat."


    Instinctively, the guard leaned in for a nce, and his eyes widened in horror. The back seat was filled with explosives.


    "Notify Andrei immediately, or I''ll detonate it! After all, I''m all alone in this world. There''s nothing worth holding onto," Perry shouted.

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    A stern-looking middle-aged man sat in the living room of the mansion. The middle-aged man was Andrei Hawkins.


    Just then, his subordinate reported, "Mr. Hawkins, we''ve checked, and the bombs in the car are real."


    A flicker of surprise passed through Andrei''s eyes. "Oh? It seems the death of his son has hit him hard."


    At that moment, the door opened, and Perry walked in. "You are finally willing to see me!"


    Andrei smiled. "If I refused, would you have blown up my door?"


    Perry sat down, expressionless. "Andrei, I know you hate me. Ever since the moment I took her from you, you''ve held a deep-seated grudge against me. Now that I''m here, you can finally fulfill your wish."


    Waving his hand, Andrei maintained his smile and said, "Don''t be so pessimistic. Your ability to father children should still be intact. You understand what I mean, right?"


    There was a crazy light in Perry''s eyes as he shouted, "No! My son is dead, and there will never be another! I have to kill that person. Otherwise, what meaning is there in my life?"


    Leaning slightly forward, Andrei asked curiously, "Interesting. Your niece is Xena, the goddess of war. Can''t you achieve the vengeance you wish to im through her?" Hearing that, Perry clenched his fists, his expression one of great resentment.


    "That is her greatest strength and weakness. Because she is the goddess of war, there are many constraints she has to follow. The person who killed my son is cautious, leaving no traces behind, and he''s incredibly lucky. I spent all my fortune hiring the Inferno n, but he evaded them all."


    A smile returned to Andrei''s face. "Ha! It seems you''re somewhat sincere. You don''t seem to be hiding anything from me."


    He knew the Inferno n had been disbanded. All the contracts they previously epted were rendered meaningless. ording to the information he had received, the legendary assassin of the Inferno n seemed to have died.


    Without their best man, the organization had no reason to continue existing as it was unlikely any customers would being in.


    With a snap, Perry threw a stack of documents onto the table, pointing at it. "His name is Felix Zeller. He''s the one who killed my son. Everything I''ve gathered about him is here. He''s a martial artist. You can read the rest for yourself."


    ...


    After saying that, Perry stood up. "Please promise me, Andrei. As long as you agree to kill Felix, my life is yours. Don''t tell me you''ve let go of your past grudges. If my niece weren''t the goddess of war, you would have already taken action against me, right?" Narrowing his eyes, Andrei seemed to drop the facade. "Alright, I promise you."


    With that, Perry turned to leave, prompting Andrei''s subordinate to ask, "Mr. Hawkins, why do you trust him?"


    Andrei shook his head. "Perry has lost his will to live. Trust me. We will receive news of his death by tomorrow."


    Would he reallymit suicide? After some contemtion, the subordinate asked again, In that case, should we actually go after Felix?"


    A smile crept onto Andrei''s face as he rose to his feet.


    "I am a man of my word. Once Perry is dead, then Felix''s life will be mine! However, since I''m not sure what level of assassin the Inferno n had sent, we should first send someone to test the waters and ensure we have a solid n!" "Understood!"


    The following noon, Larry called Felix to inform him that the grave''s relocation could bepleted that day. That meant he could go the next day to refine the Dragonspine.


    Felix hadn''t deliberately showcased anything. However, with Larry''s current knowledge of him, Larry wouldn''t dare to go back on his word.

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    At Yardley Dining, Felix entered the private room to find George already sipping on some soup.


    "Don''t mind me, Mr. Zeller. I just couldn''t resist having a couple of spoonfuls," George said.


    Felix made noment. Seeming frustrated, he asked, "Did we really have to have lunch together at noon?"


    "Of course! After the concert, I''m heading back to Yartford tonight. You have no idea when you''ll return to Yartford, so we need to catch up!" George replied.


    Then, as if remembering something, he added, "I have a friending too. Someone I consider a brother. His background is even more prominent than mine. Is that alright with you?"


    Felix picked up the bowl in front of him and took a sip before responding, "Since you''ve already decided for me, what can I say?"


    He knew George meant well. After all, anyone George regarded as a close brother had to be someone significant. Besides, having more friends meant more connections.


    But although the world was supposed to work that way, Felix felt that the more people he knew since leaving Eden Vige, the more trouble he seemed to attract.


    A few minutester, a young man strode in. He moved with an air of confidence that suggested he was a martial artist, hisrge frame towering over six feet and seven inches. "George, I''mte. You don''t mind, do you?"


    Felix found it odd that someone would even ask such a question.


    Meanwhile, Georgeughed and said, "No problem! Who would dare mind? Let me introduce you.


    "Felix, this is Ryan Gibson, my close friend."


    Ryan tightened his grip as they shook hands, causing Felix to frown slightly.


    "Why are you doing this?" Felix asked.


    Ryan grinned. "I just wanted to see if you are worthy to shake hands with me."


    George felt a hint of unease. Despite Ryan''s boisterous nature, he wouldn''t intentionally provoke someone he had just met, especially in his presence.


    "Hey Ryan, I think you''ve crossed the line a little," George said.


    Letting go of Felix''s hand, Ryan sat down in a chair and downed the soup that had just


    Chapter 362 been served.


    "No lines have been crossed. Those guys look down on you, Mr. Zeller, but I''m curious about you. If George hadn''t mentioned that you would be here, I wouldn''t have bothereding today."


    Felix sensed something was off and looked at Ryan. "Okay, then I have to ask. What''s a big shot like you interested in me for?"


    George shared his confusion, throwing his hands up to indicate his innocence.


    "All secrets eventually get out. It all depends on how much effort you want to spend investigating. The truth is, Felix, you''ve long been on our radar. But like I said, those guys are so full of themselves that they consider you trash and don''t even bother eliminating you.


    "However, I take all my opponents seriously. I''m here today because of George, and I''m giving you a chance, so consider this a warning."


    Although feeling increasingly confused, Felixughed. "Oh? I''m very interested in knowing what warning you have for me."


    Just as George was about to speak, Felix subtly gestured for him to hold back. He understood that George hadn''t set him up. He, too, was surprised by Ryan''s behavior.


    Raising his hand, the smile faded from Ryan''s face.


    "When Yvonne went to Avesburgh, your name appeared in several ces, including mine! My warning is simple-no matter how interested Lady N is in you, you''d better disappear and keep your distance from her.


    "The farther away, the better. The others may think you''re no threat, but I won''t waste a second warning on you," Ryan sneered.

 Billionaire With Husband 363

    Ryan left after giving his warning. He had only consumed a bowl of soup during their


    encounter.


    "Mr. Zeller, I''m so sorry," George said.


    Felix chuckled in response. "What does it have to do with you? I seem to naturally attract trouble, so it''s no big deal." Regardless of what Ryan intended, Felix wouldn''t hold back if it came down to a


    confrontation. George understood that Felix was a reasonable person but couldn''t help but show a hint of bitter amusement.


    "To be honest, Mr. Zeller, you really gave me quite a shock! Do you actually have some connection with Lady N?" George asked. Seeing George''s reaction, Felix sensed something was off. "What''s going on? Do you know something?"


    George sighed, and his eyes flickered with mixed emotions. "In all of Dragon¨ªa, anyone capable of stepping into the upper echelons knows that Lady N has five admirers, and Ryan is one of them! Let''s not talk about the others. Anyway, given her status, all those who pursue her have a great status.''


    Five admirers? Felix rolled his eyes. "Huh, have these five men reached some sort of agreement?"


    "Sort of," George replied. "They believe they are all qualified topete. Among the five, only one stands above the rest, while the other four are more or less on equal footing. Mr. Zeller, unless you can y your Moonshadow Alliance card, you''ll have a tough time facing those guys."


    Given George''s family background, which was already quite impressive in Yartford and throughout Dragonia, his opinion carried a lot of weight. The fact that he expressed such concerns indicated how formidable N''s suitors were, making Felix furrow his brow. "If that''s the case, I really need toe up with a n," Felix said.


    He wasn''t afraid of the five men. Since it was all about N, there was no need to entangle himself further. He had no intention of developing any rtionship with her, so avoiding trouble was definitely the best course of action


    Ryan had been very aggressive, and George felt ufortable. However, it reaffirmed Felix''s moment to shine. If he could sessfully resurrect Moonshadow Alliance, he and his father could make more solid ns. "By the way, are you considering buying property as an investment?" Felix asked.


    The sudden change of topic threw George off bnce. "Buying property? What do you mean? Buying property here?"


    At 4:00 pm, at the New Glory sales office, Michelle could feel the strange nces from her colleagues. It was likely because of Felix''s earlier appearance. They must have thought that he was her sugar daddy. Although she knew Felix had no such intentions and genuinely regarded her as a sister, their scrutiny made her ufortable.


    "Michelle, you really opened my eyes! You sacrificed yourself for a vi! Who couldpete with you if you had sold houses like this before?"


    At that moment, two women blocked Michelle''s path, their words far from polite.


    "Don''t say that! Michelle is just naive; look at her! She doesn''t have any schemes at all. A guy with a Concord Bank Diamond Card wouldn''t be short on beautiful women. After sleeping with someone and realizing it''s just mediocre, of course, he wouldn''t show up again!" The two women were Julia''s good friends. Two days had gone by since the incident. However, Michelle had not sold a single house, while Felix hadn''t shown up again.


    Hence, thinking that they had figured out the situation, they dared to retaliate against Michelle for the sake of their already dismissed colleague. If Felix were still Michelle''s backing, they wouldn''t have had the guts to say anything, much less utter such venomous words.

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    It would be a lie to say that Michelle waspletely unbothered. However, she wasn''t one to retaliate with sharp words. Instead, she spoke in a low voice. "We''re all colleagues. Is this really necessary?" The two women sneered. "What? You still won''t admit you sold a vi with your body? If you can, why don''t you sell a few more houses? How ridiculous!"


    "That''s right. If you want us to stop casting weird nces at you, you should prove us wrong with your actions. But do you have that ability?"


    Just as their taunts faded, a colleague, apanied by a woman, rushed over. "Michelle, this client is looking for you."


    Michelle quickly turned away, and a signature smile appeared on her face. "Hello, I''m Michelle Smith."


    The neer was Wendy, who looked her up and down before smiling. "I''m Wendy Kinsley. I''d like to buy two vis from you if that''s okay?"


    Michelle could hardly believe her ears. After a moment, she quickly responded with enthusiasm, "Of course! Please follow me. I''ll take you to see the sand table first."


    However, Wendy waved her hand. "No thanks. We can just sign the contract immediately. Any two vis will do."


    Immediately sign the contract? Everyone was dumbfounded. This was the first time they had seen someone buy property this way, especially vis worth tens of millions of dors.


    The two women who had mocked Michelle were now wide-eyed in disbelief.


    It wasn''t until Wendy was sent off that they finally came back to their senses. "Is this luck or what?"


    "Of course it''s luck! After all, it''s a woman buying property, not a man."


    Unexpectedly, when Michelle returned, she was followed by a middle-aged man,


    "Just get me one vi, and let''s sign the contract right now," Larry said..


    Felix had also mentioned buying the vis to him. While his financial strength couldn''tpare to Wendy''s, buying one vi was well within his reach. Besides, the house would be solely for investment purposes. Michelle felt somewhat numb at this point. She would be dumb if she couldn''t deduce that Felix was helping her. She could only silently express her gratitude in her heart.


    After Larry left, her colleagues were filled with envy. Selling three vis in a day became a new record in thepany''s sales department. It was unlikely anyone could break that


    record in the future.


    "Now, shall we carry on with our conversation?" Michelle asked with newfound confidence, her gaze locking onto Julia''s two friends with determination.


    The two women felt unsettled. However, many colleagues were watching them. If they just walked away, they would be utterly embarrassed.


    "I guess you''re pretty impressive now?"


    "So what if you bought more houses? It''s not like you can get us fired."


    Thepany wouldn''t dismiss them if they hadn''t offended any clients. On top of that, they were also doing quite well in terms of their sales performance.


    "I can''t fire you, but I won''t forget what you said," Michelle said.


    Just then, a voice rang out. "Who is Michelle Smith?"


    George entered, apanied by a subordinate. He was theplete opposite of a low-profile person. The moment he entered, he was basically shouting his wealth.


    "Hello, sir. I''m Michelle Smith," she replied, rushing over.


    When Michelle approached him, George smiled and raised his right hand, yfully tossing two dice. "I''m going to roll these two dice. Whatever the sum is, I''ll buy that many vis from you. You don''t think I''m joking, do you?"

 Billionaire With Husband 365

    Before George could finish speaking, Michelle had already covered her mouth in shock. The expressions of those around her mirrored her disbelief.


    It had to be a joke. Rolling two dice could yield a maximum number of 12, which meant potentially buying 12 vis. If that were the case, Michelle would earn so much inmissions that she could kick back and rx.


    Even though the probability of rolling a 12 was exceedingly low, it didn''t matter; the smallest number was two, meaning she would still be making a huge profit. The crowd slowly began to realize that Michelle''s sess was not merely luck. Clearly, someone powerful was supporting her.


    Even the sales manager and several members of the management team rushed out, as themotion was too great to ignore. At that moment, George had already tossed the two dice onto the ground. After rolling around, they came to a stop, prompting everyone to gasp.


    "Wow, it''s 12! Why didn''t I have this luck when I was gambling?" George muttered, then turned his gaze to Michelle.


    "ording to the agreement I made before I came here, I''m not buying any houses if the number shows 12."


    What? George''s statement was music to the ears of Julia''s two friends. They were genuinely relieved.


    If Michelle sold 15 vis in a single day, it would be tantamount to selling off almost all the remaining vis at New Glory, which would have significant repercussions. The two of them would undoubtedly face serious trouble.


    It now seemed that George was merely talking big, possibly teasing Michelle. With friends, there would always be enemies. No one could have infinite luck.


    However, George''s next words left them utterly stunned. "I''m buying yourpany. You''ll be the general manager, and I''ll offer you the highest annual sry. Isn''t that more interesting than selling houses?"


    Felix had spoken up and finally made a request. Hence, George was determined to impress him.


    Just when they thought George was just boasting, a chorus of greetings echoed through the


    room.


    ""Mr. Dawson!"


    "Hello, Mr. Dawson!" Chapter 365


    An overweight man hurried in, making his way to George''s side. From the titles being thrown around, it was clear he was the president of the real estatepany where Michelle worked. Shawn Dawson, the president, had been waiting outside. He could have left immediately if the dice hadn''t rolled a 12. However, since it did, he had toe in.


    "Mr. Zimmerman," the man greeted him.


    George nodded in acknowledgment. "I''m buying yourpany. You don''t have any objections, right?"


    Upon hearing that, Shawn quickly stered on a sycophantic smile. "Mr. Zimmerman, how could I object? You buying mypany would be the greatest blessing to me!"


    George''s generosity was legendary. He was offering three times the market price for the acquisition. It was a deal that felt surreal.


    "Before my team arrives, make sure Michelle takes over as general manager. That''s settled,


    George directed.


    With that, George turned and walked away as if buying a real estatepany was as mundane as purchasing a pack of cigarettes. "Congrattions, Ms. Smith!"


    "Michelle-No, Ms. General Manager, I always knew you were exceptional!"


    In the face of congrattory remarks and ttery, Michelle remained lost in shock, unable to fullyprehend the situation. Meanwhile, Julia''s two colleagues slipped away with pale faces.


    They nned to leave the city. If they stayed any longer, their downfall would be swift and certain with Michelle''s current status and connections.


    As night fell, thergest stadium in Canraville was packed to the brim. Not only was the ground floor full, but even the surrounding stands were overflowing with fans. Various light signs disying Dreamscape''s name illuminated the venue, showcasing the fervor of her fans.

 Billionaire With Husband 366

    The VIP seats were in the middle of the concert hall, closest to the performance stage. Everyone knew they were reserved only for the elites. Naturally, most of them were young people; the older generation was rarely seen. Dreamscape wouldn''t invite them, either. The VIP seats were allrge, single-person couches with unmatchedfort. Beside each couch was a small table with various fruits and drinks.


    George was one of the earliest to arrive. He had nodded repeatedly to many people he knew, although not to the extent of standing up and greeting them. A polite nod was more than enough. However, he had to stand for some people, such as N, who was just passing by him now.


    "Lady N, I can''t believe you actually came."


    N, as always, wore her veil. Whenever people saw her, there was an urge to lift the veil, though none had the courage.


    "Hmm."


    With a slight nod, N continued onward with Yvonne by her side.


    "Could you let me say a few words to Yvonne?"


    Without breaking her stride, N nodded and signaled with a wave of hand.


    "Mr. Zimmerman, is there something you need?"


    Although George had once tried to coerce her, that was in the past. Yvonne showed no sign of resentment.


    "Ryan and the other four havee to know you went to Avesburgh to find Felix. The other four don''t take him seriously, but Ryan has already issued a warning. You should know what I mean." What? Yvonne frowned, genuinely surprised that her subtle moves had been noticed even though she was just a small figure.


    "That''s his business, not mine. I don''t have the capability to help him either.''


    George smiled.


    "Right, I just thought I''d give you a heads-up, nothing more.


    As Yvonne continued walking forward, she became worried. Even though Felix was among the top young miracle doctors, such titles were nothingpared to those five.


    Yet, as she said, there really wasn''t much she could do. Reporting it to N was out of the question. She wouldn''t care.


    Outside the stadium, Xena was leading the security team. Many prominent figures were among the attendees of Dreamscape''s concert, so they couldn''t afford the slightest errors.


    The Wolfie troops had deployed several of its members, and even the headquarters had sent several Asura to ensure the event ran smoothly.


    "Felix?"


    Walking along, Xena saw Felix in the line, waiting to enter. Her subordinate approached with some updates, so she paused.


    A few minutester, it was finally Felix''s turn at the ticket checkpoint.


    "Please show your ticket.''


    Felix handed over his ticket, and the ticket inspector''s expression turned curious.


    "Sir, this is a VIP ticket. There''s a separate entrance and VIP channel over there. What are you doing in this line?"


    "Huh?" Felix, a bit embarrassed, apologized quickly. "Sorry about that."


    His politeness left the ticket inspector stunned. After all, those in the VIP area were usually big names. Who would have thought he would be so polite?


    Felix had been distracted by a call earlier, hence the mistake. Xena, who saw the scene, found it rather disdainful. Despite his medical reputation, he couldn''t even get a proper ticket for Dreamscape''s concert. It clearly showed his poor social skills and emotional intelligence.


    She hadn''t nned to approach, but then she saw Alistair. She had to make an impression, so she immediately walked toward Felix.


    "Darling, what took you so long? Come on, I''ll take you in," Xena said.

 Billionaire With Husband 367

    "You''ll bring me in? What do you mean?" Feliz asked, frowning. He didn''t recall Xena ever inviting him to the concert.


    "Oh, don''t be so coy, I''m in charge of security for this concert, so bringing you in shouldn''t be an issue for me." Xena retorted.


    Felix nced subtly in Alistair''s direction and suddenly understood what was happening


    "Thank you for the gesture, but Alistair''s already left. You don''t need to put on this fake show of affection with me."


    Had Alistair left? Xena turned slightly, confirming that Alistair had indeed already moved off with his team. As always, he was meticulous. Even though he saw Felix, he hadn''t stopped to greet him and only focused on his duties. "Now that I''ve made the offer, I won''t go back on it! You came all this way to see Dreamscape''s concert, right? I''ll take you in," Xena insisted.


    Felix chuckled coldly. If this had been anyone''s first encounter with Xena, they might have mistaken her for a gentle, understanding woman. But the truth was the opposite.


    "No need. I can get in myself. You got one thing right, though. I dide for Dreamscape''s concert," Felix said.


    Xena felt her patience wane. Felix was always so stubborn. Just moments ago, he was turned away by the ticket inspector, and now he was so stubborn again?


    Fine! She wanted to see exactly how he nned to get in without her. He was mistaken if he thought he could just slip in with his warrior''s speed. As head of security, she would make sure he was stopped.


    Just then, her expression changed. Felix was heading straight for the VIP entrance, which had heightened security and even stricter checks.


    "Felix! I''m telling you, don''t go in there," she warned.


    She was reminded that Alistair and a few others knew about her connection to Felix. It would be humiliating if he barged into the VIP area and got thrown out.


    "Spare me your concern, and stop following me!" Felix said, annoyed.


    Even with his outstanding medical skills, did Xena still look down on him? He couldn''tprehend her mindset. It was too baffling.


    At the VIP entrance, Felix handed over his ticket. After a quick verification, the ticket inspector broke into a smile.


    "Please, go right in."


    Watching him enter, Xena''s jaw dropped, unable to believe what she saw. As head of security, she knew how strict the VIP ticketing protocol was. Each ticket was unique. It had the attendee''s name, so no one could pretend to be someone else. Felix''s being able to enter meant that Dreamscape had personally invited him.


    "How is that possible?" Xena couldn''t make sense of it. The VIP tickets were reserved exclusively for the elite young talents in various fields. What had Felix done to deserve one? After a long moment of reflection, she could only attribute it to his medical expertise. "So what if he''s got that? Once I be a Wady, his medical skills will barely be worth my attention."


    Felix was escorted to the VIP seating area. He found his seat and was greeted by a familiar


    voice.


    "Felix?"


    Turning around, Felix saw George bounding over from a nearby seat. Although it was near, the seats were several meters apart, making conversation impossible. "Were you invited by Dreamscape-too?" George asked, then immediately caught himself. Why was he acting so surprised? It made sense for Felix to be here.


    Felix nodded. "Yeah. Have a seat. No one was paying any attention to me, but with you here, I''ll be the center of attention in no time."

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    "Yes, my mistake," George said apologetically.


    But what had happened had already happened. Felix hadn''t been wrong. Initially, everyone focused on the pre-show program on stage, and no one noticed Felix until George came over to his side.


    N and Yvonne were among the first to notice. Their expressions changed upon seeing Felix.


    "Interesting. Felix got an invitation to Dreamscape''s concert, too?" N mused.


    Yvonne, however, seemed puzzled. "Lady N, isn''t it normal for him to be invited, considering he''s the top young medical talent in Dragonia?"


    N''s gaze returned to the stage before she replied, "You don''t understand. Dreamscape''s invitation criteria aren''t that straightforward. Take a closer look. Why is Ryan the only one here out of the five who are pursuing me? Is he more talented than the other four or the leader in some field?"


    Yvonne paused, realizing she had been wondering the same thing. If Ryan was here, why hadn''t the other four shown up?


    "I can''t exin why, but I''m surprised to see Felix here. It seems I may have underestimated him. At the very least, his ticket from Dreamscape confirms that I wasn''t entirely wrong about certain choices I made."


    Hearing this, Yvonne felt a sudden chill. The fact that N had grown even more intrigued by Felix was not a good sign.


    As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she wished she could give herself a p on the face. She had once hoped Felix could win N''s favor, which would simplify her position- but now her feelings were all tangled. Sometimes, even women themselves couldn''t fully understand their own thoughts.


    Felix was nothing significant to some others since there were so many other talented figures in Dragonia.


    But Ryan''s gaze was different. It was focused and deep.


    "So, Felix managed to get invited by Dreamscape as well? It seems I''ll have to put my ns on hold and watch him a bit longer. No way am I going to be yed for a fool," Ryan muttered. 1


    Ten minutester, a woman in a silver dress adorned with delicate masks took the stage. Though the outfit was modest, it showcased a perfect silhouette. Being paired with an air of mystery, it sessfully gripped the crowd''s attention.


    Dreamscape said nothing as she took the mic and dived straight into her performance. The notes she sang seemed to hang in the air, touching every listener''s heart. Felix felt a profound sense of peace and serenity unlike anything he had experienced before. Dreamscape''s singing was beyond mesmerizing.


    There were no words to describe it. It felt as if every soul in the audience was resonating


    with hers.


    Even if Felix had only heard this one song, he felt his trip had been worth it.


    As the concert drew to a close, everyone had the same thought-where did the time go? Even as it ended after a full three hours, each person was left wanting more.


    From beginning to end, Dreamscape did not speak a single word. She only poured her heart and sout solely into her singing.


    At that moment, someone stood up in the VIP section, signaling to the others that it was time to leave.


    "Lady N! Isn''t that Dreamscape''s manager? What is she doing in the VIP area?" Yvonne asked.


    The sudden appearance of the manager caught everyone''s attention, as this had never happened at any previous concert.


    The manager made her way directly to Felix, stopping in front of him with a smile. "Mr. Felix, Dreamscape would like to invite you backstage. What do you say?"

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    Dreamscape invited Felix backstage? He was taken aback. Truth be told, he didn''t know Dreamscape, nor had he ever paid her much attention. Why, then, had she singled him out and invited him backstage? Seeing him hesitate, the manager nearly pped him on the spot. If it weren''t for Dreamscape''s instructions to treat him politely, she would have let her anger re.


    Was he joking? This was an invitation from Dreamscape herself-a face-to-face meeting!


    Anyone else would have been overjoyed and wouldn''t hesitate for a second, but here he was, actually thinking it over.


    "Fine, I''ll go with you." Felix finally rose, curious about what Dreamscape wanted from him.


    As he followed the manager, everyone in the VIP area turned and looked. It was an unprecedented sight.


    "Oh? Could it be that Felix knows the mysterious Dreamscape? If so, that might exin why he was invited to the concert," N murmured.


    She made no furtherment as she stood to leave. Yvonne, who was about to share her thoughts, remained quiet as well. 1


    George, meanwhile, was grinning with joy. The stronger Felix became, the more beneficial it was for him.


    Ryan''s expression was grim. It was a different story if Felix was invited because of his personal rtionship with Dreamscape rather than his capability. The implications ofworking versus skill werepletely different. "Fine, I better handle it more cautiously," Ryan dered.


    Although he looked like a rough man, Ryan''s tactics were sharp and strategic. If Felix were truly easy to control, he wouldn''t hesitate. But the current situation didn''t allow him to do that.


    It seemed his subordinate''s guess might be urate. Anyone who piqued N''s interest couldn''t possibly be as simple as they appeared.


    Other than those in the VIP section, Xena also saw Felix leaving with the manager. A cold smile crept onto her lips.


    So, Felix was invited just because he knows Dreamscape? She thought he had actually achieved something for once.


    She had be fearful of discovering new information about Felix, though the reasons for


    it were known only to her.


    In a private room in the stadium, the manager led Felix there but left without stepping inside.


    Felix entered and found Dreamscape sitting in front of a mirror, still wearing her stage mask. Even from behind, her figure exuded a captivating allure when viewed up close. "I''m curious, Dreamscape. What did you need to see me about?" Felix asked.


    Dreamscape rose and turned to him at the sound of his voice, lifting her hand to slowly remove her mask.


    Any other man would have been enchanted by the beauty in front of him, but Felix''s face contorted in surprise. He then broke into a wry smile.


    "Delh... So you''re the mysterious Dreamscape?"


    Indeed, the face behind the mask was none other than his fellow apprentice, Delh-¨¤ woman who radiated an elegant intellectual beauty.


    "What''s the matter? Am I not worthy of Dreamscape''s poprity?" she teased.


    Felix sighed helplessly. "You know that''s not what I meant. It''s just that your singing voice and speaking voice are so different. I never would have guessed."


    So that was why he received a VIP ticket and why he had been invited to a private meeting. Everything made sense now.


    "I love to sing, but I don''t want the spotlight interfering with my life, so this is how I do it. In fact, I organized this concert specifically for you, Felix. Do you like it?" Delh asked.

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    Felix nodded earnestly. "It was incredible, Delh. It was truly moving. I''m not exaggerating."


    Receiving Felix''s praise, Delh''s expression lit up with happiness. However, she soon pouted her lips.


    "I thought you''d be so smitten with someone else that you wouldn''t even have the heart to listen to my concert," Delh said grumpily.


    "Huh?" Felix blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"


    She extended a slender finger and tapped his chest. Feigning an using tone, she said, Don''t y dumb! Leslie has everything in all the right ces and sizes. Am I wrong?" "Uh!" Felix took a step back, genuinely startled.


    He stammered as he tried to respond, "How... how do you know about that?"


    Delh remained quiet, sinking back onto the couch and fixing Felix with a direct, piercing gaze that made his scalp tingle.


    Felix quickly started exining, "Delh, I had no choice! Didn''t Leslie exin it to you? She was poisoned, and I did what I had to do!"


    Delhughed. "Silly, did you really think Leslie told me?"


    If not, then how did Delh find out? How could Delh get such information if it was not from Leslie unless Gerald mentioned it? But there was no way that kind of thing would be spread around for every disciple to hear!


    "All right, enough teasing! Leslie wasn''t poisoned at all. It was just a scheme she and Averill cooked up to get you. Think about it. If she really had been afflicted with such a rare poison, wouldn''t Gerald have informed you directly? Why go through Averill to reach you?" Delh pointed out.


    "What?" Felix felt as if he had been struck by lightning, standing frozen in shock. It had all been a show? The entire act was just to get him to sleep with her?


    "I''m telling you the truth now because I know they''re already plotting their next move and hoping to get Averill to sleep with you as well. But don''t worry, Felix, you''re not easy to win over."


    Delh was secretly delighted. Felix urgently exining himself to her showed that he had her on his mind, and that was all she needed to know.


    "Delh... what are you all even thinking?" Felix asked with a wry smile. He was utterly baffled.


    "It''s simple. Before Eloise can im you for herself, we have to act fast, or we won''t even have the scraps after she''s done.


    "I''ll be going now, my dear Felix. But next time, I''ll have my turn at winning you over," Delh said before leaving.


    By the time Felix came to his senses, Delli was gone. Shaking his head, he pushed these confusing thoughts aside. He couldn''t make sense of them even if he tried. More than an hourter, a helicopternded in an open field at a cemetery in Avesburgh, and Xena stepped out.


    She was surprised when she saw the person approaching her-Jaden.


    "Jaden? What are you doing here?" she asked, visibly surprised.


    Jaden wore a serious expression. "Your uncle called me. You''d better go see him quickly. He''s not in a good state."


    Right after the concert, Xena received a call from Perry, asking her to go somewhere as soon as she could, or else he would disown her as his niece.


    ""Let''s go!"


    As she moved ahead, she was reminded that this was the direction to Ted''s tombstone. After a few more steps, Xena froze, looking visibly shocked by what she saw. "Perry!"


    207-

 Billionaire With Husband 371

    Perry was dead. Hey on the ground in front of Ted''s grave, with blood pooling around


    him.


    Xena was overwhelmed with grief. With her parents gone, she had only Curtis to rely on, and she cherished every one of her rtives. Now, seeing Perry dead before her and with what looked like a suicide, the pain was unbearable for her. Yet, Jaden''s expression remained calm, as if he had anticipated this scene. There was even a flicker of schadenfreude in his gaze.


    "Xena, now''s not the time to feel sad. Think about why your uncle would choose to take his own all of a sudden," Jaden said.


    Still crying, Xena looked at Jaden, feeling confused, "What do you mean?"


    "When I arrived, he was still alive! He only told me that he was sure that Felix was responsible for his son''s death, though he had no proof. Maybe, as a father, he found it unbearable to go on without avenging his son''s murder." Xena felt guilty. She looked down at Perry''s lifeless body.


    "Uncle Perry, why did you have to take such drastic measures? I''ve been investigating Ted''s death this whole time, but there''s truly no evidence linking it to Felix."


    Seeing her reaction, Jaden grew frustrated. This was their best chance to get rid of Felix.


    "Are you just going to allow Perry to die like this? Xena, sometimes you have to think more ahead. If he was willing to take his own life for it, then Felix must be guilty!" With that, Jaden took out an item.


    "This is what your uncle asked me to obtain a few days ago. Whether you want to use it is entirely up to you."


    §Ó§Ñ§Ó


    Xena looked at the item. It was a small bag containing some kind of powder. She was


    confused.


    "What is this?" she asked.


    "It''s something I acquired from Brandon, the miracle doctor. It''s Truth Powder. Anyone who takes it will tell the truth when asked about anything. There won''t be any chance for deception."


    ww


    Xena frowned. This drug might have been an illegal substance.


    Sensing her hesitation, Jaden pressed further. "Are you really going to let this slide? Ted''s family was destroyed because of Felix, and even with your title as the goddess of war, you can''t let a killer walk free, can you?


    "Brandon himself said that your organization uses this powder regrly. It''s within regtions and won''t cause any harm."


    His words seemed to work as Xena took the bag, though still appearing hesitant.


    "But Felix is a skilled miracle doctor himself. What if he senses something''s off? How could I exin it?" Xena retorted.


    Jaden scoffed. "A miracle doctor? Please. Do you really think he''s more skilled than Brandon, who was ranked third in Dragonia?"


    Even though Xander had confirmed that Felix was the one who cured Curtis, Felix was still way too young. She didn''t doubt his medical skill, but she wondered if Curtis'' recovery had been partly coincidental. Could someone so young truly surpass someone like Brandon? It seemed too improbable. 1


    With onest look at Perry''s lifeless body, Xena took a deep breath. "Fine. I''ll find an opportunity to test this out. If Felix truly is responsible, I won''t even listen to my grandfather''s plea for him."


    Jaden was delighted. Brandon''s powder was effective, and as long as Xena went along with his n, Felix would soon be out of the picture without any effort on Jaden''s part. Not only would it eliminate his greatest rival, but it would also keep his promise to Zara. He would kill two birds with one stone.


    Meanwhile, Andrei was presented with Perry''s final letter.

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    "Mr. Hawkins, we''ve confirmed it. Perry''s death was indeed a suicide. Xena went to the site personally," a subordinate reported.


    Andrei nodded, setting aside Perry''s final letter. He raised his hand, and a tablet was handed to him immediately.


    "This is all the information we could gather on Felix. Please take a look."


    Time slipped by as Andrei meticulously studied the details for over two hours. He had always been detail-oriented, after all.


    "Felix is far from ordinary, as expected. Most of the people in his circle are not ones we can afford to provoke," Andrei remarked.


    While they couldn''t yet ascertain Felix''s full capabilities-aside from Perry''s mention of him being a martial artist-the connections within his circle told a different story.


    "Yes, Mr. Hawkins. That was my conclusion as well. Are we still going to proceed against Felix?"


    Andrei nodded again. "Of course. A promise is a promise. I''ll keep at it until I reach my limits. If there''s truly no way forward, only then will I let go. But before dealing with Felix, let''s always be extra careful. Better safe than sorry.


    :


    As the sun rose, Felix arrived in the rear courtyard of Yardley Dining. He was meeting Vivian there.


    "What brings you here?" Felix asked.


    He greeted her with a nod. He had asked her to send the Vanguard Legion to Canraville to guard the restaurant''s courtyard for a week. He nned to refine the Dragonspine technique during that time and needed absolute solitude. Vivian smiled. "Of course, I''ll oversee it myself if you ask for something."


    Felix shook his head knowingly. He understood Vivian''s intentions without her having to say much.


    "How are things going with Dragon Alliance?" Felix asked.


    Vivian reported, "With the full support of the two Vice Leaders, there are still a few that are still not satisfied, but they don''t dare speak up. Don''t worry, Felix. I''ll convince them in no time."


    Dragon Alliance was powerful, after all. Yale had already reached the Martial God level, and the two Vice Leaders were equally powerful, although none of them were stronger than


    Felix.


    When they arrived at the spot, the grave was gone. There was just a massive pit. A flicker of joy crossed Felix''s gaze as he sensed the Dragonspine spirit within. Of course, no matter how bold Larry might be, he wouldn''t dare renege on their deal. "Stay on guard."


    With that, Felix leaped into the pit while Vivian stood watch nearby.


    The guards she had brought with her were indeed formidable. They could hold their own even against a Martial God. Unless a Martial Saint came along-but with so few of them in Dragonia, mostly elderly figures unlikely to meddle-the guards were prepared for any threat.


    "Who is it?" Vivian suddenly asked, sensing something was amiss. She nced sharply toward a spot nearby.


    Almost simultaneously, Felix sprang from the pit, his expression dark with frustration. He had barely begun refining the technique when the intrusion had forced him out.


    "Felix! This is our first time meeting, and I hope I''ve made quite the impression. Haha!"


    A voice echoed, seeming toe from every direction, making it impossible to pinpoint its origin.


    "Are you all right?" Felix asked, rushing to Vivian''s side. She was struggling to stay upright, with blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.


    "I''m sorry, Felix. I... I couldn''t even catch a glimpse of where they were.


    It


    The other members of Dragon Alliance were also injured and temporarily incapacitated. This showed how strong the intruder was.


    Just as Felix frowned and was about to speak, he noticed a slip of paper tucked in Vivian''s hair.


    After taking it out and unfolding it, his expression shifted.


    "The Elders'' Council? What is this supposed to mean?"

 Billionaire With Husband 373

    The note read, "I challenge you on behalf of the Elders'' Council. On the night of the full moon, atop Eastern Mountain. I will await you!


    Beneath that, the note was signed with the name "Solomon Gill".


    Looking at those words on the note, Felix felt somewhat baffled.


    "Felix, I''m so sorry... I''ve let you down." Vivian apologized repeatedly, disregarding her own injuries. It was her first major task since bing Dragon Lord, and it had ended in failure. She felt terrible for this setback. "Don''t take it to heart. This Solomon is at least at the level of a Martial Saint. It makes sense you couldn''t match him," Felix said dismissively.


    The enemy had managed to injure Vivian and all the Dragon Alliance guards without even being seen. That said enough about his capability. Felix had reacted quickly, but by the time he came out, the person was gone. "Have you ever heard of the Elders'' Council?" he asked.


    Vivian shook her head. "No, and as far as I know, there''s no such organization in Dragonia.


    Images of Karina shed in Felix''s mind, and her past words echoed in his ears.


    Could it be that Gerald''s past enemies wereing back?


    Regardless, he still had seven days until the full moon. Overthinking it now would lead to nowhere.


    "Felix, I''ll arrange to have more personnel from Dragon Alliance stationed here," Vivian


    offered.


    But Felix waved her off, striding back toward the pit.


    "Your injuries aren''t bad, so just keep them under control for now. Continue the guard as it is now. The person will not return again."


    It was clear that Solomon had no idea why Felix was there. He had simplye to issue the challenge and leave the note.


    Since the Dragonspine technique didn''t seem to be their target, Felix was less concerned.


    Still, he couldn''t ignore the threat posed by the Elders'' Council. Their first strike had impressed him. They were no ordinary organization.


    By sunset, Felix emerged from the pit. After treating Vivian and the others'' injuries, he left Yardley Dining.


    Switching his phone back on, he saw several missed calls from Xena. After a moment''s hesitation, he decided not to return the calls. They didn''t have much to say anyway.


    As he got into his car, however, his phone rang again.


    "Felix! Do people still turn off their phones? Do you know how many times I''ve tried calling you?"Xena shouted.


    Felix was irritated. "Do I owe you an exnation for turning my phone off?"


    "I don''t want to argue, and it''s not like I like calling you. Juste to my house for dinner. My grandfather wants to video chat. Once you''ve done that, you can go wherever you want. 11


    Felix could hardly refuse an invitation from Curtis, who had always been supportive of him.


    When he arrived at Xena''s home, a few dishes were set on the table, but it was obvious they were just takeout.


    "You really went all out, didn''t you?" he mocked dryly.


    "I''m about to call, so you''d better act properly or else Grandpa will start nagging. If I have to suffer, you''re not getting off easy either," Xena snapped.


    Once the video call connected, Felix put on a smile. "Hello, Mr. Summers Senior."


    They chatted for a while, and then Curtis teasingly said, "Felix, is my granddaughter''s cooking not to your liking? I don''t see you eating. Your bowl is so clean. There''s not a drop of oil in it." Caught off guard, Felix quickly grabbed his fork and picked up some food. "Not at all, Mr. Summers Senior. I just got carried away chatting with you. Xena''s cooking is excellent." But a flicker of realization crossed his eyes, and he paused for a moment. Xena, who was holding the phone, tensed up as well.


    Thankfully, Felix took the bite anyway and smiled. "See? It''s delicious."

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    After the call ended, Felix feasted on the food. He was hungry after a long day.


    "Why aren''t you eating?" he asked, noticing that Xena was watching him with a hint of


    unease.


    "I''m not hungry. I only ordered the food to go along with the act. I didn''t think you''d actually eat it," Xena replied.


    "Of course. Why waste it?" Felix said, unfazed.


    He wiped his mouth as if he was about to leave, but then Xena spoke up again. "My uncle, Perry, is dead. Hemitted suicide." Felix''s expression remained calm. "And?"


    Her grief and anger erupted in that moment. "Are you even human? You know why he killed himself, don''t you? Don''t pretend you don''t! Are you really going to say Ted''s death had nothing to do with you?"


    It was clear her sadness was genuine, welling up from deep inside.


    "First, I had nothing to do with Ted''s death. Second, Perry''s suicide has nothing to do with me, either. Finally, have you spent even a moment considering what Ted might have done to provoke me?


    "Are you truly impartial in this investigation, or are you just looking for a reason to take me down?" Felix shot back.


    With that, Felix left without another word. He had already sensed something suspicious about the food, but what could he do? If he couldn''t even counter this kind of tactic, he had no business being the disciple of the Miracle Doctor. A whileter, Jaden entered the room. His expression was filled with anticipation. "So? He was the one who killed Ted, wasn''t he?"


    Xena shook her head. She was beginning to realize Felix had been right. She had been so focused on connecting Ted''s death to Felix that she hadn''t stopped to consider Ted''s own character or actions.


    "Impossible! Did you even use the Truth Powder?" Jaden asked.


    Standing up, Xena looked unhappy. "If you don''t trust me, leave immediately."


    Jaden''s expression tightened in frustration. Judging by the nearly empty tes, Felix had eaten everything, meaning the powder had been used. This could only mean he truly wasn''t involved in Ted''s death. With that, their n was ruined. Damn it! Though Jaxon''s deadline was approaching fast, Jaden wouldn''t leave his fate up


    to someone else. Felix was forcing him to take this to the next level.


    As Felix was leaving, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He was sure of his memory, things weren''t adding up.


    but


    Right now, he was standing in front of an empty parking space. He was sure this was where he had parked his Range Rover.


    The spot was on a public street and in a free parking area. He had found it avable when he arrived and decided to park there. Now, however, the car was gone.


    He saw two surveince cameras nearby, but both were dangling with disconnected wires. The car had most likely been stolen.


    No big deal. This kind of professional car theft would be easy to handle once he called the right people.


    He immediately dialed Larry, remembering that Wendy had once mentioned Larry''s younger brother was one of the major underground figures in Canraville.


    Sure enough, Larry was willing to help, almost as if he had been waiting for a chance like this.


    "Mr. Zeller, please hold on for a moment. I''ll have my younger brother call you right away. You can just call him Luis," Larry said.


    Just as he hung up, his phone rang again. It was Yvonne.


    "Are you heading back to Yartford?" Felix asked.


    But Yvonne''s voice was tense and desperate. "Felix! Please, you have to help me! I''m begging you this time, please help me!"

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    This was the first time Felix had ever heard Yvonne sound so distressed. His emotions were stirred by her sobbing


    "What happened? Tell me!" he shouted.


    "There''s an outbreak of some unknown illness at an orphanage in Canraville. Can you go there? Those poor kids are suffering terribly," Yvonne exined.


    An orphanage? Felix didn''t need to ask why or how this was connected to Yvonne. He only knew that these children, who had already had an unfortunate life, were now enduring physical torment as well. It was too heartbreaking. now.


    "I''m on my way now."


    "Thank you, Felix. Lady N and I just arrived in Yartford, but we''re taking a flight right back to Canraville. Besides you, Lady N has used her connections to gather every avable doctor in the area."


    N was involved in this? Felix didn''t ask further questions. He hailed a taxi and went to the address Yvonne had given him.


    Shortly after getting off, Felix received a call from Larry''s younger brother, Luis. Felix briefly exined his situation and asked Luis to search for his car, as his current priority was the orphanage and the children in need.


    The orphanage was in the eastern suburbs of Canraville. The drive was over half an hour, and luckily, they managed to avoid traffic at this hour, or else it would have taken longer to reach.


    To Felix''s surprise, he found the orphanage entirely surrounded by armed soldiers, a level of security he hadn''t anticipated for a possible infectious outbreak that was not official yet. "Mr. Zeller, so you''vee as well."


    Alistair, who came out from the main gate, seemed unsurprised to see Felix. He was well aware of Felix''s skill in medicine.


    "Even the Wolfie troops are here? This must be serious," Felix muttered.


    As they walked together, Alistair updated him on the situation.


    "It''s critical 13 children are sick. They''re in constant pain, suffering severe muscle spasms, and even sedatives have no effect. Frankly, it''s horrific. We need your help, Mr. Zeller." Felix noticed tears at the corners of Alistair''s eyes. It was a rare sight to see from such a hardened soldier. The sheer suffering of these children was enough to move even a man


    like Alistair to tears.


    "I can''t say anything for sure until I see the patients myself," Felix said.


    "Yes. Currently, Dr. Quinn is leading the efforts. Fortunately, he was still in Canraville, only hours away from boarding a flight. There''s also a healer named Zara, who seems to be really good as well." Brandon was here as well? Felix felt a bit relieved. With Brandon involved, the situation seemed more hopeful.


    As they proceeded, Felix saw numerous doctors inb coats moving back and forth. The medical teams here were clearly overwhelmed, waiting to see if Brandon could solve the issue. If hospitals could have handled it, they wouldn''t have to call on thisrge-scale intervention.


    "Why was your team called in for this?" Felix asked curiously.


    Alistair''s expression turned grim. "Brandon believes the children''s illness was deliberately caused. The headquarters ordered my superiors to bring in the Wolfie troops immediately if the culprit is still lurking."


    It was caused deliberately? A dangerous glint shed in Felix''s eyes. Who could be so inhuman as to target helpless children? It was monstrous.


    "All the children are inside, and Brandon is there as well. I''ve been called to join the others in another room to discuss our next steps, so I''ll leave you to it, Mr. Zeller." "Understood."


    The "superior" Alistair mentioned was undoubtedly Xena, who was also deployed by the headquarters. Given that the lives of over a dozen children were at stake, such drastic measures were necessary. Schools, nurseries, and any ce with children could be at risk if the perpetrator struck again.

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    Upon entering, Felix found himself in a children''s bedroom. The spacious room contained over a dozen beds with children, though only three people were present to tend to them.


    One was an elderly man who had to be Brandon, alongside Zara, whom Felix already knew. The third was a young man who must have been Brandon''s disciple. If not, he would not have been permitted to be here."


    "Felix!" Zara''s eyes brightened upon seeing his arrival, but her excitement was restrained. After all, Brandon was present. While Felix''s medical skills were impressive, they could notpare to Brandon, Dragonia''s third-best master healer. "How are things?" Felix asked.


    Zara''s eyes reddened as she watched a child thrashing against their restraints, clearly in agony. "Not good. I can''t identify the illness. It''s up to Dr. Quinn now."


    At another bedside, Brandon frowned as he removed a silver needle. While assisting him, Gale immediately turned to scold them, "Quiet! Get out if you can''t keep silent. Can''t you see Dr. Quinn is treating patients?"


    Zara whispered to Felix, "That''s Gale, Brandon''s junior disciple. He''s got a bad temper, so don''t mind him."


    Felix was not concerned about the rudeness, as saving these children was the priority. Even if they could not cure them immediately, easing their pain would be good enough.


    With a subtle gesture to Zara, Felix sat down to check a pulse. But he could not detect any obvious symptoms visually. After about a minute, his expression grew grave. "Dr. Quinn is right. This isn''t natural. Someone caused this to happen."


    Zara was taken aback. She had not detected anything, yet Felix reached this conclusion from just one pulse reading. Was the gap in their abilities really that vast?


    Before she could speak, Gale turned toward them again with eyes full of disdain. "You brat, who let you in? Since when does Dr. Quinn''s diagnosis need your validation?" Even Zara had enough. She said, "Gale, calm down, won''t you? We''re all here for the children. This is Felix, and I''d say his medical skills are way better than mine."


    Gale''s brow furrowed. Better than Zara? Impossible! He knew Zara ranked among the top young healers. Was she just trying to prevent him from scolding this neer? "I don''t care about his skills. Take him outside. He''s been disrupting Dr. Quinn''s work since he arrived. Understand?"


    Felix gently pulled Zara aside but approached Brandon, who was intently studying a silver needle with furrowed brows. "Dr. Quinn, have you found anything?"


    Gale was furious. The stranger had the audacity to directly address Brandon and act like he belonged here! "Leave now! This is your final warning before I call the Wolfie troops to kick you out. Zara, I mean it."


    To everyone''s surprise, Brandon turned around with visible irritation and said, "Even if I had found something, what good would sharing them with you do? Either help Zara ease these children''s suffering by regting their blood cirction, or leave."

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    With Brandon''s words hanging in the air, Gale, who already could not stand Felix, immediately pointed at him. "Did you hear that? Get out if you''re not going to help! You should know your ce in traditional medicine. You can''t just rise to the top on empty praise." Though he had initially just been ensuring Brandon could work in peace, Zara''s praise of Felix had sparked his jealousy, regardless of its truth.


    Ignoring Gale''s provocations, Felix watched Brandon, who had returned to examining his silver needle. He asked seriously, "Dr. Quinn, have you heard of the Bloom Seeds?"


    What? Brandon shot up and trembled. "That''s it! I knew it reminded me of something but couldn''t ce it. Yes, it must be the Bloom Seeds!"


    Zara quickly asked, "What are the Bloom Seeds?"


    Someone else answered her, "The Bloom Seeds are the signature technique of Sonny Ba, who''s ranked 12th among the Thirteen Aces and Dragonia''s Super S-rank wanted criminals.


    "As the Circle of Hearts, he could inject an undetectable toxin that''s painless and symptomless at first. Over time, it forms what we call a Bloom Seed in the victim''s body.


    "Once formed, the Bloom Seed fuses with the host''s tissue. Even our most advanced medical equipment can''t detect it."


    It seemed Xena had arrived. As the goddess of war, she knew every detail about the Super S-rank criminals. "Dr. Quinn, can you confirm these children carry Bloom Seeds?"


    Brandon nodded grimly and sighed. "Though I''ve never encountered them before, I can sense their presence. I''m nearly certain. The tragedy is, while I could extract them, the children wouldn''t survive the procedure."


    Zara clenched her fists. This was her first time hearing such a malicious technique. "Sonny Ba is horrible! But what''s his motive? Just to make these children suffer?"


    Xena exined with a dark expression, "Once formed, the Bloom Seeds emit an invisible, odorless essence. While harmless to others, it greatly amplifies Sonny''s powers. He can draw this essence to himself from anywhere, and we can''t trace it to find him. "Even if we eliminated Sonny, the Bloom Seeds would continue their work."


    Suddenly, Brandon turned to Felix with hope flickering in his eyes. "Young man, you''re the first to identify the Bloom Seeds. Have you encountered them before?"


    Even Brandon had only heard of them. There might be hope if Felix had actual experience.


    Gale immediately protested, "Impossible, D lucky with his guess."


    "Shut up!" Brandon''s sharp rebuke quieted with the beautiful and prestigious Xena pres spotlight but dared not speak further.


    Xena also watched Felix with curiosity. She v how he could possibly seed where Brand


    "I can treat them, but I''ll need Dr. Quinn''s as


    Gale nearly spoke up again but held back. He him look like he was opposed to the children'' Today''s Bonus Offer


    Gale immediately protested, "Impossible, Dr. Quinn! If you can''t handle it, he just got lucky with his guess."


    "Shut up!" Brandon''s sharp rebuke quieted Gale. But he remained frustrated, especially with the beautiful and prestigious Xena present. He did not want Felix stealing the spotlight but dared not speak further.


    Xena also watched Felix with curiosity. She wondered both about his presence here and how he could possibly seed where Brandon could not.


    "I can treat them, but I''ll need Dr. Quinn''s assistance," Felix said.


    Gale nearly spoke up again but held back. He realized that questioning now would make him look like he was opposed to the children''s recovery, which would be unforgivable.

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    Gale thought, "Hmph! Keep boasting, kid. Everyone wants to show off! When you fail, I''ll make sure you''ll regret being alive!"


    Gale remained convinced that someone just a few years older than him couldn''t possibly achieve such a miracle.


    Xena was also shaken up and feeling equally skeptical. "Felix, you need to understand that this-"


    Before she could finish, Felix cut her off with a cold stare. "Instead of questioning me, bring some men over and guard outside! Who''s the doctor here you or me?"


    Xena trembled with anger. Given her status and the fact that she would soon be promoted to Wady, even Brandon had shown her deference upon seeing her again. Yet, Felix dared to speak to her so rudely in front of everyone.


    "Saving lives takes priority. Your name is Felix, correct?" Regardless of others'' opinions, Brandon only cared about freeing these children from the Bloom Seeds as a master healer.


    "Yes. I assume you know the Pierce of Trinity technique?" Felix replied.


    "I do. I''ll follow your lead, and whoever interrupts again will face wrath!"


    my


    With the lives of over a dozen children at stake, Felix would not make such ims without confidence. This was not a matter of empty words.


    Brandon''s deration silenced both Gale and Xena. Even as the future Wady, offending a master healer of his caliber was not wise.


    "I need you to use the Pierce of Trinity to protect their cardiac meridians. I''ll handle the rest!" Felix then turned to Zara. "Zara! When the Bloom Seeds are forced out, blood will surge from all three acupoints where Dr. Quinn applies the Pierce of Trinity. Your job is to stop their bleeding." a


    At this point, Felix could not afford any dys. He turned to Gale as well. "Tell the medical team outside to prepare for blood transfusions. The blood supplies are ready, right?"


    For such a major incident with so many medical staff involved, they must have already checked these children''s blood types and made preparations. "Y-yes, everything''s ready." Felix nodded and approached the first child. "Then let''s begin!"


    Brandon took a deep breath. He did not think Felix''s medical skills surpassed his own, but Felix must have encountered Bloom Seeds before. How else could he diagnose them by just checking a pulse? Experience would outweigh theory in medicine. If Felix had seen this before, age and


    rtive skill levels did not matter.


    Felix nodded. "Dr. Quinn, if you would."


    Just as Brandon was about to perform the Pierce of Trinity, Xena suddenly said, "Wait!"


    The res that turned her way were almost unbearable, but she had to speak. "I just received word that Dr. Grayson is en route. He''ll be here in 30 minutes at most. The higher-ups want us to wait!"


    Zara, who had remained silent, was shocked. She wondered who could be powerful enough to be able to summon her mentor. Was this a government directive? But this situation hardly seemed to warrant that level of intervention. Felix''s expression darkened. "We can''t wait. Dr. Quinn, proceed!"


    But Xena stepped forward, pointing at Felix and shouting, "Don''t you


    dare!"

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    Brandon felt conflicted. Ss'' medical skills far surpassed his own. Though they were only one rank apart, he knew the true gap between them.


    Compared to Felix, Ss would certainly be the safer choice. Brandon had only agreed to help Felix due to the urgent situation. But things could be different now with a better option avable


    Xena shared this thinking, which gave her the courage to speak out. "Felix, I know you wouldn''t joke about something like this, but Dr. Grayson''s skills are legendary, and you know it. For these children''s safety, don''t let pride cloud your judgment." Gale seized the opportunity to say, "Exactly! Even Dr. Quinn acknowledges Dr. Grayson''s superior skills. It''s best to wait for him to arrive."


    He thought, "Hmph! You got lucky, kid. If Dr. Quinn wasn''t involved, I wouldn''t even bother speaking up."


    He worried that if anything happened to these children, his mentor would be the one to bear the brunt of criticism, while Felix would face minimal consequences. That was the celebrity effect. Felix nced at a suffering child, and his voice grew heavy. "If it were just 30 more minutes of pain, and you all trust Ss so much, I wouldn''t argue. But they can''t wait."


    Touching the little girl''s forehead, memories flooded Felix''s mind. He recalled an incident years ago in a vige with Gerald. It was so simr to what was happening now and was impossible to forget. Felix exined, "The Bloom Seeds aren''t as simple as you think. These emissions from the children''s bodiese at a price and will grow worse with time. Back then, eight children. were affected. "Because we were just one minute toote with thest child, his brain was damaged. His- mental development stopped at the age of four


    "Now, while the other children attend elementary school, he can only y in the vige. Perhaps he''s innocent and carefree, but is that fair to him?"


    Felix looked around at everyone. "In another 30 minutes, every one of these dozen children will suffer irreversible organ damage from the Bloom Seeds. I''ve said my piece, so the decision is yours.


    Could he save these children alone? Yes, but it would take longer. Felix did not want to repeat the vige tragedy, which was why he needed Brandon''s help. If Brandon insisted on waiting for Ss, he would ept it. Everyone fell silent. If Felix was telling the truth, who could bear that responsibility?


    Then Brandon patted Felix''s shoulder. "I can tell you''re being honest. Very well, I will take this risk with you. If anything happens, I''ll take responsibility for it alone!"


    Gale immediately protested, "Dr. Quinn, don''t be rash! He''s so young. Even if he''s seen Bloom Seeds before, he can''t guarantee perfect treatment."


    Brandon pushed Gale aside and looked at the little girl. "My decision is final. Felix, shall we begin?"


    With Brandonmitted, even Xena dared not interfere further.


    "Let''s begin. Thank you for trusting me!" Felix said.


    Brandon performed the Pierce of Trinity. It was a technique that even Xander could not master, yet Brandon executed it effortlessly. This only showed their vast skill difference. With the three silver needles in ce, Felix raised both hands. With three needles in his right hand and two in his left, energy emanated from his body.


    "Could it be..." Brandon seemed to realize something. His eyes widened as Felix''s five needles flew forth and struck around the little girl''s heart. Some points were not even acupoints.

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    Gale watched with a strange expression. In traditional medicine, needles had no effect outside of acupoints. Every practitioner knew this basic fact. And yet, Brandon''s jaw dropped.


    "The Five Points of Ascension?" Brandon asked in astonishment.


    Both Zara and Gale were astounded. Of course, they knew of the Five Points of Ascension.


    Certain acupuncture techniques stood supreme in Dragonia''s 5000 years of medical history. While the Pierce of Trinity would intimidate most practitioners, the Five Points of Ascension were even more formidable. Even Brandon had not mastered it, yet here Felix was, performing them. The shock was beyond words.


    St!


    Within five seconds, the little girl turned her head and spat out a blood clot the size of a fingernail. Brandon''s three silver needles then flew out, followed by gushing blood.


    "Zara!" Felix''s shout snapped Zara to attention, and she rushed to stop the bleeding.


    As they moved on to the next child, Brandon''s perception of Felix hadpletely changed. Simply being able to perform the Five Points of Ascension proved Felix''s skills surpassed his own. He had really bet on the right person.


    Who could have imagined someone so young mastering the Five Points of Ascension? There was finally a worthy sessor to Dragonia''s traditional medical industry.


    While Xena did not understand traditional medicine, the changes in Brandon''s and others'' expressions told her Felix had won their respect. "Just how skilled could he be? Dr. Quinn is Dragonia''s third-best master healer. Did I really misjudge him?"


    20 minutester, only one boy remained. Brandon was weakening and could barely stand, but he could manage one final Pierce of Trinity.


    "Let''s start, Dr. Quinn," Felix said.


    But Brandon hesitated as he looked at Felix with concern. "Rest first, Felix. You''ve done enough."


    "Just begin!" Felix''s arms visibly trembled. Having to perform the Five Points of Ascension repeatedly had clearly taken a huge toll on him. Suddenly, blood began flowing from his nose, mouth, and ears. Xena covered her mouth in shock. "You-"


    "I said begin! I can handle it! 30 minutes was just my estimate, and every minute earlier


    increases their chances of full recovery. Dr. Quinn, please, don''t worry about me!" Felix


    shouted.


    Zara broke into tears while Gale bowed deeply. It was a silent apology for his earlier words. Felix had earned everyone''s respect.


    Brandon''s eyes moistened, deeply moved. He performed the Pierce of Trinity one final time before falling to the ground. He waspletely spent.


    Without hesitation, Felix steadied his violently shaking arms. Afterpleting the Five Points of Ascension, he watched as the boy spit out the Bloom Seed''s blood clot. A faint smile crossed his face. He turned toward Xena as if he wanted to say something. Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Sudden explosions erupted from Felix''s body as blood holes appeared, spraying crimson. Xena watched in horror as he fell backward.


    Even then, his lips kept moving. "Transfusion... Give the children... blood transfusions..." Xena finally broke down. Tears streamed down her face as she rushed forward. "Felix!"

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    Xena could not exin why, but seeing Felix lying there so brutally wounded made her heart ache terribly.


    "What happened here?" Just as Xena lifted Felix, a voice rang out.


    Zara, who was also crying, immediately became excited when she heard the sound. "Dr. Grayson! Please, save Felix!"


    Four people entered the room. Two had their faces concealed. One was the renowned N, who was known for her signature face veil. The other person was probably elderly, judging by the voice, and wore a demon mask. Given Zara''s reaction and words as she ran over, this had to be Dragonia''s second-best master healer, Ss.


    "Ss, you must save Felix no matter what. I''ve never had so much admiration for a young man in my life. He deserves your help. He saved over a dozen children from the Bloom Seeds!" Exhausted, Brandon was sitting on the ground. He knew Felix''s condition was critical and spoke urgently.


    "He treated them by himsel ss looked at Felix in Xena''s arms. The look in his eyes


    showed disbelief.


    "It''s true, Dr. Grayson! Please hurry. Felix''s life is slipping away!" Zara was desperate. With Brandon depleted and Felix bleeding out, Ss'' arrival was their only hope.


    "Dr. Grayson, please save Mr. Zeller!" Alistair, who had entered with them, bowed before Ss. How could he face his sister if her savior died before his eyes?


    Standing nearby, Yvonne fought back tears and the urge to rush to Felix. Her nails were digging into her palms without her even realizing it. The man she lovedy there in a horrific state. Even as a martial artist, she could barely sense his life force. He was clearly at death''s door.


    "Dr. Grayson, since the children are safe now, please help him."


    Even N spoke up as she stared at the man in Xena''s arms. She was still processing the shock. If Brandon spoke true, Felix was not just talented for his age but could rival the true master healers. How else could one person handle such an impossible situation? "Take him to a quiet room. Everyone else, wait outside!" Ss ordered..


    In truth, Ss had decided to help the moment his beloved student Zara asked, but Brandon''s words had stunned him. Having encountered Bloom Seeds before, he knew their deadly nature.


    Plus, over a dozen children needed individual treatment. How had a young man


    aplished this? It was unthinkable!


    Minutester, the group waited anxiously outside a room in the orphanage. Even Brandon refused to rest. He insisted on staying in a chair for news.


    "Did Felix really save all those children alone? Dr. Quinn seems quite exhausted himself,"


    N said.


    N''s sudden question hung in the air. Xena remained silent, her mind consumed with worry for Felix.


    Instead, Zara answered, "Dr. Quinn and Felix worked together to save them."

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    As a junior, Zara could only state facts. But Brandon clearly did not want to im any credit.


    "Nonsense. I merely assisted. Sess or failure rested with Felix. Truthfully, I''ve never seen such a passionate young healer in Dragonia in all these years. If anything happens to him, it would be a national tragedy," Brandon said.


    With traditional medicine''s declining session, Brandon''s words were not exaggerated. They were spoken from the heart.


    "Dr. Quinn, you''re too modest. Are you saying Felix''s skills surpass yours?" N asked.


    Brandon nodded. "I admit it. He is indeed better than me. As in martial arts, skill determines rank in medicine. Age is merely a rough measure."


    His disciple, Gale, stood silently nearby. He had been thoroughly humbled by Felix. Remembering his earlier words, guilt and remorse consumed him.


    Hearing these answers, especially from Brandon himself, N''s lips curled into a smile beneath her veil. Felix''s medical prowess had reached such heights. Not only was it not embarrassing to have him as her fianc¨¦, but he was truly worthy of that title. She decided to meet with him properly once Ss healed him. Certain matters could now move forward.


    Among those present, only Yvonne shared Xena''s depth of concern. Her heart remained clenched tightly. If Felix did not survive, she felt she would lose her will to live.


    After 30 endless minutes, the door finally opened. Ss emerged from the room.


    "How is Felix?" N and Xena asked simultaneously, exchanging a nce. Whatever thoughts that prompted remained their own.


    "His life is no longer in danger, however..."


    Their briefly relieved hearts tensed again at his unfinished sentence.


    "Dr. Grayson, what is it?" N frowned. If even a master healer like Ss hesitated, the news must be grave.


    "Ss, tell us straight. I know you gave it your all. This is Felix''s fate!"


    ncing at Brandon, Ss sighed. "Tell me the truth, Brandon. Did he really perform the Five Points of Ascension continuously for all those children?"


    Brandon nodded. "How could I lie? I assisted with the Pierce of Trinity. Besides, How else were the children freed from the Bloom Seeds? ording to Felix, if we didn''t save them within 30 minutes, they risked permanent damage. They could be disabled, suffer from brain atrophy, and worse.


    "That''s why he pushed himself without rest."


    Upon hearing this confirmation, emotion flickered in Ss'' eyes. "Remarkable. He performed Five Points of Ascension on a dozen children without stopping. Even I couldn''t manage that!"


    This statement shocked Xena and N. Did this mean Felix''s skills exceeded even Ss''? If this news spread, it would shake all of Dragonia. A youth whose medical skills ranked among the nation''s finest-imagine how many would seek him out.


    Coming to her senses, N sensed that something was off and said, "Wait. Dr. Grayson, you didn''t finish earlier. What''s wrong with Felix?"


    Shaking his head a little, Ss delivered the devastating news, "Felix will live... but he is now crippled."

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    Crippled! That word struck everyone present like a physical blow and left them frozen in ce.


    "What... what do you mean by crippled? Will he be bedridden forever?" Xena clutched her chest as tears welled up. At this moment, she was not the revered goddess of war, just a helpless woman:


    Ss shook his head. "No, not exactly. The Five Points of Ascension ranks third among our highest medical techniques. Brandon knows how impossibly difficult it is to perform it, so he never mastered it in his entire life! Once mastered, it elevates one''s medical skills tremendously.


    "The greater the effect, the greater the cost. Besides, Felix did it continuously over a dozen times. In my estimation, only the rumored one and the miracle doctor himself could do this without consequences!"


    Ss'' eyes were filled with admiration. Such was a practitioner''spassion. Felix likely only considered the feelings of the children suffering from the Bloom Seeds, with no thought for himself.


    "Every one of us who has achieved the status of master healer practices both medical and martial arts. Without the internal energy of a martial artist, there will always be a limit to how far one''s medical skills can improve!


    "Advanced acupuncture techniques require internal energy. Manyplex conditions can only be diagnosed and treated bybining medical skill with internal energy!


    "Felix''s reckless use of the Five Points of Ascension has disrupted his internal energy beyond repair. I could only release itpletely because it was the only way to save him! Yes, he''ll live, but his martial arts skills are permanently destroyed. 1


    "From now on, he''ll be just an ordinary man... or perhaps a doctor in a traditional medicine clinic." Ss'' words made Felix''s condition painfully clear. "I''ll remember his name. He''s a true doctor, and I respect him. What a tragedy!" With that, Ss left, his sighs echoing in everyone''s minds.


    "What a shame to lose such talent!" Brandonmented. But what more could be said? Though Felix was crippled, the children lived withoutsting damage. Perhaps, given the choice again, Felix would still make the same decision. "Let''s go," N said as she turned to leave. Near the orphanage exit, Yvonne blocked her path.


    "What''s wrong?" N asked.


    Yvonne''s face showed grief and anger. It was the first time she had dared look at N with


    such emotions. "Miss, won''t you.... won''t you at least wait until Felix wakes, to see him?"


    N''s fine brows furrowed as she waved dismissively. "Step aside! I''ll overlook this one act of impudence. Don''t let it happen again."


    But Yvonne stood firm, her heart breaking further. "Miss, you''ve always sponsored this orphanage. Whenever you visited, you showed genuine care for these children. Now that Felix has saved them, don''t you feel any gratitude?" N''s expression softened as she replied seriously, "Of course I''m grateful. I''ll make sure he livesfortably for life. I''ll even arrange for him to be the director of any traditional medicine hospital he chooses. Isn''t that enough?" Yvonne gave a bitterugh. "I understand now, You heard Ss say Felix can no longer use his extraordinary medical skills and that he''s reduced to being a doctor that''s only impressive tomon people. So you''re abandoning him, aren''t you?"

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    N made no attempt to hide her thoughts. "That''s right. To me, he''s no different from any other cripple now. It''s a shame, really. His hidden talents had made him worthy of being my fianc¨¦. I was ready to give him a chance, but life''s full of unexpected turns." As Yvonne tried to protest, N grabbed her cor.


    "I know what you want to say. Don''t. Felix has lost all standing, including any im to you. Did you think I hadn''t noticed you falling in love with him? When he was still exceptional a few hours ago, I might have epted him-and you could have been his naturally. "But he''s ruined now, understand? You''re forbidden from any further contact with him. Since Felix is no longer useful, it''s time for you to serve your purpose. Your wedding will be held in one month."


    After N left, Yvonne looked toward Felix''s room, tears flowing freely. She had said it many times before-Yvonne had no right to choose her destiny. Everything was at N''smand. "Take care, Felix. I... I''m getting married." As the sun began to rise at dawn, Felix''s eyes flickered before slowly opening. "Where..."


    Looking at the unfamiliar surroundings, he heard a familiar voice. "You''re awake? Here, have some water."


    As Xena helped him sit up, she was so close it felt dreamlike to Felix. "What happened? Why are you taking care of me?"


    Xena showed unprecedented gentleness. She seemedpletely different from her usual self. "Everything will be fine. You''ll hear it from others anyway, so let me tell you myself."


    Felix sat up, testing his movements. "I feel fine. Why are you acting like I''m dying?"


    Xena looked reproachfully at him before exining, "You used the Five Points of Ascension too many times, so your body couldn''t handle it. Dr. Grayson came in time and saved your life, but... your martial arts skills are gone forever."


    Martial arts skills? Felix quickly checked and found no trace of internal energy in himself anymore. He gave a bitterugh. "Haha! Seems like I wasn''t granted a second chance, after all."


    Xena was surprised. "You knew?"


    "Yes. At my level, I could safely perform the Five Points of Ascension ten times at most. Going beyond that would likely lead to this. Even without Dr. Grayson''s help, I wouldn''t have died. It would just take a few days for my internal energy to dissipate naturally." Chapter 384


    Seeing Felix''s optimism, Xena rxed slightly. ''Why did you hide your medical skills from me? Did you really think I only care about superficial things?"


    Felix smirked. "Hide? You just refused to believe me. Look at your grandfather''s case. When all those master healers failed, I seeded. Anyone thinking clearly would understand what that meant about my skill level."


    It was true. Xena had to admit she had overlooked the obvious.


    "Now I really am just an ordinary person. Lady Summers, you should go. The deadline is almost here, and don''t worry, I won''t use our engagement to force you into anything."


    But Xena shook her head, looking at Felix with sincerity. "No, Felix. Let''s be together- truly together this time."


    3

 Billionaire With Husband 385

    Felix froze, then gave a wry smile. "Is it fun joking with someone who just recovered from a near-death experience?"


    But Xena''s expression remained serious. "Do I look like I''m joking?"


    When Felix copsed bleedingst night, Xena felt her heart shatter. Only then did she realize her true feelings for him. Those were feelings she had been denying all along.


    "Yes, I am materialistic, but not mindlessly so! Reality has shown us countless examples of why matching social status matters! I have the looks, figure, and status of the goddess of war. Is it wrong of me to want a better partner?


    Felix suddenly realized he had no counterargument. He remembered a news story about a man who worked to put his girlfriend through school. After she earned her doctorate, they married, but the marriagested barely two years. ording to her, they had lost theirmon ground. Their vast status difference had created an unbridgeable gap in their worldviews.


    The inte had split opinions on this. Some called the wife heartless. Her husband had sacrificed everything to support her education, only to be abandoned once she seeded.


    Others sided with her. What was the point of a rtionship withoutmon ground? While she discussed brilliant professor lectures, he talked about delivering food in the snow for extra money. Who was really wrong? Was there even a clear answer?


    Xena continued, "Besides, my dislike toward you had nothing to do with you personally. It was all about the arranged marriage. In this day and age, who would be happy without the freedom to choose their own partner?"


    After a long pause, Felix stood up. "I believe you''re being sincere, but you''re overlooking something. Last night, while I focused entirely on the children, you observers saw somethingpletely different. Perhaps what you saw as heroic has triggered temporary emotions.


    "So, don''t be so quick to speak yet. Your grandfather''s one-month deadline is almost here. If you still want to be with me then, that will prove your true feelings." (1


    Outside, Gale immediately kneeled before Felix. "Mr. Zeller, I''ve never regretted anything more! Please punish me for my earlier words!"


    A master healer who would risk his life for children deserved respect from everyone, not


    insults.


    "Get up. It''s all past now. Study well under Dr. Quinn, and you''ll be someone like me someday."


    After brief exchanges with Brandon and Zara, Felix left. Watching him go, all three felt the same thing. Felix was truly someone who was both extraordinary and ordinary.


    Though he had fallen from heaven to hell, he remained casual about this as if he had lost nothing. Few could maintain such grace.


    At the orphanage entrance, Felix stopped. A dozen children stood there in formation with their director.

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    "This is Felix Zeller, who saved all your lives," the orphanage director said.


    At these words, a dozen children clumsily kneeled. Their voices were full of gratitude as they said, "Thank you, Mr. Zeller!" "You''re amazing! The pain is all gone now!"


    "Hehe! I want to be just like Mr. Zeller when I grow up. I will be a doctor and save lots and lots of people!"


    "Me too! I don''t want to be an astronaut anymore-I want to be a doctor!"


    With tears blurring his vision, Felix rushed to embrace the children. At this moment, he knew everything had been worth it.


    An hourter, at the Wolfie troops'' headquarters, Alistair was reporting to Xena, "Lady Summers, Sonny''s unusual behavior suggests hidden motives."


    Xena nodded. ording to headquarters'' files, Sonny, who was ranked 12th among the Thirteen Aces, typically deployed his Bloom Seeds in remote viges. The limited knowledge and istion would allow him to vanish before headquarters noticed. This was his first attack on a major city.


    ""Any progress?" Xena asked.


    Sonny had to be in Canraville. He could not be far from the Bloom Seeds.


    Alistair shook his head. "Nothing yet. There''s a reason he''s among the Super S-rank wanted criminals. He''s not easily caught."


    After a moment''s hesitation, Xena waved her hand. "Keep the Wolfie troops searching. Focus on areas where children gather."


    "Yes, Lady Summers!" As he turned to leave, Alistair paused. "How is Mr. Zeller doing?" A slight smile crossed Xena''s face. "He''s taking it well, surprisingly well. Don''t worry."


    Meanwhile, Felix wandered aimlessly through the streets, as he had for hours. He had tried cultivating energy from his surroundings, but his body could not generate even a trace of internal energy. It confirmed the truth-his martial arts were gone forever. As Ss had said, a true master healer without internal energy was severely limited. Even known techniques became impossible to perform. For example, Felix knew the Pierce of Trinity technique, but it was just empty knowledge without internal energy.


    Felix sighed. "I wonder if Mr. Hoffman will scold me when he finds out."


    As if summoned by the thought, his phone rang It was an unknown number.


    "No way..." After hesitating, he answered.


    "You brat! Next time you''re this slow to answer you''ll regret it!" Sure enough, Gerald''s scolding voice burst through the speaker.


    Felix opened his mouth but found himself speechless. He began to choke waiting for a parent''s judgment on their actions.


    "Eh? Are you crying? What kind of man are you?" Gerald chided.


    up like a child


    Composing himself, Felixughed. "Who''s crying? Don''t make stuff up, old man."


    Gerald chuckled, and then his voice grew serious. "I know everything that happened. Felix, I have just one question. Answer honestly."


    Already? Gerald''s informationwork was impressive. He had found out about events from mere hours ago.


    "You saved those children but destroyed your future. Do you regret it?" Gerald asked.

 Billionaire With Husband 387

    Surprised by Gerald''s question, Felixughed. "What''s there to regret now? At that moment, there wasn''t time to think about anything else. My mind was focused on one thing only."


    Gerald chuckled. "Now that''s my disciple! We have our principles. We act when needed, but we don''t spend all day ying savior.


    "Remember what I told you about the Dragons Destroyer technique?"


    Felix had memorized every word from Gerald as his mentor. "You said Dragons Destroyer is Dragonia''s oldest and most unique martial art technique. Legend says only one person ever mastered it, and I would be next. Its uniqueness is beyond description" Gerald responded casually, "Good, you remember. Now, forge your own path. No matter what happens to you, you''ll always be my disciple. Nothing and no one can change that."


    Feeling touched, Felix recalled something. "Oh, Mr. Hoffman. I didn''t want to trouble but someone from the Elders'' Council showed up. In my current state, I''m worried about whether I can handle it."


    "Don''t worry, I''ll have Averill apany you.


    you,


    Of course, Felix remembered Solomon''s challenge during the full moon. Since that was resolved now, it lifted a weight from Felix''s mind.


    At Yardley Dining, Felix ate heartily in a private room while Vivian watched in confusion. She was surprised by his unusual appetite. "Eat up," Felix said.


    Vivian smiled awkwardly. "I''m on a diet, Mr. Zeller. I eat just a little."


    Diet? What martial artist needs to diet? They could all control their metabolism.


    After the meal, Felix and Vivian went to the back courtyard.


    "Do you really want us to leave?" Vivian could not believe it. He had said he needed one week back then. This sudden change seemed unlike him.


    ""Yes. Wait here while I check below. Then we can go.


    They had finally found the Dragonspine. It was nearly within grasp, but now they had to abandon it. In his current state, he could not even sense it anymore. Going down was just for closure and a farewell to his former life. The pit was not shallow. Even without his martial arts, Felix''s physical condition ensured he could handle such jumps easily. But when hended, his expression changed.


    *** +26 BONUS


    His recently learned Dragons Destroyer technique had somehow activated on its own. Though he had no internal energy, he could clearly sense the buried Dragonspine.


    "What''s happening?" Confused, Felix frowned. How could he sense the Dragonspine without internal energy?


    And so, he sat cross-legged and tried his previous method by circting Dragons Destroyer to refine the Dragonspine.


    To his amazement, the refinement process that should have required internal energy as a bridge was working frantically. Even without internal energy or martial arts skills, he could still refine the Dragonspine.


    "I understand now!" A smile crossed his face as he recalled Gerald''s call. Gerald had specifically mentioned the Dragons Destroyer technique, which he had described to Felix back then. Clearly, Gerald had anticipated this to happen.

 Billionaire With Husband 388

    $26 BORRUS


    "Interesting. Let''s see what happens when I refine this Dragonspine!" Felix muttered.


    Outside, Vivian maintained her guard silently after Felix jumped and disappeared below. Four hours passed before Felix jumped back up "Change of ns. We''re staying," he instructed.


    Vivian did not dare question it. Besides, she wanted to spend more time with Felix anyway.


    After leaving Yardley Dining, Felix called Larry ''Mr. Laird, I apologize, but ns have changed. I''ll need your backyard for a month."


    Without his internal energy, Felix could only refine the Dragonspine for four hours before exhaustion set in. At that rate, it would take about a month.


    "Mr. Zeller, please, you''re too polite! I''ve moved the graves, and no one uses the backyard. Take a year if you need it." After witnessing Felix''s status, Larry was not foolish enough to miss this opportunity to build connections with someone so influential. "Thanks. I appreciate it."


    Just after hanging up, Luis called again. "Mr. Zeller, we''ve found your Range Rover. If you trust me, I can bring it to you, or we could go and inspect it together."


    After some consideration, Felix decided to go along. It was his first car sinceing down from the mountain, so he had some attachment to it. He might as well check for damage while he had time. As they headed out, the sun was setting.


    Meanwhile, Jaden had just arrived in a private room at a restaurant in Avesburgh,


    "Xena, did something great happen? You rarely invite me to dinner." Jaden was pleased. Surely Xena''s initiative meant progress in their rtionship.


    "Can''t I treat you to dinner without


    ave a seat."


    After a casual conversation over the meal, Xena wiped her mouth and said, "Jaden, you''re excellent in every way, but..."


    Jaden''s brow instantly furrowed as he sensed bad news. "What? Have you found someone better?"


    He would not believe there was anyone their age who could outshine him.


    "No, it''s about my uing promotion. You know about that. The Warlord of the East called me, and we talked for hours. He advised me to prioritize my career. Getting married 1/2


    right after bing Wady could have implications."


    Jaden smiled. "I understand, and I can wait. We''re still young, and after all, we''re both martial artists, right?"


    Xena shook her head. "No, I won''t consider marriage for at least five years. That''s a long time. Can you wait? Besides, neither of us can predict what might change in five years." Five years? Jaden''s smile stiffened. That was too long. He had pursued Xena mainly to enhance his martial arts power. He could not afford to wait.


    "I don''t believe this sudden decision. Is there another reason? Please be honest," Jaden


    insisted.


    Before Xena could answer, Jaden''s gaze turned ice-cold as realization struck. "It''s Felix, isn''t it?"

 Billionaire With Husband 389

    Xena maintained herposure. "It''s not him How could it be? You think someone in Felix''s condition would be worthy of me?"


    She stood to leave. "I''m sorry, but I''ve worked too hard to get where I am. When the Warlord of the East gives advice, I have to take it."


    Xena could not admit Felix was the reason. The first time she met Jaden, he had tried to kill Felix.


    Before, there might have been obstacles, but now Felix was just an ordinary person without martial arts skills. For Jaden, killing him would be like crushing an ant. She could not assign 24/7 protection to him, could she?


    Besides, Jaden had nearly achieved the level of Martial Emperor. He could literally kill Felix with a flick of his finger. How could she guard against that?


    Left alone in the private room, Jaden''s expression darkened as he clenched his fists. He felt that he was being toyed with, though Xena had never actually promised him anything.


    "This must have something to do with Felix. I won''t let you live much longer!" With that thought in mind, he smiled. He could wait a year or two for Xena, but Felix had to be eliminated.


    Meanwhile, Felix and Luis arrived at arge repair shop on the outskirts of town.


    Though Luis and Larry were brothers, they looked nothing alike. Luis appeared more refined and only brought three men with him. As a major underworld figure in Canraville, he would not normally handle mere car thieves, but he made an exception for Felix. "We''re here, Mr. Zeller." After parking, Luis added, "The owner goes by Viper. His crew of petty thieves took your car.


    11


    Inside, someone immediately went to report their arrival. Soon, a heavyset man emerged with a fawning face. "Mr. Luis, what brings you here? You could''ve just called."


    Luis cut to the chase, saying, "Save it. Your people stole a Range Roverst night. Show us the car."


    the ground. "Are you


    blind or


    Upon hearing this, Viper turned and pped a young man to the ground. what?! How dare you steal Mr.


    Puis'' friend''s car?"


    Then, he switched back to a respectful smile. "Please follow me, Mr. Luis. The car''s untouched, and I assure you, there''s not a scratch on the paint. I honestly had no idea, trust me."


    "Shut up!"


    ****


    In the back garage, Felix found his car. After the inspection, he was relieved. It really was undamaged. "You handle the rest. I''m leaving."


    Luis smiled and hurriedly said, "Of course, Mr. Zeller. Take care."


    As Felix reached for the door, Viper spoke up. "Are you going to leave just like that? That''s not how things work in our business. You need to pay. Since you''re Mr. Luis'' friend, I''ll give you a discount. 500 thousand dors, firm price." What? Felix turned, thinking he had misheard.


    Luis was stunned. He had not expected this either. One of his men punched Viper in the gut and grabbed his throat.


    "I dare you to say that again! Viper, are you tired of living?" Luis snarled.

 Billionaire With Husband 390

    What a joke. How dare a mere leader of a bunch of car thieves disrespect one of the underworld''s major yers?


    Viper forced a nervous smile. "Mr. Luis, I... I wouldn''t dare normally. But these are my boss ''rules. I''ll be in trouble if I don''t follow them."


    Boss? Luis had never heard of Viper having a boss. "Who''s your boss? Tell them toe here and repeat that!"


    Almost immediately, footsteps approached. A young man appeared while casually smoking a cigar. "Sure thing, Mr. Luis. I''m Viper''s boss. Any problems with my policies?" Luis'' eyes narrowed in surprise. "Pierce Langden?"


    Felix noticed Luis'' wariness and asked, "Do you know him?"


    Luis nodded, whispering, "Pierce is the illegitimate son of Andrei Hawkins, the richest man in Canraville."


    The richest man in Canraville? Felix understood now what was happening.


    "Stand down," Felix instructed.


    Luis wanted to protest but stayed quiet. Truth was, he could not afford to offend Andrei. Even with his brother''s help, they were no match. "500 thousand dors, right?" Pierce exhaled smoke. "Correct. That''s the friends-and-family rate, courtesy of Mr. Luis."


    Current circumstances made Felix reluctant to fight. Without his martial arts skills, he felt vulnerable. If money could solve it, why waste time?


    After the transfer, Pierce pped. "Ha! How generous! As expected of Mr. Luis'' friend. Don''t take it personally. I wouldn''t charge a cent if you''re actually powerful. But if not, just shut up and follow the rules, alright?" Luis could not stand it. "Pierce, don''t get cocky. You have no idea who Mr. Zeller is. He''s choosing not to make an issue of this, otherwise..."


    Felix gestured for Luis to stop, then drove away. Watching them leave, Viper whispered, Mr. Langden, he didn''t seem angry."


    Pierce smirked. "Even the calmest person would have a breaking point. No rush. We''ll continue as nned." "Yes, sir!"


    11


    Felix drove his Range Rover to a Canraville bar. Upon entering, he found Jack and Vanessa at a booth.


    Jack had been transferred to Canraville. Busy with the move, he had only contacted Felix today after the Dreamscape concert. "Here''s to thanking you on Vanessa''s behalf. She says her martial arts skills have improved thanks to your gift." Felix raised his ss reluctantly. "No need for formalities."


    After chatting, Vanessa''s friend Robert approached with a beer bottle. "Mr. Zeller, I''m really sorry aboutst time. Let me finish this as an apology."


    Vanessa exined after Robert left, "Robert can be impulsive, but we''ve been friends for years. Could you forgive him for my sake, Felix? Don''t hold a grudge against him."


    Felix nodded. "Sure. Jack would kill me if I didn''t respect your wishes."


    As the threeughed and chatted, they did not know Jaden had appeared outside, watching them intently. He pulled out his phone and ordered, "Start the n."

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    "Felix, I''m meeting Nessa''s parents soon. If everything goes smoothly, we''ll be handing out wedding invitations," Jack revealed.


    At the bar, Jack was grinning ear to ear. He was not getting any younger. To him, sess in life meant both career and family. With his career already set, marriage was the logical next step. "Am I right, Nessa?" Vanessa smiled and replied, "Don''t worry. I get to choose whoever I want to marry. My parents can''t tell me what to do."


    Though there would certainly be some resistance, she was being truthful. Besides, everything would surely work out once Felix had given her that book of martial arts techniques. "I''m going to use the bathroom," Felix said.


    Beer always had a way of sending people to the bathroom. After finishing up and washing his hands, Felix was rounding the corner when someone blocked his path.


    Felix stepped aside, but the guy matched his movements and kept blocking him. From his swaying body and the heavy stench of alcohol, it was clear that the guy was drunk. ""Excuse me."


    The drunk lifted his chin arrogantly. "What if I don''t move? Do you know who I am, huh?" With that, the drunk started ramming his shoulder into Felix.


    "Would you please move?" After several hits, Felix''s patience ran out, and he gave the man a firm shove. Unexpectedly, the drunk stumbled backward dramatically and copsed on the ground. "Damn, what''s taking you so long in the bathroom?" Jack appeared just in time to see what happened. "Is everything okay?"


    "Yeah, just some drunk guy."


    As Felix was about to leave, Jack sensed something was wrong. "Wait! Why isn''t he moving?"


    Jack rushed ?ver and called out a few times but got no response. When he checked for breathing, he became horrified. "He... he''s not breathing!"


    Felix frowned. After checking the man''s pulse, his expression darkened. "This is a setup!"


    Jack was right. The drunk was indeed dead. But a mere push could not possibly cause


    instant death without even hitting his head.


    Felix suspected a trap because he remembered what happened back in Avesburgh. It was when Jaden had sent Xena''s cousin Lennox to provoke him with that strange poison. The situation felt eerily simr. "Felix, you''ve got some nerve for killing my fellow apprentice!" Just as Felix was about to call Xena, a voice rang out.


    "Jaden! It''s you!" Indeed, it was Jaden. He stood there with a cold stare fixed on Felix.


    "ording to Crimson Sage Sect rules, I''m taking you and my fellow apprentice''s body back. I''ll kill you on the spot if you resist!" Before Felix could react, Jaden was gone. He moved with incredible agility despite carrying two people. By the time Jack ran out to chase them, they had vanished.


    "Jack, what happened? Why did that person take Felix?" Being a martial artist herself, Vanessa could tell at a nce that the kidnapper was powerful.


    "This must be serious!" Swallowing hard, Jack wracked his brain and realized only one person had the power to save Felix. He quickly dialed the number. "Ms. Cooper, Felix is in trouble!" Jack eximed.


    Yvonne immediately tensed up on the other end. "Slow down, tell me what happened."


    After Jack exined everything, he heard her whisper, "Felix, stay alive. This is all I can do to help now."

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    Chapter


    392


    Jack was still uneasy after hanging up. Then Vanessa asked with a grave look, "Are you sure you heard right? Did they say Crimson Sage Sect?" "Yeah! What''s wrong? Do you know about them?"


    Vanessa''s eyes showed a mix of emotions. "Crimson Sage Sect is an extremely powerful organization. Felix is in serious trouble this time."


    What? Jack did not know much about these matters, but his girlfriend was a martial artist, so he had to trust her judgment. "Damn it, let''s go! We can''t just sit here doing nothing!"


    The only thing he could do now was contact everyone he knew or tried to find out if Felix had any powerful connections they could reach out to.


    "Wait, F¨¦lix''s phone is still on the table. I''ll grab it," Vanessa said.


    When Vanessa came back, Felix''s phone suddenly rang. Looking at the screen, she remarked puzzlingly, "Xena? Isn''t that Dragonia''s goddess of war? How does Felix know someone like that? No, it must be someone else with the same name."


    Jack did not care about the details: Any lead was worth pursuing right now. He grabbed the phone and answered. "Are you Lady Summers?"


    On the other end, Xena paused. She was surprised by the unfamiliar voice. "Yes, that''s me. Where''s Felix?"


    Jack saw a glimmer of hope. "Felix is in trouble! Crimson Sage Sect took him. You''re the goddess of war, so you can save him, right?"


    Xena''s anger red. She immediately knew who was behind this. "I''ll make sure he''s safe."


    Meanwhile, in a car leaving Canraville, Jaden observed Felix curiously, who sat expressionless beside him. "You acted so tough before. But when things got real, you turned into such a coward. That''s smart choice though. If you''d pissed me off, I might have killed you right here on the road!"


    Originally, Jaden had nned to finish things quickly. But he changed his mind after how Xena was in such a rush to turn him away. Felix''s public execution would serve multiple purposes. At least he could gauge Xena''s feelings toward Felix and maybe even use this as leverage to win her over.


    "You really hate me to the bone, don''t you? I guess I shouldn''t have repaid that favor to


    Zara."


    Hearing Felix''s words, Jaden sneered. "If it weren''t for Zara, you''d be dead already. If not,


    I wouldn''t have had to go through all this trouble to deal with you.


    Felix fell silent. He had not resisted because he actually could not. With his martial arts skills gone, he was no match for Jaden. It would be better for Felix to see how fate would y out. Just then, a phone rang. Jaden''s eyes glinted as he answered. "Xena, what is it?"


    Xena? Felix furrowed his brows. Could it really be such a coincidence?


    "Cut the crap, Jaden. I know you took Felix. Release him immediately!"


    So it was really because of Felix! Jaden nearly crushed the phone in his grip. All his suspicions were confirmed. He just could not understand how Xena had still fallen for this worthless man after everything. "Are you still going to spout that nonsense about focusing on your career for five years? Xena, you know how I feel about you. As for Felix, forget it. I''m not letting him go.


    The next moment, Xena''s voice turned a thousand times colder. "If you dare to not release him, I''ll bring my people to raze Crimson Sage Sect to the ground. Try me!" 2/2


    4

 Billionaire With Husband 393

    Xena practically roared those words, Even Felix heard them clearly while sitting beside


    Jaden. He felt moved and surprised by how much she about him.


    Xena never ran from problems. Just as she had been firm in her previous stance, she was ready to face anything together now that she had decided to be with Felix,


    This only made Jaden angrier. The more she cared about Felix, the more it infuriated him.


    "Xena, do I need to remind you how your cousin Ted died and why your uncle Perrymitted suicide? Have you forgotten all that? And now you''re still protecting Felix, who''s your enemy. I really don''t understand what''s going through your head."


    After Felix''s warningst time, Xena investigated his ims and discovered that Ted had indeed tried to harm Felix a few times using vicious methods. He only failed because of Felix''s strength. As for Perry, his overly indulgent parenting had led to all this. "Stop with the pointless talk. Are you releasing him or not?" Xena asked bluntly,


    Seeing that appealing to emotions was not working, Jaden sneered.


    "Fine, I''ll be straight with you! First, Felix killed a Crimson Sage Sect disciple. It''s all on the bar''s security cameras and there were plenty of witnesses. Second, ording to the agreement between the Martial Alliance and the government, our sect has the right to handle this situation.


    "So even you have no authority to interfere as the goddess of war."


    Xena knew this all too well. She had tried intimidation, hoping to scare Jaden, but that had clearly failed.


    The Martial Alliance was an organization formed by representatives from various martial arts sects in Dragonia. They asionally assisted the government and received certain privileges in exchange, just like the Dragon Alliance. Everything Jaden had said was technically correct.


    "I want to examine the body of the Crimson Sage disciple Felix allegedly killed," Xena


    demanded.


    Examine the body? Dream on. "Impossible! My fellow apprentice is dead, and the Crimson Sage Sect absolutely forbids any outsiders from desecrating his body!" Without an examination, there would be no way to disprove the murder. Felix''s guilt would be set in stone.


    "Xena, I''ll give you one chance. Come to Crimson Sage Sect. That''s why I''ve kept Felix alive. I believe you''ll make the right choice when the timees." Chapter 393


    After hanging up, Jaden gave Felix an arrogant look. "You must have heard some of that. Don''t count on anyone saving you. Your life is in my hands now." Felix remained silent, having decided to allow fate to be the judge this time.


    Jaden spoke to his mentor, Cecil ck, at around 4:00 am at Crimson Sage Sect. "Mr. ck, do you see any problems with my approach?"


    Cecilmanded power and respect as the Supreme Elder of Crimson Sage Sect. Jaden would definitely heed his words.


    "Haha! Desperate times call for desperate measures. Xena is extremely important to you, so your actions arepletely justified! I admire how well you''ve nned this whole thing out. If Xena finds any evidence and deploys the Wolfie troops, we would have no choice but toply."


    This was an undisputed fact. No martial artist or organization would dare to oppose the state no matter how powerful they were. When the government was pleased, they could send troops to help eliminate enemies. When displeased, one missile could wipe everyone out.


    With Cecil''s approval, Jaden''sst doubts vanished. Now he could proceed without hesitation, certain of achieving his goal.

 Billionaire With Husband 394

    "Mr. ck, Ms. Morgan is here to see Jaden," a subordinate reported to Cecil.


    Zara? After seeing Cecil''s nod, Jaden said, "Let her in."


    Her sudden visit at this hour gave Jaden an uneasy feeling. Zara greeted Cecil when she entered, "Mr. ck."


    Cecil said with a smile, "Zara, you must have urgent business at this hour. Go ahead, I won''t leave."


    Hearing this, Zara turned to Jaden and got straight to the point, asking, "Jaden, would you please release Felix?"


    Jaden''s expression darkened. Damn, was Felix some kind of celebrity? He had barely taken him, yet people already knew and were pleading for his release. "No way."


    A sh of disappointment crossed Zara''s face as she continued, "You promised me you wouldn''t sh with Felix again. Are you going to break your word to me too?"


    Shaking his head, Jaden replied seriously, "I''m not breaking my promise. This time, Felix killed one of our disciples from Crimson Sage Sect. As an elder of the sect, how could I stand and do nothing, especially when I was nearby? "Don''t try to convince me otherwise, Zara. This concerns our sect''s reputation, so it''s not something you and I can decide."


    Cecil chimed in, "That''s correct. Those who kill must pay with their lives. If we stay silent when our disciples are killed, who would choose to train at Crimson Sage in the future? Surely you understand this."


    Though Zara suspected foul y, she had neither the means nor time to investigate. "Trust me, you shouldn''t go against Felix! Killing him would be like stirring up a ho''s nest."


    Ho''s nest? Jaden scoffed. "Ha! You mean Xena? Sorry, but ording to the rules, she can''t do anything about this."


    After recalling a certain scene, Zara''s voice trembled slightly as she said, "Felix did something remarkable. He risked his life to save over a dozen children, and he''s earned every traditional medicine practitioner''s respect. "How could someone like him randomly kill a Crimson Sage Sect disciple in broad daylight?


    As Jaden was about to speak, Cecil''s eyes narrowed as he realized something. "So, Ss sent you here?"


    Zara nodded. "Yes! Mr. Grayson couldn''te himself, so he sent me. Since the two of you


    are friends, he hopes this matter can be resolved peacefully. Otherwise, Crimson Sage Sect will definitely be the one to suffer."


    ""Bullshit!"


    Jaden stood up abruptly, shouting, "Zara, aren''t we good friends with each other? Do all our years of friendship mean less than your brief acquaintance with that bastard Felix? Now you''re even threatening Crimson Sage Sect!


    "To be blunt, even Mr. Grayson wouldn''t be able to fight us. Who are you to speak like this? "He was furious. First, the woman he wanted, and now his longtime friend. He felt like he was about to go mad.


    The smile had vanished from Cecil''s face. "Has Ss lost his mind? No amount of pleading will change this matter. You can tell him exactly that. Besides, he still owes me a huge favor!"


    Just then, someone spoke again. "Mr. ck and Jaden, Lady Summers has arrived."

 Billionaire With Husband 395

    In the big courtyard of Crimson Sage Sect, Felix stood on a raised tform. He was nked by two sect elders who had clear orders to kill him at any suspicious movement.


    The thunderous sound of helicopter des grew louder as it approached. Looking up, Felix guessed it must be Xena arriving.


    Even after her phone call with Jaden had proved futile, Xena still came to Crimson Sage Sect in person for Felix''s sake. Whatever Jaden''s ns were, this couldn''t be good.


    As the helicopternded in the courtyard, Xena emerged alone without any backup. Her eyes immediately found Felix, and she walked straight toward him.


    ""You shouldn''t havee," he said.


    Xena bit her lower lip but kept walking. "I don''t need you telling me what to do. Keep quiet!


    She feared Felix might say something that would further anger the sect members. Regardless of what really happened, they could not deny that a disciple from Crimson Sage Sect was dead.


    As she reached the tform, Jaden blocked her path. "Why are you in such a hurry? Don''t forget that Felix''s fate lies with Crimson Sage Sect now."


    Xena faced Jaden expressionlessly. "Since I''m finally here, what will it take for you to let Felix go?"


    After reflecting on the past, Xena realized she owed Felix a lot. She had toe whether it was out of gratitude or feelings for him. Staying uninvolved was not an option.


    "Do you really want to save him? At any cost?" Jaden questioned.


    Xena nodded. She nced at Crimson Sage Sect''s leadership gathered nearby, including Cecil. "Crimson Sage Sect ranks among Dragonia''s top martial arts organizations. Do you really need to stoop to such dirty tricks?"


    The others maintained icy stares, while Cecil responded, "Lady Summers, that''s quite unfair. This man killed one of our own. Should we treat him like an honored guest instead?"


    Whatever the situation, they had to show some respect to Xena because of her status. Some might risk underhanded moves in private, but tant disrespect was out of the question.


    Zara had also arrived and was standing a short distance behind Xena. She had done her best, so now it was time to see if Ss had been right.


    Seeing the sect''s united front, Xena turned back to Jaden. "Enough empty talk. What do you want?"


    Jaden smiled without rushing to answer. He pointed at Felix instead. "Felix, you lucky bastard! Even the great Lady Summers seems willing to sacrifice everything for you. I really don''t understand what makes you so special." Felix sighed. Now, he truly believed Xena''s deration of love was not just an impulse. Nothing more needed to be said when a woman would go this far for a man.


    "Fine! Seeing how Lady Summers has gone out of her way for love, I''ll give Felix one chance to live." A hint of amusement shed in Jaden''s eyes as he raised his voice. "It''s quite simple! Xena, if you agree to marry me, Felix will be safe and sound."


    At this moment, Zara burst out before Xena could even react, "Jaden, I can''t believe you''ve sunk so low! I don''t even recognize you anymore! How could you use threats to force love?"


    Ignoring Zara, Jaden waited for Xena''s answer. He was past caring about anything else now. If he were to follow Cecil''s guidance, then marrying Xena would greatly increase his power. Did feelings even matter? Not anymore at this moment.

 Billionaire With Husband 396

    "Do you really mean it?" Xena''s eyes revealed nothing about what she was truly thinking.


    Jaden nodded. "Of course. Our sect leader and Supreme Elder are here as witnesses."


    Cecil added, "Indeed. Jaden brought him in, and ording to our sect''s rules, he has absolute authority over how he wants to deal with Felix."


    As Xena was about to speak, Felix cut in, "Get out of here, Xena! I don''t need a woman sacrificing herself to save me."


    When Xena tried to respond, Felix roared with veins bulging in his neck, "Damn it! I said get out! Right now!"


    Xena finally turned to Felix and smiled. Her smile was so enchanting that everyone, including Jaden, was mesmerized.


    "There were many misunderstandings between us in the past. Even though I still believe I wasn''t wrong, I''ve always felt bad about how things went. So let me do something meaningful for you this time." As her smile faded, Xena spoke softly, "Release Felix, and I''ll marry you."


    "Release him!"


    Just as Jaden was savoring his victory, amanding voice rang out. Everyone turned to see two elderly men entering the courtyard. Their expressions were dark with anger, as if they were ready to fight.


    If anyone else had dared to barge into Crimson Sage Sect in this manner, they would have been killed immediately. But these two made even Cecil''s expression fall. "Wesley? Xander?"


    He was right. It was Xander and Wesley, who ranked tenth and fifth among Dragonia''s top master healers. Such renowned healers like them wouldmand respect wherever they go. "Well, what brings such distinguished guests to our humble sect?" Wesley red at him as his mustache quivered with anger. "Cut the pleasantries! Cecil, release Felix."


    Cecil frowned"Surely you''ll provide a reasonable exnation, won''t you?"


    Xander snorted coldly. "Felix is a master healer whose skills surpass even ours. He risked his own life to save over a dozen children! What right does Crimson Sage Sect have to judge such a noble healer? Release him immediately!" Jaden''s expression turned even more sour. So Zara had been telling the truth. Even two top-ranked master healers had personallye to Felix''s aid.


    Xena saw a glimmer of hope as well. Without evidence, she could not use her authority and would have had to give in to Jaden''s demands to save Felix. But now, the tide finally seemed to be turning.


    "Felix killed one of our disciples, so he has to pay for it with his own life. Does being a master healer grant immunity from murder?"


    Wesley fixed him with an icy stare. "How dare a kid from Crimson Sage Sect like you speak? Know your ce! Felix risked his own life to save the children. Why would he randomly kill someone without reason?"


    Xander stepped forward. "Release him, or Crimson Sage Sect will bear all consequences!"


    At this, Cecil''s aura surged as his voice echoed across the courtyard. "Did you think Crimson Sage Sect is just for show? If you two think you can force our hand, you''re wrong!"

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    With those words, Cecil had asserted Crimson Sage Sect''s status and his resolve in this matter. But at the same time, he had also insulted the two master healers, Xander and Wesley.


    Jaden breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing how the other sect members remained silent after Cecil spoke, he could confirm that they were on his side.


    "What if you add me to the equation?" Suddenly, Zara spoke up, which made Cecil''s eyes flicker.


    "Zara! Why are you stirring up trouble?" Jaden asked.


    Zara gave Jaden a disappointed look and replied, "Don''t call me Zara anymore! Love should be mutual between a man and a woman, yet you''re using such dirty tactics to pursue someone. From this moment on, our friendship is over!" Damn it! So be it, then. Once he managed to marry Xena, Zara would be nothingpared to him. Before long, he might even be the leader of Martial Alliance.


    Xena''s case was a little trickier to him because of her position. If it were any other woman from a prestigious or wealthy background, he would have a thousand ways to force her into marriage. But with Xena being the goddess of war, he could only pursue her openly. No underhanded tactics were possible.


    Cecil spoke again. "Zara, are you really representing Ss now?"


    Zara''s voice rang with confidence as she said, "That''s right! Before I came, Mr. Grayson said my opinion would represent his."


    Facing off against Xander and Wesley was already a loss for the Crimson Sage Sect. Now, with Ss involved, they could not afford to be careless.


    Cecil shook his head slightly. "In that case, I''ll use up that favor Ss owes me. You may leave."


    Zara''s jaw dropped open incredulously after hearing what Cecil said. She knew that Ss owed Cecil a huge favor and that Ss was a man of his word. With Cecil calling in the favor now, she was powerless to object. Even if Ss were present, it would not change anything.


    "Cecil, you''ve shown me how arrogant your sect could be today. Fine! Did you think our master healer titles are just for show?"


    Xander stared him down while Wesley went further by pulling out his phone. "Let''s see if your sect can handle what''sing! I''ve never asked those I''ve healed in my life for help, but today I''m curious to see what happens!" Seeing them actually starting to make calls, the sect''s leadership paled. The sect leader


    even whispered urgently to Cecil, "Mr. ck, perhaps we should release Felix and reconsider our approach! Even if we could minimize our losses in a conflict, we''ll be aughingstock!"


    Cecil dismissed this concern. "Nonsense! You shortsighted fool! With Jaden''s exceptional talent, he''s our sect''s hope for reaching the next level. If this seeds, all other sects might bow to us in the future. "With that power and authority, why fear these healers? Especially when it''s just Xander and Wesley!"


    What he said was true, so the sect leader could only fall silent.


    "Dr. Fielding, Dr. Cane, it''s not worth helping me! I''m just an ordinary person now, so you don''t need to go so far! What I did came from my heart. You shouldn''t get dragged into this, "Felix shouted.


    Felix sighed hard. Master healers all had different personalities, but they shared one thing inmon. They would not allow anyone to tarnish their reputation as master healers!


    If Felix had not risked his life to save those children, he would not have earned these master healers'' genuine respect, no matter how great his medical skills were.

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    ring at Felix, Wesley scolded, "Quiet, boy! It would be one thing if we hadn''t known about this. But now that we do, we absolutely cannot allow such a despicable thing to happen! How is this any different from executing a scientist after they create a groundbreaking


    invention?"


    Just as he finished, another voice rang out. "Wow! Bravo!"


    Two more figures appeared, which made the members of Crimson Sage Sect ogle in shock These neers were true big shots. They were the third and fourth best master healers in Dragonia, Brandon and Seth.


    It was Brandon who had spoken, and from his tone, he seemed to have been watching for a while. Even Cecil''s heart began racing


    "Cecil, we once wandered the martial world together as brothers. I wanted to show you some respect and to see if there was still room for redemption. But it seems you and your entire sect are more shameless than I expected," Brandon said.


    Their arrival made Jaden back several steps away. He knew everything was about to change. Cecil drew a deep breath, struggling to maintainposure as he forced a smile." Well, even Brandon and Seth havee. You''re not here to plead for Felix too, are you?" Seth let out a coldugh. "Plead? Your sect isn''t worthy of that!"


    Brandon''s expression turned equally cold. "Release Felix within one minute, or face the consequences!"


    A heavy silence fell over the courtyard. While the sect might be able to hold their ground against Xander and Wesley alone, adding Seth and Brandon made it an entirely different matter. Especially Brandon, who had terrifyingly powerful connections. Jaden rushed to Cecil''s side with pleading eyes. "Mr. ck..."


    Ever since reaching Martial Emperor status, his progress had slowed considerably. At this rate, he would surely fall behind, yet he could not bring himself to change his techniques.


    With a heavy sigh, Cecil waved his hand. "Felix, you''re free to go."


    There was no point in persisting. They hadpletely miscalcted Felix''s standing among the master healers. They had thought he was merely a top achiever younger healers. How had he managed to rally these veterans? among


    the


    Had he known Felix''s medical skills were at this level, Cecil would never have approved his disciple''s scheme.


    Stepping down from the tform, Felix gently touched Xena''s face. "Thank you for willing to sacrifice for me."


    Xena fought back tears. It was her first time experiencing the taste of true love.


    Felix then stepped forward and bowed deeply to the five master healers. "Everyone, thank you so much for standing up for me. I will never forget this kindness."


    The four smiled and nodded dismissively. After all, they chose toe here and help Felix. Without Felix''s earlier self-sacrifice, they would not be defending him today.


    Only Zara felt deeply embarrassed. She felt she had not done enough to deserve such a bow.


    Then, straightening up, Felix turned slowly to face Crimson Sage Sect. His gaze was fixed on Jaden and Cecil. "Crimson Sage Sect, I''ll make sure your sect is gone the next time I set foot here!"


    M

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    Everyone had left, but the members of Crimson Sage Sect remained rooted to the spot. Felix''s final words echoed in their minds like thunder even after a long time.


    "Mr. ck, could he use these master healers'' connections against our sect?"


    Jaden was the most devastated of all. Felix had not moved a muscle throughout the ordeal, yet Jaden had been forced to release him. It was a thousand times more humiliating than being defeated inbat.


    Cecil looked at him with disappointment in his eyes. "I''ve always told you to be vignt and consider every angle. If you had properly investigated Felix''s actual background, would our sect be in such an embarrassing position now?"


    After this incident, Crimson Sage Sect would definitely be cklisted by those master healers in Dragonia. Not only that, Cecil had to use up Ss'' favor. He had really lost big time


    Jaden hung his head low, not daring to speak. He had miscalcted this time. Though his


    fellow apprentices did not dare say anything, their eyes flickered with reproach.


    "Don''t worry. Master healers usually stay out of worldly affairs and conflicts. Coming to save Felix was already their limit. They won''t lend their connections for further trouble. But just to be safe, stay within the sect for now. Don''t wander around outside," Cecil instructed.


    As Cecil turned away, Jaden could not help asking, "What about Xena, Mr. ck?"


    "We''ll discuss that another time!"


    In Canraville, a car pulled up to Felix''s home at New Glory.


    "Thank you." Looking at Xena, Felix had much to say but managed only those two words.


    "Don''t feel burdened by what happened. This is nothingpared to what you''ve done for me! Felix, I only hope that you''ll consider our engagement when my grandfather''s deadlinees."


    Felix gave a bitter smile. "Some of your earlier views were right. Social standing does matter sometimes. I''m just an ordinary person with some medical skills now. Am I really worthy of you?"


    But Xena smiled, and her eyes shone with sincerity. "I can''t help who I fell for, and I never run from things I''m certain about. Ss said that while you might not be a master healer now, you could still be a renowned doctor. That''s enough."


    This woman was truly unpredictable. Felix was at a loss for words. "Alright, let''s both give our honest answers when the deadlinees then.''


    Once inside, Felix held his phone while thinking about what the four master healers had said. He assumed they hade because of Xena. But judging by her surprised and delighted reaction, that did not seem to be the case.


    After asking around, he discovered something unexpected. Yvonne was the one who managed to get them to arrive on time. Coupled with the fact that Jack had been present when he was taken, it was logical that Yvonne would know immediately. Dialing her number, he got only a "powered off message. After a few attempts with the same result, Felix shook his head. He realized Yvonne had probably blocked him. Was this considered her silent farewell after helping him out onest time? There was nothing he could do but try to reach her through Jackter. This was a debt of gratitude he would not forget.

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    Without his martial powers to sustain him, Felix suddenly felt exhausted from being up all night. He copsed into bed as soon as he reached his bedroom and slept until noon.


    He drove to Yardley Dining for a quick lunch, then immediately began working on cultivating the Dragonspine. On the way, he called Jack, who was relieved to hear he was safe. They arranged to meet for dinner tomorrow. Felix also hoped to use this chance to contact Yvonne.


    After another four-hour session, Felix emerged from the pit. "Vivian, thank you for putting up with all this over the past month."1


    Vivian felt helpless. "Don''t mention it, Felix. It''s my duty."


    She had never met someone of such high status who remained so humble. It made her feel embarrassed.


    Felix sighed. "My body''s so much weaker than before."


    Whether from cultivating the Dragonspine or something else, Felix found himself hungry again. Not wanting to eat at Yardley again, he found a small pizza ce and devoured three pizzas before feeling better.


    When he returned to the parking lot near the pizza ce, his Range Rover was gone again. Though most parking lots used automatic gates now, this one had an attendant''s booth, so Felix went over there. "Sir, my car''s missing."


    The elderly attendant was having some snacks. He gave Felix a nk look. "What''s that?"


    "I parked my car in your lot, but it''s now gone.


    The attendant pointed to a nearby sign, which read, "This facility provides parking space only. We''re not responsible for anything else."


    Giving the attendant a thumbs up, Felix could only pull out his phone and call Luis again. After hearing about his car being stolen again, even Luis thought it was absurd. "Mr. Zeller, honestly, I''ve never seen anything like this. It feels like there might be some conspiracy here." Conspiracy? Something clicked in Felix''s mind. "Do you think it''s that Viper guy again?"


    "Yeah, it''s quite possible! Before, I would''ve dealt with him already, and he wouldn''t have dared to do this. But with Pierce backing him now, anything''s possible.


    "I did some digging. Right after Pierce recruited Viper, your car got stolen. Do you have some sort of conflict with Pierce? That bastard is sneaky and never ys by the rules."


    The analysis made sense. "Come pick me up and bring your guys. Bring guns too. We''re


    paying Viper another visit."


    Without his martial powers, Felix could handle ordinary thugs with his physical fitness alone. But things would be different if he were facing armed opponents or martial artists, so he needed some insurance. He also asked Vivian to hide nearby as backup and to make things safer. Back at the garage, things yed out simrly to yesterday. After ackey announced their arrival, Viper came running out with a fawning smile.


    But before Felix could speak, Viper''s words dripped with provocation. "Mr. Luis, you''re bringing your friend to look for his car again, aren''t you? Man, my guys are so clueless. When I saw the Range Rover, something felt off. Sure enough, it turned out to be Mr. Zeller''s car again. What are the odds, right?"!

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    Luis was furious. As a major yer in Canraville''s underground circles, he had never been so tantly disrespected by such an unimportant figure.


    "Listen up, Viper! You''re just Pierce''sckeys, andckeys get abandoned. You better think about what''ll happen to you then!" Luis eximed.


    He was livid. Larry had repeatedly emphasized Felix''s status to Luis. Their future would be set if they could get in his good graces. Yet here he was, getting publicly humiliated over something so trivial, and right to his face. "Don''t worry about me, Mr. Luis. I''m not worth much. When someone offers me good money, I''ve got to grab my chance, right?"


    Viper mused, "I''m Pierce''s man now, and you''re just nothing. So what if I''m just ackey? You still have to show some respect to my master before doing anything to me."


    Felix raised his hand, signaling Luis to stay quiet. He looked at Viper. "So, to get my own car back, I need to pay 500 thousand dors again?"


    Viper smirked. "You catch on quick, Mr. Zeller. That''s our boss'' rules-nothing I can do about it."


    Felix nodded and stepped back. Luis immediately waved his hand, and six vans drove in with dozens of armed men pouring out.


    This had been nned beforehand. Felix had backed down once. However, since Viper''s side was clearly trying to pick a fight, continued restraint would not solve anything. It was time to draw a line.


    "You''ve sure got a lot of men backing you up." Sure enough, Pierce appeared with a cigar in his mouth, unfazed by the dozens of men.


    "Mr. Langden, you''re going too far! I''ve tolerated you plenty of times, yet you still pull this on us!" With Felix taking point, Luis went all in Backing down now would mean abandoning their friendship and possibly offending Felix. "Ha! You really know nothing. You can''t solve problems by numbers alone. Even with


    guns,


    would you dare touch a hair on my head? Pierce mocked.


    Felix shook his head, chuckling. "You''re right, Luis wouldn''t dare. But I really couldn''t care less about you!"


    At his words, one of Luis''s gunmen stepped forward, aiming at Pierce''s leg. Just as he was about to pull the trigger, he was sent flying backward by a man who just appeared.


    Pierce''s expression darkened. "Damn it, you really dared to shoot me! I won''t let you off! Everyst one of you!".


    He quickly turned to the man who had just appeared and kicked the gunman away. He said, "Mr. Sharkey, take them out. I''ll handle the consequences."


    Such speed could onlye from a martial artist. No wonder Pierce had not brought any bodyguards.


    It made sense though. Affluent families in Avesburgh would hire martial artists to follow them around and protect them. As the richest man in Canraville, Andrei would have such connections too. He would not be stingy even for his illegitimate son. "Is he your backup? I can make him leave right now and he would not even dare to hesitate.


    Pierce paused, then burst outughing. "Did you think Mr. Sharkey would listen to you? Haha! What a joke!"


    But Felix simply turned to the man called Mr. Sharkey and said one word, "Leave."


    The man smiled bitterly. He patted Pierce''s shoulder and actually left, saying, "Pierce, try to make peace. You''ve offended someone whom even your father can''t handle."


    This man was actually Robert, Vanessa''s friend. He had apologized to Felix again justst night. How could he not realize Felix''s extraordinary status after seeing Felix receive VIP tickets to Dreamscape''s concert? He had better leave while he could.

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    If Robert had known he would be helping Pierce against Felix, he would not havee for anything.


    Pierce was dumbfounded. He could not believe Felix could make Robert leave so obediently. Robert came from a prestigious background too. While not as wealthy as his father, he had other significant influence. How was this possible? "Break both his legs. Tell Andrei toe collect him," Felix ordered,


    "Yes!" Luis was deeply impressed. Hearing about something was one thing, but witnessing Felix make Pierce''s backup retreat with just a word was truly eye-opening


    At sunset, Andrei listened to the report with furrowed brows in the Hawkins residence. So, Robert just left? That hot-headed kid is usually so impulsive. Why would he leave like that?"


    His subordinate shook his head. "Not sure. From what we saw, Robert seemed terrified of Felix. He left without a peep."


    Andrei fell silent and went deep in thought. His subordinate prompted, "Mr. Hawkins Senior, what about Mr. Pierce? Felix''s people delivered a message. They want you to collect him personally."


    Still silent, Andrei stroked his chin. His original n was to involve Robert, a martial artist from an influential family. If he could pit Felix against the Sharkey family, he could fulfill his promise to Perry while staying clear of it all.


    Losing an illegitimate son would be a small price. But now his calctions hadpletely backfired. "Get Theodore here."


    "Yes!"


    Shortly after, a broad-shouldered middle-aged man entered. "You called for me, Mr. Hawkins Senior?"


    Theodore was the Hawkins family''s head of security and a martial artist himself. He had reached the level of Martial Emperor. If Andrei had not happened to save Theodore''s life years ago, someone of his status would not possibly be able to hire a Martial Emperor as his bodyguard. "Go bring Pierce back."


    "Alright!"


    As he turned to leave, Andrei added, "Take the ck token just in case. Felix doesn''t seem


    like an ordinary guy."


    After a pause, Theodore asked, "What if they resist and refuse to hand him over?"


    Andrei smiled. "The ck token is for any surprises they might have. If there are none... well, you know what to do."


    "Understood."


    In a warehouse in Canraville, Piercey unconscious after being knocked out for making too much noise.


    At this point, Felix had decided to not get Luis involved as it was beyond his scope. That was why the men surrounding them now were all from Earthern Hall.


    Felix still could not understand how he had made an enemy of this wealthy man''s illegitimate son during his short time in Canraville.


    He had questioned Pierce, who spilled everything and said his father had ordered him to do this. It made even less sense to Felix. Up until two days ago, he had not even heard of Andrei, the city''s richest man, let alone have any conflict with him. Just then, the warehouse door opened. To Felix''s surprise, Andrei had sent just one person. He was rather confident.


    However, Felix''s eyes widened the next moment. The neer surveyed the scene and asked with furrowed brows, "Aren''t you guys from the Earthern Hall of Dragon Alliance?".

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    Theodore was even more shocked than Felix. He could immediately recognize from their uniforms that everyone in the warehouse belonged to Earthern Hall. "Interesting. Seems like Andrei sent quite a remarkable person," Felix said, his voice snapping Theodore out of his shock...


    Theodore took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Indeed, you''re not an ordinary guy. You''re even able tomand members of Dragon Alliance."


    Since Theodore recognized them, things might turn out easier than expected. "In that case, tell me why Andrei''s causing me trouble. Make it quick." Theodore shook his head. "I don''t know the details. My only task is to take Pierce back."


    Felix smiled. "Since you know they''re all members of Earthern Hall, do you actually think you can take Pierce?"


    Theodore continued forward with a calm expression. "I nned to kill you too at first. Now I''m just taking Pierce. Also, these people are no match for me."


    Felix frowned. This man did not seem to be bluffing.


    "Well, if it isn''t Theodore." Vivian appeared right then, taking her ce beside Felix.


    Theodore studied her, then smiled. "Vivian? You''ve grown so much."


    Instead of responding, Vivian exined to Felix, "Felix, this is Theodore, former deputy chief of Earthern Hall. He requested to leave after returning from a mission with the vice leader''s permission."


    No wonder he recognized everyone. He was once part of Dragon Alliance himself." Theodore, don''t be foolish. You know the consequences of opposing Dragon Alliance. I can assure you, you''ll be offending Dragon Alliance by attacking Felix." Theodore stopped. He was clearly surprised by Vivian''s words. He had assumed Felix had merely pulled some strings for backup, but there was clearly more to it.


    "Fine. I''ll take Pierce and report everything to Andrei. Whatever he decides after that is beyond my control."


    Vivian stepped forward as she manifested her aura. "You''re wee to try taking him."


    After assessing her, Theodore''s eyes filled with admiration. "I always knew you were a martial prodigy. To think that you''ve reached Martial King level in such a short time. Impressive."


    Indeed, after recovering from her injuries from Solomon of the Elders'' Council, Vivian had broken through the level of Martial King. It was a blessing in disguise.


    When Theodore released his aura, Vivian''s expression changed. "You''re a Martial Emperor now? But don''t forget-if you act today, you''re making an enemy of Dragon Alliance. You know the consequences!"


    Felix remained silent, though he felt somewhat frustrated. To think a mere Martial Emperor could now act so boldly before him. Losing certain abilities really did not feel good.


    Theodore pulled out a token and said, "I did not expect members of Dragon Alliance to be here, but I do have something backing me up too. Vivian, see this?"


    He held up a round, uniquely designed ck token with a prominent "martial" character in its center. Vivian''s face paled. "The Sacred Martial Order? Impossible!" Seeing Vivian''s reaction, Felix grew curious. Truthfully, he knew nothing about the martial world''s politics.

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    "What''s this Sacred Martial Order thing?" Felix asked.


    Theodore''s expression turned strange. Was Felix really that extraordinary? How could he not know about the Sacred Martial Order?


    "Felix, the Sacred Martial Orderes from Martial Alliance! Only families or sects who are part of the Martial Alliance Council can possess one."


    Felix frowned. He had only heard of Martial Alliance once, and it was during Jaden''s phone call. "What exactly is Martial Alliance?"


    "Martial Alliance is an organization recognized by the state. It''s jointly established by top martial arts sects and ancient martial families to govern all practitioners in Dragonia. Going against Martial Alliance would mean opposing every martial artist in Dragon¨ªa," Vivian exined.


    That was quite the authority. To say such an organization was filled with martial arts masters would be no exaggeration.


    Felix had more questions but knew this was not the time. He turned to Theodore instead. " Call Andrei. I have one question for him. Then you can take Pierce."


    Theodore hesitated before pulling out his phone. Nobody knew if he did so out of respect for Dragon Alliance or Felix himself. The call connected quickly, and Theodore put it on speaker.


    "Is there anything you want to tell me, Mr. Zeller?"


    As Andrei''s voice came through, Felix said, "Both Pierce''s legs are broken. You can take him, but stop causing me trouble. I don''t care about your Sacred Martial Order or whatever. It''ll be a fight to the death next time!"


    Such vicious words made Theodore frown. Even after Vivian had exined the Order''s significance, Felix dared to make threats like that. Was something wrong with his thinking?


    "Understood. Theodore, bring him back," Andrei instructed.


    After Theodore left, Felix gestured for Vivian to sit. "Does Dragon Alliance fear Martial Alliance?"


    Vivian smiled bitterly. "Not exactly. Dragon Alliance holds a special position. After all, very few organizations in Dragonia have agreements with the state, and we''re one of them! But that was all established during our founder''s time, the Dragon Lord. Now, the alliance grows weaker each year."


    11


    Felix felt helpless. He knew Eloise well. She was quite free-spirited, so she probably would not care even if Dragon Alliance was defeated or gone.


    "What about Crimson Sage Sect?" he asked.


    "They''re members of Martial Alliance too and are quite prominent actually. But they''re just shy of elder status. That''s the power of the Sacred M¨¢rtial Order. Andrei must have close family ties or is sect-rted to Martial Alliance Council to be authorized to use one." Vivian wanted to warn Felix about this matter since involving the Martial Alliance Council could be extremely troublesome. But after consideration, she did not dare.


    "I understand. Don''t worry about this anymore." Dragon Alliance''s involvement should give Andrei pause. As for the rest, it could wait until after he cultivated the Dragonspine. Just as Felix got into his recovered Range Rover, his phone rang. Seeing George''s name, he wondered if he was back in town. "George, are you in Canraville?"


    But George''s voice carried a strange tone. "Felix, what''s going on? Isn''t Yvonne your girl? Why is she suddenly getting married to someone else?"

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    Chapter


    405


    Yvonne was getting married? Felix was stunned to hear this news. This waspletely unexpected and seemed impossible. "Are you sure?"


    Clearly, George was just as confused. "You had no idea? If that''s the case, I think I know what''s happening now, Felix! You and Yvonne got together without Lady N''s permission, right?" Felix''s expression darkened. For a moment, he did not know what to say.


    "Forget I mentioned it." From what George knew about N, he knew who controlled Yvonne''s fate. Being married off was nothing; it would not even be surprising if she lost her life. "When is she getting married? To whom?" Felix asked.


    After hesitating, George replied, "She''ll be married in about 20 days to a young heir of the Walsh family from Aleshire. They control most of Dragonia''s shipping business. Whatever Lady N''s nning, it must involve significant interests or she wouldn''t marry off Yvonne.


    "Everyone knows Yvonne''s practically her personal assistant and is almost like her family. The Walsh family must be thrilled. Because this connection essentially ties them to Lady N."


    Interests? Felix smiled bitterly. Yvonne had been right. She had no say in anything in her life. N controlled everything, leaving her powerless. "Send me the exact wedding date."


    Hearing this, George panicked. "Felix, don''t do anything rash! Never mind the Walsh family-if you oppose Lady N, even Moonshadow Alliance might not help."


    "Don''t worry. I won''t act rashly."


    Felix had not decided what to do yet. After all, he and Yvonne had only been intimate once under forced circumstances. Though he could tell from their subsequent interactions that she had feelings for him, their other issues weren''t cleared up yet. Before the incident with Crimson Sage Sect, Felix might have let it be. But now, he owed Yvonne an enormous debt. He had to speak with her before the wedding at least.


    Outside, Felix noticed Vivian seemed troubled. "What''s wrong?"


    Vivian quickly shook her head. "Nothing! Felix, I''ll head out first."


    Watching her leave, Felix could guess her concerns. The glory of Dragon Alliance had faded. Without Eloise, it would only decline further. All they needed to do was look at the power and abilities of the current vice leaders.


    Any organization would need strong leadership For instance, Inferno n was formidable with the God of Death in charge. After his death, the organization immediately disbanded.


    As the current Dragon Lord, Vivian was probably worried about the alliance''s future, but her strength limited her options.


    Felix sighed. "I should contact Eloise,"


    Felix had pushed Vivian into the Dragon Lord position, so it might have been too much for a young girl like her. If Eloise was willing to help them again, it would give Vivian five to ten years to grow as the leader. Then, any failure to strengthen the alliance would be on Vivian herself.


    The full moon was in two days. ording to Gerald, Averill would appear then. Perhaps he could mention this to her when the time came.


    At the Hawkins residence, Theodore brought back Pierce. He merely dumped Pierce beside Andrei instead of treating his wounds immediately.


    As a former deputy chief of Earthern Hall, Theodore had seen many things but never someone as cautious as Andrei. He knew Pierce was just a disposable pawn to Andrei.

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    Andrei always aimed for the safest approach in everything he did. When it came to dealing with Felix, Pierce was just one piece of the puzzle, and there was a backup n that even Theodore was unaware of. "Dad! My... my legs are ruined! You have to kill Felix. You have to kill him!" Pierce cried.


    Andrei crouched down and gently stroked his cheek. "Don''t worry. I''ll definitely avenge you. For now, rest and focus on your recovery," Andrei said.


    Andrei''s assurancesforted Pierce. After all, he believed Felix could not be a match for


    his father.


    Theodore asked, "Mr. Hawkins Senior, do you still n to continue?"


    Andrei furrowed his brow before responding, "The Dragon Alliance''s involvement was unexpected. Stopping now would indeed be a good choice, but I promised Perry that I wouldn''t back down unless the odds were massively against us.'' Theodore remained silent. After all, everything was Andrei''s call, and his own role was simply to advise.


    Andrei asked, "Can we find out what''s happening with Dragon Alliance right now? Has the Dragon Lord appeared?"


    Theodore had already inquired about the Dragon Alliance through his contacts on the way there. As he was previously the deputy chief of Earthen Hall, he naturally had trusted friends who were still in the Dragon Alliance.


    "Yale Jones, the strongest deputy chief of Dragon Alliance, has gone missing, and the entire organization has been declining, exactly as I predicted! As for the Dragon Lord, it''s Vivian Murphy," Theodore exined.


    He had noticed the Dragon Ring on Vivian''s finger earlier, which surprised him and filled


    him with sadness.


    When he was in the Dragon Alliance, the organization was filled with influential individuals even though the founder had not appeared for a long time. Who would have thought it would deteriorate to the point where a young girl at the Martial King level would be the Dragon Lord?


    "If that''s the case, as long as Dragon Alliance doesn''t interfere, Felix won''t be able to cause much trouble. I''ll arrange a meeting to get Dragon Alliance to withdrawpletely," Andrei said with a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.


    "Ah, how the times have changed. I remember when I was young, every elder in the Martial Alliance feared the mere mention of Dragon Alliance. Now... we can onlyugh it off."


    Meanwhile, Felix drove to the Serenity Manor neighborhood, parked his car in the garage, and stepped into the yard. He noticed someone sitting on a chair, engrossed in a game on his phone.


    "This could be considered trespassing, you know," Felix remarked.


    Without looking up from his game, the personughed and said, "Don''t be so uptight. This round''s almost over. Just wait a minute."


    Felix did not say anything more and sat down nearby, wondering why Ryan, one of N''s five powerful suitors who clearly despised him, had suddenly appeared.


    Five minutester, Ryan pumped his fist in the air. "Ha! I ranked up! I really am naturally talented, even at gaming!"


    After putting away his phone, Ryan turned to Felix. "Let me be straight with you-when I first heard Lady N was interested in you, I was pissed. I mean, how could a nobodypete with us for Lady N?


    "But then you got that VIP concert ticket and even a private meeting with Dreamscape. In a way, I guess that makes you somewhat qualified."


    Ryan snapped his fingers and continued, "I can help you break free from your current ordinary life and return to your former glory!"

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    Felix''s expression turned strange as he contemted the situation. Earlier, George had turned from enemy to friend because of Moonshadow Alliance, and any sensible person would know George would need Felix''s help eventually. However, Ryan was different. He definitely did not know about Felix''s connection to Moonshadow Alliance. Even if he did, given his much higher status than George, he would not actively try to curry favor. As he thought about it, Felix could not help but feel amused.


    Ryanughed, seemingly aware of Felix''s doubts. "What? Don''t believe me? Treating kids should be routine as a doctor, but you''re different. You sacrificed all your reputation without hesitation. "Honestly, while I might seem carefree, I know when to respect people and their actions. You saved over a dozen orphansst time and put yourself on the line-that''s worthy of this!" As he spoke, he gave a thumbs up. Felix was speechless as he looked at Ryan''s genuine expression. There was not a hint of mockery in his eyes; instead, there seemed to be real admiration.


    "In life, whether you''re struggling or sailing smoothly, you''ve got to know your ce first!


    Ryan continued. "If you''re trash, stick with trash. But if you push your way into circles where you don''t belong, all you''ll get is humiliation and self-destruction. Am I right?"


    Felix sighed because Ryan was speaking the truth. From Ryan''s earlier perspective, Felix was a nobody who dared to catch N''s attention, which was just asking for trouble.


    "You can help me? Even Ss couldn''t do anything. Are you actually a master healer as well?" Felix asked skeptically.


    Ryan shook his head, showing his rough hands. "I''m just a regr guy, and I can''t learn medicine to save my life! But just because I can''t help doesn''t mean others can''t. Why else would I suddenlye to Canraville?"


    This piqued Felix''s interest, and he smiled. "Even if I got healed, what would be in it for you?"


    "I don''t need anything from you. I just think someone who did what you did deserves a reward. Once you''re back at your peak, we canpete fairly for Lady N." (1.


    After studying Ryan carefully for a while, Felix was amazed. This guy seemed to be acting purely from his heart, without any ulterior motives. It was shocking how Ryan, who first appeared to be just another entitled rich kid, could have such an unexpected side. "Can I know who might be able to cure me?" Felix asked.


    A sh of pride crossed Ryan''s eyes before he answered, "In this world, there''s only one miracle doctor everyone acknowledges-Dr. Hoffman!"


    Felix narrowed his eyes. "Impressive that you can even get him involved."


    "Hell no!" Ryan snapped in annoyance. "Don''t put that on me. Even my father and grandfather couldn''t get his attention.


    "I''m nowhere near that level! I''m talking about Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice. Think about it- someone chosen as Dr. Hoffman''s student couldn''t be mediocre, right? Isn''t this your best chance at recovery?"


    Felix''s expression turned odd again. If he could have healed himself, he would have done it long ago. He wondered if someone was impersonating him again. 1


    No, that was unlikely. After thepetition with doctors from Guneriast time, only government-backed individuals would dare to make such ims. Beyond that level, no one would dare to impersonate Felix anymore.

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    Setting aside everything else, everyone knew Gerald''s apprentice would need to have exceptional medical skills. At his young age, Felix had never met anyone else who could im the title of master healer, which made it too easy to spot an imposter.


    However, someone of Ryan''s status did not seem like they would be easily fooled. So, Felix asked, "Do you know Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice?"


    Ryan shook his head again. "No, but I can take you to meet him. It''ll be up to you to make an impression because they won''t do it as a favor to me.


    "All I can do is tell them how you risked everything to save those kids. With a healer''spassionate heart and seeing how many master healers support you, I believe Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice might be moved too."


    Felix finally understood that Ryan had also been deceived. For the sake of Gerald''s reputation, Felix knew he had to meet this impostor.


    ''Alright, I''ll go with you,'' "Felix agreed.


    Ryan stood up and waved dismissively. "I''ll let you know when. Remember, you only get one chance."


    After Ryan left, Felix immediately called George, who chuckled sadly after hearing the story. "Don''t even get me started about him, Felix. That guy does whatever he wants-he''spletely unpredictable!


    "Last year, Ryan rushed over when he heard about a teacher who devoted their life to helping underprivileged kids in a ruralmunity and was about to retire. He rebuilt the school, bought homes in Yartford for the teacher''s children, and even arranged their residency permits!" Felix wondered if Ryan was truly just kindhearted.


    "Don''t get it twisted-he''s no saint. Remember how he cursed you outst time?" George continued. "That same year, when a disabled beggar asked him for help, he didn''t give a penny and actually blinded the person. He never paid a dime inpensation. So tell me, is he good or bad?"


    Felix was speechless, unsure how to judge Ryan''s character anymore. Early the next morning, he had nned to eat breakfast with Jack, but his main goal was to call Yvonne. He had tried again, only to find that she still had him blocked.


    The breakfast spot was not far from Felix''s neighborhood, so he decided to walk there. As he stepped out, he saw Michelle waiting at the gate with some packages. "Michelle? Have you been waiting long?" he asked.


    Though it was obviously a lie, Michelle quickly smiled and said, "No, I just got here."


    "Come on, join me for breakfast," Felix offered.


    Michelle set her packages down in the yard and bowed sincerely to Felix. "Felix, thank you for changing my life! I''m now thepany''s general manager.


    "It feels like a dream, but I know you must have helped make it happen. After all, things like that don''t happen out of nowhere, so I came specifically to thank you."


    Felix chuckled. "No need for formalities. I was just helping with whatever I could. Besides, you really do remind me of my sister. I guess that''s fate."


    After Michelle left, Felix arrived at the breakfast spot where Jack was already halfway through his meal


    "Order whatever you want. I drank too muchst night, and I''m starving!" Jack said between bites.


    Felix ordered a few items and reached out his hand. "Give me your phone. I need to call Yvonne. She blocked me."


    Jack looked puzzled but handed over his phone without question. After a few rings, the call connected. Hearing Yvonne''s familiar voice again gave Felix an odd sense of nostalgia. "What is it?" Yvonne asked.

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    "Yvonne, it''s me, Felix-" Felix barely got the words out before the call disconnected. His expression turned tensed as he realized Yvonne had no intention of keeping contact.


    "What happened? Did she hang up?" Jack asked.


    When Felix nodded, Jack quickly tried calling back, only to hear that the number was no longer in service. Jack''s face instantly turned pale, and he grumbled, "Damn it! If I''d known this would happen, I wouldn''t have let you use my phone. Now Ms. Cooper''s blocked me too!"


    Felix looked embarrassed. "My bad, but it won''t affect your work."


    Jack took an angry bite of his breakfast, clearly annoyed. While he knew it would not impact his work, he had to find other ways to contact Yvonne.


    Two days passed quickly, with Felix maintaining his strict four-hour daily refining of the ancient dragon''s spine. That morning, he opened his eyes and nearly jumped out of his


    skin.


    "Averill! This isn''t funny!" Felix eximed, finding Averill lying beside him as she stared


    at him.


    "Most guys would be thrilled to wake up next to a beautiful woman, but you looked terrified -I''m hurt." Averill pouted.


    Felix remembered Delh''s warning and quickly checked under the covers. He was relieved to find himself fully clothed.


    "What''s that supposed to mean? Are you afraid I''d take advantage of you?" Averill asked angrily.


    Felix tried to smooth things over. "That''s not what I meant-it was just reflex."


    Suddenly, Averill''s expression turned sorrowful. "I didn''t want to tell you, but I''ve been poisoned. I might have been infected when I encountered Leslie. Felix, you wouldn''t let me fall into an endless sleep, would you?"


    Felix jumped up immediately. "Come on, Averill! That''s too much. Delh already told me everything, so your schemes won''t work anymore."


    Averill''s cheeks turned pink. "Delh is just jealous because she can''t have you. She''s such a spoilsport!"


    As if talking to herself, Averill wrapped her arms around Felix''s neck. She purred, "You''ve already been with Leslie, so what''s wrong with doing it with me?


    "I promise it''ll bepletely different. Leslie was just a rookie, but I''ve studied lots of adult films, if you know what I mean."


    Felix hurriedly backed away. "Let''s talk about something serious, Averill I really can''t handle this! Besides, my marriage to Xena is probably going forward."


    Despite that remark, Averill was unfazed. She simply smirked and remarked, "Do you think we care about Xena? She''s irrelevant. Never mind-you don''t understand now, but you willter. What serious matter did you want to discuss?"


    After Felix exined the situation with Dragon Alliance, Averill nodded. "Well, Eloise is indeed the founder. I''ll mention it to her, but whether she takes action is beyond our control. You should know that.


    Felix was satisfied with just getting the message across.


    Averill continued, "After sunset, it''ll be the full moon. With me here, you can go all out. ording to Mr. Hoffman, don''t kill Solomon-just let the Elders'' Council know you''re not a pushover. Even if they want to make a move again, they''ll wait a while."


    Felix felt relieved, knowing Averill''s unique martial technique could manipte others in battle, creating a convincing decoy. That afternoon, he returned from Yardley Dining and took a nap. When he awoke, there was still over an hour until nightfall.


    237

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    Averill turned off the TV with a bored expression. "I''m bored, Felix. Let''s y."


    At those words, Felix quickly waved his hands in protest. "No! Averill, don''t try anything funny!"


    In his current state, without any martial arts abilities, he would bepletely defenseless if Averill tried to force herself on him.


    Averill pouted and revealed a deck of ying cards from behind her back. "What''s going on in that dirty mind of yours? I meant these cards, though if you want to y something else, I wouldn''t mind," she teased.


    For once, Felix could not help but blush-he really did let his imagination run wild. He replied, "Fine. I can handle this game."


    Just then, his phone rang. It was Ryan, who had given him his contact info two days ago." Felix, I''m driving over to pick you up now. Whatever important things you have nned, cancel them. The opportunity I mentioned is happening tonight." Felix frowned at the timing but agreed anyway. "Alright,e pick me up."


    After exining the situation to Averill, she offered her advice. "No worries, I''ll be right behind you. We can deal with this imposter in minutes, then handle Solomon from the Elders'' Council. It won''t be a problem." "Alright," Felix agreed.


    About 20 minutester, Ryan arrived in an SUV. He smiled when Felix got in. "d you didn''t disappoint me. Miss this chance, and there won''t be another."


    Felix chuckled and said, "Of course. How could I pass up meeting Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice?" He was determined to uncover who was behind this charade.


    As they drove out of Canraville, Felix looked around curiously. "Where are we going? This seems pretty remote."


    Ryan nodded. "Eastern Mountain. What''s wrong? Don''t tell me a grown man like you is afraid I''m kidnapping you?"


    Felix was amused. He could not help but think luck was on his side-now, he could solve two problems at once.


    "Remember to be respectful when we get there," Ryan advised. "Someone of their status might or might not be moved by your story, but at least we shouldn''t make any basic mistakes, right?" Felix nodded. "I get it. Don''t worry. I know how to handle myself."


    Soon, the car stopped at the foot of Eastern Mountain, and Ryan pointed upward. "We''re climbing up. I won''t wait for you, so I''ll give you a lift."


    Without waiting for Felix''s agreement, Ryan grabbed his arm and shot up the mountain like lightning. When they reached the top, Felix had so many questions in his head.


    "Wait here. I''ll signal you when it''s time to step out," Ryan instructed. Then, he jumped out of the forest.


    A man sat on arge rock on the mountain peak, drinking from a sk.


    "Mr. Gill, I''m here," Ryan greeted, admiration in his eyes.


    "You just keep causing trouble."


    Ryanughed sheepishly while rubbing his hands. "I know how good you''ve been to me, Mr. Gill. That guy''s talented, and it would be a loss to our traditional medicinemunity if he stays down. Besides, it won''t interfere with your business." Then, leaning forward, Ryan lowered his voice and asked, "By the way, Mr. Gill, are you really going to go after him? He''s Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice, after all. What''s the Elder Council''s opinion on this? Isn''t this too reckless?"

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    Solomon took a sip of his drink andughed. "How could I possibly guess what the higher-ups are thinking? I just do what I''m told. Besides, isn''t Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice human too?"


    Ryan felt a chill at Solomon''s words, considering Gerald''s reputation was enough to make anyone think twice before making a move. He had known Solomon for a long time; Solomon''s family was powerful, but the man was simply obsessed with martial arts. Solomon showed no interest in money or women. Instead, he would follow anyone who could make him stronger. While Ryan had never heard of the Elders'' Council before, he knew they were definitely not a simple bunch of people.


    "Mr. Gill, do you think Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice will agree?" Ryan asked uncertainly.


    Solomon shook his head. "How would I know what he''s thinking when I''ve never met him? But since you''ve spoken so highly of him, I''ll allow you to make an introduction. I must say, I admire anyone who would risk themselves to save those poor orphans." Ryanughed, bowing slightly. In some ways, he and Solomon were alike. Just then, they heard movement, and Ryan turned to see Felix emerging from the woods with a dark expression. "Who told you toe out? You-" Ryan quickly turned to exin to Solomon, "This is the person I told you about. He doesn''t know the rules well, Mr. Gill, please don''t mind." Solomon, who was about to take another drink, froze with his sk mid-air. He stared at Felix with an odd expression and asked, "This is the man you admire?" Ryan nodded, walking over to Felix. "Go back! How can you be so impatient? Didn''t I tell you to wait for my signal?"


    "Let''s skip it. I''m in a hurry," Felix replied.


    Before Ryan could respond, Solomon jumped down from the rock and put away his sk. "If it''s him, then Ryan, you can leave. Even Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice can''t save him." Ryan frowned. "Mr. Gill, isn''t that too hasty? At least have Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice take a look at him!"


    Solomon chuckled and shook his head. "Because he''s Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice. We could''ve avoided this ridiculous misunderstanding if you had mentioned his name earlier." Ryan''s eyes widened as he stared at Felix. "Y-You''re Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice?" At this point, Felix had nothing left to hide. "Yes, I am Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice." Ryan stumbled backward several steps, his face full of disbelief. He never imagined that


    the legendary figure had been so close all along Thinking about the medical skills that even Ss admired, Felix being Gerald''s apprentice suddenly did not seem so impossible.


    Solomon gave Felix a once-over and twirled his sword before sheathing it with a sharp clink. "I don''t fight those who have no power! Since you''ve lost your abilities, I naturally won''ty a hand on you. I''ll report this to the Elders'' Council." Surprisingly, Felixughed as Solomon turned to leave. "Maybe you''re not as bad as I thought. Draw your sword. As Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice, if I wanted people to believe I''m powerless, no one would be able to tell the difference." "What!" Ryan''s hand trembled as he pointed at Felix. "Y-You were pretending?"


    Solomon''s eyes lit up instantly-after all, this was the legendary Gerald''s apprentice, a master of both medicine and martial arts, one of the top rising stars. He had long wanted to exchange skills with such an expert.

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    "Excellent! You didn''t disappoint me. Rest assured, I''ll give it my all," Solomon dered.


    Seeing this, Ryan frantically backed away. Though he had decent martial arts talent and had reached the Martial King level, he knew how terrifying Solomon was and did not want to get caught in the crossfire between these two, Felix nodded and slowly raised his right hand. "After one strike, we''ll see if you''re worthy of making me show my true abilities."


    Solomon did not feel insulted; instead, he excitedly drew his sword. If anyone else had spoken like that, he would have struck them down immediately, but Felix was Gerald''s apprentice-he had earned that confidence.


    The next moment, Felixunched a blow toward Solomon, sending a gust of wind surging across the mountaintop. The wind was so intense that an ordinary person would struggle to stand, let alone keep their eyes open.


    Ryan was unaffected and strained to watch, not wanting to miss a single detail. Suddenly, a de''s light shed, seeming to make the air itself explode.


    "Frenzied Triple sh? How is this possible!" Ryan felt his scalp tingle-Felix had only released one strike, yet Solomon had already resorted to his ultimate sword technique.


    When everything calmed down, Felix''s smile remained unchanged. "At your age, your strength truly ranks among the elite."


    Across from him, Solomon stood holding his sword, appearingposed on the surface. But secondster, his arm wavered, the sword suddenly weighing him down. With a heavy thud, he mmed into the ground, coughing up a mouthful of blood. "I-I never imagined the gap between us would be so vast," Solomon admitted.


    Ryan was stunned. Solomon was severely injured with just one palm strike-Felix''s strength seemed almost unbelievable.


    Thinking back to how he had once insulted Felix, who was not only this powerful but also Gerald''s apprentice, Ryan felt it was a miracle he was still alive. He was even grateful for the incident at the orphanage; otherwise, he might have kept heading down a darker path. Solomon sheathed his sword, wiped the blood from his mouth, and spread his arms. "Kill me then."


    However, Felix shook his head. "We don''t have any real grudge, and I didn''t n to kill you. Go back and tell the Elders'' Council to leave me alone."


    In truth, Felix secretly cursed at the situation. He would have killed Solomon if he could. Yet, he had not regained his full strength, and he would not want to be ying these games.


    After all, the Elders'' Council would send someone even stronger if he killed Solomon, and Felix did not want to always have Averill around with him. Hence, there was no way that would work.


    Solomon frowned. "If you don''t kill me, I''lle after you again when I''m stronger."


    "Do as you wish, but you better make sure you can win beforeing for me," Felix replied calmly.


    The act had been convincing enough, and he needed to leave quickly before anyone noticed anything suspicious. He had to admit that Averill was truly reliable. Even Felix himself felt like that strike hade from his own power. "Ryan, thank you for your help. You''re a decent person," Felix said as he left.


    Ryan broke into a silly grin, mumbling, "Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice praised m¨¨ despite our past?"


    By the time he came to his senses, Solomon had already disappeared. Knowing Solomon''s personality, Ryan did not think twice and quickly headed down the mountain. Once in his car, he immediately called George. "Hey, did you also know Felix was faking it? Damn it, why didn''t anyone tell me?" Ryan questioned.

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    George quickly jerked the phone away from his ear, frowning. "Mr. Gibson, are you trying to make me deaf?"


    Then, something suddenly clicked in his mind. "Wait, what were you saying about Felix?"


    "Felix never lost his martial arts-did you know about this all along?" Ryan demanded.


    George was stunned, and his eyes turned cold. "Don''t push it too far, Mr. Gibson. Felix''s body was damaged after that heroic act, and you''re still trying to cause trouble for him? He''s not as simple as you think." Ryan froze for a moment before replying, "It seems like you knew his true identity and set me up on purpose. But forget it-it was my fault for getting involved. Everything''s fine now, so let''s talk when we meet After the call ended, George''s confusion only deepened. He wondered what Ryan was talking about. Just then, a voice broke the silence


    "If your father''s letting you handle such a big contract with me, he must be nning to hand over more responsibilities."


    George quickly stood up with a smile. "Lady N, I''m an adult too. I''ve been idle long enough."


    N, who had entered unnoticed, nodded and started signing the contract without further discussion. "Who was that on the phone? They were quite loud "


    "That was Ryan. You know how booming his voice can be," George replied.


    After George left, a strange light flickered in Na''s eyes. "Ryan said Felix never lost his martial arts? What does that mean? Ss personally confirmed it could he have been wrong?


    "Felix, are you ying games?" N muttered "That only makes me lose more respect for you, though it doesn''t matter anymore-our paths won''t cross again. I just wonder... will you attend Yvonne''s wedding?"


    Earlier, while Felix was heading to Eastern Mountain, Xena had led the Wolfie troops to surround an orphanage in Canraville, about six miles from the one N sponsored.


    "What''s the situation? Xena asked as Alistair hurried to her side, both wearing grave expressions and with anger burning in their eyes.


    "Four children are showing symptoms. We''ve confirmed with headquarters via video-zi definitely Bloom Seeds," Alistair replied grimly


    After thest incident, she ordered close monitoring of facilities with children, but they did not expect another case so soon.


    "Ss is flying in on a military jet. The children will be fine," Alistair assured her.


    They responded much faster thanst time, with headquarters immediately calling in Ss. "Lady Summers, should we ask Mr. Zeller to take a look first?" Alistair suggested. "Even if he can''t cure them yet, he might be able to ease their suffering." Xena nodded and tried calling but could not get through. "Never mind. Increase security- Ss should be here in 20 minutes."


    Just then, Xena''s phone rang with a video call from Curtis, which was unusual for this time of night. She declined it and texted back, "Grandpa, I''m on a mission. Can we talkter?"


    However, the video call came through again, making Xena sigh in frustration-this was not like Curtis at all.

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    "Lady Summers, you should take it. Everything''s under control right now," Alistair suggested.


    Xena stepped aside and answered the video call, "Grandpa, what-"


    She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening in shock as the screen showed not Curtis, but a short elderly man with dark spots all over his face.


    "Lady Summers, it''s an honor to finally meet you," the man said, instantly triggering Xena''s anxiety.


    "You''re Sonny Ba!" she eximed.


    Indeed, this was Sonny, ranked second-tost among the Thirteen Aces in the Super S- rank wanted criminals list, and the creator of Bloom Seeds. When Sonny''s name was mentioned, Alistair rushed over and immediately recognized Sonny too. "Well, well, Lady Summers seems to have quite a memory of us Thirteen Aces, recognizing me so quickly." Sonny chuckled.


    Forcing herself to stay calm, Xena exchanged a nce with Alistair, who quickly left. She asked, "What do you want, Sonny?"


    "Oh, nothing much-just want to y a game!" Sonny smiled. "Since even an amateur like you managed to kill our God of Death from the Thirteen Aces, I''m really curious about your true capabilities."


    Xena''s face changed as the realization hit her. "You used Bloom Seeds on these children just to kidnap my grandfather?"


    "Clever girl! Canraville isn''t exactly close to the Wolfie troops, and as a top fugitive, I have to be careful. While you were all focused on those poor children, you wouldn''t have time to check on your grandfather. It was quite easy to invite him over."


    The camera moved, and Xena''s eyes filled with rage as she saw Curtis tied to a chair, gagged and unable to speak. Alistair returned and shook his head-they had confirmed that Curtis'' guards had all been knocked unconscious, proving Sonny was not bluffing. Taking a deep breath, Xena said firmly, "Settle your grudges with me, Sonny. You''re one of the Thirteen Aces-if you want revenge,e after me, not my grandfather!"


    Sonny''s voice came through as the camera moved away from his face. "Patience! I said we''re ying a game. y it well, and he might just survive, right?" Alistair received a message through his earpiece and passed it to Xena. "Lady Summers, they''re using equipment that''s preventing us from tracking the phone."


    Either Sonny had help, or this had been meticulously nned. Nheless, it seemed impossible for someone like him to have such advanced technology that could enable video calls while blocking their signal tracking.


    "What''s the game? I''ll do anything as long as my grandfather''s safety is guaranteed," Xena said, herst hope fading.


    Sonny reappeared on the screen, wagging his finger. "No, no. In this game, you''re just the audience. We have two yers-your grandfather and someone else who wasn''t hard to recruit."


    The camera panned out, showing another person tied up about 16 feet away from Curtis. As the person turned their head, Xena gasped. "Felix!"

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    "You recognized him quickly! Yes, it''s your boyfriend Felix. I''m not wrong, am I? This guy solved my Bloom Seeds, and you took care of him for quite a while. Can you really say there''s nothing between you?" Sonny taunted. Xena''s mind went nk. That exined why Felix''s phone was unreachable. Sonny had kidnapped him, too.


    She demanded, "What are you trying to pull here?"


    Sonny stepped in front of Curtis, giving her a smug look. "I told you, it''s just a game. Now, let''s start. Watch closely, Lady Summers."


    After removing Curtis'' gag, Sonny asked, "Should I kill you or him? One of you must die while the other lives."


    Curtis remained calm, ncing at Felix before responding, "Kill me. I''m old and have lived long enough." Then, he turned to the phone camera. "Xena, live a good life with Felix he''s someone worth trusting."


    Xena screamed hysterically, tears streaming down her face, but she was helpless to do anything.


    "Well done, Mr. Summers Senior. Such noble thoughts-no wonder you raised a granddaughter who''s about to be a Wady," Sonny praised before moving to Felix.


    As soon as his gag was removed, Felix began pleading, "Don''t kill me! Please don''t kill me! I don''t want to die, please!"


    Both Xena and Curtis froze, shocked by Felix''s desperation. Something felt off as this did not seem like him at all.


    Sonnyughed. "You don''t want to die? Then you should ask me to kill the old man instead. That way, you''ll survive. Understand?"


    Without hesitation, Felix agreed. "Yes, yes! Kill him! He''s so old anyway. I''m still young. I don''t want to die!"


    "Felix, I was so wrong about you," Curtis said, trembling with anger.


    Felix ignored him and turned to Xena. "I''m just a regr person now. What''s wrong with wanting to live? I only helped those children because I knew it wouldn''t risk my life. Don''t good deeds deserve rewards? Why should I have to die?" Xena''s face turned pale. She never imagined that the man she had admired could fall so low in the face of death.


    "Well, well, the game ended quickly. Both chose the same answer, leaving me no choice.


    Time to send Mr. Summers Senior on his way," Sonny announced, walking toward Curtis.


    "No! Please, no!" Xena screamed.


    Suddenly, a loud explosion rang out, and Sonny''s face changed. "Who''s there?"


    The signal disappeared in the ensuing st wave, leaving Xena crying uncontrobly. No matter how strong she was, at that moment, she was just a woman overwhelmed with worry and grief.


    "Deploy all avable Wolfie troops! Find them, dead or alive!" Xena ordered through her radio.


    Alistair hesitated before speaking. "Lady Summers, could this be some kind of plot? I don''t believe Mr. Zeller is the type to fear death." a


    Xena red at him coldly before leaving with one finalmand. "From now on, never mention Felix''s name in front of me!" 1


    Alistair frowned. While he had not interacted much with Felix, their few encounters had given him some insight. Felix''s behavior in the video seemed too deliberate, almost as if he was trying too hard to appear cowardly.

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    Nevertheless, Alistair understood Xena''s emotional state. When one''s family was involved, all rationalities seemed to go down the drain. Hence, he decided to wait for another opportunity to share his thoughts.


    Felix went to Yardley Dining for his four-hour training session the next morning. He noticed Vivian wanting to say something and said, "Am I that scary? Just tell me what''s on your mind."


    Vivian nodded and exined, "The Martial Alliance asked me to visit them. I''m not sure if it''s rted to Andrei''s situation."


    After some thought, Felix responded, "Then, go. Don''t let Dragon Alliance appear weak.


    When Felix returned home, he found both the gate and the front door wide open, as if someone had broken in. Rushing inside, he was puzzled to find Xena sitting in the living room, her face ashen as if something serious had happened. "Xena, what brings you here?" Felix asked.


    Xena stood up and examined him with ice-cold eyes. "Keep acting! Everything ended safely, and now, you''re trying to put on another show for me?"


    11


    Felix frowned. "What do you mean? I really don''t understand what you''re talking about."


    Xena resisted the urge to p him and continued, "Didn''t you tell Sonny to kill Grandpast night to save your own life? Felix, you''ve disappointed me so much!


    "They say you never truly know someone, and I thought I understood you, but you''ve been hiding your true nature all along! Honestly, I should be grateful to Sonny-if he hadn''t exposed your true colors, I might''ve ended up marrying you someday, and now that makes me sick!"


    She headed for the door and added, "We''re done, Grandpa also agrees to call off the marriage. From now on, we''re strangers!"


    Felix grabbed her arm, his frown deepening. "Though I really don''t understand, something major seems to have happened. Can you exin it to me in detail?"


    Xena yanked her arm away, causing Felix to stumble back several steps. "You''re quite the actor! Acting like you weren''t kidnapped by Sonnyst night. How did I never notice how good you were at pretending?"


    Curtis had been found at dawn outside a hospital in Canraville. All surveince cameras had been destroyed, and no one knew who had brought him there. Regardless, he was home now, recovering with no serious injuries.


    +25 BONDS


    "I went to Eastern Mountainst night. What do you mean Sonny kidnapped me? You mean the fugitive Sonny?" Felix asked.


    Xenaughed bitterly at the mention of Eastern Mountain. No one could understand her pain-finally falling in love with someone, only to be hurt so deeply.


    "Fine! Let''s see how thick your skin is. You were at Eastern Mountainst night? Do you have proof?"


    Sensing the gravity of the situation, Felix pulled out his phone. "Yes. Ryan can vouch for me. I''ll call him right now."


    When the call connected, Felix quickly asked, "Ryan, didn''t we go to Eastern Mountain togetherst night?"


    The response that came through the phone left Felix stunned. "Eastern Mountain? Felix, are you drunk? Why would the two of us go to Eastern Mountain in the middle of the night?

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    Felix''s face darkened with concern. He pressed, "Ryan, are you sure you want to take responsibility for what you said?" After a pause on the other end, Ryan replied, "Nothing happened, so what do you want me to say? This is ridiculous!" Then, the line went dead, prompting Xena to let out a coldugh.


    "Can''t even find someone to back you up. Felix, I finally understand everything now. You''re a failure as a person, but at least you can brag about fooling the Wady once, Xena said before walking away.


    00


    Her understanding of "everything" meant she believed Felix''s rescue of those dozen kids was just an act to impress her. None of this would have happened if she had not been so moved by that moment. 1 Especially since Felix admitted that saving those children would not have cost him his life


    he would only lose his fighting abilities. Then again, none of that mattered.


    Any fool would know it was worth tradingbat skills for Xena''s affection. After all, being known as the Wady''s husband wouldmand more respect than any martial arts skill ever could. Sitting on his couch, Felix was not dwelling on who set him up anymore but rather on Ryan''s attitude.


    One thing was clear-Ryan knew Felix was Gerald''s apprentice, and that title alone should have been enough to prevent the former from lying, unless he wanted serious retaliation.


    Just then, the doorbell rang. When Felix opened it, he found Ryan standing there.


    As Ryan entered Felix''s home, he looked uneasy, with traces of guilt and helplessness in his eyes.


    "You''d better have a good exnation for this," Felix said, his tone sharp.


    Ryan swallowed hard before sitting across from Felix. "Mr. Zeller, please understand. Yes, you''re Gerald''s student, and I can''t afford to cross you, but there are others I can''t afford to cross, either!" Felix frowned. "Keep talking, and make sure you exin everything clearly."


    Sensing Felix''s rtively calm mood, Ryan decided toy it all out. At this point, there was no use wasting time on small talk.


    "It was the Elders'' Council! They didn''t even approach me directly, but they went straight to my grandfather with serious threats.


    "I don''t know what they said or whose name they dropped, but my grandfather only told me one thing: the Elders'' Council could make our entire Gibson family disappear overnight.


    11


    Felix studied him carefully. "Your family must be powerful enough for you to court Lady N. The Elders'' Council would have to pay a price to eliminate the Gibsons. Why go to such lengths just to make you you lie?"


    Ryan gave a bitterugh and nodded. "Exactly! That''s what puzzles me, too. They went as far as involving my grandfather, yet all they wanted was for me to lie about not being with you at Eastern Mountainst night."


    Felix could sense Ryan was telling the truth, which meant Sonny must have been working for the Elders'' Council, too. Their borate n to distract the Wolfie troops and stage that scene had one ultimate goal-to keep Xena and him apart.


    Felix understood one thing clearly: they did not want him with Xena because they feared futureplications. Once Xena became Wady and they married, Felix would gain a new identity as the Wady''s husband.


    The government had its boundaries, especially regarding warlords and wadies who were government-appointed. Crossing them meant opposing the state itself, and no one would dare risk that.


    This also exined why Sonny had released Curtis unharmed after capturing him.

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    Of course, there had always been people who cared about nothing, like Madam Spring, who poisoned Curtis with Phantom Poison. As a lone wolf with only revenge on her mind, she did not care about the consequences or who was involved. However, those with families or organizations had to be more careful. When the government stepped in, everyone involved would pay the price, and they could not just offer up a scapegoat to make it all go away.


    Still, these were just Felix''s theories. Whether the Elders'' Council had other reasons for keeping him and Xena apart remained a mystery for now.


    "Mr. Zeller, I can see you''re a reasonable man," Ryan said. "I really wanted to help you, but my hands were tied! I even told my grandfather about your true identity, but he still insisted I lie."


    Felix suddenly chuckled. "Let me guess-he said something like ''Dr. Hoffman is a legendary master healer who saves lives. He wouldn''t wipe out an entire family, so the choice is obvious,'' right?" Ryan''s awkwardness made it clear that Felix had hit the nail on the head.


    "I don''t me you because I know you genuinely wanted to help restore my abilities. If you hadn''t been so kindhearted, you wouldn''t have gotten caught up in this mess," Felix remarked.


    Ryan felt a mix of emotions. It was rare for anyone to be so understanding despite being in such a situation. Hence, his admiration for Felix only deepened.


    After Ryan left, Felix pulled out his phone, which contained several new numbers that Averill had left behind. ording to Gerald, since Felix had lost his fighting abilities and could not protect himself anymore, he was free to use the resources of the nine senior apprentices. Without hesitation, Felix dialed Averill''s number.


    "Felix, missing me already? I just left," Averill answered yfully.


    Felix had considered asking Averill to be his witness but ultimately decided against it. Not only did Averill dislike Xena, but as his senior apprentice, Averill was hardly a neutral party. Thus, Xena would not believe her.


    "Yeah. I''m missing your assassination organization," Felix replied.


    "Humph! I''m not in the mood to chat. I''ll send you a number, and someone will contact you. Felix, you''re so annoying, lying in bed but not trying anything with me.


    Felix rubbed his nose, both amused and exasperated. Learning about Averill''s secret


    assassination organization had caught him off guard,


    When he dialed the number Averill sent, an elderly voice answered, clearly expecting his call, "Mr. Zeller, what can I do for you?"


    "It''s not convenient to discuss over the phone. Let''s meet in person."


    After hanging up, Felix stretched his body. He was not using these resources to win back Xena''s affection but to find Sonny and provide an exnation to both Xena and Curtis as victims.


    As a man, how could he remain passive after being framed? Plus, he might discover what game the Elders'' Council was ying.


    Just as he was about to shower, the doorbell rang again. Seeing it was Michelle, he quickly opened the door.


    Michelle entered wearing a thin wine-red trench coat and perfect makeup, obviously having dressed up for the asion.


    "Michelle, is something wrong? You could have called first. There''s no need to trouble yourselfing over," Felix said, gesturing for her to sit as he poured her a ss of water.


    When he turned around, Michelle''s coat slipped to the floor, and what she wore underneath left Felix stunned.

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    Without her trench coat, Michelle stood there in a ck bodysuit with fis stockings and straps that created an alluring yet tastefully suggestive appearance.


    "Michelle, what are you doing?" Felix asked helplessly, but Michelle walked toward him with a blush spreading across her face.


    "Felix, I... I like you, and I don''t know how else to express my gratitude. This is all I can offer."


    Michelle was undeniably attractive, and most men would have lost control by now. But Felix, having seen his fair share of beauty, found her merely average inparison. Besides, even if she were stunning, he could never act on it-she was family to Karina, after all. "Don''t do this, Michelle. I really only see you as a sister. Please put your clothes back on," Felix said as he reached for a robe, but Michelle suddenly lunged at him.


    Felix''s brows furrowed. Even without his fighting abilities, his body was still far superior to


    an ordinary person''s. He should have been able to dodge that predictable move easily.


    "Take me, Felix! Take me now!" she cried out.


    Felix grabbed her shoulders and pushed her away forcefully. "You''re not Michelle. Who are you, really?"


    After everything that had happened, he started seeing the downside of losing his abilities. Before, he would have instantly spotted this impersonator.


    However, Michelle maintained an innocent expression. "Felix, what are you talking about? I just want to repay you. My body is the most precious thing I can offer. Please be gentle... It''s my first time."


    "Oh, for crying out loud! I can''t listen to this crap anymore. First time? Yeah, right, you shameless whore!" Averill''s voice exploded through the living room, followed by a loud bang as Michelle flew across the room andy motionless on the floor. "Averill..." Felix stared at her sudden appearance with an amazed expression. "You didn''t leave? You''ve been here the whole time?"


    Averill kissed Felix''s cheek yfully. "See? This is the Felix I know-resisting temptation without hesitation. That kiss was your reward."


    Seeing Felix deep in thought, she quickly added, "I wasn''t secretly protecting you. I just left something here and came back to get it. Then, I stumbled upon this disgusting scene."


    Felix wondered if she was being a bit too obvious in her denial, especially since Averill rarely used the front door.


    "Let''s check on her. She''s not dead. I just paralyzed her," Averill said as they walked over


    to the woman.


    They turned "Michelle" over, and Averill ripped off the facial prosthetics, revealing an ordinary woman''s face underneath.


    "Who are you? Why are you impersonating Michelle?" Felix demanded.


    The woman sneered. "Madam Spring sent me. You must be special to see through my advanced disguise techniques. But crossing Madam Spring? You''d better count your days." Felix felt annoyed-was the Summers family''s problem bing his?


    Knowing they would not get any more information, Averill knocked the woman unconscious with a single p.


    "Well, well, Felix. How did you manage to get on Madam Spring''s bad side?" Averill asked with interest. "If I remember correctly, that old bat''s been around forever and is quite the troublemaker."

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    Felix looked surprised. "You know about Madam Spring?"


    "Only by reputation. She''s an old-school troublemaker you don''t want to mess with. Good luck with that-I got what I came for, so I''m out," Averill replied, but as she stood up, she sensed something wrong and quickly turned to Felix. "Damn it! She was carrying poison!" Though Averill was not a medical expert, her heightened abilities allowed her to detect it. The fact that it took over a minute to notice meant this was no ordinary toxin.


    Sure enough, Felix was now grinning at her lustfully. "Averill, you like me, right? I''m feeling really hot and bothered right now.''


    As Felix grabbed her and started kissing her wildly, Averill felt conflicted. "Stop it, Felix. You''re poisoned! Try to fight it and see if you can neutralize it yourself."


    The woman''s seductive entrance made the poison''s purpose clear. When Felix looked up, Averill noticed his eyes were already bloodshot.


    "What poison? Come on, Averill. Didn''t you want to yst time? Let''s go!" Felix said as he scooped her up and rushed desperately toward the bedroom. "What should I do?" Averill wondered glumly.


    Without medical knowledge, she could not determine the poison''s nature. If Felix did not sleep with someone, his life could be in danger.


    However, giving in felt wrong since Felix was driven purely by the poison. He might not even remember anything afterward, which would break her heart. After all, any woman would want her first time to be beautiful and innocent. Averill was the same. She wanted it to be a memory worth visiting.


    Just then, the doorbell rang. Averill nced back at Felix and made a snap decision, slipping out of his arms and hurrying to the door. "Why are you running, Averill? Afraid I can''t satisfy you?"


    Averill had already opened the door when Zara''s voice came through, "Felix? Are you home? I tried calling but couldn''t reach you." As Zara stepped inside, she was greeted by a strange sight.


    Averill had Felix by the neck, holding him at bay as he wed the air, muttering all sorts of inappropriate things.


    "Come to bed with me! I can''t take it anymore!"


    Averill looked at Zara helplessly. "I know you''re Zara Morgan, Ss'' apprentice. He''s been


    poisoned-can you help?"


    Zara was stunned, but that definitely exined his behavior. She said, "Hold him still while I examine him." After Zara finished her examination, Averill anxiously asked, "How bad is it? Are there serious side effects?"


    Zara smiled bitterly. "It''s been too long, so I can''t neutralize it with my abilities alone."


    "Will he die if he doesn''t... you know?" Averill frowned.


    "Yes-his organs would rupture, and he''d bleed out internally." After a moment''s


    you... his..." hesitation, Zara looked at Averill, cheeks flushed. "Are


    "I''m his sister. Are you sure there''s nothing else you can do?" Averill lied, hoping to discourage any thoughts about helping Felix that way, while also testing if Zara, as Ss'' apprentice, had any other solutions up her sleeve. After a long pause, Zara''s face turned red. "Then... I''ll do it."

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    "You''ll do it instead?" Averill sized up Zara, silently musing to herself.


    While Zara was a little ugly, Averill figured all that mattered was if she could save Felix''s life. If Zara hadn''t shown up, Averill would have done it, even though she cherished her own first time. After all, Felix''s life was the most important.


    However, she had to admit Felix''s charm. Zara might not be much to look at, but she was still a woman. Since she volunteered herself, it meant she was at least somewhat willing. What other reason could there be?


    "Don''t get the wrong idea. I-I''m not suggesting anything like that!" Zara stammered, waving her hands as Averill stared at her. She figured that she''d gotten the wrong impression.


    "What do


    you mean?"


    "I mean, I have a special acupuncture technique that can remove the poison in Felix''s body. However, I''d need you to get that other woman out of here first. The poison''sing from her, and if I try to block it, I won''t be able to concentrate on the treatment." Nodding, Averill promptly tossed the woman onto the roof for the time being, nning to grab her on the way out.


    "If it''s just acupuncture, why are you blushing?"


    Already preparing the room, Zara realized she had to rify, or the misunderstanding would get even worse.


    "Well, for this technique to work, Felix has to imagine a woman... doing that sort of thing with him. It''s all in his mind, but it''ll have the same effect. I can guarantee it."


    Averill''s confusion only deepened. "Well, since it''s only his imagination, why are you blushing?"


    Zara looked like she was about to cry. Why did Averill have so many questions?


    "This acupuncture technique is... very unusual. I have to be involved the entire time, so even though it''s only a mental image, I''ll... see everything he imagines, as if I''m actually part of it." Averill finally understood the situation. Since Zara was clearly inexperienced, it made sense that she''d feel shy about being involved in something like that.


    "Alright. Please


    go


    ahead with the treatment. I''ll step out."


    About half an hourter, Zara came out of the room. With Averill''s keen senses, she could tell at a nce that Zara''s legs were a bit shaky, making her question if everything only


    happened in Felix''s imagination. It looked like she''d been through a battle. "Felix is better now, miss," Zara said. "He should wake up in a couple of hours. I''ll head out now." "Thank you, Zara. I''ll make sure he knows how much he owes you for this," Averill said happily, relieved that she''d managed to preserve the best for when Felix could fully appreciate it. Time passed, and soon, Felix''s eyes fluttered open, looking a bit dazed.


    "Are you finally awake, dummy?"


    Hearing Averill''s voice, Felix quickly asked, "Did something happen, Averill? I don''t remember anything."


    Averill''s face held a mischievous expression. "Oh, something definitely happened. It was... quite amusing. Somebody was all over me like a wild animal. That someone almost tore my clothes off." "Huh?" Felix wracked his brain, horrified. "Oh, my God! D-Did I actually... do something to you that I shouldn''t have?"


    Seeing how serious he looked, Averill decided to let him off the hook. "Nope! Luckily, Zara showed up in time."


    Hearing the whole story, Felix sighed in relief. For a moment, he thought he''d done something irreversible. Then, Averill grew curious. "Zara said you imagined a woman. Don''t you remember anything?"


    Felix fell silent. How could he not remember?


    "I remember. It was like a dream. However, it was way too vivid."


    In an instant, Averill''s curiosity red up. "So, what was the woman in your imagination like?"

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    Felix rolled his eyes but decided to speak honestly.


    He said, "It was a woman of unimaginable beauty. She was truly indescribable! A woman like that doesn''t exist in the real world. She''s something that would only appear in a dream.


    He found himself recalling those images again. They were just so vivid. And that woman- she was the only one he could call perfect.


    "Well, I guess you must have enjoyed it very much." Averill scoffed. "Goodbye."


    Even long after Averill had left, Felix was still sitting on the bed, murmuring to himself, " Could a woman like that actually exist in real life?"


    Meanwhile, atop a remote mountain in Dragonia, stood an opulent building. It was the headquarters of the Martial Alliance. Inside one of its rooms, four individuals were seated when Vivian entered.


    "Mr. Lawrence, you called for me?" she asked, taking a seat unceremoniously. Her face showed no expression. After all, ording to Felix, she couldn''t let the prestige of Dragon Alliance be diminished, even if it had been on a downward slope for quite some time.


    At the head of the table sat a gray-haired man. He was Titus Lawrence, the leader of the Martial Alliance. His strength was renowned, leaving little need for further introduction. However, before Titus could speak, the man seated to his left-a middle-aged man- snickered. "Humph! Dragon Alliance really isn''t what it used to be. The Dragon Lord is just a little girl at the level of Martial King. Well, isn''t this interesting?"


    Vivian''s brows furrowed as she shot him a look, her tone icy. "Since when does Dragon Alliance need your input, Samuel?"


    Upon seeing him, Vivian understood that Andrei most likely had connections with Samuel Hawkins, which was how he obtained the Sacred Martial Order. Their shared surname was a telling clue. 1.


    "Oh, of course, no need to consult me. The mighty Dragon Alliance is surely above us peasants."


    At this point, Titus raised his hand, cutting off the exchange. "Dragon Lord, reports say you encountered the Sacred Martial Order, but you didn''t take it seriously. Is that true?" Titus was a man of few words, only addressing matters that genuinely concerned him.


    Vivian let out a softugh, shaking her head. "Then, may I ask you, what would you consider as taking it seriously?"


    When Theodore showed up with the Sacred Martial Order, he eventually took the man away. Martial Alliance didn''t suffer any losses. Wasn''t that enough?


    "How arrogant! The Sacred Martial Order is amand that every martial artist must obey, yet you dared to threaten the one holding it. Are you suggesting I''m fabricating things?"


    The resentment in Samuel''s gaze was obvious, as if he were ready to openly dere his connection to Andrei.


    "Mr. Lawrence, are you suggesting that just because someone holds the Sacred Martial Order, they''re free to act however they want, regardless of right or wrong?" Vivian challenged.


    Titus spoke evenly, meeting her gaze, "Not to that extent. We''re the Martial Alliance, not bandits. Dragon Alliance and Martial Alliance, while not equals, once held a mutually respectful agreement.


    "This time, however, you went a bit too far. The Sacred Martial Order was issued to resolve the situation. Nobody should be threatening the bearer of the order or teaching them a lesson.


    Since even the leader of the Martial Alliance was speaking that way, Vivian shot to her feet


    "Oh, so you think the Dragon Alliance''s decline means we''re fair game for anyone''s bullying now?"


    The leaders of the Martial Alliance were ying the good cop and bad cop approach very well.


    Just then, Samuel joined in with a smug grin as he stood as well, "Exactly! This world is all about survival of the fittest. For instance, I''m bullying the Dragon Lord right now. What can Dragon Alliance do about it?" Suddenly, the door burst open as a fierce gust swept in, carrying with it a chilling voice." Dragon Alliance isn''t something you''re allowed to criticize, you scum.

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    A woman stepped in gracefully, dressed in a wine-red dress with a high slit. She exuded elegance and beauty.


    "How dare you trespass in the Martial Alliances


    "Trespass''?" the woman replied with a hint of displeasure. "The guards didn''t even detect my presence. How could it be trespassing?"


    Everyone in the room-except Titus-looked visibly shaken. This was the headquarters of the Martial Alliance, and yet someone had managed to slip in undetected. It was a huge embarrassment.


    Samuel pointed angrily at Vivian. "Vivian! Your Dragon Alliance is unting its strength here. Do you want a war with the Martial Alliance?"


    "How dare you!" The woman raised an eyebrow, and with just a word, Samuel staggered backward a few steps, ¨¤ muffled thud apanying his retreat.


    a


    Even Titus frowned at this sudden disy. The neer''s strength was no joke. Without even lifting a finger, her mere presence had overpowered Samuel.


    "The Dragon Lord''s title is not something you''re qualified to invoke so casually."


    It was Vivian''s turn to be confused. She was sure she didn''t know this woman, so why was she defending her so staunchly?


    Titus finally spoke, "And who might you be? With this level of power, you can''t be unknown."


    The others fell silent, eager to find out who this mysterious and powerful woman was.


    "I am Zoey Scott, the maid of the Dragon Alliance''s founder."


    Everyone''s expressions changed instantly, including Titus''. They all knew just how formidable the founder of Dragon Alliance was. It was that very person who single-handedly established Dragon Alliance in the martial world, securing a position of immense respect and influence from the start.


    Rumors had circted that the founder had disappeared years ago and would never again intervene in Dragon Alliance''s affairs. After all, the organization had been in decline without any sign of intervention from its founder.


    However, her maid had shown up. It was truly terrifying that even her maid was that strong.


    Vivian''s eyes widened, realizing that in Dragon Alliance''s darkest hour, the founder had finally made a move. Even sending just a maid was more than enough.


    "So, you''re someone from that person''s side. Please, have a seat," Titus said, his attitude shifting to one of respect.


    Although he was the leader of the Martial Alliance, there were still people he knew better than to cross. The Dragon Alliance''s founder was one of them, especially considering she hadn''t needed toe in person. Sending a maid alone had already made a powerful statement.


    "I don''t need to take a seat. Today, my lord has sent me to inform you all that the Dragon Alliance''s position remains unchanged. If anyone has objections, now''s the time to speak." Who would dare? Even Samuel, though fuming, was forced to stay silent. The earlier exchange had proven he wasn''t even a match for this maid, let alone the legendary founder of Dragon Alliance.


    "Well, then, I''ll be taking my leave!" Zoey said, ncing at Vivian with a soft smile. "The Dragon Lord is the Dragon Lord for a reason. Just focus on being yourself. That''s my lord''s message to you."


    Vivian''s heart surged with excitement. This meant that her position as the Dragon Lord had received the founder''s personal approval.


    "Thank you, Ms. Scott! I''ll do my utmost to lead Dragon Alliance."


    After the two left, Titus also quietly departed without another word, leaving Samuel alone, clutching his phone with a dark look on his face.


    737. 737.

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    "Do not meddle with Felix anymore, Andrei! Dragon Alliance is rising again," Samuel said over the phone.


    "As youmand."


    In the Hawkins residence in Canraville, Andrei hung up, shaking his head with a faint smile.


    "What''s going on, Mr. Hawkins?" Theodore asked.


    Walking over to the window, Andrei replied, "The elder said that Dragon Alliance is on the rise again and that I should stop provoking Felix." The rise of the Dragon Alliance?


    Theodore''s brows furrowed as he considered this, a hint of astonishment crossing his eyes. "Could it be that the founder has reappeared?"


    "I don''t know, but if the elder is saying this, then Dragon Alliance''s resurgence is inevitable. At least I did my best. Perry would understand in the afterlife and wouldn''t me me," Andrei said, turning to Theodore. "Warn Pierce to let go of any hatred toward Felix. If he tries any tricks secretly, he''ll pay for it. I tolerated him taking his mother''s surname once, but there won''t be a second time." "Yes, sir!"


    Meanwhile, at a restaurant in Canraville, Felix was having a meal with Wendy.


    "Is the business here going well?" Felix asked.


    Wendy nodded. "Yes. By the way, Felix, there''s something I''d like to discuss with you."


    "Go ahead. No need to be so formal with me."


    Wendy didn''t beat around the bush. "I''d like to hire Jack to manage our family''s businesses in Canraville and Avesburgh. What do you think?"


    "Jack?" Felix thought for a moment, then smiled. "That''s between you two. You don''t need my approval.


    "Alright, then. I''ll talk to Jack about it."


    Given the circumstances of Yvonne and Felix and the likelihood that Ster Group might actually be


    part of Lady N''s enterprise, letting Jack leave would be a sensible move. While he couldn''t interfere directly, Wendy''s helpful suggestion hade just in time. 1


    At that moment, Madeline called.


    "Maddy, I thought you''d forgotten about me," Felix answered yfully, his tone so warm that it even made Wendy a little envious. What kind of woman could make Felix talk like that?


    "Enough joking! I''m calling about something important. Luke and I are getting engaged. You wouldn''t skip the engagement party, would you? You know I wouldn''t be able to get married if it weren''t for you." Felix thought it was rather soon. However, considering how Luke''s sister, Lilian, behaved, he figured that Luke''s parents were probably simr.


    "Of course, I''ll be there!"


    "Good. I told Jack as well. You all cane together, and don''t forget to bring Jack''s girlfriend. He promised me they''de."


    After he hung up, Felix received a text message. He looked at it, then said to Wendy, "Wendy, go ahead and eat. I''ll be right back." "Alright, Felix."


    When Felix stepped out of the private room, he saw an elderly man waiting outside.


    "Are you Seven?"


    The old man respectfully replied, "Yes, sir. I am Seven."


    This man was a member of the assassin organization founded by Averill. The name of the organization was rather unusual-ir. Only Averill would give such a name to an assassin organization. "Before you give any orders, there''s something I need to report. My lord has instructed me to let you decide how to handle it."


    "Oh?" Felix was intrigued. "Go ahead."


    "Half an hour ago, our assassin organization received a contract. The target is... you." 3

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    "Oh?" Felix chuckled.


    After dealing with Inferno n, yet another person was targeting him through an assassin organization-probably someone without much sense. The irony was that ir had been created by Averill, making this whole setup a perfect case of amb to the ughter. "Who made the order?" he asked.


    "A man named Pierce Langden. He''s from Canraville."


    Felix raised his hand. "I know who he is. I''ll handle this myself."


    Seven nodded, waiting patiently for Felix''s main instructions.


    "It''s about the Thirteen Aces, which are Dragonia''s S-rank wanted criminals. Find me the twelfth one, Sonny Ba, code-named ''Circle of Hearts.'' Track him down for me."


    With its intelligencework, ir''s assassin organization was well-equipped to find targets better than most other organizations.


    "Yes, sir."


    The thought of falling for their trap still bothered Felix immensely. He continued, "You''re connected with Shado overseas, aren''t you?"


    Seven nodded. "Yes, Mr. Zeller. Do you need something from them?"


    "Inform Shado that I''m offering a bounty for Sonny''s trail. The reward will be ten


    billion dors."


    Seven drew in a sharp breath.


    Even when converted to Shado''s local currency, ten billion dors would still rank among the top bounties in their history and would send the entire organization into a frenzy. Felix''s determination to hunt down Sonny was clear. "Alright, sir. I''ll make the arrangements."


    Money didn''t matter to Felix, but Sonny''s trap was something he needed to undo. Otherwise, he''d carry a reputation of being cowardly forever.


    When he returned to the private room, he found Wendy sitting thoughtfully, brows


    furrowed.


    "What''s bothering you?" Felix asked.


    Wendy gave him a slight, bitter smile. "Nothing major. An important client''s son ising to Canraville. My father called, asking me to host him personally."


    Felix sat down and teased, "So he''s that eager to get to know you?"


    After a moment, Wendy nodded. "Yeah. He takes every opportunity to drop hints. But because of Moonshadow Alliance, he hasn''t dared to do


    anything outright. It''s annoying,


    but his family is crucial to our business, so I can''t just brush him off."


    Taking a few more bites, Felix encouraged her, "That''s business for you. You''ll get used to handling all sorts of people over time."


    After they finished eating, Wendy left, driving off from the underground parking lot.


    Felix had nned to walk back since he hadn''t driven to the restaurant, but as soon as he stepped outside, he received a message. It was another matter that needed his attention. Just as he left the restaurant, he heard someone call out, "Hey,e here, young man!" Felix assumed it wasn''t directed at him and continued walking.


    However, the voice called out again, more directly this time, "Felix, are you deaf?"


    He stopped and turned around, spotting a young, heavy-set woman sitting on the trunk of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, swinging her legs as she watched him. She seemed younger than him but was indeed quiterge. "Do I know you?" Felix asked.


    The woman scoffed. "You obviously don''t have the right to know me. I''m Aimee Reynolds, a cousin of Xena. My dad is her second uncle. Got that?"


    Xena''s second uncle? First, Xena''s family. Now this. Were they all nning to confront him one by one?


    "Listen up, Felix! You''re not good enough for my cousin, so stop pestering her, or you''ll have problems."


    Felix, unwilling to waste his time, dismissed her with a simple response as he resumed walking. "Xena and I have nothing to do with each other anymore, so don''te looking for me." With a satisfied grin, Aimee gave a thumbs-up.


    Perfect! She had onlye to confirm that he had moved on. Since that was the case, she could rest easy.


    Felix had barely walked a short distance before getting into arge Lexus SUV, followed closely by a convoy of five more cars.

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    Meanwhile, at the Hawkins residence in Canraville, Andrei was hosting an important guest. It was the president of the Lionsfield Chamber of Commerce, Fabian Fraser. Only those who understood the Lionsfield Chamber of Commerce''s influence could truly appreciate Fabian''s significance.


    "Mr. Hawkins, this study of yours is exquisite, Fabian remarked, admiring the surroundings with a glint of appreciation in his eyes. "Introduce me to the designerter. I''d like to have something simr in my own home." Andrei smiled. "Consider it done, Mr. Fraser. It''s a minor favor."


    Fabian nodded, transitioning to the main topic. "I''m passing through Canraville, and given the high value of the items in the uing shipment, I wanted to confirm the arrangement of martial artists and security teams with you personally."


    Andrei chuckled. "There''s nothing for you to worry about. Haven''t we partnered enough times already? If you can''t trust me, surely you can trust my family''s strength."


    Fabian grinned in return. "Well, your family is indeed a true martial n, with even a seat in the Martial Alliance Council. With your men guarding, I''mpletely at ease.''


    11


    At that moment, Theodore hurried in, which instantly displeased Andrei. No one in the entire Hawkins family dared to interrupt when Andrei was entertaining a significant client like Fabian.


    Theodore quickly approached Andrei and whispered something in his ear, causing Andrei''s face to immediately darken.


    "Mr. Fraser, please excuse me. Something urgent just came up. I''ll be right back," he said, trying to maintain hisposure.


    "Take


    your time," Fabian replied.


    As Andrei strode outside, his expression was grim.


    "Did that little bastard Pierce say anything about what he''s done?"


    Theodore shook his head. "No. He ims he didn''t do anything."


    "Nonsense!"Andrei snarled, clenching his jaw. "If he did nothing, would Felix bring people from the Earthen Hall of Dragon Alliance straight to my door?


    "Bring Pierce to the courtyard. If ites to it, we''ll just have to hand him over to Felix. But I''m not sure if even that will be enough to keep me out of this mess."


    Andrei was starting to regret his decisions. He''d tried to project strength by assuming control, but the unexpected resurgence of Dragon Alliance had thrown everything into


    chaos.


    When Andrei reached the courtyard, he saw Fellx standing there, nked by members of the Earthen Hall, all dressed in their distinctive uniforms.


    "Mr. Zeller, didn''t we reach an agreement?" Andrei said, trying to smooth things over. "If breaking my unfilial son''s legs wasn''t enough to appease you, I''ll have him brought here immediately. You can handle him however you wish!" Upon seeing Andrei in person, Felix instantly sensed his cunning nature. His craftiness was practically written across his face.


    "An agreement? It seems you''ve failed to keep it. Did you know Pierce hired an assassin organization to target me?" Felix said, his voice cold.


    What? An assassin organization?


    Andrei''s face paled. He''d restrained Pierce''s movements but had neglected to sever his ess to outside resources. And to think the boy had the audacity to hire an assassin!


    Realizing the gravity of the situation, Andrei took a hard stance. "I had no involvement in this, Mr. Zeller, I swear! That reckless brat did this behind my back. I''ll bring him here immediately, and you can take him away however you please-I won''t object in the slightest."


    Felix smiled. "Only an illegitimate child could be discarded so readily! However, without your instruction, this scheme wouldn''t have gotten far. So, it''s not just Pierce-I need you toe with me as well."


    In a sh, Theodore stepped in front of Felix, his gaze ice-cold. "You''ve crossed the line."


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    Felix raised his hand, signaling the Earthen Hall members to stand down as he calmly looked at Theodore, who was now only inches away.


    "No. You''re the one who crossed the line," Felix replied. "I respect your loyalty, but that doesn''t change anything."


    Terrified, Andrei quickly intervened, "Theodore, stand down! Don''t mess around!''


    It was no joke. Even the members of the Martial Alliance Council from his family acknowledged that the resurgence of Dragon Alliance was unstoppable. Andrei did not dare to make them his enemies.


    If anything happened to Felix, his family would undoubtedly abandon him, and someone else would soon take his ce as the wealthiest man in Canraville.


    "If anything happens to Mr. Hawkins, I''ll kill you," Theodore threatened, his eyes filled with icy determination.


    Felix merely scoffed at Theodore''s threat. In the past, he could have ended his life with a single p.


    "You''re Theodore Walker, right? For that statement alone, your fate is sealed," Felix said coldly. Once his strength returned, Theodore would not live to see another day.


    "Mr. Zeller," Andrei interjected, sweating nervously. "Can you give me five minutes? I only need five minutes."


    "Oh?" Felix found Andrei''s request intriguing. "Fine. I''ll give you five minutes."


    He was curious to see what backup n Andrei had in mind that might change his decision. Felix had already heard from Vivian about the incident at Martial Alliance''s headquarters, which emboldened Pierce to employ an assassin. That was the reason why Felix directly went to Andrei''s location, knowing that Theodore alone wouldn''t pose a threat. On top of that, Averill could probably be secretly watching over him.


    Andrei, having been granted five minutes, quickly sent a message. Cold sweat was beading on his forehead.


    He realized something disturbing. Assassin organizations were typically highly discreet, so how did Felix know who had hired them? The sheer implications of this were staggering.


    Two minutester, Felix''s phone rang. It was Michelle calling.


    Since he was waiting, he picked up the call. "Michelle, just tell me what you need. Drop the formalities."


    Michelle hesitated for a while before finally saying,. "Felix, could I ask you to spare Mr.


    Hawkins? Please?"


    "Mr. Hawkins?" Felix raised an eyebrow. "Which Mr. Hawkins?"


    "Andrei Hawkins," she replied.


    Surprised, Felix nced over at Andrei, surprised that Michelle was his backup n.


    "What''s your rtionship with him?" Felix asked.


    "Mr. Hawkins''s son is my boyfriend. Felix, I really love him, and he''s promised to marry me. Please, could you spare Mr. Hawkins?" she pleaded.


    Interesting. If he remembered correctly, Michelle had only recently broken up with her ez. How did she find someone else so quickly? Despite her evident fear, her willingness to make this request showed that her feelings for Andrei''s son were genuine. "Alright. I''ll grant your request," Felix said. Andrei''s life or death didn''t matter much to him.


    However, it was different for Michelle. Since she was Karina''s niece, he needed to look after and protect her. Even if she were to make an unforgivable mistake, he wouldn''t feel right handling it himself. He''d defer to Karina. This minor issue was certainly something he could overlook.


    After ending the call, Felix smiled at Andrei. "Impressive. Having more sons is indeed beneficial. But let me make one thing clear. If any harmes to Michelle, every person involved will pay with their lives."


    With that, Felix turned to leave, while Pierce was escorted away by the Earthen Hall members, his fate now sealed.


    Only then did Andrei breathe a sigh of relief.


    Ever since learning about Perry''s suicide, he had begun investigating Felix meticulously, not overlooking a single detail. During his research, he discovered an opportunity in the fact that Felix had bought a new vi in Serenity Manor.

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    Opportunities didn''t just fall from the sky. Felix''s care for a woman Andrei had never met clearly had deeper reasons. Once Andrei learned that Felix treated Michelle like his own sister, he immediately instructed one of his sons to pursue her.


    His son had a knack for wooing women. His skills were so refined that he could charm the daughters of many wealthy families even without relying on his background as the son of the wealthiest man in town. Hence, Michelle, an ordinary girl, was no challenge for him. Returning to the study, Andrei noticed Fabian frowning, and he could guess what was on his mind.


    "Mr. Fraser, are you curious about that young man''s identity?"


    Fabian nodded. "Yes. I saw the whole thing. How could I ignore someone who made you so afraid? We old-timers fear nothing more than these low-profile figures. Messing with them could spell sudden doom."


    Andrei sighed bitterly. Fabian had encountered Felix by chance. He, on the other hand, had jumped in willingly. Fortunately, he had only lost an illegitimate son without suffering more significant damage.


    "His name is Felix Zeller. All I know is that he can mobilize resources from Dragon Alliance.


    11


    Fabian was visibly taken aback. "Impressive! In the past, I wouldn''t have given it a second thought, but things are different now. Thanks for the heads-up."


    As president of Lionsfield Chamber of Commerce, Fabian had quickly caught wind of the Dragon Alliance''s resurgence, which was why he reacted that way.


    The next morning, Felix woke up nning to head to Yardley Dining but saw a few trucks driving by his ce of stay. It looked like someone was moving in. He didn''t pay it much mind until he saw a woman standing at his gate. "Hi, Felix! Surprised?"


    It was Sherlyn Holt. Felix walked over and opened the gate.


    "What are you doing here?"


    "It''s not just her. She dragged me along, too," Ernest grumbled as he appeared, sighing repeatedly. Sherlyn quickly linked her arm with his.


    "Oh, Grandpa! Don''t say that! Didn''t youe because you missed Felix? Why are you being so annoying!"


    +25 BOYS


    Jairo, who was always by their side, could barely contain hisughter.


    "Fine," Ernest relented. "Yes, I wanted to move here. Felix, would it be weird if we became neighbors?"


    Felix smiled. "Of course not.''


    With Ernest''s support, Sherlyn happily hugged him. "You''re the best!


    "Come over for a mealter, Felix. I''ll cook. I''ve wrapped up my business matters, so I''ll be staying in Canraville more often."


    Felix was speechless. It seemed his peaceful days were numbered. However, it didn''t matter much. Once the Dragonspine in the Yardley Dining was refined, he would head elsewhere to continue his search for the ancient dragon spine. After all, the engagement to Xena no longer bound him.


    As he drove his Range Rover, his phone rang. The unfamiliar number gave him the feeling it might be his mentor again. Or was someone else using the Miracle Card?


    However, when he answered, it wasn''t his mentor on the other end.


    "Felix, I didn''t expect someone as young as you to be so ruthless."


    Confused, Felix asked, "Who are you?"


    "Aren''t you the one obsessively hunting me down?"


    Felix frowned. "Sonny Ba?"


    He could sense a tone of frustration and anger in Sonny''s voice.


    "That''s right! Listen up, Felix. I know I''m not your match, but I have plenty of ways to hurt you. Cancel that ten-billion-dor bounty you offered to Shado, or you''ll regret it. Trust me. I know one of your greatest weaknesses." 2


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    Even Sonny was driven to desperation by Felix''s billion-dor bounty. He probably never imagined that Felix would spend a hundred billion dors just to find him.


    It was such an astronomical sum. Even the people who had sessful careers couldn''t earn such an amount in a lifetime. Yet, Felix used that amount without hesitation, not for investment but simply to locate a single person. The saying "money made the world go round" had held true across the ages.


    With such a high reward, many people would go crazy trying to im it. Even if Sonny could disguise himself and hide in remote mountains, bounty hunters might track him down. So, he had to eliminate the threat at its root.


    However, Felix remained calm and evenughed. "Really? My weakness? Sonny, you''re overestimating yourself."


    Sonny thought that Felix would not react.


    "Well, don''t be too confident. As I understand it, you''re alone right now, but isn''t there someone named Jack? He''s been your good friend for many years. If he were to die- especially in agony-wouldn''t you be driven mad with grief?"


    In the next moment, Felix exploded in rage. "If you dare touch a hair on Jack''s head, I''ll hunt you to the ends of the Earth!"


    With that, he hung up, which likely made Sonny believe he was rushing off to protect Jack. However, Felix remained in the same spot, unmoving, a smile ying on his lips.


    "It''s clear that even the Elders'' Council is using Sonny as a pawn. What an idiot! And to think he''s supposed to be one of the Thirteen Aces. It turns out he''s not much at all!"


    Despite saying that, Felix recognized the underlying threat.


    The Elders'' Council could mobilize young powerhouses like Solomon Gill and manipte someone like Sonny as a mere tool. They were proving to be even more formidable than he had anticipated. However, given that their target was an apprentice of the miracle doctor, perhaps it was only natural they''d go to such lengths.


    Five minutester, Felix''s phone rang.


    "We''ve apprehended Sonny, Mr. Zeller."


    "Good. I''ll head over now."


    Without his martial powers, Felix had been granted special permission from Gerald to temporarily use resources from his fellow apprentices. With such support, he was hardly


    defenseless.


    The billion-dor bounty offer for Shado he had Seven make was a carefully calcted move, not an impulsive decision.


    The bounty was bound to lead to one of two oues: either Sonny would go into deep hiding, or he would try to retaliate by targeting Felix''s loved ones, as happened on the call.


    Felix had severely injured Solomon with one move, and the Elders'' Council already knew that. Unless Sonny was a fool, he wouldn''t dare to appear in front of Felix alone. Since he was forced into a corner and wanted to change the status quo, he could only attack the people Felix cared about.


    However, Jack was secretly protected by someone, and so were several people Felix cared about. He was not sure who Sonny would choose as a target, after all.


    In Canraville, Felix entered a small, unmarked storefront and found Sonny sitting on the floor. The old man''s face was deathly pale, as though hecked even the strength to move a finger.


    "You may go now," Felix said to a middle-aged man standing nearby.


    "Yes, sir."


    Despite his ordinary appearance, the middle-aged man had effortlessly subdued Sonny, who was one of the Thirteen Aces. It caused Sonny serious injuries. It was evident that anyone assigned by Felix''s fellow apprentices was no ordinary person. "You don''t seem surprised at all." Sonny, his expressionplex, stared at Felix. "To think that I would end up being toyed with by a young brat like you after hiding all these years."

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    Felix took a few steps forward and sat in a chair, finally speaking, "You know I''m the apprentice of the miracle doctor, right?"


    Although Sonny didn''t respond, his expression left no doubt that he was indeed part of the Elders'' Council.


    "It''s a pity, isn''t it? You''re one of the Thirteen Aces, yet you''ve been made a fool. Did the Elders'' Council ever tell you that the miracle doctor has ten apprentices, and I''m only one of them?" What?


    Sonny''s eyes widened in shock as he heard that. "No wonder your friend Jack had such a skilled guard!"


    With a self-deprecating chuckle, Sonny shook his head. "What can I do? Even if you''re the best in the world, can you really say you fear nothing? Either way, it''s better to fall at the hands of the miracle doctor''s apprentice. At least I wouldn''t be killed by a woman like the God of Death was."


    The God of Death?


    Felix''s expression turned strange.


    "Oh, the God of Death. For some reason, I spared himst time and only left him badly injured. Well, I must say he was just as cowardly as you are."


    Sonny was not shocked at all. Knowing that Felix had injured the God of Death helped it all make sense. Even someone as cautious as the God of Death had slipped up in front of Felix.


    "Judging by your attitude, you''re not nning to deny the alleged kidnapping?"


    Sonny sighed, his gaze turning calm. "Everyone has things they care about-even I do. You''re right. Even if you hand me over to Xena, she won''t get a single word out of me. Otherwise, the whole kidnapping would have been pointless. "These words are thest you''ll hear from me in this lifetime."


    After that, no matter what Felix asked, Sonny remained silent. A person of Sonny''s caliber would be nearly impossible to coerce into revealing the truth, so Felix gave up trying.


    Given that Sonny had no qualms about harming children, Felix felt he deserved death a thousand times over. However, Felix restrained himself, having already notified Xena. He was sure that Sonny''s fate would be sealed soon enough. Outside, a car pulled up. Xena stepped out of the car, surveying the surroundings with a frown. "Why did you bring me here? Can you tell me now?"


    Alistair gestured ahead and tapped on the rolled-down shutter door in front of the storefront. "You''ll understand once you go inside, my lord."


    Only Alistair could convince her toe here. If it had been anyone else, she wouldn''t have bothered. Her mood had been turbulenttely, mostly due to Feliz. Even though she had told herself it was over, it wasn''t so easy to erase him from her thoughts.


    Adding to her frustration was the fact that her cousin Aimee had returned from abroad and nned to stay with her for a while. She was a sweet woman and much loved by her grandfather. However, Aimee insisted on setting Xena up with a boyfriend, which only made things more awkward.


    Just then, the shutter door opened, and Xena''s expression shifted instantly. Feliz was standing right in front of her.


    "Alistair! If you''re so keen on bullying me, I''ll have you reassigned from the Wolfie troops!"


    Fuming, Xena turned to leave. She knew Alistair was trying to help her untangle the kidnapping case, believing Felix wasn''t the kind to run from danger. However, arranging a meeting like this was too much.


    Just as Alistair was about to exin, Felix stopped him. Looking at Xena''s retreating figure, he said, "Sonny Ba is inside."

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    Alistair was stunned. Felix had only mentioned that he had something extremely important to discuss with Xena. However, he didn''t mention what it was about.


    Hearing that it was about Sonny, Alistair was utterly shocked.


    Sonny was no ordinary person. Among the Thirteen Aces on the list of Super S-rank wanted criminals, none were ordinary characters. And now, one was inside the building?


    Simrly, Xena turned around abruptly, staring at Felix. "Do you know what you''re saying?


    Felix nodded. "I do, and I wouldn''t joke with you about something like this."


    With that, he took the lead and went inside, seemingly not caring about whether Xena would follow.


    Biting her lip, Xena eventually walked in, ring at Alistair. "Why didn''t you say anything sooner?"


    Alistair looked helpless. "What could I say? I didn''t know anything, either."


    Once inside, they saw Sonny sitting on the floor, and both drew deep breaths.


    Who would have thought that after so many years of manhunts and deploying huge amounts of resources, the most wanted criminal in Canraville was now sitting right in front of them? It was beyond belief. "Mr. Zeller, did you... capture Sonny?"


    Felix had already prepared an answer. He captured Sonny to clear up misunderstandings. However, he realized he was too naive to assume anyone would believe he alone could capture such a formidable man. "No. Someone asked me toe here. Sonny was already here when I arrived."


    How could he capture Sonny now that he had lost his martial ability? Nobody would believe him, so there was no point in boasting.


    Xena cast a deep look at Felix, then turned to Sonny. "Sonny! Was it you who kidnapped Curtis that night?"


    After calming down, she thought about the kidnapping incident and found several discrepancies. But Curtis was adamant that Felix was present at the scene, so even though she had doubts, she couldn''t do anything. However, if Sonny admitted it himself, it would be different, and she could even exin it


    to Curtis.


    However, Sonny merely gave Xena a disdainful nce before turning away, looking arrogant.


    Taking a deep breath, Xena waved her hand forcefully. "Fine. Once we''re at the base of the Wolfie troops, you''ll be begging to have your voice heard. Alistair, take him away!" "Yes, ma''am!"


    After they left, Xena initially nned to leave straight away but hesitated and spoke to Felix, "It seems someone is helping you to mend our rtionship. Whoever they are, they underestimate the impression you left that night. Capturing Sonny won''t change anything. Felix remained silent.


    Capturing Sonny and handing him over to Xena was his way of making amends for the distress he had caused Curtis and proving that he was not a coward. As for how Xena chose to see it, that was beyond his control.


    When Felix rushed to Ernest''s house, he knew he wasn''tte when he saw that there were only three dishes on the table.


    "You finally showed up! Any longer, and someone would have mistaken vinegar for soy sauce while cooking."


    Sherlyn, who had been cooking up a storm in the kitchen, emerged, wearing an apron and holding a spat.


    "Grandpa! Can''t all the oranges I bought keep your mouth upied? Felix, take a seat. The food will be ready soon."


    There was no denying it. Sherlyn, dressed this way, had a unique charm.


    As he sat down, Ernest leaned forward and wanted to whisper something to Felix.


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    "Felix, you really do everything quietly. I already know about the situation at the orphanage. I didn''t dare tell Sherlyn. She would definitely have cried her heart out," Ernest said. He patted Felix on the shoulder.


    "Now that I see you''re as healthy as they say, even if you''ve lost your martial skills, I''m finally a bit relieved. You won''t me me for not calling, will you?"


    Felix chuckled. "Listen to you, sir. It''s not that big a deal. Keeping it from Sherlyn was a wise choice."


    Experienced, Ernest quickly understood what Felix meant.


    When the dishes were served, Jairo also joined them at the table. The four shared a cheerful meal.


    "Ahem! Grandpa, did you forget something?" Halfway through the conversation, Sherlyn interrupted Ernest with a yful look.


    He quickly changed the topic. "Felix, tomorrow is my birthday. You muste to the party.


    11


    A birthday for someone Ernest''s age was certainly worth celebrating.


    "I wouldn''t miss it for the world! I''ll definitely be there!" Felix promised.


    Nodding, Ernest smiled. "There''s going to be an opening dance. My precious


    granddaughter hasn''t found a suitable partner yet. How about you partner with her? What do you say?"


    Felix immediately understood. Ernest was setting him up.


    "You are joking, Mr. Holt Senior. There''s no such thing as an opening dance," Felix said.


    But Ernest insisted, "There is! You know, I used to overthink everything and was always overly cautious. There are too many nderers nowadays, and even the most powerful person can''t escape gossip. But after retiring, I realized I don''t have to bother so much. "My daughter-inw and granddaughter don''t do any crimes or break anyws. Their business is legitimate, and they spend their earnings with a clear conscience. So why shouldn''t I enjoy myself while I still can?"


    Felix agreed with this sentiment. Nowadays, many leaders, even when their families earned money through legitimate means, were too afraid to spend it freely because of the fear of rumors.


    Looking at Ernest, he had technically bought two vis when moving from Avesburgh to


    Canraville. If he were afraid of gossip, why would he do such things? It showed that Ernest had trulye to terms with it.


    "That''s why I''m going all out for my birthday. I''m going to show everyone that 1, Ernest, have nothing to hide!"


    No wonder there was an opening dance. If Ernest was hosting a formal birthday celebration, the event would be grand, indeed.


    "Don''t be too surprised, Felix. I only invited a few close friends and left the rest of the guest list to them."


    Felix, slightly intimidated by Sherlyn''s passionate gaze, finally agreed. It was only a dance, after all. Since Ernest had invited him, it would be rude for him to turn it down. "Alright. I''ll be shameless enough to ept."


    Sherlyn was thrilled and eagerly added food to Felix''s te.


    Ernest, seeing Sherlyn so delighted, couldn''t have been happier. He thought Feliz was a good man and fully supported her.


    Even Jairo, who rarely showed emotion, was smiling. To him, Sherlyn was like a daughter.


    All of a sudden, Jairo stood up.


    Felix, unable to sense anything after losing his martial skills, quickly put down his utensils and asked, "Is something wrong?"

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    The next moment, a voice from outside reached everyone''s cars. "Mr. Holt Senior, I apologize for the abrupt visit. It''s Ss."


    Ernest nced at Jairo.


    "Aren''t you familiar with Ss? Why all that fuss?"


    Jairo smiled wryly. He just wanted to be certain He muttered as he headed for the door, Ss always has to make an entrance, doesn''t he?"


    Realizing it was a false rm, Felix left the table. Despite everything, Ss was senior who had even saved him once, so proper etiquette was necessary.


    It was normal for someone of Ernest''s status to know Ss.


    When Ss entered and saw Felix, a hint of surprise shed in the eyes visible beneath his


    mask.


    ''How would you have time to visit an old man like me? Have you eaten? Come and join us.


    Only after Ernest spoke did Ss reply, saying, "I''ve already eaten. I came to discuss something with you, Mr. Holt Senior. Is it a good time?"


    "Let''s go.


    11


    The two went upstairs, and Sherlyn called Felix back to continue eating.


    About ten minutester, it seemed the conversation was done, as they both came downstairs.


    "So, the mysterious young miracle doctor who cured your strange symptoms was Felix?"


    Ss asked.


    Ernest smiled. "Of course, who else could it be?"


    Ss pondered for a while, as if being conflicted. He looked as if he was making a difficult decision.


    "Since Felix is also here, Mr. Holt Senior, I have an unusual request. I hope you can act as a witness. I will tell you about the details once we go to Felix''s house." Seeing Ss in such a state for the first time, it was clear that Ernest was hesitant. He turned and gave Felix a nce.


    "Alright. Let''s go to my ce."


    Although Sherlyn''s curiosity was at its peak, she could only watch them leave. Even Jairo was asked by Ss to wait outside and not enter the vi.


    "Ss, can you tell me what it is about now?" Felix was puzzled.


    Whatever Ss was treating so seriously had to be significant.


    "Then, I''ll be direct. Felix, did my apprentice Zara remove that poison from you?"


    "Yes, I contacted her as soon as I woke up, but her phone has been off. I was just wondering about it. Do you know where she is?"


    Ss'' response left Felix astonished. "I''ve ced her under house arrest."


    Felix frowned, looking visibly displeased. "Just for removing my poison? Ss, you shouldn''t be so petty and unreasonable."


    Ss'' expression didn''t change. "Of course not. Felix, tell me. During her treatment, did you feel as if you were dreaming, yet it was so vivid?"


    Perhaps Ss spoke indirectly since Ernest was present, but he clearly knew what had happened in that so-called dream.


    "Yes, What are you trying to say, Ss? Is this rted to Zara''s confinement?"


    Ss nodded. "Yes! And it''s deeply connected. I hope Mr. Holt Senior will bear witness to this. Felix, I need you to promise me to never contact Zara again from now on. Even if you meet by chance, pretend not to know her, and you must not interact with her at all."


    Atst, Ernest intervened, saying, "Isn''t that too unreasonable? I know Felix''s character well, and so do you. Why does it sound like you''re implying he might take your apprentice away or harm her?"


    Turning to him, Ss spoke solemnly, "Mr. Holt Senior, Felix really cannot have any more interaction with my apprentice, I have my reasons.


    "There are things I simply cannot tell you. I intended to find Felix today anyway, and since he was at your ce, I hope you''ll be a witness. That way, I will believe in what he said."

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    Ernest couldn''t say more at this point. Felix had to make the decision himself.


    "Alright! Ss, I promise you that I will not contact Zara and won''t speak to her even if we meet."


    Ss seemed visibly relieved, and he stood up. Thank you. I hope you remember what you said today. Mr. Holt Senior is also a witness."


    Felix''s mind was flooded with questions, but he knew that even if he asked, he wouldn''t get any answers.


    But no matter what, he still owed Zara another favor. If she ever asked for anything, he would certainly repay her, and that wouldn''t mean viting his promise to Ss.


    While Felix was at Yardley Dining refining the Dragonspine, a major event urred in Yartford. The upper echelons of society had received a piece of news.


    Ryan, one of the top suitors of N, unexpectedly withdrew from thepetition.


    He had worked hard to be acknowledged by the other suitors, even boldly dering that he would never give up as long as N remained unmarried. Who would have thought he would now willingly step back, surprising everyone to the core? "Ryan, this isn''t a surprise. It''s a shock," George remarked as he sat across from Ryan in an elegantly furnished bar at Yartford, drinking and chatting.


    "Why is it a shock? I leave when I want to. Do I need anybody''s permission?" Ryan shot back.


    George raised an eyebrow, watching him intently. "My friend, did you step back because of Felix?"


    Ryan''s eyes widened.


    "You really do know everything, don''t you? Only you could guess it. Once I learned Felix''s true identity, I thought it was pointless of me to pursue her. I was already trailing behind those two, and now with an even more formidablepetitor, I have zero chance!" George was puzzled. Wasn''t Felix merely supported by Moonshadow Alliance? Why was Ryan so worried?


    Suddenly, George''s eyes widened as he thought of a possibility.


    Could it be that Felix''s connection to Moonshadow Alliance ran deeper than he thought, or was it so deep that they were essentially one entity? Yes, that had to be it. Otherwise, Ryan wouldn''t be so cautious.


    "It might be wise to back out. Pursuing N has always been a gamble. Look at those two. what kind of man


    They''ve been at it for years and still have no progress. Who emble. Look at those two.


    I know to


    she prefers? And have you ever wondered what lies beneath that veil?"


    Ryan chuckled and chastised, "And that''s why you can live a life with no ambition. Does it matter what she looks like if you marry her? It''s all about power. Without that status, would she dare call herself a queen? She would have been criticized long ago." "Enough talking. Let''s drink! Your mind is better off not overthinking."


    Just as they raised their sses, the door to their private room burst open, and one of Ryan''s subordinates rushed in.


    "Why are you panicking? What''s going on?"


    The man''s face was indeed anxious. "Mr. Gibson, Lady N... She''s here... She''s arriving at any moment."


    What?


    Ryan and George stood up, only to see N appear within a few steps. Her presence could be felt from a mile away, sweeping through like a gust of wind.


    Perhaps due to their earlier gossip, George felt unusually nervous. Ryan, on the other hand,


    remained unfazed and casual.


    "Lady N..."


    N cut Ryan off, "I have only one question. Why did you back down? Be honest."

 Billionaire With Husband 435

    +25 BOHUS


    Yvonne, who had followed them in, was just as baffled. Normally, N wouldn''t care about such matters. Whether there were new suitors or someone chose to withdraw from thepetition, it was all insignificant to her. But this time, she hade in person to question it, which was surprising.


    Ryan was equally shocked. N''s actions seemed beneath her stature, as if implying that he, a mere suitor, were important to her.


    "Why are you interested in knowing my reason?" he asked.


    George looked on with curiosity. This was unprecedented.


    "Why? Is it wrong to be interested? Just tell me if you''re willing to," N replied.


    Frowning slightly, Ryan spoke up, "There''s no real reason. I''m tired, and there are plenty of people better than me. My odds were always low, so stepping aside is only natural."


    He didn''t dare mention Felix''s identity as the student of the revered medical doctor. Only a fool would miss out on that kind of detail.


    From the gleam in N''s eyes, it was clear that she did not believe him.


    "Is it because of Felix?"


    Huh? Everyone''s expressions shifted. The fact that N herself had said that name made the moment even more peculiar.


    Yvonne, in particr, was puzzled. Hadn''t N already decided to cut ties with Felix? Why did she mention him now in front of Ryan and George?


    Faced with N''s scrutinizing gaze, Ryan weighed the situation and finally nodded. " Partly, yes."


    N nodded and left without another word. It seemed she had trulye just for that


    answer.


    "Miss, you still care about Felix, don''t you?" Yvonne mustered the courage to ask as they walked out.


    N chuckled lightly. "No one is truly worth my care. I came here only to confirm something, and now, I have my answer."


    Though Yvonne dared not press further, N continued, "Ryan is an interesting man, and he was truthful just now. His withdrawal was for two reasons. One, he knew his chances were slim, and two, it was because of Felix." Because of Felix? Yvonne was perplexed. How could someone like Ryan regard Felix so


    $20 BONUS


    Chapter 4:19.


    highly?


    "I heard something. Ryan admired Felix for what he did at the orphanage and even mentioned finding a renowned doctor to see if Felix could be treated. That''s all."


    N even sighed after saying that. "What a pity I had hoped Felix would find a way to start anew, but it seems I was too optimistic."


    If even Ss couldn''t help, there was only a slim hope that Ryan might find the medical doctor. It was well beyond his reach.


    With the conversation at that point, Yvonne gathered her courage again. "Miss, don''t you still have a Miracle Card?"


    N paused, looking at Yvonne, who fearfully lowered her head.


    Yvonne continued, "If Felix could recover, given his medical skill and youth, his future would be unimaginable. I believe it would be a highly worthwhile investment."


    N smiled. "Ha! That''s a good idea, and it makes sense, but I have other ns for that Miracle Card. I won''t waste it on Felix."


    Just as she was about to step into the car, something shed in N''s eyes, and she spoke again, "I heard the Walsh family has a Miracle Card, too. Yes. I''m sure they have one." The hint had been given, and N stepped into her car, leaving Yvonne standing alone in a


    daze.


    After a long while, Yvonne bit her lower lip, as if making a decision.

 Billionaire With Husband 436

    In Canraville, after four hours of refining the Dragonspine, Feliz drove his Range Rover away. After only a short distance, he was blocked by a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.


    Two people stepped out of the car. One was Aimee, Xena''s cousin, and the other was an unfamiliar but handsome young man.


    "Felix, get out!"


    Aimee gestured for him to step out. Seeing that Felix was ignoring her, she walked over and


    knocked on the window.


    Knowing that Aimee wouldn''t give up, Felix rolled down the window. "Are you done yet?"


    Aimee nced at Felix coldly. "Felix, are you a man or not? Do your words mean nothing? You said you have nothing to do with my cousin anymore, so why did you meet her again?"


    Felix found it amusing. Aimee was so full of herself that she dared to interfere with the goddess of war''s business.


    "That was thest we would meet.


    At this moment, the young man next to her spoke up, "My name is Finnley Walsh, eldest son of the Walsh family, which is one of Aleshire''s most prominent families. You can ask around about the Walsh family if you wish. "I came here today to give you one final warning. If you dare to contact or meet Xena again, I won''t be so polite."


    With that, the two left, clearly only having stopped the car to deliver that warning.


    "With that bit of confidence, you also dare to pursue women. Get out of here," Felix muttered as he drove away, unwilling to waste any of his energy on this.


    From the way Xena had acted, it was clear they would not talk again. Moreover, he had already handed over Sonny, so his conscience was clear. Besides, he had also addressed the matter of Curtis'' kidnapping. After picking up Wendy, Felix smiled and said, "Wendy, thanks for helping me with this."


    Tomorrow was Ernest''s birthday, and he had emphasized that no one should bring gifts. Any guest who did it would be turned away.


    However, Felix wasn''t preparing a birthday gift. Since he had agreed to dance the opening dance with Sherlyn, he couldn''t just show up in any casual attire. He needed to take it seriously.


    "Felix, you''re too polite."


    Wendy was delighted. Custom tailoring wasn''t feasible in such a short time, but being able to help Felix choose a suitable outfit felt like an honor to her.


    "I don''t have any sense for this kind of thing, so I''ll need your eye for detail."


    They went to a high-end menswear store in Carraville, and Wendy began helping Felix select clothes, looking genuine and serious.


    "I''ll try this on," Felix said as he headed to the fitting room.


    Just then, a young man walked over and was surprised to see Wendy sitting there. "Wendy? Didn''t you say you had an important meeting this afternoon? Why are you here?" Wendy sighed inwardly. Sometimes, the world seemed big, but it appeared small when such encounters happened.


    "It got canceled, so I''m here helping a friend shop for clothes.''


    9


    11


    A flicker of annoyance crossed the young man''s face. He stepped forward. "Really? What a coincidence! How do you like this outfit? I''m nning to wear it to our dinner tonight."


    This young man was the son of the big client Wendy had previously mentioned to Felix. Although she wasn''t thrilled about it, she still had to keep up appearances. To help Felix today, she had lied to free up her time, and yet, they bumped into each other. Just then, a staff member approached Wendy and said, "Ms. Kinsley, we also have a new line of underwear now. Would you like to help your boyfriend pick some?"

 Billionaire With Husband 437

    Wendy felt a warm happiness in her heart. Were she and Felix a perfect marche Ex outsiders seemed to notice that.


    But when she saw the darkened expression on the young man''s face, the realized the gravity of the situation.


    "He''s not my boyfriend. If he needs anything, he''lle and look himself *


    "Understood, Ms. Kinsley."


    The young man stepped closer, looking displeased. "Boyfriend Wendy, do you thinks Dn Fraser, am someone to be toyed with?" Wendy frowned.


    "Dn, I don''t know how I''ve offended you. Even if I do have a boyfriend, what does that have to do with you?"


    "What?"


    Taking a deep breath, Dn sneered. "Fine. It has nothing to do with me, right? From n


    business between our families is over. That''s the price for lying to me."


    on,


    Truth be told, Dn was quite impressive in many ways and would have been a suitable match if he was not such a yboy. He was known for being a womanizer, and he didn''t bother to hide it at all. Rumor had it that he was seeing at least six or seven women at the moment. It was impossible to think he would make a good husband.


    "Wendy, how do I look?"


    At that moment, Felix came out, ncing at the mirror and asking for her opinion. He really didn''t have a good sense of fashion, so having Wendy''s input was wise.


    Ignoring Dn, Wendy walked over. Ending cooperation with the Fraser family was a significant loss, but she wasn''t about to sacrifice herself for business.


    After giving Felix a thorough look, she smiled. "It''s not bad, Felix. Try the blue one next. I think it will suit you better."


    "Alright."


    Suddenly, Dn sneered and walked up to Felix "Kid, I actually pity you, so I''ll be generous and tell you the truth! Wendy is nothing but a wom-out shoe that many men, myself included, have wom. Don''t be fooled by her graceful appearance. She''s wild and up for anything in bed."


    Because of Moonshadow Alliance, Dn didn''t dare be physical, but tarnishing Wendy''s reputation was no problem for him.


    "Dn, are you insane?" Wendy wanted to shout. His words were disgusting beyond belief.


    "Oh? Are you trying to save your reputation now? If I''m not mistaken,st night, you knelt


    Before Dn could finish, Felix grabbed him by the neck. "If you don''t have anything good to say, keep your mouth shut!"


    Dn didn''t dare touch Wendy, but he saw Felix as insignificant-someone she was probably toying with. Being treated this way made him furious, and he threw a punch at Felix.


    "You darey a hand on me? You''re dead!"


    Thud!


    Felix


    gave Dn a good kick, sending him staggering back several steps until he fell to the ground.


    "Get lost! If I hear you say things about Wendy again, don''t me me for being ruthless."


    Felix had known Wendy the longest and had always seen her as a dear friend. There was no way he would stand by and do nothing.


    Seeing that he was no match for Felix, Dn stood up, pointed viciously at him, and spat out a threat as he left, "Kid, mark my words. This isn''t over."


    Wendy felt guilty.


    "I''m sorry for causing you trouble again, Felix."


    Felixughed. "Don''t worry about such small matters. I''m going to change clothes now."


    That night, Felix had drinks with Jack and Vanessa.


    "Felix, Ms. Kinsley talked to you about it, right?"


    Felix nodded. "Yeah. What do you think?"

 Billionaire With Husband 438

    Jack nced at Felix with a smirk and teased jokingly, "What else can I do? You made my rtionship with the general manager hit rock bottom. I might have to run away now."


    Vanessa was speechless. She knew Felix was extraordinary, and only Jack would dare speak to him this way.


    "Don''t forget Maddy''s engagement party the day after tomorrow. She asked me to remind you,"


    "I promised her, so I''ll definitely be there,"


    Refining the Dragonspine was a top priority, but attending an event in Yartford wouldn''t be a problem, either. If he wentte at 4:00 am, began the training, and returned the next day, nothing would be dyed,


    After going to the restroom, Felix came back to find Jack suddenly pulling Vanessa to her feet.


    "Sorry, Felix. We''ve got to go. Something came up."


    Felix was puzzled. "Do you need my help?"


    They had nned to have drinks, so them leaving abruptly made Felix concerned.


    "There''s nothing you can do. We''re leaving!"


    Vanessa looked helpless and, with her straightforward nature, blurted out, "Don''t worry, Felix. This guy is just impatient. While you were in the restroom, I mentioned I bought a few pairs of ck stockings this afternoon, and now, he can''t wait any longer." What? Felix was stunned.


    Jack looked embarrassed as he hurried out with Vanessa. He wasn''t joking. There was no dying a moment when his girlfriend wanted to wear seductive things.


    Looking at the three opened beer bottles in front of him, Felix stayed for a while longer and was about to leave when suddenly, a dozen or so people stormed in. They were carrying weapons and looked like some underground thugs. Their target, was unmistakably Felix, as they quickly surrounded him.


    "Do you need something?"


    A figure emerged from the crowd. It was Dn, looking smug.


    "Have you figured out what''s happening? You thought you were pretty tough this afternoon, huh? Try kicking me again if you dare."


    Despite being in an unfamiliar city, Dn''s family connections allowed him to call for help


    *25 BONS


    Chapter


    with just a phone call. If it weren''t for Wendy potentially holding him back, he would havee to Canraville with bodyguards and never taken that hit.


    "I don''t want to argue with you. Get lost."


    Since losing his martial skills, Felix had started to adopt a more rxed attitude in many situations.


    "You dare tell me to get lost? Beat him up!" Dn ordered.


    Just as the group moved in, a bottle shattered on the floor, and three men stepped forward to stand beside Felix''s table.


    "Is someone like you going to mess with Felix, who''s respected by even Mr. Luis?"


    The leader quickly whispered into Dn''s ear, "Dn, they''re under Mr. Luis, a boss of the underground group. What should we do?"


    Hearing this, Dn realized he was outmatched and clenched his teeth in frustration. "Looks like I underestimated you. But you can only win in Canraville. I''ll show you my power soon enough, and you''ll beg on your knees!" Just as Dn was leaving the bar, he got a call from his father, ordering him to return to Yartford immediately.


    "Dad, can Ie back tomorrow night? I''m still..."


    "Shut up!"


    The call ended abruptly. Dn cast a final nce at Felix, who was calmly drinking his beer in the bar. His eyes gleamed with a cold light.


    Damn it! He''d let Felix live a few more days, but he''d make sure toe for thetter personally. Just wait.


    Coincidentally, Felix''s phone rang, too. It was Alistair, and his words took Felix by surprise. "Mr. Zeller, Sonny is willing to talk, but he has one condition-you must be present."


    137

 Billionaire With Husband 439

    Felix ultimately arrived at the Wolfie troops'' base, though he was quite hesitant and didn''t even know why himself.


    He followed Alistair down to an underground room, where Xena was already present.


    Sonny was confined in a cell, looking haggard and clearly having endured some tough days, though it meant little for someone like hit. "Sonny, I''m here. You can speak now."


    Xena feltplicated. She was about to hear the truth. She would finally know whether there was a hidden story or if Felix truly was a coward.


    Sonny grinned, stood up, and slowly approached the iron bars, looking at Felix. "You''re


    here.''


    Suddenly, his hystericalughter echoed through the underground space. "You really came. This woman, Xena, must mean a lot to you! But so what? You''re here, and I was just toying with you. You tricked me once, so now, we''re even." Felix was emotionless. He hadn''t expected that Sonny summoned him just for this.


    Xena shook her head and turned to leave, but Alistair became anxious. "Sonny! A man must stand by his word."


    With a cold sneer, Sonny sat back in his original spot, clearly unwilling to speak anymore.


    "Forget it. If he''s not afraid of death, there''s no point in asking," Felix said as he left and caught up with Xena outside.


    "Don''t speak to me!"


    "Did she think I wanted to?" Felix thought.


    He ignored her reaction and said directly, "Please tell your cousin Aimee and that Finnley guy not to bother me anymore. Since we have nothing to do with each other, let''s not interfere in each other''s lives."


    Strangely, Xena felt disappointed by his words. ''I''ll tell them."


    A day passed, and as night fell, a luxurious estate on the outskirts of Canraville bustled with activity. This was the venue for Ernest''s birthday celebration, and Felix had just arrived.


    As he stepped out of the car, a Bentley pulled up, and N got out of the car with Yvonne.


    Felix wondered if Ernest also invited her, but he shrugged off that thought.


    However, her presence suggested that even though Ernest had retired, his influence remained significant. His son was also steadily rising in power. It all made sense. "Aren''t you going to say hello?" N teased as she watched Felix''s back. "Since it''s over, there''s no need for anything else." Yvonne maintained her aloof appearance, but deep inside, she was excited to see Felix again.


    Felix hadn''t walked far into the courtyard when George ran up to him.


    "Felix, I knew you''d be here."


    George''s eyes changed as he scanned Felix from head to toe. "Wow! That new outfit makes it hard to recognize you.


    11


    Felix was wearing the blue suit that Wendy had insisted was the best choice. Though he didn''t rely on clothing to stand out, the suit did make a difference. "What? Do I always have to wear casual clothes?"


    "Of course not. Ryan is also here. Join us if you''re free. It''s all young people."


    Felix declined George''s offer and walked further in. He had to greet Ernest first.


    Entering the mansion, he was greeted by a grand, luxurious hall.


    Ernest was engaged in conversation, and Felix paused.


    The person Ernest was talking to was Xena. Although he didn''t expect her to be here, they were still all part of the same circle.

 Billionaire With Husband 440

    Just as Felix was about to turn away, Ernest saw him and called out, "Felix!"


    With no other choice, Felix braced himself and walked over.


    As expected, Xena frowned upon seeing him.


    "Mr. Holt Senior, I''ll take my leave for now," she said.


    Felix and Ernest had been neighbors back in Avesburgh. Since Xena came to know Felix''s medical skills, she expected that Felix would show up at Ernest''s birthday party tonight.


    Ernest, without thinking too much, smiled and looked at Felix. "Felix, let me introduce you. This is my son, Isaac Holt, Sherlyn''s father"


    Isaac, in the prime of his career, had a dominant presence. He spoke respectfully to Ernest but turned his sharp gaze toward Felix.


    "Are you interrogating a criminal?" Ernest immediately chastised him.


    A hint of helplessness shed in Isaac''s eyes.


    Felix had charmed Sherlynpletely, and as her father, Isaac couldn''t even give him a stern look?


    "Hello, Mr. Holt," Felix said as they shook hands.


    Isaac nodded. "Hello. I''ve heard about you many times from my father and Sherlyn. Anyway, now that we''ve met, I must thank you for curing my father. It''s something the Holt family owes you.''


    Isaac actually had a good impression of Felix. Not only had Felix healed Ernest without charging a single cent or making any demands, but he had also heard Ernest talk about what Felix had achieved at the orphanage. Thus, Isaac regarded the young man highly.


    "Mr. Holt, that was my pleasure. I will always look out for those who need help. That was also the kind of values Dragonia has instilled in us. We especially can''t neglect the veterans who have contributed to the country."


    This statement nearly made Isaac p in approval. It resonated with him perfectly. "Good! You''re exactly right! That''s why Dragonia is as united as a family."


    Taking this moment, Felix wished Ernest a happy birthday. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw N approaching with Yvonne.


    "Mr. Holt Senior, please tend to your other guests."


    As N drew near, Felix did not even nce at her. He walked directly toward Yvonne instead.


    Due to his status, he couldn''t join N in offering birthday wishes to Ernest, so he stood at a distance.


    Yvonne felt wave of panic as Felix approached nearly stepping away.


    "Yvonne, do you have to act like this?" Felix asked.


    Yvonne looked at him without emotion. "Are we that close?"


    With a sigh, Felix replied, "Regardless of everything, I remember your kindness. I also know you''re being forced into the uing engagement." Though she feigned indifference, Yvonne''s heartbeat quickened. It felt genuinely good andforting to be shown concern by those she loved.


    "That''s my business, and it has nothing to do with you. Leave. Even if we meet again, don''t bother talking to me."


    However, Felix didn''t intend to leave. Now that N wasn''t around and he had this rare chance to speak, he wanted to tell his thoughts.


    "I was nning to visit you in Yartford the day after tomorrow. Since we''re here, I need to tell you


    you something.


    "I will be there on your wedding day. If you speak up, I, Felix Zeller, will stand by your side and shield you from any storm. No one, not even N, can force you to marry someone you don''t love!" 137. 137.

 Billionaire With Husband 441

    At that moment, the masculine charisma oozed in those words Felix said could make anyone fall for him.


    Yvonne was no different, but she didn''t forget that certain things remained true.


    "Listen to me, Felix! If you dare, show up at my wedding, you will be the most for the rest of my life." person I hate


    With that, she left. She was overwhelmed by sadness. Who wouldn''t want happiness? But not everyone was qualified to have it.


    Even if Felix''s passionate speech was sincere, putting aside N, just the Walsh family in Aleshire alone was an opponent Felix couldn''t fight with.


    Rather than embarking on a perilous journey together, she preferred the ones she loved to live a peaceful and safe life.


    Having said everything that needed to be said, Felix didn''t chase after her. He would fulfill his promise on the wedding day.


    He hadn''t walked far before he was blocked by Aimee and Finnley.


    "You don''t seem to take my warning seriously.".


    Finnley''s expression was cold as he fixed his gaze on Felix, while Aimee stood with her arms crossed, seeming curious to see how the scene unfolded.


    "Ask Xena for the specific reasons. Don''t keep moring at me. My patience has its limits."


    Had he not lost his martial arts abilities, Dn and Finnley would have been dealt with already.


    Felix wasn''t someone who liked to trouble others. Even though he could freely utilize the resources of his nine senior apprentices with Gerald''s permission, he preferred not to rely on them. His seniors had already shown him more than enough care. "Listen up, Felix. Tomorrow, find Xena, kneel before her, and beg her for another chance. Otherwise, your fate will be so miserable you can''t even begin to imagine."


    Finnley said this because he knew Xena was a proud person. If Felix did such a thing, whatever feelings she had left for him would crumble in an instant.


    With Aimee as an intermediary, he knew far more than Felix could imagine, which was why he cared about whether the two of them still maintained contact. Initially, he hadn''t considered Felix a rival since they had different statuses.


    But that marriage contract and the events that followed urged him to be more vignt. He had promised Aimee''s family to marry Xena, so he wouldn''t allow anyone to interfere, not


    even with the slightest chance.


    "Get out!"


    With that, Felix walked away.


    Finnley held back from acting out, knowing it was Ernest''s birthday that night. If he dared disrupt it, there would be consequences.


    "Felix, did Finnley bother you?"


    Just then, George and Ryan appeared.


    George was looking at Finnley with hostility. "Finnley, acting arrogant in Aleshire is one thing, but you''re also flexing on others? Haven''t you heard of the saying ''don''t judge a book by its cover''?"


    Finnley remained unfazed despite their presence, which spoke volumes about his confidence. "Acting arrogant isn''t a crime! Ryan, you, who can''t even chase after a girl, have no right to lecture me. And as for you, George, you''re even less qualified." He even shook his head as he spoke.


    "In the past, I understood why you were loyal. But now, this guy is nothing more than an ordinary man we could crush with a single step. What''s the point of defending him?"


    "Both of you,e over here!" Xena suddenly appeared, and only that single sentence lingered in their ears as Aimee yfully stuck out her tongue and dragged Finnley away.


    "Idiot."


    "Moron!"


    George and Ryan each muttered an insult in unison, as if thinking that the Walsh family might be good at business butck critical thinking skills. Were they that idiotic to protect a powerless man?

 Billionaire With Husband 442

    "Felix, don''t bother with that fool. Let''s go have a couple of drinks," George suggested.


    Felix didn''t refuse them. He had nothing else to do at the moment, so he went along for a casual chat to pass the time.


    "I heard that Sherlyn will be performing an opening dance for Mr. Holt Senior. I wonder who her male partner is. I couldn''t find out," George said offhandedly, making Ryan chuckle.


    "I''m not sure, either, but it definitely won''t be an ordinary man. With the kind of background Sherlyn has, do you think she would pick a nobody for the opening dance? I suspect it''s very likely her future husband."


    Since the topic was brought up, Felix couldn''t help but be curious. "Why have I never heard of any of you wanting to pursue Sherlyn?"


    Sherlyn had a prominent family background. Ernest, though retired, still wielded influence, and Isaac was a general at the peak of his career. How could no one be interested?


    From a certain perspective, marrying Sherlyn might even be better than marrying Xena in terms of the benefits one would receive.


    Unexpectedly, George''s and Ryan''s expressions turned strange.


    George leaned in and whispered, "Felix, your information is outdated! You really don''t know why no one dares to pursue Sherlyn?" Felix rolled his eyes. "Just tell me why!"


    "Because it''s troublesome and highly difficult! Sherlyn''s standards for a partner aren''t the issue. She doesn''t even demand a prestigious family background. But there are three barriers to clear. The first is Sherlyn herself, the second is her father, Isaac, and the third is Mr. Holt Senior!"


    Ryan added, "We young heirs all have some shady pasts, whether it''s flirting with girls or getting into fights. Those are fairly normal for us. But don''t you forget who Mr. Holt Senior and Mr. Holt were. One''s a veteran revolutionary, and the other''s a current general. $37.


    "To them, even those minor things would be seen as ws. Who would dare pursue her? No one could pass those tests. It would just be asking for humiliation."


    So, that was it. Felix smiled wryly.


    In a family of such a background, such requirements were not unreasonable, especially


    since Sherlyn herself lived up to them, making it reasonable for her to demand such standards.


    "Let''s go. The opening dance is about to start. Det''s get to the hall"


    Soon, the front yard was almost empty as everyone gathered in the main hall, Even


    N and Xena were there. Everyone would raise their sses to congratte Ernest on his birthday after the dance. This was the most important part of the evening, After that, anyone who wished to leave could do so without being impolite. "Finnley, who do you think will be dancing the opening with Sherlyn?" Aimee, rubbing Finnley''s chubby hands, asked curiously,


    "I''m not sure, but it must be someone exceptional Rumor has it that whoever dances with Sherlyn is likely her future husband! Think about it. With the status of the Holt family, the man who partnered with Sherlyn must have been approved by both Mr. Hoit Senior and Mr. Holt."


    "Yes, it''s so intriguing! We are about to find out."


    Even the female guardians and Xena couldn''t deny their curiosity. After all, situations like this in a family like the Holt were rare, especially with so many distinguished guests attending the banquet.


    There was no way they would just pick any man for the dance. It would make more sense for them to cancel the opening entirely,


    Click!


    The spotlight fell on the grand staircase, and Sherlyn appeared.


    Not to mention other guests, as even Felix nodded in admiration. Sherlyn looked truly stunning tonight.

 Billionaire With Husband 443

    Dressed in a pink gown, Sherlyn stepped forward with a confident and graceful smile. She looked dazzlingly radiant under the spotlight.


    No matter how many beautiful women were in the banquet hall, Sherlyn was undoubtedly the most captivating one at that moment.


    Many of the young men were mesmerized by her beauty, but it was regrettable that the magnificent woman before them was Sherlyn, and they didn''t even stand a chance to pursue her Sherlyn approached Ernest, lifted her skirt, and did a curtsy,


    "Grandpa, I offer this dance to wish you boundless blessings and a long life."


    Ernest smiled warmly and nodded slightly.


    "Please wee my dance partner, Felix."


    George and Ryan, who were apuding, halted abruptly. They watched in stunned silence as Felix walked past them and took Sherlyn''s hand.


    The music started, and the two started dancing, moving as if they were a match made in


    heaven. 1


    But many in the room had not yet recovered from their shock. They couldn''t believe that Felix was the partner for Sherlyn''s opening dance.


    "This is impossible!" Finnley''s face darkened. How could Felix, whom he considered insignificant and had fumbled Xena, suddenly find himself in such a position?


    Aimee''s expression showed her disbelief. She was clearly astonished beyond words.


    Xena''s gaze was even moreplicated. Watching the man she once loved dance with another woman stirred indescribable emotions. Yvonne was perhaps the only other woman who shared simr emotions as Xena.


    The only difference was that Yvonne only wished Felix happiness. Felix and Sherlyn would have a great future if they were truly together.


    N, the only one wearing a veil that obscured her face, had eyes so deep that it was impossible to tell what she was thinking. She seemed solely focused on appreciating the dance between the couple.


    As the dance ended, Sherlyn''s smile was stunningly sweet. Whether she could truly win Felix''s heart in the future didn''t matter because those few minutes had brought her genuine happiness.


    At that moment, Isaac announced, "Please raise your sses."


    Everyone lifted their sses.


    "To Mr. Holt Senior''s long life andsting fortune!"


    A few minutester, Xena excused herself, with Aimee and Finnley following hastily.


    "Felix is unbelievably lucky," Aimee muttered.


    Finnley remained silent, feeling as though Felix had just pped him across the face. Just before the dance, he had mocked Felix, only for him to deliver a silent, resounding retort. It stung more than a physical beating. "Felix treated Mr. Holt Senior''s illness. Don''t overthink it," Xena finally said, which brought some relief to Aimee and Finnley.


    So it was because of Felix''s medical skills. For a moment, they almost believed that Sherlyn had fallen for Felix and that he had managed to win the favor of the Holt family.


    Meanwhile, inside the car, N suddenly spoke, "Felix is clever, but what a pity."


    Yvonne looked puzzled.


    "Miss, what do you mean?"


    "It''s obvious. Felix must have treated Mr. Holt Senior without expecting any reward. Now that he''s an ordinary man, he has to consider many things, such as old enemies and his future. Asking for repayment now maximizes the benefit." Yvonne understood.


    N was suggesting that Felix had strategically chosen this moment to leverage Ernest''s favor by requesting to dance at the opening.


    With so many influential people present, even if they mistakenly believed Felix might join the Holt family and saw him differently for any reason, it would all benefit him.


    "Tomorrow, head to Aleshire and focus on preparing for your wedding."


    "Yes, miss. I will do as you instructed," Yvonne replied.

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    Around 11:00 pm in a park near the Serenity Manor, Felix was strolling by thekeside with Sherlyn.


    "Felix, thank you for dancing with me today. I was really happy."


    Now dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt, Sherlyn had apletely different style.


    "There''s no need to thank me."


    At that moment, Sherlyn stopped walking and looked at Felix. "I know you don''t have romantic feelings for me, but I can wait. After all, I never nned on getting married soon anyway."


    Felix sighed. Being fancied by women was sometimes a burden. Each refusal felt like adding another heartbroken person to the city, and that was thest thing he wanted.


    Just as he was about to speak, Sherlyn tiptoed and kissed him lightly on the lips, like a dragonfly skimming the water.


    "Remember. I''ll be waiting for you.


    Felix shook his head as he watched her run off, at a loss for words.


    In another part of the vi, Isaac was sitting across from Ernest. "Dad, ording to you, it possible that Felix won''t ept Sherlyn?"


    is


    Ernest''s eyes widened. "Did you mishear me? I said he definitely won''t ept her, not that it''s possible."


    Isaac mmed his hand on the table and stood up. "He wouldn''t dare!"


    "Sit down! Trying to show off your power in front of me?"


    Startled, Isaac quickly sat back down, grumbling with frustration. "Sherlyn is exceptional. Why would Felix refuse her?"


    Ernest''s expression changed several times. Isaac was indeed a general, but emotionally, hecked depth.


    27


    "We live in a different era now. Things are about mutual consent! Felix is no ordinary man, so we shouldn''t meddle too much. Understand?"


    With that, Isaac didn''t dare say more, or he would surely be scolded.


    "Any news on Lemuel yet?"


    Isaac shook his head.


    "No! We''ve sent many people to look for him, but there''s still no news. We don''t know how long he can hold on.


    Lemuel Morris, the top-ranked master healer in Dragonia, was even regarded by Ss as superior, with a huge gap between them. There were even rumors that Lemuel might be the next miracle doctor.


    "Honestly, Dad, I can''t understand what kind of grudge could be so deep that, even with his life at stake, he wouldn''t use the Miracle Card to save himself."


    Ernest shook his head. "I don''t know, either. He won''t say, but if he''d rather die than see the miracle doctor, it must beplicated. It''s a pity that this illness started now. If Felix still had his skills, there would be a chance." Meanwhile, Felix was leaving the park, nning to nap for a couple of hours before heading to Yardley Dining to refine the Dragonspine technique.


    Suddenly, a sound caught his attention.


    Looking carefully, he saw a figure slowly approaching, holding a cane.


    "Felix."


    11


    "She knows my name?" Felix frowned.


    ""Who are you?"


    The figure stepped into the light. She was an ordinary-looking elderly woman. "It''s been years since someone dared to kill two of my servants. Are you ready to die?" It was Madam Spring!


    Felix''s scalp tingled, and he shouted, "Averill! Come out now."


    It was no joke. From what Averill had said, Madam Spring''s strength was terrifying. Felix wasn''t sure if he could defeat her even at his peak, let alone now.


    A chilling smile appeared on Madam Spring''s face as she slowly lifted her cane. "There''s no one else around here, so why put on an act? It''s time for you to die!"

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    In an instant, Felix felt the shadow of death looming over him. Thest time he experienced such a feeling was at the hands of Vilebane.


    "Averill, you really got me into trouble this time!" he thought.


    He never expected that Averill would not be protecting him in secret.


    "Madam Spring, you''ve misunderstood. I have no ties with the Summers family anymore. Why can''t you just let me go?" Felix spoke not out of fear of death but because dying like this felt utterly unfair. A faint smile appeared on Madam Spring''s face as she kept her cane raised. It was fortunate that she hadn''t struck yet. With her strength, she could end Felix''s life in a split second,


    "With a backbone like yours, it''s a wonder that a proud woman like Xena would ever be involved with you."


    Hearing this, Felix felt as if he had caught something. "It seems that you know what''s going on, huh?"


    The cane lowered, and Madam Spring''s smile deepened. "I never imagined that a man like you could stir up two heartless men. Fate has been kind to me."


    Two heartless men? Felix was confused again. Perhaps one was Curtis, but who was the other? Did they have something to do with him?


    "I should have guessed your connection to the miracle doctor earlier, but it wasn''t until the Elders'' Council staged that whole scheme that I realized it!"


    Wait. Felix was dumbfounded. Did Gerald and Madam Spring have past romantic encounters? Otherwise, why would they be called heartless men? However, the age gap between Curtis and Gerald was significant. If both were involved with Madam Spring, the age gap seemed a bit too much. "Madam Spring, regardless of my mentor or Curtis, they have nothing to do with me! Shouldn''t you have gone and dealt with them instead?"


    How could that old man Gerald use his student as a shield?


    "Do you think you can wash your hands off this? Curtis has been tormented by Phantom Poison, but I found that mental pain is far more entertaining. And because of you, my game can finally continue."


    Before Felix could react, Madam Spring suddenly appeared in front of him. She raised her right hand, and a sudden gust forced Felix''s mouth open as she fed him something.


    "Thanks to your mentor, I have quite a bit of medical skills, Homege, Coftcore V saving lives. I prefer studying peculiar things!


    Felix''s expression turned into a grimace. Once he regated movement, he questioned her, What did you feed me?"


    "A little something! It has something that''s unique to Xena. So, if you don''t sleep with her within three months, you''ll die from organ rupture. Trust me. Even your mentor wouldn''t be able to remove what''s inside you. You can only follow my method" Felix tried to feel it in his body, but he couldn''t find anything, He helplessly said, "for went through all this trouble just to force me and Zena into sleeping with each of


    Madam Spring chuckled. "Exactly! Isn''t it fun? Because of what happened with the firs Council, Curtis hates your guts for being a coward. Imagine if you were to sleep with his granddaughter. Wouldn''t that make him furious?


    "Ha! It''s going to be so entertaining, I can''t wait to see that heartless man be enraged


    "And you, as the student of the miracle doctor, would have to abandon your dignity for your own life. You would need to beg Xena to fall for you again and gain that heardless of man''s approval, or resort to forcing yourself on to Xena, who''s about to be the Wady. It''s all just too thrilling!"


    As her chillingughter echoed, Madam Spring vanished from sight.


    137. 137.

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    "Ha! Remember, you only have three months. Only three months..." Madam Spring reminded.


    Standing dazed in the wind, Felix looked troubled. He had already given up hope of finding a way to remove whatever strange substance he had swallowed. After all, Madam Spring was so confident. She knew Gerald. Why would she make a move that wouldn''t work? Back at home, Felix thought over the situation. The only option was to take things one step at a time.


    Overthinking would only waste his energy without getting any results. The real issue was that he couldn''t talk to Xena directly about it. One slip of the tongue would spoil any chance he had of pursuing her.


    What woman would want to be pursued by a man with ulterior motives? Or worse, the pursuit was merely to remove the toxin in his body. It would likely earn him a p instead.


    At Canraville Airport at 9:00 am the next day, Jack nced around the ne he was in.


    "Wow! So, this is what a private jet looks like. This is my first time flying on one. It''s truly luxurious!"


    This private jet belonged to George. Since he was also heading back to Yartford, Felix invited him to join. Felix had nned to bring George along to Madeline''s engagement party anyway.


    George''s presence would mean solid support for Madeline, and Madeline wouldn''t face any troubles in the future. This in turn would spare Felix of any future troubles.


    George, overhearing Jack''sment, chuckled. "I fly often, so I''m used to it. Bute alone next time, and it''ll be a different experience."


    Huh?


    Vanessa shot George a re. "Don''t you dare use flight attendants to tempt Jack! He only loves me! Besides, with my five-times-a-week routine, do you really think he has the stamina to fool around with other women?" 232


    Wow! George couldn''t help but give her a thumbs-up. Vanessa''s boldness was nothing short of astonishing.


    Jack let out a wry smile. Only Vanessa dared to say those words.


    They arrived in Yartford just after 10:00 am. As they exited the VIP gate, Lilian hurried over to greet them. Her face turned pale when she saw George, and she became visibly tense.


    +25 80AUS


    Chapter4db


    "Felix! George! I-I''m here to take you to the hotel."


    Felix disliked this opportunistic woman, but considering she was Luke''s sister and Luke was Madeline''s future husband, he decided to show some courtesy.


    "Let''s go."


    As they turned to leave, Lilian quickly pulled out her phone and sent a message, breathing a slight sigh of relief.


    Meanwhile, at a grand hotel in Yartford, the Sanders family was busy weing guests for the engagement party.


    As their only son, Luke''s engagement warranted a grand celebration. Since it brought pride to the family, the atmosphere at the engagement party was subtly different.


    In one corner of the banquet hall, Dn and Sean stood talking.


    Sean, you are here at the engagement party. That''s not like you or the Jackman family. Are you paying this much attention to rtives now?"


    Sean teased back, "You dide as well, didn''t you?"


    Dn scoffed. "I''m only here because of my dad. You know how he is. He cares a lot about appearances, so he insisted oning."


    His father and Luke''s father were old ssmates with some history, though most of that debt had already been repaid. This time, Dn was there solely for the sake of his father''s old friend.


    After a moment''s hesitation, Sean added, "Normally, I wouldn''t be here, either. But the bride''s friend is a big deal, so I have to take it seriously."


    Dn''s interest was piqued. "Who is it?"


    "A guy named Felix. I almost got into trouble with him before."


    Dn frowned, and his voice rose slightly. "Who did you say?"

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    Sean frowned. "His name is Felix. How do you know him?"


    Dn hurriedly took out his phone and showed a photo. "Is it this guy?"


    Sean nodded immediately. "Exactly!"


    Since his n to retaliate against Felix at the bar failed, Dn had done some digging on Felix. He found that Felix was indeed not an ordinary man.


    Dn smirked. "So, Felix is going to be at the engagement party?"


    "Yes. He''s on his way now," Sean replied, but something felt off. "Whatever you''re nning, I would advise against it. Felix and George are extremely close. Otherwise, why would I call him a big deal?"


    Dn remained unfazed. "You don''t understand. Felix used to be a miracle doctor, which is probably why he knows George. But for some reason, he''s nothing now-just an ordinary man.


    A miracle doctor? Sean hadn''t known that and wouldn''t dare investigate Felix''s background, even if he had the courage.


    "If he''s really nothing now, then why did I just get word that George and Felix areing to the party together?" Sean asked.


    Dn scoffed, seeming not to care. "Who knows? Maybe George owes Felix a favor. But so what? If Felix apologizes sincerely today, I won''t embarrass him in public. Otherwise, this is Yartford. Even George won''t ruin his ties with me over someone who''s just an ordinary guy now."


    Sean believed him. It was true that the Fraser family wasn''t as powerful as the Zimmerman family. But the main difference was that Dn''s father was the head of the family and the sole decision-maker, and as an only son, Dn had all the resources. This was not something George had.


    George came from arge family, and nobody knew who would be their next heir. Starting a feud over Felix would indeed be unwise. With that in mind, Sean decided to sit back and watch. Even if the engagement party was disrupted, it had nothing to do with him. Time passed, and the Sanders escorted Felix and George into the banquet hall. The engagement ceremony was finally about to begin. Felix and his group were seated at a table on par with the one for the Sanders elders. It meant the highest level of respect and importance.


    "George, long time no see." At that moment, Dn appeared and sat in his seat, greeting George with a smile.


    "It''s you,


    huh? Weren''t you out of town? Did youe back so soon?" George said.


    He knew Dn''s reputation as a womanizer who was willing to chase women across cities. He was the kind of man who thought with his lower half. "If I didn''te back, I might get killed by some guy named Felix in Canraville!" Dn said, casting a cold nce at Felix, who sat beside George. Felix, for his part, was surprised to see Dn at Madeline''s engagement. It was unexpected.


    "Can''t you speak properly?" Jack snapped, clearly displeased. His good friend''s engagement shouldn''t be attended by someone whocked manners.


    "I couldn''t care less about Felix, so who are you to chastise me?" Dn shot back.


    Felix pulled Jack down and fixed his gaze on Dn. "If you keep quiet and sit down now, I''ll give you one chance. But if you insist on ruining my friend''s engagement party, you''ll see how miserable you are going to be." Dn smirked, tilting his head and pointing at George.


    "Your backing is George, isn''t it? Why don''t you ask him if he''s willing to go against me for your sake?"!


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    George''s expression turned odd. He wondered how Dn ended up going against Feliz Was he so bored with life that he was seeking death?


    "Dn, you''re way too full of yourself. Shut your mouth and don''t ruin someone''s engagement party. Seriously, you have no manners!" George said.


    Huh? Dn hadn''t expected George to stand up for Felix. His face darkened as he struggled toe up with a response.


    Felix didn''t escte the situation further. What was most important now was Madeline''s engagement. Any incident would spoil the event, and this wasn''t just some casual gathering.


    Sitting at the same table, Sean was full of disdain for Dn. He talked big, but the moment George spoke up, he became quiet like a child.


    After a moment of silence, Dn opened his mouth again. "I''ll say this onest time! Felix, if you apologize to me now, for George''s sake, I''ll let this go. Otherwise..."


    Felix shot a sharp nce and cut him off, "No otherwise. I won''t apologize, especially since I did nothing wrong."


    Damn it! Did Felix really think he was a nobody?


    Having reached his breaking point, Dn could no longer hold back, especially with so many people watching. Since he was the one who had started it, backing down now was not an option. He couldn''t care about the consequences anymore and decided to go head-on with Felix.


    He mmed the table and shouted at Felix, "Bastard! You really don''t know when to quit. Say another word and see what happens!"


    This outburst instantly got everyone''s attention. The banquet hall fell into silence. No one could have imagined someone making trouble on such an important asion.


    Felix''s expression turned dark. After all, he had already troubled Madeline.


    "Dn? What''s gotten into you? Why are you so angry? Come with me, and I''ll take care of everything for you," Terrance Sanders, Luke''s father, said as he approached. His previously furious expression softened upon seeing Dn.


    "Mr. Sanders, it''s not that I don''t respect you, but this guy has gone too far! Either he apologizes, or this isn''t over!"


    Dn felt confident, as Fabian was also present and would undoubtedly support him. There was no way George would dare challenge Fabian over Felix.


    Seeing that Dn was confronting Felix, Terrance felt troubleing, Petiz was ther someone he could afford to offend.


    "Dn, you have no idea what kind of disaster you''re inviting with this behavior, Georgy said coldly as he stood up.


    This was no longer just Felix''s issue. Dn''s actions implied that he didn''t respect George either, which was intolerable, "Oh? I would really like to see what kind of disaster could befall my son," a voice sounded.


    George frowned and turned to see Fabian standing nearby,


    Now George understood why Dn dared to be so arrogant. Pabian was here to back him


    1. up.


    Even so, George forced a smile. "Mr. Fabian, it''s just a little joke between young men."


    Seeing George backing down, Dn looked smug Who asked him to y a hero and stick up for others, huh?


    At that moment, Felix, who had been seated, tilted his head slightly and looked at Fabian with a calm expression. "Dn''s mouth won''t be useful for the rest of his life. That''s my word."

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    Aside from George, Jack, and Vanessa, everyone else was stunned, gasping at Felix''s audacity. Did he realize who he was talking to?


    Especially Dn, who was ted internally. If Felix had only provoked him, he might get a broken arm or leg. But angering Fabian meant apletely different level of consequence. Terrance reacted quickly, rushing over. "Felix! What are you saying? Quickly apologize to Mr. Fabian."


    He tried to calm the situation by scolding Felix while smiling apologetically at Fabian. "Fabian, young people can be rude. Please don''t mind them." Internally, he was anxious. Although he knew Felix and George were close, this was too reckless. Didn''t Felix see that even George was staying silent?


    Terrance had thought Luke marrying Madeline would solidify their connection with George. Now, it seemed like a massive problem was brewing instead.


    Although this old ssmate of his was no longer useful in providing benefits, they couldn''t afford to turn him into an enemy.


    While everyone had mixed expressions, Fabian signaled for Dn toe over. To everyone''s surprise, he pped Dn across the face.


    The sharp sound echoed through the banquet hall, leaving everyone dumbstruck.


    Dn, especially, held his cheek in disbelief. He didn''t understand why Fabian had suddenly hit him.


    "You ungrateful fool! Apologize to Mr. Zeller immediately! What right do you have to provoke him?"


    The sudden turn of events happened because Fabian was none other than Fabian Fraser, the president of Lionsfield Chamber of Commerce. He had witnessed-firsthand-Felix''s connection with Dragon Alliance at Andrei''s residence. How could he dare to provoke him? Although it wasn''t back to its former glory since Zoey had appeared, Dragon Alliance was still far beyond what most so-called big figures could challenge. Fabian was certainly not one of them.


    27. 27.


    So when he saw Dn provoke Felix, there was no way he wouldn''t show his stance immediately. Otherwise, if the matter escted further, keeping Dn might not even be an option.


    That p might as well havended on Terrance, who stood nearby with his mouth wide open,pletely unable toprehend what was happening.


    "Dad! Why should I..." Dn protested, but before he could finish, another p came.


    Fabian even said some harsher words, "Do you want me to disown you? Apologize!"


    At this point, Dn realized that Fabian must know Felix or was aware of his real identity. Otherwise, why would he be so terrified, going so far as to disregard his own pride in front of everyone? "I''m sorry, Felix. It was all my fault before. Please forgive me."


    Felix sat there quietly. Fabian''s reaction surprised him. He couldn''t recall having seen this man before. Still, it didn''t matter now. Madeline''s engagement party was the main priority.


    "Get lost, and don''t let me see you again. Also, as I said, don''t ever use your mouth from now on. I wasn''t joking."


    Fabian, relieved, quickly responded with a smile. "Thank you, Mr. Zeller. My son will be a mute from now on. Please rest assured."


    After they left, Sean stood frozen. Cold sweat covered his forehead. Fortunately, he hadn''t joined Dn in causing a scene. Otherwise, he wouldn''t know how he might die. It seemed Felix had an even more extraordinary background beyond just his medical skills. 1


    The most astonished of all was Terrance. He never expected that even Fabian, the president of Lionsfield Chamber of Commerce, would fear Felix to such an extent. He stood close to Fabian just now, so his observation of Fabian''s expression and reaction couldn''t have been wrong.

 Billionaire With Husband 450

    But wasn''t it a bit too unbelievable?


    Fabian, the president of Lionsfield Chamber of Commerce, was a significant figure in Yartford. Otherwise, how could Dn have spoken to George that way? Yet here he was, treating Felix with the utmost respect and even promising Dn would no longer speak for life.


    Terrance wouldn''t have believed it if he hadn''t witnessed it himself.


    "F-Felix, our family bears some responsibility for what happened," Terrance said again.


    His tone was respectful to the extreme. If anyone dared to mistreat his future daughter-inw, Madeline, he would deal with them himself.


    "It''s me who should be apologizing for disrupting the engagement," Felix replied.


    Sean, who had been anxiously watching, quickly interjected, "Felix, what are you talking about? There was no disturbance at all."


    "Exactly! No disturbance! Everything is proceeding as normal."


    As the engagement ceremony resumed, George remained silent, deep in thought.


    Why would Fabian fear Felix? Logically, someone of Fabian''s level shouldn''t have any connection to Moonshadow Manor. Could it have been a chance encounter?


    No matter what, Fabian''s behavior reaffirmed that Felix''s ties to Moonshadow Manor were not ordinary. George felt vindicated in his previous judgment-his father would never have believed it.


    "Felix, ording to our family traditions, I shouldn''t drink during the engagement. But since you, Jack, and Vanessa came such a long way, I must make an exception!" Luke raised a wine ss with white liquor. His joy was clear to see.


    Beside him, Madeline''s eyes were teary. "I would be upset if you refused to drink. They are my best friends-my only friends, really. It wouldn''t be an exaggeration to call them my family."


    Without Felix, she couldn''t imagine what her life would have been like. Even if she had met Luke earlier, his family might not have epted her. Now, she was treated like a queen. "Alright. Let''s all drink together!" Felix said.


    Jack put his arm around Luke. "Kid, if you ever dare to mistreat Madeline, I''ll be the first toe after you."


    After the toast, Luke and Madeline joined Felix''s table, and everyone enjoyed themselves. Even George let loose, drinking with Jack until his face was flushed red.


    "Felix, there''s nothing more to say. Cheers!" Madeline sald, sitting next to Felix. She was clearly excited.


    "Yeah, cheers! Take care of each other, and when you and Luke have a child, I''ll be the godfather," Felix said.


    Terrance, who happened to pass by, nearly stumbled with joy upon hearing that. Having Felix as a godfather for his grandchild would elevate the Sanders'' statuspletely. "Great! You said it!" Madeline replied just as she and Felix clinked sses.


    At that moment, Lilian approached, clearly wanting to toast Felix but hesitating


    Just as she gathered the courage to speak, a voice sounded, "Lilian, you''ve got guts, don''t you? You dared to get involved in the Starlight incident?"


    George nced at the person, and his expression changed instantly.


    He leaned in to whisper to Felix, "The Sanders is doomed. That''s Alfie McDonald, Lady N''s chief steward."


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    Only one man entered the room. He seemed to be in his 40s and was impably dressed. He even wore a subtle smile that did nothing to diminish his overwhelming presence. The entire banquet hall fell silent at his arrival. Felix frowned. "What''s going on?"


    George''s eyes widened in recognition as he said, "Well, well... I can''t believe Lilian had the nerve! Five years after the Starlight incident, someone cleverly tried to pull one over on Lady N. The bastard actually seeded and fled overseas. "Now that Alfie''s shown up, they must have caught him. Looks like it''s time for everyone


    involved to face the music."


    As he spoke, Lilian cowered behind Terrance with a trembling voice. "It wasn''t me, Mr. McDonald. You''ve got the wrong person, I swear!"


    Alfie stood motionless. His smile was unwavering as he slowly raised his right hand. "Will youe with me, or should I make you oues of your decision would be quite different." Terrance swallowed hard before stepping forward. "Mr. McDonald, surely there''s been a mistake. My daughter wouldn''t dare get involved in something like the Starlight incident."


    His words revealed his own familiarity with the incident. It was something reflected in every face in the room.


    "Oh? Are you suggesting Lady N is wrong?"


    The words sent guests scrambling for the exits. No one wanted to be caught in the crossfire when N was involved. Friends and even rtives vanished, leaving only Felix''s table upied.


    "My sister is innocent! Take me if you''re taking her!" Luke suddenly rushed forward. The alcohol must have given him the courage to confront Alfie, which was something he would never dare do sober. "This idiot! Felix, let me get him before this gets worse." George shook his head as he started to stand, but Felix beat himn to it.


    "Stay put." Felix had not nned to get involved since Lilian meant nothing to him, but Luke just had to y hero.


    "The Sanderses do have some nerve." Alfie''s smile widened. Anyone close to him would know that this meant he was getting increasingly furious.


    "Please, Mr. McDonald! My son is just being hot-headed. Have mercy!" Terrance dropped to his knees. He knew Lilian was probably manipted into the Starlight incident as a


    12. 12.


    naive girl, and N would never use without cause.


    In such a situation, he certainly could not protect Lilian anymore, and their family might even be dragged into this. But he had to save Luke.


    "Let''s keep things simple. Since you came for Lilian, take her and go." Felix stepped between Luke and Alfie. As he stared at Alfie, everyone held their breath.


    Alfie represented N herself. No matter how mysterious and powerful Felix seemed, challenging her authority was unthinkable.


    Though new to N''s reputation, Madeline had learned enough from Luke to know the gravity of the situation. She rushed forward.


    "Felix, this isn''t your fight! Just back off."

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    No matter how capable Felix was, he could not possibly defeat N. Madeline could not let her family drama ruin her first love and life savior.


    But Alfie''s smile faded as he studied Felix. "You''re Mr. Felix Zeller, right? Since you''ve spoken up, there may be room for negotiation. Lady N owes you a favor from the orphanage incident. But are you sure you want to waste it on someone like Lilian? After all, a favor from Lady N is invaluable." The revtion that N owed Felix a favor stunned everyone.


    Lilian saw a glimmer of hope and copsed at Felix''s feet, sobbing, "Felix, please save me! I don''t want to die!"


    When he remained silent, she turned to Madeline. "Please, Maddy. Help me convince him. I was deceived! I never would''ve dared cross Lady N!"


    Madeline did not hesitate at all. How could she possibly let Felix waste such a precious, favor?


    But he spoke first before she could, "Let Lilian go."


    Alfie nodded. "Very well. Consider Lady N''s debt settled, then." He turned and left


    without another word.


    "Thank you, Felix!" Lilian slumped to the floor while her family stood frozen, struggling to process Felix''s mysterious influence.


    "Maddy, I''m heading out." Leaving the banquet hall, Felix sighed heavily.


    "Lady N timed Alfie''s arrival perfectly."


    Hearing George''sment, Felix nodded. "Yeah, she was targeting me. She probably knew I''d use that favor."


    N was clearly cutting ties to avoid any future unexpected requests from Felix.


    "Not as impressive as she seems," Felix muttered, then caught a cab to the airport. Since Jack was staying in Yartford with Vanessa for a few days of sightseeing, he was traveling alone.


    powers and


    Back in Canraville at nightfall, Felix headed straight home. Without his martial. slightly drunk, he needed rest before cultivating Dragonspine tomorrow.


    "Felix, you''re back from Yartford already?" Ernest was taking his evening walk when Felix


    arrived at the gate of his house.


    "Yes. Are you out for a walk? Where''s Sherlyn?"


    "Missing my granddaughter already?" Ernest teased.


    Felix gave a helpless smile. "Please don''t joke about such things. I''m tired, so I''ll go get


    some rest now."


    As he opened his gate, Jairo called out, "Mr. Holt Senior, you should rest, too. Tomorrow morning''s the appointment ceremony of Lady Summers bing Wady." Felix paused.


    Xena? Wady? The timing made sense.


    When he thought about the gift Madam Spring left inside him, he turned back reluctantly. Mr. Holt Senior, could I join you for the ceremony tomorrow morning?"

 Billionaire With Husband 453

    Ernest''s eyes narrowed as he studied Felix, which made Felix feel embarrassed. "You want to attend Xena''s appointment ceremony?"


    Seeing Felix nod, Ernest suddenlyughed before saying, "No."


    Felix was baffled. Given their rtionship, this should have been a simple request.


    "I can''t betray Sherlyn like that. She''d never forgive me for helping her rival." Ernest chuckled, showing his yful side while Jairo watched in amusement.


    "Mr. Holt Senior, you''ve got it wrong. I''m just curious about the ceremony.


    "Really? I''ve been around long enough to know better. Are you saying there''s nothing between you and Xena?"


    Felix fell silent. He did not want to lie to the old man.


    "Goodbye, then."


    Watching as Ernest walked away, Felix felt helpless.


    Left with no choice, Felix called Hector after getting home. He needed to attend the ceremony. He had to signal Xena about Madam Spring''s situation and save his own life.


    Their rtionship had been tough from the start, with simple matters being oveplicated. With Sonny''s kidnapping incident unresolved, it was challenging enough for him to be with Xena, let alone intimacy. Still, he had to n ahead. "Felix, it''s rare to hear from you." Hector seemed to be in a good mood, as his tone was


    cheerful.


    "Mr. Downy, I''d like to attend Xena''s appointment ceremony tomorrow. Is that possible?"


    "Of course! Good taste, kid. I mentored Xena myself, and she''s excellent in every way. She''s lucky that you''re interested in her."


    Lucky? If possible, Felix wanted nothing to do with this entanglement.


    "I''ll have my deputy, Leia, meet you at the entrance."


    For such official events, invitations were rare and only a few qualified people would attend. Social figures like N wouldn''t appear, so having an escort made sense.


    The next morning, Jairo stopped Felix just as he was leaving his garage in the Range Rover. "Dr. Zeller, Mr. Holt Senior wants a ride.


    "Really? Stop joking around, Jairo."


    Jairo chuckled. "I''m quite serious."


    "I''ll wait here while you get Mr. Holt Senior, then." But before Jairo got far, Felix''s engine roared to life as he sped away.


    "That brat." There was no way Felix would go with Ernest, or he might end up being teased all the way to the venue.


    Back in the courtyard, Ernest was sunbathing. "Felix ran. He seems scared of you."


    As if he had expected this, Ernest snorted and said, "Humph! That rascal, always wanting more. Poor Sherlyn. Her chances of dating him keep shrinking." Jairo looked puzzled.

 Billionaire With Husband 454

    "Mr. Holt Senior, how did you know he would attend? His connections must be limited now," Jairo said.


    "True. Felix lost his martial powers, and his medical skills have dwindled. But I think he isn''t as simple as he appeared to be. Look. He managed to get in."


    Jairo was impressed. This was not some ordinary party. It was an official ceremony that only people connected to the authorities could attend, yet Felix had secured entry effortlessly.


    Xena''s appointment ceremony was being held at the Wolfie troops'' base. The guards. stopped Felix''s car when he arrived. "Hello, I''m here for the ceremony."


    "ID please." The guard took it but radioed instead of checking the list. "Lady Leia, Mr. Zeller has arrived. Please verify."


    After that, he turned to Felix. "Please step out and wait for Lady Leia''s verification."


    "Alright!"


    Someone was sent over to drive Felix''s car away, so he stood at the side waiting.


    Right then, a Bentley arrived. The guard went over to verify their identities. Curtis then got out of the car, with Aimee supporting him. Felix felt awkward seeing them since he was the real reason Sonny had kidnapped Curtis. It had terrified Curtis, so he felt quite guilty about


    1. it.


    "Felix! What are you doing here?" Aimee snapped as she immediately spotted Felix, disgusted.


    Curtis'' smile vanished as well.


    "Grandpa Curtis-"


    like father, like son. With a remarkable mentor like Gerald, how did you turn out to be


    ''t call me that." Curtis seemed to remember something as he stared at Felix. "They


    such a coward? Thank God Xena never ended up with you. I''d never forgive myself!"


    As Curtis strode ahead after speaking, Aimee stayed to threaten Felix, "Get out of here. Did you think you could see Xena here? Dream on! Remember Finnley''s warning? Keep pushing, and you''ll regret it."


    Felix was not really bothered by Aimee. "I''m an invited guest. If I bother you, just go inside with Mr. Summers Senior. Why waste your energy here?"


    What? Aimee cackled. "Are you actually here to attend Xena''s appointment ceremony?


    How delusional! Xena would never invite you. The nerve!"


    She turned to the guard impatiently. "Do you guys allow just anyone to enter a ce like this? I''m Xena''s cousin, so I have the right to tell you to kick him out. Now!"


    The guard frowned, but before he could speak, a voice called out, "Mr. Zeller, sorry I''mte.

 Billionaire With Husband 455

    Dissatisfied, Aimee turned to look at whoever was speaking. When she saw the elegant. woman addressing Felix, she became even more upset.


    She started to speak but stopped when she saw the soldiers saluting L. This was Wolfie troops'' territory, after all. Still, she memorized L''s face. If she could not handle this, Xena certainly could. This was Xena''s big day being crowned as Wady, so no outsiders were allowed. Even Aimee was here only because she was a rtive. How did Felix get in? Someone must have broken protocol. ""You must be Leia, right?"


    Leia studied Felix. His reputation preceded him. This young man who had earned even Hector''s respect had truly hidden his power well. "Yes. Please follow me."


    Inside, Leia said, "Lord Hector is with important guests. He suggested you wait in the waiting room."


    Felix raised his hand. "It''s okay. Let Mr. Downy handle his business. I''m just here for the ceremony. We can always catch up another time."


    Felix knew better than to interrupt theworking between figures like Hector and Ernest. It would be meaningless anyway.


    "Alright. I''ll bring you to the main venue, then


    The venue was the Wolfie troops'' parade ground, with a stage and neat rows of chairs. Some were already upied. Curtis and Aimee sat in the second-tost row. "Leia, I''ll sit here." Felix stopped Leia from guiding him forward as he pointed to the back


    row.


    "As


    you wish. I''ll have it arranged." Each seat was pre-assigned, so someone would need to be moved. At events like this, most preferred sitting closer to the front.


    Aimee noticed but stayed quiet. She knew her priorities. Though she could yell at Felix earlier, making a scene now would only embarrass Xena. She decided to just wait until after the ceremony. Xena would certainly deal with an intruder like him.


    As time passed, more guests arrived, including Ernest. Given his status, he naturally took his ce in the front row. Once everyone was seated, Hector took the stage.


    "I''ll be conducting Xena Summers'' Wady appointment ceremony. We''re all soldiers here, so I''ll keep this brief.


    "With headquarters'' rmendation and the Dragonian government''s approval, Xena


    Summers is promoted to Wady for her service to our nation, with the title Phoenix Warlord!"


    Apuse erupted as Xena appeared in her military uniform, looking sharp and dignified. Her eyes sparkled with emotion. This was the highest honor one could ever get, and she was the first woman to achieve it.


    On the stage, Hector presented her medal and insignia. "Say a few words. This is your moment to be proud."


    Xena saluted Hector before turning to the microphone. This was a day she would remember forever, proud even under the gaze of all the big shots here.

 Billionaire With Husband 456

    Two of the Thirteen Aces had been captured by chance, but the records from the headquarters showed Xena had made the arrests. That was undeniable.


    As she scanned the audience, Xena maintained her military bearing. But her eyes froze on the back row.


    Felix? What was he doing here?


    Quicklyposing herself, she delivered the standard promotion speech. After the ceremony, everyone left promptly, as this was not a social gathering where people would enjoy food and drinks. When the crowd cleared, Felix approached her. "Congrattions, Xena!"


    She had mixed feelings. She did not expect his presence today-even hearing him congratting him. "Thank you."


    Felix left with a smile, having achieved his goal


    Almost immediately, Aimee rushed over with dissatisfaction. "Xena, someone let a nobody like Felix in on your big day! We need to investigate this, and he shouldn''t get away with it, either!"


    Truthfully, Xena felt oddly pleased by Felix''s presence. Both the God of Death''s capture and Sonny''s case had involved him. But when she remembered his cowardice in that video call and how he had told Sonny to kill Curtis, she was filled with resentment again. "Someone let him in? Who?"


    Before Aimee could answer, Leia approached. "She did!" she said.


    Xena turned, puzzled. How did Felix know Leia? It seemed unlikely.


    "Hey! You brought Felix in, didn''t you? I saw you! Tell Xena everything!"


    Xena snapped out of her thoughts. She then red at Aimee. "Take Grandpa home. Now."


    Then, she smiled at Leia. "Sorry about my cousin''s behavior, L."


    Aimee was stunned.


    Xena was now Phoenix Warlord, yet she was being so polite to this woman. Who was she? And how did Felix know her? Though she had loads of questions, she knew this was not the right time to ask. So, she escaped instead.


    "Lady Summers, Lord Downy requests your presence." Leia did not even mention a thing about Aimee, showing how unbothered she was


    As they walked, Xena could not help asking, "Do you know Felix?"


    Leia shook her head. "No."


    No? Something did not add up, but Leia seemed sincere.


    "I''m not trying to use you, but you did bring him in, right?"


    "Yes. I brought Mr. Zeller in." Leia had even addressed-Felix so politely.


    Knowing Leia''s precise nature, Xena had to ask directly, "Could you tell me why?"


    As expected, Leia finally answered seriously, "I don''t know. I was just following Lord Hector''s orders."


    Lord Hector! Xena stopped in her tracks with an incredulous look on her face. There was only one "Lord Hector" in Leia''s world. It had to be the Warlord of the East!

 Billionaire With Husband 457

    In a private room, Hector beamed. "Xena, I cleared my evening to celebrate with you. Where are you taking me to dinner?"


    Looking at him, Xena felt nothing but gratitude. Without him as her mentor, she would not be where she was today. "Let me cook for you at my ce. I can''t think of a restaurant worthy of this asion."


    Though she was now Phoenix Warlord and was equal in rank to Hector, her respect for him remained unwavering,


    "Sure. I''ll try your cooking, then." Noticing her expression, Hector asked, "Is there something on your mind?"


    After hesitating, Xena asked, "Lord Hector, did you have Leia bring Felix to my ceremony?"


    He thought it was something more serious, so heughed and said, "Yes. Is that a problem?


    So it was true. Xena pressed on, "Do you know Felix?"


    "I''ve known him for quite a while! He''s treated me a few times. You probably know how amazing his medical skills are firsthand."


    This revtion stunned Xena. Why had Felix never mentioned this?


    "Do you think Felix is a coward?"


    Hector''s smile vanished. "Xena, I can assure you Felix is a real man! Wasn''t the orphanage incident proof enough? If he were a coward, he could have walked away from that situation, but he put himself on the line instead." His words struck like lightning to her. Combining with other doubts, she was suddenly hit with a realization.


    Hector was right. Would a coward risk himself for others like that?


    Since it had alle down to this, she found herself telling Hector everything about Sonny''s kidnapping in detail.


    Hector shook his head. "You''ve been through a lot. I understand being worried about your grandfather and misjudging the situation. But you should have seen it clearly after everything.


    "Sonny''s dead now, so we can''t prove Felix''s innocence. But I believe he''s not that kind of man. The rest is up to you."


    Walking over, he ced a hand on her shoulder. "Trust me. Felix is an exceptional man. If you end up together, you''re the lucky one, not him!"


    This stunned Xena. She was now Phoenix Warlord. With such a prominent status in Dragonia, how could she be the lucky one in the rtionship? That was absurd.


    At sunset, Felix left Yardley Dining, only to find Finnley waiting. He was not surprised. After all, Aimee must have called him. If he had shown up for their previous minor encounters, he could certainly appear now. "Felix! You''re asking for death!"


    Felix nced at Finnley and said, "You don''t deserve Xena. Stay away from her. If don''t believe me, wait until your brother''s wedding in two weeks. You''ll be on your knees begging forgiveness for your behavior."

 Billionaire With Husband 458

    Finnleyughed. "Hah! You''re quite well-informed. You even know about my brother''s. wedding! But you''re overestimating yourself. Did you think I''m all talk because I haven''t struck you in our previous encounters?"


    He stepped forward with eyes full of contempt. That''s only because Xena warned me. She said she''d me me if anything happened to you-proof or not-and never give me another chance. Otherwise, you think you''d still be standing?" Felix''s eyes narrowed. He had wondered why Finnley-the Walsh family''s heir-had been so restrained. So, Xena had intervened.


    "Fine! Onest chance. If you can make me kneel and apologize at my brother''s wedding, it''s over. Otherwise, you''ll write a suicide note and end it. Deal?"


    Suicide? Felix chuckled. "Sure. What if I back out?"


    Turning away, Finnley left a final threat. "Then, everyone connected to you dies. You know I can do it."


    After learning Finnley''s identity, Felix deduced that Yvonne''s fianc¨¦ had to be his brother. There was only one Walsh family in Aleshire, and George''s intel was reliable.


    At a bar in Canraville, Michelle waved from a booth. "Felix, thanks foring. I wasn''t


    sure you would."


    Noticing her nervous nce, Felix smiled and said, "Of course. I told you Rnd''s situation is resolved. Stop worrying."


    Rnd Hawkins, Andrei''s third son, was a notorious womanizer. However, after Felix''s intervention, he should behave better since Andrei would be the first to punish any mistreatment of Michelle.


    "Let''s drink, then!" Michelle rxed, finally smiling as she opened two beers. She passed one of them to Felix. "Cheers, Felix! Thanks for looking out for me,


    As they raised their bottles, Felix''s expression changed. He grabbed Michelle''s bottle. Don''t drink! It''s spiked!"


    Though he had lost his martial arts and advanced medical skills, he could still detect the aphrodisiac mixed into the beer through the smell.


    "Spiked? With what?"


    While Michelle examined her bottle, Felix checked the cap and found a tiny puncture mark. "Am I being targeted again?" As he pondered, a massive man over six and a half feet tall


    approached. "It''s impressive you noticed. We''ll have to execute n B as ordered, then."


    Felix motioned for Michelle to stay seated and stood. He said, "I''ll go with you."


    He could tell that this man was quite a skilled martial artist. He needed to ensure Michelle''s safety before nning his escape.


    But the man sneered. "You''re nothing. I''m taking Michelle. Tell Rnd to be here by midnight, or he''ll be collecting her body."

 Billionaire With Husband 459

    Felix watched as the brute took Michelle away. He wanted to move but was paralyzed by the man''s overwhelming presence. After a minute, his face darkened. "Damn it!"


    Even his encounter with Madam Spring had not left him feeling this powerless. If anything were to happen to Michelle, Felix wouldn''t have the heart to face Karina. 30 minutester, the bar was empty except for Felix.


    Andrei rushed in with a handsome young man.


    "Mr. Zeller." Andrei kicked the young man to the ground after speaking, trembling with rage. "Tell Mr. Zeller how you mistreated Michelle, you fool!"


    It was his son, Rnd. After Felix''sst intervention, Andrei had warned him not to hurt Michelle or risk trouble for their entire family. Yet, here they were.


    Rnd looked at Felix in panic and confusion. "Dad! Mr. Zeller! I swear I didn''t hurt Michelle!!!


    Felix raised his hand to stop Andrei''s beating. "Michelle was just kidnapped in front of me by a powerful martial artist. She was just a real estate agent before bing the general manager. There''s no way she would know such people. Do you understand what I''m trying to say?"


    Both father and son were shocked.


    "The kidnapper said Rnd muste here by midnight. Now you know why I called you.


    Andrei was shrewd enough to catch on. "Mr. Zeller, are you saying they''re targeting my son? Michelle is just coteral?"


    "Exactly."


    Rnd shook his head frantically. "Dad, I''ve never crossed any martial artists! Even if I had enemies, why did they target Michelle instead of me? Mr. Zeller, don''t be angry, but we''re not even engaged. So no smart person would do this!"


    He had a point, but time was running out. Felix had Karina''s contact, and one call would solve everything. No one would dare face her wrath. However, she had entrusted Michelle to him, and there had to be a reason why she chose to seclude herself. This was his responsibility.


    F¨¦lix stood, pointing. "Either way, they want you there. Come with me. Theodore, too."


    Standing not far away, Theodore frowned. He was clearly refusing to take orders. "Theodore, go with Mr. Zeller."


    "Yes, sir!"


    Under normal circumstances, Felix would not work with Theodore since they had unfinished business. But saving Michelle came first.

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    Outside the bar, members of the Earthen Hall were waiting. Vivian had returned to the


    headquarters of Dragon Alliance hours ago to handle urge matters, so these guards had been reassigned from Yardley Dining.


    As they drove, Theodore suddenly spoke up, "Now I remember why Meadowspring sounded familiar."


    "What do you mean?" Felix asked. The address the brute left was called Meadowspring, an oddly named ce.


    "It''s a branch vige of the Saplu


    We need to be extremely careful." His voice


    alone showed how wary he was of the Saphiras


    "Are they that dangerous?"


    Theodore gave Felix a strange look, wondering how someone important enough to mobilize Dragon Alliance could be so ignorant.


    "Eight ancient martial arts families have survived in modern Dragonia, with one in each province''s capital. We have one in Canraville, which is the Saphira family."


    Seeing Felix''s nk look, Theodore continued, "These eight families have maintained their power for thousands of years. Here''s some perspective. Martial Alliance is nothing to them." Felix pondered this before asking, "So, are you saying we''ll be in their territory since Meadowspring is their branch vige?"


    "Exactly! We must be careful. I''m not even sure if Dragon Alliance could afford to offend the Saphira family."


    He knew Felix relied on Dragon Alliance. But against one of the eight ancient martial arts families with who-knows-how-old monsters, the oue was uncertain without a real fight. They parked at the vige entrance. After the three got out of the car, a dozen Earthen Hall members followed behind.


    When they arrived at the western side, there was a graveyard. Choosing this as a meeting point had to be a sinister choice or something more calcted.


    "My boss was right. This Michelle girl means a lot to you, Rnd." The brute from the bar stood by a grave with Michelle unconscious beside him. "Theodore, get her!" Though Felix had lost his powers, he could still gauge strength. The brute was no match for Theodore,


    Surprisingly, the man did not resist as Theodore rescued Michelle. Felix checked her. She was just unconscious, thankfully. He then heaved a sigh of relief.


    "Sir, since we don''t know each other, what grudge do you have against us? Why are you doing this?" Rnd demanded.


    He had been suppressing his rage all this while. Now that Michelle was safe, of course he would ask questions.


    But the brute, Max Snyder, grinned as he mocked, "Remember Pearly from Crescent Lake?"

 Billionaire With Husband 461

    Rnd''s face paled as his eyes widened. "She.. She''s alive?"


    Max grinned. "Watch your mouth, kid. How could my boss possibly have died? You disappointed her, and those who disappoint must pay."


    Pointing at Felix, he continued, "The original n was to drug him and Michelle and film their affair to crush you emotionally before dealing with you physically. But he seemed to be a traditional medicine practitioner, so he noticed the drugs. We had no choice but to attack first." Rnd looked devastated. "No, I forever. It''s not my fault!"


    She never appeared. I couldn''t possibly wait


    "Let''s go," Felix cut in, knowing this wasn''t the time.


    "Going somewhere?" Max threw a knife into the ground before Rnd. girlfriend Michelle, and all is forgiven!"


    "Kill vo


    your


    Rnd stood frozen, clearly shaken by the mention of that woman Pearly.


    "What if he refuses?" Felix asked..


    Max traced a circle in the air. "Then, you all die. This is Meadowspring''s burial ground. Without the chief''s permission, trespassers face death!"


    Theodore''s expression darkened. "Fighting Meadowspring means going against the Saphira family. This is troublesome."


    Before Felix could respond, Max stepped back, as Rnd was still standing. "I have my answer. Chief, they''re yours."


    Torches lit up as over a hundred figures emerged.


    "They have two Martial Emperor-level fighters." Theodore grimaced after he sensed something. One was bad enough, and fighting two was impossible.


    "Everyone, we mean no disrespect to your dead. We were lured here by that guy! These men are from Dragon Alliance''s Earthen Hall. Surely you''ve heard of it, right?"


    Max sneered. "Did you think I couldn''t recognize where they''re from? Dragon Alliance means nothing here!"


    Felix and the group were already surrounded by the vigers. But as Max spoke, the elderly chief at the front studied something carefully, then raised his hand. "You may leave." What?


    Max''s face changed. "Chief, do you know what you''re saying?"


    Expressionless, the chief said, "He saved my life. Consider it repaid."


    Max clenched his fists. Before he left, he said, "Fine! Remember what you said today. My boss will hold you ountable."


    As he left, Felix quickly led everyone out. It was unbelievable that there were two Martial Emperors in a single vige. Before they set off Felix had never even heard of Meadowspring and had to find it on GPS. He never imagined it held such power. The power of this vige alone had surpassed many martial arts sects.

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    From that observation, Felix could tell how incredibly powerful the Saphira family had to be as one of the ancient martial arts families.


    Once in the car, Felix paused before saying, "Was the chief pointing at me?"


    Rnd was too distracted, and Michelle was still unconscious, so Theodore nodded. "Yes.


    He meant you.


    Theodore was still stunned. The vige chief was practically a Martial Emperor, and he actually owed Felix his life. What other secrets did Felix hold?


    Felix fell silent as he recalled the scene just now. Under the torchlight, he remembered the chief had tanned skin age height, and a small goatee.


    "It''s him!" Felix suddenly remembered who he was.


    When Felix had just started studying medicine with Gerald years ago, he had found the chief unconscious while gathering herbs. The man was close to dying, and Felix''s limited skills could only slow the decline. It was impossible to save him. In the end, Gerald had stepped in. He cursed Felix''s do-gooder nature while saving the chief. Nheless, the chief was saved.


    When the chief awoke, only Felix was present, and that was how he owed Felix a favor. He had left behind some contact information, which Felix had not bothered until now. That past act of kindness had saved them tonight.


    After they arrived at the entrance of New Glory, Felix carried Michelle out of the car. Suddenly, Rnd fell to his knees.


    "Mr. Zeller, please... I have to leave Michelle. Pearly is unpredictable. If this happened once, it''ll happen again. I''ll put Michelle in danger if I stay with her."


    Felix asked, "Do you love her? Be honest.


    Rnd swallowed. "I don''t consider it love yet just attraction. We''ve only been together for such a short time."


    His changed attitude showed in his honesty.


    "That''s good enough. Just keep dating her. You can break up if it doesn''t work out and she agrees to it. I''ll handle Pearly."


    Rnd was dumbfounded. How could Felix handle this matter after the events of that night? But he dared not say anything to that.


    More surprisingly, Theodore bowed deeply to Felix. "Mr. Zeller, I sincerely apologize for disrespecting you back then. Here''s my apology" Chapter 462


    After that, his left arm moved strangely before hanging limp. He had clearly broken his


    own arm.


    Felix had not expected this but nodded. "You helped save Michelle today. Since you''ve punished yourself, we''re even now." After Felix carried Michelle inside, Rnd finally dared to ask, "Uncle Theo, why?"


    Alliance''s power,


    Theodore smiled bitterly while looking at his arm. Beyond Dragon Alliance''s chief''s reaction had truly frightened him.


    the


    "Sometimes, we have to fix things immediately before consequences worsen. I''ve lost my way once. So, I won''t waste thisst chance. "Remember, Rnd. E unfathomable. That''s the only way to describe him."

 Billionaire With Husband 463

    After settling Michelle in, Felix headed to the living room. He hesitated for a bit before calling Karina,


    Max''s authority over Meadowspring vigers was beyond his current powerless state. But with Michelle''s safety at stake, he had no choice. Soon, the call was connected. "Felix, what''s wrong?"


    Felix felt guilty about failing his promise. "Karina, about Michelle...


    After hearing the story, Karina said, "Pearly? I don''t know her, but I''ll look into it. Don''t worry. I''ll make sure she roubles Michelle again."


    She added, "Don''t me yourself. I know your situation isplicated."


    It wasplicated indeed.


    Two peaceful weeks passed. Felix continued his daily ritual of cultivating Dragonspine at Yardley Dining, undisturbed by the Elders'' Council or others. True to Karina''s word, the threat vanished. If not, Max would not have waited this long given his menacing attitude earlier.


    His only frustration was Xena. Even Alistair confirmed she had been swamped since bing the Phoenix Warlord. Even Curtis had only seen Xena once.


    After his ritual at 1:00 pm, Felix joined George in a private room, who had already started. eating.


    "Perfect timing! Food just arrived."


    As he sat down, Felix asked with a smile, "What brings you to Canraville again?"


    George swallowed his food, eyes gleaming. "Tomorrow''s Yvonne and Michael Walsh''s wedding in Aleshire, so I figured you''d want to go, so I came by. Let''s take my private jet and go." Shaking his head, Felixughed. "You read my mind. Sure. Let''s experience your jet again."


    George grinned, sensing tomorrow''s wedding would bring drama. Ryan had also changed his mind about attending after hearing Felix might go.


    While eating, Felix contemted his final Dragonspine ritual after returning from Aleshire. He wondered what changes it would bring since the Dragonspine would soon enter his body. As they prepared to leave for the airport, Jack called. "Felix, did Ms. Cooper invite you to


    her wedding?"


    "No. Why?"


    "Weird. I left herpany two weeks ago with no contact, but I suddenly got a wedding invitation text."


    Felix was puzzled by Yvonne''s move. "Are you going, then?"


    "I can''t. I''m abroad on business. I was hoping you could bring my gift if you''re going." Though Felix was still confused, he agreed, "Sure. I''ll handle it."


    Right then, George smiled and said, "It feels like Yvonne''s using Jack to remind you about her wedding tomorrow


    Felix knew George could not have had the guts to eavesdrop on the call, but his analysis seemed oddly urate.

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    Was Yvonne really trying to send a reminder to Felix? It was unnecessary. He had not forgotten his promise to her at Ernest''s birthday party.


    Though Felix would not dare im Yvonne as his, they had been intimate, and her feelings were obvious. If he could not marry her, he could at least let her choose her own happiness instead of being controlled by N. They reached Aleshire at sunset. George led Felix to a nightclub. "Yartford is the political center of the country, so certain things have to be done discreetly there. But Aleshire''s different. Tonight, you''ll see real entertainment." Felix was not particr


    erested, but he had time to kill.


    "The Nightowl is Aleshire''s finest club. No one dares im second ce."


    Inside, hostesses with curvy legs lined the entrance.


    "Mr. Zimmerman! It''s been too long!" A youthful-looking older woman approached. Her light makeup showed how confident she was about her appearance rather than courage.


    "Ah, Calista! Still stunning as ever." George did not hold back as he grabbed her bottom.


    Instead of being offended, Calista White sent flirtatious looks. She was quite the beauty for her age. "Are you getting the usual room?"


    "No. Ryan booked already."


    Calista''s expression shifted. "You''re with Mr. Gibson today? This way."


    She did not dare ask about Felix. High-end managers like her knew better. If George wanted introductions, he would have made them. If not, she should not ask anything and just serve her guests well. Inside, Ryan was already waiting. "Mr. Zeller!"


    Calista inhaled sharply. Ryan was a big shot from Yartford, yet he was calling Felix so respectfully. Felix''s status had to be extraordinary.


    "You''re into this scene, too?"


    Ryan waved frantically. "No, no! I''m just killing time at George''s suggestion."


    Felix did not bother pointing out the lie. Everyone here knew Ryan''s name. How could this


    be his first time here?


    After they sat down, Ryan snapped his fingers. Calista, bring those three girls."


    "Of course, Mr. Gibson."


    As Calista left, Ryan grinned. "Mr. Zeller, I screened over a hundred girls and picked three absolute stunners. You''ll love them."


    Felix did not object. He would not be doing anything out of line anyway. There was no point spoiling the mood now.


    Five minutester, George grew impatient. "Calista''s slipping."


    She arrived with three beauties, but Ryan frowned as he pointed. "Was she the one I chose?


    Calista seemed terrified. "Mr. Gibson, Sadie... was taken."


    Georgeughed as Ryan''s f


    kened.


    Felix said with a smile, "Don''t trouble her. I''ll pick another."


    Relieved, Calista exined, "Thank you. Mr. Walsh took Sadie and said he''d join youter.


    Felix, who had just grabbed a piece of watermelon, frowned. "Is that so? Well, if it''s Mr. Walsh, we must amodate him, then. I''ll take Sadie tonight."

 Billionaire With Husband 465

    Chapter 465 What?


    Calista, who was about to tell the three hostesses to sit down, froze mid-smile. Felix''s words carried an unmistakable challenge.


    Ryan and George exchanged knowing looks. Of all the people to sh with in Aleshire, it had to be the Walsh family. They knew Felix''s true purpose here. "Do you... still want Sadie?"


    Chewing watermelon, Felix crossed his legs. "Yes, only Sadie. Pass a message to Mr. Walsh. If he''s smart, send her ove


    As Calista hesitated, George''s cold voice cut in, "Are you deaf orme?"


    "Right away!"


    The manager knew her customers well. Some big shots could be managed, but others were untouchable. George and Ryan belonged to thetter category.


    "Do you need backup, Mr. Zeller?" George asked after Calista left, making the other girls hold their breath.


    In Aleshire, few dared cross the Walsh family. The girls could not believe they met people who dared to do so today.


    "We''re civilized, aren''t we? But can you guess which Walsh it is?"


    Ryan answered, "It''s obviously Michael. He has a good reputation outside, but he''s a regr here. He even drops millions of dors yearly at the Nightowl. Right, sweetheart?"


    The girl beside him was trying to guess what would happen next. But she maintained her poise as she said with a smile, "Mr. Michael Walsh is indeed a regr, but I don''t know his exact spending." Michael Walsh? Felix smiled coldly. He was getting married tomorrow, but he was out clubbing tonight. Yvonne had picked a real winner.


    "George, is this why you brought me here?"


    George frantically waved his hands. "No, Mr. Zeller! We''re just here to kill time, I swear!"


    "Rx. I''m joking." Felix had already decided to deal with the Walsh family, so there was no need for George''s meddling, not that he would dare.


    The door opened as a young man entered,ughing, followed by Calista and a stunning woman in revealing clothes.


    "Mr. Gibson and Mr. Zimmerman! Why didn''t you tell me you were in Aleshire?"


    Chapter 465 He 1


    the woman close. "What a misunderstanding! My apologies for picking your girl. Sadie''s yours. Go there and sit down!"


    Calista and the girls were shocked. The fearless Michael not only surrendered the girl but came to apologize personally. These three men had to be truly powerful. "Since it''s just a misunderstanding, you should carry on," George said.


    There was no need to escte things with the Walsh family, who controlled most domestic shipping in Dragonia. Small conflicts were not worth the trouble.

 Billionaire With Husband 466

    Michael raised his ss and said, "George is right. Here''s to you both. I hope you enjoy your time in Aleshire, and don''t hesitate to ask if you need anything."


    He knew exactly why these two were here-they were attending his wedding tomorrow. However, given they were at The Nightowl, an upscale nightclub, he figured it was best not to bring it up. Ryan and George raised their sses in response, but Felix remained motionless. His indifference seriously irritated Michael.


    "I don''t believe we''ve met. Who might you be?" Michael''s youthful pride got the better of


    him.


    He could have just finished his drink and left, but he felt the need to assert himself. He could not let this slide, and he wondered who Felix thought he was to disrespect him like


    this.


    "I''m Felix Zeller. I''m no one important, but here''s a word of advice-if you''re nning to get married, show some respect for each other, alright?"


    Michael could not believe Felix was actually lecturing him. His irritation grew, especially since he had never heard of Felix before.


    .


    Before Michael could respond, Ryan set down his ss. "You''ve finished your drink. Shouldn''t you be leaving?"


    Michael threw onest nce at Felix before leaving with a forced smile.


    "Interesting. I underestimated Michael. He''s got some self-control," George remarked.


    Ryan chuckled. "Well, he''s from the Walsh family. With both of us sitting here, he''d have to be an absolute fool to cause trouble."


    Around 11:00 pm, Felix''s phone buzzed. Even though he was blocked, he had sent Yvonne a text when his nended, and she finally responded.


    "Enjoy yourself. I''ve got to go," Felix said, standing up.


    Ryan and George exchanged a knowing nce, sensing what was happening. However, the real drama woulde tomorrow-and Felix''s sudden departure was just the prelude.


    Later, Felix arrived at an exclusive viplex in Aleshire. Inside, he found Yvonne sitting on a couch in the living room. She was in her pajamas, her expression nk, making it impossible to tell what she was thinking. "Now that you''ve seen me, will you stop bothering me? Leave for Canraville first thing tomorrow morning. I don''t want you at my wedding," Yvonne stated coldly.


    Felix remained standing, his eyes fixed on Yvonne. "I just saw Michael at The Nightowl. Are you sure you want to marry someone like him?"


    Yvonne''s expression remained unchanged. "Whatever he does doesn''t concern me. At the end of the day, I''ll still have to marry him. Now, will you please leave?" Felix nodded. "I just need one answer-


    need one answer-do you want to


    "Get


    do you want to marry Michael?"


    "Get out!" Yvonne shot up from her seat, pointing at the door.


    Felix did not argue. He walked to the door, but just as he opened it, he heard Yvonne mumble softly from the couch.


    "I don''t want to... I really don''t. But


    hoice do I have?"


    Felix smiled as he closed the door behind him. Yvonne probably assumed that he could not. have heard her whisper from that distance without his martial arts abilities. In truth, his senses remained as sharp as ever. "Message received, Yvonne," Felix thought to himself. "Tomorrow, everything will be settled once and for all."

 Billionaire With Husband 467

    The Walsh residence in Aleshire, sprawling across 35 acres, was a testament to their wealth. The renovations alone had cost around two billion dors, and the total property value was estimated at 20 billion dors-a clear disy of their immense fortune. For a family like theirs, there was no need to book high-end hotels or luxury resorts for weddings. Their estate was more than sufficient to host the grandest of celebrations.


    Today marked the wedding of Michael, the youngest Walsh son, to Yvonne, N''s personal secretary. It was a perfect match given their social standings, and the steady stream of luxury cars arriving at the estate indicated the scale of the event. Soon, a Rolls-Royce Phantom pull


    and N stepped out, still wearing her signature


    veil. She was apanied by Alfie, who had donned a custom-tailored suit. The Walsh family''s major members personally greeted her, which just showed how extraordinary her


    status was.


    Once they reached a private spot in the front courtyard, N dismissed the Walsh family members. "Miss," Alfie immediately reported, "your suspicions were correct. Felix did visit Yvonne at her vist night."


    Amusement flickered in N''s eyes. "Interesting. So, he truly fell for Yvonne? But without power, his sense of justice is nothing but empty words. What was the point of seeing Yvonne? Would she dare defy me and call off the wedding?" Alfie shook his head. "No, Yvonne likely agreed to meet him just to stop his persistence. Everything she said showedplete loyalty to you."


    N nced back at the main entrance. "Felix might show up today, but in his current state, if he dares disrupt the wedding, the Walsh family will destroy him. I''ve already repaid my debt to the orphanage-he''s dreaming if he expects my help!" Alfie hesitated before adding, "ording to our intelligence, Felix was with Ryan and. Georgest night. Perhaps..."


    N immediately dismissed the idea. "So what? Ryan and George aren''t fools. They won''t oppose the Walsh family for Felix''s sake. Their families would turn against them if they did. something reckless."


    Just then, Ryan and Felix appeared in their line of sight. "See? Felix isn''t even here. Let''s go inside. I need to discuss some details with Dominic."


    Dominic Walsh was the current head of the Walsh family, and hemanded immense respect in Dragonia. Few people could address him so casually by name, but N was among them despite their generational gap.


    As they started walking, a middle-aged man rushed toward them. "Dominic? Where''s he


    up to?" N wondered aloud.


    The Walsh family had a long-standing tradition-their patriarch never greeted guests at the door, regardless of status. Even N had not received such treatment.


    "Dominic, where are you off to in such a rush?" N called out, her curiosity piqued.


    "Ah, N! The Dragon Lord from Dragon Alliance has suddenly decided to attend Michael''s wedding. I must go greet them personally."


    N''s expression changed instantly. Ever since Dragon Alliance''s founder''s attendant appeared at Martial Alliance, their status had skyrocketed. However, the Dragon Lord attending Michael''s wedding seemed bizarre-the Walsh family simply did not have that kind of influence.


    "Let''s check it out," N said, unable to contain her curiosity. Truth be told, even she had not met this generation''s Dragon Lord, having only dealt with the vice leader before.

 Billionaire With Husband 468

    After Yale''s disappearance, N had abandoned her original ns. With the recent appearance of the founder''s attendant, Dragon Alliance had regained its former glory, and no one dared to challenge their authority.


    At the entrance of the Walsh residence, Dominic arrived just as a sleek ck executive sedan pulled up. N recognized the two figures who stepped out first-both the vice leaders of Dragon Alliance, whom she had met before. The fact that the vice leaders were opening the car door could only mean one thing-the Dragon Lord was here. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Dominic had already instructed security to clear away essary guests. "Wee to Michael''s wedding. Dragon Lord, Your presence brings great honor to the Walsh family," Dominic said earnestly.


    This unexpected visit would undoubtedly elevate the Walsh family''s status even higher than their nned alliance with N.


    Vivian nodded in acknowledgment before heading inside, with Dominic carefully apanying her. He could already hear the excited whispers from nearby guests.


    "Unbelievable! Even the Dragon Lord is here for the wedding!"


    "At this rate, the Walsh family will soon dominate Aleshire."


    "My goodness, is that really the Dragon Lord? She''s so young and elegant. What an honor to witness this!"


    N studied Vivian carefully, particrly noting the Dragon Ring on her finger that confirmed her identity as the genuine Dragon Lord. Her sharp eyes sparkled with interest.


    "Miss, did the Walsh family deliberately withhold this information to pressure you?" Alfie asked quietly.


    N chuckled softly. "Of course not. You''re experienced enough to notice the surprise in Dominic''s eyes, aren''t you? The Dragon Lord''s arrival was unexpected even to him, though we should certainly find out the real reason." "Understood."


    Meanwhile, George and Ryan stood at a distance, their brows furrowed with concern. George muttered, "This doesn''t look good. Since when did the Walsh family get so close to Dragon Alliance? It''s just Michael''s wedding, yet the Dragon Lord personally appears?" Ryan shook his head. "Your guess is as good as mine. We should warn Mr. Zeller-since the Dragon Lord is here, he''d better stay quiet. The current Dragon Alliance isn''t something to be trifled with."


    George shrugged helplessly. "I''ve tried calling him, but there''s no answer. Who knows where he went after entering? Who could have predicted the Dragon Lord would show up person?"


    It wasn''t just them, but every guest present was buzzing with spection about when the Walsh family had formed such connections with the Dragon Alliance.


    A deputy chief or even a vice leader''s presence would not have been as shocking, but the mysterious Dragon Lord''s personal attendance carried extraordinary significance.


    N had returned to her previous spot with Alfie. With the Dragon Lord present, she understood that Dominic''s prior had shifted, and she was content to wait.


    After a few minutes, Dominic reappeared, almost running, his forehead glistening with sweat. N frowned as she sensed something unusual. She approached him and asked, Dominic, what''s happening now?" Dominic''s expression was a mixture of shock and awe. "The Grandmaster of Moonshadow Alliance has also arrived for Michael''s wedding."


    in

 Billionaire With Husband 469

    After delivering this news, Dominic hurried away, leaving N standing there in disbelief. She mumbled, "Did he say... the Grandmaster of Moonshadow Alliance?"


    Beside her, Alfie''s eyes widened with shock. "If I heard correctly, yes, miss. That''s exactly what he said."


    Alfie understood N''s astonishment. Moonshadow Alliance''s Grandmaster was even more mysterious than Dragon Alliance''s founder. While some had at least glimpsed Eloise''s silhouette, no one knew anything about Dahlia. Moreover, Moonshadow Alliance!


    aintained its supreme position for years. Their


    power was evident at the recent Avesburgh auction of the Miracle Card, where a single bid from them had silenced all other potential buyers. And now, their elusive leader was attending Michael''s wedding.


    "Let''s go!" N rushed toward the entrance, determined to uncover what made this wedding so unique that it could attract two of the most powerful figures yers in their


    world.


    Ryan and George had also received the news. George took several deep breaths, knowing Moonshadow Alliance must be here for Felix.


    The only wild card was Dragon Alliance''s presence. They wondered if this wedding would trigger the first-ever sh between these two legendary organizations.


    "Unbelievable! Does the Walsh family have this much influence? Even Moonshadow. Alliance''s Grandmaster is here?" Ryan gulped, his high status and experience doing little to help him process this development.


    "Are they really here for the Walsh family?" George asked pointedly.


    However, Ryan missed the hint, and his expression turned grim. "We need to find Mr. Zeller immediately. At this point, if he doesn''t y his trump card, his presence won''t matter at all."


    George frowned. "What do you mean? Hasn''t the trump card already arrived?"


    "No way! Come on, let''s split up and search. Contact me immediately if you find him." Ryan''s idea of a trump card was Felix''s identity as Gerald''s apprentice-only this revtion might be enough to hold sway over both powerful organizations. watching Ryan leave, George stroked his chin in confusion. Something did not add up, especially when Ryan was supposed to be aware of Felix''s connection to Moonshadow Alliance.


    So, why was he acting this way? Was there a misunderstanding at y?


    At that moment, another car pulled up to the entrance. Two elderly men stepped out first, one in white robes and one in ck, causing all onlookers to gasp.


    "The Shadows Twins of Moonshadow Alliance!" someone gasped.


    These legendary figures had built the Alliance''s fearsome reputation, serving only the Grandmaster directly. Their presence had helped establish the Alliance''s dominance through numerous confrontations.


    Their images and stories were well-known enough that everyone recognized them immediately. Their presence alone confirmed that Moonshadow Alliance''s Grandmaster was about to appear.


    As the car door opened again, a woman emerged. She was wearing a flowing blue gown, design exuding timeless elegance and poise.

 Billionaire With Husband 470

    The woman appeared to be in her 40s, yet possessed an ageless elegance. Her gentle smile had an almost magical quality that could lift anyone''s spirits, making even the gloomiest thoughts vanish instantly.


    Her presence alone radiated an almost maic charm, the kind that was impossible to ignore.


    "Wee, mdy. The Walsh family is deeply honored by your presence," Dominic said as he approached, his voice trembling slightly.


    He could barely imagine how th


    would elevate their family''s social standing.


    The woman smiled gently and said, "I''m Christie Manning, the third-generation Master of Moonshadow Alliance. Forgive me for intruding.''


    Her voice was mesmerizing, rich, and melodious, weaving its way into the minds of everyone present. Many men in the crowd were visibly entranced, their expressions dazed. It was as if her words had struck a chord deep within their souls.


    Standing nearby, N felt a pang of disappointment flicker across her features. She was hoping it might be the first-generation Grandmaster, not the third. Nheless, the woman standing before her was undeniably the absolute authority of Moonshadow. Alliance in the present day.


    "Miss, surely you no longer suspect Felix''s involvement," Alfie whispered. "Even if he could somehow influence such powerful figures, they wouldn''t y along with the Walsh family like this."


    N nodded in agreement and moved forward. She was determined to speak with Dominic after the ceremony to understand what was really happening.


    Ten minutester, in one of the private rooms, Michael paced excitedly while Finnley sat on the couch, trying to calm his brother down.


    "Michael, stay cool," Finnley reminded with a shaking hand that held a cigarette. "Our family is about to undergo aplete transformation."


    "How can I stay calm, Finnley? The Dragon Lord and Moonshadow Alliance''s Grandmaster are at my wedding!" Michael eximed. "I still can''t believe it was this Dad''s hidden connection, or maybe Grandpa''s before he passed?"


    Finleyughed. "We can''t ask Dad right now, but let''s just enjoy this moment. Make sure you perform the ceremony perfectly. We need to leave the best impression on our distinguished guests."


    Michael nodded, his mind racing with thoughts of the bright future that seemed to be opening up before him. Meanwhile, Finley pulled out his phone and gazed at a photo of


    Xena, a smirk creeping onto his face.


    "Xena, oh Xena," he muttered under his breath. "I thought your promotion to Wady made you untouchable, but with the Walsh family tied to both Dragon Alliance and Moonshadow Alliance? There''s no way you won''t end up as mine."


    In another room, Yvonne sat at her vanity while her makeup artist worked. Upon hearing the news, her expression changed so dramatically that the artist had to pause.


    "The Dragon Lord and Moonshadow Alliance''s Grandmaster are both here? That''s impossible!" Yvonne eximed.


    If the Walsh family had such co


    ions, they would not have been so desperate to


    arrange her marriage to Michael for N''s sake.


    "It''s true. They''ve arrived, and Mr. Walsh Senior is greeting them right now," the makeup artist confirmed.


    For some reason, Yvonne felt her heart race as Felix''s image shed through her mind.


    Would he stille to her wedding after all this?

 Billionaire With Husband 471

    As time passed, the guests took their seats, awaiting the start of the ceremony. The Walsh family had opted for two wedding ceremonies.


    This was a grand one, meant for a bigger crowd, including friends and business associates. An intimate ceremony was nned for three dayster, inviting only their close family members. It was a testament to the family''s penchant for borate customs. At the front tables, Christie sat on the left and Vivian on the right,manding everyone''s attention. Sharing the table with them was none other than N, a clear indicator of her elevated status within this gathe


    "What should we do? We still can''t find Mr. Zeller, but surely he''s heard the news by now. He can''t act rashly!" Ryan mumbled anxiously, still feeling guilty about lying during the Eastern Mountain incident.


    "Mr. Gibson, what''s the point of worrying? Can we really influence his decisions?" George nced at Vivian''s table with a bitter smile, knowing she could be the wild card in this situation.


    Ryan sighed, but his concern lingered. While he was not overly worried about Felix''s safety if things went south, the thought of him suddenly facing off against two of the most powerful forces in Dragonia left a pit in his stomach. Still, as George had said, this had spiraled beyond their control.


    Yvonne made her entrance, escorted by Alfie. As an orphan without family, it seemed natural for N''s trusted steward to stand in as Yvonne''s guardian for the day.


    Michael stood nervously at the altar, aware that the presence of two powerful leaders had transformed this simple wedding into something far more significant. Following Finnley''s advice, he was determined to perform wlessly and maintain the Walsh family''s dignity. quests saw


    Alfie handed Yvonne to Michael as apuse filled the room. While most Yvonne''s gentle smile, keen observers noticed the true emotions in her eyes. "Distinguished guests," the priest began, "wee to the wedding of Mr. Walsh and Ms. Cooper. I''m honored to officiate this sacred ceremony." Following Dominic''s instructions to keep things brief out of respect for Vivian and Christie, he moved straight to the crucial moment.


    "Mr. Michael Walsh, do you take Ms. Yvonne Cooper as your wife, to care for her, love her, and never abandon her?"


    Michael''s smile widened as he dered firmly, I do."


    The priest turned to Yvonne. "Ms. Yvonne Cooper, do you take Mr. Michael Walsh as your husband, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health?" Chapter 471


    Just as Yvonne was about to speak, a voice rang out, shocking everyone. "She does not!"


    All heads turned to see Felix striding down the same aisle Yvonne had just walked in moments ago. Dominic was furious that someone dared disrupt such a crucial moment at the Walsh residence. Without waiting for orders, the security team sprang into action, charging toward Felix.


    "What''s this? Is the Walsh family afraid to let me speak my piece? Just going to throw me out?" Felix continued walking steadily, showing no sign of fear.


    Finnley''s voice boomed across wedding and expecting a warm


    Toom. "You''ve got some nerve, kid! Crashing Michael''s


    ome? Get him out of here!"

 Billionaire With Husband 472

    The moment Finnley spotted Felix, he stood up and reprimanded him loudly. As the younger generation, any disrespect from Finney might be forgiven, but Dominic had to maintainposure, especially now. A gentle breeze swept through, and the security guards stumbled backward several steps. Only then did everyone notice the elderly man standing two steps behind Felix-Seven, the head of ir, founded by Averill. Without even lifting a finger, Seven had repelled the guards, showcasing an immense power that left the crowd in stunnelence.


    George and Ryan tensed up as the


    hed Felix''s bold entrance. With influential figures like Christie and Vivian present, not to mention the other distinguished guests, they worried about how this situation would resolve.


    Yvonne''s heart was in turmoil. She had not expected Felix toe, let alone with such determination to take her away. Though she longed to run into Felix''s arms and live on her own terms, she knew it was not that simple. N smirked, her eyes betraying a trace of disdain. Felix''s gesture was admirable in its sentiment. Still, he would be foolish to think he could simply walk away after challenging the Walsh family, one of the elite families of Aleshire. "Who are you? Has the Walsh family wronged you in any way?" Dominic stepped forward, knowing he had to take control of the situation or risk bing a joke.


    "I''m Felix Zeller, and I bear no grudge against you," Felix replied calmly.


    Dominic took a deep breath, steadying his emotions. Then, he said, "In that case, leave now. I''ll overlook this because it''s my son''s wedding day. Otherwise, get ready to face the consequences!"


    Soon after, six powerful Martial Emperor-level martial artists appeared beside him, demonstrating the Walsh family''s power. Moreover, there were definitely more powerful ones who had yet to appear.


    Felix stopped and looked directly at Dominic. "This wedding must be canceled. Yvonne deserves to choose her own happiness, and no one has the right to interfere."


    He then turned to N, adding, "Not even you!


    N remained unfazed, her disinterest clear. She had no intention of intervening. If Felix could ovee the Walsh family, then perhaps he would have the standing to speak to her. Until then, he was just another reckless fool. Finnley sneered from his seat, enjoying the spectacle. Bringing one powerful bodyguard to challenge the Walsh family was a joke. He could not wait to see Felix begging for mercy on


    62


    his knees.


    Dominic''s fury deepened, and he scanned the room, addressing the guests. "Everyone, this young man has crashed my son''s wedding. I''ve given him a chance to leave, but if he refuses..." Supporters immediately chimed in, condemning Felix''s actions and praising Dominic''s restraint. Dominic would not have shown such patience if not for their distinguished guests.


    "Mr. Walsh Senior, you''re absolutely right.


    "This kid must be out of his mind!!


    "Honestly, if not for Mr. Walsh Senior''s patience, he''d already be on the ground."


    Raising his hand, hemanded, "Take him down!"


    In that crucial moment, Vivian stood up. "I''d like to see anyone try!"

 Billionaire With Husband 473

    The moment Vivian spoke, all eyes turned to her, each gaze filled with shock and disbelief. The thought that she might be supporting Felix seemed unbelievable at first, but as she moved to stand beside him, reality sank in. "Mdy, w-what does this mean?" Dominic stammered, confused. He was under the impression that Vivian was here as their honored wedding guest.


    "Today, Dragon Alliance will fully support Felix," Vivian dered firmly.


    A collective gasp swept through the crow stance before, it was now crystal clear- at all, but to back Felix.


    here had been any doubt about Vivian''s


    d note for the Walsh family''s wedding


    At this moment, everyone wondered who Felix was and what he had done tomand such an unwavering alliance from the Dragon Lord herself. After all, it was clear from her statement that there would be nopromise. "Yvonne,e here," Felix called out.


    Yvonne stood frozen, hands covering her mouth in disbelief. Even though she knew of Felix''s connection to Dragon Alliance, she never imagined the mighty Dragon Lord would go to such lengths for him.


    "Mdy, are you really going to let this young man act so recklessly?" Dominic''s eyes had turned ice-cold.


    Vivian did not bother responding. She had already made herself clear, and anything more would be redundant.


    "What''s wrong? Does the Walsh family think they can challenge Dragon Alliance?" Felix questioned.


    "This is my youngest son Michael''s wedding to N''s personal assistant, Yvonne," Dominic growled through gritted teeth. "It''s a mutual agreement, and the Walsh family will resist anyone who tries to interfere!" Pausing, he added with cold determination, "The Walsh family didn''t reach its position by sheer luck."


    N watched with a cold smile as Dominic cleverly tried to draw her into the conflict. For now, she decided to remain neutral, though Felix''s deep connection with Dragon Alliance had undoubtedly surprised her. Ryan and George were equally dumbfounded, though for different reasons. Ryan was shocked by Felix''s sudden show of power, while George was utterly baffled. He wondered when Felix had Dragon Alliance as his backer.


    Then, another voice cut through the air, sending fresh shockwaves through the room. "And me."


    Heads whipped around, and some guests even stood, their disbelief evident. Christie strode forward with the Shadow Twins nking her, her usual faint smile gone, reced with a resolute expression. "Moonshadow Alliance will also support whatever Felix says," Christie dered.


    The entire room seemed to freeze. Even N''s eyes widened in disbelief-how could Felix, who had lost his martial arts abiliti nd be a mere traditional medicine practitioner, ers?


    Finnley stood up in shock, trembling violently. He finally understood why Felix had dared make that bet with him and had never taken him seriously-the man''s influence was beyond terrifying. Those who had dismissed Felix as a fool causing trouble at the Walsh family wedding now


    realized just how wrong they had been.

 Billionaire With Husband 474

    As they looked at Felix again, everyone felt his presence seem more towering andmanding, inspiring an almost reverential awe. His ability to summon the support of two major powers was unprecedented.


    George and Ryan remained dumbfounded, their previous misconceptions about Felix shattered by this stunning revtion.


    Meanwhile, Dominic swallowed his pride with remarkable speed. There was no doubt that his adaptability was what led the Walsh family to such heights.


    He said smoothly, "Ah, Mr. Zeller, about your connection to Ms. Coop


    ly there''s been a misunderstanding. If I had known. would never have agreed to this marriage!"


    Heughed nervously, aware that the room understood his abrupt change in tone. Nheless, with Dragon Alliance and Moonshadow Alliance backing Felix-not just in name but with their most influential figures present-Dominic knew he could not win. Even if the Walsh family exhausted every connection, their downfall would be inevitable within a month. Survival was all that mattered now; his pride could wait.


    Felix kept his eyes fixed on Yvonne. "I have no special rtionship with Ms. Cooper, and she''s just a dear friend. I''m here today only to give her the right to choose her own happiness."


    His voice was steady, though his tone carried a hint of resignation. Yvonne was fiercely loyal, and despite everything, she viewed her life as belonging to N, who had given her everything.


    Felix only hoped that after today, Yvonne could finally break free and live on her terms without being used as a pawn in someone else''s game.


    At the altar, Yvonne was crying uncontrobly. She had never imagined that Felix would wield such influence on her behalf.


    "Yes, yes, of course," Dominic announced hastily. "Everyone, I sincerely apologize-the wedding is canceled!"


    Michael stood silently beside Yvonne, his mood darkening as he recognized Felix from their encounter at The Nightowl the previous night. The difference in their positions had be devastatingly clear in just 24 hours.


    "Dominic!" Felix spoke again. "Whatever agreement you''ve made with Lady N can proceed as nned. In exchange, I''ll spare Finnley''s life."


    Dominic froze in shock as he realized even Finnley had offended such a powerful figure. Then, he saw Finley rushing forward and fell to his knees before Felix.


    "Thank you, Mr. Zeller, for your mercy. Thank you so much!" His voice cracked with desperation.


    The memory of his earlier threats and taunts toward Felix filled him with shame and terror. Since Felix was giving him a chance, Finnley naturally grasped onto it. Besides, he knew Dominic would be fine with sacrificing some of his interests in exchange for Felix''s mercy. Sure enough, Dominic agreed with a bitter smile, "We''ll proceed as Mr. Zeller suggests. My arrangement with N remains valid, and I''m grateful for your leniency toward Finnley."


    Felix nodded and stepped forwar


    tending his right hand. "Yvonne, aren''t youing?"


    Just as Yvonne wiped her tears and started moving toward him, N''s voice cut through the silence. "Her fate isn''t yours to decide!" 1

 Billionaire With Husband 475

    Chapter


    475


    Felix turned to face N, who met his gaze with fierce determination. Just when everyone thought the conflict was over, N''s intervention brought a deafening silence to the room.


    Everyone knew N''s significance-not just for her mysteriously powerful family background, but for her ownmanding presence. Her willingness to challenge both Moonshadow and Dragon Alliances spoke volumes about her authority. Felix retorted, "I''ve been more than reasonable today. Yvonne is safe, and your deal with the Walsh family stands. Don''t push your luck, Lady N!"


    The crowd gasped. In all of Dragon public. Even N, known for her


    Felix was the first to dare speak to N so brazenly in


    osure, could not hide the icy anger in her re.


    Felix continued, "Yvonne remains yours. I only want to ensure you''ll never treat her as a mere tool again. Is that so difficult? Answer me!"


    N was about to respond, but Felix stepped closer. Even though he had lost his martial abilities, his presence was overwhelming.


    He pressed on. "Be careful-a wrong answer will have terrible consequences. Do you believe me?"


    Just then, the Shadow Twins raised their hands, their movements deliberate and menacing. Even Alfie, standing firmly by N''s side, looked uneasy, suggesting that he could not stop the twins.


    N had not expected Felix to take such a dominant stance. Her already bruised pride and dignity burned hotter as she recalled how Felix had spurned her alliance offers during the orphanage situation. Letting him walk away with Yvonne now would feel like conceding defeat-something her pride could not tolerate.


    "Felix! Enjoy your power now. In a few hours, you won''t have the right to speak to me this way!" N''s voice rose as she addressed the crowd. "He was once a master healer who earned favors from both Alliances.


    "Once these favors are used today, they''ll have nothing to do with him. Did you really think he couldmand these powers?"


    The guests murmured, her words sparking curiosity and doubt. If N was right and Felix''s influence was merely temporary, then his current standing was fragile at best. A favor spent was a favor lost, and that reality painted his actions in a very different light. "Felix, tell me if I''m right," N challenged. " you''re honest, I prom free to choose her own happiness."


    N''s intention was clear-she could not bear to see the man she had rejected living in such glory. If the wedding ended this way, Felix''s reputation would soar throughout Dragonia by nightfall.


    Though N would never admit it, she was beginning to feel regret-and perhaps even jealousy. Of course, her pride would not allow h knowledge those feelings, not even


    to herself.


    "You''re right," Felix responded calmly, his expression calm. "They did owe me a favor, which is why they came to the Walsh family today.

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    Many people breathed a sigh of relief at this response. For some reason, no one wanted to see this young man rise to power.


    Finnley, who had returned to his seat, turned ashen with anger, but he knew there was nothing he could do about it. If he had not gone to beg for mercy earlier, Felix could have used that favor to destroy the Walsh family today. N''s expression softened upon seeing this. She believed the man she had abandoned should quietly live an ordinary life rather than powerfully that even she felt threatened.


    "You''ve told the truth, and I''ll keep my promise. Yvonne can now make her own choices in pursuing happiness, and I won''t interfere anymore," she stated.


    It was exactly the answer Felix was waiting for. With so many witnesses present, N would not dare risk her reputation by breaking her word. "Take care of yourself, Yvonne," Felix said, ncing at her before leaving, with Vivian and Christie following suit as their business was concluded.


    Outside the Walsh residence, Vivian expressed her displeasure. "Mr. Zeller, why bother negotiating with Lady N?"


    Christie smiled. "Mr. Zeller, it''s not toote to change your mind. Just say the word, and Lady N won''t stand a chance!"


    They had every right to dismiss N. After all, Vivian''s position with Dragon Alliance and. Christie''s connection to Moonshadow Alliance, founded by Dahlia, gave them significant influence on them.


    "I appreciate your concern, but it doesn''t matter since the oue remains unchanged," Felix responded. He had never sought fame or glory; if that had been his goal, he could have achieved it in countless ways before. Shortly after, in a luxury car driving through a street in Aleshire, George and Ryan sat in the back, discussing the events.


    "Mr. Gibson, I don''t think Lady N was telling the truth about Mr. Zeller using favors to bring in the Dragon Lord and Grandmaster," Georgemented.


    Ryan nodded and replied, "I''m not sure either, but it seems usible." Felix''s identity as Gerald''s apprentice was known to him, and Ryan understood that those powerful figures likely owed Gerald their lives


    Anyway, I''mmitted to following Mr. Zeller for life. He never fails to amaze me, George dered,


    Ryan yfully pinched his cheek and responded, "Cut it out. If you''re dumb enough to lose a connection like him because of gossip, you''d only have yourself to me.


    They bothughed, leaving certain truths unspoken. They understood the importance of loyalty, especially for someone like Felix.


    At sunset, Felix returned to Canraville and headed straight to Yardley Dining. He had initially nned to have dinner with Yvonne to discuss some matters. However, after the confrontation with N, everything was reso! hout loose ends, and he decided to return earlier.


    Four hourster, in the pit behind Yardley Dining, Felix''s eyes suddenly opened, releasing two beams of intense light that pierced through the earth in front of him.


    "Well, I didn''t expect this. Mr. Hoffman must have known everything all along. Is this what they call rise from the ashes?"


    After jumping out of the pit, Felix turned his head and fixed his gaze in a specific direction. "Crimson Sage Sect, Jaden-it''s time to settle the score."

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    Felix was surprised by the extraordinary changes in his body after absorbing the first ancient dragon''s spine. The Dragons Destroyer technique began to operate at an unprecedented speed, finally reaching its intended path.


    He could now sense the spiritual energy Gerald had mentioned-a power far more profound than the internal energy other warriors possessed. Felix guessed he must have reached the Innate Realm by now.


    He remembered when he had faced Vilebano be a Martial Saint-a legendary achieve... mythical Innate Realm.


    At death''s door, he broke through to For most warriors, let alone reaching the


    Yet here he was, skyrocketing to new heights simply by using Dragons Destroyer to absorb a single ancient dragon''s spine-a feat so incredible that no one would believe it.


    Moreover, Dragons Destroyer was now rapidly drawing in the essence of the surrounding environment, allowing his power to surge even without active training.


    At sunrise, in a picturesque courtyard at Crimson Sage Sect, Cecil served tea to his guest. Jaden was intrigued, as it was his first time seeing someone receive such respect from his mentor.


    "Kennedy, it must have been ten years since west met," Cecil said to the elderly man across from him, whose round, smiling face gave off a warm, approachable air.


    "Indeed, about ten years," Kennedy Shields replied as Cecil passed him the tea. "You haven''t been holding a grudge, have you?"


    Cecilughed and responded, "We''re too old for grudges. I know you''re as stubborn as a mule-you wouldn''t leave your training to visit old friends unless you''d broken through. your limits. So let''s toast with tea to celebrate your advancement." Kennedy''s smile widened at these words. "Nothing gets past you! Though it took about eight years of isted training, I finally reached a new level!"


    After they finished their tea, Kennedy turned to Jaden. "This must be Jaden? Already at the Martial Emperor at this age-your future is limitless."


    Cecil beamed with pride at the mention of his precious apprentice. "You''re too kind, but I appreciate it. I''ve reached my limit and can progress no further, so I''m putting all my effort into training him."


    "Jaden, this is Mr. Kennedy Shields. If you ever face trouble outside Crimson Sage Sect, seek him out," Cecil added.


    Felix was surprised by the extraordinary changes in his body after absorbing the first ancient dragon''s spine. The Dragons Destroyer technique began to operate at an unprecedented speed, finally reaching its intended path.


    He could now sense the spiritual energy Gerald had mentioned. -a power far more profound than the internal energy other warriors possessed. Felix guessed he must have reached the Innate Realm by now.


    He remembered when he had faced Vilebane Vernon. At death''s door, he broke through to be a Martial Saint-a legendary achievement for most warriors, let alone reaching the mythical Innate Realm.


    Yet here he was, skyrocketing to new heights simply by using Dragons Destroyer to absorb a single ancient dragon''s spine-a feat so incredible that no one would believe it.


    Moreover, Dragons Destroyer was now rapidly drawing in the essence of the surrounding environment, allowing his power to surge even without active training.


    At sunrise, in a picturesque courtyard at Crimson Sage Sect, Cecil served tea to his guest. Jaden was intrigued, as it was his first time seeing someone receive such respect from his


    mentor.


    "Kennedy, it must have been ten years since west met," Cecil said to the elderly man across from him, whose round, smiling face gave off a warm, approachable air.


    "Indeed, about ten years," Kennedy Shields replied as Cecil passed him the tea. "You haven''t been holding a grudge, have you?"


    Cecilughed and responded, "We''re too old for grudges. I know you''re as stubborn as a mule-you wouldn''t leave your training to visit old friends unless you''d broken through your limits. So let''s toast with tea to celebrate your advancement. Kennedy''s smile widened at these words. "Nothing gets past you! Though it took about eight years of isted training, I finally reached a new level!


    After they finished their tea, Kennedy turned to Jaden. "This must be Jaden? Already at the Martial Emperor at this age-your future is limitless."


    Cecil beamed with pride at the mention of his precious apprentice. "You''re too kind, but I appreciate it. I''ve reached my limit and can progress no further, so I''m putting all my effort into training him." "Jaden, this is Mr. Kennedy Shields. If you ever face trouble outside Crimson Sage Sect, seek him out," Cecil added.


    Jaden bowed respectfully. "It''s an honor to meet you, Mr. Shields."


    "Remember, Cecil isn''t exaggerating. If you ever need help, don''t hesitate to reach out. He and I go way back, so you''ve got my support," Kennedy replied. Jaden was delighted at gaining another powerful ally, especially since Cecil had already implied that Kennedy was stronger than him. "Thank you, Mr. Shields."


    Just as Jaden finished speaking, a tremendous crash echoed throughout Crimson Sage Sect. Cecil jumped to his feet as shouts reached them.


    "Someone has destroyed the main gate!"


    This was outrageous-the main gate repres


    e pride of any martial arts sect, and


    someone had dared to destroy Crimson Sage Sect''s entrance. This single act meant war to the death.


    "Kennedy, please wait here while I handle this!" Cecil eximed.


    When Cecil and Jaden reached the vast front courtyard of Crimson Sage Sect, they froze in shock. The courtyard was littered with bodies, and Cecil could sense no life force from any of them. Their shock stemmed from recognizing the victims-the sect leader, elders, and supreme. elders. All of them were powerful martial artists, yet they nowy lifeless before them.

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    The most terrifying aspect was that only a few minutes had passed between the gate''s. destruction and their arrival, which spoke volumes about the intruder''s incredible power. They wondered what kind of monster could aplish such devastation in mere minutes. "Felix!" Jaden''s shout snapped Cecil back to reality, and he focused on the lone figure standing amidst the bloodbath.


    It was indeed Felix, the same man who had been rescued by master healers. Yet,


    this


    seemed impossible, as Felix had lost all his martial powers-even a Martial King should have been able to defeat him easily.


    "So you remember me? Do you stood with his hands behin


    all what I said when I left Crimson Sage Sect?" Felix


    k, staring at the mastermind of his kidnapping.


    He added, "I told you that once I returned, Crimson Sage Sect would cease to exist, and no one can change that inevitable fact."


    Since leaving the mountain, Felix had never suffered such humiliation. It was also why this was his first order of business after sessfully absorbing the dragon''s spine and reaching the Innate Realm. "Felix, don''t get ahead of yourself!" Jaden shouted, his body trembling with rage.


    He could notprehend how someone he had dismissed as a nobody just a month ago could walk into Crimson Sage Sect alone and single-handedly assault their sect.


    "Run!" Cecil suddenly hurled Jaden backward and turned to face Felix. "The me lies with the source-Jaden''s actions were the result of my mentorship. If you seek revenge, direct it at me."


    As a powerful fighter who had weathered countless storms, Cecil knew he was no match for Felix, especially with all their strongest martial artists dead. Thus, his only option was to protect his apprentice.


    He could not understand how someone who had lost their powers could reach such terrifying heights in such a short time. While he was puzzled, he knew that was not important now. The reality was that there was no escaping the consequences of the past. "Do you think stalling for time will work against me?" Felix asked coldly.


    Cecil gritted his teeth and raised both hands, causing the ground to copse and violent winds to surge-demonstrating his technique immense power. "Even if I die, you''ll at least be severely injured!"


    He had activated a forbidden technique that could gravely harm him, something he would only use in life-threatening situations.


    #


    Felix smirked and took a step forward. "Severely injured? Cecil, you overestimate yourself. To me now, your fate is determined by my words alone."


    With another step, Felix uttered a single word. "Kneel."


    Cecil crashed to his knees with such force that the stone bs beneath him shattered.


    Cecil''s eyes filled with terror as he realized what he had just experienced. "Impossible! You''ve reached the Innate Realm!"


    There was no mistake-as a Martial Saint himself, he knew only an Innate Realm''s pressure could force him to kneel without physical contact. But how could someone as young as Felix achieve this legendary realm? "You''ll go first, and I''ll send J


    join you soon enough. You know I always keep my


    word," Felix dered, his eyes showing murderous intent.


    Cecil epted his fate but used hisst breath to shout, "Run, Jaden! Kennedy, I leave Jaden to you!"


    Felix vanished from his spot, and as Cecil copsed, Felix''s words lingered in the air. "He won''t escape." 1

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    Jaden fled in panic on the mountain where Crimson Sage Sect was located, pushing his speed to the limit as he darted through the forest. Having heard Cecil''s final, furious roar, he knew the oue was already sealed. "Mr. ck, I swear I''ll avenge you! Damn it! How did Felix be so powerful in such a short time?" Jaden wondered in disbelief.


    Crimson Sage Sect was a major sect filled with powerful martial artists, yet Felix had single-handedly defeated them all. Jaden would not have believed it if he had not witnessed it himself. Suddenly, Jaden stopped, no him and hissed through gri


    a crater in the ground. He red at the figure before th, "Felix."


    It was terrifying how quickly Felix had caught up, leaving no time for even a glimmer of escape.


    "When you kidnapped me, did you ever imagine this day woulde?" Felix asked coldly.


    Jaden swallowed hard, knowing he stood no chance against someone who had just killed. Cecil and countless other elite fighters-his Martial Emperor status meant nothing now. "Felix, although I forcibly took you away back then, you weren''t harmed, were you? Now that you''ve destroyed the entire Crimson Sage Sect, could you spare me?" Jaden pleaded.


    Felix shook his head as he approached Jaden. "Crimson Sage Sect fell because of you. They''ve all gone to the afterlife. Wouldn''t you be lonely staying here alone?"


    Seeing Felix''s resolve unchanged, Jaden tried ying on his emotions. "Remember your promise to Zara? You said you wouldn''t hurt me. Surely a man of your stature keeps his word?" Felix grinned. "Nothing you say today will save you from death."


    Suddenly,ughter echoed through the forest as ifing from all directions. "My, my, young man. What a powerful killing intent!"


    The next moment, an elderly man appeared beside Jaden, smiling calmly as if he had everything under control.


    "Mr. Shields!" Jaden eximed with excitement.


    He had thought death was inevitable, but now Cecil''s old friend had appeared. Now, not only could he survive, but they might even defeat Felix together since Kennedy was even more powerful than Cecil. "You want to stand up for him?" Felix asked. Kennedy was about to speak when he


    suddenly sensed something terrifying.


    "The Innate Realm! Goodness, how old are you?" Kennedy gasped.


    Jaden''s jaw dropped at these words-Cecil had always told him that while ordinary men sought wealth and fame, true martial artists aimed for the Innate Realm. Yet here was Felix, having already achieved what Jaden had not even begun to approach. Before Jaden could finish processing this thought, Kennedy suddenly struck him in the chest with deadly force. Even in death, Jaden could not believe Cecil''s old friend had killed


    him.


    1


    "W-Why?" Jaden mumbled fore dying.


    Kennedy still wore his gen...


    ile as he turned to Felix. "This fool dared to provoke someone as extraordinary as you, and he deserved death. I''ve saved you the trouble of dirtying your hands."


    Even Felix was stunned by this turn of events. The old man had appeared to save Jaden but killed him without hesitation instead-it seemed almost theatrical.


    "Interesting," Felix mused. "From your expression, while you fear me, it''s notplete terror. This suggests you have some hidden advantage. Did you kill him just to convince me to let you go?"

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    Kennedy nodded with a smile. "You read me well. I value my life. My family''s foundation runs deep, with several Inmate Realm masters and even some who surpass that level. However, risking conflict with you over someone like Jaden simply isn''t worth it." Felix found this increasingly intriguing. "Is that so? Please borate."


    Kennedy rubbed his hands together and continued, "The Innate Realm represents an almost impossible barrier for martial artists to cross. Those of lower ranks can''tprehend how difficult it is to kill an Innate Realm master.


    "Even if you seed, the risk is unbelievable. Who would want to provoke one? If they''re a lone wolf, they could hunt y


    anywhere, and there''d be nothing you could do about


    it."


    Felix waved his hand, recognizing the truth in these words. "Fair enough. Your words make sense. You may go."


    After Felix left, Kennedy breathed a sigh of relief. "Good grief. When did Dragonia produce such a formidable martial artist? He reached the Innate Realm at such a young age. His potential is beyond imagination!! "Cecil, provoking someone like him was your doom, and there''s nothing I could have done to change that."


    At sunset in Canraville, Xena was working at the Wolfie troops'' headquarters when Alistair entered with a stack of documents. He reported, "Lady Summers, these just arrived from headquarters, including one urgent report requiring your immediate attention." Xena''s brow furrowed as she reviewed the documents. "Crimson Sage Sect waspletely wiped out?"


    Alistair replied, "Yes. I was also shocked. The Crimson Sage Sect was a major organization with numerous skilled fighters.


    "ording to Martial Alliance''s investigation, they were overwhelmed without putting up much resistance the buildings remainrgely intact, suggesting the attacker''s power far exceeded theirs."


    As Xena listened to Alistair while reviewing the documents, she understood that headquarters wanted them to strengthen their defenses in case this dangerous individual targeted them next. However, Martial Alliance would handle the main investigation. "Process this ording to standard procedures" Xena ordered. After Alistair left and as she reached for her mouse, Xena suddenly froze.


    "Felix," she whispered, remembering his parting words at Crimson Sage Sect-that when he returned, it would be the day of their destruction.


    "It couldn''t be him... Felix lost his martial powers. How could he possibly destroy Crimson Sage Sect?" Xena quickly dismissed the thought as ridiculous.


    Half an hourter, Alistair knocked and entered with an odd expression. When Xena asked what was wrong, Alistair nced outside and replied, "Lady Summers, you should see this for yourself."


    Puzzled by Alistair''s unusual behavior, Xena agreed to take a look. As soon as she stepped outside, her frown deepened.


    Felix was standing there wit


    ad person kneeling beside him. He said, "Xena, I didn''t


    know who else to turn to about this situation."


    After examining the kneeling figure, Xena was shocked. "Is that... Dark Scorpion, the Super S-rank wanted criminal?" Alistair leaned in and whispered, "Lady Summers, there''s a whole truck full of them."

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    "There''s still another car?" Xena asked in disbelief.


    Felix''s statement left Xena puzzled..


    "What do you mean?" she asked, ncing at the nearby Range Rover. She recognized it was Felix''s car.


    "There are three more inside. All of them are S-rank wanted criminals."


    "What?" Xena was stunned. S-rank fugitives were dangerous enough on their own, even if they weren''t as fearsome as the Thirteen Aces. They were usually hiding, making them hard to capture. Yet Felix had managed to bring in four of them all at once? Ten minutester, they arrive


    na''s office.


    "So you''re saying, as you were about to leave this afternoon, you found these four men tied up outside your gate,pletely incapacitated?" Xena asked in disbelief.


    Felix nodded. "Yeah, I was just as surprised as you, so I brought them all over.


    In reality, Felix was a bit frustrated. He had only asked Seven to capture one S-rank fugitive. However, he went above and beyond and delivered four.


    Felix knew why Seven went this far. Ever since he had regained his strength from refining the Dragonspine, his medical abilities not only returned to their peak but had grown even stronger.


    He even detected the substance Madam Spring had secretly given him-a concoction he couldn''t neutralize on his own. With only two months left, his best chance for survival was to win over Xena. Pride meant nothing when his life was at stake. Xena wore a strange expression. It was obvious to her that someone was helping Felix. However, she wondered why.


    "Regardless, I''m grateful you brought them in. Thank you." Capturing these four fugitives would be a significant achievement, especially as she had recently be the Phoenix Warlord. Although she was respected within the system, some were dissatisfied with her. However, nothing silenced critics like evidence proving she deserved the title. Capturing four S-rank criminals right away was more than a strong start.


    "No need to thank me. We don''t need to be so formal with each other.


    Before Xena could respond, Felix continued, "Xena, by now, you must realize that it wasn''t me Sonny kidnapped back then, right? He found someone who could disguise themselves or hired an actor."


    Xena remained silent. She had suspected as much, and her conversation with Hector had.


    +35 BONUS


    finally put her doubts to rest. She knew Felix wasn''t that type of person. However, what could she do about it?


    "I know it wasn''t you," she replied softly, "but my grandfather will never believe that."


    Felix smiled. "As long as you believe me, that''s what matters. I''ll handle things with your grandfather."


    Although Xena''s responsecked enthusiasm, it was at least a step forward. Time was running out, and Felix knew he had to make the most of it.


    Returning to the vi in New Glory, he noticed Jairo waiting by the gate.


    "Jairo, you really don''t like using


    Jairo responded earnestly, "No, phone, huh?"


    er speaking face-to-face."


    Felix sighed. "What''s up?"


    "Mr. Holt Senior wants to speak with you. It''s serious, important business." That exined it. If Jairo was waiting outside, he must have been there for a while. Inside Ernest''s vi, Jairo gestured for Felix to sit down before heading upstairs. "You''re here, Felix!" A rush of footsteps sounded, and Sherlyn dashed down the stairs. "Sherlyn, don''t tell me you created a lie about Mr. Holt Senior''s important business."


    Then again, Felix realized Ernest was unlikely to use such tactics even if he wanted to help his granddaughter out.

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    "What are you talking about?" Sherlyn pouted. "My grandfather truly has something important to discuss with you."


    Felix sighed, deciding to be direct with her. He genuinely didn''t want her to waste her time on him. "Sherlyn, you deserve better happiness, Don''t waste your time on me. Unexpectedly, Sherlyn wasn''t angry. Instead, she smiled and said, "Don''t worry. If I ever feel there''s no hope at all, I''ll leave. A woman''s intuition is quite urate, you know." Since she had made up her mind, what else could Felix do?


    Just then, footsteps sounded again and Felix stood up quickly. To his surprise, event Sherlyn''s father, Isaac, was the emed that this matter wasn''t a simple one.


    However, what could Felix possibly help with? After all, to everyone else, he was just an ordinary person now. He had no ns to reveal that he had regained his strength as his current situation was rather nice. "Hello, Mr. Holt Senior and Mr. Holt."


    After the three of them sat down, Isaac broke the silence. "Felix, we may have to trouble you again. Someone is critically ill, and we hope you can take a look."


    As expected, it was a medical matter. Just as Felix was about to respond, Ernest added, It''s regarding the first Warlord, Shadowdragon Warlord. He is my former superior whoid down the foundation for Dragonia. However, he is gravely ill. ording to Ss, he has only a few days left." "Shadowdragon Warlord?" Felix was taken aback. He had heard Hector mention him with deep respect. The Shadowdragon Warlord was indeed the first Warlord, and all the subsequent Warlords were essentially his prot¨¦g¨¦s. His achievements were legendary. "I know your medical skills have declined, but your knowledge remains invaluable. We don''t expect miracles. We''re just looking for a glimmer of hope. Will you go and visit?" Felix nodded, not hesitating further. "Alright, if I can help, I will certainly do something about it." Just as he had been willing to treat Ernest back then, Felix agreed without a second thought.


    "There''s no time to lose. Let''s head to Yartford right away.


    As they were about to leave, something urred to Felix. "Mr. Holt Senior, for someone of Shadowdragon Warlord''s status, obtaining a Miracle Card shouldn''t be an issue, right?"


    After all, even though Ernest had one, he hadn'' taken his own condition seriously due to a misjudgment. If that was the case, how could the Shadowdragon Warlord not have one?


    With a bitter smile, Ernest finally exined the truth. "The Shadowdragon Warlord and your mentor have a past grudge. No one knows the details, but even with a Miracle Card right in front of him, he refuses to use it. We''re out of options." Felix was shocked to hear that the Shadowdragon Warlord had a grudge against his mentor.


    For a moment, Felix was at a loss. He wondered if he should still visit the Shadowdragon Warlord. It wasn''t about loyalty to his mentor but rather the fear.


    Instead, Felix feared that his identity might be disclosed. If that happened, it would agitate the ailing Warlord, and Felix wouldn''t be able to help. If he ended up passing on the spot, that would be a terrible oue.


    Just then, his phone rang. Seei


    unfamiliar number, Felix felt his nerves tingle.


    "Mr. Holt Senior, I need to take thus call."


    He quickly went outside to answer. Just as he suspected, it was exactly who he thought.


    "You little brat, it''s about time youpleted the refinement, isn''t it? And think to report to me?"


    vou didn''t even

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    Felix could barely hold back his frustration. If it weren''t for the presence of Ernest and others inside, he might have shouted.


    "You old geezer, do I even have your contact information? How was I supposed to report to you?"


    Gerald''s shameless behavior was something he was well acquainted with. The voice on the other end sounded as nonchnt as ever. "So, you seeded then! Doesn''t it feel wonderful to break through and rebuild yourself?"


    Felix had to admit it was true.


    "Yes," he replied simply.


    "Now that your strength has advanced to the Innate Realm, don''t go bothering your fellow apprentices anymore, understand?"


    Felix had expected this. The thrill of being able to rely on his fellow apprentices'' resources over the past month was clearly short-lived.


    "Understood. However, there''s one more thing I would like to report, Mr. Hoffman. It''s about the Shadowdragon Warlord."


    After Felix was done exining, he could hear Gerald''s voice lower in tone.


    "That old coot is still as stubborn as ever. However, given his formidable strength, why would he suddenly fall ill? On top of that, he''s about to lose his life. Since they''ve invited you, go have a look." Since Gerald chose not to borate on their past grievances, Felix wouldn''t dare pry further. There was no point in asking if he wouldn''t get an answer.


    "Oh, and about Madam Spring. She came to see mest time, and she left something inside.


    me


    Before he could finish, Gerald cut him off.


    "Huh? Did someone knock me off the top of the diamond leaderboard? How dare they! I need to buy another million diamonds. The first ce is my spot! Well, Felix, I''m a little busy, so I''ll hang up now."


    Felix''s expression darkened. The moment he brought up Madam Spring, Gerald not only changed the subject but hung up right after. He strongly suspected that his mentor had known all along when Madam Spring went to him.


    If not for that incident, he wouldn''t have had to try to rekindle things with Xena.


    Around 11:00 pm, Felix stepped off a military helicopter. To be honest, he had no idea where they were. Although the moonlight was faint, his eyesight was sharp enough to see that the surroundings were lush and scenic, with genuine natural beauty.


    Nearby, a tranquilkey still, reflecting the gentle caress of the moonlight. The water was crystal clear, which was a rare sight indeed. Beside theke was a wooden house; one could imagine how peaceful it would be to live there, basking in nature''s splendor every day. "Let''s go. That''s where the Shadowdragon Warlord resides."


    Nodding, Felix followed Ernest and Isaac as they walked forward. Before they reached the door, it opened, and the person who emerged made Felix frown. Why was she everywhere he went?


    It was N, and she was alone. She looked equally surprised to see Felix.


    "Hello, Mr. Holt Senior and Mr. Holt," she greeted them.


    Ernest and Isaac nodded slightly, as if her presence here was entirely expected.


    "How is he?" Ernest asked.


    N shook her head, a sh of sorrow crossing her gaze.


    "He still refuses to use the Miracle Card, and we can''t locate Dr. Morris. There''s been no change in his condition."


    Then, she nced at Felix. "Mr. Holt Senior, can Felix''s medical skills even be of any use here?" she asked.


    If Ernest and Isaac weren''t present, her words would likely have been far sharper.


    "At this point, we can only try our best to save that old man. Felix was once an exceptional healer, and his insights might offer a unique perspective." Chapter 484

 Billionaire With Husband 484

    Just as Ernest finished speaking, a loud, grumbling voice came from inside the room.


    "Ernest! Who are you calling an old man?"


    The voice sounded robust, hardly like that of a sick person. Ernest put on an embarrassed smile. The man was, after all, his old superior. His rebukes were warranted.


    As Felix passed N, he ignored her entirely. However, he had already picked up on something-the rtionship between Lionel and N wasn''t an ordinary one. Given the way Ernest spoke to her, they might even be family.


    "If Ernest hadn''t brought you, I wouldn''t even let you set foot inside this door, Felix!" N''s gaze was impassive, but 1. Jain was palpable.


    She wasn''t one to be swayed by emotions, but the incident with the Walsh family had infuriated her. Although the agreement with the Walsh family still stood, it grated on her that someone she hadbeled as useless dared unt himself in her presence.


    Had hee to curry favor with Shadowdragon Warlord using his past ties with Ernest? She figured he would soon be shown the door.


    Inside the wooden house, an elderly man reclined halfway up the bed. Though his hair was snow-white, his spirit seemed remarkably strong. His prating gaze seemed to be able to peer into a person''s soul.


    "Lionel, this is Felix Zeller. He used to be-


    Before Ernest could finish, Lionel waved his hand.


    "Since his name is Felix Zeller, there''s no need for introductions. I''ve heard about the orphanage incident. He''s a worthy man, a true Dragonian patriot." Then, Lionel turned to Felix. "Regardless of your current level of medical skill, because of what you''ve done, I''m willing to let you examine me."


    Lionel was a man of absolute character who spared no energy on superfluous words.


    "Thank you, My Lord. I''ll do my best."


    While Felix went to wash his hands, Lionel gave Ernest a stern look.


    "Everyone faces death eventually. Stop running around trying to fix me up. I''m blessed enough to have lived to this age."


    Ernest shot him a wry smile. "As long as there''s a glimmer of hope, do you think I would ever give up?"


    Beside him, Isaac''s gaze was equally resolute. Though he said nothing, his determination was unmistakable.


    "Felix is thest person I''ll see. Unless you find Dr. Morris, I won''t meet with anyone else. That''s an order."


    The moment he uttered the word "order", Ernest and Isaac had no choice but toply. Age didn''t seem to have mellowed Lionel''s temperament.


    N had, of course, followed them inside. Seeing Felix sit beside Lionel to feel his pulse, she sneered internally.


    It was quite the act. In her opinion, he was at the level of a senior physician at best, yet he thought he could diagnose Lionel''s condition. Even the esteemed Ss had been stumped.


    Their collective conclusion was that, unless a miracle happened, only Gerald or Lemuel Morris could help. Lemuel was th hest-ranking doctor in Dragonia at the moment. Anyone else would simply be wasting me.


    Even after ten minutes, Lionel showed no signs of impatience. He kept his eyes on Felix, watching his expressions shift, but said nothing.


    N, however, was growing exasperated. Surely there was a limit to his pretense.


    Just as she was about to say something, Felix raised his hand and said, "I can cure you, My Lord."

 Billionaire With Husband 485

    As Felix''s words echoed through the room, even Lionel was momentarily stunned despite his vast experiences. He had long since given up hope of a cure, so his surprise was only natural.


    Ernest and Isaac, who always believed in Felix, were immediately filled with uncontainable excitement. For men of their caliber and integrity, this wasn''t about personal gain or reputation. They were genuinely praying for Lionel''s health. Only N''s gaze remained icy.


    "Felix! Do you think this is a joke? So many master healers have tried and failed, yet you think you can? Maybe once upon


    current skills, stop joking around!


    I would''ve believed it. However, given your


    Felix ignored her and looked directly at Lionel.


    "Would you permit me to give it a try, My Lord?


    Lionel, who had snapped out of his shock,ughed heartily.


    "Why wouldn''t I agree? True healers never enter a battle they''re not prepared for. While I am not afraid of the oue, I must ask you how confident you are."


    "A hundred percent.


    A hundred percent? Lionel''s smile faded. If not for Felix''s reputation from the orphanage incident, he would have dismissed this as the boast of a reckless young man. How could he im to be 100% confident when even Ss had been at a loss? "Before I begin the treatment, your emotions must remain steady. So I''d prefer it if only you and I were present," Felix added, turning with a slightly apologetic look toward Ernest and Isaac. "Please don''t take offense, Mr. Holt Senior and Mr. Holt. It''s necessary for the treatment."


    Both men rose immediately, nodding in understanding. For them, the priority was Lionel''s


    recovery.


    "No problem, Felix. Go ahead and do what you must."


    "We''ll leave right now. No interruptions,"


    However, N spoke up again. "Grandfather! You''re aware that Felix has lost his martial powers, and his medical skills have deteriorated considerably. Yet you still want him to try? It''s bound to fail!


    "I even suspect he''s ying to your personality, knowing you won''t hold him responsible for any failure, which is the only reason he dares to boast."


    "Grandfather?" Felix thought to himself, surprised that he had guessed correctly about her rtionship with Lionel-they really were family, and closely rted at that.


    Lionel frowned, turning to N.


    "Nana, I am a man of my word. I''ve already agreed to let Felix treat me, and I won''t change my mind. Besides, a doctor willing to put himself on the line for those kids isn''t someone I believe to be insincere. Join Ernest and the others outside." Despite his firm words, N stubbornly stood her ground.


    "Grandfather, this is the first time I refuse to follow your orders! So, Felix, you get out! Do you think you can build your future off my grandfather? Dream on! You''ve already used up all my goodwill, and now you''re tr gain even more? You disgust me." In any other situation, Felix wouldn''t have bothered with a response. However, since she was Lionel''s granddaughter, she did have the right to question him. Hence, he got up and approached her, radiating an intense, powerful aura. "Now, is this enough for you?"


    N froze on the spot, and Lionel''s eyes suddenly gleamed.


    "Innate Realm?"


    N had felt it too. Felix was actually in the Innate Realm. There was no doubt about it. Only someone in the Innate Realm could emit such an overwhelming power.

 Billionaire With Husband 486

    How could that be possible? Hadn''t Felix lost his martial abilities? Ss personally confirmed it, and she had been there to witness it. However, just one monthter, he had not only regained his strength but also ascended to the Innate Realm.


    "Very impressive, young man. It''s remarkable that you reached the Innate Realm at such a young age!" Lionel chuckled, clearly impressed. It made him even happier, especially because Felix was a patriot.


    N, her expression conflicted, shot Felix a hard look before turning and leaving the room. Since he had reached the Innate Realm, it was clear that his medical skills had not only returned but likely surpassed his previous level She couldn''t possibly continue to argue. "Did you ever refine a specific bone, My Lord?" Felix asked once they were alone in the wooden house.


    Lionel''s gaze shifted instantly. "Can you detect that bone''s presence?


    Felix nodded. "Yes, and I''m certain that your current condition was caused by that bone.


    In fact, Felix was shocked when he discovered it. The bone in Lionel''s body was no ordinary bone. It was a piece of the ancient dragon''s spine that Felix himself had been searching for and nning to refine.


    His mind raced with questions. Gerald had told him that only someone who had trained in the Dragons Destroyer technique could refine a true dragon''s spine. Yet here it was, hidden within Lionel, which was beyond strange.


    Lionel nodded. "You''re right. I do have a bone that isn''t mine! Years ago, I stumbled upon a fragment of a secret technique. Beside ity this bone.


    "Once I learned the technique, i was able to refine the bone. That day, my strength skyrocketed. The immense leap in power and quality was so incredible it still feels like a dream."


    It was as he thought. Felix himself had refined a true dragon''s spine bone, enabling him to reach the Innate Realm in an instant. This bone was indeed exceptional.


    "I never fully understood what that bone was," Lionel admitted, "But Felix, are you sure you can extract it from me?"


    "Perfect," Felix thought, breathing a sigh of relief. Otherwise, the exnations would have been endless.


    "I can do it. The bone is extremely special and hides itself during examination, making it tricky to locate. I''ll need to use a special acupuncture technique, slowly wearing it down. In about a week, I should be able to extract it.


    "However, there''s something you should consider. Removing this bone will significantly reduce your martial power."


    Lionelughed. "That''s fine! At my age, I''m about to retire. What do I need such power for? I''d rather live a few more years and enjoy some peace. Go ahead!"


    Just as he finished, a thought urred to him. By the way, Felix, can I keep the bone after it''s removed?"


    Anyone could tell that bone was valuable. Even if he no longer needed it, it could be left as an heirloom for his descendants.


    Felix shook his head.


    "No, the bone is too unusual. I can only gradually guide it out using acupuncture and transfer it into my own body. Afterward, I''ll spend 49 days using another technique to fully dissolve it within myself."


    To his surprise, Lionel simply shook his head, saying something that left Felix stunned. Oh, in that case, I won''t proceed with the treatment. You can leave."


    "1

 Billionaire With Husband 487

    Chapter


    487


    Felix fell silent before standing up. "If that''s your decision, then I have nothing more to say."


    To his surprise, Lionel chuckled. "I was just joking. How could I possibly risk my life for that bone? Go ahead with the treatment."


    It was all a test to see if Felix truly understood the nature of the bone. Felix hadn''t given away anything, so the Warlord felt reassured.


    Felix felt a little helpless. Dealing with these experienced veterans was truly nerve-wracking. Even a minor reaction could haveplicated things.


    Gerald had been right. Only those who practiced the Dragons Destroyer techniqu¨¦ could safely refine an ancient dragon''s spine. Anyone else, like Lionel with his unorthodox approach, was bound to face problems sooner orter.


    Outside, N sat on a small bench in the courtyard, lost in thought.


    To be honest, she had always had men wrapped around her finger, but Felix was different. Not only did he seem unaffected by her charm, but he had also, strangely, be an enigma she couldn''t shake.


    He had regained his strength and achieved the highly coveted Innate Realm. On top of that, he had his exceptional medical skills. Hence, he was, atst, a match for her. However, could she forsake her pride to reach out to him after all that had happened? Absolutely not. The moon receded, the sun rose, and soon it was nearing sunset. Finally, Felix emerged from the wooden house.


    "Felix! Did it work?" Despite the long wait, neither Ernest nor Isaac showed any impatience.


    "Not yet. His condition isplex. Even for me, it can''t be cured in one go. It''ll take at least a week, so you may head home first, Mr. Holt Senior and Mr. Holt."


    A week? Ernest and Isaac exchanged a nce. They had expected a challenge, but this was still surprising.


    "Understood. We''ll say our goodbyes to him ande back in seven days."


    Since waiting around wouldn''t be helpful, the two men decided to depart. Once they left, only Felix and N remained in the courtyard.


    "Do you really love Yvonne?" N''s voice suddenly broke the silence, making Felix frown.


    "Whether I love someone or not-how does that concern you?"


    "You-" N was furious but took a few deep breaths to steady herself. "Don''t worry. I''m


    not so petty as to take things out on Yvonne over what happened with the Walsh family. Things will stay as they were."


    When Felix didn''t respond, her frustration only grew. She had never felt this way about a man before.


    "My name is N Hughman," she said.


    Felix turned, surprised by her sudden revtion of her real name.


    The two fell into silence once more until Ernest and Isaac returned to say goodbye. Felix offered to see them off, but they declined.


    Afterward, N gestured to him. "There''s another wooden house in the back where you can stay."


    The house in the back was a bitrger, with two rooms, each containing a bed.


    Felix didn''t mind whatever he was given as he was exhausted after refining the ancient dragon''s spine. It was a challenging task, especially because he had to do it from within Lionel''s body. Hence, he had taken a long time toplete his work that day. As she listened to his steady breathing and watched Felix drift off to sleep, N''s gaze softened, and her thoughts swirled as she nced at the ceiling.


    "Does this count as living under the same roof?" she murmured to herself.


    She rarely stayed in the house adjacent to her grandfather''s, so it was an unprecedented event for her. On top of that, she never imagined she would stay so close to Felix.

 Billionaire With Husband 488

    As days passed, N never left. She would only enter the wooden house after Felix had finished his treatments,


    Over time, Felix also discovered the presence of an elderly person living somewhere nearby. This person only appeared during meal mes, bringing them food. Felix figured he was likely there to protect Lionel On the fourth day, after finishing his treatment Felix stepped outside and saw someone approaching,


    ""Zara?" he called out.


    Felix was surprised. He hadn''t expected to see ara here at such a time and ce. Her face, as always, could only be described as unattractive.


    "Felix!" Clearly, Zara was equally stunned to run into him here. But the next moment, she quickly looked away. "My... my mentor told me not to speak to you."


    If it hadn''t been for this reminder, Felix would''ve forgotten about the conversation with Ss and the promise he had made.


    At that moment, N appeared, and Zara hurriedly spoke up. "Lady N, this is a new medicine my mentor developed. It can''t cure the Shadowdragon Warlord''s illness, but it can at least ease the pain."


    N shook her head and pointed at Felix. "Please thank your mentor for his kindness, but it''s no longer necessary. Felix can heal my grandfather.


    Zara was stunned, then overwhelmed with joy. "Felix, your strength has recovered?"


    Felix smiled. "Yes, by chance."


    "That''s great! I knew you could do it!"


    Before she could finish her sentence, Zara recalled her mentor''s words and turned around


    to run off.


    As she watched Zara''s retreating figure, N suddenly stood beside Felix, her lips curving into a smile. "You really are a man full of charm. Every woman whoes into contact with you seems to develop feelings for you." Felix shrugged. "Whether you praise me or not, I''ll still do my best to treat him! Zara and I are good friends. Do you really think there''s no room for friendship between a man and a woman just because there''s no love involved?" With that, Felix headed off to rest, leaving N behind.


    "Friendship?" she thought to herself. "If I can''t even see the affection Zara has for you


    when she looks at you, then I don''t deserve to be called Lady N."


    Just as she was lost in thought, she heard Felix''s voice again.


    "By the way, do you have a satellite phone?" he asked.


    There was no cell signal in these deep mountains and forests, and Felix had tried countless times without sess.


    "I do. What do you need it for?"


    "To contact someone. Duh."


    N didn''t realize it, but Felix''s blunt tone didn''t anger her at all. Instead, she simply left and returned shortly with a satellite phone.


    "Thanks."


    Felix took the phone and went to his room. In truth, there was no urgent need to contact anyone, but he wanted to call Xena. Theirst conversation had gone well, and he didn''t want to let that feeling fade. After a long wait, Xena''s voice finally came through. "Who are you looking for?"


    "Xena, it''s Felix. I''ve been gone for a few days and didn''t want you to worry, so I thought I''d give you a call."


    Xena''s tone immediately changed. "Would I worry about you? Are you crazy? I''m hanging up!"


    Felixughed. Though her words weren''t very nice, there was still an undercurrent of yful banter. It seemed there might still be a chance with her.


    Meanwhile, outside, standing in the shadows, N''s expression darkened with fury.


    "He... he''s interested in Xena? I''m right here, and yet he''s thinking about another woman? How dare he!" N fumed.

 Billionaire With Husband 489

    On the seventh day, after Felix withdrew the silver needles from Lionel''s body, he wiped the sweat from his forehead.


    "Kindly check your body. Your issue''s all resolved," Felix said.


    In truth, the silver needles were just a diversion. Without the Dragons Destroyer technique, he would have been powerless against the ancient dragon''s spine fragment within Lionel''s body.


    After getting off the bed and stretching his limbs, Lionel''s eyes gradually grew brighter. He struck out with a palm, and the door to the wooden house shattered into pieces.


    "Not bad. I can feel my old vigor returning! Finally, I don''t have to lie in bed like a sickly person waiting for death!" Lionel eximed.


    As his voice echoed, the elderly man who had been bringing them meals appeared at the door, his face also showing a smile.


    "Congrattions on your rebirth, My Lord."


    Nearby, N also smiled. Her grandfather''s recovery made her genuinely happy. Felix was now a secondary matter.


    "Felix, how would you like me to thank you? Just say it!" Before Felix could respond, Lionel pointed at N with a finger. "How about I give my granddaughter, N, to you? She may be arrogant, but you''re even more outstanding. You''re a good match!" N hadn''t expected this turn of events. She had been about to speak but instead looked at Felix, which spoke volumes.


    "Please, don''t joke like that. How could I be worthy of Lady N?" Felix replied.


    Fury shed in N''s eyes, and she stormed out of the wooden house. Felix didn''t care much about that and continued, "I came to help you because I admire your contributions to the country. There''s no need for any reward." The elderly man smiled more warmly, and Lionel chuckled again.


    "Perfect! Strong youths would mean a strong nation. I''m truly relieved to have someone like you in the younger generation."


    An hourter, Ernest and Isaac arrived. Seeing that Lionel had fully recovered, they were naturally very pleased. After some conversation, the three men left.


    "N, do you have feelings for him?" Lionel suddenly asked, standing still and gazing in the distance.


    N, who had just appeared beside him, shook her head slightly. "No, not really. It''s just


    475 BOTPUS


    Chapter and


    that he gives me a very different feeling."


    Lionel gently patted N on the head, sighing. I know the heavy burdens you carry, but sometimes you can''t just go down one path blindly. You have the right to pursue your own happiness. I believe Felix can help you." He frowned, adding, "You''ve always been wearing that veil. You could havepletely captivated that boy if you had taken it off just now."


    N didn''t say anything. She just watched Felix leave, knowing there were things she couldn''t exin to her grandfather.


    After arriving at Canraville, Ernest invited Felix to a banquet to thank him, but Felix declined.


    The moment his phone finally received a signal, he had already promised to dine with Jack and Vanessa. After all, they had been worried when he disappeared for seven days.


    "s, my poor daughter." After Felix left, Isaac sighed repeatedly, while Ernest looked helpless.


    "Yes, when he lost his martial arts powers, all the attention was shifted from him, giving Sherlyn hope. Maybe it''s fate that his powers have been restored."


    Without needing Felix to exin, they could already guess. After all, many master healers were powerless against Lionel''s conditions, yet Felix''s medical skills could resolve it. His powers must have been restored at some point. "You know Sherlyn''s temperament. Well, we''ll take it one step at a time. As a father, I''ve led so many men, but I can''t even manage my own daughter. It''s truly pitiful."

 Billionaire With Husband 490

    In a karaoke center in Canraville, Felix sat alone in the private room, surprised that Jack hadn''t arrived yet. He thought to himself, "What a ky guy."


    He took a moment to assess himself, and a smile spread across his face. His strength had once again increased since he had two pieces of Dragonspine in his body.


    Honestly, Felix felt like he was dreaming. Because of this, his fascination with the Dragonspine deepened, but he also had one lingering concern in his mind.


    After thinking it through, and since Jack and Vanessa hadn''t shown up yet, Felix got up and walked to the lounge area in the center''s main hall. He then dialed the strange number from before.


    Perhaps because of Lionel, Gerald answered his call after a few rings. "Did you seed?"


    "Yes, Mr. Hoffman. You might not believe it, but I found out the true cause of Lionel''s condition."


    Gerald scolded him immediately, "Drop the suspense, you little brat. Tell me right now!"


    Felix couldn''t help but chuckle. So Gerald was curious too, huh?


    "Lionel has a piece of Dragonspine inside him. ording to him, he found an ancient secret method years ago, and nearby was the Dragonspine. He used that method to sessfully integrate it into his body."


    After a silence of several seconds, Gerald finally said, "That exins it. No wonder that old man''s power skyrocketed back then. It must have been the Dragonspine!


    "Felix, now you understand, right? The power boost from the Dragonspine is


    immeasurable. However, without the Dragons Destroyer technique, an ident was bound to happen sooner orter."


    Taking the chance to rify his doubts with his mentor, Felix asked, "Mr. Hoffman, if someone has already figured out a way to use the Dragonspine without the Dragons Destroyer technique, doesn''t that mean collecting more of them will be even harder?" Gerald paused for a moment before replying. "Well, don''t worry too much, though. As long as you have three pieces of Dragonspine in your body, you''ll be able to sense the others. You''ll have a vast detection range too, so just keep moving around." After that, the call ended. Felix was in a good mood. With just one more piece to go, it would be like having a radar. He wouldn''t need to worry so much, either.


    When he returned to the private room, he saw that Jack and Vanessa had arrived. There was also a woman with them.


    she had medium length hair and was wearing purple headband. Her appearance was sweet and cute, especially when she smiled, which revealed two shallow dimples that added to her charm. "Felix! Let me introduce you. This is my good friend, Fancy Yonder"


    Nancy stood up, revealing her height to be about five feet seven inches. Her long legs, which were slender and straight to an almost aggerated degree, made an immediate


    impression.


    "Hello," she greeted,


    "Hello," Felix responded,


    Half an hourter, Vanessa had entered full karaoke mode, and Felix finally found a chance to speak quietly with Jack.


    "What''s going on? Why is Nancy here?"


    Jack shrugged, looking helpless. "It''s all Nessas idea. She said it''s not good for you to stay single and insisted on introducing a girlfriend to you. That''s why Nancy''s here." That exined it. Felix had noticed that Nancy didn''t seem toofortable making eye contact with him, which made sense if Vanessa had made it clear what this meeting was about.


    At that moment, a waiter entered the room. "Is Mr. Zeller here?"


    Felix waved his hand, and the waiter approached, handing him an envelope.


    "This is something for you from the guest in Room V03," the waiter said. "Thanks."


    Felix opened the envelope, and Jack, curious as always, leaned over to take a look. The moment he saw the contents, his expression immediately darkened. "Dammit! Which idiot sent this?" Jack eximed.

 Billionaire With Husband 491

    Chapter


    491


    Inside the envelope was a single sheet of paper with one huge word written on it, "Death",


    "Don''t worry. It''s probably just someone pulling a prank. I''ll go check it out," Felix said.


    Knowing Felix''s abilities, Jack didn''t try to stop him. "Alright, bute back quickly. Let me know if it''s something serious so I can tell Nessa."


    Felix headed to Room V03. Pushing the door open, he saw a young man sitting alone on the couch. The table was lined with unopened bottles of alcohol, and the TV was paused. It was clear he wasn''t here to have fun.


    "I don''t believe we''ve met before," Felix said as he casually took a seat.


    To Felix''s surprise, the young man rose to his feet and approached him. Then, he suddenly dropped to his knees in front of him. "Please! I beg you to save my grandfather!"


    Felix blinked in confusion. This wasn''t what he expected at all. He had thought it might be an enemying to pick a fight.


    "Please stand up first. Who is your grandfather?" Felix asked.


    The young man stayed on his knees, refusing to budge. "I''m from Meadowspring. My grandfather is the vige chief."


    The mention of Meadowspring immediately brought back memories of the time he had gone there to rescue Michelle. It had happened all because of Rnd and some woman named Pearly.


    Felix hadn''t recovered his strength at the time, and the situation had been dire. If the old vige chief hadn''t intervened and let them go, they might have suffered a terrible


    oue.


    "Rise to your feet and tell me the whole story," Felix said.


    He helped the young man to his feet and motioned for him to sit down.


    Even though the vige chief''s actions had been a way of repaying a favor, hearing this news left Felix feeling a little guilty.


    "When you trespassed Meadowspring''s forbidden zone that night, we should have killed you ording to our vige rules. However, my grandfather let you go. We thought that was the end of it, but the Saphira family came and took my grandfather away today," the young man said, his face full of sorrow.


    "They said he broke the rules by letting outsiders go and must be punished.


    It turned out to be because of that incident.


    Felix frowned. "Does the punishment endanger his life?"


    "Yes! Three years ago, a man who had attained the Martial God level faced the same punishment. He didn''tst even a minute before dying."


    No wonder the young man was so desperate.


    "I was there that night. Since my grandfather is indebted to you, you must be an extraordinary person. Meadowspring is just a tiny faction of the Saphira family. We don''t have the strength or courage to resist them. I have no one else to turn to, so I came to you. Please, save my grandfather!"


    The Saphira family was one of the eight great ancient martial ns. Felix wasn''t keen on crossing a family like that unless it was absolutely necessary. Who knew how much resources they had at their disposal?


    However, ignoring this situation would weigh heavily on his conscience.


    "When will the punishment take ce?" Felix asked.


    "It will take ce in the vige square tomorrow at sunset," the young man replied.


    Standing up, Felix patted him on the shoulder. "I''lle and see what I can do. I can''t


    my best." guarantee I''ll be able to save your grandfather, but I promise I''ll do


    Hearing that, the young man looked relieved. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"


    On his way back, Felix felt surprisingly calm. After all, he didn''t have to get involved. It wasn''t like he owed the vige chief anything.


    However, he knew he couldn''t ignore it. He would assess the situation the next day, and if the price to save him was too high, he would have to walk away.


    Back in his private room, Nancy was nowhere to be seen. She was probably in the restroom. Vanessa immediately pulled Felix aside.


    "So, Felix, what do you think of Nancy?" she asked with a sly smile.

 Billionaire With Husband 492

    Felix smiled and replied, "She''s alright."


    Vanessa beamed at that. "I told Jack there''d be no problem! I''m the best person for finding you a girlfriend. Nancy is my best friend from college. She''s now a university lecturer at Shunnington University in Canraville.


    "She''s beautiful, has a great figure, a good personality, and lots of guys are chasing her. You have to seize this opportunity!"


    Felix scratched his nose, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Vanessa, I appreciate your kind intentions, but I''m not really considering anything like that for now."


    Vanessa red at Felix, clearly unwilling to give up.


    "Hey! At least spare me the embarrassment, alright? Even when her family sets her up on blind dates, she refuses to meet them. However, she came as soon as I called. If you act like this, what am I supposed to do? Plus, she''s a woman-it''s not easy for her to do this either.


    §ª


    That left Felix speechless. He hadn''t thought that far ahead.


    "You know what? I''ll get her numberter, and we can chat asionally. Over time, she''ll probably lose interest in me anyway."


    Although a little disappointed, Vanessa could sense that Felix genuinely wasn''t looking for a rtionship. Hence, she reluctantly agreed. "Ugh, that''s a waste of my effort. However, I guess that would spare me from the embarrassment."


    When Nancy returned, Felix immediately followed through on his promise. "Nancy, can I add you on WhatsApp? It''d be good to have your contact information."


    Nancy quickly took out her phone, clearly shy. "Okay."


    ching this unfold, Vanessa couldn''t help but feel excited. She knew her best friend inside out, and Nancy was clearly a reserved person. For her to act like this, it was obvious she had an eye on Felix.


    In an instant, Vanessa''s enthusiasm reignited. She refused to believe that Felix wouldn''t be moved. Since Nancy seemed interested, she decided it was her destiny to y. matchmaker,


    Around 11:00 pm, the gathering came to a close. At the karaoke entrance, Vanessa called for a designated driver and immediately dered, "Felix, I''m entrusting my best friend''s safety to you! Our car''s back seat is full of stuff and can only fit one person, so we won''t be giving you a ride."


    Jack looked bewildered, wondering when the back seat of his car had been loaded with


    items. Before he could figure it out, Vanessa violently dragged him away.


    Felix, however, figured her arrangements made sense. After all, it wasn''t safe for a young woman to go home alone sote at night. "Let''s go, Nancy. I''ll take you home."


    Nancy felt a little uneasy. It was probably her first time having a guy see her home sote. Nheless, she nodded in agreement. "Alright, Llive in the university dormitory."


    Hailing a taxi, Nancy got into the back seat. She was about to scoot further in when Felix immediately took the front passenger seat, sparing her any awkwardness. Nancy quickly bowed her head, trying to hide her embarrassment.


    "You''re already a university lecturer at such a young age. That''s impressive," Felix said, breaking the silence.


    He only did that out of consideration for Vanessa. He didn''t want to deal with her nagging


    "It''s partly luck, but I really enjoy teaching students. By the way, Vanessa mentioned you''re a doctor. Which hospital are you working at?"


    "I recently resigned," Felix replied.


    Vanessa always made decisions on his behalf. While he was a doctor, he was not the conventional kind. How was he supposed to exin that?


    After chatting for about ten minutes, Nancy seemed to be enjoying the conversation when she suddenly nced out the window, puzzled.


    "Excuse me, sir. Are you sure we''re going the right way? This doesn''t seem like the road to Shunnington University."


    The driver looked at her through the rearview mirror and shot her a sinister smile. "No, it''s not the way to Shunnington University. It''s the way to the underworld."

 Billionaire With Husband 493

    Felix had no idea how to get to Shunnington University, which was why he hadn''t realized anything.


    However, the driver soon withdrew a hand from the steering wheel. Reaching toward his abdomen, he pulled out a handgun, pointing it directly at Felix.


    "Don''t even think about moving an inch. I''ve killed more than just one person."


    In the back seat, Nancy was terrified, even though she couldn''t see the gun. With the car speeding along, jumping out wasn''t an option.


    "So, you''re a killer. I''m guessing this cab isn''t yours either?" Felix remarked calmly.


    The driver smirked. "You''re pretty sharp. The real driver is in the trunk. He''s dead as a doornail. I was nning to grab some random passenger, but then you gged me down."


    As he spoke, the driver nced at Nancy in the rearview mirror, licking his lips. "Damn, this chick is a knockout. Way better than the ones I''ve paid for. I''m going to take my time with her." Felix''s expression turned odd. Of all the people to run into, he had to find a murderer.


    "What you''ll be enjoying," Felix said coldly, "is the full weight of thew."


    In the blink of an eye, Felix threw a punch, his other hand darting out to snatch the gun. Then, he grabbed the wheel and mmed the driver''s foot to stomp on the brake.


    The series of actions happened so fast that in the back seat, Nancy barely registered what was happening before the cab screeched to a stop.


    "You okay?" Felix asked, turning to look at her.


    Nancy stared at him, stunned. "Y-Yeah, I''m fine."


    When the police arrived, Nancy saw the gun being bagged as evidence. Shuddering, she turned to Felix, her face pale. "He had a gun?" Felix nodded. "Yeah. But it''s all taken care of now."


    Despite being held at gunpoint, Felix stayed calm. On top of that, he managed to fight back-


    and win.


    Nancy''s gaze shifted, admiration now mingling with her shock. What woman wouldn''t be drawn to a man like this?


    After calling Alistair to handle the aftermath, Felix left with Nancy. He had no time for police reports or formalities.


    As for the driver, there was no doubt he would face the death penalty. The body in the trunk


    ensured that.


    At the entrance to Shunnington University, Nancy clutched her purse with both hands, forcing a smile. "Thank you for saving me."


    Felix waved it off. "No big deal. Now go on in."


    Watching her walk away, Felix couldn''t help but chuckle bitterly to himself. "Please don''t let this cause trouble for me."


    If it weren''t for that whole incident with the killer, their first meeting wouldn''t have meant much. However, fate had a strange way of arranging life events.


    Felix was worried Nancy wouldn''t forget what happened that night. Then again, there wasn''t much use in worrying. He would just deal with itter.


    When Felix got home, he was surprised to see Xena step out of a nearby car. "Zena? What are you doing here sote?"


    Xena wore an unreadable expression. "You caught another S-rank fugitive. I came to gather some information."


    It was Felix''s turn to be confused.


    "What? I just got back to the city today. How could I have turned in an S-rank fugitive? Are you sure this isn''t a mistake?" "Let''s talk inside," she said.


    Once inside the vi, Xena pulled out her phone and showed him a picture. "Isn''t this the guy you caught?"


    At one nce, Felix recognized the cab driver. "You''re kidding me, right? That guy is an S- rank fugitive?"


    Before he could say more, he noticed Xena''s gaze shift.


    "I knew it. Your strength has returned," she said.


    Felix sighed. It was no wonder she visited him. She must have pieced things together from the clues and wanted confirmation. Today''s Bonus Offer

 Billionaire With Husband 494

    Xena continued, "You can deny it if you want, but the truth speaks for itself. An S-rank fugitive is at least near the level of a Martial King. Even most martial artists wouldn''t stand a chance. Yet you took him down effortlessly. Do I need to keep going? "The S-rank fugitive wasn''t weak. You''re just too strong."


    She wasn''t wrong. Felix hadn''t given it much thought as everything had happened too quickly,


    "My strength has indeed recovered," he admitted.


    Hearing that, Xena broke into a bright smile. It was a genuine smile that came straight


    from the heart.


    "All that effort finally paid off. Back then, you gave everything to save those kids. It seems heaven has finally smiled on you."


    Standing up, Xena prepared to leave. "Now that your strength is back, your medical skills must be as well. I have nothing to worry about anymore."


    Felix hesitated for a moment, then rushed forward and grabbed her hand. "Xena, let''s be together!"


    Xena looked into his eyes, then slowly pulled her hand away. "Since that day, I''ve truly fallen for you. I won''t deny that. However, here''s the problem. If I were to be with you, my grandfather would be absolutely furious. What do you think I should do?" With that, Xena walked away.


    Felix slumped onto the couch, feeling powerless and frustrated. "It seems like I''ll have to find a way to clear up this misunderstanding with Mr. Summers Senior. Otherwise, none of this will work."


    Anyone would find Xena''s situation difficult. How could someone pursue their own happiness while ignoring their family''s feelings? This was especially so, considering Xena and her grandfather shared such a deep bond.


    The next morning, Felix woke up craving tacos and pizza. As he stepped outside, he thought he was seeing things.


    A woman in athletic gear and a headband jogged past his porch. That woman was none other than Yvonne. As she stopped by his gate to smile brightly at him, Felix realized it wasn''t a dream, "Felix, you''re up early," she said.


    Felix walked closer, eyeing her curiously. "What are you doing here?"


    *


    "Ster Group has business in this city. I''ll probably be staying for a while," Yvonne replied.


    Frowning, Felix pressed further. "Did Lady N send you here?"


    Yvonne nodded. "She did. How did you know?"


    After the incident involving the Walsh family, N had-given Yvonne her blessing to


    choose her own happiness. Since then, Yvonne''s spirits had been high. Seeing the man she loved only made her happier.


    "Just a guess," Felix said.


    Yvonne waved him off with a smile. "Come to my ce for lunch. I''ve been wanting to thank you for what you didst time."


    Under different circumstances, Felix would have agreed without hesitation. However, the appearance of Madam Spring left him with no choice. "I''m busy. Maybe another time."


    Yvonne''s smile faltered as she watched Felix walk away, his figure growing smaller in the distance. A wave of loss washed over her. "Was going to the Walsh family on my behalf not what you really wanted? Or... did I do something wrong again?" Meanwhile, a burly man slowly lowered his binocrs on the rooftop of a high-rise near New Glory. If Felix were there, he would recognize him as the one who had abducted Michelle.


    Taking out his phone, the man dialed a number


    "Your prediction was spot on, sir. The vige chief''s grandson did visit Felix, but it''s not clear if he''ll head to Meadowspring today."


    The voice on the other end was raspy,ced with venom. "He''ll go, no doubt about it. And when he does, he''ll die there."

 Billionaire With Husband 495

    The burly man had never heard his employer sound so irritated before, but it was understandable given the circumstances.


    Taking revenge on someone as insignificant as Rnd should have been a walk in the park. It should have been an effortless task. However, an unexpected hup arose.


    The unexpected involvement of the Meadowspring vige chief wasn''t a big deal as their n could still proceed. However, just as the second phase of their n was about to begin, someone appeared. That person issued a warning to his employer to leave Michelle and Rnd alone.


    His employer had no choice but to swallow his pride andply. The reason? That person was the legendary Silver Flute. Refusing such a figure could easily cost them their life.


    Naturally, all the pent-up frustration and resentment had to be directed somewhere. Since Felix was also involved, he became the perfect target. However, Karina had left Felix out of the loop entirely.


    Meanwhile, Jack had just finished washing up. He adjusted his tie in the mirror as he got ready for work.


    Just then, Vanessa approached, clutching her phone with visible excitement.


    "Ha! I spent over an hour chatting with Nancyst night. I think she''s starting to like Felix!


    11


    Jack sighed helplessly. "Vanessa, can we have this conversation after you''ve put on some clothes?"


    Vanessa waved him off casually. "What''s the big deal? The curtains are closed! I''m being serious here. Felix clearly isn''t making an effort. This is the first time I''ve seen someone like Nancy take the initiative. You need to talk some sense into him!"


    Jack gave her a quick kiss before returning to the mirror to put on his tie. "How exactly am I supposed to do that? Marriage is a serious matter. He''ll have his own opinions about it."


    A firm pnded on the back of his head. Vanessa, clearly displeased, red at him. "I dare you to say that again?"


    Jack quickly raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright! I''ll talk to him when I get a chance. No promises on the oue, though.


    "That''s more like it."


    Felix drove out of the city at around 4:00 pm, heading toward Meadowspring


    His original n had been to leave Canraville and move on to the next location where another piece of the Dragonspine was hidden. However, Madam Spring''s unexpected interference had thrown a wrench in his schedule. Hence, his current priority was to win over Xena.


    To be fair, the enhancements brought by the Dragonspine had been almost addictive. Refining another piece, which would grant himrge-scale sensory abilities, felt like an urgent need. Despite that, nothing was more important than staying alive. Meanwhile, in a house within Meadowspring, the young man who had begged Felix for help the night before sat dejectedly, watching his grandfather eat heartily.


    "Grandpa," he began hesitantly, "I... I went behind your back and sought out the man who saved your life. He promised toe and rescue you."


    The vige chief, with his mouth full of food, shot his grandson a sharp look before swallowing. "You fool! Who told you to meddle? Do you think people go around being kind just for fun? He saved me once, which was why I set him free. Now that debt is settled. Why would he bother with our mess again?


    "Do you think our vige, as a branch of the Saphira family, is some kind of amusement park where people cane and go as they please?"


    The young man was taken aback. "So... you''re saying Felix won''te? That he lied to me? But... I don''t think he''s that kind of person. I''m sure he''ll show up."


    Just as he finished speaking, a loud voice boomed from outside. "Come out! Time''s up!" ording to Meadowspring''s rules, condemned individuals were allowed a final meal with their family members before facing punishment. For many, this meal was often theirst. "Listen, kid," the vige chief said firmly. "Train hard in martial arts. Your bedridden mother still needs you to take care of her. Now get out of here!"


    Calum Lewis was every bit a man of principle. Knowing full well that his death was imminent, he remained unflinching. His gaze was calm and unwavering, as if staring into the face of death held no power over him.

 Billionaire With Husband 496

    While on the road to Meadowspring, with only about three miles left to reach his destination, Felix suddenly mmed on the brakes. A BMW X6 had abruptly swerved in front of him, its brake lights shing. A collision would''ve been inevitable if not for Felix''s quick reflexes.


    The road was already narrow to begin with, with only twones for traffic. While the BMW''s aggressive maneuver was extremely frustrating for any driver, Felix was in a hurry. Hence, he couldn''t be bothered to deal with it.


    With a swift turn of the steering wheel, he aimed to overtake the car. To his surprise, the BMW had also veered into the oppositene, clearly intending to block him.


    Felix took a moment to assess the situation. The BMW had been driving at a crawl just ten minutes earlier, and Felix had honked a few times, but the driver had ignored him. It seemed like the driver was seeking revenge just because of those few honks. A wry smile crossed Felix''s face as he pressed the gas pedal, feinting a move to the right before quickly speeding past the BMW.


    Felix''s car soon reached the entrance to Meadowspring, and he pulled his car to a stop. To his surprise, the BMW X6 followed him, parking beside him. A young man, probably in his 20s, with bleached hair and an arrogant expression, stepped out of the car. "How dare


    you honk at my car?" he shouted.


    Felix, however, was more concerned with his mission to save someone and couldn''t be bothered with this small-time troublemaker.


    When the young man saw that Felix was ignoring him, his anger grew.


    "Hey! Are you from Meadowspring? You''re done for! Even the vige chief has to respect me! Who do you think you are?"


    Felix frowned. Without a word, he turned around and struck the man with a palm. Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.


    A dull thud rang out as the young man crumpled to the ground, clutching his stomach in


    agony.


    "You... you''re dead!" the man gasped, still writhing in pain. "Even if you''re a Martial Emperor, Meadowspring will have to answer for this!"


    Despite the sharp pain in his abdomen, the young man knew he wasn''t seriously injured. However, the pain was enough to fuel his fury. Clenching his teeth, he struggled to his feet and staggered into the vige.


    "I will make you regret this! You''ll wish you''d never been born!"


    Soon, Xerxes Tate stormed into Meadowsprings administration office. A middle-aged man who had been sipping his drink immediately got up to greet the young man.


    "You didn''t let me know you wereing, Mr. Tate. I would''ve gone to the vige entrance to wee you."


    Xerxes, still fuming, shot him a confused look. Who are you? Where''s the vige chief?"


    The man smiled and answered, "I''m the acting vige chief of Meadowspring now. You can call me Leon."


    Xerxes was taken aback. "Has the vige chief been reced? What happened to the old one?"


    Leon''s expression immediately turned somber. "Ah, the old vige chief vited the rules of the Saphira family. Not only was he removed from his position, but he may face punishment. His life might even be at risk." To Leon''s surprise, Xerxes burst intoughter.


    "Ha! Serves him right! He used to act like a big shot whenever he saw me. Now it''s finally catching up with him."


    As heughed, he felt a twinge of pain in his stomach, and his thoughts returned to Felix. " Gather all the young people in the vige. I''m looking for someone!"


    Leon''s eyes twinkled. He quickly grabbed Xerxes and began heading outside.


    "Well, that''s quite convenient. All the young people are already gathered at the small square, waiting to see the old vige chief''s punishment. Let''s go there, and you can look for whoever you want."

 Billionaire With Husband 497

    The small square of Meadowspring was packed with people. The women were crying, and the men were no better, their faces full of sorrow.


    The cause of this collective sadness was Calum, the old vige chief, whose contributions to the vige were well-known to all. His downfall was a tragic event for everyone.


    Despite the grief, no one dared to speak out because of the power of the Saphira family. The Saphira family was thew, and no one could change that. Strictly speaking, Calum had indeed broken the rules, which was a fact, so the vigers could only send him off in this manner.


    At that moment, Calum appeared, nked by two men dressed in traditional blue suits, symbolizing their direct Saphira lineage. If someone from the coteral branches of the family dared to wear those clothes, they would be executed on the spot. Among the crowd, arge man frowned. He was Pearly''sckey.


    "Could it be that Pearly''s prediction was wrong? It''s about to start, but Felix still hasn''t shown up."


    After Calum had positioned himself, a middle-aged man, also d in a blue suit, approached him. His name was Giovanni Saphira. He held a whip in his right hand, and its surface was covered with barbs. It was a sight enough to send a chill down anyone''s spine. Although Calum was a Martial Emperor, the whip was no ordinary weapon. It was rumored that even Martial Emperors could not withstand more than five strikes, and Calum hadmitted an offense that warranted tenshes. The oue was unimaginable. "Do you have anything to say?" Giovanni asked, and Calum shook his head.


    "Just do it. I''ve said everything that needed to be said."


    11


    As Giovanni took a step back to raise the whip, Felix finally appeared.


    "Wait!"


    Giovanni frowned, turning to look at Felix.


    "Seize him!"


    That was the stance of the Saphira family, and it was why no one in the crowd dared to speak up. Anyone who interrupted would face harsher punishment without a second word. Xerxes, following Leon, had just arrived. He almostughed out loud when he saw Felix daring to interfere.


    "Does this fool think he can do whatever he wants? I don''t even dare to interfere with the Saphira family''s affairs, but this guy thinks he can. Now he''s going to get what''sing to him, and I don''t even have to deal with him myself."


    As the two walked toward Felix, they were suddenly pushed back by an invisible force, stumbling as they were sent flying several steps back.


    "Can I say a few words?" Felix asked calmly.


    Even though Felix had disyed his strength, Giovanni''s expression remained unchanged. Because he carried the Saphira surname, he was not afraid of anyone.


    "You may speak, but after you''re done, you will surrender. Otherwise, you won''t be the only one who dies. Anyone rted to you by blood will also be punished." Giovanni''s words were domineering and final. It was clear that no matter what Felix said, he would be executed.


    "Although the Saphira family is one of the eight ancient martial families, you should still be reasonable. I would like to give you an ount of what happened that night-" Before Felix could finish, Giovanni raised his right hand.


    "If that''s what you would like to say, there''s no need for that. The Saphira family will not exempt anyone from their trespasses to ourw. Now, my men will apprehend you. If you dare to resist, you will face the consequences I described earlier. "As the Saphira family is one of the eight ancient martial families, I''m sure you understand that this isn''t a mere threat."


    Felix sighed. He had no intention of making enemies with the Saphira family. He simply wanted to go about his own business.


    "I''ve done my best, Mr. Lewis.


    11


    Standing off to the side, Calum suddenly smiled.


    saved me all those,


    "I really didn''t expect you to show up. It seems that when you ago, it wasn''t just a casual act. It was true kindness," he remarked.

 Billionaire With Husband 498

    After Calum finished speaking, he turned to Giovanni. "Giovanni, I''ve never asked you for anything as one of your former mentors. Felix has not harmed anyone or insulted the Saphira family. Let him go," Calum said. Giovanni sighed but shook his head. "If this was a few minutes ago, I might have agreed, but now it''s impossible. You should know that the authority of the Saphira family is unquestionable. "Take him away!"


    At this point, Felix was getting frustrated. All he hade to do was speak a few words, but they were pushing things too far. He didn''t want to make an enemy of the Saphira family, but that didn''t mean he was afraid of them.


    Xerxes, still trying to hold back hisughter, had already guessed that Felix wasn''t from Meadowspring. However, it no longer mattered. Once someone crossed the Saphira family, there was only one oue, regardless of whoever they were.


    Therge man who served Pearly also smirked slightly. His employer''s prediction had been spot on. Felix''s death would likely help her vent some of the frustration that had been building from the Silver Flute''s interference.


    Just as Felix was about to release energy from the Innate Realm, a voice suddenly rang out. "Is that you, Felix?"


    Felix turned, surprised to see the person who had just called his name. It was Kennedy, who was present during the destruction of Crimson Sage Sect. He was initially going to protect Jaden, but he ended up switching sides. He was wearing a blue suit, indicating his affiliation with the Saphira family.


    "Uncle Kennedy!" Giovanni and the other Saphira family members present quickly bowed respectfully to Kennedy, indicating his considerable status.


    "What''s this? Do you want to protect Calum of Meadowspring?" Kennedy asked.


    Seeing that Kennedy was a familiar face, Felix nodded. "Yes, can you do me this favor?"


    Kennedy smiled. "Of course, I can do that!"


    He pointed to Calum. "Let him go, and all his offenses will be forgiven. Let him continue to manage Meadowspring."


    Giovanni''s expression changed instantly. "Uncle Kennedy, this might not be appropriate."


    "Are you talking back to me?"


    Fear spread across Giovanni''s face, and he immediately fell silent, rushing to untie Calum.


    The sudden reversal left the vigers of Meadowspring stunned but overjoyed. After all, Calum had been pardoned.


    Meanwhile, Xerxes, who had been eagerly watching the situation unfold, now clenched his teeth in frustration.


    This was no joke. Someone with such status in the direct line of the Saphira family actually did Felix a favor. That could only mean one thing-Felix''s identity was no ordinary one. Xerxes had unwittingly provoked someone of immense power. If his father found out, he might be beaten to death.


    "I''ll ept this favor," Felix said, ncing at Kennedy before turning to leave. Although the situation was resolved unexpectedly, the oue was favorable, and that was all that mattered.


    Calum, now freed, was deeply moved. He never imagined that someone like Kennedy would know Felix, let alone do him a favor. This was likely the first time such a thing had happened in the Saphira family.


    Humming a tune, Kennedy led the Saphira family members toward the exit. They hadn''t gone far when they were stopped by therge man.


    "My employer will likely need an exnation, sir.''


    Kennedy narrowed his eyes at him, clicking his tongue.


    "An exnation? We know you want to use our hands to kill someone. If it were some ordinary person, I wouldn''t care, but Felix is not an ordinary person. If your employer has a problem with that, they can bring it up with our higher-ups."


    Therge man''s expression darkened. As Kennedy took another step forward, he added, Kid, know when to stop. Felix may be young, but he has already reached the Innate Realm. "Does your employer really want to provoke such a monstrous genius? It was he who destroyed Crimson Sage Sect. When he gets serious, he''s not human!


    11


    "At least I''ve seen enough to know that I won''t let the Saphira family make enemies with someone like him over something so trivial."


    After Kennedy left, therge man stood there, stunned. Could it be true that Felix had already reached the Innate Realm?


    That night, at Xena''s home, Curtis was fuming as he sat on the couch. The doorbell rang again, and he roared in anger. ""Turn it off!"


    The maid walked over helplessly. This thing had rung at least a dozen times, and it was really starting to drive her mad.


    As soon as she disabled it, the doorbell rang again in no time.


    Curtis rushed over and answered the call, shouting. "Felix! If you dare to do this again, I''ll call the police!"


    It was Felix, standing at the gate and repeatedly pressing the doorbell.


    "Mr. Summers Senior, just let mee in and see you. I promise I won''t show up again after this. If you don''t let me in, I''ll keep pressing the doorbell."


    After a moment''s hesitation, Curtis opened the gate and walked out. He pointed at Felix, who had just stepped into the yard.


    "Stay right there! Just seeing you makes me sick. If you have anything to say, spit it out quickly!"


    Ever since the kidnapping incident, he had developed an extreme dislike for Felix. His fear of death during that time,bined with Felix''s previously arrogant attitude, only made him more infuriated. Honestly, he never expected Felix to have the nerve toe back and find him.


    "This is a friend of mine. I came here to introduce disguise techniques in Dragonia to you," Felix said, not wasting time.


    Curtis, who had a granddaughter involved in extraordinary matters, was no stranger to the world of martial artists.


    "I''m not interested. What? Are you trying to say that the person who kidnapped me that day wasn''t you, but someone deliberately disguised as you?" Curtis scoffed.


    "That''s correct," Felix replied, knowing that Curtis wasn''t in the mood to chat.


    He gestured with his right hand, signaling the young man standing beside him. The young man swiftly tore something at his neck and transformed into an old man. He was none other than Seven from ir. Curtis was left speechless. He had just watched an ordinary young man of Felix''s age suddenly turn into an old man. He wouldn''t have believed it if he hadn''t seen it with his


    own eyes.

 Billionaire With Husband 499

    That night, at Xena''s home, Curtis was fuming as he sat on the couch. The doorbell rang again, and he roared in anger. "Turn it off!"


    The maid walked over helplessly. This thing had rung at least a dozen times, and it was really starting to drive her mad.


    As soon as she disabled it, the doorbell rang again in no time.


    Curtis rushed over and answered the call, shouting. "Felix! If you dare to do this again, I''ll call the police!"


    It was Felix, standing at the gate and repeatedly pressing the doorbell.


    "Mr. Summers Senior, just let mee in and see you. I promise I won''t show up again after this. If you don''t let me in, I''ll keep pressing the doorbell."


    After a moment''s hesitation, Curtis opened the gate and walked out. He pointed at Felix, who had just stepped into the yard.


    "Stay right there! Just seeing you makes me sick. If you have anything to say, spit it out quickly!"


    Ever since the kidnapping incident, he had developed an extreme dislike for Felix. His fear of death during that time,bined with Felix''s previously arrogant attitude, only made him more infuriated. Honestly, he never expected Felix to have the nerve toe back and find him.


    "This is a friend of mine. I came here to introduce disguise techniques in Dragonia to you," Felix said, not wasting time.


    Curtis, who had a granddaughter involved in extraordinary matters, was no stranger to the world of martial artists.


    "I''m not interested. What? Are you trying to say that the person who kidnapped me that day wasn''t you, but someone deliberately disguised as you?" Curtis scoffed.


    "That''s correct," Felix replied, knowing that Curtis wasn''t in the mood to chat.


    He gestured with his right hand, signaling the young man standing beside him. The young man swiftly tore something at his neck and transformed into an old man. He was none other than Seven from ir.


    Curtis was left speechless. He had just watched an ordinary young man of Felix''s age suddenly turn into an old man. He wouldn''t have believed it if he hadn''t seen it with his


    own eyes.


    "Hmph! Do you think I''ll believe you just because of this? Can you change your voice as well?" Curtis sneered.


    Without needing Felix to speak, Seven nodded. "Yes."


    The voice was now an old, raspy tone, and it shocked Curtis even further.


    Next, the voice shifted again, this time to a sharp, feminine tone. "Many martial artists who practice certain secret techniques can change their voices at will. As long as I hear someone''s voice a few times, I can mimic it perfectly." Seeing that Curtis had fallen silent, Felix pressed on. "There are even more powerful techniques, where a person''s entire appearance-bones, skin, and even height-can change. They can be apletely different person.


    "The person who was beside you that day, who looked like me, must have used a simr technique."


    Felix felt helpless. If he didn''t convince Curtis, Xena would never be willing to go any further with him.


    After a long pause, Curtis waved his hand. "Get lost. Don''te back again! I don''t believe in such coincidences. Even though you''ve shown all this, it still doesn''t exin why I couldn''t reach you on your phone, or why you weren''t in Canraville that day." Clearly, Xena had told him all the details, and the old man remembered them so clearly, probably because of his deep hatred.


    "Well, about that-" Felix started to exin, but before he could finish, the door was mmed shut with a loud thud.


    "That old man really is stubborn!" Seven couldn''t help but remark. For someone of Felix''s status to go to such lengths was practically a miracle. Yet, Curtis refused to relent.

 Billionaire With Husband 500

    "Let''s go," Felix said. Since his n failed, he would have to think of something else.


    After returning to his vi and just finishing a bath, the doorbell rang. Seeing it was Yvonne, Felix was tempted to pretend he hadn''t heard it. s, his lights were still on. When Yvonne entered, Felix greeted her with a smile. "How are you settling in Canraville?"


    Yvonne was wearing a yoga outfit that entuated her figure. She said, "While I was practicing, I threw a punch and suddenly felt a dull ache in my chest. Can you take a look?"


    Felix didn''t call out the oddity of wearing yoga clothes while practicing martial arts. Instead, he stretched out his hand. "Let me check your pulse."


    Though he could tell from her condition that nothing was wrong, he still needed to give a thorough check since she had asked.


    "You''re fine. It''s probably just a bit of air trapped in you," Felix said.


    Yvonne shook her head. "No, I still feel difort. Please check more carefully."


    Without warning, she started to take off her top, but Felix quickly stopped her. "We''ve known each other for a while now. Just say what you want. If I were that kind of person, I wouldn''t need your hints. I''d have already made the move." Yvonne crossed her arms and looked somewhat tense.


    "During the Walsh family incident, you stood up for me in front of so many people. Was that really just about me pursuing my happiness? Do you really feel nothing for me? Now that I have the freedom to choose, you''re starting to pull back. Or did I misunderstand?" Felix had already considered bringing Yvonne into his life, but the appearance of Madam Spring hadplicated everything. The problem was, this was something he couldn''t speak openly about.


    "Our rtionship was always a mistake, but as a man, I need to take responsibility. Now you have the freedom to live your life the way you want. At least, I''ve done what I was supposed to do." Sorrow spread in his heart as Yvonne started to tear up.


    "Then, what about Lady N? She sent me here to Canraville. She also said she''s willing to start over with you as a boyfriend and girlfriend."


    Originally, Yvonne had hoped to keep Felix to herself, but things weren''t going the way she had imagined. The reality had be far different from her expectations, so she decided to reveal her true mission.


    "That doesn''t matter. You seem a little confused. Please head back to rest," Felix said.


    Things didn''t seem to be working out for Yvonne.


    "Are you worried about the face behind the veil? Is that it?"


    "Go home," Felix said coldly, his tone as firm as it had ever been.


    Yvonne stood there, staring at him momentarily, before covering her mouth and fled in


    tears.


    Felix sighed inwardly. What else could he do?


    His phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. It was Jack.


    ""Care for a drink?"


    That was exactly what Felix needed, so he immediately agreed. However, a thought crossed his mind, and he quickly asked, "Nancy isn''t there, right?"


    "Nope! Nessa keeps nagging me about this. I''ve had a rough day at work, so it''s just the two of us having a drink," Jack replied.


    That was a relief. Felix hung up, feeling more at ease that he didn''t have to interact with any women.


    He began preparing to head out. However, when he opened the door, he froze.


    Standing in the doorway was none other than N, her eyes practically burning with fury. "Felix Zeller! You''re the first man who''s ever pushed me to the edge of losing my mind!" She shoved him aside as she entered, mming the door shut behind her. Raising her hand, she ced it over her veil and dered coldly, "I''ll show you an otherworldly beauty that you will never forget!"

 Billionaire With Husband 501

    As N''s words fell, she reached up to pull off her veil, but she suddenly found that her hands refused to obey her will.


    "Leave," Felix said tly.


    N''s gaze remained fixed on him. "Why? Aren''t you even a little curious about me? They say even heroes can''t resist beauty''s charm. Are you afraid that once you see my face, you won''t be able to stop thinking about me?" Felix responded with a slight, dismissive smirk "Feelingse from the heart. What does appearance have to do with it? Besides, are you really N Hughman?"


    The question made N freeze momentarily. Before she could recover, Felix''s voice rang out again.


    "Go back and tell that self-righteous woman that even if she were toe here herself, I wouldn''t be the least bit interested in what lies beneath her veil."


    With a wave of his hand, the door opened, and N found herself stepping backward out of the courtyard. Once outside, her body regained movement. Without a word, she turned and left.


    At Yvonne''s vi, N barely closed the door before her body shifted and transformed, her appearance morphing into that of a stranger.


    "Well? How did it go?" Yvonne asked, her tone sharp and impatient.


    The woman shook her head, her expression grim.


    "Not well. Felix''s strength was far beyond what I expected. Even with the Essence Elixir Lady N gave me, he saw through it instantly. And..."


    Yvonne frowned. "And what? Stop stalling and just say it."


    Desperate to know everything about Felix, Yvonne leaned forward, ready to hear every detail.


    "Never mind," the woman said after a pause. "I''ll just call Lady N directly and have her hear it for herself."


    The call connected, and the woman ryed Felix''s exact words.


    "Miss, please forgive me. I''m only repeating what Felix said. ''Go back and tell that self-righteous woman that even if she were toe here herself, I wouldn''t be the least bit interested in what lies beneath her veil."" There was a brief silence on the other end before a curt response came.


    +25 BOHUS


    "I see."


    This woman had mastered a secret act of transformation, allowing her to change her appearance temporarily.


    But such a technique came with limits-it couldn''t be sustained for long without causing significant damage to her bones and skin. Unlike the seamless, long-term impersonations seen in movies, this was far from practical in real life. Once the woman left, Yvonne stood in quiet contemtion.


    "Felix, what are you really thinking?"


    Meanwhile, in a bar in Caraville, Felix arrived to find three empty beer bottles already sitting in front of Jack


    "Damn it! Do you know how long I''ve been waiting for you? You owe me three beers. We''ve got to start on equal footing, after all."


    Without offering any excuses for beingte, Felix silently downed three bottles.


    "To be honest, on my way here, I was wondering if you were pulling my leg. Now I can rest easy."


    He was, of course, referring to Nancy, knowing full well how much Jack feared his wife,


    Vanessa.


    Jack bristled at the insinuation. "What the hell, man? Don''t underestimate me. Sure, I might seem scared of Nessa in public, but that''s just love and respect. At home, I call the shots on the big decisions. She only handles the little stuff, got it?" Felix raised a brow, his expression turning oddly amused as he discreetly gestured behind Jack.


    "What? Are you trying to spook me? Based on your expression and the direction of your hand, you''re implying that Nessa''s standing right behind me. But do you think I''ll fall for that? Even if she were, my position at home is unshakable!" Felix covered his face with his hand, muttering under his breath about Jack''s delusions. There was no need for him to lie.


    Sure enough, the next moment, Jack let out a yelp as someone tugged his ear sharply.


    "Well, well, so the moment I''m not around, you think you can have the time of your life, huh?" Vanessa snarked.

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    Chapter


    502


    Jack was so startled he nearly wet himself when he realized Vanessa was standing right behind him. He scrambled to exin, his voice full of nervousughter.


    "Nessa, honey, I was just joking with Felix! Come on, everything here-inside and out- runs by your word. You know that, right?"


    But Vanessa wasn''t one to let things slide easily. She crossed her arms, a sly smirk on her


    face.


    "Whatever. I heard it all. You can exin all you want, but as punishment, don''t expect me to wear ck stockings or sleep with you for the next week!"


    Her tone was yful but firm, and before Jack could respond, she turned her attention to Felix, her expression brightening.


    "Felix! What a coincidence running into you here! Cici and I were just having a few drinks and chatting, and here you are!"


    Without waiting for Felix''s agreement, Vanessa waved enthusiastically. "Cici,e on! Let''s share a table."


    Felix sighed inwardly. While it seemed like Jack genuinely hadn''t nned this meeting, Felix was certain Jack had reported his whereabouts to Vanessa, leading to this convenient "coincidence".


    Vanessa quickly slid into the seat beside Jack, leaving Felix with no choice but to share the booth with a slightly bashful Nancy.


    "Fancy running into you here, Felix."


    "Yeah, quite the coincidence."


    Half an hourter, Felix excused himself to the restroom. When he returned, he said, Sorry, something urgent came up. I have to go.


    After everything he had been through, Felix was determined not to let anyone get hurt because of him-not even someone as kind as Nancy. Whether or not she might fall for him someday didn''t matter; he needed to stop anything from starting in the first ce. "That Felix! He deserves a good p!" Vanessa snapped.


    Jack quickly defended him. "Don''t be like that. I''m sure Felix really had something urgent to handle. You know how it is-being a traditional medicine practitioner means emergencies can happen at any time."


    Vanessa considered this and nodded. "Cici, don''t take it personally. I''m sure he didn''t mean to run off."


    Nancy smiled gently. "It''s fine, Nessa. Thank you. I believe everything happens for a reason."


    Vanessa frowned, shaking her head. "That mindset will only hold you back. Sure, fate exists, but you have to go after what you want. Think about it-some opportunities don''te around twice."


    The next morning, Felix had just finished his morning routine when he received a call from Alistair.


    "Mr. Zeller, we''ve got a problem. One of the Super S-rank criminals we''re holding in Wolfie troops'' custody suddenly fell gravely ill. His breathing is erratic, and it looks like he could die at any moment. Our doctors can''t figure it out. Can youe to take a look?" Felix frowned. "Is this one of the people I brought in?"


    "No. This guy has been in custody here for six months, even before Lady Summers arrived. He holds a critical secret we''ve been trying to uncover, but we''ve made little progress. If he dies, we''ll never get the answer we need."


    Alistair expected Felix to agree after a moment''s thought, but the response he received caught him off guard.


    "Alistair, I''d love to help, but I can''t. I already have a patient I promised to treat.


    Alistair, ever straightforward, didn''t press further. "Oh, alright then, Mr. Zeller. We''ll figure something else out."


    After hanging up, Felix got dressed and sat on the couch, staring at his phone. Sure enough, it rang a few minutester. The caller ID read Xena Summers. "Felix, do I really have to call you myself to make youe over?" she asked.

 Billionaire With Husband 503

    Felix''s lips curved into a subtle smile, though his words carried a polite tone. "Xena, I wasn''t trying to dodge, really. It''s just that-"


    "Come if you want! I don''t care!"


    The call ended abruptly with a sharp click. Felix rubbed his nose, chuckling at her short temper. Her promotion clearly came with a proportional rise in her fiery attitude.


    Of course, he was going to go. But since this was Xena''s domain, he figured he might as well use the opportunity to make her owe him a favor, If she could soften her stance and influence Curtis, things would undoubtedly take a smoother turn. When Feliz arrived at the Wolfie troops'' base, Alistair was already waiting at the entrance.


    "Where''s the wanted criminal?" Felix asked.


    "In the infirmary," Alistair replied, hesitating slightly.


    Felix raised an eyebrow. "Out with it. What''s the issue?"


    "Well... someone''s already treating him."


    Felix tilted his head, intrigued. "Didn''t you say your doctor couldn''t handle the situation? What happened? Did someone suddenly have a miracle epiphany?"


    said you couldn''t Alistair shifted ufortably under Felix''s gaze. "Mr. Zeller, when you make it earlier, I contacted headquarters and informed Lady Summers afterward. But then, when Lady Summers called you, you agreed toe."


    Felix couldn''t help but feel a bit embarrassed. Hoping to move past it, he changed the subject. "So, headquarters sent someone? They got here fast."


    Alistair nodded. "Not exactly. There happened to be a doctor already in Canraville, so they dispatched him to us immediately."


    As they walked toward the infirmary, Felix asked, "Who is it? Xander? Wesley? Ss?"


    "No, none of them. It''s a young doctor about your age named Ethan Calhorn. He said he was from Medic''s Haven. After examining the patient, he imed her could treat him."


    Felix smiled, his interest piqued. "Medic''s Haven, huh? Then it should be fine."


    He knew all too well about Medic''s Haven, having learned about it from Gerald. It was considered a sacred ce in traditional medicine, revered for its dedication to preserving and advancing the art of healing.


    Renowned figures like Ss and Wesley had emerged from Medic''s Haven, though from different generations. The haven was steeped in tradition, with rules that had been upheld


    for years.


    Every student who passed the rigorous entrance exams was required to train there for ten years-no exceptions. After that, they had to leave the haven to make their own way.


    During their decade of training, students were obligated to leave the haven three times, each stintsting no less than six months, to travel across Dragonia and provide free medical care. This practice instilled both hands-on experience and a deep sense of responsibility toward humanity.


    Felix had always admired the ethos of Medic''s Haven, and everything his mentor had shared left him with a favorable impression of its people.


    Unlike the haven''s strict protocols, Ethan, who facilitated their entry, was far more rxed. Thanks to him, Felix and Alistair smoothly entered the infirmary.


    Inside, Xena was standing quietly, her expression neutral. She nced briefly at Felix but said nothing, her neutral demeanor giving nothing away.


    Twenty minutester, Ethan finished cing thest of his silver needles and smiled confidently.


    "Phoenix Warlord, the patient is stable now.''


    11


    Xena nodded slightly. "Thank you, Dr. Calhorn. Your timely arrival was critical This prisoner holds vital information for us.


    Ethan''s honest demeanor and kind face made him look like the picture of a dependable


    doctor.


    "You''re wee. If there''s nothing else, I''ll take my leave."


    But before he could leave, Felix spoke up. "Are you sure you''re done? Looks to me like you missed a needle."


    Ethan''s brows furrowed as he turned to Felix. "Are you questioning me?"


    "Who else would I be talking to? Unless there''s another doctor treating the patient her


    If it had been anyone else, Xena would have already scolded them. After all, headquarters had vouched for this person, emphasizing that, as someone from Medic''s Haven, their medical skills were beyond question.


    But Felix had every right to question them. The situation was far too critical-an injured Super S-rank wanted criminal was lying there. With stakes this high, there was no room for even the slightest mistake. Chapter 504

 Billionaire With Husband 504

    Ethan was furious. "You''re questioning my medical skills? Who are you? What qualifications do you have? Phoenix Warlord, I need an exnation!"


    To his surprise, Xena simply responded, "He does have the qualifications, so I suggest you answer his questions, Dr. Calhorn."


    Ethan, taken aback, couldn''t believe what he was hearing. Was someone around his age speaking with such authority?


    "Fine! But if you can''t give me a satisfactory exnation today, I''ll report this to the headquarters and demand they settle this! I, Ethan Calhorn,e from Medic''s Haven, and my visit here is part of our agreement with headquarters-to provide medical aid during emergencies. "Do you think I''d willingly be here otherwise?"


    Felix remained calm, pointing with his hand. "You used the Hexa-Point Needle Method, didn''t you?"


    Ethan''s expression changed immediately upon hearing this.


    "The Hexa-Point Needle Method, as the name suggests, involved six needles. You only used five. Sure, they might not notice, but even many so-called medical experts wouldn''t pick up on this."


    Sensing something was wrong, Xena quickly interjected, "What happens if one needle is missing?"


    Felix''s lips curled into a cold smile as he exined, "The consequence is simple-this criminal has only one month of safety. After that, his illness will return, and at that point, even the gods won''t be able to save him."


    "What?" Xena''s expression darkened. Her gaze seemed to shoot daggers at Ethan.


    "Dr. Calhorn! Do you have any idea how critical this Super S-rank wanted criminal is? I made it clear to you before we arrived! Headquarters considers him so important that they reached out for external assistance, yet you dared to pull a stunt like this?" Ethan''s unease was evident, but he still attempted to defend himself.


    "Ridiculous! Phoenix Warlord, I''m from Medic''s Haven. Do you think I''dpromise my medical ethics? And based on the usations of this kid?"


    Alistair stepped forward, clearly ready to act.


    "Don''t underestimate him. Mr. Zeller is someone even Dr. Grayson admires. Are you really going to question his capability?"


    Ethan''s mouth opened slightly in shock. Ss Grayson-Dragonia''s second-ranked physician, also from Medic''s Haven, was a name synonymous with unparalleled skill. For someone like Felix to earn such admiration-it was hard to believe, given his age. "Take him away!"


    Xena''s decisivemand prompted Alistair to seize Ethan''s arms. Given the gravity of the situation, she needed to consult headquarters before taking further action.


    "Let go of me! Phoenix Warlord, this is outrageous! I came here out of goodwill, and now you''re arresting me? How will you exin this to Medic''s Haven?"


    Xena remained unfazed. "Headquarters will notify Medic''s Haven about your actions. That''s not for you to worry about. If you confess why you did this, I may rmend leniency."


    To everyone''s surprise, Ethan burst outughing.


    "Why? Isn''t it obvious? These criminals deserve death! Are you expecting me to save them? Dream on!"


    Felix couldn''t help but shake his head with a faint smile.


    What a straightforward reason. Ethan may be righteous and unyielding, but sometimes priorities need to be bnced.


    "Take him away!" Xena ordered again.


    As Ethan passed Felix, his gaze was venomous.


    "I''ll remember this! Do you really think you can keep me locked up? My brother wille for me soon, and when he does, you''ll pay dearly for what happened today!"

 Billionaire With Husband 505

    Once inside the office, Xena appeared slightly apologetic.


    "Sorry for dragging you into this and getting you threatened. But don''t worry-Ethan is definitely in trouble. Regardless of his motives, he won''t be getting out for at least ten years."


    Felix dropped into a chair with a casual smile. "Why the formality between us?"


    Xena rolled her eyes at him but couldn''t deny the lingering fear in her heart. If she hadn''t personally made that call to Felix, Ethan might have walked away scot-free, and a monthter, when the criminal died, the me would have fallen squarely on her shoulders. As someone newly appointed, thest thing she needed was a disaster of this magnitude.


    "Well, since I saved the day, how do you n to thank me?" Felix asked.


    Xena thought for a moment before replying seriously, "I know you''ve been working hard to clear your name and even went to see my grandfather. But you have to understand, he was directly involved in that incident. With his age and experience, it''s not easy for him to change his mind."


    Felix


    gave a bitterugh. "To be honest, I''m running out of options. My only hope is for you to speak positively about me to him as often as you can. If he doesn''t approve, there''s no way you and I will ever be together." For a rare moment, Xena blushed. "Shut up! Who said I want to be with you?"


    Over the years, she had been pursued by many suitors, but none had ever made her feel this flutter of joy deep in her heart. She knew, without a doubt, that she loved Felix. Otherwise, she wouldn''t be feeling this way. After chatting a bit more, Felix decided it was time to leave, just as Xena received a call from headquarters.


    As she was about to open the door, her voice suddenly rose.


    "What? My Lord, are you sure?"


    Anyone who could be addressed as "My Lord" by the Phoenix Warlord had to be one of the -highest-ranking officials at headquarters-people even the Great Wardlords reported to. "But... I understand. I''ll carry out the order."


    When she hung up, her expression was stormy, her face almost ck with frustration.


    "What happened?"


    "Headquarters ordered me to release Ethan. They im it wasn''t intentional, that he used


    the Hexa-Point Needles Method recklessly because he wasn''t skilled enough. Medic''s Haven will handle this punishment."


    425 B0100S


    Felix''s expression turned peculiar. If headquarters had stepped in, it was clear Ethan had strong connections.


    "It doesn''t seem like this is purely Medic''s Haven pulling strings, does it?"


    Xena nodded. "Exactly. ording to what I just heard, someone else must have


    intervened. Otherwise, Medic''s Haven alone wouldn''t have had enough influence to secure his release given the severity of this case."


    She paused and looked at Felix with concern. "Ethan clearly holds a grudge against you now. Should I arrange for someone to protect you?"


    Felix waved her off dismissively, a smirk on his face.


    "No need! Have you forgotten? Your husband''s strength has already been restored."


    Before Xena could explode in anger, Felix dashed out of the office. From down the hall, he heard a faint, teasing voice echoing back, "Who said I''m your wife?"


    Not far from the Wolfie troops'' base, Felix ran into Ethan, who was being escorted out by Alistair.


    The moment Ethan saw Felix, his expression twisted with rage.


    ""You! If you''ve got guts, tell me your name!" Ethan shouted.


    Felix chuckled lightly. "Felix Zeller. Don''t mess with me if you want to focus on being a good doctor. Otherwise, the one who regrets it will be you."


    Without saying another word, Ethan quickened his pace, leaving the base ahead of Felix. As Felix climbed into his Range Rover, his phone buzzed. It was Jack calling. "Don''t even think about pulling another one of your stunts," Felix warned.

 Billionaire With Husband 506

    "Felix! Something''s happened to Nessa!" yelled Jack.


    "What happened?" Felix asked immediately.


    "I don''t know!" replied Jack anxiously. "She sent me a message asking me to look for you, mentioning something about Martial Alliance visiting her home to stir up trouble. She didn''t pick up when I tried to call her."


    Martial Alliance? Felix abruptly recalled that Vanessa was a martial artist, so her family definitely had connections to the world of martial arts as well-except they shouldn''t have been that intricately involved, so how had they gotten entangled with the Martial Alliance? "You can stop concerning yourself with this matter," he told Jack. "I''ll handle it!"


    He had to get to the scene in person. It would be best if he could solve it by himself and only pull out his trump card-Dragon Alliance if things didn''t work out.


    Even if outsiders may be clueless, he couldn''t be more aware of Dragon Alliance''s current situation. They were like a sheep donning a wolf''s pelt right now, relying heavily on people''s respect for their prior prowess to maintain a strong front. Therefore, it would be for the best if they didn''t get involved with Martial Alliance.


    After all, it wouldn''t be wise to get Eloise to mobilize men to deal with the situation again. The first time, people had been shaken.


    However, if it happened a second time, word was going to start going around that Dragon Alliance hadpletely fallen from grace, because why else would they need to call upon their founder for every little situation they encountered? Besides, he really didn''t know anyone else in Martial Alliance, so all he could do was head over there himself.


    The Meyers'' household in Canraville was essentiallyposed of several townhouses knocked down and then renovated into a single vi, so it took up quite arge area ofr


    At that moment, there was a seductive woman sitting on a couch in the vi''s enormous living room. Behind her stood four people dressed in identical uniforms. Any ordinary martial artist could tell at a nce that those were Martial Alliance uniforms. Everyone else, including Vanessa, was standing. It was as if they weren''t even qualified to stand on equal footing with that woman.


    "Ms. Schneider, would you please have mercy on us and give us one more year of grace?"


    The middle-aged man who had spoken was Vanessa''s father, Brock Meyer. Currently, he


    Chapter SOC


    4


    was fully ingratiating himself with the woman, who was known as Amary Schneider. It simply lent credence to the saying that even lions had to submit to even stronger lions.


    "Have mercy on you?" echoed Amary, "Mr. Meyer, the conditions I''ve given you are already lenient enough as is. I''ll have you know that Mr. Tate is sleeping outside right now. If you drag this on until he wakes up and joins us, you know what the consequences will be.


    Brock bitterly acknowledged that Martial Alliance indeed treated some martial artist families and factions quite well. Not only did they offer loans with lower interest rates than bank loans, they even had books on martial arts techniques avable for rent.


    Take their own family, the Meyers, for example-they had borrowed quite arge sum of money from the Martial Alliance as well as two books on martial arts techniques.


    He tried to reason with Amary. "My bank loan will definitely be approved within the month, so I''ll be able to repay the loan with interest by then. Please give us another chance, Ms. Schneider."


    In truth, the mary issue was only secondary to the books on martial arts techniques. They had already reached the most critical stage in learning the techniques, so if Martial Alliance reimed the books now, their efforts would pretty much have been for nothing. Moreover, the Alliance stipted that if a crisis of confidence urred, it would be impossible for them to borrow any books on martial arts techniques in the future.


    Amary stood up with a sneer on her face.


    "That won''t be possible," she dered. "I see how it is, Mr. Meyer. From the looks of it, you intend to default on the payment. Very well, then! I''ll wake Mr. Tate and have him speak with you instead." Just then, Vanessa stepped forward in a rush of anger. "You, Schneider woman! Did you have to resort to such despicable means just because I insulted you that one time?


    "Our family clearly still had more than half a year to go before our loan and book rental periods were due, yet you insisted on bringing forward the due date on ount of some rule vition or other!


    "If you have the guts, why don''t youe at me directly instead of going after my family?" The expressions of the Meyers changed. Amary practically appeared right before Vanessa in a sh and pped her across the face.


    "Haven''t you learned your lesson after taking a beating for your potty mouth thest time?" she asked coldly. "I''m going to show you just howrge of a difference there is between you and a Schneider woman, as you so put it." She took a step back, motioning lightly with her left hand.


    "Insulting Martial Alliance is a grave crime. Ta and have her dangled in midair at Martial Allia serve as a warning to others!"


    "Insulting Martial Alliance is a grave crime. Take Vanessa Meyer away, strip her naked, and have her dangled in midair at Martial Alliance''s headquarters. Let her punishment serve as a warning to others!"

 Billionaire With Husband 507

    When Brock saw that Vanessa was about to be carted off by the Martial Alliance members, he moved to block their path. He was like a lion who had woken from its slumber, his submissive attitude vanishing and reced with an imposing demeanor. "Let go of her!" he barked.


    Amaya sneered disdainfully at him, "What, are you going to get physical with us? You''d better think things through, Mr. Meyer. Once you make a move against us, your entire family will be implicated."


    She patted Vanessa''s face. "If you follow along obediently, I can plead your case with Mr. Tateter in order to allow your family a grace period of one year. How''s that for a deal?"


    Angry, Vanessa asked in a low voice, "Will you keep your word?"


    "Of course!" Amary replied.


    Vanessa immediately turned to look at Brock


    "Please make way, Dad," she said, attempting to reason with him. "Our family can''t afford the consequences of acting against Martial Alliance! After I''m gone, get Jack to contact Felix Zeller. He''ll be able to save me!"


    "Save you?" Amary repeated mockingly, giving Vanessa a shove. "Nobody''s going to be able to save you, not even the Zeller fellow you mentioned."


    In the end, the other Meyers pulled Brock aside because their family couldn''t bear the consequences of acting against the Martial Alliance.


    "I''ll definitely save you, Nessa," Brock promised.


    He knew of Felix. Considering the martial acts Felix knew, he definitely wasn''t some ordinary person, However, it would be impossible for him to confront Martial Alliance by himself.


    Just as everyone entered the courtyard, Felix arrived as well.


    "Felix!" Vanessa cried out happily, glimpsing a ray of hope.


    Her mention of his name made Amary smile faintly and said, "Hah! I thought your supposed savior-Felix or whatever-would have some sort of remarkable abilities, but he turned out to be nothing but a young man. Watch as I send him packing with words alone!" Raising a right hand and pointing at Felix, she barked, "Felix Zeller, is it? Martial Alliance is currently conducting business. And any who interfere will be punished with death, so scram!"


    Felix knew that trying to exchange words with these people was futile, so he simply took


    another step forward. Amary and the Alliance''s members restraining Vanessa retreated to the sides. There seemed to be an invisible force pushing at them, leaving them no choice but to obey. "You-"


    Amary regained her bnce, an ugly expression on her face.


    "So you''re actually a martial arts master! No wonder this bitch treated you as a savior," she hissed. "Well, it''s over for you, brat. You''re dead meat for daring to act against someone from Martial Alliance!" Just as the words left her mouth, an impatient voice rang out.


    "What''s with all the ruckus? Hasn''t the matter been settled yet?"


    Amary hurriedly ran toward the person who had just entered the courtyard, a reverent expression on her face.


    "Everything was supposed to be going smoothly, Mr. Tate, but then this fellow named Felix Zeller showed up all of a sudden," she exined. "His attitude was dismissive even though I evoked the name of the Martial Alliance." When the yawning youth heard the name Felix Zeller, he nced over at Felix before quickly walking over to him. He circled around to stand in front of him, and after looking him up and down, his teeth started chattering in fear. "M-Mr. Zeller?" he asked fearfully.


    Felix frowned. Who would''ve thought that the instigator of the situation was the young man he had beaten up at the entrance to Meadowspring''s vige? He immediately grabbed Xerxes by the cor of his shirt.


    "How do you seem to just pop up everywhere I go? Looks like I didn''t teach you a harsh enough lessonst time."


    Amary and the other Martial Alliance members became extremely tense at his actions.


    "Let go of Mr. Tate!".


    "This guy''s asking for it!"


    Unexpectedly, Xerxes roared anxiously, "Shut up, all of you! Even if Mr. Zeller pped me twice, I''d deserve it!"


    What?


    Everyone was rooted to the spot, stunned. They couldn''t believe that someone as arrogant as Xerxes could act so deferentially toward this man.


    Amary especially had her jaw hanging wide open. Xerxes was the son of the deputy leader


    4


    of Martial Alliance. Who would dare touch a single hair on his head with a status as high as that? That was what she had thought, but...


    Vanessa was the only one who treated the situation as if it was perfectly normal. Brock and the rest of her family were also severely shocked.


    After all, Xerxes'' responsibility as the son of the deputy leader was to collect loan payments from the various families with ties to Martial Alliance. He had always acted like he was the boss of everyone. When had they ever seen him in a situation like this?

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    "M-My name is Xerxes Tate, Mr. Zeller," Xerxes said humbly. "I''ve been wanting to apologize to you in person for being so blind before. Don''t worry. I''ll definitely follow the rules to the letter when driving from now on." Seeing as his attitude was decent, Felix loosened his grip on Xerxes'' shirt.


    "What''s going on over here, then?" he asked. "Are you trying to take my friend away?"


    Swallowing, Xerxes ordered Amary toe over to them, then exined, "I was just sleeping in the car, so I don''t know a thing about what''s going on. But don''t worry, Mr. Zeller, because I''ll definitely get to the bottom of this." As soon as the words left his mouth, he pped Amary twice without showing the slightest sign of holding back.


    "Who gave you the bright idea of taking away Mr. Zeller''s friend?" he demanded. "Are you courting death?"


    At this point, Amary had realized that Felix''s identity must be extremely terrifying, because why else would Xerxes behave in this way? That said, she had no choice but to ept the me for this!


    "My apologies, Mr. Tate. It''s all my fault," she said.


    Just then, Vanessa rushed over and gave her a few ps.


    "Do you still intend to take me away now?" she asked smugly.


    Amary shook her hurriedly. She no longer dared do it, even if she was ten times braver than


    she was now.


    The Meyer family watched all this happen with their jaws hanging open. When had they ever seen people from Martial Alliance forced to apologize even when they were the ones getting beaten up? "Are you going to harass my friend again in the future?" asked Felix.


    Xerxes smiled bitterly. "Of course not, Mr. Zeller! You have my word! The Meyers can take out loans and borrow books on martial arts techniques as they please-my word isw!"


    Then he asked uncertainly, "So then, may I take my leave first?"


    "Go ahead," Felix replied.


    Of course, Felix knew exactly why Xerxes was acting this way, but he couldn''t be bothered to say anything more than he had to. It was for the best that everything was resolved without him having to get involved in a major fight or resort to using his connections with Dragon Alliance.


    "Wait!" Felix called out suddenly.


    Xerxes, who hadn''t gotten far, instantly started sweating bullets at the sound of Felix''s voice.


    "Leave me your phone number," said Felix.


    Xerxes sighed in relief, feeling his heart rate drop back down to normal. At the same time, he felt ted. Surely his father would praise him highly for making the acquaintance of such a big shot?


    In truth, Felix''s thought process was simple.


    Martial Alliance managed a broad range of things, so making connections with them mighte in useful in the future.


    Xerxes evidently held a rtively high status within the Alliance, so he would at least be a far better alternative than having to invoke Dragon Alliance''s name every time. "Thank you, Felix," said Vanessa.


    She smacked Felix on the back. However, in the next instant, Brock was pulling her by the


    ear.


    "You damn brat!" he scolded. "Mr. Zeller is our family''s savior. What do you think you''re doing, treating him like that?"


    Felixughed at the sight of Vanessa apologizing while grimacing in pain. It really was true that everything had its weaknesses, and Vanessa''s weakness appeared to be Brock.


    "It''s alright, Mr. Meyer," he said. "If I didn''te over, Jack would probably have torn me a new one."


    Vanessa was extremely touched to hear those words. Speaking of which, it was likely that nobody would be able to usurp his position in the Meyer family from now on. It was really something else to have such a good buddy as him. Suddenly, a voice rang out.


    "Why are you all standing around outside? Hurry up and tidy up the house. I actually met a good friend I hadn''t seen in years while out fishing today. What a joyous asion!"


    An old man walked into the courtyard, prompting everyone to disperse even as Vanessa ran up to him.


    "Grandpa!" she eximed. "Don''t tell me you''re talking about Mr. Summers, whom you often talk about?"


    Vanessa''s grandfather, Dalton Meyer, nodded with a smile.


    the one


    "As expected of my smart granddaughter," praised Dalton. "That''s right, it''s Curtis! The gods are really watching over us! I didn''t think we''d still have the chance to see each other again after more than 30 years." Suddenly, he grabbed Vanessa by the ear, his attitude doing aplete 180.


    "Old Curtis'' granddaughter is already a Wady, but look at you! All you know to do is practice martial arts all day!"


    Felix, who had been nning to excuse himself instantly stood rooted to the spot, and his eyes gradually started to brighten.

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    "Who''s this fellow?" Dalton asked. He was confused at the sight of Felix. After careful thought, he realized that he had never seen him before.


    "Dad, he''s Felix Zeller," Brock answered. "Just now, the people from Martial Alliance-


    Before he had even finished speaking, Dalton''s expression darkened.


    "Martial Alliance came again?" he asked in distaste. "Do they really think us Meyers are pushovers? Why didn''t you call me?"


    Brock smiled wryly. "Why else, other than that we were afraid you''d worry?"


    What would they achieve by calling Dalton anyway? They had already exhausted their connections. Who would dare help them once they heard that the Meyers had offended Xerxes'' personal subordinate? "Although this may sound shameless, when Curtis arrivester, I''m going to ask him for a favor even if I have to beg for it. The situation with Martial Alliance is ridiculous!"


    Xena was the Phoenix Warlord. Handling a minor issue like this would be child''s y to


    her.


    "The matter''s already been resolved, Grandpa," interjected Vanessa. "It was Felix who helped us. You have no idea how funny the situation was just now."


    Dalton''s eyes lit up after listening to her exnation. He hurriedly clutched Felix''s hands in his.


    "Thank you very much, young man," he said. "I previously heard that you gave Nessa an incredibly valuable book on martial arts techniques, and now you''ve been such a big help to our family as well. s, I feel ashamed." This reaction was precisely what Felix had been waiting for. Originally, given his


    personality, he would have excused himself long ago.


    "You''re too kind, Mr. Meyer Senior," he said. "How could I just ignore your plight given my rtionship with Jack?"


    Daltonughed heartily, happy with what he had said.


    "This is truly a blessing-no, twice the blessing! Come, Mr. Zeller! Please do us the honor of having lunch with us."


    Jack was currently abroad. When Felix sent him a WhatsApp message just now, he was about to board the


    next ne back. He finally relented when Felix informed him that the issue had been resolved, with Vanessa chipping in to reassure him as well.


    "Oh, right. I heard that you encountered an old friend of yours, Mr. Meyer Senior," he


    Dalton became extremely emotional at the mention of the topic.


    "s, fate can be a fickle thing!" hemented. Back then, I had reached a bottleneck in my martial arts practice, so I decided to train in the mountains by myself. When I returned a monthter, I discovered that Curtis'' home had be nothing but a vacant house. "In those days, all we had were pagers. I paged him multiple times only to receive no response, and that''s how we simply fell out of contact! Later on, I moved to Canraville, where my luck started improving, and my life improved.


    "However, how would I even begin searching for someone in a country as vast as Dragon¨ªa?


    11


    So Curtis wasn''t from Avesburgh?


    Dalton continued, "When we were fishing just now, the two of us stared at each other for a long time before finally recognizing each other. It''s been so many years, after all."


    Half an hourter, Dalton received a call from Curtis and personally stepped out to wee him. Felix was originally nning to follow along, but he had been stopped by Dalton, who insisted that it didn''t make sense for a guest to receive another guest. Soon, he heard heartyughter ringing out.


    "We''re not leaving until we''re both drunk out of our minds today, Curty!" Dalton could be heard saying. "That''s right. I''d also like to introduce you to our family''s savior. Don''t let his youth fool you! He''s both capable and kind."


    "Really? Well, your savior is my savior," dered Curtis. "You''ve made me quite eager to meet him."


    The next moment, Felix was meeting the eyes of the man standing next to Dalton.


    "Mr. Summers Senior," he said immediately in greeting.


    Curtis'' smile fell, and he turned to ask Dalton, "Why is he here?"


    His reaction caught Dalton off guard.


    "What do you mean? Do you two know each other?" Dalton asked.


    Perhaps it was because he and Dalton hadn''t seen each other for a long time, in addition to the fact that they really had a close rtionship-whatever the case, Curtis hadn''t turned around and left just yet, which he probably would have in any other situation. "Hardly," he said with a snort. "We''re much more than just acquaintances! How could I forget him with a personality as hard toe by as his?"


    He didn''t expect Dalton to smile and say, "That''s right. Mr. Zeller really has a good personality. He helped us so much yet hasn''t asked for anything in return. He apparently helped us simply for the sake of friendship."

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    Curtis frowned, asking, "He''s the person you were talking about?"


    "That''s right," replied Dalton.


    Sometimes, situations arose in which one needed to exercise discretion.


    Felix spoke up at that moment. "Mr. Meyer Senior, Mr. Summers Senior, I''m expecting a guest back home. I''m afraid that it''s not an appointment I can reschedule, so I''ll take my leave first."


    After Dalton had escorted Felix out, Curtis started questioning him again.


    "Are you sure he was the one who helped your family and that he didn''t ask for any reward?


    Whatever the two old men discussed regarding the situation with Martial Alliance, it was no longer Felix''s concern. He had already achieved the oue he wanted-although he knew that Curtis wouldn''t change his mind about him due to this incident alone, it was still a good start.


    At that moment, there was an electric scooter lying on its side on a street in Canraville, and not far from the scootery an old man. There were many onlookers gathered around, and it was clear that there had been an ident. ""Dad! Dad!"


    Just then, a muscr-looking man rushed past the crowd onto the scene. When he saw that the old man remained motionless despite his calls, eyes still tightly shut, his eyes reddened.


    "Who was it?" he asked fiercely. "Who ran into my dad?"


    Not far away from the scene was Nancy, who was trembling violently.


    "It was me," she said shakily. "I''m sorry! I really didn''t see him! I''ve already called an ambnce. The responsibility falls on me.


    The beefy man-Damon Brough-immediately rushed toward her, right fist raised to hit


    her.


    "Fuck you!" he roared. "My dad just had heart stent surgery barely more than a month ago! I''m going to kill you if anything happens to him!" The reason his fist didn''t reach Nancy was because someone had caught him by the wrist.


    "What''s happened has happened. What''s the use of beating her up now?"


    At the sound of the familiar voice, Nancy looked to see that it was Felix-who had appeared who knew when-who had grabbed Damon''s wrist. "Let go of me!" Demon bellowed.


    Felix frowned, exining, "I''m a doctor. I can tend to your father."


    When he heard this, Damon pointed a finger at Felix.


    "Alright. If my dad pulls through today, then all I ask is a bit ofpensation, and we can each go our own way. Otherwise, don''t even think about getting away unscathed!"


    After casting Nancy a meaningful nce, Felix approached the old man. Along the way, overheard the whispers of the nearby onlookers.


    "That poordy," one of them murmured.


    "Why do you think that?" asked another.


    he


    "That old man is a habitual offender," exined the first person. "He frequently staged his own ident at this intersection. I witnessed the ident firsthand-he tripped as he was running out and failed to control his momentum. That''s how he ended up getting hit by the youngdy''s scooter head-on."


    "Huh? So he was an ident faker? That''s such a pity. No matter how it happened, she did actually hit him, so she won''t be able to escape the responsibility. Furthermore, his son doesn''t look like the decent sort, so it''ll definitely spell trouble for her."


    By that point, Felix had already kneeled down on the street. He had to admit that the old man''s condition was looking terrible. The collision just now may have caused the heart stent that had just barely been inserted to shift. They couldn''t afford to wait around for the ambnce.


    When Damon saw Felix pulling out his silver needles, he immediately shouted, "What the hell are you doing?"


    "Saving your father," Felix replied.


    "Saving him, my ass! If I''d known earlier that you were a traditional medicine practitioner, I wouldn''t even have let you near my father! What fucking use is some sewing tool like that? If you dare touch him and anything happens to him, you''ll be a murderer!" Knowing that many people held doubts about traditional medicine in this day and age, Felix exined patiently, "Your father is in critical condition right now. We don''t have the time to wait for the ambnce to arrive.


    "Believe me, if your father really dies due to my treatment, I''m willing to ept legal responsibility."


    Damon sneered. "You make outrageous ims, but traditional medicine practitioners are all just scammers. I dare you to try and touch my father!"


    Just as Felix was about to start the treatment by force, a voice rang through the air.


    "I''ll vouch for him!"

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    "Who the hell''s trying to y hero now?" Damon turned around, and his face immediately dropped. "Dr... Dr. Leonard?"


    Murmurs rippled through the crowd. "Isn''t that the specialist from Mercy Hospital, Leonard Ziegler?"


    "It really is! Justst month, I waited two weeks to get an appointment with him for my mom."


    "Could this young man be some kind of medical prodigy? Even someone like Dr. Leonard is vouching for him."


    Clearly, Damon recognized Leonard and started stammering, "W-Well... if Dr. Leonard vouches for him, I have no objections."


    Felix was puzzled. He did not know Leonard. Given his own young age, it also seemed incredible that such a distinguished expert in modern medicine would vouch for a stranger in a life-or-death situation. Nevertheless, saving Arthur was the priority. Felix immediately began the acupuncture treatment. Within minutes, Arthur opened his eyes and managed to stand up with Felix''s help.


    "Dad!" Damon eximed joyfully. The onlookers were amazed. A few silver needles and the man was saved in mere minutes. It was like witnessing a miracle.


    "I''m fine now. Let''s go," Arthur said.


    Damon was unwilling to let this matter go. "Go Dad, she hit you! Even though her friend saved you, that doesn''t change the fact she ran into you. And who knows if there''ll beplications?"


    Arthur red at his son and said, "I know my own body. After this brush with death, I''m never pulling scams like this again. Let''s go.


    As the crowd dispersed, Felix approached Leonard. "Dr. Leonard, why did you vouch for me?"


    Leonard smiled and said, "Do you remember William Ziegler?",


    William? Wasn''t he the chairman of Traditional Medicine Association? The connection suddenly clicked for Felix. "Are you and Mr. Ziegler..."


    "He''s my younger brother. He showed me the video of your medicalpetition with the doctors from Gumeria. Though it ended inconclusively, you''re an exceptional talent who stood out as our representative. I''ve known you ever since then." Chapter 511


    Felix understood now but still smiled wryly. "That was quite a risk you took. I never demonstrated any medical skills during that event, yet you bet that I could save that old man."


    Leonardughed. "In medicine, confidence is everything! I saw it in your eyes. You had both the ability and absolute certainty to save him. This wasn''t a gamble. I was just backing you up to save a life."


    Impressive! Felix could not help but admire Leonard. "Thank you, Dr. Leonard."


    "Let''s exchange numbers. I might need your expertise on difficult cases in the future."


    After Leonard left, Felix picked up the electric scooter and turned to the dumbstruck Nancy. "Are you okay?"


    He had been driving by when he spotted Nancy. Usually, he would avoid getting involved. But when it came to matters of life and death, how could he ignore it? If something had happened, it would have haunted Nancy for life. "I''m... I''m fine. Felix, thank you so much." Nancy''s eyes welled up with tears as she spoke. She was clearly still shaken up.


    "We''re friends, so there''s no need for thanks. Just take a cab home. I''ll have Vanessa deliver your scooter to youter. You''re in no condition to ride right now.''


    He had done all he could. He did not even dare offer her a ride home himself.


    When he got home, he found a knife stuck in his door with a white note beneath it. There was a brief message written on it.

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    The note read, "Felix, I''ve mastered the forbidden technique. Do you dare face me again tonight at the peak of Eastern Mountain?"


    Was it Solomon again? Felix smirked. He had spared Solomon''s lifest time to send a message, and also because he did not have martial powers then. It was a tactical retreat, but things were now different.


    If Solomon was so eager to die, why should Felix spare him? He had thought the Elders'' Council wouldy low for a while, but apparently not for long.


    As night fell, Felix drove toward Eastern Mountain. The familiar scenery reminded him of his previous misunderstanding with Xena, which was all because of this mountain.


    Near the mountain, he encountered a roadblock manned by armed Wolfie troops. He stopped and lowered his window. The guard spoke, "This area is temporarily restricted. Please take a detour."


    Detour? Where to? This was the only road up the mountain. "Alright."


    After driving a short distance away, he pulled over and reached for his phone to call Alistair but thought better of it. The Wolfie troops were clearly on a mission, so involving Alistair would only put him in a difficult position andpromise the operation. 1 "I guess I''ll have to use my legs." He parked his car at the bottom of the slope before disappearing into the darkness with a few swift leaps.


    Meanwhile, Xena and Alistair were hiding at the mountain''s base as if avoiding detection.


    "Lady Summers, do you know who headquarters sent this time?" Alistair asked.


    Xena shook her head. "No idea."


    Alistair clenched his fists. "After all these years we finally have intel on Dexter Grimshaw. We can''t let that monster escape this time."


    Dexter Grimshaw was one of the Super S-rank wanted criminals from the Thirteen Aces. Nicknamed the Jack of Hearts, he was ranked tenth amongst the Thirteen Aces. Hisbat prowess was undeniable, but what truly set him apart was his murder count. It was higher than even the infamous God of Death and Sonny. That was why Alistair despised him so much.


    "Lady Summers, I''ll be taking all the credit for this one," a voice suddenly cut through the darkness, startling them both.


    "Mr. Hunter." Alistair bowed. Despite working with Xena, he had not yet reached the rank of admiral and still needed to show proper respect.


    "So headquarters sent you. That''s reassuring." Xena felt some relief. With Timothy''s formidable skills and his four elite subordinates, Dexter would not escape this time.


    "Of course, it''s me. I have unfinished business with that bastard! You two stay here. We''re heading up the mountain now.


    "Alert me immediately if you spot anything. Who knows where that son of a bitch is hiding, "Timothy instructed.


    Xena nodded. She and Alistair were not strong enough to face the Thirteen Aces yet, so they would only be dragging Timothy down if they followed.


    ""Be careful."


    As time passed, Solomon stood alone at the mountain peak, his sword hand perfectly still. A closer look would reveal his unnatural expression with asional shes of pain in his eyes.


    A gentle breeze swept by as Timothy appeared. "Who are you? Why are you here in the middle of the night?"


    Solomon neither responded to Timothy''s questions nor even nced his way. Just as Timothy sensed something amiss and was about to press further, an eerie bell rang out. It was apanied by a chilling voice. "Hehe! While waiting for one man who''s destined to die, an even better one shows up. Mr. Hunter, long time no see."

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    "Dexter Grimshaw!" Timothy shouted.


    Timothy''s eyes shed with intense focus as he suddenly turned toward arge boulder. Sure enough, a figure now stood atop it.


    It was a short, middle-aged man with dark, withered skin whose appearance could make one''s stomach turn. His beady eyes radiated a bone-chilling gleam. Even without looking, Timothy would have recognized the Jack of Hearts from Thirteen Aces by his voice alone. "So you''ve shown up with your elite squad. It seems someone really did sell me out! Never mind, it actually helps clear up some questions I had," Dexter mocked.


    Timothy''s presence was overwhelming as he sneered. "Heh! You''re quiteposed. Have you epted your inevitable death ande to beg for mercy?" Dexter''s eyes narrowed, rage flickering within. "Did you think I''ll still get beaten up by you like before? If I''m showing myself, you''re not leaving here alive!"


    Timothy showed no fear. He hadn''t ascended to the rank of Martial Saint and became one of the Warlord of Thunder''s generals for nothing. "I know you''ve created some new zombies, but they''re nothing before me! Surrender now, and you''ll suffer less." Indeed, Dexter was a corpse controller who could transform dead bodies into zombies. Most corpse controllers were actually righteous practitioners, but Dexter''s twisted mind had led him down a dark path.


    His murder count was highest among the Aces because of his obsession with zombie creation. He would regrly experiment on living people and even children, so his crimes were truly unforgivable.


    Dexter pulled out a bell. With a shake, four figures appeared. "Mr. Hunter, I can guarantee with absolute certainty that none of you are leaving here alive!"


    Without another word, Dexter shook the bell again. The four figures shot forward at lightning speed.


    "Handle them!" Timothy''s four subordinates each engaged one opponent while he turned toward Solomon. His instincts warned him that the greatest threat was there.


    "As expected of Mr. Hunter! Yes, this one''s called Solomon-my proudest creation yet! I''ve tried to turn living people into zombies so many times and finally seeded a few months ago. I just needed the right material, so now I have it." This time, Dexter did not use his bell. He simply pointed at Timothy. "Kill him!"


    In an instant, Solomon, who had not moved a muscle until now, attacked. His great sword


    swung down, which forced Timothy to dodge. The ground split with a tremendous boom when the de struck.


    "The Ultimate Mortal Realm!" Timothy''s expression darkened. He had not expected this young man to have reached the Ultimate Mortal Realm, which was a full level above his own. This would be troublesome.


    While Timothy processed this, Solomon gave him no time to breathe by continuing his assault. After several exchanges, Timothy rxed a little. Though Solomon possessed the power of the Ultimate Mortal Realm, his attacks seemed rigid andcked fluidity. "zing Fist!" Timothy seized a chance, and his fists mmed into Solomon''s chest. His hands glowed as if red-hot, radiating scorching heat.


    The impact rang out loudly with a bang, just like when metals nk against each other. Despite taking such a fierce blow, Solomon did not step back an inch. His expression remained unchanged, and his sword movement continued unaffected.

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    Timothy could not avoid the de in time as he was still recovering from his previous move. It sliced through his right thigh, instantly revealing his bone as blood sprayed outward.


    "Damn it! He doesn''t feel pain, does he?" Then it hit him-of course Solomon felt nothing.


    He was Dexter''s zombie creation now.


    Catching movement out of the corner of his eyes, Timothy fought through the pain. He made a feint before charging straight at Dexter, who stood watching from his perch on the boulder. Despite Timothy''s rapid approach, Dexter''s face showed only amusement and no fear.


    ""You think you''re worthy to face me?" Dexter sneered.


    Just as Timothy expected, Solomon moved with frightening speed to block his path.


    As minutes ticked by, wounds appeared across Solomon''s body as exhaustion creeped into his features. Though Timothy''s elite guards tried to assist, Dexter''s four zombies, who were equally immune to pain and injury, kept them thoroughly upied. "Mr. Hunter, Solomon could actually kill you instantly. But where''s the fun in that? I ordered him to take it slow. Isn''t it delightful?" 1


    Timothy had no breath left for words. His reactions were slowing, and he could barely defend himself. Right then, Solomon leaped high before bringing his great sword down. Timothy felt his heart sink. He was just too exhausted to dodge. "Is this it? What a pathetic way to die!"


    At thest possible moment, the de stopped mere inches from Timothy''s forehead with a ng.


    "Solomon?" someone asked.


    Timothy stared in shock at the figure beside him, who had stopped the massive de with just two raised fingers. It seemed impossible. Solomon possessed the power of the Ultimate Mortal Realm plus zombie attributes. His raw strength was monstrous.


    Yet someone had casually pinched his de between two fingers like it was nothing.


    ""You''re not Solomon anymore."


    The voice snapped Timothy back to reality. He recognized his savior. "F-Felix?"


    Felix ignored Timothy as his gaze fixed on Solomon. Though Solomon''s arms strained with effort, his eyes flickered with a mix of pleading and agony.


    "Kill... kill me!" he finally managed to force out through trembling lips. Felix sighed heavily


    as if understanding everything.


    Atop his boulder, Dexter had recognized Felix right away. After all, Felix was his intended target. But the fact that he could casually stop Solomon''s de while he could not pull free revealed something terrifying. Felix was far more powerful than the Elders'' Council had estimated.


    Dexter gulped. He had survived this long by knowing when to cut his losses. With Felix''s attention focused elsewhere, now seemed the perfect moment to slip away.


    But right when he tried to move, Felix''s left hand flicked up. Dexter felt his upper body beginning to slide downward.


    "Leaving so soon? I don''t recall giving you permission," Felix snapped.

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    Timothy stood frozen in shock. Felix had severed both of Dexter''s legs with just a flick of his finger, leaving the notorious criminal barely clinging to life with just his upper body.


    At that moment, Timothy understood something. Felix had to have achieved the Innate Realm. Nothing else exined such overwhelming power.


    Good God, wasn''t Felix just supposed to be a traditional medicine practitioner? Sure, the best practitioners train in both medicine and martial arts, but this is ridiculous!


    "Perhaps this is your destiny." Felix gazed into Solomon''s struggling eyes before striking with his palm. In that final moment, Solomon managed to smile. It was rigid and unnatural but filled with unmistakable relief.


    "Mr. Hunter, would you call this self-defense?" Felix asked.


    Timothy let out a bitterugh, his demeanor nowpletely different from their first meeting. "Absolutely."


    With one step, Felix sent Dexter''s four zombie warriors flying, never to rise again. Timothy''s men rushed to his side and whispered, "Mr. Hunter, who is he? He''s so powerful at such a young age. If I hadn''t seen it with my own eyes, I''d think I was dreaming." Timothy seemed helpless. "How would I know? The kid''s a monster!"


    Timothy wondered how the others would react if they knew his medical skills were just as insane. Felix now stood over Dexter''s mutted form. "Were you the one who did this to Solomon?"


    Strangely, no blood flowed from Dexter''s severed legs. Only asional flickers of pain across his face revealed his suffering.


    "Felix, who could have guessed you''d reached the Innate Realm? Those fools at the Elders'' Council thought Solomon''s zombie powers from the Ultimate Mortal Realm would be enough to finish you."


    Without waiting for Felix''s response, Dexter continued, "I might as well tell you everything since I''m done for anyway.


    "You may be talented, but the Council''s attention means death, sooner orter. When Solomon first challenged you, they knew you wouldn''t kill him. They wanted you to think he was just a martial arts fanatic who believed in fair fights. Then, when he challenged you again, you wouldn''t suspect anything.


    "That was supposed to be a perfect trap. Too bad they underestimated your incredible talent."


    Solomon plus four zombies should have been enough to kill anyone, even if they had


    achieved the Ultimate Mortal Realm. The Innate Realm was supposed to be nearly impossible to reach. Even lifelong martial artists rarely achieved it, let alone someone so


    young.


    Felix turned away without another word. He had thought the Elders'' Council had some honor, but they had proved to be utterly treacherous. Still, no matter how obsessed Solomon was with martial arts, he would not have staked his life on a stranger''s moral character. That would have been foolish.


    "Felix," Timothy called out suddenly.


    "Is there anything else?"


    "Well... Dexter was the Jack of Hearts of the Thirteen Aces. As for the reward, I''m not one to im unearned credit. I''ll report everything to headquarters urately."


    So Dexter was one of the Thirteen Aces? Felix could not help but smile. "In that case, I assume Xena knows about your operation here at Eastern Mountain, doesn''t she?"


    Xena? Timothy was taken aback. He was confused about what Xena had anything to do with this.

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    "Yes. Lady Summers is at the foot of the mountain," Timothy said.


    "I''m not part of your organization, so there''s no point for me to im credit. Give them all to Xena," stated Felix.


    Watching Felix vanish, Timothy examined his battered body and sighed deeply. "Damn! Thedies really do have it better."


    27-


    At the mountain''s base, Xena and Alistair grew anxious as time dragged on.


    "Lady Summers, could something have gone wrong?" Alistair asked.


    Xena shook her head. "That''s unlikely. Timothy reached the level of Martial Saintst year. He should be able to handle Dexter."


    Just then, Alistair spotted movement. "They''reing!"


    They rushed forward, shocked to see Timothy''s battered state and torn clothes. "Did Dexter escape?"


    Timothy pointed. "His legs did. The rest of him is right here."


    One of his men emerged as he dragged the unconscious Dexter over. The sight of his severed legs was gruesome, but the mission was aplished.


    "You need treatment at the Wolfie troops base immediately."


    Timothy waved it off. "Don''t worry. I''ll live. I know my own limits. But Lady Summers, you''ve caught another of the Thirteen Aces. This will cement your position. No one will dare question you behind your back now." Xena started to nod, then caught herself. "Wait. What do you mean I caught him?"


    This was a major achievement. Though she and Timothy were friends, letting her take the credit seemed too generous. "I didn''t take him down. Look at me. I nearly died. I underestimated Dexter''s zombie creation. I couldn''t im this victory." Though Xena was confused, she quickly said, "But I can''t take credit, either. I just waited here."


    Helpless, Timothy smacked his forehead. "I''m not exining this well. Felix saved my life and captured Dexter. He said to give you the credit. Understand? It''d be a shame to refuse. Don''t worry about me. I know exactly what to report." Xena''s eyes went wide. "Who did you say? Felix?"


    Back home, Felix had barely reached his living room after parking when the doorbell rang. Seeing Yvonne at the door, he knew she must have been waiting for him. There was no avoiding it. He opened the door. "I thought we''d made things clear, hadn''t we?"


    Yvonne''s expression wasplicated. How had the man who had swooped in to free her and encourage her to pursue happiness be so distant?


    "It''s not me. Lady N wants to speak with you on the phone," she said.


    "I''m not interested."


    Expecting this response, Yvonne held out her phone. "Trust me, and take the call. Lady N never does anything without reason."


    Felix stared at Yvonne, his irritation growing. But it was directed at N, not thetter." Just go."


    Yvonne shook her head and revealed the truth, saying, "This call concerns the Phoenix Warlord, Xena Summers. Are you still going to refuse?"

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    Felix''s expression remained neutral when he heard the mention of Xena. He knew N must have been eavesdropping when he spoke about treating Lionel over the satellite phone. It was ridiculous. Did he need N''s permission to interact with women now?


    "Fine." He took the phone as he was curious about N''s game.


    N''s voice came through after the call was connected, "I assume you only took this call because it concerns Xena, right?"


    Felix''s tone was cold. "Since you know that, skip the small talk. We have nothing to discuss.


    11


    He heard her breath quicken slightly before she continued. "Very well. Straight to the point. I have evidence of Xena''s vitions. Once reported and verified, she''ll lose her position as the Phoenix Warlord."


    Felix furrowed his brows before letting out a shortugh. "Interesting. What''s the deal here? Are you goin


    to ask me to sleep with you, and you''ll hand over the evidence?"


    "You... You scoundrel!" N was furious, and even Yvonne gaped in disbelief. Who in Dragonia would dare tease N like this? Most people would be dead before finishing such words.


    "My character aside, why do you keep interfering in my private life? Are you my girlfriend? My wife? My mother? What right do you have to do so?"


    After his barrage, N''s voice became eerily calm. "I understand now, Felix. I''ve never let anything I want escape me, and you''re no exception! One day, you will fall for me.''


    Felix tossed the phone back to Yvonne as the call ended. "Leave. And don''t bother me with anything rted to that woman again."


    Yvonne left with a bitter smile. She was baffled by Felix''s dramatic change, Even setting aside everything else, he was talking to Lady N of Dragonia! Countless men would dream of her attention, yet Felix had tly rejected her advances.


    The next morning, Felix lounged in his yard''s chair, enjoying the fresh air while waiting for Vanessa. After 30 minutes, she still had not arrived, so he called her. "Nessa, are you stuck in traffic or something urgent?"


    He had asked her toe over and deliver Nancy''s electric scooter back.


    "Ugh! me your best friend who''s on a business trip! Jack called saying he couldn''t sleep


    because he missed me so much. What could I do? I had to take an early flight to see him. Being a girlfriend isn''t easy! I didn''t-


    Jack''s voice cut in briefly before disappearing. I have to go. Jack is calling me for breakfast! Oh, and you should deliver the scooter to Nancy since she needs it formuting. I already told her you''d bring it today." After hanging up, Felix''s expression was peculiar, feeling somewhat manipted.


    He knew Vanessa meant well. She was trying to y matchmaker between him and Nancy, but there were things outsiders could not understand.


    Still, he could not just leave Nancy waiting now that Vanessa had promised on his behalf. With her likely staying out of town with Jack for a week, it would not be very gentlemanly of him to make Nancye get it herself.

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    Felix rode the electric scooter onto the campus of Shunnington University, smiling as he watched the energetic studentsing and going. It reminded him of his own college days. The security was quite rxed, and they let him ride right in. He stopped near the basketball court where they promised to meet. He watched the students y while waiting. Nancy was teaching a ss. She told him on WhatsApp toeter and that she would wait for him at the gate, but Felix declined. The entrance was too busy. It was quieter here and less troublesome.


    Felix was still watching the game when a basketball flew his way, but he caught it with one


    hand.


    "Thanks, man!"


    He tossed it back with a smile, and the game continued.


    About 20 minutester, some students rushed past. Their conversation caught Felix''s attention. "Hurry up!"


    "I''m running! Are you sure that Azurian guy Drake Sterling is back?"


    "Obviously! Why else would I call you to watch? But it''s understandable. Ms. Yonder is so pretty. I''d switch majors just to take her ss."


    "Agreed. Everyone thinks she''s one of our school''s most beautiful professors! And even though Drakees every week in different sports cars, like the rich heir he is, Ms. Yonder never gives him a second nce. It shows her integrity."


    Felix actually hoped someone would sessfully court Nancy. Then, it would get Vanessa to back off with her matchmaking. Though their interactions were limited, his judgment of character was usually spot-on. Nancy was not the type to be swayed by money.


    Stroking his chin thoughtfully, the students'' conversation gave him an idea. Seeing a female student walk by, Felix stopped her. "Excuse me. Would you take 500 dors to deliver this scooter to Ms. Yonder?"


    The student looked wary, likely only stopping because he mentioned Nancy''s name. "Here. Give me your bank ount number. I''ll transfer it now.


    After receiving the money, the student beamed "Don''t worry. I''ll wait for Ms. Yonder and hand it to her personally."


    Felix smiled and hurried away. He had no choice. What if Drake showed came? Felix would likely be the target of resentment, especially with students gathering to watch the drama.


    up


    when Nancy


    After a few steps, his phone pinged. It was a message from Xena.


    "Are you free for dinner tonight?"


    His lips curled into a slight smile. He''d thought she would not mention anything. "Of course."


    After replying, he sent Nancy a message exining he had an emergency and left the scooter with a student. Avoiding her was one thing, but basic courtesy was still necessary.


    Just as he was about to pocket his phone, it rang. He got a call from Alistair. Felix figured he was probably calling about when he could see his sister Yara. "Alistair, you''re "


    "Mr. Zeller, something''s happened! Lady Summers... She''s just been taken away by people from headquarters!"

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    Felix''s expression darkened. Xena had been taken away right after sending him that message. "Did they say why?"


    "They just said they need her to ''cooperate with an investigation. But it can''t be good! Mr. Zeller, when the Disciplinary Affairs Committee shows up from headquarters, it means serious trouble. They don''t appear unless something''s very wrong." Last night''s conversation with N shed through Felix''s mind. His eyes glinted coldly. Got it."


    After hanging up, he quickly called Hector, who answered promptly. "Felix, are you calling about Phoenix Warlord?"


    Given Hector''s intelligence, he must have noticed something between them when Xena had asked about Felixst time.


    "Yes, Mr. Downy. How serious is it?"


    "It depends on how themittee ssifies it. This morning, headquarters received an anonymous tip iming that during her time as the goddess of war, Xena abused her position to help her uncle, Perry Glover, establish Goldwind Chamber of Commerce. "She also used her connections to build rtionships and curry favor for the chamber''s sake."


    Perry Glover? Felix was speechless. Dragging a dead man into this seemed absurd.


    "Are the allegations true, then?"


    Hector''s voice grew somber. "I''ve reviewed the supposed evidence. It looks wless on the surface, but headquarters will need to investigate to determine the truth. Xena will remain in custody during the investigation."


    The investigation could drag on indefinitely, especially with both Perry and his son Ted dead. Their deaths wouldplicate matters. "What if it''s proven true?"


    "She''ll lose her position, and she won''t even be demoted to the goddess of war. The best-case scenario is immediate dismissal." Hector sighed.


    "Felix, I can''t help with this. Even Warlords aren''t invincible. We can''t just dictate terms. As you know, there are many above us who can overrule us. I might be able to help if Xena were a minor figure, but her position makes this extremely sensitive. No one''s word carries enough weight."


    Felix knew this had to be N''s doing. Only she had both the ability and motive, as proven byst night''s threat. "Could the Shadowdragon Warlord intervene?" Hector gasped a little. It showed how surprised he was when he heard Felix knowing such a powerful figure. "He might be able to."


    "Thanks, Mr. Downy." Without Lionel''s contact information and not wanting to approach N, Felix would need to see Ernest first to make the connection.


    The stakes were high, so it was pushing Felix to his limits. He did not regret his words to Nst night, as being manipted by her would have been far worse. "Felix," Nancy called out as he was leaving.


    Felix realized he had only walked about 20 feet from the scooter since he was held back by the phone calls.


    At this point, he could not pretend not to hear. "Hello, Nancy."


    Turning around, he saw her by the scooter, and the female student was gone. A Porsche was parked nearby, with its driver ring at Felix with hostility.

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    "Sorry, Nancy. I have an urgent matter to attend to, so I''m heading back now."


    Nancy smiled. "I just called out since you hadn''t gone far. Take care on your way back."


    Her eyes showed no suspicion, so Felix left. What had started as an excuse was now a genuine emergency. Almost immediately after Felix disappeared, someone approached Nancy.


    "Cici, who was that?" The one asking the question was Drake, the subject of the students'' earlier gossip and the owner of the Porsche.


    Nancy''s smile vanished instantly. "Are we that close? And how many times have I told you not to call me Cici?"


    As Nancy rode away on her scooter, Drake''s brows furrowed deeply.


    Normally, having frie


    of the opposite sex would not be weird. But after pursuing Nancy for so long, this was the first time he had seen her give any man such a genuine smile. Something was definitely off. "Damn it! How dare that guy touch the woman I''ve got my eyes on? He''s asking for trouble!


    11


    At New Glory, Felix was relieved to find Ernest at home.


    Rather than asking for the phone number right away, Felix exined the situation first. Given Ernest''s special position, he would understand the nature of the matter. After listening, Ernest looked troubled.


    "Felix, I''ll be straight with you. If Xena really abused her position, no one''s word would matter. Her rank makes everything all the more sensitive. And with the Disciplinary Affairs Committee making such a public spectacle of taking her away, the word is already out. Who''d dare intervene?"


    Ernest pondered, frowning deeper. "Something''s odd, though. This isn''t normal procedure. An anonymous tip usually leads to a discreet summons for questioning. Why did they make such a show before anything''s proven?"


    His words made Felix realize something. N intended to destroy Xenapletely and leave her no room for recovery. "Mr. Holt Senior, could you give me the Shadowdragon Warlord''s number?" Ernest nodded before reaching for his phone.


    "It''s good to ask him since he''s probably the only one who could speak up about this. But


    since you suspect N''s involvement, have you considered whether he would protect his granddaughter? After all, this is a legitimate report and not baseless usations."


    Felix took a deep breath. "I don''t think he''d be that ruthless, especially since I was the one who saved his life."


    That was right. Ernest had forgotten about it. A life debt would carry a profound meaning for anyone. "Use my phone. He won''t answer unknown numbers."


    Felix did not bother leaving the room to make the call. Ernest was not an outsider to him


    anyway.


    "Ernest, you know I''m sleeping at this hour. This better be good, or else!" Even when ill, Lionel''s sharp tongue never rested, let alone now. "Lord Lionel, it''s Felix.


    "Haha! Felix! My mood''s already better after hearing your voice." From his tone, Lionel seemed unaware of the situation.


    Felix wasted no time exining everything.


    "Lord Lionel, can you help with this?"

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    Lionel responded without hesitation, "Felix, you saved my life. How could I ignore your request? But as I said, we can''t vite principles.


    "Here''s what I can do. I''ll have them release Xena to continue her work. She''ll need to stay in Canraville, waiting for the investigation''s oue."


    Felix was satisfied with this. Even though someone of Xena''s rank would surely havefortable amodations, freedom was far better than detention. "Thank you, Lord Lionel."


    After the call ended, Lionel turned to N, who was sitting beside him. "You clever girl, always thinking ahead for your grandpa!"


    N smiled and said, "I knew I couldn''t fool someone as shrewd as you.''


    Lionel red at her before


    resignedly. "By doing this, it shows your power to Felix and uses up the debt I owed him. N, do you have to be so calcting? You''re always nning so far ahead. Isn''t it tiring to live like that?" N slowly raised


    exhaustingly careful hands before saying, "Grandpa, I''d already be dead if I wasn''t this


    Wouldn''t I?"


    Back in Canraville, Felix left Ernest''s house and grabbed some quick pasta. He then headed to an electric scooter dealership. Riding Nancy''s scooter had shown him how convenient they were for short tripspared to cars, so he decided to get one himself. He spent over 5,000 dors there. He was waiting for them to install the battery before riding off.


    With Xena''s release secured, he felt relieved. The truth would prevail.


    Felix knew Xena was not the type to seriously abuse her position. Sure, she might have helped Perry with small favors, but certainly nothing fundamentally wrong.


    While he was waiting for the light at an intersection, Felix heard an aggressive car horn ring right behind him. Looking back, he saw a Mercedes had entered the bikene for some reason. As he was about to move aside, the horn sted again repeatedly. Annoyed, Felix stayed put. With no other scooters around, he decided to teach this rude driver a lesson even after the light turned green Entering thisne was already illegal, and now, this driver was honking at him so obnoxiously.


    As the Mercedes door opened, an overweight middle-aged woman approached Felix. "Hey, kid! Are you deaf or blind? Get out of the way!"


    Her venomous tone made Felix''s mood worse. This is a bikene, and it''s a red light. Are you in such a hurry to meet your maker?"


    With her hands on her hips, the woman''s eyes widened, seemingly shocked at being talked back to. "How dare you talk to me like that? Do you know who I am? You''re just a poor wretch on an electric scooter, yet you dare block my way! "One wheel of my Mercedes costs more than several of your scooters! Move aside now, or I won''t give you another chance."


    Felix could not help butugh. "If you''re so rich, go ahead and hit me. I could use the money."


    If they were not in public with cameras everywhere, Felix would have already pped her face swollen. Seemingly worried about this, too, the woman pointed at Felix several times before getting back in her car.

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    The engine roared suddenly. It was enough to startle anyone normal, but Felix remained unmoved on his scooter as he sat through three green lights. It eventually forced the woman to back up and find another route. 1 Back home, he received a call from Leonard, the specialist from Mercy Hospital who had helped him before. "Mr. Ziegler; what can I help you with?"


    "Felix, remember I mentioned I might need your expertise? I wonder if you could help me out with something now."


    Felix smiled warmly. "Of course. Without your helpst time, that old man would have died, and my friend would''ve been in serious trouble. Just tell me what you need."


    Despite his exceptional medical skills, Felix always showed deep respect to those he deemed worthy.


    "Great! Then, I''ll be direct. An old friend of mine has a rare heart condition with only a few dozen cases worldwide. There''s foreign medication avable, but it only treats symptoms and not the cause. His spirits are sinking daily. After hearing the outline, Felix immediately agreed, "No problem at all, Mr. Ziegler. When should we go?"


    Pleased


    ***With Felix''s eagerness, Leonard replied, "Would now work?"


    An hourter, Felix sat in the passenger seat as Leonard drove into a luxuryplex''s underground garage. "Your age hasn''t diminished your driving skills at all."


    Leonard chuckled. "I''m young at heart! I love driving, so I won''t let anyone chauffeur me until I can''t handle it physically anymore."


    They took the elevator to the 15th floor. Felix was surprised to find each floor was a single residence. This was truly a luxury apartment.


    The door was open, with an elderly man and a middle-aged man waiting.


    "Hi, Leonard."


    "Hello, Mr. Ziegler."


    Leonard nodded before gesturing to Felix. "This is Dr. Zeller. This is my old friend, Garrett Rothwell, and his son Marcus Rothwell."


    Clearly briefed beforehand, neither father nor son showed surprise at Felix''s young age. Instead, they treated him with utmost respect. Thank you foring, Dr. Zeller.''


    Felix waved off the formality. "You don''t have to thank me. I couldn''t refuse Mr. Ziegler. Let''s skip the pleasantries. Is there a quiet room where I can examine you?" Such professionalism!


    Though unsure if a cure was possible, Garrett had already cheered.


    Minutester, Leonard and Marcus waited in the living room. "Mr. Ziegler, thank you for always keeping my father in your thoughts.''


    Leonard shook his head with a nostalgic look. "It''s all good. All senior practitioners know your father''s immense contributions to Canraville''s medical field. That''s how we became friends. As they say, good deeds bring good fortune." Just then, two doors opened simultaneously-the bedroom and the front door.


    "Marcus! Oh, Mr. Ziegler, you''re here!" The neer-a woman-had barely finished greeting them when she spotted Felix emerging from the bedroom.


    She exploded in rage. "You! What are you doing in my house?"

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    The woman''s appearance drew different reactions from everyone.


    Marcus quickly asked, "Bertha, do you know Dr. Zeller?"


    11


    Felix had not expected to encounter the rude Mercedes driver here. He smirked and said, That would be an understatement. Mr. Rothwell, is this your wife?"


    Despite his growing unease, Marcus admitted, "Yes, she''s my wife."


    186


    Bertha Whitmore, who had been about to speak, quickly shut her mouth upon seeing Marcus'' respectful attitude toward Felix.


    Felix scoffed. "Your wife''s quite the tyrant in public. She''s the rudest person I''ve ever encountered!"


    Turning to Leonard, Felix continued, "Mr. Ziegler, though I promised you I''d help, I can''t help a family with someone like this. Frankly speaking, they can''t be good people. I''m leaving!"


    Felix was not a masochist. Why should he help her family after she had insulted him so viciously? That was impossible!


    Caught off guard by this development, Leonard shot Bertha a dark look before hurrying after Felix without a word.


    Just then, the bedroom door opened again as Garrett emerged. "Marcus, where''s Dr. Zeller?


    11


    Oblivious to Marcus'' a


    Bertha''s trembling, Garrett smiled contentedly and said, "I can finally escape this misery and stop taking those medications! Dr. Zeller said he can cure mepletely! I came out to tell you all the good news. ""Where is he? Is he in the


    throom?"


    What? Bertha''s jaw dropped. That young man was not just a doctor but could cure Garrett''s rare heart condition. She refused to believe it!


    As these thoughts raced through her mind, Marcus'' hand cracked across her cheek.


    "Kneel!" Forcing Bertha down, Marcus knelt beside her. "Dad, it''s all my fault. Punish me!"


    Garrett sensed something was wrong. "What happened? Tell me!"


    Stammering, Bertha recounted the incident.


    After hearing it, Garrett staggered back several steps before pointing a trembling finger at Bertha. "You! How could you be so unreasonable and foul-mouthed?" How could you be so un


    Inather me me instead. After we lost our child in the car


    ident, Bertha''s personality changed. I''ve been hiding it from you."


    Garrett copsed onto the couch with a thud, his eyes dimming. "This is all fate''s doing!" hemented.


    Meanwhile, as Felix waited for the elevator outside, Leonard grabbed his arm.


    "Mr. Ziegler, don''t bother. I won''t change my mind."


    Leonard smiled bitterly. "Let me tell you two stories. If you still refuse to treat Garrett afterward, I won''t say another word."


    Though Felix remained silent, Leonard began, "Decades ago, modern medicine developed slowly in Dragonia, including at Canraville Hospital. Then, Garrett appeared and donated 100 million dors to Mercy Hospital. That was an enormous sum back then. "Thanks to that money, our hospital imported advanced medical equipment and could afford to send talented doctors like myself abroad to study. I was one of them.


    "Garrett never asked for anything in return. He''s truly a kind man. I know he''s also supported many impoverished children in mountain regions. If he''s not a good person, who is?"


    Though Felix remained silent, his expression had begun to change.

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    "Bertha used to be slender, beautiful, and refined. But two years ago, they lost their only child in a car ident. She turned into apletely different person. Though she''s alright at home, she''s be aplete shrew in public.


    "I''m not excusing her behavior, but I truly hope you can give Garrett a reason to keep living," Leonard exined.


    Felix sighed deeply before turning around. "Alright. You''ve convinced me."


    Seeing Felix return, Garrett broke down in tears. Knowing it was Leonard''s doing, he pointed at Bertha. "Kneel and-"


    Felix raised his hand. "No need. Let''s go to the bedroom for your treatment.


    Watching Felix''s retreating back, Bertha copsed, crying into Marcus'' arms. "Marcus, I''m sorry. I know my mistake this time."


    After leaving the Rothwell residence, Leonard was overwhelmed with emotion. "Felix, thank you. Seeing Garrett recover was my greatest wish."


    He was once again astounded by Felix''s medical skills. That rare heart condition stumped doctors worldwide, yet Felix solved it effortlessly.


    "You don''t have to. As you said, good deeds bring good fortune."


    After declining Leonard''s offer to drive him, Felix received a call from George. "Felix, are you free tonight for drinks? If not, we can meet tomorrow." George was in Canraville?


    Felix smiled. "Sure."


    During the treatment, he had received a message from Alistair saying Xena was back but had gone home instead of to Wolfie troops headquarters. After such an ordeal, Xena must have been low-spirited. Though Felix wanted to check on her, he thought it would be better to do so tomorrow, considering Curtis'' prejudice against him.


    George had chosen a bar on the sixth floor of a five-star hotel. It was clearly not a ce for ordinary customers. Felix said as he sat down, "What brings you here suddenly?"


    "Come on! I''m a proper businessman now. I''m done with ying around. My dad has given me lots of responsibilities, so I''m constantly traveling nationwide." Leaning forward to study him closely, Felix sined. "Okay. Just tell me what you need.


    There''s no need for formalities between us."


    George rubbed his nose awkwardly. "I thought I was doing well hiding it, but you saw right through me. Yeah, there''s something. Let''s have a drink first."


    After a beer, George continued, "It''s my dad''s birthday next week. We have nothing big y dad''s birthday next week. We have nothing big nned, just family and some close friends of mine and my mom''s."


    Felix frowned. "You want to invite me to your dad''s birthday? That seems inappropriate, doesn''t it?" 1


    Hesitating, George said, "I... I was wondering if you could bring someone important from Moonshadow Alliance to my dad''s birthday. Of course, forget it if it''s too much trouble. I know you already used up your favor with themst time." So, George wanted to borrow some influence.


    Felix agreed without hesitation, "No problem."


    George was overjoyed. Sincerity could really go a long way, after all.


    As he raised his ss, a loud shout rang out, "Felix! It''s time to settle our score!" 1

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    Felix felt really annoyed being called out in such a rude way in public.


    Turning around, he saw it was Ethan from Medic''s Haven. His irritation subsided. Clearly, Ethan was still relying on his supposed backup to cause trouble.


    "Damn it! I don''t care who you are. Get lost!" George erupted. He was furious that his moment of joy over Felix''s agreement had been ruined.


    "I''m here for Felix. You''re the one who should leave!"


    With a nk, George''s s.


    shattered on the floor as he pointed angrily, while a middle-aged man appeared before Ethan. "Get rid of him. I''ll deal with him myselfter!"


    George could afford such arrogance as a rich young heir from Yartford. In Canraville, he could disregard anyone he pleased. Felix was content to let things y out silently.


    Ethan clicked his tongue. "George, I haven''t seen you in a while, but your temper''s gotten worse, hasn''t it? Heard you''d reformed and started managing your dad''s business. I guess you still need more practice."


    With that mocking voice, a young man entered. Behind him, two rows of men in ck came marching in with murderous eyes before forming into perfect lines. There were 20 of


    them.


    Such an imposing disy sent the onlooking diners fleeing. This clearly was not going to end so simply, and no one wanted to risk getting caught in the crossfire.


    "Harry Lamford?" George recognized the young man immediately, his brows furrowing.


    "Do you know him?" Felix stood up. He could tell that this was beyond George''s ability to handle. He had thought Ethan had brought just a couple of skilled fighters, but he seemed quite determined to get revenge this time. "Yes." George''s expression grew serious. "This guy Harry is trash, but his cousin is someone I can''t mess with. Felix, these men''s presence proves Harry is acting on his cousin''s approval."


    Felix studied them carefully. Smiling, he said, "The only thing different is that there''s an embroidered word on their chests. It looks like Crayden,'' doesn''t it?"


    George nodded. "Yeah. Harry''s cousin is Malcolm Crayden."


    By now, Harry and Ethan had approached. The former''s face was full of mockery. "Pretty smart, George. So why not leave? Unless you want to have a chat with Malcolm?" Not wanting George to be humiliated, Felix stepped in.


    "Ethan, your pettiness makes you unfit to be a traditional medicine practitioner. Even if


    you force yourself to continue, your skills won''t improve much. A practitioner who can''t ept their own mistakes will never grasp the true essence of traditional medicine."


    These words made Ethan grind his teeth in fury. "Whether I''m wrong or right isn''t for you to judge! I told you you''d pay the price. That time hase, and no one can change my mind." Felix shook his head.


    Ethan''s medical skills were actually quite good. With a change in mentality, he could have contributed to traditional medicine. Felix had wanted to give him another chance, but hatred hadpletely blinded him. "Looks like you''ve brought this suffering upon yourself, then."

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    Harry, who had been listening intently the entire time, suddenly burst outughing. "Talk about asking for trouble! Felix, did you really think we hadn''t looked into your background?


    "Sure, you used to have some influence, and plenty of big shots owed you favors, but what are you now? Just another ordinary doctor. Do you honestly believe everyone is like George, desperately hoping you''ll make aeback? "Maybe you had a shot at that before, but now? That chance is long gone. Besides, even if you did rise back up, do you think you could go against Ethan?


    ""Ethan works for Ma


    and Malcolm is my cousin. By messing with Ethan, you''re disrespecting Malcolm. Simply put, you''ve picked a fight with someone you shouldn''t have.


    11


    George watched with a cold smirk, knowing everyone who had tried to destroy Felix felt this same confidence. Yet, they all regretted it the next moment.


    "Oh? Someone I shouldn''t mess with? Are they really that important?" Felix asked casually.


    Harry straightened up, puffing out his chest with pride as his eyes narrowed. "With your so-called past connections, you''ve surely heard of the Eight Great Martial Families, haven''t you?"


    Ethan shared the same arrogant attitude as he stared at Felix, seemingly hoping the mere mention of this name would terrify him.


    "I might have heard of them," Felix replied nonchntly.


    "Might have?" Harry''s irritation showed. "You''re still trying to act tough at this point?" (1


    Felix remained calm and simply pointed behind Harry. "These Eight Great Martial Families you''re talking about-are you referring to them?"


    Confused, Harry instinctively turned around, wondering why Felix was pointing behind him when he had been talking about himself. His eyes widened at the sight of three people approaching, all wearing distinctive suits green


    To others, these neers might have just seemed oddly dressed, but Harry knew better. He had recognized their identity immediately.


    These people were from the Saphira family, one of the Eight Great Martial Families based


    on the outskirts of Canraville.ver, he could not understand why they were here.


    "Felix, is someone giving you trouble?" Kennedy, who led the Saphira group, greeted Felix with a friendly smile.


    "Just something minor, Kennedy. Are you here for dinner?" Felix replied casually.


    "I couldn''t care less about the food. We''re here specifically to see you."


    Harry''s face fell at these words, but Ethan, still clueless, coldly looked at the neers and said, "You want to stand up for Felix? That''s suicide!"


    Just as Ethan said that, Harry pped him across the face. This was no joke-these people were from the Saphira family, equal in status to the other Eight Great Martial Families. How dare Ethan speak to them like that?


    "I apologize. My friend is not the brightest bunch. He-" Harry began, but before he could finish, the young man next to Kennedy kicked Ethan, sending him flying.


    "If he has issues, fix them," the young man stated coldly.


    As Harry''s ck-suited men started to move, he quicklymanded, "Everyone, stand down!"


    Then, he turned to the young man with a dark expression. "Aren''t you taking this too far? I showed you respect as fellow members of the Eight Great Martial Families.


    "Are you really going to pretend the Crayden family doesn''t exist? I can overlook that kick, but stay out of my business with Felix."


    The fact that Felix knew the Saphira family, and apparently quite well at that, had caught Harrypletely off guard. Now, he understood why Felix had been so confident earlier- his backup was about to arrive. Harry''s voice grew even colder, feeling he needed to emphasize his point further. "Or are you willing to spark a war between our families over someone as insignificant as him?"

 Billionaire With Husband 527

    Harry expected the other party to back down after making such bold threats, since no one would typically risk a conflict between two great martial families over an outsider.


    However, the young man responded by striking Harry to the ground with a single p. When the men in ck suits moved to intervene, the young man merely flexed his arms, and an invisible force sent them all flying backward. "You''re just a distant rtive of the Crayden family, yet you dare show off in front of us? If Malcolm came here to say these words, that would be a different story."


    He emphasized his point by stepping on Harry''s face. "The name''s Jeffrey Saphira, and you can tell the Craydens that Felix is a friend of the Saphira family. If anyone wants to mess with him, they''ll have to deal with us first. Now get lost!" Hismanding tone terrified Harry. Even Ethan, who had just gotten up, stood dumbfounded. They could notprehend why someone like Felix had such strong backing from the Saphira family.


    Without another word, Harry fled with Ethan and his men. He knew that despite Ma''s support, he was still just a distant rtive of the Crayden family with no real authority.


    Meanwhile, Felix was equally shocked that the Saphira family would stand up for him. Just then, Kennedy asked, "Felix, our arrival was just a coincidence. I hope you don''t think we''re meddling in your business." "Not at all," Felix replied with a smile. "To be honest, I''m still a bit surprised myself."


    Kennedy grinned. "The head of our family, Barack Saphira, is both brave and wise. Once he makes a decision, no one can change it! After I reported about you, he immediately decided to befriend you."


    He gestured toward Jeffrey, who had introduced himself earlier. "This is Jeffrey Saphira, Barack''s eldest son. You should exchange numbers. If you ever need anything from the Saphira family, just ask." Jeffrey was equally polite. "That''s right, Felix. One phone call, and if I''m in Canraville, I''ll be there as fast as possible."


    George gasped. The Eight Great Martial Families were known for their aloofness and disdain for other powers and people. Hence, to see them being so enthusiastic about Felix was beyond words. "Well, it would be rude not to ept your offer Felix responded warmly. Regardless of whatever hidden motives the Saphira family could have had, he felt this connection was worth pursuing. After leaving the restaurant and getting into their car, Jeffrey turned to Kennedy. "Uncle


    Kennedy, I''ve always supported my father''s decisions without question since I was young.


    "But this time, with Felix, I''m genuinely confused. I admit that reaching Innate Realm at my age is impressive and shows unlimited potential, but is antagonizing the Crayden family worth it?"


    Kennedy patted Jeffrey''s head affectionately. "Jeffrey, trust your father! The Saphira family has always been at the bottom of the Great Eight Martial Families, but since your father became the leader, we''ve climbed up a rank in just ten years. "So, when he tells us to do something, we do it without question."


    Jeffrey sighed and looked out the window. "I get that, but the Crayden family is ranked fourth. Crossing them feels like ying with fire."


    Back in the restaurant, George was still in awe. "Felix, I''m truly impressed. You even know the Great Eight Martial Families, and the Saphira family''s timing couldn''t have been better.


    11

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    Felix took a sip of his beer before asking, "Do you really think this was a coincidence? If the Saphira family wanted to visit me, they could have done it anytime. Why specifically now?"


    Although he was unsure about Barack''s background, Felix knew the situation was not as simple as it appeared.


    Seeing his expression, George decided not to pursue the topic further.


    "Oh, by the way, Malcolm is a direct descendant of the Crayden family. He''s also one of Lady N''s suitors," George mentioned. "He''s actually one of those powerful pursuers Mr. Gibson warned about earlier." The implication was clear-George wanted Felix to be careful. Felix merely nodded, as N''s romantic affairs were not his concern.


    Nheless, he figured Malcolm would likely let the Ethan incident slide after the Saphira family''s intervention. After all, it was simply not worth the trouble.


    An hourter, as they were leaving, the elevator stopped one floor down. Felix could not help but be shocked when he noticed who was entering the elevator, and he eximed, "When did youe back?" Jack jumped in surprise. Upon seeing Felix, his eyes darted away nervously. "I got back this afternoon, you-"


    Someone suddenly pushed Jack from behind, forcing him into the elevator. "What''s wrong with you? Too drunk to remember how elevators work?"


    Felix then noticed Wendy standing behind Jack, clearly having had more than a few drinks, as she was swaying on her feet. She even giggled and slurred, "I-I think I''m hallucinating... I''m seeing Felix in the elevator. As Wendy


    mor


    to inspect Felix, Jack quickly gestured and whispered, "Ms. Kinsley


    is pretty drunk. She seemed down today for some reason. I''m leaving her with you since I don''t know her ce in Canraville."


    Before Felix could respond, Jack darted out through the opening elevator doors with impressive speed.


    "You''d better watch your back!" Felix called after him, making George chuckle.


    "What''s Jack doing with Wendy''?" George asked curiously.


    "He quit Ster Group and now works for Wendy, handling their Canraville operations," Felix exined.


    When they reached the parking level, George snapped his fingers, and someone quickly


    approached. "Take Felix home."


    Felix frowned. "Can''t you see I''ve gotpany? How can I go home?"


    Throughout the ride, Wendy stumbled and rambled incoherently, making it impossible to get her address. "Should we take her to a hotel?" George suggested. After some hesitation, Felix eventually decided to take her to his ce. After all, he did not feelfortable leaving her alone at a hotel in her current state. "What''s that look for?" Felix threatened yfully, raising his fist, when he caught George''s expression after helping Wendy into the Range Rover. "Nothing! I know you''ve got game and wouldn''t take advantage of the situation. Anyway, I''ll head out now!" George replied with a grin.


    Felix sighed as he got into the car. He had given Wendy an acupuncture treatment to help her sleep, which seemed better than letting her remain rowdy.


    When they arrived at his vi, the driver immediately left. Felix carried Wendy from the garage into the house. As they entered, the living room lights suddenly turned on. Someone was sitting on the couch, their eyes meeting Felix''s.


    Felix blurted out, "Xena?"

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    Felix could swear he was not seeing things. Xena sat on his couch, with two sses and a bottle of wine on the coffee table before her.


    "Your life seems quite fun," Xena remarked, her initial smile instantly fading as her eyes fixed on Wendy in Felix''s arms.


    Felix nced down, finally realizing the gravity of the situation.


    "Xena, I-" he started, but she cut him off, "No need to exin. I clearly came at a bad time. Don''t worry. I''ll use the front door next time."


    Felix inwardly cursed at this massive misunderstanding. He called out, "Xena, please let me exin! This is Wendy Kinsley-you must know who she is. She had too much to drink, and I don''t know where she stays, so I-" However, his words trailed off as Xena had already vanished through the door.


    Looking at the wine bottle on the table, Felix felt incredibly frustrated. It was obvious Xena had found her own way into his vi to surprise him and probably have a heart-to-heart


    conversation.


    Instead of strengthening their rtionship, this incident had likely damaged it.


    "Jack, I swear I''ll get you for this," Felix muttered, though he knew he could not really me Jack or Wendy. It was just an unfortunate circumstance.


    Felix carried Wendy upstairs andid her on the bed. Any other man might have been tempted by such a beautiful woman lying helplessly before them, but Felix simply closed the door and left.


    He was too upset to even consider such thoughts. Besides, he and Wendy had already established they were just friends. When Felix returned to the living room, he froze in surprise. Xena had reappeared, sitting in the same spot as before.


    "Xena... You''re not angry anymore?" Felix asked hesitantly.


    She nodded, admitting, "I was too hasty earlier With your abilities, you must have sensed my presence, yet you still carried Wendy in. That shows you have nothing to hide."


    In truth, his heightened awareness only picked up on threats or killing intent, not random presences. It would be exhausting if he were to leave his senses open all the time, especially in a country as densely popted as Dragonia. Nheless, Felix was not about to let the chance slip away. He said, "I''m d you understand. I really thought you''d never forgive me."


    Felix sat down as Xena began pouring wine.


    When he tried to bring up the headquarters investigation, she quickly pressed a finger to her red lips. "Shh! I don''t want to discuss work tonight. I just want to share this bottle of wine with you


    in peaceful silence. Can you do that for me?"


    "Of course," Felix agreed. They clinked sses repeatedly infortable silence, neither speaking a word.


    After finishing the bottle, Xena stood up, and Felix followed suit, assuming he should see her out. Instead, she surprised him by wrapping her arms around his neck.


    "Kiss me," she whispered.


    Felix''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    "What''s wrong? Don''t you like me? Kiss me," she insisted.


    At that point, Felix knew hesitation was not an option. As they kissed deeply, he felt a shiver run down his spine as Xena''s hands began exploring his body.


    It was shocking. Who would have thought this seemingly ice-colddy could be so forward once she let her guard down?

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    Chapter 530 Chapter 530


    With Xena already being so forward, Felix saw no reason to hold back. He swept her up in his arms and rushed upstairs at lightning speed.


    When Felix awoke the following day, he could hardly believe how easily things had progressed with Xena, especially without having to deal with Curtis. He quickly checked his body, but his face fell as he made a shocking discovery. "How is this possible?" he muttered, noticing that Madam Spring''s mark was still clearly visible.


    As a thought struck him, he turned to look at the woman beside him, who had just rolled over to face him. He gasped in shock, eximing, "Averill?"


    Lying next to him was not Xena at all, but Averill.


    At the sound of her name, Averill opened her eyes, blinking innocently.


    "Oh, seems like the illusion spell wore off right on schedule," she said casually.


    Felix was speechless. With Averill''s level of power, there was no way he could have detected her disguise.


    Averill sat up and yfully tilted Felix''s chin toward her. "Look at that expression! You''re acting like you got the raw end of the deal here."


    Felix was exasperated and argued, "Averill, this isn''t fair."


    "Do you think I wanted to give up my first time while pretending to be someone else? I had no choice! You fell for Madam Spring''s scheme and had to pursue Xena.


    "I needed to act before you actually won her over because once that happened, knowing your personality, you wouldn''t have touched me even if I threw myself at you.",


    Realization dawned on Felix, and he said, "Damn it! So you were there lurking when Madam Spring showed up!"


    Averill looked away sheepishly. "I couldn''t help it. I''m no match for Madam Spring, and showing myself would have only made her angry."


    Felix nced at the clothes on the floor, confused. "Then, why are you wearing exactly the same outfit as Xena?"


    Disguises could change appearances, but clothing? That did not add up.


    "I was already here when Xena arrived around 8:00 pm with a bottle of wine and two sses. When I saw her, I knew this was my chance, so I had someone rush to buy the


    same outfit," Averill exined.


    She pointed to two particrly revealing pieces and added, "Don''t be upset. I promise what''s underneath was different from hers."


    Felix ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. What should have been every man''s dream scenario had turned into a massive headache.


    Just then, Averill embraced him; her lips brushing his ear as she pleaded softly, "What''s done is done. Would you really treat me cruelly now? Last night was out of desperation, but can you give me a real chance to experience it this time?" Felix looked into her eyes and felt his heart ache. Averill''s feelings for him had always been obvious. After all, she had never tried to hide her affection and had been the most forward


    about it.


    "I''m sorry you had to resort to this," he whispered.


    They had just begun to kiss passionately when a sudden scream shattered the moment.

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    Felix and Averill jumped at the sudden interruption, finding Wendy standing in the doorway.


    When her eyes met Felix''s, Wendy realized how awkward the situation was.


    "I''m so sorry!" she eximed before turning and fleeing.


    Felix realized he had been so caught up in the night''s passion that he had forgotten to close the bedroom door. Nheless, he was not too concerned.


    "She-" Felix began, but Averill pushed him back down.


    "Don''t say another word about her right now. Let''s continue!"


    ...


    After their passionate encounter, Averill felt deeply satisfied. This time, she had been able to be with him as herself. She giggled and said, "Finally, I''m on equal footing with Leslie! I can''t wait to tell her the good news!"


    Felix shook his head, feeling like a prize being fought over. "Come on, Averill. You didn''t just randomly show up at my ce, did you?"


    After all, Averill would surely be aware that he had recovered his strength. Hence, her sudden appearance surely meant there was something important.


    Just as she finished pulling on her pants, Averill yfully stuck out her tongue. "You were so amazing that you made my mind go nk! I almost forgot why I came here!"


    Though any man would be ttered by such praise, Felix was more curious about her actual


    purpose.


    "Someone used a Miracle Card. It wasn''t urgent, and since I was going to see Mr. Hoffman anyway, I volunteered to let you know," she exined.


    Felix sighed in exasperation. "Couldn''t you have just called me about that? Why make the trip?"


    gave


    Averill him a seductive wink. "If I hadn''te in person, how would I have gotten this chance to seduce you? Some things are better discussed face to face, don''t you think?"


    Still wearing only pants, Averill suddenly knelt at the foot of the bed, licking her lips as she crawled toward Felix. "What''s wrong? Haven''t had enough? Still want more of me? I''ve got time.


    Felix pulled the covers tight around himself, rmed. "No need! Just tell me about the Miracle Card situation!"


    "Humph! You''re no fun!" Averill pouted, but after getting fully dressed, she continued, "The Miracle Card was activated in Azuria, scheduled for the 21st of this month."


    Felix was surprised. "The Miracle Cards are going international now?"


    Averill shrugged. "Why not? Mr. Hoffman only cares about the cards, not the people. Just go and do your job."


    That made sense-perhaps someone had emigrated. "But Averill, Miracle Cards are usually used when someone''s gravely ill, and it''s typically urgent. Why schedule it this time? Could this be another Elder Council trap?"


    He had every reason to be suspicious. Thest time he dealt with a Miracle Card, he had run into Vilebane. If Karina had not shown up in time, he would have been dead,


    After some thought, Averill replied, "With your current strength, you shouldn''t worry too much. Still, Mr. Hoffman might have had the same concerns, so he asked me to give you this."


    She pulled out a wrinkled yellow talisman from her pocket and handed it to him.


    "What''s this?" Felix asked skeptically.


    "Don''t underestimate it. It''s an authentic Speed Talisman passed down through generations. Stick it on yourself, and your speed increases several times over. Perfect for quick escapes, and it''s reusable, too." Felix brightened at this news. After all, having this was like having an extra life.


    Once Averill left, Felix got up to find that Wendy was no longer at the vi. He did not bother contacting her. Since they were just friends, there was no need to exin himself.

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    Chapter 532 Chapter


    532


    After finishing breakfast, Felix hesitated but decided to call Xena. His mind kept drifting back tost night and the madness with Averill at least, at the time, he had genuinely thought it was Xena. Fortunately, the call connected, and Xena''s cold voice immediately came through, "What is it?"


    Felix felt incredibly awkward, even though nothing had actually happened between them. Xena, aboutst night-"


    Xena quickly cut him off, "I''m not dwelling on it. No need to exin yourself. Besides, there''s nothing between us, so your private life is your own business."


    As expected, Felix thought women always seemed to get upset over the same kind of things. He said, "Alright. I''ll drop it. I just hope this doesn''t affect your mindset during the investigation."


    There was a long pause before Xena responded, saying, "Felix, thank you for getting headquarters to release me. That meant a lot to me.


    "As for the investigation, I''m not worried. My assistance to Uncle Perry waspletely legal and ethical, and they can investigate all they want.


    As a high-ranking official herself, Xena understood the immense influence required to secure someone''s release in such situations. Her gratitude to Felix was genuine, and she knew that such favors from powerful figures were invaluable and could only be used once. "You don''t need to thank me," Felix replied. "I know you wouldn''t have done anything wrong."


    The brief conversation left Felix relieved, knowing there were no lingering misunderstandings between them.


    Around 10:30 am, the doorbell rang. Seeing it was Jack, Felix grabbed him by the cor and pulled him inside. "Jack, you really screwed me overst night!"


    Jack looked bewildered. "What do you mean? Did Ms. Kinsley take advantage of you or something?"


    Felix rolled his eyes, realizing there was no point inining. "Never mind that. Why are you here?"


    Jack gave a wry smile. "Felix, I''m literally being forced at knifepoint here. Lunch together?"


    "With Nancy?" Felix asked, catching on.


    Jack nodded. "Nancy wants to thank you for helping her out of that huge mess. She''s


    11


    cooking at her ce, and Nessa and I will be there, too."


    Felix immediately declined. "No way. I appreciate the gesture, though."


    "Come on!" Jack pleaded. "I wasn''t kidding about the knife thing! Nessa will make a living hell if you don''te!"


    my


    life


    Felix shook his head. "Ask Nessa if this will be herst attempt at matchmaking. If she agrees to stop after this, I''ll go."


    "Already ahead of you," Jack replied. "I said the same thing, and she agreed. If you still don''t feel anything for Nancy after this, she''ll back off for good." "Fine. Let me get ready. Wait in the car," Felix relented.


    Just as he finished putting on his shoes, his phone rang with an unknown number. He picked it up, and the woman on the other end said, "Felix, this is Aimee Reynolds." Felix was surprised to hear from Xena''s cousin. He had thought she would have disappeared after the Walsh family incident.


    "Listen carefully," she continued. "I know your biggest secret. You have three days to leave Canraville and cut all contact with Xena, or I''m going public with it."

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    Felix chuckled. "Oh? I wasn''t aware I had any secrets."


    The whole situation felt eerily familiar, as if someone had tried this approach with him before.


    Aimee sneered. "Laugh all you want. I know your birth parents are from the Greene family of Yatford. Is that enough to make you leave?"


    Felix''s smile faded, not from fear but from curiosity about how Aimee had discovered this information. As far as he knew, only his senior apprentices and N were aware of this fact.


    "If I reveal your identity to the Greene family... Well, let''s just say they despise illegitimate children like you. The Greene family of Yatford is extremely powerful, and dealing with you would be child''s y for them," Aimee threatened.


    "So think carefully. Would you rather leave quietly and continue your pleasant life, or face the crushing power of the Greene family?"


    Felix hung up without responding,pletely unfazed by the matter. He recalled that N had tried using this secret against him before, but did they actually think he cared?


    To him, his only parents were the ones who had raised him, who were now resting in peace, and everyone else meant nothing.


    When he got into Jack''s car, Vanessa was already there. She seemed apologetic, perhaps due to Jack''s intervention.


    Breaking the silence, she said, "Felix, I''m really sorry. I swear on my life that Cici is perfect wife material. That''s why I''ve been trying so hard to get you two together."


    Felix nodded with a smile. "It''s not that serious. I understand where you''reing from."


    Vanessa sighed in relief and made a promise. "After this lunch, I won''t interfere anymore. Sometimes, forcing rtionships will only make things worse."


    "Thanks for understanding," Felix replied sincerely.


    He knew that Vanessa meant well and that Nancy was genuinely a good person, which was the only reason he was being amodating. Otherwise, not even Jack''s involvement would have swayed him.


    As Jack''s car drove away, Yvonne watched from her vi nearby. Her phone rang, and after a brief conversation, she turned to the woman sitting in her living room.


    The woman was none other than Aimee, who had just called Felix.


    "Lady N says you should head to Yatford directly," Yvonne informed her.


    Aimee stood up but paused. "Has Lady N arranged my meeting with the Greene family?" Yvonne shook her head. "You''ll need to arrange that yourself. Lady N won''t be involved in any part of this."


    "I understand. Don''t worry. I''ll handle this perfectly," Aimee smirked. "This time, even with all his tricks, he''s finished."


    The Walsh family incident had genuinely frightened Aimee, but now, she saw an opportunity for revenge.


    Felix had not only angered N but was also an illegitimate child of the Greene family. This double threat would be too much even for many of Dragonia''s powerful figures, let alone


    Felix.


    After Aimee left, Yvonne copsed onto the couch, muttering, "Felix, can you really handle this?"


    She knew everything but could prevent nothing. N had been truly enraged. It was understandable from N''s perspective as she had extended an olive branch to Felix. Yet, he had not only rejected it but pursued another woman. Even if that woman was a Wady, it did not


    1. er.


    Now, the consequences were finally catching up to him.


    "The Greene family," Yvonne whispered. "Even Lady N treads carefully around them. How will Felix survive this?"

 Billionaire With Husband 534

    Half an hourter, Felix, Jack, and Vanessa arrived at Nancy''s apartment, where she was busy in the kitchen, wearing an apron.


    "Make yourselvesfortable," she called out. "Just two more dishes to go. Nessa, could you help entertain them?"


    The apartment was notrge, around 900 square feet. Nancy had bought it with a mortgage and help from her parents for the down payment. ording to Vanessa, Nancy was fiercely independent and wanted her own ce, leaving future marriage considerations forter.


    As a university professor, Nancy''s ie was decent enough to handle the mortgage payments. Her modest dress and lifestyle showed she was neither extremely frugal nor wasteful with money.


    "Wow! Cici, your ce is so neat and clean," Jackplimented. "Unlike our mess of an apartment."


    Vanessa immediately pinched his ear. "Oh? Comining about me? We agreed when we got together that you''re in charge of housework or we hire a housekeeper. Having second thoughts now?" Felix could not help but chuckle at their yful bickering, which clearly showed how close they were.


    Once the food was ready and everyone was seated, Nancy spoke up nervously. "My cooking might not be the best, so please don''t be too harsh," she said softly.


    Vanessa immediately jumped in. "Are you kidding? These ribs are absolutely incredible! I haven''t had them in years! We''re lucky Felix brought us here!"


    Then, she eagerly ced a piece on Felix''s te. "Try it!"


    Felix took a bite and smiled. "It''s delicious."


    Pleased with Felix''s approval, Nancy raised her ss. "Felix, everything happened so quicklyst time that I didn''t properly thank you. I can''t imagine what might have happened without your help."


    About 20 minutes into the meal, Vanessa''s phone rang. After answering, her face lit up with excitement. "What? Aunt ine''s back? That''s amazing! I''ming right now!"


    11


    Jack, mid-sip, nearly spit out his water. However, Vanessa was already pulling him up. Cici, I haven''t seen my aunt in years. I''m so sorry to rush off like this, but please continue without us!" Nancy quickly got up to see them off, "Drive safely!"


    Felix had considered leaving, too, but that would have been too impolite andpletely embarrassed Nancy. He had actually overheard Vanessa''s tant lie earlier, but since this was supposed to be thest setup attempt, he decided to let it slide. In the elevator, Jack''s expression was priceless. "Nessa,e on... Aunt ine passed away four years ago."


    Vanessa crossed her arms defiantly. "So what? She came to me in a dreamst night and said she''d visit again at 3:00 pm today in another dream. Got a problem with that?"


    "Nope! Whatever you say!" Jack conceded quickly.


    Back in the apartment, Nancy sat down with slightly flushed cheeks, clearly aware of the different atmosphere now that they were alone.


    "Could have another serving of pasta?" Felix asked. "There''s still some food left, and it would be a waste not to finish it."


    Nancy beamed, taking it as apliment to her cooking. "Of course! I''ll get it for you."


    Just then, there was a knock at the door. Felix stood up to answer it. "Must be those two forgetting something in their rush." Nancy froze. She called out in rm, "Don''t open the door!"

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    Unfortunately, Nancy''s warning came toote. He had already opened the door, but instead of Jack and Vanessa, Drake stood there with arge bouquet of roses and a confident smile that quickly vanished upon seeing Felix. "What the hell are you doing in Cici''s apartment?" "Drake demanded.


    Felix frowned. "Watch yournguage."


    Before Drake could curse again, Nancy rushed to the door. "Drake, when will you stop? If you keep harassing me, I''m calling the police!"


    She had tried to prevent Felix from opening the door earlier because of a suspicious delivery call, remembering how Drake had used simr tactics before.


    "Cici, don''t call the cops! I''m serious about you!" Drake shouted, his eyes now fixed on Felix, full of hostility.


    When Drake showed no signs of leaving, Nancy angrily retrieved her phone. "I''m really going to call the police!"


    However, her phone rang at that moment. It was her mother, and she had to answer.


    "What? Uncle''s in the hospital? It''s that serious? I understand, Mom. I''ming right now!"


    Drake immediately offered, "Cici, let me drive you. I know people at the hospital who can-


    11


    "No!" Nancy cut him off, rushing to get dressed and hurrying out.


    Felix had no choice but to follow her. After all, he could not just stand by when she needed help. Nancy had seen Felix work his magic on an elderly patient before, and now that her uncle was sick, he could not just ignore it. Drake threw the flowers to the ground in frustration. He grumbled angrily, "You''re pushing it too far! I can''t believe you''re already visiting Nancy''s ce. I have to stop this before you ruin her!"


    In the car, Nancy turned to Felix with reddened eyes. "Felix, I''m sorry to ask, but could you please take a look at my uncle? I''m really worried about him."


    "of course, I wouldn''t havee if I wasn''t nning to help," Felix assured her. He could tell she was close to her uncle.


    Thank you," she said softly.


    +25 BON


    Felix added cautiously, "Just remember. Many people are skeptical about traditional


    medicine, especially for emergencies. They usually trust modern medical procedures more.


    11


    He knew people typically associated traditional medicine with long-term treatment rather than immediate solutions like surgery.


    "I''ll convince them," Nancy replied confidently, having witnessed Felix''s abilities firsthand.


    At the hospital, they found many people gathered around the emergency room where Nancy''s uncle was being treated. Felix sighed, knowing his young age would make it difficult to gain their trust, regardless of Nancy''s assurance. Most ordinary people rarely encountered truly skilled traditional medicine practitioners, unlike the wealthy, who had better ess to such experts. This would likelyplicate things.


    "Mom, why is he still in the ER?" Nancy asked.


    "The cardiology department is full, and there''s no room for surgery yet. We''re pulling every string we can to get him help. Do you know anyone at Mercy Hospital?"


    Standing at the emergency room entrance, Felix called Leonard. He could tell direct treatment was no longer an option in this situation.

 Billionaire With Husband 536

    "Mom! I know someone incredibly skilled who can definitely cure Uncle Gary!" Nancy''s with enthusiastic announcement drew everyone''s attention, and her mother''s face lit up hope.


    "Really? Contact them right away!" her mother, Samantha Niles, eximed excitedly.


    Nancy pulled Felix forward and introduced him "Mom, this is Felix Zeller, my good friend.


    Samantha gave a polite greeting, though she internally questioned why Nancy was introducing a friend at such a critical time. "Hello, Felix. It''s nice to meet you," she said before turning to Nancy. "Well, Cici. Hurry up and make the call!" After a brief pause, Nancy dered seriously, "Felix is the master healer I was talking about."


    The announcement caused an uproar among the rtives gathered in the hospital waiting room.


    "Don''t be ridiculous, Cici! He''s far too young to be a master healer," Samantha protested.


    "Exactly, Nancy! At his age, being a resident physician would be impressive enough," one of her aunts chimed in.


    "What''s wrong with you? Are you ying games with my


    dad''s life?"


    Nancy had not expected such harsh criticism from a single statement, and tears welled up in her eyes.


    "Everyone, please. Nancy hasn''t finished exining. Actually, I''m-" Felix began, but Drake''s sudden appearance cut him off.


    "Mrs. Yonder, I''ve arranged everything. The chief of cardiology will personally perform the surgery, and we can transfer him to the cardiac unit right away," Drake announced smoothly. The room froze for a moment, everyone too stunned to speak.


    "Nancy, what''s this about?" Samantha asked, confused.


    Drake shed his charming smile. "Mrs. Yonder, I''m Nancy''s friend, Drake Sterling. When I heard about her uncle''s condition at her ce earlier, I rushed over immediately." Drake''s handsome appearance and instant problem-solving impressed everyone. Samantha''s initial tension melted into gratitude, and the rtives'' attitudes also shifted. "This is wonderful! Drake, you''ve helped our family tremendously. I don''t know how to thank you," Samantha gushed.


    While the rtives showered Drake with gratitude, Nancy stood conflicted. She did not want to owe Drake anything but realized she could not object without bing the family viin. "Don''t worry. You won''t owe him anything. I''ve contacted someone, too," Felix whispered to her, bringing a bright smile to Nancy''s face.


    "Thank you," she whispered back.


    Suddenly, the busy emergency room corridor filled with respectful greetings.


    "Dr. Ziegler!"


    "Good morning, Dr. Ziegler!"


    "Oh, my goodness! Why is Dr. Ziegler in the ER?"


    Drake''s group turned to look, and someone immediately recognized him.


    "Isn''t that Canraville''s top medical expert, Dr. Leonard Ziegler? He doesn''t have office hours today. What''s he doing in the ER?"


    Samantha turned to Drake excitedly. "Drake, did you arrange for Dr. Ziegler, too?"


    Drake was caught off guard. While he had tried to pull strings to get a top specialist, Leonard was infamous for refusing to deal with VIPS or favors.


    However, the timing seemed perfect, so he took the credit. He quickly shed a confident smile and said, "Well, Mrs. Yonder, of course, I''d do my best for Nancy''s uncle. It seems Dr. Ziegler made time, after all."


    The rtives were impressed by Drake''s apparent connections, believing the legendary Leonard''s involvement guaranteed sess. As if to confirm Drake''s ims, Leonard began walking toward their group. Drake stepped forward eagerly, extending both hands. "Dr. Ziegler, thank you so much foring."


    Leonard frowned slightly and asked simply, "Who are you?

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    Drake did not let the awkwardness affect him. He quickly recovered with a smile and said, " Dr. Ziegler, I contacted Dr. Richie about this case.


    Leonard withdrew his hand. He thought Drake was Felix''s friend, which was why he had bothered with the handshake in the first ce. Since it was not the case, Leonard walked past Drake without another word. As Leonard approached the patient, Nancy and her rtives quickly stepped aside. After a brief examination, he looked up and asked, "Which one of you is Nancy Yonder?"


    Nancy hesitated until Samantha gently pushed her forward. "H-Hello, Dr. Ziegler. I''m Nancy."


    Leonard''s expression softened considerably. "Don''t worry. I''ve decided to take Mr. Niles'' case. We''ll move him to a special care unit, run some additional tests, and I''ll personally perform the surgery at 6:00 pm." Though somewhat confused, Nancy knew Leonard''s prestigious reputation just by seeing her rtives'' awestruck expressions. "Thank you, Dr. Ziegler."


    The medical team that had arrived with Leonard immediately began their preparations.


    Just as Leonard was about to leave, Nancy gathered her courage and asked, "Dr. Ziegler, may I know who helped arrange this?"


    Leonard nced at Felix, who had been standing quietly nearby. "It was Felix. He''s the one you should thank.


    Felix inwardly groaned, as they had agreed to keep his involvement secret. He did not want toplicate his rtionship with Nancy further, but Leonard had misread the situation and revealed everything.


    As Leonard walked off, Nancy and her rtives turned to Felix with expressions of both gratitude and shame. Only a short while ago, they had dismissed him with harsh words, yet now, they owed him everything. Drake stood there with a darkening expression. He was frustrated that Felix had overshadowed his perfect opportunity to get closer to Nancy, making his own efforts look foolish.


    "Felix, thank you," Nancy said as she approached him.


    Felix tried to downy the situation. "I just happen to know Dr. Ziegler, so I made a call. It''s not a big deal, and since everything''s arranged, I should get going."


    He needed to leave quickly, as Samantha''s intense gaze held the unmistakable look of a mother-inw evaluating a potential son-inw.


    "Cici, is Felix really just a friend?" Samantha asked after Felix left.


    Nancy was about to answer casually when she caught Samantha''s meaningful look and blushed. "Mom! What are you thinking? Felix and I are just friends!"


    Samantha spoke earnestly, "You''re not getting any younger. It''s time to think about your future. Felix seems like such a gentleman, and after how he helped our family, you have my full approval."


    Nancy ran off, pretending to be annoyed. She was well aware of Felix''s good qualities, but she could not shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye. In fact, she even wondered if she was even worthy. Just as Felix left the hospital, Drake confronted him in the parking lot. "Felix! Are you seriously nning to mess with me?"


    Felix had intended to walk away but decided to address the situation. "Nancy and I are just friends. Your pursuit of her is not my business.


    "But I''m only exining this once. If you harass me again, I won''t be so nice about it." (1


    Felix decided to give Drake one chance. After all, in all his pursuit of Nancy, Drake had not done anything particrly offensive, suggesting he was notpletely unreasonable.

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    "Just friends? Regr friends don''t visit each other''s homes or care this much! Do you think I''m an idiot? Watch your back, pretty boy'' Drake snarled.


    Drake watched Felix walk away. He clenched his fists, his eyes shing with cold fury. He clearly had not taken Felix''s warning to heart, or if he had even listened at all.


    At sunset, in a coffee shop in Yartford, Aimee sat waiting for someone.


    After about 20 minutes, a young man walked in and took the seat across from her. He asked, "Aimee, it''s been months. What made you reach out?"


    Aimee smiled and pulled out a sealed stic bag containing a single strand of hair that Yvonne had given her. "Leroy, if I remember correctly, you mentioned being a distant rtive of the Greene family, right?"


    Leroy Kidman nodded slightly. "Why would I lie about that? But if you''re hoping to ask any favors from the Greene family through me, it''s impossible.


    "To be blunt, I don''t have that kind of pull, and we''re not that close."


    They had dated briefly when Aimee was still slim. However, she gained significant weight shortly after their breakup and became the person she was now. Aimee chuckled softly. "Rx. I know my limits. I wouldn''t ask for something impossible.


    "In fact, I''m here to offer you an opportunity-something that could make you rich beyond imagination. I thought of you first since we have history together." "Rich?" Leroy was intrigued. "Did Xena finally agree to help me with that favor?"


    He had contacted Aimee before about something that would be very easy to handle if Xena agreed. Unfortunately, he was rejected.


    Aimee shook her head. "No, but you''re missing the point. Look closer at the hair in that bag.


    Leroy leaned in, studying the bag more carefully. "What do you mean?"


    "I know about the Greene family''s abandoned heir," Aimee whispered.


    Leroy gasped, his expression changing dramatically. "Aimee, do you realize what you''re saying? The Greenes would destroy you just for mentioning this!"


    Only the immediate and extended Greene family knew about the abandoned heir. The extended family only knew because they had helped with the search years ago, but it was eventually dropped. This kind of scandal was kept strictly under wraps.


    "I know who the guy is, and this is his hair," Aimee stated confidently. "With this information, wouldn''t you say fortune is within your grasp?"


    Leroy snatched up the bag, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Are you sure about this?"


    "100%!" Aimee nodded with a smile. "I''m not foolish enough to risk the wrath of a powerhouse like the Greene family unless I''m certain. The question is, do you trust me?"


    This was as far as her connections could reach the extended Greene family. Reaching out to the Greenes'' inner circle was beyond her. After all, even someone like N had avoided getting involved, which spoke volumes about the Greenes'' power. After a long moment of hesitation, Leroy made his decision. "Fine! I''ll take this gamble with you. If you''re right, I''ll make it worth your while."


    As she watched Leroy rush out of the caf¨¦, Aimee smirked. "Felix, your peaceful days areing to an end."

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    In Canraville, just as Felix was about to head out for a quick dinner, his phone rang, When he realized it was Xena, he quickly answered, "Hey, Xena."


    "Are you free? Come over for dinner at our ce," she invited.


    Felix thought he had misheard. Based on their situation now, having dinner together outside would make more sense. He asked, "Is Mr. Summers Senior not there?"


    Xena''s response filled Felix with joy. "Actually, Grandpa''s the one who asked me to invite you."


    Felix was stunned to hear Curtis'' sudden change of heart. Nheless, it was definitely a positive development.


    "I''ll be right there!" Felix rushed to his garage and jumped into his Range Rover, speeding


    off toward their house.


    With Madam Spring''s mysterious "gift" lingering over him like a ticking time bomb, any progress toward resolving it was enough to lift his spirits.


    When he arrived, Xena opened the door, and sure enough, Curtis was sitting on the couch.


    "Mr. Summers Senior," Felix greeted.


    Curtis looked up with a smile. "Felix,e in and have a seat.''


    Felix could see the joy in Xena''s eyes at Curtis'' apparent eptance. She seemed genuinely pleased that Curtis had finallye around, especially since Felix had proven- himself to be exceptional, aside from that one incident. Xena prepared dinner herself, and they chatted casually while waiting for the food to be ready.


    "I''ll be right back. There''s something I need to get," Curtis said as he headed upstairs.


    As soon as he left, Felix leaned toward Xena, whispering, "What made him change his mind all of a sudden?"


    Xena rolled her eyes. "Why does it matter? Aren''t you happy about this?"


    "Of course I am! I''m just curious," he replied, wondering if perhaps Dalton had something to do with it.


    Minutester, Curtis returned and mmed a small axe onto the table, his earlier warmthpletely gone.


    "Grandpa, what are you doing?" Xena jumped up in horror, clearly caught off guard by his


    action.


    425 BORUS


    Ignoring his Xena, Curtis fixed his gaze on Felix. "You imed someone impersonated you during that abduction, right? And you''re not a coward, correct? Prove it to me."


    Felix frowned and stood up. "Mr. Summers Senior, I''m not sure what you mean by this."


    When Xena tried to speak, Curtis silenced her with a roar. "Shut up! Say another word, and I''ll disown you!"


    He turned back to Felix. "It''s simple. Chop off your hand in front of us, and I''ll believe you''re not a coward. Then, we can put that incident behind us."


    "Chop off his hand?" Xena gasped, terrified by Curtis'' transformation. "Grandpa, this is insane! It''s illegal, and I won''t let it happen!"


    Curtis pointed at her and smirked. "Is it? I''m not forcing him. If he does it willingly, how is that a crime? Well, Felix? Do you have the courage to prove yourself?"


    Felix slowly picked up the axe, his eyes flickering with emotion. Then, he brought it down with force.


    "No!" Xena covered her mouth in horror while Curtis watched intently.


    But the axended on the table instead of Felix''s hand.

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    "Mr. Summers Senior, if a man degrades himself to the point of sacrificing his own body for love, he doesn''t deserve to live! Our bodies are gifts from our parents, and unless forced, self-muttion is disrespectful to those who gave us life and raised us," Felix dered firmly. "If you believe I''m a coward, so be it. I won''t perform such a ridiculous act just to change your mind," he added before turning and walking out.


    As the bitter realization sank in, he saw no point in staying. He had thought Curtis was finally ready to ept him, but instead, it was just an borate trap to humiliate him.


    After Felix had been gone for a while, Xena shifted her gaze from the axe to Curtis, her eyes filled with anger. "Grandpa, this was absolutely ridiculous!"


    Curtis simply pulled the axe from the table and headed back upstairs, saying, "I have my reasons. Stay out of it."


    Later that evening, Felix sat at a local barbecue joint, drinking beer and eating. He was there purely out of hunger rather than mood. In truth, Curtis'' stunt had not really affected him that deeply.


    "I hope you''re not angry with my grandfather," Xena said, suddenly appearing and sitting across from him.


    Felix teased, "Isn''t this kind of food spot beneath someone of your status?"


    Xena brushed her bangs aside and grabbed a beer, raising it in a toast. "I''m human, too, aren''t I?"


    They clinked bottles, and Felix smiled. "Don''t worry. I can''t be mad at Mr. Summers Senior when he''s still traumatized by that incident."


    Deep down, Felix knew he had no right to hold a grudge. After all, the kidnapping incident had been because of him in the first ce.


    "Still, I need to apologize for my grandfather''s behavior," Xena insisted, clearly feeling that Curtis had gone too far this time.


    "By the way, what came of the investigation into Mr. Glover''s case? There must be results by now, right?" Felix asked.


    "Yes. They concluded it was all false usations. The perpetrators have been arrested, though the mastermind remains unknown. They covered their tracks well," Xena exined.


    Felix knew precisely who was behind it, but what could he do? Someone of N''s status would not leave any traceable evidence. Hence, this was clearly meant as a warning to him.


    He found it remarkable how far a woman would go for what she called love. In reality, it was purely about power and social standing, When Xena talked about suitable matches, it was apletely different league from N''s definition. "Xena, can you be honest with me? If Mr. Summers Senior never changes his mind, does that mean we have no future together?"


    Xena struggled to answer, realizing the irony of their situation. Previously, when she had opposed their rtionship, Curtis'' opinion had been crucial. When she had changed her mind and agreed to be with Felix, his word was stillw. Xena realized she had never truly had the freedom to pursue her own happiness.


    "Give me some time. Maybe we''ll find an answer," she said before leaving Felix to his meal.


    Just then, his phone buzzed unexpectedly. He nced at the screen to see Ryan''s name. Picking it up, Felix answered, "What''s up?"


    "Felix! I''ve got reliable information that Malcolm is heading to Canraville. I know you''re not easily worried, but you should be careful of him." 2

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    Chapter


    541


    "Bring it on," Ryan muttered under his breath. He knew Felix would not care much since he was Gerald''s apprentice, but he gave an early warning because Malcolm was not someone to be taken lightly.


    Among N''s suitors, Malcolm was one of the few who made Ryan wary, especially since Malcolm had the backing of the Crayden family, one of the Eight Great Martial Families. This alone gave him every reason to be arrogant and aggressive. Early the next morning, Jeffrey from the Saphira family was already waiting at the gates when Felix opened his door.


    "Have you picked the location?" Felix asked.


    Jeffrey nodded and replied, "Yes. It''s all set."


    "Then, let''s go," Felix said, heading out.


    He had notified Jeffrey because of what happenedst time with Ethan. Since the Saphira family had stepped in to help, any confrontation with Malcolm would inevitably involve the Saphiras.


    "Mr. Zeller, you''re right. Malcolm did contact me and suggest that we meet at a specific location," Jeffrey said as they drove.


    Felix waved his hand dismissively and replied, "Skip the ttery. While I might not understand your father''s true intentions, I''ve already agreed to be friends, so there''s no need for extra pleasantries." Jeffrey fell silent, appreciating Felix''s straightforward personality.


    After a moment, Felix said, "However, I''m curious about your father''s stance on Malcolm''s arrival."


    Jeffrey replied, "We''ll support you at any cost, even if it means war between the families."


    Felix was speechless by the answer. Given how extreme the Saphira family patriarch''s support seemed, he almost wondered if he was Barack''s secret son.


    "The Eight Great Martial Families have existed for many years, and while there must have been conflicts and friction, they''ve managed to survive until now. Surely there must be some kind of mediator?" Felix asked.


    He knew that a war between families of this caliber would be devastating for the entire martial artsmunity in Dragonia.


    A strange look flickered across Jeffrey''s eyes before he responded, "Yes, there is. It''s called


    the Elders'' Council."


    Felix''s eyes narrowed at this revtion. He had not expected to hear about the Elders'' Council from Jeffrey''s mouth, though he was unsure if it was the same council he knew of.


    "Can you tell me more about the Elders'' Council? Unless it involves ssified information, "Felix asked.


    Jeffrey considered for a moment before saying, ''I''ll share what I can, as some details are indeed confidential. The Elders'' Council was established 50 years ago,posed of the most senior elders from the Eight Great Martial Families. "They hold elections every decade, and anyone who meets their standards can join, regardless of which family they''re from."


    He continued, "When conflicts between the Eight Great Martial Families be impossible to resolve, the Elders'' Council intervenes. After all, every family has their elder on the council, so they must show some respect." Felix frowned slightly. From Jeffrey''s description, the council did not seem quite like the one nning to kill him.


    "Show respect, huh? Sounds like being in the Elders'' Council doesn''t necessarily mean you''re the strongest in your family," Felix said thoughtfully.


    He recalled Jeffrey''s earlier words-"the most senior elders", not "the most powerful".


    Jeffrey smiled and nodded. "Exactly. At its core, the families matter more than the council. The Elders'' Council is just a tool for mediation a way to de-escte conflicts when there''s no other option."


    As they talked, they arrived at their destination an abandoned brick factory on the outskirts of Canraville beneath a deste hill. It was a perfect spot for a confrontation.


    Felix did not intend to show mercy this time and nned to defeat Malcolm to thoroughly prevent any future trouble. Even if Malcolm tried to pull the ssic move of bringing in stronger backup after losing, Felix was not worried. 1


    After all, he had his nine senior apprentices to call upon, and he doubted Gerald would remain silent when his life was at stake.

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    Felix asked, "How much longer?"


    Jeffrey checked the time before responding, "About an hour and a half."


    "I''m going to take a walk around. I''ll be back in an hour," Felix said as he stood up.


    The Saphira family had only sent Jeffrey since this was supposed to be a fight between the younger generations. After all, the Crayden family would not dare try anything


    underhanded against Jeffrey.


    If that were to happen, it would inevitably lead to an all-out war between the families- something even the Elders'' Council could not mediate.


    When they arrived, Felix detected the distinctive aroma of the rare medicinal herb Shadowroot. He remembered working with a simr herb when trying to cure Curtis, but that one had been harmless with a localized effect.


    The Shadowroot was different and far more dangerous, and even a minute of exposure could be fatal to an ordinary person. Doctors familiar with its properties would usually remove it from the area, even if they did not need it. It was to prevent it from identally harming innocent passersby.


    Following the scent, Felix found himself at a secluded spot in the hills, where he spotted a man crouched near the Shadowroot. He immediately called out, "Be careful!"


    The man turned to look at him, his face pale and sickly, giving off the impression of someone chronically ill. The man said, "Thank you for your concern, but I''m well aware of what this is."


    Felix wondered if the man was also a traditional medicine practitioner, and he approached cautiously. However, he noticed that the man had already dug out the Shadowroot and carefully ced it into a cloth bag slung over his shoulder.


    "You''re poisoned," Felix stated matter-of-factly after a quick assessment of the man''s condition.


    The middle-aged manughed at Felix''s observation. "Impressive! You''ve mastered the art of diagnosis at such a young age-quite remarkable, indeed," he remarked with genuine admiration.


    The man patted his stomach, hisplexion growing even paler. He exined, "I poisoned myself deliberately. I''m researching an antidote-following in the footsteps of the ancient healers who tested herbs on themselves." Felix''s instincts told him this man was an extremely skilled healer. Despite his sickly appearance, his eyes maintained a steady, calm gaze.


    "Sorry for the interruption," Felix said as he turned to leave.


    The man suddenly called out, "Wait! I''m Lemuel Morris. May I know your name?"


    Felix was startled, realizing it was the legendary Lemuel, once ranked as Dragonia''s top master healer. He remembered how the government had desperately searched for Lemuel to treat Lionel''s illness, only toe up empty-handed. "I''m Felix Zeller," he replied.


    Lemuel''s eyes lit up as he quickly retrieved something from his bag. He said eagerly, "So you''re the Felix from the orphanage incident! If I hadn''t been absorbed in developing this antidote, I would havee to see you myself.


    "Your character is beyond impable. Would you help me deliver something? I can''t leave now-I''m close to a breakthrough."


    Felix hesitated, reluctant to take on any additional tasks at the moment. "I''m sorry, sir, but I have too much going on right now."


    Before he could take another step, Lemuel appeared mysteriously in front of him, holding out the item again with a knowing smile. "Go on, Felix. I don''t think you want to live with regret, do you?" Before Felix could respond, Lemuel continued, "This is your father''s final medicine. It will give him one more week to live. Don''t you want to see him onest time? It will be your final chance."

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    Felix stared at Lemuel, wondering if thetter had lost his mind. "Mr. Morris, are you sure you''re talking to me?"


    Lemuel''s smile widened as he stepped closer. "Of course, I''m talking to you. And when I say your father, I don''t mean the one who passed away. I''m referring to your biological father, Victor Greene." Felix was shocked. He had never met Lemuel before, yet this man seemed to know so much about him. He asked, "How do you know about that?"


    Lemuel exined, "Victor and I are best friends. Actually, this antidote I''m working on is for him, but it seems we''re running out of time.


    "Five years ago, he started falling ill. It''s been relentless-as soon as one disease is cured, another takes its ce, as if he''s been cursed."


    Felix let out a bitterugh. "Well, maybe he deserves it."


    Any parent who abandoned their child deserved such a fate in his mind-there was no excuse for abandonment, especially when they had the choice not to have a child in the first ce.


    Sensing Felix''s feelings, Lemuel did not push the issue. "I''ve developed a special diagnostic skill that allowed me to recognize that you''re Victor''s son as soon as I saw you."


    Felix had to admit that Lemuel''s diagnostic skills were impressive, clearly deserving of his ranking as Dragonia''s top healer.


    "You have your reasons to hate him, and I have my reasons for asking," Lemuel said, tossing a small package to Felix.


    "Take the medicine. Think about it for a few days. If you decide not to see him, just throw it away- I really don''t have time to argue."


    "I suspect you want me to examine your friend''s illness and see if I can help," Felix stated insightfully.


    Lemuel just shook his head with a slight smile and walked away. Meanwhile, Felix stared at the small box in his hands, his emotions conflicted.


    While this concerned his biological father, hatred still dominated his feelings, and he was sure he would not go. He had always maintained that he only had one set of parents-the ones who were now eternally at rest. When Felix returned to the abandoned brick factory, Jeffrey was still standing where he had left him, with no sign of Malcolm yet.


    Felix asked, "Jeffrey, what do you know about Dragonia''s top healer, Lemuel Morris?"


    Jeffrey shook his head. "Not much, except that he once treated one of our family elders.


    "His medical skills are unmatched, but he tends to disappear without warning. Still, he''s easier to find than Gerald, who might as well be dead for all anyone knows."


    Felix almostughed out loud. He could imagine how Gerald would curse up a storm if he knew people thought he was possibly dead.


    As time passed, a car pulled up, signaling Malcolm''s arrival.


    In a luxurious mansion in Yartford, N was working on herptop. Her work was interrupted by the sudden crash of her door being flung open. She looked up, her annoyance immediately growing when she saw it was Alfie. "Have you forgotten basic manners?" she asked coldly.


    Alfie swallowed nervously before speaking, "My apologies, miss, but it''s urgent! It''s about Felix."


    N''s attention was immediately caught. Shemanded, "Go on!"


    "We just received word that one of the Crayden family elders has gone missing. I''m worried they might be going after Felix," Alfie reported anxiously.

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    "What!" N jumped to her feet, fully aware that the conflict between Felix and Malcolm had started because of her.


    "Damn it! Since when did the Crayden family be so aggressive? How dare they n an assassination when the Saphira family is involved?" she eximed.


    This also puzzled Alfie, as the Eight Great Martial Families typically favored strategy over brute force.


    "Have Yvonne warn Felix to get out of there immediately," N ordered.


    "Yes, miss!" Alfie rushed toply.


    Even though Felix had advanced significantly in his training, he was no match for a Crayden family elder. If they crossed paths, it would be certain death.


    This was not what N had wanted at all. Her interest in Felix stemmed from his incredible potential-his dual mastery of both medicine and martial arts was extraordinary. She had been banking on his future growth to benefit her ns, but all would be lost if he died now.


    "Felix, you absolutely cannot die," she whispered, clenching her fists.


    Her eyes shed with determination. Nheless, she knew that even her status would not sway the Eight Great Martial Families, especially when it involved their elders.


    At the abandoned brick factory in Canraville, a young man stepped out of the driver''s seat. He was tall and slender with extremely pale skin. He was not ruggedly handsome but had a refined, schrly charm, like someone straight out of a ssic novel. "Is that Malcolm?" Felix asked, and Jeffrey nodded in confirmation.


    Felix found it interesting how consistent the Eight Great Martial Families were in their confidence, showing up without an entourage of bodyguards.


    Just then, his phone rang-it was Yvonne.


    Felix ignored the call, but a text message immediately followed. "Felix, run! The Crayden family has sent an elder after you. You can''t win this fight. Get out of there now!"


    Felix frowned at this unexpected development. Sending an elder seemed like an extreme response to the conflict with Ethan.


    "Jeffrey, are you really going to oppose me for this guy?" Malcolm asked mockingly. He stood about 16 feet away, and his demeanor was arrogant, as if he did not take either Felix Chapter 544


    "Cut the small talk. Didn''t Harry make it clear? Felix is a guest of the Saphira family. Thus, his problems are our problems," Jeffrey responded firmly.


    Malcolm''s expression remained unchanged as he raised his right hand. The car door opened again, revealing two familiar faces-his cousin Harry and Ethan, the one who had started all this trouble.


    Unlike their previous humiliating retreat, their faces now showed hatred and arrogance.


    "Did you bring them here to apologize to Felix?" Jeffrey asked.


    Unable to contain himself, Harry snapped, "Jeffrey, you son of a bitch! Stop with the witty remarks! Malcolm is here now. Do you really think you can pull the same crap asst time?" Before he could finish, Malcolm pped him across the face. "When did a side branch member get permission to interrupt a conversation between direct heirs?


    "Do you want people to think the Crayden family has no discipline? You''re here to watch and keep quiet."


    Harry immediately lowered his head, not daring to make another sound in front of his cousin. Malcolm then turned to Felix with a cold smile.


    Hemented, "Jeffrey, what if I n to kill Felix today? What will you do about it?"

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    Jeffrey stepped forward, his energy radiating powerfully. "Go ahead and try! We''ve both reached the Ultimate Mortal Realm.


    "We''ve never had the chance to fight, and maybe today''s the day we find out who''s stronger."


    Malcolm raised his hand dismissively. "Sorry, but I''m here for Felix, not you, Jeffrey."


    He turned to Felix and taunted, "What''s wrong, Felix? Are you just going to hide behind others like a coward? You had the guts to mess with the Crayden family, but not the courage to face the consequences?" Before Felix could respond, Jeffrey let out a contemptuousugh. "You''re not even sure you can beat me, yet you want to fight Mr. Zeller? That''s the joke of the century!"


    Felix had already achieved the Innate Realm, far beyond Malcolm''s level. He could end this with a single strike.


    Malcolm stroked his chin, smirking. "Oh? You make a good point. After all, he must be special to catch Lady N''s eye."


    He raised his hand again, and Harry hurried over like an eager puppy, lighting a cigarette for him before retreating. Then, he took a deep drag and exhaled slowly before speaking again.


    He said, "Honestly, when Lady N first mentioned you, none of us took you seriously. We thought Ryan was a fool for causing trouble with you, but surprisingly, you two became friends instead of enemies." Putting out his cigarette, Malcolm continued, "So, you''ve actually reached the Innate Realm. That exins everything."


    Jeffrey frowned, and Felix finally spoke up, "You seem to know a lot about me. Is that because your elder is backing you?"


    Malcolm''s expression flickered slightly as he shook his head. "Lady N must really value you. Only she would have the resources to know that one of our Crayden family elders left home.


    "Too bad it''s toote for you to run now. Did you really think you could offend the Crayden family and live?"


    Just as he said that, a broad-shouldered middle-aged man appeared beside Malcolm.


    Jeffrey''s face paled instantly. "The Eleventh Elder of the Crayden family, Omar Crayden! You really came!"


    He could not believe the Craydens had actually sent an elder after Felix, and so secretly, too.


    "When I heard about crushing a rising star, my hands were itching for action. Step aside, Saphira boy," Omarmanded.


    Among the Eight Great Martial Families, every elder was immensely powerful. Hence, it was only natural that they saw killing Felix as mere child''s y.


    "Mr. Omar, Felix is our family''s guest. My father personally dered it!" Jeffrey protested.


    Omar snapped, "Silence! If the Saphira family had sent their own elder, that would have been different. But since they haven''t, get out of the way!


    "Barack might have use for Felix alive, but if he''s dead, that''s the end of it. Do you think your old man would wage war with the Crayden family over a dead man?


    "Even if he was crazy enough to try, do you really think the Saphira family could match us?" Malcolm raised his hand in a casual wave. "Felix, maybe we''ll meet again in your next life." Behind them, Harry and Ethan smiled with satisfaction, eagerly anticipating both Felix''s death and Jeffrey''s humiliation.

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    The power gap was absolute. It was an unbridgeable chasm. The next moment, Omar vanishedpletely, moving too fast for Jeffrey''s eyes to track.


    "Dad, did you anticipate this?" Jeffrey thought helplessly, knowing he could only prepare to collect Felix''s body. No one had expected the Craydens to break from the rule so drastically. Suddenly, a muffled boom echoed through the air. Omar''s figure reappeared, stumbling backward several steps until he reached Malcolm''s side, shockingly coughing up blood. "Show yourself!" Malcolm cried out in rm. As he looked closer, he saw a short, middle-aged man standing expressionlessly about six feet in front of Felix.


    "Since when did the Craydens earn the right to discipline members of my family?" As the voice rang out, a young man emerged from a nearby building, casually chewing on a toothpick. "Asher Greene!" Malcolm, being from Yartford, recognized the young man instantly. While Jeffrey did not know him personally, the name Greene carried enough weight on its own.


    The Greene family was one of the few families outside the Eight Great Martial Families thatmanded their respect. The fact that they dared to strike Omar directly showed their strength. "Malcolm, how dare you attack a Greene!" Asher stated coldly.


    Omar''s aggression immediately deted. Seeing this, Malcolm quickly exined, "There must be a misunderstanding! We''re after Felix. He has nothing to do with the Greene family." Asher walked over with his hands behind his head. "Actually, Felix is one of ours. Though he''s a cast-off heir, the Greene family blood still runs through his veins. Get it?"


    Malcolm gasped, never imagining Felix could be connected to the Greene family. They had truly kicked a ho''s nest. He simply muttered, "Yeah, we get it."


    Asher spat out his toothpick, his smile vanishing. He shouted, "Then, what the hell are you still doing here? Get lost!"


    Despite their reluctance, Malcolm and his group had no choice but to leave. When the Greene family was involved, even their n leader would think twice.


    Meanwhile, Harry and Ethan were losing their minds at how lucky Felix seemed to be. First, the Saphiras were backing him up. Then, the reputable Greene family was also on his side. It was simply unbelievable. After the cars departed, Asher turned to Felix as Jeffrey tactfully walked away. Asher


    Felix''s expression remained unchanged, though he was surprised by how quickly the Greene family had appeared, especially after Aimee''s warning.


    "Are you suggesting I should be dead? Then, why bother stopping them?" Felix asked coolly.


    Asher chuckled, putting another toothpick in his mouth. "Let''s not get into that. After all, you''re still my cousin, but you haven''t earned the right to be treated with such respect yet."


    He turned and walked a few steps before noticing Felix-had not moved. "What are you waiting for? Come with me," he said impatiently.


    Felix frowned. "For what?"


    "What else? To go home, of course."

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    Felix shook his head firmly. "My home ceased to exist when my parents died."


    Asher stopped and looked at Felix as if he were an idiot. "Are you fucking dense, Felix? I could''ve found you at your ce, but I chose this location specifically to show you what the Greene family is capable of. "You''d be dead if I hadn''t intervened just now! Isn''t that enough to make you understand?


    Felix had to admit Asher had a point, and he seemed surprisingly considerate. "Thanks for your kindness, but my only home now exists in my heart."


    Asher was exasperated. "Listen. The only reason you have this chance to return to the Greene family is because Uncle Victor is dying! Otherwise, given Grandma''s attitude, you wouldn''t even be considered! "Are you really going to refuse to see your dying father onest time?"


    At these words, Felix thought of Lemuel and pulled out the box. "This is Mr. Morris'' medicine. It will give him one more week to live. You can deliver it for me."


    Asher epted the box, surprised that Felix had encountered the elusive Lemuel. After all, the Greene family had been trying to find him with no luck.


    He said, "I get it now! But Felix, be smart about this. My brother Aiden was supposed toe today. If he had, you wouldn''t have stood a chance.


    "He would have watched from inside while the Crayden family killed you. I know you''ve achieved some sess, butpared to the Greene family, it''s nothing."


    Asher continued, "Are you sure you want to pass up this final chance toe with me?"


    When Felix shook his head again, Asher gritted his teeth in frustration. He scolded, "Damn it! I''m wasting my breath here.


    "Uncle Victor always treated me like his own son. Why else would I go through so much trouble to convince Grandma to let me find you?


    "At least getting Lemuel''s medicine makes this trip somewhat worthwhile. Every extra day Uncle Victor can get is precious now."


    As Asher walked away, he added something without looking back, "Aiden''s busy with something right now, but he mighte looking for you when he''s done. Uncle Travis and Uncle Victor have been rivals since childhood, so... watch your back." Left alone at the brick factory, Felix yawned, ready to head home for a nap. Though he had not fought himself, the Greene family''s appearance had resolved the Crayden family Chapter 547


    problem-the end result was what mattered.


    When Jeffrey''s car arrived at Serenity Manor, Felix found Yvonne pacing anxiously by the gate. Herrge eyes showed genuine concern as she eximed, "Felix, I''m so d you''re okay!"


    Felix felt a pang in his heart but forced himself to be nonchnt. "Of course I''m fine, and even if I weren''t, it''s none of your concern."


    He had to push her away like this, hoping she would give up and find her own happiness. "Oh..." Yvonne''s eyes dimmed as she walked away dejectedly, not understanding why Felix had suddenly be so cold toward her. Perhaps it was her fault, after all. Shortly after entering his house, Felix''s phone rang with an unknown number. To his surprise, it was Zara.

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    $


    "Felix, this is Zara Morgan. I''m sorry, but Mr. Grayson''s watching me closely, so I had to use a new number to contact you," she exined.


    Even now, Felix could not understand why Ss had made him make that promise.


    "Go ahead. I''m listening," Felix replied calmly


    "Well... could you apany me somewhere tonight? I could go alone, but the ce is supposedly haunted at night, and I''m really scared," Zara rified nervously.


    Felix found her excuse rather strange. "Zara, normally, I''d help you with anything, but I


    word.'' made a promise to Mr. Grayson. I don''t want to go back on my


    Besides, Ernest was there at that time. If Ss found out about this and came looking for Felix, it would only bring nothing but trouble.


    "I know, but you owe me a favor. Surely a man of honor can repay a debt?" Zara countered.


    Felix had to admit she had a point, which immediately eased his conscience. "Alright. I''ll see you tonight."


    "I can''te out easily. Could you buy some protective charms? I heard the ones at Sixview Peak in Canraville are really effective," she requested.


    Felix was surprised at how seriously she was treating this matter. Nheless, he agreed, "Alright. I''ll handle it."


    Even though Felix did not believe in ghosts or anything supernatural, he figured he might as well check out Sixview Peak since Zara was being so insistent. Still, he could not help wondering why someone skilled in both medicine and martial arts would be so spooked. Eventually, he brushed it off and treated it as just a girl thing.


    Meanwhile, at his own home, Drake was rudely awakened by a phone call. He said, "Oh? That''s quick! These imported listening devices are working well. Keep it up!"


    After hanging up, Drake leaned back with a smug grin. He muttered, "Going to Sixview Peak for charms? Sorry, but you''re going to be disappointed!"


    He had resorted to these underhanded tactics after several failed attempts to deal with Felix. He even reached out to Luis, a figure in Canraville''s underworld, only to be tly rejected. Luis had not only refused but warned him that Felix was far more dangerous than he seemed.


    After much consideration, Drake bought a vi near Felix''s manor and installed surveince equipment, hoping to gather useful information.


    An hourter, Felix was climbing toward Sixview Peak, noting the considerable crowd that justified the location''s reputation. Near the entrance, he spotted Drake, who was grinning as if he had been waiting.


    Felix tried to ignore him, but Drake approached anyway. "Felix, what a coincidence meeting you here! Is it fate, or are you just walking straight into my hands?".


    Felix did not break his stride as he responded, "I already exined things clearly at the hospital. You''re out of chances, so watch what you say and do-you won''t like the consequences."


    Drake''s smile widened as Felix passed by. "This is only happening because we''re in Dragonia. In Azuria, I could end you with a single word!


    "Do you think your little talents let youpete with me for Nancy? You''re dreaming!"


    Drake continued smugly, "For example, when I say you can''t enter Sixview Peak, you can''t enter!"


    As if on cue, two gatekeepers stepped forward, blocking Felix''s path. They stated firmly, Sorry, but you''re not wee at Sixview Peak. Please leave."

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    Felix watched other visitors freely entering and exiting Sixview Peak. Only an idiot would not realize Drake was behind this obstruction.


    Drake strutted over, his eyes full of arrogance. "Can you see the difference between us? This small example should make you understand your ce.


    "If you kneel before me now and sincerely promise to stay away from Nancy, I''ll let this go and won''t take any further action," Drake dered smugly. Felix ignored him, already considering Drake a dead man. After getting what he needed from Sixview Peak, he would have Seven from the ir deal with him.


    "Can you give me a valid reason for denying my entry? Otherwise, I''ll have to pursue my legal rights," Felix addressed the guards. Before they could answer, a new voice interrupted, "Sixview Peak wees all visitors, but why enter when you''re not a believer?" A chubby young man about Felix''s age emerged, his innocent face contrasting with his wise -sounding words.


    The two gatekeepers immediately bowed and greeted the man respectfully, "Mr. Stefan."


    "Very poetic, Mr. Stefan, but not convincing," Felix replied. "By that logic, many people shouldn''t be allowed in. I need a real reason.


    Billy Stefan''s friendly expression shifted slightly. He stepped closer and leaned in, whispering, "Stubborn, aren''t you? Fine. I''ll spell it out.


    "Mr. Sterling here donated one million dors to Sixview Peak-on the condition that you don''t set foot inside. As a supervisor, I can''t exactly refuse him, can I? Even monks need funding, Felix. We''ve got bills to pay too, you know." Felix looked surprised. In a ce like this, the supervisor was second only to the head priest, making Billy a big deal. Felix could not help but marvel at how someone so young had already climbed to such a high rank.


    As expected, it all came down to money. Nearby, Drake smirked smugly and chimed in, Well? Ready to kneel and apologize? This chance is-


    Felix cut him off by raising one finger. Then, he stated tly, "I''ll donate ten million dors to Sixview Peak."


    Billy''s eyes widened with excitement as he turned to Drake. "Mr. Sterling, he''s offering ten million dors. Would you like to counter?"


    Felix was stunned by how quickly Billy''s demeanor had transformed at the mention of


    money.


    Drake was equally dumbfounded. He had not expected Felix to throw out such a massive sum. While Drake could technically afford it, dropping ten million dors was pure insanity. If his family found out, they would probably disown him-or worse. Drake scoffed, recovering hisposure. "Look at him, Mr. Stefan. Does he look like someone who has ten million dors? He''s just bluffing to get inside."


    In Canraville, young people who could casually donate ten million dors without ulterior motives were rare enough to count on one hand. Hence, Drake believed Felix was bluffing.


    Billy grinned mischievously and turned to Felix. "Well, you heard him. Care to give him a solid rebuttal?"


    Felix clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to p that smug look off Billy''s round face. The man was insufferable, a far cry from his earlier refined demeanor.


    "Give me Sixview Peak''s ount number," Felix demanded.


    Billy eagerly provided it, his face lighting up as Felix pulled out his phone and began typing.


    Drake could not help butugh at the scene unfolding before him.

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    Drakeughed. "Felix, just drop the act! Even someone as rich as my dad has a mobile banking limit of 500 thousand dors.


    "And you seriously think you can transfer ten million dors just like that? Nice try at fooling everyone!"


    Felix turned to him with a pitying look. He said, "It must be exhausting pretending to be rich all the time."


    As a VIP client at Concord Bank, Felix had no such transfer limits.


    Before Drake could respond, Billy''s eyes widened as he stared at his phone. He eximed, "I''ve received the money!"


    Then, he quicklyposed himself and resumed his wise demeanor.


    "Sir, your spiritual understanding far surpasses mine. Someone of your devotion is more than wee at Sixview Peak. Please enter!" Billy gestured grandly. Felix was not just being petty-he needed to buy those items, and money was not an issue. Besides, supporting peaceful religion seemed worthwhile.


    Watching Felix disappear inside, Drake began trembling as he recalled Luis'' warning-he had clearly underestimated his opponent and quickly retreated.


    On the other hand, Billy''s smile grew wider. He was relieved he would not have to argue about returning Drake''s earlier donation.


    "This charm is limited edition and is blessed by ourte master. It wards off evil spirits-only 50 thousand dors," Billy pitched enthusiastically.


    He continued, "This red string bracelet protects against dark forces-80 thousand dors. And this ancient bell, though dusty, is one of our true treasures. Seeing your sincerity, I''ll part with it for 200 thousand dors." Half an hourter, Felix stared at Billy incredulously. "Mr. Stefan, were you a street vendor before joining the church?"


    Billy quickly muttered something under his breath before responding, "Mr. Zeller, you misunderstand. I''ve devoted decades to spiritual practice here. How could youpare me to a mere vendor?"


    Tired of Billy''s shameless sales pitch, Felix held up five fingers. "I''ll take everything I looked at for five thousand dors."


    Billy feigned distress. "Mr. Zeller, surely you understand these sacred items from Sixview Peak..."


    Before he could finish, Felix turned to leave. He stated simply, "Fine. I''ll look elsewhere. There are other churches."


    "Deal!" Billy appeared in front of him instantly, smiling broadly. "Five thousand dors it is. Consider it a special price for such a generous donor."


    At the church entrance, Billy kept waving until Felix disappeared from view. An elderly priest appeared beside him, shaking his head, and said, "Billy, this kind of swindling will ruin Sixview Peak''s reputation."


    Billy scowled. "What do you know? Mr. Hoffman scammed me even worse back then. I''m just collecting a small interest payment. In 15 days, I can leave the mountain. Then, I''ll settle all my old scores with that kid, with interest."

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    While waiting for Zara''s call at home, Felix received one from Seven first.


    Seven reported, "Mr. Zeller, I checked on Drake when I got your order. He''s already on a ne to Azuria."


    Felix was puzzled, wondering if Drake was really scared by his disy of wealth at Sixview Peak. He questioned, "Then, just execute him when hends. Why are you asking me?" "ir only operates within Dragonia. We haven''t expanded overseas; as you know, Ms. Davis isn''t interested in that direction," Seven exined with resignation. Thinking of Averill''s carefree nature, Felix knew Seven was not lying.


    "Fine. Execute if Drake returns. Otherwise, let it go," Felix decided. Such a minor figure was not worth pursuing internationally.


    As night fell, Felix drove to a coffee shop where Zara was already waiting. As she got into the passenger seat, she said, "Felix, thank you so much for helping."


    "If Mr. Grayson knows you''re afraid of supernatural things, why would he assign you this kind of task?" Felix asked, confused.


    Zara gave a bitter smile. "It''s meant as punishment. Mr. Grayson doesn''t believe in ghosts. He took me to that vige twice before, and even with him there, I had nightmares afterward.


    "He was angry, saying that as a doctor, I''d never achieve greatness if I couldn''t ovee this fear. Now he''s forcing me to go back."


    The logic made some sense to Felix. As a medical practitioner, dealing with death was inevitable. If fear of the supernatural affected one''s judgment, it could lead to fatal mistakes with patients. Hence, it was clear that Ss was trying to prevent such situations.


    "I looked up Mourning Vige. There are many tales, but I believe they''re just rumors. There''s no such thing as real ghosts," Felix said reassuringly.


    The vige''s unusual name and location between the two cities had spawned countless stories. Local legend imed that when vigers died, their bodies had to be left in the courtyard overnight, only to vanish by morning without exnation.


    Strange sounds and eerie winds gued the vige at night, driving all residents indoors after dark. Most younger vigers had moved to the cities, leaving only a few dozen elderly residents.


    "I wish I could believe that, but... you''ll understand my fear when we get there," Zara


    mumbled, fear already creeping into her eyes despite being over 60 miles away.


    "If Mr. Grayson is testing you, then-"


    Just as Felix spoke, Zara cut him off, "Don''t worry. He knew I''d bring someone along, though he probably didn''t expect it to be you, given your promise to him."


    After considerable hesitation, Felix sighed. "Zara, I don''t know why Mr. Grayson made that request, and you probably won''t tell me.


    "But I''m a man of my word-after repaying this favor, we won''t have any more chances to be alone together. I hope you understand."

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    When they reached the corner, both ck and white figures had vanished. However, Felix''s lips curled into a slight smile as he muttered, "Well, I''m not going to be the one regretting this." Still carrying Zara, Felix raised his right hand slightly and then brought it down decisively. A thunderous crash echoed through the vige, and a deep crater appeared about 300 feet away.


    Felix walked to the edge of the crater, gently set Zara down, and turned on his phone''s shlight.


    Zara gasped and covered her mouth in horror. Inside the cratery two men, bloodied and severely injured.


    "I knew there were no ghosts-just people ying tricks," Felix said as he crouched down. He continued, "Tell me. What makes two Martial Emperors y ghosts in some abandoned vige? And how did you create those ghostly voices?"


    The two men paled with fear and stared at Felix as if he were a monster. The fact that a single strike from him had left them in this state spoke volumes about his strength.


    When neither of them answered, Felix shrugged and straightened up. "Not saying anything? Fine. Since you love pretending to be ghosts, I''ll help you be real ones." He raised his hand again, ready to strike.


    The men panicked and screamed, "Please don''t! We''ll tell you everything, sir!"


    Without needing further prompting, they spilled everything. "We were ordered to haunt this vige and scare away any strangers. The voices came from special equipment we installed throughout the vige-even powerful martial artists can''t trace their source." "So, have you been behind the vige''s haunted reputation for all these decades?" Felix pressed.


    The two men exchanged uneasy nces, knowing better than to not tell the truth. They said, "We''ve only been here six months. We don''t know much about the vige''s past, but this was all on orders from Pris." Felix''s expression darkened at the mention of Pris.


    Before he could ask more, Zara spoke up, her tone serious, "Pris is a massive martial arts sect in Dragonia, ranked fifth overall. They even hold elder status in the Martial Alliance."


    She seemed calmer now that she understood the so-called "ghosts" were just people.


    the


    "Let''s go handle your business. Someone will take care of this," Felix said. While he knew Martial Alliance would handle this martial arts matter, he left the follow-up to Xena''s discretion.


    They entered a dark house where an elderly many in bed. "He has a strange condition that only shows symptoms at night," Zara exined. "It rtes to Mr. Grayson''s research, so we visit annually."


    Felix studied the man for a moment, his brows furrowed. The condition was indeed unusual-something he had never encountered before. Still, he had no intention of meddling since the patient was under Ss'' care. Even though the man was bedridden, the smile on his face suggested that Ss'' treatments were helping.


    Felixmented, "Mr. Grayson clearly knows the vige''s true secret. He didn''t tell you because he wanted you to ovee your fears on your own."


    After all, Ss was already a Martial God, and he could not possibly have missed two Martial Emperors lurking in the vige. It seemed likely that there was some sort of agreement in y.


    As Zara continued her acupuncture treatment, the sound of helicopters approached. Felix stepped outside and headed back to the crater, knowing the authorities had arrived.

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    429 90185


    Xena and Alistair were already at the scene with numerous Wolfie troops members, having arrived in multiple helicopters.


    "Mr. Zeller, we''ll take them in for questioning. Thank you for your help," Alistair said.


    "Are you feeling suspicious about this incident?" Xena asked.


    When Felix nodded, she continued, "Dragonia is vast. Despite Mourning Vige''s supernatural reputation, there were never any casualties, so previous investigations were merely for show-they found nothing and left. That made sense. With no death, it would surely not get much attention. Felix had to admit that Pris'' strategy was clever. They scared people, but they never crossed the line into actual harm. "Will the Martial Alliance handle this?" Felix inquired.


    Xena shook her head firmly and exined, "No. Given the severity of the situation, I''ve received authorization from headquarters to handle this personally. Anyone from Pris involved will face the consequences." She added, "We can''t let people spread supernatural fears in this day and age. We need to make an example, or others will try the same thing in the future."


    After chatting a bit more, Xena departed. She did not once question why Felix had been in such a remote vige.


    It was nearly dawn when Felix drove Zara to the airport in Canraville. She said, "Felix, thank you, even though I know you were just repaying that favor."


    Her eyes were filled withplex emotions Felix could not quite read. He replied, "You don''t need to thank me. If anything, I should be thanking you."


    Zara forced a smile, and she hesitated before asking, "Do you remember that girl from your dream when you were poisoned?"


    Felix could never forget-she had been the only woman he had ever considered perfect." I''ll never forget her," he answered honestly.


    For some reason, Zara looked relieved. She suddenly stepped forward and hugged him before spinning around and running off. She called out, "I wish you all the best!"


    F¨¦lix waved after her, smiling faintly as he turned to head back toward his car. He had not gotten far when Zara came running over with her phone.


    "What''s wrong?"


    "It''s Mr. Grayson," she said, handing the phone to him, Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I


    swear,


    call."


    I didn''t say anything to him! I tried exining things, but he insisted you take the


    Felix sighed. Clearly, Ss did not trust himpletely. With no choice, he took the phone and said, "Mr. Grayson, about this-"


    Ss interrupted him and exined, "I know. I deliberately sent Zara to Mourning Vige. That favor she held over you needed to be repaid, or it would always be there. Now that it''s done, there''s no reason for you two to interact anymore." ¡ö¡õ,


    He believed in addressing issues directly rather than defensively.


    "I''m d you understand," Felix said with relief.


    Ss continued, "With Mr. Holt Senior as a witness to your promise, why would I doubt


    your word? Your character speaks for itself I''m good enough at reading people to see that.


    11


    Felix sensed something off in Ss'' tone. "I feel like you''re trying to tell me something else, Mr. Grayson. Please be direct."


    After a long pause, Ss finally said, "Medic''s Haven has sent their enforcement team... and you''re their target."

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    "Why would Medic''s Haven''s enforcement team want anything with me?" Felix asked, puzzled. He had never interfered with their affairs.


    "I''m not sure of the details, but they im you''ve insulted them and want to investigate," Ss exined. /


    Felix immediately thought of Ethan and believed this had to be his doing. He smirked- Malcolm had already retreated, yet Ethan still dared to act out.


    "Got it. Thanks for the heads-up," Felix replied casually.


    Ss sensed Felix''s underlying mood and added, "Just be careful. You know how Medic''s Haven operates.


    "While most members are reasonable, their enforcement team is notoriously aggressive. Try to be diplomatic. If the investigation goes smoothly, this might blow over. Don''t antagonize them."


    Felix knew Ss meant well, so he gave a polite response. Still, Felix was not the kind to bow his head over something he did not do. If they wanted trouble, they would get exactly what they asked for. "Everything really was under Mr. Grayson''s control," Zara said as she took back her phone, her eyes filled with sadness.


    Felix replied, "He means well. Though I don''t understand his reasons, I can tell he''s a good person."


    Zara forced a sweet smile. "Yes. Well, I should go now."


    Back at the parking lot, Felix frowned at a Mercedes MPV parked so close to his car that he could not even open his driver''s door. Despite the airport''s generous parking spaces, someone''s terrible parking had created this situation. Just as he was about to check if a contact number was left on the windshield, he heard amotion nearby.


    Someone yelled, "Don''t you dare leave! We''ve been waiting for you. Look at my car. You scratched the paint right off!"


    On the other side of the van, a burly man named Hansel was trying to open his car door when a skinny young man grabbed his arm and stopped him.


    "Kid, if you don''t let go, I''m going to break your arm," Hansel Ziegler growled.


    But the skinny guy, Damian, did not back down despite being clearly outmatched. "No way! Look at the position of our cars. It''s obvious you scratched mine. Either settle this Chapter 555


    with me directly, or we call the cops."


    Hanselughed, mming his car door shut before rolling his shoulders like he was warming up. "Fine. I''ll go with settling it privately. As for the price, let''s discuss it nicely and slowly."


    As several of Hansel''s buddies approached, the young man finally showed fear. "What are you nning? I''m calling the police!"


    Just then, Nancy stepped out of the passenger seat and quickly apologized, "I''m so sorry. He isn''t thinking straight. Please don''t mind him."


    "Well, the girl''s smart at least. Fine. We''ll let it go for your sake." Hansel smirked, but Damian still would not back down.


    "Why should we? You hit our car, so you have to pay!" he persisted.


    Hansel''s face darkened as he raised his hand to strike, but he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder.


    Felix said from behind him, his tone calm butmanding. "You''re blocking my car. Mind moving it?"

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    Hansel waspletely enraged to be touched. Son of a bitch! Idiots show up every day, but today''s count is off the charts! Do you have a death wish?"


    He spun around and threw a punch, only to stop midway.


    "Excuse me? You didn''t park your car properly. How could you me others instead of owning up to it?"


    Hansel froze. When he got a good look at Felix, he nearly passed out from fright. "Mr. Z- Zeller!"


    Releasing his grip, Felix frowned. "Who are you?"


    Gulping, Hansel retreated, his face pale with fear. "I-I''m one of Mr. Luis'' guys. I''ve seen you before."


    He began to p himself repeatedly as he spoke. The smacks echoed loudly as he hit himself with all his strength.


    "Mr. Zeller, please give me another chance! I''m begging you!"


    Felix felt a little frustrated. "Just move your car away. I''ll let Luis decide your punishment."


    "Thank you, Mr. Zeller!"


    Only then did Felix notice Nancy standing nearby. "Nancy, are you heading out of town?" Nancy hadn''t expected Felix to swoop in and save the day again at such a critical moment. She replied, "No. My uncle''s still in the hospital. As my rtives came for a visit, my cousin and I were dropping them off at the airport.".


    As the SUV reversed quickly out of the way, Felix saw no need to linger. "Alright, then. I''m off."


    As she watched the Range Rover drive away, Nancy stood there, lost in thought. Damian, however, was practically starry-eyed with excitement.


    "Oh, my gosh! Nancy, who is that guy? He''s so cool! Those muscleheads took one look at him and turned into total wimps. And he drives a fully loaded Range Rover! Don''t tell me he''s your boyfriend?" Nancy''s face turned pink as she shot her cousin a re.


    "Stop making stuff up! He''s just a friend. By the way, he''s the one who arranged Uncle Gary''s surgery. You need to stop being so stubborn. You were lucky today, but you may not be that lucky next time." Damian grinned mischievously.


    "I''m just saying, Nancy, opportunities like this don''te around often. I can tell you''re into him. Go for it! Forget about pride and all that nonsense. Even if it doesn''t work out, at least you won''t look back and regret not trying His words lit something in Nancy''s eyes. However, only she knew what she decided to do next.


    Upon arriving home, Felix parked his car in the garage when his phone suddenly buzzed. He wondered who was messaging him so early in the morning when the sun had barely risen. "Wendy?"


    The text was from Wendy, and her phrasing was so awkward it made Felix chuckle.


    "I''m sorry, Mr. Zeller. I swear I didn''t see anything that day. Please forgive me.


    He replied briefly, not putting much thought into the incident. He hadn''t expected Wendy to still be dwelling on it, let alone apologize.


    Walking into the house, he was just about to freshen up when his nose twitched. "That''s a strong smell of blood!"


    He stepped outside and nced at Ernest''s vi. Nothing seemed off there, so he quickly turned his attention elsewhere.


    "Could it be Yvonne''s ce?"


    He had determined that the smell of blood wasing from Yvonne''s vi. They lived close enough, so he knew such a strong smell had to be caused by a major event.


    Rushing over, Felix kicked the door open and sprinted to the bedroom on the third floor. His heart sank at the sight before him.


    Yvonney motionless on the floor, soaked in a pool of blood sorge that it hadpletely drenched her.

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    Yvonne''s wrists bore deep gashes. Blood seeped from her wounds, pooling across the floor. A knifey nearby. Its presence made it ringly obvious that Yvonne had slit her wrists. After what felt like an eternity, Yvonne slowly opened her eyes.


    "Is this... hell?"


    As her faint words trailed off, a voice answered her, "Do you want to go to hell that badly?"


    Turning around, she saw Felix standing nearby, his face noticeably paler than usual.


    "Felix? Did... Did you save me?"


    Felix''s expression darkened as he fixed his gaze on her. "What else could I have done? Do you think I would''ve let you die? Yvonne, what were you thinking? Why did you try to kill yourself?"


    The room showed no signs of a struggle. While Yvonne would''ve been helpless facing a highly skilled fighter, things wouldn''t be so messy if that were the case. The most likely exnation was that Yvonne truly intended to end her own life. Tears welled up in her eyes as she turned away.


    "Lady N ordered me to die. How could I disobey her?"


    Felix''s face grew even darker. "Didn''t she promise me she would give you the freedom to make your own choices?"


    "She only granted me the right to pursue happiness. Everything else is still up to her."


    This was far too close of a call. If Yvonne hadn''t been a martial artist, she wouldn''t havested long enough for Felix to save her. Anyone else would have died from blood loss.


    "I don''t know what N is trying to aplish, but tell her this. My patience has limits," Felix said.


    To his surprise, Yvonne smiled.


    "I know my own body well. If I''m still alive, it means you care about me. So, why are you so cold to me the rest of the time?"


    N was ruthless. She was willing to push matters to such an unforgivable extent just to test a theory.


    "It doesn''t matter whether I care about you or not," Felix replied. "After this, I owe you nothing. From now on, we are strangers. Let''s pretend we never met."


    With that, Felix turned and left.


    *


    Yvonne''s heart shattered into a million pieces. She knew she had truly lost Felix this time.


    When Felix returned home, it was already noon. His face was pale-a result of the significant amount of blood he had donated to save Yvonne. Even a master healer couldn''t conjure new blood out of thin air. Copsing onto his bed, he fell into a deep sleep, only to be awakened sometimeter by the ringing of his phone. When he saw that it was Xena, he hurriedly picked up the call.


    "Xena?"


    "Felix,e quickly! My grandfather isn''t doing well!"


    Her panicked voice left Felix no time to think. In a sh, he was out the door.


    An hourter, Felix let out a sigh of relief. "Mr. Summers Senior is out of danger."


    Beside him, Xena, who had been on edge the entire time, nearly copsed with relief. She had been so terrified something might happen to her grandfather, ming herself for the situation. "Thank you, Felix. I didn''t trust anyone else, so I had to call you." Felix smiled. "It''s nothing. He just had some trouble with his lungs, which caused his breathing difficulty and fainting spells. As for the cause, we''ll have to wait until he''s fully awake to know for sure."


    In truth, Curtis had already regained consciousness, but Felix chose not to mention it, sparing them both from an awkward moment.


    "My grandfather went out this morning to exercise with Mr. Meyer Senior. He said Mr. Meyer Senior taught him a new breathing technique. Who would''ve thought he''de back like this?"


    Frowning, Felix pondered for a moment before replying. "That''s likely the issue. Mr. Meyer Senior probably meant well.


    "However, if a person doesn''t have any martial arts foundation, they would be prone to severe reactions if there''s even a slight error, especially at Mr. Summers Senior''s age. It''s better to take it easy from now on."

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    "Alright. I''ll talk to him about him when he wakes up," Xena replied.


    As they headed downstairs, they ran into Aimee, who had just entered the house.


    "Felix? Who let you in here?"


    Before Felix could respond, Xena frowned and interjected, "Aimee, don''t talk to Felix with that tone again, understood?"


    Aimee thought she had misheard. Her anger toward Felix red up again. She had assumed that with the Greene family''s involvement, Felix''s fate would have been miserable. After all, families of that caliber rarely showed mercy to the people they had discarded. Yet here he was, still thriving.


    She had even sought answers from N, but there was no response. Seeing Felix standing in her own home was thest straw.


    "Does he even deserve my respect? Have you forgotten the evil things this coward did to Grandpa?"


    Xena''s expression turned icy. "That''s not your concern. Just don''t treat Felix like an enemy anymore."


    Feeling utterly betrayed by her own family, Aimee clenched her teeth. Letting out a cold snort, she stormed off. There was no way she would ept Felix.


    "She''s just being childish. Don''t take it to heart," Xena said apologetically.


    Felix simply nodded. How could he possibly care about the tantrums of someone like Aimee?


    When Xena returned upstairs, she found that Curtis had already opened his eyes.


    "Grandpa."


    Sitting up slowly, Curtis sighed. "I was awake the whole time earlier. I heard everything he said. It''s my fault, not Mr. Meyer Senior''s. I insisted he teach me,"


    Xena smiled wryly. "Grandpa, why are you dreaming of bing a martial artist at your age? If it weren''t for Felix, I don''t know what I would''ve done."


    Unexpectedly, Curtis'' expression turned stern. ''Humph! You could''ve taken me to the hospital! Don''t your Wolfie troops have their own master healers? Why did you have to call Felix and embarrass me on purpose?" Seeing this, Xena decided it was time for some heartfelt words. "Grandpa, haven''t you alreadye to your own conclusions about... that incident?"


    Curtis shook his head and walked out, leaving Xena standing there alone. Despite this, her


    mood wasn''t bad.


    It was clear Curtis'' attitude toward Felix had softened, which was a good sign. On top of that, Madam Spring hadn''t made any moves for a while. Maybe this storm had finally passed, and her family could return to normalcy, At the neighborhood gates, Felix ran into Alistair, who seemed to be there to see Xena as well.


    "By the way, Mr. Zeller, the case involving those two Pris members you foughtst night has been closed."


    "Already?" Felix was surprised. "What was the conclusion?"


    "It was all orchestrated by Pris'' deputy sect leader. He''s been taken away by their headquarters. Since the incident involved superstitious practices, the Martial Alliance didn''t dare intervene."


    Felix studied Alistair''s expression and suddenly smiled. "It seems you''re not too happy with the oue."


    Alistair nodded. "Of course. It all wrapped up way too quickly and smoothly, as if they just made the deputy sect leader take the fall. However, there''s no way to dig any deeper."


    Patting Alistair on the shoulder, Felix offered some words offort, saying, "There''s no such thing as perfect fairness in this world. Let it go."


    Just as the two were about to part ways, a business van pulled up. Ethan was the first to step out of the van.


    "Felix! You''ve insulted Medic''s Haven. Come with us now."

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    Apart from Ethan, there were three other men dressed in white suits. They were led by a middle-aged man holding a badge in his right hand


    "I am Hezekiah Samson of the Law Enforcement Team from Medic''s Haven Come with as


    Felix smirked coldly, "Ethan, have you picked out your grave yet? I never considered you worth my attention, but that doesn''t mean I''ll tolerate an ant pestering me endlessly." Hezekiah frowned. "How dare you threaten someone in the presence of the Law Enforcement Team? Take him away"


    At that moment, Alistair stepped in front of Felix. "What evidence do you have for taking him away?"


    Hezekiah red at Alistair in annoyance and asked, "And who might you be? Do you understand the consequences of obstructing the operations of Medic''s Haven?" "Alistair Hill, Commander of the Wolfie troops!


    Hearing the name Wolfie troops, Hezekiah''s expression softened considerably. "Ah, Captain Hill! Given your position, you should know that Medic''s Haven has the authority to handle certain matters unterally without external interference." Unfazed, Alistair extended his hand and said, "You''re repeating what you said just now. Where''s your evidence? You im Feliz insulted Medic''s Haven, but I require evidence. Mere ims do not suffice."


    Ethan, having met Alistair before, was infuriated. It infuriated him even further that Felix was receiving protection when he was on the verge of being taken away.


    "Think carefully, Alistair! Felix insulted Medic''s Haven right in front of me. I am the evidence. Or do you expect me to make a recording every time he speaks?"


    Before Alistair could respond, Felix gently pushed him aside. Fixing his gaze on Ethan, Felix suddenly vanished. A loud bang followed as Ethan was mmed onto the hood of a car.


    "As I asked you earlier, have you picked out your grave yet?"


    Alistair was shocked. "Mr. Zeller, don''t act recklessly!"


    Ethan hade to provoke Felix into doing something rash. With Medic''s Haven''s Law Enforcement Team present, any rash action would serve as direct evidence.


    As expected, Ethan burst outughing. "Ha! Did you see that, Mr. Samson? It''s no longer just about insults toward Medic''s Haven. He''s resorted to violence!" Chapter 559


    $


    Hezekiah''s face darkened even further.


    Ordinary people might not know about Medic''s Haven. However, Felix was a practitioner of traditional medicine who certainly knew about them. Yet, he showed no respect.


    Since Felix was acting in such a manner before their Law Enforcement Team, what would happen if they weren''t present? Would Ethan already be dead?


    "Seize him!"


    A powerful wave of energy erupted, forcing Hezekiah and his team to retreat several steps.


    "You are nothing but a bunch of fools who can''t tell right from wrong. What makes you think you can take me? I''m standing right here. Come and try!" Felix stood his ground, his tone mocking.


    Hezekiah trembled with rage. He had encountered many powerful martial artists before, but none who dared defy Medic''s Haven. Yet, Felix was doing just that.


    "Felix, you''re asking for it! Just wait and see!"


    Releasing Ethan, Felix casually patted his face. "Go find a healer. There''s something wrong with your body. I have a bad feeling about it."


    What Felix had done to Ethan was brutal. Over the next seven days, Ethan would suffer excruciatingly.


    On the first day, he would experience severe vomiting and diarrhea. On the second, his skin would begin to fester. By the third, it would feel as though ants were gnawing at his internal organs. Over the span of seven days, he would suffer escting symptoms until he died a gruesome death.


    "What... What did you do to me?"


    Ethan''s face turned pale with terror. Felix''s medical expertise surpassed his own, and he knew better than to dismiss the warning as idle talk.


    "Nothing much. I''m just looking out for you. After all, you''re still young."

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    Ethan''s face shifted through a series of emotions before he scrambled into the car. "Quickly, Mr. Samson! Let''s head back to Medic''s Haven!"


    As the car sped away, Felix remained irritated, Those fools had chosen a spot with surveince cameras. If it were somewhere more secluded, there would have been no need for all that talking. He''d have dealt with them directly.


    On top of that, Alistair was present. Felix didn''t want to make things difficult for that upright guy.


    "I''ll handle this myself. Don''t tell Xena about it."


    Alistair nodded solemnly. "Understood. I''ll keep this to myself."


    The next day, in an airport parking lot, Felix sat in the passenger seat of his car, gazing forlornly at Averill, who was gripping the steering wheel.


    "Are you really noting with me to Azuria, Averill?"


    The time hade to fulfill the Miracle Card. While he had a Speed Talisman from Gerald to escape if things went south, Felix couldn''t help but worry. He hadn''t forgotten the lesson fromst time. After all, this was abroad, and he was worried that the Elders'' Council might be plotting against him.


    The Elders'' Council had likely learned from their failure with the Thirteen Aces at the peak of Eastern Mountain. Hence, they wouldn''t make the same mistake twice. If they made a move now, it was bound to be lethal. Even with two pieces of Dragonspine, Felix wasn''t invincible. His concerns were valid.


    "Wow! I didn''t think anything would scare you!" Averill teased. "I''m already doing you a favor by seeing you off. Unless..."


    Felix''s eyes lit up with hope. "Unless what? Averill, just say it!"


    "Unless we have a little fun here in the car first. Your Land Rover''s spacious enough, and I''m open to all kinds of positions. If you agree, I''ll go with you to Azuria."


    Startled by the outrageous suggestion, Felix quickly waved his hands. He almost opened the car door to escape. "No way! You''ll probably pretend not to know me afterward. Forget it. I''ll go alone."


    With Gerald''s orders in ce and Averill''s unpredictable personality, Felix dared not gamble.


    "Ugh, you''re so annoying! What kind of person do you think I am? Anyway, leave at once.


    I''ll keep your car for two days and return it to your garage afterward."


    Although the journey to Azuria wasn''t long, Feliz opted for a first-ss ticket. With his wealth, he saw no reason to skimp whenfort was at stake.


    "Mr. Zeller?"


    He had barely settled into his seat when a familiar voice greeted him.


    "Ah, it''s you. What a coincidence!"


    Turning, he was surprised to see Garrett Rothwell sitting opposite him.


    Garrett was someone he had once treated. ording to Leonard, Garrett was an Azurian but had be a permanent resident in Dragon¨ªa.


    Garrett was ted to see him. "This must be fate! Are you headed to Azuria 25 Zeller?" well, Mr.


    Feliz nodded but didn''t want to engage in a lengthy conversation. While Leonard had described Garrett as a good person, Felix felt he had already done enough for him. Sensing Felix''s disinterest, Garrett smiled awkwardly and refrained from saying more. Once the ne reached cruising altitude, Garrett couldn''t help himself. Summoning his courage, he spoke up again, "Mr. Zeller, you''re also going to Azuria, right? If I may be so bold as to ask a favor, my elder brother''s daughter-inw, she-"


    Before he could finish, Felix raised a hand to stop him. "I don''t have time for that."


    Though embarrassed, Garrett understood. The situation ultimately stemmed from his own family, so he couldn''t me Felix. Hence, he decided not to bring it up again.


    About ten minutester, Felix stared out of the window, feeling a sense of unprecedented solitude wash over him. It was his first time traveling abroad, and the unknown ahead weighed heavily on his mind.


    Breaking the silence, he turned toward Garrett and asked, "Mr. Rothwell, I just have one question. What''s your elder brother''s status in Azuria?"


    es

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    Garrett was momentarily stunned. He hadn''t expected Felix to revisit the topic. Just moments ago, he hadpletely given up hope


    "Mr. Zeller, I''m an old man now. I hope you''ll believe my words," Garrett said earnestly.


    Felix nodded, signaling for him to continue. He had his reasons for asking.


    "How should I put it? Well, the reason I had so much money and business connections when I came to Dragonia was all thanks to my elder brother. He''s the chairman of Titan Holdings in Azuria, which is a true powerhouse among conglomerates. "I''m not exaggerating when I say that if he imed snow was ck, others wouldn''t dare say otherwise."


    Oh? Felix''s lips curled into a faint smile. It seemed he had gambled correctly. Garrett''s elder brother held an unimaginably high status in Azuria.


    "In that case, I''ll help your brother. At the same time, I''ll need his assistance with something. The details can wait until we meet," Felix said decisively.


    Garrett''s face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Zeller! Thank you so much!"


    With Felix''s miraculous medical skills, his elder brother''s lingering issues would surely be resolved as long as Felix was willing to help.


    As someone who had personally benefited from it, Garrett knew just how extraordinary Felix''s abilities were. Medical challenges that stumped experts worldwide were child''s y


    for him.


    "Let''s start with the specifics of your brother''s situation," Felix prompted.


    Felix arrived in Azuria a day early, despite the appointment for the Miracle Card being scheduled for the following day. He wanted to make preparations just in case the Elders'' Council hadid a trap. Careful nningbined with Gerald''s Speed Talisman would maximize his chances of survival.


    Some might haveined, cursing their mentor for being so unreasonable. After all, who would send their apprentice into harm''s way? It simply didn''t make sense. However, Felix understood. Ged had often told him, "True strengthes from facing adversity head-on. A flower sheltered in a greenhouse will never survive sunlight." If Felix truly feared death or danger, he wouldn''t have left the mountain in the first ce.


    "My elder brother, Caleb Rothwell, has three children-one son and two daughters. To be honest, he''s not rigidly traditional about passing on the family name. However, with the group growingrger and more influential, someone has to inherit it, right?


    "After all, you can''t really pass it down to a son-inw''s children."


    4


    Hearing this, Felix started to piece things together. "So, your elder brother doesn''t have any grandchildren?"


    Garrett let out a bitter chuckle.


    "That''s right. He''s even said it feels like divine punishment. While everything in business goes smoothly, his family is gued with this issue. His daughter-inw has tried countless methods but still hasn''t been able to conceive, let alone bear a son."


    If Garrett was being truthful, Caleb Rothwell would have immense resources and influence as a financial magnate in Azuria. Hence, he would have ess to the best medical care avable. For nothing to work, the problem must be highly unusual. "Forgive me for being blunt," Felix said. "I''m not very familiar with Azuria''s


    conglomerates, and my only impression of them is what I''ve seen in series and movies.


    "From what I''ve seen, they''re extremely ruthless and cutthroat. If your brother''s daughter-inw can''t conceive, wouldn''t she have been reced long ago?"


    Garrett''s face flushed with embarrassment, evidently ashamed of the reputation his country had cultivated.


    After a moment, he replied, "You''re not wrong. The reality in Azuria is far more outrageous than what''s shown in films or TV. Wealth truly has the power to shield anyone from consequences, and the rich often do whatever they please. But my elder brother is a bit different, and his son even more so. "His son isn''t the least bit indulgent or reckless. On the contrary, he''s extremely capable, loyal, and deeply in love with his current wife. No matter what, he refuses to divorce her, and my brother doesn''t dare push him too hard."

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    "Oh?" Felix stroked his chin thoughtfully,


    Good things didn''tst forever. Since Caleb and his son were so outstanding, it would truly be extraordinary if their descendants could continue to carry that torch.


    "I understand the big picture now. We''ll discuss further when we meet him," Felix concluded.


    Garrett was overjoyed. Originally, he had returned to Azuria to celebrate the birth of Caleb''s granddaughter. After all, it had been a month since Caleb''s daughter had a daughter.


    To his surprise, he had encountered Felix. If Felix could truly resolve this issue, it would all be worth it.


    Uponnding, Garrett noticed the person who hade to pick him up and frowned. " Caleb didn''te?"


    Though the brothers didn''t meet more than once or twice a year, their bond ran deep. Caleb had always personally picked him up from the airport.


    "Dad had to travel to the ind for an urgent and important meeting with foreign guests, Uncle Garrett. He couldn''t make it," exined a younger man.


    Felix interjected, "Are you from Dragonia?"


    Garrett chuckled. "He''s Caleb''s youngest son-inw. Yes, he is from Dragonia. His name is Adrian ke."


    Turning to Adrian, Garrett''s gaze became stern. "Adrian, this is Mr. Zeller. He''s an exceptionally distinguished guest."


    A distinguished guest? Adrian felt skeptical. Felix looked younger than himself and was also from Dragonia, yet Garrett addressed him with such reverence. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Zeller," Adrian said.


    Once they were in the car, Adrian personally took the wheel. Meanwhile, Garrett took out his phone to make a call after nodding at Felix. To his relief, the call went through. "Garrett, I''ve got something urgent to handle. You head home first. I should be done by evening," Caleb said.


    With a chuckle, Garret replied, "Caleb, I was lucky to run into Dr. Zeller, who cured me previously. He''s agreed to take a look at Jenna.


    While he drove, Adrian frowned. Jenna Carter was his sister-inw. Hearing Felix''s title, he instantly knew what this was about. Chapter 562


    "What? Do you mean the Dr. Zeller who cured you?" Caleb asked.


    It was clear he knew of Felix. It made sense that he knew of him, given how concerned he was about Garrett''s past medical condition. "Yes. Given that it concerns Jenna, do you think I''d joke about this?" Garrett replied seriously.


    "I understand. I''ll return immediately!"


    As Garrett expected, Caleb''s top priority was securing an heir. Even billion-dor business deals couldn''tpete with this matter in his mind.


    "Alright. The usual spot, then. I''ve already reserved a private room. Just head straight there," Garrett instructed, finally rxing.


    If Caleb had hesitated or made Felix wait, he wouldn''t have known how to exin. Offending Felix by dying him could lead to irreversible consequences.


    "So, Mr. Zeller is a master healer from Dragonia? That''s truly impressive! Dad went to Dragoniast year with Jenna to see Dr. Fielding for treatment," Adrian remarked. Felix casually replied, "Dr. Fielding is pretty good."


    "What the hell?" Adrian thought. "I just said that to put you in your ce, and you''re still acting unfazed? Are you out of your mind?"


    As Caleb''s son-inw, Adrian hoped the current situation would persist. With no heirs, time would naturally hand the Titan Holdings''s empire to his children.


    Hearing that they had met Xander gave Felix an idea. Taking out his phone, he called Xander directly.


    "Xander, did you treat a patient from Azuriast year? It''s an infertility case, and the patient goes by the name Jenna Carter?"


    Adrian mmed on the brakes, eyes wide in shock.


    He wondered how Felix knew Xander. How did he manage to get connected with him via a simple phone call? Given his young age, he had to be bluffing.

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    Back then, Caleb had spent a fortune trying to invite one of Dragonia''s master healers to treat Jenna, but his requests were mostly ignored. It was only through Garrett, who sought help from a friend, that Xander agreed to help. How did this young man manage to contact Xander with a phone call?


    In that instant, Adrian realized he had gravely underestimated Felix.


    "Felix, I do recall someone named Jenna," Xander said over the phone. "Her case was exceptionally rare. It was so rare that I doubt I''ll ever forget. She has what''s called tent uterus syndrome. I couldn''t do anything about it."


    Latent uterus syndrome? Felix understood the situation immediately. No wonder countless doctors had failed to make any progress over the years. Such a condition was indeed extraordinarily rare.


    Latent uterus syndrome created the illusion of normalcy. Hence, all medical imaging showed a perfectly healthy uterus. However, the uteruscked any of the essential functional characteristics of one. "I see," Felix replied.


    "It seems you''re nning to take this on. That woman is fortunate to have you," Xander chuckled, clearly confident in Felix''s ability to resolve such a challenging condition.


    As Felix hung up, Garrett couldn''t contain his excitement.


    "Mr. Zeller, how did the call go?"


    Felix smiled. "It''s a minor issue. I can handle it.''


    Hearing that, Garrett was overjoyed. Felix was what he imagined a true master healer to be like. Every word and gesture of his emanated confidence.


    Meanwhile, Adrian, who was driving, began to feel a growing panic. However, he dared not let it show on his face. All he could do was pray that Felix was bluffing.


    Jenna''s condition had put him and his brother-inw in a hopeful position. Despite any personal ambitions, neither dared entertain selfish thoughts. After all, Caleb''s influence in Azuria was too overwhelming. Any attempt at maniption would end in disaster.


    At the entrance to a luxurious restaurant, the group disembarked from the car. Adrian used the excuse of retrieving something to slip away, intending to consult his brother-inw about their next steps.


    Unbeknownst to them, there was a ck Mercedes parked nearby, Inside, Drake Sterling stared at Felix in disbelief.


    "Felix Zeller? Am I seeing things?"


    He hurriedly opened the door, hiding as Felix entered the elevator. When he caught a glimpse of Felix''s face, his doubts were cleared.


    "What the fuck? It really is Felix!"


    Drake''s shock quickly gave way to a grin.


    "Felix, oh, Felix, you''ve walked into the lion''s den. Back in Dragonia, I might''ve had to tread carefully around you. But this is Azuria. This is my turf. Since you''re here, don''t expect to leave in one piece."


    Drake didn''t recognize the man apanying Felix. In Azuria, anyone he didn''t know was someone he could afford to offend.


    Inside the private room, Garrett apologized profusely, saying, "Mr. Zeller, Caleb is on a helicopter. He''ll be here in about half an hour. The meeting was unexpected, and he was far from the capital city. I hope you can forgive us for the dy." Felix raised a hand dismissively. "Mr. Rothwell, there''s no need for such formality. I''m helping your brother with his problem, but I also need his assistance. This is a transaction, and nothing more."


    Though Felix''s words downyed the gesture, Garrett was endlessly grateful. After all, what Felix required from Caleb would likely be a trivial matter. However, what Caleb needed from Felix was something only Felix could aplish. Roughly 20 minutester, Garrett checked his phone and rose to his feet.


    "My elder brother will be here any moment, Mr. Zeller. I''ll go downstairs to bring him up."


    "Alright." Felix nodded.


    Garrett''s cautious nature meant he had instructions to ry to Caleb ahead of time. This matter was too important to allow any mistakes. Meeting him downstairs was a necessary precaution.


    Hardly a few minutes after Garrett left, the door to the private room opened again. Thinking it was Garrett returning, Felix turned around.

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    The room was abruptly filled with over a dozen men in ck suits, all wearing sunsses.


    A round of apuse broke the silence as Drake strode in.


    "Wee to our fine Azuria, Mr. Zeller! As the host, it''s only right for me to show you some hospitality!".


    Although Felix was surprised to see him, he merely chuckled lightly. "You''ve got quite the knack for digging your own grave. You could''ve lived afortable life here in Azuria, but you''ve gone and made the most foolish choice possible." Drake''s smile vanished instantly upon hearing Felix''s bold words.


    "You arrogant brat!" he snarled. "Open your damn eyes and look around. This is Azuria, not Dragonia! Whatever connections or money you have means nothing here. Got it?"


    Settling into a chair his subordinates had brought over, Drake crossed his legs arrogantly. "I''ll even give you the same deal I offered at Sixview Peak. Kneel before me, apologize, and promise never to go near Nancy again, and I''ll let you off." Felix nced around at the assembled group, his gaze calm. He raised a hand, pointing dismissively. "Do you really think these ipetentckeys can handle me?"


    Drake sneered. "Do you think I''m ignorant of Dragonian martial arts? I''ve ounted for that. Do you think we can''t take you down?"


    At his signal, all of his men drew pistols, each fitted with suppressors. Clearly, they hade prepared.


    "Guns? Azuria really is lenient. Pulling out guns in a restaurant in broad daylight?"


    Finally, Drake felt a surge of confidence. Smirking, he said, "Do you now see what kind of power I wield in Azuria? This is my homnd. I do what I want whenever I want. So, are you going to kneel or not?"


    Felix shook his head, remaining seated and unbothered. "Your homnd, huh? Do you believe that I can sit right here without lifting a finger, and it''ll be you kneeling in the end?"


    Drake leaped to his feet, pointing angrily. "Bullshit! Why would''I kneel to you? You asked for this!"


    As Drake began to raise his hand, his men abruptly bowed toward the door in unison, their voices ringing out.


    ""Mr. Walter."


    Curious, Drake turned around and was stunned by what he saw.


    "Mr. Walter? You''re here for a meal, too? Don''t worry, I''m just dealing with a small matter. I won''t disturb you.".


    Arge, imposing middle-aged man stepped into the room. His cold, piercing eyes matched the weight of his status.


    Gavin Walter was the personal bodyguard of the president of Titan Holdings. He was one of Azuria''s most influential figures, and everyone respectfully addressed him as "Mr. Walter Without a word, Gavin pointed at Drake and ordered, "Everyone else, out. You stay." "Yes, sir!"


    The gunmen didn''t hesitate. They bolted from the room, knowing that crossing Gavin meant there would be no ce to hide in Azuria.


    Gavin had once been a top-tier underworld figure, and his association with Titan Holdings''s chairman had elevated him even further. One could only imagine the power he held.


    "Mr. Walter, there must be some misunderstanding. I''ve never had any disputes with you, "Drake said.


    Drake stood frozen, swallowing hard. He racked his brain, unable to think of any reason for a conflict with Gavin.


    Gavin ignored him. Stepping to the side, he bowed deeply. "Please enter the room, sir.


    When a new figure stepped into the room, Drake''s jaw dropped in utter shock.


    "How dare youy a hand on my guest?" Caleb said.

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    "Mr. Rothwell?" Drake felt his soul leave his body, his mind grinding to a halt.


    The man before him was none other than Caleb Rothwell, the president of Titan Holdings. He was a titan of power capable of influencing every major conglomerate in Azuria. His fearsome reputation was something only a citizen of Azuria could trulyprehend. Even if Drake had a thousand lifetimes'' worth of courage, he would never dare to cross someone like Caleb.


    "Mr. Zeller, I deeply apologize for this unexpected situation. Rest assured. I will handle this matter to your satisfaction!" Ignoring Drakepletely, Caleb strode briskly to Felix and bowed in respect.


    "Mr. Rothwell, you''re too polite. Just handle it as you see fit," Felix replied casually. Meanwhile, Drake was dragged out of the room by Gavin, a dumb grin stered on his face. He wasn''t even aware of what was happening. His perception of reality had beenpletely shattered. Felix, a mere youth from Dragonia, not only knew the mighty Caleb but also seemed to hold sway over him. Judging by Caleb''s demeanor, it almost looked like he was indebted to Felix. "Why? Why did I provoke Felix?" he thought to himself.


    Unfortunately for Drake, there would be no future to ponder his regret. Felix himself knew the oue awaiting Drake would be nothing short of tragic. Azuria''s underground methods, as depicted in movies and TV series, were cruel enough. As Garrett had admitted, the reality was always far more brutal.


    "Mr. Rothwell, I can treat your daughter-inw''s condition. Additionally, since she''s older, I''ll prescribe some medicine to ensure a smooth pregnancy. The fetus will develop healthily, and the pregnancy won''t exceed three months."


    T


    After sitting down, Felix''s statement made Caleb''s eyes light up. Even someone as stoic andposed as him couldn''t contain his excitement.


    "Thank you, Mr. Zeller! You''re truly my savior!"


    Garrett had already briefed him on everything, so there was no reason for Caleb to doubt Felix.


    "Let me exin the kind of help I need."


    Once Felix finished detailing his requests, he briefly wondered if he was asking for too much. However, Calebughed heartily.


    "Mr. Zeller, these are trivial matters for me. In Azuria, there''s nothing I cannot aplish.


    11


    Felix smiled, pleased with the response.


    "Oh, by the way, I heard from Mr. Garrett that you''re hoping for a grandson, correct?"


    Caleb sighed, a hint of embarrassment crossing his face. "You might find itughable, but the family wealth is too vast. It''s hard to entrust it to outsiders."


    Nodding, Felix replied with a grin, "When I treat your daughter-inw, I''ll adjust her constitution with acupuncture. I can guarantee that the next child will be a boy."


    "What?" Caleb shot to his feet in astonishment. "Mr. Zeller, are you serious?"


    "Of course. If I can''t do it, it will bring disgrace to Dragonia''s traditional medicine," Felix replied.


    Garrett quickly chimed in, "Caleb, are you doubting Mr. Zeller''s expertise? Just wait. You''ll be holding a chubby grandson in no time!"


    After a moment, Caleb burst into heartyughter.


    "This is truly a joyous day. Your help is more than I could''ve ever hoped for, Mr. Zeller."


    Time passed. In a luxurious mansion in Azuria''s capital, several people sat anxiously in the living room, waiting for news.


    "Elijah, do you really think this will work? Even Xander, who is ranked as the top ten master healer in Dragonia, couldn''t do anything. Can Felix really seed? I asked around in Dragonia, and no one''s even heard of him," Adrian said. Hearing that, Elijah Rothwell frowned. "Who are you to question Dad''s decisions? Just focus on doing your part."


    In this family, Elijah''s authority was terrifyingly absolute. Adrian didn''t dare to say more. All he could do was silently hope that this time, too, Felix would fail.

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    "Jenna, they''re almost here. Dad just called me. This time, they''ll definitely cure you," Elijah reassured.


    Jenna Carter was unlike many women in Azuriapletely natural and without any trace of high-tech modifications. However, anyone could see she was in poor spirits.


    It was understandable. Marrying into such a wealthy family was already a challenge. She was already grateful Elijah Rothwell loved her deeply, but failing to conceive a child? She couldn''t imagine how many whispers and pointed fingers were directed at her behind her back. The weight of that alone was more than enough to crush her.


    "Okay, darling. I''ll do everything I can. For you, I''ll endure any hardship," Jenna said with determination.


    A short whileter, Felix and his team arrived. Everyone had gathered outside, ready to greet them.


    "Mr. Zeller, if I may ask, my daughter-inw, Jenna, has always looked unwell. Could there be another issue? Could you please take a look as well?" Caleb Rothwell inquired.


    Felix waved his hand dismissively. "There''s nothing else just the condition she already has, coupled with psychological stress. Don''t worry. Once she conceives after the treatment, everything will get better. Felix and Jenna entered the bedroom, leaving the family waiting anxiously outside.


    "Why the long faces? Cheer up! You know my condition, don''t you? Mr. Zeller has solved the toughest problems in the world. Compared to that, what''s this issue with Jenna?" Garrett remarked, trying to lift the mood. "Uncle Garrett, please forgive us. We''ve just been disappointed too many times before," Elijah admitted apologetically.


    "Rx. This time, there''s no doubt. I''ve met countless people in my life, but I''ve never seen a doctor as young and self-assured as Mr. Zeller," Caleb said with a confident smile.


    He then nced at the others and frowned. "What''s with those sour faces? Don''t you want Jenna to be cured?"


    As one of the wealthiest men in Azuria, Caleb had seen it all. He was well aware of his daughters'' and sons-inw''s ulterior motives. "No, Dad."


    ""You''ve misunderstood us, Dad."


    While they tried to exin, the bedroom door suddenly opened, and Felix stepped out. His


    +25 BONLUS


    faint smile suggested sess.


    "Mr. Zeller, how''s Jenna?"


    "She''s cured," Felix replied with a calm smile.


    So quickly? Even Caleb felt a pang of doubt. It had only been five minutes at most since Felix entered the room. Could it really be this simple?


    Adrian ke, Caleb''s son-inw, was silently celebrating. No matter how skilled Felix was, there was no way he could cure Jenna in mere minutes. Felix had to be a fraud, and he couldn''t wait to see him exposed. "What''s wrong? Don''t believe me?" Felix asked.


    Caleb flinched. "No, no, Mr. Zeller. You must be joking. We wouldn''t have invited you here to treat her if we didn''t trust you."


    Understanding their doubts, Felix gestured to Garrett to stay quiet before addressing Caleb. "With President Caleb''s resources, I assume your family has its own in-house medical team?"


    "Of course, Mr. Zeller. If there''s anything you need, just say the word."


    If not for needing Caleb''s full cooperation tomorrow, Felix would have walked out without a second thought.


    "Bring them in," Felix instructed.


    Adrian smirked. What a fool. Jenna''s health had been thoroughly examined, and every test hade back normal. Felix trying to prove otherwise would only backfire. Soon, this so-called genius would fall t on his face, and not even Garrett could save him.

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    This was Felix''s suggestion, and Caleb naturallyplied. Deep down, he was already uneasy. Everything was happening too fast-so fast it was almost unbelievable.


    "To be honest with you, Mr. Zeller. Jenna has undergone numerous tests, but nothing abnormal has been found." Garrett spoke up, giving a subtle reminder that Felix recognized as well-intentioned;


    "I wasn''t finished. Just call your medical team over to confirm if she''s pregnant through a blood test," Felix said.


    Everyone was stunned. Even Jenna, who had just stepped out of the bedroom, stood frozen in shock.


    "Felix Zeller! What are you implying? How dare you make such malicious usations against my sister-inw? If she could get pregnant, why would we need you here?" Adrian seized the opportunity, rising to fan the mes of discord.


    Before anyone could react, Caleb struck Adrian across the face with a harsh p, his gaze sharp and piercing.


    "Get out! If you can''t keep your mouth shut, don''t speak at all," Calebmanded.


    Humbled by Caleb''s authority, Adrian backed away without a word.


    "My apologies, Mr. Zeller. That kid talks too much," Caleb said, brushing aside Adrian''s interruption.


    Ignoring the distraction, Felix continued, "Jenna has a condition known astent uterus


    observable syndrome. Simply put, her uterus appears normal on scans and in every However, itcks the functionality for imntation.


    way.


    "In a healthy uterus, imntation urs within seven days, allowing pregnancy to be detected via blood tests. But in Jenna''s case, imntation consistently fails by the seventh day. This is the defining characteristic oftent uterus syndrome and the reason she hasn''t been able to conceive."


    The room fell silent. Everyone listened intently, and even Jenna seemed to be hearing about her condition for the first time. Thest time Xander had examined her, he hadn''t exined anything. Since it wasn''t treatable, there had been no point in borating. "If I''m not mistaken, have you two been intimate recently?" Felix asked.


    Elijah looked utterly bewildered. "Yes, we have. How did you know, Mr. Zeller?"


    Felix smiled faintly and gestured toward Jenna. "It''s obvious from the examination. During my treatment, I noticed that imntation had urred. Coincidentally, today marks the seventh day. Anyter, and it would have failed again." 425 80AUS


    By now, Caleb had fully grasped the situation. His face lit up with joy as he asked, "Mr. Zeller, are you saying you not only cured Jenna but also ensured this pregnancy is viable?"


    "Exactly. But words alone won''t convince you. That''s why your medical team needs to confirm it."


    As soon as Felix finished speaking, the medical personnel arrived and took blood samples.


    The expressions on the faces of the Rothwell family were priceless. Felix''s medical skills were beyond their imagination, almost miraculous in nature.


    "Mr. Zeller, can you tell if the baby is a boy or a girl?" someone asked.


    Felix''s expression turned slightly amused.


    "I''m not a deity. It''s only been a few days-how could I possibly know the gender? But don''t worry. Remember what I said before? As long as she takes the prescribed medication on time, even if this one is a girl, the next one will definitely be a boy." Taking a deep breath, Caleb signaled Elijah, who immediately guided Jenna, freshly done with her blood test, over to Felix. Without hesitation, both kneeled before him.


    "Mr. Zeller, you''re our life savior. Please ept our heartfelt gratitude!"


    The continuation of a family line was a significant matter in any culture. Their gesture was entirely appropriate.


    "Get up. Your father, Caleb, is an extraordinary man, and it seems you''ve inherited his excellence perfectly." VALE

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    Caleb didn''t even wait for the blood test results toe back before having Elijah and Jenna kneel in gratitude to Felix. This gesture was a clear statement of his trust and respect -it was no wonder he had be one of the most powerful magnates in Azuria. Once Elijah and Jenna stood up, Caleb announced with a wide grin, "Spread the word- every employee under Titan Holdings will receive double their performance bonus this month!"


    "Yes, sir!"


    When a family patriarch like Caleb was in high spirits, he could afford to be extravagantly generous, easily unting his wealth.


    The entire Rothwell family was swept into a wave of joy as soon as the blood test results confirmed everything Felix had said. Whether Caleb''s two daughters and sons-inw shared the same enthusiasm was irrelevant to Felix-it wasn''t his concern. That evening, Caleb, still deeply moved, asked, "Mr. Zeller, are you sure you don''t want any money?"


    He had prepared billions as a token of gratitude, only for Felix to refuse it outright.


    "I don''t need it. Just don''t forget the promise you made to me.''


    Caleb let out a bitterugh.


    "To be honest, Mr. Zeller. What you''ve asked of me is something I could resolve with a single phone call. Your generosity humbles me."


    Felix could see that Caleb''s gratitude was genuine. But he didn''t need money-he already had more than he could spend in a lifetime. What would be the point of taking more?


    "Truly, I don''t need it. Just keep your word. But let me ask again-are you sure there won''t be any trouble with such a big matter?"


    Garrett chuckled.


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Zeller. For Caleb, this is as insignificant as a drop in the ocean. You might not understand Azuria''s dynamics, but let me tell you-my brother, as one of the country''s top magnates, can determine who rises to power with a mere word."


    Felix couldn''t help but take a sharp breath. The sheer influence Caleb wielded was staggering, giving Felix a deeper understanding of Azuria''s elite circles.


    The next morning, around 10:00 am, Felix arrived at the location Averill had told him about. It was the designated site for fulfilling the Miracle Card''s request. ording to Caleb, this ce was a small, barren ind within Azuria''s territory. With no


    resources or inhabitants, it was officially categorized as uninhabited.


    However, the chosen location,bined with its isted environment, made it an ideal spot for darker dealings-such as murder and body disposal. Felix grew increasingly certain this was a trap set by the Elders'' Council


    Still, he knew the Elders'' Council wouldn''t worry about his suspicions. The Miracle Card was an unbreakable tradition; once issued, it was bound to be honored. The reputation of the miracle doctor had been untarnished for decades, ensuring he would show up without fail.


    The helicopternded on a clearing marked with arge red cross on the southern side of the ind. Nearby, a woman stood waiting.


    As the helicopter took off, the woman approached Felix hesitantly. "Are you the miracle doctor?" she asked.


    She appeared to be a native of Azuria; her demeanor was kind, but her eyes were betraying a hint of nervousness.


    "I am. Where''s the Miracle Card?"


    Felix examined the card she handed over, confirming its authenticity.


    "Take me to the patient," he said.


    He didn''t bother asking why the location was so remote. His doubts were already growing stronger by the minute.


    "I''m sorry for the inconvenience, Mr. Zeller. For making youe out here, not even arranging for the transportation from the city, and having you cover the helicopter costs yourself," the woman said. Felix smiled faintly.


    "It''s fine. Saving lives is the priority. As long as the Miracle Card is real, that''s all that matters."


    As they made their way deeper into the ind, Felix couldn''t sense any immediate danger. If this truly were an borate trap by the Elders Council, they would have made their move by now. Or perhaps, he was overthinking things?

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    "We''re here. The person is inside," the woman said, gesturing toward a small wooden cabin as they emerged from the forest.


    Felix nodded. "Alright."


    Although Felix spoke calmly, he immediately extended his senses toward the cabin, scanning its interior. A momentter, he realized it waspletely empty. Almost simultaneously, a powerful gust of wind surged toward him. Felix''s instincts kicked in, and he swiftly leaped back, his body retreating at lightning speed. But the danger wasn''t over. Another ambush came from behind, forcing him to spin


    around and unleash a strike.


    The ground beneath him shattered with a boom, and Felix was pushed back several dozen yards before stopping at the cabin''s doorway.


    "After the Dexter Grimshaw incident, our Elders'' Council has started taking you seriously. We even sent the two of us, but it seems we still underestimated you!"


    The speaker was a middle-aged man who stood beside the woman who had guided Felix here. Her face now twisted into a sinister smile.


    "Well; well, you truly are the miracle doctor''s apprentice. At such a young age, you''ve already reached the Aetherial Realm. We might have suffered greatly if we had assumed you were still at the Innate Realm."


    The Aetherial Realm was a major breakthrough beyond the Innate Realm. Felix had only recently ascended to it after absorbing the Dragonspine from the Shadowdragon Warlord.


    "So, this really was a setup by the Elders'' Council. You even wasted a Miracle Card for this,'' Felix said, his posture rxed and confident, showing no fear of the two before him.


    11


    "Kid, reaching the Aetherial Realm might have caught us off guard earlier. Otherwise, our ambush would have already left you dead. But do you really think you can survive this?" the woman taunted, herughter ringing out.


    "Haha! Let me tell you something. Both of us have reached the peak of the Aetherial Realm. Taking down a novice like you won''t be difficult. However, if you surrender now, we might take you back to the Elders'' Council for judgment. Who knows? They might spare your life."


    Felix scoffed, standing with his hands behind his back.


    "You two are nothing but clowns. You hate my master, yet you''re too afraid to confront him directly. Instead, you resort to underhanded schemes against his apprentice. Don''t you find that pathetic?"


    The duo''s attack had indeed been ruthless, with no wasted words or hesitation. If Felix had still been at the Innate Realm, he would have surely perished in the initial strike.


    The woman was particrly dangerous. Even after spending over 20 minutes with her, Felix hadn''t sensed she was a martial artist, likely due to some forbidden technique she practiced.


    "You can say whatever you want. It''s true we don''t dare trouble the miracle doctor himself. But don''t you wonder how we knew you''de here without any backup?"


    Felix frowned. It was true. They were clearly aware that he had nine senior apprentices, each a formidable individual. Even excluding his master, just one of his senior apprentices could handle this situation. Yet, they seemed utterly unconcerned about such a possibility. "Confused? Take that confusion with you to hell. I love seeing people die with unresolved questions!" the woman sneered.


    As thest word fell, the duo''s aura red, and they vanished from sight.


    "You think you can kill me? It won''t happen today! It won''t be me who dies-it''ll be both of you," Felix dered.


    With a sharp movement, Felix disappeared as well. What the pair failed to notice was that Felix now held a device in his hand. He pressed a button on it before vanishing.


    "Honey, how is this kid so fast? Aetherial Realm shouldn''t allow for such speed."

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    The two pursuers were utterly baffled-Felix''s speed far surpassed theirs.


    "It must be some sort of forbidden technique. Don''t worry. This is an ind; at best, he''ll head for the sea. With our superior cultivation level and spiritual energy, we can oust him. Techniques like that can''tst forever," the man said.


    As they spoke, they both broke into confident smiles. In their minds, Felix was like cooked meat on a tter-there was no escape for him.


    Even though he was already over the sea, as long as he remained within their sensory range, catching him was just a matter of time. After all, their strength was undeniable.


    "Darling, what''s that?"


    Suddenly, the woman froze in ce, pointing skyward. Her husband followed her gaze, his face turning pale as he saw the massive object streaking through the sky with a fiery tail. "A missile?"


    Those were thest words he uttered. What followed was sheer terror.


    Explosions erupted as Felix dived into the sea just in time.


    "Damn! That''s insane!"


    The shockwave mmed into him, forcing him to retreat repeatedly. If not for his own formidable physique, honed to the Aetherial Realm, the relentless sts would have torn his body apart.


    When the chaos finally subsided, Felix emerged from the water, his feet stepping lightly onto the sea''s surface. His eyes reflected deep fear.


    The ind hadn''t sunk, but it had been leveledpletely, a true demonstration of what it meant to be razed to the ground.


    Caleb had mentioned arranging forrge-caliber, long-range rocket fire to bombard the ind, but only now did Felix grasp the terrifying power of modern weaponry. He had seen dozens of rockets streak through the sky, with even more following. There must have been over a hundred of them.


    There was no need to confirm-the couple on the ind was undoubtedly obliterated, leaving not even a trace behind.


    What did being in the Aetherial Realm matter? Against the sheer might of advanced weaponry, even that meant nothing.


    Half an hourter, Felix stepped off a helicopter and met Caleb and Garrett, who were already waiting for him. Chapter 570


    "Mr. Zeller, does this fulfill my promise?"


    Felix couldn''t help but marvel aloud, "To be honest, it scared me a bit. But isn''t such a massive bombardment a problem?"


    Caleb chuckled. "Rx. The official exnation is that it was a military exercise. I''ve already paid far more than necessary for the ind and the 80-plus rockets. Trust me, the people involved areughing all the way to the bank."


    The privileges of being one of Azuria''s top magnates left Felix momentarily speechless.


    In truth, Felix could have fought the couple himself. After all, he practiced the unique Dragons Destroyer technique and wasn''t someone to be underestimated. However, there was always a risk involved, and nothing couldpare to the simplicity and efficiency of an all- out bombardment.


    "To be fair, the real reason I dared to act so decisively is because you said the people on the ind were dirty. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have risked causing a diplomatic incident."


    Felix smiled. Caleb''s trust had been absolute.


    With everything settled, it was time to part ways. Felix declined Caleb and Garrett''s offer to personally escort him and took a Rolls-Royce to the airport.


    Just as he entered the terminal, his phone rang. It was Yvonne.


    He hesitated briefly before answering.


    "What is it?" he asked.


    To his surprise, Yvonne''s voice was urgent and panicked. "Felix, I know you''re in Azuria. You must have connections there, right? Please, you have to save Lady N!"

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    Felix''s expression was devoid of emotion. "N? What does her situation have to do with me?"


    On the other end of the call, Yvonne was already sobbing. "I''m sorry, Felix! Please, I''m begging you to save Lady N. She''s abroad and can''t handle this on her own. I''m begging you!"


    But Felix remained indifferent. "I refuse. Yvonne, don''t forget-it was that woman who first took away your happiness and then sent you to your death. Is she really worth it?"


    and "She is! Without Lady N, there wouldn''t be me! Fine, I get it. Just help her this once, I promise to leave Caraville immediately. I won''t bother you again, ever."


    Felix sighed. He knew agreeing now would break Yvonne''s heart. But he had no choice- Madam Spring''s artifact posed a deadly risk to him. He could only act harshly topletely sever Yvonne''s hope. Over time, she would heal and eventually find her own happiness. "Fine, I''ll go check the situation. But if it''s too much, don''t me me for walking away."


    Time passed, and Felix found himself standing outside the door of a suite in a five-star hotel in Azuria. Two men in ck stood guard, their cold, intimidating stares enough to make passersby avert their eyes.


    Felix appeared in the hallway. The two men initially dismissed him as a random passerby, but he stopped right in front of them.


    "Get lost, punk!" one of them barked.


    Felix frowned. With a casual wave of his hand, the two men were sent sprawling to the


    ground.


    He knocked on the door. After a moment, it opened, but no one was there. Walking further in, Felix finally reached the living room, where N sat on the couch, still wearing her veil. Herposed demeanor betrayed no hint of someone being held captive. "Well, since you''re fine, I''ll be on my way.


    A flicker of displeasure crossed N''s face. "Do I look fine to you? I may be well physically, but that doesn''t mean everything is fine."


    Felix sat down across from her, his voice icy as he asked, "Another one of your staged performances? Do you think this is fair to Yvonne?"


    N let out a mockingugh and picked up a ss of water from the table.


    "Yvonne is mine. I promised you I''d let her find happiness, so I won''t intervene with


    whoever she wants to marry. But in every other aspect, I call the shots. Besides, I really am in danger. Is asking for help a crime?"


    If not for his promise to Yvonne, Felix would have left without a second thought.


    "What''s the situation? Who''s holding you captive? Spit it out-I don''t want to spend another minute here."


    N didn''t seem bothered by his evident dislike.


    "You''ve already taken out the bodyguards. Reinforcements wille soon. What''s the rush? Felix, one day, you''ll fall in love with me," she said.


    "Fall in love with you, my ass!" Felix snapped, unwilling to entertain her nonsense. "Those two worthless bodyguards? With your skills, you could''ve handled them easily. Don''t tell me this isn''t all part of your act."


    N shot him a cold look, her voice tinged with disdain.


    "You''re unbelievably naive. This is Azuria, not Dragonia. The person who can hold m¨¨ captive here-do you have any idea how powerful they are in Azuria? Taking down those two guards solves nothing; it only esctes the situation. Do you get that?" Felix didn''t bother responding, but N clearly wasn''t finished.


    "You''re right to keep your distance from Yvonne. Because once you fall in love with me and I be your woman, Yvonne will naturally belong to you as well. The only difference is that she won''t be sharing the same bed with me while serving you." Her shameless words were utterly brazen, so much so that Felix wished time could fly by just to escape this moment.


    Chapter $72

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    "What brings you to Azuria?" N asked.


    Even though Felix remained silent, N kept talking tirelessly, almost as if she were speaking to herself. Her demeanor was entirely different from the impression she had given before she was practically unrecognizable. "Are you truly not considering returning to the Greene family? You can''t begin to imagine the power they hold in Dragonia.


    "With your background, if you went back now, the Greene family would undoubtedly wee you. With their formidable support, your future path would be incredibly smooth. Trust me," N said.


    At that moment, footsteps finally echoed from outside. Felix silently thanked the heavens -if they hadn''te, he might''ve been tempted to plug his ears.


    ""Who dares to hit my men?"


    A middle-aged man strode in, nked by seven bodyguards dressed in ck. Hands in his pocket, his swagger was practically oozing arrogance.


    "I did," Felix said.


    Julian Hale let out a derisive snort, his face full of disdain.


    "Do you really think you can rescue Lady N? I''ve shown her the utmost respect, giving her an entire day to decide whether she''d like to spend a night with me. And here you are, making this situation take a turn for the worse." Felix, uninterested in wasting words, pulled out his phone. "I''m making a call. Afterward, N and you will leave. Understand?"


    Julian burst outughing, doubling over as if he had just heard the funniest joke of his life.


    "One phone call to make me, Julien Hale, leave? Do you think this is Dragonia? Absolutely ridiculous!"


    Felix had already dialed his contact. Without batting an eye, he said, "This is Caleb Rothwell''s number. Whether you take this call is up to you."


    He tossed the phone over. Julian''s smug grin vanished in an instant, his hands iling as if the phone were scalding hot.


    The reason was simple-it was Caleb Rothwell, In Azuria, anyone who was anyone knew his name. If someone didn''t, they might as well not exist. "President Caleb..."


    Though the conversation on the other end was haudible, it left Julian trembling. He dropped to his knees, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.


    "I understand, President Caleb. I really do."


    Shuffling on his knees, Julian carefully handed the phone back to Felix with both hands. His head hit the floor repeatedly as he pleaded, ''I was wrong! I truly know I was wrong!" "Leave!" Felixmanded.


    What Julian did afterward didn''t concern Felix. The matter was resolved, and that was all that mattered to him.


    N, still seated, lightly apuded, and her eyes sparkled with amusement.


    "Impressive! You even know Caleb Rothwell, the wealthiest man in Azuria. You''ve certainly opened my eyes. As my husband, you''re more than qualified."


    Felix ignored her entirely, walking briskly toward the exit.


    "In such a hurry, Felix? By the way, is the mole on your left hip still there?"


    Felix froze in his tracks, turning to shoot her a sharp re. "How do you know about that?" he asked.


    It couldn''t have been Yvonne. Given the circumstances during their encounter, she wouldn''t have noticed or remembered such a detail.


    N stood, sauntering over with a sly smile. "Curious? Take a guess."


    Felix clenched his fists momentarily before turning back around. "Say it or don''t. I don''t care."


    What was that attitude? Even N''sposure faltered. She stomped her foot in frustration.


    "Your biological father, Victor Greene, told me. He asked me to act as an intermediary to persuade you to meet him-just once. It would be yourst meeting."


    His dying father? How interesting. Unable to rely on his own family, Victor had managed to bring in someone like N to mediate. His connections truly were far-reaching.


    Felix continued walking, but N''s next words made him stop dead in his tracks. "Victor said if you meet him, he''ll give you the bone you loved to y with as a child." Today''s Bonus Offer

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    "Bones?" Felix frowned, sensing there was more to those words than met the does that mean?"


    eye. "What


    N looked surprised. The Greene family had sought her out, instructing her to pass along this exact message. If Felix ignored it, she was simply to repeat the same words.


    She hadn''t expected it to actually catch his interest, making the whole situation even


    stranger.


    "I don''t know what it means. Your father, Victor, asked me to tell you," N said.


    Felix studied N for a moment before walking away, leaving behind a singlement. If I figure it out, I''ll contact you."


    As his car headed toward the airport, Felix remained deep in thought.


    Bones? Did his biological father know something?


    After all, how could anyone expect him to remember his childhood fascinations? On the surface, the phrase seemed meaningless, like idle chatter. But when "bones" were involved, the implications changed entirely. 11


    While mulling it over, his phone buzzed with an iing call from an unfamiliar number.


    Felix answered the call. "Hello?"


    As he suspected, it was Gerald.


    "Felix, don''t me me for acting on my own," Gerald said.


    Felix took a deep breath. "You want me to meet that cold and unfeeling father of mine? Why?"


    "It''s true he brought you into this world but didn''t raise you. That''s his fault. But the fact remains-he''s the reason you exist. And he''s dying. Don''t you want to see him, even just once?"


    Felix didn''t hesitate to answer despite the fact that it was his mentor speaking. "No, I


    don''t."


    Gerald sighed audibly. His tone was unusually serious and devoid of his usual humor.


    "Why make things so difficult? Victor isn''t faking his death-his condition is real. I examined him years ago. This cmity was written in his destiny, and even I can''t do anything about it."


    Even Gerald couldn''t treat the illness? Felix was genuinely surprised. This was a first. In his experience, Gerald had never encountered a condition he couldn''t cure.


    $2590AW


    "Victor possesses a fragment of Dragonspine. Even if you don''t want to see him, make an exception for that. You need it."


    Felix''s expression didn''t change. N''s earlier words had already hinted at this, and now Gerald''s confirmation solidified his suspicions


    "Are you doing this for me or for Victor?" Felix asked,


    He did need the Dragonspine. He had already experienced the benefits of Dragons Destroyer and couldn''t afford to let this opportunity slip away. The Dragonspine fragments were essential; without them, the technique could never be perfected. "It doesn''t matter anymore, does it?" Gerald remarked before hanging up,


    Felix hesitated for a long moment before sending Yvonne a message on WhatsApp.


    No matter how much he resented Victor, the Dragonspine was non-negotiable. Meeting Victor was a small price to pay.


    It was midnight by the time Felix returned to Canraville. As he approached his house, he noticed Yvonne sitting on a bench nearby, her expression deste, as if her life had lost all meaning.


    He walked over and sat beside her, his gaze falling on the suitcase at her feet.


    "You''re leaving?" he asked.


    Yvonne nodded. "Yes, I promised you I''d do it, and I will. I just wanted to see you onest time. For some reason, I have this feeling this might really be thest time."


    Before Felix could respond, Yvonne stood, grabbed her suitcase, and walked away without looking back.


    While watching her retreating figure, Felix simply shook his head. Perhaps meeting this woman had been a mistake from the start.


    He wasn''t sure how much time had passed when the doorbell woke him. Checking the time, he saw it was already past ten in the morning.


    "Xena? What are you doing here?"


    Seeing Xena at his door took Felix by surprise. He hadn''t expected her to show up.

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    "Bones?" Felix frowned, sensing there was more to those words than met the does that mean?"


    eye. "What


    N looked surprised. The Greene family had sought her out, instructing her to pass along this exact message. If Felix ignored it, she was simply to repeat the same words.


    She hadn''t expected it to actually catch his interest, making the whole situation even


    stranger.


    "I don''t know what it means. Your father, Victor, asked me to tell you," N said.


    Felix studied N for a moment before walking away, leaving behind a singlement. If I figure it out, I''ll contact you."


    As his car headed toward the airport, Felix remained deep in thought.


    Bones? Did his biological father know something?


    After all, how could anyone expect him to remember his childhood fascinations? On the surface, the phrase seemed meaningless, like idle chatter. But when "bones" were involved, the implications changed entirely. 11


    While mulling it over, his phone buzzed with an iing call from an unfamiliar number.


    Felix answered the call. "Hello?"


    As he suspected, it was Gerald.


    "Felix, don''t me me for acting on my own," Gerald said.


    Felix took a deep breath. "You want me to meet that cold and unfeeling father of mine? Why?"


    "It''s true he brought you into this world but didn''t raise you. That''s his fault. But the fact remains-he''s the reason you exist. And he''s dying. Don''t you want to see him, even just once?"


    Felix didn''t hesitate to answer despite the fact that it was his mentor speaking. "No, I


    don''t."


    Gerald sighed audibly. His tone was unusually serious and devoid of his usual humor.


    "Why make things so difficult? Victor isn''t faking his death-his condition is real. I examined him years ago. This cmity was written in his destiny, and even I can''t do anything about it."


    Even Gerald couldn''t treat the illness? Felix was genuinely surprised. This was a first. In his experience, Gerald had never encountered a condition he couldn''t cure.


    $2590AW


    "Victor possesses a fragment of Dragonspine. Even if you don''t want to see him, make an exception for that. You need it."


    Felix''s expression didn''t change. N''s earlier words had already hinted at this, and now Gerald''s confirmation solidified his suspicions


    "Are you doing this for me or for Victor?" Felix asked,


    He did need the Dragonspine. He had already experienced the benefits of Dragons Destroyer and couldn''t afford to let this opportunity slip away. The Dragonspine fragments were essential; without them, the technique could never be perfected. "It doesn''t matter anymore, does it?" Gerald remarked before hanging up,


    Felix hesitated for a long moment before sending Yvonne a message on WhatsApp.


    No matter how much he resented Victor, the Dragonspine was non-negotiable. Meeting Victor was a small price to pay.


    It was midnight by the time Felix returned to Canraville. As he approached his house, he noticed Yvonne sitting on a bench nearby, her expression deste, as if her life had lost all meaning.


    He walked over and sat beside her, his gaze falling on the suitcase at her feet.


    "You''re leaving?" he asked.


    Yvonne nodded. "Yes, I promised you I''d do it, and I will. I just wanted to see you onest time. For some reason, I have this feeling this might really be thest time."


    Before Felix could respond, Yvonne stood, grabbed her suitcase, and walked away without looking back.


    While watching her retreating figure, Felix simply shook his head. Perhaps meeting this woman had been a mistake from the start.


    He wasn''t sure how much time had passed when the doorbell woke him. Checking the time, he saw it was already past ten in the morning.


    "Xena? What are you doing here?"


    Seeing Xena at his door took Felix by surprise. He hadn''t expected her to show up.

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    "Malcolm Crayden?" Felix asked immediately. Where are you having dinner?"


    On the other end of the line, Jack chuckled cheerfully. "Why? Thinking of joining us? Sure, that''s why I called you. If youe, my chances of closing this deal will skyrocket!"


    After getting the address, Felix wasted no time heading over. He refrained from saying much to Jack, worried that his emotions might give something away to Malcolm and potentially cause unnecessary trouble.


    The fact that Malcolm was negotiating with Jack could only mean one thing-it was about Felix. After all, the Crayden family was one of the Eight Great Martial Families. They wouldn''t even bat an eye at someone like Wendy or her father, Vincent, let alone sit down with a manager from the Kinsley Group.


    At a high-end restaurant in Canraville, Jack raised his wine decanter with a grin.


    "Mr. Crayden, yourpliments earlier really hit home for me. I''ll drink to that!"


    Malcolm smiled and nodded, nked by two stern-looking elderly men who remained silent.


    "Mr. Graham, I like your straightforward and bold approach. It''s refreshing."


    The stakes of this deal were enormous, and Jack had thrown all caution to the wind, even preparing himself mentally to drink until hended in the hospital.


    In Dragonia''s business culture, much was achieved over drinks, and Jack understood this


    all too well.


    "Who would''ve thought you and Felix are such good brothers? What a small world," Malcolm said.


    Jack, sipping tea to ease the effects of the alcohol, quickly responded with augh. Exactly! Felix is truly one of a kind. I''m sure you''ll agree, Mr. Crayden-it must be fate."


    At that moment, the private room''s door opened, and Felix walked in, Jack quickly stood


    1. up.


    "Mr. Crayden, I hope you don''t mind. I nned this as a surprise. Felix,e sit over here!


    Before Jack could say more, Felix grabbed Jack''s arm and turned to Malcolm.


    "He''s had too much to drink. How about I stay and take his ce?" Felix suggested.


    Malcolm''s smile deepened, carrying a hint of intrigue. "Sure, I never insist. And Mr. Graham has indeed had his share.


    11


    Jack, unfazed, leaned in to whisper to Felix, "Do your best. If this deal falls through, you''ll be buying me drinks every day!"


    After apologizing to Malcolm, Jack left the room, and Felix finally sat down.


    "Luckily, my friend''s fine. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have taken a seat with you," Felix stated firmly.


    Earlier, Felix had discreetly checked Jack-there were no signs of injuries, poison, or any other harm.


    Malcolm let out a softugh. "I haven''t sunk so low as to forget that families are off-limits.


    Felix frowned. "Then what''s the meaning of all this?"


    Malcolm idly traced patterns on his te with his cutlery before replying. "I was hungry and thought we could share a meal. I figured you''d show up on your own, saving me the trouble of reaching out." Seeing Malcolm''s smugness at being right, Felix couldn''t help but chuckle. "Interesting. I thought our business was already settled."


    Malcolm shook his head with a sigh.


    "Honestly, Felix, yourposure is remarkable. It''s a shame you''re not an actor. A cast-off from the Greene family, yet you fooled me, Malcolm Crayden? Impressive."


    Though his tone seemed casual, Malcolm''s anger was boiling over. As the proud young master of the Crayden family, one of the Eight Great Martial Families, he was ustomed to deference and respect. Yet here he was, chasing after someone from Canraville''s small fry, only to be sent packing in disgrace.

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    More importantly, the news about the incident leaked for some reason. Many people now knew about the story, and Malcolm became aughingstock throughout themunity.


    He could have swallowed his pride if Felix had still been part of the Greene family. But learning that Felix was just their cast-off heir who had no intention of returning changed everything. "We''re all adults here. Let''s just drop the act since we''re already sitting down," Felix said.


    Hearing Felix''s words, Malcolm did not hold himself back anymore. He mmed the table and stood up. "You''re nothing without the Greene family backing you! I''m here for payback." Felix smirked as he pointed at the two expressionless old men. "Are you going to do that with these old timers'' help?"


    The men''s eyes shed dangerously. They would have torn Felix apart if Malcolm had not held them back.


    "Old timers? It''s amazing how you can be so arrogant." With a wave of his hand, the men stood up together. Their aura filled every inch of the private room.


    But their confidence crumbled when Felix''s own aura emerged. It overwhelmed theirspletely.


    "Aetherial Realm!" they gasped with pale faces.


    "What? That''s impossible!" Malcolm was losing it. Though he was a martial prodigy from the Crayden family with unlimited resources, he had only achieved the Ultimate Mortal Realm now. He had been trying to break through to the Innate Realm.


    He had brought two elders at the Innate Realm over here for revenge. He thought he would surely win this fight, but Felix''s power had totally shattered their confidence. How could he have possibly achieved the Aetherial Realm at such a young age?


    After collecting himself, Malcolm took a deep breath. "Did you think you can do whatever you want just because you''re in the Aetherial Realm? Let me tell you the truth. If it was just me, I would have apologized and left.


    "But I have the Craydens backing me, and they''re one of the Eight Great Martial Families. Your Aetherial Realm power means nothing against us. Got it?"


    Felix snickered. Did these young heirs only know how to bully others with power and influence? "Just like what I saidst time, I wouldn''t have met you today if I feared the Craydens. Would the Craydens really dare to mess with an Aetherial Realm master who has nothing holding him back?"


    Narrowing his eyes, Malcolm had calmed himself down. "Hah, that''s threatening. But you''ve underestimated the Craydens. Besides, is there really nothing holding you back? Though your adoptive parents are dead, surely a talented man like you would have someone special.


    "Also, isn''t Jack your good friend? I said family is off-limits, but that doesn''t matter anymore since you''ve crossed a line."


    Seeing Felix''s silence, Malcolm thought he was on the winning end. He pointed at Felix. Come with me quietly. I''ll hold a press conference where you''ll kneel and beg for my forgiveness. I''ll let you live after breaking your arms."


    The door burst open, and a powerful voice rang out, "How dare a worthless piece of trash like you try to lecture my son?"

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    A wheelchair was pushed into the room by a middle-aged man with strong features. Though deathly pale, the man in the wheelchair had eyes that radiated terrifying power.


    A single nce from him made Malcolm tremble. He had only felt this kind of presence from the most powerful elders in his family.


    Felix, on the other hand, felt a storm of emotions. Blood ties could indeed be mysterious. Even if the man in the wheelchair had not spoken earlier, one look told Felix this was his biological father, Victor Greene.


    "Malcolm Crayden, you clearly didn''t take myst warning seriously. It''s quite annoying." Asher Greene followed them in while fixing Malcolm with an icy stare.


    Composing himself, Malcolm spoke, "Asher, Felix is just a cast-off heir with no ties to the Greene family as far as I''m concerned. Even if you''re protecting him, it''s because of your personal feelings!


    The Greene family may be powerful, but going against the entire Crayden family over your personal wishes seems like an unwise decision."


    His meaning was clear, and Asher understood perfectly. "True. Felix isn''t considered part of the Greene family. But he''s Uncle Victor''s son. That alone puts him beyond your reach."


    Uncle Victor? Malcolm did not dare meet Victor''s eyes again, but he said with disdain, "I''ve heard of Victor Greene before. Even the Greene family doesn''t want anything to do with him, am I right?"


    Though surprised by Asher and the other two''s appearance, Malcolm was confident about Felix and Victor''s current situation. The Greenes would surely not go all-out against him over these outcasts. After all, he was a direct Crayden heir.


    "Asher, that''s enough. Kill him." Right then, Victor frowned a little. Before he had even finished his sentence, the middle-aged man who had been pushing the wheelchair lifted a finger. Shocked, Malcolm staggered backward before looking down at the bloody hole in his chest.


    "How dare you kill me?" Malcolm never imagined dying like this. He was the top genius amongst the younger generation of the Crayden family and would most probably be the future head of the family. And yet...


    After Malcolm fell, Victor turned to the two elders who dared not move an inch. "Tell Augustus that I''ve killed his son. He has two other sons, so his line hasn''t ended yet. But I''ll send him to join Malcolm if he dares make any moves.


    11


    How outrageous and arrogant of him! The two elders could hardly believe their ears. They could not believe someone had not only killed Malcolm but dared to threaten Augustus,


    who was their current family head. What gave film such confidence?


    Not daring to answer him, they hurriedly carried Malcolm''s body out of the room, Whatever happened next was beyond their control and decision. "Leave us." Victor waved at the other two. The hiddle-aged man and Asher walked out. Asher gave Felix a meaningful look before leaving


    As the door closed, Victor''s expression softened. His eyes were filled with remorse. "Son, I


    Felix interrupted, "You have no right to call me that."


    Victor was not angry at his words. Instead, he said softly, "You''re right, I don''t. Though I have many reasons for doing so, I did abandon you back then. I failed as a father." Felix remained seated throughout all this. He showed no intention of getting up. "I didn''t agree to meet you just to hear your exnation. You probably know that."


    Now that he had finally met his biological father, Felix found himself surprisingly calm. He did not feel the slightest bit of fury.


    000


    00

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    Anyone could see the striking resemnce between the two men. From their appearances, it was clear they were father and son.


    Victor''s eyes


    welled up with tears. He would have preferred Felix to yell or curse at him irrationally. His calm attitude hurt more because it meant Felix saw him as a stranger. He could not even hate Victor. "I''m happy enough to have met you before I die."


    Victor pulled something from his pocket, and Felix''s expression instantly changed. However, he had suspected it, seeing and feeling the item before he confirmed it. The thing in Victor''s hands was the real Dragonspine. "It''s yours now, my child." Felix epted the Dragonspine. He nned to cultivate it after heading back.


    "I''m leaving then," Felix said.


    "Do you really have nothing to say to me?"


    Felix stopped andughed. "What should I say? Should I ask why you''d have a child you wouldn''t raise? Or how could you do something so heartless? Maybe I should punch you, shouldn''t I?


    "None of those words matter anymore." For a child, nothing could be more tragic than being born to parents who had no intention of raising you. Felix was abandoned without hesitation.


    Felix was lucky to have found good adoptive parents and a kind mentor, but what about other children like him? How many of them fell prey to traffickers or were adopted by cruel people? Some did not even survive past infancy. That was why Felix felt no guilt about how he was treating his biological father. Tears fell from Victor''s eyes as he watched his son''s retreating back.


    "Your mother..." Those words made Felix stumble a little, but he kept walking. "You''ll meet your mother one day. When that timees, perhaps you''ll forgive me after I die."


    Mother? Forgiveness? That day would nevere.


    After a while, a knock interrupted Victor''s thoughts. "Come in."


    Asher entered and walked straight over. "Uncle Victor, this kid doesn''t know what''s good for him. Just let me tell him the truth. Even the little bit of information I know would be enough for you two to reconcile." Victor shook his head and said, "Though I never raised my own son, one thing is clear from


    our interaction just now. He''s exactly like his mother. Even if you told him, it wouldn''t help recover anything."


    Asher could only give up with a bitter smile. "Lady N is here. Shall I let her in?"


    "Yeah."


    Asher left as N entered, his heart heavy, knowing that Victor''s dying wish could not be fulfilled. He felt sorry that he could not help as his nephew.


    "Uncle Victor, it seems things didn''t go as nned from the look on your face," N said.


    Victor beckoned her closer. "Come over. I''ll keep my promise. Whatever happens, thanks for getting him to meet me."


    N stepped forward and said, "I''m not a child. I didn''t actually help much; it was the message you told me to send him that helped. Even if I didn''t ask, you''d tell me the identity of Felix''s mother, wouldn''t you?" Without further words, Victor motioned for N to lean down and whispered, "She''s..."


    After hearing her name, N straightened abruptly. Her eyes were filled with unprecedented shock. "That''s Felix''s biological mother? You... must be joking." Today''s Bonus Offer

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    hapter 579


    "It''s up to you whether you want to believe it. I only told you because of your special position." Victor wheeled himself away, leaving N standing there stunned. The shock in her eyes only grew stronger with each passing moment. "That''s Felix''s mother?" Her expression shifted rapidly before she finally left with a bitter


    smile.


    Four days flew by. Felix stayed at home and focused on cultivating the third Dragonspine he had received from Victor. It was a matter of utmost importance.


    With his current strength, it only took him four days toplete the process. He smiled as he felt the presence of three Dragonspines within him.


    "I''ve finally built the foundation Mr. Hoffman spoke of." With three Dragonspines now, there was no need to panic even if something happened to the original one Gerald had marked. He could sense other Dragonspines within a certain range now. As he stretched, Xena called. "Though it''s a bitter than what I told you, they''ve arrived in Canraville. Let''s have dinner tonight. Those people from Medic''s Haven haven''t bothered you for the past four days at least, which means I wasn''t lying to you."


    Felix had not forgotten how Xena told him she would bring over someone influential from Medic''s Haven to mediate the matter. "Yeah, see you tonight. Thanks for your help."


    He drove his Range Rover out of the garage at sunset. Right then, he saw someone standing at his gate and was about to ring his doorbell. "Xerxes? What brings you here?"


    It was Xerxes Tate, son of Martial Alliance''s deputy leader, Thaddeus Tate. After the incident with Vanessa, he left his number in case Felix needed help dealing with Alliance members. He would definitely be able to sort out any trouble quicker than Felix could. Felix had not expected him to show up here today.


    "Mr. Zeller!" Xerxes jogged over with his face full of admiration. "I... I actually need to talk to you about something."


    Seeing his hesitation, Felix cut to the chase as he did not want to bete meeting Xena. "Just say it. I''m in a hurry."


    Xerxes scratched his head, and his face turned serious, which seemed quite odd. "Mr. Zeller, when did you cross paths with Pris?" Pris? Felix thought for a moment before remembering the haunted vige incident. "I had a brief encounter with them. Why?" hapter 579


    "It''s up to you whether you want to believe it. I only told you because of your special position." Victor wheeled himself away, leaving N standing there stunned. The shock in her eyes only grew stronger with each passing moment. "That''s Felix''s mother?" Her expression shifted rapidly before she finally left with a bitter smile.


    Four days flew by. Felix stayed at home and focused on cultivating the third Dragonspine he had received from Victor. It was a matter of utmost importance.


    With his current strength, it only took him four days toplete the process. He smiled as he felt the presence of three Dragonspines within him.


    "I''ve finally built the foundation Mr. Hoffman spoke of." With three Dragonspines now, there was no need to panic even if something happened to the original one Gerald had marked. He could sense other Dragonspines within a certain range now. As he stretched, Xena called. "Though it''s a bitter than what I told you, they''ve arrived in Canraville. Let''s have dinner tonight. Those people from Medic''s Haven haven''t bothered you for the past four days at least, which means I wasn''t lying to you." Felix had not forgotten how Xena told him she would bring over someone influential from Medic''s Haven to mediate the matter. "Yeah, see you tonight. Thanks for your help."


    He drove his Range Rover out of the garage at sunset. Right then, he saw someone standing at his gate and was about to ring his doorbell. "Xerxes? What brings you here?"


    It was Xerxes Tate, son of Martial Alliance''s deputy leader, Thaddeus Tate. After the incident with Vanessa, he left his number in case Felix needed help dealing with Alliance members. He would definitely be able to sort out any trouble quicker than Felix could. Felix had not expected him to show up here today.


    "Mr. Zeller!" Xerxes jogged over with his face full of admiration. "I... I actually need to talk to you about something."


    Seeing his hesitation, Felix cut to the chase as he did not want to bete meeting Xena. "Just say it. I''m in a hurry."


    Xerxes scratched his head, and his face turned serious, which seemed quite odd. "Mr. Zeller, when did you cross paths with Pris?"


    Pris? Felix thought for a moment before remembering the haunted vige incident. "I had a brief encounter with them. Why?"

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    425 20190S


    Thaddeus smiled. "Just as I expected. Any other reaction would have surprised me."


    Xerxes then became curious. He sat down and said, "Dad, I know Mr. Zeller has strong ties to one of the Eight Great Martial Families, the Saphira family. That proved how powerful he is.


    "But Pris is no pushover. They''re powerful enough to challenge the middle-ranked families among the Eight Great Martial Families."


    Thaddeus nodded and patted Xerxes'' head. "You''ve matured a lot since your encounter with Felix. I''m happy for you, so I''ll tell you more! Felix isn''t just any ordinary man. The Saphira family aside, he has Dragon Alliance backing him." Dragon Alliance? Xerxes was shocked as he broke out in a cold sweat. He felt wise for having set his ego aside and apologized to Felix immediately back then. If not, he might have been dead by now.


    "Doesn''t that mean Pris is asking for trouble by going after Mr. Zeller?"


    Thaddeus frowned. "Not necessarily. Pris has deep roots too. I told you to warn Felix about them for my own reasons because our family''s interests are involved. Let''s just wait and see."


    Meanwhile, Felix arrived at the restaurant where Xena was already seated. "Am Ite?"


    "No."


    Honestly, Felix felt touched. As the Phoenix Warlord, even the head of Medic''s Haven would bow to Xena when they met. Yet here she was, waiting early for his sake. She was essentially lowering her status in doing so.


    "I know you''re wondering why I didn''t just contact the head of Medic''s Haven since I now have the power to do so, right?" Xena remarked.


    Felix felt helpless. "True, but I can handle the trouble I caused myself."


    Xena gave him an exasperated look before continuing, "This is Medic''s Haven we''re talking about. It''s good to be confident, but blind confidence is too much! You were too impulsive when you did that right in front of their Law Enforcement Team.


    "If I threw my weight around as the Phoenix Warlord, it would cause terrible consequences! Among the Four Great Warlords, the other warlords apart from the Warlord of the East and the Shadowdragon Warlord disapprove of me. They''re just waiting to catch me slipping so they can force me to step down.


    "I don''t have to exin more about that, do I?"


    Felix shook his head. Xena''s position was not fully secure yet. While she did not have to walk on eggshells, it was close.


    Just then, a middle-aged man walked in. Anyone could tell that he was handsome when he was younger. "I can''t believe you''ve arrived earlier than I have, Lady Summers. You really shouldn''t."


    Xena stood up to make introductions. "It''s fine. Let me introduce my friend Felix Zeller. This is Mr. Edmund Fairfax, an elder from Medic''s Haven."


    During the handshake, Felix showed proper respect for Xena''s sake by keeping a humble attitude. "Mr. Fairfax, a pleasure to meet you.


    "Hah, the pleasure is mine, Felix. Being friends with the Phoenix Warlord proves you''re no ordinary person."


    As Xena was about to invite Edmund to sit, he spoke again. "Lady Summer, I''ll definitely honor your request since you''ve mentioned it. There''s no need for dinner. I suddenly have an urgent matter to tend to. "I''ll take Felix to Medic''s Haven the day after tomorrow, and I guarantee everything will be resolved. I''ll be leaving now, then!"


    While it seemed reasonable to Xena, Felix frowned. After Edmund left, Felix said, Something feels off."

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    Xena smacked Felix''s head yfully. "What feels off? Are you afraid I''m setting you up?"


    Felix turned around and retaliated without hesitation-smacking his hand on her bottom. A blush instantly rose to Xena''s cheeks. She red at him but did not do anything more.


    "So springy," Felix thought. Coming back to his senses, he then quickly changed the subject. "Edmund is poisoned."


    Xena''s brows furrowed. "Would it kill him?"


    "No, but the poison is quite unusual. The contact was too brief for me to determine its exact effects."


    This exnation put Xena at ease. "What''s there to be suspicious about, though? Edmund is an elder of Medic''s Haven and a skilled practitioner. Don''t traditional medicine practitioners like you often experiment on yourselves?" Then she grabbed Felix''s neck. "Try doing those kinds of things to me again and you''re dead!"


    Felix just smiled. Her threats only proved that they had grown closer to each other. After all, women would only get mad at men they cared about. All he needed now was just Curtis'' blessing, and things with Xena would naturally fall into ce. Early the next morning, Felix flew to Yartford. He had promised to attend George''s father''s birthday celebrationst time, after all.


    At the same time, Victor was in Yartford''s suburbs. There was a hidden paradise of flowing streams, lush trees, and pink flower fields swaying in the wind. Nobody would probably know there was such a beautiful ce in Yartford.


    "Uncle Victor, are you sure you don''t want me to stay with you in your final moments?" Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Asher tried to hide his sadness by perching his head on his hands.


    From his wheelchair, Victor gazed at the house in the distance as if he were lost in memories. "It''s alright. You should head back. I''ve already nned how to spend my moments."


    final


    Asher got up and bowed to him. Just when he was about to leave, a voice called out, "Mr. Yate, Lady N requests to see you."


    Asher was surprised. This was Victor''s private sanctuary, and only a few people within the Greene family knew. How did N even find it? "Let her in."


    N appeared shortly. Still wearing her veil, her eyes were zing with fury.


    4


    "Lady N, perhaps you should leave if you''re this angry. Uncle Victor shouldn''t be disturbed right now." Asher''s displeasure was obvious. It was as if she was looking for trouble.


    Ignoring him, N stopped and stared at Victor, "Uncle Victor, I respect you because of the stories I''ve heard. But it''s quite inappropriate to use that power and deceive someone younger, isn''t it?" Victor smiled faintly. "Deceive? How so?"


    "You said that person was Felix''s mother. Do you have any idea what I went through these past four days to get an answer from her? She said she''s not! She''s never even heard of Felix or you!" What! For a moment, even Asher thought Victor might stand up.


    "You... you were actually able to contact her?" Victor''s eyes zed as he stared at N.


    "I couldn''t at first, but what you said was too important to ignore. Whether it was true or not would affect all my future ns and fate, so I paid an enormous price to find out about it. But you were just deceiving me.

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    N''s body trembled hard as she spoke. She had spent one of her few ultimate trump cards just to verify Victor''s words. It was something that could save her life in a crucial moment, but it was now wasted.


    This showed how powerful this mysterious person was. N could not even meet her in person, and she had to pay such a steep price for an answer.


    "I was wrong for underestimating you! I can''t believe you could contact her at this time." Victor''s face turned ashen. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.


    "Uncle Victor!" Asher rushed over and red at N.


    "It''s not her fault. My time hase." Blood now flowed from his nose, ears, and even his eyes. Even N''s expression changed. What kind of illness could cause such a horrific death?


    "Of "Felix, it''s my fault. It''s all my fault!" Both tears and blood poured from his eyes. course, she wouldn''t admit it now that you''ve managed to contact her! It''s all my fault. Instead of giving my son hope, I''ve put him in great danger." N seemed to understand something but dared not ask about it in this situation.


    "They''reing." These were Victor''s final words before his head dropped. Watching Asher sob heartbrokenly, N could only retreat with guilt.


    She pondered thosest words. What did he mean by "they''reing"? Was it rted to her question about Felix''s mother?


    At the Zimmerman residence in Yartford, Ryan and Felix arrived by car.


    "Mr. Zeller, I''m sorry I couldn''t pick you up at the airport." George, who had been waiting, hurried to greet them.


    "Nonsense. Don''t worry about it."


    George had asked Felix to bring over some people from Moonshadow Alliance, and he did not see any of them. But he dared not ask Felix about it. Felix had always been a man of his word, after all.


    When the three entered the front courtyard, George suddenly remembered something. "Oh right, Mr. Zeller. I''ve invited two people you''ll be happy to see."


    Following his gesture, Felix smiled. Madeline and her fianc¨¦, Luke, were approaching quickly. It had been a while since he had seen his old ssmate.


    "Felix!" Madeline hugged Felix without hesitation.


    "I think you''ve gained weight, Maddy. Luke must be feeding you well."


    Madeline rolled her eyes. "What nonsense! Don''t you know you shouldn''t call a woman fat? You''re asking for a beating!"


    Beside them, Luke beamed with joy. After all, she was finally about to be his wife.


    As they chatted, someone whispered to George. His expression changed immediately. "Mr. Zeller, I''ll be right back."


    But Felix grabbed his arm. "Did you think I couldn''t hear it when we''re this close? The Craydens are here. Since you didn''t invite them they must be here for me. Let''s go. We shouldn''t spoil your dad''s birthday party." Before George could answer, Felix walked out. Ryan followed and asked, "How could the Craydens still cause you trouble? We heard Malcolm was scared off like a coward when the Greene family stepped in." Felix did not stop walking, but his answer made their jaws drop. "Malcolm Crayden is dead.

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    Malcolm was dead! He was the eldest son of the Crayden family-one of the Eight Great Martial Families. Was he really dead? Besides, Felix announced it as if he had witnessed it himself.


    Logically, this should have caused massive waves in their circles. Yet, they had not heard a whisper of it till meeting Felix today. George was startled when they reached the entrance.


    "Who are you waiting for, Dad?" The middle-aged man nearby was George''s father, Reginald Zimmerman. After hearing George, he turned and hurried over.


    "Felix, you''re here already!" Reginald eximed.


    Felix nodded. "Yes, Uncle Reginald. Were you here waiting for me?"


    "Of course! This little rascal didn''t even tell me you''d arrived."


    His sincerity was obvious. George exined, "Dad, I saw you were busy entertaining your friends, so I thought I''d wee Mr. Zeller myself."


    Though pleased with his son''s rtionship with Felix, Reginald knew proper etiquette was important. After all, Felix''s support would decide whether George could be the future head of the Zimmerman family. "I''m d you''re here. Oh, why is everyone out here?" Reginald asked.


    Noticing a car approaching, George grew anxious. But Felix smiled and said, "A friend of mine ising, Uncle Reginald. Please, don''t let us keep you."


    Hearing Felix''s words, Reginald agreed and returned inside. The car George had spotted stopped. A young man stepped out, wearing sunsses and sporting striking red hair.


    "Mr. Zeller, this is Malcolm''s second younger brother, Axel Crayden." The Craydens certainly had interesting names.


    "Haha! Meeting you in person feels way better than just hearing about you! You''re Felix Zeller, right?" Pushing his sunsses up, Axel greeted Felix like an old friend.


    "You came here just to see me. Why is that?"


    While snapping his fingers, Axen''s smile widened. "I just heard you wereing to Yartford and wanted to thank you in person! If not for you, who knows how many more years my insufferable brother would have lived?" Felix was dumbfounded as he shot George and Ryan a look. Was this really Malcolm''s


    brother?


    "Are you surprised? In our family, there''s no taboo about someone''s death! When Malcolm was alive, his presence was suffocating. He would beat and scold us as he pleased. Now


    that he''s dead, we canpete fairly again. Shouldn''t I thank you for this?"


    From the look in his eyes, Felix could tell Axel was speaking sincerely. But he was not quite sure how he should react to that.


    "Well, now that I''ve thanked you, I''ll be going now!"


    As Axel turned, Felix heard a message from him through telepathy. "But be careful, Felix! At first, our father and elders did not really care when Malcolm died since we could not challenge the Greene family. "But I heard that your biological father, Victor Greene, has passed. His death might cause my family to seek revenge. Heh! Good luck to you."


    Victor was dead? The timing did match what Lemuel had mentioned. But Victor''s death did not affect Felix even the slightest bit. To him, Victor was just a stranger.


    The three entered the grand hall. The tables were neatly arranged, and many guests were already seated.


    "Mr. Zeller, our table''s up in front. Everything''s been prepared."


    that he''s dead, we canpete fairly again. Shouldn''t I thank you for this?"


    From the look in his eyes, Felix could tell Axel was speaking sincerely. But he was not quite sure how he should react to that.


    "Well, now that I''ve thanked you, I''ll be going now!"


    As Axel turned, Felix heard a message from him through telepathy. "But be careful, Felix! At first, our father and elders did not really care when Malcolm died since we could not challenge the Greene family.


    "But I heard that your biological father, Victor Greene, has passed. His death might cause my family to seek revenge. Heh! Good luck to you."


    Victor was dead? The timing did match what Lemuel had mentioned. But Victor''s death did not affect Felix even the slightest bit. To him, Victor was just a stranger.


    The three entered the grand hall. The tables were neatly arranged, and many guests were already seated.


    "Mr. Zeller, our table''s up in front. Everything''s been prepared."


    T


    R


    vill

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    Their appearance at the front table seemed conspicuous. That was because even the youngest person seated there was in their 40s.


    Though Felix wanted to invite Madeline and Luke over, they declined. Sometimes, they had to know their ce to avoid seeming presumptuous.


    Just as they sat down, an older woman appeared.


    "Aunt Victoria!" George stood and bowed respectfully.


    "The head of the Zimmerman family hasn''t officially announced who their heir would be. But George''s uncle, Xavier Zimmerman, basically runs things now. His wife, Victoria Morgan, is quite the shrewd operator," Ryan whispered to Felix. Felix stayed quiet. When George asked for his help, he could already guess this involved family politics.


    "George, is this the guy who caused trouble to the Walsh family from Aleshire, Felix Zeller? I hear you''re good friends with him, aren''t you?"


    "Yes, Aunt Victoria."


    Since they were not allies, Felilx saw no need to be overly polite to her. Besides, the look in Victoria''s eyes showed she was clearly here to trouble him. Sure enough, Victoria''s smile faded after looking around.


    "Look around the room. Don''t you know where young people should be sitting? Yet you''re bringing your friends here in front of all these guests. Are you really trying to make me scold you?"


    George cursed inwardly. Damn it! How dare she act like she ran everything at Reginald''s birthday party?


    Outwardly, he said, "Aunt Victoria, Mr. Zeller''s seating here was arranged by my dad-


    "Go sit over there," she cut him off firmly. She did not even have to scold him as she was sure George would not dare defy her.


    "Sure, but that''s if Uncle Reginald tells me himself." George was relieved when Felix spoke up. If not, George would have been humiliated.


    When Victoria turned to Felix, contempt shed in her eyes. "I''ll overlook your rudeness since you''re a guest. Now go.


    Seeing Felix remain unmoving, Victoria grew furious.


    "You brat! Did you think you could repeat what you did to the Walsh family here? Do you think the Zimmermans are some small-time family? We know all about you!


    "You used up yourst favor with the Walsh situation, so why are you trying to act all high and mighty now? I''m giving you onest chance. Either move to those tables or I''ll have you thrown out! Even Reginald wouldn''t dare object if I do." How dare Felix think the Zimmermans were pushovers? He must have thought he could support Reginald by trading on what happened with the Walshes. What a joke!


    Dominic had warned her about this. She would not have dared toe over without a thorough investigation in advance. If Reginald wanted to show off his unique connections at his birthday, they would make sure he became aughingstock instead.


    "Aunt Victoria, Mr. Zeller invited people from Moonshadow Alliance to Dad''s birthday. Are you sure you want to send him to the back tables?" George could not hold back. Victoria was being too tant about her schemes.


    When she heard him mentioning Moonshadow Alliance, Victoria put on an eerie smile. " Hah, as if he could invite them! So what if he could? Uncle Dominic has prepared quite a surprise for your dad."


    She mused, "Did you guys think you could win against us with strategy? You''re too naive! Your dad can barely breathe under our pressure. Who do you think you are?"


    Just then, a voice rang out through the hall, "Lady Grey of the Elders'' Council has arrived to offer her blessings!"


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    "Lady Grey, you should have told us you wereing! I would have greeted you outside!" All eyes turned toward the voice. No one else had made such a grand entrance, so this was clearly someone extraordinary. Oddly enough, the one who had greeted her was not Reginald, who was having his birthday today. It was his brother, Dominic Zimmerman, instead. Many people thought it was strange.


    "George, what''s going on? Your uncle seems like he''s trying to steal the spotlight."


    Hearing Ryan''s words, George furrowed his brows too. "I had no idea about this. When did Uncle Dominic get to know people from the Elders'' Council? And this woman called Lady Grey must hold quite a position there. Felix looked over. "Have you guys heard of the Elders'' Council too?"


    Now, it was their turn to be surprised. Ryan quickly exined, "The Elders'' Council is an organization created by the Eight Great Martial Families. Of course, we know it. Is this your first time hearing about it, Mr. Zeller?"


    Felix fell silent. He then remembered Jeffrey mentioning that the Eight Great Martial Families had their own Elders'' Council. Truth be told, when he first heard the


    announcement, he thought it was the same Elders'' Council that wanted him dead. It was a false rm, apparently.


    "Have you heard of this Lady Grey before?" Felix asked.


    George shook his head. "Never."


    Then, George grew angry. "Uncle Dominic isn''t even trying to hide his intentions anymore. It''s my father''s birthday, yet he invites someone important from the Elders'' Council just to overshadow him and show everyone who the real future head of the Zimmerman family will be.


    "How despicable!" The Eight Great Martial Families were already formidable. Who would dare disrespect their Council?


    "Reginald, let me introduce Lady Grey of the Elders'' Council. I invited her to celebrate your birthday. Wonderful surprise, isn''t it?" Though Dominic had a friendly smile on his face, his eyes zed with threats and warnings.


    "I''m honored to have Lady Grey here," Reginald said politely.


    The woman chuckled. "You''re Mr. Dominic''s brother. Of course, I couldn''t turn him down when he asked me toe."


    She was clearly showing support for Dominic, which made Reginald upset. But he had to


    force a smile as he could not afford to offend the Elders'' Council.


    "Please follow me, Lady Grey."


    After a few steps, she seemed to notice something. "I''ll sit at that table."


    Dominic looked puzzled but quickly replied, "Of course, I''ll have it cleared-


    "No need. There are empty seats, and that''s enough for me. Go tend to your other duties."


    Though they were not close, Victoria caught the look in Dominic''s eyes and whispered darkly. "Lady Grey''sing to sit here, George! Don''t say I didn''t warn you. You know the consequences if Lady Grey finds anything displeasing."


    She red at Felix. "Especially you, boy. If you show any disrespect to Lady Grey, even Moonshadow Alliance couldn''t protect you-not that you have their protection anymore."


    If he could actually invite someone from Moonshadow Alliance, they would be here by now. He was clearly just lying and was trying to capitalize on the recent Walsh family incident again. Did he think everyone was a fool who would believe him so easily? As Victoria left, Felix noticed George''s clenched fists and the veins bulging on his neck.

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    Chapter 586 Chapter 586


    "The third-generation Grandmaster of Moonshadow Alliance should be here by now. Let me call and check," Felix said.


    George gave a bitter smile. "Mr. Zeller, don''t bother! It''s not your fault. No one expected Uncle Dominic to have this ace up his sleeve. Even if Moonshadow Alliance showed up now, it wouldn''t help."


    Seeing Felix''s confusion, Ryan whispered an exnation, "Moonshadow Alliance is indeed powerful in Dragonia, and few dare disrespect them as you saw with the Walsh family.


    "But the Eight Great Martial Families are beyond that league. Moonshadow Alliance could barely challenge one or two of the lowest-ranked families, and that''s only with their founder involved.


    "George''s uncle has actually managed to invite Lady Grey of the Elders'' Council. She seems influential just from her title. Offending her would mean making enemies of all Eight Great Martial Families. After all, the Council represents them."


    Could Moonshadow Alliance barely challenge the lowest-ranked families even with their founder? Felix had an odd expression on his face. The Alliance was founded by Dahlia, who was second only to the powerful Eloise.


    If Dahlia had heard about this, she might not have spared the existence of the Eight Great Martial Families. But since that was what George believed, Felix could not be bothered to correct him. It was not a life-or-death situation anyway, so he did not n to meddle. Just then, Lady Grey sat down and looked at Felix. "I''m d to see you''re still alive, Felix." Confused, Felix nced over and sized her up. He had not met her before. "From the way you''re talking to me at our first meeting, you don''t seem to have good manners. George and Ryan were terrified. What was happening? Why were they shing already when they had just met each other? George could see Dominic and Victoria watching intently, ready to intervene at the slightest provocation.


    "It''s true that we haven''t met, but I''ve heard much about you! Though others call me Lady Grey, I have a name. Does the name Pearly Grey ring any bells?"


    Felix now understood. So this was the woman who had an incident with Michelle''s boyfriend, Rnd. The Meadowspring incident and the Saphira family matter had all happened because of her.


    Looking at her, she seemed unremarkable except for her bearing. She hardly seemed like someone important. "No wonder you couldmand the Saphira family. So you''re Lady Grey from the Council. What, do we have unfinished business with each other?"


    Pearly smiled as if chatting with an old friend, though her eyes told a different story.


    "Of course we do. I rarely lose in any games. Never mind Michelle and Rnd, I won''t possibly let you off. I''ve just been too busy to deal with you. Don''t worry. I''ll take my time and y with you."


    Felix sneered and said, "You''re asking for death then.


    George and Ryan gasped. How dare Felix speak to someone from the Elders'' Council that way? Did he really fear nothing?


    "Let me take this call. Then we''ll discuss the opportunity I''m offering you." Pearly stood and walked away with her phone. It must have been an important call for her to step out.


    "Mr. Zeller, please don''t do anything rash! The Council represents the Eight Families, and she''s Lady Grey."


    Ryan had barely finished when George tried to persuade Felix too. But his eyes suddenly


    as if he saw a ghost.


    went wide. He stared at the seat beside Felix in disbelierlis


    "You... since when were you here?" George asked.

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    Chapter 587 for the


    Felix whirled around to look. The seat beside him had been empty as it was t third-generation Grandmaster of Moonshadow Alliance, Christie. Now, someone sat there. He would not have noticed if it had not been for George''s dramatic reaction. But this seemed impossible. With Felix''s capabilities, he should have noticed someone approaching so close even without actively sensing it. And yet...


    "Karina?" Felix was dumbfounded. The person suddenly sitting beside him was his fellow apprentice Karina.


    George and Ryan were too shocked by her sudden appearance to notice how casually he was addressing her, or they would have asked questions. After all, they were martial artists too, and they had not seen her arrive.


    "What? Are you not happy to see me?" Karina was dressed casually today. She was wearing light blue jeans and a yellow T-shirt with her hair tied up.


    "Of course I am. I was just quite surprised," Felix said.


    Upon seeing them chatting with each other, the other two realized Felix and Karina knew each other. As their thoughts shifted, they started ogling at her beauty.


    They could not help it. After all, Karina''s beauty and presence would captivate any man at first nce.


    "Mr. Zeller, do you know each other?" George and Ryan became even more polite, wishing they had a mirror to check their appearance.


    "Yes, she''s-"


    Karina cut in before Felix could finish. "I''m his godsister."


    Felix caught her meaningful nce and sighed. Right, Gerald had forbidden revealing their true rtionship.


    "Hello, Ms. Karina!" George and Ryan immediately stood and bowed to Karina.


    "Nice to meet you. Please sit."


    As they struggled internally, Karina began speaking to Felix via telepathy. "I was handling something in Yartford. Dahlia asked me toe since something came up at Moonshadow Alliance, and the Grandmaster you specified couldn''t make it."


    So that was the reason. He had thought Christie would actually dare to stand him up. "Did Dahlia even tell you what this was about before sending you?"


    "She did. She said it was to attend some birthday party, though I didn''t bring a gift."


    Speechless, Felix rolled his eyes. This was typical of Eloise, Dahlia, and Karina anyway. Among his nine fellow apprentices, these three were the most diligent and powerful. Before he could respond, an unwee voice interrupted, "George! Where''s Lady Grey? Did you say something inappropriate?"


    Victoria had appeared, along with Dominic and Reginald. Their wine sses suggested they hade to toast. It was understandable since Pearly''s status warranted being the first to receive toasts. "No, she went to take a call."


    Dominic''s expression darkened. "How dare you still make excuses? You clearly need a good lesson. Don''t you agree, Reginald?"


    What could Reginald do while under pressure? He could not fight against his older brother in the first ce. And now, with the Council involved, he could only swallow his anger. George, apologize to Lady Greyter!" Then he noticed the new person beside Felix and quickly changed topics, "Mr. Zeller, who is this?"


    He guessed she was from Moonshadow Alliance, but it hardly mattered now. They could not possibly outrank the Council. He just wanted to stop Dominic from causing more trouble for his son and friend.

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    "She''s my godsister," Felix replied.


    Karina did not even bother to get up. She just nodded to greet them.


    Victoria immediately seized this opportunity to insult them. "Hah! One person gets invited, and the whole family has toe along and eat! Why are you even bringing your rtives to a birthday party? "What, have you never been to such a fancy event before, Felix? And this godsister of yours is ill-mannered as you. Everyone else is standing while you two stay seated."


    Dominic was harsher. He even pointed toward the exit. "Both of you, get out! What an embarrassment, George, if you ever bring friends like this to public events again, I will throw you out of the family." Felix''s body tensed at these words. Stiffly, he turned to look at Karina. Their eyes met as she asked casually, "Can I kill them?"


    Felix gulped. This was his worst fear. In normal circumstances, Dominic and Victoria would already be headless. The fact she was asking showed she was really trying to respect Felix''s wishes. Before he could respond, Pearly returned. And the group eagerly moved to greet her. As Pearly raised her ss, she spotted Karina and froze.


    "You... you..." she stammered. She could not even formplete sentences. Her eyes were filled with horror. She remembered how this woman had appeared when she was trying to kill Rnd and Michelle just recently.


    When she appeared before her great-grandfather, Pearly was there too. Pearly had always seen her great-grandfather as invincible and dismissive of everyone. Yet, he had shown ultimate respect and even fear toward Karina.


    And now, this woman had appeared again at her very table. Everyone noticed Pearly''s dramatic reaction and turned to look at Karina!


    "Why are you still sitting with this worthless woman?" Karina''s sudden words shocked everyone. Did she just call Lady Grey a worthless woman?


    "I didn''t want to. She came over herself."


    After hearing this answer, Karina pointed to another table. "Go somewhere else. It''s irritating to see you. Unless you''d like to argue with me."


    Pearly was mortified as she had felt that powerful killing intent before. Her great-grandfather had paid some price just to get a warning instead of something much worse. How could she dare defy Karina?


    "Of course, I''ll leave right away. Sorry for disturbing you." She even bowed before hurrying away. She had decided to never trouble Felix again.


    That scene revealed the extraordinary rtionship between Karina and Felix. George''s expression was priceless. The mighty Lady Grey of the Elders'' Council, whom Dominic''s group had fawned over, was cowering like a servant before Felix''s godsister. What was going on?


    George saw Reginald still frozen there, with Dominic and Victoria''s pretenses shattered. He got up and said, "Dad, Mr. Zeller''s godsister came to wish you a happy birthday. Why are you just standing there? You should offer a toast!"

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    Of course, Reginald understood what George meant. He had just been too shocked. Who could have imagined Felix''s godsister would have such authority over Pearly?


    "Mr. Zeller, allow me to toast your godsister." He did not dare address Karina directly, so he spoke to Felix instead, who was closer to him. "Sorry, Uncle Reginald. Karina doesn''t drink." Hering here was already pushing limits. There was no way she would get up and drink.


    "Of course, of course. I''ll drink to show my respect then. Please enjoy yourselves."


    Reginald could not care less about the refusal. He was overjoyed. Dominic thought he was so powerful, yet his "important guest" had been immediately put in her ce. It served them right!


    Standing there, Dominic and Victoria''s expressions were dark, but they did not dare to make a sound. After all, what could they do if even Pearly had run away in disgrace?


    "Karina, you can go now," Felix said.


    Karina nodded. "Alright."


    George''s matter was essentially resolved. Knowing Karina disliked such asions, Felix naturally took the initiative to let her leave early.


    "Take care, Ms. Karina!" As Karina stood, George and Ryan hurriedly bowed again. They had witnessed true understated power today. Clearly, everyone connected to Felix was extraordinary. Who would believe that Pearly would be terrified by just his godsister? "Mr. Zeller, cheers!" After Karina left, George filled a wine ss to the brim and downed it in one go.


    Felix smiled. "Is everything settled now?"


    George was ecstatic. "Absolutely! If this doesn''t count, then my dad truly wouldn''t deserve to lead the Zimmerman family. At least Grandpa saw everything."


    He could barely contain hisughter, thinking about how Dominic and Victoria would have to avoid them from now on.


    Ryan sidled up to Felix. "Mr. Zeller, um... is your godsister single? Would I have a chance?"


    As Felix patted Ryan''s shoulder, his initial hope turned to twitching lips when Felix said, "Sure! Love is free. You''ve got a chance if you can survive one strike from her. But fair warning-three of thest five suitors are paralyzed, and two became vegetative." Ryan scrambled back to his seat and waved frantically. "I was just kidding! Haha! I was totally joking!"


    Felix left half an hourter, with Reginald seeing him off with warmth and enthusiasm.


    "Luke, stay and have some drinks with me. Your cousin Sean ising soon." As Luke was about to leave with Felix, George held him back


    "Since he insists, you should stay for drinks. I will chat with Felix a bit before heading home." Madeline blinked at Luke, who smiled bitterly. He knew his low alcohol tolerance would be his doom today.


    As Felix and Madeline strolled around a park in Yartford, Madeline had never felt better. We''ve started apany for the pasta shop, thanks to Luke''s sister''s help. The direct- owned and franchise stores will open soon. Your first dividend will arrive then!" Felix did not really care about the dividends, but he could not refuse Madeline''s goodwill.


    "I know you''ve always wanted to prove yourself. Now you have! I hope you know that your sess has nothing to do with me-it''s all your own effort."


    Chapter

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    Madeline smiled without saying anything. Forget her marriage to Luke. She knew well that even the pasta business would not have been this smooth without Felix''s help.


    Starting a business meant dealing with countless officials and stakeholders. Only Luke''s sister''s connections made it so easy. And those conveniences did not fall from the sky- they came through Felix. "Maddy, you should go. I''ll head to the airport myself," Felix said.


    Felix''s sudden words seemed odd to Madeline until she spotted someone approaching aggressively. "Okay. I''m nning to visit Canraville in a few days. We''ll meet up with Jack then."


    Almost as soon as Madeline left, Asher stood before Felix with cold eyes. "Come with me!" Despite themanding tone, Felix remained calm. "Are we that close?"


    Asher tried to grab him. It was impressive that he had reached the Ultimate Mortal Realm at such a young age, but he was no match for Felix. When Asher''s arm was caught, his whole body became immobilized. "Get lost! Try that again, and I won''t be so nice."


    With bloodshot eyes, Asher roared, "Damn it! Are you heartless? Uncle Victor is dead! Even if you wouldn''t speak to him while alive, can''t you at least visit his grave now and let his spirit rest in peace?"


    Felix shook his head. "He''s a stranger to me. Why should I visit his grave? Asher, do you think your love and care for Victor existed since you were a baby?" Asher froze in confusion.


    "Your feelingse fromter interactions when you experienced his kindness and care for you. Without those, would you feel sad at all when he died?" Felix pointed to a distant passerby, and his voice grew colder as he said, "If that person had an ident, would you grieve?"


    Asher fell silent. He finally understood what Felix meant. He seemed to have no right to demand anything.


    "Don''t bother me again," Felix said bluntly.


    While watching Felix leave, Asher was speechless. He was right. What was the point of giving birth to a child if Victor could not raise him and take care of him?


    After a moment, Asher shouted defiantly when Felix was still in sight, "Whether you ept it or not, you share the same blood as Victor Greene! You''ll always be his son. And your Chapter 590


    birth mother too-even Uncle Victor didn''t know where she was."


    As Felix boarded his ne, a maid approached Curtis at Xena''s home in Canraville. "Mr. Summers Senior, there''s a woman outside asking for you."


    Curtis went to look. Though he did not recognize her, something in her gesture made him change his mind about refusing. He went outside and stood at the locked gate with the woman.


    "Do you need something from me?"


    The woman smiled as if to make herself appear friendly and kind. "I''m here to deliver something to you on someone''s behalf."


    She handed him a letter. After taking it, Curtis'' expression grewplex. He did not notice the woman leaving as his eyes were fixated on the word "Spring" on the envelope. "You''ve finally appeared," Curtis muttered.

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    Xena came home to find a table full of food that night. Puzzled, she turned to Alice Gunner, their housekeeper. "Are we havingpany tonight?"


    Alice said with a smile, "I''m not sure. Mr. Summers Senior just asked me to prepare all this food."


    Her grandfather did? Xena figured Curtis must be expecting friends over since nothing else made sense.


    "You''re home, Xena. Wash up and join me for a drink." As Curtis walked down the stairs, he beamed like a teenager in love. Xena stared at him, dumbfounded.


    "What''s got you-in such high spirits, Grandpa?"


    "Let''s discuss it over dinner."


    While Xena poured them both some wine, her curiosity burned. "Can you tell me now?" As it turned out, this feast was not for guests. He was just in a great mood. "My greatest burden has finally been lifted. Isn''t that worth celebrating?"


    Xena did not even know he had any burdens. "Will you tell me about it?"


    Curtis nodded. His eyes were filled with nostalgia and memories.


    "Long ago, I hurt someone I loved deeply. I was young and foolish then, so I was blind to the fact that my greatest happiness was right in front of me. Everything was toote by the time I realized it. I know it might seem disrespectful to yourte grandmother, but that''s the truth."


    Despite her status as the Phoenix Warlord, Xena was still a woman at heart. This glimpse into her grandfather''s romantic past had herpletely hooked. "Who was she? Grandpa, I never knew you had such a past!"


    Curtis sighed as he took a sip of wine. "We all make mistakes, and that was my biggest one. She has a beautiful name, so I''ll never forget it. Her name is Sarah Spring."


    What? Xena''s jaw dropped. Unless she was mistaken, this had to be the same Madam Spring she had been trying to track down for months but without any sess.


    Of all ces to hear that name again, she had heard it from her own grandfather! She was Curtis'' long-lost love? Ah, if he only knew that the Phantom Poison that nearly killed him was her doing.


    "What''s with that look on your face? Have you heard of Sarah before?" Curtis asked.


    Chuckling, Xena quicklyposed herself. It was better to keep those details to herself." No, I just think it''s a lovely name."


    After sharing many stories over dinner, Curtis turned to Xena with a serious expression. He said, "Xena, about you and Felix... I won''t stand in your way anymore. Looking back, I see that the kidnapping incident seemed too suspicious. There were too many inconsistencies when I thought about it clearly.


    "He''s a good man. If you truly love him, you have my blessing."


    Xena was stunned. Before she could ask about this sudden change of heart, Curtis had already headed upstairs. Could Sarah have something to do with this?


    The next morning, Felix had barely finished getting ready when Xena showed up at his door.


    "Is there something else you want to remind me about?" He was supposed to head to Medic''s Haven with Edmund today, so her sudden visit caught him off guard. "Take this satellite phone. It''spact and works anywhere. I''ve programmed it. Just hit speed dial one if you''re in trouble, and I''ll know right away."


    Felix gave her a warm smile. "Are you so worried about me?"


    To his surprise, Xena nodded without hesitation. Her expression was dead serious too.

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    "Yes. Let''s start dating after youe back from Medic''s Haven," Xena said.


    Felix stood there stunned for a long moment before asking, "Are you serious? What about your grandfather?"


    "He''s given us his blessing and said he won''t interfere anymore. I''m not sure exactly what changed his mind, but he''s approved."


    Felix could barely contain his excitement. His feelings for Xena were genuine. And now that he had a chance to cure Madam Spring''s poison without dying in the process, everything seemed perfect.


    Without thinking, he swept Xena up in his arms and spun her around. She did not resist his actions either.


    After dedicating so many years to her career and reaching the pinnacle as the Phoenix Warlord, perhaps it was also time to find happiness in love. There was nowhere higher to climb professionally, so why not have it all? Later, Felix met up with Edmund. They then flew to a remote city where a car awaited them at the airport.


    "Is it your first time visiting Medic''s Haven, Felix?" Edmund asked.


    "Sort of.


    Edmund felt helpless hearing Felix''s vague response.


    Felix had traveled there years ago with Gerald, the miracle doctor, but had not actually entered. Averill had been with them too, but she had dragged him off to y before they could go in.


    ording to Averill, Medic''s Haven was not anything special. It was just a bunch of people obsessed with medical research and the overwhelming smell of herbs that smelled revolting.


    Their car wound up a spiraling mountain road. They had not seen another vehicle for hours on the way.


    "This is the private road to Medic''s Haven. They built it themselves, so it''s usually empty," Edmund exined.


    Felix kept staring out the window as he spoke, "Mr. Fairfax, we''re far from civilization now. Why don''t you tell me what''s really going on? I''m only here because of your connection to Xena. Otherwise, you wouldn''t have this chance at all."


    Edmund''s brow furrowed, anger shing in his eyes. "What do you mean by that? Are you implying that I mean you harm? Like you said, if Lady Summers hadn''t asked, why would I bother with such a thankless task?"


    Felix turned slowly, his calm gaze making Edmund lean back unconsciously. "Are you sure about that? Or are you worried about our driver?"


    11


    For some reason, Edmund fell silent. A few minutes passed before he shook his head. Don''t overthink it. I know you''re under a lot of stress after what happened, but I''ve given both you and Lady Summers my word. What else are you worried about?"


    Felix said nothing more and turned back to the window. He had given Edmund his chance. "There''s Medic''s Haven," Edmund pointed out an hourter as they started their descent. Felix had seen it before, though he had not paid much attention then because of Averill''s constant chatter. Looking at it now, he had to admit it was impressive.


    The valley below was filled with ssical architecture spread across a vast area. That was where Medic''s Haven was. As it was surrounded by massive wooden barriers, it was impossible for ordinary people to stumble in, even if they had gotten close by ident. Finally, they stopped at the only entrance. Over a dozen guards stood watch, each radiating power at the Ultimate Mortal Realm level. It was enough to scare even a Martial Saint. 1


    As Felix stepped out of the car, someone approached him with a smile. "Aren''t you surprised to see me alive, Felix?"

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    The man approaching was none other than Ethan.


    "Hah, looks like Medic''s Haven hasn''t been standing still these past years." Felix smiled. The poison he had used was not particrly sophisticated, but it was not something just anyone could detect and neutralize either. "Are you admitting that you''ve poisoned me then?" As Ethan walked closer, his smile vanished.


    He never would have imagined that someone could poison him without detection. After all, he was considered a rising star at Medic''s Haven. If he hadn''t happened to deliver something to a Supreme Elder, he would be dead by now.


    Instead of answering, Felix turned to Edmund, who had not said a word since they arrived. "So bringing me here to ''resolve things'' was just a cover for my execution, wasn''t it?" Edmund sighed. "Felix, I''m sorry, but my hands are tied. Poisoning a member of Medic''s Haven is an act of war against our entire organization. If Lady Summers hadn''t be involved, we would have taken you by force instead of escorting you here."


    Felix smiled. "Seems like the higher-ups don''t trust their own elders much either. If not, they wouldn''t have poisoned you too.


    Edmund''s expression changed at his words. "Did you actually manage to detect the poison in my body?"


    The poison had been personally administered by Jasper ckthorn, the leader of Medic''s Haven himself. Only three of Dragonia''s top ten master healers could detect it, yet Felix could sense it too. His medical skills were truly extraordinary. What a shame. Dragonia could have had another young master healer, but now it was too


    "Mr. Fairfax, Mr. ckthorn is waiting. Shall we?" Ethan was eager to see Felix''s downfall. Whatever the higher-ups'' opinion of the Fairfax family, Edmund was still an elder deserving of respect.


    "Come along, Felix. There''s no point resisting now. Let''s see what Mr. ckthorn decides, "Edmund said.


    As if confirming Edmund''s words, the dozen guards unleashed their intimidating auras skyward. Their sharp gazes were fixed on Felix.


    "Since I dared toe, I might as well see what Medic''s Haven has be,"


    Ethan had been sneering at Felix. Nobody could decide their own fate at Medic''s Haven. But he was enraged by Felix''s reaction. He clenched his fists, and veins bulged in his neck.


    Rather than showing any fear, Felix was strolling around like a tourist. He looked at everything with interest and even offered casualments. "Nice market you''ve got here. There''s street food from all over! The smell is making me hungry." He walked over to a vendor. "One chocte pancake, please." (1


    "You!"


    Before Ethan could speak, Edmund waved him off. "Let him eat if he wants."


    Taking a deep breath, Ethan said sarcastically, "Sure, he might as well have ast meal. How generous of me."


    Poor fool. If Ethan knew his dear friend Malcolm had already been killed, would he still dare to challenge Felix like this?


    "What are you standing there for? Pay for it. Don''t tell me you expect your guest to cover the bill on your own turf?" Felix took a bite of his pancake and walked away, scolding Ethan.


    Damn it! How dare Felix act that way?


    After paying, Ethan gritted his teeth in rage while forcing himself to stay calm. The show would start soon enough. Poisoning a member of Medic''s Haven was a capital offense, so death was certain. It was just a matter of how. Chapter 594

 Billionaire With Husband 594

    Chapter


    594


    Felix kept buying snacks along the way since he really was hungry. Meanwhile, Ethan had to trail behind like a servant as he grudgingly paid for everything.


    When they reached a grand hall, Felix did not need to guess what it was. Ethan''s excited expression said it all. This was where the leader of Medic''s Haven was. "Want to bet you''ll be the one dying today instead? Just wait and see," Felix challenged. Ethan scoffed at this absurd im and followed Felix inside with a cold smile.


    The hall was lined with two rows of wooden armchairs, all upied by elders. Edmund took the only empty seat. At the head of the room sat a middle-aged man. That was probably Jasper ckthorn himself.


    "Mr. ckthorn! This is Felix Zeller, the scum who attacked me in front of thew enforcement team and poisoned me in secret!" After his outburst, Ethan fell silent. He knew better than to speak out of turn before Jasper and the elders.


    While Jasper studied Felix silently, an elderly man pped his armchair''s handle.


    As Ethan''s mentor, it was natural for Henrik Whitman to speak up first.


    Felix remained rxed as he pulled out the satellite phone Xena had given him. "Lady Summers gave me this satellite phone. One press and she''ll know I''m in danger. Medic''s Haven may be powerful, but do you really want to challenge the Phoenix Warlord?"


    While Jasper continued his silent observation, Henrik spoke again. "Ha! True, we dare not offend the Warlord. She''s a government official, after all! But now that you''re here, we have plenty of ways to avoid suspicion of murdering you. Why else would we bring you here so openly?"


    Felix smoothly pocketed the phone and tossed his cell phone to Jasper. "Check my contacts list before you speak. If I didn''t have connections to someone important in your Medic''s Haven, I wouldn''t waste time like this."


    Jasper caught the phone as several elders rose from their seats. "Such arrogance! Do you think you own this ce?"


    "Connections to someone here? Who exactly?"


    "You''re young but full of hot air. No one can save you from what you''ve done!" Finally, Jasper spoke in his gravelly voice. "Impressive. The Warlord of the East, the Shadowdragon Warlord... These contacts are indeed remarkable-if they''re real." Everyone present was stunned. Was this kid from a Warlord family? Including Xena, he knew three of Dragonia''s five current Warlords! Having direct contact with figures of that


    caliber would mean he had significant connections.


    "Mr. ckthorn, whink this? He''s clearly faked those contacts because of how guilty he felt. How could someone so young know so many Warlords?"


    Felix smiled. "You''re all just a bunch of frogs in a well. Your limited vision blinds you. Just because you can''t do something doesn''t mean others can''t. Should I make a call to prove it? Remember, my patience has limits. Don''t force me to handle this another way." Jasper tossed the phone back and leaned against his chair. "I''m curious. What exactly is this other way you speak of?"

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    Ethan''s expression kept shifting. Jasper had always been known for his swift decisions, so why was he dragging out Felix''s judgment like this?


    Pocketing his phone, Felix shook his head slightly. "Let me ask you something. What proof do you have that I poisoned Ethan? And have you even investigated his actions?"


    While Jasper remained expressionless, Henrik sneered and said, "Medic''s Haven''s reputation speaks for itself. Ethan is my disciple, and his character is impable. He''s always stayed true to our mission of healing. What''s there to investigate? "As for the poisoning, you must have done it if he says so! After all, he''s a trustworthy man.


    Felixughed. "Incredible. So this is what Medic''s Haven has be? If the founder of Medic''s Haven knew, he''d be rolling in his grave!"


    Instantly, murderous intent filled the hall. Every elder jumped to their feet in rage. They would have torn Felix to pieces right there if Jasper had not held his silence.


    Even Edmund frowned deeply. Felix actually dared insult their great founder, Orion Kingsley. Even with connections to the Warlords, Felix had just signed his death warrant.


    "How dare you!"


    "Kill him!"


    "Get on your knees right now! Who gave you the audacity to insult our founder?"


    Ethan barely held back hisughter. Felix was practically begging for a cruel death. Everyone in Medic''s Haven had the utmost respect for Orion. Felix was doomed even if he had merely insulted Orion.


    As Jasper remained seated, he raised his hand slightly.


    "Everyone, sit down. Felix, I''ll give you a chance to demonstrate this ''other method'' you speak of. If you can''t save yourself, you''ll face punishment. I guarantee you''ll be the first to experience our most severe penalty since its creation."


    Seeing how far Medic''s Haven had strayed from what Gerald had described, Felix decided to stop wasting time. "In that case, I''m done wasting breath on you old fools. Call Magnus Grimwald here."


    The elders were already angry enough. Hearing his words made their faces darkened as they could barely suppress their fury. After insulting their founder, Felix had the gall to casually name-drop their most senior and respected Supreme Elder. This was beyond outrageous.


    "Silence!" Understanding the situation, Jasper barked out the order to stop the elders from doing whatever they were about to do. "I''ll go invite Mr. Grimwald. Don''t cause trouble."


    As Jasper vanished, Henrik''s expression darkened. "What is Mr. ckthorn thinking? Does he actually believe this brat knows Mr. Grimwald? How absurd!"


    Though the others stayed quiet, they clearly agreed with that from the looks on their faces. Magnus'' status and influence were second only to Orion himself. How could some upstart kid possibly know him?


    "Since that incident five years ago, Mr. ckthorn has be more cautious in handling things. It''s understandable, so stopining. This boy''s dead either way."


    As another elder spoke up, everyone else recalled something. Even Henrik snorted and fell silent, seemingly understanding Jasper''s caution.


    "Mark my words, once Mr. ckthorn exins the situation, Mr. Grimwald won''t even bother showing up."

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    Finally, they had reached the heart of the matter. Magnus was their most senior Supreme Elder, and no one knew his exact age. He never appeared even at Medic''s Haven''s grandest ceremonies. How could he possibly show up for some unknown person like Felix? It would be a joke if they entertained everyone who imed to know Magnus. Would Magnus possibly show up and verify each im personally every time?


    Ethan remained unconcerned. He knew Jasper''s caution stemmed from that incident five years ago and Felix''s connection to Xena. But none of that mattered now since Felix would surely die.


    Less than ten minutester, Jasper returned. This time, he stood near Felix instead of taking his seat. "Wee, Mr. Grimwald!"


    All the elders hurriedly stood, their faces shocked. Impossible! Magnus had actuallye? "Wee, Mr. Grimwald!" Whatever their thoughts were, they had to show proper r¨¨spect


    to Magnus.


    As someone coughed, Felix heard an elderly voice. "I want to see the youngster who dares insult Orion and ims to know me."


    Felix turned to see a white-haired elder slowly entering the great hall with a walking stick. For the first time in his life, Felix saw what true benevolence looked like in human form.


    "Young man, I''m not sure if you know me, but I certainly don''t know you." Magnus studied Felix carefully. Despite mentioning Felix''s insult to their founder, his clear eyes showed no anger.


    "It''s natural you don''t recognize me, but you''ve probably seen this before."


    Magnus caught what Felix tossed him. After just a nce, his expression turned to surprise. "Oh? A Miracle Card! I haven''t seen one of these in ages."


    A Miracle Card? Everyone was puzzled. While they were surprised Felix had one, wasn''t the card just for summoning the miracle doctors in emergencies? What good would that do now? It was not like he had a miracle doctor as his father! Felix raised his right hand, and the card flew back to him. "Yes, it''s a Miracle Card. But Mr. Grimwald, please look more carefully."


    He tossed it again. Though Magnus caught it, his brows furrowed as he was confused by the repeated action.


    "Felix! How dare you toy with Mr. Grimwald?" Having reached his limit, Henrik started squawking again. Chapter 596


    "Silence!" Jasper shot him an angry re. How dare he speak out of turn in Magnus'' presence?


    Henrik swallowed his words. He secretly vowed to vent his anger before Felix''s punishment beganter.


    "This..." Suddenly, Magnus spoke. His expression changed dramatically to one of utter disbelief.


    "Mr. Grimwald, is the card fake?" Jasper asked, unsure what to make of this. Real or fake, the card could not help Felix now anyway.


    To everyone''s surprise, Magnus jerked his head up and tottered toward Felix. "So you''re his most prized disciple! I... I never thought I''d live to meet you!"

 Billionaire With Husband 597

    Felix sped his hands respectfully. "You''re sharp as ever, Mr. Grimwald."


    He had performed the same motion twice because he had reset the Miracle Card. It was something Magnus had instantly recognized.


    In that case, Magnus naturally knew this young man was Gerald''s disciple. Only two people could reset a Miracle Card, and Felix clearly was not Gerald himself.


    "Mr. Grimwald, do you actually know him?" Jasper sensed something was off. Everyone else wore shocked expressions too. Who could have guessed Felix really knew Magnus?


    Especially Ethan, who was ogling at them wide-eyed. He could not ept this reality. If Magnus spoke up for Felix, wouldn''t he be able to walk out of Medic''s Haven unscathed? How could Ethan get his then? revenge


    Magnus'' eyes flickered as he turned to Jasper. "Oh right, why exactly is he here? Why are you all gathered?"


    Clearly, he did not know the reason for Felix''s visit.


    Jasper hesitated to speak. Magnus'' word was absolute in Medic''s Haven. Who would dare say more now that they all knew his connection to Felix?


    Just as he was about to lie and say Felix was just dropping by for a visit, Henrik spoke up. Mr. Grimwald, please hear me out! This guy Felix tried to poison my disciple, Ethan."


    He exined the situation briefly, then added earnestly, "If Felix goes unpunished, who would respect Medic''s Haven''s authority in the future? Mr. Grimwald, we need you to uphold justice."


    The other elders realized he was trying to pressure Magnus with Medic''s Haven''s reputation. It was quite bold of him. Even Jasper was surprised. What had gotten into Henrik? He had never been one for confrontation before. Magnus nced at Ethan and spoke calmly, "If Felix poisoned Ethan, then indeed Ethan deserves death."


    Everyone gasped. Magnus was not just defending Felix; he was clearly taking Felix''s side. Felix, don''t worry. I''ll set things right. I''ve been in seclusion studying medicine and have neglected everything else happening in the valley. I never imagined things woulde to this."


    As expected, anyone Gerald would visit deserved respect. "If that''s your view, I won''t object to it, Mr. Grimwald. My only demand is Ethan''s death!"


    Magnus nodded and raised his hand. "Take him away. Execute him!"


    11


    66


    The turn of events shocked everyone. Felix obviously was not just Magnus'' acquaintance. In fact, their rtionship ran much deeper. Ethan had kicked the wrong homet''s nest. No one could save him now.


    "No! Please! Mr. Whitfield, save me!" Two figures silently appeared beside the kneeling. and pleading Ethan. He did not want to die


    While everyone else dared not speak up, Henrigstepped forward again. "Mr. Grimwald, your decision will dishearten everyone in Medie''s Haven. If we can''t protect our own, what''s the point of staying here?"


    Magnus'' eyes narrowed as he turned to Henrik is usually kind face became ice-cold." How dare a mere elder like you question my decision? Since Medic''s Haven''s founding, we''ve weathered countless stores. I''ve seen too many like youe and go. "Now, I''ll let you decide if you want to leave Metic''s Haven yourself or join your disciple and die

 Billionaire With Husband 598

    Though Magnus usually wore a kind expression, he now showed his absolute authority in front of everyone. Others held their breath in fear. Even Jasper trembled, afraid of being implicated.


    They were shocked by how defensive Magnus was of Felix. But they were even more curious about what gave Henrik the courage to challenge the respected Supreme Elder. Surely he hadn''t lost his mind over his disciple, had he?


    To everyone''s surprise, Henrik showed no fear. He met Magnus'' gaze and said, "What if I choose neither?"


    Just as Magnus'' brows furrowed, a voice rang out. "Magnus, has all that seclusion made your temper worse?" Another elderly man appeared. Though also white-haired, he appeared much more vigorous than Magnus. "Greetings, Mr. Hartford!" Everyone bowed. From the title, Felix realized who this was. It was another Supreme Elder.


    Magnus understood now. "No wonder this little fellow dares challenge me. I assume he has your backing, Sebastian?"


    Sebastian Hartford''s appearance gave hope to the kneeling and trembling Ethan. This was the one who had cured him of Felix''s poison. Even Ethan had not known Henrik was so close to Sebastian. Perhaps he would not have to die after all. "You, Felix..." His mind began scheming again.


    "Magnus, that''s not true. There''s no conflict here. He''s just defending his disciple. What''s wrong with that? If Medic''s Haven can''t protect our own, what reason do we have to exist?"


    Sebastian pointed at Felix. "I don''t care what rtionship this guy Felix has with you. Since he tried to poison one of our own, he must pay the price."


    Everyone watched in awe as this trivial matter escted into a confrontation between two Supreme Elders. Though Magnus held the highest position, Sebastian handled most affairs and cultivated many loyal followers. His prestige was second only to Magnus'', so he did have the authority to challenge him.


    "Felix, excuse me for making you witness such a show. Give me a few more minutes.''


    11


    Given the situation, the increasingly impatient Felix could only nod. "Take your time, Mr. Grimwald. I can spare these few minutes."


    Magnus turned to Sebastian. "Are you really going to disrespect my decisions?"


    Sebastian''s expression remained unchanged. "This isn''t about disrespect. It concerns Medic''s Haven''s future. You should calm down and think clearly about what''s at stake here, Magnus."


    Nearby, Henrik smirked coldly. Did Magnus really think he still held absolute power? Those days were long gone. He might have been able to maintain his status if he had continued to stay in seclusion, but meddling in the valley''s affairs would be a wholly different case. Suddenly, Magnus smiled and patted Sebastian''s shoulder. "You''re truly my good junior apprentice. You''re always thinking of Medic''s Haven even at this age. You must have been working hard."


    As Sebastian was about to respond humbly, a loud bang echoed. He turned quickly to find Henrik, the man he had been protecting, had exploded into a mist of blood.


    "I''ve killed him, Sebastian. What will you do about it?" Magnus remarked.

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    Everyone stood frozen in shock. Magnus was usually a kind and reclusive Supreme Elder. Who could have imagined him to kill someone suddenly? Besides, he did it right in front of Sebastian. Even Felix was startled.


    Ethan gaped at where his mentor had been ranting just a minute ago. Now, not even a single intact bone remained.


    "Magnus, you''ve gone too far!" Sebastian''s expression darkened. He had not expected Magnus to strike so suddenly.


    "Have I? Have you forgotten those years when we followed our mentor during Medic''s Haven''s founding? Wasn''t he asking for death when he dared do such underhanded tricks before me? I gave him a chance, but he refused it."


    At these words, Sebastian recalled something and fell silent. Magnus'' words rang through the hall. "Remember this! Medic''s Haven will function without any of you. Don''t think too highly of yourselves."


    "Yes!"


    Now inplete despair, Ethan found a strange rity. He red and shouted, "Why? I''m the one who practices under Medic''s Haven! Why would you favor this outsider and kill my mentor and me instead? Why?" Another strike sounded with a bang, and Ethan''s body exploded on the spot.


    "How dare a nobody who nders others and disobeys Medic''s Haven''s principles question me? What a joke!" Magnus sneered.


    As Magnus turned back to Felix, his kind expression returned. "Felix, sorry you had to witness this mess. Are you satisfied?"


    Felix sped his hands respectfully. "How could I not be satisfied with your handling, Mr. Grimwald? Since Ethan is dead, everything is settled. I''ll take my leave now. You don''t have to escort me. Just have a car ready outside. I''d like to explore your marketce before heading back."


    Magnus nodded. "Very well, take your time. Come visit whenever you wish. I will always be here for you."


    As Felix took his first step, he suddenly looked at the terrified Edmund. "Two legs-that''s the price for your misdeeds."


    Before others could understand his meaning, Edmund''s screams filled the air. His upper body copsed before he turned unconscious. Meanwhile, his legs remained standing


    upright.


    425 8060S


    Only then did they realize Felix''s terrifying power. With just a nce, he had severed Edmund''s legs without anyone even sensing it. If things had gone south earlier and Felix had attacked, could the experts at Medic''s Haven have really stopped him? "Impressive." Magnus smiled as if Felix''s power was only natural.


    "Magnus, I really don''t understand why you sided with Felix. At least give me an answer, Sebastian said.


    Leaning on his stick, Magnus coughed as he headed out. His voice echoed through the hall "Felix is the miracle doctor''s disciple. Is that enough?"


    Sebastian froze. Jasper and the others'' faces changed dramatically. They could not believe that the man they had nearly executed was Gerald''s disciple. Who could have imagined meeting the mysterious disciple of the legendary miracle doctor this way? After a long moment, Sebastian wiped his sweat and addressed the silent crowd, "Magnus may not care about the future of Medic''s Haven, but I must! Let me tell you all this. Our founder, Orion Kingsley, entered the path of traditional medicine under the miracle doctor''s guidance." Chapter 600

 Billionaire With Husband 600

    The miracle doctor''s name alone was intimidating enough, but they had now learned that their revered founder, Orion, had entered traditional medicine under his guidance. It was no wonder Magnus had been so protective of Felix. Everything made sense now. Those two deaths today were hardly unjustified.


    Suddenly, Jasper''s body trembled as a terrifying thought struck him. Orion had been dead for so many years, and Magnus, his first disciple, was already so old. Wouldn''t that mean Gerald...


    On the drive back, Felix was enjoying a sausage. The street food at Medic''s Haven was excellent, so he had bought plenty to share with Jack, Xena, and the others.


    "Mr. Zeller, there''s something ahead. Let me check it out. Please wait here."


    After hearing the driver''s words, Felix nced up. Then anger shed in his eyes. "Stay here. I''ll look."


    A Maybach was blocking the road, and standing beside it was someone Felix recognized. It was Asher. Damn it! Would this never end?


    Felix stepped out, not bothered to hide his irritation. He had made things clear enough with Asher in Yartford''s park, yet here he was again. Still, the Greene family''s power was undeniable. They could track Felix down in minutes as if he had nted a tracker on him. "Asher, are you asking for trouble?" Felix sneered.


    Asher''s expression remained neutral as he opened the back door of his car. "My brother Aiden wants to see you. Get in."


    Aiden? Felix recalled Asher mentioning his brother during their first meeting. He had made some threats about what would happen if Aiden showed up. It seemed that Aiden had not done so because of Victor. Now, Victor''s death had removed all restraints. "Spit it out!" Felix was not about to get in. The Greene family had no right to tell him to do whatever they wanted.


    Asher frowned. He was about to speak when a voice came from inside the car. "Not bad. That arrogance reminds me of your father! I''ll be brief. Victor gave you something. Since he had just died not long ago, I''ll give you seven days to bring that thing to me.'' 11


    Asher closed the door and got in the passenger seat. The car spun around and left. Rubbing his chin, Felix was not particrly concerned. But he had to admit Aiden was something else.


    His calm tone carried no threat, as if he was just having a casual conversation, but underneathy absolute authority. It was as if he knew Felix would deliver within seven days.


    In the car, Asher could see the back seat through the rearview mirror. But he didn''t dare look, keeping his head slightly lowered.


    "Aiden, are you sure Uncle Victor gave that thing to Felix?" He did not know what that thing was, but it must have been valuable for Aiden toe personally.


    "I''ve forgiven you once, so don''t push it. Do you think this is something you should be asking about?" Though he was scolding Asher, Aiden''s voice remained eerily calm. Gathering his courage, Asher asked again, "What if Felix ignores us after seven days?"


    A rareugh rang out, which sent chills down Asher''s spine. "He won''t dare. After all, I am his big brother, aren''t I?"

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    The sun was setting as Felix returned to Canraville. He had nned to meet Xena, but she had been called to an urgent meeting in Yartford at thest minute.


    Jack called just as he got home. Felix said, "Perfect timing. I just got back and brought some good food. Let''s have a drink."


    Jack''s voice was hushed. "Buddy, we thought you''d gone off the grid."


    Off the grid? Felix was puzzled.


    "Nancy called you a few times. Why didn''t you pick up?" Jack asked.


    It was true that Nancy had called three times on Felix''s way back. But how could he answer


    her call? The more they interacted, the more pain it would bring her.


    "Are you with Nancy right now?" Felix could tell Jack was probably calling from the bathroom.


    "Yeah, it''s her birthday today. She wanted to invite you."


    Felix sighed. "Just tell her you couldn''t reach me either. And ask Nessa to stop ying matchmaker. Nancy''s a great girl, but I just can''t."


    "I understand. Wrong timing, I guess," Jack relented.


    Just as he hung up, Jeffrey called. "Mr. Zeller, do you have time? A friend of mine is sick. Could you take a look?"


    The Saphira family had been good to Felix, and it was a simple favor. He did not turn Jeffrey down for this reason. "Of course. Just tell me where to meet you."


    Instead of the Saphira residence, Felix was asked to drop by a suite at a five-star hotel downtown. As Felix approached the hotel, his expression suddenly changed. "There seems to be a Dragonspine here?" he muttered to himself.


    With three pieces already inside him, he could sense others nearby. He had searched all of Canraville, and there should not be another piece here, ording to the map. Why was he sensing one now?


    "Did someone remove it from its burial site?" ording to Gerald, only the Dragons Destroyer technique could cultivate these Dragonspines. The chances of someone moving one were minimal. Lionel''s piece came from an ancient technique that he had happened toe across. Victor, Felix''s birth father, had another, which was understandable given the Greene family''s power. But what was this? Despite his promise to Jeffrey, the Dragonspine took priority. Finding it again would be


    Charter 601


    impossible if it moved beyond his sensing range. Besides, Jeffrey had said his friend was not in critical condition.


    Felix followed the sensation into the hotel and up to the top floor. His brows furrowed when he reached the door. The Dragonspine was inside the same suite Jeffrey had mentioned. It was clear what this meant. After ringing the bell, Jeffrey appeared. "Mr. Zeller, thanks foring."


    Jeffrey was delighted Felix had arrived so quickly. It made him have a good impression on others.


    "No trouble at all. Where''s the patient?"


    In the living room, a woman stood up. She had a doll-like face that instantly sparked protective instincts. She looked petite and charming as she smiled sweetly. Her two dimples made her seem even more enchanting "This is Felix Zeller. Just call him Mr. Zeller, as I do! Felix, this is my friend, Rosalyn Ruby. She''s from the Ruby family-one of the Eight Great Martial Families," Jeffrey exined.

 Billionaire With Husband 602

    Another member of the Eight Great Martial Families? That made sense, considering Rosalyn was Jeffrey''s friend.


    "Hello, Mr. Zeller." Rosalyn put on no airs when she gave a slight bow with nervous eyes.


    "Hello. If you''re ready, let''s begin." Felix had already pinpointed the Dragonspine on her body. The thing was notrge, so it was easy to conceal.


    When he first saw a Dragonspine, Felix had asked Gerald why it was so small. Shouldn''t a dragon''s spine be massive? Gerald''s honest answer was that he did not know either. "Yes. Let''s go to the bedroom."


    After saying that, Rosalyn walked ahead. Felix whispered teasingly to Jeffrey, "Is she your girlfriend?"


    Though Felilx seemed to be joking, he actually wanted to learn more about her to figure out how to get the Dragonspine.


    "Don''t get the wrong idea, Mr. Zeller. We''re just friends. Besides, I''m engaged. I''ll be getting married soon," Jeffrey replied.


    Felix smiled withoutment and followed Rosalyn. He closed the door behind them.


    "I see traces of rimefrost energy appearing in your system asionally. With your Ultimate Mortal Realm power, you can barely contain it. Is this what you want to get treated for?" Felix asked.


    Impressed, Rosalyn nodded. He truly was a master healer. He diagnosed her with just a nce and without even checking her pulse. "Yes. I was struck by the Craydens'' signature technique, the cial Strike. The rimefrost energy that appears sometimeses from that."


    The Craydens? Felix was curious after hearing that. "Are your families at war?"


    Rosalyn quickly shook her head. "No, no! I have an annual sparring match with someone from their family. We never fight to kill; it''s just to test each other. But this year, I didn''t expect her to have mastered the cial Strike. She caught me off guard."


    Felix found this puzzling. "If you agreed not to kill each other, surely the cial Strike won''t kill you. Shouldn''t you be able to dispel it?"


    Rosalyn agreed. "Yes, but it requires two hours of dispelling daily for a month. I don''t have the time for it. Our duel was a secret, so only Jeffrey knew. My family''s holding an important banquet in three days. If I attend, my father will notice something''s wrong, and I''ll be in huge trouble.


    "When I mentioned this to Jeffrey, he said you were an amazing healer, so I flew straight to Canraville."


    Felix suppressed a smile and gestured for her to sit. "Let me check your pulse first. I want to find out what''s happening to your body." "Okay."


    After checking, Felix''s expression grew awkward. "I can treat it. It''ll only take ten minutes.


    Rosalyn''s expression brightened. "Really? That''s wonderful! Jeff wasn''t exaggerating. You really are an incredible master healer!"


    Felix rubbed his nose ufortably. For a moment, he forgot about the Dragonspine. "But you might not like the treatment. The rimefrost energy is concentrated where she struck. For quick andplete healing, we must target the source." The source? Rosalyn froze, then she blushed.


    Felix was equally frustrated. What kind of idiot would strike a woman there? How was he supposed to treat this? Without healing her, getting the Dragonspine would be problematic


    too.

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    The atmosphere in the bedroom was incredibly awkward. Rosalyn kept her head down as she was torn by indecision.


    Her opponent had been devious enough tond the cial Strike right on her bottom. More importantly, it had affected part of her thigh too. This meant that treatment would require exposing not just half but her entire bottom to ess the thigh area. "Isn''t... isn''t there another way?" Rosalyn asked.


    it''s up to


    Felix gave a wry smile. "If there was, I''d have suggested it already. I need to apply acupuncture at the source topletely dispel the rimefrost energy. Of course, you whether you want to do it."


    Meanwhile, Felix was still plotting how to get the Dragonspine. He could sense it precisely now. It was located near Rosalyn''s waist.


    After about a minute, Rosalyn took a deep breath and bravely raised her head. "Jeff speaks very highly of you, and healers have professional ethics. I''m just a patient to you anyway. Please proceed with the treatment." Felix nodded. "Very well. Pardon my intrusion then."


    Rosalyn turned around. Though she had made up her mind, her movements were painfully, slow. She did not realize that moving quickly would have been less awkward for her. This slow pace made it seem like she was seducing Felix on purpose.


    As she gradually lowered her pants, a ckce edge came into Felix''s view. Being a martial artist, Rosalyn naturally had an excellent figure. The view now revealed what many would consider the perfectly curvy bottom.


    Fortunately, Felix was professional. He remained physically and mentally unmoved.


    "Is this enough?" Rosalyn asked.


    After a nce, Felix said, "Please adjust thece too. It''s blocking part of the area."


    Rosalyn wished the ground would swallow her whole after hearing this. She would have worn in cotton today if she knew. How mortifying!


    The treatment proceeded smoothly. After ten minutes, Felix told her she could pull her pants up.


    "Thank you, Mr. Zeller! You really have excellent medical skills." When she turned to face him, seeing hispletely professional demeanor and clear eyes made her feel even more relieved.


    "No need for thanks. However, I found another issue unrted to the cial Strike in your


    body."


    Rosalyn was startled. "There''s more? I haven''t felt anything wrong. What is it? Is it serious?


    After experiencing his skills firsthand, how could she not trust his diagnosis?


    "Whenever you use your martial arts, do you feel a burning sensation in your afterward? It''s not too intense and usuallysts about four or five seconds, right?" Rosalyn widened her eyes at that. "How... how did you know?"


    abdomen


    It was true! She had experienced this after every training session. But she had ignored it since it came and went so quickly and hadn''t caused any problems. "Not only do I know this, but I can tell it started a year and a half ago. There was nothing before that," Felix remarked.


    Incredible! Rosalyn was awestruck. He even managed to calcte the timing so precisely. How amazing must Felix''s medical skills be? And he was still so young! "Is it serious?" she asked.


    Felix''s expression grew grave as he spoke solemnly. "It''s extremely serious. You''re lucky 1 discovered it. In another six months, it would have been beyond help."


    As he said this, Felix had to suppress his emotions. He was feeling really guilty about this. It was all lies and was merely a ploy to get the Dragonspine.


    Chapter 60MI

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    Felix would not call himself a great person, but he was not evil either. Any other martial artist capable of the Dragons Destroyer technique would have simply killed Rosalyn for the Dragonspine without hesitation. That was if Rosalyn would not hand over the Dragonspine. But Felix could not do that. This girl bore him no ill will and had treated him with respect. Plus, she was Jeffrey''s friend. How could he harm her?


    After much consideration, lying to her about it seemed to be the only way out. Once he had the Dragonspine, he could find ways to make it up to herter.


    The burning sensation he had mentioned was actually the Dragonspine''s effect. Indeed, it would provide some minor benefits to her training. And it was hardly the deadly threat he had described.


    Way


    "But the technique was passed down by my grandfather. Everyone trains this Why would it go wrong?" Rosalyn asked.


    Felix had anticipated this question. "It''s not the technique that''s wed. Something on your body is interfering with its flow and causing these issues."


    Rosalyn thought hard before remembering the bone piece strapped to her back.


    "You''ve figured it out, right? When I checked your pulse, I detected a foreign object on your back. That''s what''s causing the burning sensation."


    Could it really be the bone? Without hesitation, Rosalyn removed the Dragonspine.


    Rosalyn asked in disbelief, "How is this possible? My grandfather gave this to me. He said wearing it would strengthen my body and benefit my training."


    The Ruby family was more intriguing than Felix had thought. They actually used a Dragonspine as an heirloom.


    "I''ve never seen this type of bone, but I can sense its effects. It''s sending waves into your body. To treat this, we''ll need to grind it to powder and mix it with some herbs for you to drink. That willpletely cure your condition," Felix said. After a moment''s hesitation, Rosalyn said,


    I''m sorry, Mr. Zeller. My grandfather stressed


    how precious this bone is. I can''t agree without consulting him first."


    Felix had expected this too. He had already been nning his next move when he was treating Rosalyn earlier. "That''s fine, but please hurry. Though I said you have six months, conditions can change. Better safe than sorry.


    "Thank you for understanding. I''ll go home and discuss it with my grandfather right away. Suddenly, Rosalyn thought of something. "Based on what you''re saying, I''ll still feel that burning when I practice even if I remove the bone now, won''t I?"


    "Of course! Try it if you don''t believe me."


    While Rosalyn was not so naive, she was not someone who would overthink much. So she sat down and tested her technique right there. The result matched Felix''s description exactly, and her expression changed dramatically.


    "I''m heading home now!" After a quick goodbye to Jeffrey, she left. It made Jeffrey smile awkwardly.


    "Please excuse her, Mr. Zeller. That''s just how she is. I''m sure she''ll thank you properlyter." He was speechless about how she had not offered any payment after being treated. Felix waved it off. "It''s fine. I came for your sake anyway. But I am curious. Where do the Rubies rank among the Eight Great Martial Families?"


    Jeffrey held up one finger with a smile. "The Rubies rank first among the Eight Great Martial Families!"


    #

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    Chapter


    605


    So, the Ruby family ranked


    among the Eight Great Martial Families? Felix widened his


    eyes. He had a bad feeling about this.


    His power


    power had skyrocketedtely, so he didn''t feel too bothered about facing the Craydens or even that guy Aiden.


    But the Eight Families were different since they were full of martial arts masters. Besides, the Rubies were practically the best among them. He would have to be extremely careful not to leave any traces, or the consequences would be terrible.


    Actually, they dropped to second ce six months ago. But I said that because they could reim the top spot any time," Jeffrey exined.


    "I see." Felix left without further questions after that.


    While driving his Range Rover home, he stopped at a red light. That was when a BMW slowly pulled up beside him.


    ncing over, he noticed a woman asleep against the window in the back seat. Though he could only see her side profile, he recognized that it was Nancy immediately.


    Her birthday party was probably over, but Jack and Vanessa should have sent her back home. After all, she appeared to have had quite a bit to drink.


    The BMW was new and had a temporary number te. A designated driver was also at the wheel. Something about the situation felt wrong. He was not trying to meddle, but Nancy was still a friend. Though he had been keeping his distance from her, it did not mean he was going to cut her off.


    Right then, Felix called Jack, and he picked up. Is the party over?" Felix asked.


    "How''d you know? Nessa and I are just heading down."


    Did that mean Nancy had left ahead?


    "Where''s Nancy?"


    Jack chuckled and said, "What''s this about? Have you changed your mind? It''s not toote. I can arrange something tomorrow for you to make it up to her.


    The light turned green, and Felix had no time for jokes. "Be serious. Is Nancy with you?


    "No. She was down about you noting, so she tried to hide it by drinking more than usual. She


    aid she was going to the bathroom about 15 minutes ago. Then she called to say she''d designated a driver to send her home.


    1:2


    "Right, she bought a new car today. She was nning to celebrate that along with her birthday."


    That exined why Jack and Nessa had not given her a ride. Felix sighed. Technically, this wasn''t his business, but she surely had ended up in this state because of him. "Alright, I got it.


    About an hourter, the BMW pulled into a rundownpound on the outskirts of Canraville. An old and rusty two-story building stood among scattered trash.


    Rocky Benson, the hired designated driver, got out, and three shirtless men emerged from the building.


    "Boss, I got what you asked for. She''spletely passed out, and I wore a mask the whole time. Don''t worry. No one saw anything," Rocky said.


    A bald man, Matty Pecker, appeared to be the leader of the pack. He peered through the window and smirked.


    One of his underlings who followed him out spoke up hesitantly. "Boss, maybe we should forget about this. We''re supposed to leave town after tomorrow morning''s job. If something goes wrong, Mr. O''Neill won''t be happy."


    Dissatisfied, Matty struck him across the face. "What''s there to be scared of? We''ve done the same thing before, and it ended up well! Since we''re leaving town tomorrow anyway, I told Rocky to find a girl for us to have some fun with. "Take a look at that! You probably won''t get a woman with such a perfect body even if you spend thousands or more."

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    Matty rubbed his hands together as he looked back at Nancy in the car with obvious lust. He said, "Don''t worry, guys. I always share. You''ll get your turn after I''m done."


    The designated driver chuckled quietly, clearly unsurprised. He had a feeling this would happen from the moment he spotted Nancy walking toward them outside the karaoke bar. She was breathtaking, and just the thought of indulging in herter made his body tremble with excitement.


    However, just as Matty opened the car door, a loud bang startled him. The door suddenly mmed shut with force.


    "W-Who the hell are you?" he asked.


    The group froze, panic creeping across their faces. None of them had noticed when a young man appeared next to the back door of the car.


    "I''m the one who''s going to end you," Felix stated coldly.


    He had been tailing them all along, hoping the car would head to Nancy''s apartment or Shunnington University. Unfortunately, the detour confirmed his worst fears. If he had not followed, Nancy would have been utterly ruined by now. Though he did not know Nancy well, Felix was sure of one thing-if these bastards.


    seeded, she would rather die than live with the aftermath.


    As Felix prepared to act, he heard the sound of a child crying from the two-story building nearby. Momentster, there were sounds of violence and threats.


    "Shut up! One more sound, and I''ll cut your tongue out!"


    Felix vanished from sight, giving Matty a chance to regain hisposure. One of hisckeys asked, "What''s going on?"


    Matty cursed while pulling out his phone. "This guy''s clearly trained in martial arts. Get the weapons while I call Mr. O''Neill."


    Inside the building, Felix witnessed a scene that made his blood boil. In one of the rooms, two men were restraining a young child that looked about six years old.


    One had mped the boy''s mouth shut and was using a pair of pliers to yank his tongue out. The other held a pair of scissors, ready to slice without hesitation.


    Before the scissors could close on the child''s tongue, Felix twisted both men''s necks with a swift, brutal motion, killing them instantly. He could not bear to think what might have. happened had he been even a secondter. His eyes shifted to the rest of the room, where over a dozen terrified children cowered in


    silence, too scared to make a sound.


    The boy Felix had saved curled up in a corner, trembling uncontrobly. He whimpered as his voice shook, "I''m sorry! I won''t cry anymore, I promise!"


    "They''re worse than animals!" Felix muttered under his breath, his fists clenching.


    Initially, he thought Matty and his


    gang were just degenerates lusting over women. Now, it


    was clear they were child traffickers. They were monsters worse than animals.


    Felix waved his hand, releasing a gentle energy that swept through the room, putting the children into a deep, peaceful sleep. Only then did he step back outside.


    By now, Matty and his men were armed with silenced pistols, each one aimed directly at Felix.


    "You really are scum," Felix cursed, his voiceced with fury. "Don''t worry-I''ll take my time with you. By the end, you''ll be begging for death."


    Matty sneered, confidence surging now that he had a weapon in hand. He mocked, "Big talk for a dead man! I know you''re a martial artist, but so what?


    "Even without these guns, you wouldn''t stand a chance. Let me give you some advice-get on your knees and wait for Mr. O''Neill to handle you. Maybe, just maybe, he''ll let you live." He added, "Have you heard of Pris?"

 Billionaire With Husband 607

    "Pris!" Felix''s voice carried a cold edge as he stared Matty down.


    Matty tried to look calm, but inside, he was panicking. He could not gauge Felix''s abilities or whether he was afraid of guns, so he decided to bluff, hoping to buy time until Louis O''Neill arrived.


    "You''ve got quite the nerve, name-dropping like that. You trash think you''re amazing just because you''re to an organization of that nonsense caliber?" Felix sneered. He knew these kinds of people-they loved to use big names to intimidate others.


    Felix had reservations about Pris, but at least they operated with some semnce of ethics. The infamous Mourning Vige incident proved as much.


    Despite their involvement, no innocent lives were lost. There was no way a group like that would stoop to trafficking children.


    "Don''t believe me? Fine! If you''re so confident, wait here. Once Mr. O''Neill gets here, you''ll know whether I''m lying or not," Matty said, his tone gaining a hint of arrogance.


    Felix tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. "Oh? The mastermind ising, too? Perfect. I''d like to see who this Mr. O''Neill really is."


    Felix exhaled slowly. These monsters were not just guilty of nning to harm Nancy- they had already inflicted unspeakable cruelty on innocent children.


    Scum like Matty and his group did not deserve to walk away unscathed. Felix was determined to wipe them outpletely, leaving no trace behind.


    This was also why he did not contact Xena or Alistair. After all, the Wolfie troops were an official organization. Even if these people were executed, it would be a swift death, which would be too easy and kind for scumbags like these. Matty smirked, pretending to rx. "Smart choice. Since you''re cooperating, I''ll even put in a good word for you when Mr. O''Neill arrives


    In truth, Matty had no intention of helping Felix. Once Louis arrived, Felix''s death was guaranteed. The mention of Pris was just a ploy to make Felix hesitate.


    However, his smug thoughts were interrupted when he noticed Felix''s right hand glimmer with tiny, cold light shes. Looking closer, Marty realized they were silver needles.


    He stammered, "W-What are you doing?"


    Felix''s lips curled into a wicked smile. "What am I doing? Making sure you pay the price.


    With a flick of his wrist, the needles shot out like lightning, striking Matty and the three others. Their guns ttered to the ground as their eyes widened in sheer agony. But that Chapter 60


    was just the start.


    Before long, their bodies convulsed as they copsed to the dirt. Then, they began writhing on the ground, their faces twisting from the pain.


    "Stop! Please, make it stop!" one of them screamed.


    The pain was excruciating at first, but soon, it transformed into something worse-an unbearable mix of itching and burning, like thousands of ants gnawing at their insides. The torment left them in tears, begging for mercy. Felix remained unmoved, his gaze icy. "This is what you deserve," he stated tly.


    Five minutester, Felix retrieved the needles. The four men gasped for air, their bodies drenched in sweat. They immediately dropped to their knees, begging Felix with frantic desperation.


    "Please! Spare us! We''ll never do this again!"


    "Sir, I swear I''ve learned my lesson! Just kill me and end this-don''t torture me anymore!"


    None of that wanted to experience the feeling again. It was like being in hell on earth, and they would much rather die.


    Unfortunately for them, their cries fell on deaf ears. Felix twirled the needles in his fingers before sending them flying once more.


    This time, the needles didn''t bring pain. Instead, a wave of relief washed over the men, so much so that a few of them groaned in unintentional pleasure.


    "You''re hurting children-you''re obviously the worst type of being. I''ll make sure you pay for your sins," Felix dered coldly.


    Felix knew the human body could not endure such torment indefinitely. To maximize their suffering, he had to relieve them briefly every five minutes, only to reapply the needles and drag them deeper into despair.


    After 20 minutes of this cycle, the four men were left kneeling,pletely broken. Their nk, hollow eyes stared at the ground as if their very souls had been stripped away.


    Felix observed them with cold detachment, feeling no remorse. Their minds may have shattered, but their pain was still persisting. For monsters like them, this was far more fitting than a quick death.

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    "So, you''re the one meddling in other people''s business? I was expecting some kind of hotshot," a voice taunted as two figures walked into the courtyard a young man and an older gentleman. Based on Matty''s earlier mention, the younger man was undoubtedly Louis O''Neill.


    Louis nced at the four writhing men on the ground. His expression tightened as he assessed their condition. Even a nce was enough to tell they had been subjected to extreme torture.


    Felix did not bother with greetings, shooting four silver needles into Matty and the others and causing them another wave of excruciating pain. Even Louis''s lips twitched involuntarily as he watched. He dared not imagine how horrible the pain was.


    ""In eve


    every nation, anyone with even a shred of decency knows you never harm children!" Felix''s voice was cold yetced with fury.


    He continued, "There''s a story from abroad about a fugitive in a high-speed car chase. Police were hot on his tail, but he mmed on the brakes when he came across a crosswalk filled with kids. Only after the children were safely across did he continue his escape." Felix''s piercing gaze fixed on Louis as he questioned, "If even a criminal understood that basic principle, how is it that you don''t?"


    Louis''s gaze hardened as he regained hisposure. "Save your righteous nonsense for the afterlife. You can chat about morality with the devil once you''re dead."


    Before he had even finished speaking, the older man vanished from where he stood. A secondter, he reappeared, dangling mid-air with Felix''s hand wrapped tightly around


    his throat.


    Louis froze, his face draining of color. This was no ordinary fight. The older man was not just someckey-he was a Martial God, someone whose strength allowed him to dominate in any major city. Yet here he was, subdued in an instant. "You''re overestimating yourself," Felix growled.


    The old man''s eyes widened with disbelief before they filled with resignation. He tried to summon his will to die, but Felix''s overwhelming aura smothered him entirely. Even Louis, standing nearby, found himself paralyzed, unable to move a single muscle. Louis''s mind raced as he looked at their current situation. Impossible! How powerful was


    this man?


    Realizing his body was immobilized, Louis tried to activate a forbidden technique-ast-ditch method to sever his heartstrings and end his life instantly. Unlike poison hidden in a tooth, it required no physical movement to trigger. Chapter 600


    Yet, to his horror, even this failed. The technique would not activate, as though Felix''s sheer presence had locked away even his ability to die,


    "Go join them in paying for your sins," Felix said coldly.


    With a flick of his hand, two more silver needles flew out. A new round of horrific screams filled the courtyard as Louis and the old man joined the others in their agony.


    Felix had already assessed their strength. The old man was indeed a Martial God, and Louis was at the level of a Martial King.


    Unlike Matty and his crew, their mental resilience was far stronger, allowing them to endure three rounds of torment withoutpletely breaking. Nheless, endurance was not immunity.


    Louis''s sobbing voice broke through the screams as he copsed, begging, "No more! Please! I''ll do anything-just don''t stab me again. Please, just kill me and get it over with!"


    icy as he stepped forward. "You want mercy? Did you show any to the Felix''s voice was children when they begged for their lives? Did their fear and pain stop you?"


    Felix red at the two as disgust curled on his lip. Matty and his thugs deserved to die a thousand times over, but the true masterminds those who orchestrated it all-were the ones who deserved annihtion.


    As Felix raised his hand, the silver needles glinting ominously, Louis crumbledpletely His body shook uncontrobly, and his pants were soiled as he lost all control. His fear overwhelmed any shred of dignity he had left. Even the older man, who had maintained some semnce ofposure, began pleading


    for mercy.


    "You want to live?" Felix''s voice was calm, but his gaze burned like ice. "Fine. Then tell me -who is the real mastermind behind all of this?"

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    At first, Felix genuinely believed Louis was the final yer in this twisted game. However, as events unfolded, he quickly realized otherwise.


    Louis was too young, and the fact that a seasoned martial artist apanied him suggested that there was someone higher pulling the strings.


    "I''ll talk! I''ll talk!" Louis screamed, his will utterly shattered by the relentless torture. At this point, his rank and martial prowess no longer mattered. No one could endure this kind of pain indefinitely.


    "It was my uncle-Jonathan Larsen! He orchestrated everything. I swear it''s the truth- just end it quickly!" Louis cried out, desperation dripping from every word.


    "Your uncle?" Felix muttered, his voice icy. "And where is he now?"


    "He''s at Pris! My uncle is one of their elders, Louis replied, trembling.


    Felix froze for a moment, taken aback. So, Matty had not been bluffing after all-Pris was genuinely involved. Felix had assumed Matty had thrown out the name of a major sect as a scare tactic, but now it seemed there was far more truth to it than he had imagined. Felix''s mind raced. If even a small-timeckey like Matty knew the mastermind''s identity, it meant one of two things-Jonathan was arrogant and believed he was untouchable, or he had ensured absolute silence by keeping his subordinates underplete control. Felix''s instincts pointed to thetter. Louis had likely held sway over Matty''s life and death, ensuring no loose ends-anyone captured would take the secrets to their grave. However, none of them could have foreseen Felix entering the equation.


    The more Louis revealed under Felix''s interrogation, the more the fury within him grew. His hands trembled slightly, not from fear but from suppressed rage.


    The scale of the operation became horrifyingly clear-these monsters had trafficked children for years. Just the cases involving Matty alone had reached nearly 100 victims.


    Moreover, they were extremely smart with their operation. The children they targeted were those without families-orphans or those already kidnapped by other traffickers-making it harder for their disappearance to cause any significant stir. Louis exined that he would personally deliver the children to a location specified by Jonathan. However, he imed ignorance about what happened afterward.


    It was alsomon for disobedient children to have their hands and feet broken, and their


    tongues and ears cut off. It seemed that Jonathan would have no objection as long as the children were not killed, ording to Louis himself.


    "If there''s an afterlife, I hope you all burn for eternity," Felix said coldly,


    Only after subjecting Louis and the elder to onest round of agonizing torment did Felix finally kill them. He left the deste site, driving away in his BMW.


    Matty and his men had chosen a remote location with no surveince cameras. Felix meticulously wiped away all traces of his presence, ensuring there would be no evidence. linking him to the scene.


    Before leaving the area entirely, he discreetly stole a phone, dialed the authorities anonymously, and left a tip to ensure the rescued children would be found and cared for.


    Back in the city, Felix parked outside an apartmentplex where Vanessa was already waiting.


    "Felix, what''s going on? Why haven''t you told Jack anything yet?" Vanessa asked, her face full of confusion.


    She nced at the car, noticing Nancy asleep in the back seat. It was a bizarre sight, and she struggled to piece together what had happened.


    "Don''t ask. Nancy was in danger, but I saved her. I''m leaving her with you," Felix said curtly, his tone heavy with exhaustion. "How you exin everything to her is your problem. Don''t press me for details." Seeing Felix''s grim look, Vanessa wisely held back her questions. "Alright. Just... be careful. And thanks," she replied. She nced back at Nancy, who was still unconscious, and sighed.


    As Felix walked away, Vanessa murmured to herself with a bittersweet smile. "Cici... in the end, your wish came true. That man did end up being part of your birthday, even if only at thest moment." Under the bright moonlight, a small town sat quietly about 30 miles outside of Canraville. While the town itself was unremarkable by Dragonia''s standards, it harbored a mysterious. secret.


    The nearby forest had gained quite a reputation over the years, not for its beauty but for its inexplicable ability to disorient anyone who ventured inside, regardless of day or night. The phenomenon had be so concerning that local authorities eventually surrounded the area with chain-link fences and "No Trespassing" signs, strictly prohibiting any entry.

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    No one would have imagined that children were being sent every month into this forest, with the entrance hidden within a small cave.


    When Felix arrived, he stepped inside, finding scattered animal bones exactly as Louis had described. The cave was not very deep. After walking about 30 feet, he reached a dead end -a solid stone wall.


    A regr person stumbling into this cave would have turned back by now. However, Felix''s sharp eyes caught a small, shadowy corner above him where a concealed camera was quietly pointed in his direction. Perhaps it was his own abandonment as a child, but Felix had always despised traffickers with a burning hatred. Letting something like this slide was never an option.


    Clenching his fist, he punched the stone wall with immense force, shattering it instantly. Beyond the debris was something unexpected an elevator.


    Felix stepped inside, pressing down lightly with his foot. The immense pressure triggered. the elevator, sending it plummeting downward at breakneck speed. "Intruder alert!" The rms red throughout the undergroundb beneath the cave, sending guards racing toward the elevator''s location.


    Judging by their speed and precision, these were no ordinary men. They were highly trained.


    "What''s happening?"


    A man and a woman sat across from each other in a secluded room. They heard the piercing sound of the rms loud and clear.


    "Rx. Whatever it is, it''ll be handled quickly," the man said dismissively, reaching for his radio to get an update.


    Before he could speak, the door to the room was blown off its hinges, mming into the far wall with a loud crash.


    "Who''s Jonathan Larsen?" Felix demanded coldly as he stepped into the room. His presence radiated danger, and it was clear he was not there to negotiate.


    If Felix had made it this far, it could only mean everyone else had already been eliminated. What he had seen on the way down was enough to make his blood boil.


    The undergroundb was nothing less than a house of horrors, where children were Treated like disposableb rats.


    In one of thebs, Felix had stumbled upon the body of a child who had died horribly,


    bleeding from every corner of his face. It was the kind of sight that would haunt anyone, even someone as hardened as Felix. "Felix!"


    A startled voice snapped him out of his fury. He turned to the woman standing nearby and froze, his brow furrowing deeply. "Aimee?" he asked, disbelief written across his face.


    He could not believe it. Of all people, why was Aimee here, in a ce like this?


    The man, clearly trying to regain some semnce of control, barked, "I don''t know who you think you are, but you''ve just made a colossal mistake!


    "Do you even know what you''re dealing with? Jonathan Larsen is an elder of Pris. No matter how strong you are, do you really think you can afford to go against Pris?"


    Felix did not waste words. A single silver needle flew from his hand, and the man immediately dropped to the floor, writhing in agony.


    The torment was enough to make even an experienced martial artist scream in anguish. Felix had no intention of killing him just yet. He had questions to ask, and this man would give him answers.


    Aimee pressed herself against the wall, and terror etched across her face as she watched the man''s tortured cries echo through the room. When Felix turned toward her and started walking closer, she flinched, finally snapping out of her frozen state. "Felix, what are you doing? Killing people is against thew-don''t you know that?" she stammered, her voice trembling.


    Felix stopped, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized her. After a moment, he was sure-this was not an imposter or a disguised enemy. This was indeed Xena''s cousin, which only deepened his confusion.


    He asked, "Why are you here? What''s your connection to these people?"


    Aimee hesitated, swallowing nervously as she felt the weight of Felix''s murderous intent. Finally, she spoke, her voice shaky. "I-It was Xena. She sent me here."

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    After seeing the grim look in Felix''s eyes when he heard Xena''s name, Aimee broke down and sobbed.


    "I don''t know why! Xena just told me toe here!" she cried, but Felix pped her across the face before she could finish.


    "Trying to use Xena as a scapegoat? Ask yourself-does she seem like that kind of person? Your acting is so pathetic it''sughable," Felix mocked.


    Aimee clutched her stinging cheek, momentarily stunned, forgetting about the lethal aura radiating from him. She screamed in a mix of anger and disbelief, "How dare you hit me, Felix! Who do you think you are?"


    It was obvious now that Aimee was not just a bystander but involved in this horror. Felix ignored her. Instead, he turned his attention back to the man, subjecting him to excruciating torture.


    Aimee, at first furious, quickly lost herposure as she watched. The longer it went on, the more terror-stricken she became until she copsed onto the floor, trembling. She dreaded the thought of Felix using the same cruel methods on her. "What''s thisb for?" Felix demanded coldly.


    The man was on the edge of a mental breakdown, and he spilled everything. He exined, "This is Pris'' secretb.


    "We''ve been developing experimental pills to turn ordinary people into martial artists. Several batches have already been sessful, and we''re working on refining them further."


    Felix''s expression darkened further. This was not just Jonathan''s personal scheme-it was Pris itself.


    Taking a deep breath, Felix wrestled with the rage threatening to consume him. He could not believe that a so-called prestigious organization was actually engaged in such monstrous activities behind the scenes.


    "Why children?" he asked through gritted teeth


    "Their bodies are more adaptable. They show the effects of the pills faster and more clearly. We tried it on adults before, but the efficiency was too low," the man confessed, his voice trembling.


    Felix clenched his fists, resisting the urge to inflict more pain on the man. Forcing himself to stay focused, he asked, "Why is Pris doing this?"


    "Ten years ago, Pris''s businesses started declining. The organization was bleeding money and needed a way to stay afloat, so they partnered with Guneria''s Wealthhealth Chapter 611


    Pharmaceuticals. That''s how these pills started," the man admitted.


    Then, he slowly raised his hand and pointed at Aimee. "S-She''s from Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals. She''s one of them.


    It suddenly made sense why no one in Dragonia had noticed this syndicate-they were exporting this filth overseas. Foreign markets had always been fascinated with Dragonia''s ancient traditions, and martial artists were one of their greatest obsessions. Having heard enough, Felix ended the man''s life in a single, swift motion. Blood pooled on the floor as Felix turned his gaze to Aimee.


    Before he could even speak, Aimee burst into tears, trembling uncontrobly. "Please! Don''t hurt me! They''ve made progress here recently, and I just happened to be in Dragonia!


    "My dad sent me to check it out-that''s all! I didn''t know about any of this until I got here. Please, Felix, I''m telling the truth!"


    So, Xena''s uncle in Guneria was behind this monstrous partnership with Pris. It all made sense now. For a businessman like him, profits trumped morality. It did not matter how much blood or suffering it took-as long as it made money. "Felix, please don''t kill me! I know you care about Xena! I''m begging you, for her sake, let me go," Aimee pleaded, tears streaming down her face.


    She was terrified. After watching Felix mercilessly torture and kill the man without so much as blinking, how could she not be?


    She blurted out, "I''ll tell you everything! Your connection to the Greene family-I was the one who contacted them on Lady N''s orders! She''s the one who''s been working against you all along!"


    Felix nodded, his lips curling into a cold smile. He said, "Don''t worry. I won''t tell Xena about any of this."


    Relief flickered in Aimee''s eyes, but it was short-lived. Before she could react, a silver needle pierced her skin.


    "Your father''s sins require atonement. You can start paying them back on his behalf," Felix whispered.

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    When Felix emerged from theb, the entire ce was engulfed in mes. Not a single child had survived-not even the one who had been bleeding horribly. Despite his efforts, he could not save any of them.


    The horrors he had witnessed pushed Felix past his breaking point. In his mind, the entire Pris leadership had to beplicit in this horror. These people did not deserve to live every extra day they drew breath was an insult to the children who had suffered and died. Even in the storm of his emotions, Felix stayed focused. He pulled out his phone and called Seven. He said, "Seven, I need intel on every single Pris higher-ups. And inform Averill.


    Pris was not just any organization. Ranked as the fifth most powerful sect in Dragonia, its influence and strength were undeniable, and its remote desert location made it even more imprable.


    Unlike other sects nestled in serene mountains far from civilization, Pris thrived in the harsh wilderness. ording to the sect''s founding master, the deste environment embodied the challenges of a martial artist''s journey, fostering grit and perseverance.


    At that very moment, Pris'' highest-ranking members were gathered in their grand hall. The elders, the supreme elder, and the sect leader had convened for a special asion- the arrival of three distinguished guests.


    The first guest was Titus, the leader of Martial Alliance, apanied by Thaddeus, his deputy. The third, however, was the most revered of all-Uzziah, a senior patriarch of the Crayden family, one of the Eight Great Martial Families.


    Uzziah''s presence alone was a testament to his unmatched status as the pinnacle of his family''s power.


    Yates Jordan, Pris'' first grand elder, beamed with genuine delight as he weed them. "It''s been years since I''ve been this happy. Thank you all foring"


    "Yates, there''s no need for such formalities," Thaddeus replied humbly. "Pris resuming its recruitment after ten long years is a monumental event. It''s only right that Martial Alliancees to offer our congrattions."


    Thaddeus''s deference was fitting; he was younger than the others and showed appropriate respect. "With the recruitment happening tomorrow, I''m sure you''ll be busy. That''s why Mr. Crayden and I decided to visit today-it seemed the most suitable time." Even Titus, whomanded respect across the martial world, referred to Uzziah with such respect. It was clear that Uzziah''s prowess and reputation far surpassed theirs. Chapter 612


    Yates turned to Uzziah, his smile widening."


    "Uzziah, you''ve withdrawn from worldly. matters for so long. I''ve heard you haven''t managed the Crayden family''s affairs in years."


    He added, "Your visit today truly moves me. It''s an honor to see my old friend again."


    Uzziah, broad-shouldered and imposing, exuded amanding presence. Despite his white hair, his vitality and stature made it hard to believe he was an elder.


    Patting Yates on the shoulder, Uzziah replied, "Back in the day, it was just the two of us. How could I ever forget you? Bring out the wine! It''s been years since I''ve tasted what you brewed yourself. Let''s relive the old times."


    The Pris higher-ups beamed with pride. Yates'' connections and reputation were unparalleled. How many other sects could im such a distinguishedpany?


    After a decade of hardship, Pris had finally weathered the storm and could resume its recruitment. For the high-ranking members, this was a moment of triumph and relief. "Of course!" Yatesughed heartily. "Don''t worry, Uzziah. I''ve kept those bottles aging for years- they''re as fine as theye. Tonight, we''ll drink to our heart''s content!"


    "Bring out the wine!" he ordered, his voice full of enthusiasm.


    As the hall buzzed withughter, Thaddeus watched in awe. He had underestimated Pris'' resilience and influence. If a confrontation with Felix truly urred, Pris seemed more than capable of holding its own, and Thaddeus ns might crumble.


    But just as the atmosphere peaked, a chilling voice cut through the celebration like a de, leaving the hall in stunned silence.


    "Jonathan, get out here and face your death!"


    Yates turned to Uzziah, his smile widening. "Uzziah, you''ve withdrawn from worldly matters for so long. I''ve heard you haven''t managed the Crayden family''s affairs in years." He added, "Your visit today truly moves me. It''s an honor to see my old friend again." Uzziah, broad-shouldered and imposing, exuded amanding presence. Despite his white hair, his vitality and stature made it hard to believe he was an elder.


    Patting Yates on the shoulder, Uzziah replied, "Back in the day, it was just the two of us. How could I ever forget you? Bring out the wine! It''s been years since I''ve tasted what you brewed yourself. Let''s relive the old times."


    The Pris higher-ups beamed with pride. Yates'' connections and reputation were unparalleled. How many other sects could im such a distinguishedpany?


    After a decade of hardship, Pris had finally weathered the storm and could resume its recruitment. For the high-ranking members, this was a moment of triumph and relief. "Of course!" Yatesughed heartily. "Don''t worry, Uzziah. I''ve kept those bottles aging for years- they''re as fine as theye. Tonight, we''ll drink to our heart''s content!"


    "Bring out the wine!" he ordered, his voice full of enthusiasm.


    As the hall buzzed withughter, Thaddeus watched in awe. He had underestimated Pris resilience and influence. If a confrontation with Felix truly urred, Pris seemed more than capable of holding its own, and Thaddeus ns might crumble.


    But just as the atmosphere peaked, a chilling voice cut through the celebration like a de, leaving the hall in stunned silence.


    "Jonathan, get out here and face your death!"

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    Themanding voice caught Yates off guard,


    A middle-aged man sitting among the group shot to his feet, his face drenched in sweat. He said, "Mr. Jordan, I''ll go check it out!"


    This man was Jonathan. With such esteemed guests present, an outburst like this was uneptable. No one could bear the consequences if Yates, the Supreme Elder, lost his temper.


    "Go ahead," Yates replied, his smile returning. "It''s just a minor issue. Don''t let it ruin the mood."


    The guests, all seasoned figures in the martial world, remained unfazed. Every organization had its troubles, after all. The intruder''s grudge was with Jonathan specifically, and given this was Pris'' headquarters, the issue would surely be handled swiftly. Yates turned to Uzziah, steering the conversation back on track. "I heard the leadership of the Eight Great Martial Families has shifted. The Rubies have been knocked down from the top spot?"


    Uzziah nodded. "Yes, a significant change. Those young ones always report back to me on matters like this. I''ve heard about a prodigy from the Jacobs family who''s finallye into his own.


    "You know how the rankings work-the families rise and fall based on the talent of the younger generation, and no one could stop that boy''s rise."


    Titus chimed in with a knowing nod. "You''re talking about Mason, aren''t you? That kid''s incredible-his talent is unheard of.


    "He''s already reached the Innate Realm at such a young age. The Ruby family stepping down to second ce seems permanent now. There''s no catching up to Mason."


    Yates'' eyes gleamed with interest. "The Innate Realm? My goodness, the Jacobs family is surely blessed! It''s clear we''re getting old. The future belongs to the young."


    Thaddeus suddenly remembered something and leaned forward. "Mr. Crayden, I heard some news recently. Is it true that the Elders'' Council of the Eight Great Martial Families is changing its name?" Uzziah seemed taken aback by the question but eventually gave a reluctant nod. "Yes, it''s true. A few days ago, someone appeared-a mysterious figure with strength beyondprehension. "They imed we didn''t have the right to call ourselves the Elders'' Council. They gave us three days to change the name or face destruction.


    12


    Chapter 613.


    He added, "What else could we do? You can''t fight someone like that. It''s now called the Ancient Council.''


    The guests exchanged baffled looks, their expressions mixed with disbelief and amusement. A name dispute over qualifications was absurd yet somehow fascinating.


    "Sir!" A voice cut through the moment. A man burst into the hall-one of the elders who had apanied Jonathan outside. His face was pale, and his expression was grim.


    The sect leader seemed to anticipate bad news and began rising from his seat, but Yates. waved him back down.


    He stated, "Speak freely. There''s no need to keep making fools of yourselves. What is it? Can''t you handle the loudmouth outside?"


    The elder looked deeply embarrassed, clearly aware of the shame he was bringing to Pris in front of their esteemed guests. Nheless, with Yates prompting him, he dared not hold back. He stammered, "M-Mr. Jordan, we couldn''t deal with him. None of us were a match for


    him."


    Yates'' expression darkened slightly. The elders who had gone out were all martial masters of the highest caliber, yet they had failed.


    "All of you, go take care of it," Yates ordered. "If possible, capture him alive and figure out/ what''s happening. Remember, Pris prides itself on being a righteous sect. Show some decency." "Understood!"


    With that, the sect leader, deputy leader, and remaining elders filed out. Watching them leave, Yates let out a weary sigh.


    "It''s true what they say-each generation is weaker than thest. And when I think about Mason already stepping into the Innate Realm, it only makes it clearer how far behind we are. We can''t even handle a troublemaker at our own doorstep. What a disgrace." Thaddeus hesitated for a moment, then nced at Titus before offering, "Would you like me to go take a look?"


    Yates shook his head firmly. "No need. If Pris can''t handle something this minor, we might as well shut our doors for good. There''s no need for Martial Alliance to intervene." Yates was confident. After all, their sect leader was an Aetherial Realm master-one of the strongest in the region. For Pris, ranked fifth among the great sects, resolving this issue should be a matter of routine. At least, that was what Yates firmly believed.

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    Within minutes, the deputy sect leader burst into the hall, his face a mix of panic and fury.


    "This is madness!" Yates shot as he mified his palm on the table, rising to his feet in a thunderous rage.


    He had assumed this was just some reckless troublemaker causing a scene, but to hear that even the sect leader could not handle the situation? That was an insult he could not bear. "Stay seated, gentlemen. I''ll handle this personally," Yates growled, disappearing in a sh before anyone could respond.


    Uzziah rose from his seat, ncing at the others. "Let''s go take a look. I can tell you''re all


    as curious as I am."


    Titus and Thaddeus did not hesitate, quickly following behind. There was no way they would miss seeing who dared to provoke Pris to the point where even Yates had to step


    1. in.


    When Yates arrived at the training ground outside, his expression instantly darkened. The sect leader, deputy leader, and a group of elders were all sprawled across the ground, barely clinging to consciousness. Though none were dead yet, their injuries were severe enough to make death seem inevitable without immediate aid.


    The rest of Pris'' disciples had been discreetly confined to prevent them from witnessing the humiliation of their sect. After all, this spectacle was nothing less than a tant attack


    on Pris'' honor.


    Standing alone amidst the mess was a young man, his right foot pressing firmly on Jonathan''s chest. The elder''s face was twisted in agony, his features contorted as though. he had endured unspeakable torment. Yates barked, his voice booming with authority "I''m Yates Jordan, Pris'' Supreme Elder. Do you have any idea of the consequences of what you''ve done here today?"


    The intruder was none other than Felix, who hade straight to Pris after uncovering the horrifying details of the secret experiments. When the elders and Jonathan had arrived to confront him, they were effortlessly overpowered.


    Jonathan, under duress, had spilled everything confirming Felix''s suspicions about theb. The only surprise? Yates himself had no knowledge of the secretb. It was a ring gap in the chain of me, one Felix found both frustrating and mildly intriguing. "Yates, is it?" Felix asked coldly. "You didn''t charge in to kill me outright, which means


    Within minutes, the deputy sect leader burst into the hall, his face a mix of panic and fury.


    "This is madness!" Yates shot as he mmhed his palm on the table, rising to his feet in a thunderous rage.


    He had assumed this was just some reckless troublemaker causing a scene, but to hear that even the sect leader could not handle the situation? That was an insult he could not bear.


    "Stay seated, gentlemen. I''ll handle this personally," Yates growled, disappearing in a sh before anyone could respond.


    Uzziah rose from his seat, ncing at the others. "Let''s go take a look. I can tell you''re all


    as curious as I am."


    Titus and Thaddeus did not hesitate, quickly following behind. There was no way they would miss seeing who dared to provoke Pris to the point where even Yates had to step in.


    When Yates arrived at the training ground outside, his expression instantly darkened. The sect leader, deputy leader, and a group of elders were all sprawled across the ground, barely clinging to consciousness. Though none were dead yet, their injuries were severe enough to make death seem inevitable without immediate aid.


    The rest of Pris'' disciples had been discreetly confined to prevent them from witnessing the humiliation of their sect. After all, this spectacle was nothing less than a tant attack on Pris'' honor.


    Standing alone amidst the mess was a young man, his right foot pressing firmly on Jonathan''s chest. The elder''s face was twisted in agony, his features contorted as though he had endured unspeakable torment. Yates barked, his voice booming with authority "I''m Yates Jordan, Pris'' Supreme Elder. Do you have any idea of the consequences of what you''ve done here today?"


    The intruder was none other than Felix, who hade straight to Pris after uncovering the horrifying details of the secret experiments. When the elders and Jonathan had arrived to confront him, they were effortlessly overpowered.


    Jonathan, under duress, had spilled everything confirming Felix''s suspicions about theb. The only surprise? Yates himself had no knowledge of the secretb. It was a ring gap in the chain of me, one Felix found both frustrating and mildly intriguing. "Yates, is it?" Felix asked coldly. "You didn''t charge in to kill me outright, which means


    you''re not entirely without conscience. Fine. I''ll give you the benefit of the doubt and exin."


    Upon hearing this and remembering Jonathan was Felix''s target, the faces of several elders around Yates changed drastically. They exchanged nces, having only one thought in their minds not to let Felix spout nonsense.


    "You''ve injured so many of our people, and you think you have the right to keep talking? You''re asking for death!" one of them shouted.


    Without hesitation, the four elders charged at Felix together. They were masters at the major mastery of the Aetherial Realm, and their coordinated techniques were among Pris'' deadliest. Even if the sect leader had failed, theirbined strength would surely crush Felix.


    Yates did not intervene; his brow furrowed, but his mind was calm. Given the situation, it was only natural for hisrades to react this way. Who could tolerate such arrogance from an outsider?


    However, Felix was unfazed. He smirked, his voice your Supreme Elder hear the truth? How pathetic." oping with mockery. "Afraid to let


    He took a step forward, his tone icy. "Don''t worry. Your time for atonement ising soon enough."


    As hisst words echoed through the air, Felix raised his right hand and mmed it downward in a decisive motion. A loud boom shook the training grounds. The four charging elders were mmed into the ground with devastating force, unable to even put. up a defense. Yates''


    eyes widened in shock. Even he could not hide his astonishment as he stared at Felix. He muttered in disbelief, "Oceanus Realm... At his age?" Chapter 615

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    Chapter 615 Chapter 615


    The Oceanus Realm was a level of power far beyond the Aetherial Realm, achieved only. when one could form an energy vortex within their core. The advancement in strength that came with reaching this realm was beyond description.


    Now fullyprehending Felix''s power, Yates felt a wave ofplex''emotions. In his entire life, he had never witnessed someone as young as Felix reach the Oceanus Realm.


    Despite being considered a genius in his prime Yates had spent his entire life stuck in this realm, unable to advance further. The others who had emerged earlier-Titus, Thaddeus, and Uzziah-all wore expressions of amazement.


    "Who is this young man, and who trained him? He''s so young, yet he''s reached the Oceanus Realm!" Titus felt a mix of emotions, realizing his own training paled inparison.


    Uzziah nodded in agreement. "They say each generation surpasses thest. I always thought Mason from the Jacobs family would lead this generation, but perhaps I''ve been too narrow-minded."


    Unlike the others, Thaddeus recognized Felix immediately. However, he kept quiet, as the revtion of Felix''s Oceanus Realm mastery rendered him too shocked to think straight.


    "Mr. Jordan is a master with the major mastery of Oceanus Realm," Titusmented cautiously. "This young man is probably just at the entry level. There''s no realparison, right?"


    Uzziah considered this and nodded. "Of course. Yates has spent over 20 years at the Oceanus Realm, and he''s almost ready to break through to the next stage. If I were at his level, even I couldn''t say with certainty that I''d surpass him, let alone some kid." "Exactly," Titus agreed, his tone grim. "If this boy isn''t from a prestigious sect, he''s only digging his own grave here."


    The tension in the air thickened as Yates'' expression hardened. Felix had humiliated Pris by defeating its strongest members, but he had yet to kill anyone. However, this insult was far too deep to ignore, and as Pris most powerful figure, Yates would not let it slide.


    The injured elders and sect leader, groaning on the ground, felt a strange sense of relief. Learning that Felix was an Oceanus Realm master took some of the sting out of their defeat. If anything, it was almost reassuring-none of them had evene close tonding a blow on him.


    Nheless, those did not matter with Yates present. They believed he would ensure Felix paid for his arrogance.


    Chacter + 15


    "You''ve spared their lives," Yates said finally, his voice cold but steady. "Out of respect for your talent, I''ll allow you a chance to exin yourself."


    The four severely injured elders wanted to protest but fell silent under Yates'' stem gaze.


    Felix''s lips curled into a wry smile as he turned to Yates. "You''re the first person I''ve met here who shows even a shred of dignity that a leader of a great sect should have. Fine. I''ll tell you why I''m here." Yates said nothing, his gaze locked on Felix as the young man began his story.


    "Ten years ago, Pris faced an economic copse. Every business under your sect''s name suffered devastating losses, and the sect itself was on the verge of ruin.


    "Fortunately, your leadership came up with a solution-a business venture so profitable and low-cost that it saved Pris from destruction."


    Yates frowned, his unease growing. Though he had not interfered with sect affairs in years, he was beginning to sense where this was going


    "This venture," Felix continued, his tone darkening, "wasn''t something just anyone do. It required you to abandon any trace of morality, to sell your humanity for profit."


    At this point, Yates sensed something was terribly wrong. He barked at the other elders present, "What exactly did you do?"


    Though he was the Supreme Elder, he had been too focused on breaking through the Oceanus Realm to pay attention to the sect''s affairs.


    Felix answered him as his voice filled with rage and his eyes turned red, "In the past ten years, 215 children, aged four to eight, died in Pris'' secretboratories."

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    "More than 200 lives! And they were children! When you sleep at night, do their restless. souls nevere to haunt you?" Felix''s voice boomed, each word sharp as a de.


    Yates staggered back several steps, his face pale as a sheet. His gaze swept across the fallen sect members, none of whom dared meet his eyes.


    Only the sect leader, overwhelmed with guilt, broke into sobs as he choked out an exnation. "W-We did it to save the sect! Ten years ago, something crippled all of Pris businesses. We barely had enough money to keep the sect running for six months.


    "Without resorting to desperate measures, Pris would have crumbled. We had no other choice!"


    Yates closed his eyes tightly as tears streaked down his face, his heart breaking at the revtion. For years, he had focused solely on his martial pursuits, oblivious to the horrors hidden beneath the surface..


    Titus, Uzziah, and Thaddeus were equally stunned. None of them could have imagined that a prestigious sect like Pris hadmitted such monstrous atrocities.


    "Poor Yates..." Uzziah let out a heavy sigh. He knew Yates'' character well enough to be certain that he had no knowledge of these crimes.


    If Yates had known, he would have stopped it immediately, but now, it was toote for any


    excuses.


    Felix raised a hand, and several silver needles shot through the air, piercing the bodies of the fallen elders. Their cries of agony echoed across the hall as Felix showed no mercy.


    He had spared the innocent, but these instigators? They deserved every ounce of suffering he could inflict.


    The gruesome scene did not faze Yates. He looked at Felix, his arms falling limply to his sides. "In my heart and conscience, I owe an unpayable debt to those children. But as the leader of Pris, I can''t let you leave unchallenged." He straightened his posture, his voice resolute. "I''ll take three strikes from you. If I''m still standing after that, we will settle this in a fight to the death."


    Felix''s eyes burned with intensity as he stepped forward. He understood Yates had been unaware of Pris'' crimes, but as the figurehead of the sect, Yates could not escape ountability.


    "Rising Dragon!" Felix roared as he threw his fist forward.


    The strike unleashed a wave of golden light, apanied by a deep, resonant dragon''s roar that seemed to send chills down everyone''s spine.


    Even though this was the weakest technique in Felix''s Dragons Destroyer, its force was unbelievable. The air itself seemed to tremble, the sheer power of the punch shattering the stone tiles beneath them and sending debris flying. Despite the overwhelming force, Yates stood his ground, making no move to defend himself. He took the hit head-on, and his body jolted from the impact. As the dust settled, he remained upright, as if nothing had happened. "Did he miss?" Thaddeus muttered in disbelief


    Uzziah shook his head, his expression grim. "No, he hit him. That punch almost killed Yates. If Yates had tried to counter or block, he''d be gravely injured now."


    Thaddeus was stunned. "So, in a real fight, Yates wouldn''t stand a chance?"


    Titus answered, his tone heavy, "That''s right."


    Suddenly, Yates'' body erupted with countless bloody wounds, as if his insides had been torn apart. Blood streamed into the air as he staggered but managed to stay on his feet. "Pris is no more!" Felix dered, his voice cold and final.


    With a sweep of his hand, he ended the lives of the tortured elders, ensuring their crimes. would go no further. Without another nce, he turned and began to leave.


    Just as the dust seemed to settle, the ground beneath them began to quake violently, like an impending earthquake.


    Felix froze in his steps, whipping around as a dark, ominous presence seeped up from the ground.

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    "I have a bad feeling about this!" Uzziah, the strongest among them, immediately sensed the ominous presence spreading through the air.


    Thaddeus tried to stayposed. He nced around nervously as the tremors beneath their feet grew stronger. "Uzziah, could it just be an ordinary earthquake?"


    As he asked, the intensity of the quake increased.


    Titus narrowed his eyes, scanning their surroundings for any potential threats. "Could Pris still have some hidden powerhouse alive?" he wondered, his muscles tensing as he prepared for a fight.


    Suddenly, the training grounds split apart with an earth-shattering boom, sending debris flying. A massive hole appeared in the ground, and from within, a figure leaped out,nding near the barely standing Yates. "Well, well," the figure sneered. "After all these years, Pris has really hit rock bottom. One kid almost wiped out your entire leadership. What a way to honor my brother''s legacy!"


    The neer was covered in a gray robe, their face obscured, and their voice was unnervingly raspy, like metal scraping against metal. Just hearing it sent chills down everyone''s spines.


    "Y-You''re " Yates gasped, ignoring his injuries as his face twisted in shock.


    "You fools don''t deserve to know my name," the gray-robed figure snapped. "I''ll kill this kid as repayment for a favor I owe my brother."


    Without another word, they raised their right hand and struck toward Felix. Their arm, terrifyingly thin and bony, seemed more like a weapon of death than a limb.


    A haunting chorus of wails and howls filled the air as crimson-eyed skulls began materializing in the attack''s wake. Then, the skulls swarmed toward Felix, their glowing eyes locking onto him like predators closing in on prey.


    "How is this possible?" Uzziah and Titus both eximed, their faces drained of color as they witnessed the terrifying attack.


    From the sheer power of this single move, they could tell that the gray-robed individual- Saylor Larkin was on a level far beyond their own.


    Then again, why would someone of his caliber be hidden within Pris? If he had shown himself earlier, Pris would have dominated all of Dragonia.


    From his expressions and the terrifying disy of power, Thaddeus realized Felix was doomed. No one could have predicted this oue.


    Felix stood motionless, frozen under the oppressive presence of the skulls. Whether they were illusions or real, their existence paralyzed him. He felt the icy grip of death closing in, his body unable to move as the air around him grew colder and darker. Saylor''s power was at least two major realms above Felix''s, making resistance almost impossible. Yet despite the hopeless situation, Felix''s expression was oddly calm-there was shock in his eyes, but no trace of fear or despair.


    Saylor frowned, sensing something unusual. It made no sense for Felix to appear soposed in the face of certain death. Could he still have a trump card?


    As if answering that very question, a vibrant purple umbre suddenly appeared in front of Felix, spinning rapidly. A wave of invisible energy radiated outward, instantly dispelling the crimson skulls into nothingness. "Well, well..." a yful voice echoed in Felix''s ears. "Looks like you owe me one now. This should be fun."


    Felix did not need to look to see who it was because the umbre alone gave it away-it was Mira, his senior apprentice. She loved rainy days and sunny summers because both were perfect weather for carrying an umbre. "Mira, I didn''t expect to see you here," Felix said as he turned to face her, his tone carrying both relief and recognition.


    Standing before him, Mira was as he remembered-her long, cascading hair shimmered with hues of blue and violet, reaching down to her waist. She was not conventionally beautiful, but her chubby, round face had an endearing cuteness that grew more appealing over time.

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    Mira''s personality was simr to Averill''s, but he was not as shamelessly bold as thetter.


    Mira smirked and added, "What''s wrong? Were your expecting that little tramp, Averill?


    "Oh, don''t act surprised. After she slept with your, she bragged about it in front of all of us! t ended up smacking her until she cried, which made the rest of us feel a little better."


    While Mira and Felix caught up, Titus, Uzziah, and Thaddeus stood frozen in disbelief. They never expected Felix to have a backup, let alone someone powerful enough to casually block Saylor''s terrifying attack with nothing but an umbre. It seemed that every genius had a hidden ace up their sleeve,


    Saylor, however, sneered as he watched the interaction. He thought, "Oh, I see now. No wonder this kid wasn''t scared. He had someone in the shadows all along"


    Even though he had not detected Mira earlier, Saylor remained unfazed. His confidence remained unshaken, and he believed she probably just used an advanced concealment technique. Hence, he was not worried about Mira''s strength at all. At that moment, Mira calmly closed her umbre, revealing her face to Saylor. The instant he saw her, his confidence shattered, and he shuddered.


    "Mira?" he gasped, his voice trembling.


    Mira chuckled, her tone dripping with amusement. "Ah, now it makes sense why your presence felt so familiar.


    "Saylor, you really mastered that fake-death technique back then. Even I was fooled! But now that I''ve caught you, where do you think you''ll run this time?"


    The sheer panic on Saylor''s face showed just how thoroughly Mira had him cornered. Without another word, he vanished in an instant, fleeing for his life. "Please don''t kill me! I don''t want to die!" his voice echoed as he disappeared into the


    distance.


    Mira snorted, her eyes cold. "Even if I let the past go, you tried to kill my junior. Do you really think I''d let you live? You''ve been hiding for 30 years, and it''s about time you met your end."


    Instead of chasing him immediately, Mira turned her attention back to Felix with a yful grin. "Felix, you owe me one now. Make sure you''re ready to repay that favor anytime. Oh, and don''t forget to clean up and look your best when the timees." Before Felix could respond, Mira vanished as suddenly as she had appeared. He stood there, exasperated, muttering, "Why does it feel like they nned this? If Averill is so free,


    she could''ve handled it herself."


    As if on cue, a handnded on his shoulder.


    "You''re absolutely right! We did n this," Averill said, her tone smug. "If I didn''t let Mira take this one, she''d have beaten me ck and blue."


    "Averill!" Felix sighed, rolling his eyes before quickening his pace to avoid more teasing.


    "Why are you running? You should be happy!" Averill called after him,ughing. She continued, "Mr. Hoffman approved this whole operation. When he heard about Pris'' crimes, he gave us the green light toe here, so you don''t have to feel guilty about anything." Felix''s eyes lit up. "Wait... Does that mean I don''t have to owe Mira a favor? After all, this mission had Mr. Hoffman''s approval!"


    Averill grinned mischievously. "I didn''t say that."


    In a much better mood, Felix continued walking with Averill, chatting casually as they left Pris behind.


    Meanwhile, Titus, Uzziah, and Thaddeus stood rooted to the spot, their expressions a mix of shock and awe. After a moment of stunned silence, Uzziah was the first one to speak.


    "Titus, I have an unusual request. Could you investigate this young man''s identity for me? I''d like to know everything about him."


    Titus gave a wry smile and nodded. "Of course, Mr. Crayden. I''ll personally oversee it."


    Beside them, Thaddeus gulped nervously. The implication was clear: if someone like Uzziah was this shaken, crossing Felix would be nothing short of suicidal-for an individual or an entire n.

 With Husband 619

    Chapter 619 Chapter


    619


    When Felix returned to Canraville, Averill had already left. He woke up from a deep, satisfying nap at sunset.


    Just then, Xena arrived at his house.


    Felix asked, "Weren''t you supposed to stay in Yartford for a few days?"


    Xena''s expression was grim as she exined, "We discovered traces of human trafficking in Canraville. Though we only found about a dozen children at the scene, headquarters takes these cases very seriously and wants a thorough investigation, so I came back immediately."


    Felix feigned ignorance and responded with anger, "Human traffickers? Those bastards deserve to die."


    Xena studied Felix''s face carefully. "Are you sure you don''t know anything about this?"


    "Why would I know anything?" Felix asked, puzzled.


    Xena leaned forward, noting that Felix''s breathing and eyes remained steady. "The bodies showed evidence of acupuncture needles, and we can confirm they were tortured before death."


    Felix''s expression turned wry. "Just because acupuncture needles were involved, you suspect me? Should I provide an alibi forst night?"


    Xena replied, "That''s not what I meant. Whoever did this was well-prepared.


    "The surveince cameras within several blocks of the crime scene were destroyed, leaving us with no leads. I need you to take a look at the bodies and see if the marks give you any clues."


    The surveince footage had been handled by ir at Felix''s request. If Nancy''s car had not been involved, such precautions would not have been necessary, but Felix could not risk having Nancy brought in for questioning.


    "Sure. If you''re asking, I won''t refuse. Let''s go, Felix agreed.


    After examining the bodies at the Wolfie Troops'' base, Felix offered Xena an apologetic smile. "Sorry that I couldn''t be of much help."


    Xena looked disappointed but nodded. Before they could leave, Alistair rushed over.


    He reported, "Lady Summers, Martial Alliance just reported that Pris was attacked by a mysterious person this morning. 16 people are dead, and the Supreme Elder of Pris, Yates Jordan, is severely injured. They couldn''t even see the attacker''s face. Xena''s expression darkened at this news. Even though Martial Alliance was already Chapter 619


    investigating the incident, an attack on Dragon''s fifth-ranked sect could not be good


    news.


    "Alistair, Felix is an outsider. Don''t discuss sensitive information in front of him," Zena warned.


    "Yes, ma''am!" Alistair responded.


    Felix smirked but said nothing, leaving without protest. The Martial Alliance''s approach did not surprise him-it was a calcted response. Sparing Yates and having Mira make an appearance had been enough to keep them cautious and quiet,


    The world of martial orders was nothing like the structured, rule-bound society people imagined. Stability requiredyers ofpromise and strategy, not just brute force.


    As Felix reyed the earlier events in his mind, he thought back to the corpses he had " examined" earlier. Xena, Alistair, and the soldiers present had been visibly furious, their eyes zing with hatred.


    The heinous nature of a child trafficking case was enough to rile up anyone, but he wondered what their reaction would have been if they discovered Pris'' secretb hidden deep in the forest. The mere thought might have driven them into an uncontroble rage. The next day, in Yartford, the Crayden family estate was bustling with activity. The entire family had gathered in the courtyard, with nearly all direct members present.


    "Axel, what''s going on? I''ve never seen such a big gathering in my entire life," a young man said while standing on his tiptoes, trying to see what the elders were doing. Today''s Bonus Offer

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    Axel also adopted an unusually serious demeanor. "I don''t know, but I heard Mr. Uzziah has emerged from seclusion."


    The young man''s eyes widened in surprise. "Mr. Uzziah? Wow, Uzziah hasn''t shown his face in years!


    "If he''sing out now and summoning everyone, something big must be happening. Could it be due to the leadership shift in the Eight Great Martial Families?"


    Axel frowned and shook his head. "I doubt it. Mason is a prodigy, sure, but he''s not yet a big enough deal to bring Uzziah out. He still has a long way to go."


    Despite being just one level below Mason, crossing the first threshold from Ultimate Mortal Realm to Innate Realm was a challenge that had defeated countless so-called geniuses, including Axel himself. Meanwhile, the Crayden elders were also specting about the situation.


    "Sir, do you know what''s going on?" one of them asked cautiously.


    At the head of the gathering stood Augustus, the current patriarch of the Crayden family, nked by several elders. His expression was calm but firm. "Enough with the guesses. We''ll know once Uzziah speaks."


    Just then, a message rang in Augustus'' ear. "Augustus, everything is ready. We can act whenever you give the order."


    Hatred flickered in Augustus''s eyes. "Execute the n. I''ve already failed Malcolm by letting that kid live this long!"


    "Understood, sir."


    About 30 minutester, Uzziah finally appeared. His mere presence silenced the entire courtyard, and everyone instinctively straightened up.


    The Crayden family''s current status owed much to Uzziah. Hence, no one dared to challenge him.


    "Greetings, Mr. Uzziah!" the crowd echoed, kneeling in unison.


    Standing on the tform, Uzziah gazed at the assembled family members with pride. Watching the direct bloodline flourish to this extent clearly pleased him. He said warmly, " Rise."


    Once everyone stood, he addressed them again, his tone growing serious, "I''m sure you''re all wondering why I''vee out of seclusion and gathered you here so suddenly."


    No one dared answer, but their expressions spoke volumes.


    "Our Eight Great Martial Families have survived through the ages not just because of our excellence but also our ability to sense danger. Dragonia''s history spans five thousand years, and that''s just what we know. "Don''t think the Crayden name makes you invincible-this is written in our ancestral teachings."


    Everyone looked confused, including Augustus. Despite wanting to ask for rification, he held his tongue, intimidated by Uzziah''s grave demeanor.


    Uzziah continued, his voice steady, "There will always be someone stronger and more hidden. My role is to identify threats and steer the family away from disaster before it strikes."


    The message finally sank in, and the crowd''s curiosity peaked. Uzziah had called this gathering because of a hidden powerhouse, someone capable of destroying the Crayden family. Who could possibly possess such overwhelming strength?


    Then, with a wave of Uzziah''s hand, countless white papers fluttered into the air, scattering among the gathered members. The crowd eagerly caught the pages, examining them closely.


    "The young man in these photographs is Felix Zeller," Uzziah announced, his voice heavy with authority. "He is the very individual I just spoke of. I want every single one of you to remember his face."


    He added, "If any of you dare provoke him, dig out your own heart to atone because this family will not lift a finger to protect you!"


    He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over the stunned crowd. "And this matter is not to leave this room. Vitors will face the full extent of familyw."


    Augustus had only just nced at the photo in his hands when Uzziah mentioned Felix''s name. His breath caught, and his hand trembled.


    "Felix?" Augustus muttered, staring at the photo in disbelief. "Same name, same face... This... How is this even possible?

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    Augustus was stunned.


    Meanwhile, Axel wore a strange expression. He couldn''t be mistaken. That man was undoubtedly Felix. It hadn''t been long since hest saw him, so the memory was deeply etched in his mind.


    "Axel, is this for real? He''s way too young! How could someone like him make even Uzziah so wary? Damn! They even said the Craydens wouldn''t step in to protect anyone who messes with him?"


    The young man beside him was visibly shaken. Frankly, most of the people around them felt the same. It would''ve made sense if Felix had been some ancient figure with decades of cultivation. However, unless Felix had discovered a fountain of eternal youth, he was just a young man.


    "Holy-


    Suddenly, Axel pped himself, startling the young man beside him.


    "Axel, what''s wrong?"


    Axel suddenly broke into a wide grin, practically beaming with joy. "When I was a kid, a fortune teller told me that my 24th year would bring me great fortune. I guess he wasn''t wrong!"


    If not for the need of proper decorum, Axel might have started jumping up and down in excitement. Thinking back to the decision he had made back then, he couldn''t help but feel like it had been the smartest move of his life. Without bothering to exin, he pushed his way forward through the crowd.


    Meanwhile, Augustus wore a grim expression. The earlier conversation rang in his ears again.


    "Augustus, is it really him?"


    Augustus'' expression darkened. After a long pause, he finally replied, "I think so,"


    "So, what do we do? Did you hear what Uzziah said? I''m afraid Felix might be shing with the people over there."


    A sh of madness crossed Augustus'' eyes as he clenched his fists tightly.


    "We do nothing. Uzziah has been in seclusion for too long, so his judgment must be off. It''s ridiculous to put someone like this young man on such a high pedestal! Just wait a few minutes, and Felix will be nothing but a corpse.


    At that moment, a childlike voice broke the tension. "Mr. Uzziah, is he really that powerful?


    Uzziah frowned. However, seeing that it was a little girl around the age of ten, he softened his expression slightly.


    He patiently exined, "Anyone below Oceanus Realm who fights him will die. And that''s not all. He doesn''t fight alone."


    Felix had gravely injured Yates, the Supreme Elder of Pris, with a single strike. That alone wasn''t enough to make Uzziah so wary of him. After all, it merely proved that Felix''s talent was monstrously exceptional. He had the potential to rise to the very top of the martial arts world in Dragonia.


    However, Mira''s appearance left Uzziah utterly rattled.


    It wasn''t just that. Saylor''s energy alone told Uzziah that he didn''t stand a chance against him in battle. However, the moment Mira appeared, even Saylor turned and fled without hesitation. That was all the confirmation he needed.


    The Crayden family prided themselves on being a force no one dared provoke, precisely because of the powerful figures who supported them. Felix, however, seemed to be surrounded by two such forces. That was truly terrifying to them.


    As Uzziah''s words sank in, the crowd fell silent. Their expressions ranged from disbelief to outright shock.


    After all, it was terrifying enough to hear that Felix himself could crush anyone below Oceanus Realm. However, knowing he had someone even more terrifying supporting him was something they couldn''t wrap their heads around.


    Augustus wore an ugly expression. For reasons he couldn''t exin, he found himself believing every word Uzziah said. If that were the case, the forces he had arranged to deal with Felix might as well have been delivering him offerings on a silver tter. Today''s Bonus Offer

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    "Dad, if we keep stalling, there really won''t be a way back." Axel suddenly appeared, prompting Augustus to frown.


    "Get out of my way!" Augustus said.


    He had only ever acknowledged Malcolm as his son. He had poured the most effort into Malcolm, who was also the most talented. His other children were nothing in his eyes.


    However, Axel didn''t seem offended. "I have some rapport with Felix. I can go with Uzziah and smooth things over, and then you can step in afterward. I think we can still salvage this."


    Augustus fell silent, staring into Axel''s eyes. For the first time, a grave realization dawned on him. "Alright. You''lle with me."


    Meanwhile, Felix had just arrived at the small square inside Twilight Gardens of Canraville.


    Twilight Gardens was one of several botanical gardens in the city. Located on the outskirts, it wasn''t as popr as the others. However, there was a steady flow of visitors because it provided free entry to its visitors. However, when Felix arrived, there wasn''t a single soul in sight. It was strange given that it was still broad daylight.


    "Felix, so you''vee, after all."


    Standing in the square were N and Yvonne. Beside them was Alfie, whom Felix had briefly met before. He was a steward or something.


    "You made a promise," Felix said coldly. "After this meeting, you wouldn''t bother me again. I''m here only because I trust Yvonne''s words. This is thest chance I''m giving you. Break your word, and I won''t be so polite next time." Yvonne stood expressionless, though the flicker in her eyes seemed to hint at something.


    Felix couldn''t help but wonder why N had called for a meeting so suddenly. He despised the woman with every fiber of his being, yet he couldn''t ignore her unique position in Dragonia. He did not want to be involved with her at all. Beyond that, there was one critical factor: N''s connection to Lionel, the Shadowdragon Warlord. That tie alone had the potential to hurt Xena deeply, which was something Felix wanted to avoid at all costs. However, after Felix spoke, he frowned.


    A middle-aged man and an elderly man appeared. The both of them emitted an


    unmistakable air of murderous intent. It didn''t take a genius to figure out they didn''te with good intentions.


    "That middle-aged man is from the Elders'' Council," N said. "The older one is the Third Elder of the Crayden family, which is one of the Eight Great Martial Families. I assume you know why they''re here?"


    Felix didn''t flinch. Instead, a look of puzzlement crossed his face. Yvonne wouldn''t do something like this-at least not to him.


    As expected, Yvonne opened his mouth, as if to exin. However, she said nothing in the end.


    "Interesting," Felix mused, his tone tinged with mockery. "Still, I can''t imagine the mighty Lady N relying on others to deal with me. Have you really fallen that far?"


    N, still veiled, shot him a sharp gaze.


    "I''ve told you before. My goal is to make you fall in love with me. How could I possibly want you dead?"


    Fall in love with her? That would never happen.


    "Cut the crap!" Felix snapped.


    Alfie lifted his hand, as if to speak, but N stopped him with a gesture.


    "Felix, let''s get one thing straight. I don''t know why the Elders'' Council wants you dead, but Malcolm''s death is on you. The grudge between the Crayden family and you is irreconcble. Your father, Victor Greene, is dead. He can''t protect you anymore, and you know that. "Both of them are martial arts masters of Oceanus Realm. If they make a move, you''ll die. But here''s the thing: I''m offering you a way out. If you agree to stay by my side, I can make the Elders'' Council and the Crayden family back off. You know I have the power to do that.


    "So, what will you choose? I trust you''re smart enough to decide wisely."

 With Husband 623

    To be honest, Felix was truly taken aback.


    The Crayden family was one thing, but the fact that N couldpel the Elders'' Council topromise was rather surprising.


    "Do you know why the Elders'' Council wants to kill me?" Felix asked.


    N answered candidly, "I don''t know. It doesn''t matter."


    Felix turned to the middle-aged man. "Are you really from the Elders'' Council?"


    The middle-aged man, Noah Reed, grinned, as though Felix were nothing but an ant in his palm. If it weren''t for N, Felix might have already been a corpse.


    "Do you doubt my identity? Didn''t you kill Dexter Grimshaw and Solomon Gill? And that little fireworks disy in Azuria was quite unexpected. Do you think you can pull off something simr here in Dragon¨ªa?" Noah''s knowledge of these events was proof enough of his association with the Elder''s Council.


    Despite his irritation at being ignored, Tatum Crayden, the Crayden family''s Third Elder, didn''t dare voice his displeasure. It wasn''t only because of N but also because of a recent incident.


    The Elders'' Council that was formed by the Eight Great Martial Families had recently been forced to rebrand as the "Ancient Council" due to a mysterious individual''s threat. Who could guarantee there was no connection between that and the Elder''s Council? Felix smirked, utterly unfazed. He had underestimated N. Apparently, she even managed to earn the Elders'' Council''s favor. Considering their hatred for Gerald, it should have been impossible for them to relent. What could she have done to sway them? "Have you figured it out?" N pressed. "Your talent and potential can only truly flourish if you''re with me. Otherwise, your achievements will be limited."


    Felix chuckled and shook his head. "Thank you for going to such lengths for me, but I''ll walk my own path. I don''t need anyone holding my hand. Do you really think those two pieces of trash are enough to contain me?"


    N frowned. To her, Felix''s words were pure bravado. These two had achieved Oceanus Realm, while Felix was, at best, in Aetherial Realm. Was he bluffing for his pride at the cost of his life?


    "Felix!" Her voice was sharp. "Don''t think I won''t turn and leave right now, I admire you, and I need you, but that doesn''t mean you can manipte my thoughts."


    As if agreeing with her words, the energies of Noah and Tatum surged. Their Oceanus Realm-level power crashed toward Felix like a tidal wave. It was as if they were silently telling him to stick to his arrogant behavior, for he would be dead in moments. "Well, I''ve met you as you requested, so I hope you''ll keep your word, Lady N. Don''t bother me again. Whether I live or die has nothing to do with you, right?"


    N gritted her teeth in frustration. To her, Felix''s rapid growth had gone to his head, a dangerous mix of luck and strength that left him overconfident.


    "Fine! I was wrong about you. We''re leaving!"


    She turned to leave, but Yvonne remained rooted to the spot. "Miss, I¡ª"


    Before she could finish, N shot Alfie a nce.


    Alfie stepped forward, lightly brushing his right hand across Yvonne''s neck, rendering her unconscious. Slinging Yvonne over his shoulder, Alfie followed N without a backward nce. "Felix, your choice is exactly what I was hoping for."


    Noah sneered, cracking his neck.


    Looking at Tatum, he said, "Feel free to take him down. I just need to bring his head back as proof."


    Why bother himself if someone else was willing to do the work?


    Tatum spread his hands. "Fine. I''ll handle it."


    To them, Felix was just a prey they would eventually divide. It didn''t matter who got to it first. Today''s Bonus Offer

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    Noah had a clear perspective on the situation. Back in Azuria, the Elder''s Council had sent two martial artists at the peak of Aetherial Realm to kill Felix. The oue, though unexpected, ended with both being wiped out by missiles. That oue alone proved a point: Felix wasn''t their match, which was why he had to resort to such desperate measures.


    Since he was facing someone of Oceanus Realm, could Felix possibly escape alive? There was no way, especially now that N had walked away. It left him with no hope of survival. The oue was set in stone.


    Just as Tatum was about to make a move, his phone suddenly rang. The ringtone was unique, reserved specifically for calls from the head of the Crayden family. If possible, it had to be answered. This was the rule.


    In the Crayden family, aside from the First Elder, all other elders were bound by the head of the Crayden family''s orders. It was written in their ancestralws. Otherwise, the head of the family would be nothing more than a figurehead, and the family would never thrive. "Hold on. I need to take this call," Tatum said.


    Leaning against a stone pir in the square, Noah burst outughing. "That''s right. Taking calls is important."


    Pausing a fight to answer a phone call seemed like the ultimate insult to Felix. Hence, Noahughed at the absurdity of it.


    However, Felix didn''t care. His mind was preupied, still trying to figure out what N had done to persuade the Elder''s Council to spare his life.


    Neither of them noticed the change in Tatum''s expression as he listened to the call. His face shifted repeatedly, and his mouth was slightly agape, as if he''d just heard something utterly unbelievable.


    When the call ended, he pocketed his phone and walked toward Felix.


    "This mission turned out to be surprisingly simple," Noah said. "I won''t even need to lift a finger." He yawned, already imagining the nap he''d take once this was over.


    However, to their surprise, Tatum suddenly dropped to his knees.


    About five yards away from Felix, he said, "Mr. Zeller! Please forgive my earlier disrespect. The head of the Crayden family deeply regrets his actions. If you are willing, he will personallye to apologize to you. Axel Crayden also humbly begs for your forgiveness." Noah froze, blinking in disbelief. He even rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was seeing things. "What''s this?" he asked. "Are you not nning to avenge Malcolm anymore?"


    Felix was curious, too, as he had not anticipated the turn in events. Just moments ago, they were raring to go, and now, a single phone call had changed everything. Given that Axel was part of the younger generation, there was no way it was his decision alone. "Malcolm offended you, and that was his own fault. He deserved to die! We''ve realized we''re no match for you. Going against you would only bring disaster upon ourselves. If you''re still angry, you can take my life instead.


    With that, Tatum closed his eyes, ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for his family. He was mentally prepared for it. After all, Felix was so terrifying that even Uzziah- "Interesting. Get lost, then. If the Crayden family bothers me again, I won''t be so forgiving.


    If it had been in the past, Tatum would''ve been dead already. Felix would also have gone after Augustus and anyone else involved. However, Felix couldn''t be bothered to do that


    now.


    He''d already shed too much blood over the Pris issue. On top of that, Gerald had always reminded him to tread carefully between a healer''spassion and ruthlessness.


    "Thank you, Mr. Zeller!" Relieved, Tatum disappeared without a trace.


    Meanwhile, Noah pped his own face in disbelief. "Well, I''ll be damned! I can''t believe he''s from one of the Eight Great Martial Families. What a joke! Big talk but no action. I guess it''s up to me to finish the job, then." He smirked and crooked his finger at Felix. "Come over here. It''s time to die."

 Billionaire With Husband 625

    hapter 625


    "Since the Elder''s Council sent you here, that must mean that you''re no weakling among the Oceanus Realm masters, right?" Felix asked


    Noah chuckled. "You''re sharp. I''m ranked first among all the Oceanus Realm-level masters in the Elder''s Council! Are you trying to beg for mercy, kiddo? Sure. I''ll make it quick for you."


    To his surprise, Felix smiled. Stretching his arms casually, he said, "Ever since I reached this level, I haven''t had the chance to test just how much my body has transformed. You''ll make a fine experiment." Gerald had once exined that the true terror of the Dragons Destroyer techniquey in its ability to transform the body. It would bring his body ever closer to the physical state of an ancient dragon.


    And what was an ancient dragon? The myths alone said enough. Its body was so fearsome that a mere flick of its tail could shatter mountains, and no weapon or technique could pierce its scales.


    From the moment Felix absorbed the first piece of a true dragon''s spine, he had felt the constant,fortable changes coursing through his body.


    In the fight against Yates, he had been too consumed by rage to pay attention to the growth of his physical strength. Now, he had the perfect opportunity to explore it.


    Laughing, Noah said, "Are you not begging for mercy? Do you actually want to fight me? Are you nning to rely solely on your body? Don''t you need any forbidden techniques? Did I hear that right?" "You heard it right."


    Noahughed heartily, but before he could finish, Felix appeared in front of him in an instant andshed out with a whip-like kick.


    Seeing this disy of speed, Noah''s expression grew serious. He raised his right arm to block, but the impact was so forceful that he was thrown sideways.


    "Don''t disappoint me!" Felix said. Soon after he said that, he followed up with a crushing punch, refusing to give Noah a moment to breathe.


    "Damn it! Why is he getting faster?"


    For the first time, Noah felt a flicker of fear. Felix''s relentless physical attacks came with such speed and force that he didn''t even have a chance to unleash his techniques.


    The sheer power and velocity were unlike anything he had ever encountered. It seemed to be something that was too much for an Oceanus Realm-level martial artist to keep up with. Chapter 625


    "How is this possible? The reports said Felix was, at best, in Aetherial Realm, but-"


    There was no time to think. He was entirely consumed with fending off the storm of punches and kicks raining down on him.


    At the top of a clock tower in the garden, N and Alfie watched the battle through their binocrs. They seemed to feel rather conflicted.


    "The Third Elder of the Crayden family kneeling for mercy was already bizarre enough," Alfie muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. "But now this? What is Felix?"


    "Alfie, when you were at Oceanus Realm, could you match that speed and power?"


    Without hesitation, Alfie shook his head. "No. And to be honest, miss, even with my current body, I can only barely hold my own against Felix. Without using techniques or other methods, I''d eventually lose." N''s eyes sparkled as she contemted. "What do you think is going on, then?"


    After a long pause, Alfie shot her a bitter smile. "Either Felix consumed some miraculous elixir that transformed his body, or he''s practicing a terrifying secret art focused on physical cultivation. That''s all I can think of. "Well, I must say that it''s astonishing. No wonder he refused your offer. It wasn''t out of arrogance. He truly has the ability to defend himself."


    N set down her binocrs, her eyes gleaming with quiet amusement. "Let''s go. The oue is clear. There''s no need to keep watching."


    Alfie hesitated before saying helplessly, "You''re right. Since you''ve decided to cut ties with Felix and not bother him anymore, staying here would just be a waste of time." Today''s Bonus Offer

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    Alfie felt a stinging pain when N smacked the back of his head. He froze, utterly dumbfounded.


    "When did I say such nonsense? Do you want me to hit you?" N asked.


    Rubbing the sore spot on his head, Alfie smirked. "It''s over," he thought. "Lady N is absolutely serious this time."


    Five minutester, Noahy sprawled on the ground, struggling to get up. His body refused to obey, leaving him bruised and battered beyond recognition.


    "Are... Are you really in Aetherial Realm?"


    He was utterly broken. Since stepping into Oceanus Realm, he had carried immense pride in his abilities. He wouldn''t im invincibility at his rank, but he always had absolute confidence in his strength.


    Yet, all that confidence had been shattered. If Felix had defeated him with some powerful technique or secret art, he could have epted it. However, Felix had relied solely on raw physical strength. With no techniques, he had still beaten him to a pulp, leaving him on the verge of death. It was absurd.


    What exactly was Felix''s cultivation level?


    "Does it even matter now?" Felix asked.


    Kneeling down, Felix looked at Noah with calm yet piercing eyes. Noah swallowed hard, his thoughts racing.


    "Felix must be at Oceanus Realm as well," he concluded.


    However, cultivation didn''t work like that. Every step required painstaking effort, yet Felix had seemingly leapt a whole major realm in just days. He had still been in Aetherial Realm days ago.


    Was it possible Felix had orchestrated the missile strike on that deserted ind in Azuria just to create this moment of surprise?


    "I want to know why the Elder''s Council agreed to Lady N''s request. Does she know I''m the apprentice of the miracle doctor?"


    Noah''s demeanor shifted abruptly. Now, he was as docile as amb.


    "She doesn''t know you''re the miracle doctor''s apprentice. As for why the higher-ups agreed, I really am not in the position to know. In the Elder''s Council, I''m just a glorified gatekeeper. I''m not even considered mid-level in the hierarchy." "Oh?" Felix was surprised. However, it made sense to him. Any faction daring to challenge


    Gerald would naturally have to be formidable. Otherwise, they would be fighting a losing battle.


    "Fine. Second question. I don''t get it. Are the Elder''s Council''s higher-ups all brainless? If they want me dead, why not send their strongest fighter right away? That would minimize the risk of failure.


    "Instead, they''re sending opponents one level at a time. What''s the point of this ridiculous game?"


    When he was done, he paused in confusion. Was Noah tearing up? Was he about to cry? "Oh, dear boy!" Noah eximed, his voice cracking with emotion. "Do you think we want to drag this out? Who even does this kind of nonsense anymore? We''d love to go all out, even if it''s like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut!"


    It made Felix curious. "Then, why don''t you?"


    "It''s because of Eloise, your fellow apprentice! She sent a message to the higher-ups of the Elder''s Council. She said that they''re only allowed to send opponents one major realm higher than you if they want to kill you.


    "Numbers don''t matter, but the realm restriction is absolute. And if we dare to break this rule by sending our strongest fighter, she''ll retaliate. She said she''d skin every single member of the Elder''s Council alive along with their rtives and pets!" ""Eloise?" Felix was stunned.


    Eloise had always been utterly devoted to martial cultivation and showed no interest in anything else. Yet, she had secretly done that for him?


    "Isn''t the Elder''s Council too cowardly? Are you really going along with her terms?"


    He couldn''t help butugh at the absurdity of it all. The Elder''s Council was supposed to be mysterious, powerful, and brave. However, Felix could no longer hold them in that regard.


    Noah''s eyes bulged in disbelief, as though he had seen a ghost. "Don''t you know how terrifying Eloise is? Are you unaware of what she did that sent tremors throughout the martial arts world of Dragonia?" 1 Chapter 627

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    Felix''s interest was piqued. Truth be told, he didn''t know much about his nine fellow apprentices. For instance, Averill had her own assassin organization, and Delh was none other than the famous singer, Dreamscape. "Oh? Really? Then, tell me all about it."


    Noah opened his mouth as if to speak but suddenly seemed to think better of it. He shook his head vigorously.


    "No, no! I almost walked into a disaster! She''s your fellow apprentice, and if you don''t know about it, it''s probably because she doesn''t want you to know. If I b, and she finds


    I''ll be as good as dead," Noah said, fear filling his eyes.


    out,


    "Worse, she won''t stop with me-she''ll wipe out everyone connected to me. I''m talking everyone. Even the earthworms in my backyard won''t escape her de!"


    Felix was dumbstruck. Was Eloise really that terrifying?


    "Fine. If that''s the case, I won''t force you." He waved dismissively. "I''m just a guy trying to live a normal life. Well, now that I know this, my impression of the Elder''s Council has fallen greatly.


    "I''ll let you off the hook this time, but go back and make this clear to them-don''t bother me again. Especially with their silly rule about sending someone just one level above me. It''s pointless."


    The Elder''s Council was truly pitiful. They hated Gerald with a passion but couldn''t do anything to him. Finally, they caught wind of Felix, his apprentice, who was both a master of medicine and martial arts, only to get boxed in by his fellow apprentice''s, Eloise, threats. If Felix were in their shoes, he''d have gone into hiding long ago. The shame would be unbearable.


    As Felix walked away, Noah stared after him in disbelief. He was alive. Somehow, he''d made it out.


    "He''s so young," Noah thought. "If he''d killed me, the Elder''s Council would miss out on a lot of intel. Does he really think the Elder''s Council is out of tricks? Even with Eloise''s restriction about sending someone just one level higher, there''s still a high chance he''ll die. Just wait."


    When Felix got home, his phone buzzed with a call from Rosalyn. He figured she either had good or bad news.


    "Ms. Ruby," he greeted.


    Hesitantly, Rosalyn said, "My grandfather agreed, but there''s a condition. He wants you to


    Hearing her hesitation, Felix guessed the condition wasn''t going to be an easy one. "And what?"


    "I think he''s being unreasonable. I don''t even want to say


    Felix chuckled. "Just tell me regardless."


    it."


    After a deep sigh, Rosalyn finally said, "He wants you to bring three of the top ten master healers in Dragonia to examine me. If all threee to the same diagnosis, then he''ll allow you to treat me."


    Felix let out a dryugh.


    "What a cautious old man," he thought. It was obvious Rosalyn''s grandfather, Rowan Ruby, had no idea what the piece of bone really was. It was likely a family heirloom he had inherited.


    "Ms. Ruby, I agreed to treat you as a favor to Jeffrey. I know this wasn''t your idea, but pass this message to your grandfather. ''Who''s the patient, and who''s the doctor? No doctor goes around begging a patient to let them treat them.'' "That''s it."


    Felix couldn''t afford to let this get out of hand. If he agreed to such a ridiculous condition, it would only make him look guilty of ulterior motives.


    As for the Dragonspine, there was no way he was giving that up. In the worst case, he''d just bide his time and take it by forceter. A surprise attack on Rosalyn would be clean and discreet.


    Who''d even suspect him? He''d already been more than gracious.


    By sunset, Felix found himself in a restaurant in Canraville. Looking across the table, he stared at Xena with a puzzled expression.


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    Chapter 628 Chapter 628


    Earlier in the day, Felix had sent Xena a message about a newly releasededy movie, suggesting they watch it together in a few days. To his surprise, Xena replied that they could go that very day.


    "Have you solved that case you were working on?" Felix asked.


    The case involved over a dozen children, and Felix knew how deeply it had affected her. He didn''t think she''d be in the mood for a movie otherwise.


    "It''s been solved. However, I can''t share the details with you."


    "Solved?" Felix thought to himself, frowning. He had personally dealt with the mastermind behind it, ensuring the case would remain a mystery. How could it possibly have been resolved? Something about this was odd. "They''ve caught someone?" Felix pressed. "Come on. You know I''m not the type to spread things around. Tell me."


    His curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn''t resist probing further, even if it risked annoying her.


    After a moment of hesitation, Xena finally relented. "Alright. I guess I can tell you since the case is officially closed. The mastermind was identified as Yates Jordan, the Supreme Elder of Pris. He turned himself in at the Wolfie troops'' headquarters." "Yates Jordan?" Felix was stunned.


    Yates hadn''t even been involved, so why would he confess to it?


    "Are you sure you''re not mistaken?"


    "I''m not mistaken. He even disclosed the location of a secretb, but it had already been burned to the ground. Whatever chemicals were stored there caused the fire to consume everything-bodies and all. There was nothing left but ash, not even enough for testing." Felix pieced it together. Yates must have been wracked with guilt. Over a hundred children had died, and Pris had already disbanded. This might have been his way of easing his conscience. After all, as the sect''s most powerful figure, he couldn''t escape responsibility for what had happened under his watch.


    Changing the subject, Felix asked casually, "By the way, I haven''t seen Aimeetely. Did she leave Canraville?"


    "Not sure," Xena replied, shrugging. "She disappeared without a word. Typical of her. Don''t worry about it. She''s always been wild. She might''ve gone back to her family overseas. I tried calling her once, but I couldn''t get through."


    Felix couldn''t resist teasing her. "So, does this count as our first official date?"


    For once, a rare blush crept across Xena''s face as she nodded lightly. For a moment, she seemed softer, showing a glimpse of femininity


    After the movie, Felix drove Xena home before heading back home himself. Despite the lingering effects of the strange force left in his body by Madam Spring, he knew better than to rush things.


    First, he genuinely cared about Xena. Second, he believed in respecting her boundaries. When he pulled into his driveway, Sherlyn jogged by and stopped beside his car.


    "Wow, what a coincidence, Felix! Did you just get back?"


    Felix smiled. "Yeah."


    Sherlyn had been living in Canraville all this time but had never once bothered him. Her thoughtfulness tugged at his heart.


    "Wait a second," she said, sniffing the air theatrically. "You went on a date, didn''t you? There''s a woman''s scent in your car. It''s not perfume, either. I''ve got a sharp nose!" Felix replied helplessly, "Yeah, I went on a date. Sorry."


    I''d wait for you, didn''t But Sherlyn simply smiled. "What''s there to be sorry for? I told you I''d wait for I? Whatever you do is your business. See you around."


    With a sigh, Felix watched her jog off before pulling into his garage. He didn''t know what to say to her anymore.


    When he stepped into his living room, the lights flicked on suddenly. Someone was sitting on the couch.


    "My patience has its limits," Felix said coldly. "Especially with people who show up uninvited."


    When he saw who it was, his face darkened.


    "You think I want to be here?" the figure snapped. "Do you even realize you''re about to die? Chapter 620

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    Sitting on the couch was Asher from the Greene family, which exined Felix''s harsh words.


    "Whether I die or not has nothing to do with you."


    Asher stood up, his eyes burning with anger.


    "I don''t care. You''re thest bloodline left of Uncle Victor. As long as there''s even a shred of hope, I won''t just watch you throw your life away."


    Felix made a gesture, signaling Asher to continue, but said nothing.


    "Humph! You have no idea just how terrifying Aiden is. I''ll tell you one thing. You must give whatever he wants to him within the set time, or you''ll truly die. And it will be a slow, agonizing death."


    Asher knew Felix well enough to understand that he likely dismissed Aiden''s warning, which was why he hade personally to Canraville. He could never repay Victor''s kindness, so he should at least try to do it through Felix. Still, Felix remained silent, even opening the door as if to indicate the conversation was


    over.


    As Asher stepped toward the door, he paused, leaving onest remark. "When Aiden was ten years old, he had already reached Innate Realm. I hope you understand what that means."


    With that, Asher left, and Felix''s gaze darkened. Thest words had caught his attention. If what Asher said was true, then Aiden truly possessed a rare, unparalleled talent.


    If news of a ten-year-old reaching Innate Realm spread, it would leave many seasoned martial artists feeling utterly defeated. Their years of effort would seem meaningless inparison. "Aiden Greene? We''ll see."


    Even if Aiden asked for anything aside from the Dragonspine given by Victor that Felix had absorbed, he wasn''t going to hand over anything to him. Did Aiden think he was some kind of king, making demands and requests? However, Felix didn''t feel much animosity toward Asher. He could tell his intentions were purely driven by his loyalty to Victor. No matter how he looked at it, Asher''s heart was in the right ce.


    The next morning, Jeffrey walked into the vi with tacos, pizza, and coffee. It was the


    breakfast that Felix had asked him to buy. Since he had called him over, it only made sense to bring breakfast along, too.


    "Eat up," Felix said.


    "I''ve already eaten," Jeffrey said, waving his hand.


    When Felix finished his meal, he let out a satisfied burp.


    "If I had known you weren''t going to eat, I wouldn''t have asked you to buy so much. Now, I''m stuffed. Anyway, let''s get to the point. Did Rosalyn send you?"


    Jeffrey nodded with a wry smile. "Yeah. I know her grandfather''s request was unreasonable, and you have every right to be angry! However, Rosalyn convinced her grandfather to agree after one night. So, could you give them another chance?" After a moment of thought, Felix held up a finger.


    "Tell the Ruby family to prepare one hundred million dors, a luxurious vi in Aleshire in a prime location, and a Rolls-Royce Cullinan. If they agree to that, I''ll treat her."


    Jeffrey let out a sigh of relief. For most families such a fee would be astronomical, but for the Ruby family, it was a small price to pay.


    "Alright. I''ll contact Rosalyn now. Thank you for giving us another chance."


    As expected, Rowan agreed immediately.


    "Tell me the truth. The Ruby family sought out other master healers to examine Rosalyn, right? Otherwise, her grandfather wouldn''t have changed his mind overnight.


    In response, Jeffrey awkwardly scratched his nose. "Wow! You''re really smart. Yes. They have consulted Dr. Cane, and his diagnosis was the same as yours. I hope you don''t take offense to this. Rosalyn had no say in the matter." Felix wasn''t offended. After all, it concerned the Dragonspine, which only Rowan had a say


    1. in.


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    "By the way, Rosalyn asked when you''ll being over." Jeffrey asked.


    "Right now," Felix replied. "My patientes first. Since I''ve agreed, there''s no reason to dy any further."


    After all, this concerned the fourth piece of the Dragonspine. He couldn''t afford to waste any time.


    On the surface, it seemed like everything was good to go. However, Felix wasn''t so sure if that''d still be the case once he arrived at Ruby Manor. To increase the likelihood of obtaining the Dragonspine, he needed more leverage. "Jeffrey, do you have Axel Crayden''s contact?"


    "I do."


    Jeffrey was puzzled. Was there any connection between Axel and the current situation?


    "Call him and tell him I''ll be at Ruby Manor this afternoon. You don''t have to tell him anything else."


    "Alright. I''ll take care of that now."


    After informing Xena, Felix boarded a flight alone. Jeffrey didn''t intend to join him. His personal connection with Rosalyn made it awkward for him to go. It would attract unnecessary gossip.


    The first-ss cabin was fully booked, so Felix bought an economy ss ticket, which didn''t matter to him at all.


    Not long after sitting down, he heard a familiar voice.


    "Felix?"


    Turning around, he was surprised to see Nancy.


    "You''re going to Aleshire, too? What a coincidence!"


    Nancy couldn''t believe her eyes, and then she grew a bit nervous.


    "Yeah, we''re sitting next to each other."


    She sat down, looking slightly ufortable. She already knew Felix didn''t see her in a romantic light. "I''m studying at a university in Aleshire for a month."


    Since they had already run into each other, Felix couldn''t let Nancy struggle to keep the conversation afloat alone. Hence, he smiled and said, "Ha, you''re furthering your studies! I guess you''ll be getting a promotion when you get back." 1/2


    Nancy rxed a little at his words. "Not really. It''s just regr training. I don''t have the luck to be an official."


    After the ne leveled off, Nancy remained silent for a while before suddenly gathering her courage. "Felix, I... I need to ask you for a favor. I know it sounds shameless since I haven''t even repaid you for what you''ve done for me. Who am I to ask for help?" Felix felt a bitter pang inside. He didn''t want to get too involved, but Nancy was an innocent woman. On top of that, with Vanessa involved, how could he turn her down?


    "Don''t worry," she said. "I know you don''t have feelings for me. I''m not that naive! Love can''t be forced, and I won''t keep bothering you. It''s just that this time, I really have no other choice.


    "If I hadn''t run into you, I might have even given up on studying and gone straight home, even if the school was going to punish me for it."


    Upon hearing that, Felix had no choice but to ask, "What''s the situation?"


    "I have a college ssmate in Aleshire, and his family is quite influential. He never showed any interest in me while we were in school. However, as graduation approached, he started pursuing me.


    "I was nning to work in Aleshire, but I came back to Canraville because of him. Now, somehow, he found out I''m going to Aleshire to study. He says he''ll pick me up from the airport. I''m scared."


    Felix understood the situation right away but still asked, "Is there something wrong with his character?"


    Nancy nodded. "Yeah. He''s had more than 20 girlfriends in college, and six of them had abortions for him. He paid them off every time. I''m worried he might do something extreme if he doesn''t get what he wants. After all, Aleshire is his territory." Felix knew he couldn''t refuse, especially after Nancy had exined it all. "You want me to pretend to be your boyfriend?"


    To his surprise, Nancy shook her head. "No! Not that."

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    "Not your boyfriend?" Felix was confused.


    That was until he heard Nancy''s voice, barely audible as she murmured, "Husband."


    Felix blinked. "What''s the difference?"


    Nancy mustered the courage to look up and exin, "If I say boyfriend, it makes him think there''s still a chance. But a husband willpletely shut him down."


    Ah, so that was her n-quite thorough.


    "Alright."


    At the domestic arrivals gate of Aleshire Airport, the passing crowd couldn''t help but take a second look.


    Two rows of men in ck suits stood in formation. At the front, a young man with slicked- back hair held arge bouquet of roses. He was decently good-looking and was clearly waiting for someone.


    Some sharp-eyed observers noticed his wristwatch-a Patek Philippe-and,bined with the entourage, it was clear he was someone wealthy. In Dragonia, there was a saying, The rich in Aleshire were the real rich, while everyone else was just ying pretend". "Isn''t that Ronald Sullivan, the second heir of Unity Holdings?"


    "Now that you mention it, it really is him!"


    "Poor girl-whoever she is. She''s about to get unlucky."


    "Exactly! That guy''s a pro at chasing girls, but he always gets bored after a few days."


    Those who recognized him spoke in hushed tones, quickly distancing themselves from the


    scene.


    Ronald suddenly adjusted his slicked-back hair and strode forward with a smile. "Cici, wee to Aleshire."


    His smile froze the next moment when he saw Nancy walking out with her arm linked with Felix''s. Her face radiated happiness, nearly overflowing with joy.


    "Ronald, I told you not to pick me up. We''ve always just been regr ssmates. But since you''re here, let me introduce you. This is my husband, Felix Zeller."


    Felix nced at the bouquet of roses and quipped, "I know my Cici is amazing. I''m proud that people admire her. But please, keep it under control. She''s a married woman now." Ronald forced a smile andughed. "Cici,e on. Do you really think you can fool me with some random actor? Don''t kid yourself.


    "You know my feelings for you are genuine. If it weren''t for my dad making me take over a branchpany, I''d have gone to Canraville long ago to keep pursuing you.


    "This trip of yours to Aleshire to study? It''s destiny. My schedule is clearing up, too. Be my girlfriend, and I promise to spend the rest of my life loving you."


    After his speech, Ronald turned to Felix, his eyes full of menace. "Kid, I don''t care how much Cici paid you to act the part. Here''s five thousand dors. Take it and get lost." One of his men stepped forward, holding a wad of cash-clearly five thousand dors. "An actor? Your imagination is impressive," Felix replied calmly. "Sorry, but we''re leaving now. And please, stop bothering Nancy. Otherwise, I won''t be so polite next time."


    Before Felix could say more, Ronald''s men had already stepped forward to block their path. "You''ve got onest chance," Ronald said, his voice cold. "Refuse, and not only will you miss out on the money, but you''ll also face even bigger problems. You know what I mean.'' Just as Felix was about to respond, Nancy spoke up, clearly angry, "What''s wrong with you? I''m married! What more do you want? Fine! You think my husband is just some actor? How about this?"


    With both hands, Nancy grabbed Felix by the face and kissed him on the lips.


    "Still think he''s an actor?"


    Ronald snapped. He finally believed it.


    Nancy had always been the quiet, reserved type in college-never dated and extremely conservative about such matters. If Felix really were an actor, holding hands would''ve been the limit. But a kiss? That was out of the question. Today''s Bonus Offer


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    By the time Ronald snapped out of it, Felix and Nancy were already gone.


    "Damn it! They''re like the beauty and the beast. What a waste of my time!"


    Ronald hadpletely lost interest in Nancy. He had two principles when it came to women: they either had to have both beauty and a great figure, or if they were slightlycking, they had to be untouched.


    Nancy wasn''t stunning enough to truly captivate him, but she had kept herself well- guarded. Such a pity.


    Inside the taxi, Nancy''s heart was still racing wildly.


    "Did that work?"


    Nancy nodded. "Yes. I looked into Ronald''s preferences. It should be fine now. I''m sorry for not giving you a heads-up earlier."


    Felix sighed inwardly. In a situation like this, where the man clearly had the upper hand, Nancy was still apologizing.


    "It''s alright. It''s fine as long as we avoided trouble this time."


    There was one thing Nancy didn''t say. That kiss had been her first. And to her surprise, she hadn''t felt the slightest difort-in fact, she realized she had truly fallen for Felix. But life had its way ofplicating things, and that was all there was to it. After dropping Nancy off, Felix gave the driver a new destination. "Sir, please head to Ruby Manor."


    The driver''s expression shifted slightly. "Sure."


    Having driven taxis for over a decade, this was his first time taking someone to Ruby Manor. How could he not be surprised?


    "What''s the matter? Do you have anything to say about Ruby Manor?"


    The driver jumped in surprise. "No. It''s just that Ruby Manor has always been shrouded in mystery. Peopleing and going from there don''t usually take taxis. That''s why I reacted this way."


    Felix didn''t press further.


    When they arrived at the manor, he was astonished. Unlike other families, the Ruby family had built an entire skyscraper by the banks of Riverport Bay as their base of operations. Considering Aleshire''s sky-high real estate prices, this building alone was worth an astronomical figure.


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    As Felix stepped out of the taxi, the grand entrance was already open, and Rosalyn emerged to greet him.


    ""Mr. Zeller, thank you foring."


    "I''ll be charging a consultation fee this time. So, no need to be overly polite."


    Rosalyn had intended to exin something, but seeing the look in Felix''s eyes, she swallowed her words.


    "You Rubys sure know how to live. Building a whole skyscraper like this..."


    Inside, Felix nced around at the courtyard filled with luxurious structures, thoroughly impressed.


    "My grandfather has always appreciated the bustling city life. When he became the family patriarch, he bought thisnd and built this skyscraper as our family''s home. Stepping outside feels like being part of the lively streets." ""Well, that does make sense."


    After some hesitation, Rosalyn lowered her voice. "Mr. Zeller, tensions have been high in my familytely. If anyone says something to offend you, I hope you''ll be kind enough not to be bothered."


    High tensions were to be expected. The Ruby family had held the top position among the Eight Great Martial Families for years, only to be recently dethroned. Any family in their position would be in a foul mood.


    "Got it. I understand."


    As Felix stepped inside, he was taken aback. He finally understood what a grand hall truly looked like it was spacious enough to drive a car through and even perform drifting stunts. The entire first floor seemed to have been converted into one massive hall,


    Not far ahead, three young men approached with expressionless faces.


    "Rosalyn, is this the so-called miracle doctor?


    "Yes, Reid. His name is "


    Rosalyn''s words were cut off by the man raising his hand. Reid Ruby shot Felix a frosty re.


    "You want to see my grandfather and treat Rosalyn? First, you''ll have to get past me. I haven''t been feeling welltely. If you can treat me, you can go upstairs.


    "If not, then save us all some time and get lost. Did you think the Ruby family was so easily fooled, like somemon folk?"

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    Chapter 633 Chapter


    633


    Felix''s expression darkened as he looked at the three young men, their faces filled with contempt.


    "Is this how the Ry family treats their guests"


    Reid, the so-called fourth brother, spoke again his tone still arrogant, "How we treat guests in the Ruby family is none of your business. If you''ve got the skills, prove it and make us step aside willingly instead of running your mouth." Felix sneered and turned to Rosalyn. "Your fourth brother, is it? Either he apologizes to me, or I leave right now. Did he think just any Tom, Dick, or Harry has the right to question me?


    11


    Rosalyn panicked. She hadn''t expected things to escte like this. "Mr. Zeller, please wait!


    But Felix''s remarkpletely enraged Reid.


    "Hah! Talking big on the Ruby family''s turf? You want an apology? Fine! I''ll give you a chance. Apologize to me now, or you won''t make it out of this house.


    No elder had stepped in so far, which clearly indicated that these three had been given permission to act as they pleased. Even though Rowan had agreed to meet Felix, the attitude of the rest of the Ruby family was now painfully obvious. "Reid!" Rosalyn was furious. This was her own brother, and he was going too far. " Grandfather already agreed! Why are you still blocking the way?"


    "Rosalyn, shut up!" Reid snapped. "You''re naive, inexperienced, and easily deceived. Grandfather indulges you too much, letting you mess around like this.


    "But we can''t just stand by and let a fraud into the family. It''ll tarnish the Ruby family''s reputation if he meets Grandfather, regardless of whether he''s real or fake. Do you understand that?"


    By now, Felix understood the situation.


    "Rosalyn, I''m leaving. The Ruby family, one of the Eight Great Martial Families? Not so impressive, after all."


    It was clear Reid wasn''t nning to let things go. But just as he took a step forward, the sound of hurried footsteps filled the air. Everyone turned to see a group of elders approaching, including Richard Ruby, the vice patriarch and Rosalyn''s father. "Dad! What''s going on?"


    Richard, who was leading the group, didn''t spare Felix a nce. He walked briskly,


    responding absentmindedly, "Augustus ising over as a guest. We''re heading out to greet him. Don''t block the way here."


    Augustus?


    Rosalyn immediately thought of Augustus Crayden, the patriarch of the Crayden family, another of the Eight Great Martial Families. Only someone of his stature could warrant such a reception from the Ruby family.


    Had the rankings been closer, Rowan himself would have gone out to greet him.


    By the time Rosalyn snapped back to reality, Felix had already reached the doorway. She hurried after him. "Mr. Zeller!"


    As for Reid, his eyes shed coldly, but he stayed silent. A distinguished guest was about to arrive. Thus, continuing to provoke Felix now would only invite ridicule.


    "Mr. Zeller, I''m so sorry. I had no idea Reid would act like this. I truly apologize."


    Felix didn''t stop walking. He had no intention of continuing to deal with the Ruby family. Initially, he thought the trouble mighte from Rowan, but even the younger generation was insufferable. Did they think he wouldn''t lose his temper? As for the Dragonspine, he could easily obtain it during his stay in Aleshire.


    "No need to apologize. I overestimated the Ruby family''s sincerity. You can stop here. I''m leaving."


    Felix''s tone was cold, his resolve clear.


    Upon seeing this, Rosalyn was furious. She quickly ran to Richard, who was already standing at the door.


    "Dad, Reid deliberately made things difficult for Dr. Zeller. He''s angry now and wants to leave. Are you really just going to stand by and do nothing?"


    Richard frowned. "Then, let him leave. If he''s a genuine miracle doctor, a few words would''ve been enough to convince Reid to step aside. Why did he throw a childish tantrum instead?"

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    Rosalyn hesitated briefly before continuing to argue her case. "Of course he''s the real deal! Dr. Cane''s diagnosis perfectly matched Mr. Zeller''s. What more proof do you need? Even Dr. Cane admitted he couldn''t treat me. Why don''t you believe me?" It was clear that Richard was aware of Reid''s actions. This realization left Rosalyn deeply disappointed.


    "Enough! Can''t you see your Augustus'' car has arrived? Step aside!"


    Rosalyn nearly burst into tears. She had always felt unappreciated by Richard, but it was tantly obvious that day.


    Just because she was a woman and unqualified to inherit the patriarch''s position, does that make being doted on by Rowan a crime?


    Not far away, Reid sneered. "What a fool! Comining to Dad? Whether Felix is real or fake, no one can treat your illness now that he has left. If you die, Grandfather''s affection for you will fade over time."


    At that moment, a Rolls-Royce pulled up, and Augustus stepped out with Axel.


    Richard immediately went to greet them. "Augustus,what brings you to our humble home?


    Augustus chuckled. "Oh, I had some business in Aleshire and figured I should pay my respects to your family." Before he could finish, Axel spotted Felix nearby and quickly ran over. "Mr. Zeller? What are you doing here?" Felix, blocked by the Ruby family''s guards, replied, "Just passing through. Pretend you didn''t see me."


    Axel was dumbfounded. Wasn''t he the one who asked them toe here? Why was he brushing them off now?


    Unaware that Felix was fed up with the Ruby family and unwilling to deal with them further, Axel couldn''t understand why he was being shunned away.


    "Mr. Zeller, it''s truly a coincidence. I haven''t had the chance to apologize properlyst


    time."


    Augustus walked over as well, his expression anxious. Grabbing Axel by the arm, he bowed deeply to Felix.


    "Mr. Zeller, I sincerely apologize. Please forgive us."


    Felix''s earlier invitation to the Crayden family had been a gesture of goodwill. Augustus,


    after consulting Uzziah, had been reminded that earning Felix''s forgiveness was essential. If Felix did not forgive him, Augustus would be removed from his position as patriarch. With stakes this high, pride was irrelevant.


    The bow left everyone from the Ruby family stunned.


    Is this some kind of joke? The patriarch of the Crayden family, one of the Eight Great Martial Families, bowing to Felix Zeller? Right in front of them?


    This wasn''t something done lightly. Even the Ruby family''s influence wasn''t enough to prompt such a gesture. Augustus wasn''t just any member of the Crayden family-he was its patriarch. "What''s done is done. Let it go. I''m leaving." Felix waved dismissively and turned to leave.


    Although shaken by the scene, Rosalyn recovered quickly. Seeing Richard''s uncertain expression andck of action, she spoke up immediately, "Dad! Are you still not going to act?" Richard hesitated. No one could have predicted such a turn of events.


    Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through, and an elderly man appeared in front of Felix.


    "Dr. Zeller, I was preupied with an important matter and couldn''t greet you personally. Please forgive me."


    Before Felix could respond, the elder raised his right hand, and Reid''s body was lifted off the ground, flying toward him uncontrobly.


    "This young man spoke out of turn and offended you. How you want to handle him is entirely up to you. I will personally carry out your decision."

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    Rosalyn hesitated briefly before continuing to argue her case. "Of course he''s the real deal! Dr. Cane''s diagnosis perfectly matched Mr. Zeller''s. What more proof do you need? Even Dr. Cane admitted he couldn''t treat me. Why don''t you believe me?" It was clear that Richard was aware of Reid''s actions. This realization left Rosalyn deeply disappointed.


    "Enough! Can''t you see your Augustus'' car has arrived? Step aside!"


    Rosalyn nearly burst into tears. She had always felt unappreciated by Richard, but it was tantly obvious that day.


    Just because she was a woman and unqualified to inherit the patriarch''s position, does that make being doted on by Rowan a crime?


    Not far away, Reid sneered. "What a fool! Comining to Dad? Whether Felix is real or fake, no one can treat your illness now that he has left. If you die, Grandfather''s affection for you will fade over time."


    At that moment, a Rolls-Royce pulled up, and Augustus stepped out with Axel.


    Richard immediately went to greet them. "Augustus,what brings you to our humble home?


    Augustus chuckled. "Oh, I had some business in Aleshire and figured I should pay my respects to your family." Before he could finish, Axel spotted Felix nearby and quickly ran over. "Mr. Zeller? What are you doing here?" Felix, blocked by the Ruby family''s guards, replied, "Just passing through. Pretend you didn''t see me."


    Axel was dumbfounded. Wasn''t he the one who asked them toe here? Why was he brushing them off now?


    Unaware that Felix was fed up with the Ruby family and unwilling to deal with them further, Axel couldn''t understand why he was being shunned away.


    "Mr. Zeller, it''s truly a coincidence. I haven''t had the chance to apologize properlyst


    time."


    Augustus walked over as well, his expression anxious. Grabbing Axel by the arm, he bowed deeply to Felix.


    "Mr. Zeller, I sincerely apologize. Please forgive us."


    Felix''s earlier invitation to the Crayden family had been a gesture of goodwill. Augustus,


    after consulting Uzziah, had been reminded that earning Felix''s forgiveness was essential. If Felix did not forgive him, Augustus would be removed from his position as patriarch. With stakes this high, pride was irrelevant.


    The bow left everyone from the Ruby family stunned.


    Is this some kind of joke? The patriarch of the Crayden family, one of the Eight Great Martial Families, bowing to Felix Zeller? Right in front of them?


    This wasn''t something done lightly. Even the Ruby family''s influence wasn''t enough to prompt such a gesture. Augustus wasn''t just any member of the Crayden family-he was its patriarch. "What''s done is done. Let it go. I''m leaving." Felix waved dismissively and turned to leave.


    Although shaken by the scene, Rosalyn recovered quickly. Seeing Richard''s uncertain expression andck of action, she spoke up immediately, "Dad! Are you still not going to act?" Richard hesitated. No one could have predicted such a turn of events.


    Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through, and an elderly man appeared in front of Felix.


    "Dr. Zeller, I was preupied with an important matter and couldn''t greet you personally. Please forgive me."


    Before Felix could respond, the elder raised his right hand, and Reid''s body was lifted off the ground, flying toward him uncontrobly.


    "This young man spoke out of turn and offended you. How you want to handle him is entirely up to you. I will personally carry out your decision."

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    Though Rowan and Richard were conversing telepathically, the elder still shook his head.


    "Yes. There''s no information on it. The so-called enhancement effects were discovered through generations of personal trials by our ancestors. Who would have thought it would result in this situation with Rosalyn? "But perhaps it''s for the best. If this continued wouldn''t it have led to endless problems down the line?


    The bone was a family heirloom. So, they naturally treated it with great care. That was why they had invited Wesley to confirm its properties and set up multiple safeguards to prevent Felix from potentially iming it under the guise of treatment. The keyy in Felix''s intentions. If he wasn''t trying to deceive them and the bone truly was responsible for Rosalyn''s condition, then it had to be dealt with. Otherwise, who knew how many future descendants would suffer because of it? An heirloom it might be, but its true worth depended on whether it brought benefit or harm.


    Two days passed in a sh. The door to the private room finally opened.


    "Dr. Zeller, how is it going?"


    Rowan had been waiting outside the entire time and immediately stepped forward. Rosalyn, too, was tense with anticipation, desperate to recover her health.


    "It was touch and go, but we''re through."


    Felix forced a tired smile as he handed over a ss bottle filled with grayish-white powder.


    "Excellent! I''ll leave now so you can proceed with Rosalyn''s treatment," Rowan said.


    There was no need for him to verify the powder''s authenticity-his safeguards were already in ce.


    Half an hourter, Rosalyn escorted Felix to the elevator.


    "Thank you, Mr. Zeller. I''ve never felt so healthy in my life."


    Felix smiled. "Of course. Otherwise, all that time would''ve been wasted, wouldn''t it?"


    Waiting nearby, Rowan gestured to an assistant, who opened a ck briefcase.


    "Dr. Zeller, here''s your consultation fee. A check for 100 million dors, the property deed to a vi in the Golden Estates in Alshire-a prime location, feel free to verify it-and a Rolls-Royce Cullinan parked in the vi''s garage. You can check everything at your convenience."


    Felix nodded and epted the briefcase. "Good, I''ll take my leave now."


    As the elevator reached the ground floor, Felix was escorted out. He could feel a perceptive presence lingering around him-it was undoubtedly one of the Ruby family''s elder-level figures, watching him closely. Did they think he woulde here without being prepared?


    Felix now had three Dragonspine bones in his body, making the refinement of thistest one a process of just two days.


    The Ruby family''s Dragonspine had been absorbed into his body,pletely undetectable to outsiders. As for the powder he presented, it was pre-prepared from a different bone, ground down in advance.


    When Felix finally left in his car, there was no reaction from the protective array, and Rowan received no warning from the family elder. Only then did Rowan breathe a sigh of relief, though there was a lingering trace of fear. "Rosalyn, your trip to Canraville might have been the Ruby family''s saving grace."


    Had the bone continued to be used, countless people might have fallen ill, never suspecting the true cause.


    "You''re exaggerating, Grandfather. Mr. Zeller is truly a good person."


    Rowan chuckled and nodded. "Indeed! To have reached such heights in medicine at such a young age... Staying connected with him will undoubtedly be of immense benefit to your future."


    Nearby, Richard had just put down his phone, his expression grim.


    "Father, something''s happened. The car Dr. Zeller was in just had an ident while making a turn. The crash wasn''t serious, but the problem is with the other party-it''s Mason Jacobs, the Jacobs family''s prodigy." Chapter 637

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    "Grandfather! You must go. It''s Mason Jacobs!


    Rosalyn was frantic. The current most famous figure among the Eight Great Martial Families was undoubtedly Mason of the Jacobs family.


    The Ruby family had been pushed to the second spot because of him. And just yesterday, news spread that Mason had broken through to Innate Realm and entered Aetherial Realm.


    Considering his age and rapid advancement, his achievements were truly unprecedented and unmatched.


    "What nonsense! He''s just a junior. Do you think I need to get involved? It''s merely a traffic ident. Go back inside."


    Despite his dismissive words, Rosalyn acted decisively. "I have to go. Felix was riding in our family''s car. Mason isn''t blind. There''s no way I''m letting Felix get dragged into this mess because of him.''


    TH


    t


    Meanwhile, at an intersection not far from Ruby Manor, Felix had already stepped out of the car. It was, in fact, a simple traffic ident, with clear fault on the other party.


    Felix''s car had been turning with a green light when a speeding sports car suddenly shot out of the non-motorizedne, crashing into them.


    "Mr. Zeller, I''m so sorry!" The driver of Felix''s car looked terrified as he apologized profusely.


    "It''s alright. Just handle the situation. I''ll head out now," Felix replied calmly.


    He had no ns to rush back. Instead, he wanted to stop by a mall to pick up a gift for Xena. After all, it wouldn''t do to return empty-handed now that their rtionship was official.


    "Thank you, Mr. Zeller. Take care."


    But as Felix walked away, the young man from the sports car began shouting. "Damn it! Are you blind? Who taught you how to drive?"


    Felix ignored him, but after only a few steps, the man blocked his way.


    "Hey! I''m talking to you. Are you deaf?"


    Felix frowned and nced at him, surprised to notice the faint energy of a martial artist emanating from the man. Though it was subtle and well-controlled, it was unmistakably the presence of someone at Aetherial Realm. Chapter 637


    For an ordinary person, this pressure would have been paralyzing, leaving them trembling with fear.


    There was truth in the saying-hidden talents existed everywhere.


    Though the man appeared cocky and unremarkable, he was undoubtedly a formidable martial artist. Talent in martial arts, after all, had no corrtion with character or demeanor.


    "It''s a car ident. Let''s handle it properly. Why are you yelling at me?"


    The young man was taken aback. He was surprised that Felix was still able to speak so clearly. "You..."


    "Mason Jacobs! You hit my family''s car,, and now, you''re making a scene?" Rosalyn arrived in a rush, immediately drawing attention away from Felix.


    "Mr. Zeller, you can go ahead. I''ll handle this."


    "Alright."


    The moment Mason saw Rosalyn, his demeanor shifted, and his eyes lit up. "Oh, Rosalyn, so it''s your car! Well, this is a ssic case of family not recognizing family-a misunderstanding between our own." Rosalyn shuddered at his words. "Who''s family with you?"


    She had always found Mason''s tant interest in her unsettling. Considering his family background and strength, it didn''t make sense for him to be so persistent.


    "You''re as charming as ever, Rosalyn. How about this? You tell me who that guy is to you, and I won''t say another word."


    To avoid further entanglement, Rosalyn decided to be honest. "He''s a doctor who just came to treat someone in my family."


    Mason''s eyes glinted with understanding. "A doctor, huh? For someone so young to gain entry into your family''s home, he must be skilled.


    "I just came to Aleshire to celebrate my breakthrough to Aetherial Realm. Looks like this meeting was meant to be."


    X


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    Half an hourter, Felix arrived at a nearby upscale mall.


    Malls like this were abundant in Aleshire, but he had specifically chosen this one because he had learned in advance about a shop selling high-quality, locally made scarves.


    Since he was picking out a gift, he wanted something with a regional ir. A luxury handbag, while expensive,cked creativity-it could be bought anywhere as long as one had the money. While waiting for the elevator, a sudden scream startled everyone.


    "Ah! Where did this little beggare from? My dress!"


    Everyone turned to see a distressed woman ring at her dress. Nearby stood a six-year-old girl. Her clothes were tattered and dirty, and her face was smudged with grime. "Miss, don''t you recognize me?"


    The little girl reached out toward the woman again.


    Furious, the woman recoiled, clearly unwilling to let her pristine white dress umte more smudges. She raised her hand and pped the child. "Get lost! Where''s security?"


    Felix intervened, pulling the little girl out of the way before the p couldnd. "It''s already dirty. I''llpensate you for it. She must''ve mistaken you for someone else it wasn''t intentional. There''s no need to be so harsh." Seeing the little girl''s pitiful state reminded Felix of the children harmed by Pris. How could he stand idly by?


    The woman scrutinized Felix for a moment and sneered. "This dress cost over five thousand dors. Can you even afford that? Meddling without knowing your limits... How pathetic!"


    "Show me your payment code!"


    As Felix reached for his phone, he realized it wasn''t in his pocket.


    What? Someone actually managed to steal his phone?


    Felix was genuinely stunned. With his skills, that was a first-an unprecedented event.


    "Pretending to pay? Disgusting!" The woman scoffed before stepping into the elevator and disappearing.


    The little girl had also vanished without a trace.


    "This thief... I''d really like to meet them."


    At that moment, an announcement echoed through the mall, "May I have your attention, please. If you''ve lost a phone, please proceed to the lost and found on the third floor." Holding onto a sliver of hope, Felix headed to the third floor. There, he saw a box filled with phones-over 20 of them. A quick nce revealed they were all low-end models.


    Could this be why they were recovered?


    "Sir, which phone is yours? Please unlock it to verify ownership and sign here.''


    Afterpleting the process, Felix overheard a conversation between two men nearby, which immediately piqued his curiosity.


    "Who would''ve thought that the notorious thief is still operating in Aleshire? Lucky for me, my phone was in for repairs. If I''d brought my high-end phone today, I''d never have gotten it back."


    "No kidding! Same here! That guy is seriously skilled-he''s hit multiple ces and never been caught. And he doesn''t even bother with phones under a thousand dors. Must be part of a gang." "Who knows? At least he''s got some conscience. If he doesn''t want a phone, he doesn''t toss it randomly. Otherwise, we wouldn''t have been able to recover ours."


    A notorious thief? Felix''s curiosity was fully ignited. After all, even he hadn''t sensed his phone being stolen.


    In an instant, he spread out his perception, determined to uncover the identity of this elusive thief and figure out just how they had managed to pull off such a feat without leaving a trace. Chapter 639

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    Felix extended his perception for a while but found no suspicious movements or individuals. He had no choice but to give up. Perhaps, as the two bystanders had mentioned, this notorious thief had already moved on to another location.


    Given that this mall had already been hit, it was likely the thief had left.


    Still, Felix couldn''t shake one big question. Why did they target phones? For someone capable of stealing from someone as skilled as himself, they could undoubtedly pull off far bigger heists. Why did they go through the trouble for something so minor? Unable to make sense of it, Felix decided not to dwell further. He headed to the top floor and immediately spotted the scarf shop he hade for. However, the sign at the entrance stood out more than anything else.


    "Members only. Non-members, please do not enter".


    That one sentence alone showcased the shop''s trust and exclusivity. Inside, the store was muchrger than it appeared from the outside, with over a dozen sales counters.


    "Sir, may I see your membership card, or could you provide your phone number?"


    One of the sales associates, wearing a signature smile, approached Felix, as if she had been assigned to assist him. She was used to seeing unfamiliar faces who were unlikely to be members, but strict training ensured she wouldn''t directly turn anyone away. "I''m not a member. May I ask how I can be one?"


    The sales associate maintained her smile. "Sir, to be a member of our shop, you''ll need a referral from a Gold-tier member or higher. Only then can we issue you a membership card."


    A referral? Felix hadn''t expected this. He had thought money alone would suffice.


    "Does it have to be a referral?"


    Before the sales associate could respond, a sharp voice cut her off, "Are you deaf or just stupid? Didn''t she exin it clearly enough?"


    Felix turned, frowning.


    The voice belonged to none other than the woman from earlier-the one whose dress had been dirtied by the little girl. Upon closer inspection of her name tag, he realized she was the store manager. No wonder she seemed so full of herself. "As a store manager, do you think it''s appropriate to speak to a customer like that?"


    The woman, Bertha Lane,ughed.


    The store might only sell scarves, but their steep prices made them a luxury brand. She had dealt with all kinds of people and clearly remembered Felix from the elevator incident.


    In her eyes, he was someone who couldn''t even afford to pay for damages back then. Why would she care about offending someone like him?


    "I would never speak to a real customer that way. But you? You''re obviously not qualified. If you can read, you should''ve noticed the sign at the entrance. Coming in without a membership shows just how shameless you are" Her connections as a store manager made her confident, and she didn''t take Felix seriously in the slightest.


    Felix slowly raised his right hand. "It seems you have no intention of apologizing."


    Bertha scoffed, crossing her arms. "What? Are you going to hit me? Security! Throw him out!"


    But before her words could fully sink in, Felix pped her across the face. "Know your ce."


    Bertha was furious as she clutched her face. Since bing the store manager, she had never experienced such humiliation.


    "Stop him! Call security!"


    At that moment, another customer walked in and stepped in front of Felix.


    "Think you can just leave after hitting someone? What kind of man are you?"


    Felix recognized him instantly. It was Ronald Sullivan, the same man who had caused trouble at the airport with Nancy.


    Bertha seemed to find her savior and quickly ran over. "Mr. Sullivan, please help me! He isn''t a member. We told him to leave, but he refused and even hit me." Today''s Bonus Offer

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    "Hah! What a disgrace to men. I can''t imagine what Nancy was thinking, getting involved with trash like you," Ronald sneered.


    Bertha felt vindicated, knowing she would soon have her revenge.


    Ronald Sullivan wasn''t just anyone-he was a second-generation elite in Aleshire who was wealthy and well-connected. On top of that, she had shared a bed with him a few times, giving her some leverage in their rtionship.


    "Mr. Sullivan is one of our highest-tier tinum members. He could p dozens of people like you to death with a single hand."


    Ronald''s sudden appearance was unexpected, but Felix had no interest in wasting his time on this group of clowns. There were plenty of scarf shops in Aleshire-this one wasn''t unique.


    "If I want to leave, who can stop me?" @


    Ronald stepped aside, but his two bodyguards moved in to block Felix. Just as they reached for him, their bodies trembled simultaneously, and they stepped back, backing away. "Useless!" Ronald snapped, his face darkening. These bodyguards were martial artists his father had hired at a high cost, yet a mere nce from Felix had scared them off.


    "Sir, he''s terrifying. Not only is he a martial artist, but his strength is also far beyond ours. His gaze alone... is overwhelming."


    Ronald frowned but quickly smirked. Turning to Bertha, he said, "Pull up the store''s surveince footage. Edit it and post it online. Let the entire country see the face of this disgusting man."


    After confirming Felix''s identity at the airport, Ronald had nned to leave things alone. But now that they had crossed paths again, he saw an opportunity to vent his frustrations. A viral video would not only humiliate Felix but also likely push Nancy to divorce him. Even if Nancy was no longer untouched, she still held a certain allure for Ronald. He wouldn''t mind having some fun with her.


    Felix had just opened the store''s door to leave when he froze at Ronald''s words. If they intended to escte things, there was no way he would ignore it.


    In today''s world of short-form videos, malicious edits could easily turn ck into white. While Felix could have called in favors to suppress the footageter, dealing with the matter now would be much simpler and more efficient.


    "You brought this on yourselves."


    He pulled out his phone and prepared to call Rosalyn. The Ruby family, as one of the top-ranking families in the Eight Great Martial Familles, had deep roots in Aleshire. Resolving such trivial matters would be quick and straightforward for them.


    "Oh? Looks like you''re trying to call in favors. I love to see what kind of support you can summon in Aleshire" Ronald sneered, lounging on the couch with his legs crossed.


    If this were any other ce, Ronald might have felt a bit uneasy. But Aleshire was his home turf. He had nothing to fear from Felix-martial artist or not. Did Felix think he was invincible?


    "Mr. Sullivan, this is eye-opening. Someone who can''t even qualify for a membership here dares to challenge you? He must be out of his mind," Bertha chimed in, groveling at Ronald''s feet.


    Ronald didn''t hold back. He reached out and ced his hand on her backside, ignoring the many sales associates who were watching.


    "When he''s on his knees begging for mercy, make sure you record it. I want the whole thing."


    "Of course, Mr. Sullivan."


    Ronald nned to send the video to Nancy. With it, he was confident he could sway her.


    Just as Felix was about to call Rosalyn, someone else walked into the store.


    "Are you... Felix Zeller?"


    Felix looked up, momentarily stunned. His phone slipped from his hand and fell to the floor.

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    apter 641 Chapter


    641


    An older woman entered. One could tell she was a beauty when she was younger. Hershes fluttered when she looked at Felix.


    "A-Aunt Yvette?" Falix dropped his phone out of shock when he recognized Yvette.


    When Yale staged a coup, he had taken Yvette hostage. They had to beg Averill to save


    Yvette.


    Although Felix wasn''t particrly close with Yvette, he understood that Yvette had been Cordelia''s hope. He couldn''t possibly feel nothing when he finally met Yvette in person.


    "Felix, is that really you?" Yvette dashed over and agitatedly caressed Felix''s face. Tears streamed down her cheeks. "Where were you these past few years? I looked for you a few times at Avesburgh. You rascal! You worried me so much."


    Felix was not used to the love and care Yvette disyed. Had Yvette learned to cherish family after his parents passed away? He recalled not being that close with Yvette, though she was at least not as heartless as the Zellers. "I''m fine, Aunt Yvette. How are you and your family?"


    Yvette immediately said, "Everything''s in the past now. Let''s drop it because I have started a new life now."


    Her words left him confused. Did she no longer care about her dead son? Something felt off.


    At that moment, Ronald approached them with a surprised look. He stammered, "Yvette, d -did you know Felix?"


    Felix was shell-shocked by Ronald addressing Yvette so familiarly.


    "Ah, Ronald, this is my nephew, Felix. From the sound of it, you seem to know him. Do you?


    Ronald was stumped. He never expected such a scene to unfold. He replied, "I don''t know him that well. We''ve met."


    Yvette wasn''t dumb. She immediately announced, "Let go of any grudges between the two of you for my sake."


    Pouting, Ronald reluctantly agreed to it, saying, "Well, if that''s what you say, Yvette. I''m fine with that."


    He shot Bertha a re to shut her up.


    "Aunt Yvette, I will listen to you." Felix had already felt indebted to Yvette. Hence, willingly agreed to her request. He realized that the new life she described probably referred to her rtionship with Ronald''s uncle


    he


    Chapter &$1


    "Let''s go, Felix. Since we ran into each other, I want to treat you to dinner. We can talk more about your life over dinner."


    Ronald looked upset after Yvette and Felix left. Damn it! That Felix is surely a lucky guy, isn''t he?"


    But he had no other choice. His uncle, Shaun Sullivan, held the power in the family. Although Shaun respected Ronald''s dad, he was the one making all the important decisions at critical moments. Apart from Ronald''s dad, he would not show any deference to other rtives in the family.


    "Mr. Sullivan, I..." Bertha walked to him with tears in her eyes, looking pitiful.


    "What are you crying about? It was just a p in the face!" Ronald dismissed her.


    She begrudgingly watched him storm out of the store and gritted her teeth.


    She would not let this slide. Just he wait and see.


    Yvette had clearly started a new life. She was even driving a Maserati now.


    "Shaun Sullivan is my husband. We knew each other a long time ago. I guess it''s fate that brings us together at this age.


    Felix chuckled. "I''m d to hear that. Mom missed you a lot. I''m sure she is happy for you!


    11


    He had dropped all mentions of their past, and he admitted that he only knew Yvette on the surface.


    X


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    "Let''s have dinner at home. I will cook for you. Your mom learned her cooking skills from me. There''s nothing good at the restaurants nowadays," Yvette suggested. "Okay," Felix agreed.


    He was at a stage where he craved family bonds, and Yvette was technically a rtive. Otherwise, he would have no rtives showing up to his wedding.


    "Ronald has lived a pampered life. His mom spoiled him rotten. If he offended you in any way, I hope you won''t take it too personally."


    "Alright."


    Yvette''s phone buzzed during the drive. She answered the phone on Bluetooth.


    "Hi, Margaret.


    "1


    "I''ve secured an appointment with Mrs. Walsh. Hurry over!"


    Yvette furrowed her brows, looking troubled. "But Margaret, I can''t make it."


    "What''s more important than meeting Mrs. Walsh? You knew she could help put in a good word. It''ll help immensely with that business deal! I dropped you the location. Juste now."


    A thought struck Margaret Holmes. She added, "By the way, I nearly forgot that Ronald told me about your nephew, Felix. Bring him along. Ronald''s on his way. Having two young men at the table might help lighten the mood.'' Then, Margaret hung up with an air of authority


    "Aunt Yvette, feel free to leave if you need to. I''ll only travel home tomorrow," Felix said.


    She nced at Felix and came to a decision. "Felix,e with me. Shaun is respected in the family, but his older brother, Nathaniel, is the one who has the final say.


    "It''s good for you to meet with Margaret so I would have a better excuse if I need to ask her for favors."


    Felix knew that Yvette''s suggestion came from a good ce, but he was in no mood to entertain the Sullivans. "I''m good, Aunt Yvette. Really."


    "Do not turn me down! I''ve married a powerful guy, and you are my only flesh and blood. Of course I will help you out! Just do as I say.


    With that, Yvette swerved the car in a different direction, leaving Felix speechless.


    Yvette hadid it out. If he turned down the invitation, he would only hurt her feelings. He decided to go to that dinner with Yvette and y along.


    At the same time, Ronald had arrived at a private room of a fine-dining restaurant in Aleshire. He was seated beside a graceful and regaldy. The rings stacked on her fingers were expensive. Even her perm must have cost a fortune.


    "Ronald, are you sure this nephew of Yvette''s-Felix-is a guy who can''t take any insults?" Ronald nodded. "Of course! Do you not trust me, Mom? He might have pretended to be who he isn''t. I bet he is even more smug after he learns about Yvette''s new life." Margaret chuckled cunningly. "Great! We finally found a target. Mrs. Walsh is quick-tempered, too. Watch me as I pit them against each other!


    "I will make sure that Felix takes all the me, which makes it Yvette''s fault, too! Your dad can leverage this incident to reim something from Shaun."


    Ronald''s eyes lit up after hearing Margaret''s n. "Mom, you''re awesome. This is a scheme involving tens of billions of dors in business! Dad will surely be furious, but Uncle Shaun-given his personality-won''t argue with Dad. What a golden opportunity!" "Indeed. But that depends on one condition. Felix must act out, like how you described him, or my n won''t work."


    Ronald smiled, thinking, "Dear Felix, you should make a scene just like the way youshed out at the scarf boutique!"

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    A whileter, Yvette and Felix showed up.


    "Margaret, this is my nephew, Felix Zeller," she introduced Felix.


    Felix greeted Margaret for Yvette''s sake.


    "Felix? You look like a fine young man. I''ve heard about the incident at the scarf boutique. It''s all Ronald''s fault."


    Ronald offered an apology, saying, "I didn''t know you were older than me. Consider us acquainted after that fight. Sorry about that."


    Felix absentmindedly answered him.


    It seemed like Margaret had since enjoyed a better status in the Sullivan family. It was either that, or Shaun was highly respected in the family. Otherwise, Ronald would never apologize.


    Felix regarded himself as having dealt with people from all walks of life. He believed in his judgment of character. Ronald, an impudent man, would not say sorry unless he was pressured by someone superior. "Felix, the woman who will join us is Mrs. Walsh. She''s a respectable figure in Aleshire. Since we''re asking for her favor, please keep any grudges to yourself when you''re around her," Yvette exined to Felix. "Got it, Aunt Yvette."


    But Yvette''s reminder made Ronald and Margaret upset, as they were hoping for Felix to get into a fight with Evelyn York. (1)


    "What do you work as, Felix?"


    "I learned traditional medicine, and I''m making a living with it."


    Margaretughed upon hearing that. "Oh, a traditional medicine practitioner, I see! Alright. I''ve decided for you. I''ll support the opening of your clinic in Aleshire."


    Yvette was thrilled to hear that. "Margaret, I thank you on Felix''s behalf."


    At that moment, a man who looked like the restaurant manager entered the room and mumbled something into Margaret''s ear. He left the room soon after. Margaret announced, "Mrs. Walsh is here. Get ready to wee her."


    She reminded Ronald and Felix, "Remember, you two. Mrs. Walsh has been living abroad for a while now. She probably picked up the manners of some aristocrats. She insists on gents kissing her on the back of her hand when they meet. Understood?" Chapter 643


    Ronald immediately replied, "Mom, don''t worry. I haven''t done that before, but I''ve seen it in the movies."


    Yvette did notment on their conversation. After all, she had only met Evelyn once, and she was clueless about the details pertaining to her. Besides, a kiss on the back of the hand was not a huge demand. As such, she did not dwell on it. Ronald was happy to see Felix nodding along.


    The collision was about to happen. He thought, ''Felix, I expect you to show your fierce and indomitable side."


    A minuteter, ady who was even more graceful than Margaret strutted into the room. Her pearl ne stole the show. One could probably afford to buy a house with the price of that ne.


    "Mrs. Walsh, thanks for taking the time to meet with us."


    Evelyn forced a smile. Before she could speak, she spotted Felix, and her expression shifted. "Y-You''re-"


    But Felix was confused at her reaction. Meanwhile, Ronald and Margaret watched on gleefully. They assumed that Felix must have crossed Evelyn before, which was good news. They did not even have to find an excuse to shift all the me to Felix. "Mrs. Walsh, he''s my nephew, Felix Zeller. Do you know him?" Yvette spoke up when she sensed that something was wrong.


    She instantly introduced Felix as his nephew, ready to protect him.


    "Felix Zeller!" Evelyn looked aghast when she heard the name. "I-I need to attend to something. I have to leave now."


    That was all she said before fleeing the scene. Regardless of how they yelled and ran after her, she only quickened her steps.


    Ronald and Margaret returned to the room with frosty faces, having lost Evelyn.


    "Felix Zeller, I was kind enough to offer you help and upgrade your life, but you went ahead and offended Mrs. Walsh. Do you understand that this meeting involves tens of billions of dors in business deals?"


    Ronald sted Felix at the right time, "You wretched man! I shouldn''t have apologized to you for Yvette''s sake. How could you show up to this dinner when you''re fully aware you''ve crossed Mrs. Walsh before this? You must have done it on purpose!"

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    Who could have imagined such a thing would happen?


    Yvette hurried to exin, "Margaret, there must be some misunderstanding here! Let''s be honest. With Felix''s status, how could he possiblye into contact with someone like Evelyn York? Besides, he doesn''t even reside in Aleshire."


    Felix was searching through his memory, trying to figure out if he had ever met someone named Evelyn York. In the end, the answer was clear he truly hadn''t.


    "Yvette, stop defending him. I think he did it on purpose. Didn''t you say before that there wasn''t much point in reconnecting with old rtives? That already shows your rtionship wasn''t that close. He''s clearly looking for trouble," Margaret said, cutting her off before she could respond.


    "There''s no need to exin further! I''ll tell Nathaniel everything about this, and I''ll inform Shaun as well," Margaret dered, leaving no room for discussion.


    At this point, Felix couldn''t stay silent any longer. "If this is truly my fault, I''ll take responsibility."


    "Take responsibility?" Ronald scoffed with a mocking smile.


    "What could you possibly offer? Do you even understand how much money we''re talking about? Hundreds of billions of dors! Do you even have a billion dors? Don''t try to y the good guy now. We''re not fools."


    Ronald and Margaret stormed off, visibly furious, but inwardly, they were ecstatic.


    "Aunt Yvette, I swear I don''t know anyone named Evelyn York," Felix said sincerely.


    Yvette''s expression was grim as she grabbed Felix''s arm. "Let''s go home first. This is no small matter. We need to hear what Shaun has to say."


    On the way, Felix kept asking about Evelyn''s identity, but Yvette remained tight-lipped. In her mind, there was no point in exining. It wouldn''t help anyway. The only option left was to see how Shaun would handle it. When they arrived home, Felix finally met this Uncle Shaun" he had heard about.


    Shaun was tall and imposing, yet his eyes softened whenever he looked at Yvette. Surprisingly, he was also a martial artist-a Martial Emperor, no less.


    "Dear, what should we do? I really think this is a misunderstanding. Felix couldn''t possibly have offended Evelyn."


    To her surprise, Shaun smiled. "It''s not the end of the world. Don''t get so worked up! "Felix, right? I''m Shaun Sullivan. If you''re okay with it, you can call me Uncle Shaun. If not,


    just call me by my name. It''s fine either way."


    Shaun''s demeanor instantly put Felix at ease.


    "Of course, Uncle Shaun. Aunt Yvette approves of you, so I naturally do as well.


    Shaun burst into heartyughter. "Good! Yvette go whip up a few dishes for us. Felix and I will have a couple of drinks.


    "She''s always telling me that you''re the only family she has left."


    Yvette was stunned. Was this really the time to reminisce? "But, dear-"


    "It''s really nothing! Maybe Evelyn mistook Felix for someone else, and Margaret is just using it as an excuse to stir up trouble. Trust me. Nathaniel will show up here soon, and I already know what they''re after. There''s no need to worry. With that, Yvette reluctantly headed to the kitchen.


    Felix seized the moment to ask, "Uncle Shaun, regardless of whether there''s a misunderstanding, I was the cause of this mess. I need to take responsibility. Can you tell me-who exactly is Evelyn York? I really don''t know her." Shaun patted Felix on the shoulder and motioned for him to sit down. "Kid, if the sky falls, it''s the adults'' job to hold it up. Don''t overthink things. I''m here."


    Just as he finished speaking, his phone rang. The caller ID read, "Nathaniel Sullivan".


    "Hello, Nathaniel."


    After listening for a few moments, Shaun suddenly stood up, his expression serious. "Are you sure about this? Is Evelyn York really that influential?" Chapter 645

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    Yvette hurried out of the kitchen, still holding thedle. She had never seen Shaun like this


    before.


    "What happened, dear? Does it have something to do with Felix?"


    Shaun''s expression was grim, and his face was shadowed with concern. Instead of answering her, he turned to Felix.


    "Tell me honestly. What kind of conflict do you have with Evelyn? If we can''t figure out the reason, I really can''t do anything to help."


    Shaun, who usually carried himself with an easygoing and carefree attitude, now seemed utterly serious. It left Felix somewhere between amused and exasperated.


    "I honestly don''t know Evelyn. I''ve never even met her, let alone had any issues with her."


    Watching Shaun frown even more deeply, Yvette couldn''t hold back any longer. No matter what, she couldn''t just stand by and watch Cordelia''s only blood rtive end up in real trouble.


    "What''s going on? Just tell me!"


    Shaun sighed heavily, finally making a decision. "Drive Felix out of Aleshire. I''m afraid Evelyn has already locked down the airport. I''ll handle things here.''


    "What?" Yvette''s face turned pale. Was the situation so severe that Felix needed to flee?


    Felix could no longer hold back. "Uncle Shaun, I know you mean well, but at least tell me who exactly is Evelyn York?"


    He could always investigateter, but hearing it from Shaun would save time. Once he understood who Evelyn was, the problem would be easier to handle.


    Finally, Shaun relented, likely hoping Felix would leave obediently after learning the truth.


    "Evelyn York is the wife of Dominic Walsh, head of the Walsh family, one of the most powerful families in Aleshire. Since you''re not from Aleshire, you might not realize how influential the Walsh family is. They''re untouchable. "Whether she''s mistaken you for someone else or not, you need to get out of here for now. Let us try to clear things up."


    The Walsh family of Aleshire?


    Felix''s expression immediately turned strange. The Walsh family dared to cause trouble for him? It didn''t make sense.


    "If it''s the Walsh family, then I''m not leaving. Don''t worry. Nothing will happen."


    Shaun frowned, while Yvette grabbed Felix''s arm anxiously. "Listen to me and leave with me. You''re not from Aleshire, so you don''t understand how terrifying the Walsh family is. Felix''s confidence seemed like reckless ignorance to them, but they couldn''t really me


    him.


    "Aunt Yvette, trust me. There''s definitely some misunderstanding here. To be honest, I''ve caused a scene at the Walsh family''s estate before, but I left unscathed. Believe me. Nothing will happen." He had caused trouble for the Walsh family and walked away unharmed?


    Both Yvette and Shaun fell into a stunned silence, disbelief written all over their faces.


    "There''s no time!" Shaun, who had been watching through the window, sighed heavily. As he walked toward the door, he left one final instruction. "Stay inside. I''ll see if I can buy us some time." Outside, a group had already entered the vi''s yard. Among them were Ronald and Margaret, standing alongside Shaun''s elder brother, Nathaniel, the current head of the Sullivan family.


    In addition to the Sullivan family members, there was a middle-aged couple-Evelyn and Dominic, the head of the Walsh family.


    "Mr. Walsh, what brings you here today?"


    Nathaniel''s face darkened as he barked, "Shaun, stop wasting time! Hand over Felix. How dare he offend Mr. Walsh and Mrs. York? Does he think he''s invincible? Don''t make me repeat myself!" Ronald was inwardly ecstatic.


    What had started as a simple attempt to frame Felix had escted beyond his wildest expectations. Felix had somehow managed to offend Evelyn to such an extent that she brought Dominic into the picture. At this point, there was no one in Aleshire who could save Felix. Today''s Bonus Offer

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    Nathaniel obviously saw an opportunity topletely crush Shaun-a perfect chance to kill two birds with one stone.


    Before Shaun could respond, Dominic interrupted coldly, "Shut up! Who told you we''re here to cause trouble?"


    Then, he shot an anxious nce toward Shaun ''If I''m not mistaken, you''re Shaun Sullivan, which would make Mr. Zeller your nephew. Correct?"


    Shaun was about to answer instinctively when he suddenly froze, wondering if the "Mr. Zeller" he meant was Felix. The others also noticed the unusual formality in the address, especiallying from the head of the Walsh family.


    After all, addressing an outsider as "Mister" typically meant they held a higher status and deserved special respect. However, they were puzzled as to what could make Felix so special.


    "Dominic, what''s your wife trying to do?" Felix finally broke free from Yvette''s tight grip and stepped forward.


    That single question made Evelyn''s teeth chatter with fear, while Dominic struggled to maintain a genuine-looking smile.


    "Mr. Zeller, this is absolutely a misunderstanding. Evelyn was just nervous at the restaurant earlier, which led to this unfortunate situation. I came personally to apologize


    to you."


    At that moment, Dominic wanted nothing more than to p Evelyn. What should have been a trivial matter had escted into such a mess.


    He had known trouble was brewing the moment he got Evelyn''s frantic call about seeing Felix at the restaurant. Although their old grudges had supposedly been put to rest, Evelyn''s panicked reaction-turning and fleeing on sight-had practically screamed that something was wrong.


    "If something like this happens again, I won''t be so understanding," Felix said coldly.


    Though irritated, he considered it a minor issue and did not want to waste more energy on it. He had actually wondered if the Walsh family would dare to provoke him again.


    The exchange between the two men, particrly Dominic''s submissive attitude, left the Sullivan family members wide-eyed with disbelief. After all, this was the mighty Dominic, and he was apologizing to Felix, Yvette''s nephew, in front of everyone,pletely disregarding his pride.


    What could have prompted this?


    "Yes, yes! Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Zeller. I promise it won''t happen again," Dominic replied with relief.


    Dominic''s relief was genuine. Despite the Walsh family''s status, Felix had humiliated them in front of countless guests not long ago. Dominic''s pride had taken a hit that day, but with thebined pressure from the Moonshadow Alliance and Dragon Alliance, he had not dared to retaliate.


    Yvette was the most shocked of all. She knew Felix''s background better than anyone. After his parents'' death, his family business had been ripped apart and divided by the rest of the Zeller family.


    Felix, who had once lived withfort and privilege, had fallen into an ordinary, unremarkable life. Yet somehow, he had transformed into someone whomanded such quiet luxury that even someone like Dominic showed such deep respect-or rather,plete fear. As Dominic and Evelyn turned to leave, Felix suddenly remembered something and called out, "Wait."

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    That single word "wait" made Dominic and Evelyn jump in surprise.


    Dominic asked nervously, "What can I do for you, Mr. Zeller?"


    "I heard you have a multi-billion-dor deal with the Sullivan family?" Felix''s question made Dominic rx slightly, as he had expected something worse. "Yes, that''s correct. What about it, Mr. Zeller?"


    Felix gestured casually before saying, "Work out the details with Uncle Shaun moving forward. If he wants to do it, great. If not, forget I mentioned it."


    "Of course, Mr. Zeller. I''ll personally visit Mr. Shaun tomorrow," Dominic replied eagerly.


    The old saying about one person''s sess lifting up everyone around them could not have been more true. In the past, Dominic would not have given anyone in the Sullivan family the time of day. While the Sullivans had had a slight chance at this billion-dor deal before, it had been a long shot at best. Now, everything had changed.


    After they left, Felix smiled and said, "Aunt Yvette, Uncle Shaun, let''s head back in."


    Though Shaun had so many things he wanted to say, he knew now was not the time. He ushered Yvette inside without sparing another nce at Nathaniel.


    The moment the door closed, Nathaniel pped both Margaret and Ronald across the face. He shouted, "You idiots have ruined everything!"


    Ronald held his cheek, feeling utterly wronged. After all, there was no way anyone could have known about Felix''s actual status.


    However, as Ronald recalled Felix''s behavior at the scarf boutique, he realized Felix had not been unreasonable at all. He actually had the power to back it up.


    "Get back home with me now before Felix decides to deal with you properly!" Nathanielmanded.


    Inside the house, Yvette''s emotions were too jumbled up to think about cooking.


    Felix said, "Aunt Yvette, I didn''t mean to keep secrets. Seeing you living well now puts my mind at ease.


    Yvette gave a bitterugh and said, "Your achievements have far surpassed your father''s now. That was Dominic-someone everyone in Aleshire looks up to. I still can''t quite believe it." Shaun patted Yvette''s back, epting the situation more readily given his easygoing


    nature. "Come on. Let''s make dinner. It''s a good thing Felix is doing well, and we''re benefiting from it, too."


    Havinge to terms with everything, Yvette wiped away her tears of joy and headed to the kitchen.


    Shaun added warmly, "Felix, you don''t need to exin anything. Whatever you''ve be, as long as you consider us family, you''re our nephew-nothing else matters.


    "Let''s have a drinkter, and first, I want to thank you for letting Ronald and Margaret off easy."


    Shaun was perceptive enough to know that Felix had held back because of them.


    "You''re too kind, Uncle Shaun. As long as Aunt Yvette isn''t mistreated, everything else can be worked out," Felix replied.


    Later that night, Felix returned to Canraville. Instead of going home, he went straight to Xena''s ce without buying the scarf since Yvette had given him an expensive new one from her collection. "Is Mr. Summers Senior not home?" he asked upon arrival.


    Xena nodded. "Yes. He''s at Mr. Meyer Senior''s ce and won''t be back tonight."


    Felix teased, "Oh? Inviting me over when you''re home alone-do you have something in mind?"


    To his surprise, Xena nodded seriously. "Yes. We''re dating now, and I''m not old-fashioned about saving our first night until our marriage."


    She nced down at the scarf Felix had given her. "The scarf is beautiful. I love it."


    When she looked up again, Felix had moved close to her. He whispered, "I don''t know how you feel about me, but I want you so badly right now." Without waiting for her response, he picked her up and carried her upstairs.


    Xena did not resist, her face showing a rare glimpse of feminine shyness.

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    In a secluded forest in Dragonia, Sarah suddenly sat up from her sleep, a mysterious smile slowly spreading across her face. She mused, "Well, well, things are moving faster than I expected... The real show is about to begin." The next morning, Xena yfully shoved Felix away. "You jerk, stop it! I need to get to work!"


    Thanks to her martial arts training and enhanced stamina, she was able to get up at all- most women would not have been able to move after such an intense first time, especially after a night of passion. "Alright. We''ll continue at my ce tonight," Felix teased. "Though I seem to remember someone being quite vocal-"


    She quickly covered his mouth before he could finish, her face flushed with embarrassment as she rushed out. The memories ofst night''s passion were still fresh in her mind, making her heart race. Like any woman experiencing intimacy for the first time, she had found herself caught up in the moment. Now that she had finally found her true love, both her body and soul feltpletely content. After Xena left, Felix examined himself and noticed that the mark Sarah had left was indeed gone-she had not been lying, after all.


    At lunch in a restaurant in Canraville, Jack eyed Felix suspiciously. "Damn! You seem different after your trip to Canraville... Or am I imagining things?"


    Felix pushed the whiskey toward Jack with augh. "What are you? A woman? You''re being too sensitive. Less talking, more drinking!"


    Jack smacked his lips thoughtfully. "Come on! You never invite people for drinks at noon. Something big must have happened-spill it, or I''m leaving." Knowing he could not hide anything from his best friend, Felix came clean. "I have a girlfriend now, and we''ll probably be getting married soon."


    Jack was stunned. "Are you serious? Isn''t that moving pretty fast?"


    Felix nodded confidently. "It''s absolutely true! But I''m keeping her identity a secret for now. When the time''s right, we''ll all have dinner together. I promise you''ll be in for a big surprise."


    He had not forgotten Jack''s jaw-dropping reaction when he first saw Xena, and he could


    wait to see his face when he found out.


    "That''s awesome! We definitely need to drink to that!" Jack eximed. "Oh, and by the way, Nessa and I have set our wedding date, too. Everything''s happening in two weeks."


    Two hourster, after mostly talking and only light drinking, Jack was slightly tipsy while Felix remainedpletely sober. Jack asked, "Leaving already?"


    Felix could not hide his lovesick smile. "I need to stop by the grocery store. I''m cooking a special dinner for my girlfriend tonight."


    Jack gave him a mock-wounded look. "Man, you really did forget about your bros once you got a girl."


    "Oh, shut up!" Felixughed.


    At the Wolfie troops headquarters, Alistair was giving Xena his daily report. After reviewin it, shemented, "Everything looks good."


    Sensing something different, Xena asked, "Is there anything else?"


    Alistair snapped out of his thoughts. "No, it''s just... you seem different today somehow."


    Fighting back a blush, Xena quickly dismissed Alistair. After he left, she checked herself in the mirror and had to admit there was something different about her today. She realized that a woman truly did bloom when properly loved. "Lady Summers, you have a letter," an aide announced shortly after, delivering an envelope before departing.


    Though it had no return address, Xena always read everything she received. As the Phoenix Warlord, she often got anonymous tips from citizens, so she could not ignore any correspondence.


    Inside the envelope was just a USB drive. When she plugged it into herputer and saw a video file, her heart suddenly started racing, and an overwhelming sense of dread washed over her.

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    After a long moment of hesitation, Xena clicked y on the video. The first thing she saw was Felix talking with an elderly woman, and as their conversation continued, Xena''s brows furrowed in concern. "So, that''s Madam Spring?" she whispered to herself.


    After months of investigation without even knowing what Sarah looked like, this should have been a wee discovery. However, as the video continued, Xena''s expression darkened, and her eyes turned ice-cold. By the end, her fists were clenched so tight her knuckles turned white as she snapped through gritted teeth, "Felix!"


    After sunset, Felix finished preparing a feast and called Xena, who should have arrived half an hour ago ording to their ns. When she did not answer after several rings, he tried


    not to worry.


    However, 40 more minutes had passed, and he could not shake the feeling that something was wrong. Even if Xena were dyed, she would have let him know.


    Finally, he called Alistair directly. "Alistair, is something keeping Xena busy?"


    "No, Mr. Zeller. She left work at her usual time. Is something wrong?"


    Alistair''s response only deepened Felix''s concern, and his next call to Xena went straight to voicemail.


    Thunder rolled overhead as a heavy downpour began, and time crawled by until nearly 11:00 pm when the doorbell finally rang. Felix rushed to answer and found Xena standing there, but something was terribly wrong. Felix asked concernedly, "Xena, why are you walking in this rain without an umbre? Why didn''t you drive over?"


    Xena stood in the doorway, her hair dripping wet. It was obvious that she had been in the rain for hours. Yet, she did not respond, walking into the vi like a zombie.


    Felix grabbed a towel and began drying her hair, his heart aching at seeing her this way.


    Finally, Xena looked up at him with a nk stare. "Felix, do you love me? Or rather, did you ever really love me?"


    Felix froze, confused by the question. Everything had been perfectst night, and their rtionship had grown so much stronger. He asked gently, "Of course I love you. Xena, what''s going on?"


    Xena let out a bitterugh and turned to watch the rain through the window. "Do you really love me, or are you just trying to save your own life?"


    "Save my life? I don''t understand what you''re saying," Felix replied, genuinely confused.


    Xena shoved him hard, her voice rising. "Stop lying! Felix, I never imagined you''d be the one to hurt me so deeply over and over. Why?"


    As Felix sat stunned on the couch, still trying to make sense of her words, Xena scoffed and said, "Still pretending? Fine. Let me remind you-Madam Spring."


    Those two words finally made everything click, and Felix blurted out, "Madam Spring contacted you?"


    Xena''s fists clenched and unclenched repeatedly. "Feeling guilty now? I know what Madam Spring put inside you-something that could only be removed by being intimate with me." She asked, "Is that why you pursued me? Why did you im you love me?"


    Felix felt like he''d been struck by lightning as he finally understood Sarah''s true cruelty. It had never been about his life-it had always been about this moment.


    "I admit it! I did fall into Madam Spring''s trap. She was too powerful for me to fight back," he confessed.


    When Xena turned to leave, Felix grabbed her hand and continued earnestly, "But my feelings for you are real. They have been since the orphanage incident!


    "We were only separated because of the kidnapping. Yes! I pursued you again partly because of Madam Spring''s scheme, but it''s also mostly because I truly love you."

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    Xena''s gaze was empty as she stared at Felix. "You still came to me only to save yourself. Felix, I''mpletely disappointed in you!


    "If you had just been honest with me from the start, given that I had already fallen for you, do you really think I would have refused? But you chose to hide the truth. So, everything you say now is just an excuse." Xena yanked her hand away from his grip, her voice cold. "I never want to see you again. Just disappear from my worldpletely."


    Felix stood frozen, watching Xena leave. He knew that nothing he could say or do would fix this now-Sarah had won by dealing Xena an emotional blow that could not be healed.


    ...


    The next morning, after a sleepless night, Felix still could not bring himself to give up and nned to ask Jack for advice. However, when he opened his door, he found Curtis stepping out of his car. "Mr. Summers Senior," Felix greeted him quietly.


    Curtis looked as exhausted as Felix felt, as if he, too, had not slept. He simply said, "Let''s talk inside."


    After getting Curtis a ss of water, Curtis said, "I know everything. Xena told me all of it.""


    Felix hung his head. "I''m sorry. This is all my fault. I caused Xena so much pain."


    To Felix''s surprise, Curtis waved off his apology. "No. This is my fault, not yours or Xena''s. Sarah wouldn''t have used such cruel method if it weren''t for me."


    He added, "She was always going to seek revenge against me! And she seeded. Xena is so heartbroken that she can''t even get out of bed. I''ve failed as her grandfather."


    11


    He gave a bitterugh and continued, "Do you know why I stopped opposing your rtionship? A few days ago, I received a letter from Sarah.


    "I was naive enough to think time had healed all wounds, and she no longer held a grudge. Her only condition was that you and Xena could date freely. I was such a fool."


    Felix finally understood why Curtis had suddenly changed his mind-it had been Sarah''s maniption all along.


    "Mr. Summers Senior, did youe here with something specific to tell me?" Felix asked.


    Curtis nodded and grabbed Felix''s hand. "If you''re still a real man, don''t give up so easily. She still loves you."


    After such heartfelt words from Curtis, Felix could not possibly remain idle. "I was thinking the same thing. Don''t worry. I''ll make things right with Xena."


    Once Curtis left, Felix bought roses and headed to the Summers residence. Curtis had gone to the Daltons'' house to give them space, and Felix knew he had to make the most of this opportunity.


    As he approached the neighborhood, Felix suddenly mmed on his brakes and rushed toward someone waiting by the roadside. "Madam Spring!"


    He had caught a glimpse of her from the corner of his eye, and after all she had done, he could not control his rage. His recent power boost from absorbing four Dragonspines meant he was no longer outmatched.


    Sarah turned to face him, showing no fear. Instead, she gave a slight smile. "Such anger! Are you really going to attack me here?"


    Felix took a deep breath, and the ground cracked beneath his feet. "Attack you? I''m going to kill you!"

 With Husband 651

    Right then, Felix could barely contain his anger anymore. Just as he was about to act, a police car zoomed past them. As he got snapped back to reality, he was reminded of the crowds milling around them.


    He suddenly remembered his own and Saral?''s tremendous power. If they were to fight here, they could level the entire block in seconds. That kind of destruction would definitely draw unwanted attention from Dragonia''s authorities. Sarah scoffed. "I thought you were actually going to do something."


    Taunted by Sarah, Felix''s voice turned cold as he said, "You think it''s fun ying with people''s lives? What I felt for Xena was real, and you ruined everything. Do you have any idea how heartbroken she is?"


    Sarah smirked. "Of course I know she''s heartbroken. All my schemes would have gone to waste if she hadn''t been sad. The more pain she''s in, the more that heartless Curtis will me himself. That''s exactly what I''ve been hoping for." Sarah would clearly stop at nothing for her revenge.


    "Let''s settle this somewhere private if you''re so tough. I''ll make you regret being such a despicable old fart."


    As Sarah''s eyes narrowed dangerously, she seemed to have gotten angry, too. "Are you getting cocky just because you''ve gained some power? Even your mentor wouldn''t dare speak to me that way. But fine. I''ll give you your chance. "Meet me on the Eastern Mountain''s peak at 10:00 pm tonight. We''ll see who walks away."


    had power grown


    With that, Sarah vanished, and Felix unclenched his fists. His exponentially, so she was sure she could kill Sarah. Tonight would be the end of her.


    When Felix arrived at Xena''s house, he knew better than to expect her to answer the door. Thankfully, Curtis had given him the code, so he let himself in.


    "Xena!" he called out cautiously from downstairs. He did not dare to head upstairs himself. She appeared after what felt like forever. Her eyes were swollen from crying, and she lookedpletely drained. The sight broke his heart. "Are you deaf? I told you never to show your face here again!"


    Just as Felix tried to exin, Xena ced her hand over her heart. "Listen carefully, Felix. Unless we meet by ident, I''ll kill myself right in front of you if you evere looking for me again. Do you understand?"


    He knew she meant every word and that she was capable of doing so.


    "Fine. I''ll go." As he turned to leave, a bitter taste rose in his throat.


    Back in his car, he could only call Curtis again. I''m sorry, Mr. Summers Senior. I''ve let you down."


    Curtis seemed shocked that Xena had gone so far as to threaten suicide. He sighed and said, "Perhaps she needs time to cool off.


    "Felix, Xena has had a pen pal for years. I can give you their name. You should be able to track them down with your resources."


    A pen pal? Letter writing was rare in today''s world, but pen pals still existed. By sharing all of their deepest thoughts through letters without ever meeting, it would create a connection that texts and emails could never replicate.


    "She''s been writing to this person for ten years. They''ve never met or looked into each other''s background, but their bond runs deep. Once she''s had time to process everything, it might help your chances if you could get this pen pal to put in a good word for you."


    Felix was not about to pass up this opportunity. He truly loved Xena, and letting things end this way was not something a real man would do.

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    "Thank you, Mr. Summers Senior. I won''t give up," Felix said.


    Within just an hour, Felix had tracked down the pen pal who went by the nickname "Sunset". They lived in Gray City.


    "Felix, what brings you here to visit me?"


    Felix had shown up at Ernest''s house that afternoon with some gifts. "I''m leaving Canraville for a while, and I might be gone for quite some time. I wanted to see you before I go." Leaving?


    Ernest was not too surprised. Young people, especially talented ones like Felix, rarely stayed in one city forever. "That''s thoughtful of you."


    Felix hesitated before continuing, "I won''t be saying goodbye to Sherlyn in person, so please let her know that I''m leaving. Also, please tell her she should live her life-I''m not worth waiting for." Ernest gave a knowing smile. "Don''t worry about her. She''s got a good head on her shoulders. When she really feels there''s no hope left, she''ll move on."


    Around 5:00 pm, Jack and Vanessa arrived at a restaurant in Canraville.


    "You''re leaving Canraville?" Vanessa was quite surprised by the sudden news.


    "Yeah, this guy dragged me to the realtor''s office this afternoon to transfer his vi to my name." Rolling his eyes, Jack was the one who answered her instead. "Since you two are getting married soon, consider it my wedding gift. It''s too big for just me anyway."


    A condo as a wedding gift? People would be shocked if they knew. "Well, I won''t refuse, then. It''d take years for me to afford a ce like that even with my high sry."


    Jack had only agreed to the transfer because he knew Felix could afford such generosity. If not, Jack would not have followed him this afternoon and gotten the transfer done. "Where are you headed, Felix? Overseas?"


    Felix smiled. "Gray City."


    Vanessa was just asking out of curiosity. After all, Felix was sessful enough to go anywhere he pleased without anyone''s help. "Don''t forget toe to our wedding!"


    led "He''d better not miss it."


    Just then, Wendy arrived, leaving Jack stunned. "Ms. Kinsley? Weren''t you at the conference in Yartford?"


    Vanessa pinched Jack''s side hard. "Would it kill you to keep, quiet?"


    Couldn''t this idiot tell that Wendy was interested in Felix? It was so obvious.


    "Have a seat.


    Wendy had indeed flown to Yartford that morning. But she immediately hopped on a return flight when Felix invited her to dinner. Nothing was more important than him." Gray City? That''s a nice ce. I''ve been there a few times." They had dinner till around 7:00 pm.


    After that, Felix left for Eastern Mountain. He had not forgotten about killing Sarah. He arrived 20 minutes early at the peak, but Sarah was nowhere to be seen.


    "Is that old fart trying to fool me?"


    He thought about it, but it seemed unlikely. Despite her faults, Sarah was respected among their circles and would not possibly stoop so low. She had never taken Felix seriously anyway.


    After 15 minutes, Felix frowned as a voice broke the silence, "Looking for Sarah? Sorry, but she won''t being. Her inviting you here was actually helping us out."


    Surveying his surroundings, Felix clenched and unclenched his fists. "The Elders'' Council sure is persistent. You can probably take down an entire sect with this setup." Chapter 653

 With Husband 653

    Eight figures emerged at the mountain peak. All of them were older men and middle-aged warriors who radiated powerful presences.


    "Five Oceanus Realm masters and three Pulse Realm masters-I''m ttered by such attention."


    Pulse Realm was the next level above Oceanus Realm. A martial artist would reach this realm when they could gather their spiritual energy into a sphere within their core and make it rotate.


    This rotating energy sphere would then release its essence throughout the body''s meridians, strengthening and transforming them.


    Felix was not exaggerating about the impressive disy of force. Most martial arts sects barely had any Oceanus Realm masters, let alone those who had reached the higher Pulse Realm. Yet the Council had sent so many at once.


    "Anyone the Council marks for death never lives to see another day. You''re the only exception, Felix. Wouldn''t it be disrespectful if we didn''t take you seriously?"


    They were not surprised Felix could identify their cultivation levels. After all, everyone knew what came after the Oceanus Realm. If Felix could not read these three elderly masters'' levels, simple deduction would tell him they were in Pulse Realm. "But that''s not all you''ve got, is it?" Besides the eight before him, Felix sensed other threats lurking in the distance. It was just a feeling he couldn''t quite pin down.


    He had said it casually. But to his surprise, the leader actually answered, "Impressive! Your martial intuition is truly frightening. Even though you''re just guessing, I''ll tell you straight up. We''ve got two snipers positioned on the mountain two miles away. Two miles! Felix''s mind raced. At that range, there was only one type of weapon that could be both effective and portable-a sniper rifle.


    "Have you figured it out? Yes, we have sniper rifles! But they''re not just any rifles. They are foreign-made heavy sniper rifles called ''Beast. With an effective range of three miles, they can fire .78 caliber rounds.


    "They can tear through tanks and armored vehicles, let alone people. We''ve tested them. Even a Pulse Realm master would be severely wounded by one shot."


    Felix''s expression darkened. The Council had prepared thoroughly this time.


    The eight masters before him were not the real problem-it was those two snipers. If what they said was true, he would have to be extremely careful. Even he couldn''t ignore rifles powerful enough to punch through tanks.


    "Why all this talk? Are you trying to get me to surrender?"


    The middle-aged man nodded. "Of course. Why else would I waste breath? The higher-ups said if youe with us quietly, you''ll be tortured for sure. But they might keep your life."


    Only a fool would believe that. While Felix appeared to be considering their offer, he was already executing his technique.


    "Shadow Strike!"


    One of the moves from Dragons Destroyer, Shadow Strike, could precisely target enemies with absolute stealth. When the energy rippled out from beneath Felix''s feet right at this moment, it was harmless until it reached its target. It would then explode with devastating force.


    "Have you made your decision? Our patience has limits."


    Before he had finished his words, Felix''s instincts screamed. He hurled himself sideways.


    Two thunderous explosions rocked the peak. Two massive holes appeared right where he had been standing moments ago.


    "Damn it! Are you guys ying dirty?"


    So much for negotiations! They had just been distracting him and keeping him still so their snipers could line up their shots. 1

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    ""Kill him!"


    Now that the battle had started, there was no more need for words. Just as the eight warriors were about to attack in unison, the three Pulse Realm masters suddenly turned pale. They convulsed and coughed blood as they were thrown backward. "Rising Dragon!" Seizing the moment, Felix unleashed his Rising Dragon technique against the three, who were already reeling from his Shadow Strike.


    "He... He''s reached Pulse Realm, too!" The remaining five Oceanus Realm masters gasped as they finally sensed Felix''s true power level.


    How was this possible? Intelligence had reported Felix was at Oceanus Realm, which was shocking enough since they had thought he was still at Aetherial Realm. But now, had he actually advanced from Oceanus to Pulse Realm in just days? It seemed really inhuman of Felix to be able to do that. Throughout history, no martial artist had ever progressed this quickly-not even the greatest prodigies.


    Three thunderous explosions snapped them back to reality. Their blood ran cold as they watched their three Pulse Realm masters literally explode into red mist.


    "Run!" With their strongest defenders dead, the remaining five Oceanus Realm masters knew they stood no chance against Felix. They scattered in panic.


    Felix pursued them while dodging sniper fire. The five masters had escaped in all directions, but he could not possibly leave any survivors. Only by killing them could he intimidate the Council and stop them from any future attacks. Two miles away, Sarah lowered her binocrs and shook her head. "Pack up and leave if you want to live. At his speed, he''ll be here soon."


    The snipers did not hesitate, immediately breaking down their rifles. They knew they had lost their advantage since their best chance had been the first shot. But they had underestimated Felix''s reflexes, and now, they had no hope of hitting him. "Should I kill him myself?" Sarah mused.


    Felix''s growth had shocked even her. He was someone who could have been easily crushed thest time they''d met. She did not expect him to have reached Pulse Realm in such a short time. At this rate, he would surpass her in no time. "Better not. Even if that old fool Dr. Hoffman stays out of it, those two women would hunt me relentlessly."


    Minutes after they left, Felix arrived. "Have they gotten away?"


    The five Oceanus Realm masters had been easy prey, so he had hoped to eliminate the snipers, too. The night wind chilled him as he reflected on how he had been so close to being hurt. If he hadn''t just absorbed Rosalyn''s Dragonspine, he might not have survived today.


    "The Council has lost three Pulse Realm masters and five Oceanus Realm masters. Bet that hurts!" Even an organization as powerful and mysterious as the Elders'' Council would feel this loss.


    On his way back, his phone rang. It was an unknown number. He wished it was Gerald since he had so much to vent about after dealing with Sarah.


    "Felix, it''s Asher."


    Asher?


    Felix was about to hang up when Asher continued, "Tomorrow''s your deadline with Aiden. Just reminding you to have everything ready, or your fate is sealed." Chapter 655

 With Husband 655

    Felix hung up without a word. He wanted nothing more to do with the Greenes.


    Though his face remained expressionless, his mind was in a mess. Asher had mentioned that Aiden had reached Innate Realm at just ten years old. After all these years, his power had to be immense. Now that was true genius.


    It was no wonder that the Greene family held such a unique position in Dragonia. Aiden alone showed how powerful they were.


    Unless he called on Gerald and his fellow apprentice for help, Felix knew he was not ready to challenge the Greenes. He was not even sure he could match Aiden inbat.


    With these thoughts weighing on him, Felix drove into Canraville and called Seven. Shortly after he got home, Seven arrived.


    "Mr. Zeller, does this fit what you want? We crafted it exactly ording to your photo."


    Felix had sent Seven a picture of the Dragonspine and asked him to look for people who could produce a replica. It had to be made with bone, and any animal bone would do. "Yeah, it looks exactly the same. Thanks."


    After Seven left, Felix brewed a mixture of herbs he had bought, then added a few drops of his blood. He coated the bone with it. Minutester, something remarkable happened. The mixture seeped into the bone and vanished quickly. Felix picked up the bone with a slight smile. "Hah! Let''s see if you can spot the difference."


    Aiden had surely never seen a real Dragonspine. With Felix''s blood infused into it, the bone now carried a special energy that was very simr to the original. Even Felix would have trouble telling them apart without holding them. When his doorbell rang early the next morning, Asher and Aiden were standing outside. Soon, Felix came out and tossed them the bone "Take it and get lost. I never wanted Victor''s stuff anyway. Don''t bother me again." Aiden frowned. He carefully examined the bone''s energy before his lips curved into a slight smile. "You''ve made a wise choice."


    As Aiden turned to leave, Asher breathed a sigh of relief. Though he felt nothing for Felix, Victor had been his uncle, and Felix was his only remaining blood rtive. He couldn''t have stood by and watched Felix get hurt. 30 minutester, Felix prepared to leave for the airport. He had left his Range Rover for Jack since he was nning to buy another car in Gray City. After all, he was not sure how


    long he would be staying.


    But as he stepped out, he found Sherlyn waiting by his door. She watched him with a smile. Dressed in white today, her fitted white pants showcased her graceful figure perfectly. "What are you doing here?"


    Sherlyn gave him a flirtatious look. "Are you going to leave town without saying goodbye? Humph! I even have toe and see you off myself." Standing awkwardly, Felix was unsure what to say.


    "Come on! Get in. I''ll drive you to the airport."


    "Alright, then. Thanks."


    During the drive, Sherlyn did most of the talking while Felix responded half-heartedly. He felt guilty about holding back such a wonderful girl.


    "If I have time, I''ll visit you in Gray City. Don''t you dare avoid me, or I''ll have my grandfather move there just to annoy you!"


    Felix panicked. "No! Mr. Holt Senior shouldn''t travel so much. I promise I''ll be there whenever you visit Gray City."


    "Humph! That''s better."


    At the airport, Sherlyn called out just as Felix opened the car door, "Felix!"


    As he turned, her lips met his in a fleeting kiss. It left a lingering warmth on his lips. "Don''t get mad at me. I really do like you. I don''t regret giving you my first kiss." Chapter 656

 With Husband 656

    Felix sighed to himself. Being popr with thedies felt more like a burden than a blessing.


    11


    In Yartford, N was listening to Alfie''s report, with Yvonne standing nearby. Interesting. Felix actually gave his father''s heirloom to Aiden Greene. Knowing what kind of person he is, I find it quite hard to believe.


    Alfie remained silent. He always carried out N''s orders perfectly, so there was no way he would lie about it.


    Yvonne felt relieved. She knew how terrifying Aiden was, who also had the mighty Greene family backing him.


    "Did you find out why Felix is going to Gray City?"


    Alfie shook his head. "No, but it seems he''s nning to stay long-term. He transferred both his vi and car to Jack."


    N could not figure out what made Gray City special.


    "Miss, perhaps he''s leaving Canraville because of his broken rtionship with Xena. Gray City might just be a random choice." 1


    "Yeah, you''re probably right. I can finally make my move now that my biggestpetitor is gone."


    Xena had indeed been N''s strongest rival, especially given her title as the Phoenix Warlord. N''s options had been limited, but this unexpected turn of events worked in her favor.


    "Yvonne, stay in Yartford to manage the business. Don''t disturb me unless it''s something important."


    Seeing N rise, Yvonne gathered her courage to ask, "What about you, miss?"


    "I''m moving to Gray City, of course! How else can Felix and I grow feelings for each other if we can''t even meet?"


    Yvonne was delighted. If Felix epted N, it would benefit her, too. "Forgive me, won''t that be hard with how much F¨¦lix hates you now, miss?"


    but


    sure he won''t


    With a flourish, N produced an object seemingly from thin air. "This is something my grandfather gave me. I''ll approach Felix under a different identity, and I''m discover the truth, no matter how powerful he bes." Yvonne was relieved that N had nned ahead.


    "Miss, why are you suddenly taking the initiative?"


    N smiled at Alfie''s question. "I thought you were never curious about anything! A few


    hours


    ago, I received news that Elders'' Council tried to kill Felixst night. They sent three Pulse Realm and five Oceanus Realm masters. Do I still need to spell it out for you?"


    What? Alfie''s eyes widened.


    If Felix was still alive and unharmed, that meant the Council''s forces were dead. How had Felix managed that? His power growth was terrifying.


    N was pleased by Alfie''s reaction. She had chosen her man well. Only a man with such potential could help her in the future. But as she took a step, her expression changed to one of terror.


    Alfie and Yvonne suddenly copsed, and a ck-robed figure appeared in the room. The fact that even someone as powerful as Alfie had fallen without a sound meant how powerful the intruder was. "Who are you?" Trying to stay calm, N watched as the figure slowly pulled back their hood. Her jaw dropped. "You... How is this possible?"


    The figure spoke, "Didn''t you want to confirm that matter with me? So, here I am."

 With Husband 657

    Alfie and Yvonne gradually came to their senses. Yvonne was still in a daze while Alfie immediately started searching for Lady N.


    "It''s true... It''s actually true..."


    Hearing N keep repeating those words, Alfied asked quickly, "Miss, are you alright?"


    He had already guessed what happened. Someone incredibly powerful must have appeared. How else could he have been knocked out instantly? At least N seemed unharmed, or he would never forgive himself. N nced at him and shook her head. "I''m fine. Don''t ask any questions. Let''s pretend this never happened."


    Though burning with curiosity, Alfie did not dare probe further after she said that. He could only wonder what legendary figure had appeared. It must be someone whose power and status were beyond his imagination. In Gray City, Felix followed a real estate agent through Heavenly Meadow, a residential area in the city center.


    But now, few wanted to buy houses here despite the prime location. The prices were not cheap, and the residential area had been there for too long. That was why the agent was surprised anyone would be interested in one of the vis.


    The apartments still sold well thanks to the central location, but it was rare to see anyone wanting to buy a vi. "Mr. Zeller, this is Vi No. 3. Watch your step, please."


    The vi had been on the market for over a year without a single viewing. Felix was the first.


    "Thank you." Felix looked around. There were vegetables nted in the yard, which meant the previous owner was probably someone elderly.


    "The previous owners moved abroad to live with their son. They were meticulous people who maintained the house well."


    The three-story vi had no garage. There were only a few parking spaces beside it. After touring the property, Felix smiled. "It''s not bad."


    Not bad? The agent was surprised. Did that mean there was hope in selling the vi?


    "You have excellent taste, Mr. Zeller: Though it''s older, the location is prime, and the property management is


    Felix waved off her pitch. "You said it''s eight million dors, right?"


    "Yes, and the owners said they''re open to negotiating for a serious buyer."


    The house was indeed well-maintained. It just needed cleaning and some furnishing to be ready for move-in. "I''ll take it. Please arrange for cleaning."


    The agent could hardly contain her excitement. Her colleagues would surely regret passing on this listing. They had all thought the vi would never sell, but now, she had amissioning.


    "I''ll arrange it right away. Let''s head to the office for paperwork."


    Afterpleting the purchase, Nelly Lorenzo caught up with Felix outside the office. "Mr. Zeller, you''re new to Gray City, right? Have you bought a car yet?"


    Nelly was attractive, tall, and slim. Her fitted sky-blue uniform showed off her long legs, which drew nces from passing men.


    "No, not yet."


    Gathering her courage despite her nervousness, Nelly continued, "Ourpany gives special bonuses for vi sales andmissions. With how much I earned today, I''d like to thank you by driving you around to shop for what you need. Would that be okay?" Chapter 658

 With Husband 658

    "Smart girl," Felix thought with a smile. "Thank you. I''d appreciate that."


    Moving in would require lots of shopping, and taking cabs would be inconvenient. As they drove off together, two men watched from the office entrance with annoyed looks.


    "Damn it! That vi listing was supposed to be mine. I can''t believe someone actually bought it, and now, this flirt gets themission."


    His colleague teased, "That''s fate for you! This sale''s worth more than several of our regr dealsbined. Isn''t Nelly usually the reserved type? She''s always keeping clients at arm''s length, but she''s making moves now." "Hah! That''s all an act! This Felix guy''s young and loaded-who wouldn''t fantasize about dating him? If she ys her cards right, she could end up a rich man''s wife instead of selling houses. But she stole my meat, so she''ll pay for it." Smiling, his colleague stayed silent as he knew the real reason behind his bitterness. He had pursued Nelly before and been rejected. "Wait. You''re not thinking of calling Mr. Linton, are you?"


    "Of course I am. How do you think he''ll feel when he learns Nelly''s been acting all this time?"


    Two hourster, Felix was done moving everything into Vi No. 3 in Heavenly Meadow. He thanked Nelly, "Really appreciate your help today, especially with picking out the gift boxes."


    Nelly smiled gracefully. "You don''t have to, Mr. Zeller. I should be thanking you. I''ll head out now, but please call if you need anything while you''re in Gray City."


    "Will do." Leaving the unpacking forter, Felix took the gift boxes and headed out. He had not forgotten his real purpose here. He had chosen this vi because Xena''s pen pal, Sunset, lived in Vi No. 4. Everything was going smoothly so far.


    To get Sunset''s help, he would need to avoid showing his true intentions, or the chances of them helping him in the future would be slim. Finding the first two vis empty, Felix went straight to Vi No. 4.


    Thankfully, someone answered the doorbell quickly. They asked, "Who is it?"


    "Hi, I''m Felix Zeller. I just moved into Vi No. 3. So, I wanted to introduce myself to the neighbors."


    "One moment." Shortly after, a young couple emerged. The husband was handsome, while


    the wife was in-looking but had a kind face!


    ording to Felix''s intelligence, this woman was Xena''s pen pal Sunset, whose real name was Willow Harrison.


    "Nice to meet you, Mr. Zeller. I''m Clement Parson, and this is my wife, Willow Harrison." They opened the gate with friendly smiles, seeming quite approachable.


    "Pleasure to meet you both. I brought a small wee gift for you since we''ll be neighbors.


    After some pleasantries, Felix went to Vi No. 5. Someone resided there, too, but they were not as weing as the Parsons and seemed quite wary. That was understandable, though. As he headed back home with the remaining gifts, the roar of an engine approached. Felix


    him. turned to see a Porsche 718 nearly upon


    The car screeched, barely stopping in time, which made Felix frown.


    A young man stepped out of the car, and a van pulled up behind the Porsche. Seven or eight men quickly surrounded Felix.


    Without a word, the young man gave Felix a once-over and impatiently waved his hand. "Get him!"

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    "Stop!" Just as the men raised their iron bars to attack Felix, a thunderous shout rang out. It was Clement, who had emerged from his vi fully dressed. He looked like he was about to head out.


    "Damn it! Who the hell dares to interfere?" The young man snarled as he turned around, but his expression instantly changed. "Mr. Parson?"


    Clement''s face darkened as he pointed at the young man. "Huxley Linton, are you itching for trouble again? Why are you attacking people in broad daylight? Has your father stopped disciplining you?" Hearing their conversation, it was clear they knew each other, and Huxley was afraid of Clement. "Come on, Mr. Parson. It was just a joke to scare him. We weren''t really going to hurt him! We''re leaving right now."


    After Huxley left with his men, Felix seized the opportunity to be friendlier with Clement. "Thank you, Mr. Parson. Honestly, I''mpletely lost here since I''ve just arrived in Gray City. I don''t even know that young man."


    Clement considered before answering, "That kid''s just a rich troublemaker with too much time on his hands. He probably woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. Don''t worry. He won''t bother you again. I''ve got urgent business to attend to, so I''ll head out now." From his intel, Felix knew Clement had inherited his parents'' real estatepany after their passing. It had once been quite a bigpany, but many business connections had dried up


    after his father''s death. Clement was barely keeping it afloat, or he would have moved to a better ce by now.


    Felix could easily help turn things around, but that would be too obvious. To reconnect with Xena, connecting with her pen pal Willow was the key. He needed to take things slowly because rushing would not help.


    At sunset, Felix visited a pizzeria he had found online with great reviews. As expected, it was packed for dinner time. After waiting for a table, Felix ordered and was halfway through his pizza when someone sat across from him. Sharing tables wasmon in small restaurants, so Felix paid no attention.


    "Haven''t we met somewhere before?"


    Felix nced up at his words. "Sorry. You must have confused me with someone else."


    The man kept staring, then suddenly lit up with recognition. "Ah, now I remember! You''re the doctor who went to Rosalyn''s ce and treated her, right?"


    Felix, too, just remembered. This seemed to be the guy from that car ident. Felix did not have a good impression of him then, so he did not bother showing any friendliness. "You got the wrong person." Wrong?


    Mason smirked. His memory was not ying tricks.


    "What? Are you unsatisfied with my attitude back then?" He scoffed. "You''d have been in real trouble if Rosalyn hadn''t stopped me. Running into you here in Gray City must be fate. I''ll give you a chance to make up for that ident."


    Seeing Felix''s silence, Mason was unbothered. "A friend of mine is sick. I''ve already called Xander, and he''s flying in. But since you''re here, you might as well take a look first. Xander can take over when he arrives. I''ll let you finish your pizza first."


    Mason was riding high these days. The Jacobs family had be the most prominent of the Eight Great Martial Families thanks to him. Now at Aetherial Realm, he was practically untouchable. He had been touring the country before resuming training when he ended up in Gray City.


    When Felix finished and tried to leave, Mason blocked his path. "Are you really deaf? You didn''t hear what I said the first time, and you still can''t hear me now?"

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    Felix frowned as he nced at Mason before asking, "What exactly do you want?"


    "Isn''t it obvious? I want you to treat my friend. Rosalyn said you''re a traditional medicine practitioner. If you''re good enough to work with the Ruby family, you must be skilled. My friend''s condition isn''t critical, but he''s friend, so we can''t wait around."


    If Mason really could not afford to wait around, why would he be in a mood for pizza here? "I''ll give you an answer, then. No. I won''t go."


    Mason smiled cruelly and scoffed. "Do you think I won''t touch you in public? Or did think I''m just bluffing because you''re a doctor and have powerful connections?


    you


    "Well, you''re wrong. I''m Mason Jacobs, a prodigy of the Eight Great Martial Families. I can crush you effortlessly in every way, so I suggest you wise up."


    Getting no response as Felix walked away, Mason cracked his neck. "You''re the first to dare ignore me ever since I became famous. After midnight, you won''t even get a chance to regret your words." Back at his vi, Felix called Seven from the ir organization. "Come to Gray City."


    "Yes, Mr. Zeller. Should I prepare anything?"


    After some thinking, Felix said, "I''ll need you to get rid of a body here."


    Seven understood immediately.


    Mason had been tailing Felix the whole way, so his intentions were obvious. In Dragonia, no one could openly challenge national authority without consequences.


    After checking his new ce, Felix realized he still needed some things. The good thing about this location was it was in the city center and was close to a mall, which was convenient even without a car.


    Shortly after entering the mall, Felix''s attention was drawn to an approaching woman.


    Her flowing hair swayed under a red beret. She was wearing a ck crop top and fitted pants. With such a pretty face, she looked elegant and edgy.


    But it wasn''t her looks that caught Felix''s eye-she was at best on par with Wendy. What intrigued him was her lightning-fast movements, which were almost impossible to track.


    He had first sensed something off. Then, he focused intently but barely caught a glimpse of her shadow as she targeted a second person. It reminded him of that incident at the Aleshire mall, where even he, a Pulse Realm master, had been pickpocketed without 1/2


    noticing.


    He strongly suspected this woman was behind it. Intrigued, Felix followed her. Seeming to have sensed something, she stopped picking pockets and left the mall.


    When she arrived at an alley, she turned to face Felix, who had openly followed her there. She looked at him with contempt. "Listen up, kid. Enough is enough. I know I''m gorgeous, but you''re not in my league. Got it?"


    Felix smiled. "My phone was stolen once, so I have some questions for you. After that, you can go."


    A cold glint shed in her eyes before she gave him a seductive smile as she walked toward him. "What are you talking about? I don''t understand. Why don''t you... exin it again?"

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    "I have a few questions I''d like to ask you."


    After Felix said that, the woman, who had gotten close enough to him, gave him a mischievous grin. "Better keep those questions to yourself. You feel paralyzed now, don''t you? Don''t worry. I just struck some of your acupoints. It''ll wear off in two hours! "Consider it a gentle lesson about following pretty girls."


    Though her movements had been incredibly fast, Felix had been prepared and had noticed them. Even so, he was amazed by her skill.


    As she started humming and turning to leave, Felix grabbed her arm. "I really do have some questions for you.


    11


    Her face instantly changed, staring at her arm in disbelief. "Impossible! My acupoint technique can immobilize even Aetherial Realm masters. How can you move?"


    She realized something rming-Felix might be at Oceanus Realm. But how could he possibly have achieved it at his age?


    "Please forgive my rudeness! Have mercy on me. I have elderly parents and children to support!" She burst into dramatic tears with surprisingly convincing acting. Felix could not help but find it absurd and amusing. "Stop crying. I just want to ask you some questions, nothing else."


    She immediately dried her tears. "Really? Then ask away."


    "Who''s your mentor?" Her technique was unlike anything he had ever seen. The fact that she was capable of immobilizing Aetherial Realm masters was extraordinary. "Could you ask something else? I really have to keep my martial arts lineage a secret, and I''m telling the truth. I''m Melissa Emmerson. Here''s my ID to prove it."


    While Felix did not seem murderous, Melissa remained cautious. She could not do anything apart from striking someone''s acupoints and immobilizing them. Since it did not work on Felix, she was defenseless.


    After ncing at her ID, Felix did not push further. "I''ve marked you with my energy. Give me your contact info. I hope you''ll show up when I need your help someday."


    He was curious about her martial arts background the most. But since that was off-limits, he had changed tactics.


    "Sure. Here''s my number. Let''s connect on WhatsApp, too. I''lle whenever you call- except for bedroom activities, of course."


    Once he was done, Felix released her.


    2


    Melissa backed away nervously before disappearing in a sh once she reached the street.


    "What an intriguing woman.


    Her theft technique might prove useful someday, so it was better to have the connection than not.


    Ten minutester, Melissa made a phone call two streets away.


    "Since you''re calling me, you must be in trouble again, aren''t you? Didn''t I tell you to face the consequences if you get caught?"


    Melissa pouted. "You mean old man! Do you really want me caught? This time''s different. I met this young man who''s barely older than me, but..."


    After hearing her story, the old man on the phone was surprised.


    "Are you really sure he''s an Oceanus Realm master? But he''s so young. I''ve never heard of any sect producing such a prodigy. Even Mason Jacobs only reached Aetherial Realm, which was impressive enough unless..."

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    Unless?


    Melissa''s eyes lit up eagerly. "Don''t keep me hanging! Unless what?"


    "Unless he''s from one of the two most mysterious sects or the Greene family. I can''t think of any other possibility.


    Melissa''s expression turned worried as she pondered. "What should I do? Should Theed his calls? And is that mark real?"


    Her mentor answered without hesitation, "Of course the mark is real! If he wanted you dead, you''d be dead already. You have a chance to connect with a supreme prodigy, and you''re thinking of avoiding him? "Has all that phone-stealing messed up your brain? Best case scenario, you could have his child, then-


    Melissa hung up.


    That old man was being ridiculous again. But recalling Felix''s appearance, she stroked her chin with a yful smile and said, "Having his child might not be so bad... Oh, my, why am I feeling butterflies?" Around 1:00 am, Mason had just


    Mason had just entered the living room of Vi No. 3 in Heavenly Meadow when he found Felix waiting at the stairs. "You knew I wasing?"


    Felix''s face remained expressionless. "Yes. Are you here to kidnap me or kill me?"


    Though surprised, Mason remained unfazed. "I gave you a chance, and you wasted it. You need to learn the price of ignoring me."


    Felix shook his head helplessly. "Are you nning to take a life over something so trivial? Your values are truly astounding."


    Mason sneered. "Taking a life? Only prodigies like me deserve to live. Everyone else is worth nothing. Would you mourn a nobody''s death? Does the world change when someone unimportant dies?" At the peak of his power, Mason believed every word he spoke.


    "I see.


    Mason pointed at Felix with his right hand. Just when he thought he could turn and leave already, he was shocked to find Felix remain unharmed. He was even walking toward Mason.


    "I''ve heard traditional medicine practitioners often practice healing and martial arts. together. I''ve finally witnessed it today. I thought it''d be easy to get rid of you. Fine. I''ll show you the terror of Aetherial Realm, then." As Mason released his energy, the air in the living room seemed to have frozen.


    Yet Felix walked on unaffected, releasing his own presence, too.


    The next moment, Mason''s eyes bulged as he struggled to breathe. Horror coursed through him as he copsed to his knees. "You''re already at Pulse Realm? That''s impossible..."


    Having felt Pulse Realm energy in his family, he recognized it instantly.


    "You''ve lived looking down on life itself. Your death would benefit society more than your


    life."


    Mason finally began to panic. "You wouldn''t dare kill me! I''m the prodigy of the Jacobs family, and my family is the leader of the Eight Great Families! Kill me, and they''ll ughter everyone connected to you. "Drop your energy and let me leave. That''s your only option."


    Felixughed at his arrogance even at death''s door. "Rest in peace."


    "No!"


    Just as Mason''s life ended, Felix''s expression changed drastically. "Damn! I was careless!"


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    Almost immediately after Mason''s death, a scarlet thread shot out from his body straight toward Felix. The thread moved so fast that Felix could not react before it vanished.


    Quickly sitting in a meditation pose, Felix located the thread within himself.


    "Even with my current power, it''ll take a month to fully dissolve this Scarlet Thread."


    Since the thread was not harming him, Felix guessed it had to be some kind of ancestral protection to identify who killed their descendant.


    Though Felix had instantly suppressed it to its limit, total elimination would take at least a month.


    This was why he was frustrated. While his suppression had reduced the thread''s tracking range greatly, it was not gone. Within a certain distance, it could still instantly identify Felix as Mason''s killer. Whoever created this thread was powerful. They were definitely beyond Felix''s current ability to fight. But nothing could be done about it now. He would have to take things one step at a time. Seven arrived at the vi minutes after Felix''s call. "Find someone who can alter their appearance to look like this person. Have them visit several cities across Dragonia for no more than a week." "Yes, Mr. Zeller."


    This would buy some time. If he could make it through the month, there would be no evidence left. The Jacobs family would not be able to do anything about it then.


    Early the next morning, the first thing Felix did after waking up was to text Xena. Though he knew he was blocked, he persisted. She was Sarah''s innocent victim in all this, and he needed to take responsibility as a man.


    After breakfast, Felix went out with more gift boxes around 10:00 am. Some neighbors had been out yesterday, so he needed toplete his rounds.


    This time, someone was home at Vi No. 2. It was a striking woman with enviably fair skin and a stylish bob cut with bangs. She carried an air of elegance.


    "Hello, I''m Felix Zeller, who''s just moved into Vi No. 3. I wanted to introduce myself to the neighbors and bring a small gift."


    The woman smiled pleasantly. "Oh, you''re new too? What a coincidence! I just bought this ce but haven''t moved in yet after fixing it up so I''m also quite new. I''m Queenie


    Larrington. Nice to meet you."


    She had just moved in as well?


    Felix did not think much of it. He left after exchanging pleasantries.


    "Sir, could you throw my ser ball back?" When Felix was passing Willow''s house, a child''s voice called out.


    "Sure."


    The six- or seven-year-old boy had an innocent, boyish face. He thanked him politely after catching the ball, "Thank you." "You''re wee.


    Just after Felix left, Willow appeared in the yard. "Mom, that mister seems really nice. He helped me get my ball back."


    Recognizing Felix''s retreating figure, Willow nodded. "Yes, that''s our new neighbor. Call him Mr. Zeller when you see him next time. Having finally delivered all the gifts, Felix had just finished lunch when Nelly called. He went out to meet her. ""Mr. Zeller."


    He


    asked her to look into any nearby shops for rent, preferably a former clinic, so that he could save on renovations.

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    If Felix wanted to have regr interactions with Willow, he first needed a job. Maintaining his usual air of mystery would only create distance.


    After consideration, he decided that continuing his career as a doctor made the most sense. It was the fastest way to connect with people. After all, everyorie would get sick sometimes.


    "There''s a traditional medicine clinic for rent just a block away. But you should see it yourself first." Nelly''s efficiency was impressive. After all, she was familiar with the industry. "Thanks again. Just call me Felix."


    "Sure, Felix."


    Nelly''s colleagues had been right when they said she was a reserved woman. She had not been putting on an act when she always maintained professional distance with wealthy clients.


    Her different approach with Felix stemmed from her intuition. His eyes were always filled with sincerity whenever he looked at her.


    The clinic was about 800 square feet. Though it was not big, it was sufficient for use. It had thrived under the previous owner''s grandfather. But business declined after his passing, which forced them to rent it out. The paperwork went smoothly. Felix watched the cleaners work as he stood at the entrance.


    "Felix, I''m surprised someone so young like you practices traditional medicine." Nelly''s praise was sincere. Unlike modern medicine, traditional medicine required either exceptional talent or years of experience. "Why? Do you want me to check on you?"


    "No, no. I''m healthy!" Feeling awkward, Nelly quickly changed topics. "When will you handle the licensing? And when''s the opening?


    Felix smiled. "It''s opening tomorrow morning I''ll get some more supplies today. You don''t have to worry about the paperwork anymore."


    He had already called Xander. Someone would deliver the licenses soon. It was not that hard to deal with, so there was no reason to handle the process himself. Actually, he did not even have a medical license, let alone all the other requirements. "I''ll send flowers for the opening." Nelly wanted to help Felix feel wee as a neer. An empty opening would look bad.


    Felix did not turn her down. He was just going through the motions, so it didn''t matter if anyone woulde for the opening. He just needed the clinic and a job.


    He spent the afternoon stocking medicines and equipment. The clinic had to look legitimate. He nned to focus on prescribing medicine rather than quick acupuncture fixes, or it would risk bing too well-known. It would then defeat his purpose and make it impossible to stay in Gray City.


    As he closed the clinic, he was nning to grab a quick dinner before heading home. Then, his phone rang.


    He stared at the caller ID in disbelief. "Xena''s calling me?"


    He quickly answered, and her voice came through, "Felix! I''m officially informing you that you''re under arrest as a murder suspect." Today''s Bonus Offer

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    Felix''s first thought was that they had found out that he killed Mason, but he quickly dismissed it.


    First, he had been meticulous. Since Mason hade to kill him, he would have surely avoided cameras himself. Secondly, the Jacobs family would learn about his death first. There was no way they would ask the cops for help instead of taking revenge themselves. These two points made it unlikely. So, what was it?


    "Xena, don''t joke around. How could I have murdered someone?"


    "That''s not for you to decide. Did you think I''d call you if this wasn''t official? Alistair''sing for you. I hope you''ll cooperate, or I''ll issue an arrest warrant."


    The call ended right there, and Felix was left bewildered. He could only go home and wait.


    An hourter, Alistair found his address. He sat in Felix''s living room with two Wolfie, troopers. The fact that they had not even given him a heads-up despite their rtionship meant this was official business.


    "Mr. Zeller, I apologize, but we must investigate this since someone''s made a report.''


    Felix nodded understandingly. "What''s this about?"


    Alistair pulled out a phone and handed it to Felix. "This was sent by John Reynolds, Aimee''s father, from abroad. He ims you murdered his daughter."


    So it was about Aimee. Felixughed bitterly inside. He had not even had time to deal with that bastard abroad, and here he was, ying victim.


    The phone showed a chat history between Aimee and John, where she imed Felix wanted to kill her. There were two voice recordings with Felix''s voice mixed in and a shaky video that was taken in secret. The man in the video appeared to be Felix. Since this case involves Lady Summers'' cousin and uncle, she could not be the one investigating the matter. I''m leading the investigation instead."


    Felix returned the phone, unfazed. "Do you believe it?"


    Alistair shook his head immediately. "Of course I don''t think you''d do this, but investigations require evidence! Our tech department confirmed the content isn''t fake."


    It was not forgery?


    Felix frowned hard. He knew Aimee never had a chance to use her phone in the secretb, so these could not possibly be real. Naturally, he was shocked that fake pieces of evidence had passed verification.


    "What if I say these are forged, then? How are you nning to proceed with the investigation? Will you get a third-party verification?"


    Alistair was helpless. "Impossible! Our headquarters'' verification equipment is the best in Dragonia. Unless you have an alibi for when Aimee died, you''ll have toe with me."


    Aimee''s body had beenpletely destroyed, so how had John determined the time of death? Felix sensed a powerful hand pulling strings. Why did they report it now? Was there any special reason for this?


    The problem was that he had no alibi. At the time John specified, Felix had indeed been on his killing spree in the secretb.


    Just then, a middle-aged man entered with an impatient face. "Alistair, it''s been half an hour! What''s the holdup? Just arrest him! You''re not showing favoritism, are you?"


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    A sh of annoyance crossed Alistair''s eyes, but he still made the introduction. "Mr. Zeller, this is Mr. Conan Spade from headquarters, a joint investigator. Given the international implications of this case, they''re taking it quite seriously. Conan scoffed at these words. "Mister? Really, Alistair? You''re getting soft-since when do we address suspects as ''mister''?"


    "How I address people is my business," Alistair shot back. "As long as the investigation is thorough, my manners aren''t your concern."


    Ignoring the exchange, Conan dropped heavily into the chair across from Felix. "The voice


    Felix. recordings and videos from your phone have been authenticated-it''s definitely you, No amount of denial will help unless you can provide an alibi, so you''d bettere with us right now."


    He added with menace, "And if you resist, we''re authorized to use lethal force!"


    Conan''s hostility was crystal clear, but Felix chose not to dwell on it. He replied, "I actually do have an alibi, though I''m unsure if I can reach that person right now."


    His mind raced through his contacts, knowing he needed someone influential to back up his story. After all, an ordinary person''s words would not be enough.


    Conanughed mockingly. "An alibi from someone we can''t contact? Do you think we''re idiots? Take him in!"


    At hismand, two Wolfie troops members approached. However, they held back from using force, well aware of Alistair and Felix''s connection.


    To be fair, even Alistair could not help at this point, so he remained silent.


    "Well, isn''t this lively?" said an unexpected voice. "Felix, you have guests? Though they hardly seem like the friendly sort."


    Felix was surprised to see Averill appear at such a crucial moment, but his initial relief faded when he realized Averillcked the status needed to provide a credible alibi. "Who are you?" Conan demanded.


    Averill, never one to back down, shot him a sideways re. "Who are you people to barge into Felix''s house?"


    Though struck by Averill''s beauty, Conan stayed focused on his mission. "We''re from the Wolfie troops, and Felix is a murder suspect. Don''t interfere, or we''ll arrest you too."


    Felix, still seated, felt his anger rising at Conan''s increasingly hostile attitude. He could tolerate it directed at himself, but not at his senior apprentice


    Averill mocked, "Oh, the Wolfie troops! I thought you were someone untouchable, throwing your weight around.


    "Anyway, my precious junior apprentice wouldn''t hurt a fly, let alone kill someone. Did you even investigate properly?"


    Surprised by Averill''s boldness, Conan''s eyes glinted as he stepped closer. "Now you''re obstructing justice. You''reing with us too," he said, secretly pleased to have an excuse to approach such a beautiful woman.


    "I''d advise against falsely using Felix," Averill warned. "His other senior will be here soon. By then, it''ll be toote for apologies."


    Even Felix was startled by this revtion, unable to guess which senior apprentice might be arriving with Averill, given how recently he had moved to Gray City.


    "Well, well, quite the support you''ve got," Conan sneered. "If she interferes like you, we''ll arrest her too."


    As his words faded, an icy presence materialized behind him.


    "Is that so?" remarked a chilling voice.


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    Conan whirled around to find another stunningly beautiful woman, and he widened his eyes. He could not help but think, "Damn! What kind of luck does Felix have to have such gorgeous seniors?"


    "Of course! What, are you nning to interfere too?" he challenged, trying to maintain his authority.


    Felix stood up, surprised to see that Averill''s mentioned senior was none other than Mira, who had gracefully entered the room carrying a distinctive purple umbre-the kind of essory that demanded attention whether you wanted to give it or not. "Well, well, headquarters has really gone downhill if this is the caliber of agents they''re producing these days," Mira remarked with a cold smile.


    Conan''s face reddened with rage at the insult to headquarters, but his anger suddenly froze as he took a closer look at Mira''s face. He stumbled backward several steps. You''re..."


    Ignoring Conan, Mira pulled out her phone and dialed a number. "Listen here, Hugh. Just because you''re retired doesn''t mean you can let headquarters go to hell. What kind of ipetent representatives are you letting run around embarrassing us?" Alistair and the two Wolfie troops members gasped in shock. Everyone knew Hugh Ibarra was a legendary elder at headquarters who had built the organization alongside Lionel. They wondered what kind of status Mira had to speak to him so boldly. "Enough of your excuses," Mira continued sharply. "A case involving my friend needs. reviewing. You have five minutes, and not a second more. You know what happens if you''rete."


    Felix stood frozen, realizing this version of Mira was even more intimidating than when he


    had seen her at Pris.


    After hanging up, Mira fixed her gaze on Conan, who was visibly trembling. He stammered, "I-I''m so sorry, Chief Commander! Please forgive my ignorance-I didn''t recognize you!"


    The title "Chief Commander" sent shockwaves through the room. While others might not understand its significance, Alistair and his team knew well that there had only been one. Chief Commander during the headquarters'' founding.


    No one knew their full name, but after their departure, no one had ever been promoted beyond Deputy Commander because the original Chief Commander''s legacy was too revered. Rumor had it that their portrait hung in a perpetually empty office at headquarters, seen by only a select few.


    Conan''s reaction confirmed he must have seen it, exining his dyed recognition of


    Mira standing before them.


    Mira shot Felix a reassuring nce with a hint of yfulness that seemed entirely at odds. with the fearsome Chief Commander everyone was discussing.


    After barely a minute, Mira''s phone rang, and she turned on the speaker. "Chief Commander, we''ve discovered the forensics team falsified their findings in this case."


    "Good response time," Mira replied. "Also, I''m not fond of your team leader''s attitude. Have him thoroughly investigated-you might find some interesting results." "Yes, Chief Commander! This won''t happen again!"


    Pocketing her phone, Mira gestured toward the door. "Well? Are you waiting for an escort out?"

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    Conan did not want to stay a second longer in this ce. After all, this was the legendary Chief Commander, someone even Lionel respected. He had really shot himself in the foot this time, wishing he had shown better judgment. After they left, Felix breathed a sigh of relief, finally understanding why the forensics results werepromised. It seemed John had timed his report precisely for this reason. "Thank you, Mira," Felix said sincerely.


    Averill immediately protested with a mischievous grin. "What about me? Don''t forget you did nothing but lie in bedst time. You should thank me for my hard work too." Felix felt his face burning with embarrassment-only Averill would make such suggestivements in front of Mira.


    "How did you two end uping together?" he asked, trying to change the subject.


    Mira''s eyes sparkled with amusement. "I was toozy to track you down, so I had Averill do the legwork."


    She turned to Averill and added, "Don''t you have a flight to catch?"


    Averill''s expression showed reluctance, but Mira''s authority was absolute. She gave Felix a quick hug before departing.


    assume you


    "I have something important to discuss, Mira?" Felix asked.


    Mira waved her hand in response, and all the first-floor curtains closed mysteriously. "of course I do! Don''t you remember? You owe me a huge favor from the Pris incident."


    Felix gulped nervously as Mira moved closer. "Sure, I''ll repay it, but why close the curtains in broad daylight?"


    Mira smiled seductively. "I know you and Xena broke up, so until you get back together, we''re not breaking any rtionship rules. Averill and Leslie may have made the first moves before, but today, I''ll show you what real female dominance feels like." Hourster, Mira dressed and picked up her umbre while Felixy in bed, looking somewhat shocked. Shemented, "Your strength is improving rapidly. Soon, I might


    not be able to overpower you at all.


    I''m d I came when I did."


    Felixy there with mixed emotions, unsure what to say. He had indeed fought back with all his might but still ended up being dominated-it was aplete role reversal. "Goodbye, Felix," Mira said softly.


    Felix checked the time and found that it was already 11:00 pm, so he decided to just go to sleep.


    Meanwhile, Alistair had been waiting outside Xena''s office for over two hours at the Canraville Wolfie troops'' headquarters. He did not dare interrupt the emergency video conference with headquarters. "Come in," Xena''s voice finally called out.


    Alistair entered carefully. "Headquarters is demanding a full disciplinary review within the month, with all senior staff required to attend. They''re serious this time."


    After a pause, Xena remembered something else. "What''s happening with Felix? Why couldn''t you tell me over the phone?"


    They always used encrypted lines to discuss cases, so Alistair''s hesitation was unusual.


    "Does he have an alibi?" Xena pressed when Alistair seemed unable to find words.


    "Lady Summers, you might not believe this, but... have you heard of headquarters'' legendary Chief Commander?" a Today''s Bonus Offer

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    Xena nodded slowly. "Of course, I''ve heard of them! Everyone who joins gets that training at headquarters.


    "How could anyone not know about the legendary Chief Commander? But what does this have to do with Felix?"


    She had tried calling Conan earlier, but he had been too scared to say anything. Hence, she was now questioning Alistair.


    "The legendary Chief Commander appeared today-she''s Felix''s senior," Alistair


    exined. "One call to Hugh, and within minutes, they discovered the forensics team had falsified everything on the phone."


    "What?" Xena shot up from her chair. "Are you absolutely certain Felix''s senior is the legendary Chief Commander?"


    Though Alistair only responded with a telling look, she knew it was true. The news was absolutely staggering-this connection was far more significant than knowing any warlord.


    "Based on Mr. Spade''s reaction, the Chief Commander hasn''t aged a day," Alistair added thoughtfully.


    Xena gave a bitterugh. "Of course not. One can only imagine the capabilities of someone powerful enough to be the headquarters'' Chief Commander and achieve such legendary status. You can go now." After contemting alone for a long while, Xena finally smiled wryly. "Felix, are you trying to impress me? Making me regret breaking up with you?


    "Well, you''re wrong. I''ll never forgive you for hurting me, Chief Commander connection or


    not."


    The new day had arrived, and Felix began arranging two freshly delivered flower baskets by the clinic''s entrance. They were from Nelly, and he had to admit, they made the ce look much better than leaving it bare.


    The clinic''s name had also been updated-it was now called Tranquil Clinic, the same name he had used for the one he ran in Eden Vige for three years.


    "Congrattions on the new business, Mr. Zeller," Nelly said, appearing with additional


    items.


    Felix smiled. "You already sent flowers. There''s no need for more gifts. Besides, as a traditional medicine clinic, less business means healthier people. Chapter 669


    Nelly paused before understanding his meaning. "I''m impressed by your philosophy, Mr. Zeller."


    It was true-whether it was a clinic or a hospital, fewer profits meant fewer sick people. That logic made perfect sense.


    "Come on in and have a seat," Felix offered casually.


    Suddenly, a Porsche 718 pulled up. Felix recognized it as belonging to Huxley, the rich kid. Two vans followed, and over a dozen tough-looking guys with tattoos poured out.


    "Aren''t I nice? Bringing so many people to celebrate your opening!" Huxley smirked as his men lined up menacingly on either side of Tranquil Clinic.


    At the sight of the burly men, those who were interested ining in to inquire about the clinic instantly lost the courage to do so. It was obvious that Huxley and his men were noting to congratte but to cause trouble, scaring away Felix''s potential customers. "Very nice indeed," Felix replied calmly.


    He was unbothered since the clinic was mainly to show Willow what kind of work he did. Whether or not he got customers did not matter to him at all.


    However, Nelly had had enough of Huxley''s targeting. "Mr. Linton, please stop this," she pleaded.


    Huxley gave her a cold smile. "Sure thing. Weren''t you always ying hard to get when I pursued you? Are you worried now?


    "Is it because Felix is better looking than me, or is he richer? Since you asked, I''ll give you a deal-have dinner and karaoke with me tonight, and I''ll leave his clinic alone."

 Billionaire With Husband 670

    Chapter


    670


    Nelly had always maintained professional distance with all her clients, which had worked to discourage Huxley''s advances since he was never really interested in buying property. However, Felix''s arrivalpletely disrupted that delicate bnce. After a long moment of internal struggle, Nelly agreed. "Fine, I''ll have dinner and karaoke with you tonight, but that''s all."


    Huxley smiled darkly, knowing she would not have any control over what happened once. she was there, especially after he slipped something into her drink.


    "That won''t be necessary," Felix interrupted firmly. "I actually appreciate having all these people guarding my clinic. Nelly, please go home."


    Upon seeing Huxley''s expression turn venomous, Nelly panicked. "Mr. Zeller, please stay out of this. I know what I''m doing."


    "I said it''s not necessary," Felix repeated calmly.


    Huxley''s expression darkened as he grabbed Felix''s cor. "Do you actually think having Clement back you up makes you untouchable? What''s your connection to him anyway? I have thousands of ways to make your life hell, so mind your own business."


    a


    He gestured contemptuously at the clinic. "Just this old dump and a vi in Heavenly Meadows, yet you''re acting high and mighty in front of me? Even the local bistro had better opening with 50 times more people celebrating. What makes you think you can y in my league?"


    Just as Nelly was about to intervene, someone in the crowd shouted, "Holy shit! Is that a Lamborghini?"


    Everyone turned to watch as a yellow Lamborghini pulled up. It was the kind of supercar that demanded attention. Huxley, being a car enthusiast, recognized it as a nearly 2-


    million-dor model.


    To everyone''s surprise, the car stopped right next to the clinic. A man stepped out and retrieved a statue from the trunk-clearly made from solid gold and worth at least several hundred thousand dors.


    000


    "Congrattions on the opening, Mr. Zeller! Surprised?" George grinned as he approached.


    Felix sighed at how word had gotten out, or perhaps they had been keeping tabs on him all along. He said tly, "You''re just causing trouble."


    George barely spared a nce at the thugs, considering them beneath his notice. "Come on, Mr. Zeller. Let me ce this inside-it''s solid gold, rush-ordered from a top designer. Just a small token of appreciation." Chapter 670


    Nelly stood stunned, her previous assumptions about Felix''s humble circumstances.pletely shattered by the appearance of just one friend.


    Just as Huxley was gathering his courage to make some tough-guy remarks, a Rolls-Royce Phantom appeared. Everyone, including the onlookers, had the same thought-surely this visitor wasn''t also here to celebrate the clinic''s opening? Today''s Bonus Offer

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    Huxley rxed slightly when the Rolls-Royce drove away, and the crowd began to thin. After all, everyone had at least one wealthy friend-this he could handle.


    ''Nelly, this little show doesn''t make Felix any more impressive," Huxley mocked, pointing at the Lamborghini. "Anyone can rent a luxury car nowadays with some cash. So what''s your answer about tonight?" Before Nelly could respond, Felix pulled her inside the clinic. "There''s someone I want you to meet."


    Huxley was furious but hesitated to act with George present, deciding to wait until the Lamborghini left before teaching Felix a lesson.


    "Mr. Gibson is frustrated he couldn''t make it back from abroad, but he arranged for a gift that should arrive soon," George mentioned, referring to Ryan rather than Clement as Felix initially thought.


    Felix sighed. "Please don''t make arrangements like this without asking. If everyone shows up, how am I supposed to run a normal clinic?"


    Gray City and Avesburgh were about the same size, and news traveled fast in towns like these. If a new clinic opening attracted attention from influential figures, word would spread across the entire city in no time. There was no way Willow would not hear about it and that was thest thing Felix wanted.


    George scratched the back of his head nervously, sensing Felix''s disapproval. "Got it, Mr. Zeller. If something like this happens again, I''ll make sure to get your permission first."


    Sitting off to the side, Nelly quietly observed George. Her instincts, which were rarely wrong, told her that George was not just anyone. He definitely was not a local, and his presence hinted at something bigger.


    Meanwhile, outside the clinic, Huxley was already gathering his crew again. Felix''s calm indifference earlier had infuriated him, and Huxley was not about to let it go. If Felix wanted his grand opening today, Huxley was determined to turn it into a shutdown.


    Just as Huxley ended his call to summon reinforcements, a sleek ck Mercedes S500 pulled up. The rear door opened, and a sharply dressed young man with an air of authority stepped out.


    Huxley froze the moment he saw him, inhaling sharply through clenched teeth. "Mr. Gray? W-What is he doing here?"


    Kurt Gray was a name known to everyone in Gray City-the undisputed ruler of the underground scene. Despite his youth, he not only maintained but expanded his father''s empire after the old man''s sudden death.


    When Kurt stood at the entrance with a warm smile and sped hands, Huxley felt his scalp tingle with fear.


    "Congrattions on the clinic''s opening, Mr. Zeller. I''m here to extend my best wishes," Kurt said warmly.


    George exined to Felix, "That''s Kurt Gray, who runs things underground in Gray City. Having him in your corner will save you a lot of headaches."


    Felix nodded in eptance, remembering how Kane''s support had made life easier back in Avesburgh.


    Just as Felix invited Kurt inside, Huxley burst in and dramatically fell to his knees. "I''m so sorry, Mr. Zeller! Please give me another chance, I''m begging you!"


    Nelly stared in shock at Huxley''splete transformation. She did not know Kurt''s reputation, making the sudden change in Huxley''s attitude even more startling.

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    "You must be quite famous to scare this kid just by showing up," Felix joked.


    Kurt remained respectful, remembering Clement''s warning that if Felix were dissatisfied, Kurt''s position would be forfeit. His status in Gray City might be impressive, butpared to Clement, he was nothing. "Since he''s troubled you, Mr. Zeller, I''ll take him away and handle it to your satisfaction," Kurt offered.


    Huxley was terrified but knew he had to beg for mercy-if Felix spoke about this incident, the consequences would be devastating. Everyone knew those who crossed Kurt met terrible fates, often along with their families. "Please, no!" Huxley sobbed, but Felix waved dismissively.


    "Get out of here, and don''t let this happen again," Felix said, having no interest in wasting time on such trivial matters.


    "You heard Mr. Zeller," Kurt prompted.


    Huxley scrambled away, vowing never to harass anyone again, no matter how ordinary they seemed.


    After George and Kurt left 30 minutester, Felix finally had some peace. Though he had not seen any patients yet, the experience reminded him of his time in Eden Vige, and he missed thepany of his senior apprentices. "Well, well, it really is you," Melissa said, walking in and making herselffortable across from Felix.


    "Aren''t you usually moving from ce to ce?" Felix asked, knowing it must be a coincidence since Melissa''s tracking skills were not good enough to follow him undetected.


    "Why would I move around when you''ve marked me? By the way, are you hiring? Count me


    in!


    Felix agreed readily. "Fine, 5000 dors a month if you want the job."


    Melissa extended her hand without hesitation. "Deal!" She had decided to follow her master''s advice-having Felix as a backup would not hurt.


    "Alright. I''m heading out for a while and return to start my shift," Melissa added.


    Felix simply nodded.


    Some time after Melissa left to prepare for work, a man in his 30s walked in with an awkward, crab-like gait.


    "What''s wrong?" Felix asked, noticing the man seemed otherwise healthy.


    After checking that no one else was around, the man whispered, "I think my stitches came loose... Can you help?"


    Felix was confused until the man exined further, pointing downward. "I had circumcision surgery a few days ago, I wasn''t nning to go out, but something urgent came up, and well... I think the stitches opened."


    Felix suppressed a groan. "Sir, this is a traditional medicine clinic, and I can''t help with that. Please immediately take a cab to the hospital before it gets infected."


    The man nodded understanding and turned to leave just as Melissa returned in a new outfit. Felix covered his face, anticipating what was about to happen.


    Sure enough, the man''s anguished cry followed "Oh no! The stitches are opened!"


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    Melissa''s outfit at that moment was enough to make almost any man lose hisposure.


    She wore a tight, white nurse''s uniform that hugged every curve of her body. The top had only three buttons, barely containing what it needed to, and with her figure somewhere between a D and E cup, it created quite the spectacle. As for the skirt, it stopped just at the top of her thighs, paired with ck stockings that did not leave much to the imagination-it was something straight out of a man''s fantasy.


    Five minutester, Melissa returned to the room with a breezy attitude.


    "You men are so weird," she said, shaking her head. "That guy was sweating bullets from pain and still asked for my number!


    Felix''s expression darkened instantly. "Melissa, are you seriously nning to work in that?


    T


    She blinked in confusion and nced down at herself, even spinning around for effect." What''s wrong? You''re the doctor, and I''m the nurse. Isn''t this what nurses wear?" Felix''s eye twitched as he forced himself to get straight to the point. "Where the hell did you even get that uniform?"


    Melissa pointed toward the street withplete sincerity. "That adult store down the road. It''s all nurse outfits, so I didn''t think there''d be a difference!"


    Felix could only shake his head. If nurses in any hospital dressed like her, it would not matter how skilled the doctors were-every department would be packed, guaranteed.


    "No actual nurse dresses like that," Felix said firmly. "Go change. If you''re going to work here, just wear regr clothes."


    "Sure!" Melissa gave an innocent shrug and left the room.


    Felix exhaled deeply, finally feeling some relief. He could only imagine the chaos if he let her strut around the clinic in that getup.


    Forget fancy cars or celebrity endorsements-his clinic would have lines around the block within three days. And it would not matter if people were sick or not; they would line up just for a chance to walk through the door.


    By the end of the workday, not a single patient had shown up. Felix was not surprised, but Melissa was downright offended.


    Melissa grumbled, "What''s going on? Are you really running a legit practice? I''ve never seen a clinic this dead-not even a vet''s office!!


    "Closing time," Felix said curtly, flipping the sign and locking the door.


    As they stepped outside, Felix noticed Nelly waiting a short distance away. Before he could react, Melissa nudged his arm and gave him a teasing smirk.


    "Ooh, who''s that? Your girlfriend? A lover? Or one of those friends-with-benefits arrangements? She''s gorgeous, though. You''ve got taste!"


    Felix rolled his eyes. "If you can''t say something useful, keep your mouth shut. See your tomorrow."


    Melissa huffed but walked off, making sure to wave cheerfully at Nelly on her way o Caught off guard, Nelly quickly returned the gesture with a polite smile.


    out.


    "That woman is stunning," Melissa muttered to herself as she disappeared around the corner. "Mr. Zeller must be even more impressive than I thought to win someone like her over."


    Felix turned to Nelly once Melissa was gone. "You needed something?


    Snapping back to reality, Nelly fidgeted nervously before handing him a small bag. "Mr. Zeller, I know the whole thing with Huxley is behind us now, but it all started because of me. I wanted to apologize, so... I made you some cold pasta sd. I hope you like it." Felix, expecting another invitation to dinner or some clich¨¦ gesture, was genuinely surprised to find the meal. He said, "Thank you. I''m quite a big fan of cold pasta sd. I''ll definitely try them outter."


    Nelly''s demeanor brightened a little. "Great! If you like them, let me know anytime. My mom raised me selling these from a food cart, so I think I inherited a decent skill at making them."


    Later that evening, Felix returned home, his stomach growling faintly. He unpacked the pasta, appreciating how everything-sauces and toppings-was neatly portioned in small bags. He felt his taste buds light up when he took his first bite.

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    "This is so delicious! I''ll have to ask Nelly for more," Felix said to himself as he finished


    the pasta.


    Shortly after, the doorbell rang- it was Queenie Larrington, his new neighbor from Vi No. 2. She stood there holding something rolled up.


    She exined, "I wasn''t sure what to give a neighbor. I love painting, so I hope this is fine with you.


    "Thank you, that''s very thoughtful of you," Felix replied.


    But Queenie did not stop there. She added hesitantly, "Could you take a look at it now? I''d love to hear your thoughts. I''m not a professional, but I really enjoy painting."


    "Of course," Felix agreed. He carefully unrolled the painting and was shocked to painting. see the


    He eximed, "This is incredible! How did you capture me so well after meeting just once?


    "So... it''s good?" Queenie asked nervously.


    "Beyond good. It''s incredible! You''ve got some serious talent-you''re definitely gifted." Queenie smiled at thepliment and left shortly after. Felix returned inside, still holding the painting, and ced it under the soft glow of his living room lights.


    Under the warm lighting, the painting seemed toe to life. "She even managed to capture the soul," Felix murmured, studying his likeness in awe.


    The eyes in the portrait seemed so vivid and almost alive. If he did not know better, he would think Queenie had known him for years instead of just one brief meeting.


    He couldn''t believe she wasn''t a professional. It was crazy how dreams and reality didn''t always align for everyone.


    The next day, Felix decided it was time to buy a car. The clinic was within walking distance, but traveling farther would be much easier with a set of wheels.


    As he passed Vi No. 4, a woman suddenly rushed out, holding a small boy in her arms. It was Willow, and she lookedpletely frantic.


    "Darcy, no! You''re scaring me!" she cried out.


    The little boy, Darcy, was foaming at the mouth and convulsing violently. Felix immediately ran over and shouted, "Put him on the ground!"


    Willow hesitated, her panic leaving her paralyzed. Felix quickly added, "I''m a doctor!"


    His words broke through her panic, and sheid Darcy on the ground.


    "He''s having a seizure," Felix said quickly, assessing the boy. "Did he hit his head? Was there any kind of injury?"


    Willow, her mind slightly clearer now, managed to reply, "Yes, he fell earlier and hit the edge of a table. There was a lot of blood, so I bandaged it up, but now this started. I already called 911.


    Felix did not waste any more time. He pulled out a small case of acupuncture needles and began working on Darcy right there. Within minutes, the boy''s convulsions eased, and his breathing stabilized.


    "He should be okay for now," Felix said, standing up. "But I''m a traditional medicine practitioner, and with such a young child, it''s better to let the hospital run some tests to be


    sure.


    H


    Willow nodded, relief washing over her as she saw Darcy calm down, though he remained unconscious.


    "Thank you, Mr. Zeller," she said gratefully. "I''ll take Darcy to the hospital right now."


    The truth was, Darcy''s situation was much more dangerous than it appeared. Even if they waited for the ambnce and made it to the hospital in time, the impact from the fall had likely caused internal damage. It was pure luck-or fate-that Felix had been there to help. As Willow drove off with Darcy, Felix''s phone rang. Seeing the name on the screen, he frowned slightly. It was Ss, someone who rarely ever called.


    The moment Felix answered, Ss'' panicked voice came through, saying, "Felix, I''m begging you-whatever you do, don''t meet Zara. Please, don''t do it!" 2


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    Ss''s voice carried a mix of desperation and pleading, with an undercurrent of fear that Felix found unsettling. He was confused by the warning about Zara and asked, Grayson, what do you mean? I don''t understand." "Mr.


    "Don''t ask questions-just remember your promise. Ernest was there when you swore never to meet with Zara again. That debt has been paid. Can you give me your word?" Ss pressed urgently.


    Felix wondered if Zara had escaped as it seemed the only exnation. "I''ll keep my promise. Even if she finds me here, I''ll avoid herpletely."


    After hearing that, Ss seemed to rx a little. "Good. I hope you''ll remember what you said."


    Felix hung up the call, shaking his head. The dynamic between Ss and Zara was so strange, as though there was some massive secret neither of them could share.


    Melissa had already opened up the clinic. She was wearing a modest dress thatpletely concealed her figure. She asked, "Is this outfit eptable enough?" Felix gave her a slight nod. "Yeah, it''s perfect."


    Still, the clinic remained empty all morning. They ordered takeout for lunch, and Melissa could not hold back her curiosity.


    "I have to say, you''ve got some next-level patience," she remarked, raising an eyebrow." If I didn''t know you were different, I''d think you just didn''t care about anything.


    Felix only shrugged. "The fewer patients we have, the better, don''t you think?"


    "What? No way!" Melissa eximed, throwing her hands up. "There are billions of people in the world and more illnesses than anyone can count. You just have a trust problem-no one believes in this tiny clinic of yours.


    Felix did not engage further and leaned back for a short nap instead. His thoughts drifted to the Elders'' Council. After the blow they tookst time, he figured they would not act again anytime soon, giving him some breathing room. Maybe now he could finally get the chance to connect with Willow and work toward reconciling with Xena.


    Not long after, a woman walked into the clinic. Melissa''s demeanor lit up, thrilled to see someone finallye in. She eagerly asked, "Hello, how can we help you today?"


    The woman smiled apologetically. "Oh, I''m not here for medical help. I just need to use


    your restroom11."


    Melissa''s expression fell instantly, and she replied tly, "Sorry, but our restroom isn''t open to the public."


    Felix did not intervene. As long as Melissa was not outright rude, he saw no need to get involved.


    "Seriously," Melissa muttered once the woman left, "there''s a public restroom just down the street. Whye here?"


    By 2:00 pm, Felix was back at his station, ready to start the afternoon shift. Out of the blue, Melissa brought up a topic that caught his attention.


    "Hey, did you hear about the Jacobs family? You know, the top dogs of the Eight Great Martial Families?"


    Felix raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What happened? Must be something big if even you''ve heard about it."


    Melissa leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Apparently, Mason Jacobs, their golden boy, had an ident. There were even rumors he died, but people have spotted him in different cities since then, and the family denied everything. They''re saying it''s all just baseless gossip."


    Felix leaned back thoughtfully. He did not know the exact details of the Scarlet Thread spell that had been used, and he was unsure if its effects were instant or if there was a dy. Either way, the contingency n he had arranged with Seven was far from unnecessary. Maintaining their reputation was crucial for a powerful family like the Jacobs. If they did not have concrete evidence of who was behind the incident, they would keep the matter under wraps as long as possible.


    They would only make it public after avenging Mason''s death-that was the only way to protect their reputation. For now, their efforts to downy the rumors were nothing more than a stalling tactic, giving Felix more time to maneuver around.

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    From what Melissa had shared, it seemed that the moment Mason died, someone must have sensed it right away.


    "I feel like you''re talking but not really saying anything," Felix remarked, raising an eyebrow.


    Melissa grew a little flustered. "No, it''s not that! It''s just... I have this weird feeling. If Mason really did have an ident, it would exin why those rumors popped up out of nowhere.


    "Ugh, if something really happened to him, the Jacobs family would probably be so furious. Mason''s the most talented person they''ve had in generations."


    Felix did not continue the discussion, as a middle-aged man walked into the clinic at that


    moment.


    "Hello, how can we help you today?" Melissa asked politely.


    Having an attractive receptionist really did make customers more agreeable.


    "I''ve got some stomach pain," the man replied, rubbing his abdomen.


    "Please, take a seat," Melissa said, motioning toward the chair.


    Felix walked over and pretended to take the man''s pulse. After a moment, he said, "It''s just a simple case of food poisoning. I''ll give you a couple of acupuncture treatments, and you can take some medication. By tomorrow, you should be good as new.


    At first, the man looked skeptical, but as soon as Felix ced the needles, the intense churning in his stomach began to ease up. By the time it was done, he was apletely different person-grateful, polite, and cheerful


    Since the total bill, including the medication, amounted to just over 60 bucks, the man left smiling with his prescription in hand.


    "It''s always tough to get things rolling in the beginning," Melissa said optimistically. "But once word gets out, more people will surely show up."


    Unfortunately, her optimism did not pay off. By the time they closed for the day, not a single additional patient had walked through the door. In the end, Melissa left in a rather gloomy mood.


    Felix had nned to shop for a car that day, but the thoughtpletely slipped his mind. Instead, he headed straight home. No sooner had he stepped inside when the doorbell rang Clement and Willow stood at the gate with Darcy, who looked far healthier than that


    morning.


    "Darcy, get on your knees!" Clementmanded, his tone stern.


    Without hesitation, Darcy kneeled in front of Felix and said, "Thank you, Mr. Zeller, for saving my life."


    Felix quickly helped the boy back to his feet. "Hey, what''s this about? If someone''s in trouble, of course, I''ll help. There''s no need for such grand gestures."


    However, Clement was not finished. He and Willow both bowed deeply to Felix.


    "This is the least we can do as a family," Clement replied. "I wasn''t there this morning, but I can imagine how bad things must''ve been. If it weren''t for your quick actions, Darcy..."


    He trailed off, unable to say the rest. After a while, he continued, "To us, you''re a lifesaver. If there''s ever anything we can do for you, just ask. And please, ept this token of our gratitude." Clement handed over a thick envelope and a few expensive-looking gifts.


    "Alright," Felix said, knowing they would not feel at ease unless he epted. "I''ll take these, but we''re neighbors-there''s no need to be so formal in the future."


    That seemed to put the couple at ease. Afterward, they invited Felix over for dinner, where the atmosphere was warm and filled withughter.


    "Honestly," Clement said between bites, "we''re lucky to have a neighbor who''s not only friendly but also an amazing practitioner of traditional medicine."


    The conversation carried on until Felix excused himself to use the restroom. As he walked


    away,


    he overheard Clement speaking in a low voice.


    "Honey, did you read the letter we got?"


    "Yeah, I read it," Willow replied with a sigh. "I was worried about this back then, and now it''s happened-she really did fall for a scumbag."


    "Seriously?" Clement growled. "I can''t stand men who don''t take responsibility. If I ever meet that guy, I''ll knock him out. And honey, your pen pal has some terrible luck."


    Felix froze, shaking his head with a bitter smile That scumbag they were talking about was probably him.


    Xena and Willow were pen pals, and apparently, they did not hold back when sharing details.


    Just as he was mulling over this revtion, his expression shifted abruptly. He murmured, "Wait... what''s this?"

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    "Felix,e over here!" Clement called out excitedly when Felix stepped back into the


    room.


    Clement had every reason to feel overjoyed-Darcy was the apple of his eye, and since he and Willow could not have another child, it felt like the entire family narrowly escaped a brush with death today.


    Hence, to the couple, no amount of gratitude toward Felix could ever feel like enough, especially since they were hitting it off so well in conversation.


    "Sorry, something urgent just came up. I need to step out for now," Felix said, his expression genuinely apologetic.


    Clement and Willow quickly got to their feet. Clement replied, "No problem. Take care of what you need to do. We''ll catch up another time."


    Felix had no choice but to leave abruptly-he had just sensed a Dragonspine''s energy, and nothing could take precedence over that. If he did not act immediately, it would slip out of his range


    of perception, and the chances of running into it again would be slim to none.


    After stepping out of the house, Felix made a sharp turn around aer, ensuring he was out of Clement and Willow''s view. Then, in an instant, he disappeared, speeding toward the direction where the Dragonspine''s energy pulsed faintly in the distance. Having killed Mason earlier, Felix already knew from the Scarlet Thread technique that the Jacobs family was far from ordinary. If encountering a Dragonspine meant a chance to grow stronger, he could not afford to pass it up


    When he arrived outside a particr building, the energy had stopped moving-it was stationary now. Just as Felix prepared to enter, his phone buzzed with a call from an unfamiliar number.


    "Could it be Mr. Hoffman?" he muttered before answering.


    Sure enough, it was Gerald. As soon as Felix answered the call, Gerald said, "Felix, someone has activated the Miracle Card."


    Felix rolled his eyes. The old schemer only ever reached out when he needed something.


    "Mr. Hoffman, I''ve noticed something," Felix said curtly. "Ever since I left the first Dragonspine in Canraville, every other one I''ve encountered wasn''t on the map you gave me-they''d already been taken. Were you just feeding me stories for fun?" Felix was not even interested in bringing up the Madam Spring fiasco. He thought arguing with Gerald was pointless.


    "Is that so?" Gerald replied, soundingpletely unbothered. "Well, things change-who


    can guarantee anything in life? As long as the Dragonspine hasn''t been refined yet, it''ll ultimately end up in your hands. Why worry so much?"


    Gerald''s words, as annoying as they were, held some truth. ording to him, Dragons Destroyer was a technique only Felix could currently master, meaning that, ultimately, the Dragonspine would be his to im.


    "Do you have the address memorized?" Gerald asked, steering the conversation back.


    This time, the Miracle Card''s activation had urred in Yartford, a bustling metropolis. The location was not some remote hideout either-it was a fairly well-known area, making it unlikely to be linked to the Elders'' Council. Considering how rare and valuable Miracle Cards were, even the Elders'' Council could not possibly stockpile them endlessly without immense difficulty.


    "Mr. Hoffman, about Madam Spring-" Felix began.


    "I''m done for the day! You''ve rubbed my feet for hours!" Gerald interrupted with a loudugh. "What''s that? You can rub elsewhere? Fine, add three more hours!"


    Sure enough, Felix barely got her name out before Gerald was already distracted. Then, just like that, Gerald hung up.


    "One of these days, Mr. Hoffman," Felix muttered, shaking his head in exasperation.


    The building before him was a five-star hotel. Felix slipped inside effortlessly, his presence so discreet that no one even noticed.


    Surveince cameras would not pick him up either, which was a precaution he took in case the people inside turned out to be dangerous. If they were hostile, there would be no hesitation-Felix would simply take what he came for.


    Inside one of the hotel''s luxury suites, two middle-aged men dressed in ck sat on a couch. On the coffee table in front of them rested a heavy-looking box.


    "Are you sure this is the item they''re after?" one of the men asked.


    The other man smirked. "Not entirely, but we sent them pictures, and they''re willing toe verify it in person. That''s good enough, isn''t it? Who knows, we might''ve lucked into something big. If this works out, we''ll be set for life-breaking through to the next stage will be a piece of cake."

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    After a moment of silence, the first man in ck rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he stared at the box. He said, "What you''re saying might actually be true.


    "ording to the notes our ancestor left behind, if this box is opened, whatever is inside. will fly out on its own. Something that magical really could be what they''re after."


    We


    "No kidding!" the second man retorted, his voiceced with impatience. "Why else would


    go through the trouble of using the old portrait instead of opening the box for a fresh picture? If the notes are right and it flies away, we''d be left with nothing but regrets."


    He licked his lips and added, "If this actually works out, it''ll all be worth killing those six idiots in the family. That took some effort, didn''t it?"


    Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud bang, and a gust of wind swept through the room. Before the two men could even react, they copsed unconscious on the floor. When the dust settled, the only thing missing was the box on the table-everything else remained untouched.


    Naturally, Felix was behind it. From the moment he overheard part of their conversation, he knew waiting any longer would only bringplications. There was no telling what kind of buyers these two were meeting, so snatching the box before anyone else arrived was the safest move.


    Moreover, he could confirm with absolute certainty that the box contained a Dragonspine.


    Just as he exited the hotel, a sleek Bentley pulled up at the front entrance. Felix froze as the back door opened, and to his surprise, Asher stepped out. Following him was none other than Aiden, Asher''s brother.


    "Could they be the buyers?" Felix wondered, his heart racing.


    If his


    guess was correct, he had narrowly avoided a disaster. Going up against Aiden directly was a gamble he was not sure he could win-not yet, at least. Aiden''s strength was on another level, so much so that Felix could not even gauge it. Inside the same hotel suite, Asher and Aiden entered and immediately noticed something


    was wrong.


    With a sharp p across the unconscious men''s faces, Aiden brought them back to their senses. He demanded, "What happened here?"


    The two men exchanged nervous nces as they regained rity, only to realize the box was missing.


    "Damn iit!" one of them cursed. "The box is gone! Someone stole it!"


    Aiden''s expression darkened as he spun on his heel toward the door. "Useless fools," he


    muttered under his breath.


    "Aiden, what do we do?" Asher asked, following close behind with visible caution. He knew his brother''s temper was on edge.


    Aiden replied coldly, "Check the hotel''s survelliance footage and see who''s beening and going. Though I doubt we''ll find much. Whoever dared steal from me must have death wish."


    Thest Dragonspine Felix handed over had left Aiden uneasy-it felt off in ways he could not quite exin. Without a proper reference point, he could not pinpoint the issue, but this new lead had felt like a chance to get rity. Now, it was gone. Asher quickly mobilized their men and began investigating while the two brothers booked the hotel''s presidential suite to stay the night in Gray City.


    An hourter, Asher returned with an update, looking frustrated.


    "Aiden, you were right. There''s nothing to go on. The surveince footage on this floor cked out during the exact few minutes the box disappeared."


    Aiden clenched and unclenched his fists, his knuckles cracking audibly.


    "It''s exactly as I suspected," he muttered. "Those two are at the Aetherial Realm, which means whoever did this is no weakling. What''s unclear is whether it was a solo effort or the work of an organization."


    Before he could say more, a sinister voice echoed through the room.


    "Impressive! Just as expected of the heir of the Greene family, your analysis is spot on- almost entirely urate," the voice said with a chillingugh.


    Both brothers turned sharply toward the couch, where an old man had appeared out of nowhere, grinning from ear to ear. His sudden presence startled Asher.


    "Who are you?" Asher eximed, reaching for his weapon.


    However, Aiden raised a hand to stop him and said, "Rx." Then, he turned to the old man and asked, "Do you have something to share?"


    The old man''s grin widened, and he gave a slight nod. "Indeed, I do. The one who stole your box is someone you know-his name is Felix Zeller." Today''s Bonus Offer

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    "Felix?" Asher scoffed at the name, his expression filled with disdain. "You''ve got to bel kidding me. Those two were Aetherial Realm experts!


    o steal from them, someone must be at least Oceanus Realm, if not higher. Are you seriously saying Felix is already at that level?"


    The old man''s smile did not falter as he shifted his gaze to Aiden,pletely ignoring Asher as though he did not exist.


    "If you could watch everything unfold, why didn''t you step in to grab the box yourself? Or better yet, kill Felix?" Aiden asked, remaining calm andposed as if the entire conversation was a casual chat.


    He continued, "Are you perhaps some kind of friend of his?"


    The old man pped his hands twice, the sound breaking the tension in the room. Impressive," he said with genuine admiration. "The infamous prodigy of the Greene family. Unshaken even in the face of chaos. I respect that."


    He paused before adding, "Due to certain... circumstances, I couldn''t attack Felix myself. My role was only to observe.


    "As for the box, I have no idea what''s inside or why anyone would want it."


    At that, Aiden waved his hand dismissively. "You can leave now."


    The old man stood up but lingered for a moment. "So, you believe me? When you make your move on Felix, can I watch?"


    Aiden''s gaze turned cold as he shot the old man a piercing re. "When I tell you to leave, I mean now. Are you deaf?"


    That look alone sent a chill down the old man''s spine. For the first time, he realized the world had underestimated Aiden of the Greene family. Without another word, he vanished.


    However, Asher could not hold back. "Aiden, you don''t actually believe that strange old man, do you?"


    Aiden frowned and stayed silent for a moment, lost in thought. Finally, he replied, "He''s trying to use me to do his dirty work, but he''s underestimating me. Send someone at the Oceanus Realm level to test Felix. If he really is that strong, I''ll deal with him myself." "Got it," Asher said with a nod.


    Meanwhile, back at his vi, Felix could not wait any longer to open the box. He had already prepared for the Dragonspine''s tendency to return to its original location if left


    unchecked. The moment the box opened, he began the refining process, ensuring the artifact would not escape his control.


    Unbeknownst to him, the old man who had spoken with Aiden earlier was lurking outside, hidden in the shadows. His sharp eyes were locked on the vi.


    "You should leave," a voice said behind him, shattering the stillness.


    The old man did not panic but instead turned with a look of mild curiosity. "And why is that?"


    The old man chuckled


    "Your surveince of Felix will interfere with Mdy''s ns," the voice replied coldly.


    tly, his toneced with mockery. "How amusing. Not too long ago, Lady N and Felix were at each other''s throats, and now she''s meddling in his affairs with the Elders'' Council? How fascinating."


    The speaker stepped out of the shadows, revealing himself to be Alfie. His expression was as cold as his words. "You can send assassins after Felix if you like, but surveince is off the table. Lady N won''t allow it."


    The old man smirked, but he knew better than to test Alfie''s patience. "Well, well. It seems Lady N is serious about this. Fine, I''ll leave-it doesn''t disrupt our ns much anyway. The important part has already been achieved."


    With that, the old man vanished. Whether he would have left on his own without Aiden''s involvement was unclear, but one thing was sure-N''s authority was nothing to scoff at.


    What the old man did not realize, however, was just how narrowly timed his arrival had been. If he had shown up earlier that morning, Averill and Mira would have still been at the vi. In that case, the drama that would have unfolded would have been far more chaotic. The sun rose over the city, casting a warm glow on Tranquil Clinic. Inside, Melissa sat with her chin propped up on her hands, pouting in frustration.


    "That lousy boss," she muttered under her breath. "It''s already past ten, and he''s still not


    here."


    Her grumbling was interrupted as Felix finally walked in, looking slightly disheveled.


    "Sorry," he said with an apologetic smile. "I got held up by something."


    held up by something.


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    0000, Tranquil Clinic, Melissa 000,00000


    *100,0000000000


    000, Felix000000


    "1000,00000000

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    Felix had been so excited t night that hepletely forgot to text Melissa and let her know he would not make it to work. After all, once the refining process started, he could not stop, even if he wanted to.


    It was supposed to take a full day and night, but to his surprise, it werit much faster than expected.


    Looks like you''ve just decided to throw in the towel," Melissa huffed as Felix walked into


    the clinic.


    Before he could respond, five men with menacing expressions barged into the clinic.


    "Who''s the doctor here?" one of them demanded.


    Felix nced up calmly. "That would be me. Are you here for treatment?"


    The group by the cor. "So you''re the doctor? You''ve got some nerve, being this young and running a clinic! I''m shutting this ce down today."


    leader, a young man, stormed over and grabbed 1


    Felix stayed calm, but Melissa was not having it "Hey! What''s that supposed to mean? Exin yourself!" she snapped.


    The young man sneered, motioning for someone to step forward. A middle-aged man was helped into the clinic, his face pale and his steps unsteady.


    "This is my dad. Yesterday, he came here for treatment, and today, he''s so sick he can''t even get out of bed. Are we settling this quietly, or do I call the cops?"


    Melissa recognized the man immediately and hesitated, unsure of what to say. After all, Felix was young, and she could not rule out the possibility that he might have made a mistake with the prescription.


    On the other hand, Felix did not seem fazed. He leaned slightly toward the door and called out, "Peter, can you handle this for me?"


    Almost immediately, three burly men stormed in. Peter, one of Kurt''s trusted men, had been stationed at the clinic since it opened, ensuring no trouble ever got out of hand.


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Zeller," Peter said, cracking his knuckles. "Leave this to me."


    Before anyone could react, Peter grabbed the young man by the neck and growled, "Let''s take this outside. We''ll settle it there."


    Themotion moved outside, and the clinic fell silent within minutes. To Melissa''s astonishment, the young man soon reappeared, his face tear-streaked, sniffling and stammering apologies before Felix waved him away.


    "Wow," Melissa eximed, wide-eyed. "This little clinic of yours has some serious backup. No wonder I noticed that car parked outside since yesterday."


    Felix smiled faintly but did not bother exining. With someone like Kurt around, minor issues like this were handled far more efficiently than he ever could.


    A few minutester, the clinic door opened again, and Queenie walked in, holding the hand of a girl who looked to be around eight years old.


    "Doctor, my niece has been getting nosebleeds every day. Can you take a look at her?"


    As she spoke, Queenie froze, her eyes locking on Felix. "Felix?"


    Felix nodded casually. "Yeah. Let me check on the kid first."


    It did not take long to diagnose the problem. The girl liked picking her nose, the air was unusually dry, and she had a mild case of sinusitis-it was nothing serious.


    "Thank you, Felix," Queenie said gratefully. "I didn''t know you were a practitioner of traditional medicine."


    Felix smiled. "It''s no problem. Just doing my job."


    After they left, Melissa stared at him in disbelief. "Wait, that''s it? You just gave her two acupuncture needles and a tube of erythromycin eye ointment? Can you even use that in a nose?" Felix sighed, clearly annoyed. "Why do you ask so many questions? Who''s the doctor here, you


    or me?"


    Just as he sat back down, another patient-a middle-aged man-walked in. Melissa perked up, pleased to see more patients.


    The man said he had been experiencing headaches. As Felix checked his pulse, a strange glint flickered in his eyes before he spoke.


    "It''s nothing serious. I''ll prescribe you some medication. Take it for a week, and you''ll be fine."


    The man''s tone turned icy before Melissa could fetch the prescription pad. "Is that so? Because the hospital told me I have a tumor in my brain. And you''re just brushing me off? Do you know what I do to quacks like you?" Felix frowned and snapped back, "I can guarantee you don''t have a tumor. If you don''t believe me, you''re wee to leave right now.


    The atmosphere in the clinic shifted instantly. The man stood up, and suddenly, an overwhelming pressure filled the room. Melissa gasped, and her eyes widened with shock. She blurted out, "Oceanus Realm? What''s going on here?"


    1

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    Without warning, the middle-aged man struck a palm through the air toward Felix.


    Caught off guard, Felix barely had time to raise his arms to block. The impact sent him, chair and all, staggering several feet back with a loud thud.


    Blood spurted from Felix''s mouth, and his face turned ashen.


    "Felix!" Melissa cried out in panic, rushing toward him. The middle-aged man, however, didn''t even flinch. He simply turned around and left, making no further moves.


    "I''m fine. I don''t think he was trying to kill me," Felix said, shooting Melissa a meaningful nce as he spoke.


    Was he telling her to keep quiet? Feeling confused, Melissa said, "Despite the situation, you''re still worried about me saying too much?


    "Are we just going to let this slide? Call the police!" she suggested, trying to y along, even if she didn''t fully understand his intent. "There''s no need for that. Just help me sit down," Felix replied.


    A street away, Asher and Aiden sat in the back seat of a car. The middle-aged man from before was now standing beside the vehicle.


    "It''s confirmed, Mr. Aiden," the man reported. ''Felix is, at most, at the Aetherial Realm. There''s no way he''s at the Oceanus Realm''s level." When Aiden closed his eyes, Ashermanded the driver to leave.


    As the car pulled away, Asher turned to his brother. "Aiden, that old man was trying to use us to get rid of Felix. Thank goodness you didn''t believe him."


    When Aiden didn''t respond, Asher pressed on, unwilling to let it go. "What if he had photos or something more concrete? Would you have believed him then?"


    Aiden opened his eyes and reached out to pat Asher on the head. "Everything can be fabricated. I only trust my own judgment. Let''s go home."


    Back at the clinic, over an hour had passed. Melissa suddenly noticed the color returning to Felix''s face. His previously paleplexion now lookedpletely normal. "You were faking it just now?" she eximed in shock.


    Felix nodded. "Yes, that man was only testing me. He didn''t have any real intention to kill." Melissa was taken aback but quickly pieced it together.


    "I knew it! You''re in the Oceanus Realm too. Even if you were caught off guard, there was you no way a hit from someone in the same realm would injure you like that, But how did


    know he wasn''t serious?"


    Felix didn''t seem eager to exin further. Annoyed, Melissa pouted, muttered something about skipping work to go shopping, and stormed out.


    The truth was, when Felix left his house that morning, he had found a note slipped under his door. It only had a few words. "It''s a test," it said.


    At the time, he had no idea what it meant. It wasn''t until the middle-aged man attacked him and Felix felt theck of killing intent in his strike that he understood the message.


    He had no idea who was helping him or who had sent someone to test him. However, if it meant the situation could be resolved so easily that would certainly be better than wasting his time and energy investigating. Melissa didn''t return for the rest of the day. After closing up the clinic, Felix cleaned up and locked the door. That was when he saw Nelly waiting outside, holding a pack of cold pasta sd.


    "My mom made this. I want you to try it and tell me if it''s different from before," she said.


    A few nights ago, after tasting Nelly''s cold pasta sd, Felix had casuallyplimented it in passing. Now, here she was again, bringing him more.


    He could tell Nelly wasn''t romantically interested in him. This was just her way of making up for the Huxley incident and expressing gratitude for the bonus she had received after the apartment deal. "Sure, I''ll let you know what I think after I try it" Felix replied with a smile.


    Instead of heading home, Felix went straight to a high-end restaurant in Gray City. Clement had reserved a table, insisting on making up for not hosting Felix properly the night before.


    Most people might have regarded hosting Felix as an obligation, but for Clement and Willow, it was an opportunity they couldn''t pass up.


    When he walked into the private dining room, he was surprised to see Queenie, his new neighbor, there too.


    "Dr. Zeller, let me introduce you-"Willow began, but Queenie cut her off with a smile.


    "No need for introductions. We''re neighbors. Of course, we know each other. Funnily enough, I took my niece to the nearest clinic today-Tranquil Clinic. Wouldn''t you know it? Dr. Zeller is the owner.

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    It was clear that Queenie was well-liked. She and Willow chatted like old friends, their conversation free of any awkwardness.


    "Oh, is that so? That must''ve slipped my mind. Everyone, please sit," Clement said warmly, raising his ss.


    "Our previous neighbors were all elderly folks. My wife and I are pretty sociable, so it''s great to finally have a group like this together. Let me start things off with a toast!"


    The others joined in, raising their sses.


    Felix smiled and added, "From now on, just call me Felix. Calling me ''Dr. Zeller'' feels too formal. We''re all neighbors here."


    As the drinks kept flowing, Clement reached for the wine decanter again.


    "Honey, you need to slow down!" Willow said hurriedly. "You''ve got that business trip to Yartford tomorrow."


    "Rx! Don''t you know my tolerance by now? Don''t kill the mood!" he replied.


    Without pushing further, Willow got up and left the room to settle the bill. She knew how things would y out-Clement would drink too much, and she would end up helping him home. It was better to handle the payment now while she still had the chance..


    On her way back, the door to another private room opened, and out stumbled a man who was clearly tipsy. His eyes lit up the moment he saw her.


    He blocked her way, asking, "Willy? What a coincidence!"


    Willow avoided his gaze.


    "Zechariah Yarn? It really is a small world," she said, trying to walk past him.


    However, Zechariah grabbed her arm.


    "Do you regret it? Tell me the truth!" he said. "Back then, when Clement and I were both pursuing you, you chose him over me. Look at you now! His family is barely holding theirpany together, while my family''s business is booming. You could''ve been living the life of a real socialite!"


    Struggling to free herself, Willow grew extremely annoyed. "Zechariah, you''ve had too much to drink. Let go of me!"


    To any onlooker, Willow might not have been the kind of woman to turn heads, but love was never something that followed logic.


    "I won''t let go! Tell me, do you regret it or not? Zechariah demanded.


    As he reached for her with his other hand, Willow pped him hard across the face before he could get any more handsy.


    "Show some respect!" she snapped.


    Zechariah''s gaze darkened as he rubbed his stinging cheek.


    He red after her, watching her return to her group''s private room, then stormed back into his own.


    "Damn it! You,e with me!" he barked at hispanions.


    Back in the private room, Willow rejoined the others to find Clement boasting loudly.


    "See that? I had Felix drinking so much that he''s now stuck in the restroom forever!"


    She knew her husband had been under a lot of stresstely. The bank had been holding up a critical loan, and he had been drowning his frustration in alcohol. Tomorrow''s trip to Yartford was all about begging for help. She felt her heart ache just thinking about it. "Yes, honey, you''re amazing!" she said.


    Queenie, sitting nearby, smiled warmly. Admiration was written all over her face.


    "You two really are such a loving couple. And Darcy is such a sweet, thoughtful kid."


    Just as the words left her mouth, the door to their private room was kicked open. Zechariah stormed in, nked by seven men.


    "Clement, don''t hide behind your wife if you''re a real man! Your woman had the nerve to p me-how are we going to settle this?"


    Clement''s expression darkened instantly. He stepped in front of Willow to shield her.


    "If she pped you, you must''ve deserved it! Zechariah, how do you want to handle this? Bring it on-I''m ready!"


    Smirking wickedly, Clement clinked his beer bottles together.


    "You''ll handle this? You''re not even qualified to speak to me like that. How about this?


    Lend me your wife for one night. I''ll let the p slide, and I might even put in a good word with the bank to help you out of your littlepany crisis."


    No man could tolerate hearing something like that. Clement felt his blood boil as he charged forward.


    "Go to hell, you son of a-!"

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    Willow and Queenie gasped in fear as Clement charged forward. He raised his fist, only to have a knife pressed against his neck.


    "ying the hero? Look around. Do you think you''re a match for all of us?" Zechariah taunted.


    Meanwhile, Felix had quietly emerged from the restroom. No one noticed his return.


    He assessed the situation calmly. With his skills, he could have easily intervened and neutralized the threat in moments, but he chose not to.


    Clement needed this moment-to stand his ground as a man and protect his pride. Felix also had his own priorities. He was the one seeking help from Clement and had to tread carefully.


    He was considering intervening when he spotted a familiar figure loitering near the doorway.


    ""Huxley," Felix called out with a faint smile.


    Huxley, who had been enjoying the spectacle, froze. When he turned and saw Felix, his legs nearly gave way.


    "F-Felix?" he stammered.


    Huxley was usually the type to rush into a fight, but ever since his traumatic encounter with Felix, he had vowed to stay out of trouble. To make matters worse, he knew who Clement was.


    "Go whisper something to Zechariah," Felix instructed. "I will tell you what to say and how to say it."


    Huxley nodded so vigorously it was as if he were a bobblehead. At this point, even if Felix had told him to jump off a bridge, he wouldn''t have hesitated.


    While Felix gave his instructions, Clement stood his ground, ring fiercely at Zechariah.


    "Apologize to my wife right now! If you don''t, I swear you won''t leave this room in one piece."


    Willow started to rush toward them but was stopped by Clement''s stern voice.


    "Stay back! If I can''t defend our dignity here, how can I call myself a man?"


    Tears silently streamed down Willow''s face as she stood frozen in ce. She knew how much Clement loved her. How could she not?


    Zechariah jeered, "You''ve got nothing-no money, no status. What gives you the right to


    talk to me like that?"


    Something bizarre happened just as Zechariah reached out to grab Clement by the cor. The man holding the knife to Clement''s throat suddenly copsed as if his legs had turned to jelly. Freed from the threat, Clement, consumed by rage, delivered a solid punch to Zechariah''s face.


    What followed was utter chaos. Every time Zechariah''s men tried to intervene, something strange happened-one tripped over himself, and another identally struck his own ally with a bottle. No one could get close enough to stop Clement, who was unleashing his fury unimpeded.


    To Queenie and Willow, the chaos seemed like a result of the drunken brawl. However, Huxley saw everything clearly. His teeth chattered as he realized the source of the disruption-Felix. This was the man who could turn any situation in his favor, the true master behind the scenes,


    Finally, Willow ran forward, pulling Clement back before things escted further.


    "Stop, honey! If you keep going, someone might die!"


    Aftering to his senses, Clement noticed Felix and Queenie watching from the side. Embarrassed by his outburst, he called out, "Let''s go!"


    As they left the room, Clement apologized profusely. "I''m so sorry. I couldn''t control myself."


    Felix gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Your reaction was natural. If someone insulted my wife like that, I''d have done the same. Queenie gave him a thumbs-up. "You did the right thing. Now that''s what being a man is all about."


    Relieved by their understanding, Clement rxed slightly.


    "You two head out first. I''ve got a friend in another room I need to catch up with," Felix said, leading them to the elevator before parting ways.


    Once the others had left, Felix returned to the private room. Inside, Zechariah was seething with anger.


    "Damn it! I want ten trucks of men at Heavenly Meadows immediately! Did you hear me? And bring the knives! If I don''t settle this tonight, I''ll never sleep again!" he shouted into his phone.

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    Huxley was standing beside Zechariah after he hung up the call, trembling with fear.


    "I''m serious. Clement really does have a friend who knows Mr. Gray," he said nervously, following Felix''s instructions word for word.


    But Zechariah wasn''t having it. To his surprise, Zechariah swung a hard p across Huxley''s face.


    "Bullshit! If Clement had a friend like that, would he still be groveling at the bank and begging for a measly loan?"


    Kurt was no minor figure. In a city like Gray City, there was probably not more than ten people who could afford to disrespect him. For someone like him, getting a loan approved was child''s y.


    "I know you''re friends with Clement, but if you keep talking nonsense, don''t me me for what happens next!" Zechariah snapped.


    At that moment, Felix walked in, his expression calm as ever.


    "Huxley was giving you some good advice. However, it doesn''t seem like you''re epting it," Felix said casually.


    "Huh?" Zechariah nced at him sideways, sizing him up. "And who the hell are you?"


    "I''m the friend Huxley mentioned-Clement''s friend," Felix replied.


    Zechariah chuckled. "Oh, right, I remember now. You were in the room earlier, weren''t you? You''re iming to know Mr. Gray with a face like yours? Careful, or you might end up digging your own grave with all your lies." Felix didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he took a step to the side and gestured behind


    him.


    "Alright, why don''t you let him exin how serious this situation is?"


    The next moment, a towering man stepped into the room.


    "Peter?" Zechariah stammered, his face instantly losing color.


    Peter was Kurt''s trusted right-hand man. He was someone Zechariah couldn''t mistake. The man was well-known for handling most of Kurt''s business.


    Without a word, Peter strode over, grabbed Zechariah by the cor, and repeatedly pped him across the face hard.


    When he finally stopped, Peter red down at Zechariah and asked coldly, "Are you blind? How dare you disrespect Mr. Zeller? You''reing with me to see Mr. Gray!"


    So Felix was actually acquainted with Kurt?


    All the anger and alcohol-fueled bravado evaporated in an instant. Zechariah was left trembling, and his body shook uncontrobly.


    "You don''t need to say a word," Felix said, his tone sharp and final. "From now on, when you see Clement or his wife, you''d better take a different road. Don''t say I didn''t warn you -you only get one chance." With that, Felix turned and left. Peter followed suit, pausing just long enough to leave one final parting shot.


    "Mr. Zeller is being merciful. If it weren''t for him, you''d be leaving here today with at least two broken arms.".


    After they left, Zechariah copsed onto the floor, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. He was too shaken to speak.


    "When did Clement get to know someone like that?" he muttered to himself, still reeling. If he''s got a connection to Mr. Gray, the Parson family is about to strike gold."


    Meanwhile, Huxley stood to the side, looking innocent. He told Zechariah, didn''t he? But no, Zechariah just had to test the waters and make Felix call for backup. It served him right!


    The next morning, Felix got up early to go to the airport. The day before, he had already informed Melissa that the clinic would be closed for the day, which earned him an earful.


    "You''re just starting to build momentum, and now you''re closing for a day? It''s no wonder you don''t have customers," she had scolded him.


    After boarding his flight, Felix settled into his first-ss seat, half-expecting to bump into Clement, who had also mentioned traveling to Yartford that day. But as the flight took off, he realized he was the only passenger in first ss. He couldn''t help butugh at the thought.


    What amused him even more was the behavior of the flight attendant assigned to first ss. She kept giving him subtle but obvious signals, her eyes brimming with hints of interest.


    He might have indulged in a little flirtation with the attractive stewardess if he were the yboy type. But Felix had no such inclination.


    George was already waiting to pick Felix up at the airport when hended.


    "Felix, where to?" George asked as he opened the car door. "Don''t forget. I''m treating you


    to lunch today. I''ve already invited Madeline, and Ryan is back too."


    Felix nodded with a smile.


    "Let''s go here," he said, handing George an add


    As George buckled his seatbelt, his expression t the Jacobs family?" he asked.


    Felix nodded with a smile.


    "Let''s go here," he said, handing George an address.


    As George buckled his seatbelt, his expression turned strange. "Felix, why are you going to the Jacobs family?" he asked.

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    "The Jacobs family? You must really know Yartford inside out. So much so that you can tell who lives at every address you see." Felix joked


    Suddenly, Felix froze. "Wait a minute, which Jacobs family are you talking about?"


    George shot him a wry smile. "The Jacobs family at the top of the Eight Great Martial Families. Apart from them, there''s no other Jacobs family worth remembering."


    Felix was stunned. After all, with the Scarlet Thread still in him, he was walking straight into a trap.


    "Isn''t the top of the Eight Great Martial Families in Yartford the Crayden family?" Felix asked. "Each city only has one family from the Eight Great Martial Families, so how could the Jacobs family and Crayden family both be in Yartford?"


    George exined, "You''re right, Felix. The Jacobs family in Yartford isn''t the main branch. It''s just where some of the older members of the family go to retire. It shouldn''t really be the case, but the Jacobs family is so powerful that the Crayden family doesn''t dare to say anything about them."


    Since that ce was basically where all the older generation went to retire, it meant that it would be filled with martial arts experts.


    Felix found himself in a mental battle. On one hand, the mission with the Scarlet Thread had to bepleted. It was tied to Gerald''s honor. But on the other hand, he couldn''t deny the fact that he had killed Mason, and the Scarlet Thread was still affecting him. George noticed Felix''s change in expression. He had been fine initially, but after the mention of the Jacobs family, Felix''s mood had turned serious.


    "Felix, are you worried about something?" George asked.


    At that moment, Felix finally made up his mind. "It''s nothing. Let''s go.


    He figured that the forbidden technique of the Scarlet Thread could only be used by one person, and that same person would be the only one able to sense it. No matter how hard the Jacobs family tried, they wouldn''t believe that the killer of Mason would be bold enough to show up at their door.


    The odds were high that the person who used the Scarlet Thread technique had already gone out looking for the killer. They couldn''t still be at home. That was the confidence Felix had.


    When they arrived near the Jacobs family''s estate, Felix got out of the car, wanting to avoid George''s potential involvement in whatever happened next.


    The Jacobs family''s residence was located in the city center. ording to George, they had


    bought a plot ofnd and built their own Jacobs family branch. The architecture was ancient and elegant, with a distinctly traditional style.


    The gate was grand, with three guards on either side. The entrance was still about 50 yards away, with a sign in front that read, "Private Property-No Entry". Clearly, no one was bold enough to try walking through the gate.


    Felix stepped past the sign. When he was still quite some distance from the gate, one of the guards approached him.


    They were living in the era of social media influencers. Hence, they often had annoying influencers visiting the area doing livestreams.


    The guard asked. "Didn''t you see the sign? Private Property-No Entry?"


    Felix spoke in a low, firm voice. "You invited me using the Miracle Card so that I woulde here to visit a patient."


    At the mention of the Miracle Card, the guard froze. "My apologies. Pleasee in!


    The guard had a moment of doubt, thinking Felix wasn''t the actual miracle doctor. However, the way Felix spoke made him realize there was more to it. He couldn''t afford to be disrespectful.


    As soon as Felix reached the entrance, several elderly figures came rushing out. Their faces! were marked with age, but they all walked with a powerful,manding presence-far from the stooped posture one might expect at their age. "Please show the Miracle Card, as usual," Felix said.


    Before any of them could speak, Felix had already extended his right hand.


    After seeing his confident demeanor, the elderly figures exchanged nces. They all guessed that this young man might be the mysterious apprentice of the legendary miracle doctor.


    After all, since the Miracle Card had been used, it was unlikely someone else would have been sent in the miracle doctor''s ce unless they had a direct rtionship with him. Otherwise, the miracle doctor''s reputation would be ruined if the treatment failed.

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    "This is the Miracle Card. Please take a look," someone said.


    As the Jacobs family was at the top of the Eight Great Martial Families, it was no surprise that they had a Miracle Card. After a quick inspection, it was confirmed as real, and Felix immediately put it away. "Take me to the patient," Felix said.


    If anyone else had behaved so arrogantly after entering the Jacobs family''s doors, they would have been beaten senseless by now. However, Felix was likely the mysterious apprentice of the legendary miracle doctor, so they felt that acting with such confidence was only fitting. "Grandpa, who is that person? Why is everyone treating him like a star?"


    A young man looked on with disdain as Felix made his way through the Jacobs family


    estate.


    "Shut your mouth, you brat! That person is probably the mysterious apprentice of the medical master. Are you trying to destroy the Jacobs family by saying stuff like that?"


    The young man didn''t take it seriously. "Hmph! If it weren''t for Mason''s sudden incident, the Jacobs family would''ve stopped fearing anyone in less than a decade."


    The old man pped the young man on the back of the head in anger.


    "Such ignorance! Even if the Jacobs family rises to the heavens, we still must show respect to the miracle doctor! You young ones don''t understand the power of the miracle doctor. He could destroy us ten times over with just a single word."


    Upon arriving at a courtyard, Felix appeared calm on the outside, but inwardly, he was anxious. If the person who wielded the Scarlet Thread technique was here, they would definitely be able to sense his presence from such a close distance. Despite having the confidence his title as the miracle doctor''s apprentice gave him, he still had to ount for human nature.


    Clement''s behaviorst night was an example of that. Although the knife was at his throat, he hadn''t flinched. Sometimes, when emotions reached a certain point, fear became irrelevant.


    "Levi, the master healer is here!" a voice called out.


    The door of a wooden house in the courtyard opened. A hunched-over elderly man came out. He appraised Felix with a nce and immediately understood what was going on.


    "I apologize for troubling you toe personally, young master healer."


    Felix''s expression became somewhat strange after seeing the man. "You''re the patient?" "Yes,"


    After the man''s confirmation, Felix felt a bit speechless.


    "You can''t straighten your back, so you used the Miracle Card?"


    At this moment, Levi Jacobs was standing in a rather odd position. It wasn''t a result of him hunching but rather a strange sensation.


    Levi appeared slightly embarrassed. "There''s really no other way to solve this. Aside from Lemuel, whom we failed to contact, we have contacted everyone. However, no one could solve it, including Ss Grayson and Medic''s Haven. "My life hasn''t been significantly affected, but my martial arts cultivation is at a critical point, and I can only maintain this posture. It''s quite troublesome. I hope you will forgive me."


    Felix was nonchnt, not caring about the details. "Stand still."


    Without waiting for a response, Felix raised his hand, sending five silver needles flying toward Levi.


    As the needles flew, an elderly man nearby, likely another traditional medicine practitioner, eximed, "Five Points of Ascension"


    However, he was puzzled. Ss had also used Five Points of Ascension, yet it hadn''t worked.


    "Turn around," Felix said.


    Levi immediatelyplied. Another five silver needles flew toward him.


    Felix repeated the procedure four times, adjusting the direction each time. Finally, he picked up a needle and threw it,nding it on the crown of Levi''s head. "Release!" Felix ordered.


    With a soft sound, all 21 silver needles fell to the ground. Levi instinctively straightened his


    back.


    Felix said shortly after, "Goodbye."


    As Felix turned to leave, the observing man''s jaw dropped in shock. "Five Points of Ascension can be used like that?"


    Just as Felix was about to leave, a voice called out, "Wait!"

 With Husband 687

    The neer was a young man, the same one who had earlier looked at Felix from a distance with great disdain.


    "How do we know that you''ve truly cured him? His back might be straightened, but who can guarantee how long it willst?". Felix ignored the young man''s aggressive attitude and didn''t even respond. Several elderly figures immediately rushed over. "Shut up, you impudent brat! How dare you speak out of line?" they scolded.


    Levi approached Felix with an apologetic smile. "I''m sorry. That young rtive is ignorant and rude. Please forgive him.


    Felix nodded without saying much and turned to leave.


    Even so, the young man was still seething with anger, though he dared not speak up anymore.


    He dared to behave this way because, after Mason''s death, he was the most talented and gifted young member of the Jacobs family.


    He had just reached the Innate Realm the day before. He had been summoned to that ce by his elders to receive guidance, which made him bold but not reckless enough to overstep.


    Once Felix left the Jacobs family estate, he finally rxed. In truth, when the young man called him, he genuinely thought he had been detected. Thankfully, it turned out to be a false rm.


    At least for now, things were ying out as he had imagined. The person who used the Scarlet Thread technique was not at the Jacobs family estate. They were out looking for him.


    Mason had erased all the footage and records from several cities where he had been captured by surveince. Even if the Jacobs family suspected that the killer was in Gray City, they would onlye a day or twoter. When Felix arrived at the restaurant, George, Ryan, Madeline, and her husband were already there. It was always a pleasure to meet old friends. Hence, Felix was in good spirits.


    "Felix, in a few days, it will be Jack''s wedding. You''ll definitely be going, right?" Madeline


    asked.


    F¨¦lix smiled at Madeline. "Of course. If I don''t go, that brat will curse me for the rest of my life."


    Everyone burst intoughter, and George and Ryan couldn''t help but feel envious. Regardless of how things unfolded between Felix and Jack in the future, that bond would


    never be replicated. It was one of a kind.


    Given Felix''s current situation, his friendships with others were certainly beneficial, but they wouldn''tpare to the lifesaving bond he had with Jack.


    Just then, Jack called. Felix found the timing amusing.


    "See, we can''t even talk about him in peace. Speak of the devil," he said.


    When the call connected, Jack''s voice sounded off as he asked, "Felix, did you offend a fat monk?"


    A fat monk? Felix''s mind immediately recalled Billy from Sixview Peak. He had been the one who had once scammed him most terribly, and that incident was hard to forget. "Well, I don''t think I offended him. Why do you ask?"


    "Because I''m the fat monk sitting right next to him," said another voice from Jack''s end.


    Upon hearing Billy''s voice, Felix wasn''t nervous. "What''s the matter? Why are you looking for me?"


    He had no enmity with Billy, so there was no reason he would harm Jack


    "Where have you been, my friend? You didn''t even tell me," Billy said.


    Felix frowned. "Are you nning to swindle me again?"


    "Well, I''ll let you figure that out. I''mzy and don''t want to send someone to investigate. If you don''t tell me, I''ll just keep pestering your friend here. Even if he''s taking a shower, I''ll be the one handing him soap." Billy was quite humorous, though Felix couldn''t understand why he was so eager to find him. Finally, he decided to share his whereabouts.


    "I''m in Gray City," Felix replied.


    "That''s more like it. You''re a man after all.''


    The phone call didn''t end, and Jack asked, "Felix, is there any trouble? This monk looks all nice and polite, but something feels off to me."


    T

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    Felixughed and said, "It''s fine, don''t worry about it too much."


    "That''s good. By the way, don''t forget about my wedding," Jack said.


    After the phone call ended, Felix and hispanions had a few more drinks. Then, they personally took him to the airport.


    Felix arrived back in Gray City just as the sun was setting.


    Having just built a good rtionship with Willow, Felix felt it was best to seize the opportunity. Even staying a night in Yartford felt like a loss to him. As he was nearing his home, Felix spotted a woman who turned her head as if sensing his presence.


    "Zara Morgan?" he called out.


    Felix frowned. As soon as Zara took a step, Felix ran off. After all, he had already promised Ss to avoid her.


    Some timeter at night, a call from Kurt came through.


    "What''s the situation?" Felix asked.


    "The woman is still standing at the door and hasn''t left," Kurt replied.


    Felix felt a headache brewing from the news he heard. "I understand. Keep watching her."


    It seemed Zara wasn''t going


    Ss. After Felix exined everything, Ss was silent for a long time before replying, "Where are you? I''ll visit you."


    Ss. After Felix exin anywhere until she met him. With no other option, Felix called


    Felix was a little surprised to hear that. Was Ss also in Gray City?


    Less than 20 minutester, Ss arrived at the clinic. After the roller shutter was pulled down, Felix asked, "When did youe to Gray City, sir?"


    Ss sighed, his face filled with concern. "As soon as I found out you were in Gray City, I came here because I knew Zara woulde looking for you. I also know she''s standing at the door of your vi." Felix was confused. "Do you really have no way to handle this, sir?"


    Ss gave a bitter smile, and a helpless look shed in his eyes. "No, I don''t. I''ve tried everything, but nothing works. This situation is even worse than I expected:"


    Felix thought for a moment and asked, "Given the circumstances, could you tell me what''s really going on? We can''t keep going like this. I can''t just keep avoiding my home just because Zara''s there."


    Felix didn''t mind staying out of his house for a while. He could set up a bed in the clinic if needed.


    However, the longer this dragged on, the greater the chance of Willow discovering something. They were neighbors, and if she saw woman standing there all the time, wouldn''t she start to wonder what was up? Although Felix hadn''t had much contact with Willow, she was a good, respectable woman. It would surely enrage her if she thought he was being dishonest. If that happened, all of Felix''s previous efforts would go to waste. After a long inner struggle, Ss seemed to have made up his mind.


    "Although I don''t know who your mentor is, your background must be extraordinary for someone your age to have such medical skills. You may have a way out of this after all! "Hiding everything has worked in the past, but it''s no longer enough. I can''t control the situation anymore, and when everything explodes, it will harm you as well."


    Felix sat up straight, sensing that Zara must be involved in something much bigger. Otherwise, Ss wouldn''t appear so helpless. After all, he was the second-best master healer in Dragonia.


    "Felix, have you ever heard of the Twinshade Body?"


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    The Twinshade Body? Felix scoured his mind but couldn''t find any information about it, so he had no choice but to admit, "I''ve never heard of it."


    Ss was visibly disappointed, and he stopped himself from saying more.


    Rising to his feet, Ss said, "Just hold on for a few more days. I''ve been trying to find a solution, and I''ve already contacted Lemuel. He''s promised to give me an answer soon. I can only ask for your patience for now." As he spoke, Ss unexpectedly bowed, which startled Felix.


    Felix asked, "What are you doing, sir?"


    Ss wayed his hand. "This is something my apprentice and I owe you. It has nothing to do with you. You''re a victim in all of this. I''m already very grateful that you respect me. Once I have the results, I''ll contact you right away." With that, Ss left, leaving Felix feeling unsettled and anxious.


    It kind of felt like when a beautiful woman had stirred him up to the point of burning with desire, only to tell him that she couldn''t proceed because she was on her period.


    Even though Ss hadn''t exined what the Twinshade Body was, Felix felt even more troubled now.


    After some thought, Felix gave Seven a call.


    "Have your employer call me back," he said.


    Although it went against Gerald''s instructions, Felix couldn''t care less at this critical


    moment.


    Within a few minutes, Averill returned the call. "Felix, are you calling me because you miss me too much?"


    Felix had long since built up resistance to Averill''s teasing, so he got straight to the point. Averill, please have Mr. Hoffman call me back as soon as possible. I have an urgent matter I need to consult him about."


    If even Gerald Hoffman, the miracle doctor, didn''t know about the Twinshade Body orcked a solution, Felix knew that no one else would have the answers.


    Upon sensing Felix''s urgency, Averill immediately said, "Alright, wait a moment."


    Gerald had always emphasized that while he could guide his apprentices, their cultivation was up to them. Once they left him, everything was their own responsibility.


    All of Felix''s fellow apprentices had gone through this process, so Felix wouldn''t be an


    exception. In fact, even if he were to die, it would be because of his ownck of skill. Relying solely on his sect would never allow him to truly grow. However, Felix also understood that Gerald was a reasonable person. Despite his often nonchnt attitude, he wouldn''t get angry in such situations. A short whileter, Felix received a call from an unfamiliar number.


    "What''s so urgent, you little brat?"


    Felix let out a sigh of relief. "Mr. Hoffman, have you ever heard of the Twinshade Body?"


    Gerald''s tone clearly changed after hearing that "Why are you bringing this up?"


    Although he replied with a question, it was clear that Gerald knew about it.


    "Ss'' apprentice is named Zara. She seems to have the Twinshade Body, but Ss didn''t exin it to me, so I wanted to ask you."


    There was a long sigh from the other end of the phone, which shocked Felix.


    "The Twinshade Body is a special constitution for martial artists. There''s a 90% chance that once the body fully erupts, both the righteous and evil factions need to work together to eliminate them."


    Righteous and evil factions? What did that mean? Not just the righteous side, but even the evil sects? That sounded too strange to Felix.


    "During the Era of King Arthur, someone with the Twinshade Body wiped out six sects in a single night after their body fully erupted. A total of three righteous sects and three evil sects were annihted. They didn''t even spare infants or dogs. It was aplete massacre.


    11

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    "At that time, all the righteous and evil factions united to hunt him down. After trapping him, they fought for nine days and nights. There were countless casualties before they finally killed the Twinshade Body''s owner," Gerald exined. Felix''s mouth hung open in shock, imagining just how intense that battle must have been -it was too exaggerated to evenprehend.


    "Is the Twinshade Body really that terrifying?" Felix asked.


    "Yes! Before the body fully erupts, the person is just like an ordinary human. Only someone at the level of a master healer could detect it by physically touching the body. No matter how strong the martial artist, they wouldn''t sense it. But once it erupts, controlling it is nearly impossible."


    Before Felix could ask more questions, Gerald continued, "If I''m not mistaken, Ss must have used the Ultimate Needle Technique to seal Zara''s Twinshade Body.


    "After the incident in the Era of King Arthur, this formation was researched and became the only way to temporarily seal such a constitution. However, there''s a big caveat- emotions mustn''t be involved.


    "Emotions trigger the eruption of the Twinshade Body. Whether its owner is a man or a woman, the body willpletely erupt if they have rtions with their loved one."


    Felix finally understood the true reason behind Ss''s request. But the problem was that he and Zara hadn''t even had any long-term close contact. They weren''t even at the stage of liking each other, let alone loving each other.


    "Mr. Hoffman, but Zara...


    After Felix expressed his doubts, Gerald sneered, "Hmph! Ss is too clever for his own good. Did he think love wouldn''t arise simply because he disguised his apprentice''s appearance and made her ugly? There are billions of people in Dragonia. Are all of them handsome or beautiful? What nonsense!"


    Felix shook his head. Zara wasn''t that ugly, but he dismissed those thoughts for now. He needed to focus on the real issue.


    "Mr. Hoffman, surely you have a solution, right?"


    Gerald answered firmly, "Of course! Tell Ss not to be so soft-hearted and stop ying with the lives of so many innocent people. While Zara''s constitution hasn''t erupted, he should kill her immediately." What? So even Gerald had no solution?


    Gerald huffed. "I don''t have the time to study the Twinshade Body. To be honest, such a


    constitution is so rare that it''s a miracle if one appears every few hundred or thousand


    years.


    "The Ultimate Needle Technique is the only thing that can seal it, but once emotions are involved, it''s impossible to keep it under control!


    "Forget it. Ss will probably hesitate due to his feelings, and you''re even less likely to take action. I''ll send Karina over. She seems to be in Gray City, and since she knows about this, she won''t stand idly by." The phone call abruptly ended. Felix panicked and tried calling back, but the line was busy.


    Realizing that he was about to unintentionally harm someone, he hurriedly called Ss. However, the line was busy.


    "Damn it!"


    Just then, he recalled Gerald mentioning that Karina was in Gray City.


    "Oh no!"


    As he rushed toward the vi, his call to Ss finally connected.


    "Felix?"


    "Someone''s trying to kill Zara! Hurry and go over, sir!"


    If Karina really killed Zara, Felix would never be able to find peace in his life, even if it was seen as ridding the world of a dangerous person because of the Twinshade Body.

 With Husband 691

    When Felix arrived at the vi''s entrance, Ss, despite coughing up blood, stood firm in


    front of Zara.


    Standing across from them was none other than Karina. Who would have thought she would arrive so quickly? It was as if she had been nearby the whole time.


    "If you insist on this, don''t me me for being ruthless," she said.


    Karina''s expression was cold and unyielding. She had already injured Ss with one strike, but she hadn''t delivered a fatal blow out of consideration. However, seeing that Ss refused to step aside, she had no reason to hold back anymore. Felix knew how serious Karina was about her tasks, especially when they came from their


    mentor.


    Without wasting time on pointless pleas like "spare him", he pushed his speed to the limit. Even resorting to using the Speed Talisman Gerald had given him, he barely managed to intercept Karina at the critical moment. Knowing he wasn''t her match, Felix shouted as he threw himself at Karina, holding her back.


    "Take her and go!"


    Taking the chance, Ss grabbed Zara and darted to the side. If they didn''t leave now, escapingter would be impossible.


    "Felix, do you think you can stop me? This is Mr. Hoffman''s order!" Karina''s expression didn''t falter. She was well aware Felix couldn''t hold her off for long.


    "Karina, forgive me!"


    The next moment, Felix leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers.


    Karina, who had been about to incapacitate him, frozepletely. Her mind went nk, and even her tightly clenched teeth instinctively parted.


    No one knew how long that kisssted. When their lips finally parted, Felix looked visibly


    nervous. 1


    "Karina, things haven''t reached a point of no return yet. Please, just give me a little more time. Can you do that?"


    Karina''s face turned crimson. Embarrassed and furious, she red at him.


    "Fine! I''ll give you one day."


    She could no longer sense where Zara and Ss had gone. She knew she could track them


    down if she wanted, but Felix''s unexpected kiss hadpletely caught her off guard.


    After Karina disappeared, Felix stood there with a wry smile. Karina always kept her word. If she said one day, she wouldn''t make a move until then.


    He immediately called Ss to ask for his whereabouts.


    In a suite at a hotel in Gray City, Felix finally saw Ss again.


    "How are your injuries, sir?" Felix asked.


    Ss waved his hand dismissively. "I''ll live. I''ve already started treating myself."


    A pang of guilt crossed Felix''s face as he apologized. "I''m sorry, sir. This is all my fault. If I hadn''t said anything, you and Zara wouldn''t have almost lost your lives."


    Ss''s expression shifted several times before he said, "When you called me earlier and said someone was out to kill Zara, I never would''ve guessed it''d be the infamous Silver Flute,"


    At this point, there was no use hiding the truth. Felix came clean. "I''m the youngest apprentice of the miracle doctor."


    Ss''s eyes widened in shock. "Y-You''re the miracle doctor''s most mysterious apprentice? That exins it! No wonder your medical skills are terrifyingly advanced. And no wonder you managed to hold back the miracle doctor''s third apprentice, Silver Flute." As expected of the second-best master healer in Dragonia, Ss was well-informed. Thest person to recognize Karina as the miracle doctor''s apprentice had been Vilebane.


    "My mentor said that nothing else can be done apart from the Ultimate Needle Technique."


    Ss let out a bitterugh. "Even the miracle doctor said that? It seems her fate is sealed."


    It was time for Felix to address his lingering questions. "You clearly have the strength to forcibly take Zara away. Why did you say you couldn''t do it?"


    "Because Zara threatened me. She said if I forced her, she''d escape at the first chance she got, reveal her true appearance, and live in some random city. Sooner orter, she''d find true love."

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    +25 BOAWS


    It would have been too much of a reckless gamble to take Zara away by force.


    "Don''t worry, sir. Zara''s strength is no match for mine. My mentor once said that the Twinshade Body only activates after falling in love and being intimate with someone they love. If shees to me, I canpletely restrain her and hand her over to you," Felix said. However, Ss shook his head immediately.


    "That won''t work. There''s something I haven''t told you. Do you remember the time Zara saved your life?"


    "Of course."


    That poisoning incident was something Felix would never forget for the rest of his life.


    "The stunning beauty you were with in your dream? That was the real Zara! Yes, her true appearance is just that wless."


    Felix was stunned, like a bolt of lightning had struck him. Could there really be such a perfect woman in this world, with a figure and looks beyond reproach?


    "Now imagine this. If Zara regains her true appearance and stands before you, as a man- especially one who''s already been with her in a dream-could you truly resist that kind of temptation?"


    Felix couldn''t answer. He was, after all, a normal man. If Ss wasn''t lying, then a restored Zara would indeed be irresistible. To put it bluntly, she would be someone most men could only dream of, and saying no to her would be nearly impossible. The saying about being virtuous in the face of temptation always depended on who the temptation was.


    "What do we do then? Karina only gave me a day. After that, I can''t use the same trick to stop her again." Ss clenched his fists tightly, looking conflicted.


    "I see Zara as my own granddaughter. I truly don''t want anything bad to happen to her! It''s not her fault that she has the Twinshade Body. Do you think she wanted this? But now that Silver Flute has shown up, I''ve thought of a possible solution!" Felix frowned deeply.


    "You want to bet on that one-in-ten chance? I won''t agree to it!"


    Even Gerald had said that the Twinshade Body, when triggered, had a 90% chance of turning someone into a bloodthirsty maniac and only a 10% chance of remaining normal. With odds like that, who would dare take the risk? If chaos ensued, Felix would be partly to 1/2


    me.


    "No! Zara still has some sanity left. I want you to tell her, against your better judgment, that there''s a goal she must achieve before anything can change. It''s not a permanent fix, but it might buy us some time. And you''ll have to handle convincing Karina," Ss said. After some serious thought, Felix realized this idea might actually work.


    "Alright, I''ll give it a shot."


    "Zara agreed, but she doesn''t want me to be present. Felix, you must remember that if anything goes wrong-


    "Don''t worry, sir. If she tries to turn on me, I''ll subdue her immediately. The gap in our abilities is significant; you should be well aware of that."


    As he waited, Felix mentally prepared himself. But when Zara finally opened the door and walked in, he couldn''t help feeling a bit nervous.


    achievements "Zara! I never expected you to fall for me. However, you should know my and what kind of person I am. If you want to pursue me, you''ll need to meet certain standards. Otherwise, you''re just not qualified."


    Before he could continue, Zara pulled out a few silver needles, swiftly inserting them into her face. With a gentle sweep of her hand, an absolutely stunning face appeared before him


    "Now, am I qualified?" she asked.

 With Husband 693

    At that moment, the kind of temptation no man could resist was fully unveiled.


    It was especially so when Zara revealed her breathtaking, wless face. It was simply beauty at its absolute peak. Her delicate hand lifted slightly, and the smooth curve of her shoulder began to show.


    Felix was caughtpletely off guard. He hadn''t anticipated Zara breaking her word so abruptly, let aloneunching such a powerful move without a single warning.


    7


    His hands trembled violently as he tried to summon a burst of energy or a forceful wave to


    knock her unconscious.


    However, his body wouldn''t respond. Some deep, primal urge in his mind held him back, preventing him from taking decisive action. And in the depths of his consciousness, the memories of their intimate dream became even more vivid. "Am I beautiful? Don''t you want to have me-truly have me?"


    Zara stepped closer to Felix, and with each step, a captivating fragrance grew stronger. It wasn''t just a scent that filled his nose. It seemed to reach his very soul, pulling him toward


    her.


    Felix was at a loss for words. His forehead was drenched in sweat as he fought with all his might. He fought against himself, against the most primal of male impulses.


    "In your dream, you were lost in desire. Now, it''s right here, within reach. Don''t you want to experience it for real?" Zara asked again.


    She lifted his hand and guided it toward her. Her eyes were filled with soft, liquid warmth, and her gaze was so enchanting that any man would willingly surrender everything.


    The old saying, "Even heroes couldn''t resist the charms of a beautiful woman", might seem like a clich¨¦ to some. But only those who had faced such an encounter would truly understand its undeniable truth.


    Felix prided himself on his self-control. He had resisted the yful advances of his nine fellow apprentices and kept hisposure even around the most stunning women he had


    met.


    But Zara was different. Her beauty wasn''t just physical-it struck at the very core of his being. It was beyond what words could describe.


    At that moment, the inevitable happened. As their hands touched, Zara''s expression turned shy. It was an expression so tender it was almost unbearable.


    Felix couldn''t hold back any longer. The inner battle was over. Whether reason had triumphed over impulse or impulse had crushed reason, he couldn''t tell. All he knew was


    +25 SCARS


    that a soft breeze swept through, and the two of them vanished from the living room in an


    instant.


    Almost immediately, the front door flew open. Sensing that something was wrong, Ss rushed in, only to be struck by a massive wave of energy. It sent him flying backward, mming hard against the wall. Before he could react, the door mmed shut again. "This is a disaster! A disaster!"


    Ssy there, gravely injured and unable to move, tears streaming down his face. He wasn''t sure if it was out of regret or self-reproach.


    It was unclear how much time had passed before Felix woke up. As his mind cleared, he realized what had happened, and a storm of conflicting emotions flickered across his face. Then, he noticed a note on the bedside table. Grabbing it in haste, he read it.


    YOUT NO


    "The transformation has begun. But please trust me, my dear husband. I will fully suppress it within a year at most or as soon as three months. By then, I''ll still be the Zara you know." Though the note gave him a glimmer of hope, Felix felt no relief. He quickly focused his energy and found Ss outside. He hurried to bring him inside and began healing his injuries.


    The memory was painfully clear-he had been so consumed by Zara''s presence that when Ss entered, the defensive energy wave he instinctively unleashed had caused the injury. Felix had beenpletely out of control.


    "I''m so sorry,


    sir!"


    Ss, now slightly recovered, shook his head silently. It was clear he didn''t know what to say either.


    "This is the note Zara left. What do you think?"


    After reading it, Ss shook his head again.


    "My knowledge is too limited to judge. You''d better consult your mentor. I only hope that Zara truly can control herself. If not, I''ll be the world''s greatest sinner and atone for it with my life!"

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    Felix let out a bitterugh, thinking, "Aren''t I just as guilty?"


    Overconfidence was a w, and today, he had fully realized it. He had already experienced Zara''s perfection in his dreams, so he should have known how terrifyingly overwhelming her allure could be. Yet, here they were. Ss soon departed with his spirits crushed, leaving Felix to return to the vi.


    Sitting on the living room couch, he softly called out, "Karina."


    As expected, Karina appeared across from him, as if out of thin air.


    "So, you''ve finally crossed that line?"


    Her tone was calm, not reflecting the turmoil that would typically apany the eruption of the Twinshade Body.


    "Yes," Felix admitted. "I overestimated myself. Karina, could you please contact Mr. Hoffman? Perhaps I don''t have the right to im responsibility for everything, but whatever consequences there are, I won''t avoid them." Without another word, Karina dialed a number and, after a brief exchange, handed the phone to Felix.


    "You brat!" Gerald said. "Three years in Eden Vige surrounded by nine breathtakingly beautiful fellow apprentices, and you still couldn''t resist temptation? Where did all your training go?" Gerald''s harsh scolding came through loud and clear. Felix could only sigh internally.


    "The situation is what it is, and yes, I was overconfident," Felix admitted. "But, Mr. Hoffman, Zara left a note when she left. These are her words. Do you think she has a chance of seeding?" There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before his mentor responded.


    "Well, there''s a 50-50 chance. The eruption of the Twinshade Body is instantaneous. If she was able to leave such a note, it means she still had some measure of rationality. However, it''s not that simple. "We''ll just have to wait and see. For now, go about your life as usual. If she can''t suppress it, modern technology will quickly reveal the damage. When that happens, I''ll personallye and clean up your mess!" When Felix remained silent, Gerald''s tone softened slightly.


    "Of course, there''s a silver lining. If Zara manages to suppress the Twinshade Body, the benefits are immense. Once a woman with this constitution forms a bond, she''ll only ever 475 80RS


    acknowledge that one man for the rest of her life. She''ll be utterly devoted to him.


    "On top of that, she''ll be a peerless expert who will never vie for power or attention. Even if you get married, she''ll quietly stay by your side like a shadow. Understand?"


    With that, the call ended, leaving Felix with a wry smile. He would be eternally grateful if Zara could suppress her condition and ensure no harm was caused. He had no energy left to consider anything else. "Do you know why I came to Gray City?" Karina asked a few minutester.


    Her question broke Felix''s train of thought, but his mood had improved somewhat, thanks to Gerald''s words. "I don''t."


    "Actually, I nned to meet you tomorrow."


    "Meet me?" Felix was puzzled. "Do you have any instructions for me?"


    He had crossed the line in his attempt to allow Zara to escape.


    Karina rose to her feet and approached him.


    "Dahlia asked me toe. Since you''re here in Gray City, she wanted you to handle something for her. Of course, it''s not withoutpensation. Take this phone."


    She handed him a phone and continued, "It has a single number saved in it. You can only use it once. Call that number if you encounter a problem you can''t solve alone. Dahlia wille to help you." "Dahlia?" Felix took the phone in disbelief. He was about to ask more when his own phone suddenly rang.


    The caller ID showed it was Alistair, and Felix felt his heart immediately sink.


    He had called Alistair earlier, telling him to notify him immediately if there was any major incident involving casualties in Dragonia. So, this call could only mean one thing.

 With Husband 695

    +25 BORUS


    Felix''s hands trembled while holding his phone-his entire body was ovee with fear. He was so anxious he couldn''t bring himself to press the answer button.


    In the end, it was Karina who stepped in, unable to watch him struggle any longer. She reached over and answered the call, putting it on speaker mode.


    "Mr. Zeller, a chemical nt caught fire. So far, 35 fatalities have been confirmed."


    Felix felt a whirlwind of emotions. On one hand, it was good news that this wasn''t connected to Zara. However, it was bad news that over 30 lives had been consumed by the merciless mes.


    "I understand. I''ll transfer some money to you. Please make sure it''s distributed to the families of the deceased," Felix said.


    Not knowing about the incident was one thing. Now that he knew, there was no way he could ignore it. Felix wasn''t a saint, but he wasn''t heartless either.


    "By the way, Karina, what does Dahlia need me to do?" he asked.


    Karina handed him a piece of paper. "Donate ten million dors to this orphanage in Gray City. Can you do that?"


    Felix froze. Finally, he understood that his fellow apprentices'' concern for him had never faded. This wasn''t just about the money. It was her way of finding a reason to show care, even though it was an incredibly easy task for him. "Please thank Dahlia for me. I''ll visit the orphanage tomorrow," Felix said.


    Karina nodded. Then, she suddenly hugged him tightly. "Don''t put so much pressure on yourself. Nobody''s perfect. Just focus on being the best version of yourself."


    With that, Karina left. Felix sighed and gave himself a light smack on the head. She was right. There was no point in dwelling on things. What was done was done. All he could do now was let fate take its course.


    The next day, Felix told Melissa to head to the clinic after lunch, whereas he went straight to the orphanage mentioned by Dahlia. The ce was home to over 20 bright-eyed, innocent children.


    Within ten minutes of arriving, he realized what Dahlia had tasked him with wasn''t as straightforward as he had thought. He was politely but firmly shown out of the building.


    "Sir, I truly want to help the orphanage," Felix pleaded with the security guard at the gate. I was abandoned by my parents as a child too, so I deeply respect anyone who cares for orphans. I just want to contribute. Could you please tell me why I was turned away?"


    "1


    Chapter bas


    The director of the orphanage was a kind-looking elderly man. He had been polite at first, but the moment Felix mentioned donations, his demeanor had shifted entirely.


    The guard, noticing Felix''s sincerity, sighed. "Five years ago, someone came to donate money. Back then, the orphanage was struggling financially, and the director was overjoyed. But it turned out the money was part of a moneyundering scheme. The police got involved, and it was a close call.


    "If the investigation hadn''t cleared everyone at the orphanage, it would''ve been shut down, and the staff would''ve been jailed. Since then, the director has been wary of donations. He even took down the online donation ount and keeps a distance from anyone offering funds in person."


    Felix felt his anger re. What kind of monster would exploit vulnerable children to clean their dirty money?


    "Thank you for exining. I know what to do now," he said.


    Felix headed to Concord Bank in Gray City. He didn''t even need Leslie''s Supreme ck Card card. His Diamond Card alone was enough to send the bank manager, Dorian Yardley, rushing to personally greet him.


    "Mr. Zeller, it''s truly an honor to have you visit the Gray City branch. How can I assist you today?"


    Dorian treaded carefully. Diamond cardholders were people he couldn''t afford to offend. Their status in Dragonia was beyond his imagination. Even the slightest connection with someone like Felix could make climbing the corporatedder a breeze. "You''re too kind," Felix said politely. "Here''s the situation..."


    After listening to Felix''s exnation, Dorian visibly rxed.

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    Chapter


    696


    "Don''t worry, I''ll contact the police immediately. We''ll go together with them, and I''ll bring all the necessary documents. No me will oubt us with both of us there." fiorian said. He genuinely admired Felix.


    As the manager of Concord Bank''s branch in Gray City, Dorian had met more wealthy people than he could count. Most of them put on a polished act in public but often had less-than noble motives behind closed doors. Evercharity was usually just a way to reduce taxes or boost their public image.


    However, Felix was different. He didn''t have to do this-especially for a small orphanage with no potential for fame. Yet here he was, determined to donate regardless


    Even if Felix was not of his current status, Dorian would have dly offered his help.


    When they returned to the orphanage, the director was utterly stunned. The old man began apologizing profusely.


    "I''m so sorry, Mr. Zeller! I was narrow-minded for distrusting your kindness. Please forgive me!"


    Felix quickly stopped him.


    "Please, there''s no need to apologize. After what you''ve been through, your caution ispletely justified. I understand you''re just looking out for these children and your staff."


    The director was moved to tears. The orphanage had been struggling financially, and Felix''s donation of ten million dors would relieve their burdens for a long time.


    Moments ago, they had unceremoniously turned him away, and now he had returned with the bank manager and police to personally verify the donation. How could they possibly doubt the money''s legitimacy?


    "Thank you! Thank you so much! Could we take a photo together?"


    Felix smiled. "That won''t be necessary. Just using the money wisely is the best way to


    thank me."


    Did Felix not want publicity? In this day and age, what kind of phnthropist avoided the spotlight?


    The director hesitated before making another suggestion. "How about a photo with the children? We won''t publish it anywhere. We''ll just hang it in the hallway to inspire them. It''s good for them to know they have a role model like you." After a moment''s thought, Felix agreed.


    Fortunately, Dorian had suggested bringing toys and snacks for the children. Their faces lit


    up with joy, and they immediately warmed up to Felix. When the group photo was taken, their smiles were pure and genuine.


    With this task from Dahliaplete, Felix felt a weight lifted from his shoulders. It would have been hard to ept her continued help without first resolving this.


    "Mr. Yardley, I really appreciate your assistance today," Felix said, extending his hand.


    Dorian was ttered and a bit overwhelmed. "Mr. Zeller, please, there''s no need to thank me. It was no trouble at all."


    Felix pulled out his phone. "Let''s exchange numbers.


    11


    Dorian had proven to be sharp and resourceful, and Felix also had a friend, Clement, who was currently dealing with some banking issues. Having Dorian as a contact might prove mutually beneficial in the future. When Felix asked for his number, Dorian was almost brought to tears. It was as if he could already see a promotion to a top position in Dragonia in his future.


    After parting ways with Dorian, Felix was about to hail a cab to a car dealership when the security guard from the orphanage called out to him.


    ""Young man!"


    Even when addressing a security guard, Felix maintained a respectful demeanor. "Sir, is there something I can help you with?"


    The guard took a closer look at Felix, and his gaze suddenly carried a different weight." You''re quite remarkable. I''d like to offer you a chance to enhance your already bright future. Are you interested?"

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    Chapter 697 Chapter 697


    Felix''s expression turned a little strange. Could the security guard be one of those legendary hidden characters he only heard about in stories?


    "What kind of opportunity are you offering, sir?" Felix asked.


    The next moment, an overwhelming aura enveloped Felix.


    "If you can casually donate ten million dors, you must already be aware of the existence of Dragonia''s most mysterious martial artists! I happen to be one of the top mentors among them. If you take me as your mentor, I''ll teach you martial arts. Wouldn''t that be the best?"


    Felix was truly stunned. This seemingly ordinary security guard turned out to be a Martial Saint-level expert. No matter how far they had fallen, figures of this caliber shouldn''t end up as mere gatekeepers.


    "There''s no need, sir. I''m actually a martial artist myself."


    The older man frowned slightly but didn''t push further.


    "Fair enough. It seems fate isn''t on our side. Young man, doing good deeds may not bring immediate results, but everything wille back to you eventually. Keep it up."


    As the guard turned to leave, Felix suddenly thought of something.


    "Actually, sir, if you don''t mind, I''d like to learn your technique for concealing your aura."


    When Felix first arrived, he had spoken with the security guard at close range. Yet, as a super-strong practitioner in the Pulse Realm, he hadn''t sensed that the guard was a Martial Saint. That alone proved the guard''s concealment technique was extraordinarily rare.


    If the man hadn''t revealed himself, Felix would never have known.


    The guard''s lips twitched, and a sh of astonishment crossed his eyes.


    "Well, well! You''ve already figured out I''m a Martial Saint. That must mean your own strength is at least at the Innate Realm. At your age, that''s extraordinary. You''re truly a martial genius! Ha, and here I was showing off."


    Felix sped his hands respectfully. "Forgive me if I''ve offended you, sir."


    The older man burst outughing, clearly pleased.


    "Someday, you''ll hold the highest position in Dragonia. It''d be my honor to aid someone Hike you. That said, the concealment technique isn''t in my possession. It''s with my


    estranged son. If you want it, you''ll have to find him. I''ll give you his details.


    +26 BONUS


    "But there''s one condition-you can''t take it by force. He must willingly hand it over."


    Felix was deeply grateful. Obtaining such a teclinique would be a game-changer. "Thank you, sir."


    With the information in hand, Felix wasn''t in a rush. First, he headed to the car dealership. As usual, he chose a Range Rover as it was what he was used to driving. Given his ns to move into a vi, driving a luxury car worth over a million dors seemed fitting. Just as he stepped out of the cab and walked a short distance, Nelly ran over to him.


    "Felix? Are you here to buy a car?"


    Felix smiled. "Yep, what about you?"


    "Oh, one of my best friends works here as a sales rep. She''s got the afternoon off, and we nned to hang out. Since I had some free time, I came here to wait for her to get off work.


    When he saw the look in Nelly''s eyes, Felix knew what she was thinking and spoke up.


    "It doesn''t matter who I buy from. Since you''ve got a friend here, have her assist me."


    Nelly was beyond grateful. Even though sales roles varied across industries, they shared a lot of simrities, and she understood her friend''s struggles all too well.


    "Thank you so much, Felix."


    Just as she finished speaking, another familiar face approached them. It was his neighbor, Queenie. "Felix? Are you here to buy a car too?"


    Ever since their meal with Willow, they had grown closer, so they addressed each other less formally.

 With Husband 698

    "Yes. Are you here to buy a car too?" Felix asked


    Queenie nodded. "Yeah, the new pink Defender from Range Rover just came out. I''m nning to buy one."


    "Let''s go in together! My friend''s bestie works here as a sales rep. Of course, if you have someone you know here, that''s fine too," Felix said.


    Queenie smiled and agreed, leaving Nelly speechless. Meeting such kind-hearted people made her feel that all the unpleasant things she had experienced before were worth it.


    The three of them entered the dealership, and Nelly''s friend, Isabe Wells, who had already received the call, was waiting for them. She was a pretty girl with big waves in her hair, giving off a bright and cheerful vibe.


    "Ladies first. Queenie, why don''t you look at the Defender first?" Felix said.


    Queenie didn''t hesitate. "Okay."


    The purchasing process went smoothly. Felix and Queenie were both straightforward people who didn''t fuss over details. They paid the full amount without a second thought. Isabe was thrilled by the sale, even though themission was lower than what she would have earned if they had taken out a loan,


    A whileter, Felix''s phone rang. It was a message from Queenie, who had gone to the restroom. Surprised, he opened it and couldn''t help but smile wryly.


    "Sorry, Felix. This is a little awkward, but my period came early. Could you ask Nelly or Isabe to bring me some things?"


    Since Queenie only had Felix''s contact info, she had no choice but to ask for help even though she was embarrassed. "Sure, just a moment."


    He told Nelly, who quickly ran off to take care of it.


    When Queenie came back, she seemed reluctant to look Felix in the eye. Her slightly flushed face made her even more alluring than usual.


    The awkwardness didn''tst long, as the scene was interrupted by a group of people bursting into the store.


    "Get the hell out of here! This store is closing for the day!"


    With a bang, the group raised their weapons and smashed a few things, scaring the customers into rushing out of the store.


    Everyone knew that Range Rover customers were usually wealthy, so these people had to be tough if they dared to cause trouble. Who would want to mess with them without a good reason?


    "We should go too."


    Felix didn''t want to get involved since it wasn''t his problem. He turned to Queenie, who nodded in agreement, still looking a little scared.


    "Isabe''s here too. Let''s leave quickly, Felix. These guys don''t look like good people."


    As soon as Nelly finished speaking, the group leader shouted, "Destroy all the cars in the garage!"


    "Yes, sir!"


    Felix frowned. His and Queenie''s cars were supposed to be ready for collection by noon, but they were still in the garage because the car registration process had not beenpleted yet. If the men destroyed their cars, no one would know when the next ones would be avable.


    He didn''t need the cars urgently, but it would waste his time significantly.


    "You guys go ahead. I''ll talk to them and see if we can get our two cars out first."


    When Felix took a step forward, a middle-aged man strode toward the group of men, exuding amanding aura. He wasn''t the slightest bit afraid. "Everyone, stop!".


    The leader sneered. "Heh, what are you ying at? You''re just the manager of this shop! Even your boss is too scared to show his face."


    The middle-aged man''s voice grew louder. "You ignorant fools! Don''t you know who Mr. Gray is? We can call him over with just a phone call."


    The extent of Kurt''s influence was simply extraordinary.


    The leader faltered. "Who? You must be lying.''


    Just then, the middle-aged man turned and pointed at Isabe.


    "Isabe! Call Mr. Gray right now!"

 With Husband 699

    The middle-aged store manager''smanding presence was hard to ignore. When Isabe was suddenly called out by name, she froze on the spot.


    Nelly, standing nearby, also widened her eyes in shock.


    She had only heard of Kurt Gray once, and that was when she visited Felix''s Tranquil Clinic. Even a tough guy like Huxley had been scared to death by him. Kurt was definitely someone extremely powerful. When did Isabe get to know him? Nelly had absolutely no idea.


    "Nelly! What should I do? I... I was just bluffing. It was a casual chat with friends, saying that Mr. Gray was especially powerful and that no one dared to mess with him."


    Nelly didn''t know what to do either. She knew Felix was familiar with Kurt, but why would he help now? Especially with so many people on the other side, stepping in carelessly could drag them all into trouble. Felix, standing off to the side, couldn''t help but chuckle. It was amusing to see a young woman make such big ims. He didn''t need to ask to know that Isabe definitely didn''t know Kurt.


    If she did, there was no way she would still be here selling cars. She might not be incredibly wealthy, but she would at least be livingfortably by now if she knew Kurt. "Isabe! Come over here!"


    The store manager urged her, clearly trusting Isabe immensely. It showed that the girl had good character. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have bet everything on her at this crucial


    moment.


    "What should I do, Nelly? What should I do?"


    Isabe was almost in tears when Felix quietly walked over and handed her his phone.


    "Use my phone to make the call. Everything will be fine."


    Felix didn''t mind helping since she was Nelly''s best friend, and this wasn''t a huge problem.


    Seeing this, Isabe was utterly confused, but Nelly let out a long sigh of relief.


    "Go ahead, trust Felix. Whatever he says goes. See? He''s already opened the contact list. All you need to do is dial the number."


    With Nelly''s reassuring words, Isabe, feeling like she had no other choice, decided to take the gamble. Otherwise, not only would she likely get beaten up, but she would also lose her job.


    When Isabe walked up, the group leader had already started to sneer in confidence.


    "Heh! You''re just bluffing, Mr. Gray isn''t the type to go chasing after women, especially not trash like you."


    As he spoke, he swung his baseball bat.


    "You two probably don''t realize what will happen if this news reaches Mr. Gray. You''re both dead."


    The middle-aged manager was beginning to falter. Could Isabe really be bluffing? If she really knew Kurt, why would she drag things out like this?


    At that moment, Isabe took a deep breath, stopped, and dialed the number. After two rings, the call was answered.


    ""Mr. Zeller?"


    At this point, she had no choice but to take a chance, so Isabe gathered her courage and said, "Mr. Gray, can I ask for your help?"


    Though it was an unfamiliar woman''s voice, Kurt was no fool. After all, he had taken control of the underground forces of the town at a young age. If he didn''t have the intelligence and emotional intelligence to handle situations like this, he would have been dead by now. "Put it on speakerphone. I''ll take care of it," he said.


    "Okay,"


    When the speakerphone was turned on, Kurt''s voice came through.


    "I''m Kurt Gray. Who''s causing trouble for her?"


    As soon as his voice rang out, the group leader, who had been sneering, froze. He began to tremble visibly. He could tell that this was no bluff.

 With Husband 700

    "Mr. Gray, 1... I''m a subordinate of Jason," the group leader said.


    "Get lost!"


    The simplemand was delivered with such lethal force that it was like a bomb exploding.


    The group leader took two steps back in fear. As he quickly retreated, he said, "Yes, yes! Thank you, Mr. Gray!"


    In an instant, all the troublemakers scattered, and everyone in the store turned their attention to Isabe. Even her manager was left in utter shock.


    Isabe really did know Kurt. With just one phone call, she solved such a huge problem.


    Even Isabe herself couldn''t believe it. She quickly ran over and handed the phone back to Felix.


    Thank you, Felix. I really don''t know what I would have done without you."


    She wondered what kind of person Nelly''s friend was, that he was even acquainted with Kurt Gray. On top of that, Kurt had even addressed him very respectfully. There were plenty of people who could afford a Range Rover, but only a few knew Kurt. The difference in status between the two groups was like night and day.


    "You''re wee, but remember not to bluff so casually again. Words can bring disaster, and not every time will you be this lucky," Felix advised.


    Isabe immediately agreed, promising never to blurt out things like that again. Casual words or bluffs could be taken seriously by others. Once caught in the trap of your words, there would be no turning back. After everything had settled down and having thanked Felix, Nelly awkwardly spoke up.


    "Felix, Ms. Larrington, Isabe would like to treat you to a meal to thank you for choosing her as your salesperson. Would that be okay?"


    Nelly expected to be turned down, but Queenie smiled and agreed. "Sure, I just arrived in Gray City and don''t have anything nned. It depends on what Felix says."


    Since Queenie was a neighbor and seemed to get along well with Willow, Felix couldn''t refuse once she agreed.


    "Yeah, I also have time. A simple meal will do."


    After lunch, the two cars were cleaned up, and all the paperwork was finished. As the vehicles drove away, Isabe suddenly kissed Nelly on the cheek.


    "Wow, Nelly! Felix is amazing! He''s so young, so handsome, so rich, and well-connected. Do you have something going on with him?"


    Nelly rolled her eyes. "Nonsense! He was my client in the past, and now I guess you could say we''re friends. I don''t have feelings for him. Even if I did, one has to be realistic."


    Isabe pursed her lips. While Nelly seemed to brush it off, there was still a trace of admiration in her eyes.


    "If only all of us could be as clear-headed as you. Anyway, you should spend more time with Felix. It''ll be good for you," Isabe said.


    When they were nearing the clinic, Felix was surprised to find that the road ahead was blocked. They were still a street away from the clinic.


    "There''s a temporary roadblock ahead. Please make a detour."


    Although the officers on the scene were traffic police, Felix''s keen eyes noticed soldiers with firearms in the area. This could only mean something very serious happened, or soldiers wouldn''t have been deployed. "Excuse me, what''s the extent of the roadblock? I want to check if my clinic is within the restricted area."


    If it were, they would have to turn back.


    "What''s the name of your clinic?" "Tranquil Clinic."


    At once, the traffic cop''s expression changed. He immediately reached for his radio. Felix furrowed his brow. Did thisrge-scale roadblock have something to do with his clinic?

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    Inside a temporarily requisitioned shop opposite Tranquil Clinic, everyone wore tense expressions. Their disbelief was evident in their furrowed brows and doubtful gazes.


    "Confirm the information again. I find it hard to believe," said a burly middle-aged man, his imposing presence hinting at years spent in a position of power.


    He was none other than the Warlord of Thunder, one of Dragonia''s five mighty warlords, and a figure of immense authority and influence.


    "The suspect currently holding a hostage in the clinic has imed over the phone to be Candace, ranked as the Five of Hearts among the Thirteen Aces, a group of ''Super S-rank ''wanted criminals. It''s still unclear whether the im is genuine," Alistair reported. This was precisely why the Warlord of Thunder was skeptical. The Thirteen Aces, and not just any member but the fifth-ranked, appeared suddenly in a bustling city and personally called the authorities-it was absurd to the extreme.


    Xena, the Phoenix Warlord, was also in the room. She frowned deeply, clearly finding the situation equally troubling. "Has Candace made any demands yet?"


    "No, not yet," Alistair replied.


    Xena, who had been attending a meeting at Gray City''s outskirts base along with the Warlord of Thunder, found herself pulled away mid-session to handle this emergency.


    Xena frowned deeply, sensing howplicated the situation was. If it were a regr hostage situation, it wouldn''t require someone of their rank to step in. But dealing with a figure like Candace, a member of the Thirteen Aces, was an entirely different matter. Standard procedures, like conducting investigations, simply didn''t apply. ying by the book was almost guaranteed to fail against someone like Candace.


    Before Xena could speak further, the Warlord of Thunder waved his hand decisively." Deploy the assault team for a feint."


    The assault team was merely a decoy designed to distract Candace. The Warlord of Thunder himself was prepared to take action-after all, dealing with a top-five Super S- rank wanted criminal almost always required a warlord''s personal intervention or a headquarters- dispatched elite, like the Hellbringers.


    Without such firepower, the likelihood of the target escaping-or worse,unching a deadly counterattack-was simply too high. This was the strategy that had been meticulously nned in advance.


    But Xena objected immediately. "Warlord of Thunder, wait. The owner of Tranquil Clinic is on their way. It''s best to understand the situation first."


    The Warlord of Thunder cast a cold nce her way. "Phoenix Warlord, themand authority for the operation is mine. Don''t overstep your bounds."


    He already didn''t think highly of Xena, and now that she had risen to his level, it only stoked his irritation further.


    Yet Xena remained firm. "We need to assess the situation carefully. This is Candace, the Five of Hearts, we''re dealing with, and in a crowded area, no less. Even with the street sealed off in time, we''ve only managed to block one road. If we lose control, the casualties could be catastrophic."


    Her reasoning was sound, but the Warlord of Thunder dismissed it with disdain. "Hah! Do you think everyone is as weak as you? If I take action, taking down someone like Candace won''t take more than a minute."


    Xena didn''t react to the insult. Among the warlords, herbat strength was indeed the weakest a fact she didn''t deny. But she was young and confident she would catch up in due time, so there was no need to argue over it!


    1


    The tension in the room thickened, teetering on the brink of esction, when Alistair suddenly interrupted, his voice urgent. "Sir! Candace just called again. She''s demanding that the owner of Tranquil Clinic enter the building. If not, she''ll kill the hostage and unleash chaos in the marketce."


    The room fell silent. Even the Warlord of Thunder frowned, his aggressive stance momentarily subdued.


    Candace''s threat left no room for error. Acting recklessly might lead to her capture or death, which would be ideal. But if innocents were harmed in the process, even a warlord would be held ountable.


    After all, Candace was no ordinary criminal. Her strength, honed during her time in the Oceanus Realm, had likely grown even more formidable.

 With Husband 702

    "Inform Candace that the owner is on their way. Let''s stabilize the situation for now. What do you think, Warlord of Thunder?" Xena asked tactfully, giving the Warlord of Thunder the respect his position warranted.


    He nodded. "That''s workable. But convincing the owner to go inside-that''s the real challenge."


    When faced with a ruthless and murderous criminal like this, stepping in would be as good as a death sentence. As an official organization, they had to disclose every detail without hiding anything. It was a daunting task, as any ordinary person would likely shrink back "I''ll handle the persuasion," Xena offered. "Let''s move to the shop next door. Too many people might make the owner more nervous."


    A few minutester, Alistair entered the shop, his expression slightly unusual.


    "Warlords, the owner is here," he informed them.


    "Good. Send them in, and you step out," Xena instructed.


    But Alistair hesitated, standing rooted to the spot, prompting Xena''s displeasure.


    "is something on your mind? Do you understand how critical the situation is? If you can''t focus, leave now!" Xena scolded, her tone sharp but warranted, given the circumstances.


    Alistair shifted ufortably before replying. The owner-you know him, Lady Summers. I''m concerned being alone with himight make things worse."


    She knew him? It might make things worse? Xena frowned, puzzled. Still, she waved him away. "Go!"


    Alistair had no choice but to step out. As felix walked in, Xena''s expression darkened significantly. At that moment, she finally understood why Alistair had said what he did.


    "Xena, this shouldn''t count as me actively harassing you, right?" felix said, his tone carrying a hint of irony


    The moment Felix saw Alistair, he knew Xena had to be here too. Even the Warlord of


    Thunder was involved - it was clear just how dramatic this situation had be


    Xena took several deep breaths. Although she understood the importance of staying calm, she couldn''t bring herself to speak to Felix without her emotions spilling over. She knew this lingering tension could easily disrupt what came next "Someone else will talk to you."


    Felix''s disappointment was palpable. Even such a situation couldn''t prompt Xera to speak. to him directly. It was evident that her resentment hadn''t diminished in the slightest.


    Not long after, the Warlord of Thunder entered the room. Xena stayed put, not wanting to interact with Felix but unwilling to leave either


    "Mr. Zeller, I''m the Warlord of Thunder. There''s been a hostage situation at your clinic, and we need your cooperation."


    After hearing that Xena was involved, Felix couldn''t just stand by and do nothing- especially when it concerned his clinic.


    "Go ahead. I''ll cooperate fully."


    The Warlord seemed satisfied with this response and quickly exined who was inside the clinic, as well as the potential scenarios they might face.


    "The Five of Hearts, Candace Shadowmere, from the Thirteen Aces? And we still don''t know who the abductors are?" Felix frowned, a sense of unease creeping into his thoughts. The fact that they had chosen his clinic as their hiding ce didn''t seem like a coincidence. "You seem like you''ve heard of the Thirteen Aces," the Warlord said, scrutinizing Felix closely. The group was so obscure that even influential figures often knew nothing about them, let alone an ordinary person.


    "I got it. I''ll handle the rest," Felix said abruptly and turned to leave.


    The Warlord froze for a moment, then his expression hardened. "How reckless! Do you even understand what you''re doing?"


    With his back still turned, Felix raised his right hand and said coldly, "One minute."


    One minute? The Warlord felt his anger surge, and he immediately gestured to his team.


    "Take him down!"

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    "Stop!" Xena''s sharp voice rang out, and in an instant, Alistair and one of the Warlord of Thunder''smanders stepped forward, blocking


    elix''s


    path.


    "One minute? You don''t seem like an ordinary person," the Warlord of Thunder said coldly. "I exined the gravity of the situation to you, even prepared to discuss how to handle it once inside, and yet here you are, blindly confident. Who do you think you are?" Given Felix''s attitude, there was no way the Warlord of Thunder would remain polite. Even Xena, who had been silent, was visibly furious.


    "Felix! I know you''re strong, but the enemy here is Candace Shadowmere-the Five of Hearts from the Thirteen Aces. This isn''t as simple as you think! We''re in a crowded area. If this gets out of control, do you realize how many lives could be lost? Can you bear that responsibility?"


    Felix turned slightly but showed no emotional reaction. He understood their concerns- they prioritized the bigger picture.


    "I said one minute, and I mean one minute."


    As soon as he finished speaking, an overwhelming aura erupted from him, confined to the small shop they were in.


    The moment the Warlord of Thunder felt it, he froze. As a Pulse Realm powerhouse, even he couldn''t hide the sh of fear in his eyes. If he felt this way, the others were even shocked. Yet, Xena''s cold voice cut through the tension.


    "What are you trying to do? Show off your strength? Why would we even be here if a brute could solve this?"


    Her words left the Warlord of Thunder momentarily speechless. If Felix couldn''t handle this, then even sending their Hellbringer from headquarters would be futile.


    The Warlord cleared his throat. "Phoenix Warlord, I believe Mr. Zeller can go in. Let him."


    "What?" Xena''s face turned incredulous, and she opened her mouth to object, only to be cut off by the Warlord of Thunder.


    "I''m themander of this operation. The authority is mine. Everyone, stand down!"


    As Felix walked out, Xena''s frustration boiled over.


    "Warlord of Thunder! You-how could you? Do you even understand the consequences if this goes wrong?"


    The Warlord''s expression darkened. "This just proves how weak your senses still are. You can''t even perceive the level of power the owner of this clinic holds. You''d be better off


    spending more time on your martial training instead of wasting energy on trivial matters.


    With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Kena stunned and speechless. She could only look at Alistair for answers.


    "Has Felix grown stronger?" she asked, her voice hesitant.


    Alistair gave a bitter smile. "It seems so. That aura he released was still restrained. If he had unleashed it fully, we''d probably already be on the ground."


    Xena fell silent, her expression shifting as her thoughts churned.


    At the clinic''s entrance, Felix spoke calmly, "I''m Felix Zeller, the owner. May Ie in?"


    The rolling shutter lifted, revealing an empty room. As Felix stepped inside, ¨¤ force swept past him, and the shutter closed behind him.


    Two figures emerged from the back-a tearful Melissa and a woman in her 50s who looked to be on the heavier side.


    Felix was surprised. He never expected that the Five of Hearts would actually be a woman.


    "I''m not here for you," Candace said curt "This woman called you. Speak quickly. Your wish has been granted this time. If you still refuse to cooperate, I''ll have to resort to my own methods." "Boss!" Melissa cried, running toward him. Tears streamed down her face as she threw herself into his arms.


    "I just came early to open the clinic, and I ended up being taken hostage! You have to stand up for me!"


    Felix''s lips twitched slightly. With a resigned sigh, he said, "From what I''m hearing, it sounds like they specifically came for you. So, technically, it''s you who dragged the clinic into this mess-not the other way around." Melissa immediately protested, her indignation ring.

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    "Hey! Am I not your employee anymore? I''ve been working so hard, and now something happens, and you''re just dusting me off your hands?" Melissained, her voice full of indignation.


    Felix frowned, his temper ring. "Be clear with your words! Who''s dusting their hands? If someone overhears, they''ll misunderstand!"


    Nearby, Candace''s neck veins bulged in anger as she pointed a trembling finger at them. "You''re asking for death!"


    She was the infamous Five of Hearts from the Thirteen Aces, a name that struck fear into countless people. Yet, these two had the audacity to flirt in front of her?


    "Shut up, you old hag! You''re just a dying woman making noise. What''s your problem?" Felix snapped.


    Felix shot Candace a single nce. Her entire body stiffened, her breathing halted, and her eyes were filled with sheer terror.


    "Y-You''re not secretly some ancient monster in disguise, are you?" Candace stammered.


    As someone at the Oceanus Realm, she cedn''t believe that a mere look from Felix had rendered herpletely immobilized, as if death were only a moment away. His strength far exceeded hers-there was no other exnation.


    "Hehe! I knew Mr. Zeller wouldn''t have any trouble," Melissa said with a relieved smile. She immediately made a face at Candace. "Bleh! You old woman, dreaming of making me steal for you? Fat chance! You have no idea who my boss really is." But then she paused, suddenly remembering something. "Wait... Felix, did you say she''s a dying woman?"


    Felix nodded. "Yes, her blood vitality is severely depleted. It''s probably due to a martial arts mishap. No wonder she dared provoke the Warlord in such a public area-she must''ve thought she was invincible."


    Candace felt her heart sinkpletely. Felix had discerned her martial arts problem and diagnosed her condition with uncanny precision in a single nce. She realized now that she had stumbled upon someone whose expertise inbat and medicine was unparalleled.


    Felix walked over to the rolling shutter and opened it. He motioned with his hand, and the Warlord of Thunder and his team rushed inside. When they saw Candace standing frozen in ce, even Xena couldn''t help but gasp.


    If she didn''t know better, she wouldn''t believe that the motionless figure was the infamous Five of Hearts from the Thirteen Aces.


    "Take her away!" the Warlord of Thundermanded with a grin. The crisis was resolved, and as the operation''smander, capturing Candace without any casualties was a significant sess.


    "Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Zeller," the Warlord said, nodding appreciatively.


    "You''re wee. It''s what I should do," Felix replied casually. "But she only has about seven days left to live. Whatever you n to do with her, you''d better do it quickly."


    The Warlord''s eyes gleamed with interest. He remembered that Felix owned Tranquil Clinic, a renowned traditional medicine practice, and his assessment carried weight.


    "That information is incredibly valuable. Thank you again," the Warlord said sincerely.


    Just as the Warlord and his team were about to leave, Melissa suddenly leaned in and nted a kiss on Felix''s cheek.


    "Mr. Zeller, you''re amazing!"


    Xena, who had been silently watching, exploded in anger.


    "Felix Zeller! You''re disgusting!" she spat, her face flushed with fury.


    Felix''s expression darkened. Melissa''s impulsive act had undoubtedly worsened his already strained rtionship with Xena.


    Before he could respond, Candace suddenly roared, "Save me! You can tell I don''t have long to live, so your medical skills must be extraordinary. If you''re willing to save me and ensure the authorities don''t execute me, I''ll tell you a massive secret!" Felix remained indifferent, while the Warlord of Thunder scoffed. He had seen far too many people spout nonsense in desperation before their inevitable deaths.


    "Take her away," the Warlord said dismissively.


    But Candace''s next words stopped everyone in their tracks.


    "The secret I know involves the lives of tens of thousands of people. Are you really willing to ignore that?"

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    Tens of thousands of people? The weight of that number was staggering. In Dragonia, whererge-scale incidents had been avoided for years, even a disaster involving a few hundred people would be considered catastrophic-something no one could afford to be held ountable for.


    It was precisely this fear of coteral damage that had Xena and the Warlord of Thunder so concerned earlier.


    Felix, on the other hand, didn''t seem particrly moved. After all, there was no guarantee that what Candace was saying was true.


    For all he knew, she could just be spewing nonsense in a desperate attempt to avoid death.


    But the expression on the Warlord of Thunder and Xena''s faces hadpletely changed. If Candace had shared this information privately with only the two of them present, they might have dismissed it as a lie.


    However, with so many people in the clinic, including civilians like Felix and Melissa, they couldn''t take that risk. If they ignored her and a tragedy of this magnitude actually urred, they would undoubtedly be held ountable.


    And, if tens of thousands of lives were truly at stake, their own executions as punishment would be all but certain.


    "That sounds convincing," the Warlord of Thunder said. His sharp gaze fixed on Candace, searching for any sign of deception to help him make a judgment.


    But Candace seemed fully prepared for this moment. She said calmly, "I wouldn''t dare say such things without proof. But I''ll only share it if the three of you remain. Everyone else must leave."


    She pointed at Felix, Xena, and the Warlord of Thunder as the three she wanted to stay.


    "Fine," the Warlord said coldly. "If there''s even a hint of a lie, I''ll make sure you experience true despair before you die. Everyone else, out!"


    Melissa, brimming with curiosity, gave Felix ¨¢ pleading look, silently begging to stay. But Felix shook his head. Given the gravity of the situation, confidentiality was paramount.


    -


    Finally, the clinic emptied, leaving only the four of them. The Warlord of Thunder nced at Candace, who took a deep breath before speaking.


    "I bet even your government doesn''t know this my husband was the Six of Hearts in the Thirteen Aces."


    The Six of Hearts? Both the Warlord and Xena exchanged a surprised look, their brows furrowing in thought. The Warlord, noticing Felix''s curiosity, exined further.


    "Mr. Zeller, there are two figures in the Thirteen Aces who are exceptionally mysterious. One is the Ace of Hearts, ranked first, and the other is the Six of Hearts, code-named Chaos. We have very little information about either of them." It wasn''t surprising that the government didn''t know everything, but the revtion that Candace was married to Chaos caught them off guard.


    "Chaos is dead," Candace said softly, her eyes filled with sorrow and longing. The depth of her feelings for her husband was unmistakable


    "He was fatally injured while trying to steal something to prolong my life. He only managed to say a few words to me before passing away."


    The Warlord''s voice cut through herment. "I''m not interested in your love story. Get to the point."


    Candace collected herself and continued. "It was Chaos who told me this- there''s a powerful sect secretly creating necrobound creatures. It won''t be long before they evolve into Skybound Revenants." "What?"


    The three of them reacted simultaneously their faces changing at the mention of Skybound Revenants.


    Candace''s voice rang out again, grim and urgent. "You should all know how terrifying a Skybound Revenant is. It can fly, burrow, and possess immense power.


    "Necrobounds thrive on human vitality. If one of them sessfully evolves into a Skybound Revenant, I''d say the death of tens of thousands of people would be a conservative estimate."

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    Candace noticed that the three


    Candace noticed that the three of them remained silent, their faces somber.


    She continued, "I am aware that your headquarters houses powerful masters who may be able to defeat Skybound Revenant. However, by the time they arrive at the scene, many innocent lives may have already been lost." The Warlord of Thunder and Xena''s expressions darkened, knowing that Candace was speaking the truth.


    While the headquarters may have strong individuals who can handle dangerous situations, it takes time for them to reach their destination. At that time, how many more people would fall victim was something unknown. Plus, modern weapons like missiles were not effective against a single target, and no one knew for certain how fast Skybound Revenant could move. The fact that he could fly only added to the problem at hand. "Do you have proof? We can''t just take your word for it," the Warlord said.


    Suddenly, Candace pulled out a small, round ss container from inside her arm.


    "My husband gave this to me. Inside is a mple of Skybound Revenant''s skin tissue in its Elder Revenant stage. You can conduct tests on it and see that I''m telling the truth."


    The Warlord of Thunder took the container. With a wave of his right hand, the Warlord of Thunder rendered Candace unconscious, and she fell to the ground.


    "I''ll arrange for someone to transport it immediately to headquarters for testing. Candace''s statement must be reported to the headquarters as well. The two of us cannot make a decision on this matter.


    "You stay here and watch over Candace. With Mr. Zeller present, even if she wakes won''t be able to cause any trouble."


    up, she


    Xena nodded in agreement. As the Warlord of Thunder left, Felix and Xena were left alone in the clinic, and an awkward atmosphere was hanging between them.


    "That''s Melissa, an employee at my clinic. She can be a handful sometimes, but there''s nothing between us," Felix exined.


    A hint of joy sparked inside Xena, but she maintained a stoic expression. "There''s no need to exin it to me. I''m not someone significant to you anyway."


    Felix''s smile turned bitter as he realized that winning Xena back was not a task that could be achieved quickly. They bothpsed into silence, and Felix knew better than to break it with any words that would only make him seem foolish.


    After an hour, the Warlord of Thunder finally returned. "The test results are in."


    For such a crucial matter to be resolved this quickly, the sample must have been transported back by a fighter jet.


    "Is this actually real?" Xena asked.


    The Warlord of Thunder''s facial expression gave away the answer.


    "Yes, it is indeed skin tissue from an Elder Revenant. Candace did not lie."


    A grave expression crossed Xena''s face, and Candace was the only one who knew which group was perfecting the Necrobound-a crucial piece of information.


    "What did the headquarters say?" Xena questioned.


    "They asked us to take Candace back. There are already master healers on standby there," the Warlord replied.


    It was clear that the headquarters did not want Felix, a regr person, to be involved. Despite Candace''s wishes for Felix to help with the illness, it was out of the question. "Okay! Then let''s go.''


    Felix didn''t have much to say about this.t wasn''t for Xena, he wouldn''t have wanted to be involved at all. Luckily, he had a way out of the situation now.


    "Thank you for your help, Mr. Zeller," the Warlord of Thunder greeted Felix with gratitude.


    "You''re wee. It''s my duty as a citizen," Felix replied with a friendly smile.


    As the Warlord of Thunder reached out to Candace, her body suddenly started convulsing. Blood began to trickle from her nose and mouth. With a single nce, Felix let out a heavy sigh. This is problematic.


    ¡ö¡õ

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    "Mr. Zeller, she can''t die! Hurry up and do something!" the Warlord of Thunder shouted.


    At this moment, no one cared about anything else. The Warlord of Thunder immediately became anxious. If Candace died, the whereabouts, of Skybound Revenant would never be known again.


    Even if they searched sect by sect, there would be too many unexpected situations that could ur. Moreover, who could guarantee that what Candace said about the sect was the truth? What if she had held something back? Felix shook his head in response.


    13


    "The impact of the martial energy on her body is currently taking its toll. Any external interference will only worsen the damage instead of promoting healing."


    After a few minutes, Candace''s body stopped convulsing, and there was no more blooding from her nose and mouth.


    "Is she okay now?"


    Xena also turned to Felix, knowing how skilled he was in medicine.


    "It stopped, but she''s gotten even weaker. When I first saw her, I thought she had about a week left, but now it looks like she only has three days.


    "Please don''t try to touch or move her again. After all, it involves the martial energy, and I can''t really exin exactly what''s going on. If another episode happens, she won''t make it


    With swift determination, the Warlord of Thunder pulled out his phone and dialed headquarters.


    Once off the call, he turned to Felix, stating, "The headquarters will send a team to treat Candace right away."


    Then, he directed his attention back to Felix. "Mr. Zeller, it looks like we will need to continue using your premises. I apologize for the inconvenience."


    "Don''t worry. In the worst-case scenario, the clinic will only be closed for a day. I''m going to head out now, but please make sure to tidy up before you leave."


    The Warlord of Thunder was hesitant to speak, afraid that his request might be too bold. He discreetly nced at Xena. As a person of his rank and stature, he could clearly tell that the rtionship between these two was a bit unusual. It was best for Xena to ask, but now she was faced with a dilemma. She secretly hoped that Felix would leave so she wouldn''t have to see him anymore. However, if Candace needed


    help urgently, only Felix could step in and prevent any disasters from urring.


    "Felix, could you stay here for a bit longer? Until the doctors from headquarters arrive," Xena said.


    Felix shook his head in response. "It wouldn''t make a difference if I stayed. And if she doesn''t recover, I''ll bear the me. If those headquarters you brought up had faith in me, they wouldn''t be sending other doctors over needlessly." A flicker of embarrassment appeared on the Warlord of Thunder''s face. He pulled out his phone and stepped outside. "I''ll take this call outside."


    As soon as he was out of sight, Xena could finally rx her guard. "You don''t have to put up a front with me! I know who you really are. Are you seriously going to be this obstinate? If you have any terms, just say them."


    Felix couldn''t help but smile. Her words were what he had been waiting for. He gestured to his face and said, "If you give me a kiss, not only will I stay, but I''ll also assist you whenever you ask in the future."


    Xena''s anger was palpable as she snorted and turned her head away. "You want me to kiss you? That''s impossible!" she eximed.


    Felix took a step toward the door, ready to eave without another word. Seeing that, Xena was angry and stomped her feet with frustration.


    ""Wait!"


    She knew deep down that she wasn''t ready to let Felix go. Their feelings hadn''t faded during their time apart. It was clear from how upset she got at Melissa''s actions earlier. Xena walked over and nted a gentle kiss on Felix''s cheek.

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    "Happy now?" Xena asked, her expression displeased.


    "Very," Felix replied with a smile and a nod. Dealing with someone like Xena required a different approach. In fact, he wasn''t trying to take advantage of her-it was just a way to keep their dynamic intact. After all, chances to outmaneuver Xena didn''te often. As the sun set, the people from headquarters finally arrived-a gray-haired elder and a middle-aged man.


    "Greetings, Marine Asura and Dr. Dixon," Xena said politely.


    She had already given Felix a heads-up about the two visitors. The middle-aged man was Marine Asura, a Hellbringer from headquarters, whose strength was so formidable that even the Warlord of Thunder was no match for him.


    The elder was Craig Dixon, the most skilled physician in the headquarters.


    "Who is he? Why is he allowed to be here?" Craig asked, ncing at Felix with a frown. His curt tone hinted at his bad temper.


    "Dr. Dixon, this is Felix Zeller, the owner of this clinic. He''s a reclusive expert, hiding in in sight. Not only is he highly skilled in hartial arts, but his medical expertise is exceptional as well. So-"


    The Warlord of Thunder, aware of Craig''s temperament, quickly exined, emphasizing Felix''s importance. But Craig cut him off anyway.


    "How capable could he possibly be? This is a serious matter. Otherwise, headquarters wouldn''t have sent me and Marine Asura here. Have him leave."


    Felix wasn''t offended and had no intention of putting the Warlord of Thunder or Xena in a difficult position. He simply said, "I''ll take my leave then."


    As Felix stepped outside, Alistair immediately approached him and said, "Mr. Zeller, mdy asked if you could stay nearby for a little longer."


    "Sure," Felix replied, secretly pleased. It was evident that Xena trusted his medical skills more than Craig''s.


    Inside the clinic, Craig began examining Candace. His frown deepened with each passing


    moment.


    "This is serious. Her martial energy malfunctioned, causing severe damage to her body. While the internal and external injuries are treatable, Candace''s martial energy must not activate on its own during my treatment. If it does, not only will all efforts be in vain, but she could die instantly." Chapter 708


    Craig was merely stating the facts, not seekin acupoint, Candace immediately regained con


    "I''m Dr. Dixon, sent by headquarters. I shall I process, you must control your martial energ Candace, now fully conscious, rolled her eyes energy, would I have been injured to this exte


    Her suspicion about his medical skills infuria mere fugitive, speak to me like that. I am a ma Candace sneered coldly. "Stop putting on airs ''here and couldn''t care less about your status!


    She then turned to the Warlord of Thunder an confirmed his skills, so why not let him treat r ipetent old man here?"


    After hearing her increasingly insulting tone, hand, about to strike her. Thankfully, Marine "Calm down, Dr. Dixon! Remember how impo Craig took several deep breaths, barely manag "Do your best to control your martial energy a


    Upon seeing the old man''s stubbornness, Can one question for you. How much longer will I I


    +25 BOWS


    Craig was merely stating the facts, not seeking anyone''s opinion. After striking a specific acupoint, Candace immediately regained consciousness.


    "I''m Dr. Dixon, sent by headquarters. I shall begin your treatment now. During the process, you must control your martial energy and make sure it doesn''t activate." Candace, now fully conscious, rolled her eyes and said, "If I could control my martial energy, would I have been injured to this extent? Do you even know what you''re doing?"


    Her suspicion about his medical skills infuriated Craig. "You insolent brat! How dare you, a mere fugitive, speak to me like that. I am a master healer!"


    Candace sneered coldly. "Stop putting on airs. I don''t care who you are-I''m about to die ''here and couldn''t care less about your status!"


    She then turned to the Warlord of Thunder and asked, "Where''s Dr. Zeller? You''ve already confirmed his skills, so why not let him treat me instead? Who called this irritable, ipetent old man here?"


    After hearing her increasingly insulting tone, Craig''s rage boiled over, and he raised his hand, about to strike her. Thankfully, Marine Asura stopped him just in time.


    "Calm down, Dr. Dixon! Remember how important Candace is.''


    Craig took several deep breaths, barely managing to suppress his anger.


    "Do your best to control your martial energy and leave the rest to me," he ordered again.


    Upon seeing the old man''s stubbornness, Candace''s voice turned icy. "Old geezer, I''ve got one question for you. How much longer will I live?"


    Chacter 70

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    Craig responded with great confidence, "Based on your physical condition, I''d say you have at least two months to live. But it''s hard to say if we factor in the bacsh from your martial energy." Candace sneered. "Ha! I knew you were a joke. Dr. Zeller could tell with just one look that I only had a few days to live. You can''tpare to him! Hurry up and bring Dr. Zeller to treat me!" Craig, who had been crouching, stood up in fury.


    "Fine! Let''s see how capable this Dr. Zeller of yours really is. You said he''s better than me? Warlord of Thunder, go bring him back this instance."


    In fact, Craig had already thought it through. He didn''t have much confidence in treating Candace. If her martial energy activated during treatment, he would be the one responsible for her death, destroying his hard-earned reputation. But with Felix as a scapegoat, he could easily shift the me onto him.


    The Warlord of Thunder was astonished.


    Craig was one of the best physicians in Donia. Aside from the top-ranked master healer, Lemuel Morris, other physicians like Ss and Xander couldn''tpare to him. Could Felix really be better than such a skilled healer?


    The Warlord of Thunder was already shocked that Felix could surpass him in strength at such a young age. If Felix also possessed such extraordinary medical skills, he would be left speechless.


    With Xena present, Felix soon re-entered the clinic. Candace''s attitude shifted immediately upon seeing him. "Dr. Zeller! Please, save me! If you cure me, I''ll tell you the secret you want to know." Since Felix had already agreed to Xena, he waved his hand and instructed without hesitation, "Come inside with me. The rest of you stay here."


    However, Craig suddenly interjected.


    "Young man! If you''re going to treat her, do it here in front of us. Candace is an important person; we can''t afford any idents. Who knows what you might do once you''re out of our sight." Though Craig nned to shift the me onto Felix, he didn''t bother hiding his disdain for him. He refused to believe that a young brat like Felix could surpass his medical skills.


    "As you mentioned, Candace is very important, so I allowed all of you to remain in the clinic; otherwise, I would''ve asked you all to leave."


    Craig sneered. "A confident physician wouldn''t care about being watched during treatment. Clearly, you''re hiding something from us!"


    Craig wasying the groundwork forter. If Candace died, he could pin the me on Felix, iming he had intentionally killed her under the guise of treatment.


    Several onlookers frowned at Craig''s harsh words. They knew his bad temper, but they felt he was going too far this time. Was it because he felt disrespected in his own field of expertise? "Fine! If you can''t trust me, I''ll leave!" Felix''s temper red..


    This was the first time he had met Craig. They had barely exchanged a few words, yet Craig ''was already treating him with such an attitude. It was clear that Craig was up to something. "Felix," Xena called out softly, effortlessly halting him in his tracks.


    "Heh, this young man sure has a big temper. Either you treat her now under our watch or scram! There''s no room for negotiation," Craig said confidently. When it came to treating Candace, he held absolute authority, and no one dared to challenge him, especially given his unique status in headquarters. Felix exchanged a nce with Xena, tryin to suppress his


    anger.


    Xena, on the other hand, felt deeply sorry for him. He had nothing to do with this, yet here he was, being humiliated after being summoned to assist.

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    Xena wanted to speak up for Felix, but she realized it would be futile, considering even the Warlord of Thunder didn''t dare to say a word. Not only would her efforts be meaningless, but she might also end up offending Craig. Suddenly, Felix turned to Craig and said, "Fine! I''ll treat her in front of all of you. But if I seed, you must bow and apologize to me."


    Craig gritted his teeth. "What did you just say? Even your mentor has to show respect to me. How dare a young brat like you try to humiliate me?"


    Felix sneered. "If you don''t agree to it, I''ll take my leave now. I''m sure someone of your caliber, as a master healer, will have no trouble curing Caden. Why would I make a fool of myself?" "If you won''t agree, I''ll take my leave now. I''m sure someone of your caliber-a master/healer-can handle curing Candace without any problem. Why should I embarrass myself?"


    Seeing Felix actually turning to leave, Xena chose to let him be. She knew it would be uself to try to make him stay. On top of that, she also thought Craig had gone too far. She would really much like to see how Craig would handle things after Felix left. Craig stood frozen, his expression ashen. He realized he had backed himself into a corner.


    If Felix, the scapegoat, walked away, Craig would be forced to treat Candace himself, leaving no one else to take the me if things went wrong.


    "Fine! If you manage to cure her, I''ll bow and apologize to you," Craig said through gritted teeth. "But if you fail, I''ll have every reason to believe you intended to kill Candace under the guise of treatment. I trust you''ve prepared to face the consequences, aren''t you?" Felix didn''t bother wasting more words on the shameless Craig. He stepped toward Candace and said, "Just stand still and leave the rest to me.''


    Even though Candace trusted Felixpletely he was the first person to urately determine how much time she had left-she couldn''t help but feel nervous about the treatment.


    "Dr. Zeller," she called out hesitantly. "A-Are you sure this will work? I have no control over my martial energy, after all."


    Felix smiled confidently and reassured her, "Don''t worry. If I say it''ll work, it will. Trust me


    I''m a doctor."


    Craig sneered inwardly, already plotting how to shift the me onto Felix if anything went wrong. Did the young man truly think he could humiliate him without facing consequences?


    Felix, on the other hand, was fortunate. If he hadn''t refined the fourth Dragonspine,


    .


    further enhancing his strength, he wouldn''t have been so confident about curing Candace. Once everything was ready, Felix raised both hands and had seven silver needles glinting between his fingers. Craig remained unfazed.


    Candace''s condition was far from stable. Even if Felix''s skills matched his own, sess would require incredible luck-especially with the high likelihood of Candace''s martial energy activating during the treatment. Craig had personally examined her and knew the odds were stacked against him.


    Suddenly, three silver needles shot out andnded precisely on Candace''s acupoints. In ''the blink of an eye, another three followed.


    When the final needle wasunched, Craig''s expression shifted. He sensed something was amiss, but he couldn''t pinpoint what it was.


    "That''s it?" the Warlord of Thunder asked instinctively.


    From what he had seen, the treatment seemed almost childlike. He wondered if Felix had truly cured Candace''s condition-something even Craig had struggled with-using just seven silver needles. Before Felix could respond, an unexpected turn of events unfolded.


    Candace suddenly began convulsing violently, and arge amount of blood gushed from her mouth and nose.


    Xena''s jaw dropped at the sight, her mind racing with dread.


    Was Felix going to end up in prison?

 With Husband 711

    At this moment, Xena and the Warlord of Thunder knew the symptoms all too well. After all, they had witnessed it happening before when Candace''s martial energy went haywire. Did this mean that not only had Felix failed, but Candace was also going to die? If the situation weren''t so dire, Craig would have burst outughing.


    "You fool! When Candace''s martial energy starts activating like this, not even the gods can save her. Those seven needles weren''t meant to heal; they would just elerate her condition. You clearly have bad intentions!"


    Beside him, Marine Asura''s expression darkened too. Everyone knew how important Candace was, and he felt partially responsible for this situation.


    "Who said I failed?" Felix remained calm as he threw the question back at Craig.


    "How dare you argue with me? I''ve examined Candace''s condition myself. Another surge of martial energy will kill her! Don''t think you can dodge responsibility with empty words!"


    As he spoke, Craig thrust an using finger at Felix. "Marine Asura, arrest this brat and take him back to headquarters for questioning. He surely had bad motives by attempting a treatment far beyond his capabilities!"


    Just as Marine Asura moved to act, Candace''s convulsions suddenly stopped. She stood motionless with her head down as if she had died.


    "See that? What do you have to say now?" Craig let out a relieved sigh. It had been too close. All responsibility would have fallen on him if he had performed the treatment. Ironically, this arrogant brat''s interference had worked in his favor. "Wait, Marine Asura! If Candace were truly dead, how could she still be standing? We should observe further." Xena had to interject at this moment. Deep down, she still


    believed in Felix.


    Just as Craig scoffed, Candace''s voice rang out, "I''m cured! I feel totally fine now!"


    Everyone turned to look. Candace had lifted her head, and her eyes were sparkling with excitement. "Thank you, Dr. Zeller. I can feel my body has fully recovered. I can even control my martial energy now."


    "That''s impossible!" Craig blurted out, his expression frozen in shock. "Your martial energy was clearly activating itself-how are you still alive?"


    Candace''s expression darkened at his words. "Hey, you old fool! Are you really from headquarters? Thousands of lives are at stake, and everyone''s hoping I''ll survive to reveal the Necrobound''s location. Yet you''re here wishing for my death, aren''t you?" Her words jolted Craig into silence. He dared not let her pursue this further, as the


    consequences would be severe.


    "Now, you can bow and apologize to me." Felix stepped forward and faced Craig..


    His principle was simple-he would not start trouble, but that did not mean he would back down from it either. Craig had gone too far. Regardless of his status, he needed to be taught a lesson.


    As everyone turned to watch, Craig''s face turned red with rage. He defended himself, "How can you prove Candace''s recovery had anything to do with you? You think seven mere needles could cure such a serious condition? You may act the part well, but you just got lucky."


    Damn, this old man really had the audacity to say such things! Not just Felix, but even the Warlord and others could not stand it anymore, though they dared not speak up.


    "You''re something else, old man. Just because you can''t do something, you assume others can''t either. I might be a ruthless killer, but at least my moralpass works. Nothing disgusts me more than hypocrites who hide behind their age and status."


    While others held their tongues, Candace spoke freely. Though she would not die, she was facing lifelong imprisonment anyway. What did she have to lose by offending someone?

 With Husband 712

    Chapter 712 Chapter


    712


    Craig chose to ignore thosements. Until Candace revealed her information, no one


    could touch her.


    "Well, well, are you trying to weasel your way out of this?" Candace questioned.


    "Weasel my way out?" Craig nced at Felix with coldness and disdain. "I was practicing medicine before you were even born. If it weren''t for your dumb luck today, you wouldn''t even deserve to speak to me. Let''s go, and bring Candace along!" Xena could only shake her head apologetically at Felix as she followed Craig toward the exit.


    But then Felix''s voice rang out, "This is the Seven Points of Transcendence! It harnesses the essence of all things. While I won''t im it can raise the dead, ites pretty close.


    "The final step requires all seven needles to merge into one before injecting the extracted essence back into the patient. Only then is the techniqueplete. Are you trying to take my patient away before I''ve even finished the treatment?"


    Everyone froze in their tracks. Candace was the first to rush back, her expression suddenly eager. "Dr. Zeller, please don''t mess with me. My body can''t take any more experiments."


    Xena and the Warlord of Thunder turned back with mixed expressions. Xena spoke first. " Felix, this isn''t something to joke about."


    She thought Felix was just being spiteful. After all, everyone could see how healthy Candace looked now. How could the treatment not be over yet?


    Meanwhile, Craig''s eyes widened in shock, as if he had just heard something incredible. He finally realized why Felix''s needle technique had seemed familiar-it was the legendary Seven Points of Transcendence!


    This technique was even more advanced than Five Points of Ascension and soplex that Craig had given up hope of ever mastering it himself. Yet Felix was actually able to perform it now. No wonder Candace survived when her martial energy was activated and went haywire.


    The Seven Points of Transcendence was renowned for its power among all traditional medicine practitioners.


    Since the instructions had been passed down since ancient times, anyone with decent connections could obtain copies. So, even if they could not perform the task themselves, they would definitely recognize the real thing when they saw it.


    Rumor had it that in all of Dragonia, only the miracle doctor and Lemuel, the current top-ranked doctor, could perform it. Who would believe that someone as young as Felix had mastered this legendary technique?


    "I''m stating facts. Since I''ve decided to treat Candace, I''ll surely see it through. Nothing else matters."


    Then, Felix raised his right hand, and the seven needles pressed together. Incredibly, they began to writhe and merge into a single needle. This sight alone was extraordinary.


    In the next moment, the needle flew forward and pierced the spot between Candace''s brow. "The needle will fall out on its own in ten minutes. Nobody should touch it until then, or you''ll face the consequences. Alright, now you can leave." Even someone as powerful as Marine Asura wanted to befriend Felix now. Having such a skilled physician as an ally could only be beneficial. But remembering his earlier behavior, he felt too embarrassed to speak up.


    Craig stood there conflicted before suddenly stepping forward. "I''m sorry for earlier-"


    Felix spun around with a cold expression. He said, "Get lost! I don''t need apologies from trash like you."

 With Husband 713

    No one expected Felix to be so harsh toward Craig. Even Xena was startled.


    "You!" Craig''s expression darkened; no one had ever dared treat him this way. It was utterly humiliating.


    "Get out of my clinic! Now!" Felix would not have gone this far if Craig had apologized earlier. But now he was only apologizing because he realized it was the Seven Points of Transcendence. That was toote! "Hmph!" It would be too humiliating for Craig to stay there, so he turned and stormed out. Only Xena remained.


    "You went too far. Craig holds a high position at headquarters."


    Felix''s smile returned. "Don''t worry. I couldn''t care less about trash like him."


    Before Xena could respond, she remembered something. Their legendary Chief


    Commander was Felix''s fellow apprentice. If Craig tried to use his position against Felix, he would be fighting a losing battle.


    "Got it. Anyway, thank you for everything," Xena said.


    Felix pointed to his cheek with a chuckle. "If you want to thank me, how about another kiss?"


    "You jerk!" she snapped before leaving. Felix chuckled to himself. After today''s events, he knew that his chances of reconciliation would be very high if Willow were willing to speak up for him.


    As for the Necrobound, which was nearly evolving into a Skybound Revenant, that was not his problem.


    Just as he was closing the clinic and about to drive home, Felix spotted Clement entering a small restaurant only a few doors down. Felix had eaten there before.


    Despite the size of the restaurant, the food was excellent. Most shop owners in the area went there for lunch. Felix went in without hesitation. "Lance, I''ll have the fries, steak, and


    pasta."


    "1


    "Hey, Felix! Closing the clinicte today?" The earlier lockdown had been kept strictly confidential. No one knew what had happened, let alone the fact that it involved Tranquil Clinic.


    "Felix?" Sitting at the next table, Clement looked up from his table when he heard Felix''s voice. He looked surprised too.


    "Oh, hey, what brings you here alone?" Felix asked in mock surprise.


    Clement waved him over. "You should join me. I was just thinking it''s boring drinking alone. Do you have time for a few drinks?" There was a bottle of premium liquor on the table. Felix sat down across from him. "Sure, I''ve got nothing else going on anyway." After the food arrived, Felix had a few drinks before asking, "Something seems to be bothering you. Do you want to talk about it?" Clement shook his head and took another drink "It''s nothing, justpany troubles. Talking about it will only make it worse. Come on, let''s drink!"


    Two hourster, Felix was helping a drunk Clement to his front door when Willow rushed ''out. "He''s just drunk, don''t worry."


    With worry in her eyes, Willow quickly said, "Could you help me get him to bed? I''m not strong enough."


    "Of course!"


    After settling Clement in, they went downstairs where Willow poured some tea. "Here, Felix. This will help with the alcohol. I''m so d he was with you. I was worried sick when he wouldn''t answer his phone or texts." Willow looked quite troubled too.


    A


    "What''s really going on? We''re neighbors. If there''s anything I can help with, just say the word," Felix said.


    Willow managed a weak smile. "You can''t help with this one. It''s apany issue. We have cash flow problems, so he tried getting a bank loan, but banks these days are too shrewd.


    "When our business is doing well, they beg us to take loans. But they act differently when it''s struggling. Hah!"

 With Husband 714

    Felix pretended to think for a moment before saying, "I treated someone who works at a bank. We''re on good terms, though I''m not sure about his position there or if he can help." Willow''s eyes instantly brightened up. "Really


    But she quickly became self-conscious. "No, we shouldn''t burden you with using your connections. Just forget I mentioned it.''


    Felix smiled. "They say good neighbors are like family. It''s fate that brought. us together as neighbors and Queenie, too. If there''s any trouble, of course, I''ll help if I can. I''ll make a call tomorrow and contact Clement if it works out." At this point, Willow could not refuse. Besides, thepany was nearly at a dead end. Felix was not really an outsider anymore, and he had proven himself trustworthy, though they hadn''t known each other long.


    The next morning, Clement called just as Felix arrived at the clinic. "Felix, please don''t listen to Willow''s rambling. She sometimes speaks without thinking, so don''t take it seriously."


    R


    These two were genuinely good people. Even with a glimmer of hope, they still did not


    want to trouble others.


    "I''ve already made the call. Though he didn''t specify his position at the bank, he said he could definitely help with a loan. The details would depend on meeting in person.


    "I was actually about to call you because I booked a restaurant tonight. You have toe! you really feel like you''re troubling me, you can make it up by buying me some good wer," Felix said.


    Clement''s voice was trembling. "Of course! I won''t forget this favor. Whether it works out or not, you''re a true friend, Felix."


    Just after he hung up, Melissa said, "You have dinner ns tonight? Why not take me along? I won''t embarrass you since I have such amazing looks and a good figure, right?"


    Felix yfully pinched Melissa''s nose. "Focus on work. Haven''t you noticed you''ve gaine weight? What figure are you talking about?"


    "What! I''ve gotten fat?" Melissa was startled. Weight really was a woman''s deadliest enemy. She immediately walked toward the scale.


    Unknown to Felix, an elderly man appeared to look around aimlessly across the street. Bi his attention was actually fixed on Felix. After a few minutes, a middle-aged man approached and nodded slightly. Then, they walked away together. Chapter 714


    They walked three blocks before getting into a car.


    "Did you get the information?" After the elderly man asked, the middle-aged man took out his phone.


    "Yes! The young man''s name is Felix Zeller. He''s new to Gray City and runs that ce called Tranquil Clinic."


    Displeased, the elderly man frowned. "I want the other information."


    This surface-level intel was easy to get through basic connections, which was fine for investigating ordinary people. But was Felix ordinary?


    "Yes, sir! Felix previously lived in Avesburgh and Canraville. He seems to be an Oceanus Realm master, and his medical skills definitely rank in Dragonia''s top ten. He briefly dated Xena Summers, the Phoenix Warlord, and has had quite a lot of contact with Lady N." After hearing this detailed report, the elderly man took a few deep breaths. "Indeed, he''s no ordinary person. Don''t alert him yet. I need to request someone''s help."


    As the car started moving, the elderly man looked out the window. "Mason, just sit by and watch. I''ll avenge you soon."

 With Husband 715

    At the Tranquil Clinic, a man walked in.


    "How can I help you today?" Melissa greeted him but immediately felt something was off. The visitor''s gaze wandered shamelessly over her body. Even though she was fully dressed, she felt an urge to cover herself with her arms.


    "You fatso! What''s wrong with you? What the hell are you looking at? Get out!" Melissa was not one to hide her feelings. Even if the fat man was actually sick, she would not be polite since he was being way too inappropriate. The man cleared his throat and finally looked away. "Is Felix here? I''m his brother!"


    Brother? Melissa was startled and quickly changed her attitude. "Oh, you''re my boss'' brother! Please,e in."


    Just then, F¨¨lix''s voice rang out, "Like hell he is!"


    After justing out of the bathroom, Felix was instantly annoyed when he heard those words. When he saw it was actually Billy, the supervisor from Sixview Peak, he became even more irritated.


    "Come on, Felix. I must be a few months older than you. Calling me ''brother'' wouldn''t hurt, right?" Billy made himself at home as he plopped down in a chair. He then said to Melissa with a smile, "Sweetie, get me some tea. It has to be exactly 176 degrees Fahrenheit -no hotter, no cooler."


    After seeing Felix''s outburst, Melissa was not about to be nice. "Make it yourself!"


    She left the clinic after a signal from Felix. This fat guy was too annoying to be around.


    "Get to the point. You must''ve gone through some trouble to find me here,'' Felix said.


    Billy pouted, looking dissatisfied. "Last time, I left in a hurry and only remembered to con you out of money-I mean, introduce you to our products. My name is Billy Stefan."


    Felix almost spit out his water. The man''s formal name seemed quite a contrast to his appearance. "What do you really want?"


    Crossing his legs, Billy wore a huge grin. "Did you think I wanted toe? My mentor gave me a task to be friends with you. Though you''re way out of my league, I still had to show up toplete the assignment."


    Friends? Felix could not be bothered with this guy anymore. Not a single honest word hade out of his mouth.


    "As a friendship gift, here''s some news. Earlier, a powerful old man was watching you from outside for quite a while. He''s gone now.''


    Felix''s expression changed. If Billy wasn''t lying, there were only two possibilities. Either the Elders'' Council was stirring up trouble again, or-what he feared most-someone from the Jacobs family who could ess the Scarlet Thread had tracked him to Gray City and had been close enough to sense him.


    Either way, he needed to be on guard.


    "Your face tells me this news made a pretty good friendship gift. Now that we''re acquainted, I will take my leave."


    When he reached the door, Billy seemed to remember something. "Heh, that employee of yours isn''t any ordinary person. You better fire her if you can. Getting involved with her will only bring you troubleter."


    Felix watched as Billy left, his curiosity piqued. In just a few sentences, Billy had managed to make himself seem so mysterious. He was definitely not a simple man, but the question was whether he was friend or foe.


    That night, Clement entered a restaurant in Gray City wearing formal attire. Felix''s willingness to help might be hisst chance.


    When hispany was doing well, he was surrounded by friends and "brothers". Now that things were rough, he could barely find someone to talk to, let alone ask for favors. That old saying was true-sometimes a close neighbor could be better than a family member far away.


    Following the waiter toward their private room, the door to the opposite room opened.

 With Husband 716

    "Clement?" a middle-aged man with a huge belly stepped out and called out when he spotted Clement.


    "Oh, Vernon. Are you having dinner here, too?" Clement forced a smile and kept his tone polite, though he actually could not stand the sight of the man.


    Vernon Parker had been one of hispany''s veterans. After he took over when his father passed, he quickly discovered Vernon''s shady dealings behind the scenes. If left


    unchecked, those schemes would have eventually bankrupted thepany. So, Clement had fired him without hesitation.


    Life had a twisted sense of humor, though. Vernon''s nephew had struck it rich, which meant Vernon was now doing quite well himself. He would use his new power to undermine Clement''spany whenever possible.


    As Vernon walked over, his smile dripped with contempt. "Drop the act. We both know where we stand."


    Clement maintained hisposure. "Whatever happened, you were still one of our first employees. It''s only right that I show you proper respect."


    Vernon sneered, gesturing toward his private room. "I heard you''ve been desperate for loanstely. Well, let me tell you something. I''m dining with several bank lending directors right now. They''ve made it clear that no bank will touch your real estatepany." Leaning in closer, his voice became thick with mockery. "But for your father''s sake, I''ll make you a deal. Come to my office to kneel and apologize to me in front of all my employees, and I''ll make your loan problem disappear."


    Vernon then silently thought to himself, "That little punk! How dare he think he can fire me right after taking over? Let''s see how he likes living on the streets."


    "No, thanks!"


    The door closed, and Vernon was left fuming at Clement''s refusal. He immediately pulled out his phone to call his wife. "Honey, ask your friend if she can find out through Willow who Clement''s dining with tonight." -A few minutester, the answer came by text on WhatsApp.


    "He seems to be someone from Concord Bank who can help with loans, isn''t he?" Vernon smirked. "Hah! So, that''s why he won''t kneel. He''s found a glimmer of hope. Well, watch me crush it."


    After slipping the waiter a hundred-dor bill, Vernon returned to his room where five men were enjoying their meal while chatting happily.


    "Mr. Lotman, are you absolutely certain Clement''spany can''t get a loan from your bank?"


    Dous Lotman, who was wearing wire-rimmed sses, was the lending director at Concord Bank. It was a position of considerable influence. Normally, someone of Vernon''s status couldn''t even dream of dining with him


    But thanks to his well-connected nephew, certain doors had opened. "Absolutely! Don''t you trust my word? Given hispany''s situation, no bank would approve a loan. I''ve already blocked his number."


    Vernon thought for a moment before adding, "Clement''s in the room across from us. I hear he''s meeting with someone from Concord Bank who ims they can help with the loan." Dous'' face darkened as he stood up. "Is that so? Then, let''s go pay them ¨¤ toast. I''d love to meet whoever from Concord Bank that is making such bold promises."


    It was a matter of pride. He had just dered loans impossible, and now, someone was saying otherwise. If he did not handle this, he would surely be aughingstock.


    Vernon eagerly raised his ss and followed, his grin spreading from ear to ear. He thought, "Oh Clement, I''ll totally destroy you this time! I''ve been waiting for this day for so long."

 With Husband 717

    In the other private room, Felix had already arrived and was sitting with Clement. "Don''t worry. Someone has hit the back of his car. That''s what''s holding him up."


    Felix was telling the truth. When he hade up in the elevator, Dorian had called to apologize. He even sent a WhatsApp video of the ident scene as he was worried Felix might be angry.


    That was how driving was. No matter how good he could be behind the wheel, he could not control other drivers. Given Felix''s status at the bank, Dorian would not dare stand him up even if his life depended on it.


    "No problem at all. Guests can bete, and it''s perfectly normal. I really can''t thank you enough for all this trouble, Felix." Clement was socially smart enough to show the right attitude when asking for help. If he could not even tolerate someone beingte, what was the point of further discussion?


    "How big is yourpany''s funding gap? How much are you looking to borrow?"


    Hearing this, Clement thought Felix was worried he might take advantage of their connection to ask for too much.


    "A hundred million dors would be enough. You might not be familiar with how real estate works, but for a smallpany like mine, that amount would get us through this rough patch. Things would gradually improve after that."


    Only a hundred million dors? Felix stayed quiet, realizing just how far Clement''spany had fallen. Under his father''s leadership, it had been one of Gray City''s well-known real estate firms.


    Just then, the door opened. They expected Dorian, but Vernon and Dous walked in instead.


    "Mr. Lotman?" As a businessman, Clement had dealt with bank lending directors before and recognized Dous immediately.


    Seeing only two people in the room, Dous frowned. He did not even bother with a polite smile before speaking, "Clement, you''ve been in business long enough. Did you really think you could solve your problems by going around me?". Vernon watched with amusement. What was this idiot Clement thinking, trying to get a loan while bypassing the lending director?


    Clement immediately grasped the situation. "Mr. Lotman, you''ve got it wrong. I''m just having dinner with a friend,"


    Since Clement was ying dumb, Dous did not bother calling him out. "Fine. Enjoy your food, then. But let me be clear. Yourpany won''t get a loan. I don''t care about other


    banks, but at Concord Bank, nothing happens without my approval!"


    Dous then thought, "You son of a bitch! How dare you try to get a loan at my bank by going behind my back? Do you have a death wish?


    Clement could only manage a bitter smile. He could not afford to offend Dous. If he pushed too hard, no other bank would dare lend to him either, given Concord''s position in the industry.


    "Would Dorian Yardley not be able to help, too?" Felix had nned to stay quiet. But seeing these two bullying Clement like he was nothing, he could not keep his mouth shut.


    Everyone''s expression changed instantly at the mention of the name.


    Dous did not need boration. As lending director, he would be unemployed if he did not know Dorian. Vernon had met Dorian a few times by chance. While Clement had never met him, any businessman worth his salt knew Dorian Yardley as the branch manager of Concord Bank.


    Could Felix''s banking contact actually be Dorian? Was that even possible?


    "You brat! Who do you think you are? You think you can just throw that name around?" Dous red at Felix, certain he was not anyone important.


    "Why can''t I? Whatever Dorian''s position is, he''s my patient. If he doesn''t mind me using his name, why are youining about it?"


    So, Felix was just some punk trying to act tough by dropping names!

 With Husband 718

    Before Dous could respond, Vernon jumped in, saying, "Oh, Clement, look at thepany you''re keeping! If this gets back to Mr. Yardley, you won''t be able to survive anywhere in Gray City. You know the consequences." Clement was dumbfounded. He even started to wonder if Felix was just dropping names. After all, Dorian''s status was on apletely different level.


    Dous went even further by turning to Clement and saying, "Either you p him twice, or you''re cklisted at Concord Bank after tonight. Your choice."


    He had been looking for an excuse to put this arrogant brat in his ce. How dare someone try to get a loan while bypassing him, the lending director? Felix had just handed him the perfect opportunity. "Whew! Dr. Zeller, I''m so sorry that I''mte!"


    Just as Clement was about to throw them both out, heavy breathing came from the doorway. A man appeared, bent over and red-faced, clearly having run quite a distance.


    Before Felix could speak, Dous and Vernon turned. And they nearly dropped their sses in shock. "Mr. Yardley?"


    "Mr. Yardley!"


    Dous rushed over eagerly. "Mr. Yardley, are you alright? Should I call an ambnce?"


    It was rming to see the normally dignified Dorian in such a state.


    Dorian waved him off while catching his breath. He looked puzzled. "What are you doing here?"


    Felix walked over. "Hah! So, you''re the branch manager. Your staff here was just trying to get someone to p me."


    What?


    Dorian''s face darkened, and he pped Dous hard across the face. "How dare you disrespect Dr. Zeller? Get out! Report to HR tomorrow-you''re fired."


    Dous touched his cheek, stunned at how quickly things had turned. Not only had Felix actually brought Dorian, but Dorian even clearly respected him.


    But how was this possible? In all of Gray City, fewer than ten people had the status to dine with Dorian. No one would believe a young guy like Felix could be among them.


    Meanwhile, Vernon was trembling hard. If Clement had connections to the Concord Bank manager, hispany could return to its former glory in no time or maybe even surpass it easily. How could Vernon dare retaliate by then?


    "Mr. Yardley... you''re firing me?" Dous'' face darkened when he came to his senses, Dorian ignored him.


    but


    With a wave of his hand, Dorian''s secretary immediately escorted Dous and Vernon out.


    As the door closed, Dous turned to Dorian''s secretary, Amanda Pershton. "Ms. Pershton, don''t try to smooth things over with that ''he''s just angry'' or ''it''s temporary'' nonsense. I''m not buying it!"


    He had not climbed this far and almost became the vice manager without his own connections. He would not swallow this insult.


    Amanda''s expression turned strange before she leaned in to whisper, "Angry? You''d better listen to Mr. Yardley. That man is one of Concord Bank''s Diamond Card holders. Even our national branch managers have to show him respect. Your connections mean nothing!" Dous'' eyes widened, and his teeth chattered. He really felt like crying. After all, he knew exactly what a Diamond Card holder meant.


    The next moment, he grabbed Vernon''s throat in a rage. "Damn you! This is all your fault! I''ll kill you!"


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 With Husband 719

    In the private room, Clement was incredibly nervous. He never imagined Felix''s contact from Concord Bank would be Dorian Yardley, the prestigious branch manager himself.


    "Dr. Zeller, I wasn''t trying to keep secrets from you." After sitting down, Dorian smiled. He would have been in hot water if he had messed up this encounter.


    "It''s fine. Status isn''t important to me since you''re all my patients."


    Dorian''s smile widened. "No wonder your medical skills are so extraordinary at such a young age, Dr. Zeller! Few people could maintain such principles these days."


    Felix waved it off and turned to Clement. "Let me introduce my friend, Clement Parson. He''s the one I mentioned earlier who''s facing some troubles. I''d appreciate it if you could help, Dorian." Clement rushed over to shake hands as Dorian spoke, "That''s a small matter. Dr. Zeller saved my life, after all. I''d look like an ungrateful person if I couldn''t help with something this simple."


    By this point, Clement was too happy for words. It all made sense now. He did not expect Felix to have treated someone powerful like Dorian. Everyone would get sick regardless of their status, so having a skilled doctor as a friend was something anyone would want. When they returned to their neighborhood and parted ways, Clement went home to find Willow, who had obviously been waiting up.


    As his wife, she knew exactly how much tonight''s oue meant. "How did it go, Clement?"


    Clement was not tipsy at all, which worried her. In Dragonia''s business culture, no drinking usually meant no deal. But then Clement suddenly lifted her up in excitement.


    "We did it! Willow, you won''t believe this-Felix''s patient at Concord Bank was none other than the branch manager, Dorian Yardley, himself."


    What? Willow was stunned. Did that mean they had somehow acquainted themselves with the most powerful person possible?


    "And that''s not all. You should''ve seen what happened with that snake, Vernon..."


    After Clement finished the story, Willow finally rxed. "That''s wonderful! We really owe Felix our thanks."


    "We sure do! I can tell Felix is one of those rare, genuine people who''s so focused on medicine that he doesn''t have any ulterior motives. Having him as our neighbor is truly a


    Chapter 719 blessing!


    "We need to visit his ce and properly thank him soon. Our family''s saved now, and Mr. Yardley even offered 500 million dors instead of just 100 million dors." With that kind of money, Clement could move forward with severalnd projects that had been stalled due tock of funds. Thepany would definitely grow, Before Willow could speak, he lifted her up. "Is Darcy asleep?"


    Willow knew what he was thinking and nodded shyly. "Yes, sound asleep."


    Clement chuckled. "Let''s have our own private celebration tonight. You''ve been through so muchtely. I promise to get you some throat lozenges in the morning."


    The next day, as Felix walked toward his clinic, he saw Melissa yelling at someone inside a shop.


    "Hey, fatso! You''re doing this on purpose, aren''t you? I''ve never seen someone so thick-skinned! I dare you toe out here and argue with me! If you can''t win against me, you''d better close up shop!" Dragonians always loved a good street drama, especially when it involved a pretty woman yelling. As such, a crowd had already gathered.


    Seeing this, Felix rushed over and pulled Melissa into the clinic without hesitation.

 With Husband 720

    Chapter


    720


    "Why are you so fired up this early in the morning?" Felix asked.


    Melissa was still fuming. "Boss, haven''t you seen what happened to the shop next door? It turned into a floral wreath boutique overnight!"


    A floral wreath boutique? Felix hadn''t noticed earlier. He only remembered there being a beauty salon next door that was not doing well and was looking to sell. How did it be a floral wreath boutique?


    "Here''s to good business! Looking forward to being neighbors."


    Billy walked in with a grin, which sent Melissa storming to the back room with onestment, "That stupid fatso is the one who opened the boutique!"


    No wonder Melissa was so angry. No business would want a funeral flower shop next door.


    "Billy, what''s your deal here?"


    Billy grinned and said, "Nothing. I quit my job at Sixview Peak and need to make a living somehow. Since this is all I know, I figured I''d scrape by with a funeral shop. You know better than anyone how effective my merchandise is against spirits."


    His eyes lit up. "Isn''t it fate? We''re the perfect one-stop shop! When you can''t save your patients, I can take care of the aftermath. Talk about full service!"


    Felix rolled his eyes. "Get lost! None of my patients will ever need to buy anything from your shop."


    Opening a business was a free choice, and there was now against funeral shops. Felix was not really bothered.


    "Such a temper! Let me know if you need anything. Don''t be shy-we''re friends! I''ll give you a 50% discount."


    Yeah, right.


    Unable to figure out what Billy was really up to, Felix decided to just take things as they


    came.


    During lunch break, Felix visited a legitimate massage parlor. ording to Derek, his son, Darren Yeager, was the owner and usually worked the front desk. "Wee!" the greeter spoke up as Felix pointed to a young man sitting on a couch near the register.


    "I''m looking for your boss," Felix said.


    The greeter stepped aside and called out, "Boss, someone''s here to see you."


    The young man stood up, greeting Felix with a smile. Whether they knew each other or not, every visitor was a potential customer anyway. Do I know you?"


    Felix smiled and said, "No, I''m Felix. I''d like to buy something from you."


    He had promised Derek not to use force, and when dealing with ordinary people, money was the best way to get willing cooperation.


    "Buy something from me? Could you be more specific?"


    Darren seemed decent enough. Felix wondered why his rtionship with Derek had broken. Given the obvious age gap, Darren seemed to be ate-in-life child. "Sure, I''ll be direct. I want to purchase the Nightshade Discipline.''


    The Nightshade Discipline was the secret technique that allowed Derek to conceal his presence. It was so effective that even Felix, who had achieved several realms above him, could not detect him. Any martial artist would know how valuable such a technique was. Darren''s smile vanished instantly. "I don''t care how you found out about it, but please leave. It''s not for sale."


    This reaction surprised Felix, but he wasn''t about to give up. He held up one finger. "Let me make an offer-" Darren cut him off, "Leave! Someone offered a hundred million dors, and I turned them down. Get it?" Felix shook his head and spoke slowly, "I''m offering you an entire building."


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    "Why are you so fired up this early in the morning?" Felix asked.


    Melissa was still fuming. "Boss, haven''t you seen what happened to the shop next door? It turned into a floral wreath boutique overnight!"


    A floral wreath boutique? Felix hadn''t noticed earlier. He only remembered there being a beauty salon next door that was not doing well and was looking to sell. How did it be a floral wreath boutique?


    "Here''s to good business! Looking forward to being neighbors."


    Billy walked in with a grin, which sent Melissa storming to the back room with onestment, "That stupid fatso is the one who opened the boutique!"


    No wonder Melissa was so angry. No business would want a funeral flower shop next door.


    "Billy, what''s your deal here?"


    Billy grinned and said, "Nothing. I quit my job at Sixview Peak and need to make a living somehow. Since this is all I know, I figured I''d scrape by with a funeral shop. You know better than anyone how effective my merchandise is against spirits." His eyes lit up. "Isn''t it fate? We''re the perfect one-stop shop! When you can''t save your patients, I can take care of the aftermath. Talk about full service!"


    Felix rolled his eyes. "Get lost! None of my patients will ever need to buy anything from your shop."


    Opening a business was a free choice, and there was now against funeral shops. Felix was not really bothered.


    "Such a temper! Let me know if you need anything. Don''t be shy-we''re friends! I''ll give you a 50% discount." Yeah, right.


    Unable to figure out what Billy was really up to, Felix decided to just take things as they


    came.


    During lunch break, Felix visited a legitimate massage parlor. ording to Derek, his son, Darren Yeager, was the owner and usually worked the front desk. "Wee!" the greeter spoke up as Felix pointed to a young man sitting on a couch near the register.


    "I''m looking for your boss," Felix said.


    The greeter stepped aside and called out, "Boss, someone''s here to see you."


    The young man stood up, greeting Felix with a smile. Whether they knew each other or not, every visitor was a potential customer anyway. Do I know you?"


    Felix smiled and said, "No, I''m Felix. I''d like to buy something from you."


    He had promised Derek not to use force, and when dealing with ordinary people, money was the best way to get willing cooperation.


    "Buy something from me? Could you be more specific?"


    Darren seemed decent enough. Felix wondered why his rtionship with Derek had broken. Given the obvious age gap, Darren seemed to be ate-in-life child. "Sure, I''ll be direct. I want to purchase the Nightshade Discipline.''


    The Nightshade Discipline was the secret technique that allowed Derek to conceal his presence. It was so effective that even Felix, who had achieved several realms above him, could not detect him. Any martial artist would know how valuable such a technique was. Darren''s smile vanished instantly. "I don''t care how you found out about it, but please leave. It''s not for sale."


    This reaction surprised Felix, but he wasn''t about to give up. He held up one finger. "Let me make an offer-" Darren cut him off, "Leave! Someone offered a hundred million dors, and I turned them down. Get it?" Felix shook his head and spoke slowly, "I''m offering you an entire building."

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    Darren frowned. "Didn''t you hear what I said? Why are you still making offers?"


    Three years ago, Darren would have jumped at any offer and been terrified that they would change their mind. He would have sold it for even a few hundred thousand dors, let alone millions of dors.


    But back then, no one was interested. He hadn''t known the value of the Nightshade Discipline or even that martial artists existed. Now that he knew, he wouldn''t sell even if people were making offers. He often marveled at life''s ironies.


    "When I say a building, I mean any building in Gray City. Name it."


    Any building? Darren almostughed. Who was this guy trying to impress?


    "What if I said Summit Tower?"


    Summit Tower was a prime office building in downtown Gray City. Construction alone had cost hundreds of millions of dors, and its value had skyrocketed since. Buying it outright would cost over a billion dors, and that was assuming the owner would even sell.


    The rental ie alone provided endless security. So, who would possibly sell the building unless absolutely desperate?


    "Sure. Summit Tower it is. I''ll have the contract ready tomorrow if you agree to this. Sign it, and the building''s yours.


    II


    Money meant nothing to Felix. Spending it on something valuable would always be worth


    1. it.


    Darren was stunned. Felix''s expression and tone seemed dead serious, but wasn''t he too young? Could he really have that kind of money? And all for one martial art manual?


    The previous buyer had offered a hundred million dors. And when Darren tried to scare them off by asking for a billion dors, they''d left without hesitation. Why was this guy so persistent?


    "It''s not for sale! Leave before I call security."


    Felix had no choice but to leave. Money clearly was not going to be enough of a temptation. Just as he left the massage parlor, he ran into Nelly carrying shopping bags. "Felix?"


    "Hey, Nelly! Are you out shopping?"


    Nelly nodded, ncing at the massage parlor. Do you get massages here, too?"


    Interesting. Felix caught something in her tone. "Why? Are you a regr?"


    Nelly smiled and waved her hand. "Not really. The owner used to pursue Isabe, so I tagged along with her a few times. The ce is nice, and the therapists are skilled, but I don''t really need massages." Darren had pursued Isabe Wells? Felix perked up.


    "Is he still after her?"


    Noticing Felix''s interest, Nelly answered honestly, "Yeah, he''s still trying, but Isabe''s stopped responding. She hasn''t replied to his WhatsApp messages for about a month. If he weren''t such a decent guy, she''d have blocked him already. "Why do you ask, Felix?"


    "Tell Isabe I''m treating you both to dinner tonight. I need her help with something." Having a connection made things much easier, especially this kind of romantic pursuit. Sometimes, it really was all about who you knew.


    That evening at a restaurant in Gray City, Isabe kept touching up her makeup. "Nelly! How''s my lipstick? God, if Felix is treating us to dinner, I have to look perfect. You don''t think... he''s interested in me, do you?" Nelly sighed helplessly and pinched Isabe''s waist.


    "Don''t get carried away! We don''t know what this is about-we''ll find out when Felix gets here. Just stayposed. I can tell Felix doesn''t go for that kind of thing. Being friends with someone like him is already more than we could hope for. Don''t make it awkward."

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    Isabe gave an awkwardugh and put away herpact mirror. She had good principles, so she had never gotten involved with wealthy customers at the dealership. But people like Felix were truly rare.


    Soon after Felix arrived, he got straight to the point. "To be honest, Isabe, I need to buy something from Darren. I need your help."


    Having been warned by Nelly, Isabe thought for a moment before responding, "Felix, it''s not that I don''t want to help, but I''ve turned Darren down a few times already."


    Felix smiled. "You must have some feelings for him, right? Otherwise, you would have blocked his number by now."


    Isabe did not deny it. "Yes, I do. But marriage and life together need to be practical, you know? Darren''s a good person and nice-looking, too, but he only has that one massage parlor. He can''t even afford a decent house in Gray City, let alone anything else. "I''m not being materialistic, but there are basic living standards to consider.


    It was just as Felix had guessed. He saw his opportunity. "Here''s my proposal. Tomorrow, go tell Darren that I''m offering a hundred million dors, not to buy it outright, but to borrow it for a year. I''ll return it after that-maybe even sooner if things go well." What? Isabe stood up immediately, and even Nelly was shocked. A hundred million dors was not a number ordinary people could even imagine.


    "Felix, are you serious?"


    Felix nodded. "Of course. Do I look like I''m joking? With that money, there shouldn''t be any obstacles to you two being together. How you work out the details to protect yourself with that money is up to you both."


    Isabe was absolutely thrilled. Who wouldn''t want afortable life? And to have it with someone she actually liked was perfect. "Just wait for my good news, Felix. I''ll see Darren tomorrow and make sure everything works out beautifully."


    Upon returning home that evening, Felix found Averill lounging in his living room, and he could only shake his head.


    The scene before him was pure temptation. Averill was stretched out on the couch in a white dress shirt and mini ck skirt, with ck stockings highlighting her long legs. As if that wasn''t enough, she had added ck-framed sses and was giving him her most seductive gaze.


    "What do you think of my secretary look, Felix?


    #


    Felix was indeed tempted, but he suppressed his emotions. "Can''t you enter other people''s homes normally? You''re impossible."


    Averill licked her lips and spoke with an even more alluring tone, "I''m your personal secretary tonight. You can do anything you want to me. And by the way, I''m not wearing anything underneath." "Not interested!"


    Being rejected again, Averill''s expression darkened. "Humph! Stupid Felix! If even this doesn''t get a reaction from you, I''m leaving. I''m sure you won''t care about Mr. Hoffman''s message anyway." What? A message from Gerald?


    Felix quickly stopped her, smiling apologetically. "Come on, Averill. If it''s from Mr. Hoffman, it must be important. Let''s be serious, okay?"


    Seeing Averill still pouting, Felix gave her a quick peck to appease her.


    "That''s better! Mr. Hoffman had two things to tell you.


    Despite Averill''s yful demeanor, Felix had a bad feeling. "First, your fianc¨¦e is sending someone to find you."* Today''s Bonus Offer

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    If this hadn''t involved Gerald''s orders, even someone as yful as Averill would not joke about it. Felix had almost thought she was teasing.


    "What do you mean, ''fianc¨¦e''?"


    Averill seemed to anticipate his questions. "You lucky dog! Your engagement to Xena was arranged by Mr. Hoffman, Lady N through the Greenes, and this fianc¨¦e I just mentioned? It''s arranged by your birth mother. Get it?" Felix exploded. "What the hell? Am I some kind ofmodity? Everyone''s just arranging marriages for me!"


    Gerald was family, so that was different. But what gave the Greenes and Cordelia the right to do this?


    "I don''t know the details. But ording to Mr. Hoffman, this fianc¨¦e of yours is seriously dangerous. He kept muttering about them sending someone. He doesn''t know when they''ll show up, but he wanted you to be prepared." Prepared for what? Felix refused to acknowledge any engagement except to Xena, especially after seeing how N would do anything for power. Thank goodness she and Yvonne had disappeared and stopped bothering him, or he would have been exhausted. "What''s the second thing?"


    To his surprise, Averill answered with a question, "How many Dragonspine pieces have you cultivated?"


    "Five!" Without those five Dragonspine pieces, Felix''s power wouldn''t have grown so rapidly-probably to levels that worried the Elders'' Council.


    Averill nodded approvingly, like a proud elder.


    "Not bad, only four left! Mr. Hoffman''s second message is about the Dragonspine. After you reported the pieces you''d absorbed, he did something and discovered the remaining pieces aren''t where they should be.


    "They''ll be harder to find, but at least you can sense them within range.


    Felix frowned. "Does that mean Mr. Hoffman wants me to find the remaining pieces quickly?"


    Averill nodded. "Exactly! Your primary duty was the engagement to Xena, but since you''ve officially broken up, that obligation is fulfilled. Nothing''s more important than the Dragonspine now."


    Felix fell silent. He hade to Gray City hoping to reconcile with Xena. Why would he


    leave now? His n was almostplete. Just a little more time and he could talk to Willow.


    "You seem reluctant! Well, Mr. Hoffman said if you can''t collect the other four pieces within six months, he''ll end your apprenticeship."


    What?


    Felix''s eyes widened in shock. "Did Mr. Hoffman really say that?"


    Even the yful Averill gave a bitter smile.


    "Yeah, I tried defending you and got chewed out! Mr. Hoffman said the fact that your fianc¨¦e''s people are after you and Victor''s death means something big ising. We need to get ready for it, and the Dragonspine is your only advantage." "Got it."


    That was all Felix could say. He had hurt Xena. Regardless of Sarah''s behind-the-scenes role, that was no excuse. He had to finish this.


    If reconciliation proved impossible after that, then he would focus on finding the Dragonspine.

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    "If you''re so worried, let''s findfort in bed je pre douby, Jolly Bon a flo point, Averill had not given up her real reason for vatting, and was string


    visiti


    her book


    tex


    Just then, the doorbell rang, Felix, already looking for an escape from bars doxin, rushed to answer. Seeing it was his neighbor Oteenie, he was beyond and Takdo perfect timing! "Queenie, I''ll get the door right away!" He turned to Averill. "It might be something set from my neighbor. Let''s catch up another time


    Averill rolled her eyes and vanished. She knew Belix well enough. She''d almost had him, but the moment was gone now that they had been interrupted. There was no point its staying When Queenie entered, her face was flushed pink, like a ripe apple.


    "What''s wrong?" Feliz had already guessed, but it was not something easy to bring up


    "I don''t feel well, I think I have a fever. My whole body''s burning up. I was going to the hospital, but I saw your lights on and thought I''d check with you first"


    Felix gestured for Queenie to sit down and began checking her pulse. Though he had a general idea, he needed to be absolutely certain. After just a moment, his brows furrowed deeply. "Before you started feeling sick, did anything unusual happen?" Queenie thought for a moment. "Not really. The only thing I did was prick my finger on a housent by ident. Is that important?"


    Felix''s heart sank. "Does the flower sway gently sometimes? It''s bright red, and when you look at it, it''s almost mesmerizing. Is that right?"


    "Yes! How did you know? A friend overseas mailed it to me, saying it would be beautiful when it bloomed. It just bloomed today, and when I saw it tonight, it was absolutely stunning."


    Damn, it was Hexbloom!


    The world of nts was full of mysteries. Even after all these years, nobody could im t know them all. Hexbloom was particrly sinister. It was thought to be extinct. Who kne it still existed overseas, and now, it had found its way to Queenie? "What you touched is called a Hexbloom, a nt that science still hasn''t fully understood It can grow anywhere with soil and water, but it only blooms for about 20 days."


    Seeing Queenie''s confused look, Felix got straight to the point, as there wasn''t time to waste. "When someone touches a Hexbloom, it breaks the skin immediately. Its unique Chapter 724


    spores enter your body and start multiplying


    "You''ll see tiny red dots on your skin at first-


    Queenie looked terrified. "What happens nex


    "Those red dots will feed on your blood to gro and then-"


    Felix did not need to continue.


    Mortified, Queenie jumped to her feet. How c way to go. "Felix! You can save me, right?" +


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    spores enter your body and start multiplying over time.


    "You''ll see tiny red dots on your skin at first-that''s what''s causing your fever."


    Queenie looked terrified. "What happens next?"


    "Those red dots will feed on your blood to grow, eventually developing stems and flowers, and then-"!


    Felix did not need to continue.


    Mortified, Queenie jumped to her feet. How could anyone survive that? And what a horrific way to go. "Felix! You can save me, right?" Today''s Bonus Offer

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    For Felix, the treatment itself was not an issue. The question was whether Queenie could ept it. "I can treat you, but you might not agree with the method."


    Queenie grew anxious. "This is life or death! You''re the doctor, and I''m the patient. What''s there to disagree about? Just tell me!"


    Felix had no choice but to exin everything.


    "When I checked your pulse, I detected 65 infection sites on your body. I can use acupuncture now to stop them from spreading so that no new spots will appear. But those spots need to be treated individually by hand with my needles.


    "Otherwise, you''ll be left with permanent red marks on your skin, and there could be other health impacts."


    What? Queenie was stunned. There were 65 spots already! Now, she understood Felix''s awkwardness. "So you''re saying that regardless of where these spots are, you''ll need to see them all to treat them one by one, right?" Felix nodded. "Yes. Or I can contain the infection''s growth, and you can try the hospital instead."


    He was not sure if modern medicine could treat this or how effective it would be, but he did not want to seem like he was taking advantage of a neighbor. If Willow heard about it, all his previous efforts could be wasted.


    After a long silence, Queenie made her decision. "Please treat me. I trust you. We haven''t known each other for long, but I know your character. To you, I''m just a patient. Let''s do


    this."


    In the bedroom, after Felix pointed out all the spots, Queenie realized she would only be able to keep her underwear. Everything else had to go.


    Despite being prepared, she couldn''t help feeling nervous and self-conscious. What woman wouldn''t feel something going to a male doctor for a gynecological exam?


    Felix did not rush her. He had already used needles to stop the infection from spreading. She needed toe to terms with this herself. The main concern was preserving her appearance. Otherwise, he could have worked blindfolded or treatedrger areas at once. He had suggested alternatives, but Queenie had refused. What woman would ept havingrge red marks all over her skin?


    "I''m... ready." Queenie closed her eyes as her clothes fell to the floor, keeping only the bare minimum covered.


    Felix stayed professional, knowing that speaking would only make her more nervous. He


    began treatment immediately. Maintaining clinical detachment and avoiding lingering looks were basic professional ethics. Still, he could not help noting that Queenie''s figure was nearly perfect. It was just slightly behind someone like Zara''s.


    Half an hourter, Felix finally spoke, "All done. You can get dressed. I''ll step out."


    *


    Ten minutester, Queenie appeared in the living room, still blushing.


    "If you''d like, I can take care of that nt."


    Hexbloom was dangerous, but it was also a rare ingredient in traditional medicine. Finding one was nearly impossible, so Felix definitely wanted to preserve it. "Thank you."


    After bringing over the nt, Felix went straight to bed without much thinking.


    He had been surprised when Queenie came over with Hexbloom symptoms. After all, the chances of an ordinary person encountering one were incredibly rare.

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    Queenie''s examination showed she wasn''t a martial artist-just an ordinary person. With that confirmed, any lingering doubts were dispelled.


    After Hexbloom bloomed, it attracted not only ordinary people but also some martial artists,pelling them to touch it subconsciously. It was all so natural that it didn''t warrant much suspicion.


    The next morning at the clinic, Melissa''s mood had visibly brightened, and she was dressed to impress. As long as her attire wasn''t overly provocative, Felix had no issue with her choice of clothing. "Boss, I had this faint chest painst night. Shouldn''t you take a closer look?" Melissa teased.


    Without even looking up, Felix replied, "You''re fine. Besides, you didn''t seem like the kind of woman who would flirt the first time we met.


    Melissa pouted. "Well, what can I say? You''re so amazing. If something goes wrong, got no one to rely on. Honestly, I''ve been thinking of finding myself a solid backing."


    I''ve


    Felix handed her his mug. "Pour me some coffee. After I drink it, you''ll officially be my little sister. How''s that for having someone in your corner?"


    "Huh?" Melissa blinked in disbelief. But seeing the sincerity in Felix''s eyes, she jumped up in excitement. "Yes! That''s perfect!"


    She hurriedly poured him coffee. Felix took a sip, and Melissa cautiously called out, Brother?"


    Felix gave a small nod, smiling. "Mm."


    11


    "Yes!" Melissa hugged him, her joy genuine. Atst; she wasn''t alone anymore, and better yet, she didn''t have to give up anything to earn this sense of belonging.


    "Hey, hey! It''s broad daylight. Behave yourselves," Billy said as he strolled in, an unmistakable tinge of envy in his tone.


    "Mind your own business, you nosy pig! Felix is my brother now, and I''m his sister. Not everyone is like you, always thinking about filthy stuff!" Melissa snapped, throwing a few insults his way before retreating into the back room, her dislike for him evident, "What now? If you''ve got nothing to say, don''te around just to make small talk." Billy plopped himself onto a chair uninvited, drumming his fingers on the table with a knowing smile. "You think I''m here to chit-chat every day? There''s a mysterious auction


    happening in a week, and I''ve got intel that the final item is something you''d definitely want."


    Felix raised an eyebrow. "What are you? A mind reader now? How could you possibly know what I want?"


    Billy feigned offense. "No need to be so harsh. Do you think I enjoy mingling with someone as low-tier and low-skilled, with low EQ as you? I''m only here because my mentor ordered me to."


    Felix chuckled. "Alright, alright. So, what''s this item I supposedly need?"


    Billy leaned back dramatically. "You want to know? Well, I don''t feel like telling you just yet. Have Melissa pour me some drink first. Maybe then, I''ll share if I''m in a good mood."


    A string of curses rang out from the back room, "Fatso, don''t even dream of me serving you a drink!"


    Predicting this reaction, Billy stood up slowly and began humming a tune.


    "This is the year of surprises, and I do love a good surprise. Surprise after surprise just keepsing!"


    Felix, who had been calmly seated, suddenly felt a subtle unease. As ridiculous as it seemed, he called out, "Melissa, pour him a cup of coffee."


    In an instant, Billy dropped back into the chair, looking immensely satisfied.


    He scoffed. "There''s hope for you yet. The information I''ve got will leave you feeling as


    refreshed as if you''d just spent three unforgettable nights with the woman of your dreams.


    11


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    "Felix..." Melissa appeared, her face full of reluctance.


    "Go on. Be good," Felix said.


    Seeing Billy''s smug expression, Melissa huffed and went to make him a cup of coffee. When she returned and handed it to him, Billy brought the cup to his lips, only to pause mid -sip. His lips twitched in disbelief.


    "Girl, does your clinic have an unlimited supply of coffee grounds or something?" he asked, staring at the cup packed so full that it was practically sludge.


    No sane person would brew coffee like this.


    "Oh, well," Billy said with a shrug, "at least it''s made by a prettydy-still smells nice from her touch."


    Taking a small sip, Billy finally got to the point. "The highlight of the auction is a very peculiar bone."


    Felix''s eyes flickered for a moment before he smirked. "Are you trying to say that I''ma dog? A bone is supposed to interest me? What a waste of my coffee."


    Billy chuckled, lowering his voice. "Oh, really? I don''t buy it. Someone practicing the Dragons Destroyer technique wouldn''t be curious about a unique bone?" What?


    In an instant, Felix''s presence pressed down on Billy like a crushing weight. Yet Billy''s expression didn''t change in the slightest, showing that Felix''s formidable presence was useless against him. Retracting his energy, Felix''s gaze grew serious. "Who exactly are you?"


    Billy took another sip of coffee, spat out the coffee grounds, and finally spoke, "Why do you care? If I meant you harm, you''d already be dead. Just know that our mentors are old acquaintances."


    As expected! Felix took a deep breath, forcing himself to suppress his doubts for now. Just like the smug Billy had said, there didn''t seem to be any malice. If he had malicious intent, Felix wouldn''t stand a chance. "Why are you telling me this?"


    "Simple. Now you owe me a favor, don''t you?"


    Felix couldn''t deny it. If the Ardonia auction really did feature a bone-be it an actual Dragonspine or not he would owe Billy a favor, no matter what.


    ""Fine. 1, Felix Zeller, owe you one.


    Satisfied with the response, Billy shared the rest of the details, handed Felix a card, and left, looking entirely pleased, as though his sole purpose was to make Felix owe him a favor.


    "There''s a good chance Aiden knows about this auction, too. I can''t let my guard down," Felix muttered.


    The Greene family''s influence in Dragonia was overwhelming. Thest time they had seized Victor''s Dragonspine and brokered deals with those two, it was clear that Aiden was also desperately searching for the same thing. Given how high-profile the auction was, it was highly likely Aiden would be involved.


    Aiden had reached Innate Realm at the age of ten. Felix wanted to avoid a confrontation with him unless absolutely necessary.


    The Elders Council had been quiet recently, but Felix didn''t believe they had truly retreated. They were likely preparing a decisive strike. After all, as martial artists climbed higher in strength, they became rarer and more valuable-even the Elders'' Council couldn''t afford significant losses.


    Adding the Jacobs family into the mix, who would willingly gain another powerful enemy?


    Around noon, Felix arrived at the massage parlor, where Isabe was already waiting at the


    entrance.


    "Hey, Felix, everything''s sorted. Darren Yeager has agreed, but he insisted on one condition-it has to be a loan, and it must be returned within a year, no matter what. Otherwise, it''s not for sale at any price," Isabe exined, clearly exasperated.


    She had cursed Darren countless times internally. Despite the item''s immense value and the generous offer, he refused to sell it outright.


    "Alright. Let''s go in," Felix said.


    In Darren''s office, the broad smile on his face told Felix everything.


    "Thank you, Mr. Zeller. Without you, Be and I wouldn''t be together," Darren said earnestly.


    Then, he added, "Honestly, I used to be a gambler. My father had mete in life and doted on me endlessly. He had billions of dors in savings, and I squandered it all on gambling. In the end, all he left was the Nightshade Discipline before disappearing without a trace." Chapter 728

 Billionaire With Husband 728

    "Three years ago, I finally woke up and quit gambling," Darren said, his tone sincere. "The buyer I mentioned, the one offering a billion dors, was real. But I didn''t dare sell it. I was afraid I''d fall back into gambling if I had that kind of money. "And honestly, I feel like I''d be letting my father down."


    Felix understood now. That buyer must have been tipped off by Derek, who ensured no one would use force against Darren or spread the word. Otherwise, an ordinary man like Darren would''ve been in serious trouble long ago.


    It was clear Isabe was hearing this story for the first time as well.


    "Belle," Darren continued, "this is why I''m willing to entrust this million dors entirely to you. All I need is a monthly allowance for living expenses. No matter how persuasive I might sound, if my gambling addiction resurfaces, at least you''ll be there to keep me in check." Isabe was genuinely moved. After all, there weren''t many men like him who would hand


    over such a fortune to a girlfriend he hadn''t even married yet.


    "Alright!" Isabe replied, determined. "Felix is here as a witness, so I''ll make you a promise, too. We''ll go to the bank right after this and set up a savings n that''ll put your mind at ease.


    "From now on, we''ll focus on building a good life together. And as for gambling, you won''t have the chance to rpse-not with me around."


    After securing the Nightshade Discipline, Felix left the massage parlor and headed to an alley, where Derek was waiting.


    "He''s quit gambling. Why won''t you see him?" Felix asked.


    Derek smiled faintly. "There''s no need. I''ve been watching over his life from the shadows, and that''s enough. As for Isabe, I''ve looked into her thoroughly. She''s a reliable woman. So, thank you for your help."


    Felix reminded Isabe to stay on the right path, warning her that Derek was always watching. Any wrong move would have serious consequences, and he wouldn''t intervene to save her-it would be entirely her fault. The afternoon passed quietly at the clinic. With no patients, Felix spent his time studying the Nightshade Discipline.


    Whether it was due to his exceptional talent or sheer determination, he managed to master it surprisingly quickly. The technique was indeed remarkable, making the million dors


    spent on it worthwhile.


    That evening, Clement and Willow prepared avish dinner at home to thank Felix for his help. The loan application process had begun, and approval was expected in just a few days. Word had also spread about Clement''s connection to Dorian, signaling a rise in his socialwork''s influence.


    "Come on, Felix! A toast from the two of us!"


    Felix tried to stand, but they firmly pushed him back into his chair.


    The dinner was filled withughter and chatter, though Queenie avoided meeting Felix''s gaze whenever they drank together. Her eyes darted away nervously.


    By the end of the evening, Clement and Willow were thoroughly drunk, their joy evident.


    With no other choice, Felix asked the housekeeper to clean up the mess and helped the equally tipsy Queenie back to her home.


    At the gate, Queenie stopped him, stumbling inside alone. It was a natural precaution; given her inebriated state.


    As Felix turned to leave, his phone rang. When he saw Alistair''s name on the screen, his expression darkened.


    "Alistair," he answered.


    "Mr. Zeller." Alistair''s voice was grave. "A bizarre murder has urred in a vige 30 miles from Gray City. All 36 residents who stayed behind are dead, and their corpses are in horrifying conditions." Felix''s phone slipped from his hand, crashing to the ground as a name echoed in his mind -Zara Morgan. 2


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    Snapping back to his senses, Felix quickly picked up his phone. He was relieved to find it undamaged. Alistair''s voice was still on the line.


    "Alistair, I''m here. Go on," Felix said.


    "Mr. Zeller, since you''re considered one of the involved parties and also a master healer, Lady Summers has granted you special permission to ess the site." Involved party? Special permission? Felix suddenly realized something.


    "Do you suspect it''s Skybound Revenant? But that doesn''t make sense. Didn''t Candace confess? Didn''t you handle it?"


    Alistair''s response brought Felix a small measure of relief.


    "When we arrived, there were no signs of Necrobound at the ce. Either they got word


    and relocated beforehand, or the Elder Revenant evolved into a Skybound Revenant earlier than expected."


    "Understood. I''m heading over now."


    Whether or not Zara was involved, Felix knew he had to act. If this escted into a city outbreak, the death toll would be unimaginable.


    Driving to the vige Alistair mentioned, Felix passed through three security checkpoints before reaching the vige entrance, where Alistair was waiting.


    "The bodies have been gathered together. We need your expertise, Mr. Zeller. Given the sudden nature of the incident, our forensic team''s capabilities are limited," Alistair exined.


    Ordinary forensics couldn''t detect anything unusual, which was likely why Xena had agreed to Felix''s involvement.


    Stepping into the vige, Felix immediately frowned.


    "Dozens of deaths, yet there''s no smell of blood here. Could it really be Skybound Revenant?"


    Only Necrobound creatures drained blood and vital energy. As such, ordinary killings couldn''t result in this.


    Alistair''s eyes glinted coldly. "That''s the strange part. You''ll need to see for yourself."


    They arrived at an open area in the vige. Xena stood there, her expression dark. While she hadn''t been the primary lead on the Shadowmere case, she had been deeply involved and was now tasked with its aftermath.


    "Lady Summers, Mr. Zeller is here," Alistair announced.


    Xena gave Felix a brief nce without saying anything. Felix didn''t waste time on pleasantries and immediately approached the gathered bodies.


    After examining them for over ten minutes, Felix walked back to Xena.


    "It doesn''t appear to be the work of Necrobound, but I can''t rule it out entirely. All these people are missing their lifeblood."


    Lifeblood-also known as vital essence-was the deep red blood that flowed directly from the heart''s main artery. In traditional medicine, it was considered the essence of life, derived from the transformation of nutrients by the spleen and stomach, and crucial to a person''s health


    Xena exchanged a nce with Alistair. It was clear they needed an expert like Felix. The forensic team hadn''t noticed this critical detail, and while autopsies might have revealed itter, the lost time could be critical.


    "We don''t know much about Skybound Revenant or its specific methods of killing," Xena admitted. "Even with his information, it''s still just spection."


    Felix frowned. "Can''t you find someone specialized in this field?"


    Xena shook her head. "Impossible. Necrobound creatures are inherently abominations, illegal and immoral by nature. No upright individual would study such things.


    "Those who do are typically irredeemable criminals-like Dexter Grimshaw of the Thirteen Aces, who had a penchant for crafting Necrobound creatures."


    Felix nodded in agreement. He had personally apprehended Dexter, who used Necrobound to fight against Timothy and a few others.


    "Mr. Zeller, right now, we''re reliant on existing records. But records are limited and static. For instance, there''s no mention anywhere of a case where only the lifeblood was consumed," Xena exined.

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    After hearing Alistair''s exnation, an image suddenly shed in Felix''s mind.


    "Hold on. I might know an expert in this field. The question is whether he''ll agree to help."


    When Felix nced at Xena, she immediately understood and, after a brief hesitation, nodded. With dozens already dead, they couldn''t afford to dy any longer-who knew how many more lives might be lost?


    "Fine. Ask him. If he can genuinely help, there will definitely be a reward," Xena assured


    him


    But before making the call, Felix had another question. "What about those elite experts you mentioned earlier? Haven''t they been deployed?"


    Xena sighed. "They''ve been deployed to key cities. Each one can monitor multiple locations and immediately detect a Skybound Revenant if it appears. The problem is, these revenants might possess intelligence, allowing them to sense danger. "They could deliberately target remote, impoverished areas or deep wilderness regions. But those are still living, breathing citizens of Dragonia. That''s why this matter must be resolved quickly." Felix nodded and stepped aside to make the call.


    The person he thought of was none other than Billy Stefan. Previously a supervisor at Sixview Park, Billy now ran a floral wreath boutique-both upations that seemed oddly tied to this type of situation.


    "Why are you calling me sote at night? Don''t tell me you''re inviting me to party with some models," Billy joked as he picked up.


    Felix ignored the banter, ustomed to Billy''s antics. "This is serious-it involves many lives. Listen first and see if you can help."


    I''m an


    After Felix summarized the situation, carefully omitting critical details, Billy immediately responded. Heughed. "Necrobound, you say? You''vee to the right person. expert in this field! But I have one condition.


    "If I help you locate the Necrobound under my guidance, I want the responsible authorities to build me a dojo. And I''ll choose the name."


    "A dojo?" Felix muted the phone and ryed the request to Xena, who agreed without hesitation.


    "A dojo is a small price to paypared to saving so many lives," she remarked.


    "He''s on his way," Felix said, pleased that Xena didn''t question Billy''s reliability. This level.


    of trust felt reassuring-it fostered a sense of mutual understanding.


    "Your name''s Felix Zeller, right? Not bad for your age-your medical skills are impressive."


    A sudden voice rang out in Felix''s mind. He didn''t bother scanning his surroundings since he couldn''t sense the speaker. That meant they were on the same cultivation level as him and had likely used a secret technique, making them nearly impossible to locate. "What do you want?" Felix asked calmly.


    "Plenty. From the looks of it, Phoenix Warlord seems to trust you quite a bit. I''d like to propose a deal. When your so-called expert arrives, I want you to put on a little show with him and follow my instructions. How about it?"


    It was clear this person didn''t want Skybound Revenant to be found.


    Felix was both irritated and impressed by their audacity-transmitting messages in such a high-stakes situation was a bold move.


    "You seem very confident," Felix replied.


    "If you y along, I''ll reward you with techniques, wealth, and whatever you desire. If you refuse, however, you''ll be an enemy of Abyssal Surge Sect. Think carefully." Felix''s eyes narrowed when he heard the mention of Abyssal Surge Sect, his emotions stirring.


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    "Come out and face me if you dare. Otherwise, stop barking like a dog!" Felix snapped.


    The voice vanished.


    Felix quickly asked, "Can you tell me what sect Candace exposed?"


    Alistair remained silent, unwilling to speak.


    Xena hesitated for a while before using voice transmission to say, "It''s Abyssal Surge Sect. But you must keep this to yourself."


    She chose to confide in Felix because she had absolute trust in him.


    Felix thought, "Abyssal Surge Sect-the second of the top super sects. Those bastards really have some nerve."


    He then asked, "So, with no actual evidence, I take it Abyssal Surge Sect is untouched?"


    Xena sighed in frustration. "Yes. We can''t act on Candace''s testimony alone. Even if they were a minor sect, we''d still need evidence before taking any steps."


    Felix sneered. It made sense now why someone would risk reaching out to him via voice transmission, trying to pressure him into fabricating evidence. They knew there was no proof.


    Even if he told Xena about the transmission, it wouldn''t change anything-there was still


    no evidence.


    An hourter, a cheeky voice echoed as Billy strolled in, "Herees Mr. Stefan!"


    Before he could say anything to Felix, his eyesnded on Xena. "Wow! So this is the famous Phoenix Warlord! I finally got to meet you in person! Hi, I''m Billy Stefan, the expert Felix brought in." He extended his hand to her. Feeling a wave of irritation, Felix stepped forward and shook Billy''s hand instead, positioning himself between Billy and Xena. "Nice to meet you. Now, can we get down to business?"


    Xena couldn''t help but chuckle softly, sensing Felix was a little jealous. Seeing Felix react so strongly to something as simple as a handshake, Xena felt a warm, fluttering feeling in her chest. Billy pouted, clearly annoyed. "Hey, hey! What''s with the attitude? It''s not like the Phoenix Warlord is yours or anything. Step aside!" He shoved Felix aside and reached for Xena''s hand again. "Thank you foring, Mr. Stefan," Xena said shaking his hand.


    "The pleasure''s all mine. Just doing my part as a responsible citizen." Billy smiled.


    Felix, on the other hand, was fuming, muttering curses in his mind, "That''s enough, you fatso. Let go of her hand already. And how dare you rub your thumb against hers? Damn you, Billy!" "Since you''re doing your duty as a citizen, does that mean we can forget about the dojo?" Felix chimed in./


    That was definitely out of the question for Billy.


    He finally released Xena''s hand, knowing he shouldn''t push his luck.


    "Rewards encourage motivation, don''t they? Anyway, let me have a look at the corpses," Billy said, his demeanor bing serious as he got to work.


    After examining several corpses, he abruptly turned around, preparing. "Well, there''s nothing I can do here. Got to go."


    Everyone was caught off guard by his abruptness.


    Felix quickly blocked his path and asked, "What the hell, Billy?"


    Billy snapped back, "Damn it, Felix! You told me it was Necrobound, but it''s actually a Skybound Revenant! Do you have any idea how different they are? I''m not ready to die, and I definitely don''t want to die in the arms of a Skybound Revenant." Xena and Alistair were overjoyed. Clearly, Billy knew what he was talking about-he''d figured out the culprit was a Skybound Revenant just from looking at the corpses. He was definitely an expert.


    But no matter how hard Felix tried to convince him, Billy insisted on staying out of it and kept marching toward the exit.


    Felix panicked. He hadn''t anticipated such a turn of events. Desperate, he blurted out, One meal with Dreamscape!"


    A gust of wind blew past. Billy, who had been several miles away, reappeared in front of Felix in the blink of an eye, his chubby body still shaking from the sprint. "W-What did you just say?" he stammered.

 Billionaire With Husband 732

    Chapter


    732


    Felix felt speechless. "I said, as long as you''re willing to help, in addition to the agreed dojo, you''ll also get a chance to dine with Dreamscape."


    After receiving confirmation, Billy patted his chest and said, "Humph! Don''t insult me with these rewards. As a citizen, cooperating is my duty. Just leave it to me!" "Damn it, Billy!" Felix thought, trying to suppress his irritation.


    "Time to work my magic and track down that Skybound Revenant," Billy suddenly said. " Everyone, leave! Phoenix Warlord and Felix, you two stay."


    At Alistair''smand, everyone quickly evacuated, leaving only the three of them in the


    open space.


    Felix waved his right hand, sending out a wave of energy to ensure there were no living people around and that the vige was empty before signaling Billy to begin.


    He was being cautious, worried that a member of Abyssal Surge Sect might still be nearby. But he was probably overthinking it-after all, even the boldest person wouldn''t risk staying here for too long.


    Billy pulled out a stack of talismans, cing them on the corpses. He then applied more to himself and began chanting some mysterious words under his breath.


    "Why do I suddenly feel like he''s not as reliable as I thought?" Xena sent a voice transmission, her expression doubtful.


    Her doubt was understandable. After all, Billy was acting like a shaman performing a ritual


    now.


    "Let him do his thing. We just need to wait for the oues."


    A few minutester, all the talismans suddenly burst into mes. Felix stood there,


    stunned.


    He couldn''t help but think-if martial arts had been passed down through generations, perhaps other ancient traditions had survived, too.


    At the very least, Billy had shown him something unexpected.


    If that was the case, there might really be ghosts. Then, the items he had bought from Billy during the Mourning Vige and Zara incident would definitelye in handy.


    "Alright. Hurry up and find a martial arts master. This yellow talisman is the only thing that can help you track down the Skybound Revenant. But, don''t me me if you can''t catch it-Skybound Revenant can fly. "The yellow talisman will guide you to the revenant, but you''ve only got three days. After


    that, the talisman will burn up. If the Skybound Revenant kills again after that, my magic won''t work anymore. That thing is really tricky."


    Xena took the yellow talisman and rushed out, not bothering to confirm whether it worked


    or not.


    This was definitely a job for a super martial arts master-no ordinary martial arts master could catch a Skybound Revenant that could fly. "You have my thanks, Billy," Felix said.


    Billy smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "Don''t mention it. What are friends for? By the way, when can I have that meal with Dreamscape?" Felix''s lips twitched. His expression darkened as he pped Billy''s chubby hand away. "I''ll arrange it as soon as possible."


    Felix thought he could easily brush Billy off, but unfortunately, since Billy hade by taxi, Felix had to endure his endless chatter on the way back. "How about tomorrow?" Billy asked.


    "Tomorrow doesn''t work. I need to go back to Canraville for my buddy''s wedding."


    "What about the day after tomorrow?"


    "That doesn''t work, either. I''ll have a cold."


    Billy gritted his teeth. "How can you predict you''ll catch a cold in two days? You really are the best master healer of all, huh, Felix?"


    Just then, Felix''s phone rang, offering some relief.


    "Don''t worry, Jack. I''ll be there tomorrow on time," Felix said into the phone.


    However, Jack was calling about something else. "Vanessa just called me. She said a super sect is sending someone to attend our wedding tomorrow. I wonder if it might be one of your friends." A super sect?


    Felix quickly asked, "What''s the name of the sect?"


    "Abyssal Surge Sect."


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    Felix''s expression changed, but he still smiled and said, "It is arge sect. It''s a good thing.


    Although he said that, he thought, "Fuck! They investigated this so quickly. Are they treating me as an enemy already?"


    To be honest, he felt as though he was taking the me for someone else. From the beginning to the end, this matter had nothing to do with him.


    "Why are you ring at me?" Billy ran his finger through his buzz cut and opened the mirror. "Did I get more handsome?"


    Felix wanted to cry. Billy was the one who found the Skybound Revenant, so why did Abyssal Surge Sect shift the hatred to Felix?


    Around 9:00 am, Felix brought Melissa to a hotel''s banquet hall, where weddings in Canraville were held. George, Ryan, Madeline, Lake, Wendy, and the others had arrived. They were all people Felix knew. "This is my sister, Melissa."


    Upon arriving there, Melissa acted quite shy. "Nice to meet everyone."


    Then, George and Ryan fought to give Melissa a seat.


    "Melissa, sit here."


    "Melissa, hurry up and take a seat."


    A whileter, Jack appeared again. The difference was that he brought Yvonne with him this time. "Felix, Ms. Cooper is sitting at the same table with you."


    It had been a while since they had met. Yvonne seemed more charming. So far, their table was the most attractive one. There were all kinds of beautifuldies there. Other tables couldn''t bepared to theirs. "Yvonne, you can sit here."


    George gave Yvonne a seat, making Yvonne sit next to Felix.


    Felix felt helpless. He had thought too much about it. He could tell that Yvonne felt flustered, but she couldn''t refuse when everyone was watching her. So, she could only take


    a seat.


    "How have you been recently?"


    No matter what, they slept with each other before. So, Felix still greeted her. "I''ve been


    fine. What about you?"


    ""Not bad."


    At this time, a voice sounded in the banquet hall, "Hendrick Law of Abyssal Surge Sect has arrived!"


    Abyssal Surge Sect! The gazes of the people who heard about the sect''s reputation before- like George and Ryan-changed. They knew it was impossible for Jack and Vanessa to know about that sect. The representative of Abyssal Surge Sect must havee because of Felix.


    George, Ryan, and the others came to congratte Jack and Vanessa because of him as well. Soon, Jack, Vanessa, and a few elders of the Meyer family brought Hendrick over to the table.


    Hendrick seemed young. He had a faint smile and looked good.


    "Mr. Law, how about you take a seat here?"


    Before Hendrick could answer, Felix got up. "I''m going to have a chat with Hendrick outside. You guys may continue chatting."


    Hendrick didn''t refuse. He followed Felix to a room in the banquet hall.


    "What brings you here? It''s my friend''s wedding today. I don''t want anything to happen."


    When Hendrick heard that, his smile deepened. "You''re indeed someone capable of aplishing great things. Since you''re being straightforward, I no longer need to hold


    back.


    "I''m here today to make my stance clear and prove that no one can stop Abyssal Surge Sect from doing anything."


    Felix''s expression didn''t change. He said, "Continue."


    "It''s simple. Since even the headquarters relies on your medical skills, we need you as well. If you agree to be on call and help us treat and save lives twice, the grudges between Abyssal Surge Sect and you will be written off. What do you think?" Felix adjusted his sitting posture and looked at Hendrick casually. "Aren''t you afraid of biting your tongue with all that big talk?"


    Hendrick, who was frowning, immediately stopped smiling. "Let me give you some advice. It''s best if you think it through before you speak."


    However, Felixughed.

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    "I''ve thought it through! If Abyssal Surge Sect were a decent sect, I wouldn''t have had a dispute with you guys. If a patient found me, I wouldn''t refuse to treat the patient, either. But for the things you''ve done, how are you any different from beasts? "You want me to respect you? Abyssal Surge Sect is nothing to me!"


    Hendrick never expected Felix to say such things. He immediately got up. "Alright, then. I''ll let the sect know your attitude when I go back. I hope you can still be so stubborn when we meet next time."


    Abyssal Surge Sect trained Skybound Revenants and let them kill people once they were skilled. If Felix looked up to Abyssal Surge Sect, he could just die.


    He was currently under attack from all sides. If he weren''t in this situation, he would have already annihted Abyssal Surge Sect to remove the threat once and for all.


    The wedding was carried out sessfully. Felix drank quite a lot of alcohol as well. Soon, the wedding wasing to an end. After toasting to the elders, Jack and Vanessa came over to their table. The atmosphere was lively.


    With Felix''s physique, of course, he was still sober in the end. All the martial artists present were only slightly drunk. Only Yvonne left early. As she didn''t pester Felix, he felt relieved.


    "Felix, did Jack mention it to you before? About the marriage ritual."


    Vanessa, who was sitting next to Felix and had a flushed face, didn''t forget about it, either.


    "Yeah. He mentioned it before. Do I need to go there right now?"


    "Our family''s tradition is that you guys must enter the house before sunset and can onlye out after the sunrise the next day. Sorry for the trouble."


    The Meyer family gave Vanessa a lot of assets for her wedding, including a three-story self-built house in the vige. Not only was it impressive, but the surrounding environment was also pleasant. Spending a few days there during one''s free time would improve one''s mood.


    A few days ago, in a video call, Jack showed the house to Felix. Jack brought up the marriage ritual the Meyer family had at that time.


    Jack was supposed to have his family do it, but because he had already cut off ties with his family, he could only have his friend do it.


    ''Alright. I''ll head there right now. You guys must take good care of Melissa for me."


    At that, George and Ryan spoke up again, "Felix, don''t worry. I''ll take good care of her."


    "I promise I will stay by Melissa''s side for the entire night."


    The two spoke in unison. When their gazes met, there seemed to be sparks. Even a fool knew what motives they had.


    "Aren''t you two acting too obvious?" Madeline teased, knowing that both of them wouldn''t dare do anything excessive.


    "I still need your help."


    At the table, Melissa was closest to Madeline. There was nothing wrong with saying that.


    "I''m not a matchmaker."


    Two hourster, Felix finally arrived at the self-built house. It was three miles away from the nearest vige. The surrounding areas were full of greenery. It was very calming. "When I''m free, I''m going to find a ce simr to this and stay there." Felix felt as if he had returned to Eden Vige. He slowly closed his eyes and immersed himself in nature. "You don''t need to wait until you''re free. I''ll make you sleep here for a long time."


    A voice sounded. Felix immediately became on guard. Because he didn''t notice that personing, it meant that that person was stronger than him.


    Felix looked over and saw that an elder was standing at the top of the house. The elder was staring at him viciously.


    "Who are you?"


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    When Charles spoke up, Felix had already secretly made a call to the phone Dahlia left behind. As for whether or not she could arrive in time, that depended on fate.


    It acted as ayer of security. Felix had the Speed Talisman given by Gerald. If he couldn''t win, he could still escape. Even if he couldn''t escape, at least he could buy some time. "The Jacobs family? I''ve never heard of this family before."


    Looking at Felix, Charles snorted. "You''re so young, yet you already have such great capability. You dare to do it, but you''re afraid of admitting it? I have seriously overestimated you in the past! Do you dare to say that you didn''t kill Mason, who''s a genius in my family?" Everything was just to buy some time. Felix looked as though he had thought of something. "Mason? You''re right. I killed him. I only killed him because he wanted to kill me. I can''t possibly just tie my own hands and let him kill me, can I?" Felix didn''t expect Charles to be so overbearing.


    "That''s right! Anyone Mason wants to kill should let him kill them. You''ve made a wrong choice, so you have to pay a huge price that''s worth more than your life."


    As expected, since Charles was Mason''s father, they had simr characteristics.


    "What else do you have? You''re old. Stop with all this.''


    Charles snapped his finger, and another elder appeared. The elder had arger physique than Charles. He was almost six feet seven inches tall. If his hair weren''t white, and he didn''t have wrinkles, one would think he was a thug.


    "Are you from the Jacobs family, too?" When Felix asked that, he could sense that many people were approaching this area. It seemed that the Jacobs family had asked many people to kill him. The family had prepared to kill him in one blow.


    If these people had been around all along, Felix would have sensed their presence. Thus, their n would have failed.


    "I''m his old friend. Naturally, it''s only one of my identities. I''m Luca Yanes from Elders'' Council. Out of respect, you may address me as Mr. Yanes."


    Felix chuckled and shook his head. He didn''t know what to say for a moment.


    "To be honest, when Charles asked me for help, he said he wasn''t certain he could kill you with the help of everyone in the Jacobs family because he was afraid that you would have helpers. I was confused when I heard that, but when I realized that the target was you, I thought it was fate."


    I


    Charles, who was standing to the side, was frightened. Thankfully, he was careful and didn''t act on impulse. Otherwise, the oue would have been unknown.


    Who would have thought that Elders'' Council wanted to kill Felix as well? Besides, there was a cleanse in the Council a while back. Many martial arts masters had died.


    "So, you guys must kill me today?" Felix felt awkward because he had never wasted so much time talking before. But because the situation that day was too dangerous, he could only talk to buy some time so that Dahlia could rush over in time. Charles was disdainful. "Based on how many times Elders'' Council has failed, breaking our understanding, even if you''ve reached the early stage of Blood Realm, you will still die because the both of us are in the middle stage of Blood Realm." No martial artist could improve so much in such a short time, but Felix was an exception. That was why Charles said that.


    Blood Realm was above Pulse Realm. The realm referred to the cultivation level where, after the essence of the energy sphere in the core had finished refining and nourishing the meridians, it began to extract and refine the blood, gradually forming a type of blood that was highly unique to the martial artist.


    This step was extremely slow. So, this cultivation level was divided into four small realms, which were the early, middle, andte stages, as well as major mastery.


    Although they were known as small realms, the strength difference was huge. In fact, the difference was bigger than the previous major realms. Charles dared to say that he could kill Felix because he and Luca were in the middle stage of Blood Realm.

 Billionaire With Husband 736

    Chapter 736 Chapter 736


    Actually, Felix was trained in Dragons Destroyer. There were five pieces of the Dragonspine in his body as well. He could fight against someone at a higher cultivation level than him with no issue.


    But he didn''t dare to act recklessly in the current situation because Elders'' Council was involved as well. He couldn''t be certain that there wasn''t anyone else from Elders'' Council present aside from Luca. Elders'' Council had suffered losses because of Felix. Once they had gotten a hold of the news, they would definitely kill him.


    "Felix, you''re so young, yet you''re already so strong. You''re indeed gifted, but being cunning and having good strategies onlye with age. Do you think that we don''t know you''re stalling for time by talking nonsense?" Luca exuded his strong presence as he raised his right hand. "I only cooperated with you because I need the Jacobses to witness me killing you. Otherwise, you would have been dead long ago!"


    At this time, the people who rushed over from afar had arrived. There were 30 of them. Most were elders, and only a few were middle-aged. It was easy to tell that they were all martial arts masters from the Jacobs family. "Now that everyone is here, you can die. Luca, attack him!"


    However, one of the elders from the Jacobs family suddenly shouted, "Charles, wait!"


    Upon hearing that, Charles frowned. The elder rushed toward him. This scene made Felixugh. He recognized that the elder who spoke up was Levi, whom he had cured back in Yartford. "Charles, he''s Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice. Are we really going to kill him?"


    The miracle doctor''s apprentice? Charles'' frown deepened. "What are you talking about? How could he be Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice?"


    What a joke! Gerald was an amazing existence. If Felix really were his apprentice, who would dare to touch him?


    Levi felt bitter. "It''s true. Didn''t I use the Miracle Card? The person who cured me in Yartford was him! The Miracle Card can only be issued by Dr. Hoffman or his apprentice. How could it be fake?" Huh? Felix really was Gerald''s apprentice?


    Charles'' expression was extremely ghastly. Everything made sense now. No wonder Felix could improve so much in such a short time. It turned out he was Gerald''s apprentice. If


    Felix could be Gerald''s apprentice, it meant that he was the best among the best.


    "Charles, what''s the matter? Are you shocked because he''s Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice?" Luca teased, stunning Charles.


    "What do you mean? Have you known about it all along?"


    "Don''t forget that aside from being your friend, I''m from Elders'' Council as well. Why would Elders'' Council want to kill Felix? It''s because he''s Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice."


    At that, the Jacobses present gulped. Elders'' Council was too bold. They knew that Felix was Gerald''s apprentice, yet they dared to kill him.


    "Don''t worry. Dr. Hoffman lets his apprentices be independent. If we kill Felix, it''s because he isn''t strong enough. Dr. Hoffman won''t care about it. Besides, the arrangements today are thorough. Only we know that we killed Felix. There''s no way that news will spread."


    It was clear that Charles was convinced. He gritted his teeth and looked at Felix. "I don''t care if you''re Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice. You will die today! You''ve destroyed the future of the Jacobs family, so why will I care about other matters?"


    "Kill him!"


    When Felix saw that Gerald''s reputation couldn''t stop them, he exuded an overwhelming presence. "How dare you guys want to kill me? You''re seeking death!" Today''s Bonus Offer

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    Chapter 737 Chapter


    737


    "Rising Dragon!" When Felix made a move, Luca''s and Charles'' expressions changed. The two took action simultaneously. With a loud boom, Felix was nowhere to be seen. It turned out i was a decoy.


    "Can he escape?" Luca and Charles disappeared. Meanwhile, the other members of the Jacobs family had only reached Pulse Realm, so they couldn''t participate in this battle. They could only wait in the same spot. "Levi! Isn''t Felix a bit too exaggerating?" Someone asked, but Levi couldn''t answer him because he was still stunned.


    Charles and Luca were superb martial arts masters in the middle stage of the Blood Realm. It was already terrifying that Felix could escape with one move.


    One yard away, Felix stopped because three other people appeared before him. Their faces were all covered.


    Although they seemed unremarkable at first nce, their demeanor caused Felix to have a serious expression for the first time.


    The two were in the middle stage of Blood Realm, while the other had reached thete stage of Blood Realm.


    "You can run, and no one ising to save you. It means that you can''t escape this time," said the only person in thete stage of Blood Realm with a smile.


    "After Elders'' Council suffered losses, you became quite careful."


    The few of them who were hiding in the dark only showed themselves when they were certain no one wasing to save Felix. They were being more than careful. At least, Felix''s guess wasn''t wrong. Elders'' Council didn''t send only Luca. "Go to hell!" At this time, Luca and Charles caught up to Felix.


    They and the three masked people attacked Felix simultaneously. They didn''t waste any time because they knew that the situation might change if they stalled. So, it was best to


    kill Felix first.


    The masked man, who was in thete stage of Blood Realm, was about to make a move when his expression suddenly changed. He pushed out his palm behind his back, making Felix feel that it was a pity.


    When Felix was blocked, he deployed Shadow Strike, thinking that he could sessfullyunch a sneak attack on the only threat. He didn''t expect that he would get exposed. As expected, the difference between the realms was too big. "Dancing Dragon!" Felix began waving his hands as he moved his feet rhythmically.


    asionally, a sh of golden light could be seen shimmering around him.


    All kinds of loud explosions sounded, and the battle had begun at this moment. The forest copsed, and the ground cracked like a spider web. It wasn''t an exaggeration to say that it would be full of holes within the next few seconds.


    The longer Luca and Charles fought, the more frightened they became. There were five of them, and one of them was a martial arts master in thete stage of Blood Realm.


    They were already struggling to deal with the golden light exuded by Felix''s attacks, let alone getting close to Felix. They had no idea what technique it was, but the power was terrifying. They could feel their bodies aching from the shock. At this rate, they wouldn''t be able to hold out for much longer.


    Upon realizing that, Luca yelled, "Mr. Youngblood!"


    The martial arts master in thete stage of Blood Realm was Oliver Youngblood. When he heard Luca, he shouted, "As expected from Dr. Hoffman''s apprentice, but it''s time to end this once and for all."


    He leaped into the air, crossing his index fingers and moving them diagonally downward from the center of his brow. "Cross yer!"


    Felix, who was at the bottom, knew that something bad was going to happen. He stopped the Dancing Dragon and deployed Rising Dragon. The Rising Dragon collided with the strong energy exuded by the Cross yer.


    There were no sounds, but Luca and the others stumbled backward as if they were being pushed by an invisible energy.


    "Continuous Dragon yer!" Oliver, who was about tond on the ground, kicked in midair as if stepping on an invisible tform. His hands moved again. Then, the air seemed to


    distort.


    Felix, with traces of blood already seeping from the corners of his mouth, activated the Speed Talisman, retreating while deploying the most powerful move he could currently use from the Dragons Destroyer.

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    "Fire Dragon!" Huge mes appeared above Felix out of nowhere. After a spin, the mes headed toward Oliver, who was in midair.


    The mes collided with the Cross yer mid-way. They diminished quickly. As both moves collided, Felix didn''t dare to pause at all because the attacks of Luca, Charles, and the others had reached the point where he didn''t have the chance to catch his breath. "Dancing Dragon!"


    The Dancing Dragon was deployed again. It cut off the sudden attack. The movement was so smooth that it couldn''t bepared to the previous one.


    When there was an empty spot, Oliver entered through the only ball of me and hit Felix on the chest. Felix spat out a mouthful of blood and stumbled a few steps back.


    "Help me put out the fire! He has already used all his strength. He is no longer a threat!"


    When Luca and the others were about to kill Felix when thetter was weak, they were summoned by Oliver.


    Felix stood in the same spot and didn''t dare to move because his entire body was entangled by a kind of strange energy.


    That hit had injured him, but what was more terrifying was that the energy mixed in that hit had entered his body. If he didn''t resolve it as soon as possible, he could no longer fight and could only let them kill him.


    Oliver''s situation was simr. There was a small ball of me on his shoulders. It seemed harmless, but only Oliver, who had experienced it first-hand, knew how powerful the ball of me was.


    He tried to put out the fire, but the me had already seeped into his skin. If he hadn''t used his spiritual energy to block it, his organs would have started burning. Because he couldn''tpletely block it, he called Luca and the others over to help him.


    At this moment, four hands were ced on Oliver''s back. As the spiritual energy entered his body, the fire was slowly diminished. Only Charles'' expression kept changing. He would nce at Felix, who was standing still to the side, from time to time.


    It was currently the best timing to kill Felix, but Charles didn''t dare to do it, afraid that Elders'' Council would hold a grudge against him. Oliver, a martial arts master in thete stage of Blood Realm, was enough to eliminate the entire Jacobs family, let alone the other members of Elders'' Council.


    "Is Felix really in the early stage of Blood Realm?" While everyone was healing Oliver, no one could do anything. So, Luca asked a question he had been curious about.


    "I can only say that his training techniques and moves have surpassed us by a lot. Thankfully, I''m here today. Otherwise, the four of you would have been lucky if even one of you survived.".


    No one refuted Oliver''s words. Besides, it was almost the same as they had guessed.


    What a joke! The four of them were in the middle stage of Blood Realm, and one was in thete stage


    of Blood Realm. The five of them attacked Felix at the same time. It already exined a lot.


    Three minutes passed, and the me on Oliver''s shoulders had finally been put out. Even he let out a heavy sigh of relief. If Felix could stillunch such a move, Oliver wouldn''t touch it again.


    If Luca and the others weren''t around that day, Oliver couldn''t have done it. His organs would have been burned long ago.


    "Mr. Youngblood, can you let me end Felix''s life?" Charles asked. The others also saw clearly that Felix was standing there, unmoved.


    "Go ahead. He has been hit by my Moon Strike. He no longer has the energy to block other attacks."


    Then, a sudden sound of something tearing through the air sounded. In the next moment, a swordnded between them and Felix. The sword was sharp on both edges. It was silver and crescent-shaped. It swayed gently back and forth, following the wind.

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    "Who''s there?" The sudden scene halted Charles'' movements.


    "This sword..." Only Oliver was staring at the sword as his eyes widened. "It''s the Duo Moon Sword. Could it be Sword Goddess?"


    Sword Goddess? Even Charles'' expression changed. He took a sharp breath.


    Sword Goddess was considered a legend. There was a year when Sword Goddess traveled to various parts of Dragonia with her sword. Whenever she encountered injustice, she would take action, resolving it with just one move. To this day, no one had ever been worthy enough to see her second move.


    "We should go!" When Oliver returned to his senses, he quickly reminded everyone to leave. He didn''t dare to stay there any longer.


    "Can we really escape?" Luca''s legs couldn''t move. He was frightened. A martial arts master in the early stage of Blood Realm was frightened to this extent. No one would have believed it if news spread.


    "Calm down! If Sword Goddess wanted to kill us, we would have been dead long ago. She''s letting us leave."


    At that, the few of them felt better, and Luca pulled Charles. "Charles, don''t act recklessly. Don''t act on impulse. Just leave this ce first.


    However, when Luca touched Charles, who was standing in the same spot, thetter''s head fell to the ground.


    The cut was so clean that it looked as if it was cut by a machine. What was even strange was that not a drop of blood came out.


    Everyone was stunned. When did Charles get attacked? No one noticed anything.


    "Let''s go!" Oliver was terrified. After saying that, he escaped first. He didn''t dare to stay there even for a second longer.


    Five minutester, Felix opened his eyes. He had finally resolved the strange energy in his body. Then, he looked at the sword inserted into the ground nearby.


    "Dahlia, you''re here." Felix chuckled bitterly.


    No wonder Charles was decapitated and the members of Elders'' Council had all left. It turned out that Dahlia had arrived. The only person who could scare away those martial arts masters with a sword was Dahlia.


    "You''ve improved quite a lot after you left the mountain. You''ve barely passed," a voice sounded, making Felix chuckle bitterly.


    "Aren''t you even going to meet me?"


    "I didn''t put on makeup."


    Felix smiled. With Dahlia''s looks, putting makeup on her face would be an insult. That excuse was pathetic. "Elders'' Council has made a vition, right? Dahlia, could you inform Eloise so that she can deal with them?"


    They even sent a martial arts master in thete stage of Blood Realm. If that wasn''t a vition, what was?


    "They''re all in Blood Realm. The difference is only a minor realm. Eloise''s rule was that it must be at least a major realm. So technically, they didn''t go against the rule."


    If it was counted that way, Felix had nothing to say. "You didn''t kill them, but the effect might actually be better than if you did. Elders'' Council will surely take a longer time to make the next move.


    "You mustn''t ck off in your training. You''re still too weak. ording to what Mr. Hoffman said, you should focus on finding the real Dragonspine as soon as possible instead of always thinking about sleeping with the other unreliable apprentices." With that, the sword flew off into the distance without making a sound. Felix could only stand in the same spot and smile bitterly.


    "When have I only focused on those things? They''re the ones scheming against me."


    When Felix returned to the self-built house, the Jacobses saw that only Felix had returned. So, they left in a hurry without hesitation.


    If even Charles and other martial arts masters hadn''t been spared, what else could they do?


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    Because the gap between the members of the Jacobs family''s strength and Felix''s was huge, it was impossible for them to escape. They were all beaten up by him, without leaving behind a single corpse. Only by killing these members of the Jacobs family could there no longer be any continuation. When Felix entered the house, hey on the bed. He didn''t think that he was exposed by Vanessa or her family. With the Jacobs family''s and Elders'' Council''s capability of finding information, learning about it was easy.


    Besides, everyone''s gazes and expressions were normal during the wedding. He couldn''t be bothered to look into it more.


    At this time, Felix received a call from Xena. "Xena."


    "Don''t call me like that. I hope you always remember that! Giving you a call means nothing. You just need to listen. After I finish speaking, I''ll block you again."


    Felix''s mood wasn''t affected much. After experiencing such a difficult battle, he felt neutral. He only needed to try his best to make up for it. Even if he failed in the end, he didn''t need to seek death to survive.


    "Firstly, the Skybound Revenant had been found and killed sessfully. Secondly, about Uncle John framing you previously, I apologize on his behalf. Because he''s overseas and doesn''t pick up my calls now, it''s impossible to convict him. So, this is all I can do." John? Felix snorted. After he was done with Xena''s matter, he would definitely go overseas and kill John.


    Once Xena finished speaking, she ended the call. Perhaps she had blocked Felix''s number again.


    In a dazed state, Felix woke up. He pricked up his ears and listened. Then, he sat up. "Am I dreaming?"


    In the self-built house, there were sobbing sounds. At times, it sounded like a woman, it sounded like a kid sometimes, too.


    but


    When Felix was certain he wasn''t dreaming, he looked at his phone and realized that it was 1:00 am. He got out of bed and stood there, waiting for something. Dozens of secondster, the sobbing sounds started again.


    Felix was extremely quick. In an instant, he arrived in a corner on the second floor. He was certain that the sobbing sounds were from here, but he didn''t know the exact location. "In the wall?"


    Felix rubbed his chin. He wasn''t afraid, but if he wanted to find out about it, he needed to break the wall. He couldn''t do that because this house was Jack and Vanessa''s marital home. If he broke the wall, he wouldn''t be able to exin the situation to them. At this time, the voice disappeared. Felix waited for half an hour, but the sound didn''t ring again. He returned to his bedroom. However, when he had justin on the bed, the sobbing sounds started again.


    The difference was that it was in another ce on the first floor. At this point, he was no longer calm. He wasn''t afraid, though. He just wanted to find out what was going on.


    "Were there really ghosts?" After thinking for a while, Felix gave Billy a call as he was an expert.


    Billy only answered the call after it rang for a while. "Felix, do you know what time it is right now?" Felix couldn''t care less about that. He told Billy everything he had experienced moments


    ago.


    "You know my capability. I''m certain that there isn''t anyone in the house, so what''s going on?"


    Upon hearing that, Billy became interested. "Sobbing sounds that are from a woman or a kid? The sound wouldn''t ring when you''re standing there?"


    A whileter, he asked, "Be honest with me first. Have you seen a woman with a tattoo on her body that''s simr to a cobra and a skull? With a red outline?"


    Felix was about to answer that he had never seen that when a scene appeared in his mind. He didn''t feel good anymore because he had seen a woman that matched that description before. 1 Today''s Bonus Offer


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    When Queenie identally touched the Hexbloom, Felix had to treat her immediately, leaving her in nothing but underwear due to the unusual circumstances. In that vulnerable state, he could not help but notice every detail of her body including ces he should not have seen.


    On Queenie''s back, near her right shoulder, there was an intriguing tattoo that initially appeared to be a cobra''s head but also resembled a skull upon closer inspection. The design was particrly striking with its red-inked edges, and Felix could not help but recall seeing it somewhere before. "You''ve really seen it before?" Felix found himself in an unexpected situation and could only trust Billy''s judgment.


    "Yes, I have. What''s the connection?" Billy pondered for a moment before continuing, "It''s an ancient totem from Southern Xilona that somehow made its way into mainstream tattoo shops, and many customers choose it for themselves."


    Felix furrowed his brows. "Wouldn''t that mean many people would experience this situation?"


    There were millions of people with tattoos in Dragonia. While Felix was a powerful warrior who did not fear the consequences, he worried about ordinary people who might be affected.


    Billy rified, "Not at all! Only tattoos done by someone with Southern Xilona witch status have that power. Otherwise, it''s just a design. When a witch tattoos a woman with this design, the first man to see it bes bound to her, which exins your situation." This revtion meant that both the tattoo customers and Queenie were victims, as they could not have known their tattoo artist secretly held Southern Xilona witch status.


    "Will the effects spread?" Felix asked with concern.


    Billy nodded grimly. "While it won''t escte beyond these haunting voices, there''s something else to consider, Felix-it depends on your conscience.


    "The witchcraft follows karmic lines, so anyone connected to you through fate will experience simr effects. You might not care, but what about your family and friends?"


    Felix was amazed by this transmission effect, realizing there was still so much unknown in Dragonia. Billy''s ability to find Skybound Revenant, for instance, was something he had never heard of before.


    "How can we break this curse?" Felix asked, knowing he could handle it himself but worried about others getting involved.


    Billy exined, "It''s actually simple! You just need to be intimate with the woman, and everything will dissipate, including the tattoo on her body.


    "In Southern Xilona, they view love as sacred, and betraying it is considered unforgivable. You''ve probably heard simr stories about their love potions they''re quite skilled at those,


    too."


    Felix rolled his eyes, feeling like he was facing Sarah all over again-another situation requiring intimacy, which left him speechless. Yet, he knew about love potions and Southern Xilona''s unwavering dedication to love, which made everything make sense. "I understand. Thank you for your help," Felix replied, knowing the solution but unsure how to execute it.


    He could not imagine either confessing to Queenie or forcing himself on her-neither option seemed viable.


    ww


    The next morning, Jack and Vanessa arrived at the self-built house, with thetter busy in the kitchen. Melissa had alsoe along since they nned to return to Gray City after breakfast. "You look like you haven''t recovered from your hangover yet," Felix teased, causing Jack to give him a reproachful look.


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 Billionaire With Husband 742

    Chapter


    742


    "Don''t even mention it. Usually, this amount of alcohol wouldn''t be an issue, but I barely sleptst night," Jack groaned.


    Felix found it amusing since people typically slept better when drunk, which was unusual


    "Having those kinds of dreams?" he teased, feeling rxed around Jack, especially since Melissa was helping Vanessa in the kitchen.


    Jack shot Felix a look before turning serious. "It''s strange. Last night felt like a dream but also seemed real. You probably won''t believe this, but kept hearing cries.


    "Sometimes, it sounded like children, other times like women, leaving me in this dreamlike state all night. Meanwhile, Nessa didn''t stir once all night. When I asked her this morning, she said she hadn''t heard anything."


    Felix''s expression changed instantly, realizing Billy''s warning was alreadying true. Given Jack''s close connection to him, the karmic tie was probably strongest, making him the first to experience the effects. While it was not surprising, its speed was rming. "You were definitely dreaming. Don''t overthink it," Felix reassured him.


    "Yeah, you''re right." Jack nodded.


    Felix felt helpless, knowing he needed to resolve this quickly before it affected more people. While warriors could handle it, ordinary people might end up with mental health issues.


    After much consideration, Felix decided to tell Melissa about the situation on the ne.


    Melissa furrowed her brows with concern. "A Southern Xilona witch? Felix, you need to take- this seriously. When I was training with my master, he once stole something but immediately returned it after realizing the owner was a Southern Xilona witch. "When I asked if he was overreacting, he was clear-never mess with Southern Xilona witches. Their methods are too mysterious and impossible to guard against."


    Seeing Felix''s silence, Melissaughed. "Why are you worrying? This is perfect for you-you get to be with a woman and break the curse. It''s a win-win!"


    Felix was annoyed by her casual attitude. It was not as simple as just sleeping with someone. He did not want to add anotherplicated rtionship to his life, even though circumstances kept forcing him into these situations.


    The clinic would not open that day since they reached Gray City around 4:00 pm, so Felix sent Melissa home. He took some Canraville specialties that Jack had prepared and headed to Clement''s house, where he found Willow. "I brought some local specialties from Canraville," Felix said, their rtionship now close


    enough to skip formalities.


    "Thanks, Felix! Actually, I was nning to stop by tonight. Would you like to join us for a barbecue tomorrow? Clement knows this amazing spot, and Queenie''s already agreed toe, "Willow suggested.


    At the mention of Queenie, Felix smiled and nodded. "Sure. I''ll keep the clinic closed another day. It''s been a while since I''ve had a good barbecue."


    Later, Felix went to Queenie''s house, feeling oddly guilty as he rang the doorbell. After waiting for a while with no response, he was about to leave when the door finally opened.


    "Queen" Felix froze mid-word.


    The woman who emerged was not Queenie.


    It was Yvonne.


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    Yvonne appeared equally surprised to see Felix standing at the gate.


    "Have a safe trip, Ms. Cooper!" Queenie called from behind, her tone and expression revealing more than her words.


    Felix''s instinctive greeting died in his throat as Yvonne maintained her distance, aware that their connection had ended. She had only exchanged pleasantries at the wedding due to the crowd, knowing where to draw the line. After a moment''s hesitation, Felix broke the silence. "Yvonne, what brings you here?"


    "Just some business matters to discuss with Queenie," Yvonne replied hastily, clearly caught off guard.


    Queenie looked between them with surprise. "You two know each other?"


    "She was a former patient of mine," Felix exined with a smile.


    "Oh! What a small world!"


    Through their brief conversation, Felix learned that Queenie had recently been transferred to be the regional CEO of Ster Group.


    After Yvonne left, Felix handed Queenie the local specialties he had brought, having initiated the earlier conversation to build rapport for what mighteter.


    "Thank you for thinking of us neighbors while you were away," Queenie said warmly. "By the way, are you joining us for the barbecue that Willow mentioned tomorrow?" "Yes, I''ve already agreed. See you, then." Felix nodded.


    ...


    That evening, Felix visited a bar at Isabe''s invitation-Nelly had called, insisting they thank him properly.


    "Felix, I hate formal restaurant dinners. This is much more rxed, and I hope you don''t mind it," Isabe said as they settled into the moderately quiet bar filled with young professionals.


    "It''s really not necessary to thank me," Felix insisted, but Isabe would not hear of it.


    "Nonsense! You returned everything to Darren in just one day. You should have seen how happy he was! You helped us both tremendously, and since you don''t need money, at least let me show my appreciation this way."


    A few drinkster, Felix received an urgent call from Kurt requesting to meet, so he sent over the bar''s location. Within two hours, Isabe was too drunk to lift her head, and Felix helped get her to the car, understanding now why Nelly had stayed sober.


    "Felix, thank you. You''ve changed both mine and Be''s lives," Nelly said sincerely.


    Felix smiled warmly. "No need for formalities. You both worked hard, too. Drive safe and call me if you need anything."


    After watching them leave, Felix returned to the bar, partly to wait for Kurt but mainly because he had spotted Queenie sitting alone at the bar counter 30 minutes earlier.


    "I''ve said no three times already. Can you please leave?" Queenie told a blond guy who kept pestering her.


    "Come on. Hang out in my private room for a bit. You might drag me to a hotel yourself I''m pretty amazing in bed," Edwin Zayas slurred.


    Queenie''s patience snapped, and she threw her cocktail in his face. "You''re disgusting!"


    Edwin lost it and lunged for Queenie''s throat.


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 Billionaire With Husband 744

    hapter 744


    "You bitch! How dare you ssh me? Do you know who I am?" Edwin snarled.


    Just in time, Felix grabbed Edwin''s wrist and pushed him back, causing him to stumble until his friends caught him. Though Felix had not nned on ying hero, he had never felt morepelled to act. "Get lost!" he warned.


    "You''re both dead! Neither of you is walking out of here in one piece!" Edwin threatened as he pulled out a switchde, and his friends quickly surrounded Felix.


    "I''m calling the police!" Queenie warned, frightened as she pulled out her phone.


    Edwin sneered, "Call them, and I''ll slice up that pretty face of yours."


    Felix calmly guided Queenie back to her seat before calling out to someone behind the thugs." Handle this."


    "Mr. Zeller!" Multiple voices rang out in unison, startling Edwin and his men.


    They spun around to find over a dozen intimidating men standing behind them, far more threatening than any street thugs.


    "M-Mr. Gray!" Edwin stammered, recognizing the leader. He could not believe his terrible luck -Felix knew Kurt.


    Without even a chance to beg for mercy, the thugs were dragged away.


    Queenie watched in amazement as Felix quickly exined, "I saved his life once."


    He did not want Queenie to think he was involved with gangs, knowing it would lower her opinion of him. After all, no respectable woman would be interested in someone mixed up in violence and crime. Kurt tactfully chose a booth to wait, knowing better than to interrupt even if his business was


    urgent.


    "Are you okay?" Felix asked Queenie softly.


    Queenie shook her head apologetically. "I''m so sorry for getting you into trouble."


    "We''re neighbors, so there''s no need to apologize. You probably don''t feel like drinking. anymore. Can I give you a ride home?" Felix offered.


    Queenie stood up with a forced smile. "No, thanks. I''ll just grab a cab."


    After she left, Felix sat across from Kurt. "What was so urgent it needed to be in person?"


    Kurt had prepared his response carefully. "Mr. Zeller, Jeremiah Jacinto, Gray City''s wealthiest man, suddenly sent people to warn me against helping you."


    Felix was puzzled. He had never even met Jeremiah, so the sudden hostility was puzzling. He replied, "Tell Ryan to handle it."


    "Yes, sir!" Kurt replied promptly.


    Felix saw no reason to waste energy on such trivial matters. Even George could easily handle someone like Gray City''s richest man, let alone Ryan.


    Felix had barely gotten home when Queenie showed up at his door, looking anxious. "I think I''m having those symptoms again. Could you check my pulse?"


    Though it was an opportunity, Felix refused to take advantage of her vulnerable state. "Of course. Let me examine you."


    After checking her pulse and finding everything normal, Felix reassured her, "It''s natural to be haunted by such a strange illness. Give it some time, and you''ll feel better soon." Queenie sighed in relief, patting her chest. "Thank you for everything. I should head back now.


    Just as she stood to leave, a woman''s voice echoed through the house, "Why are you in such a rush to leave? Since you''re here, why don''t we clear things up first?" Today''s Bonus Offer

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    Felix instantly recognized the voice-it was Delh, also known as Dreamscape. After promising Billy, he contacted Seven from ir to ry a message through Averill, though he had not expected such a quick response. Felix was grateful to Averill for allowing Seven to exist as a connection to his senior


    apprentices. Perhaps it was also Gerald''s way of acknowledging that Felix would not abuse such rtionships.


    "Who''s that? Felix, i-is someone else in your house?" Queenie asked fearfully, hiding behind him in a natural response to the unexpected voice


    Delh emerged wearing the mask she always wore in public.


    Felix quickly exined, "Don''t be afraid. She''s my senior apprentice."


    Queenie gathered her courage to look and gasped "A-Aren''t you Dreamscape?"


    Dreamscape was incredibly famous, and almost everyone knew about her. Moreover, her mask was so iconic that no one dared to copy it, knowing her fans would destroy any impostors.


    Felix shot Delh an annoyed look before turning to Queenie. "I''m sorry. She just likes to joke around. She''s not Dreamscape-she''s just a fan who, sometimes, likes to wear the mask at home." "Oh, I see. Well, I should go," Queenie replied, rxing slightly.


    But as she turned to leave, Delh suddenly appeared in front of Queenie and, to Felix''s shock, grabbed her throat. "I said we need to clear things up first. Didn''t you hear me?"


    "What are you doing?" Felix shouted in rm.


    Delh gave him a look of pity. "This person is the one truly wearing a mask. Though I can''t me you-even others would miss it."


    Felix froze as he remembered Delh''s unique abilities. Among Gerald''s nine female apprentices, each had their specialties and different training methods.


    Delh was known for her exceptional sensory abilities. While herbat skills might not match Averill''s, her perceptive abilities were second only to Eloise''s.


    "You mean Queenie''s true identity is hidden?" Felix asked in disbelief.


    Delh nodded as she released her grip. "Yes. She''s wearing a mask unlike any I''ve seen before. Its concealment is incredibly powerful. Can you really believe someone like this approached you without ulterior motives?" Felix trusted Delh and turned a hostile gaze toward Queenie. "Who are you, really?"


    When Queenie tried to maintain her act, Delh raised her hand threateningly. "Deny it again,


    and I''ll kill you right here."


    Her eyes showed she was not bluffing. Something seemed to click, and Feliz watched in amazement as Queenie''s eyespletely transformed, bing utterly different from before.


    "I never expected you''d have such a powerful senior who could see through the Shadow Mask, "she admitted.


    Felix felt a chill down his spine-even as an advanced martial artist, he had not detected her disguise.


    He asked, "But how? When I checked her pulse, she seemedpletely normal.


    Delhughed coldly. "That''s why I said I''ve never seen such an amazing mask. It conceals everything about her martial artist nature, not just her appearance. I wouldn''t have believed it was possible if I hadn''t seen it myself."

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    "What? Queenie is a martial artist?" Felix was stunned, wondering how powerful this Shadow Mask could be.


    He shuddered to think what dangers might have awaited him if Delh had not happened to arrive and expose the truth.


    "I mean you no harm! Otherwise, I would have struck already! Let me leave, and I''ll agree to any conditions!" Queenie pleaded. Delh smirked. "Any conditions?"


    "Yes, anything!" Queenie confirmed desperately


    Felix suddenly burst out in anger. "Still trying to manipte me? By ''any conditions,'' you mean getting me to sleep with you, right?"


    Delh was taken aback, wondering why Felix kept talking about sleeping with women. She wondered if his junior apprentices had messed with his head too much.


    Seeing Queenie''s silence, Felix continued harshly. "I should have known there was something suspicious about that tattoo on your back. You''d better tell the truth, or you''re not leaving!" Queenie suddenly turned to Delh. "Please don''t tell Felix what I really look like, and I''ll confess everything."


    Intrigued, Delh hesitated before nodding slightly.


    Queenie visibly rxed at this agreement. Then, she revealed, "Felix, I''m N Hughman."


    Felix was speechless, realizing this despicable woman had infiltrated his life. He had not only treated her as a friend but had even agonized over how to be intimate with her.


    N continued, "I truly wanted to be with you, and I knew you hated who I used to be! This was the only way I could get close to you. From your history with Yvonne, I knew you deeply respected women.


    "I thought if we became intimate, your hatred of my past wouldn''t matter as much. That''s why I disguised myself as Queenie."


    Delh threw up her hands, looking between them. "Goodness! You used such a precious artifact just to sleep with him?"


    Felix was beyond words at this point but extended his hand. "Just in case, hand over the Shadow Mask."


    "I''ll give it to her, but not to you," N replied firmly.


    "Fine!" he agreed, trusting Delh and just wanting to ensure N could not use it again. N gave him onest longing look as she headed for the door, with Delh following to


    secure the mask.


    She asked, "Felix, I''ve truly fallen for you. Can''t you give me another chance?"


    When he remained silent, N sighed and left.


    Felix sat on the couch, his mind in chaos, wondering how such a powerful woman could abandon everything just to be with him.


    If only there had not been their troubled history, he might have considered giving her another chance.


    After what seemed like forever, the doorbell rang, snapping Felix back to reality. When he opened the gate and saw who was standing there, his eyes widened in disbelief. "Am I dreaming?" he whispered.


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    Standing at Felix''s gates was Xena-an utterly unexpected sight that exined his shocked expression. Despite their phone conversation, where she had threatened to block him again, she was there in the middle of the night. Could there be hope for reconciliation?


    With his heart racing, Felix rushed to open the gates. "Xena, what brings you here?"


    "Can''t I visit? How mean!" She pouted, giving him a reproachful look.


    After a moment''s hesitation, Felix followed her inside, then broke into a wry smile. "Delh, can we stop ying these games?"


    The woman about to sit on the couch looked puzzled. "What do you mean? Who''s Delh?"


    you don''t


    Felix shook his head. "Drop the act. Xena would never act cute with me right now-you know her at all. You almost had me fooled, though."


    He gestured toward her chest and added, "Plus, you''re a bit more... ample there than she is." Looking down at herself, "Xena"ughed. "Oh? You seem to remember my features quite well. Did you measure me while I was sleeping?" As she spoke, her right hand swept across her face, instantly revealing Delh''s true appearance-only her clothes remained different.


    "Come on! I''d never do anything that creepy," Felix protested.


    Examining the Shadow Mask, Delh tossed it to Felix. "This thing is truly incredible. While it can''t alter body shape, it can change appearances and mask any trace of martial arts abilities. It mighte in handy someday."


    She smirked as she continued, "By the way, N wanted me to tell you that except for her true face and most intimate areas, everything else you saw was genuine."


    Felix''s face darkened. "What''s that supposed to mean? Is she suggesting I owe her something? She came to me for treatment. I didn''t have any ulterior motives."


    Delh gave him a teasing look. "That''s not very gentlemanly of you. A woman''s body is sacred-the fact that she lets you see hers proves her sincerity. But hey, it''s your decision to make."


    Felix caught himself remembering treating "Queenie"-her perfect figure, her porcin skin...


    He quickly stopped that train of thought. This was N, after all. He could not let himself get drawn in.


    The next morning, Billy arrived at Felix''s house. "Felix, if you really cared, you''d treat me to a


    fancy dinner instead of just breakfast."


    His eyes widened as he saw the spread. "Seriously? You couldn''t even cook breakfast yourself? Just store-bought coffee, buns, and bagels? This is totally half-assed!"


    Felix sat down calmly. "I promised you could have a meal with Dreamscape, and I''ll keep that promise."


    Right on cue, Delh walked out wearing her mask, leaving Billy starstruck. He eximed, Oh, my god! It really is Dreamscape!"


    11


    Once they were all seated, the chubby man looked dejected. "She''s my idol, and we''re just having breakfast?"

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    Felix maintained a straight face. "You''re lucky to get anything at all. I never promised a fancy meal."


    Billy''s frustration grew as Delh barely spoke during breakfast and left quickly after eating just a little.


    Almost immediately after she left, he exploded, "Felix! What did I ever do to deserve this? I''ve dreamed about dining with Dreamscape countless times, and this is how you ruined it!"


    Felix snorted, pointing at Billy. "You''re lucky I kept my promise at all, you fat idiot. After what you pulled, you deserve a good p or two."


    "What did I do?" Billy demanded indignantly. "If you don''t exin yourself, I''ll put funeral wreaths in front of your clinic this afternoon."


    Felix simply watched Billy''s reaction before continuing, "Queenie deceived me. There was never any haunted tattoo situation. What do you have to say for yourself?"


    Billy deted and slumped in his chair. "Don''t me me! Queenie offered too much money. I couldn''t refuse! Besides, it wouldn''t have hurt you. Any guy would be thrilled to get a free pass with a woman." Just as Felix suspected, Billy had conspired with N to put on the whole act. At this point, he did not even care how they had managed the mysterious voices.


    "Consider your debt from the auction house tip paid," Felix stated coldly.


    Billy''s face twisted in displeasure. "You''re ruthless! But watch out. If I could make you owe me once, I can do it ten more times! Ugh, my precious Dreamscape experience is now wasted!"


    Half an hourter, Felix arrived at Clement''s house for their barbecue meetup. As he was about to ring the bell, Willow rushed out, still in her pajamas.


    "Aren''t you ready yet?" Felix asked, surprised since they had nned to meet here before taking Clement''s van, which could fit everyonefortably.


    "Felix, I was just about to call you. We need to cancel the barbecue," Willow said hesitantly.


    Felix shrugged it off casually. "No problem. We can do it another time. I''m free whenever."


    Seeing Willow''s uncertain expression, he pressed gently, "Is everything okay?"


    Willow forced a smile. "It''s nothing serious. Just some urgentpany business Clement needs to handle. Let''s reschedule. I''m really sorry, and if you see Queenie, could you exin? She''s not answering her phone." Felix knew why-Queenie no longer existed. "Sure. No problem."


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    Walking back home to drop off his supplies, Felix decided to head to the clinic since his day was now free. There was no need to notify Melissa, who was already on break.


    As he was leaving the neighborhood, a Mercedes screeched to a halt beside him. Clement jumped out of the driver''s seat and stormed toward Felix.


    "Clement, about thepany-"Felix began, but Clement grabbed his cor, his eyes zing with fury.


    "Why? Why would you do this to me?" Clement snarled.


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    hapter 749


    Felix stared in bewilderment at Clement''s intense reaction. "What happened?"


    Suddenly, Clement released his grip and let out a bitterugh. He said, "Never mind. Perhaps this is my fate. I shouldn''t me others for it."


    Then, he got into his car and drove away, leaving Felixpletely confused but certain something serious had urred.


    At the clinic, Felix could not sit still and finally decided to call Willow. "I wanted to ask about Clement-"


    "Don''t bother!" Willow snapped. "Felix, don''t contact us anymore. I wanted to yell at you, but Clement is right-sometimes, we have to ept our fate instead of ming others. "You did save Darcy, and we''ll always remember that. Let''s leave it at that."


    The line went dead, and when Felix tried calling back, he discovered he had been blocked.


    "Damn it!" He mmed his hand on the desk in genuine anger.


    Willow had been the key to reconciling with Xena, and just when things were looking promising, this mystery situation had erupted.


    30 minutester, Kurt arrived at the clinic and immediately sensed the tense atmosphere. He had never seen Felix with such a grim expression. It waspletely different from his usual cheerful demeanor.


    "Did you tell Ryan about Jeremiah''s situation?" Felix asked.


    Kurt nodded quickly. "Yes, Mr. Gibson said he''d handle it, and I shouldn''t worry about it anymore."


    If Ryan had said he would handle it, Jeremiah should have been an insignificant existence to him, easily dealt with through a single phone call. This made the situation even more puzzling, as it should not have affected Willow and Clement at all. "Did you bring the person I asked for?" Felix asked.


    "Yes, Oscar Marsh-a senior executive at Clement''spany. Nothing happens there without his knowledge," Kurt replied.


    Later, Oscar, a nervous-looking man in his 50s, entered the room. Being summoned by Kurt in Gray City rarely meant good news.


    "Don''t be nervous. I just have a few questions," Felix said, though seeing Oscar''s overly eager nodding, he decided to cut the pleasantries.


    "What crisis is yourpany facing?" Felix asked directly.


    After a pointed look from Kurt, Oscar spilled everything.


    Jeremiah Jacinto, came to ourpany early this mornine stan Jacinto, the eldest son of


    an extremely low price, or he''d crush us.


    He threatened to force us to sell at


    "You know how powerful the Jacinto family is. If they start applying pressure, ourpany will copse within three days. To prove he''s serious, Concord Bank is already demanding immediate repayment of our recently approved 500-million-dor loan, citing procedural irregrities." Felix frowned deeply.


    It really was Jeremiah''s doing. Why had Ryan not handled this?

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    Felix tried calling Ryan but got a "temporarily unavable" message. He asked Oscar, "Did Tristan mention why he''s doing this?


    Oscar shook his head. "No. He wouldn''t budge no matter how much our chairman begged. We finally got this huge loan from Concord Bank and were about to take thepany to the next level. Now, it''s all falling apart.". Felix found it strange. After all, there was no reason to go after Clement if someone wanted to target him. They were merely friendly neighbors during his short time in Gray City, so their connection was not that deep. "Did Clement agree to sell?" Felix asked.


    "What choice did we have? The Jacintos are too powerful. Even selling at a low price would at least cover our debts and let us survive. We''ll lose everything if we don''t sell."


    Felix finally understood why Clement had been so emotional-Tristan must have said something specifically threatening in private.


    "When''s the contract signing?"


    "Tomorrow morning at thepany," Oscar replied.


    After dismissing Oscar, Kurt whispered, "Mr. Zeller, the Jacinto family truly rules Gray City. I''m nothingpared to them. What do you n to do?"


    Felix stood up with a cold smile. "Leave it to me.


    At sunset, Felix watched a young man enter a private room of a luxury restaurant in Gray City. The man asked, "Who are you?"


    Felix found it amusing. "You''ve been causing me trouble without even knowing who I am?" It was Tristan Jacinto, who smiled as realization dawned. "Ah, so you''re Felix Zeller. Impressive that you got Mr. Yardley to arrange this meeting." "Why did you target Clement?" Felix asked directly as Tristan sat down across from him with perfectposure.


    "It''s simple. He''s clearly more than just a casual friend of yours. No one would get Mr. Yardley to approve a loan for someone like Clement unless they were close," Tristan exined.


    "I have no bad blood with the Jacinto family. Who''s really behind this?" Felix pressed.


    Tristan nodded but changed his tone. "There is someone, but you don''t need to know who. Clement is just the beginning-anyone connected to you will meet a miserable end. Taking hispany is only the first step, as you''ll soon understand." 1/2


    Just then, Dorian arrived, trembling and sweating. Before Felix could speak, he rushed to exin, "Mr. Zeller, I had no choice!


    "The higher-ups at Dragonia''s branch forced this through. They''d fire me on any excuse if I didn''tply. I''m so sorry!"


    Felix knew such authority was beyond Jeremiah''s reach as Gray City''s wealthiest man. Since there was clearly someone pulling strings behind the scenes, he did not want to waste too much time on this.


    He mmed something onto the table and said, "Stop the loan recall immediately. Any problems with that?"


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    Tristan sneered with contempt. "Do you actually think a mere card can stop a loan collection?


    Who do you think you


    are?"


    However, Dorian''sposure crumbled as he suddenly stood up and grabbed the card, his face filled with shock. "Y-You''re a Supreme ck Card holder!"


    The standards at Concord Bank were incredibly strict. Even if Felix had shown a regr VIP card earlier, no one could ess his other credentials without proper authorization.


    This exined Dorian''s astonishment, especially since Felix had only presented a Diamond Card during theirst encounter.


    "Is there a problem?" Felix asked calmly.


    Dorian was terrified. "No problem at all, Mr. Zeller! I promise to execute your orders immediately, regardless of what anyone else says "


    He was not joking. After all, a Supreme ck Card held immense power. One call to the international headquarters could get the Dragonia branch president fired in seconds. "Get it done," Felixmanded.


    As Dorian left, Tristan''s expression changed for the first time, clearly shaken by the revtion. As the son of the wealthiest man in Gray City, he knew exactly what a Concord Bank Supreme ck Card represented. In the past, he would not even have qualified to shine the shoes for someone like that.


    "Tell your father to get here within 30 minutes," Felix spoke again, snapping Tristan out of


    his daze.


    Though Tristan wanted to maintain his tough facade, he could not muster the same attitude as before.


    "You''ve certainly surprised me. A Supreme ck Card, huh? I never thought I''d sit at the same table as one of its holders," Tristan admitted. "But Felix, let me warn you. The people behind us aren''t to be taken lightly, either."


    Suddenly, a fork pierced through the air, followed by Tristan''s agonized screams as it embedded itself in his arm, blood dripping steadily.


    "For every minute beyond 30 minutes, you get another fork," Felix stated coldly.


    Clearly, Tristan was just a messenger who did not know much-only Jeremiah could provide the answers Felix sought.


    "I''ll... I''ll call right now!" Tristan nced at the two bodyguards who had entered but remained frozen in ce, realizing that Felix had to be a formidable martial artist.


    After a brief conversation, Tristan activated the speakerphone, wincing in pain.


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    "Mr. Zeller, please don''t harm my son. I was forced into this! The action against Clement was a direct order from an executive of Abyssal Surge Sect. You know how powerful they are. I couldn''t refuse!"


    The involvement of Abyssal Surge Sect caught Felix off guard. Such a prestigious martial arts organization usually took direct action rather than ying such underhanded games.


    "Choosing sides for profites with consequences!" Before leaving, Felix drove another fork into Tristan''s injured arm.


    Any skilled doctor would know that the arm was now permanently disabled.


    After leaving the restaurant, Felix immediately called Vivian, the current Dragon Lord, whom he had not contacted in a while.


    She answered instantly. "Mr. Zeller."


    "Go to Abyssal Surge Sect personally and tell them this ends now," Felixmanded.


    "Yes, sir!"


    Abyssal Surge Sect was undeniably the second-ranked supreme martial arts organization in Dragonia, far more terrifying than the Jacobs family of the Eight Great Martial Families. Felix was not strong enough to confront them yet andcked the time for a fight, but Vivian''s intervention should temporarily resolve the situation.


    Once he absorbed a few more Dragonspines, it would be time to settle this score.


    Shortly after returning home, Clement and Willow arrived together to see Felix. Today''s Bonus Offer


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    "I''m sorry, Felix. I was too emotional and believed Tristan''s words," Clement apologized.


    Felix waved his hand dismissively. "No. I should be the one apologizing. My personal grudges ended up affecting you both."


    It was obvious that everything had been resolved, or these two would not havee to see him.


    "Don''t say that! Mr. Yardley told me about the additional 500-million-dor loan, interest-free this time. I don''t know how to thank you enough," Clement said earnestly.


    The interest on a mere 500-million-dor loan was nothingpared to earning the favor of a Supreme ck Card holder-anyone in that position could do the math. Felix had nned to reveal things gradually, but at this point, there was no use hiding anymore. After all, Clement and Willow were not foolish. They knew a simple neighborly rtionship could not run this deep, though they had not dared to ask. The incident with the Jacinto family had shown them that Felix was far more than just a doctor. "Actually, I came to Gray City because of you, Willow," Felix admitted.


    Both were extremely surprised, and Clement, as the husband, had not even considered any romantic implications.


    "Someone I loved deeply was your pen pal. We were once..." Felix began.


    After he finished exining, Willow''s expression seemedplicated. She never imagined that the reason their family was saved was because of that pen pal-it seemed almost too fantastical.


    "I had nned to let you get to know me over time, so you could genuinely speak on my behalf. But ns change faster than we expect, and continuing to hide the truth would only worsen things," Felix exined.


    Clement remained silent while Willow took a long time before responding, "Could you give me a few days to think about this? To be honest, even though we''ve never met in person, years of correspondence have made us as close as family. I really need time to process this."


    Felix nodded. "Of course. Now that everything''s out in the open, I won''t decision has to be yours." pressure you. This


    Shortly after the couple left, Ryan called. "Mr. Zeller, have you seen Nelly these past few days? "Nelly?" Felix responded. "No, why?"


    "It''s probably nothing. I haven''t been able to reach her for a couple of days. It''s happened before, but for some reason, I''m feeling uneasy. Sorry to bother you, Mr. Zeller."


    After hanging up, Felix tried calling Nelly himself but got no answer. He sat in the courtyard, gazing at the stars, and suddenly felt at peace as everything became clear.


    He had done his best to salvage his rtionship with Xena, and if Willow was unwilling to help, or if her help proved futile, he would not force the issue. He would follow George''s wishes and search for the remaining Dragonspines. After some time, Vivian called. "Mr. Zeller, Abyssal Surge Sect agreed, but..."


    Felix frowned. "But what?"


    "They said it''s a separate matter. While they''ll end their issue with you, they absolutely won''t release the two people they''ve captured from their sect."


    "They captured someone?" Felix''s expression darkened. "Who?"


    "Ryan Gibson and Nelly Lorenzo."


    Felix clenched his teeth and fist. "Abyssal Surge Sect is asking for death! You really think I won''t go to war with you?"


    Suddenly, a mysterious figure appeared before him, giggling mischievously. "Do you want to see Abyssal Surge Sect gone? I''ll help you with that." Today''s Bonus Offer

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    Honestly, Felix was startled by the sudden appearance.


    Standing before him was a young girl in her teens, wearing pigtails, jeans, and a green T-shirt. While not strikingly beautiful, she embodied cuteness to perfection, especially with her dimples when she smiled and a tiny fang that made her utterly endearing. "Who are you?" Felix asked cautiously.


    The girl maintained her smile and extended her right hand. "You can call me Cynthia. I''m your sister-inw."


    Before he could say more, Felix suddenly recalled her opening words. "Wait! Did you just call me brother-inw?"


    Cynthia nodded cheerfully. "Yep, you''re my brother-inw! Oh,e on! Do you want Abyssal Surge Sect gone or not? I really want to do something for you!"


    While puzzled, Felix casually replied, "If I say yes-"


    Before he could finish, Cynthia vanished, her words and giggles echoing in the air. "Got it!"


    Though confused, Felix was certain of one thing-Cynthia was incredibly powerful, likely at Blood Realm level herself. However, he did not take it too seriously, assuming she was just some brat out for fun.


    After all, even a Blood Realm fighter would find it challenging to destroy a powerhouse like Abyssal Surge Sect. Pushing these thoughts aside, Felix began nning how to rescue Ryan and Nelly. He could only confront the Abyssal Surge Sect head-on after ensuring their safety.


    As time passed, he reluctantly realized he would need his senior apprentices'' help. Rescuing two people stealthily by himself seemed unrealistic. He had already checked that Abyssal Surge Sect was not too far from Gray City.


    The sect was hidden deep in a vast forest, just over two hours by car. Felix could start his n right here without traveling elsewhere,


    Two lives were at stake. While Ryan''s family influence might protect him from death, Nelly''s situation was far more precarious, which exined why Ryan could not reach her.


    Felix''s eyes grew cold at the thought. It was shocking that the second-ranked Abyssal Surge Sect in Dragonia would stoop to such underhanded tactics, even targeting an innocent civilian like Nelly.


    Then again, given their previous actions with the Skybound Revenant incident, perhaps they truly had no moral bottom line. Checking his phone, he noticed it was already 3:00 pm.


    Time had flown while he concentrated on the problem. Just as he was about to call Seven, Vivian called again.


    "Any updates?" he asked, wondering if she was still at Abyssal Surge Sect.


    "Y-You probably won''t believe what I''m about to say." Vivian''s voice trembled with shock


    Felix furrowed his brows. "Go on,"


    He could not guess what had happened.


    Abyssal Surge Sect''s strong stance had been surprising. They had barely shown respect to Vivian, the new Dragon Lord of Dragon Alliance, by refusing to release the hostages. "Abyssal Surge Sect has been wiped out! Everyst one of them!"


    Felix sat frozen in his chair, the words "wiped out" echoing in his mind. After several seconds, he finally managed to ask, "What did you say?"


    Vivian replied, "They''re really gone! I stayed at the sect, trying to negotiate for Nelly and Ryan''s release, but they werepletely uncooperative.


    "They even boasted that only the Dragon Alliance''s founder deserved such consideration, saying I wasn''t qualified and that temporarily settling their grudge with you was already generous enough." Chapter 754

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    "I had no choice but to leave and await your next instructions! But just minutes after I left, I suddenly sensed an overwhelming smell of blooding from Abyssal Surge Sect, so I rushed back," Vivian added.


    She kept taking deep breaths as she spoke, seemingly overwhelmed by the memory of the scene that had left her too shocked to speak normally.


    "It was literally a sea of blood and bodies! The entire Abyssal Surge Sect was dead, not a single survivor! Mr. Zeller, it took me about five minutes to return, but in that incredibly short time, someone powerful enough hadpletely annihted this mighty organization. "Even their livestock was dead-absolutely no survivors!".


    Felix immediately jumped to his feet, unable to provide Vivian with an answer. Among those he knew, only his seniors possessed such power.


    However, he had not contacted any of them, and even if he had, they could not have arrived so quickly. Most importantly, his seniors would nevermit such ughter without leaving any survivors.


    "Vivian, don''t mention this to anyone else. You need to leave immediately! The sudden destruction of Abyssal Surge Sect will be massive news."


    "I understand, Mr. Zeller. I came alone, and I won''t breathe a word of this to anyone."


    Just before hanging up, Vivian remembered something. "Oh, Mr. Zeller, I found Nelly and Ryan unconscious near the sect''s entrance. I''ve already taken them with me."


    "Good. Get them back home quickly, and don''t mention this to anyone. The fall of Abyssal Surge Sect will be huge news in the martial arts world tomorrow."


    Felix felt perplexed. The situation was so sudden that he had forgotten about the hostages. If the attacker had killed everyone, why were Nelly and Ryan spared?


    His thoughts drifted to the strange girl named Cynthia, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Such an adorable girl could not possibly be responsible, nor did she seem powerful enough.. Abyssal Surge Sect was incredibly formidable, and wiping them out in about five minutes required an astronomical power gap. How many beings in Dragonia could possess such strength? Although the elimination of his enemy and the safety of his friends should have been cause for celebration, Felix could not shake off an unsettling feeling about the whole situation. As the sun rose, Felix remained sitting in his courtyard, as if waiting for something to happen.


    "Felix!" A sudden call came from the gate, where the veiled N and her butler Alfie appeared.


    4


    "Still daring to interfere with my life?" Felix responded with disgust, truly despising N for her ruthless pursuit of her goals.


    N''s eyes reflected only urgency. "You need toe with me now! They''ve sent people here and might know your location. Your life is in danger!"


    As Felix pondered who N was referring to, Cynthia suddenly appeared beside N. She scoffed and said, "You''re the one in danger!" Today''s Bonus Offer


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    N turned pale at the sight, while Alfie immediately assumed a defensive stance.


    "How dare you!" N eximed.


    Cynthia yfully twirled her pigtails, maintaining her innocent smile. "You''re N Hughman, right? Don''t worry. I won''t kill you-only because you have an engagement with my brother-inw, not because of your family. "Though from what I hear, you''re not doing so well with your family, either. Otherwise, why else would you be hiding in this city?"


    Those few sentences confirmed Cynthia''s identity to N, who managed topose herself." So, Felix really does have another engagement there?"


    Pride shed in Cynthia''s eyes. "With my sister, of course! She told me not to cause trouble because she''s confident she''ll win Felix''s heart. You''ll all have to step aside eventually."


    Though N did not know Cynthia, their brief conversation revealed that the girl came from an extraordinary background. Not only did she know everything about N, but she even possessed incredible power at such a young age. With this realization, N could only turn to Felix. "Felix, be careful," she warned before leaving.


    Meanwhile, Felix stood in the courtyard,pletely bewildered.


    "Cynthia, right? Abyssal Surge Sect..." he began.


    "Yep! I destroyed them. Wasn''t that what you wanted?" she replied cheerfully.


    Felix gasped as he realized Cynthia had really done it. To annihte Abyssal Surge Sect in such a short time, her power must have been astronomical.


    As he opened the gates to let Cynthia in, Felix had many questions. "What exactly is this ce


    all keep referring to as ''there''?"


    you


    "That''s my


    homnd! I can''t tell you about it. You''ll have to discover it through other means. Neither I nor N can reveal it to you directly."


    This confirmed that N was also from that mysterious ce. "Alright. We can skip that


    1 question. Cynthia, if you''re this powerful, your sister must be even more formidable?" Cynthia''s smile widened. "Of course! She''s exceptional and renowned even in our homnd. She''s definitely stronger than me!" Felix felt the pressure mounting. "Then, why are you so sure I''m your brother-inw? Surely I''m not worthy of your sister in any way."


    Cynthia pouted and exined, "My sister deeply respects our family elders, so she''ll honor


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    the arranged marriage. She''ll fulfill her duty as a wife regardless of who her husband is, even if he were disabled."


    Felix was stunned. Since leaving the mountain, he had encountered two arranged marriages- Xena and N-both with their own standards ofpatibility. Yet, here was someone willing tomit without even meeting him, which was truly unexpected. "So, why are you here?" he asked.


    Cynthia replied, "I''m handling some family business and delivering a message from my sister as requested. Though she agrees to the marriage you must make your own way to ournd if you want to be with her. Nothing else matters because she can''te here." She added, "So, work hard! I''ll be leaving once my business is done. Looking forward to seeing you there!"

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    After speaking, Cynthia left just like that. Felix was rooted to his spot, lost in thought.


    Half an hourter, F¨¦lix arrived at the clinic. No matter what, it was a good thing that the matter with Abyssal Surge Sect hade to a temporary end. There was no need for him to worry about it anymore.


    He shouldn''t be focusing on Cynthia right now. If he sessfully reconciled with Xena, he wouldn''t need to think about it at all.


    "You seem to be in a good mood," Melissa remarked when she saw Felix. She could tell the difference as soon as she saw him.


    "Yeah. I''m feeling pretty alright," Felix replied.


    After a while, Billy entered. Melissa rolled her eyes and went to the back.


    "You owe me a favor," Billy said, his expression dark.


    He still had a bad taste in his mouth from the breakfast incident with Dreamscape and the failed cooperation with Queenie that ended up backfiring. He had even lost a favor in the process. It was hard to feel good about it. "Go ahead. I''m all ears," Felix said, amused. He enjoyed watching Billy get flustered.


    ."I''ve done some digging. I know that the Greene family will definitely be involved in the auction. I can help you get there. Of course, whatever conditions they propose, you''ll have to handle. What do you think?" Felix smiled after hearing that.


    "You know me well, huh? Sorry, but I don''t owe you this favor. What''s up with the Greene family? Do I really need to avoid them?"


    If he could get his hands on the Dragonspine at the auction and refine it, his strength would improve again. Even if Aiden broke through to Innate Realm at the age of ten, Felix was confident he could stillpete. Surprised, Billy frowned. "Are you sure? You probably don''t even know what realm Aiden is in, right?"


    "I don''t need to know."


    Seeing Felix''s confident attitude, Billy stormed off in frustration, probably nning to find another way to get that favor.


    If it had been before, Felix might have considered Billy''s suggestion. But now, with N''s Shadow Mask in his hands, why would he need to worry about the Greene family?


    Just then, Ryan called. The call was full of apologies, and Felixforted him for a bit before


    hanging up. This was about Abyssal Surge Sect, so he couldn''t me Ryan.


    "Felix."


    A few minutester, Nelly walked in.


    Felix immediately stood up, as he had nned to see her around lunchtime to make it up to her.


    "Nelly, how are you feeling?"


    Nelly paused for a while before saying, "I feel pretty good. After being out and about for two days, my mood has lifted a lot."


    It seemed like Vivian had tampered with Nelly''s memory. As an ordinary person, she was easy to handle.


    "That''s great. Is there a reason you''vee here looking for me?"


    Nelly hesitated for a long time, clearly a bit embarrassed, before speaking, "Felix, I have a client who''s been sick for a while and hasn''t been able to get treated despite paying many visits to different clinics. I was wondering if you could help take a look. He''s a really good man.


    Felix could never refuse that. "Since you''ve already asked, how could I turn you down? When do you want to go?"


    "If it''s convenient, right now would be perfect."


    After getting ready, Felix told Melissa before leaving, "Melissa, I''m stepping out. It shouldn''t take long."


    "Okay."


    As Melissa walked out of the room, she was casually browsing the news on her phone while munching on chips. Suddenly, she heard footsteps and looked up, saying, "The doctor''s out on a visit. If it''s not urgent, could you-" Before she could finish her sentence, a chip fell from her hand, and an intense fear filled her


    eyes.

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    In the car, Felix turned to Nelly. With a serious tone, he said, "I just remembered something. I can help you save the person, but the consultation fee from the other party must be yours to keep." Nelly thought she misheard at first. When she realized she hadn''t heard wrongly, she quickly waved her hand. //


    "No! That''s not right!"


    "I won''t go if you won''t ept it," Felix insisted


    He had been thinking about how to repay the debt he owed, and now, the opportunity had


    "I won''t be in Gray City for too long. Your best friend, Isabe, is now rather rich, so you can''t fall behind. After all, you''re the first friend I made in Gray City, and money doesn''t mean much to me."


    Nelly was so touched that she almost cried. After all this time, she never expected that the turning point in her life woulde from meeting Felix.


    "Thank you, Felix. I won''t be stubborn about this, then."


    When they arrived, Felix looked at the huge mansion and smiled. "Your client must be someone important. Not many people in Gray City can afford a house like this."


    Nelly sighed.


    "Yeah, I only found outter. The old man came to thepany alone back then, saying he wanted to buy a house in the countryside, as long as it was peaceful with green hills and clear waters. He didn''t have many other requirements. "At that time, no one wanted to help him because that kind of house wasn''t expensive, and themission wasn''t enough to justify the hassle. But I took the order.


    "After the deal was done, the old man was very happy with the house I found for him and gave me a 100,000-dor reward. I''ll never forget that deal."


    Just as they were about to enter the mansion with the steward, a young man suddenly blocked their path. "What are they here for?"


    The steward replied, "Mr. Spark, this is Ms. Lorenzo. She brought a master healer to see your grandfather, as per his request."


    Rex Spark looked them over and sneered. "Heh, so you''re Nelly Lorenzo, the one who tricked my grandfather into paying you 100,000 dors? Someone like you from the lower sses dares to say you can bring in a master healer?" Nelly was furious, but she kept herposure. "Dr. Zeller is very skilled. I can''t guarantee he


    can cure everything, but at least it''s a chance, right?"


    Unfortunately, the young man scoffed even more "You''re probably just after the ten-million-dor reward, aren''t you? Have you be addicted to swindling others?


    "How can a mere real estate agent like you find a doctor who can cure my grandfather''s strange illness? Does that mean everything we''ve been doing this month is pointless? Get rid of them!"


    As Nelly was about to argue, Felix pulled her back "Let''s not force ourselves into this. Let''s go.


    Since they didn''t believe them, there was no need to be persistent about this.


    Obviously, the steward didn''t dare say anything. All he could do was look apologetically at Nelly, making a gesture to show the way out.


    Just as they turned to leave, a Bentley stopped not far away. Rex jogged over, seemingly to greet the person in the car. "Thank you foring personally, Mr. Jacinto."


    The person who got out of the car was a young man, smiling.


    "I was going to have my arm examined anyway, so I might as well check on your grandfather. Who knows if he might be able to be cured?"


    Rex hadpletely changed his attitude. At the moment, he was acting rather ingratiatingly. That''s why I need to thank you, sir. The master healer you''ve found is someone we can''t even approach. My grandfather will be so happy when he finds out." While they were talking, suddenly Felix''s voice rang out, "That arm of yours can''t be cured by anyone. Don''t waste your time."


    Rex was instantly furious. "What the fuck? I dare you to say that again. You must have a death wish!"


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    Before Rex could finish his sentence, he was kicked to the ground by the young man who had just gotten out of the car.


    "You bastard! How dare you speak to Mr. Zeller like that? Apologize right now!"


    The young man who had gotten out of the car was Tristan Jacinto. When he heard Felix''s voice, his body trembled in fear. After hearing Rex''s words, he felt as though his soul had left his body.


    After his arm was ruined, Tristan was, of course, unwilling to ept it. Jeremiah was even more furious and, naturally, sought ways to take revenge on Felix. However, early in the morning, they had learned of theplete destruction of the entire Abyssal Surge Sect. They nearly lost their breath from shock.


    Abyssal Surge Sect was such a powerful force. Yet, it had been wiped out overnight. How dare Tristan and Jeremiah cause trouble? Their fear of Felix had deeply etched itself into their


    bon¨¦s.


    "Mr. Jacinto, you-" Rex, who had just gotten up, was still in shock when Tristan grabbed his cor.


    "I told you to apologize to Mr. Zeller. Are you deaf?"


    The steward and Nelly were both stunned. Nelly was surprised, but the steward genuinely felt terrified.


    One was the grandson of his employer, and the other was the son of a billionaire. Yet, this situation had arisen because of a real estate agent who had brought a young doctor. It was unbelievable. "I''m sorry,


    Mr. Zeller. I was wrong." Although he was deeply confused, Rex still apologized. After all, Tristan was someone he couldn''t afford to provoke. What kind of person would scare Tristan?


    Felix didn''t pay attention to him. As he took a step forward, Nelly grabbed his arm. "Let''s go."


    "Felix, Mr. Spark is really a good person. Please don''t mind this guy. Could you go inside and see him?"


    Looking at Nelly''s sincere expression, Felix sighed. "Alright. Since you''re being so kind, I''ll go take a look."


    This time, no one stopped them. After they entered, Rex asked Tristan, "Mr. Jacinto, do you know that doctor? Is he really that great?"


    Tristan let out a sigh of relief, feeling sweat pouring down his forehead. "Don''t ask if you don''t know. It wouldn''t be an exaggeration to call that man a god."


    It was no joke. Abyssal Surge Sect, despite being such a massive entity, was destroyed


    overnight because it offended Felix. Inparison, they were nothing.


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    At noon, Felix returned to the clinic.


    At the door, Nelly was still wearing a conflicted expression. "Felix, I really don''t know how to thank you."


    Not only had Bradford Spark''s illness been cured, but the ten-million-dor reward had already arrived in her ount. To be honest, Nelly had never imagined that she could possess such wealth.


    "You don''t need to thank me. Since you have money now, you can continue living your life the way you want. That''s the best way you can repay me. Now, go home."


    When he entered the clinic, he found that Melissa wasn''t there, but there was a note on the table.


    "I had to leave for a bit due to some urgent matters. Don''t miss me too much!"


    Felix chuckled as he threw the note into the trash. "That little brat, leaving without saying goodbye."


    He didn''t think too much about it. After all, Melissa wasn''t an ordinary person. She could deal with someone of Aetherial Realm. On top of that, since she had lived alone for a long time, he wasn''t worried about her.


    Just as he sat down, Billy walked in with a smug grin on his face. "Well, I see you don''t owe me just one favor now. You owe me at least two."


    Felix didn''t bother to reply. He noticed his cup was empty and stood up to refill it while thinking how much better it was when Melissa was around.


    "Are you not going to talk to me?" Billy pouted. Then, he sat down. "Don''t you want to know where Melissa went? Maybe our morning meeting would be thest time you''ll ever see her."

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    "You must have gone crazy from selling flower wreaths," Felix said bluntly, his words sharp and disdainful. Billy wasn''t just acting arrogantly He was downright annoying.


    Billy didn''t care at all. Instead, he wore a serious expression and continued to say, "You''ll suffer if you don''t listen to my advice. Don''t you care about that woman''you treat like your little sister? Up until now, aside from the huge sum Queenie gave, have I ever lied to you about anything?"


    Felix frowned slightly as he carefully examined Billy''s words. He took out his phone and dialed Melissa''s number. No matter what, he needed to confirm the situation. So, he switched to speaker mode.


    The phone rang for a long time, and just as Felix began to feel uneasy, she finally answered.


    "Felix?"


    "Where did you go? Why the rush?"


    "Hey, I didn''t do it on purpose. There''s really something urgent I need to handle. I''ll be back in a few days. Don''t miss me, okay?"


    Felix shot a disdainful nce at Billy before giving Melissa some advice and hanging up.


    "She can answer the phone and has some freedom, but does that really guarantee her safety? If you promise to owe me two favors, I''ll tell you everything."


    Felix gestured toward the door. "Get out!"


    Billy shook his head and stood up. "Anyway, you''ll eventually owe me two favors. Just you wait."


    About ten minutester, Peter rushed into the clinic, carrying someone who was bleeding heavily. It was Kurt.


    "Mr. Zeller, please save my boss!"


    After everything settled down in the past, Felix had asked Peter to stop hanging around the clinic every day. So, he was surprised that this was how they met again. "Put him on the bed!"


    Kurt was unconscious, his face pale, with multiple knife wounds all over his body. A dagger was lodged in his chest, and he was bleeding profusely. It was a horrifying sight.


    Felix quickly inserted needles to stop the bleeding from the various wounds and then said, You should know his blood type, right? I can treat his wounds, but if he loses too much blood, there''s nothing I can do."


    11


    Peter quickly replied, "Don''t worry, Mr. Zeller. I''ve already sent word to my colleagues with


    the same blood type, and a modern medicine practitioner is also bringing medical supplies."


    Everything seemed to be in order. Felix nodded, about to continue the treatment, when suddenly, a group of over a dozen people barged in.


    "Wow, you guys are fast! I thought you were leaving the city, but you came here instead."


    Seeing the man, Peter''s expression darkened. "Tom! Have a little mercy: Kurt gave you a way out back then, and now, you want to repay kindness with cruelty?"


    Tom Whorton, the burly man, sneered. "He gave me a way out? That bastard took everything from me, and I nearly died in another city. I remember everything clearly. Now that I am finally back, it''s time to settle the score. Felix frowned. "I''m here to save someone. If you have any grievances, take them outside."


    He didn''t want to get involved in their old grudges. Since Kurt had been brought here, he would naturally treat him. That was what a healer should do. Even if it were a stranger in critical condition, F¨¨lix would do his duty as a doctor. Tom chuckled. "You''re an interesting little brat! He''s in this condition because of me. I want him to slowly bleed to death, and you still want to save him?"


    Although Peter stood in front to shield Felix, Peter didn''t feel confident at all. Three years


    ago, but even Kurt was in danger.",


    he couldn''t evennd a hit on Tom. Three yearster, not only was he no match for Tom,

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    "I don''t want to repeat myself, so get out!" Felix yelled.


    A wave of energy surged forward, causing Tom and his men to stagger back, retreating all the way outside the clinic.


    "Boss!" one of his subordinates called out in fear,


    Tom''s face darkened. "Make the call!" he ordered.


    He didn''t dare to act rashly. Who would have thought that a doctor running a clinic would be a martial arts master? If they rushed in again, they wouldn''t gain anything and might even end up getting hurt. He wasn''t stupid. Noticing the flower wreath shop next to the clinic, Tom snapped his fingers. "Buy ten wreaths and put them in front of the clinic. Since this incident has blown up, let''s make sure everyone knows that Tom is back." "Yes!"


    After the ten wreaths were ced, one of his subordinates suddenly rushed out, looking very distressed. "Boss, the shopkeeper is asking for 50,000 dors for the ten wreaths."


    Tom thought he had heard wrong. Already in a bad mood, he immediately stormed into the wreath shop. "Tell me again, fatso. How much are the wreaths?"


    Billy, smiling calmly, raised one hand. "50,000 dors."


    Tom was furious. "Are you extorting me? Did you embed diamonds in the wreaths? You''re looking for death!"


    He swung a punch, but Billy caught it effortlessly, and Tom suddenly felt like his body had frozen.


    "I''m a legitimate businessman. I said what I said. Are you refusing to pay?"


    Tom was shocked. What was going on with this street? First, the doctor running the clinic was a martial artist, and now, even a wreath seller was one!


    "I''ll pay! I''ll pay!" Feeling the pain intensifying, he could only surrender and pay Billy 50,000 dors.


    "Thank you for your business. I hope to see you again next time," Billy said.


    Tom shot him a hateful nce but dared not speak further. He would deal with himter when his backups arrived.


    20 minutester, Tom received a phone call.


    "Retreat. The Eagle troops are here."


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    The Eagle troops? Tom squinted his eyes. "Does Kurt have connections with the Eagle troops?


    The Eagle troops, under themand of the Warlord of Thunder, were not something Tom could afford to mess with.


    "I just found out that Kurt''s younger brother is serving in the Eagle troops. He''s a trusted aide to themander."


    Tom didn''t dare ask more questions. He quickly gathered his men and left. No matter what, he couldn''t afford to provoke the Eagle troops. His personal revenge was just one part of a bigger n. If that waspromised, he''d be in big trouble. Tom wasn''t worried about Kurt''s younger brothering after him. After all, his own superiors were even more formidable.


    Inside the clinic, Kurt had regained consciousness. "Felix, thank you for saving me.


    Felix waved his hand: "Now that you''vee to me, how could I let you die? But I''m not involved in any further matters.


    With some effort, Kurt sat up and continued, "My younger brother is in the Eagle troops. I''ve already contacted him, and he can escort me out of the city. I won''t be able to serve you anymore, Felix." "Alright."


    After kneeling and thanking Felix, Kurt left with the Eagle troops.


    Outside the clinic, when Felix saw the wreaths at the door, he was about to kick them over, but Billy rushed up to stop him.


    "Don''t! They don''t want them anymore. I''ll take them back and resell them.".


    Then, he pointed to the side of the street. "You''d better think about how you''re going to clean up the mess. The peopleing aren''t the friendliest."

 With Husband 761

    Chapter 761 Chapter 761


    Turning his head, Felix noticed two Rolls-Royce Phantoms, The vehicles immediately. attracted the attention of all the pedestrians.


    "Can''t get through?" he muttered to himself, thinking that these were probably reinforcements called by Tom. Without any further thought, he entered the clinic, not wanting to be the center of attention outside. Sure enough, as he entered, the two cars stopped just outside the clinic, and bodyguards wearing white gloves stepped out to open the back doors. Out came a woman.


    She was petite but had long legs, and her ck, tight-fitting outfit added a touch of allure.


    Billy, who had originally intended to get back to the wreath business, took one nce at the woman and decided not to return to his flower shop.


    The woman walked into the clinic alone. When Felix saw her, he immediately realized, just like Billy, that she wasn''t from Dragonia.


    ''Are you an Astorian? Can I help you?"


    The woman stopped and greeted Felix respectfully. "Dr. Zeller, my name is Luna Starfire. I apologize for the sudden visit and hope you''ll forgive me."


    She was fluent in Dragonian, and her gaze was sincere.


    "I''m not seeing patients right now."


    Although it was clear she wasn''t Tom''s reinforcements, Felix had no interest in speaking with her. His bloodline made it impossible for him to feel any goodwill toward people from Astoria.


    "I know that you may have negative feelings toward our country, but every country has good and bad people, and ours is no exception! I''vee today to ask for your help in treating my grandfather." She ced an envelope on the table. "This is a letter of introduction. Please take a look, Dr. Zeller."


    Opening the envelope, Felix realized that it was a letter from Garrett and his brother, Caleb, from Titan Holdings of Azuria. The letter basically asked Felix to consider treating Luna''s grandfather.


    Garrett was a good person, and his brother, Caleb, had left a good impression on Felix as well. Back in Azuria, they had worked together to eliminate two assassins from Elders'' Council. Although that had been a transaction, their overall rtionship had been positive. This helped exin why Luna hade to him. She was likely rmended by Caleb, especially since his daughter-inw, Jenna, had been cured of a strange illness by Felix himself. No praise couldpare to seeing the results firsthand.


    "I know you might not be swayed by just this letter, so I''ve brought more information for you to review. I hope this proves that my grandfather deserves your attention."


    She ced a tablet on the table and began ying a series of images, mostly of a kind-faced elderly man and groups of children taken in various photos.


    "My grandfather, Kyro Starfire, feels deep regret for the actions of our country in the past. For thetter part of his life, he has dedicated himself to making amends.


    "So far, he has helped build 45 hope schools in poverty-stricken areas of Dragon¨ªa, sponsored over 10,000 impoverished university students, and engaged in many charitable acts, all from the bottom of his heart."


    Once Felix had seen everything on the tablet, he said, "Leave me your contact information. Once I have verified this, I will contact you."


    Luna bowed again. "Thank you, Dr. Zeller. I''ll take my leave now."


    Felix had to admit that Luna''s manners were impable. If Kyro''s charitable deeds were truly from the heart and without any ulterior motives, he had no reason to refuse.


    Indeed, there were good and bad people everywhere. While he hated to generalize, he couldn''t judge them all the same.


    He immediately made a call to Seven, knowing it wouldn''t take long to verify the details. "Felix, you must do it with that Astorian woman. It would be a way to get back at them for what happened years ago," Billy said as he walked in and threw a box of condoms onto the table.

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    "Get lost! If you''re that concerned, go take care of it yourself," Felix said.


    Seeing Felix about to leave, Billy quickly picked up the box and put it away.


    "I''m here to give you a piece of advice. The auction starts the day after tomorrow. Don''t cause any trouble! Let''s put it this way. You should know about the Golden Prime Auction, right?" Since it was about something important, Felix sat back down. "Yeah, and what''s the connection?"


    "Exactly! They''re backed by the same force. The Golden Prime Auction is publicly known as the grandest auction in Dragonia. It attracts a lot of important people every time.


    "But the auction happening the day after tomorrow is for things that cannot be sold in the open. The items range widely, and many of them are even illegal."


    The fact that both were backed by the same group made Felix curious. "Are you nning to tell me who''s behind it?"


    Billy nodded. "Yeah. Otherwise, I''d be worried you''d get yourself into trouble. Both these auctions are backed by the country''s top sect, Skyward Guild." Skyward Guild?


    Felix couldn''t help but be taken aback. No wonder they could put together such an impressive event. The backing was incredibly strong.


    He had looked into it after his encounter with Pris. Hence, he knew just how terrifying Skyward Guild was.


    To give a simple example, even though Abyssal Surge Sect was ranked second, they wouldn''t dare provoke Skyward Guild under any circumstances. The difference in power was immense, even with just one rank separating them. "Don''t worry. Even if it weren''t Skyward Guild''s event, I wouldn''t cause trouble. I''ll follow the rules if I attend the auction."


    Billy looked relieved and smiled before continuing.


    "Are you sure you don''t need a favor from me? You still don''t know what the employer who brought the strange bone wants. Going into this with such uncertainty... Do you really think you can beat the mighty Greene family?" That was indeed a problem, but what could he do?


    "Everything depends on effort. I''ve prepared as much as I can. If I really can''t beat them, then I''ll just have to ept it."


    Felix was nning to bring along his Supreme ck Card from Concord Bank, as well as the


    Miracle Card and other things. If it turned out to be the Dragonspine, then any cost would be worth it.


    One thing Felix didn''t say was that if he really couldn''t outmatch the Greene family, he would be forced to take risks. He absolutely couldn''t let Aiden take the item away. If that happened, he would have no chance at all.


    He wasn''t arrogant enough to think he could stroll into the home of a terrifying family like the Greene family. Moreover, once Aiden took possession of the item, it wouldn''t take long before he realized that the item Felix gave him was a fake. "Fine. Stay stubborn, then. I''m leaving." Billy said and turned to go.


    At sunset, after Felix closed the clinic, he turned around to find Alistair getting out of a car. Are you here for another mission in Gray City?"


    Alistair shook his head and then said, "Do you have time? My employer would like to meet you.


    Xena? Felix was confused but certainly wouldn''t refuse. "Sure. Let''s go."


    After arriving at a residential area in Gray City, Alistair opened the car door. "She''s inside."


    On the way, Felix couldn''t stop wondering. Why the secrecy? What could this be about? If it were personal business, Alistair wouldn''t be there, and if it were official, it couldn''t possibly involve him. This was all very strange. The doors of the vi were wide open, and as they entered the living room, Felix saw Xena sitting on the couch.


    "Xena, what''s the urgent matter that made you want to see me?"


    Looking at Felix, Xena had aplicated expression. After a long pause, she finally asked, Are you searching for something called the Dragonspine?"


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 With Husband 763

    Chapter 763 Chapter 763


    Felix stood frozen, looking at Xena in disbelief. It weren''t for his senses, he would have thought someone was impersonating her.


    The matter of the Dragonspine had been known only to Gerald and his fellow apprentices. No one else knew about it. The only outsider who knew about it was the mysterious Billy. No one else could possibly know about it. Yet, Xena had just uttered the word "Dragonspine". How could he not be shocked?


    "It seems it''s true, then."


    From Felix''s expression, Xena got her confirmation and gestured for him to sit down. "You don''t need to make excuses to pretend because I don''t know much, either. In fact, I don''t even know what the Dragonspine really is." Felix let out a bitterugh and sat down on the couch. "Xena, I really can''t tell you anything, but how do you know about it?"


    Xena pointed at the air and said, "I was told by the higher-ups because the headquarters has a piece of the Dragonspine:"


    What? The headquarters had a piece of Dragonspine?


    Felix waspletely stunned. However, he soon felt helpless. If it were anywhere else, he could find a way to get it. However, the headquarters was simply impossible!


    If a conflict broke out, it would be equivalent to fighting Dragonia. He couldn''t be confident enough to take that risk. Was it possible that the nine pieces of the Dragonspine would never be gathered?


    "The headquarters appointed me as your liaison. Otherwise, do you think I''d be willing toe and meet you?"


    Hearing this, Felix frowned. "What do you mean?"


    "The headquarters said that as long as you agree to work for them for half a year, they''ll give you the Dragonspine afterward."


    Work for them? This waspletely unexpected for Felix.


    "Why me? The headquarters isn''t short on talent, right?"


    Xena shook her head. "I''m not exactly sure, but what I can tell you is that there have been strange urrences and turmoil happening in various parts of Dragonia over the past year.


    "There''s been a shortage of manpower, especially talent who can handle things on their own. Maybe that''s one of the reasons they recruited you."


    The six-monthmitment coincided with the time Gerald had set, and Felix quickly thought


    it over. Without hesitation, he agreed, "Alright. I ept!"


    There was really no other option. There was no way he could get the Dragonspine from the headquarters through any other means. Even Gerald''s intervention wouldn''t help. So, at this point, he had no choice but to go along with it. Moreover, since the headquarters represented the country, they wouldn''t go back on their word. In six months, the Dragonspine would surely be handed over.


    Xena didn''t expect Felix to agree so readily. She could only attribute it to how important the Dragonspine was to him.


    She took out an envelope and ced it on the table. "Since you''ve epted, from now on, your title will be ''Dragon Knight,'' and you''ll be under my jurisdiction. Whenever I need you for a mission, I''ll notify you. "Inside the envelope are your credentials, an encrypted phone, and other items. You need to carry them with you 24/7 from now on."


    Felix sighed. He never thought he would end up bing an employee.


    "Our correspondences are considered official business, so don''t get any other ideas."


    After saying that, Xena dismissed him.


    Back at home, after going through the contents of the envelope, Felix''s mind remained unsettled. He even felt amused yet exasperated.


    The good news was that he had learned about the whereabouts of another piece of the Dragonspine. The bad news, of course, was that it was under the headquarters'' possession.


    His position as Dragon Knight was at the same level as Timothy Hunter''s, just below the position of a warlord. However, those titles didn''t matter to Felix at all.


    At that moment, his phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number.


    "Hello, Felix."


    Mira Cohen?


    Felix thought he had an inkling of who it might be. :

 Billionaire With Husband 764

    +28 BONUS Chapter 764


    "Mira, is that you?" Felix asked.


    "Yes, I also learned by chance that the headquarters has a piece of the Dragonspine. After thinking it over, I realized the only way to obtain it was through this method. You won''t me me, right?"


    Mira was the legendary chiefmander at the headquarters, so it made sense that she could obtain such information and take action ordingly.


    "I won''t me you. After all, there really was no other way."


    Mira continued, "Although it''s only for half a year, you need to be prepared. Over the past year, Dragonia has had many unexinable strange urrences. Ordinary people don''t know because the headquarters has suppressed the information to avoid panic. "During your six-month term, the headquarters will definitely exploit your full value. Any task assigned will require your utmost focus. Do you understand?"


    Hearing the concern in Mira''s voice, Felix was deeply grateful.


    "Yes. Don''t worry, Mira. Since I made a promise, I will definitely do my best."


    The next morning, Felix was on his way to the clinic after breakfast when he decided to call Melissa. Even though Billy had mentioned it, he still felt uneasy. However, based on her tone and emotions, he couldn''t detect any signs of danger or hidden meanings in her words.


    However, as soon as he arrived at the clinic, Felix''s expression darkened.


    "How dare Billy put a wreath in front of my door!"


    Anyone would be upset to find a bunch of wreaths ced at the door of their shop first thing in the morning.


    Billy came out and hurriedly exined with a smile, "It''s a misunderstanding! It really is a misunderstanding!


    "As soon as I opened the shop, someone came to buy wreaths, and they put them in front of your clinic. It has nothing to do with me. By the way, it''s the same person you kicked out yesterday."


    Tom?


    Felix''s expression grew awkward. This seemed more like an attempt to annoy someone, but it didn''t quite fit with the kind of vengeful psychology he expected from Tom.


    "You definitely don''t want them, right? I''ll take them back," Billy said, grinning widely. He''d sold the same wreaths to the same person twice, making a profit, and was clearly enjoying it.


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    Once inside the clinic, Felix received a call from Seven. He was Informed that Kyro was indeed a great man. Although he didn''t live in Dragonia, every time he visited, it was for charity work, and he personally oversaw everything.


    Perhaps this was one reason why Caleb and Garrett were confident in rmending him, understanding Felix''s character.


    Tomorrow night was the auction, and there was no way he could miss it. Fortunately, Felix contacted Luna and asked her toe over immediately.


    About half an hourter, Tom appeared. "Dr. Zeller, did you like the gift I gave you?"


    Felix didn''t even bother to lift his head. "Use whatever methods you have. If you''re a man, stop being so wishy-washy."


    Tom, still smiling, stood just inside the door and continued, "Kurt has been escorted to a ce even I can''t find. The only enemy I had was cured by you, but there will be a price to pay. Since you''ve told me to use whatever methods I have, I''ll make sure to do that." At that moment, an elderly man quickly walked in, pointing at Felix with a trembling hand and shouting, "You''re a quack! A quack doctor has harmed me!"


    With the final word, the old man copsed to the ground. Felix''s expression changed as he quickly realized the old man was dead.


    Before the situation could fully unfold, four more people burst into the room.


    "Quack doctor!"


    ""You killed me!"


    "I took your medicine, but not only did I not improve, I got worse. You quack doctor!"


    "You beast! I just had a cold, but your medicine made me suffer horribly. I curse you!"


    At this point, Felix began to tremble slightly. Five people in total had copsed to the ground. The worst part was that they were all dead.

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    Felix''s neck veins bulged, and he red at Tom with fury, wanting nothing more than to y him alive.


    "You beast! These are five lives you''re responsible for!"


    To frame him, five people had to die. If the situation hadn''t escted so much, he would''ve rushed at Tom without a second thought.


    However, Tom just sat down casually, a smile still stered on his face. "Indeed, five lives were lost, but what does that have to do with me? Didn''t you hear them? They said it was you, the quack doctor, who killed them. You sure know how to make wild usations." Crossing his legs, Tom''s smile slowly faded. "Aren''t you quite something? I told you not to save Kurt, but you didn''t listen. You even used a bit of your martial power to push me out.


    "Now, do you see the consequences of provoking me? Soon, the families of these five wille, and then we''ll see what you do."


    Felix stood there, stunned. For the first time, he encountered someone as ruthless as Tom, who didn''t even give the victims a chance for treatment. The moment they entered, their lives were snuffed out after a few words. Five lives had been lost all because of him. Without saying another word to Tom, Felix approached the five bodies and checked their pulses, discovering that all of them had poisoned themselves to death.


    "You''re a martial artist, so to prevent you from escaping, I didn''t report it to the police but directly informed the Eagle troops," Tom added.


    Although he hadn''t directly fought with Felix, Tom was a Martial Emperor. Having been casually pushed outside by Felix''s air st earlier showed that his strength was no small


    matter.


    If Felix had been dealing with ordinaryw enforcement, he might have been able to escape in a moment of panic, so Tom had clearly nned everything carefully. Since he was setting a trap he made sure it was wless. "Tom, I won''t let you die easily. You will pay the cruelest price for everything you''ve done today!" Felix said.


    Tom sneered, not responding, when suddenly a group of people burst into the clinic, throwing themselves onto the bodies and crying loudly. Some of them were even using Felix. The scene inside the clinic was in chaos. Fortunately, within less than a minute, a small squad of the Eagle troops arrived and took control of the scene. Naturally, Tom and the grieving family members were all escorted out.


    Outside, someone observing the scenemented, "Five people died in this clinic?"


    Standing off to the side, Tom didn''t even turn his head but replied indifferently, "Yeah, this


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    clinic is really heartless. Who knows how much profit they make off these medicines? They''re worse than animals."


    The one next to him chimed in, "Exactly! You seen to be quite concerned. How about buying a wreath or some offerings for these poor souls?"


    Just as Tom was about to speak, he suddenly felt something was off. He quickly turned his head, and sure enough, it was Billy, the fat man who had already tricked him out of 100,000 dors.


    "Are you nning to scam me again, fatso? We need to settle our debts. If the clinic ends up like this, what do you think will happen to you?" Tom scowled.


    Billy rubbed his chin as if deep in thought. After a moment, he suddenly seemed to realize something. "You''re right. The wreaths I sold you before were too cheap. Here''s the deal. You pay me 50,000 dors more, and we''ll call our debts settled!" What? Why would he need to pay him more?


    For a moment, Tom was exasperated. It seemed Billy wasn''t all there, his brain probably scrambled from years of martial training. Didn''t he see Felix nearly breathe hisst after what Tom just did? Why was he still acting tough? "Come on! Take a look at the quality of the items in my store, and you''ll see that 50,000 dors is well worth it," Billy said.


    Tom did not resist as Billy dragged him inside. In the end, Billy would be his next target. He had to ensure no one in this Gray City dared to oppose him again.

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    "Look at these origami figures. Don''t they look so real? Are there any other shops that have the same quality?" Billy remarked.


    More than a dozen origami figures were sitting in Floral Wreath Boutique. Tom instinctively nced over and was shocked.


    The origamis seemed to be alive! Some appeared to blink at him, and some even took a step forward. Even though it was broad daylight and the outside bustled with noise, his scalp tingled with fear. He turned around and was about to run away when three origamis blocked him. Billy''s words rang in Tom''s ears.


    "You were still in diapers when I started ying! Send over 500 thousand dors in cash tomorrow. Otherwise, I''ll send origami figures to your house and y with you every day!" Billy threatened. Tom repeatedly gulped, finally realizing that Billy was definitely not someone he could provoke. Billy was someone who had surpassed being a martial artist! Regardless of whether these origami figures were real or an illusion, Tom decided to send Billy the money to avoid any disasters and never see Billy again. "I''ll give them money to you, Mr. Stefan! I wasn''t thinking straight! Tomorrow, no, I''ll have someone send the 500 thousand to you tonight!""


    Just then, a breeze blew by, and Tom blinked. Suddenly, the origami figures around him disappeared as if it were a dream.


    "Well... That feels better..."


    Meanwhile, at the clinic, the Eagle troops were led in by a young man.


    "Dr. Zeller, I''m Kurt''s younger brother. You can call me Axel," he said.


    Felix didn''t expect a familiar face and replied with a slight nod.


    Axel''s men had brought a box with them. They carried it forward and opened it, revealing blue pills inside.


    "Based on the family''s report and the remaining drugs provided, these blue pills are identical to the ones in the box. Some testing still needs to be done. I''m really sorry, Dr. Zeller. I can''t really help with anything."


    Since Felix had saved Kurt, Axel volunteered to lead the Eagle troops when he saw the mission was rted to Tranquil Clinic. However, unexpectedly, the situation was overwhelming for the witness and the evidence present. 1/2 Chapter 266


    With a slight frown, Felix said, "These aren''t mine."


    It was obvious that Tom had sent someone to sneak the blue pills into the clinic. This was the oldest trick in the book to frame someone. It was the most practical idea now that five lives had been involved.


    Axel sighed. "I, too, know that you must''ve been framed. But in the current situation, I can only bring you back first."


    Felix certainly wouldn''t try to embarrass these people. He nodded to show his understanding "Tell the Warlord of Thunder toe to Eagle troops'' base," Felix said.


    The five lives that had been taken were no trivial matter. This meant a prominent figure''s presence was needed to clear Felix''s name; otherwise, it would be incredibly troubling.


    "Hey! Who do you think you are? The Warlord of Thunder? I''ve already shown Axel enough respect, so don''t push it!"


    The middle-aged man standing in the clinic without moving spoke up suddenly. The look in his eyes disyed his impatience.


    "Calm down, old man. Dr. Zeller was framed, and he just spoke wrongly out of the urgency," Axel said.


    It was clear that the middle-aged man wasn''t of low status. However, he hadn''t intervened since he came because of Axel. But when he heard that Felix actually wanted the Warlord of Thunder toe forward, the middle-aged man, Landon Lars, couldn''t take it anymore.


    "Take him away quickly! How dare you say that? Have you even met the Warlord of Thunder?" Landon demanded.


    Felix reached into his pocket and took something out. "Can you tell the Warlord of Thunder now?"

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    "What? Who do you think you are? You can see the Warlord of Thunder with just an ID? What an absolute joke!" Landon bellowed.


    As Landonined, Axel had already taken the ID from Felix. His eyes widened in an instant, and he saluted to Felix.


    "Sir!"


    When Landon saw this, he snatched the ID away in disbelief. His hands began to tremble, and he quickly saluted before returning the ID respectfully.


    "I apologize, sir!"


    Damn, Felix was actually a Dragon Knight! An admiral-level Dragon Knight at that! His title was much higher than theirs.


    "Notify the Warlord of Thunder, and I''ll go with you. Don''t worry. I won''t make this difficult for you."


    Almost as soon as Felix was taken to the car, Luna arrived. When she saw Felix leaving, she didn''t get out of the car. Her frown grew deeper, and she said coldly, "Go back! I want to know what happened to Dr. Zeller as quickly as possible." Felix had finally agreed to treat her grandfather. However, now that he had been taken away, this was absolutely intolerable. No matter what the cost, Felix had to be rescued!


    "Yes, ma''am!"


    An hourter, a subordinate entered a vi in Gray City. He walked up beside Luna, who was sitting on the sofa.


    "Ms. Starfire, I''ve figured it out! But..."


    Luna frowned. "But what?"


    "The matter isn''t as simple as we thought. It involves the Steele family."


    Luna''s expression changed when she heard that.


    "How is it rted to the Steeles? When did they develop in Gray City?" she asked.


    The subordinate shook his head. "I''m not sure, but I just found out the person in charge of Gray City is Ollie Steele."


    Luna waved the subordinate away and picked up her phone, dialing a number.


    "Ms. Starfire, why are you calling me?" the person on the other end asked.


    Luna''s voice was cold. "Stop talking nonsense! It''s Dr. Felix Zeller from Tranquil Clinic in Gray City. Solve the situation immediately! Send the person in charge to me."


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    Based on how assertive Luma was acting, it was clear that there was still a significant gap in status between her and the person on the phone)


    After a long silence, the voice on the other endughed. "Hah! Since you''ve said so, I''ll definitely do it! However, the person in charge is still very useful to me for the time being. Would you grant me this favor, Ms. Starfire?" Without hesitation, Luna agreed. "Whatever you need."


    Her ultimate goal, after all, was to get Felix out.


    On the other hand, Xena called Felix while he was on the way to the Eagle troops'' base.


    "Felix! Can''t you give me a break? You just entered the office, yet you''re already involved in such a serious murder case?"


    Felix was upset. "You know exactly how I am. If you called just to reprimand me, then goodbye!"


    With that, he hung up the phone immediately. Everyone had bad days, and even Felix had his


    limits.


    After a while, Axel''s phone tang, too. He talked on the phone for a while. Once he hung up, he immediately told the driver, "Go back to the clinic."


    Felix was puzzled. Axel quickly turned around to exin. "Sir, those family members have withdrawn the case. They said the wrong medicine was made and that you didn''t prescribe it." They withdrew the case? Felix was lost. Even if it were Luna or the Warlord of Thunder, they wouldn''t have the ability to persuade the family to withdraw the case in such a short time.


    Afterposing himself and thinking about it, he realized that the only person who could do it so quickly was Tom. However, Tom was the instigator, so why would he?


    Back at the clinic, Felix sat there alone. He knew one thing-from now on, there might not be a single patient in the clinic.


    That was how society was. When something like this happened, even if the misunderstanding had been cleared up, what good would that do? He had lost his reputation. Who would daree to a clinic where five people died for treatment? Anyone who did would just be called insane!

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    All of a sudden, Luna walked into Tranquil Clinic ''Dr. Zeller," she called out.


    Felix nced up and asked, "Did you solve the issue?"


    From the look in her eyes, he could tell something had happened.


    "It was just a small favor since I happened to know you. I wanted to bring over the person who framed you, but unfortunately, I wasn''t able to. Please forgive me."


    Felix smiled. "It''s alright. You''ve helped me this time, so I owe you a favor."


    If this were the old Felix, he wouldn''t have cared. But now, he had another identity-


    admiral.


    The deeper and longer his entanglement in this, the worse it would be. Thus, Luna''s help this time was of deep significance.


    "Dr Zeller, that isn''t right. I''ll owe you a lot if you''re willing to treat my grandfather. How can you owe me one?"


    Felix stood up and said seriously, "Let''s put it this way. The things your grandfather did in Dragonia are worth my help. Even if I were to thank you on behalf of the children in the slums, I still owe you this favor. "Let''s not argue about this anymore-let''s go!"


    Luna was stunned. Because of her grandfather, she had been exposed to many Dragonian


    cultures since she was a child.


    However, she didn''t experience them firsthand, so she didn''t fully believe in them.


    This interaction with Felix made her realize something-the people of Dragonia truly valued kindness. One good deed toward them could be repaid tenfold. The five-thousand-year-old heritage was not in vain. After arriving at a vi in Gray City, Felix met Luna''s grandfather, Kyro Starfire.


    Kyro was lying on the bed, breathing weakly.


    "My grandpa had lung cancer before. After one lung transnt, he took the world''stest developed medicine for it. Who knew after only five years, his condition would suddenly worsen? Now, he can barely live," Luna exined Felix nodded and sat down beside the bed. He began feeling Kyro''s pulse with his eyes closed.


    After a while, he opened his eyes and said, "The transnted lung in his body is too close to a critical point. I can''t do anything about it."


    Luna''s eyes began to redden, and she teared up quickly.


    "Don''t cry yet! I''m saying that the lung can''t be saved, not that I can''t save your grandfather, "Felix said hurriedly.


    Luna''s emotions were in turmoil. She didn''t know what to say in reply.


    Felix exined, "If you want your grandfather to continue living his ordinary life, you still need a transnt! In fact, you took the wrong first step. If you carne to me at the time, you wouldn''t need to transnt his lung at all, and he would be able to recover easily. "Everyone''s organs were made for them; they''re the best and mostpatible for their bodies. Another person''s organ wouldn''t be perfect. Forget it. It''s useless to tell you these now.


    "The only issue now is to find a suitable lung as soon as possible."


    Luna wiped the tears from her face. Her expression was full of determination as she said, "Dr. Zeller, just tell me what you need. I''ll get to it right away!"


    Felix took out a silver needle and flicked it three times with his fingers. He then handed it to


    Luna.


    "ce this needle into the shoulder''s acupoint for a test. If the silver needle turns ck after it''s pulled out, it means the person''s lungs are verypatible with your grandfather''s. "Remember one thing. No matter who''s the suitable match, the other party must be willing. I don''t want to kill someone to save another."


    1. t.


    However, Luna didn''t take the silver needle. She started to unbutton her shirt.


    Felix was confused. What did she mean by this? Was she offering herself as a sign of gratitude? Wasn''t this going a bit too fast?

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    When Luna saw Felix''s expression, her face reddened. She knew he misunderstood the


    situation.


    "Dr. Zeller, I... I want you to test my lungs first to see if they match my grandfather''s," she exined.


    Felix was immediately embarrassed. He had really misunderstood her intentions.


    Perhaps the influence of pornography had lingered too deeply in his mind. Under such circumstances, any man would''ve jumped to the wrong conclusion.


    "Even if they match, what will your grandfather think when he wakes up?" Felix countered.


    Luna looked at her grandfather lying on the bed. Her expression was doting and full of love.


    "He''s taken care of me since I was a child. It''s time I repaid him! You can do it, and I''ll take care of anything else thates after."


    Upon hearing this, Felix stood up and stopped Luna from taking off her shirt.


    "Alright, I can confirm it by taking your pulse. I won''t need the silver needles."


    After a while, Felix''s expression brightened up.


    "You know what? You two are the perfect match! The most important thing is that both of your lungs are different from those of ordinary people. Even if you lost a lung, it won''t impact your body!" Luna was overjoyed to hear that. "Really? Then my grandfather..."


    Felix smiled and nodded. "Yeah, once your lungs are transnted into your grandfather, he can definitely live a few more years."


    Luna was ecstatic now! "Then, Dr. Zeller, do you still need a modern transnt team toe here?"


    "No! Who said that traditional medicine practitioners can''t do transnts? I''m good enough. You go down and give the order that no one is allowed to enter the vi. After that, we can start right away."


    After rying the order, Luna returned andy down. She was a little shy at first, but she soon fell asleep after Felix ced a silver needle into her body. It was like she was given general anesthesia from modern medicine practices. Although Felix had no impure thoughts when she was undressing, he was still amazed by her fair skin. She was so pale it was tempting.


    ""Damn it! Focus!"


    When faced with things he shouldn''t have seen, pornographic films appeared in his mind. He


    4


    forced himself to calm down and drove all the thoughts away.


    After some time passed, Luna woke up. She thought she was dreaming when she saw a man looking at her.


    "Grandpa?" she asked tentatively.


    Indeed, it was Kyro who looked at her with a worried face.


    ""Luna, you''re finally awake. I-"


    Before he could finish speaking, Kyro was already in tears. Perhaps he couldn''t help it when he thought about how that one lung in his body was his granddaughter''s. "Don''t cry, Grandpa! Dr. Zeller said that my lungs are different from the ordinary. Even if I only have one left, it won''t affect my body at all, Luna said.


    Kyro wiped away his tears and smiled reluctantly!


    "Well, I asked the medical team to check on you too. It was just as Dr. Zeller said. Your bodily functions wouldn''t be affected at all," Kyro remarked. Luna realized that she feltpletely fine and sat up.


    "Where''s Dr. Zeller?" she asked.


    "He left already! You''ve worked so hard to find a miracle doctor like Felix. Honestly, I never thought I could wake up and see you again."


    Felix left? She nced down and found all her clothes were on. She suddenly blushed, thinking about how her chest was exposed during the surgery.


    "Dr. Zeller said that he owes you a favor. If you need him at any time, just contact him. As long as it''s not unexpected, he will never refuse!


    "I told you long ago that the people of Dragonia value gratitude. Now you understand, right?" Kyro asked.


    Luna nodded. "Yes, he really is a special person. Plus... Even after such a big operation, you and I both don''t even need a recovery period. "That favor may be the most precious asset of our family!"

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    "One day, I''ll meet him again," Luna said.


    Another day passed, and Willow still hadn''t responded. However, Felix didn''t rush her-these things couldn''t be rushed. Whether he was helping sincerely or not, these were truly two different concepts.


    Felix didn''t open the clinic the whole day. Instead, he hid in a small hotel because the Obsidian Auction was his top priority-nothing else couldpare.


    When he saw the time, Felix put on the Shadow Mask. It didn''t require any sacrifices, and it could be adjusted at will after being worn.


    In the end, he settled on the appearance of a middle-aged man who seemed gentle and elegant before heading off to the auction site. There was a holiday vi near the vige a couple of miles away from Gray City. That was where the Obsidian Auction was being held. Unlike the Golden Prim¨¨ Auction, there wasn''t a grand hall. Although the hall at the vi wasvishly decorated, it had no VIP rooms. Everyone sat on the chairs below.


    As Felix entered the hall, he noticed many others in disguise-some wore masks, while others concealed themselves under cloaks. It was clear that not many of the attendees were willing to


    show themselves.


    Someone called out, "Asher!"


    Not long after that, Felix saw Asher among the people who entered with Aiden. As expected, when it came to an item suspected to be a Dragonspine, the Greene family wouldn''t give up easily. The seats weren''t more than a few feet apart, providing a reasonable amount of space for the attendees.


    Suddenly, a man sat down on the chair to Felix''s right. Felix frowned when he saw this. The man turned out to be the fatso, Billy.


    Billy turned and met Felix''s eyes.


    "Tsk! Not bad, kid. How did you get the Shadow Mask? It''s no wonder you didn''t want to owe me a favor."


    Felix was doubtful. He was using the Shadow Mask, but Billy could see through it. How powerful was this guy? Or was it because of the seating arrangement? After all, Billy gave the ticket, so it was possible that he recognized Felix from the seat arrangements. When Billy saw that Felix wasn''t replying, he smiled faintly. "Forget it. I know what you''re afraid of. Let''s pretend we don''t know one another," Billy said.


    Only local items would be shown first at the Obsidian Auction. No one knew what the other items were, so everyone who came seemed to have strong expectations in their gazes.


    However, this excluded Felix and Aiden. They had very clear goals in mind, so why would they be interested in other things?


    Finally, the auction began. The auctioneer didn''t beat around the bush, saying, "Please bring out the first item!"


    A strong man walked out from behind the curtains. He pushed a cart covered with red cloth, which was almost six feet high.


    The audience started whispering amongst themselves. They were all wondering what exactly this item was. Why did it feel like a living being, or as it was an item of a considerable size, could the first item be a Master Bomb? Initially, Felix had been indifferent. However, he also became curious. Billy had mentioned that there were many prohibited items that couldn''t be auctioned off at other auctions at the Obsidian Auction.


    Of course, this made it all the more interesting.


    However, in Felix''s intrigued state, he failed to notice Billy''s subtle smile and the mysterious glint in his eyes. When the man stopped the cart, he moved his hand toward the cloth and pulled off the cloth. When the item was revealed, everyone''s jaws seemed to drop open. But Felix, seated in the audience, reacted the most. He clenched his fists and jaw. How was this possible?

 Billionaire With Husband 771

    Chapter 771 Chapter


    771


    Under the red cloth was a cage, and inside stood a person. Although she was wearing a veil and only her eyes were visible, Felix recognized her instantly-it was Melissa.


    "Don''t act so impulsively. Think about Skyward Guild," Billy suddenly said.


    Felix calmed down quickly after hearing that. It was definitely unrealistic to want to snatch someone away by force. As the top guild in Dragonia, Skyward Guild''s strength was beyond imagination.


    "The heir of Thief Guild! Those above the Aetherial Realm can subdue her. The consignor requires money plus one of three items to be considered eligible for auction.


    "The three items are Bloodstone, Hexbloom, and Bewitched Grass. The auction starts now."


    Felix heaved a sigh of relief. Thanks to N impersonating Queenie, he identally acquired a Hexbloom, which proved to be valuable this time.


    At the Obsidian Auction, there was no worry about bribery after the bidding ended because Skyward Guild was confident in its power.


    Regardless of where the bartered item was, as long as the buyer could produce and submit the bartered items to the auction house within 3 days after the auction ended, they could leave with the auctioned item in tow.


    -


    "One million dors plus a Hexbloom," Felix bidded without hesitation. For Melissa, money was obviously secondary and only served as a formality.


    However, the three extremely rare items were a decisive factor.


    "Five million dors and Bewitched Grass."


    ""Ten million dors and a Hexbloom."


    Although the bid wasn''t chaotic, thepetition was still very fierce. Felix didn''t know what the Thief Guild was, but from the excited eyes of several bidders, he could see that they didn''t care about how good Melissa looked or what her figure was like. The point was that she was the heir of Thief Guild.


    Two of them had even bid a Hexbloom, which made Felix''s expression darken. His advantage was gone, but fortunately, he had enough money. Thus, he shouldn''t have any problems, "15 million dors with a Hexbloom and Bewitched Grass!"


    Just as Felix was about to make another bid, another person rushed in with their bid. It silenced the crowd. He had two of the rare items and was sure to be the final winner. "Fuck!" Felix was furious. Now wasn''t the time to figure out why Melissa was being auctioned, but to find ways to rescue her first.


    +26 BONUS


    Chapter


    Otherwise, he had no idea where to find her once she was sold, Felix knew that once she was sold, her life would be no different from that of a ve.


    "I have a Bloodstone. I only want three favors from you, and the Bloodstone will be yours."


    At this critical moment, Billy sent Felix a message. Felix turned to him in surprise. After all, Billy was still manipting him.


    He didn''t listen to the advice before, and now he paid the price. Not only did Melissa suffer, but the favor Billy did for him increased from two to three. "Alright, then, I''ll owe you three favors." With that, Felix immediately bid again.


    "20 million-dors with a Hexbloom and a Bloodstone."


    Although it was only those two items, the auctioneer seemed to have a glint in his eye. He immediately mmed the gavel.


    "Deal! Congrattions to No. 8 for the sessful bid."


    Melissa''s eyes looked dull as she was taken away by the same man who brought her in.


    Felix was relieved. Although he owed Billy three favors, it was still a good deal for Melissa''s


    return.


    "Billy, can you get the Bloodstone for me now? Do bring my Hexbloom along, too. I want to take Melissa away immediately after the auction," Felix said. 000 0000

 Billionaire With Husband 772

    Billy''s voice was tinged with humor as he replied to Felix, "Don''t worry. I''ll arrange for someone to pick it up, and they''ll bring your Hexbloom here as well."


    Although Billy usually seemed unreliable, he was still quite useful at critical moments.


    The following auction items were really quite bizarre.


    Some of them were items that Felix had never heard of. However, from the fierce bidding between the audience, it could be deduced that all of them were good things. However, Aiden didn''t make a single bid at all. Instead, he had his eyes closed the entire time.


    A few hourster, the auctioneer''s expression turned solemn. "Please bring out thest item of the auction. The finale of the Obsidian Auction."


    A beautiful woman came on stage holding a tray with a ss cover. The item inside was in clear view for everyone to see-an extremely strange-looking bone.


    Felix didn''t get excited by it. When he had arrived earlier, he had already sensed it. This was definitely a real Dragonspine.


    Aiden opened his eyes at the reveal. He had a slight smile on his face, as if the final item was already his.


    "This bone is extremely magical, and it''s unclear what it is. I believe there are people in the audience who know what it is, so I won''t introduce it in detail," the auctioneer said.


    If even Skyward Guild didn''t know what it was, this showed how mysterious the Dragonspine was. Therefore, Felix had always wondered how Aiden knew about it.


    "The consignor does not need money or anything else. They only require a master healer! Whoever here can invite a master healer to cure their friend will get this item. "However, there is a catch. Ss Grayson has already failed at trying to cure them. Please consider this carefully to avoid wasting your efforts."


    After the auctioneer announced the item, the many people who were eager to try smiled bitterly. Even the second-best master healer in Dragonia had failed. A more powerful master healer wasn''t someone that ordinary people could invite on a whim. "If you''re able to invite a master healer, please contact the on-site staff, and we''ll bring you backstage. Now then, the Obsidian Auction hase to a sessful conclusion. I look forward to meeting you all next time."


    Billy left without saying anything. He hadn''t taken any pictures of the auction either. It was as if he came here just to make Felix owe him favors.


    "Billy, wait. Help me bring Melissa back," Felix said.


    *26 BONUS


    Billy paused and blinked. Just as he was about to send a message, Felix thought of something and quickly said, "Don''t push it too far. I already owe you three favors."


    Sure enough, Billy pouted and replied, "Alright. I did make a lot of money tonight. I''ll help you just this once for free."


    After handing over the money and two items backstage, Melissa was quickly brought over. Her initially dull eyes immediately brightened up when she saw Billy.


    She kept ncing at Felix in confusion. Unfortunately, how could she recognize Felix when he wore the Shadow Mask?


    "The restraints on this woman will be void in five hours," the staff said before leaving.


    Felix didn''t say anything but just nodded at Melissa. His gaze conveyed his clear message.


    Melissa almost broke down into tears, but fortunately, she remembered where she was. So, she held herself back and followed Billy obediently.


    At this point, Felix cracked his neck, ready to go on an all-out fight to im the Dragonspine. He wanted to see what the consignor''s friend had that he was willing to give up the real Dragonspine just for treatment.

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    Chapter


    773


    Under the staff''s guidance, Felix entered a room. There were already several people inside. Besides Aiden and Asher, there were two others wearing masks gathered together.


    After sitting down, Aiden suddenly turned to Felix. "Have we met somewhere before?" he asked.


    Felix was shocked. Aiden''s perceptiveness was terrifying.


    "Have we? I don''t seem to recall..."


    Without saying another word, Aiden closed his eyes and began resting again.


    A short whileter, an elderly man came in with an unpleasant-looking middle-aged man.


    "I am Wayne Sutcliff, but you can call me Mr. Sutcliff. I''m the person in charge of the Obsidian Auction."


    He stretched out his right hand and introduced, "This man next to me is the consignor, Ross Livingston." With that, Wayne got straight to the point. "Mr. Livingston wants to know which master healer you''re inviting." Aiden spoke first. "Magnus Grimwald from Medic''s Haven."


    Felix''s gaze deepened after he heard that. The Greenes were quite formidable. Magnus had stopped caring about worldly affairs for a long time, yet they were still able to invite him out. As the oldest elder of Medic''s Haven, there was no way his medical skills were bad. All the best master healers came from Medic''s Haven, so their expertise was undeniable. Immediately, Ross'' expression showed his satisfaction, as there was a smile on his face. However, because of his unpleasant looks, his smile looked terrifying. "Craig Dixon from the headquarters," one of the masked men said.


    Felix nced over.


    He had dealt with Craig not too long ag¨®. Craig was a conceited man. If the masked man was someone who could invite Craig over, that would mean he definitely wasn''t an ordinary person.


    This only proved that those who participated in the Obsidian Auction and stayed for the finale weren''t simple figures.


    The other masked man said, "The master healer from Dragonia, Lemuel Morris."


    After he said that, even Wayne''s expression shifted. After all, Lemuel''s reputation was no minor thing. He was known for his elusive appearances and extraordinary skills.


    It was difficult to even meet him. How could Lemuel even be invited?


    Aiden frowned as well. He hadn''t expected Lemuel to show up.


    There was no way he would win the bid now, as Lemuel''s reputation was unmatched


    It was even rumored that Lemuel would likely be the best master healer close to bing a miracle doctor.


    Felix was also secretly impressed. The attraction of the real Dragonspine was no joke-it had evolved into something of a powerful showdown.


    When he saw the group looking toward him, he said confidently, "Me!"


    Wayne and Ross frowned in confusion. They were clearly suspicious of Felix, and so were Aiden and the others.


    They had all invited renowned master healers, but when it came to Felix, he actually volunteered himself.


    "Skyward Guild is a powerful organization. If I don''t have absolute confidence, I won''t jest with my life," Felix said firmly.


    Upon hearing this, Wayne nodded to Ross. Indeed, any idiot who dared make a joke out of Skyward Guild held little regard for their lives.


    "Can the doctors you mentioned arrive at sunset tomorrow?" Wayne asked.


    The three contenders confirmed their arrangements, and Wayne smiled.


    "Alright, then that''s settled! We''ll meet here tomorrow at sunset. You all can leave now."


    Out of nowhere, Aiden asked, "Mr. Sutcliff, may I ask if there are any more details? Otherwise, everyone would definitely want to be the first to treat them."


    The two masked men didn''t refute. It was clear that they had also considered this issue. After all, they had all invited elite master healers. Whoever came first would definitely get to im the Dragonspine. Unexpectedly, Wayne''s smile grew wider after he heard that.

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    "There''s no firste, first serve. All four participants can diagnose the patient at the same time. The specific requirement to im the items for whoever can cure the patient the best. "This is absolutely fair, don''t worry," Wayne said.


    The severity of the patient''s condition was evident. Even with a master healer like Lemuel getting invited, Wayne''s calm demeanor suggested that the case was particrly challenging.


    It was two in the morning when Felix returned home. He had taken off the Shadow Mask before he entered his house.


    Melissa, who had been waiting, threw herself into his arms. "Felix! I''m so sorry!"


    Felix smiled andforted her, "It''s okay, it''s okay. No matter what happens next time, tell me the truth, okay?".


    Melissa wiped away her tears. Her fear was evident in her eyes. "It''s not like that. He was always by my side. I didn''t dare to tell you the truth."


    As she said this, Felix''s expression turned solemn. "Who brought you to the auction?"


    If the root of the issue wasn''t addressed, simr things could happen again.


    Melissa trembled as if she were extremely terrified to even think of the person. "I really don''t know, Felix! ording to my mentor, it was the mortal enemy of Thief Guild. When you meet him, you''ll have no ability to resist." She didn''t know who it was? Felix was a little frustrated. He couldn''t understand the situation


    at all.


    "My mentor calls those types of people ''Fish Men.'' His clearest feature is that his hands are covered in fish scales. All he did was touch me, and I couldn''t feel my hands."


    Felix was taken aback. That sounded unbelievable. "That shouldn''t scare you to this extent, right?" he questioned.


    Melissa shook her head desperately and cried again. "If the Fish Man touches me three times consecutively, my hands will turn itchy and painful. He made me feel it for just a few seconds, and I couldn''t bear it. "I don''t want to feel that pain ever in my life again."


    So that was why she reacted in that manner. It was no wonder she was so terrified.


    Felix motioned for Melissa to sit. He then took her pulse to ensure she was okay. He was relieved to find that there was nothing left on Melissa''s body.


    "Here''s what we''ll do. You''ll stay in the clinic from now on. Billy also works down at Floral


    Wreath Boutique. If the Fish Man appears again, you''ll be safe with Billy around."


    Melissa was dumbfounded. "That fatso is that powerful?"


    Felix smiled. "Well, you can''t judge a book by its cover. He''s only annoying because he runs his mouth a lot. But he''s definitely capable of this."


    Of course, it was a good thing Melissa''s safety could be guaranteed. However, she was still worried.


    "Is he willing to protect me? After all, I''ve always disliked him."


    "Don''t worry. I''ll have a good talk with him."


    Needless to say, Felix only said that to console Melissa. He knew all too well that convincing Billy would likely cost him another favor.


    As expected, when the following day came, Billy was about to refuse the task. However, when he heard Felix''s deal, he immediately burst into joy. "Alright. Okay! You owe me another favor for this trivial matter. How nice of you."


    Felix rolled his eyes. Sometimes, he really admired Billy''s manner of speech-he gained the benefits, yet still acted coy about it.


    At sunset, Felix rushed to the vi where the Obsidian Auction was held. Almost as soon as he entered, Aiden and Asher got out of the car.


    When Asher caught Aiden looking at Felix''s retreating figure, Asher couldn''t help but ask curiously, "What''s up?"


    From the previous day till now, whenever they encountered this middle-aged man, Aiden seemed very concerned. Suddenly, Aiden spat out two words, "Felix Zeller!"

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    Felix almost turned around out of pure instinct. Who wouldn''t react when someone called the name they had their whole life? Fortunately, Felix recognized that this was Aiden''s voice, so he held back. His strong willpower allowed him to control his impulses and resume his movements, at least on the surface, without any signs of hesitation.


    "Did


    you see Felix somewhere, Aiden?" Asher asked in confusion.


    Aiden shook his head with a smile. "I must''ve been mistaken."


    This time, the meeting ce was actually the same auction hall they had been to before. Felix was still feeling a little uneasy after sitting down.


    After his strength improved, his wariness toward Aiden began to decrease. However, this time, it instantly shot back up to an even more exaggerated level.


    Calling Felix''s name to test his reaction meant Aiden believed this "middle-aged man" was Felix somehow. Although he wasn''t fully certain, the situation was terrifying enough. Soon, everyone gathered. Felix saw Craig from the headquarters, Magnus from Medic''s Haven, and Lemuel, whom he had met once.


    "Mr. Grimwald, long time no see," Lemuel greeted him with a smile.


    Lemuel and Magnus clearly knew each other as they immediately greeted each other.


    "Ha, you''re always so elusive!" Magnus chuckled. "Who knew we''d meet again like this?"


    Only Craig looked a little out of ce, and there was a glint of awkwardness in his eyes.


    In terms of status, he was the highest ranked. Despite being the chief medical officer of the headquarters, Magnus and Lemuel still disregarded a respected figure like him.


    In their eyes, the true measure of a doctor was their skills, not their rank.


    Craig turned to nce at Felix. He felt a little better to see him. At least he wasn''t the lowest ranked, and he regained some confidence.


    "Wee, master healers. The guild master is upied with important matters and can''t leave. So he had asked me to apologize on his behalf," Wayne greeted them as he entered with Ross.


    Wayne''s words were sincere. Despite Skyward Guild''s status, they still respected all the doctors present.


    The three renowned doctors merely nodded slightly, which could be considered somewhat an acknowledgment.


    "Now, let''s not waste time! Pleasee up on stage!"


    +79 BONUS


    When all the doctors were on stage, a bed was pushed out. An elderly man was lying on the bed. On the surface, he appeared to be unharmed


    Everyone present was a powerful martial artist. As the bed drew closer, they could hear the familiar thumping sound of a heartbeat.


    Felix immediately recognized that this was the patient''s heartbeat. It was so strong and powerful that it echoed in the hall. The man''s strength was evident and clearly formidable.


    "Doctors, please begin," Ross said, bowing slightly with a gaze full of expectations. The patient was lucky to have someone like him as a friend.


    The next moment, Craig grew visibly ufortable. He wanted to go forward to feel the pulse, but he noticed that not only Lemuel and Magnus stood there unmoving, but also Felix. If he went forward to feel the pulse, wouldn''t he be instantly at a disadvantage? Although the situation seemed strange, Ross was actually thrilled.


    These were indeed renowned doctors who could diagnose someone by just observing them. Ross knew his friend''s condition well. Even someone as skilled as Ss had missed it, with the problem revealing itself only after he felt the patient''s pulse. Just this one action showed the true caliber of these doctors.


    "Dane Livingston?" Craig''s voice cut through the silence as his expression changed.


    When he saw Magnus and Lemuel frown, he quickly exined, "You may not be aware, gentlemen, but If I''m not mistaken, this is a wanted criminal-the number four of the Thirteen Aces! Dane Livingston!"


    However, Felix had already recognized the elderly man. The documents Luna had given him contained information about these people.


    This was Dane Livingston, who ranked fourth among the Thirteen Aces. The picture he was given matched the elderly man on the bed.

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    *25 BORIS


    "To me, I only care whether they are patients or healthy people nothing else matters." After Magnus said so, Lemuel nodded in agreement. He clearly shared the same thought.


    Right then, Wayne turned his attention to Craig. I hope you could do this for the sake of Skyward Guild, Dr. Dixon. We invited you here today because you''re just a master healer who has no rtions to the headquarters. "Once our transaction isplete and everyone leaves, whatever happens next has nothing to do with Skyward Guild."


    Craig remained silent. Skyward Guild was an influential powerhouse with an extensivework of connections, including many high-ranking officials at the headquarters. After all, he was just their chief medical officer, not a warlord. So, he decided it was best to let the matter drop after weighing the pros and cons.


    Felix was not particrly concerned. Business was business, and given the involvement of the Dragonspine, Dane''s identity as a criminal could take a backseat.


    "Gentlemen, what''s your assessment?" Wayne returned to the matter at hand.


    Felix took the initiative to speak. "Let me exin."


    After Wayne''s earlier doubts about him, Felix decided to step forward to smooth things over with Skyward Guild.


    "His vital essence is critically depleted. Only his extraordinary power has kept his heart beating; otherwise, he''d be dead already. In traditional medicine terms, he''s walking the line between life and death, just one step away from meeting his maker." When Ross and Wayne stayed quiet, it confirmed that Felix''s diagnosis was spot-on. He clearly knew his stuff. No wonder he would dare put himself forward as the master healer.


    "Can you heal him?" Ross asked.


    Felix shook his head. "Treating him isn''t the real challenge. The impossible part is restoring him to his former state."


    Upon hearing this, Ross gave a bitter smile and looked at Lemuel and Magnus. "He shares my assessment. We can heal him to the level of an ordinary person, butplete restoration is extremely challenging."


    Ross seemed helpless. "Before losing consciousness, he made it clear that he wants full recovery to his previous state, or he''d rather die."


    As expected, it would not be easy to get the Dragonspine at all. Even Felix felt stuck on how to proceed.


    "Mr. Grimwald, is there really no way?" Aiden grew anxious, The Dragonspine was within


    reach, yet they were stuck at this final hurdle.


    After some hesitation, Magnus spoke up. "Well, we all know this isn''t exactly a secret. There''s one thing that could help any of us here save him, but it vanished over five hundred years ago.


    Though confused, Craig noticed Felix and Lemuel seemed to recognize this mysterious item. He felt rather out of the loop.


    "Please just tell us, Magnus. Whether it''s gone or not, I need to try finding it," Aiden said


    Magnus nodded and turned to Aiden. "The Frost Crystal is one of the most miraculous medicinal nts with extraordinary effects on martial artists'' vital essence. If we could find it, I couldbine it with my acupuncture techniques to achieve aplete recovery. "The real problem is that it''s truly extinct, not just rare."


    month


    Just as he finished speaking, Ross interjected, "Everyone, Dane, my brother, hative.


    left. I''ll wait here for that month. Since this is such a difficult task, I''ll add another incentive. "Whoever cures Dane will also receive information about where the other strange bone is." Felix''s heart raced after he heard this news. Without hesitation, he turned and left. He thought, "Eloise, I really need your help this time."

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    Once Felix left, there was no reason for anyone else to stay. They all knew finding the Frost Crystal was crucial. Without it, everything else would be pointless.


    Craig''s departure was particrly awkward. Even with the Frost Crystal, his skills weren''t sufficient to fully cure Dane. The gap in medical expertise was just too wide.


    On his way back, Felix was about to call Seven when he remembered Mira''s recent call. That unknown number might still be active.


    He was running out of options, and his resources were extremely limited inparison to the resources were extremely limited inparison to the Greenes''. Without Mira''s help, even if the Frost Crystal still existed somewhere, the Greenes would have far better chances of finding it.


    "Felix."


    Felix sighed with relief when he heard Mira''s voice on the line. "I thought you might have ditched this number."


    "I was about to, then you called." Contacting Mira would be much more reliable than dealing with Averill, who would probably just show up at his ce trying to get him into bed again.


    "Mira, I need to reach Eloise. I have something important to ask her," Felix said.


    Mira sounded intrigued. "Oh? Is it something so crucial you need Eloise? Are we not capable enough to help you?"


    Felix grimaced. "I''d ask all of you for help, but Mr. Hoffman would have my head."


    Just asking for Mira''s help already went against Gerald''s orders, so involving all of his fellow apprentices would be asking for trouble.


    "I can help you contact Eloise, but you have to tell me if this is about the Dragonspine. After a moment''s hesitation, Felix told the truth. "Yes.


    11


    "Then I''m sorry, but none of us can help you with the Dragonspine. It''s Mr. Hoffman''s absolute order, and not one of us dares to cross that line!


    "Listen, given my position at the headquarters, I could technically get the Dragonspine and hand it to you. But there''s a reason we''re making you serve for half a year instead. It''s all because of Mr. Hoffman''s order." Felix could not believe the situation he was in. Gerald''s requirements seemed impossibly contradictory.


    "Mr. Hoffman says everything follows cause and effect, especially with the Dragonspine. There could be future consequences if you don''t have a deep enough connection to it. I don''t quite understand the specifics myself."


    After hearing her words, Felix paused and thought it through. Looking back, this had been true for every piece of the Dragonspine. Even the one he had acquired by force hade through his own circumstances and had nothing to do with others.


    "If that''s how it is, forget it. I''ll handle it myself. After hanging up, he reached out to hiswork, though selectively. He avoided contacting people like George or Ryan, as the Greenes could easily trace those connections back to him, Direct confrontation with the Greenes wasn''t an option right now.


    Back home, Xena called. Felix did not think much of it. Their rtionship was strictly professional now, with no sign of improving. Sure enough, she started speaking to him as if she were talking to Alistair.


    "Felix, the headquarters has assigned you a mission. I don''t want to hear any excuses about priormitments. Being a Dragon Knight means understanding priorities."


    Felix did not know what to say. He hadn''t even tried making excuses. "Go on."


    "There have been strange urrences in a small vige. Investigate, but don''t disturb the locals. Report any findings immediately, and don''t act rashly."


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    Felix was curious about what kind of strange urrences would have the headquarters so short -staffed. "When do 1 leave?"


    "Early the day after tomorrow. Since this is your first operation, I''ll send someone to assist you. You''ll still be in charge. I''ve sent the detalls to your phone," Xena said.


    The call ended abruptly. Indeed, it was strictly business. He had to handle it properly since he had taken on this assignment, and this job was tied to the Dragonspine too. Felix immediately started reviewing the mission details. The vige was called Pine Valley, tucked away in a remote mountainous region. The reported "strange urrences" were just disappearing livestock. There were chickens, ducks, and sheep vanishing every few days. Felix had a strange look on his face after reading the information. How could livestock disappearing in a vige near the mountains be considered strange? With dense forests around, weren''t predators expected? Still, his opinions didn''t matter if the headquarters thought it warranted investigation. He would have to see for himself.


    his


    The doorbell rang, though it was already quitete for visitors. To it was Willow. He quickly invited her in.


    "I''ve been thinking it over. Though we haven''t known each other long, I believe you''re a good person. Perhaps what happened between you two was just a misunderstanding. I''m willing to trust you," she said. Felix felt relieved hearing this. "Thank you."


    Willow shook her head and continued seriously, Don''t get your hopes up too high. This needs. to happen gradually. Wemunicate through letters, so I''ll start mentioning you slowly. It will take time. "And I can''t guarantee it will work."


    Felix smiled. "Your help alone means a lot. The rest is up to fate. I''ve done all I can anyway."


    ¦°


    The next day at the clinic, Billy arrived almost right after Felix.


    "You''re here, Billy. Let me make you some tea." It seemed that Melissa''s attitude toward Billy had totally changed. "Thanks, Melissa."


    Felix shot Billy a look, wondering if the fatso had somehow impressed her with his power or something. "What''s up?"


    Billy grabbed the tea Melissa made and headed for the door. "Nothing much. Just needed some tea. My kettle''s broken."


    Felix told Melissa they would need to close the clinic for a few days, but she did not question it. She nned to stay at the clinic anyway because it felt safer.


    "Felix, maybe we should hire another doctor. You seem so busy. That way, the clinic could stay open when you''re away," she suggested.


    Felix chuckled. "You''re really getting into this nurse role, aren''t you?"


    Melissa stuck out her tongue, then suddenly remembered something and hurried to the back


    room.


    Just then, Seven sent a message with Tom''s current location. Felix would not possibly forget Tom, the man responsible for five deaths right before his eyes. If not for the auction dy, he would have acted already.


    As he was about to get up, Melissa returned. With her head hung low, she looked as if she had done something wrong. "By the way, someone came by yesterday afternoon applying for the nurse position. I told her toe back today. If you''re not in a hurry, could you wait?" A nurse? Felix rubbed his face. "If shees back, tell her we''re not hiring. Don''t do this again."


    To his surprise, Melissa grabbed his arm and pleaded, "Come on, just give it a try! We really hit it off, and-"

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    Her eyes suddenly lit up. "Look, she''s here!"


    enough! Either you help me find the Frost Crystal, or we''re done for good. You know I mean it.


    Billy could tell Felix was genuinely angry and quickly yielded. "Alright, alright! I''ll help you look. Seriously, I promise!"


    Satisfied, Felix left, only to run into Nelly just getting out of her car. "Nelly, what brings you here?"


    Nelly approached him before pulling out a bank card. "Felix, there''s ten million dors here. It''s half of what the old man gave me. Please take it."


    Felix did not know whether tough or cry. She was just too kindhearted.


    "Haven''t I told you? Do I look like I need money? When Felix saw her hesitation, he guessed there was more to it. "You need something, don''t you? If you really consider me a friend, just say it. I know what kind of person you are. You don''t need to butter me up." Today''s Bonus Offer

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    At this, Nelly''s eyes started to be teary.


    "I... I do need something. After seeing your medical skills, I remembered my cousin. She''s disabled-not from birth, but after a high fever when she was four that left her unable to hear anything. I was hoping you could take a look at her," she said.


    If it was not congenital, it could be treated. "Of course. Let''s go. Keep your money. Every second counts when ites to changing someone''s fate, if you know what I mean," Felix said.


    Nelly quickly apologized, "I understand, Felix. I promise I won''t do this again."


    Tom was still in Gray City. Killing him could wait as long as it was done before sunset.


    They arrived at a run-down neighborhood in Gray City, where Nelly''s cousin lived. The conditions were below modest. In fact, it was downright poor.


    "Poor June. After her mother died, her father ran away from gambling debts and left her alone to survive. Thankfully, ¨¤ factory hired her despite her disability; I can''t imagine otherwise!


    "I wanted to bring her to the clinic, but she''s terrified of strangers because of her condition. I couldn''t convince her, so I had to ask you toe."


    As they walked, a gate opened. Two men emerged, dragging a terrified woman who was making distressed sounds.


    "June!" Nelly''s expression changed as she rushed forward. This was her cousin, June Barett.


    "Let her go!" Nelly shouted.


    The thugs sneered, one of them immediately trying to kick Nelly. "Back off, bitch!"


    Felix quickly took them down before they could hurt Nelly.


    "You''ll regret this, punk!" While supporting each other, they threw out a threat before leaving.


    After entering the yard, Nelly said Felix could begin treatment once June had calmed down.


    "Tell her the treatment might hurt since it''s been so long. She''ll need to bear with it," Felix told Nelly..


    After Nelly tranted, June froze, her hands signing rapidly. "Felix, she''s asking if she can really be cured."


    Felix nodded with a smile. "Absolutely. Though learning to speak again afterward will be up to her."


    Even Nelly teared up at this confirmation.


    June was quite pretty. Once she was freed from disability and with Nelly''s financial support,


    her life couldpletely turn around.


    Just as Felix finished the treatment, they heard amotion outside. "Stay with her. I''ll check it out," Felix ordered.


    Nelly started to speak but stopped herself as she felt guilty about causing Felix more trouble. Outside, a few cars had pulled up, with over 20 men carrying clubs stepping out.


    "Think you''re tough, you brat? Let''s see you take all of us down!" The two men from earlier were now extremely cocky.


    "Well, if it isn''t Dr. Zeller. Good thing I came. Otherwise, I''d be paying medical bills for these guys.''


    To Felix''s surprise, Tom stepped out of one of the cars. "Looks like you''ll have to die today."


    Tom showed no fear, instead stepping right up to Felix with a threatening lean. "You should be happy that someone had cleaned up your mess before instead of fighting me. You have no idea who''s backing me. "So, are you going to step aside, or should we have another go?"

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    Instead of rushing to beat up Tom, Felix held up his right hand with a silver needle between his fingers.


    "I don''t care whether those five people at the clinic deserved to die or if they made some deal to sacrifice their lives. But you showed absolute disregard for human life, and that deserves. consequences.


    "Once I insert this needle, you''ll have constant urges to urinate, even without drinking water. It will be extremely painful each time you pee. There''s only one way to fix it, and that''s to remove the needle. But if you do that, you''ll die. Before Tom could react, the needle was already in the back of his hand.


    "The choice is yours," Felix said.


    As Felix walked back into the yard, Tom scoffed. "Who do you think you are? Did you think


    you could control my body with a mere needle? What an idiot! If you"


    that''s fine. Let''s see if anyone can save you this time."


    want to y games,


    Just as he was about to pull out the needle, Tom''s body jerked. An overwhelming urge to urinate hit him, and he felt like he was about to wet himself.


    Desperate, he rushed to a nearby wall and unzipped. He did not care that dozens of his men were watching; he just could hot hold it anymore. The initial relief was indescribable, but he howled in pain right after that.


    "Argh!" Stunned by the unbearable pain, he immediately stopped. The pain was excruciating.


    Before he could collect himself, another urgent need hit his brain and dder. He had no choice but to continue, bringing another wave of agony.


    It took Tom five whole minutes to finish urinating, which was longer than it usually took him to poop. He also looked visibly haggard.


    "Quick! Let''s go!" He needed to find their boss fast. Felix''s warning had proven true. One needle had caused all this, and he couldn''t bear to experience that pain again.


    "Nelly, will it be any trouble?" 20 minutester, Felix emerged with Nelly.


    "Not at all, Felix. June hasn''t been out much, and I haven''t traveled in ages. Perfect timing!" Nelly eximed.


    Felix had suggested Nelly take June traveling to avoid Tom''s retaliation, though Tom probably wouldn''t have time to think about revenge after that needle. By the time they returned from their trip, this whole situation should be resolved, and they could resume normal life. Back home, Felix found the living room lights on Expecting Melissa, he instead found N watching TV on his couch instead. "Why are you in my house?"


    N smiled and said, "You hired me as your personal nurse. Of course, I''m living here"


    Personal nurse? When did he agree to that? "Leave. It''s inappropriate for an unmarried man and woman to live together."


    To his surprise, N''s eyes immediately welled up with tears. "I... I admit I was too aggressive before and acted without thinking. But I came to you myself, and you''re still treating me like this after you''ve already seen everything of me. Do you really hate me so much?" Felix sighed; he had indeed seen her naked. Too bred to argue, he simply headed upstairs." Stay if you want, but don''t spread it around. If not, don''t me me for getting nasty!"


    A smile crept across N''s face as she sat back down. "Melissa really is my lucky charm." Melissa had told her that Felix couldn''t resist when women showed their vulnerable side. As a woman, she needed to use feminine advantages. In the past, she would never have said such things or pretended to cry.


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    "May I know who you are?" he asked.


    "My codename is Hope. I''m here to assist you. Here are my credentials."


    Felix had not expected Xena to send such a young and beautiful woman. He wondered about her reasoning. "Hello, Hope. Shall we? Where''s the car?"


    "Everything''s arranged. To better gather information, I''ll call you Felix from now on, if you don''t mind."


    Felix agreed. Calling him "sir" in a small vige would raise suspicions. They drove the SUV mostly in silence. Though on the same mission, they were still strangers. After four hours, Hope suddenly asked, "Felix, could we pull over? We''re almost at Pine Valley. I need to change clothes to make sure we canplete the mission."


    Though puzzled, Felix agreed. Being new to the headquarters'' field operatives, he figured it best to go along. He got out to give her privacy and nced afar. The air around the mountains certainly felt fresh. "I''m ready, Felix.


    When Hope''s voice came, he turned around. He immediately sprayed out his mouthful of water with just a nce at her. "You... you''re going to investigate the vige dressed like that?

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    Standing by the car, Hope had changed from her normal clothes into a revealing outfit. She was dressed in ck stockings with ultra-short shorts and a ckce crop top. Her loose clothing earlier had hidden it, but now Felix could see she was quite curvy. As she felt his stare, Hope blushed. "I... I thought this might make it easler to get information from the young men in the vige. It''s better than using money, right?"


    Felix immediately shut down the idea. "Change back now. You''d cause an instantmotion dressed like that in the vige. We''re here on a mission, not to attract too much attention."


    An outfit like that would turn heads even in the city streets, let alone among young vigers. It was asking for trouble. "Oh... right."


    Finally reaching Pine Valley, they parked and were struck by the view. The houses were uniformly built and remarkably neat, which was likely because of government development ns. With terraced'' fields stretched along one side, the sight was breathtaking enough to make any woman want to take photos.


    On the other side, there were mountains. It was all greenery up to their peaks. Combined with the terraced fields, it created an otherworldly atmosphere.


    "It''s beautiful." This was Hope''s first time seeing such a view. If not for the mission, she would have taken photos.


    "Here, give me your phone. Remember, we''re investigators posing as tourists, so stay natural.


    H


    Hope snapped out of her daze at Felix''s words, and they entered the vige.


    They stopped a middle-aged man carrying arge sack.


    "Hi there. We''re on a road trip and passing through. It''s getting dark. Is there any ce we could stay for the night?" Felix asked.


    "Lodging? You''ll need to ask our vige chief, Mr. Caine. Go this way and turn the corner. You''ll find him," the man said.


    Did they actually need the chief''s permission to stay? Felix was not sure if this was standard practice, but something felt off. Following directions, they found an old man sitting on a small stool, puffing on a pipe. "Sir, are you the vige chief?" Felix asked.


    Though somewhat surprised, Ralph Caine nodded. "I am. And you are?"


    Felix quickly exined with a smile, "We''re on a road trip, going wherever the road takes us. It''s getting dark, and we''re wondering if we can stay in the vige tonight."


    Tourists? Ralph tapped his pipe before saying, "You can stay, but you can''t go out after sunse If you don''t follow this rule, please leave."


    As her eyes blinked with innocent curiosity, Hope asked, "Mr. Caine, why can''t we go out at night?"


    But Ralph remained silent, his expression saying "Take it or leave it".


    "Thank you, Mr. Caine. Would 500 dors be enough for lodging? Including a meal."


    After standing up, Ralph headed out. "Follow me"


    At a house on the vige''s east side, they found a woman washing vegetables in the yard. She looked up with a smile and said, "Mr. Caine, wee."


    Her eyes werepletely white, which meant she was blind.


    "Grace, we have two travelers who need lodging. They''re paying 500 dors and just need one meal. I''ve brought them here."


    Grace Leigh immediately became excited. "Thank you, Mr. Caine, thank you! Dear guests, please wait a moment. I''ll heat the water and start cooking. I hope you won''t mind my simple fare." The effect 500 dors would have on such a household was obvious, so her excitement was understandable.


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    4


    Chapter


    784


    At this point, Ralph turned to Felix and said, "Grace may be blind, but her hearing extraordinary. If you try going out at night, she know immediately. Don''t break our vige rules-you''ve been warned!"


    So that was part of it. If she could recognize Ralph by his footsteps, her abilities weren''t to be doubted. Sometimes, what the ears heard was more reliable than what the eyes could see.


    "This is your room. Grace sleeps in the outer room. I''ll take my leave," Ralph said.


    Hope spoke without thinking. "Is there just one bed?"


    Felix frowned. How could a headquarters agent make such a basic mistake? Ralph probably thought they were married.


    "What''s wrong? Can''t you even sleep with me as your brother?" Felix joked.


    Shaking his head, Ralph left without another word. Upon realizing her blunder, Hope hung her head in silence.


    "Don''t question Grace. The chief and vigers are too guarded, so asking questions will only make them more suspicious. I''ll investigate myself when it''ste," Felix said.


    Felix took Hope to the yard, thinking that the night restriction alone required a thorough investigation. As expected, Grace barely spoke throughout, offering only basic courtesies.


    As night fell, Felix and Hopey on the bed, both fully clothed. Hope seemed nervous since it was apparently her first time sharing a bed with a man.


    Just after nine, Felix signaled Hope. He then slipped into Grace''s room to prick an acupuncture point that would keep her sleeping until dawn. Then, he began exploring the vige.


    Pine Valley was eerily quiet at night, with only a few lit windows breaking the darkness. Every household kept livestock that was either poultry or farm animals. So far, Felix had not noticed anything unusual.


    He felt that the mission was not starting well. With the vigers unwilling to talk, he had to rely on his own investigation. If nothing happened tonight, they would have no reason to stay another day.


    Finally, Felix heard something and rushed toward the sound. At one in the morning, three previously quiet sheep at a household near Ralph''s suddenly became agitated. A dark figure appeared. They grabbed one sheep and started running at inhuman speed.


    "So it''s not a predator, huh?" Felix followed, puzzled. He had expected a leopard or simr predator, but this was clearly human. They were probably a martial artist, given their strength and speed.


    But why would a martial artist steal livestock? They could easily make good money bodyguards. These questions kept him from intervening as he continued following.


    as


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    The chase led up the mountain, and the figure maintained their speed even through densel forest. Finally, the thief stopped halfway up. "What are they doing?" Felix hid behind arge tree, watching. At this distance, he could sense the person''s martial arts level, and what he sensed shocked him.


    "What? That''s just a normal person!" How could an ordinary person possess such strength and speed? It matched the Ultimate Mortal Realin masters.


    Just as he was still pondering, what happened next made Felix''s eyes widen in disbelief. "Is that... even human?"


    The chase led up the mountain, and the figure maintained their speed even through dense forest. Finally, the thief stopped halfway up. "What are they doing?" Felix hid behind arge tree, watching. At this distance, he could sense the person''s martial arts level, and what he sensed shocked him.


    "What? That''s just a normal person!" How could an ordinary person possess such strength and speed? It matched the Ultimate Mortal Realm masters.


    Just as he was still pondering, what happened next made Felix''s eyes widen in disbelief. "Is that... even human?"

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    In one fluid motion, the figure gripped the sheep''s head with one hand, its body with the other, and effortlessly tore it in half. Blood poured everywhere as the figure began gulping down the blood and devouring the raw meat. This scene took Felix aback. Even the most ruthless criminals wouldn''t consume raw flesh and blood like this.


    The creature ate with frightening speed and finished the entire sheep in about ten minutes. If not for the blood and wool on the ground, it might have seemed like a dream.


    "Damn it. I need to see what''s really going on here." This horrific scene had piqued Felix''s curiosity to the max. Since humans were involved, this definitely needed some investigation. He followed the sheep thief a short distance until they disappeared into a cave, after which all went quiet. At this point, Felix hesitated before reaching for his phone to contact Xena, Despite his abilities, he did not want to risk alerting whatever might be in that cave.


    The headquarters'' special phone maintained a perfect signal even in these mountains. Just as he was about to dial, he stopped. Another figure had appeared after a while.


    In the moonlight, Felix was shocked to recognize Ralph, who slowly entered the same cave. Is Pine Valley somehow connected to all this?"


    Without further hesitation, he called Hope first and told her to hide somewhere safe. He then called Xena. After hearing Felix''s ount, Xena realized the gravity of the situation. "A blood-drinking creature? Felix, don''t do anything rash. Keep observing!"


    After consideration, Felix suggested, "I could investigate by disguising myself as the vige chief. They won''t notice me, and I won''t alert them."


    Xena was skeptical. "Are you sure? There are many unknown elements in Dragonia. You''re strong, but there could be more powerful beings inside."


    True, but Felix had the Shadow Mask. "Trust me, I know what I''m doing. I''m a Dragon Knight now, so you know how I operate."


    After a pause, Xena agreed, "Fine, but you''re only allowed to check out the situation. I''ll to headquarters and bring reinforcements." About 20 minutester, Ralph emerged from the cave. As he neared the bottom of the mountain, Felix intercepted him. "What? Didn''t I forbid leaving the vige at night?" Ralph questioned.


    Felix sneered. "Drop the act."


    report


    After pricking him with three silver needles, Ralph soon confessed everything. The real vige chief had been assassinated long ago. This impostor merely looked simr, and no viger dared question him. Chapter 785


    The fake Ralph did not know what was happening in the cave. His only job was to report any outsiders or unusual activities in the vige. He hade tonight to report Felix and Hope''s arrival.


    "You deserve death." Felix almost killed him but remembered his current position. Instead, he knocked the impostor unconscious so Xena could handle it.


    Felix put on the Shadow Mask and the fake chief''s clothes. His bones crackled as he transformed to perfectly match the impostor''s height and build. No one could tell the difference between him and the fake Ralph.


    As he approached the cave, Felix felt a familiar sensation. It reminded him of when the members of Pris and John had experimented on those children in another cave.


    "I hope I don''t see anything like that again." Upon remembering those children''s fate, Felix felt his inner demon stirring up.


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    Chapter


    786


    Under Felix''s torture, the fake chief had revealed everything under Felix''s torture, so Felix knew exactly where to go.


    At the cave''s deepest point, what appeared to be a dead end was actually an entrance to a hollowed-out section of the mountain. It was a considerable engineering feat.


    Hidden cameras identified him as the vige chief. With a rumbling sound, the rock wall retracted sideways, revealing a passage guarded by four men.


    "Why are you back?" one of them asked.


    Felix smiled submissively and said, "I just remembered something important I needed to report to Mr. Croft."


    "Follow me!" of the four guards, two carried AK-47s, which was some serious firepower that suggested these were not ordinary criminals. Guns were banned in Dragonia, so even obtaining a pistol was difficult, let alone assault rifles.


    With ss panels lining both sides of the passage, nobody could see what was behind them. After several turns, Felixentered a room where he met Reece Croft, a sturdy middle-aged man with strong features.


    What''s i


    so Reece asked.


    Felix said with a smile, "Mr. Croft, it''s about those travelers. The woman is quite beautiful and has a nice figure. I thought you might be interested."


    Reece''s brows furrowed as his voice rose. "You fool! Do I look like I''m short on women? Get out!"


    Feigning fear, Felix retreated. But leaving now would mean no intel gathered. Halfway down the passage, he released a burst of energy and shattered one of the ss panels.


    With the loud crash, Felix pretended to dodge in panic while actually seizing the opportunity to peek inside. What he saw made him freeze.


    Three people were strapped to vertical beds, and their bodies were pierced with tubes carrying flowing green liquid. Twob-coated men were startled by the breaking ss, so they scurried. to safe corners. One of the restrained subjects was struggling violently with bloodshot eyes, as if he was diseased.


    Snapping back to attention, Felix released another energy burst. It sent ss shards flying to cut the struggling person''s restraints."


    What happened next was horrifying. The freed person immediately pounced on one of theb workers and started biting. Blood started spraying everywhere in a gruesome scene.


    "What''s happening here?" Reece arrived just in time to witness the carnage. He rushed in and restrained the violent subject single-handedly.

 Billionaire With Husband 787

    Chapter 787 Chapter 787


    At this point, Felix should have been begging for his life, but he wasn''t naive. He could see the murderous intent in Reece''s eyes. There was no way he would let Felix leave alive.


    "You could have lived a bit longer, but you made the wrong choice," Felix said.


    Seeing Felix stand straight with no trace of his earlier fear, Reece immediately understood." No matter who you are, once you''re here, you die."


    As he spoke, Reece pressed a button in his pocket triggering rms throughout the facility. Since you''re brave enough to sneak in disguised as the chief, you must be quite confident in your abilities. Too bad you still have to die!"


    11


    A sharp sound cut through the air. Felix tilted his head as six figures emerged and surrounded


    him.


    Interestingly, these six worebat suits simr to the shadowstalker who hadmitted suicide at his homest night. But they were in purple instead of ck. "Shadowstalkers? So Astoria is involved in this, huh?" Reece wasted no time, pointing his finger. "Kill him!"


    Just as the six shadowstalkers prepared to move, Felix suddenly pped his hands together. He then released a shockwave that rippled outward.


    Bodies hit the floor one after another. The six shadowstalkers and all the guards who had rushed in were down in an instant, except for Reece. This was just what could be seen here. Throughout the facility, everyone had also been knocked unconscious.


    As a master of the Blood Realm''s initial stage, dealing with these people was child''s y for Felix. "I can''t wait for the headquarters to interrogate you. We''ll start now."


    To prevent any surprises likest time, Felix threw seven needles to immobilize the six shadowstalkers and Reece. The information these people held was clearly crucial.


    Time passed, and when Xena arrived with reinforcements, they found Felix leaning against a wall. There was a faint killing aura lingering around him.


    "Felix! What did you do?" Xena questioned.


    Felix looked up, his voice low as he replied, "They''re just unconscious. I didn''t kill anyone. There''s another one at the foot of the mountain."


    Xena sighed in relief. Even Dragon Knights did not have the right to kill at will.


    "I''ll let you handle the rest. This seems to be some kind ofboratory, but I''m not sure what they do. These people refused to tell me anything. I''ll send you my mission report," Felix said.


    While watching Felix leave, Xena felt something was off but couldn''t pinpoint what. She could only begin the cleanup operation.


    At the vige entrance where they had parked, Hope rushed to meet Felix. "Felix, are you alright?"


    "I''m fine. The team''s here. You should go back with Lady Summers. I''ll drive myself.''


    Hope replied with a soft "okay" as she watched his car disappear.


    As Felix droye, he could not shake what Reece had revealed. The cave was indeed aboratory that had been operating for three years. It was used to conduct human experiments on Dragonian citizens. They had operatives across the country using seemingly legal means to supply test subjects.


    Reece was not high-ranking enough to know what kind of monsters or gic modifications they were trying to create, but he did provide one crucial piece of intelligence the operation was funded and run by the Steele family of Astoria. They were immensely powerful and wealthy.


    Unfortunately, this couldn''t be proven. The shadowstalkers were trained from childhood not to reveal anything even if they survived suicides. Reece''s testimony alone would not be enough to prove the Steele family''s crimes.

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    While he could not act under official orders, Felix could act personally. Once he got the Dragonspine from Ross, he nned to visit Astoria. A family like the Steeles had no right to exist.


    As he drove, two figures suddenly appeared on the road ahead, making him hit the brakes. He was puzzled. While he did not recognize the old man, he knew the other person. It was Aiden.


    "Does someone from the mighty Greene family need a ride?" After getting out of his car to tease them, Felix found Aiden''s face looking expressionless.


    "I know you took the Frost Crystal from the cave. Don''t even bother denying it," Aiden said.


    Felix narrowed his eyes. This guy''s intelligencework was impressive. He was surprised that Aiden would even know about that.


    But he was right! After interrogating Reece, Felix had found the Frost Crystal in one of theb rooms. It was suspended in some liquid that seemed to be extracting its properties.


    Fortunately, it was not badly damaged, so Felix had taken it. With its connection to the Dragonspine, he wouldn''t admit to having it even if Xena figured it out from the clues. Besides, his energy wave had destroyed all surveince equipment. "You''re right, I took it. But what''s that got to do with you?" Felix retorted.


    A sh of excitement crossed Aiden''s eyes. "Give it to me, and I guarantee you can return to the Greene family with full privileges. If you need anything else, just name it. I''ll make it happen."


    Aiden was able to track down the Frost Crystal so quickly, not just because of the Greene family''s resources. It was mainly thanks to the old man beside him. How else could they be so certain it was in Felix''s car? "That''s tempting, but I can''t. The Frost Crystal is too important," Felix said.


    Aiden''s expression darkened. "Felix, very few people in Dragonia dare refuse me, and you''re not one of them. Don''t force my hand!"


    Felixughed. "If you could use force, you would have already. With military helicopters and armored vehicles over there, it''s clearly a major headquarters operation. As the head of the Greene family, how could you not know?" He tossed his ID over. "Take a good look at my position. I was part of that operation! I''m under the Phoenix Warlord''s orders to bring the Frost Crystal back to headquarters. So, do you still want it?"


    The Greenes might be powerful, but they would not defy the state. Felix had figured this out as soon as they stopped his car.


    "Dragon Knight." Looking at the ID, Aiden gritted his teeth. He hadn''t known when Felix had


    joined headquarters, let alone at admiral rank. Thisplicated things.


    "Can I have my ID back, and could you move aside?" Felix asked.


    Felix caught the tossed ID and turned toward his car. As he opened the door, Aiden spoke again. "No one takes what I want! Not even you, Dragon Knight or not."


    Pursing his lips, Felix was about to respond when a roar filled the air. A fighter jet swooped low overhead. Incredibly, someone actually jumped out andnded smoothly near Aiden. Aiden''s voice carried over again. "See? I told you so."

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    Felix focused on Cairo Crest, the man who had jumped from the fighter jet. He had a square face and carried an imposing presence. He was clearly no ordinary person as he radiated such a powerful air.


    Being able tomand a fighter jet meant he had to be with the headquarters. After Aiden whispered something to him, Cairo said, "So you''re the Dragon Knight working under the Phoenix Warlord? Come here! I am the Tideborne Warlord." Before Xena, there were the Four Great Warlords-the Shadowdragon Warlord, the Warlord of the East, the Warlord of Thunder, and the Tideborne Warlord. Felix had met the first three; today he faced thest.


    The Greene family must be so influential to be able to summon even a Warlord. They had clearlye prepared and d¨¦termined not to let the Frost Crystal slip away.


    As Felix approached, Cairo spoke again. "Give me the Frost Crystal."


    Aiden smiled beside him. From his perspective, the Frost Crystal was as good as theirs. How could a mere admiral refuse a Warlord''s order? "Lord Cairo, the Frost Crystal is a prize from this mission. By the Phoenix Warlord''s orders, I must turn it over to headquarters," Felix said simply. Cairo''s brows furrowed in displeasure. "Are you questioning my orders? Consider your position carefully. I''ll give you one more chance to answer.


    In the headquarters, defying a superior''s orders carried severe punishment. Even as one of Xena''s people, Felix was still subject to other Warlords''mands. The key factor was that Xena, the Phoenix Warlord, was not present. "Lord Cairo, this incident has major implications. Unless the Phoenix Warlord herself orders it, I cannot hand it over."


    Major implications? Cairo knew of a significant operation near Pine Valley but hadn''t gotten the details yet.


    "This is my final warning! Hand it over, or face immediate dismissal!" In his eyes, Xena was nothing but an upstart. How dare she challenge a veteran Warlord?


    Felix was speechless. As expected, Xena couldn''t keep Cairo in check. Worse, he dared not call her since the Frost Crystal had been taken secretly. If thatw-abiding woman found out, the consequences were obvious. "Since you''re trying to intimidate me, I''ll be direct. Lord Cairo, you must know Hugh Ibarra, don''t you?" Felix asked.


    Cairo''s eyes widened. Every high-ranking headquarters official knew Hugh as one of the founding members who had fought alongside the Shadowdragon Warlord. Even in retirement,


    no one dared underestimate him.


    "Interesting. Are you suggesting that a mere admiral like you know Lord Hugh?" Cairo questioned.


    Felix simply nodded. "Indeed. Since you insist, I have to bring up Hugh''s name. Feel free to verify this with a call. It''s daytime now, so it wouldn''t be inappropriate, right?"


    When he saw how confident Felix was, Cairo hesitated. He needed to verify this. It would be fine if Felix was lying. But if true, it would be extremely troublesome.


    "Lord Cairo." Aiden had a bad feeling, but Cairo''s re silenced him. The Warlord took out his phone and dialed someone.


    The other person answered soon. "Cairo, what''s the matter? Why are you disturbing a retired old man like me so early in the day?"


    Cairo''s expression revealed his deep respect for the voice on the other end.

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    "Good day to you, Lord Hugh. It''s urgent, and I need to verify something. Please forgive my intrusion! Do you know a young man named Felix Zeller?" Cairo asked.


    Hughughed and said, "Are you talking about Felix, our Dragon Knight from headquarters? Of course, I know him. I treat him like my own grandson. What''s the matter?" Cairo drew in a sharp breath. He had considered many possibilities but hadn''t expected Felix to have this level of connection. He treated Felix like his own grandson?


    "No... it''s nothing. Please rest well." After hanging up, Cairo looked ufortable, coughing twice before saying, "Dragon Knight, since you have a mission toplete, you should hurry along. Don''t dy it." Nodding, Felix left. Despite his frustration, Aiden could not intervene further and could only watch the car disappear.


    "Aiden, that young man has deep ties with Lord Hugh. There''s nothing we can do." Though retired, Hugh could easily take down the Tideborne Warlord if provoked.


    Aiden''s expression darkened; he knew this Frost Crystal was beyond reach now. Once submitted to headquarters, even his extensive connections could not retrieve it. They would have to search elsewhere. t


    But finding one proved they weren''t extinct, and there was still hope.


    Back on the road, Felix breathed a deep sigh of relief. Fortunately, Mira had anticipated such situations and arranged things with Hugh. She was worried Felix might face bullying at headquarters. Who knew it would prove useful so quickly? Without that, he would have had to surrender the Frost Crystal. And with Hugh''s intervention, Cairo would not dare investigate whether Felix actually turned in the Frost Crystal to headquarters.


    After reaching Gray City, Felix rushed to the manor that hosted the Obsidian Auction. Of course, he used the Shadow Mask to maintain his previous disguise.


    "Have you found the Frost Crystal?" Wayne and Ross were shocked. They had expected Aiden to find it first instead of this mysterious man, who imed he was master healer. "Yes, why else would I return?"


    Once it was confirmed, Ross was overjoyed. He didn''t care who found it as long as it could cure Dane.


    "If there are no issues, I''ll begin treatment," Felix said.


    Two full hourster, Felix emerged. "He''ll wake soon."


    About ten minutester, Dane, who had been unconscious, walked out lookingpletely


    energized.


    "Dane, how do you feel?" Ross asked.


    Dane flexed his hands, smiling. "Better than ever Ross, thank you for your efforts."


    Truthfully, Felix wished he could kill Dane, the wanted criminal, but it was not possible here." Can weplete the trade now?" Felix asked.


    Wayne nodded, and someone brought the Dragonspine out.


    "Done. I''m leaving!"


    While watching Felix leave, Dane licked his lips and said to Ross, "Let''s go too."


    Standing there, Wayne could easily guess what would happen next. Though the manor had many exits, anything was possible with Dane''s great power.


    "Is that ungrateful man going to betray his life''s savior? Dane is truly a despicable one. Let''s see if that mysterious man has fortune on his side."

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    "Dane, this doesn''t feel right." Outside the manor, Ross and Dane were sprinting in pursuit of


    someone.


    "What''s not right about it? That bone was super rare. Do you think I''d give it up if I didn''t have to? Now that the deal''s done, I need my property back. Besides, I left my mark on him. He won''t get far!"


    Ross could only manage a bitter smile, not daring to say more. Though he had blood on his hands, this was his first time pulling something like this. After all, Felix had just saved their lives, and that tip about another Dragonspine waspletely made up. Minutester, they cornered Felix in the forest.


    "You seem awfully calm." Dane furrowed his brows.


    Felix''s reaction was unexpected. The look in his eyes seemed to say he knew they woulde.


    "Calm? I guess you could say that." Felix shrugged with a smile.


    While treating Dane, he had already set things up to make sure he could track this Super S- rank criminal from the Thirteen Aces. But Dane had decided to strike first, living up to his reputation as a criminal who yed by his own rules. "Die!" Having reached this point, Dane was done talking and ready to strike.


    In the next instant, Felix raised his right hand and pushed downward.


    Two muffled explosions rang out as Dane and Ross hit the ground,pletely immobilized.


    "Blood Realm? How is this possible?" Dane was shocked to his core. As a master of the Pulse Realm, he would not have dared attack Felix without confidence in his abilities. But Felix had


    somehow reached the even more formidable Blood Realm.


    "You literally just walked right into myp, and I don''t know how to thank you enough for that."


    Before Ross could beg for mercy, Felix killed him with a single strike. Anyone who called Dane "brother" couldn''t be trusted.


    As for Dane, Felix knocked him unconscious. He needed to hand him over to Xena, especially now that he held the title of Dragon Knight.


    When they reached Gray City, Xena stepped out of a car at the entrance to the residential area.


    "It really is Dane!" Xena''s jaw dropped in disbelief when she saw who Felix was carrying. The Four of Hearts of the Thirteen Aces wasn''t someone they could catch easily, yet here he was. "I got lucky."


    Was it really luck?


    Xena didn''t press further. Results were what mattered, and Dane was worth more alive. "I''ll make sure you get credit for this."


    Felix shook his head. "No need. Put it under your name. I''m only serving headquarters for six months, so you know merit points don''t mean much to me."


    Xena opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words. "Alright. I won''t forget this favor."


    Their serious conversation took a turn when Felix leaned forward with a grin. He said, "Give me a kiss."


    A blush crept across Xena''s cheeks as she punched him in the stomach. "How dare you!" Though they were starting to flirt, Felix knew they still needed time to fully rebuild their rtionship. He hoped Willow could help bridge that gap. Back home, N was out and probably at the clinic. It was perfect as there would be no interruptions while Felix worked on the Dragonspine. With his current abilities, it didn''t take long to sessfully cultivate it.


    t


    Now Felix had six Dragonspine pieces in his body. Just three more toplete the set.


    One piece at headquarters was practically guaranteed. He had no leads on the other two yet, and he was not foolish enough to trust Ross'' information.

 Billionaire With Husband 792

    Melissa''s call came at just the right moment.


    Felix answered it.


    "Felix, there''s someone named Tom here. He barged into the clinic and won''t get up from his knees. He''s desperate to see you. Are you free?" Tom?


    Felix smirked. That bastard Tom must have exhausted all other options toe crawling back like this.


    At the clinic, Tom looked like a shell of his former self.


    "Please, I''m begging you! Remove it. I''m begging you!" Tom was on the verge of losing his mind. He had never imagined urination could ever be a torture for him.


    He wanted to pull out that silver needle but feared death too much. The agony was unbearable,


    Felix ignored him at first. Instead, he looked at N, who understood immediately and took Melissa''s hand with a smile, She said, "Melissa, let''s go shopping." "Sure."


    As the clinic''s shutters came down, Felix took a seat. "Do you know why I agreed to see you?"


    Tom shook his head frantically, fighting another urge to urinate.


    "Please, living like this is worse than death." For a grown man to sob so uncontrobly, it showed just how desperate he had be.


    Felix normally would not waste time on such trash, but the shadowstalker who appeared that night made him suspect a connection to Tom. Plus, with the Pine Valley incident also involving shadowstalkers, he might receive unexpected information from this. "On the night I inserted that needle, an Astorian shadowstalker tried to kill me at my home. What do you know about that?"


    Tom raised his right hand with an earnest expression. "I swear to God I had nothing to do with it.


    Felix smirked. He had ways to make Tom talk, but why would he bother when the situation would do it for him?


    "If that''s all, you can leave."


    What?


    Tom gritted his teeth, seemingly reaching a decision. "Wait! I''ll tell you everything! Just please make it stop! The shadowstalker was sent by Yadier Steele to kill you. I only found out afterward, I swear." Yadier Steele!


    The name made Felix sit up straight. He had not forgotten that the Steele family from Astoria was behind the Pine Valley incident. Tom''s connection to them was unexpected.


    While there were probably many Steele families in Astoria, having one operating in Dragonia andmanding shadowstalkers seemed far from coincidental. "What''s your business in Gray City?" Havinge this far, Tom held nothing back. "The Steele family hired me to capture homeless people and those without families in Gray City. I don''t know what happened to them after that.


    II


    Felix was now certain it was the same Steele family. If Tom was handling Gray City, other cities must have their own operators. This exined the steady stream of test subjects to theb in Pine Valley. "Where can I find Yadier Steele?"


    Tom gave a bitterugh. "I don''t know! We onlymunicate by phone. I''ve never even seen his face. And his phone seems specially made and can''t be traced. I... I tried secretly."


    Their caution made sense. They did not need to restrict Tom since he knew so little.


    How dare these people do such horrible things in Dragonia? Now that he had a lead, Felix knew he needed to clear out the Steele family''s local operatives.


    After pondering for a moment, Felix smiled as an idea formed in his mind.


    {

 Billionaire With Husband 793

    On a rainy night, a coaster bus cruised down the provincial highway. From the outside, all passengers appeared to be sleeping, creating a stark contrast with the pounding rain.


    Felix was among them, but he was the only one with open eyes. Earlier at the clinic, he had realized that to catch a lion, one had to enter its den. After questioning Tom, he learned that Tom had scheduled a transport for tonight, so he infiltrated the group. Tom was driving, still with a silver needle embedded in him-though a different one. This served two purposes: avoiding suspicion and making sure Tom understood that his relief was still in Felix''s hands.


    The new needle would only cause agony once in a day when urinating. While this lifted most of his nightmare, his fate remained in Felix''s control. So, he would not dare do anything rash.


    Before boarding, everyone had been given a bottle of liquid that quickly induced sleep. These people had not shown any fear. After all, they had each received 10,000 dors in cash and promises of new jobs with monthly sries starting at the same amount. Behind these lies lurked a horrifying reality none of them suspected.


    Shortly after turning off the highway, the bus stopped. Tom nced back before stepping out.


    This was the usual routine. They would reach a fixed location, with Tom leaving in a following car, knowing nothing about the bus'' subsequent journey.


    Ten minutester, someone new took the wheel. Instead of returning to the highway, they continued down the dirt road. Felix knew he needed to catch Yadier himself, and anything less would be pointless.


    Half an hour passed before the bus stopped again. They were surrounded by dead silence except for the passengers'' steady breathing.


    "Felix, time to meet your end. Get out!" the driver called coldly before stepping out,


    Felix was stunned. He had fallen for Tom''s trick. It seemed like Tom had anticipated his move and set a trap.


    Meanwhile, Tom stood atop a car a few miles away, fawning as he held a steaming cup of coffee. Beside him stood a short young man who had just lowered his binocrs. "The show''s about to begin. Have some coffee to warm up. Well done this time, Tom." Tom carefully offered the coffee. "Mr. Steele, you''re too kind. It was your brilliant strategy that predicted Felix''s every move. I''m honored to finally meet you in person."


    Tom had not lied earlier about never meeting Yadier. This was their first encounter. He had beenpletely honest, as he worried Felix might have ways to detect deception.


    A smile crossed Yadier''s face as he gently turned Tom''s face. "I do enjoy obedient dogs like you. You Dragonians have quite the aptitude for servitude."


    Though Yadier had given him everything, the words still sparked anger in Tom''s heart. But what could he do? Once he had sold his soul, there was no buying it back.


    "You know, the Steele family dispatched ten mid-rank shadowstalkers from our homnd just for Felix. He''s done for."


    Gathering his courage, Tom voiced his confusion, "Mr. Steele, why suchrattention on Felix?"


    He refused to believe it was for his sake. Would the Steele family really value what they saw as a mere dog so highly? Impossible.


    2


    ww

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    A smirk appeared on Yadier''s face.


    "Hah! At least you know your ce! As for why we''re going to such lengths-first, Felix is Dragonia''s master healer. Kill him, and they lose a master who can pass down the knowledge of traditional medicine.


    "Second, we want to prove that Dragonia''s martial arts are child''s ypared to our shadowstalking techniques. Now hold that coffee steady. The show''s starting."


    By the bus, Felix had stepped out, finding the scene oddly familiar. Ten fighters in purplebat suits surrounded him, while the driver stood at a distance with a smug grin as if victory was assured.


    "You must be Yadier''s right-hand man. You can tell me where to find him."


    The driver''s smile widened. "How dare you talk big even at death''s door? Your confidence muste from being a martial artist, isn''t it? How naive. These are ten mid-ranked shadowstalkers from our homnd. You''re finished!" Felix''s expression turned peculiar as he asked, "Ten mid-ranked shadowstalkers? Where? I don''t see any."


    As the driver opened his mouth to respond, his eyes went wide. The ten fightersy lifeless on the ground. The most chilling part was that they had died in the time it took to speak a single


    sentence.


    "Now, where''s Yadier Steele?" Though he had walked into a trap, Felix couldn''t care less. The oue mattered, not the path there. The driver was paralyzed with fear as Felix appeared before him, realizing toote how badly they had underestimated Felix.


    On the distant car roof, Yadier hurled his binocrs down in rage. "Damn it! He killed ten mid-rankeds in an instant! How old is he? What kind of monster is this?"


    Yadier could not do anything about it now. He jumped down and yelled at the bewildered Tom, "What are you waiting for? Drive!"


    But Tom remained on the roof. As Yadier prepared to curse, a gentle breeze passed. Then, Tom''s head rolled down before stopping at Yadier''s feet.


    "What?" Yadier jumped back, horrified.


    "Yadier Steele, you''ll be the first of your family I eliminate. You should be proud," the voice came from behind.


    As Yadier turned, he saw Felix standing there, and he copsed to the ground.


    He had been miles away moments ago. How could anyone move that fast?


    For a full hour, Felix tortured Yadier and extracted every bit of information he needed, though


    it hardly seemed enough punishment. The Steele family''s evil doings deserved death a thousand times over!


    They had built severalbs in Dragonia to develop super-soldiers by experimenting on living Dragonians.


    Afterward, Felix caught a bear from the mountains and threw Yadier at its feet. Bears were known for eating their prey alive. They would eat so slowly, which gave the victims plenty of time to feel the pain while watching their flesh being torn and chewed. "No! Please, no!" Yadier seemed to know this, his face filled with desperation.


    Felix responded carelessly, "I just booked a flight to Astoria. Do you care to guess why?"

 Billionaire With Husband 795

    Yadier revealed that there was another Steele family overseer for Gray City and its neighbors, named Ollie Steele. But he had returned to Astoria the day before on urgent business.


    This did not diminish Felix''s killing intent. Yadier had revealed plenty, which was befitting his status as a direct family member. He knew almost every operation in Dragonia.


    Felixpiled information about otherbs and personnel, then passed it to Alistair to give to Xena as an anonymous tip.


    This would be enough to uproot all Steele family operations in Dragonia. But prosecuting them internationally would prove challenging. Evidence aside, cross-border politics made thingsplicated, so Felix decided to handle this personally. He just hoped Xena would not assign him any missions in theing days.


    "I''ming with you!" Back at the vi, N''s eyes showed fierce determination to apany Felix to Ast¨°ria.


    "Don''tplicate things I''m going there to kill people-quite a few of them. An extra person means extra risk."


    Clever as she was, N did not push. Instead, she offered, "After that shadowstalker''s assassination attempt at your ce, I did some research. There are three major families in Astoria connected to the shadowstalkers. This might help when you''re there." Felix perked up. Having N''s support really did make things easier. "Is the Steele family one of them?"


    "Yes! They''re the most powerful of the three because a Steele woman married the Shadowstalker Emperor''s, Reagan Thorne, son. Few people openly acknowledge Reagan''s influence in Astoria, but behind closed doors, his authority is second only to the Astorian King. "Every shadowstalker would die for his word."


    Their connection with Reagan exined their boldness in Dragonia. But distance would not protect them from justice.


    "Seems like you''re going after the Steeles. Be careful. While they may not be the most influential family in Astoria, their connection to Reagan means few dare cross them.


    "I know you''re confident in your abilities, and I honestly don''t think much of Astorian fighters, either. But you''re entering their territory. Don''t get careless."


    Felix nodded and turned to leave, then suddenly thought of something. "Do you remember Cynthia?"


    Without waiting for N''s response, he continued, "Can''t you tell me anything about ''that


    ce''? And why was Cynthia so certain I''d return there?"


    N gave a bitter smile and shook her head. "I really can''t tell you. It''s an ancient rule no one can break. You''ll only learn about that ce when you''re strong enough to reach it yourself."


    It was just a casual question anyway. Felix went upstairs to sleep, leaving N standing there with aplex expression.


    Somehow, he seemed even stronger when she saw him again dayster. If her suspicions were true, such rapid growth was terrifying.


    She regretted not handling things differently with Felix earlier. Now, she wondered if it was toote to make amends.


    After nearly four hours on the earliest avable flight, Felixnded at an Astorian airport around noon.

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    Chapt¨¦r 796


    "Felix?" a familiar voice called out as Felix was leaving the airport.


    He turned, surprised. "Jack? What are the odds?"


    It was indeed Jack, who rushed over in a few strides. Heughed and said, "I thought my eyes were ying tricks on me. If we hadn''t known each other for years, I might''ve thought you had a twin brother." Meeting Felix anywhere in Dragonia would have been one thing, but they were in Astoria. It was incredible.


    "What brings you here?" Felix asked.


    "Business! Ms. Kinsley''spany is doing well. She established preliminary cooperation agreements here earlier, so I''m just here to finalize things."


    Felix looked around and teased, "Jack, you''re supposed to be a big-shot executive now. Don''t you look kind of modest here, traveling alone?"


    Jack threw an arm around Felix''s shoulders with augh. "I''m keeping it low-key, you know? Besides, though I hate Astoria, experiencing their unique cultural scene is easier when you''re flying solo." The mention reminded Felix;"Hey, aren''t you supposed to be honeymooning with Nessa?"


    Jack sighed. "Don''t remind me. Had it all nned out, but Nessa said she was close to a breakthrough in her training. You martial artists are so high-maintenance."


    Finding a friend in a foreignnd felt special. Jack suggested grabbing drinks, and Felix agreed. After all, his mission to eliminate the Steele family required careful nning, not just impulse. "Those two over there are my Astorian contacts who came to pick me up. The meeting''s just a formality, so it''ll be 30 minutes tops. Then, we''ll get a private room at that restaurant." Felix nodded.


    Jack waved, and the two Astorians hurried over to escort them to a car. Usually, international business meetings were formal affairs. But this Astorianpany understood Dragonian''s preference for mixing business with dining, so they had arranged their meetup at a restaurant. Felix entered an adjacent private room with sliding doors and custom floor cushions. It was typical Astorian style, though the decor''s quality was hard to gauge.


    Just as he sat down, his phone rang. It was Luna.


    "Dr. Zeller, sorry to disturb you." She was as polite as ever.


    "What can I help you with?"


    "I was wondering if you''re free any time in the next three days? A dear friend of mine has an


    unusual condition. I know it''s sudden, but I''ve known them for years."


    Felix said with a smile, "I owe you a favor, so it''s all good. In Dragon¨ªa, returning favors is simply the right thing to do."


    "Thank you so much. I''m willing to use that favor to help my friend."


    He was about to respond when he realized that he was already in Astoria. "Are you and your friend in your home country?" "Yes."


    "What luck! I just arrived in Astoria on some business. Just send someone to pick me up. I''m at..."


    On the other end, Luna was overjoyed. "Of course, Dr. Zeller. Please wait there. I''ll be there shortly."

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    Chapter


    797


    After about 30 minutes, Jack returned to the private room.


    "That was quick," noted Felix.


    Jack grinned. "Of course! Like I said, it''s just a formality. Ms. Kinsley handled everything earlier. Actually, with Nessa busy training, I thought I''d explore some local entertainment. "Do you want to join tonight? Thepany contacts can arrange everything. It''s totally safe-


    no scams."


    Scams? Felix found it amusing. What scammer would dare try anything with a martial arts master like himself?


    "This liquor''s basically water. Let''s make do with it. By the way, I never asked what brings you to Astoria?"


    Felix nced at him with a smirk. He joked, "I got invited by a beautiful Astoriandy."


    Jack scoffed. "Yeah, right. Cheers!"


    Just as they raised their sses, the door slid open. Four burly men sat down rudely on both sides. Judging from their tattoos, they were likely local gang members.


    Jack frowned and asked, "Can I help you?"


    They did not respond, either unable or unwilling to understand.


    "You''re Jack Graham from Kinsley Corporation, right?" Another man entered, speaking perfect Dragonian despite being only in his 20s.


    "I am. And you are?"


    The young man smiled slightly. "Ourpany''s seafood products are rather special. A partnership between us would be far more beneficial than your current arrangement, Here''s the contract. Sign it if you agree." Jack''s face darkened at the document mmed on the table. He had never encountered such aggressive strong-arming, which did not even allow room for discussion.


    "I don''t care who you are. Get out now!" Felix''s voice cut through the tension.


    The young man narrowed his eyes. "Hah! Aren''t you feisty? Perhaps my men should take you outside to cool off?"


    Felix was here to eliminate the Steele family, so he had no time for such trash. "A woman named Luna Starfire will be here any minute. Leave now and save yourself trouble."


    The young man froze at Luna''s name. He clearly recognized that name, but he quickly sneered. "You know your Astorian names! But do I look stupid? If you really knew someone like Luna


    Starfire, would your friend here be dealing with such a smallpany? Ridiculous!"


    Suddenly, a thunderous voice rang out, "Idiots! All of you, out!"


    Everyone jumped, turning to see a middle-aged man. The four thugs scrambled out while the young man received two stinging ps before he could speak. He finally saw a woman enter and bow to Felix. "I apologize, Dr. Zeller. You shouldn''t have experienced such unpleasantness upon arriving in my country. I''ll handle this."


    The young man nearly fainted. It really was Luna from the Starfire family. He could not believe that Felix was being honest, but how could a meremoner like him actually be friends with Luna?


    Jack sat there, stunned. Luna embodied every element of his ideal Astorian beauty, which nearly made him drool. His mind briefly wandered to various romantic scenarios and fantasies.

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    "Jack!" Felix''s voice finally snapped Jack out of his trance. "Let me introduce you. This is my good friend Jack Graham, and this is Luna Starfire."


    Felix was exasperated. He had called Jack''s name three times while the guy just stared at Luna until she grew ufortable. "Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Starfire."


    After barely shaking hands, Jack''s expression suddenly changed. He jumped up. "Excuse me. I need to use the restroom."


    Honestly, Felix was stunned. He could tell exactly what had happened to Jack, but wasn''t this a bit extreme? Though considering Jack''s obsession with Astorian media when he was younger, perhaps it made sense. The awkward moment was saved by Luna''s amused smile. "Your friend''s quite entertaining, Dr. Zeller."


    Entertaining?


    Felix seized the chance to change subjects. "Tell me about your friend. The case doesn''t seem urgent, right?"


    Luna nodded. "To be direct, her situation is simr to Jenna''s."


    Ah, fertility issues. Indeed, it was not life-threatening. "Let''s sit for a bit longer, then we''ll go see her."


    An hourter, Felix left with Luna. She arranged for someone to entertain Jack, promising him a good time. Given Luna''s status, this was far better than what thepany could offer. Jack was more than happy to ept. "Dr. Zeller, my grandfather told our maids to prepare dinner when he heard you were in Astoria. We''d be honored if you''d join us."


    Felix agreed. Luna''s call changed his ns. "Ms. Starfire, what do you know about the Steele family?"


    He did not really know much about Luna and Kyro. After their previous interactions, he knew they were not ordinary people. "So, you found out?"


    Felix paused. "Found out what?"


    "The people who framed you in Gray City worked for the Steeles."


    This made things easier. "So, your family knows the Steeles?"


    Luna nodded, then shook her head. "We''re acquainted. My grandfather despises them. Beyond necessary business dealings, we avoid them entirely."


    Felix stopped pressing. A car wasn''t the ce for such talk. He would discuss more with Kyro tonight.


    It was a gamble, but even if it did not pay off, the stakes were not too high. It would just make things less convenient. Then, Xena called. Felix prayed it wasn''t another mission since he would have to rush back to Dragonia if it was. "Xena." "That''s Lady Summers to you! Have you forgotten your position?"


    This woman....


    "Fine, Lady Summers. Is there another mission? Even with just six months'' service, you can''t work me like a horse."


    Her tone turned stern and absolute. "I know you''re in Astoria. If not for urgent matters holding me up, you wouldn''t have made it onto that ne. I''m ordering you to return immediately. Disobey, and be ready to face military consequences!"

 Billionaire With Husband 799

    Why was Xena asking Felix to return, even though there was no mission for him?


    Felix frowned. "Why?"


    "No reason needed! You''re a Dragon Knight under mymand. When I order you back, youe back!"


    Such forceful authority would have been impossible before, but now Felix did hold the Dragon Knight title-no disputing that. "I have a patient here, Xena. Don''t put me in this position."


    After a brief silence, Xena''s voice softened slightly. "Whether you have a patient or not, I know you well enough. You''re in Astoria for something else. I might not ask, but I know plenty. "Felix, this situation is bigger than you realize. It''s not something you can handle on impulse. Understand?"


    Clearly, Xena had guessed Felix was targeting the Steeles. Her "urgent matters" that let him board the ne must have been Alistair''s anonymous tip.


    "I really do have a patient. Sorry." He hung up. After several minutes without another call, Felix rxed. He only received a text message.


    It was short, but it warmed his heart. "Stay safe.


    After taking a helicopter, they arrived at a massive mansion where Felix met Luna''s friend, May Leeman. She was an ordinary-looking Dragonian woman, but her presence suggested high status. "Thank you for helping, Dr. Zeller. I''m quite lucky this time. If mypany hadn''t brought me to Astoria for business, Luna wouldn''t have heard about my illness and thought that you could help me." Luna said with a smile, "It''s quite a coincidence. May''s work actually rtes to yours. She''s with a pharmaceuticalpany in Guneria."


    A pharmaceuticalpany in Guneria?


    Felix asked casually, "Ms. Leeman, are you familiar with Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals?"


    He remembered John, Aimee''s father and Xena''s uncle, was Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals'' CEO. Felix hadn''t forgotten about it. He just had not found time to visit Guneria yet.


    John deserved death a thousand times over for partnering with Pris to test drugs on innocent children.


    Surprisingly, both May and Luna looked startled. ''Dr. Zeller, I work for Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals! Do you have connections there?"


    What luck.


    Felix smiled. "Not really. I''ve just heard of it. It''s impressive that a Dragonian built a pharmaceuticalpany in Guneria, the home of modern medicine."


    He hated John, but that did not make everyone at Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals evil. "I''m honored you''d say that! You''re right. Our CEO, Mr. Reynolds, is a role model to many people. He treats employees wonderfully. I''m actually here with him for business meetings." John was in Astoria, too? Felix almostughed. Talk about divine timing.


    "If possible, I''d love to meet Mr. Reynolds. I admire people in our field."


    May looked ufortable, clearly worried this might affect her treatment.


    !


    Luna smoothed things over. "Dr. Zeller, Mr. Reynolds never meets strangers. He even declined when I tried to arrange a meeting through May. Please don''t take offense."

 Billionaire With Husband 800

    Chapter 800 Chapter


    800


    Felix had only been testing the waters. "No worries. It''s just a thought. Let''s focus on the treatment."


    As expected, May had the same condition as Jenna. It wastent uterus syndrome.


    "Thank you so much, Dr. Zeller." May broke into tears of joy, knowing she could conceive once her husband was cleared. Across cultures, continuing the family line was paramount, and infertility was devastating for women. May left on urgent business, and Luna led Felix to the study, where Kyro waited.


    "I hear you have important matters to discuss, Dr. Zeller. Rest assured, this study is specially constructed for absolute privacy."


    Knowing Kyro''s standing, Felix decided to take his chance. He pulled out his phone to show Yadier''splete confession.


    After watching, Kyro mmed the table and breathed heavily with rage. "Those beasts! I thought the Steeles'' local activities were heinous enough. I didn''t think they''d do something worse."


    Luna''s eyes burned with fury. Her anger was obvious even without a word.


    "I''m here personally to eliminate the entire Steele family. Being in a foreignnd limits my intelligence and mobility, so I hope you can help, Mr. Starfire Senior."


    Kyro and Luna exchanged nces, and then Kyro spoke, "First things first, Dr. Zeller. I need to call someone before we continue."


    "Of course."


    Shortly after, a middle-aged man entered wearing traditional warrior garb and carrying a sword. "This is one of our nation''s finest warriors, titled Micah. His assessment of your goals is crucial. Everything else is meaningless without it." Felix stood up and said, "Here will do."


    Here? Micah frowned at Felix''s apparent arrogance. The study seemed too small forbat. Only Kyro''s look made him reluctantly agree.


    "Please be careful, Dr. Zeller." He drew his sword and struck in one fluid motion. To Kyrq and Luna, Micah merely seemed to bend slightly, his speed nearly invisible.


    "Not bad," Felixmented. That single strike could challenge an Innate Realm martial artist, which was proof that each nation''s arts deserved respect.


    What? Micah was shocked to see Felix unharmed and offering a casual critique.


    Luna''s eyes sparkled with amazement. She knew Felix was a brilliant master healer, but he


    actually had suchbat prowess as well. He was against Kyro''s personal guard no less.


    "Perhaps we should move elsewhere. I can''t disy my full ability here with Mr. Starfire Senior and Ms. Starfire present. It prevents proper assessment." As Kyro began to nod, Felix waved it off. "No need."


    Micah bristled. He thought that if Felix hadn''t saved Kyro, he would''ve killed him here.


    Suddenly his body went rigid, and his eyes widened. Cold sweat burst from every pore of his body. And it was all from a single, serious look from Felix. "Do you


    still think we need to move somewhere else?"

 Billionaire With Husband 801

    Kyro and Luna looked puzzled. To them, nothing had happened except Felix staring at Micah. Could that count as a contest?


    Then, they noticed something was wrong. Sweat poured off Micah like rain and dripped audibly against the floor. What had happened to him? Finally, Felix withdrew his power.


    Micah dropped to one knee and gasped for air, his eyes filled with raw fear. After recovering, Micah bowed to Felix. "This is my first taste of a Dragonian martial artist''s true power. Please forgive my earlier disrespect, Dr. Zeller." Felix said with a smile, "No offense taken. You''re quite skilled yourself."


    Even before absorbing another Dragonspine, Felix could have crushed Micah without breaking a sweat. Micah would not even have a chance to fight at all.


    Micah turned to Kyro. "Mr. Starfire, Dr. Zeller''s strength surpasses any warrior or shadowstalker I''ve encountered. Even if we surrounded him, I doubt we''d force him to use more than one hand."


    t


    Such high praise made Kyro and Luna draw sharp breaths. This level of shock was rare for them. Combined with Felix''s miraculous healing abilities, even "genius" seemed too weak a word.


    "Excellent! This is fate. The Steeles'' evil deeds have earned their punishment." Kyroughed wildly, then turned to Felix. "Tell me your n, Dr. Zeller. I''ll support you with everything I have."


    With such power, destroying the Steeles seemed quite possible. Felix did not care why Kyro hated them. Their goals were the same anyway, and that was enough. "Mr. Starfire Senior, is there any way to gather the Steele family in one ce?" All together?


    Kyro frowned. Micah and Luna pondered, too. After all, suchrge families rarely gathered fully. Though they knew Felix''s power, the idea of taking them all at once was startling. Finally, Luna spoke, "Dr. Zeller, your idea is sound, but the Steele family is vast. They have over a hundred direct members, excluding the elderly, women, and children.


    "Theirst full gathering was three years ago, and it was for their eldest''s birthday. Even then, not everyone came."


    Felix frowned. They really had different cultures, and Felix had been too naive to expect that. In Dragonia, suchrge families would gather immediately at the head of the family''smand, no questions asked.


    "Luna''s right. Taking them all at once would be efficient, but there''s no usible excuse for


    Chapter S01


    them to gather."


    As Kyro finished, Micah had a thought. "No, you''ve forgotten something, Mr. Starfire Senior and Ms. Starfire. There''s one person who can gather all direct Steele family members, and it''s guaranteed. They''d drop everything ande running." Before Kyro could respond, Luna eximed, "You mean... Reagan Thorne?"


    Reagan Thorne?


    Felix recalled N''s words about how the Steeles rose to power through their connection to the Shadowstalker Emperor, Reagan. But he still did not fully grasp Reagan''s standing in Astoria. with of


    A

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    !


    Chapter


    802


    Hearing those words, Kyro shook his head. "It''s true that Reagan could easily do it. But why would he? The Steeles are one of his loyal dogs, so why cut off his own arm without cause?"


    Luna pondered before adding, "As you said, Grandpa, there''s no reason for him to do that now. But from what I know, Reagan is extremely arrogant and profit-driven. Given proper motivation, discarding the Steeles wouldn''t trouble him."


    She turned to Felix. "What you may not know, Dr. Zeller, is that Reagan is one of our nation''s three most powerful figures. The Steeles only rose to their current status after gaining his favor, which happened in such a short time and is very different from old families like


    ours.


    "Only Reagan could gather them all as you wish. If he approves, even their total elimination could be dismissed as a mere fire, with no media daring to report otherwise. The impact would be minimal."


    Felix stroked his chin thoughtfully before asking "Does Reagan have any particr obsession? Perhaps something he can''t resist?"


    Silence fell over the study until Kyro picked up his phone. "I''ll ask someone who would know best."


    Micah seemed to know who Kyro was about to call. His expression turned respectful, clearly holding the call''s recipient in high regard.


    "My grandfather''s calling the founder of the Royal Warriors'' Path. And his status in Astoria is second only to Reagan''s."


    After hanging up, Kyro looked cautiously optimistic. "He says Reagan is obsessed with items belonging to one particr person. With such an item at stake, he would do anything."


    One person? All three were surprised, initially thinking that it could be a woman.


    Right then, Kyro approached Felix. "The person is Francis Thane! Yes, he''s exactly who you''re thinking of. He''s from your Bronze Age, during King Aurelius'' reign."


    Really? Felix marveled. When King Aurelius sought immortality, he sent Francis to find an elixir of eternal life. Francis sailed east and never returned, knowing no such elixir existed and returning meant certain death.


    Records suggested Francis settled in what became Astoria. The shadowstalkers'' techniques supposedly evolved from Mystical Arts of Bnce. This connection made Reagan''s obsession more logical.


    It seemed possible that Reagan''s bloodline traced back to Francis himself.


    "Grandpa, this leads nowhere. Francis lived over two thousand years ago. How could we find anything of his? And Reagan would instantly spot any fakes. It''s hopeless."


    Kyro pointed at Felix. "It''s true that we couldn''t. But Dr. Zeller is the most extraordinary


    genius I''ve ever met. Perhaps he''ll find a way?"

 Billionaire With Husband 803

    Chapter 803 Felix smiled wryly.


    Francis was the mystic from King Aurelius'' court over two millennia ago, and his identity remained a mystery. If anything of his had survived until now, it would be among the rarest treasures imaginable. Finding such an item seemed impossible. "Let me ask around first."


    Felix''s original n had been to investigate and eliminate targets one by one. But N''s data matched Luna''s-there were over a hundred Steele members. They weren''t just abroad but scattered across various Astorian cities. How could he hunt them all? After a few deaths, the Steeles would go into hiding for sure. Given their connection to Reagan, even a dog''s death would warrant investigation. Once Astorian authorities got involved,plications would multiply.


    Felix was not confident he was invincible worldwide yet, and Reagan''s true strength remained unknown. The situation could turn dangerous.


    He had rushed here from Dragonia because he was furious to see so many countrymen used as test subjects. Some of them were dead, and others ended up worse than dead by being transformed into blood-drinking monsters. How could he remain indifferent? Even after recognizing these challenges, he had nned to kill as many as he could. Then, Luna appeared and offered a new approach. Now that Kyro had called in favors, Felix had to at least try.


    After contacting Seven, Averill quickly called back. "Felix, I heard you ran off to Astoria? I''m hurt! Am I not exciting enough for you?"


    Felix awkwardly lowered his voice. "You know that''s not true. Let''s focus. Can you find any surviving items from Francis Thane? Yes, the one from King Aurelius'' time."


    Thankfully, Averill turned serious and said, "That''s ancient history. I have nothing here. You seem urgent, so let me ask the other fellow apprentices and call you back."


    It was over 2,000 years ago, so it was ancient indeed.


    Luna''s phone rang. Given the casual conversation, she answered in the study. She turned to Felix afterward. "May called. She tried arranging that meeting with her CEO but found he''d already left Astoria." John had left? Felix confirmed the timing. It was right after he had boarded in Dragonia.


    Given May''s surprise, John must have been tracking Felix''s movements. He would not care if they were both in Dragonia, but he''d take action once Felix flew out of the country.


    Felix bristled. That bastard John did not seem to know fear, yet he wouldn''t even stay in the same country as Felix. Fine! They would see about that.


    Ten minutester, Averill called back. "Sorry, Felix. I asked everyone, even Eloise. No one has anything from Francis or even a lead. What now?


    Felixughed helplessly. If all his fellow apprentices came up empty, that path was dead. Back to the original n-with Kyro''s help, he could eliminate far more Steeles than alone. He was about to speak when N''s image shed through his mind, leaving him conflicted.

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    Chapter


    804


    N was mysterious enough herself,ing from "that ce". Her Shadow Mask alone was extraordinary. Perhaps she really could help.


    But truthfully, Felix wanted to avoid any further entanglement with her, even as ast resort. But truthfully, Felix wanted to avoid Yet the faces of his sleeping countrymen on that buspelled him to dial her number. "Felix, how are you doing there?" Even N had not expected his call.


    "I''m here to ask about Francis Thane from King Aurelius'' time. Can you get anything he left behind? Anything authentic will do, but preferably not martial art techniques."


    Felix was not foolish enough to strengthen the Shadowstalker Emperor and his shadowstalkers. He held no goodwill toward Astoria, after all.


    "Give me ten minutes."


    N''s efficiency was impressive. She called back quickly. "I have something! It''s a brush Francis once used, but it''s an extraordinary one-even Oceanus Realm masters couldn''t break it.


    "Don''t worry. It''s been studied extensively, and there''s no hidden power. It''s just transformed through Francis'' prolonged use.


    "He was King Aurelius'' greatest mystic. And his true power is beyond our current understanding."


    That was a perfect item since it was extraordinary but without hidden abilities. It would be ideal for this situation. "Can you have it rushed to Astoria?"


    "Yes. I''ll have someone send it over on the earliest flight tomorrow morning."


    Hanging up, Felix smiled. "We found one. It''s definitely Francis''. I guarantee it."


    As Felix detailed the brush''s properties, Kyro''s eyes lit up. "Such a brush would be treasured by anyone, let alone Reagan. He should be able to verify its authenticity."


    Kyro made a decision. "In that case, Dr. Zeller, I''ll handle the negotiations with Reagan. Perhaps the Steeles'' destruction won''t even require your intervention." Felix frowned. "Why''s that?"


    Standing at the side, Luna answered, "Pardon me, but first, you''re Dragonian. Reagan despises Dragonian martial artists, so your presence would cause unnecessaryplications. "Second, my grandfathermands respect even from Reagan. He''ll have better sess. But the brush''s authenticity will be crucial."


    Kyro red at Luna and said, "Dr. Zeller saved my life. His character is proven. Someone willing to risk everything in a foreignnd for justice wouldn''t lie about this.


    "Let''s postpone dinner until after we settle this Steele matter as a celebration. I need to go make arrangements. Luna, show Dr. Zeller our local cuisine."


    Outside, as Luna began to speak, Felix''s expression suddenly changed. He vanished in several bounds, leaving only a few words behind. "Wait here. I just remembered something urgent."

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    Chapt¨¦r 805


    Felix stopped in a clearing within the vast forest behind the Starfire residence. He had halted so abruptly because he sensed someone powerful tracking him, though he could not identify who.


    "Are you done running?" The voice reached him before its owner. An elderly man in white robes appeared 30 feet away, his ruddy face wearing a faint smile.


    "You''re from Elders'' Council, aren''t you?" With such power and Dragonian features, it could not be anyone else.


    "Yes. We''re old acquaintances in a way. Though this is our first meeting, you''ve survived our assassination attempts longer than anyone."


    Felix smiled. "I thought the Council just had extensive intelligence in Dragonia. It''s impressive that you can track me abroad so quickly."


    He meant it sincerely. But the old man sped his hands, smiling wider. "Thank you. Of course we can. Why else would a martial artist like me join an organization?"


    Having confirmed his identity, Felix cut to the chase. "What makes you think you alone can kill me?"


    As Felix spoke, a powerful energy emanated from him, causing leaves to fall without a breeze.


    The old man''s smile never wavered, and he clicked his tongue. "Our analysis was correct. Since your battle with the Jacobs family, you''ve advanced from early to middle stage Blood Realm. "That''s why the Council wants you captured alive. They want to study how you keep advancing so rapidly."


    Though just a minor realm difference, in Blood Realm, such progress was harder than crossing major realms before. And the power increase was exponential.


    "Capture me alive?" Felix sneered. "How amusing. You can''t challenge Mr. Hoffman and my fellow apprentices, so you bully me instead. Aren''t you embarrassed by your constant failures?


    The old manughed heartily. "Fair point! I feel the same way. But orders are orders, and who dares disobey? Why not do me a favor ande quietly?"


    Seeing the old man''s consistently positive attitude and smile, Felix decided to toy with him." How about now?"


    Suddenly the old man''sughter stopped, his face incredulous as he ogled at Felix. "How... How are you in thete-stage Blood Realm now?


    He could not miss such an instant change in energy, but Felix had just been mid-stage. How could this be controlled at will?


    "Late-stage? Your eyes must be failing."


    The old man drew a sharp breath, eyes bulging. "That''s major... Major mastery of Blood Realm, isn''t it? Impossible!"


    He was losing his mind. In under a minute, Felix had shifted from middle stage to matching his own major mastery. This was inconceivable.


    Felix had never jumped two major realms at once before. Though these were minor realm distinctions within Blood Realm, the power differences matched major realm gaps. How could any martial artist achieve something so extraordinary?

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    "Come on! Aren''t you also a Blood Realm master Let''s have a friendly match!" Felix grinned, finding this old man more interesting than the previous ones sent after him.


    To his surprise, the old man frantically waved his hands after regaining consciousness. He rambled, "No, no. I won''t fight you! Everyone knows you can fight above your level. Even though we''re in the same realm, if we fight, I''m dead for sure." Felix scoffed. "As if not fighting would mean you''re leaving here alive!"


    Suddenly, the old man stood straight and raised his right hand to the sky with a solemn Suddenly, the old man stood straight and expression. "I, Selmer Zink, swear to heaven that from this moment on, I quit Elders'' Council and will follow Felix Zeller''s lead. May htning strike me if I break this oath!"


    What the hell? Felix was dumbfounded,


    He blurted out, "Are you pulling my leg?"


    g if things could really be this simple.


    Seeing Felix''s irritation, Selmer spoke faster, "Sir, trust me. I''ve truly left Elders'' Council. The Council has no hold over anyone above Blood Realm-you can leave whenever you want if you dare.


    "We joined because of their, overwhelming power. At that level of strength, they don''t need other methods to control you-or perhaps they''re just above such tactics. Check for yourself if you don''t believe me."


    Felix actually checked Selmer''s pulse when he offered his arm and found he was telling the truth. There was indeed nothing unusual about his body.


    "Why should I keep you around?" Felix asked.


    Selmer gave a bitterugh. "From our intelligence, besides those elusive senior apprentices, you''ve always worked alone. Having a powerful fighter like me at your disposal would save you time, right? "You can control me however you want. I''m willing."


    What choice did he have? If not this way, Felix would kill him, so he might as well try survive. Beforeing, he had assumed Felix was mid-Blood Realm at most, and as a Blood Realm master two minor realms higher, killing him would not be an issue. However, this encounterpletely upended those assumptions.


    Felix relented, "Fine. I''ll take you for now. But if Elders'' Council sends someone to kill you as a traitor, don''t expect me to protect you. If you can''t handle that, you might as well be dead."


    Selmer sighed in relief-his life was saved.


    Felix added, "This needle is called the Soul Sealing Needle. From now on, you''ll only answer to me."


    The Soul Sealing Needle was a technique Felix could only use after refining the Dragonspine from Obsidian Auction. It could put the target''s life under hisplete control, a very effective maniption method.


    "Feel that?" With just a slight movement after the needle was in ce, Selmer felt indescribable pain seeming toe from deep within his soul.


    "I feel it! Please stop!" Selmer begged.


    Felix patted Selmer''s shoulder with a wicked smile. "Are there any other cowards like you in Elders'' Council? Introduce them to me."


    With the Soul Sealing Needle, he would wee anyone, and Selmer''s appearance had given him the idea of building his own power base.


    As Selmer was still recovering from the pain, he suddenly sensed something and looked up with a dazed expression. He mumbled, "Is that... the moon falling?"

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    807


    Felix looked up and squinted at the strange sight above. It really did seem like the moon had fallen from the sky. At first, it drifted slowly, but its speed had suddenly multiplied several times over.


    "Interesting technique. Is that a sword move?"


    As Felix quipped, Selmer thrust out his palm, sending a silver light that dispersed into nothingness.


    Felix lightly stepped back several dozen yards. Almost instantly, a cold light swept through where he had been standing,pletely enveloping Selmer.


    "Not a sword strike-it''s an energy de, and a skilled one at that," Felix noted.


    This attack targeting Selmer was far more powerful than Micah from the Starfires Felix could hear an unfamiliarnguage roaring from the attacker''s direction, distinctively Astorian, though he had no idea what they were saying.


    Then, another voice rang out-this oneprehensible. It confirmed something else. There was not just one attacker There were two.


    "Dragonians sure are bold! How dare you cause trouble in Astoria''s territory? You''re asking for death!"


    The second person''s methods were different, their light and shadows blending seamlessly with the energy de tounch a coordinated assault on Selmer.


    Felix figured his earlier disy of power had drawn these two Astorian experts here. He wondered if they were just hanging around nearby. If so, that felt a bit extreme. For instance, Felix was in Gray City, and he would not sense a battle breaking out all the way in Canraville.


    Selmer sneered, his tone dripping with mockery as he said, "You think you''re all that? Fine. I''ll humor you both."


    With a coldugh, he shifted his stance, unleashing a new technique that immediately overwhelmed the two attackers. Just then, a shadow wriggled behind Felix.


    In an instant, it morphed into the towering figure of an older man, who grabbed Felix by the neck with a reverse grip.


    "Stop!" The voice-Dragonian, clear as day-hade from this elder.


    Selmer halted his attacks, and the de-wielding elder joined them, stepping closer to Felix. He was shorter but no less intimidating.


    "You can''t win fair and square, so you take hostages?" Selmer asked.


    The shorter elder smirked. "Surrender now, or this brat is as good as dead."


    Selmer''s expression grew strange, and he looked like he was fighting the urge tough. He could not believe what he was hearing. Of all the people, they had chosen to take Felix as a hostage.


    "If I''m not mistaken, one of you is a warrior, and the other''s a shadowstalker. Don''t you think this feels a little... beneath you?"


    The shorter elder was unfazed. "The result is all that matters. The process? Meaningless. Dragonian warriors who dare to cause trouble in Astoria will have to face the consequences." Felix had enough of their shamelessness. With one step, he broke free of the old man''s grip. Then, to their horror, both attackers found themselves paralyzed.


    "Sir, these two aren''t half bad-probably Blood Realmte stage." Selmer ran up to Felix, eager to please.


    However, he knew Felix had already figured this out long before he mentioned it.


    "What?" Both old men were shocked to realize that Felix, whom they had considered their junior, was actuallymanding such respect from Selmer.


    "You''re not a nobody in Astoria, are you?"


    The elder who had tried to grab Felix managed a shaky smile. "Distinguished gentlemen, allow me to introduce myself-I''m Reagan Thorne, the Shadowstalker Emperor of Astoria, and he''s the founder of Astoria''s warrior school.


    "Our positions here are of utmost importance. Whatever you need, we can help. Just say the word, and it''ll be done instantly. L-Let''s talk this out.


    Felix''s jaw dropped in astonishment when he heard the man was Reagan. After all, Reagan only had power equivalent to thete-stage Blood Realm.

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    Felix wanted to p himself for being so cautious since arriving in Astoria, only to discover this was the level of the Shadowstalker Emperor. He finally understood that while warriors needed to be careful within Dragonian borders due to hidden masters, they could dominate freely once abroad.


    "So, you''re the damn Shadowstalker Emperor?" Felix could not help butugh as he pped Reagan across the face.


    Reagan dared not show any anger and just pleaded, "Please calm down, sir!"


    Within moments, Felix used the Soul Sealing Needle again, and both Reagan and his partner became as docile as kittens. "Listen well! From now on, if I hear about any families causing trouble in Dragonia, not only will they die, but you''ll also suffer the same fate." Reagan gulped hard, terrified to his core. Though he had never heard of the Soul Sealing Needle, he felt its soul-crushing pain firsthand.


    He knew his life was at stake and quickly eximed, "I guarantee this will never happen again, sir!"


    "When can you gather all the Steele family''s direct bloodline members?" Felix asked.


    Reagan replied, "Tomorrow-night! I''ll give the order as soon as I return-even those abroad will make it back."


    Felix chuckled. "That''s much better. Alright. You may all leave."


    After dismissing them, Selmer mused, "I can''t believe Astoria''s top fighters were so weak. I was so carefuling here."


    Felixughed. "Well, our homnd has grown stronger, and we warriors have kept pace. By


    the


    way, how did know where to find me in Astoria?"


    you


    Selmer exined, "I was just about to mention that. John Reynolds, the CEO of Guneria''s Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals, informed the Council about your location at the Starfire residence."


    Felix had not expected John to be the one who exposed his whereabouts. "Is John connected to Elders'' Council?"


    Selmer shook his head. "That I''m not sure about I only know he provided the information."


    Thinking of Luna waiting for him, Felix decided to save his questions forter. Nheless, he envied the array Francis had left behind, allowing Reagan to sense powerful energies anywhere in Astoria instantly. It truly showed how remarkable Francis had been. Upon reaching the Starfire residence, Felix was puzzled not to find Luna in the courtyard, as she would not leave without telling him.


    "Who''s there?" Micah appeared. When he realized it was Felix, he quickly approached him.


    "Where''s Luna? I told her to wait here," Felix asked.


    Micah''s face darkened as he replied, "Dr. Zeller, there''s trouble at home. The Steele family arrived minutes ago with unusual aggression. Mr. Starfire Senior is rushing back-I fear this will be serious." Chapter 809

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    Felix was surprised that the Steele family was making the first move. He asked, "I thought the Starfires ranked above the Steele family. How dare they show up like this?"


    Micah exined, "That''s what confuses us, too. It''s just Mr. Ollie Steele from the Steele family. He''s not even anyone important, yet he''s acting so arrogantly. We''ve never seen anything like this." Felix headed inside without further questions, finally about to meet Ollie, who had been in charge of Gray City in Dragonia. Inside, he found Luna facing off against a sleazy-looking young man. "Ollie, you''re being ridiculous!" Luna snapped.


    Ollie sneered, "Ridiculous? Luna, you used to have the right to say that, but now your family''s fate is in our hands. Why act so pure in front of me?"


    He reached out his hand and added, "Spend one night with me, and I''ll make sure your family is treated well."


    Luna pped his hand away and stood up, her presence stillmanding. "I''d like to see what gives the Steele family the nerve to act so boldly in our home." Ollie pulled out a document with a smirk. "Take a good look at this!"


    Luna''s face changed instantly."The Shadowstalker Emperor''s decree?"


    The document, bearing Reagan''s seal, held absolute authority in Astoria-itsmands had to be followed, or the consequences would be severe.


    The decree was brief but devastating, reading, "Effective immediately, the Starfires belong to the Steele family."


    "What do you have to say now? Waiting for Mr. Starfire Senior? What''s the point? He wouldn''t dare oppose the Shadowstalker Emperor," Ollie said, licking his lips.


    He had long lusted after Luna, and soon, she would have no choice in the matter.


    "Why not?" Felix walked in, causing hope to flicker in Luna''s eyes before fading. Even Felix''s brilliance would not help against Reagan''s authority in Astoria.


    "Which idiot dares to interrupt my moment?" Ollie growled. As he studied Felix carefully, he eximed in realization, "Wait... You''re Felix Zeller from Gray City in Dragonia, right?"


    Felix stood beside Luna, giving her a reassuring look. "That''s right. Seems Dragon¨ªa left quite an impression on you."


    Ollieughed sinisterly. "How convenient that you walked right into my territory. I was just nning on how to kill you, and here you are, practically begging for death. Now, kneel before me!" Chapter 809


    A loud thud echoed, and Luna froze in shock as so who found himself on his knees before Felix, pain


    Ollie stared in disbelief, having expected to look


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    A loud thud echoed, and Luna froze in shock as someone did indeed kneel-but it was Ollie who found himself on his knees before Felix, pain shooting through his legs. Ollie stared in disbelief, having expected to look down at Felix, not up at him from the floor.

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    "Mr. Steele!" The six Steele family guards tried to rush forward, but Selmer stopped them. He shed a sinister smile and clicked his tongue. "My, my! Still trying to make a move on us?


    With several sharp cracks, all six copsed with broken necks, shocking both Luna and Micah.


    "H-How dare you kill my men and humiliate me! Felix, Luna, you''re both going to pay for this!" Ollie shouted.


    Luna panicked. "Dr. Zeller, you''ve gone too far! There''s no-fixing this now!"


    Felix remained unfazed. He asked, "What''s wrong? Are you afraid of the Shadowstalker Emperor''s decree?"


    Luna thought Felix was out of his mind for stating the obvious. If it were not for the decree, she would have already taken things into her own hands.


    Felix called out, "Selmer, contact him."


    Selmer immediately initiated a video call, which was quickly answered by the other party.


    "Selmer, is there anything I can help with?" came a familiar voice.


    Ollie, Luna, and Micah all recognized it immediately.


    Felix asked, "Did you give the Steele family a decree to take over the Starfires?"


    Reagan''s scalp tingled as he remembered. "Please forgive me, sir! I gave that this morning, truly!"


    After Selmer showed everyone the screen, Felix continued, "Is that decree still valid?"


    Reagan quickly shouted, "No! The decree is void!


    When he saw it was Reagan, Ollie''s jaw dropped in disbelief. Luna and Micah were equally stunned-just moments ago, Felix had been nning to send Reagan a gift, and now their positions werepletely reversed.


    After ending the call, Felix turned Ollie''s face toward him. He said, "Did you think you''d escape punishment for your crimes in Dragonia? It''s time to pay for the innocent lives you''ve harmed. Selmer, take him outside. I want his screams to echo through the entire mansion." As soon as they left, Luna asked, "Dr. Zeller, what''s going on here?"


    Her mind could not process the sudden turn of events.


    "All you


    need to know is that Reagan will follow my ns regarding the Steele family. No need to send that brush anymore," Felix exined.


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    When Kyro returned and learned what happened, he was equally speechless. Out of concern, he warned, "Dr. Zeller, your abilities are beyond words! But killing Ollie might alert others."


    Felix shrugged it off. "Don''t worry. The Steele family won''t be too concerned about his death."


    After all, Reagan had already given the order, and there was no way the Steeles would dare to go against his words. In fact, they were probably thinking of punishing Ollie for his actions. Since Felix had said that, the rest of those present did not question anything more. Just then, Felix received a call from an odd number.


    11


    "Felix, this is N Hughman," the voice said. Before Felix could ask anything, she continued, I''m on a ne, just entered Astoria''s airspace. There''s one problem-the brush hase alive.

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    Chapter 811 Chapter 811


    Felix felt a chill down his spine at the news about a simple brushing to life.


    N exined, "As soon as we entered Astoria''s airspace, the brush started trembling like it wanted to write. When I gave it paper, it wrote ''alive. The writing was messy but readable."


    It was the first time Felix had heard such a thing. He asked, "Are you arriving soon?"


    N replied, "Yes. I know you''re in a hurry, so I chartered a private ne."


    "Alright. Let''s discuss this further when we meet. I''ll arrange for your pickup."


    Soon, a helicopter from the Starfire residence was headed to the airport. Shortly after, N arrived with Alfie, who had apanied her for security.


    Felix asked, "Is it still shaking?"


    N nodded and retrieved the box, from which faint thuds could be heard. When she opened it, the trembling brush was inside, its movements wild and erratic.


    Even more bizarre, when the box was removed, the brush floated midair, refusing to fall. Alfie slid a piece of paper beneath it, and to everyone''s astonishment, the brush scribbled out another crooked ''alive'' on its own.


    Felix nced at N, a flicker of realization crossing his face. "You''re reluctant to give this brush away, aren''t you? I mean, something this extraordinary-it''s your first time seeing it, too, right?"


    She admitted honestly, "Yes. But if you need it, it doesn''t matter."


    Felix waved her off. "Don''t worry about it. I wouldn''t have hesitated to take ithout a second thought before, but I don''t need it anymore. You can keep it."


    "Don''t need it?" N was sharp enough to figure out what Felix meant.


    He must have already found another way to solve whatever issue he had, which left her feeling a bit disappointed. Without owing him a favor, their connection would not deepen. Suddenly, Felix''s phone rang. The caller ID showed it was Reagan, which left him puzzled.


    "Sir! Our detection array picked up an incredibly powerful presence moving at an impossible speed from Mount Fili. It''s heading toward the Starfire residence, so I had to warn you." Reagan was not acting out of loyalty. His fate was tied to Felix''s. If Felix died, so would he. There was not much choice in the matter.


    ""How powerful?" Felix asked.


    Reagan''s voice trembled, "Terrifying! The readings show it''s far stronger than anything you''ve ever unleashed," he said, his voiceced with confusion and disbelief.


    "Got it," Felix replied before hanging up. He quickly ryed Reagan''s report to the group.


    "Stronger than your presence? Could Astoria really have someone that powerful?" Selmer looked skeptical, while N''s gaze suddenly darted toward the trembling brush. "Could it be... rted to this thing?"


    Felix followed


    gaze, and the same thought crossed his mind. After a moment of hesitation, he grabbed the brush.


    "Let''s find out. I''ll take this thing somewhere else and see if that energy changes its direction.


    To their shock, Reaganter confirmed that the powerful presence had indeed shifted course, moving in sync with Felix''s movements.


    When they regrouped, everyone looked unsettled,


    "Miss, let me lead it away," Alfie volunteered.


    Despite his unassuming demeanor, his strength was undeniable-he was on par with Selmer, both at Blood Realm''s major mastery stage. Today''s Bonus Offer

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    812


    N felt helpless, knowing she had many resources back in Dragonia but none here.


    Felix held onto the brush, refusing to let Alfie take it. "I''m the strongest here you''d likely die facing them," he exined.


    He refused to hand the brush over to Alfie, and thetter''s expression tightened. It was not a matter of pride-this was a task that could very well cost him his life.


    "No!" N grabbed Felix''s arm, unwilling to let the man she had grown to love risk his life.


    Even Selmer stepped forward, saying, "Sir, let me have a go. My life is yours to risk."


    Luna suddenly spoke up, "Why don''t we just leave the brush somewhere? If they''re after it, we don''t need to sacrifice anyone."


    An awkward silence fell as they realized the simple logic of her suggestion.


    After that, they ced the floating, trembling brush in their previous battleground. Then, Felix, N, Alfie, and Selmer hid nearby to observe. About ten minutester, a massive explosion announced the arrival of a mysterious figure.


    The dust cleared to reveal a giant over six feet tall, wearing tattered robes that seemed worn by time rather than battle. Their matted long hair obscured their face as they approached the brush, suddenly dropping to their knees and muttering iprehensibly while bowing three


    times.


    Instead of grabbing the brush, the figure whipped around to face their hiding spot.


    "Run!" Felix shouted as overwhelming killing intent filled the air.


    Without hesitation, the four of them turned and fled. Felix could not tell if the stranger wanted to eliminate witnesses or had another reason, but he was not sticking around to find


    out.


    "Mr. Zeller, I''ll handle this!" Selmer turned to fight, but the stranger simply rushed past him, focused entirely on pursuing the others.


    "What the hell?" Felix muttered, his brows furrowing. "They''re targeting someone specific- it''s not about us watching."


    Alfie, realizing this as well, stopped andunched a devastating punch. Entire rows of trees fell like dominoes, and the ground quaked under the force of his attack.


    Yet, the stranger did not even flinch, taking the blow head-on without a scratch. The sheer force of their momentum sent Alfie flying backward like a ragdoll.


    The relentless figure continued their pursuit, and Felix''s expression darkened. Whoever this was, their target was either him or N. Chapter 812


    It was then that a guttural roar echoed through the forest, "Die, woman!"

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    With that roar, Felix finally understood that the monster''s target was N. He knew he could survive if he abandoned her right now, but how could he do that when she only came to Astoria because of him?


    As the distance between them and the creature grew shorter, N shouted desperately, "Let me go, or we''ll both die!"


    Being only at Pulse Realm, she would have been caught immediately if she ran alone. It was also why Felix had been carrying her all this time.


    "Shut up!" Felix shouted, his heart racing as he realized they had less than five seconds before the creature would catch up to them.


    In a split-second decision, Felix roughly pushed N forward and turned to face the charging monster. Hemanded, "Run!"


    N fled with tears streaming down her face, not daring to look back. She knew Felix was buying her time with his life.


    The ground shook violently as the surrounding rocks crumbled to dust and trees were ripped from their roots. At that moment, Felix unleashed several powerful techniques from the Dragons Destroyer all at once. Faced with such a terrifying attack, even the monster stopped in its tracks for the first time, slowly raising both arms to defend itself.


    Felix frowned, realizing that throughout the entire chase, the creature ha techniques and was now nning to take the hit head-on.


    used any


    Then, a deafening explosion rang out, causing Selmer and Alfie to stare in horror from the distance. The attack was so overwhelming that even at their distance, they had to use defensive techniques to block the aftershocks.


    One could only imagine just how powerful Felix actually was-especially Selmer. He felt it the most clearly, and only then did he realize Felix had concealed his strength during their previous confrontation.


    In truth, Felix was not a Blood Realm''s major mastery. He was far beyond this major realm.


    When the dust settled, blood trickled from the creature''s mouth as half its body was embedded in the ground, leaving a trail several yards long.


    "Woman! Die!" it roared, bursting from the ground and resuming its pursuit of N,pletely ignoring Felix, who had wounded it.


    Felix was powerless to stop it now, having exhausted himself with those techniques. His body needed time to recover.


    "Miss!" Alfie cried out in panic, following the monster, though he knew he could not match


    its speed or stop it even if he caught up.


    With all the trees uprooted, the area was now clear, allowing Felix to spot the still-hovering brush pen in the distance. His eyes lit up as he quickly made his way to it.


    "Mr. Zeller, what do we do now?" Selmer ran over, wanting to suggest abandoning N to save themselves.


    Felix replied with a smirk, "I have a theory I want to test. I know what you''re thinking, but here''s my theory: the monster bowed to this brush pen earlier, treating it like a sacred object.


    "Its primary target is N because she had the most contact with the pen. I''m next, and you all have traces of the pen''s energy on you, too. Do you really think it''ll spare us after killing N?"


    Selmer was dumbfounded as he realized the truth. If Felix was right, they were all marked for death, with the only difference being who died first and who diedst. Today''s Bonus Offer

 Billionaire With Husband 814

    Chapter Chapter


    814.


    814


    "He treats the brush like a sacred relic, which means he absolutely won''t allow anyone else to im it," Felix said, his voice firm.


    With that, he grabbed the brush in his hand. Instantly, a roar erupted from far away, by Alfie''s rmed shout.


    followed


    "Damn it! The creature''s turning back!"


    Selmer instinctively wanted to flee, but seeing Felix remain motionless, he did not dare move either. Disobeying his master in such a moment would be nothing short of betrayal.


    "Step back," Felix said, his tone steely. "At this point, I have no choice but to take a gamble!"


    As the creature rushed back toward them, Felix''s suspicions seemed increasingly urate. If they did not solve this now, N would not be the only one dead. In fact, everyone who hade into contact with the brush-himself included-would eventually be hunted down.


    If this also involved its presence, that might mean Luna and the others were not safe, either.


    "Mr. Zeller, just... be careful!" Selmer shouted, his voice heavy. Deep down, he had already prepared himself for death.


    Felix''s demise would likely trigger his own, as well as the deaths of others bound to him by the Soul Sealing Needle.


    Within moments, a wave of force swept through the area, the product of the creature''s relentless charge. It was so intense that even an elephant would have been tossed into the air like a rag doll.


    To say Felix was not afraid would have been a lie. Yet, with no other options, he stood his ground, steeling himself for whaty ahead.


    This was not mere desperation-it was a calcted risk. The first time Felix held the brush, it had stopped trembling altogether, bing inert, like any ordinary object.


    N had noticed it, too. When she held the brush, it appeared still on the surface, but she could still sense a faint vibration.


    !


    Only in Felix''s grip did the brush fallpletely silent. He did not know what this meant, he was willing to bet everything on it.


    but


    Suddenly, the creature came into view, stopping about 16 feet away. Selmer''s heart was in his throat as he braced for an attack.


    However, something strange happened. The creature did not move closer or strike. Instead, it seemed to hesitate, studying Felix intently.


    As Felix''s pulse quickened, he felt something shift within him. Six distinct streams of energy began to flow out from his body, coiling around the brush in his hand.


    "This... Is this the energy from the six Dragonspines?" Felix murmured to himself, realizing the source of the power.


    The creature recoiled, stumbling backward several steps, as though startled. Then, without warning, it dropped to its knees.


    "My liege! My liege!" it cried out, its voice trembling with reverence.


    Alfie and N arrived just in time to witness the scene, their jaws dropping. Moments ago, this creature had been an unstoppable force, yet now, it knelt before Felix, calling him "my liege"?


    Felix stood frozen, his mind racing. He did not understand what was happening, but the fact that the creature had ceased its attack was a victory in itself.


    "Are you... talking to me?" Eelix asked, his voice uncertain.


    The creature continued bowing, its forehead repeatedly hitting the ground. "My liege! My liege!"


    Everyone knew that term was an archaic way to address a ruler, a phrase long buried with the age of monarchs. In modern times, one might see it in a fantasy movie or online roley, but to hear it spoken aloud in such a way was downright surreal. And yet, here it was.


    Before Felix could even respond, the creature raised its right hand. With a swift motion, it cut away its matted hair, letting it fall to the ground. Then, it mmed its he


    once more.


    "General Benjamin Stone, awaiting your judgment, my liege!"

 Billionaire With Husband 815

    The name Benjamin Stone was entirely unfamiliar to Felix, but he was beginning to piece together the situation. In ancient times, emperors were often called the Sons of the Dragon, and their presence was described as "dragon energy". Felix, with his unique possession of the Dragonspine, could very well radiate such a presence. Was it possible that this man knelt and called him "my liege" because he sensed the dragon energy emanating from the pen? "Stand and speak!" Felixmanded.


    The strange man obeyed immediately, rising to his feet. His tangled hair fell away, revealing a face marred by dirt and scars. Beneath his grimy exterior, Felix saw the features of a middle-aged man, his eyes cloudy but asionally shing with a murderous intensity. It was clear this man had seen countless battles, his energy thick with the bloodlust that only came from waging war-and winning it. Such a presence was impossible to fake. N and the others edged closer, curiosity etched across their faces, though they kept a cautious distance.


    Seeing his words treated like divine orders, Felix pondered for a moment before asking, "What is your rtionship to Bartholomew Stone?"


    He could not believe it, but the situation was far too strange to ignore. Even the Thirteen Aces among those so-called Super S-rank wanted criminals, who had killed countless people, could not have such a strong murderous presence. Bartholomew was one of the most famous generals of the Bronze Age, ren med for repelling invaders and overseeing the construction of the Great Fence and vast road....works.


    "Bartholomew is my elder brother,


    elder brother," Benjamin replied solemnly.


    A collective gasp echoed among


    the group. The revtion was staggering-this man had somehow survived for over 2,000 years.


    Felix''s face mirrored their shock, his heart pounding as he processed the impossible. While history recorded Bartholomew''s younger brother, Brayden Stone, there was no mention of a third sibling named Benjamin. Before Felix could respond, Benjamin knelt again, his voice trembling with emotion.


    "My liege ordered me to shadow Francis to ensure his loyalty. At first, all was well, but when we crossed the sea to thisnd, Francis betrayed me. He attacked and used my body for his experiments, turning me into this... abomination "I awoke recently, drawn by the presence of that treacherous man''s energy, but I first had to pay my respects to you."


    Felix felt a pang of sympathy. Despite his hatred for Francis, Benjamin''s body seemed enved to forces beyond his control,pelling him to kneel before the pen. His heart and


    body were at odds in a cruel battle.


    "You will stay by my side from now on," Felix dered firmly.


    Benjamin bowed his head. "As youmand, my liege."


    At that moment, Felix noticed something peculiar. The pen, now infused with six distinct energies, began to dissolve into his body, merging with him.


    "Felix!" N eximed as she approached, her excitement impossible to hide. "The merging with you! This isn''t just any artifact. It might even surpass an artifact."


    pen


    is


    "Artifact? Is that what they called this there?" Felix asked, raising an eyebrow.


    N nodded with a smile. "It''s what they call legendary items with immense power. This is incredible! Can you sense what it does?"


    Felix let out a dryugh. "Not really. I can feel it inside me, but I can''t fully control it yet."


    He knew that to refine it, he would need the other three Dragonspines. Without them, this was as far as he could go.


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    "We still can''t confirm if he''s really from the Bronze Age over 2000 years ago," Felix mumbled thoughtfully.


    Everyone studied Benjamin carefully, finding it hard to believe. Yet, considering that his body had been used for ancient alchemical experiments by the greatest mystics of the time, it was not entirely impossible.


    "I''m sure I''ll have a way to verify it once we''re back in Dragonia," Felix added confidently.


    At dawn, Felix and N were set to return home while Selmer stayed behind. The n was for Reagan to gather the Steele family that night, eliminate them all, and then return. They were not worried about the Elders'' Council for now, as Felix''s betrayal would not be discovered anytime soon. 2


    "Thank you for everything," Felix said on the private jet, still feeling guilty about the night''s


    events.


    "Don''t mention it. I''ve already decided to pursue you, so helping you is only natural," N replied simply.


    Felix frowned at her words. "A rtionship between us is impossible. You should give up on that idea-business and personal matters should remain separate."


    N remained unfazed by his rejection. "It''s okay, time changes everything."


    Afternding in Gray City, N headed to the clinic while Felix went home. There, he found Averill waiting in the living room.


    "Is this your new follower? He looks quite impressive," Averill remarked curiously, studying Benjamin.


    Thetter had showered and changed into new clothes, looking vastly different from before.


    "Averill, I called you here because of him. His name is Benjamin Stone, and..." Felix then proceeded to exin everything.


    After hearing the whole story, even Averill was stunned into silence for a while. "Hold up, someone from over 2000 years ago? Are you and the others ying some kind of joke?"


    Felix smiled wryly and said seriously, "It''s absolutely true. Take him to see Mr. Hoffman-I''m sure he can give us a definitive answer."


    Averill nodded in agreement. "Well, you did the right thing this time. Mr. Hoffman will definitely be interested."


    After instructing Benjamin to follow Averill, the two left. When Felix arrived at the clinic, he caught the scent of something delicious cooking, which made him realize how hungry he was. "Who''s cooking?" he asked.


    Melissa emerged from the inner room. "Oh Felix, you''re back! N''s cooking. With all the kitchen supplies she bought, we won''t need to order takeout anymore."


    Felix found it surreal that someone of N''s status would be cooking. When the food was served, Billy shamelessly sat at the table.


    "Man, it''s great that you''re back, Felix. This food smells amazing," Billy said between bites.


    After eating, Billy suddenly looked at Felix with a serious expression. "I sense dark energy around you. You''ll soon be haunted by malevolent spirits." Felix rolled his eyes. "Get out of here."


    Billy persisted, "Look, I''m being serious! Come to my shop-I''ll sell you some protection talismans that can ward off evil spirits when needed."


    Naturally, Billy was kicked out, and Felix was in a foul mood due to the attempted scam.


    At 2:00 pm, a woman came in seeking treatment, which was practically a miracle for their struggling clinic. Felix was surprised they had any patients at all.


    Just as he was about to pretend to check her pulse, Aiden and Asher walked in. They demanded, "Felix,e with us.''


    11


    Felix frowned, not even bothering to look at them. "Wait outside. Can''t you see I have a patient?"


    As Asher was about to lose his temper, Aiden raised his hand with a smile. "A patient? Felix, today I''ll show you that seeing a doctor isn''t the only way to treat illness.

 Billionaire With Husband 817

    Felix could not understand why these two had shown up again, especially since his dealings at the Obsidian Auction with the Dragonspine should have left no traces.


    "I won''t say it twice," Asher warned, but Aiden ignored him and turned to the woman instead.


    "What seems to be the problem?" Aiden asked, his demeanormanding respect.


    Intimidated by Aiden''s imposing presence, the woman reluctantly answered, "I have a terrible headache,"


    Aiden snapped his fingers, and his men immediately ced stacks of cash on the table." Here''s 100 thousand dors. It''s all yours-how''s your headache now?" The woman excitedly clutched the money to her chest, backing toward the door with a broad smile. "It''s gone! The pain ispletely gone! Thank you so much!"


    In the inner room, Melissa felt furious even without seeing what happened. She would have stormed out to confront them if N had not held her back. "Felix, isn''t my way of treating patients faster and more effective than yours?" Aiden asked smugly.


    Felix stood up and said tly, "Are you trying to tell me that money talks and that status differences can force people to do things they don''t want to do?"


    Aiden turned and walked out without another word, but Asher spoke up. "Come back to the Greene family estate with us. Grandma is sick and needs your attention


    "No," Felix refused immediately, having no fondness for the Greene family. "Besides, with your family''s status, you could have any top doctor at your beck and call in minutes. Why specifically seek me out?" Asher shook his head and pulled out his phone, ying a video. "Madeline is a guest at our home right now. Don''t you want to see your old friend?"


    The video showed Madeline standing by a window, looking nervous and ufortable.


    "You wouldn''t dare!" Felix grabbed Ashier''s cor, but Asher remained calm.


    "We haven''t reached that point yet. We simply invited her over to discuss investing in her sessful pasta shop, nothing more," Asher replied smoothly, though the underlying threat. was crystal clear. After releasing Asher, Felix reluctantly conceded. "Fine, I''ll go with you."


    As the convoy of cars left, Melissa could not contain her anger and asked, "N, do who they are?"


    you know


    "Yes, they''re the Greene family, the most powerful family in Dragonia-absolute titans," N


    exined.


    "Oh no! Won''t Felix be in danger? What should we do?" Melissa asked anxiously.


    N thought for a moment before responding, shouldn''t get involved directly, but I''ll give you a phone number. Follow my instructions when you call, and they should be able to help Felix."


    Though she said that, N''s real.concern was that if Felix were pushed too far, he would not care if it was the Greene family or anyone else he would definitely fight back.


    After all, Felix was still in a critical growth phase and confronting the Greene family would not be wise. Hence, N''s priority was preventing such a situation.


    As the sun set over the massive Greene family estate in Yartford, Felix stepped out of the car and saw Madeline running toward him. "Felix!" she called out.


    Felix smiled, relieved to see her unharmed. "I''m d you''re okay."


    Madeline shook her head frantically. "They wanted to invest in my pasta shop. When I refused, they kept pushing me to negotiate."


    Having spent time in Yartford, Madeline was well aware of the Greene family''s influence, so her fear was understandable.


    "Don''t worry, they won''t bother you again. Go home now," Felix assured her.


    Madeline left, knowing that staying would only make her a liability for. < rather than help.


    As thest rays of sunlight faded away, the estate''s garden lights began to illuminate the grounds one by one. Today''s Bonus Offer

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    X


    No one showed Felix where to go, with only Asher standing beside him as they waited for Aiden to return.


    "Felix, don''t be so stubborn. You can''t fight the inevitable! You should be grateful that Grandma is willing to let you return to the Greene family," Asher urged, but Felix remained


    silent.


    "If it weren''t for Uncle Victor, do you think I''d be this patient with you? Today is your best chance-if you cure Grandma, you''ll prove your worth, and no one will oppose your return to the family."


    When Felix continued ignoring him, Asher finally became quiet. Ten minutester, Aiden appeared, pushing a wheelchair, followed by over a dozen impressive-looking individuals.


    1


    Felix studied the elderly woman in the wheelchair. Despite her silver hair, her skin showed remarkably few wrinkles a testament to decades of careful maintenance. "Grandma, this is Felix Zeller," Aiden announced


    Meredith Armstrong, the Greene family matriarch, did not even bother to sh a smile. She said coldly, "Victor was my least favorite son, yet surprisingly, his offspring achieved notable sess in certain areas. I suppose that somewhat repays my efforts in raising the family.


    "But those eyes-they''re too much like Victor''s. I don''t like them at all."


    (


    With a wave of her hand, she continued, "Come here. I''ve been wheelchair-bound for the past three years. Even Lemuel couldn''t cure my legs, but I hear your medical ''s are quite impressive now.


    "I''m giving you a chance to examine me. If you can heal me, I''ll let you return to the Greene family with full recognition."


    Felix finally spoke up. "Do I seem interested in returning to the Greene family?"


    Meredith frowned. "Whether you return or not is your choice. Now get over here!"


    In the Greene family, Meredith''s word wasw. Her quietmands had long since be absolute orders that no one dared disobey-except Felix.


    "I came here only to warn you: if you ever bother my friends again, don''t me me for what happens next," Felix dered.


    As Felix turned to leave, Aiden did not try to stop him but said, "Tomorrow, I''ll invite Jack over. The day after, it''ll be George. Then who else? Let me think... perhaps Wendy and Ryan? They should all feel quite honored by the invitation." Felix stopped, his expression darkening. "Are you threatening me?"


    Aiden smiled. "How''s that a threat? Felix, you should be thankful for your Dragon Knight


    status, or did you think the Greene family lets peoplee and go as they please? Even Dragon Knights face danger sometimes, don''t they?"


    He added, "The Greene family''s influence is beyond what trash like you can imagine! Your confidence probablyes from Hugh at headquarters, right? Too bad-Grandma has already arranged for him to stay out of your affairs."


    Felix slowly turned to face Meredith''s mocking smile and Aiden''s arrogant expression. "If you dare go after Jack tomorrow, I''ll make sure the Greene family is erased from Dragonia."


    Aidenughed again. "Oh really? Such big talk. I promise you that I''ll send people to invite Jack over tomorrow morning. What can you do about it? If you''re man enough, don''t make empty threats. If you''ve got the power, prove it right now!" Felix stepped forward, and his patience finally snapped. He could handle their treatment of him, but he would not let them touch his friends.


    "Fine. Then let me show the so-called greatest family in Dragonia what I''m capable of."

 Billionaire With Husband 819

    Chapter 819 Chapter 819


    Aiden made a subtle hand gesture behind his back. He and Meredith knew that someone like Felix, who would not even acknowledge his own father, would never respect the Greene family''s authority.


    They had not really brought him here to treat Meredith''s condition-their true intention was to eliminate Felix. The Greene family had always been ruthless-if someone could not be controlled, what was the point of letting them live? This was especially true since Felix carried Greene blood but refused to serve the family''s interests.


    However, Felix''s Dragon Knight statusplicated matters. Since it was an official position appointed by headquarters, killing such a person would mean directly opposing the organization-something even the Greene family could not afford. "What do you think you''re doing, Felix?" Aiden asked with a barely concealed smirk.


    He had deliberately used Felix''s friends to provoke him into attacking first, which would give the Greene family legitimate grounds for retaliation-something even headquarters could not dispute.


    Felix was smart enough to see through Aiden''s provocations, but what choice did he have? Could he really stand by while his friends were threatened?


    With the Shadow Mask, he could always eliminate these Greene family members and start a new life under a different identity.


    Just as he was about to make his move, the sound of helicopter des cut through the air. Everyone looked up to see a helicopter rapidly approaching beforending in the courtyard.


    "A headquarters helicopter?" Aiden frowned, recognizing it immediately.


    This interruption would make it difficult to provoke Felix again, but why would anyone from headquarters show up after they had already handled things?


    Xena stepped out of the helicopter and walked straight to Felix''s side, first greeting Meredith. "Mrs. Greene Senior."


    Despite her annoyance, Meredith smiled faintly. "Ah, the Phoenix Warlord. This is our first meeting, isn''t it? What brings you to the Greene family estate?"


    Xena''s careful approach showed her recognition of the Greene family''s influence. "There''s an urgent mission requiring Felix''s presence. We couldn''t reach him, so I came personally. I need to take him with me now-I trust that won''t be a problem?" Meredith narrowed her eyes, realizing she had underestimated Xena. In just a few words, Xena had left no room for objection. After all, who would dare interfere with an urgent headquarters mission?


    "Of course, national matters take priority. Please forgive me for not seeing you out properly due to my condition," Meredith replied smoothly


    Xena shot Felix a warning re before heading back to the helicopter.


    After the helicopter departed, Aiden asked, "Grandma, should we proceed with our original ns?"


    Meredith contemted for a moment before responding, "Let''s not rush. Felix''s confidence just now, though mostly fueled by anger, suggests that your earlier assessment of his power level was incorrect." Aiden frowned, realizing she had a point.

 Billionaire With Husband 820

    Chapter


    820


    "Have you forgotten what I always taught you? The Greene family never fights a battle without certainty. Send an expert to test Felix''s abilities first-just testing, mind lethal," Meredith instructed. Aiden nodded in understanding. "Yes, Grandma."


    you, nothing


    At Xena''s residence in Yartford, Felix sat silently on the couch until Xena broke the silence. She said, "About your earlier situation, you don''t need to worry for now.


    "While you''re on assignment, headquarters will protect your family members, and since you have no acknowledged rtives, this protection extends to your friends." Felix looked up with interest. "Is that really possible?"


    -Xena nodded. "Yes, I''ve authorized it personally. No matter how powerful they are, the Greene


    family wouldn''t dare openly defy headquarters.


    "You can rest assured about that. However, how you resolve your conflict with them after the mission is your own business."


    How to resolve it? Through elimination, of course! Now that his anger had cooled, Felix had already started formting ns.


    "So you actually had a mission for me? It wasn''t just an excuse? And how did you know I was at the Greene family estate?" Felix asked.


    Xena''s eyes


    flickered with an unreadable expression. "Someone informed me, but who isn''t important. And yes, I do have a mission for you.


    "Given your six-month term and the fact that you''re carrying headquarters'' property, the higher-ups want to maximize your usefulness. They won''t give you much downtime."


    Having epted the position, Felix naturally could not refuse. "What''s the mission?"


    Instead of answering, Xena said, "That can wait. With your abilities, you must know some disguise techniques or methods of changing your appearance, right?"


    "I do. Is it rted to the mission?"


    After his confirmation, Xena continued, "Yes. Get prepared. In the next few days, I''ll bring someone from headquarters to verify your disguise abilities. There are several candidates, and we must select the least likely to be discovered before proceeding with the mission." Her expression turned serious. "I hope you take this seriously. These are mysterious events affecting national security, not something to be taken lightly."


    "Don''t worry." Felix assured her. With his Shadow Mask, truly hiding would be simpler than


    Chapter 820.


    regr disguise techniques.


    "Felix, we''ve received confirmed reports that all direct members of the Steele family in Astoria were killed overnight, supposedly in a fire. Does that sound usible to you?" Xena asked.


    A family with ess to highly trained shadowstalkers dying in a fire? That was barely believable. The moment Xena received this news, she had suspected Felix''s involvement.


    After a pause, F¨¦lix replied, "Whether it''s usible or not, does it matter? In my opinion, the Steele family deserved their fate."


    Xena fell silent, sharing his sentiment but mainly wanting to confirm his involvement. She said, "You can go now. Stay home these next few days-I might bring someone over anytime."


    As Felix reached the door, Xena spoke again, seemingly to herself yet clearly meant for him. "I received a letter yesterday. The sender mentioned having a new neighbor who made quite a good impression." Felix turned around, their gazes meeting as Xena asked, "Was that new neighbor you?"

 Billionaire With Husband 821

    While looking into those bright eyes, Felix, who intended to brush things off, finally admitted it. "Yes, it''s me." Xena waved her hand dismissively, silently telling him to leave.


    Felix couldn''t figure out what was going on in Xena''s mind. He didn''t know if Willow''s letter affected her.


    For some reason, Felix felt a sense of relief. He had done what he could-the rest didn''t matter.


    By the time he returned to Gray City, night had fallen. N greeted him, "Wee back Come eat."


    The timing was perfect, and Felix didn''t question it since he was hungry. "Thank you."


    After finishing his meal, Felix stopped N from doing the dishes. "You gave up everything to be with me. Is it truly out of love?"


    N thought for a moment. "Not entirely. At the very least, I do care about you."


    N was being genuine, that was if she ignored Felix''s abilities and his overly protective mother.


    However, Felix shook his head. "You don''t even dare to show me your face. You should leave. There''s no way this will work."


    He pushed for N to leave. To be honest, Felix was exhausted after dealing with Xena and Yvonne. He felt more at ease with his fellow apprentices.


    As Felix stood to leave, N removed the covering from her face. "I didn''t let you see my face because Icked the courage. But you''re right. I''vee this far. Why should I care?"


    Felix froze. He assumed the face behind the veil had to be stunningly beautiful, but the reality


    was different.


    N''s cheeks were covered in scars, spreading from beneath her eyes to the corners of her


    mouth.


    "Do you see me now?" N lowered her gaze sadly. For a woman, exposing such a disfigured face to someone she loved required a lot of courage.


    "You''re beautiful, just marred by these marks. Did something cause this?" Felix asked.


    N found no trace of disgust from Felix, and her trembling stopped. "Yes. A woman poisoned me. Only she has the antidote."


    Poison? Felix shook his head. "That''s impossible. I''ve examined you multiple times. Even if the Shadow Mask can conceal a martial artist''s traits, it cannot hide toxins or disease, right?"


    N smiled bitterly.


    "You''re right. The Shadow Mask can''t do that. But it is poison. The woman I mentioned belongs to a family of master healers. Their medical skills far surpass what you know. The poison she used isn''t something you can detect, let alone cure." Upon thinking of how young yet terrifying Cynthia was, Felix knew N wasn''t lying, especially since this involved her body.


    "There must be a way to fix this, right?" Felix sat down again. He felt a growing respect for N. To reveal such a face to him required an incredible amount of courage.

 Billionaire With Husband 822

    "There is a way. That woman told me that if I could find a husband to defeat her brother, she''d give me the antidote. The only condition is that my husband cannot be from our ce," N exined. Felix understood everything. "Is that why you targeted me? Did you think I could win the antidote for you?"


    N nodded. "Yes. I didn''t think much of anyone from this part of town before. But then you appeared and won my heart."


    Felix studied her carefully. "Here''s the deal. I''ll ask for your help if I ever need it. In return, I''ll defeat her brother as your husband and get you the antidote. After that, we''ll be even."


    Though N was excited, she felt her heart clench. "Is that it? Can''t we go further in our rtionship?"


    Judging by his gaze, she knew it wasn''t because of her appearance.


    "At least for now, it''s not possible. I''m going to bed." Felix waved her off.


    The next day, N went to the clinic early. Felix, who slept in until past 9:09 am, was startled to find Averill beside him.


    "Averill! You scared me!" Only then did Felix realize that Averill was wearing nothing but a bra and panties.


    "Scared? Is that all you got? The morning is the best time to..." Averill teased.


    Before she could finish her sentence, Felix pinned her down. "You''re right."


    After their intimate session, Averill was still in a daze. "What just happened? Did you just take the lead?"


    Felix chuckled. "I''ve figured some things out. I''m single now. Why shouldn''t I enjoy it?"


    Averill was thrilled. "In that case, I''lle over often to soothe your lonely heart. You''ve finally thought things through!"


    When Felix came downstairs, Averill had already prepared breakfast. "Eat up, but I need to talk business. Mr. Hoffman sent me here."


    Felix lost his appetite at that. "Has there been progress on Benjamin?"


    Averill nodded. "Yes. Mr. Hoffman confirmed that Benjamin is indeed from the Bronze Age. He''s been alive for over 2000 years! Of course, that''s impossible for a normal person or even a martial artist. Benjamin''s body was modified, and not just basic modifications butplex


    ones.


    "That''s why Mr. Hoffman wants him to stay."


    Benjamin really was from that era. In ancient times, technology was not avable, but who could say they were inferior in other areas?


    With this perspective, Francis'' achievements felt even more exaggerated.


    "Also, Mr. Hoffman said the brush you fused into your body is extraordinary. Once you find the nine Dragonspines, its true power should be revealed."


    As Felix ate breakfast, Averill deliberately let some milk spill from her lips, trickling down her neck. "Oh no! Help me wipe it off!"


    Despite knowing full well she was trying to seduce him, the newly enlightened Felix didn''t hold back at all and moved to act. Just then, his phone rang. It was a call from Melissa.


    "Felix, there''s a girl at the clinic. She says her sister knows you and wants your help." ¡ü


    !

 Billionaire With Husband 823

    When Felix arrived at the clinic, he saw a teenage girl sitting nervously while Melissa tried talking with her.


    The girl was simply dressed and seemed incredibly shy.


    "I''m Felix Zeller. Are you looking for ine?" he asked curiously. He had never seen this girl before and was even more confused about who her sister might be.


    When she heard his name, the girl shot to her feet, flustered. "Hello, Felix."


    Felix tried to appear as kind and approachable as possible. "Don''t be nervous. What''s your sister''s name? How does she know me?"


    The girl seemed to struggle with her words and finally pulled out her phone to y a video. ''Hello, future brother-inw. Tammy is an acquaintance. If she''s ever in trouble, please lend her a hand. I''m not around anymore."


    11


    Cynthia? Felix was speechless. He had never expected that the sister Tammy referred to would be Cynthia.


    "I do know Cynthia. Tell the what''s wrong, and I''ll help you." It didn''t matter to Felix where Cynthia was from. Sh


    had helped him and was very kind. Calling him her "brother-inw" only made him more determined to help.


    Nearby, N sighed. Cynthia''s sister was her biggest rival. Due to her investigation into Felix''s mother, N didn''t have the resources to figure out who Cynthia''s sister was.


    Tammy started crying. "Felix, my home is about to be taken away. Those bad people want to kick us out! My grandma and I rely on each other, and if we''re evicted, we''ll have to live on the streets. Grandma is weak! She won''t make it!" Upon seeing Tammy so heartbroken, Melissa was furious. "How dare they! What kind of heartless scum would evict an old woman and a young girl?"


    Felix signaled Melissa to stay calm and gently patted Tammy on the shoulder. "Let''s go. I''ll go to your house and take care of the rest."


    From Tammy''s description, it sounded like a ssic case of eviction. Before leaving, Felix called Gray City''s richest man, Jeremiah, asking him to send someone over. They were better at handling these things.


    Tammy''s home was in a rundown neighborhood with crumbling streets and shabby surroundings. Her apartment was small, and the furniture was rusty. It was clear their living conditions were far from ideal.


    Felix couldn''t understand it. If Cynthia had left behind a video, why hadn''t she also left money to improve this family''s life? Or did her people not have ess to modern currency?


    As soon as they entered, they heard coughing inside the house. Tammy rushed in, saying, Grandma, let me get your medicine."


    11


    Felix followed her into the room and saw an elderly woman struggling to sit on the bed. "And you are?"


    "Oh, Grandma, this is..." Tammy hesitated.


    Felix quickly stepped inside. "Hello, my name is Felix Zeller. I''m Tammy''s teacher. The school learned about your family''s situation and sent me to visit."


    Since Tammy was still in high school, Felix figured posing as her teacher would put the elderly woman at ease.


    Sure enough, the old woman immediately weed him in. "Mr. Zeller! Please make yourself at home. I''ll be out in a moment. Tammy, pour your teacher some tea.


    [


    While helping the old woman stand, Felix applied acupuncture to treat her. When she reached the living room, her coughing had stopped, and she looked much better. +25 BO

 Billionaire With Husband 824

    Chapter


    824


    Tammy''s grandmother, Gloria school?"


    Felix smiled. "Not at


    ke, asked nervously, "Is... is Tammy not doing well in


    Tammy is doing great. I''m just here for a visit. Please don''t worry."


    After chatting for a while, Felix excused himself and went downstairs. ording to Tammy, the people threatening them had told them to leave today, or they would take drastic


    measures.


    "Go back upstairs, Tammy. I''ll handle the rest. I promise they won''t disturb you and your grandma again," Felix promised.


    Tammy was moved by his actions and thanked him...


    "I meant what I said earlier. If you get into college, I''ll sponsor you with a hundred thousand dors a year until you graduate." Felix smiled.


    Felix admired Tammy''s resilience. He was cautious not to give her too much money all at once, fearing it might spoil her. He nned to continue supporting her once she entered the workforce.


    "Thank you, Felix. I''ll work hard!" Tammy nned to skip college, telling Gloria she failed the entrance exam so she could start working to cover medical expenses. But with Felix''s help, she could focus on her studies and aim for a brighter future, knowing both tuition and medical expenses were covered.


    A few minutester, a middle-aged man arrived and greeted Felix. "Mr. Zeller, I''m Hudson. I was sent by Mr. Jacinto."


    After seeing there was still time before the group arrived, Felix remarked, "You look like you have an interesting past. Hudson had the look of a fellow martial artist.


    "You tter me, Mr. Zeller. I only handle Mr. Jacinto''s minor troubles." Hudson shook his


    head.


    Just then, five burly men strode over. F¨¦lix nced at Hudson. "Why don''t you take care of those small fries?"


    Tammy exined that her father, whom she hadn''t seen in five years, had somehow mortgaged the house, leading to their situation.


    In less than a minute, the five thugs were apologizing profusely and scurrying away with their tails between their legs.


    "Mr. Zeller, it''s done. The loan agreement will be delivered to me by sunset, and I guarantee they won''t bother you again." Hudson nodded.


    "Good job," Felix said, smiling.


    As Felix walked away, Hudson couldn''t help but marvel. He had never seen Jeremiah flustered over a phone call. And the person behind it all was this unassuming young man. What kind of identity could he possibly have? Back at the clinic, Selmer was already waiting inside. "Sir... Mr. Zeller."


    Fortunately, Felix had told him to avoid formalities, or Selmer might have misspoken again.


    "Melissa, this is Selmer Zink. He''ll be working here as part of the team," Felix introduced.


    Melissa greeted him. "Hello, Mr. Zink."


    It seemed fine at first, but Felix quickly realized something was off. Melissa was so casual with him yet so formal with Selmer. That wouldn''t do.


    "Just call him Selmer from now on." Felix sighed.


    Selmer broke into a cold sweat. How could Melissa be so casual with Felix? Selmer wouldn''t have dared to himself.


    "Wow, there are quite a few people here. Are we nning a gathering tonight? Don''t leave me out!" Billy said as he strolled in. He froze when he saw Selmer.


    The two stared at each other. After a moment of realization, Selmer''s expression changed to one of shock. His hand trembled as he pointed at Billy, and his teeth chattered as he stammered, "You... you''re..."

 Billionaire With Husband 825

    Billy grinned and pointed at himself. "What''s the matter? Are you mesmerized by me? Or do you know me?"


    After taking a deep breath, Selmer forced a smile and waved it off. "Sorry, I mistook you for someone else."


    Once Billy left, Felix turned to Selmer. "What was that about? Did you mistake him for someone else?"


    Selmer''s expression was a mix of shock and fear. Only a few people could get such a reaction from Selmer, someone close to achieving Blood Realm.


    Selmer clenched his teeth. "Here''s the thing, Mr. Zeller. 50 years ago, I was injured and fleeing through a forest. That''s when I stumbled upon a fight between two people. No, you can''t even call it a fight since it ended in the blink of an eye. The old man was instantly killed by a young


    man."


    Felix chuckled at the story. "You''re not about to tell me that young man was Billy, are you?"


    Selmer nodded. "Yes! At least, he looked exactly like Billy. They have the same face and build."


    Felix''s eyes sparkled with interest. He trusted Selmer, knowing thetter wouldn''t dare lie to him. If this truly happened and the young man was Billy, the fact that his appearance hadn''t changed in 50 years was amazing.


    "It must''ve been someone who just looks like him. There''s no way it''s the same person,'' Selmer tried to reassure himself. The idea of someone looking the same for 50 years was absurd.


    "Don''t overthink it. They just look alike," Felix said.


    But deep down, Felix wasn''t so sure. There were already too many mysteries surrounding Billy, and now this added anotheryer to it. Still, looking the same after 50 years was hard to believe.


    "Your job is to protect Melissa. If someone with scaly hands shows up, try to capture them alive," Felix ordered.


    ""Yes!" Selmer nodded.


    Selmer was more than capable of protecting Melissa. Rather than relying on Billy, having someone like Selmer was far more reassuring.


    That afternoon, Felix visited Billy''s shop for the first time. Billy was loungingfortably in a chair.


    What caught Felix''s attention was the bizarre sight at the table. There were two paper dolls seated on either side of Billy. Even in broad daylight, the scene was unsettling.


    "Billy, will anyone dare buy from your store with this setup?" Felix teased.


    Billy shrugged. "Business will flow in naturally. I may not sell anything for a year, but when I do, it''s enough tost me all year."


    Felix sat down across from him and pointed at himself. "Do I still look like a catastrophe will happen?"


    Billy nodded. "Yes, and it''s getting worse. That means your danger is drawing closer.'' Felix smirked. "Fine. I''ll trust you this once. What are you selling me this time?"


    Before Selmer''s reaction, Felix thought Billy''s warnings were a joke. Now, he figured it couldn''t hurt to be cautious. Even if he was conned, it was better to be safe than sorry.


    Billy''s eyes lit up with excitement. "Felix! I knew you''de around! Look! I''m even willing to part with my precious treasure!"


    The corners of Felix''s lips twitched as he eyed the object Billy ced on the table-a harmonica small enough to fit in a pocket. "A harmonica? It looks like a toy." Felix was skeptical.


    Billy was offended. "Watch your mouth! This isn''t a toy. It''s the real deal. Forget it. You wouldn''t understand even if I exined." This statement only piqued Felix''s curiosity. "Is it an artifact?"


    Billy cocked a brow in surprise.

 Billionaire With Husband 826

    "Interesting. Where did you learn that?" Billy asked.


    Felix recalled hearing about it from N while in Astoria. How could he forget? "You''re not pulling my leg, right?"


    Billy was annoyed. "I never lie! Well... except for that time with Queenie when she paid me extra. Anyway, this harmonica is a genuine artifact. So, do you want it?" Felix extended a finger toward the harmonica. "I owe you one."


    "Two favors," Billy countered.


    "One," Felix insisted.


    "Deal!" Billy huffed.


    As Felix fiddled with the harmonica, he asked, "Do I just y it?"


    "First, you need to perform a blood-binding ritual. Once the artifact gets your blood, it will merge into your body, and you can use it as naturally as your own hands."


    Felix felt his excitement grow. This was the first time he had encountered something out of a fantasy novel. This artifact worked with a blood-binding ritual, unlike the Dragonspine, which required the Dragons Destroyer. Felix pricked his finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the harmonica. To his amazement, the blood seeped into the artifact, and he instantly felt a connection with it. With one thought from him, the harmonica vanished. "Now that I''ve given you the harmonica, I''ll tell you something important. Ghosts and spirits exist in this world. Don''t think I''m joking with you," Billy said, turning serious.


    Felix cocked a brow. "Then why haven''t I ever seen one?"


    Billy rolled his eyes. "Of course not! Martial artists like you are ghost repents. Most ghosts and spirits would flee when they sense you. Approaching you would be a death sentence for them."


    That made sense. Felix thought for a moment before asking, "So, are you saying I''m likely to encounter ghosts or something simr soon?"


    Billy smiled. The sight sent chills down Felix''s spine. "Judging by your face, it''s possible. But it''s to say. If you do encounter something hostile, use the harmonica. It''ll take care of everything." Felix


    eturned home by sunset. N hadn''t followed him, saying she nned to stay at the


    clinic with Melissa from now on.


    In truth, N had decided to take things slow. After yesterday''s dinner, she understood Felix better. Living with him too soon might backfire. Instead, she would adapt to his pace.


    At least Felix agreed to y the part of her husband if he ever traveled to her ce. N realized she needed to build their rtionship on his terms if she wanted to be with him.


    When Felix entered his home, he was surprised to find Leslie sitting on the couch. "Leslie? What brings you here?"


    First, it was Averill, and now Leslie was here. It was rare to see them visiting so frequently. "Am I not wee, and only Averill is?" Leslie sneered.


    Felix smiled bitterly. Each of his fellow apprentices was more challenging than thest. "You know I didn''t mean it like that."


    Leslie''s elegance was a stark contrast to Averill''s yful demeanor. Her conservative attire only added to her refined image. However, Felix knew whaty beneath her reserved exterior after their past encounter.


    "I sent Yara to stay with Alistair for a week. Since I had some free time, I decided to drop by and see you," Leslie exined.


    Before Felix could ask further, Leslie pulled out an item. "More importantly, this is for you. Mr. Hoffman asked me to deliver it. It''s your reward for bringing Benjamin to him."


    "Something from Mr. Hoffman?" Felix''s heart raced. Gerald was stingy, so anything he gave away was precious.

 Billionaire With Husband 827

    Felix eagerly took the item from Leslie and saw it was a medical book.


    "Was Mr. Hoffman keeping this from me?" Felix cursed at his stingy mentor.


    "Why are all the pages nk?" He flipped through the book, only to find it empty.


    "Mr. Hoffman said you need to bind it with your blood to ess its contents," Leslie exined.


    Felix''s excitement grew. If it required a blood-binding ritual, it had to be something extraordinary. He pricked his finger and dripped blood onto the book. Like the harmonica, the book vanished and became one with his body. Felix quickly scanned the book''s contents. Within moments, he was engrossed, oblivious to Leslie speaking beside him. "Felix, do you want me to massage your legs? You used to enjoy it when I did that for you." After some time, Felix felt something unusual and opened his eyes. To his surprise, Leslie''s face was flushed red, and her hands were ced somewhere... less than appropriate.


    "Leslie, weren''t you supposed to be massaging my legs? What are you touching?" Felix grinned.


    Leslie grew even more embarrassed and lowered her head. Her shy demeanor was irresistible.


    "With how you and Averill are acting, I suspect this medical book wasn''t from Mr. Hoffman. She must have given it to you after taking her turn, just so you''d have a reason to visit me next!" Though Leslie didn''t answer, her expression said it all.


    "Well, what are we waiting for?" Felix pulled Leslie into his arms and kissed her.


    ...


    After some time had passed, Felix''s phone buzzed, but he ignored it. Eventually, he reached for his phone and saw Jeremiah calling.


    "Jeremiah?" Felix frowned. Jeremiah rarely contacted him. What could this be about?


    He called back, and Jeremiah answered almost immediately.


    "What''s the matter?" Felix asked.


    "Mr. Zeller! There''s been an incident. Hudson was kidnapped, and so was that girl, Tammy," Jeremiah said urgently.


    "What?" Felix straightened up, and his sudden movement made Leslie tense up. "Who did this?"


    "A young man called Thomas Lance. He''s the one pulling the strings behind Tammy''s family''s housing dispute," Jeremiah exined.


    Felix frowned. "You''re the richest man in Gray City. Why are you afraid of some small-time loan shark?"


    Jeremiahughed bitterly. "It''s not fear, Mr. Zeller. The problem is that Thomas has a martial artist working for him. None of my people are a match for him. This man took Hudson from right under my nose."


    A martial artist? Felix understood now. Jeremiah''s hesitation must have stemmed from the assumption that someone with such a skilled fighter backing them had powerful connections. Investigating further might put Jeremiah in a difficult position. "Thomas told me to meet him at Starry Club if I dared. He said if I don''t show up before sunrise, he''ll deal with Hudson and Tammy," Jeremiah added grimly.


    "Got it." Felix hung up.


    He was frustrated. Who would have thought that a loan shark could create such trouble, even for someone as influential as Jeremiah? If Cynthia had heard about this, she would have never let him live it down.


    "Do you need me toe with you?" Leslie offered, her tone icy and murderous.


    Felix shook his head. "No need. If I can''t handle something like this myself, I would''ve died long ago."


    In a private room at Starry Club, Thomas sat on the couch. His legs were propped on the coffee table, and a cigarette dangling from his lips. His demeanor oozed with smugness.


    Not far from him, Hudson kneeled on the floor. He had blood crusted around his mouth, evidence of the beating he had endured. Next to him, Tammy was also on the ground, trembling with fear.

 Billionaire With Husband 828

    "Watch closely! A new round begins!" Thomas threw a die onto the ground. When it stopped rolling, it showed a six.


    Tammy moved forward, counting six steps before stopping. She looked at Hudson tearfully, who remained motionless. "I''m sorry! I''m really sorry!"


    Thomas had devised a cruel game. When the die stopped rolling, whoever crawled the number first would win. If Hudson lost, he would be beaten. If Tammy lost, she would have to remove a piece of clothing.


    The game had already gone through three rounds. Hudson hadn''t moved a single time, unwilling to let Tammy suffer humiliation.


    "What a man," Thomas sneered and waved his hand. Two men stepped forward with baseball bats and began beating Hudson.


    Even though Hudson was a martial artist, the relentless beatings, on top of his previous injuries, were unbearable. Still, he didn''t let out a single cry. Instead, he red furiously at Thomas. "You monster! She''s still in high school! You''ll regret this!" Thomas stood up and smashed a beer bottle over Hudson''s head. "Regret it? If my sister hadn''t told me to keep a low profile, Jeremiah would''ve been serving me instead. Forget Gray City; the entire Dragonia would bow before me!"


    Thomas patted Hudson''s bruised face and suddenly broke into a sinister grin. "Since you think I''m a monster, fine. I''ll show you what a real monster looks like."


    Thomas pointed at Tammy. "Hold her down on the coffee table. I want him to see what a


    then monster is. If you can''t repay your debts with money, pay with your body."


    No matter how much Hudson shouted, Thomas moved closer to Tammy, who had been pinned down and could not resist.


    Hudson couldn''t fathom how someone as cruel as Thomas could exist in Gray City. Thomas was merely a loan shark, yet he had such terrifying fighters by his side.


    As this thought crossed his mind, Hudson turned his gaze toward a tall, middle-aged man sitting nonchntly on the couch. "Sir! You''re a powerful martial artist. How can you stand by and watch this? She''s just a child!"


    To his surprise, the thin man chuckled. "Rx. I won''t just watch. After Thomas is done, I would like to have a turn myself. Girls like her are rare.''


    Just as Thomas was about toy his hands on Tammy, the room''s door burst stormed in angrily, shouting, "All of you deserve to die!"


    open. Felix


    The tall man scoffed and flicked his hand at Felix. In an instant, Felix disappeared and reappeared in front of Thomas. He gripped Thomas by the throat and lifted him off the Chapter 828-


    ground.


    "I will make you wish for death!" Felix growled


    The tall man realized Felix was far more formic to act, a beer bottle flew through the air and sm


    What astonished him even more was that the b


    Oceanus Realm.


    The man roared at Felix, "Skyward Guild won''t


    8


    ground,


    "I will make you wish for death!" Felix growled.


    The tall man realized Felix was far more formidable than he had expected. Just as he prepared to act, a beer bottle flew through the air and smashed into him, sending him flying. What astonished him even more was that the bottle had injured him, someone who mastered Oceanus Realm.


    The man roared at Felix, "Skyward Guild won''t let you off if you hurt him!"

 Billionaire With Husband 829

    Skyward Guild? Felix frowned when he heard that. This gave the terrified Thomas a new sense of confidence.


    Thomasughed. "That''s right! My sister is the mistress of Skyward Guild''s sect leader''s son. If you hurt me, not only will you die, but every single one of your family and friends will perish as well! You''re a martial artist, so you should understand how powerful Skyward Guild is."


    Hudson initially thought Felix could resolve this, but he now felt despair. He hadn''t anticipated Thomas would have Skyward Guild backing him. What could Felix possibly do now?


    "If Skyward Guild really protects scum like you, it doesn''t deserve to exist in the first ce," Felix said coldly.


    the


    Felix struck Thomas with a few needles, then tossed him to the ground. He picked up terrified Tammy and inserted another needle into her, causing her to fall into a peaceful sleep. The needle''s effect was designed to make Tammy feel as if everything that happened was just a nightmare, sparing her from trauma.


    "You brat! Do you understand the consequences of opposing Skyward Guild? Look at this medallion. It will prove we''re not lying." The tall man tossed a medallion toward Felix.


    Felix didn''t even bother to pick it up. Instead, he struck the man with another needle.


    "I''ll say it again. If Skyward Guild tolerates such disgusting acts, then have theme and find me," Felix dered.


    With that, Felix carried Tammy out, with Hudson following close behind.


    The tall man remained immobilized for three long hours before dying horribly. However, his fate paled inparison to Thomas'', who was left wishing for death.


    Once outside Starry Club, Felix turned to Hudson. "Hudson, I''m sorry for dragging you into this. I didn''t expect Skyward Guild to be involved You better leave. I''ll give you 100 million dors. It should be enough to live anywhere. When things settle down, you cane back." Hudson nodded, knowing Felix was right. Thanks to Hudson, Tammy hadn''t suffered any


    harm. Her future would have been ruined if she had been vited.


    Felix wasn''t too concerned about Tammy being dragged into the mess if Skyward Guild decided to back Thomas up. They wouldn''t resort to such vile methods if they wanted to take revenge.


    That was why Felix gave the tall man a day to report back, ensuring any retaliation would be directed at him. If Thomas died, Skyward Guild wouldn''t take it out on anyone else. Chapter 829


    The next day at noon, on Silvervein Mount, where Skyward Guild was stationed, the guards at the gate noticed a figure approaching from afar.


    What was strange was that with each step the person took, they advanced dozens of miles, covering the distance in moments.


    The guards remained calm. "Who goes there?"


    Selmer smiled. "Who I am isn''t important. I''m not here to fight. I''d just like to meet your mentor."


    The guards frowned and said, "You may leave now."


    Not just anyone could meet the sect''s high-ranking members. The fact that they hadn''t attacked him on sight was already a testament to Skyward Guild''s restraint.


    11


    "As expected of Skyward Guild. Even the gatekeepers are martial artists at the Aetherial Realm level. I figured as much. I was just joking with you. Looks like I''ll have to do things my way. Selmer shrugged.

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    An invincible force suddenly surrounded the guards. They paled as their bodies became immobile, as though bound by invisible chains.


    Fortunately for them, Selmer didn''t want to kill them. Otherwise, they would have died by


    now.


    Within seconds, five figures appeared at the gate. Judging by their auras, all five were masters of the Blood Realm, a proof of Skyward Guild''s might. "What is the meaning of this?" a middle-aged man asked.


    Selmer smiled. "I''vee to deliver a message on behalf of my master. And you are?"


    The middle-aged man''s expression shifted after hearing that. It had been years since anyone dared to address Skyward Guild in this manner.


    "I am Stamford of Skyward Guild," he replied.


    Selmer nodded. "Mr. Zeller was the one who hurt Thomas. This phone contains evidence of him kidnapping a high school girl and attempting to assault her. If Skyward Guild chooses to shield him, Mr. Zeller will prepare to fight."


    He tossed the phone to Stamford and left, leaving Skyward Guild''s members stunned. "Mr. Walter, who is Thomas? Is he one of ours?" one of the other members asked.


    Stamford rolled his eyes. "Why are you asking me? How would I know?"


    Ten minutester, all the elders gathered in Skyward Guild''s hall, and the sect leader, Terry, was also present.


    "Mr. Miles, was it a mistake? We''ve already investigated and found no one named Thomas among our men," Stamford asked.


    Terry nced at him and exined, "Thomas is the younger brother of my son''s mistress." The room fell silent. So, the matter involved the sect leader''s son.


    "Mr. Miles, do you


    intend to turn a blind eye?" Stamford asked hesitantly.


    "What''s your opinion, Mr. Walter?" Terry hummed.


    "Well, we could let it pass. First, Thomas was in the wrong. Second, the man they sent was formidable and suggests he is not someone to provoke," Stamford analyzed.


    A mere mistress'' brother wasn''t worth anyone''s concern. Stamford''s suggestion meant it wasn''t worth causing a conflict over it.


    The others nodded in agreement, feeling Stamford''s reasoning was sound.


    Once everyone had fallen silent, Terry spoke again. "Thomas is indeed insignificant. His death doesn''t matter. However, Patrick, the man my son sent to protect Thomas, will inevitably die by sunset with no cure avable." "What?" The hall fell silent. Patrick''s death was no small matter-it affected Skyward Guild''s reputation.


    far


    As the atmosphere became more tense, Terry suddenly snorted. "Hmph! You''ve all grown toofortable over the years, enjoying the prestige of being at the top! One of our men was killed. Why are you hesitating to act?" One elder immediately stepped forward. "Mr. Miles is correct. Our men demand justice." "Indeed. A man for a man!" another added.


    Upon seeing the situation spiraling, Stamford chimed in, "Patrick still has half a day left. If Mr. Miles permits it, I will take him to meet the perpetrator. Can we let this slide if he agrees to save Patrick?"


    If it weren''t for Selmer''s strength, Stamford wouldn''t have considered such an option. Moreover, no one wanted to fight an outsider.


    Terry nodded. "Go."


    As Stamford turned to leave, he heard Terry say, "If he refuses, then he is an enemy of Skyward Guild. Kill him!"

 Billionaire With Husband 831

    In Gray City, just as Tranquil Clinic was about to lose, a man walked in.


    "Sir, you''re not here to see a doctor, are you?" Felix asked, looking at the man as he entered.


    "I''m Stamford Walter, the seventh elder of Skyward Guild. We''ve received the message you sent."


    With a slight lift of his right hand, Felix said, "You received it and still sent someone here. It seems like the guild isn''t what I thought it was."


    Stamford got straight to the point. "Thomas died, but he deserved it! However, you''ve also injured someone of our own-Patrick.


    "The sect leader has ordered that if you heal Patrick, everything will be as if it never happened.


    In Stamford''s eyes, there was no way Felix would refuse. No one wanted to provoke the top guild in Dragonia over this.


    However, Felix shook his head. "Perhaps you think this is simple-or are you purposefully ignoring the details? Patrick assisted Thomas in his arrogance and recklessness. If he didn''t, do you think that many tragedies would''ve happened?"


    Stamford frowned. "Do you think I''m trying to bargain with you? If you don''t heal Patrick, Skyward Guild will press you for an exnation.


    The tyranny of the top guild was on full disy but Felix wasn''t phased. Instead, his gaze became sharper.


    "Oh, an exnation? Alright, I''ll give you an exnation. I sent the guild a message-not because I''m afraid-but to give you all a chance.


    As he spoke, he threw his identity card as a Dragon Knight onto the table.


    "Thomas hasmitted numerous crimes. With all the evidence and witnesses, I had every right to kill him. Or would you like the headquarters to investigate to see if you''re also involved?"


    1


    When Stamford looked at Felix''s identification, he narrowed his eyes. He never would''ve thought that Felix was also a Dragon Knight!


    When it came to the headquarters, it wasn''t something that he, as an elder, could make a decision on.


    "You must be kidding, Mr. Zeller. Skyward Guild is well-known for being aw-abiding guild. We are friends with the elders of the headquarters.


    "How could we break thew knowingly? Since you said that Thomas was involved, then he deserves his fate. I apologize for bothering you. Goodbye."


    Felix sneered. Why would he make Selmer deliver a message to Skyward Guild if he wasn''t prepared? Even if they had great influence, Skyward Guild still had to think carefully despite their reputation. Thomas would''ve continued running rampant if Tammy hadn''t had Felix''s support. Such a bastard would be a great threat to the people-even if it were just one more day.


    There were probably other people like Thomas in Dragonia


    "Mr. Zeller, should I go?" Selmer volunteered.


    However, Felix quickly rejected the idea. "No, I''ll go see what''s going on."


    A middle-aged man stood across the street. When Stamford left, the man continued staring at the clinic. His gaze was fixated on Felix, tantly provoking him.


    If Felix hadn''t given the order, Selmer would''ve gone over to deal with him. How could a mere martial artist who just entered the Pulse Realm act so arrogantly?


    Felix entered the alley beside the clinic. The middle-aged man followed closely with no attempts to hide.


    "Who sent you?" Felix asked.


    The man''s expression remained indifferent as he said, "You don''t need to know this."


    Immediately, the manunched an attack. Maybe because he was in the city, but he wasn''t using his full strength-let alone powerful moves. After all, a martial artist who entered the Pulse Realm was incredibly strong. He might even blow up the alleyway if he really let loose his strength.


    With a bang, Felix threw one punch at him. With just one punch, the middle-aged man started coughing up blood.


    The man''s eyes were full of disbelief as he stared at Felix.

 Billionaire With Husband 832

    "You" The middle-aged man was utterly speechless. Felix was so young, yet the middle-aged man-a Pulse Realm martial artist-couldn''t even take one of Felix''s hits.


    "You''re truly a genius. And a quite low-profile one at that!" With that, the middle-aged man held his chest and turned to leave.


    Felix frowned. "You came all the way here, yet you''re leaving already?"


    Although the middle-aged man knew he was outmatched, he showed no fear.


    "Heh! Why? Are you still trying to kill me? The sun hasn''t even set yet, and it''s still broad daylight. I''d like to see you try." Felix spread his hands and smiled. "I''m just kidding! Don''t get so worked up. I''m a good citizen. How could I kill you?" With a cold snort, the middle-aged man strode away.


    Just as Felix returned home, Selmer called. "Mr. Zeller, it''s all settled. The Greenes sent that man just to test your strength!"


    The Greenes? Felix hung up without another word. It seemed like Xena disrupting their ns had really pushed them into a corner.


    Now, the Greenes were resorting to dirty tricks. But it was okay as long as it didn''t involve Jack and the rest-Felix didn''t really care.


    Now that he thought about it, his status as a Dragon Knight was proving quite handy. Whether it was Skyward Guild or the Greenes, they had to tread carefully with him.


    Every little trick they yed had to be prenned carefully. Otherwise, they would be in deep trouble if the headquarters got angry.


    Felix began studying the medical book Gerald had given him. Despite it being called a medical book, it seemed as if it had opened the door to an entirely new world for Felix.


    The treatments were for illnesses that couldn''t be treated with standard medications. The illnesses all needed elixirs, and the medical book talked about the refining of various elixirs.


    As the practice of a traditional medicine practitioner, pills did exist, but they werepletely different from elixirs. They were entirely different in both methods and philosophy from refining pills.


    By the time the sun rose, Felix had been studying the medical book all night without any sleep. However, he wasn''t sleepy at all.


    Instead, he was extremely excited. However, his expression suddenly changed, and he cursed


    Chapter 832 Gerald.


    "You old geezer, you gave me this medical book, but what about the alchemy furnace mentioned in it? God damn it! How am I supposed to do these without the proper tools?"


    Not a single pill or elixir could be refined without an alchemy furnace. This meant that even trying to do so was impossible.


    "Forget it. Let me prepare the materials first. Just in case I get my hands on the alchemy furnace one day."


    A few hourster, Felix showed up at the Obsidian Auction with his Shadow Mask. He hadn''t expected Wayne to be there still. He seemed like a permanent figure at the auction. "Wayne, you mentioned before that if I needed anything, I could find it at the Obisidan Auction, right?" Felix asked.


    Wayne looked at Felix with a smile and nodded. "Of course, Dr. Williams. What do you need?"


    Felix had given this identity the alias "Maxwell Williams". And anyway, since it was just a disguise, it didn''t quite matter.


    "Have you ever heard of an alchemy furnace?" Felix asked.


    Alchemy furnace? Wayne pondered before replying, "I''m sorry, but I haven''t heard of it. There are many things we haven''t heard of here.


    "But as long as you want to buy it, our connections can always help you, and we''ll definitely find it."


    "Alright!" After paying five million dors in advance, Felix left. Skyward Guild backed the Obsidian Auction, so I was the most reliable source he had.


    Besides, Felix didn''t need to reveal his true identity, and all it cost was a little money. So why not trust in them?


    After confirming that Felix had left, the expression in Wayne''s eyes changed. He took out his phone and made a call.


    "Sir, someone came to buy an alchemy furnace. Please let me know how to proceed."

 Billionaire With Husband 833

    After arriving back in Gray City, Felix received a phone call from Xena, and he left for the hotel suite. "Someone from headquarters sent this. He''ll evaluate the effectiveness of your disguise," Zena said.


    She had brought along an old man with her. He seemed to be a smoking addict-besides the clear cigarette in his hand, the whole room had a strong smell of smoke. Felix nodded. "Alright, I''ll go get ready."


    Since Felix was using a Shadow Mask, he couldn''t publicly show him using it. When he came out of the room, he hadpletely transformed into another young man.


    When the old man finished his cigarette, he circled around Felix several times. A smile grew on his face as he eximed, "This is great! This is the only disguise I can''t see through!" Xena was also extremely happy. After all, Felix was under her, and this could be considered her achievement.


    "I''ll be heading back to headquarters now, and the results will be shown tomorrow," the old man said.


    After the old man left, Xena nced at Felix and said, "Even if you''re chosen, you should still focus on your own safety."


    "Alright."


    Felix might''ve teased her and made a few jokes if this was before. However, he had let all of that go now. It didn''t really matter now.


    To save this rtionship, he had done his best. What Xena thought of him wasn''t something he could control. Why bother sticking to someone who didn''t want him?


    When Xena watched Felix leave, she felt a little heartbroken. How could she not see the change in this man? She wanted him, but something deep inside her held her back.


    She couldn''t even tell whether it was right or wrong to continue their rtionship like this.


    Over at the Greene residence, Aiden wore a solemn expression while Asher waspletely


    shocked.


    "Since he''s missing, he''s most likely to have been killed. But people secretly following him didn''t notice? The person who did this must be a martial artist," Aiden observed. Asher didn''t know how to answer. The issue now was that Felix had injured a martial artist in the Pulse Realm with just one punch.


    Alden stood up with his fists clenched. "Felix, you''re so good at hiding things. It seems the real Dragonspine that should''ve been mine is also rted to you."


    He wasn''t stupid. This test at least proved that Felix was at least in the Pulse Realm. However, it was also very likely that he had entered the Blood Realm. "Don''t act so impulsively, Aiden! Felix is still a Dragon Knight. He isn''t a weakling now. It''s not that simple," Asher reminded him.


    Aiden gritted his teeth. These people were really testing his patience!


    "You don''t have to tell me! I know my limits! When everything is ready, I''ll take back what''s mine-with interest!"


    Back at Tranqiul Clinic, Felix was chatting with Melissa when a cough came from the door.


    "Sir! Please, slow down."


    With just one look, Melissa rushed over and helped the hunchbacked old man in.


    "Haha! Thank you, miss.


    Once the old man sat down, Melissa was about to tend to him when she heard Felix say, Melissa, you should head out first." Before she could leave, the old man waved his hand dismissively. "No need. I''m genuinely here to seek a doctor. I have no ill intentions." Selmer rushed out from the inner room and gulped when he saw the old man.


    "Selmer! You seem much better than before. It seems like this life is more suitable for you," the man said.


    At this moment, Selmer was so scared he couldn''t speak. He stood there dumbfounded, not daring to move.


    Fortunately, Felix spoke up. "You can scare Selmer all you like and yet still speak in this tone. I''m guessing you must be Gage Shepheld?"

 Billionaire With Husband 834

    After returning to Dragonia, Felix and Selmer had a long discussion. Although there weren''t many secrets about them, Felix learned some insignificant things about the Elders'' Council.


    For example, there were only seven true elders in the Elders'' Council. Six of them were normal elders, and one was a Supreme Elder.


    Selmer had only seen one, and that was Gage Shepherd, who was sitting in front of Felix at this moment. For him to be an elder in the Elders Council, no one could fathom how terrifying his true strength was. To be honest, Felix hadn''t expected Gage to show up like this.


    Gage smiled and nodded. "Yes, I''m Gage Shepherd. But you don''t have to worry. I''m just here to see a doctor."


    Was he really seeking out a doctor? Selmer trembled slightly. He had seen Gage''s full strength once. If Gage decided to take action, no one here could survive.


    However, the key question was why the Elders'' Council sent someone like Gage over. Were they not worried that Eloise would retaliate?


    Felix reached out. "Let me check your pulse."


    Although the Elders'' Council had always wanted to kill him, for some reason, he could never really muster up the hatred for them until now. They had always upheld the code of conduct and followed the principle of not harming families. They were opponents worthy of respect.


    Gage smiled. "Do you really want to feel my pulse? Hmm, our evaluation of you was quite urate."


    He waved his hand dismissively. "No need to feel it. I know my physical condition very


    very well. You should be able to perform the Seven Points of Transcendence, right?"


    Felix didn''t bother hiding hispetence and replied, "Yeah."


    "Then use that! Only that will cure my illness. My body can only withstand the technique four times. Lemuel and Gerald had used it orme once.


    "Now, including you, there is only one chance left. I had thought I''de to peace with life and death, but every time I feel deathing, I still don''t have the courage to let go of this old body."


    Gerald and Lemuel had used it on him? Felix was surprised. The body of an ordinary person. could only withstand this technique once.


    If the illness ever came back again, the person would die without a doubt. Based on this, the fact that Gage could actually withstand the technique four times showed how exaggerated his


    strength was.


    "All of you, get out," Felix instructed.


    Selmer brought Melissa out, and N finally exited the inner room.


    "Long time no see, Lady N," Gage unexpectedly took the initiative to greet her. However, N nodded slightly without a single word.


    "Well, I''ve already told you enough. Felix, are you going to save me or not? As far as I know, in all of Dragonia, there is no one else who can perform the Seven Points of Transcendence.


    "You know better than me about the technique. The same master healer cannot use it twice on one patient, so it''ll be useless even if I find Lemuel. But if you don''t save me, I''ll only have a month left to live." Gage continued, "If I died, the Elders'' Council would lose a strong fighter."


    This was the truth. Felix knew that the Seven Points of Transcendence technique was unique- it could not be used twice on the same patient.


    Now, given the situation with Gage, coupled with the difficulty of the technique-Gage''s life and death was entirely up to Felix.


    "I will save you, but tell me. What can you offer me in exchange?"


    Gage smiled happily. "This is my reward."


    Immediately, Felix''s eyes widened, and his breathing seemed to have stopped.

 Billionaire With Husband 835

    Chapter ang


    All of a sudden, a small object appeared on the table, as if Gage had suddenly conjured it form nowhere.


    This little object made Felix''s eyes brighten up, and he was extremely excited. "This is it!"


    Gage nodded with a smile. "Yes, it''s an alchemy furnace."


    It really was an alchemy furnace! Felix started breathing heavily at the sight...


    "An alchemy furnace is a magic weapon. After dripping your blood on it, it''ll recognize you as its master and unfold into a bigger object. Of course, given our hostile rtionship, you wouldn''t trust me. "You can have it recognize you as its master first and then treat me."


    The alchemy furnace that Felix had wished for appeared just like this. He felt like he was dreaming. He had read and reread the book Gerald had given him to the point of being obsessed. He wanted to try it out as soon as possible. And since Gage had said so, why was Felix still hesitating?


    He took it and dripped his blood on it. It merged into his body, and when it came out again, it grew to almost a person''s height. It was definitely a real alchemy furnace. "Alright, then I''ll start treating you now."


    An hourter, Felix and Gage walked out of the clinic. Gage had stopped coughing, and his energy had clearly improved.


    "Although we''re enemies, and I''ve rewarded you, I don''t believe in a doctor''s benevolence. The reward is what you deserve, but that isn''t enough," Gage said.


    With that, he looked at Selmer. "Selmer, whether the Elders'' Council will hunt you down or not, is another reward I''ve given to Felix. Goodbye!"


    Huh? Selmer almost teared up. Although he seemed to live well here, he was actually terrified. He didn''t know whether the Elders'' Council would hunt him down to kill him, the traitor. Now that Gage had said that, there would definitely be no issues. Felix patted Selmer on the shoulder and called N into the inner room.


    "Thank you," he said.


    N was confused. "What are you thanking me for?"


    A slight smile appeared on Felix''s face. "It would be impossible for Gage toe without any reason. He could only guess whether I knew the technique or not, but he couldn''t confirm it. "That''s in addition to the alchemy furnace. If it''s not you, I really can''t think of anyone else."


    12


    In addition to the Obsidian Auction, he had told N to help him source the alchemy furnace. He had promised that if he could find it, he would help N pretend to be her husband and obtain the cure. To have such a mysterious and well-connected person wasn''t such a waste after all!


    At that, N stopped pretending. "I knew Gage had an alchemy furnace in his early years. However, I wasn''t sure if he still had it, so I asked someone to contact him."


    Felix stood up and smiled even more. "I have to say, N, you have changed. After all, ady can be both someone of high status and someone who is approachable. Don''t you feel much better now?" After Felix left, N stood there silently, pondering for a while. Soon, the corners of her lips curled up into a slight smile, and she happily went to find Melissa to chat.


    That night, Felix went to a restaurant in Gray City. After waiting for a while in a private area, two people entered.


    One was a middle-aged man, and the other was a woman. The woman''s long hair was tied up, and she gave off the presence of a queen as she walked.


    She had fair skin and a pretty face. If she wore a traditional gown, she would look even more elegant.


    "Yasmin Quinton. A pleasure to meet you, Dr. Zeller," Yasmine introduced herself.


    Felix reached out and said, "Ms. Quinton, please take a seat."


    Yasmin was the daughter of the CEO of Qualls Pharmaceutical. It was thergest traditional medicinepany in Dragonia.


    However, thepany was pretty much maintained by Yasmin as her father was in a semi- retired position.

 Billionaire With Husband 836

    The herbs Felix needed for alchemic refining weren''t only needed in a high quantity but also extremely rare. If Felix used his connections to source them, it would take a long time.


    In the end, he consulted Ss, who then introduced him to Qualls Pharmaceutical.


    "I hadn''t expected you toe here personally, Ms. Qualls. I''m ttered," Felix said.


    Yasmin''s manners were impable, and the way she spoke was pleasant. "Dr. Zeller, it''s my honor to be of use to a genius doctor like you."


    Felix nodded and took out a file before handing it over. "All the herbs I need are listed here. You can take a look first, Ms. Qualls. If you have any issues, you can tell me and we''ll work out the kinks together." Yasmin nodded. "Alright, please wait a minute."


    Half an hour passed before Yasmin finally finished reading them all.


    "Most of the herbs are doable. We have enough reserves to supply you. There are only a dozen of extremely rare ones, but I can also guarantee the delivery within a month. What do you think, Dr. Zeller?" Yasmirtasked. How great! Although Ss didn''t say much, Qualls Pharmaceutical was actually quite amazing!(


    "That''s great! It''ll happen much faster than I thought." Felix smiled and handed over a check, "This is about 100 million dors in advance. Is that enough?"


    Yasmin didn''t refuse and asked the man next to her to ept the check.


    "That''s enough, Dr. Zeller. However, I have another unwee request. Could I not ept the money and instead gain a favor from you?"


    The Qualls family wasn''t short of money at all. The market value of Qualls Pharmaceutical far exceeded many, so they didn''t care for money at all.


    Not to mention 100 million dors, but even 1 billion dors wasn''tparable to Felix''s favor. Since they were all in the same field, how could they not know how renowned Felix''s skills were?


    There were rumors in themunity now. Some even ced Felix and Lemuel, the top master healer in Dragonia, on the same level.


    "No, you must ept the money. I can promise you my favor, but I hope to establish a long-term cooperation with Qualls Pharmaceutical. What about that?"


    The medical book given by Gerald exined the difficulty of alchemy at the start. It wasn''t something Felix could achieve overnight. Naturally, he paved the way to ease this.


    When Yasmin heard this, she smiled. She was clearly very happy with this deal. "Alright,


    working with you long-term will truly be more beneficial to me. Thank you very much."


    Early the next morning, Xena came to Felix''s house.


    "The headquarters called. They said they will send you out to carry out this mission," she informed him.


    Felix wasn''t surprised by the oue. After all, he had used the Shadow Mask, so this was fully expected of him.


    "Can you tell me about the mission? Do I need to change my disguise?" he asked.


    Xena took out several documents and asked Felix to go through them as she spoke.


    ""You''ll


    be going to Seapoint, a small town by the sea. Did you see the photo? His name is Damien Zucker-you are going to impersonate him."


    Damien was a pale man. He looked malnourished and seemed to be around his 20s. ording to the document, he was originally from Seapoint However, he dropped out of school at 16 to work out of town. He died in a car ident two


    years ago.


    "Then what? Why is there nothing else?" Felix asked.


    Xena took a deep breath and suddenly said, "Felix, you can still back out now! This mission... is really odd."

 Billionaire With Husband 837

    Chapter 837 Chapter 837


    Felix looked at Xena speechlessly for a moment. Why was she bing more and more irrational? Why didn''t she tell him earlier if she didn''t want him to go? Why did she tell him at this moment?


    "The headquarters had already issued an order. Why are you telling me to back out now?" he questioned.


    Xena also knew it was a bit toote to say anything, but she couldn''t help herself. "Fine, then let''s get back to the point. Three months ago, something strange happened in Seapoint. The residents of the town began sleeping during the day and only waking at night." Their sleep cycles were reversed? Felix clicked his tongue inwardly. This was truly the first time he had heard of such a thing.


    "Why does it sound like they''re vampires? But isn''t that a fictional thing?" Felix remarked.


    Xena red at Felix, signaling for him to take this more seriously. She continued, "The point is, the people in town arepletely normal. There''s nothing strange besides their sleep cycles. "We''ve sent people there for several weeks and found nothing."


    Felix thought of something else. "Even asking around failed?"


    Xena''s expression turned solemn. "That''s right! And there were even deaths-two, in fact! As soon as they started questioning them, the other party died. C


    "They couldn''t even find the cause of death. Craig and even Lemuel were invited over. However, they couldn''t figure out how the person died.


    "There was nothing wrong with the body. Lemuel even mentioned that the person was technically still alive."


    If even Lemuel couldn''t figure it out, Felix felt the issue was extremely serious. No wonder Xena had warned him not to go. It seemed like the problem in Seapoint was really serious.


    She added, "Later, after our investigation, we found that anyone born in Seapoint would change their habits every three to five days after returning. They would start sleeping during the day and wake up at night.


    "Since two people had died, the headquarters issued a clear ban on questioning anyone from the town. In the end, we could only think of this solution-disguising ourselves and acting like them to investigate." Now that there had been casualties, this method made the most sense.


    "Alright, since I''ve epted the mission, I''ll carry it out. I''m also quite curious about what happened in Seapoint."


    Upon hearing this, Xena could only sigh and continue exining the mission to Felix. Once she left, Felix came out and went to Floral Wreath Boutique-only to find Billy was at the clinic.


    He was having a meal with N, Melissa, and Selmer.


    "Oh, Felix! Why are you here? You''re not mad we didn''t invite you, right?" Billy asked happily.


    Felix chuckled when he looked at Melissa''s frightened expression. "I''ve already eaten. Billy, I have something to talk to you about."


    Billy didn''t look up at Felix. His mouth was full of food as he said, "Wait a second! Can''t you see that I''m eating?"


    "Fine."


    Selmer was surprised. It seemed like only Billy dared talk to Felix like this. It was really a case of keeping someone else in check. Half an hourter, Felix and Billy left for Floral Wreath Boutique.


    "What''s up? You actually came to me on your own. This is another favor you owe me now," Billy said.


    Felix didn''t know how to react to that. "Say, Billy what''s the point of owing you so many favors? Could you even use them all?" Billy ignored him. "I like it, so what''s your deal? Tell me, what''s up?"


    Felix didn''t know what Billy was going to do with the favors. But since he couldn''t figure it out, he decided to go along with it for now.

 Billionaire With Husband 838

    "Do you think a person''s soul can be disguised?" Felix asked. The reason he asked was because of the situation at Seapoint.


    Two people who appeared physically dead were actually alive, which meant that this should be rted to their souls. Gerald had once said that souls were the mostplicated things. He had advised Felix not to touch this field; otherwise, he would have driven himself crazy. However, what about the strange events in Seapoint? What if they were rted to souls? The Shadow Mask couldn''t change the souls, and Billy had deep knowledge of this area, so it wouldn''t hurt to ask him.


    "Interesting, why are you asking this?" Billy countered.


    However, Felix didn''t want to expose more of the mission''s details, and he remained silent.


    At that, Billy simply replied, "Of course, it can be disguised. Do you have anything else to ask?"


    Felix rubbed his nose, feeling a little guilty. Although he owed Billy a favor, he still felt like he was taking advantage of Billy.


    "Do you have something to disguise a soul?" Felix asked.


    With a sly smile, Billy went to the back of his shop and took out a piece of yellow paper.


    "When you want to disguise your soul, drip some blood on it and burn it. Remember, this can onlyst for seven days!"


    Felix was happy after taking the paper from Billy. Although this was just his guess, it would be good to be prepared before heading to Seapoint.


    "Thank you," Felix said.


    "What for? You owe me another favor."


    After saying goodbye to Melissa and the others, Felix returned home and continued to study the medical book.


    The next day, at four o''clock in the afternoon, he left for Seapoint.


    In all honesty, Felix felt a chill run down his spine as he walked through town. In broad daylight, he hadn''t met anyone at all in the big town. All the shops were closed, and besides the few strays in town, he felt that the town was dead. Seapoint was located in a remote area and currently only had around 800 permanent residents. Compared to other towns, holding over 2,000 people, this was a very small poption for a small town like this. Chapter 838


    However, although the town had several hundred people, not a single person could be seen in broad daylight. Only one could imagine how terrifying it was.


    At this moment, Felix had fully disguised himself as Damien. However, because of the odd situation, he didn''t dare to speak much.


    Despite that, he muttered to himself about where everyone was. When he arrived at the east side of town, he turned two corners and found Damien''s old house.


    It was a shabby house without a yard and only about 500 square feet big. It was the type of house where even thieves wouldn''t think of robbing.


    As Felix entered the house, he saw it was quite tidy inside-minus the dust and spider webs. Because none of the shops were open, Felix could only make do with the remaining tools in the house to clean. He sat on the bed and looked at his phone but found there was no signal.


    This was very strange. There was no way for signals to be blocked-so how could there be no signal?


    "Why didn''t Xena tell me this?" he pondered.


    It was such important information-but there had to be a reason why Xena couldn''t tell Felix. However, even if she didn''t mention it, it should be written in the documents.


    He didn''t bring the phone issued by the headquarters, so he couldn''t make any judgments based on the sudden situation. As time passed, the sun finally set.


    As night fell, Felix immediately heard movement and noisesing from the outside. Just as he was about to leave, there was a knock on the door. "Coming!" he said.


    When Felix opened the door, the scene he saw was so terrifying that a chill ran down his spine.

 Billionaire With Husband 839

    At Damien''s door stood dozens of people. They were all expressionless, and they all stared at Felix nkly. It was super creepy.


    "You... What do you want?" Felix greeted them awkwardly. His nervousness showed in his


    eyes.


    However, no one answered him. They all stood still, staring at him intently.


    Fortunately, there were sounds of footsteps, and the crowd immediately made way. An old man with a cane and a goatee slowly approached, Felix knew that this old man was well known in Seapoint. He wasbeled the Great Teacher.


    With the headquarters'' investigations, it was easy to find the background of Damien''s life. In fact, many people worked outside of Seapoint.


    However, they chose Damien because he had no rtives left. After his grandmother, who depended on him, passed away, he left Seapoint to work.


    Tragically, Damien himself passed away in a car ident. What was left of him had no one to remember him by-except for some neighbors and some friends.


    "Mr. Docker," Felix took the initiative to greet him. The Great Teacher didn''t speak but stood still in front of Felix, his nose twitching as if he was smelling something constantly.


    "What are you doing?" Felix asked nervously. Although he couldn''t guess what the Great Teacher was doing, he knew this moment could also determine the mission''s sess or failure. After more than a minute, the Great Teacher suddenlyughed. "Hahaha! Everyone, let''s wee Damien back to Seapoint!"


    Immediately, the crowd seemed to shift their expressions. They all smiled and pped excitedly.


    After the Great Teacher left, a woman enthusiastically took Felix''s hand.


    "Damien, why are you back?"


    Felix recognized this woman from the mission files.


    "Don''t ask, Aunt Lena. I can''t make it in the outside world! You have no idea how high the living costs are in the big cities! I can''t even afford a bathroom with my savings. So I thought ofing back." Lena''s smile grew wider. "That''s right of you toe back! Our town has changed so much! Let''s go! I''ll help you buy some necessities and clean up the house. Don''t worry about the money. You can pay me backter!" 1/2.


    Felix quickly thanked her despite his curiosity about paying her back. Sure enough, he could only know what happened in Seapoint by disguising himself.


    There was no other way to go about it.


    "By the way, Aunt Lena, I came back and decided to livestream. People nowadays can make a living by livestreaming. But it seems like my phone can''t get a signal. What''s going on?"


    Felix thought this would be a difficult question to answer.


    However, Lena answered without hesitation, "You came back at the wrong time! There''s an issue with the signal tower. The telmunications department said repairing it would take several days-only then can you livestream!" How could there be an issue with the signal tower? That was strange.


    However, Lena said that it would take several days to repair. It just so happened that Xena. mentioned that the habits of the people who returned would change in three to five days.


    "When I returned, Aunt Lena, I didn''t see anyone around. Where did everyone go?" This was a question he had to ask as it was a normal human response. If he didn''t ask that, there would be an issue.


    "Well, everyone was out at sea! Here, look, we''re at the supermarket. Let''s head in and buy something. I''ll wait for you outside."


    What was meant to happen would definitely happen. There was no rush for these types of things.


    After all, Felix felt it after entering town. There wasn''t a single martial artist in the whole town,


    this made it even stranger.


    He bought a fewrge bags worth of items, and as he went to pay, the cashier refused. The cashier smiled and said, "No need to pay. You can pay me backter."

 Billionaire With Husband 840

    Felix smiled apologetically. "I''m sorry, but my phone has no signal. I promise toe and pay you back when ''back."


    When he came out of the supermarket, there were a few more people around Lena. They took the initiative to help Felix hold his bags.


    The enthusiasm, at least in their eyes, seemed genuine. Honestly, in today''s society, it was a miracle that neighbors would even help each other, especially since Damien was a useless nobody. When they got home, Lena and a few of the townsfolk cleaned the house again without Felix asking. Soon, the house looked brand new.


    After a while, someone came over with a lot of food, cigarettes, alcohol, and many other necessities.


    "This is too much!" Felix said, a little embarrassed.


    Lena smiled. "Damien, our town has changed dramatically now. To tell you the truth, as long as you don''t leave town from now on, you don''t have to spend a single penny on your future expenses." Felix pretended to be ecstatic. "Is that true? Aunt Lena, that''s unbelievable!"


    Lena continued to persuade him earnestly, "Of course, it''s true! Once you''ve settled in a few days, Mr. Docker will teach you how to make money. And you''ll make lots of money!"


    "That''s great, Aunt Lena! That''s awesome! How can I bear to leave such a town?"


    Lena nodded and opened the door. A beautiful woman in a miniskirt walked in. Not only was she pretty, but her figure was impressive.


    "What our towncks now is young men like you. Many of the girls in town are single. What do you think about this one?


    "She can be your girlfriend for now. And after a while, if you don''t think she''s good enough, I''ll find another one for you," Lena said.


    Damn! Even girlfriends were distributed? Besides, Felix could enjoy everything without spending a penny. No wonder no one wanted to leave again as long as they returned to Seapoint. As he thought about it, the girl had already taken Felix''s arm.


    "Then, Damien, I''ll be your girlfriend from now on. I''ll stay the night here, okay?"


    She was giving him clear hints-she was ready to stay over, so anything that happened next wouldn''t be an issue.


    "I feel like I''m in a dream! But Aunt Lena, I just broke up with my girlfriend, and I''ve not gotten over her yet. Could you give me some time to adjust?"


    Lena nodded. "Well, of course! You can find me whenever you need a girlfriend."


    The room was finally silent again. Felix sat on the bed. For a moment, he didn''t know what to think of the situation.


    The headquarters said there was a problem here. Of course, there was! Their sleeping cycles were reversed, and the people who lived in town didn''t leave.


    So, where did their moneye from? When the headquarters investigated, they learned there would berge trucks carrying various goods to town every once in a while.


    They were all unloaded in the town square before leaving. But these were things that needed to be bought with money...


    So far, things had been fine, and none of the townsfolk asked him to do anything. When the townsfolk met him, they were all enthusiastic.


    Even the toughest-looking people in town, who were covered in tattoos and looked like they were thugs, would smile at him brightly.


    What if the next few days were the same? But Xena had mentioned that whoever came back would change in three to five days. How did they change?


    Just relying on physical and material satisfaction couldn''tpletely reverse someone''s sleeping cycle. Even people who worked night shifts didn''t sleep through an entire day without leaving their houses. As Felix thought about it, his expression shifted. What''s going on?"

 Billionaire With Husband 841

    The six real Dragonspines in Felix''s body trembled, and his expression changed wildly. This was the first time this was happening, and he was a little scared. He quickly activated Dragons Destroyer, but the trembling didn''t stop. ""What''s going on?"


    Despite the fact that the Dragonspines were trembling within him, his body feltpletely normal. After trying various skills, nothing changed, and Felix could only head outside.


    If he continued like this, he would have to terminate the mission-he didn''t want to risk his life. If he couldn''t solve it himself, he could only consult Gerald.


    However, there wasn''t a signal in town. The only way he could contact Gerald was to leave Seapoint. But Felix didn''t expect that as soon as he left the house, the Dragonspines stopped trembling, as if it were all an illusion.


    He had a thought. To verify it, he went back inside the house. After a few minutes, the Dragonspines started trembling again.


    "Was there something wrong with the house?"


    Felix''s expression turned a little sour. No one hade to find him until this point. Could it be, that the problem was in the house?


    However, his medical skills had reached such a level that even the most hidden things couldn''t be hidden. But he couldn''t find anything in the room.


    Felix immediately took out a pen and paper and began writing about what he had seen and heard that day, including some of his own thoughts.


    Before he came, Xena had considered everything. It was impossible to rely entirely on mobilemunications. At this point, Felix''s approach was a backup n.


    There would be arge truck to transport supplies, and the driver would be from the headquarters. Felix nned to pass them the letter and have them bring it out.


    Even if there were many people at the square, he didn''t care. With his strength, there wasn''t al problem hiding a folded piece of paper.


    "Damien! This is my best friend. How about letting her be your girlfriend?"


    The girl who came by before brought in a sweet-looking girl. The two looked like an unusual pair.


    "No, thank you. Please wait until I get over my previous rtionship," Felix replied.


    However, the girl was stubborn and whispered, "Time can heal all wounds, but how can it be better than the two of us helping you heal them? How about this? We''ll both be your girlfriends, and we''ll see who you want in a few days'' time! Chapter 841


    "We''ll all stay at your house tonight, and you can do whatever you want to us.


    Wow! How were they so bold? With the two of them together, if Felix hadn''t disguised himself as Damien, he wouldn''t have been able to resist.


    As he thought of this, Felix was conflicted. This wasn''t a temptation no man could resist. If he refused now, would this arouse suspicion?


    Besides, the girls were so persistent it was impossible to rule out whether someone was testing him.


    Damn it! What should he do?


    Fortunately, Felix quickly thought of a solution. He suddenly looked downcast and pointed at his lower region.


    He whispered, "Actually, I lied to Aunt Lena before... I have an issue with my... Myher regions. I went to several hospitals, but none of them could cure it. I can''t have sex with a woman." Who would''ve thought these girls would smile?


    "So, that''s the case! Don''t worry. You can meet Mr. Docker in a few days. He should have a way to cure you. After that, we can have fun together, Until then, bye for now!"


    At around 1:00 pm, Felix went back home. In actuality, he didn''t want to return home at all but had no choice


    He had just arrived in Seapoint, and in the townsfolk''s eyes, his sleeping cycle was still normal. If he didn''t head to bed at this time, it would easily rouse suspicion.


    However, as soon as he entered the house, the Dragonspines started trembling again. It made him really upset.

 Billionaire With Husband 842

    During the day, Felix wandered around the town alone and saw several trucks entering. However, he didn''t head over to talk. He only watched from a distance.


    Someone from the headquarters had taken the note he had hidden the night before. Felix couldn''t find anything strange during the whole process.


    In a city over 31 miles away from Seapoint, Xena was worried after reading the note brought back by the driver.


    Felix had snuck in, but why was everything getting weirder?


    Xena couldn''t help much now. All she could do was contact Seven and tell him what Felix had said in the letter


    "My Dragonspines are trembling, but I don''t know why. I cannot contact anyone, too."


    Another night passed, and Felix grew more irritable. As long as he was in the house, the Dragonspines didn''t stop trembling. Now, he could only hope that his fellow apprentices could find a way to bring him Gerald''s exnation. Around 10:00 am, the dogs in his area started barking. Felix went outside and saw a couple of stray dogs. The sight was quite a normal thing, but Felix was full of joy!


    He had recognized one of the dogs called Dash-a small dog raised by Karina. Although it looked like a stray, it had high intelligence. As they were getting along in Eden Vige, Felix had thought Dash was almost like a spirit. "You poor things! Let me get you guys something to eat."


    He went back inside and brought out some ham sausages. The dogs immediately began. wagging their tails crazily. Felix fed the two dogs and took the opportunity to sneak the note- behind Dash''s hind paw into his pocket. Although he was eager to read the note, he yed with the dogs for a little while before heading back inside.


    When he read the note, his expression changed.


    "The Dragonspine trembling means something is invading your soul. They tremble as they''re protecting your soul. So, leave quickly!"


    What? Was it actually the soul?


    Felix''s expression turned sour. He didn''t expect the trouble in Seapoint to actually rte to souls.


    Chapter $42


    Then, why did the Great Teacher, Augustus Docker, sniff the air when Felix first came? Could Augustus be using it to sense his soul? Was he really determining if it was Damien or a fake?


    As Felix thought about this, cold sweat began dripping down his back. If he hadn''t thought about it and asked Billy for the charm, he might not have passed Augustus'' test.


    Now, the biggest issue was this. With his Dragonspines, he didn''t have a problem with his soul. However, what would happen if the townsfolk realized that he hadn''t changed in a few. days? No. Felix needed to get out of there.


    Seapoint was too strange, and it involved souls. How could he find a sure way to deal with this? Leaving was the safest way for him. This kind of issue should be handed over to the superiors in the headquarters. Besides, he had gotten a lot of information, and i wasn''t a failure or desertion of mission. No matter what, Felix couldn''t risk his life.


    He wasn''t afraid of any martial arts, but the current situation was horrible. He even suspected that Billy''s encounters with souls had something to do with this ce.


    When Felix thought about it, he decided to act in the morning. The townsfolk of Seapoint slept in broad daylight, and it was the best time to leave.


    Besides, Lena had also mentioned not to leave, but it wasn''t a must. It was merely a


    suggestion. So, if Felix left, nothing should happen.


    Since his house was at the easternmost end of town, leaving from the east was the fastest and


    easiest way. But as soon as he stepped out onto the main road, Felix paused.


    Augustus stood ahead of him with a cane. He had a smile on his face.


    "Where are you going, Damien?"

 Billionaire With Husband 843

    Felix remainedposed, but his heart sank. There were usually only stray animals in Seapoint during the day. It was impossible to see any human beings in broad daylight.


    It would''ve seemed normal if a stranger had stumbled upon the town. However, this was Augustus standing before him.


    "Oh, Mr. Docker! I was just taking a stroll. It gets too boring to stay in the house."


    Augustus still had a smile on his face. Despite the warm sunshine, Felix felt chills run down his spine.


    "The town has changed a lot in recent years! I''ll take you on a proper tour. There are some ces that you can''t fully appreciate at night."


    With this invitation, Felix felt like he was left in a tough spot. In fact, he had also guessed the


    situation.


    Immediately, he dropped the act and said coldly, "Since it''se to this, let me be frank. I''m a Dragon Knight sent by the headquarters.


    "Mr. Docker, it''s best for you to surrender and confess. Cooperate, and you might be treated more leniently. Otherwise, you can bear the consequences yourself."


    To Felix''s shock, Augustus kept smiling.


    "What are you talking about? What consequences?"


    Just as Felix was about to reply, he frowned. His Dragonspines began trembling again. They had been trembling before, but it was only in the house, and Felix had never encountered such. happenings outside. However, judging from the frequency of the trembling, it was much more intense than in the house.


    "Your methods are useless to me! Do you really not n on surrendering?"


    Finally, Augustus dropped his smile, and his expression turned ferocious. "How interesting! You''re really able to defend your soul! Ithought you were the same as the previous man! It seems like I''ve underestimated you." Felix felt no need to worry as the Dragonspines were protecting him. However, he hadn''t forgotten the main reason why he was here-to collect information.


    "You have guessed correctly, yet you''re still here. It seems like you''re sure that you can kill me, right? In that case, why don''t you enlighten me? How did you figure it out? You clearly confirmed it before you met me here." Felix thought Augustus would argue, but to his surprise, thetter actually answered.


    He said, "Alright! Since you''ll be dead either way it''ll be right to tell you something! I didn''t find anything wrong with you before. I thought it was really Damien who returned.


    "I ced the Butterfly Soul Scent in your room-yet after two whole days, your soul hadn''t changed at all! Naturally, I knew something was wrong."


    Butterfly Soul Scent? This was the first time Felix had heard of such an item. However, there was no doubt that it had to be something specifically for souls.


    "Who are you? Who is behind all of this? What did you do to the people of Seapoint?" Felix threw a series of questions at him.


    Despite that, Augustus merely grinned and sniggered. "Your time is up. Now, you will die. It doesn''t matter if I answered you or not!"


    Felix saw that nothing happened, and he couldn''t feel anything different. However, the hairs on his body stood up, and it was obvious that something was happening!


    At this moment, the Dragonspines trembled wildly and extremely! He felt a tingling paining from the depths of his soul. It was horrible that even he couldn''t stand it! "It still can''t take you down?" Augustus said with a frown. He sensed the difficulty of the


    situation.


    With that, he didn''t hesitate any longer. He threw his head back and let out a long howl-a unique and long howl that an old man like him could never do.


    As he howled, Felix wanted to take this opportunity to take him down. Thus, he endured the pain and rushed over to stop Augustus.


    But after taking a few steps, the pain in his soul became more and more intense. It was as if the closer he got to Augustus, the more exaggerated his pain became. There was definitely something wrong with that howl!


    Felix kept that in mind and shook his hand, sending out a burst of energy. For an ordinary man like Augustus, such a simple attack would definitely be more than enough.

 Billionaire With Husband 844

    Just as Felix''s attack was about tond, there was a muffled sound. All of a sudden, another person appeared beside Augustus.


    This man was around 30 years old and wore jeans, a white shirt, and a pair of sses. He easily dissipated the energy that was thrown by Felix.


    "Greetings, my lord!" Augustus fell to the ground, and his expression turned respectful. There was even a hint of fascination in his eyes.


    "What is this? Why did you wake me up?"


    Augustus quickly pointed at Felix and said, "I''m so sorry, my lord. Someone snuck in! I tried to handle it myself but couldn''t hurt him. It seems like he has something protecting his soul."


    Huh? The man looked at Felix, the surprise clear on his face.


    "How interesting! This is the first time I''ve met someone who has knowledge in this area. You''re quite suited to be my guardian!" he said whileughing.


    The next moment, the man pointed two index fingers at Felix. "You fool!"


    A green light shed, and a four-armed, two-headed monster appeared. It only shed by once but then disappeared without a trace.


    However, Felix knew that the monster was already rushing toward him-it was just invisible to the naked eye. His Dragonspines seemed reluctant to fight against Augustus before, so this man''s attack had to be even worse! After all, even Augustus addressed him respectfully.


    Felix raised his right hand, and a small flute appeared in his hand. It was a magical flute given by Billy.


    At this point, he couldn''t care less about it anymore. He quickly put it to his lips, and at domineering sound came out of the flute.


    Right then and there, Augustus'' eyes almost popped out before his whole head exploded with a bang.


    "Fuck! You actually have such a thing?" The man looked very surprised. He quickly moved his hands again, and the green sh reappeared.


    But this time, the naked eye could see that the space around him was moving-or was it an illusion? As soon as Felix blew on the flute, the Dragonspines regained stability.


    Once the trembling disappeared, Felix saw that the effect of the flute was explosive. He immediately wanted to take down the other man in one go.


    As he continued ying the flute, the man fell to the ground in pain. When Felix saw blood


    seeping out of the man''s orifices, he stopped.


    He feared that there would be other dangers, so he didn''t dare to linger. He grabbed the man and rushed out of Seapoint.


    Almost as soon as he left Seapoint, he took a look at his phone and realized there was a signal. He immediately contacted Xena.


    20 minutester, six armed helicopters flew overhead. Xena was on one of them.


    "What happened, Felix?"


    Felix pointed at the unconscious man beside him and said, "It''s hard for me to tell you now. But this guy is very likely to be the mastermind behind all the strange events in Seapoint. Bring him back to the headquarters first! "Remember. Contact the headquarters immediately and find a soul master! Otherwise, when


    guy wakes


    up, none of you will be able to control him!"


    this


    Soul master?


    Although Xena was confused, the situation was urgent. She quickly issued several orders and left with the man. At the same time, she called for Seapoint to be blocked off-not allowing entry or leave.


    Everything had to wait for this man''s interrogation to end. Felix left by helicopter, yet he didn''t know that there was a cloaked man on top of a lighthouse in the distance.


    The man seemed to be observing him from a distance, clicking his tongue. "The six Dragonspines... You''ve really saved me a lot of time."

 Billionaire With Husband 845

    Chapter


    845


    Back in Gray City, Felix was still a little overwhelmed. If it hadn''t been for the flute that Billy gave him, he probably would''ve died in Seapoint that day.


    However, had he not been sent there, the situation in Seapoint wouldn''t have been solved. If it had been another agent who was sent there, they would''ve been changed and be a part of Seapoint, of they would''ve died.


    Felix nced out the window before deciding to take a shower. All of a sudden, his body trembled, and he quickly looked at the clock on the wall. It was only 4:30 pm.


    He turned to look outside the window again, and it was pitch ck. He thought carefully of when he sat in the living room. The sunlight had been prating into the house-so when did it be dark?


    "Such a weak man. Are you even worthy of having the true Dragonspine?"


    There was a sudden voice behind Felix, and all the lights in the house were unexpectedly turned on. Another man appeared on the couch where Felix had been sitting prior.


    It was the cloaked man from before. The hood of the cloak had slightly fallen away from his face, exposing an angr and handsome face.


    "Who are you?" Felix asked.


    The cloaked man satfortably on the couch, as if he were at home. "It doesn''t matter who I am. What matters is that you''re going to die soon"


    "Is that so?" Felix was just about to attack but realized he couldn''t move.


    The cloaked man wagged his finger with disdain on his face. "You didn''t even notice that I''ve ced a ck veil around your vi, and you still want to fight me? You must be dreaming!" He stood up and looked at Felix. "Interesting. I didn''t expect another person who could practice Dragons Destroyer to be a weak little man like you."


    Dragons Destroyer?


    Felix''s expression shifted. Apart from Gerald and his fellow apprentices, this was the first outsider to mention that technique. Besides, the cloaked man also knew that Felix practiced it. "Who are you?"


    The young man walked toward Felix with his hands widespread. "I told you it''s not important. I just want the six Dragonspines in your body. It might be a little painful when I take them out, so please bear with me."


    As soon as he finished his sentence, a melodious flute echoed in the vi. The cloaked man. frowned and quickly jumped out of the window before disappearing into the darkness outside.


    At this point, Felix realized that he could move again. "Karina?"


    How could he not be familiar with the sound of the flute? It had to be Karina, but why did Karina appear at such a critical moment?


    When he turned his head to look, the darkness outside also disappeared. Sunlight poured into the house again, as if nothing had happened.


    Felix stayed inside the vi, waiting. By 9:00 pm, his phone rang-an unfamiliar number.


    "Karina?" he said as soon as he answered. His guess was right.


    "It''s me, Felix. Don''t worry. That man is no longer a threat."


    It was definitely Karina.


    Felix smiled bitterly. "Did you kill him?"


    "No, he isn''t weak. He''s quite strong and has many ancient items. I only managed to injure him badly. I chased him until I saw him return to their side." Their side?


    Felix understood. It was no wonder he couldn''t fight back. The cloaked man was too strong.


    "Karina, how did you know I was in danger?"


    Karina exined the truth, "I didn''t. Mr. Hoffman asked me to wait for you at home. He said the Dragonspines in your body were vibrating, and someone could find you just based on the tremblings. "Of course, it was just a guess. I truly didn''t expect someone toe."


    It turned out Gerald had anticipated all this and prepared in advance.


    "Thank you, Karina. Will he evere back?"


    "Don''t worry. It isn''t that easy to get to the big city from there. The price he paid isn''t small. You don''t have to worry about this for now. Go get some rest.

 Billionaire With Husband 846

    After Felix hung up the phone, the bitterness on his face grew. Since he had merged with the sixth Dragonspine and had shown his power in Astoria, even Selmer from Elders'' Council took the initiative to surrender. That incident had boosted Felix''s confidence. However, the unexpected mission at Seapoint and the appearance of the cloaked man brought him back to reality. He still felt helpless.


    All of a sudden, Wayne from Obsidian Auction called. "Mr. Williams, there''s news on the furnace you''re looking for."


    Oh? Finally, Felix felt like he regained his luck. Although he already had the furnace given by Gage,paring the two wouldn''t hurt.


    Besides, ording to the medical book given by Gerald, refining the pills and elixir might cause the furnace to explode. So, it was better for Felix to make sure he had a spare.


    "When shall we meet?"


    ''Now! The consignor is extremely cautious and unwilling to head to Obsidian Auction to trade. He has prepared a ce for you to meet."


    The meeting wasn''t taking ce at the inn? This was a little unexpected.


    "I have to remind you," Wayne continued. "Since it isn''t at Obsidian Auction, we''re not responsible for guaranteeing your safety. However, if the transaction is sessful, we''ll still give you some tips." "Alright. I understand," Felix replied.


    Any consignor who was afraid of danger would definitely choose Obsidian Auction. However, even so, their safety couldn''t be 100% guaranteed. Now, there were people who did the opposite.


    "Damn it! I can''t beat soul masters, but I don''t believe that there are many martial artists who can easily beat me."


    How could Felix not think this was a trap? But for the sake of the alchemy furnace, he had to go. The events at Seapoint and the encounter with the cloaked man had shaken him a little. But those happenings wouldn''t make him think he was weak. The ce designated by the other party was ?ver six miles away from where Obsidian Auction was held. When Felix looked at the map, it was in the mountains-a forest. It was simply the best spot to kill and rob him.


    After arriving, Felix was a little confused. Was the consignor so sure that he wasn''ting?


    All of a sudden, there was apuse from behind him.


    An old man walked out from behind a big tree. "You are so brave, Mr. Williams. I''ve set up a meeting at such a ce, yet you still dare toe and trade."


    The old man carried a basket on his back and was dressed like a woodcutter. He had a bow and a quiver full of arrows. He seemedpletely out of ce.


    "The meeting ce doesn''t matter. The most important thing is the transaction. Can I check the furnace first?"


    Felix thought that a fight would break out, but the old man brought out an alchemy furnace from his basket and ced it on the ground.


    "This is the furnace I brought. Please test it."


    Felix was on guard as he walked around the furnace several times. The quality and appearance looked good. However, he couldn''t know if it was better than Gage''s.


    "I believe you should know that all alchemy furnaces are magical. It will only recognize its owner by dripping blood on it. Once the transaction ispleted, I''ll wait for you to im it."


    Felix looked at this strange old man and hesitated. He asked, "What do you want for it? Money? Or an item?"


    The old man smiled. "I don''t need anything but the money. How about... ten million dors?"


    Ten million dors?


    Felix thought he had heard him wrong. An alchemy furnace should''ve been sold for at least a billion dors. How was he given such a low price?


    Felix tried sensing his surroundings again, but he couldn''t feel anyone else besides Selmer, who was hiding in the trees.


    So, this old man wanted toplete an honest trade in such a ce? Why did something feel


    off?

 Billionaire With Husband 847

    The old man stood there with a sincere smile.


    It made Felix upset. Why didn''t the old man attack him? He felt weirded out by it.


    The man burst outughing. "I was just kidding, so don''t take it so seriously. Of course, I won''t sell such a treasure for ten million dors!


    With that, Felix heaved a sigh of relief. Yes, this seemed to be on the right track.


    "I heard from Mr. Sutcliff from Obsidian Auction that you have superb medical skills. Such an opportunity is worth a lot of money, so the ten million dors is an honest deal. However, I would have to add your favor to the deal. How about that?" So, that was it. Felix immediately agreed, "Deal!"


    Once the transaction was agreed upon, the old man waited for Felix to im the furnace with his blood. Then, the two exchanged a few words before leaving.


    On the way back, Felix was the one driving while Selmer sat in the passenger seat.


    Selmer sat looking puzzled. "No one is following us! Mr. Zeller, to be honest, this might be the most bizarre trade I''ve ever seen."


    Felix didn''t know what to say, but even at that moment, he didn''t drop his guard. This transaction was sessfullypleted, and no one would believe him if he told anyone.


    Meanwhile, Wayne was talking to the old man. "Sir, did you get it?"


    "No. I traded the furnace."


    Huh? Wayne couldn''t believe his answer. "Why? Are you unsure? Maxwell has superb medical. skills! It''s impossible for him to be great in martial arts. He''s definitely no match for you!"


    The old man cursed, "Shit! You know nothing! I sensed the presence of a Shadow Mask on him!"


    What? A Shadow Mask?


    Wayne''s mouth fell agape, clearly knowing what it was.


    "No matter how he got the mask, he isn''t someone we can provoke. We need to wait for the opportunity to get the medical book on refining pills and elixirs. But there will be no chance to make friends with such a person. "Don''t you think it''s more worthwhile to exchange the furnace for a favor?"


    If it was a Shadow Mask, it would definitely be worth it.


    "I understand, sir. You acted ordingly, but since the Shadow Mask was found, I''m afraid that certain events have begun unfolding."


    "You''re right. Continue to stay in Obsidian Auction and don''t go back to the Skyward Guild yet! As the top guild in Dragonia, they will bear the brunt of anything that happens."


    Wayne sighed discreetly. This time, the trade of the alchemy furnace might be equivalent to saving his life.


    As the sun rose early the next morning, Felix felt a weight off his shoulders. He had been awake all night to ensure that nothing was going to happen after the trade. However, he didn''t know why he was relieved. When he arrived at the clinic, he immediately announced, "I''ll be leaving Gray City."


    Melissa didn''t mind and smiled. "I''ll go wherever you go, Felix."


    Beside her, N echoed the same, "Me, too."


    However, Felix shook his head. "I have something to do this time. It''ll take longer than necessary, and I''ll be rushing. So, you all can go your own way.


    "Melissa, I n to let Selmer follow you, so you don''t have to worry about your safety. You can go wherever you want to."


    Huh? Felix didn''t want her to follow him?


    Melissa pouted immediately.


    "I don''t want to. I want to go with you, Felix."


    But Felix was determined. He wanted to travel the entirety of Dragonia to see if he was lucky enough to find the remaining Dragonspines. He needed to improve his strength.


    Apart from everything, the cloaked man knew that he practiced Dragons Destroyer, with him being only just a little weaker than Karina. That was like a weight hanging over his head.


    It would be best for Felix to solve it by himself. It was impossible for him to rely on his fellow apprentices all the time.

 Billionaire With Husband 848

    Chapter


    848


    "I''ve made up my mind. Let''s not talk about it anymore. I''ll have lunch with you all at noon, and then, I''ll leave," Felix stated.


    Just as he finished speaking, Billy walked in. "I heard you''re leaving?"


    Felix nced at N, who stood by the door. He guessed that it was N who told Billy.


    "Yes. Join us for lunch."


    Billy sighed. "Well, lunch is fine. But you look horrible. Are you sure you want to leave?"


    Felix''s expression darkened immediately. After what happened in Seapoint, he was really worried when Billy said that he looked horrible.


    "Don''t be so nonsensical," Felix said.


    Billy shook his head with a sigh. "Forget it. You''ll regret it if you don''t listen to your old friend. The cause and effect are hard to say. Anyway, I''ve advised you, so I''m no longer responsible for anything."


    With that, Felix didn''t know how to react before finally calling Billy back with a sigh. "What if I don''t leave?"


    Billy turned around with a chuckle. "See? When you said you don''t want to leave, you don''t look as horrible anymore!"


    Felix wanted to curse him out, but he couldn''t figure out whether Billy was teasing him or not. What if he really encountered something like Seapoint again? Or something even more dangerous? Could the little flute really save him y save him every time?


    "Alright. Then, I won''t leave."


    What?


    mot


    Melissa''s mouth fell agape, and she gave N a thumbs-up. This way of making Felix stay was really unthinkable!


    Even Selmer was amazed. Was this really the same fattie he met 50 years ago? Billy actually convinced Felix to stay!


    "I''ve saved you again, Felix! You know what? I don''t want your favors anymore. I''ll appear greedy.


    "Just buy me a watch. As for how much it costs, it depends on your sincerity."


    At this point, Felix just agreed unhappily. He felt like he was being manipted and impulsively left to shop. Splurging on something could help him improve his mood.


    Felix entered the only high-end shopping mall in Gray City. He thought about what to buy when he saw Patek Philippe.


    That was interesting. Logically speaking, in a city like Gray City, there wasn''t enough economic capacity for a brand like Patek Philippe to open a chain. However, there was really one in Gray City. "How can I help you, sir?" a salesman warmly greeted Felix. There wasn''t a hint of snobbishness in his tone at all.


    "Let me take a look first." After looking around for a while, Felix pointed to a watch on the counter. "Pack this one up for me.''


    The salesman gave him a slight smile. "I''m sorry, sir. But this one isn''t for sale."


    Why would they put out items that weren''t for sale? Just as he was about to ask for another model, someone touched his arm.


    "Young man, is this your first time buying a watch at Patek Philippe?"


    It was a middle-aged man who gave off a warm presence.


    "Yes.


    "No wonder. Don''t waste your time window shopping. You have to either have a watch worth millions of dors or be dymember of Patek Philippe to buy one. Otherwise, you can''t buy any. "Patek Philippe isn''t a store you can just wander into. It''s not as simple as having the money to purchase one," the man exined.


    Before Felix could respond, a woman looked at Felix in disgust and grabbed the middle-aged man''s hand.


    "Let''s go, hubby. Why waste time on a poor man who came in here without knowing


    anything? The salesman was just being kind. Otherwise, he would''ve been driven out a long time ago."


    The middle-aged man frowned instantly. "If you don''t have anything nice to say, you shouldn''t speak at all. You need to change your attitude."


    After giving his thanks, Felix turned to the salesman. "I''m not interested in your rules. Now, I want two watches. Will this card work?"

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    "I''m sorry, but this isn''t a Patek Philippe membership card," the salesman said after looking at the card.


    He gave Felix a look of disdain. Was Felix making fun of him because of his kindness?


    However, the middle-aged man''s expression changed quickly. He immediately said, "This is the Concord Bank Diamond Card. Hurry up and get your manager over here."


    What? The Diamond Card of Concord Bank?


    The salesman rushed off in a hurry.


    On the side, the man''s wife''s expression turned into shock. She never would''ve thought that Felix could actually take out a Diamond Card from Concord Bank. That was definitely a symbol of status. When she thought of how she acted toward him, she felt a little scared. "I''m so sorry, sir. My wife didn''t know. I hope you can forgive us for offending you earlier."


    To be honest, the man had cold sweat running down his back. Fortunately, he acted kindly. Otherwise, he would be in big trouble..


    "It''s alright. Thank you f


    your exnation." Felix didn''t want to argue with a snobbish woman. He had been thinking like this for the past few days.


    The manager appeared a few minutester. Felix had a Concord Bank Diamond Card. So, of course, there wasn''t an issue with purchasing watches.


    Felix bought two watches, costing around eight million dors, before leaving.


    When he returned to the clinic, he gave one of them to Billy.


    "My dear Felix is so thoughtful! A watch worth nearly ten million dors! I''ve never worn one in my whole life."


    Felix was too annoyed to react to Billy and continued to see patients.


    Two dayster, Yasmin sat waiting for Felix in his living room. When she saw Felix, she quickly got up and asked, "Dr. Zeller, are there any issues with the quantities and qualities of the materials?"


    Felix smiled. "Nope! Qualls Pharmaceutical is definitely the top expert in Dragonia. The speed of the delivery surprised me even!"


    All the medicinal herbs he ordered had been delivered and ced in a room of the vi. He would definitely try to refine pills at home in the future.


    The clinic was still too small. Besides, there were many people going in and out of the clinic daily.


    "It''s an honor for us to serve you, Dr. Zeller," Yasmin said gratefully. However, there was hesitation in her tone.


    Felix quickly took notice and took the initiative to ask, "Ms. Qualls, do you have something else in mind? You can tell me."


    Since he had asked, Yasmin told him directly, "To be honest, my cousin lost both her parents when she was young, and my parents have raised her since then.


    "She faced some health problems about a month ago and has met many doctors, including the doctor my father had contacted-Ss. However, the doctors couldn''t find the cause, let alone treat her."


    Oh? Felix was a little curious. It was understandable that Ss couldn''t cure her, but it was strange that they couldn''t even find the cause.


    "So, would you like me to take a look?"


    Yasmin hung her head low. "I''m sorry, Dr. Zeller. It seems like I have a hidden agenda by providing you with medicinal herbs. But I regard my cousin as my own sister, and I''m truly worried for her."


    Felix waved his hands dismissively with a chuckle. "Ms. Qualls, you don''t have to say this. I promised to help you before, so I don''t have much to say. But from what you''re saying, it isn''t convenient for her toe to me?" "Yes, my cousin lives in Guneria. Due to her illness, she can''t travel long distances. I hope you''ll understand, Dr. Zeller," Yasmin said with a nod.


    Guneria?


    Felix frowned. As a matter of fact, he had always wanted to go to Guneria. However, it wasn''t for anything unusual. It was to settle the matter between him and Xena''s uncle-John.


    It didn''t really matter before, but since Felix was working at the headquarters, what if there was another mission?


    Xena wouldn''t hesitate. Her missions always came first, after all.

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    "How about this? I''ll give you an answer in a few days'' time, okay?"


    Yasmin didn''t dare to question him any more. Since her issue wasn''t particrly urgent, she left. After she left, Felix couldn''t hold back and immediately began trying to refine the elixir.


    After a full night, Felix looked at the pills in his hand. He had a strange expression on his face.


    Gerald''s notes in the medical book mentioned that alchemy was as difficult as going to heaven and wasn''t an overnight''s work. Besides, he should not be discouraged.


    But what was the situation now? He had just started, and the sess rate was amazing. Except for the first failed pill, all his other trials were sessful.


    "Forget it. I''ll wait for Mr. Hoffman to contact me, and I''ll ask him, then."


    Another day passed, and by noon, Felix returned home from the clinic because Xena hade by.


    In fact, he had been expecting her. The mysterious man had been taken away by the headquarters. Felix figured that after a few days, the man had probably been interrogated. However, he wasn''t sure if the information would be shared with him. "There''s a mission," Xena said as soon as she arrived.


    Felix rolled his eyes. "It seems as though I''m the only one in the headquarters who is avable to go on missions."


    Although it had been half a year, wasn''t the frequency of missions a little too much and excessive?


    Xena was clearly a little embarrassed. No one else in the headquarters couldpare to the number of missions Felix had been getting. But what could she do?


    "It is rted to Seapoint."


    Interest piqued, Felix immediately put aside his questions on Guneria. He asked, "What do you mean? Wasn''t that man the mastermind behind the scenes?"


    "He was. But he has someone else in Guneria. You need to head to Guneria, capture hispanion, and bring him back to Dragonia."


    Interesting. This was a perfect scenario for him. Just as he was worried about going abroad,


    this mission came to his door.


    "Guneria? Does the headquarters have any other information on the man?"


    Xena shook her head. "Not just you, but even I am not qualified to know. Currently, only some senior officials of the headquarters and Lionel know of it. The others didn''t dare to ask. "Besides, the decree had been given by the highest order. Nothing about the man could be leaked. Otherwise, they would be executed, and all their rtives would be implicated." Damn, it was this bad?


    Felix felt that something was wrong. The headquarters had given such orders to even Lionel. This meant that the man from Seapoint was heavily involved in this.


    "When you head to Guneria this time, you must act in secret. You mustn''t be noticed by anyone in Guneria, or it''ll be troublesome for you toe back! Remember. You must bring them back alive." Felix thought about it for a moment before asking, "Is there a deadline?"


    "No. As long as you bring them back safely, time isn''t an issue. Even if you stay a month there, It''ll be fine.


    ''Since Guneria is technologically advanced, you won''t be able to bring your phones with you. We''ll cut off allmunications between us, as we cannot afford to leave any clues behind."


    It was great that there wasn''t a deadline. This meant Felix could settle his own things- especially dealing with John, who had hurt those children.


    Did John really think he could spend the rest of his life in peace?


    "In the light of the man from Seapoint, hispanion is definitely not a good person. So, the headquarters decided to give you something. It should help you with your mission." Something from the headquarters? It had to be something important.


    "Could you tell me what it is in advance?"


    Xena nodded. "A true Dragonspine."

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    "A Dragonspine?" Felix stood there, totally stunned. "What''s going on? Wasn''t I supposed to get this after six months of service?"


    Xena replied with a serious expression, "Now, you understand how crucial this mission is, don''t you? They wouldn''t have assigned it to you if it wasn''t for the fact that Guneria already has intel on most of our elite agents.


    "Thanks to the Chief Commander''s endorsement, they decided to give you the Dragonspine early. It should boost your power significantly, right?"


    Felix brightened up. "Yeah, absolutely. This definitely improves my chances."


    Though Xena maintained a poker face, Felix caught the sh of concern in her eyes. He knew she was still wrestling with what happened to Sarah, and she just could not express her feelings to him.


    But Felix did not press the issue. She needed to figure this out on her own, or it would all be a


    waste.


    As sunset approached, the headquarters sent over the Dragonspine. The fact that Hector personally delivered it spoke volumes about its importance.


    "I have other matters to attend to. We''ll catch up next time." Hector was in a hurry. He left the Dragonspine with Felix and went on his way, barely stopping to exchange pleasantries.


    After absorbing the Dragonspine''s power, Felix smiled. His enhanced abilities gave him an extra edge in security. But one challenge remained-he had not found a single lead on the other two Dragonspines, despite having N dig for information.


    Sometimes, these things came down to pure luck rather than effort. Maybe he would have to return and have that conversation with Billy, figure out if those dark omens were real. Still, searching on his own would be the quickest and give him the best odds of sess. After the cultivation, Felix headed to Floral Wreath Boutique. He found Billy engaged in an eerily casual conversation with a paper figure.


    "Man, you really don''t care about owing favors anymore. You''ve got some serious nerve."


    Felix felt somewhat sheepish. "Well, you enjoy when I owe you favors, and I need help. It''s win -win, right?"


    Billy pursed his lips. "So, what else do you want? I''m running out of good stuff to give you."


    "Simple-I want more soul-rted items.''


    Since he would be dealing with that mysterious young man''s ally, Felix figured he would need more spiritual weaponry. With just a small flute and being in foreign territory, extra


    preparation couldn''t hurt.


    After a long stare, Billy went to the back room and returned with two memorial coins. "You''re really pushing it! Keep these coins safe. Light them up and y the flute in dangerous situations, and it''ll multiply the power." This was exactly what Felix needed.


    "That''s two favors you owe me.


    Felix protested, "Come on! You''re being stingy! How could you just give me two coins for two favors? I want five of them."


    ""Three coins."


    "Five."


    In the end, Felix left with five coins. Combined with his power boost, he felt ready to venture into Guneria.


    Early the next morning, Felix departed and headed first to Yartford for a connecting flight. The journey would take over 12 hours, so it would be a proper long-haul trip.


    Learning from past experience, Felix told Xena to book tickets under different names. Not a single "Felix" appeared on that flight to Guneria. This precaution aimed to prevent another escape attempt by John, too. Meanwhile, in a study at Skyward Guild, a young man knelt on the ground.


    "Father! Felix Zeller shows nothing but arrogance. He doesn''t respect our guild at all! Are we really going to let Patrick''s death slide?"


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    Chapter 852 Chapter 852


    As the leader of Skyward Guild, Terry did not even bother to look up as he spoke, "Go back to your training. This isn''t your concern."


    The young man gritted his teeth, clearly unsatisfied. "I know you''re wary of his Dragon Knight status, but my sources just confirmed Felix went to Guneria. Even though he booked under different names, my people were good enough to track him."


    Terry opened his eyes with a dissatisfied look. "You''ve wasted too much time obsessing over that woman. Fine. I''ll grant you thisst request. After that, focus on your training. It''s quite embarrassing how you haven''t even reached Martial Saint level at your age." The young man brightened up. He thought, "Felix, your Dragon Knight status might protect


    you


    back home, but you''re nothing overseas. Thomas, I''ll finally avenge you.


    Terry had also been frustrated with the situation. He could not touch Felix since he had both Dragon Knight status and evidence against Patrick''s death. Any conflict would only hurt Skyward Guild''s reputation.


    But now, things were different. With Felix abroad, it was time to restore the guild''s honor.


    The Greenes were also keeping tabs. Aiden received the same intel about Felix''s travel arrangements.


    "Hah! I can''t believe he actually left the country. What a perfect opportunity. I thought he wouldn''t be a threat to me at all, exceptional medical skills or not.


    "But now that he''s approaching Blood Realm level, I won''t allow you to live anymore. Plus, something''s odd about that Dragonspine...


    "Louise! Handle this cleanly and make sure he never returns from Guneria."


    Meanwhile, Felix rxed in first ss on the ne. It was his first time experiencing


    international luxury travel. Each passenger had their own private suite that wasplete with all amenities.


    To kill time, he visited the exclusive first-ss bar, where professional bartenders could mix practically any drink. While sipping his cocktail, he heard a familiar voice. "Sir! Please show some respect."


    Felix turned to find Luna speaking in Gunerian to a blond young man.


    "I am being respectful, miss. It''s a long flight, so how about some drinks? Or better yet, we could get some exercise in my suite."


    Foreigners were typically direct about such matters, but this guy was crossing lines. Even after Lana''s refusal, he persisted. "How about five thousand dors?" Seeing the cash, Luna fumed. She regretted not booking first ss for her bodyguards, too.


    International first-ss tickets were not cheap. Since most passengers were wealthy, she assumed they would be somewhat well-mannered, foo. She never expected to encounter such a crude individual. Luna was Felix''s friend. Thus, Felix could not just stand by and watch.


    But as he rose from his seat, he caught a glimpse of something unusual. There was a subtle red glow flickering in the young man''s right hand.


    It seemed like he was not just any average passenger.

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    "Luna, what a coincidence!" Felix approached Luna.


    Luna was equally surprised to see him here. "Felix? I can''t believe you''re here, too."


    The blond man shot Felix a strange look before leaving, which was easier than Felix had expected.


    "Are you okay?" Felix asked as they sat down.


    Luna nodded. "I''m fine. Thanks for stepping in.


    Then, she lowered her voice and said, "That foreigner was strange. The charm Reagan gave me activated, which means he was trying something. He''s not normal."


    Given Felix''s connection to Reagan, it made sense that the Starfires would receive such protective items. "Don''t worry about it. He was probably just acting on impulse. What brings you to Guneria?"


    Luna smiled. "It''s May! After your treatment, she rushed back home and immediately got tested. She''s pregnant! I''m going to celebrate with her."


    May? She was from Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals, so this could be useful.


    Felix had no connections in Guneria. He had nned to search for John alone, but now, he had another option.


    "I''ll be honest with you. I have some personal business with John Reynolds, Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals'' CEO. Do you think you could find me a way to meet him?"


    He trusted Lunapletely. Between his help and his control over Reagan, she understood the stakes. "Leave it to me. I''ll get the information you need from May discreetly."


    Felix smiled. "Perfect! It''d beplicated if I approached this issue directly. Just keep me posted."


    He could not bring his special work phone from the headquarters, but Luna had his personal number.


    After chatting, Felix returned to his suite. He was dozing off when a knock came, and a blonde flight attendant stood at the door. He had to admit, young Gunerian women could be quite good-looking and alluring. "Can I help you?"


    She stepped in and closed the door. "Sir, would you like some special service? Five hundred dors, and I''ll help you rx. Satisfaction guaranteed."


    Damn! They really were forward.


    "No, thanks," Felix rejected.


    The attendant left to knock on the next door.


    Luna then walked in, unfazed. Such behavior from flight attendants was not unusual.


    "Felix, I remembered something. John might not be in Guneria. May mentioned it yesterday." Was he not?


    Felix smiled. "No problem. I''ll be staying a while. He''ll return eventually, so just let me know when."


    Suddenly, Felix heard muffled sounds from next door. Despite attempts to stay quiet, his sharp hearing picked everything up. Even Luna could hear it. He sighed. "Good hearing can be such a burden."


    Everyone had their way of living. The attendant was making good money on the side. Five hundred dors per customer during work hours was not bad. Felix noticed Luna''s face turning red. Clearly, she had heard those suppressed sounds, too. The blush made her look quite charming.


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    Felix cleared his throat. "Luna, you should head back," he said.


    Luna was clearly flustered. The suite was cramped, and they were sitting close. The sounds next door were too much for her to handle, too.


    "Oh... right."


    She stood up too quickly and lost her bnce,nding right in Felix''sp. She felt something pressed against her bottom. Their eyes met as she leaned back, and time seemed to freeze.


    Instinctively, she kissed him. Though they had not spent much time together, what woman wouldn''t be drawn to a man like Felix? He was handsome, capable, and powerful enough to subdue even Reagan. He had captured her heart long ago.


    The sudden kiss caught Felix off guard. He wanted to push her away, but his hands happened tond somewhere inappropriate. Combined with the constant sounds from next door, everything seemed to naturally progress from there. After what felt like an eternity, Luna stood up, her face crimson.


    "Luna" Felix began, but she cut him off.


    She said, "I know, Felix. You don''t need to say anything. I was the one who wanted it. I''m not old-fashioned, and I know how exceptional you are.


    "I''m lucky to have had this moment with you, even though I''m not worthy of it. You shouldn''t feel burdened by what just happened. I won''t cling to you."


    Felix thought Luna was understanding. He replied, "I''m sorry. I got carried away, too. If you ever need help with anything, just ask."


    Before leaving, Luna gathered her courage and added, "Felix, I know men from Dragonia sometimes fantasize about women from my country. Next time you''re in Astoria, I''ll arrange everything exactly how you like it."


    Felix smiled wryly as he watched her leave. Her level-headedness exined why Kyro trusted her with the family business. Most people would not handle this situation so calmly.


    Afternding, Luna exited first as May was waiting at arrivals.


    "Luna!" They hugged, and May looked her over. "Is it just me, or do you seem more radiant? Come on! Spill it! Did you meet someone?"


    Luna blushed at the memory on the ne. "Stop teasing me! Let''s go.


    11


    Keeping a low profile near the exit, Felix smiled as he watched the two women leave, chatting andughing. While he could not give Luna a home, he would always look out for her. Since he was single now, he was free to do as he pleased. Why should he be bound by that


    other woman? Though if she had a change of heart, that would be different.


    As he was about to call a cab, a ck Mercedes van pulled up. The door opened to reveal the blond man from the ne who had harassed Luna. "Get in, brat. Unless you want to die."


    The man''s smirk and threatening gaze spoke volumes as he nodded to the side. Two men stood there with submachine guns trained on Felix. This was definitely a country where guns ran rampant. "Is this about me interrupting your fun earlier?"


    The man smiled mysteriously. "No. This is because you''re a martial artist from Dragonia. Now, get in."

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    "Is it because I''m a martial artist? How did he figure that out?" Felix wondered to himself.


    He got in the car without resistance. In a country flooded with weapons, anyone bold enough to show a gun was surely ready to use it.


    The submachine guns couldn''t hurt him, but gunfire at an airport would draw massive attention. News coverage would follow, which would kill any chance ofpleting his mission. After all, who wouldn''t make headlines after surviving multiple gunshots? "That''s more like it," said the blonde man, satisfied with Felix''spliance. At his nod, the van started moving.


    Two hourster, they had left the city behind as they drove through endless desert, which was typical Gunerianndscape. They continued off-road for another hour before reaching apound surrounded by high walls. Armed guards at the entrance meant this was no ordinary facility.


    "You can get out now!"


    As Felix stepped down, he could not determine thepound''s purpose. A dozen gunmen surrounded him, with snipers visible on the walls, too.


    "Before taking you inside, I''m curious about Dragonian martial artists. You''re my first catch, so how about a fight?"


    Felix remained cautious. "If I win, can I go free?"


    The blond man smiled. "Yes. Beat me, and you walk."


    Red light flickered around his hands as his body convulsed, crackling with energy. Within seconds, he visibly grew taller and broader. It was an unsettling transformation. "Dragonian martial artists are all just hype!"


    Watching him charge, Felix assessed his speed. It wasparable to a Martial King, impossible for someone untrained. The strange transformation must have enhanced him. As the man got close, Felix''s kick sent him flying like a broken kite. He bounced back up immediately, face dark with rage. "You''re dead!"


    As the red glow intensified around his hands, promising another transformation, a voice rang out, "Enough! Jed, are you causing trouble again?"


    A man in a white coat appeared. One re from him, and Jed Shawry immediately calmed down, bowing respectfully. "Dr. Phillips, I... I was just having some fun with him." Elliott Phillips?


    Felix turned with interest. This was one of the Gunerian doctors who had challenged


    Dragonian traditional medicine in Yartford. He had been the most dismissive toward traditional medicine, ignoring even his mentor''s words.


    Only after Felix cured a cancer patient in one minute right in front of Elliott did he finally acknowledge their skill. Now, Felix had run into him again after just arriving in Guneria.


    "You... You''re Felix Zeller?" One look was all Elliott needed. It was understandable since Felix had given him his only paradigm shift. Even decades wouldn''t erase his memory of Felix. "Dr. Phillips. It''s been a while."


    Once confirmed, Elliott could barely contain his excitement.


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    "It really is you, Dr. Zeller," Elliott said.


    Jed stood dumbfounded. How did this random Dragonian martial artist know Elliott?


    Elliott might not have been a big deal himself, but his mentor was legendary. That was why nobody dared to disrespect him.


    "My sincere apologies for the trouble, Dr. Zeller. That one demonstration from Felix hadpletely won Elliott over back then, which exined his respectful demeanor. "Jed,e apologize!"


    Jedplied immediately in fear. After all, his future depended on Elliott''s good graces.


    Once they settled in a room with coffee, Felix asked, "You''re conducting human experiments here, aren''t you?"


    Elliott pondered before responding, "My mentor always said the most skilled Dragonian traditional medicine practitioners were also martial artists. Seeing you easily defeat Jed proves that point. I''m sure you noticed he isn''t ordinary, right?"


    Seeing Felix nod, he continued, "Yes. We''re doing biochemical human trials, but I can''t disclose more than that."


    Felix did not press further. It reminded him of what the Steele family had done in Dragonia. It was a simr concept, but Gunerian medical technology was more advanced. Jed appearedpletely normal, unlike the blood-drinking monsters the Steeles had created. But he needed to confirm one thing. "Are you experimenting on Dragonian martial artists?"


    Elliott quickly waved him down. "No, you''ve misunderstood! Jed''s impulsiveness might have given you that impression. While we do invite Dragonian martial artists here through various means, we never harm them.


    "They just spar with our research subjects to help us identify weaknesses. We pay them well before they leave."


    He pointed out the window. "Look. There''s a Dragonian fighter who came three days ago."


    Outside, a Dragonian man happily epted a ck briefcase before driving away.


    "I hope you''re telling the truth. If you''re experimenting on my people, I won''t let it slide." Felix could already tell whether Elliott was being honest just by looking into his eyes. He hadn''t even needed his needles. "Rest assured. My mentor deeply respects Dragonian traditional medicine and understands the power of its martial artists. We''d never take that risk. Guneria''s poption provides enough test subjects. "Besides, our goal is enhancing our people''s physiology. Dragonians and Gunerians have


    different physical characteristics, so even slight variations can dramatically affect results. We''re not foolish enough topromise our research." After some small talk, Felix prepared to leave.


    "Dr. Zeller, here''s my number. While I can''t speak for elsewhere, I can help with most situations in Guneria. Contact me if you need anything." "Thanks. I appreciate it."


    In the courtyard, Jed eagerly followed Felix and volunteered to escort him out. He was clearly trying to make amends.


    As Felix was about to enter the car, he paused and turned. "Whatever your biochemical research is for, don''t use it for evil purposes-especially not against Dragonia, Now, let me show you what a martial artist can really do."

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    "You''ll show me what a Dragonian martial artist can really do?" Jed scoffed to himself.


    How scary could it be? If Felix didn''t know Elliott, Jed would show him what his transformed state could do.


    The next moment, Felix threw a casual palm strike into the air.


    A thunderous explosion followed, sting a hole in the wall big enough for a car to drive through. Jed and Elliott stood wide-eyed while the armed guards gaped in disbelief. This had to be a joke! How could any human do this? How could a palm strike from 200 feet away cause such destruction?


    The wall contained reinforced metal, so even an RPG could not breach it. Only a tank stood a chance. Yet, Felix had just demolished it with pure human strength.


    "There are quite a few martial artists like me in Dragonia, some even stronger."


    Felix left them with that thought before getting in the car. He had exaggerated a bit for intimidation. Truth be told, his power level was rare even in Dragonia.


    Jed gulped at the sight. His spine turned cold, and his body trembled with each step.


    Elliott was not faring much better. Their team had been proud when their enhanced subjects defeated most visiting martial artists. They believed that they had proven ancient Dragonian martial arts were not so special.


    Felix''s single strike showed them how vast the gap truly was. "Dr. Zeller, thank you for this wake-up call. I''ll remember what you said."


    Felix had carefully moderated his power. Too much would have seemed inhuman, which would defeat the purpose of the demonstration and raise unwanted questions.


    Once they arrived at a decent hotel in the city, Jed departed meekly with cold sweat still on his forehead.


    In his room, Felix decided against immediately searching for thepanion of that mysterious young man from Seapoint. Some things couldn''t be rushed, and Yasmin would arrive tomorrow. It was better to fulfill his promise of healing the patient first. Then, N called. "Felix, someone at the airport sold your information. We can''t pinpoint who''s searching for you yet, but it''s likely Elders'' Council."


    Felix smiled. He was not stupid. Traveling abroad was prime assassination time. That was why he had asked N to investigate..


    As expected, someone could not hold themselves back anymore. "Got it. Don''t worry."


    They wanted to kill him, huh? Well, Felix was hunting them down, too.


    He could have used the Shadow Mask to alter his appearance and had Xena create foolproof fake identity documents. That way, even the Council could not have traced him.


    His Dragon Knight status offered protection but also restrictions. So, he could act more freely abroad.


    After texting Luna, Felix returned to studying the medical text. While pill cultivation came easily now, understanding the underlying principles, medicinal properties, and form research required significant time.


    Four hourster, Luna arrived at his hotel room around 10:00 pm Gunerian time. "May''s asleep. I told her I had errands tomorrow and left"


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    A cold glint shed in Felix''s eyes. "Did you find out where John lives?"


    Luna nodded but looked helpless. "I did, but May mentioned he hasn''t been home for months. She learned this by chance, so she has no idea where he''s staying now." Months?


    Felix frowned and wondered if he had been doing that since theb incident. This bastard John was paranoid enough to abandon his own home. Was he that scared of dying?


    John spent money and connections just to watch airports, even here in Guner¨ªa. He was certainly a crafty old fox.


    "I know some people here. Do you want me to ask around?"


    Felix waved it off. "No need. John''s too influential here, so your contacts might alert him." He had already investigated Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals. It was a major corporation in Guneria, and with John''s connections, he was thriving here. Without absolute certainty, any investigation could tip him off and make him flee to another country.


    Felix had considered asking Elliott''s help but decided against it. "Where''s Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals located? Do you know what car he drives?"


    Luna shook her head. "Thepany''s easy to find, but I don''t know anything else. I didn''t want to make May suspicious by asking too many questions. I also tried searching online but found nothing. Sorry that I couldn''t help more, Felix."


    Seeing her disappointment, Felixforted her. He had been too optimistic. Someone as cautious as John would not leave such private details easily essible.


    Still, he would visit Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals tomorrow. If that led nowhere, he might have to ask Elliott.


    Coming to his senses, Felix noticed Luna had gone to the master bedroom. A few minutes.


    widened.ter, his eyes


    She came out wearing a fitting white one-piece swimsuit that left little to anyone''s imagination. Her face flushed with desife made her irresistible. "I... I wasn''t sure if you liked swimsuits, so I bought one. After what happened on the ne, I really wanted..." Before she could finish, Felix lifted her into his arms. "Thank you. I enjoyed it a lot."


    Come morning, Luna woke remembering the night''s passion. She could barely believe her own boldness. When she tried to get up, her body felt weak, but her nose caught a pleasant aroma. She turned to find breakfast on the nightstand, and the milk was still warm, "Felix."


    Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals'' building was a skyscraper in downtown. Its size alone spoke volumes about thepany''s scale. In a massive office on the top floor, Gage, whom Felix had once treated, lifted his coffee cup.


    "What brings you all the way here, Mr. Shepherd?" The middle-aged man across from him, John, had an honest face and a genuine smile that radiated warmth.


    After savoring his coffee, Gage spoke, "Felix hase to Guneria."

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    John''s face changed when he heard Gage''s words. He grabbed his desk phone and said, "Get me a ticket out of the country immediately-anywhere except Dragonia!"


    Gage just smiled silently, making John ufortable.


    "To be frank, I''m really terrified. Elders'' Council has tried multiple times, yet Felix is simply impossible to kill. His power keeps growing more terrifying. I''m just a coward with no powerful protectors like you. So, this is my only option." Gage nodded. He said with a smile, "We remember your service to the Council. Too bad you crossed into the Grand Elder''s most hated domain. Otherwise, you''d have plenty of protection.


    John sighed helplessly. Business was about profit, so sometimes he couldn''t control himself. Besides, how was he supposed to know what the Grand Elder hated?


    If he had known experimenting on those children would anger the Grand Elder, he would not have touched it no matter what. Though it had advanced hispany''s pharmaceuticals, losing the Grand Elder''s protection was not worth it. "There''s no need to run this time. Felix will likely die here in Guneria."


    Huh? John was puzzled, so he asked, "Are you nning to handle it personally?"


    Gage chuckled. "Not quite. But Skyward Guild and the Greenes each sent their elite fighters. Under my arrangement, they''ll team up against Felix. I''d say there''s a 70% to 80% chance of


    sess.


    11


    "Skyward Guild and the Greenes?" John was stunned, then sighed. "Felix really knows how to make powerful enemies. Well, if you say so, I won''t flee. I''ll just wait for his death here. Once he''s gone, I can return to my normal life." Though hecked proof, he suspected Felix had killed his daughter, Aimee. But what could he do? He could barely protect himself, let alone find someone capable of killing Felix.


    His biggest contribution to the Council was preventing Felix from marrying Xena. Who would dare kill the husband of the Goddess of War, or more precisely, the Warlord?


    He might have seeded there, but who could have predicted Felix''s rocket-like power growth? "Honestly, Mr. Shepherd, is Felix''s fellow apprentice, Eloise, really so terrifying that even the Grand Elder won''t move against her? Must we follow her rules in dealing with Felix?" Gage nodded. "Among known Dragonian martial artists, Eloise is undisputedly the strongest. Even the Grand Elder can''t match her! Felix''s other eight fellow apprentices are also fearsome. "If not, the Grand Elder would''ve acted long ago. Finding Felix seemed like a chance to hurt the miracle doctor, but things turned out unexpectedly."


    Damn it! If just one of his apprentices could threaten the Council, how terrifying would the


    miracle doctor be? The Grand Elder''s obsession with going against him really ran deep.


    "Thanks for the coffee. I''m leaving. Consider this information payment for your past contributions. Our ties end here."


    After Gage left, John smirked coldly. "Such a rare opportunity. How could I not add fuel to the fire? Felix, this is a country swimming in guns. Money and connections can make assassins do anything."


    In a caf¨¦ downstairs, Felix had been observing all morning while wearing the Shadow Mask Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals'' security was tight. While infiltrating with the mask would be easy, it would likely prove fruitless.


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    Chapter 860.


    Chapter


    860


    After using a needle on an employee for information, Felix learned that no one could ess the top ten floors of Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals without John''s permission as the CEO. Even his secretaries worked below the tenth floor Even if he got in, a forced entry would alert John immediately. He would be gone before Felix reached him.


    Around noon, a Maybach emerged from the underground parking garage. It was followed by five identical cars without license tes.


    From what the employee said, Felix knew this was John''s vehicle. But he detected three people in each car through his senses. Having never seen John, he could not distinguish his energy from the others.


    The six cars split up at the first-intersection, making tracking nearly impossible,


    "Forget it. I''ll focus on treating Yasmin''s cousin first. I''ll have to ask Elliott for helpter," Felix concluded.


    Around 3:00 pm, Felix and Yasmin arrived at a suburban residential area. Guneria''s vast territory and rtively small poption meant these suburban homes were luxurious. They were all three- or four-story vis with private yards. They spotted an attractive woman waiting by the roadside. Yasmin hugged her as they got out. It was her cousin, Linda Qualls.


    "Linda, this is Dr. Zeller, whom I told you about."


    Linda shook his hand politely, but her tired eyes revealed little hope. "Thank you foring so far, Dr. Zeller. Please,e in."


    The house was immacte, and Linda probably lived alone. After serving coffee, they sat down. "If there''s nothing else, I''d like to start the treatment."


    Yasmin nodded encouragingly at Linda.R


    "Shall we do it right here?"


    "Yes. I don''t see anything unusual yet. Let me check your pulse first." Felix was honest. She did appear perfectly normal at first nce.


    "Alright. Please proceed."


    As Linda extended her wrist, Felix took it.


    Yasmin seemed more nervous than Linda. Linda had said that if someone could not diagnose


    her condition and its cause, they could not treat. She had never revealed what was wrong, not even to Yasmin.


    After a minute, Felix released her hand.


    "How is it, Dr. Zeller?"


    Just as Linda prepared for the usual disappointment, Felix spoke, "You''re poisoned, though ''poison'' might not be the right word. I''m not sure exactly what it is, but your hands itch three times daily, roughly four hours apart. And it''s not just itching-something grows there, doesn''t it?" Linda jumped up, staring at Felix in disbelief before falling to her knees. "Please save me! Please!"


    Before Felix could help her up, she extended her trembling hands. "Yes. Every four hours, my hands be unbearably itchy for about 20 minutes! But that''s not the worst part. When the


    hands." itching strikes, strange scales appear on my


    Scales on her hands?


    As Felix was about to speak, something clicked.


    Melissa had mentioned their guild''s nemesis-Fish Men. They had hands covered in scales. Could there be a connection?

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    Yasmin helped Linda up, then turned to Felix. "Dr. Zeller, you can treat this, right?"


    He was the first to identify Linda''s condition, so surely that meant hope. Why else would Linda be so emotional? "There are two options. Please sit down, and I''ll exin."


    Only after Felix spoke did Linda return to her seat, her attitudepletely transformed. "Please go on, Dr. Zeller."


    After a moment''s thought, Felix said, "First, I can use acupuncture to control your condition and reduce it to once a month." Before he could mention the second option, Linda''s face fell.


    "Is there noplete cure?" She never wanted to experience the unbearable itching and disgusting scales again.


    "There is, but it requires something I don''t have. We need to find the person who caused your condition."


    The substance in Linda''s body wasn''t exactly a toxin-it was more like a hormone that had fully merged with her hands. Even with Felix''s expertise, he could notpletely remove it. The only alternative was amputation, but Linda would never agree to that.


    The strange thing was that her body recognized it as a natural part of her hands. Felix could not eliminate it, and probably no one else could, either.


    "The person who caused this?" Linda''s expression changed. "Are you saying someone did this to me on purpose?"


    She was shocked. She had always assumed she had eaten something bad or caught some infection.


    "Yes. It was intentional."


    Biting her fingernails anxiously, Linda grew more agitated. "But... I can''t think of anyone suspicious! What am I supposed to do? Do I have to live with this forever?"


    Yasmin triedforting her. They had reached a dead end. Even reducing episodes to once monthly was more than any other doctor had achieved.


    Felix was also stumped. How was he supposed to know everyone Linda had contacted? But Melissa''s words had given him an idea. "Linda, do you know anyone who always wore gloves?" Instantly, Linda was hit with a realization. She confirmed, "Yes! My ex-boyfriend, Pierre Lannerby! He never took his gloves off. We dated for over a year, but I never saw his hands. "He said he had huge birthmarks on both hands. They''re so ugly he couldn''t show anyone


    ever since he became an adult. He wouldn''t even let me see when I was his girlfriend."


    She trembled. "Could Pierre really be involved?"


    Felix suspected Pierre was likely a Fish Man, though he wasn''t sure why he lived abroad or if he was the same one Melissa had encountered, "It''s just a theory, but probably. Have you guys broken up?"


    Fear flickered in Linda''s eyes. "Yes. One day he suddenly ended things. Nothing I did could change his mind."


    Her mouth dropped open. "Dr. Zeller, you made me realize something. My hands started acting up shortly after we broke up."


    Felix nodded, smiling to help her rx. "Can you arrange to meet him? Or do you know where he is?"


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    "I can''t ask him to meet me. He hasn''t blocked me but won''t respond to messages or calls. But I know where he lives. He''s a painter, so he barely leaves his house," Linda said.


    Things would be perfect if he were still around. "Give me the address. Yasmin and I will go. You stay home and wait for our news."


    After sharing the location, Linda added quietly, "Dr. Zeller, you won''t hurt him, will you?"


    Yasmin covered her face in exasperation. Even after what he had likely done, Linda was still worried about him. Love really did make people hopelessly blind.


    "Wake up,


    binda! Dr. Zeller''s here to treat you, not hurt people! I''m the one who won''t let Pierre off easy. Say one more word, and I might p some sense into you!" Hearing Yasmin''s threats, Linda fell silent.


    In the car, Felix smiled. "Ms. Qualls, you''re quite perceptive."


    One sentence cleared Felix of responsibility while hinting at Pierre''s fate. No wonder her father trusted her with Qualls Pharmaceutical at such a young age.


    "You''re too kind, Dr. Zeller. Such scum doesn''t deserve to live!"


    As a martial artist who had reached Martial God level, Yasmin could protect herself well. Running Qualls Pharmaceutical required a firm hand, and she showed a ruthlessness unusual for her age.


    "Actually, if we confirm Pierre''s condition, he might have connections to my friend. He can''t die just yet."


    That exined the look on Felix''s face earlier.


    "Understood, Dr. Zeller. I''ll follow your lead."


    In a room somewhere, a young man wearing ck gloves struggled with his painting, barely making any strokes. "What''s wrong with me? I have no inspiration today, and what''s with this sense of unease? Is something going to happen?''


    This was Pierre Lannerby. His frown


    deepened as he muttered to


    "Uncle Shane said to hide when this


    happens." Content below himself,


    As he prepared to pack up and leave, he spotted two unexpected visitors a few feet away. What do want?"


    you


    11


    Before Yasmin could speak to the intruders, Pierre''s hands trembled. His gloves flew off as he lunged at them.


    "Hah! You''re young but decisive." Felix saw through everything. Without the gloves, Pierre''s


    hands were exposed-they were hideously covered in silver scales.


    Felix calmly stuck a needle into Yasmin, whose nk stare instantly cleared.


    "What... just happened?" She was terrified. One look at those scaled hands had frozen her mind.


    "Turn around. Don''t look at his


    hands." Hearing Felix''s words, Yasmin quicklyplied, not


    wanting to be el


    swnovel


    burden


    Meanwhile, Pierre found himself frozen mid-lunge. He waspletely immobilized. "That''s impossible! Who are you?"


    He was shocked. Nobody had ever ignored his hands before.


    "It doesn''t matter who I am. Most importantly, are you a Fish Man?"

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    Chapter


    863


    Though Pierre remained silent, his wide eyes confirmed Felix''s suspicions.


    "You''re causing harm to others at such a young age instead of doing good deeds. Linda is suffering while you paintfortably here. Don''t you know what you''ve done?"


    At Linda''s name, Pierre broke down in tears. "It wasn''t intentional! I swear! I... I just wanted to touch the skin of the person I loved. Is that so wrong?"


    Then, his voice rose to a shout. "Did I choose what family I was born into? I''d rather be normal than have these disgusting hands!"


    Felix helped Pierre''s gloves back on and signaled Yasmin to turn around.


    She immediatelyunched into him. "So, you knew what would happen when you touched Linda, yet you did it anyway?"


    Pierre wept harder. "No! I didn''t know until afterward. I''d never have touched her if I knew. I love Linda enough to die for her. How could I possibly hurt her?"


    After checking Pierre''s pulse, Felix shook his head. "Early on, one scale would have sufficed. Now we need both hands."


    Pierre''s eyes widened, not in fear but in excitement. "What? Does that mean you can cure Linda?"


    "Yes."


    Pierre smiled. "Perfect! Take my hands and my life-whatever it takes to cure her. I''ve wanted to cut them off myself. I just never had the courage."


    Yasmin''s anger faded. Pierre truly loved Linda, but their beautiful love story was ruined by his cursed hands.


    "I don''t know what Fish Men are, but these hands mean more than your heart. Removing them will kill you!"


    Instead of fear, Pierre seemed relieved. "That''s enough. If you can cure Linda and end my miserable existence, I couldn''t ask for more. Please do it."


    As Yasmin started to speak, Felix silenced her with a look. "How about this? I can ensure you survive the removal and live as a normal person. But first, tell me about Fish Men. Who''s the one in Dragonia who hurt my friend?" Pierre fell silent.


    Felix''s expression darkened. "Fine. I''ll cut off your hands and leave Linda to suffer forever. You know how torturous those changes and itching are for a young woman."


    Love''s power defied exnation. Pierre immediately begged for mercy. He said, "I''ll tell you


    everything. Just please cure Linda. My life means nothing."


    Finally, Felix learned the truth about Fish Men.


    They were a hereditary mutation resulting in scaled hands. The scale color indicated power level. Pierre''s silver was the lowest, followed by purple, red, and the terrifying ck. Chapter 864

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    Just one nce at Pierre''s hands had frozen a Martial God like Yasmin. That just showed how terrifying Fish Men at higher levels had to be.


    The mutation rarely passed down in the Lannerby family. Sometimes, entire generations were skipped. Pierre''s father''s generation had none, yet Pierre inherited it.


    His family sent him abroad for protection. Despite the prevalence of guns, Pierre''s abilities kept him safer here than in Dragonia.


    The "Fish Man" title had been passed down through the Lannerby bloodline since ancient times. Their reputation as the Thief Guild''s nemesis was one-sided-their power affected everyone, not just thieves.


    Felix realized the Fish Men had been holding back. Thief Guild believed touch was necessary, but mere eye contact at their scaled hands sufficed. Those with purple scales and above had full control over their powers.


    The Lannerbys'' vendetta traced back generations. People from Thief Guild had stolen something precious, creating a blood feud. The Lannerby ancestors demanded their family show no mercy to those Guild members. "So, your uncle lives in Dragonia?"


    Pierre nodded, withholding nothing. "From his hints, I believe my great-grandfather''s still alive, but I''m not certain."


    Great-grandfather?


    Felix frowned. Pierre did not know his uncle''s scale color, but it was not silver. What about his great-grandfather?


    Pierre had witnessed his uncle, Shane Lannerby, fight in Dragonia as a teenager. Against an Oceanus Realm master, Shane merely revealed his hands, and the opponent froze.


    Felix found this troubling. He could probably handle the uncle, but a living great-grandfather would be problematic.


    "Ms. Qualls, should we take him to Linda?" Felix understood that they still loved each other deeply. After all, he had experienced such feelings himself.


    "Yes, thank you, Dr. Zeller. We should let them meet."


    Pierre''s devotion had moved Yasmin. He had clearly avoided Linda without knowing how to cure her, but he had been suffering daily himself. The room full of Linda''s portraits said everything. When they met, Linda did not me him. She ran straight into his embrace.


    "I''m sorry, Lily. It''s all my fault! I just loved you so much and wanted to feel your skin. I really


    wanted to hold hands and watch sunsets like normal couples with you."


    Linda shook her head frantically. "No! Stop. I know your feelings. I can''t forget you, either."


    She suddenly removed one of Pierre''s gloves, grabbed his hand, and turned to Felix. "Dr. Zeller, Yasmin, I don''t want the cure anymore."

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    Yasmin stood speechless. She had never seen Linda smile like this before.


    "After you left, I did a lot of thinking! I love him deeply, and now, I know he still loves me. Since I''m already affected, I can hold his hand without worry now, right, Dr. Zeller?"


    At that moment, Pierre broke down as he sobbed uncontrobly.


    "Linda, are you absolutely sure about this?" Since their sped hands were behind them, Yasmin could safely offer her counsel.


    Linda nodded, kissing Pierre''s cheek. "Yes, Yasmin. I''m certain! Though it''s unbearable, I''m okay with it. Having Pierre by my side is enough.


    "After experiencing love this deep, I doubt I''ll ever find someone who loves me this much. again."


    Pierre pulled away from her and donned his gloves. Then, he cupped Linda''s face, giving her a gentle kiss. "Linda, I''ll love you forever, but I don''t want you remembering the man who hurt you." He moved lightning-fast. As he pulled out a small axe, he swung it toward his left wrist.


    "No!" Despite being inches away, Linda could only scream. But how could that stop him?


    Suddenly, the horrific moment froze. Pierre knew Felix had intervened. "Just let me die! My hands can save Linda. I can''t bear her suffering one more moment because of me."


    Felix pped his hands, smiling. "Your love is truly remarkable. Don''t worry. I lied earlier. We only need one scale from each of your hands to cure Linda."


    What? After a stunned silence, Linda pulled Pierre down to kneel. "Thank you, Dr. Zeller!"


    Felix quickly raised them up. "But listen, removing the scales will be really painful. Don''t hold back the pain. Afterward, you''ll likely lose your power and be an ordinary person as the scales fade." Pierre did not hesitate. "That''s exactly what I want! Please begin, Dr. Zeller. After all she''s endured for me, my pain means nothing."


    By sunset, it was done. Pierre''s scales were gone, leaving aged-looking skin. But neither he nor Linda cared-both of them were happier than ever before.


    "Dr. Zeller, thank you for saving us! This crystal pendant is my family heirloom. Any Fish Man who sees it will know you saved my life."


    Felix epted, considering Pierre''s great-grandfather might still live. If they ever met and Felix couldn''t win, the pendant might save him.


    The human body was mysterious. Some were born with supernatural strength, while others


    with


    with a Senses. These were heaven''s gifts, so they could be truly, miraculous. Even


    with Felix''s current power, facing Pierre''s great-grandfather would be unpredictable.


    "Very well. I''ll consider this my extra consultation fee, then."


    Driving back, Yasmin reflected. "Love really works in mysterious ways."


    Felix nodded. Only those who had experienced true love could understand.


    After a while, Yasmin spoke hesitantly, "Dr. Zeller, would you join me for dinner? Besides Linda''s situation, I''m here for business. I''m meeting Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals'' vice president. "He''s a Dragonian and admires traditional medicine. Your presence would really help seal the deal."

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    Yasmin said, "Dr. Zeller, I know it''s a lot to ask. If it''s too troublesome, we can forget about it."


    Felix was about to refuse immediately, but the mention of Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals piqued his interest. Since the vice president was involved, he thought he might be able to infiltrate thepany and find John after disguising himself. "Sure, I''ve got nothing else going on anyway," Felix agreed, which made Yasmin beam with joy as she repeatedly thanked him.


    At that moment, Felix decided to tell Yasmin that his current identity was inconvenient once they reached the restaurant. After donning the Shadow Mask, he could dine as another medical expert without issues. However, just as they parked the car and Felix was about to speak, his phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number.


    "Felix, it''s John Reynolds. I know you''re in Guneria, and I know how desperately you''ve been trying to find me. Here''s your chancee to this location tomorrow night. Of course, I''ll understand if you''re too scared to show up." Felix smiled to himself, surprised that John was actually bold enough to contact him directly. It seemed like John had prepared thoroughly to ensure Felix would remain in Guneria.


    Even so, Felix was unfazed. Having recently processed another Dragonspine, he felt invincible and was not concerned about any threats. Since John was brave enough to reach out, it would save him the trouble ofplicated plots. "Let''s head up," Felix said, no longer bothering to change his identity to meet the vice president since John already knew he was in Guneria.


    He figured he could deal with John tomorrow night and then focus on his mission without


    distractions.


    The rooftop restaurant was breathtaking, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of the city''s nightscape. Foreigners typically preferred dining in open spaces, such as the grand halls of ces like Dragonia Hotel, so this setup felt perfectly natural. After Felix and Yasmin had been seated for a while, a young man approached their table and said, "Ms. Qualls, I apologize, but my father had an emergency and couldn''t make it."


    Yasmin was visibly displeased as the general manager of Qualls Pharmaceutical, being greeted by the son of Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals'' vice president felt like an insult. "Is that so? How unfortunate," Yasmin replied tly.


    The dinnersted less than an hour before she made an excuse for her and Felix to leave, having shown more courtesy than the situation deserved.


    "How dare Wealthhealth Pharmaceuticals show such disrespect! This is outrageous," Yasmin


    fumed. Nothing short of a major crisis would justify ast-minute cancetion for such a high-level business dinner.


    "I suspect the vice president nned this. Did you notice how his son couldn''t take his eyes off you? Seems like an attempted matchmaking scheme," Felix observed. Yasmin scoffed, clearly thinking the young man was not worthy of her attention.


    As they turned onto the street, Felix''s expression suddenly changed. He had detected the unmistakable presence of Dragonspine, which was shocking since they were abroad.


    Gerald had always said that only Dragons Destroyers who had processed Dragonspine could travel freely with it-it was supposedly impossible to transport it out of Dragonia. Yet, the energy signature felt absolutely real As he pondered this mystery, Felix spotted a car speeding past them and shouted, "Follow that car!"

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    Yasmin followed Felix''smand immediately, sensing the urgency in his tone even though he had not exined why. They tailed two ck Cadic SUVS for about 30 minutes until they reached a remote area, which was not umon in Guneria. Then, four people in dark clothing emerged from the vehicles and entered a building, one of them carrying a ck briefcase. Anxious and consumed by thoughts of the Dragonspine, Felix did not think much and just asked Yasmin to drop him off near the establishment. "Ms. Qualls, you can head back now," he said.


    Two imposing security guards stood at the entrance, immediately stopping Felix. One of the guards gruffly stated, "Entry requires a pair-one male, one female-and it''s 500 dors per person. Can''t you read the sign?"


    Without bothering to check the sign, Felix rushed back to Yasmin, who had not left yet. "Ms. Qualls, would you mind apanying me inside? This ce has some weird rule that requires a man and a woman to enter." Yasmin appeared puzzled by the requirement but noticed the urgency in Felix''s eyes. So, she parked the car nearby and walked with him to the entrance.


    While Felix was handling the payment, Yasmin nced at the sign, and her expression shifted to one of surprise. Before she could speak, Felix had already guided her inside.


    The interior was dimly lit, with soft music floating through the air. A staff member greeted them and guided them further inside, where semi-private booths were separated by thin, sheer curtains..


    As they walked, Yasmin and Felix began to notice what was happening behind those curtains- silhouettes of entwined bodies moving suggestively-and the muffled sound of music mixed with unmistakable, explicit noises. "What kind of ce is this?" Felix muttered.


    Every booth they passed showed the same scene. Even though the curtains obscured the details, it was obvious what was happening. Some women werepletely uninhibited, their voices leaving little to the imagination. The attendant announced, "Here''s your booth. If you need anything, just press the service button on the wall."


    After the attendant left, Felix and Yasmin sat awkwardly on the curved couch, both clearly ufortable with their surroundings.


    Felix was especially annoyed. He could not believe that people would actually gather in public and even pay money-for something like this. Moreover, the ce was packed.


    "D-Dr. Zeller, I tried to tell you what I saw on the sign outside," Yasmin stammered, lowering


    her gaze as her face flushed red.


    "I''m so sorry. I had no idea what this ce was," Felix apologized. But since they were already there, Felix decided to focus on his mission.


    He added, "Wait for me here. I need to head to the restroom.''


    Felix''s senses told him that the Dragonspine was still inside the building. He nned to use his Shadow Mask in the restroom to sneak into the restricted areas and take it without leaving any loose ends. However, Yasmin misunderstood his intentions. "You don''t need to go to the restroom-they probably offer other services if you just press the call button."


    Felix was exasperated by the misunderstanding, and he wondered what Yasmin thought he would be doing at the restroom. After all, he certainly was not the kind of person who could not control himself.

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    "Just sit tight for a bit. I''ll be right back," Felix said before quickly heading off.


    Yasmin was a Martial God with the strength to protect herself, so Felix feltfortable leaving her there. He slipped into the restroom, and finding it empty, he donned the Shadow Mask, transforming into a blond, middle-aged man.


    The store''s unusual nature worked to his advantage-there were no surveince cameras, making it the perfect setup for his n. The room he needed to reach was on the second floor, heavily guarded by over a dozen men armed with pistols, their safeties off and ready to fire.


    Nheless, this was no challenge for Felix. He burst into the room, a wave of energy knocking out three of the men he had seen earlier stepping out of the SUVS.


    The only man still standing caught Felix by surprise. The man shouted as he attacked, "You''re dead!"


    Felix prepared to strike but suddenly froze, his brow furrowing as the seven Dragonspine fragments in his body began to resonate. It meant only one thing-this man had some kind of possessed soul-attacking abilities, which was highly unusual.


    The man''s expression turned from confidence to panic. "Who are you?! I''m''a Gray Acolyte of the Westerio Order! You''ll regret this!"


    Felix had no time for idle threats. He did not care who or what the Westerio Order was; his mission could not be dyed. After restraining the man and extracting the information he needed with silver needles, he opened the ck case.


    Inside was what looked exactly like a Dragonspine fragment. However, as soon as Felix picked it up, he realized it was a fake-albeit incredibly convincing-though this aligned with the foreigner''s confession.


    Everything about it, from its unique energy signature to its design, mimicked the real thing perfectly.


    "Who could''ve made something like this?" Felix wondered, inspecting the fragment.


    It radiated the same aura as a real Dragonspine, enough to fool even someone like him, who carried seven authentic pieces. Yet, I was not the genuine article, which made it all the more bizarre.


    After eliminating everyone in the room, Felix set the ce on fire to cover his tracks and left. He returned to find Yasmin just as rms began ring throughout the building. Staff members hurriedly ushered patrons out, many scrambling in various states of undress. "Ms. Qualls, I apologize for tonight. This wasn''t how I nned it," Felix said as they left.


    Yasmin''s cheeks were still flushed, but she gave him a reassuring smile. "Dr. Zeller, don''t


    worry


    about it. I know you didn''t mean for this to happen."


    Have y


    Sensing the need to shift the topic, Felix asked casually, heard of the Westerio Order?" He had not expected much, but to his


    They''re supposedly one of thergestprise, Yasmin nodded. "Yes, I''ve heard of them.


    organizations abroad, with an enormous following.


    "They''re deeply connected to different industries-government, business, even academia- and they''re incredibly secretive. Most of what people knowes from rumors."


    Felix frowned, taking in her words. He was not concerned about their size or influence; he was more focused on how someone from the Westerio Order possessed soul-attacking abilities.


    He wondered if this was also rted to the young man he encountered in Seapoint and his mysteriouspanions. If so,pleting his mission in their territory would be extremely challenging. After returning to the hotel and watching Yasmin drive away, Felix waited until Luna pulled up in another car.


    "Felix, where to?" she asked.


    "Hold on," Felix said, pulling a pill from his pocket. He opened the ck case, revealing the fake Dragonspine inside.


    "Let''s hope this works," he murmured. 1

 Billionaire With Husband 869

    Chapter


    869


    Luna watched curiously, unsure of what Felix was doing with the tiny pill in his hand. Felix said casually, "This is one of our Dragonian medical techniques-just watch."


    He crushed the pill in his hand, turning it into fine powder, which he sprinkled over the fake Dragonspine. This pill, known as the Windseeker Pill, was something he had crafted himself using a recipe from Gerald''s medical texts.


    It was designed for tracking, working in pairs-one part would be used on a person or object, while the second acted as the locator.


    Felix was not entirely confident it would work since this was his first time using it. After applying the powder, he produced the second pill, which began to roll forward in his palm as if pointing the way.


    "Let''s go. Drive in that direction," Felix instructed.


    Luna was amazed by the disy and could not hide her amazement. "Dragonia is really something. There''s no wind or force here, but the pill''s moving all by itself."


    Felix continued giving directions as the pill guided them, and Luna maneuvered the car, taking sharp turns whenever needed. After an hour and a half, they reached a small town in Guneria.


    Driving around the perimeter of a church, Felix confirmed that something emitting the same energy as the fake Dragonspine was inside the church.


    "Wait in the car and call me if anything happens," Felix told Luna.


    Luna was someone Felix trusted and had earned the right to see more of his world. After ensuring she was safe, Felix put on the Shadow Mask and slipped into the church. Contrary to his expectations, the interior was eerily quiet, with no guards in sight. Following the Windseeker Pill''s lead, he descended into the church''s basement. "Who''s there?" a voice called out, followed by a swift attack.


    Felix caught the assant''s wrist mid-strike, momentarily taken aback. Standing before him was an elderly man dressed in a priest''s robe, his wrinkled face weathered with age. Felix eximed, "You''re a Dragonian, and even an early-stage Blood Real martial artist?"


    Felix released his grip and stepped back, staring at the old man, who was equally surprised. The elderly mumbled, "You''re so young, yet so strong. Are you from... that side?"


    Felix had not expected that the fellow Dragonian he encountered would turn out to be not only a highly skilled martial artist, but also someone who casually mentioned the mysterious "that side" in their first exchange.


    "I''m not from that side," Felix stated firmly.


    The priest''s expression brightened, his shoulders visibly rxing. "Amazing! A prodigy like you from the city? Your talent is extraordinary-almost terrifying."


    With the tension easing, the old man seemed more willing to talk. "Why are you here? I don''t sense any killing intent from you. Take a seat."


    Felix hesitated before sitting across from the priest. Then, he ced the ck case and said, I''ll get straight to the point-I''m guessing this isn''t unfamiliar to you."


    The old man waved his hand, and the case fully revealed its contents-the replica


    Dragonspine. The old man eximed, "That''s the Dragonspine I just made! How did it end up in your hands?"


    As expected, the elder recognized the Dragonspine, which only deepened the mystery surrounding the situation.


    "I took it," Felix admitted bluntly.


    The old man''s face darkened in shock. "You''re insane! This is Guneria-Westerio Order''s territory! Did you steal from them? If you want any chance of surviving, return to Dragonia immediately."


    Felix raised an eyebrow at the unexpected tone of concern. The elder''s reaction was oddly considerate, but Felix remained unfazed. With his strength, he could easily deal with the old man, and if the situation escted, he was ready to resort to force.

 Billionaire With Husband 870

    With a wave of his right hand, Felix revealed his true face. He said calmly, "Don''t worry, they have no idea it was me.


    The old man seemed lost in thought for a moment before he finally spoke. "As far as I know, only a Shadow Mask can achieve such a perfect disguise. Are you sure you''re not from that side?" Felix was stunned. How did this old man even know about the Shadow Mask?


    The elderly man continued, "No wonder when our bodies made contact earlier, your bone age revealed you were just a young man despite your middle-aged appearance. It was the Shadow Mask all along."


    Felix was not shocked, knowing that any Blood Realm martial artist could instantly detect bone age through physical contact. This basic skill led the old man to recognize his prodigious talent. "You''re quite knowledgeable, sir, but I truly am not from that side," Felix stated.


    The old man sat down and added, "The Shadow Mask is exclusively circted on that side, with only five existing. Obtaining one is quite remarkable."


    Felix decided to cut through the small talk. "Do you have a Dragonspine here?"


    Though Felix could not sense any Dragonspine nearby, the Windseeker Pill had led him here. He was frustrated and increasingly unsure if he was chasing something real or just wasting his time.


    "No," the old man admitted. "My unique practice,bined with frequent exposure to Dragonspine in the past, allows me to mimic its aura. That''s how I managed to create this counterfeit."


    Felix could not hide his disappointment when he heard that the old man did not have the real thing. Nheless, he was not ready to take him at his word just yet.


    Just then, the old man continued, "I wouldn''t expect you to believe me with just a few words. Anyway, I''ve got nothing to hide anymore since I''m living under someone else''s thumb.


    "My name is Kendrick Maximus, and I hail from the Maximus family-one of the most powerful families from that side."


    Felix was surprised as he realized Kendrick was indeed from that side.


    Kendrick''s tone was bitter as he exined, "My family fell apart years ago. I fled to the city, but Dragonia was still dangerous for me. It''s not that people from the other side can''te here-it''s just that the cost of doing so is too high.


    "To escape my family''s pursuit, I eventually came to Guneria, hoping to live out my days in obscurity. Unfortunately, fate had other ns. I crossed paths with a Scarlet Cardinal from the


    Westerio Order.


    "They sensed the aura on me-the unique energy that could nourish a soul. From that day forward, I was forced to craft a fake Dragonspine for the Westerio Order every year." Felix was not entirely sure if Dragonspine''s aura could really nourish souls. However, after the Seapoint incident, he had to admit the artifact was indeed somehow tied to the soul.


    Felix said skeptically, "You''re a martial artist in the Blood Realm. How could the Westerio Order control you?"


    Kendrick let out a bitterugh. "There''s always someone stronger, kid. We''ve all underestimated the power of the outside world.


    "I don''t know the full extent of the Westerio Order''s strength, but even that one Scarlet Cardinal is beyond my ability to defeat. Do you think I''d be stuck under their thumb otherwise?


    Felix was taken aback by the strength of the Scarlet Cardinal. Soon, his thoughts drifted to the people at that shop earlier.


    "If Dragonspine is so crucial to the Order, why did they only send a few people to guard it? The only one worth mentioning was a Gray Acolyte, and even he wasn''t much. That doesn''t seem right."


    Kendrick sighed, his face filled with helplessness. "The Westerio Order holds absolute power beyond these borders. They never expected anyone to dare intercept their shipment. Besides, even a Gray Acolyte is equivalent to Dragonia''s Martial God level. How could that not be considered serious?"


    Kendrick sighed and shook his head, his gaze settling on Felix with a sharp intensity. "You''re practicing Dragons Destroyer, aren''t you?"

 Billionaire With Husband 871

    hapter 871


    Since the mysterious young man, Kendrick was the second person to identify Felix as a Dragons Destroyer practitioner.


    Kendrick said, "No need to hide it. Without Dragons Destroyer training, you wouldn''t be able to sense the Dragonspine''s energy signature and track it here."


    Kendrick''s eyes filled with nostalgia as he continued, "The Maximus family ancestor was the first person to master Dragons Destroyer sessfully. How else would I know about it or have frequent ess to Dragonspine?"


    Felix was stunned to learn that the first Dragons Destroyer practitioner Gerald mentioned was actually Kendrick''s ancestor. He admitted, "You''re right-I do practice Dragons Destroyer.


    "But I have a question. I recently encountered a young man from the other side who was incredibly powerful. I couldn''t even fight back, yet he knew about my Dragons Destroyer training and even the exact number of Dragonspine pieces I possessed." Kendrick chuckled knowingly. "That must have been someone from the Maximus family. In all these years, no one else in the family has managed to master Dragons Destroyer.


    "However, we''ve had many geniuses who kept modifying and experimenting with the practice. They must have achieved a breakthrough-even without Dragons Destroyer, they can certainly harness Dragonspine''s power."


    Kendrick added, "Most likely, one of the Dragonspine shards in your body vibrated. Otherwise, that young man wouldn''t have been able to detect you."


    Felix was impressed by Kendrick''s extensive knowledge, as everything he said aligned perfectly.


    Kendrick said, "Since fate brought us together, let me share a lead with you. Years ago, when I fled to the city, I discovered traces of a Dragonspine. Though decades have passed, so I''m not sure that person still possesses it." Felix bowed in gratitude. "Whether or not it''s still there, I''m grateful for the information."


    Kendrick nodded, his mood inexplicably better. "No need to thank me. I couldn''t get a good look at the person''s face, but there was one distinctive feature-both of their hands were covered in purple scales. That''s all I can tell you. Felix wondered if the person could be Pierre''s uncle, who was a fisherman. Nheless, had never imagined the fisherman might have a Dragonspine shard.


    he


    Though Felix had no clear idea where to start looking, at least he now had a glimmer of hope. With just two shards left to find, even this small piece of information was invaluable. Kendrick''s tone was heavy with emotion as he said, "The future belongs to your generation. Though my contact with the Westerio Order has been limited, I''ve learned that they''ve


    somehow gained soul-rted abilities and grown significantly stronger. I sense major changesing.


    "So, if you ever gain enough strength, you should destroy the Westerio Order. Leaving them alive will only spell disaster for everyone."


    With that, Kendrick stood up. "Wait here. I''ll go change."


    After a few moments, Kendrick returned, his ornate robes reced with a sharp ck suit.


    "You can kill me now," Kendrick said, his voice steady.


    Felix let out a sigh, hesitating for the first time.


    "From the moment you removed the Shadow Mask, I knew you''d kill me," Kendrick added calmly. "You''re no match for the Westerio Order right now, so leaving someone alive who knows your true face would be incredibly foolish." Kendrick''s eyes showed only eptance, without a hint of fear. He urged, "Do it. I''ve wanted to die for a long time anyway. The longer you live, the more you lose that youthful fire.


    "I never had the courage to take my own life, but now that you''re here, I think this was meant to be. Dying at the hands of a fellow Dragonian is far better than being tormented by those Westerio bastards."


    Kendrick''s serene smile left Felix feeling deeply conflicted. He hade fully prepared to silence anyone connected to the Westerio Order, knowing such people could never be trusted. Even so, he had not expected things to unfold like this.

 Billionaire With Husband 872

    Felix bowed deeply to Kendrick and said solemnly, "Sir, forgive me."


    During the drive back, Luna noticed Felix''s somber mood, so she refrained from saying anything to him.


    Once they entered the city, Felix broke the silence and asked, "Do you have any connections for unofficial border crossings?"


    "Yes, we have someone from Astoria who handles that. It''spletely reliable," Luna replied.


    Felix nodded thoughtfully. "Let''s keep it as a backup n. We might need it someday."


    After encountering the Westerio Order, Felix suspected they might interfere with his mission. Given their absolute control abroad, legal routes home might be impossible. Hence, having alternative ns seemed wise.


    Felix spent the entire day indoors while Luna returned home at his request. With the looming threat of the Westerio Order, he felt it safer for her to leave Guneria.


    As night fell, Felix stood near an abandoned single-story house in the desert wastnd of Guneria. The nearest road was over an hour''s drive away, and even basic necessities like food and water would be hard toe by in such an isted location. This was John''s chosen meeting spot. Felix was not worried about John escaping after their fight. After all, someone as cautious as John would not have initiated the confrontation unless he was absolutely confident in his chances.


    Plus, after Felix had killed Aimee, John would surely want to witness Felix''s death personally. Sure enough, John was perched on a nearby hill about six miles away, watching Felix through a high-end telescope mounted on a sturdy tripod. John muttered to himself, his voice filled with cold determination. "Tonight, I''ll kill you and avenge my beloved Aimee."


    He snapped his fingers, and an aide immediately made a phone call, signaling the beginning of the spectacle. Minutester, beams of light pierced through the darkness as a convoy of vehicles approached.


    Felix squinted, estimating that at least a dozen trucks were heading his way. As they got closer, he whistled under his breath and mumbled, "Well, no surprise-this really is a gun- crazy country."


    The convoy consisted of civilian armored vehicles mounted with heavy machine guns. Dozens of men emerged carrying AK rifles, while others wielded RPGunchers-an intimidating


    arsenal.


    Felix also sensed hidden threats in the distance, likely snipers, which seemed inevitable given the scale of this armed force. Chapter 872


    "Fire!" Themand rang out, and the night erupted with gunfire and explosions, turning the barrenndscape into a warzone.


    0 000 0:0 00 000 000


    If Felix had been an ordinary man, nothing would have been left of him-not even scraps to bury. After several minutes of relentless bombardment, the shooting finally stopped.


    Smoke and dust engulfed the area where Felix had been standing, and the attackers began tough. They were confident that nothing could have survived such an assault. "That felt pretty good," a casual voice cut through their celebration. The men froze in horror as the smoke cleared to reveal Felix standing exactly where he had been,pletely unharmed. Someone stammered, "Holy shit! T-This can''t be real!"


    Panic spread like wildfire as they realized it was Felix. One by one, the men dropped their weapons and scrambled back to their vehicles, desperate to escape.


    What chance did they stand if this monster could not be killed by such overwhelming firepower?


    Felix did not bother pursuing them since killing them would be a waste of time. Instead, he called out to the darkness, "You cane out now. Did you really think those weapons could wear me down?"

 Chapter 873

    As Felix''s words settled in, two figures emerged slowly from the abandoned house.


    Meanwhile, John was nearly delirious with excitement from his position far away. Despite his men being scared off by Felix''s strength, John''s mood remained unaffected, almost giddy.


    "Mr. Reynolds, why are you so happy?" his assistant, Eugene Klein, asked, confused by John''s ted behavior.


    Given his usually cautious nature, John should have fled immediately after the failure. Yet, here he was, practically dancing with joy.


    John replied with a grin, "You wouldn''t understand! Those two are terrifyingly skilled. Felix won''t make it out of this, so I''m celebrating early, Go on, open that bottle of champagne f brought. You should have a drink too."


    John''s experience and insight told him that Felix was most likely finished. Skyward Guild and the Greenes had sent two lethal experts, which exined why the Elders'' Council had decided not to get involved. At that point, the oue seemed pretty clear. Back at the scene, Felix smiled as the two men appeared. "Which organization are you from? Since we''re in a foreignnd, I''d rather not let you die without a name."


    The two elderly men appeared rxed and chuckled at his words. "Interesting," one said, while the other added, "The young man''s quite confident in his abilities. No wonder the Elders ''Council asked us both to handle this-better safe than sorry." Felix was surprised by the news. "Oh? The Elders'' Council isn''t involved? Then you two must be extraordinarily powerful."


    Suddenly, two powerful auras emanated from the elders. They were bo Im, but their presence subtly made the ground beneath them sink by about an inch, and it was as if the air itself had grown denser.


    "Two True Blood Realm experts? You really think that highly of me?" Felix said with a smirk.


    John savored his champagne in the distance, finding it more delicious than ever. "That''s right, Felix! How could you possibly survive against two True Blood Realm supreme masters? I certainly can''t imagine how!"


    Eugene gasped in awe. As a martial artist from Dragonia, he knew exactly what that level of power meant. He eximed, "Mr. Reynolds, you truly deserve an early congrattions! It looks like Felix is finally going to be eliminated!


    The goal of the Blood Realm was to refine the blood within a martial artist''s body, gradually turning it into exceptionally powerful true blood. This process was so slow that the Blood Realm was divided into early, middle,te, and major mastery stages. Once the blood was fully transformed, the martial artist reached the True Blood Realm,


    crossing over into apletely new level of power.


    It was said tha


    ten martial artists at the Blood Realm''s major mastery stage would not be able to beat a single True Blood Realm expert-the difference in strength was that vast.


    Johnmanded, "Light up my cigar. I want to savor every moment as Felix''s bones turn to dust in this wastnd."


    Though he smiled, his eyes gleamed with malice, remembering how Felix had killed his precious daughter and forced him into hiding. Now, atst, Felix would pay the price.


    On the other hand, Felix whistled softly as he regarded the two experts. "Two True Blood Realm masters-I''m truly ttered. Though you haven''t introduced yourselves, I know you''re from Skyward Guild and the Greenes,''


    He knew his enemies in Dragonia well. With the Elders'' Council staying out of it and sending only the best of the best-True Blood Realm experts-it was clear who was behind the attack.

 Chapter 874

    The Greenes'' involvement was no surprise after their previous confrontation, and, of course, they would not miss this opportunity abroad. Skyward Guild''s presence also confirmed Felix''s suspicions.


    "Enough talk. I''m not exactly a fan of Guneria either, so let''s not waste time," one of the elders said casually.


    "Perfect, I couldn''t agree more!" Felix''s smile grew brighter as his aura surged, causing both men to look at him with surprise.


    "Gage wasn''t wrong at all-this young man has indeed reached True Blood Realm," one master remarked.


    Though they maintained theirposure, they were shocked that someone so young had achieved their level. After all, it had taken them decades of training to reach it. Theparison was enough to make them choke on their frustration.


    Still, it did not matter much. There were two of them, both in the True Blood Realm, while Felix was alone. Two against one-the odds were solidly in their favor.


    Felix chuckled, cracking his knuckles. "You two old-timers are the perfect partners to test out


    my new moves."


    After absorbing the seventh Dragonspine fragment, Felix unlocked a new technique within Dragons Destroyer called Dragon Fist. It was a closebat style, requi him to fight at point-nk range. Hence, these two elders would make excellent practice. The fight began, and Eugene, observing from afar, was utterly stunned. He eximed, "Oh my! So this is what a True Blood Realm fight looks like? It''s like watching tanks wage war!"


    The battlefield erupted with thunderous explosions, obscured by cloud could feel the ground trembling even from their distant position.


    of dust. Yet, they


    John replied, "Of course! True Blood Realm experts are rare in Dragonia. I was wise to hide- Felix can''t be judged by normal standards. Damn it! My intel said he was only at Blood Realm, but now he''s jumped to True Blood Realm." Several minutes into the battle, John could only see asional shes of light through his scope due to the dust. He mumbled, "It''s still ongoing?"


    Meanwhile, the experts from the Greenes and Skyward Guild were growing increasingly desperate. Felix had not used any special techniques, relying solely on hand-to-handbat. Even so,


    his opponents suffered brutal strikes each time he closed in.


    After coughing up blood multiple times, they realized Felix was just toying with them.


    "Now, now. I''m just starting to get a feel for mybat skills. You need to keep practicing with me," Felix taunted.


    The elders cursed at his audacity. Nheless, they knew they might soon lose their chance to escape if this went on.


    One master shouted, "Felix, we''re not your real enemies! We were just sent here! If you want someone to me, it''s Skyward Guild''s heir!"


    The second elder, clearly panicking, chimed in. "I''m Louise Watson, hired by the Greenes. I have no blood ties to them! Let me go, and I''ll tell you everything you want to know about the Greenes!"


    Felix''s lips curled into a cold smirk as heunched himself at them again. This time, his speed was blinding, and his aura intensified dramatically. The two elders froze in terror, their faces paling. "You''re not just in the True Blood Realm!" Louise stammered, his voice shaking. "You''re-"

 Chapter 875

    Felix moved with lightning speed, his overwhelming presence leaving the two martial artists


    unable to even resist.


    "Enough talking! Submit, or die!" Felix demanded, his tone icy andmanding.


    Since gaining the loyalty of Selmer, a Blood Realm major mastery warrior, Felix had prioritized subduing his enemies whenever possible. These two True Blood Realm masters presented an opportunity too valuable to waste.


    "I''ll submit!" Louise, the elder working for the Greenes, responded immediately. As a hired hand with no true loyalty to the Greenes, his quick surrender was unsurprising.


    Felix turned to Skyward Guild''s master, slowly raising his right hand.


    "I am a Guardian of the Skyward Guild, and you expect me to submit? If you dare kill me, the Skyward Guild won''t-"


    Before he could finish, Felix struck him down. After that, he used the Soul Sealing Needle on Louise, sessfully adding him to his ranks.


    Though he nowmanded only Selmer and Louise, Felix believed his force would grow stronger. With the medical book Gerald had given him, which contained recipes for numerous power-boosting elixirs, his progress would only elerate. As for Reagan and that warrior, they still did not qualify to apany him.


    "Can you sense the people to the southeast?" Felix asked Louise, who Yes, sir."


    Felix smiled. "Address me as Mr. Zeller from now on. Bring them here."


    "Understood!"


    dded and replied,''


    11


    As the dust settled, Felix stood calmly until Louise returned. It was not long before Louise returned, dragging three people and tossing them unceremoniously to the ground.


    "John, it looks like we finally met," Felix said.


    John remained silent, head bowed, while Eugene spoke defiantly, "Hmph! I can''t believe you survived those two masters. This isn''t over!"


    "Even now, you''re still trying to fool me?" Felix said coldly, his voice dripping with disdain. " John, I''ve never seen you before, but I''ve spent plenty of time with Aimee. Martial artist genes are a marvel. The stronger the bloodline, the more unforgettable even the smallest details be."


    John had always been cautious, but after Felix destroyed hisb, his paranoia had only grown


    worse. Not even a photo of him could be obtained easily, which was why Eugene impersonated him just now.


    John looked up through gritted teeth. "Felix, I''ve never done you wrong, yet you killed Aimee, and now you''re after me? Are you even human?"


    Felix''s smile vanished as he grabbed John''s hair. You know exactly what you''ve done. I may not know everything, but those innocent children you killed are reason enough for you to die a hundred thousand times over!"


    Not wanting to waste another word, Felix waved his hand dismissively. "Louise, take him to that house and use every cruel method you know. I want his screams to echo across this wastnd for a long, long time." "Yes, Mr. Zeller!" Louise replied, dragging John toward the house.


    John thrashed and screamed, his vote growing frantic. "No! Felix, if you kill me, Xena won''t forgive you! I''ve prepared an email-it''s programmed to send at dawn unless I deactivate it. It''ll tell her everything you''ve done, and you''ll never have a chance to reconcile with her!" Felix dismissed the threat with contempt. He had already made peace with his choices, and even before that, he would never abandon his mission to seek justice for those children.

 Chapter 876

    Chapt¨¦r 876


    After finishing his business, Felix decided not to let Louise return home just yet. A True Blood Realm fighter could still be quite useful, especially since Felix was about to embark on a critical mission. It was better to make some extra preparations rather than risk anything going


    wrong.


    The next day, around noon, Felix visited a restaurant in Drapetown. After ordering several dishes, he made an unexpected request to the server.


    "Could I speak with your owner? I''m interested in buying this restaurant-money is not an issue," Felix said.


    The server responded politely, "I apologize, sir, but our owner has made it clear that the restaurant isn''t for sale."


    As if anticipating this response, Felix gestured toward the packed dining room. "Is that so? Well, all these people are with me. Don''t worry, they won''t cause trouble, but I can''t control how long they''ll stay here to dine."


    It was only 11:00 am, typically a time when the restaurant would have just one or two tables upied. The server suddenly realized why the ce was unusually full today, especially with all these foreigners in their peculiar attire who did not look particrly friendly. The server left without another word while Felix sipped his tea slowly. He was ying the role of an incredibly wealthy heir, with Luna having already arranged his cr and identity, so there was no need to worry aboutplications.


    His reason for being here was simple-the restaurant''s owner, Helena Mooney, was an associate of that young man from Seapoint. Helena was an expert in soul studies, and Felix did not want to risk blowing his cover.


    Hence, he did not even dare wear the Shadow Mask, fearing that any slip-up might jeopardize the mission. If something went wrong, the chances of sess would plummet, even if he sent reinforcementster.


    Still, Felix could not shake his doubts. The Seapoint youth had surrendered far too easily, which did not match the headquarter''s strict reputation. Did the man have some hidden agenda, or was the headquarters''s punishment so terrifying that he had no choice? Nheless, spection would not change the task at hand. Felix pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the mission.


    About ten minutester, a woman gracefully approached, wearing a wine-red designer dress with a high slit. She carried an elegant fan, and her smile,bined with her refined features, was truly captivating-she was undeniably stunning. Her outfit and poised demeanor brought a sense of vintage elegance to life, making her presence unforgettable.


    "I''m Helena Mooney, the restaurant owner," she said, her voice smooth and confident. "I heard you''re interested in buying my ce?"


    Felix grinned, letting his eyes gleam mischievously as he leaned back in his chair. "Well, well, I didn''t expect such a beautiful owner. Perhaps I could buy you along with the restaurant? Money''s no object, by the way-I''m Felix Zeller."">


    Thanks to Dragonia''s efforts, Xena tookprehensive measures to ensure that all of Felix''s information was untraceable. With headquarters involvement, it would be impossible for. anyone to breach their security and discover Felix''s true identity. Covering her mouth as she giggled, Helena showed no sign of offense. "That''s all talk-how do I know if you really have money or are just pretending?


    "Here''s what we''ll doe back after sunset with ten million dors, and then maybe we can continue this conversation."


    Felix immediately stood up. "Deal. I''ll see you tonight, then.''


    11


    As Felix departed, everyone in the dining room left with him. Helena smiled while waving goodbye at them before speaking. "Find out everything you can about this man.

 Chapter 877

    As the sun began to set, Helena sat in a private room of the Drapetown restaurant, listening to her subordinate''s report.


    "Ms. Mooney, we''ye uncovered his background! Felix is quite something-he''s connected to the Starfires in Astoria, supposedly the beloved grandson of one of Kyro''s old friends. However, our Westerio Order''s investigation suggests there''s more-he''s likely the Shadowstalker Emperor''s illegitimate son."


    Helena''s eyes sparkled with interest as sheughed. "The Shadowstalker Emperor''s son? Well, that exins everything. With Reagan''s status in Astoria, it makes sense for the Starfires to step in as a cover to avoid scandal."


    Her subordinate nodded in agreement. "This guy seems to be quite carefree and privileged, and his features suggest mixed heritage-likely between the Shadowstalker Emperor and someone from Dragonia.


    "Apparently, he got bored in Astoria and decided to find the best Dragonian cuisine to franchise worldwide. Money really does allow for such whims."


    Helena eximed with growing enthusiasm, "Would you look at that? My special recipes haven''t just improved business-they''ve made us famous enough to attract someone like Felix''s attention."


    ere. With the


    Her subordinate immediately offered congrattions. "This is wonderful news, Ms. Mooney. If you can secure his loyalty, we could expand into Astoria once we stabili Shadowstalker Emperor''s support, everything would fall into ce naturany." Helena had been thinking along the same lines. Her n in Guneria was close to stabilizing, with just one more year of preparation needed.


    Afterward, her sights would turn to other countries. Having someone like Felix-a wealthy, impulsive yboy with a weakness for beautiful women-under her control would make things infinitely easier. She could have him wrapped around her finger in no time, "Ms. Mooney, what about the situation in Dragonia?" the subordinate inquired.


    Helena''s expression darkened. "Jesse, that''s not something you need to concern yourself with. Though you''re officially with the Westerio Order, your loyalty is to me now. Don''t ask about things beyond your scope." Jesse Carlisle bowed quickly. "I apologize, Ms. Mooney. I spoke out of turn."


    Helena patted Jesse''s head, and her expression softened. "Since you did well uncovering Felix''s connection to Reagan, I''ll tell you this much: Dragonia is different from other territories-it''s full of hidden powers. "Unless absolutely necessary, neither he nor I can risk any contact, but rest assured, everything is proceeding ording to n."


    By sunset, a "Closed for Private Event" sign had been ced at the restaurant entrance, ensuring no other customers would enter. Felix arrived with twopanions carrying several briefcases. "Mr. Zeller, Ms. Mooney is waiting in her office, Jesse said.


    Once in the office, Felix met Helena''s gaze with undisguised interest. "Open them! Let Ms. Mooney see what I''ve brought.".


    The briefcases revealed neat stacks of cash. "Exactly ten million dors, Ms. Mooney. Please verify."


    "With such generosity, Mr. Zeller, how could I possibly doubt you? Jesse, leave us. I''d like to speak with Mr. Zeller privately."


    As Jesse exited the room, Helena took a moment to assess the two men who had apanied Felix. Both were warriors from Astoria, and their strength was respectable. Additionally, there was now a shadowstalker secretly guarding him, doubling his protection from earlier in the day. These all aligned perfectly with Felix''s supposed status. "There''s a bed in here too? And it''s pretty springy. So, how exactly are we going to have this conversation?"


    When she saw Felix''s impatience, Helena stepped closer, leaning slightly toward him. Her neckline dipped just enough to reveal an enticing view.

 Chapter 878

    "So, how would you like to discuss this? Perhaps like this?" Helena purred as she ced her index finger on Felix''s forehead.


    Felix immediately felt his Dragonspine trembling, responding to whatever trick she was pulling. He struggled internally, unsure how to react to Helena''s technique since he needed to fake his response.


    Deciding to maintain his lustful persona, Felix widened his eyes and feigned an expression of ecstasy while muttering suggestive nonsense. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Helena returning to her seat, clearly satisfied with the effect of her power. She said, "I didn''t want to use my abilities on you, but you were too eager. No one tries to seduce someone on their first meeting, though this works out well-now you won''t be able to stay away from me."


    Felix''s overeagerness actually matched his supposed identity perfectly. As Reagan''s illegitimate son, why would he need to think twice about anything in Astoria? Getting whatever he wanted would be natural for someone of his status.


    Several dayster, Felix was helping Helena load shopping bags into the trunk of her car in an underground parking garage. He asked, "Darling, can we start my restaurant franchise n now?


    "Your food is amazing-we''ll make a fortune worldwide. My dad always says "m useless, but this will definitely impress him."


    Four days had passed, and Felix was growing impatient. However, he sensed several presences lurking nearby, likely Westerio Order''s elite guards, so he could not risk any rash moves. Otherwise, he would have already used his small flute to abduct Helena. "Oh, what''s the rush? I still have some business to finish here. Can''t you just keep mepany?" Helena pouted yfully.


    Felix forced himself to appear charmed. "Alright, alright! Whatever you say!"


    Another week passed, and while Felix still had not found the perfect opportunity to abduct Helena, his patience was not entirely wasted.


    On multiple asions, during Helena''s flirtatious finger-pointing spells during which he pretended to indulge in wild fantasies-she would casually discuss matters with Jesse, unaware that Felix was listening in.


    As Felix suspected, Helena was working closely with the Westerio Order. Their coboration was advancing rapidly, and once they consolidated control, they would be an incredibly


    dangerous force. The scale of their operations alone made them a formidable opponent.


    Felix announced, "Darling, my dad''s here, and he wants to see me. Promise me you''H behave while I''m gone, okay?"


    After nearly two weeks of nning, an opportunity finally presented itself. He did not know if it would work, but it was a chance he could not afford to waste. "Your dad? Why can''t I meet him too?" Helena asked, feigning disappointment. "Or... is it because I''m not good enough to be introduced as your girlfriend?"


    She sounded hurt, but inside, she was thrilled. Reagan Thorne, the Shadowstalker Emperor himself, hade to Guneria, and she had not even caught wind of it.


    It only proved that his power and influence were unmatched. If she could manage a private meeting with him, she would attempt to seize control over him directly. Even if she failed, the encounter would still advance her ns. "Alright, alright, I''ll take you," Felix relented with a sigh. "How could I say no when I love you so much? My dad will love you too."


    Helena''s expression lit up, and she gave an excited little hop before wrapping her arms around Felix. She pressed close, whispering seductively, "I knew you were the best!"


    She even ignored Felix''s wandering hands on her back, considering it a small price to pay.


    Meanwhile, Felix yed along while silently praying, "Elliott, I hope you''re telling the truth. If we miss this chance, I really don''t know what to do next."

 Chapter 879

    Chapter 879 Chapter


    879


    Was Reagan reallying? Of course, he was-it was all part of Felix''s n since Reagan was now under his control. Felix had maintained this borate charade in case his first attempt to capture Helena failed, knowing he might need to try again.


    He had privately contacted Elliott without revealing the true nature of his mission, only mentioning his desire to take someone from Dragonia. Given Helena''s appearance, her citizenship papers were likely forged anyway.


    Elliott agreed to help immediately, knowing that even foreigners sometimes got sick. Felix''s extraordinary medical skills made the decision easy, as he could be theirst hope when modern medicine failed.


    The n centered around the desert biochemical research facility where Felix had previously been held captive. ording to Elliott, this facility was one of Guneria''s highest-priority projects, and its perimeter was surrounded by a strict 12-mile no-entry zone. While they did not have extraordinary fighters, they possessed the world''s most advanced technology. Their radar system could detect anyone regardless of their strength or abilities. If anyone breached the perimeter, swarms of drones would deploy to drive them away. If they persisted, other measures would reveal their identity-leading to serious consequences regardless of their origin.


    This arrangement worked because Elliott was not connected to the Westerio Order. Though the Order had many political figures in Guneria, they were not powerful enough to control everything yet, and individual strength meant little against military-grade missiles.


    Elliott shared another story to emphasize this point. Three years ago, Westerio Order attempted to infiltrate theb to gather intel on its progress. Their agents were discovered almost immediately, and Guneria responded byunching a missile strike on one of Westerio Order''s key outposts.


    The attack obliterated the site, killed countless agents, and even wiped out two powerful Scarlet Cardinals. Since then, Westerio Order had been far more cautious.


    "Darling, why is your dad meeting us in such a remote location? I expected a luxury hotel or something more upscale," Helena said with growing curiosity as they drove further.


    Felix shrugged casually. "My dad''s a special guy. I can''t really say much about what he''s up to, but he wanted to see me, so here we are. Knowing him, he''ll probably head straight home after this without stopping elsewhere." Helena responded with a nomittal "Oh" while texting Jesse.


    He immediately replied, "Ms. Mooney, it appears you''re heading toward one of Guneria''s secret human biochemical research facilities."


    Helena smirked, believing that they were really meeting Reagan. She could not help but wonder if this was some sort of coboration between the two nations. Otherwise, why would he be visiting such a ssified facility?


    Jesse sent another message. "Ms. Mooney, you need to act quickly. No unauthorized personnel are allowed within 12 miles of theb. Their radar will detect any intruders instantly. Even Westerio Order doesn''t dare mess with them, which means no reinforcements can protect you. Helena dismissed the concern casually. "It''s fine. Opportunities like this rarelye along. Besides, do you really think I need the Westerio Order''s protection?"


    Realizing his misstep, Jesse immediately apologized. "You''re right, Ms. Mooney. You''re a powerhouse on your own, and nothing will happen to you. Still, for safety''s sake, I''d rmend positioning backup just outside the 12-mile radius in case of unforeseenplications."

 Chapter 880

    Impressed by Jesse''s loyalty, Helena teased, "How many Scarlet Cardinals can you gather on such short notice?"


    Jesse fell silent, realizing the impracticality of the suggestion. The 12-mile perimeter in the desert was too vast. It would require over 20 Scarlet Cardinals forplete coverage, and there were not even that many in all of Guneria.


    Helene continued confidently, "Don''t bother. No one who could overpower me exists yet, so let''s not make a big deal of this. Neither Reagan nor that facility would have such a person."


    She hadpletely dismissed Felix as just an ordinary person, thanks to his masterful use of the Nightshade Discipline technique borrowed from Darren. With Felix''s skill level, using it perfectly masked his martial artist aura, making him seem utterly unremarkable.


    As they approached the facility, Felix felt ted when he noticed all traces of the powerful guards had vanished. Elliott was telling the truth-the Westerio Order really would not daree near, which meant the n was close to seeding.


    Inside the facility, Elliott stood in the courtyard surrounded by armed personnel and several


    shadowstalkers.


    "Mr. Zeller," the shadowstalkers greeted with a bow, though Elliott''s expression darkened.


    He said sternly, "The woman with you isn''t on the guest list. The radar picked her up the moment she entered the perimeter. I''ll need an exnation."


    Felix yed the role of an entitled heir perfectly. ''Who the hell do you think you are? This is my girlfriend-why can''t she be here? Do you know who my father is? How dare you! You guys, take him down!"


    The shadowstalkers exchanged awkward nces under their masks. They knew Felix was putting on a show, but his over-the-top performance was bordering on ridiculous, especially considering whose territory they were standing in. "Darling, thank you," Helena said sweetly, leaning into Felix as if she were genuinely frightened.


    One of the shadowstalkers stepped forward, addressing Elliott. "Dr. Phillips, please make an exception this time."


    Elliott hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Fine, but she''ll need to be checked thoroughly first. After that, she''ll be escorted to join you."


    Felix continued grumbling, throwing out a few more choice insults for good measure before Helena gently tugged his arm. "It''s okay, darling They won''t hurt me. You go ahead, and I''ll catch up with you soon." Chapter 880


    "They better not! Anyone who dares upset you will answer to me," Felix threatened before leaving.


    Once inside one of the buildings, Elliott finally let out a sigh, shaking his head in disbelief." Dr. Zeller, you''ve missed your calling-you should''ve been an actor. For a second there, even I believed you were just some brainless trust-fund kid."


    Felix smiled wryly. "I didn''t have a choice. This woman is valuable to me, and I went through hell to find her. If it weren''t for the Westerio Order''s elite guards protecting her 24/7, I wouldn''t have needed to trouble you."


    Elliott patted Felix''s shoulder, feigning anger. "What are you talking about? That''s what friends are for."


    Felix nodded seriously. "I''ll remember this favor. If you ever need anything, just say the word, and I''ll be there immediately."


    Elliott smiled, satisfied with this promise. Just then, a staff member interrupted, "Dr. Phillips, Mr. Robins is on the phone-it''s urgent."


    "Alright," Elliott said, gesturing for Felix to wait while he stepped aside to answer the wall phone. After listening for just a few moments, his expressionpletely changed. yo wish


    phone and fared to Fri. "There''s a problem Who is the womans


    sects Robot to me th high ranking member of the Wester


    dvd appena bod wedded and Helena be safely wworted into


    the profit it that was tree warned Waiting for another at there were the


    Wired for a mind before his eyes b "Let''s put it this way. Mr. Robins has a lot o There won''t be a problem if he cre the senators. You''ve met him before. He''s


    - Desire. However..."


    But Boll caght on evrything case with a pri


    needs


    Mr. Robins de can end mein Dragonia if anything, or I cane to him." Felix


    let modded and ryed the men Shortly after, be hung up the call. "He agreed. It''s many because your medical expertise left such deep impression on us back then. While our country''s medical field is advanced, there are still many cases where it''s helpless "Traditional medicine holds its own allure. Mr. Sins knows this well and was happy to


    Felix breathed a sigh of relief. Compared topleting the mission, owing a few favors was meching


    Upon entering a room, Felix met Reagan. Out of respect and with Elliott present, be remainedposed. "Since the Westerio Order cannot intervene, I don''t want to dy it further. Once Helena arrives, I''ll subda her and take her away mediately." Nether Elliott or Reagan objected to this, leaving Felix to decide. "Reagan, is there any issue on your end?"


    Bagan shook his head "Don''t worry. While the Westerio Order is fearsome, I can only stay withum the boundaries of my nation. They wouldn''t dare act recklessly as long as I don''t leave."


    As for Elliott, there was even less concern. Overseeing the secret project had already ced him on his nation''s protection list. If the Wester Order dared assassinate Elliott or Tominy Sumbens, it would mean they had thrown all caution to the wind. Fortunately, they hadn''t reached that level yet


    Ten minutester, Helena entered the room. Shecas curious to see Felix. "Darling, where''s your father?


    Felix suddenly waved his hand. The attack caught Helena off guard, but she wasn''t a pushover

 Chapter 881

    Elliott covered the microphone and turned to Felix. "There''s a problem. Who is the woman you wish to abduct? Mr. Robins just told me that a high-ranking member of the Westerio Order approached one of ours and demanded a woman named Helena be safely escorted into the city once this was over."


    "What?" Felix''s expression fell. If that was true, his n was ruined. Waiting for another chance could take forever. "Is there no way to resolve this?"


    Elliott pondered for a moment before his eyes lit up. "Let''s put it this way. Mr. Robins has a lot of influence. There won''t be a problem if he crosses the senators. You''ve met him before. He''s the one deeply knowledgeable about Dragonia''s culture. However..." Elliott trailed off.


    But Felix caught on-everything came with a price.


    "Tell Mr. Robins he can find me in Dragonia if he needs anything, or I cane to him." Felix sighed.


    Elliott nodded and ryed the message. Shortly after, he hung up the call. "He agreed. It''s mainly because your medical expertise left such a deep impression on us back then. While our country''s medical field is advanced, there are still many cases where it''s helpless. "Traditional medicine holds its own allure. Mr. Robins knows this well and was happy to oblige."


    Felix breathed a sigh of relief. Compared topleting the mission, owing a few favors was nothing.


    Upon entering a room, Felix met Reagan. Out of respect and with Elliott present, he remainedposed. "Since the Westerio Order cannot intervene, I don''t want to dy it further. Once Helena arrives, I''ll subdue her and take her away immediately."


    Neither Elliott nor Reagan objected to this, leaving Felix to decide. "Reagan, is there any issue on your end?"


    Reagan shook his head. "Don''t worry. While the Westerio Order is fearsome, I can only stay within the boundaries of my nation. They wouldn''t dare act recklessly as long as I don''t leave."


    As for Elliott, there was even less concern. Overseeing the secret project had already ced him on his nation''s protection list. If the Westerio Order dared assassinate Elliott or Tommy Robins, it would mean they had thrown all caution to the wind. Fortunately, they hadn''t reached that level yet.


    Ten minutester, Helena entered the room. She was curious to see Felix. "Darling, where''s your father?"


    Felix suddenly waved his hand. The attack caught Helena off guard, but she wasn''t a pushover


    either. Her body trembled as she absorbed the blow. "So, you set me up! You must have a death wish!"


    Helena''s eyes glimmered with a cold light. Without wasting a word, she struck back.


    Having battled the man in Seapoint, Felix didn''t hesitate. He immediately took out the harmonica and began ying it.


    "Who are you? Why do you have that artifact?" Helena''s expression turned unpleasant at the sight of the harmonica. But Felix remained silent and continued ying. Disdain flickered. across her face. "Impressive. You came prepared, but you''ve underestimated me!" Helena sped her hands together and released an invisible force that fought against the harmonica''s effect. The Dragonspine within Felix''s body shook violently.


    Damn! This woman was more challenging than thest one. Fortunately, Felix had borrowed more items from Billy before this. Otherwise, things would have gotten tricky.

 Chapter 882

    Felix took out a memorial coin and lit it on fire before ying the harmonica again.


    As the memorial coin began to burn, Helena''s expression twisted in pain. "Impossible!"


    Her body shook uncontrobly. "Stop! Felix, you love me, right? Please, stop! I''m begging you."


    But there was no way Felix would stop. It was clear that Helena was far more formidable than the man from Seapoint.


    Finally, as the memorial coin burned to ashes, Helena fell to the ground unconscious. Felix swiftly loaded Helena into the car. After nodding to Wayne and Reagan, he drove off in the opposite direction.


    The car was headed toward a coastal area that would take about four hours to reach. Luna had arranged a smuggler''s boat there, and everything was prepared.


    When Helena woke up, the first thing she saw was Felix sitting a short distance away, and she felt the unmistakable rocking motion of a boat on the sea. "Where are we?"


    "On a ship bound for Dragonia," Felix replied cautiously.


    Helena smiled bitterly. "I won''t fight you again. If I can''t take you down in one move, I''ll only suffer moreter."


    Felix nodded. "Good. I''m d you think that way."


    The harmonica''s melody appeared to inflict pain on the soul, something Helena clearly wished to avoid experiencing again.


    They were in the lower deck of the ship. It looked luxurious, all thanks to Luna''s arrangements. With Felix around, she wouldn''t want to arrange a filthy vessel.


    "I thought people like you no longer existed. Or rather, I didn''t know how long I''d have to wait to encounter one. But here you are." Helena chuckled.


    Felix didn''t understand what she was saying and wasn''t interested in engaging with her further.


    "Tony and I, as in the man from Seapoint, are vigntes," Helena exined.


    Felix dismissed it as nonsense.


    "Please, hear me out. Every word I''m about to say is important, and I''ll only say it to you. If I''m not mistaken, you''ll hand me over to others. The information they obtain will differ slightly from what I''m about to share." Helena turned serious. Felix forced a smile. "Go ahead."


    Helena knew Felix wouldn''t believe her but continued nheless, "Your country is on the


    brink of a major crisis. Without a savior, you''ll be forced to watch as chaos unfolds. The strength you pride yourselves on and those terrifying weapons will all be useless when the timees."


    Felixughed. "You make it sound like you''re aliens or something."


    Unexpectedly, Helena nodded. "You could think of it that way. We vigntes don''t lie. The traces we leave behind that catch your attention are all part of finding someone like you, a person capable of saving the world. "The odds of such a person existing are less than one in a billion, yet you''re here. I didn''t expect it."


    Helena stood up and began unfastening the buttons of her dress. "Don''t hesitate or overthink. Come on, take me. I''m ready."

 Chapter 883

    Chapter 883 Chapter


    883


    Felix smirked. "After all that talk, it''s all just a ploy to escape. You think I''ll fall for it?


    Admittedly, Helena was beautiful. A lesser man might have found her hard to resist.


    "You''ve been by my side all along yet were unaffected by my abilities. All of it was an act. Don''t you want a beautiful woman like me?" Helena smiled.


    Felix stood up and prepared to leave. "Rest up. Don''t try anything reckless, or you''ll be the one to suffer."


    The next moment, Helena suddenly tore off her dress, revealing her seductive form. But Felix turned away and missed the sight.


    "My mission is almostplete," she murmured.


    As Felix walked, he felt his body waver. He pulled out the harmonica and started ying while lighting another piece of memorial coin.


    Helena immediately showed signs of agony. But momentster, Felix felt his strength draining. His vision blurred, and he no longer had the energy to continue ying the harmonica.


    "Stop resisting. This is your destiny, as well as mine. Come to me," Helena whispered.


    For some reason, Felix found himself moving toward her, hisst shred of rationality fading.


    The cabin was soon filled with moans of passion.


    When it was over, Felix regained his senses, terrified. "What did you do to me?"


    Helenayzily on the bed, one hand propping up her face. "What do you think we just did? Rx. Not only did I not harm you, but you''ve gained something beneficial. The Destiny Crystal within me has now been transferred to your soul. It is the foundation of your future as a savior."


    Felix examined himself but found nothing out of the ordinary. He could not sense if the crystal truly resided in his soul.


    "The Destiny Crystal will strengthen your soul. You''ll see its benefits over time. But remember, never tell anyone that you possess the Destiny Crystal, or it will bring disaster upon you.


    "Right now, you may not fully understand, but one day, you''ll know everything," Helena exined.


    Seeing no malice in Helena''s demeanor, Felix calmed down. "Can''t you just tell me everything now?"


    Helena chuckled. "The more you know, the worse it will be for you. Just trust me."


    She licked her lips and added, "So this is what intimacy feels like. Sigh, I wouldn''t have volunteered to be a vignte if I knew. I could''ve enjoyed life a bit more."


    Helena sat up and caressed Felix''s face. "You are my first man, and you''ll be my only one. When Tony and I meet again, our lives will end, and we''ll eventually vanish. No one will even remember that we ever existed except for you." What a bleak fate...


    Felix didn''t know how to respond.


    "There''s still some time before we reach Dragonia, right? My final wish is to experience that feeling a little more. It''s shameful, yet... so hard to let go of." Helena smiled.


    Under the bright sun, Xena stood at a port in Dragonia, gazing out at the sea. The entire harbor had been closed off. While not the highest level of security, the scale of the operation was impressive. "Felix, you really know how to surprise me!'' Xena never expected Felix toplete his mission in just half a month, despite being alone and unsupported. He had exceeded her expectations.

 Chapter 884

    As the Phoenix Warlord, Xena was well aware of the terrifying reputation of the Westerio Order abroad, which only made Felix''s aplishment even more impressive.


    The sess of this mission would earn her a medal from headquarters, a rare honor for someone newly appointed as the Phoenix Warlord. It would also be a first in the organization''s history. And all of this was because of Felix.


    Meanwhile, in the cabin, Felix gazed at Helena with aplicated look. "You don''t have to meet such a fate. While I can''t avoid turning you in, I could stop you from meeting Tony."


    Helena smiled and kissed Felix on the cheek. "There''s no need. This is my destiny. It cannot be changed."


    Though he couldn''t im to have fallen for her, Felix couldn''t deny a stirring of emotion.


    "I can change it. I''ll report that you shouldn''t meet him," Felix insisted.


    Helena shook her head. "Absolutely not. If you stop us from meeting, then there wille a time when death is a luxury to me. Do you really want to see me suffer? Don''t tell me you''ll save me. Believe me, you won''t be able to change anything then.". Felix clenched his fists, struggling with what to say, while Helena keptforting him.


    "Mr. Zeller, the ship is about to dock," came a voice from outside.


    Helena smiled and hugged Felix. "Don''t be sad. Honestly, I feel pretty lucky! If the savior had turned out to be some old geezer, now that would''ve been a real loss for me."


    At the port, Felix watched as Xena escorted Helena away. That woman never once looked back at him.


    "Destiny Crystal? What exactly is it? Should I tell my mentor?"


    Three days passed after Felix returned to Gray City, yet he kept recalling the scene of Helena heading to the headquarters for her doom.


    "Wow, Felix is inviting me to dinner! What''s the asion?" That evening, Billy arrived at Felix''s ce. The dishes on the table made him drool. "Looks like my memorial coin came in handy. Otherwise, you wouldn''t be thanking me." "I really do want to thank you. I probably wouldn''t have made it out alive without the harmonica and memorial coin.


    As the final dish was served, Felix opened a bottle of wi


    Billy waved him off. "No need to thank me. It was a fair deal, right? You didn''t take my stuff for free. Now, let''s eat! Don''t mind if I dig in."


    When the first bottle of wine was finished, Felix opened another. "Hey, isn''t the soul an incredibly mysterious thing? Howe you''re so knowledgeable about it? Did you learn it from your mentor?"


    Billy chuckled and nodded. "Yes, everyone has their specialty. I studied this stuff under my mentor. But even so, the soul is mysterious. I wouldn''t dare say I''ve fully figured it out, maybe I''ve just scratched the surface." They clinked sses, each taking another drink. Felix grinned. "So, can you see through my soul too?"


    Billy snorted. "What''s so special about your soul?"


    Felix persisted, "Why don''t you take another look?"


    Billy red at Felix, but as he scanned him, his expression changed. He stood up suddenly and eximed, "You... What the hell is going on!"

 Chapter 885

    Upon seeing Billy''s astonished expression, Felix was stunned. He hadn''t expected Billy to notice something unusual,


    Ever since getting to know Billy, Felix hade to trust him despite his air of mystery. With all the skills Billy possessed, if he wanted to harm Felix, he could have done so long ago. There was no need to wait. After some pondering, Felix decided to let Billy take a look while framing it as a joke. If Billy noticed something, they could discuss it. If not, it would just be a fleeting joke.


    "What''s wrong? Is there something different about my soul?" Felix pressed.


    Billy widened his eyes and rubbed his chin. "What the heck did you get into this time? I don''t know exactly what''s in your soul, but as far as souls go, it''s..."


    After a long pause, Billy still hadn''t said another word. Felix grew impatient. "Well? Is it good or bad?"


    "Good! It''s a blessing! Whatever this thing is, it nourishes the soul, enhances the power, and has countless benefits."


    Billy rubbed his hands together and said something that sent a chill down Felix''s spine. "If it weren''t for my mentor''s teachings and the fact that we''re friends, I might consider taking it from you."


    It seemed Helena hadn''t been lying after all. The so-called Destiny Crystal was a


    treasure.


    "Why don''t I feel anything?" Felix asked.


    Billy shrugged. "You''re not practicing any soul-rted techniques right now. So, of course, you wouldn''t notice. But once you''ve acquired all the Dragonspines and reached Dragons Destroyer, your soul will be able to evolve. Then you''ll realize how incredible this thing is." Oh? Billy seemed to know more about Dragons Destroyer than Felix himself.


    "Well, that''s a relief," Felix said, feeling reassured.


    Billy''s gaze betrayed a flicker of jealousy, and he grumbled. "Man,paring myself to you is annoying. Do you know how much hardship I''ve endured to get where I am? And yet, with this one stroke of luck, you''re already set.


    "Forget it. Let''s not talk about it. Bring out your best wine. I''m going to drink it all tonight!"


    When Felix arrived at the clinic the next morning, Melissa ran up to him. "Felix, Selmer''s been drinking alone in that tavern across the street. Something seems off with him."


    "Is there a tavern that opened this early?" Felix cocked a brow but quickly brushed it off. Anything was possible with enough money. "What''s wrong with him?"


    Melissa shook her head, but N chuckled. He''s jealous. You should go check on him. People always throw the term ''big baby'' around, but I finally get it now." "A big baby?" Felix was puzzled.


    N exined, "Selmer''s been gloomy ever since you introduced Louise to him."


    So that was it. Felix understood now what was up with Selmer.


    He immediately headed to the tavern.


    He hadn''t let Louise stay at the clinic for two reasons-first, the clinic was too small.


    More importantly, Louise was from the Greene family. The family was powerful and dangerous, and Felix still hadn''t fully grasped its reach.


    Knowing Aiden''s nature, Felix was certain the family would stop at nothing to eliminate Louise. For now, it was safer for Louise to remain hidden until Felix dealt with the Greene family.


    At the tavern, Selmer stood up the moment he saw Felix. "Mr. Zeller."


    Felix studied him and joked, "Louise already achieved True Blood Realm. You, on the other hand, are still far from mastering Blood Realm."


    The remark hit Selmer hard, and his expression turned unpleasant. "Mr. Selmar, it''s my fault for not mastering my skills. I''ve failed to live up to your expectations."


    As Felix''s first follower, Selmer had always prided himself on being the top aide. But after Felix''stest trip, not only had he returned with a stronger ally, but Louise had achieved True Blood Realm. How could Selmer not feel disheartened? He feared being cast aside.

 Chapter 886

    Felix chuckled. "You''re a grown man, yet you''re still hung up on things like this! Not just anyone can be my follower. Sure, some might see you as cowardly or disloyal, but I''ve always believed people can change. So stop worrying about how others see you, and even more so about how I do."


    Felix tossed a pill over. "This is a new form I developed. It''s designed to boost the strength of those who mastered Blood Realm. Give it a try."


    "What?" Selmer quickly caught the pill. It turned out Felix hadn''t forgotten about him after all. "Thank you, Mr. Zeller! Thank you!"


    In truth, Felix had created this pill a while ago. However, he wasn''t sure of its effects or whether it might even be harmful. So he hadn''t dared to let Selmer use it. However, after the sess of the Windseeker Pill during his mission in Guneria, Felix was confident that the medical text''s descriptions were urate.


    Even the most basic pills from the text could enhance the strength of warriors who were already considered elite by modern standards. It showed just how valuable traditional medicine was. With these resources, Felix was convinced that building a formidable army was only a matter of time.


    On his way to the clinic, Felix made a call. After several rings, the line was finally answered.


    "Who''s this?" the other party asked.


    "Surely you haven''t forgotten my voice already, Mr. Walter?" Felix hummed.


    The person on the other end was Stamford from Skyward Guild, who had previously reached out to Felix. "It''s... it''s you, the Dragon Knight! How could I possibly forget your voice?"


    In reality, Stamford was sweating bullets. He knew Felix had returned to the country three days ago. That only confirmed the man Skyward Guild had dispatched to Guneria must have perished. That was no ordinary man either-he was someone who mastered True Blood Realm. Yet, they had failed to eliminate Felix. However, Felix wasn''t demanding an exnation, which left Stamford on edge. "Let''s not beat around the bush," Felix said tly. "Tell Terry to exin himself


    within a week. If not, don''t me me for what happens next."


    With that, he hung up.


    0


    Felix didn''t intend to pick a fight with Skyward Guild. At least, not yet. As thergest sect in the country, they boasted several men who mastered the True Blood Realm. Charging in alone would be suicide. For now, he would bide his time and see how they responded.


    The same went for the Greene family. Though they crossed a line, Felix wasn''t ready to face them head-on. Patience was his only option for now.


    When Felix arrived at the clinic, he immediately noticed the peculiar atmosphere. Melissa stood frozen against the wall. Even when she saw Felix, she didn''t greet him, but instead kept gesturing with her eyes. Inside, Xena was facing off with N. Though neither spoke, the tension was thick.


    "Who would''ve thought a mighty queen would be reduced to an assistant in a tiny clinic? How amusing.", Xena smirked.


    N wasn''t about to back down. "Right back at you. The famed Phoenix Warlord is spending time in this unremarkable clinic! How ironic."


    For some reason, Xena''s frustration grew at the thought of N spending time with Felix.


    Finally, she turned her gaze sharply to Felix "Felix, would you make the decision now if I told you to?"

 Chapter 887

    Felix was taken aback by the question. "Decide what?"


    N was nervous and didn''t know how Felix would respond. While terrified of hearing the answer, she couldn''t help but hope for rity.


    Xena also felt conflicted. For the first time, she felt uncertain and doubted her charm, which was rare for her. It was a moment of vulnerability, a decision every woman dreads. "You can choose to stay here at the clinic ore with me. I have something important to discuss with you," Xena said, surprising herself with how much her tone had shifted. She intended to confront Felix, but her tone softened, catching her off guard. Why was she suddenly uncertain about her feelings for a man who had fought hard to win her back? "I''lle with you," Felix replied without hesitation.


    If Xena was asking, it was likely rted to a mission, so Felix didn''t dwell on what N might think. He followed Xena without a second thought.


    Once they had left, Melissa asked, "N, why are you smiling?"


    N pinched Melissa''s cheek. "Because it''s a happy asion."


    Women were often intuitive about matters of the heart. From what she had just witnessed, N was confident that Felix and Xena would never go back to how they were. Although Felix gave her his word, N had genuinely fallen for him. Why not hope for even more? At a cafe cleared for their meeting, Felix was eager to ask, "Do we have results?"


    Xena frowned, shaking off her unease and reminding herself to focus on work." Results? I''m here to assign you a new mission.""


    Another mission? Felix mulled it over before saying, "I know this was ssified as top secret by headquarters, but I''m not asking for much. I just want to know how things stand with the missions I''ve handled so far. For example, did Helena talk?"


    Xena looked puzzled. "Helena? Who''s that? What exactly are you asking about?"


    Felix felt his heart sink. Xena''s confusion was genuine, meaning she had never heard of Helena.


    "What about Seapoint?" he asked.


    "Seapoint? Where''s that? Felix, you''re asking really strange questions today." Xena was confused.


    Even Seapoint had been erased from her memory. Felix felt a chill running down his spine.


    Helena hadn''t said anything, which meant she was likely dead along with Tony. Moreover, everyone involved seemed to have lost any memory of the events, leaving Felix as the sole witness. This was beyond anything he couldprehend. "It''s nothing. Tell me about the mission." Felix shook it off.


    It was a done deal. What else could Felix do? He couldn''t even bury Helena.


    "You are to represent headquarters in the Dragonia Martial Arts Competition," Xena said.


    Felix thought he had misheard. "Dragonia Martial Arts Competition? I''ve never heard of such a thing."


    "Of course you haven''t. This is the first time headquarters is hosting it. The only rule for participants is that they must be under 30 years old. Aside from you,


    headquarters has selected two other candidates to join."


    Apetition organized by the headquarters?


    Felix couldn''t help but connect it to Helena.


    Why else would headquarters arrange something like this? An official martial artspetition was news to him.


    Unfortunately, any memory of rted events had been wiped, leaving only written records behind. Even if he had questions, there would be no one to answer them.


    Xena piped up. "Felix, don''t underestimate this. You might think that many of the most promising young martial artists wouldugh at thepetition, right? They already have everything-wealth, resources, and guidance from experts. Why bother exposing themselves to apetition like this?"

 Chapter 888

    Chapter


    888


    Felix nodded-that was precisely what he was thinking.


    "It''s because headquarters got approval to offer the ultimate prize to the champion,


    Xena said mysteriously.


    She leaned forward and whispered, "It''s Lone Paragon."


    Xena thought Felix would react wildly. But to her shock, he seemed unimpressed. Have you never heard of Lone Paragon?"


    "Should I have?" Felix asked tly.


    Xena sighed. "Fine. I only learned about it myself after this tournament was finalized. Lone Paragon is an ancient secret technique passed down through the ages. It''s been safeguarded by the country for centuries and has never leaked out.


    An ancient technique that was valued by the country? It had to be extraordinary,


    then.


    11


    "If it''s truly that remarkable, wouldn''t the champion be a target for everyone? I doubt this tournament allows contestants to use fake identities or disguise themselves, right?" Felix asked.


    It was an important question. If he became the focus of countless ambitious warriors, his life would be at risk, no matter how skilled he was.


    "Of course not," Xena replied. "This is an official event. Fake identities, aliases, or disguises are strictly forbidden. However, Lone Paragon has a few unique traits, so you don''t need to worry about bing a target. Do you think the headquarters are that careless?"


    She sipped her tea before continuing, "First once someone begins learning Lone Paragon, it transforms into a streak of light and disappears. Its next location, or who might discover it next, remainspletely unknown.


    "Second, any warrior who learns it cannot pass it on to another person, whether through force or voluntary."


    "These traits are widely known among the older generation of martial artists," Xena added.


    That made sense. With such safeguards, Felix couldpete without worrying about repercussions.


    "Prepare yourself," Xena said, "The news about the tournament will spread throughout the martial arts world today. It officially starts in one week."


    As she stood to leave, Felix asked one more question, "Why are they suddenly bringing out Lone Paragon? There must be a reason."


    Xena paused. "Perhaps... a storm is brewing".


    After she left, Felix remained seated, his thoughts consumed by Helena. He still found it hard to ept that she was truly gone.


    He didn''t know how much time had passed when his phone buzzed with an unfamiliar number. "Hello, brat! Miss me?"


    It was Gerald! Felix''s heart raced. There was so much he wanted to say.


    "Mr. Hoffman! How''s Benjamin?"


    "Don''t worry about him. I''m still researching. He hasn''t suffered and even seems grateful to me. Who knows? Maybe I''ll find a way to free him," Gerald replied. That was reassuring.


    "Listen up! The country is hosting a martial artspetition in a week. You''d better sign up for it. The grand prize is Lone Paragon. I even want it myself!"


    Even Gerald wanted it? That confirmed how extraordinary Lone Paragon must be. Xena hadn''t mentioned its full details. Felix still felt like he was grasping at straws when understanding it.


    "Mr. Hoffman, I know Lone Paragon is a secret technique, but what else can you tell me about it?" Felix asked.

 Chapter 889

    A moment ago, Felix''s mind was preupied with Helena, so he hadn''t asked Xena any questions. But since Gerald called, he wouldn''t let this opportunity slip by, especially not with someone as close to him as he was.


    Gerald began, "Lone Paragon! Do you realize how precious it must be for the country to safeguard it for so many years without letting anyone learn it? There''s even a rumor that it''s not from Earth. That might be an exaggeration, but it still speaks to its mystique." He continued, "To get to the point, what makes Lone Paragon so irresistible to martial artists is its power. Once mastered, it allows you to triple yourbat strength for one whole hour with zero side effects. And you can use it again after 24 hours." "What?" Felix shot to his feet. It was almost too good to be true.


    A chance to triple one''sbat strength! Anyone who obtained the ability would be invincible among their peers, and defeating stronger opponents would be effortless. The fact that itsted a whole hour and came without any drawbacks was outrageous. It was no wonder headquarters was confident thispetition would attract many martial artists. A technique this powerful would have almost every martial artistpeting for it.


    With the country backing the event, it was as secure and legitimate as it could get- whoever won would get the technique.


    "Do you remember the person I told you about? The one who mastered Dragons Destroyer?" Gerald asked.


    "Yes. What about him?" Felix was curious.


    Gerald sounded nostalgic. "His name was Igor Maximus. He was a prodigy. In his most dangerous battle, his opponent was a warrior who had sessfully mastered Lone Paragon. That fight raged on for nine days. In the end, Igor barely emerged victorious. "But keep this in mind. Back then, Igor had only obtained eight of the Dragonspines, not all nine. You''re also aiming to achieve Dragons Destroyer, so you should understand how formidable Lone Paragon is."


    Felix''s smile showed his understanding of the gravity of the situation.


    The Elders'' Council could have eliminated him long ago-the only reason he was alive was because he had learned Dragons Destroyer.


    Felix himself had seven Dragonspines, which already made him immensely powerful. If not for other considerations, he could have taken on Skyward Guild by


    now.


    Yet Igor, with eight Dragonspines, had nearly lost to an opponent who learned Lone Paragon. That fact alone was a testament to its terrifying potential.


    "That''s why you absolutely cannot miss thispetition," Gerald urged. "If you can obtain Lone Paragon, it''ll be incredibly beneficial for you!".


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Hoffman. I''ll make sure to win," Felix promised.


    Gerald chuckled. "I know you feel strong now, but don''t let your guard down. If the prize were anything else, thispetition might only attract the ambitious ones, and the true experts wouldn''t bother showing up. "But with Lone Paragon at stake, not even the most cautious expert could resist. They''ll send their grandchildren or disciples topete. So stay sharp. You know how many hidden experts our country has. Felix nodded. He wasn''t one to be overconfident, so he joked, "Exactly, Mr. Hoffman. Like, who knew Madam Spring existed?"


    Ever since Sarah tricked him, she seemed to have vanished without a trace. Felix hadn''t been able to find a single lead on her. He wouldn''t hesitate to send her to her grave if they crossed paths again.

 Chapter 890

    "You brat! Why do you always have to bring that? I''m hanging up." Gerald scoffed.


    "Wait, Mr. Hoffman!" Felix shouted. There was something even more critical he hadn''t yet addressed. "My soul... it has a problem."


    Gerald grew serious. "Don''t scare me. Soul-rted issues are no small matter."


    "Here''s what happened. Headquarters initially sent me to Seapoint for a mission, and I encountered..." Felix recounted everything in full detail. This was Gerald, his mentor, after all. There was nothing he couldn''t share.


    "Vigntes? And no one remembers them? Destiny Crystals? Honestly, I''ve never heard of these things," Gerald admitted.


    "But what you''re describing is beyond bizarre! Especially the ability to erase all memory of their existence. There are only a handful of individuals in the entire Dragonia capable of that."


    Felix was stunned. "What? Can people actually do that? How many more unbelievable things are hidden in Dragonia?"


    "Did you show it to Fatso?"


    "Fatso? Who''s that?" Felix was confused.


    "Billy, that shameless disciple with a name as ridiculous as his master''s," Geraldughed.


    So Gerald knew about Billy. Although Felix was curious, he realized asking wouldn''t get him anywhere. He could only respond honestly, "I showed it to him. Billy didn''t know what the Destiny Crystal was either. He only said it was good for the soul and admitted that he felt an urge to snatch it from me."


    Gerald roared withughter. "Haha! If Billy says that, then there''s no problem. Forget the details. Just count it as a stroke of luck! This might be the perfect time to meet Naomi."


    Felix was baffled. "Why are we talking about Naomi now?"


    He was about to ask more when the call abruptly ended.


    As Felix returned to the clinic, the news of the martial artspetition and the prize, Lone Paragon, sent shockwaves throughout Dragonia.


    In an icy wilderness, a figure sat cross-legged, most of its body buried under snow, resembling a corpse.


    Two brown bears approached cautiously. Feasting on the corpse might provide enough energy to hibernate through the winter.


    When they were just a mile away, the figure suddenly opened their eyes. A loud bang echoed, and both bears exploded.


    "The martial artspetition? And Lone Paragon is the prize? Interesting. Time to stretch my legs." The figure smirked.


    A woman stood gracefully atop a massive boulder in a serene mountain rang¨¨ amidst chirping birds and waterfalls. She held a long sword in her right hand, though she hadn''t moved it. Yet, the waterfall split as though some invisible force sliced it apart, A sudden voice broke the tranquility. "My dear apprentice! The country is hosting a martial artspetition, and the champion will receive Lone Paragon. Are you interested?"


    The womanughed. "Lone Paragon? How interesting. Wait for me."


    In a vast desert, a man staggered forward. Strapped to his back was an enormous boulder, yet he left no footprints in the sand.


    A bird descended,nding at his feet.


    The man set down the boulder and retrieved a note tied to the bird''s leg. After reading it, he smiled. "Lone Paragon? I''ll take it."


    00

 Chapter 891

    At the Greene family estate, Alden sat frowning. He held the same expression for quite some time.


    Meanwhile, Asher was in great turmoil and could not calm down.


    Aiden had sent a True Blood martial artist to kill Felix, yet the mission had failed. The assassin had gone missing, while Felix returned alive. He waspletely unscathed, ording to the reports. "Aiden, should we strike again?" Asher asked cautiously.


    Aiden waved his hand dismissively.


    "There''s no time to waste on him for now. The Dragonja Martial Arts Competition is just around the corner, and the championship prize is the Lone Paragon ancient secret technique. That should be our priority." Standing up, Aiden smiled confidently.


    "Only I am worthy of Lone Paragon. Anyone else who dares to covet it is nothing more than a fool."


    After a moment of hesitation, Asher asked carefully, "What if Felix decides to participate?"


    There were two possibilities regarding Felix. The first was that he had reached the True Blood Realm and was capable of protecting himself and defeating such a powerful assassin. The second possibility was that he had someone even stronger by his side. Based on the avable information, the former seemed more likely. It was likely Felix had handled the matter himself.


    With that level of strength,bined with his age, would he not participate?


    Aiden''s eyes shed with a cold gleam.


    "He''d better participate. If I encounter him, I can kill him openly and legitimately!"


    This martial arts tournament would be semi-public. Ordinary citizens wouldn''t even have the right to know about it, let alone watch it in person. Only the elite figures with power and influence in Dragonia would receive invitations to attend.


    The tournament rules had also been announced: a match would end if onepetitor voluntarily admitted defeat. If they didn''t-or didn''t get the chance to-then, unfortunately, their death would be their own responsibility.


    In the past, Asher would''ve been certain Felix would die if he crossed paths with Aiden. However, he wasn''t so sure of that anymore.


    Meanwhile, at Skyward Guild, Stamford had finally met with Terry, who was the leader of the sect.


    "Mr. Miles, as I said earlier, sending someone to Dragonia was a terrible idea. Felix is alive and well, and he even called me. What should we do?"


    Terry''s face darkened. Losing a guardian of the True Blood Realm was a devastating blow, one that even


    Chapter Shi


    he felt deeply. The resources, effort, and time needed to cultivate such a powerhouse were immense. And now, that investment was gone.


    "Enough with the pointless chatter! One wrong step leads to another, and we can''t turn back now. What do you expect me to do? Do you expect me to apologize to Felix?"


    Stamford smiled wryly. He didn''t dare say that out loud. Skyward Guild, as the top sect in Dragonia, had its pride. Unless it was someone truly above them, the idea of their leader apologizing was simply out of the question.


    "At the end of the day, Felix has no evidence. If he wants revenge, he will have to do it himself. He cannot abuse his position as a Dragon Knight. So, why fear him?"


    As Terry said that, a cruel glint appeared in his eyes. "The Dragonia Martial Arts Competition ising up. Do you think a young talent like Felix would sit it out?" Stamford''s face turned pale with shock.


    "Mr. Miles! Are you nning to kill Felix during the tournament?"


    "Why not? As long as he doesn''t get the chance to admit defeat, there''s no need to worry about any repercussions. Even the headquarters won''t say a word."


    Stamford''s body visibly trembled as he heard that. "Are you nning to send Zack into the tournament? But Zack still hasn''t fully mastered controlling his energy! What if it backfires during the tournament? How would we exin that?"

 Chapter 892

    Terry waved his hand decisively.


    26 BONUS


    "This isn''t something for you to worry about! When ites to Lone Paragon, even those old recluses will send their prized disciples or family members. If Zack doesn''t go, who else will stand a chance? Now leave."


    As a new day dawned, Felix made his usual round at the clinic before heading over to Floral Wreath Boutique.


    "Billy, are you signing up for the uing Dragonia Martial Arts Competition?"


    Unexpectedly, Billy shook his head, saying, "I''m not a martial artist, so why the hell would I join?"


    Hearing that, Felix''s expression turned strange, wondering why he imed not to be a martial artist. Then again, Billy had always been hard to figure out.


    "Well, it''s a relief that you''re not joining," Felix said. He had confidence in taking on anyone, except for Billy. This guy was too mysterious, and his methods were downright bizarre.


    "Felix, are you serious about what you mentionedst night?"


    Felix nodded. "Yeah, I already got Melissa''s consent. Didn''t you also give her a protective talisman? That should ensure nothing goes wrong."


    The matter in question was about letting the Fish Men take Melissa if they showed up again. Felix hadn''t forgotten what Kendrick had said at the cathedral in Guneria.


    The Fish Men most likely carried a piece of the Dragonspine. While it felt underhanded to use Melissa as bait, Felix had gotten her agreement beforehand, and with the protective talisman Billy provided, it was worth the gamble. He didn''t know how else he was supposed to locate them.


    "But how can you be sure the Fish Men will show up in the next few days?"


    After some thought, Felix replied, "I can''t be certain, but with the Dragonia Martial Arts Competition approaching, they might make a move. It''s worth a shot."


    Thest time the Fish Men abducted Melissa, they didn''t harm her but sold her at the Obsidian Auction to trade for something they needed. It was clear that they had their own agenda.


    If Melissa showed up at the clinic again, there was a high likelihood they''de after her. Additionally, with the Dragonia Martial Arts Competition happening, the odds seemed even higher.


    As soon as Felix stepped outside, his phone rang. The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number.


    "Who is this?"


    "Hello, Felix."


    Felix chuckled when he heard her voice. "Naomi? It''s rare for you to reach out."


    Gerald had just mentioned that Naomi would be contacting him.


    "Yeah, I was nning to visit you, but I have some things to take care of here. Can youe to me instead?"


    Since it was his fellow apprentice asking for help, Felix couldn''t say no. "Sure. No problem."


    "Oh, and when youe, bring a luxury car and one million dors in cash. Don''t forget that, okay?"


    A luxury car and cash? Felix''s expression turned odd, but he didn''t ask any questions. "Alright. I''ll make it happen."


    Naomi was known for her gentle nature and kind heart. Unlike his other fellow apprentices, she was down-to-earth. Even back in Eden Vige, she rarely spoke much and always carried a quiet warmth about her. "Billy, I''m heading out for a bit. This is a Windseeker Pill. If the Fish Men show up, call Selmer and use. this to track him down. Capture them alive and wait for me to get back."


    Taking the Windseeker Pill, Billy stared at him. "You''re giving me orders now?"


    Felix was annoyed. If he hadn''t realized how tricky and dangerous the Fish Men were after meeting Pierre, he''d have left it to Selmer alone. However, with Billy joining in, the chances of sess were much higher. "Cut the nonsense. I''ll owe you a favor."


    Billy grinned. "Aw, you don''t have to be so uptight about it. It''s only expected that friends help each other. Anyway, since you insist, you now owe me a favor."

 Chapter 893

    After an hour''s flight, Felixnded at Hermestown Airport, where someone was already waiting to pick


    him up.


    "Mr. Zeller, does this car work for you?"


    The arrangements had been made by George. It was a piece of cake for someone like him.


    Looking at the sleek ck Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Felix gave a nod of approval. "It''ll do."


    "There''s one million dors in cash in the trunk. Take care, Mr. Zeller."


    Driving the Cullinan for another hour, Felix found himself mesmerized by the scenery along the way. Rolling mountains and lush greenery stretched as far as the eye could see. Clearly, the environment was a top priority for Naomi, judging by where she lived. Finally, the car arrived at the destination she had sent him: Juno Vige.


    From a distance, Felix spotted a familiar figure. It was Naomi Lovce.


    Although her head was wrapped in a scarf and she was dressed like a farmer, it did nothing to mask her beauty, especially when she smiled. She was as captivating as ever, and Felix felt a wave of nostalgia.


    ""Mr. Zeller, you''re here," she greeted.


    As Felix stepped out of the car, Naomi came forward, followed by about a dozen vigers.


    Everything had been discussed in advance, so Felix naturally yed along. "Hmm, these must be the representatives of Juno Vige?"


    "Yes, that''s right."


    Opening the trunk, he pulled out two boxes and lifted the lids. The sight of cash instantly brought smiles to the vigers'' faces.


    "This is one million dors. Please distribute it among yourselves."


    A middle-aged man, likely the vige chief, stepped forward and said, "Mr. Zeller, the amount our entire vige can ept is 930,000 dors-no more, no less."


    Felix chuckled. "It''s fine. The carrots you grew were excellent, and I made a good profit. I''d like to give a little extra. Use the remaining money as you see fit-help families in need or support kids attending college. Either way, I won''t be taking it back." Hearing that, the vigers were filled with gratitude, especially toward Naomi, whom they genuinely admired.


    Once everything was settled, Felix followed Naomi to her home. Compared to the vige, it was more secluded, but the tranquility made it worth it.


    "I have to say, Naomi, since when did you be an agricultural expert?"


    Naomi looked a little embarrassed.


    "Well, I thought it''d be easy, but it turns out this really is a specialized field! Don''t worry, though. Give me another year or two, and I promise I''ll cultivate a carrot variety perfect for thisnd. Juno Vige will be thriving in no time."


    She sighed again and added, "But the first batch was a mess. No one wanted to buy it, so I had no choice but to ask you for help. Don''t worry. I''ll pay you back."


    Out of Felix''s nine fellow apprentices, Naomi was probably the only one who evercked money. Felix couldn''t help but smile wryly at the thought.


    In fact, as far as he knew, she was also the least interested in conflict. Whether or not she even practiced martial arts, or what Gerald had taught her, remained a mystery to him.


    "We''re family. Paying would be odd," Felix replied.


    ncing around the courtyard, he admired its peaceful ambiance before getting to the point. "Naomi, has Mr. Hoffman called you recently?"


    To his surprise, Naomi simply lowered her head and gave a soft "mm-hmm". Felix didn''t even notice anything unusual about her reaction.


    "So, what exactly did he ask you to do? I''m totally in the dark here."


    Before he could press further, Naomi suddenly turned and dashed into the house, saying, "You''re annoying."


    Annoying? What did Felix even say? Did he cross some kind of line?


    A momentter, she called from inside the house. "Stay the night. It''s gettingte. I''ll cook some pasta for you."


    "Sure thing, Naomi. I''ve been craving your pasta for ages-they''re unforgettable!"


    As the sun set, Felix was served a steaming te of delicious pasta. In that peaceful moment, he wished for his life to be as simple as the pasta.

 Chapter 894

    "I heard you''ve slept with Averill, Leslie, Delh, and Mira?" Naomi said.


    Felix, who was in the middle of slurping the pasta, coughed out the contents in his mouth the moment he heard Naomi''s words. He was at a loss for words. After all, it was true, and trying to deny it wouldn''t change anything.


    "What are you embarrassed about? We''ve always been your women. It was just a matter of time."


    Hearing those wordse from Naomi''s mouth gave Felix an indescribable sense of awkwardness.


    Her face, which had been slightly flushed, now seemed calm and resolute, as though she hade to terms with it.


    "Do you know why Mr. Hoffman asked me to seek you out? It was to make sure we could sleep together."


    Felix started coughing again.


    "Naomi, are you serious?"


    Naomi nodded. "Yes. The cultivation technique I''ve been practicing is closely tied to the soul. Mr. Hoffman must have thought the time was right. He always has his reasons. "When we... uh... connect, it''s not just about the physical act. More importantly, it''s a merging of our souls. The first time will especially bring tremendous benefits to your soul." Even Naomi felt embarrassed after saying that. She quickly got up and stammered, "I-I''ll go wash the dishes."


    If a woman was willing to say so much, being passive any longer would truly be unreasonable.


    Quietly sneaking up behind her, Felix lifted her into his arms and said softly, "Naomi, then forgive me for being bold."


    Once inside the room, he quickly removed her well-worn outer clothes, only to freeze in ce.


    Beneath thoseyers was a set of sensual ck, sheer lingerie. The contrast was so dramatic that Felix couldn''t help but stare, wide-eyed.


    "W-What are you looking at? You''re so annoying," Naomi stammered, clearly flustered. She had intentionally dressed like this, knowing he wasing. "I''m looking at you. You''re beautiful."


    Without hesitation, Felix pounced like a hungry tiger, and the blending of their souls began.


    By the time morning came, Felix felt an inexplicable sense of rity and refreshment, though nothing more extraordinary than that.


    "You''re awake? Come have some pasta," Naomi said, carrying a te into the room.


    Felix smirked. "I think we did enough eatingst night"


    She gave him a re and fled the room. "You''re not allowed to say that. You''re not allowed to say anything."


    Driving back in the Cullinan, Felix found himself reflecting on his luck.


    What had he done to deserve nine incredible fellow apprentices? Each had their own lives and their own pursuits, yet their feelings for him remained unwavering. They never asked for titles ormitments, something that felt like it could only happen in a dream.


    Suddenly, Felix mmed on the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt stop. After a brief moment of shock, he leaped out and disappeared into the surrounding forest.


    Moments ago, he had felt the presence of the Dragonspine. He was certain he had sensed it.


    What puzzled him was that it hadn''t been there yesterday. Someone must have brought it nearby. How could he pass up such an opportunity?


    The target was moving through the mountains and forests at incredible speed. As the pursuer, Felix could clearly feel its presence.


    "This is tricky. Their speed is on par with someone at the True Blood Realm."


    If it were truly just the True Blood Realm, Felix could handle it with ease. What worried him was the possibility of misjudging the situation and finding himself caught off guard. "Have they stopped moving?"


    After a few quick leaps, Felix hid behind arge tree, preparing to observe the situation carefully.


    But just as he was about to take a closer look, a voice rang out, "You''ve been following me for quite a while. Why hide? Come out already."

 Chapter 895

    Felix was stunned that he had been detected. After all, he had even activated the Nightshade Discipline. Back when he was with Helena, his presence could not be sensed even at close range. "What''s the matter? Are you not willing to show yourself?"


    Grinding his teeth, Felix revealed himself.


    About ten yards away, an elderly man was standing there, watching him intently. The old man had an ordinary appearance, with slightly clouded eyes, and stood with his hands behind his back. There wasn''t the slightest trace of fear or nervousness in his demeanor. "Sorry. Maybe we''re just traveling the same path," Felix said, forcing a smile.


    The corners of the old man''s lips curled up slightly as he chuckled. "There''s no such thing as pure coincidence in this world. Besides, I''ve never seen an expert as young as yourself."


    As he spoke, the old man slowly extended his hands forward.


    Felix noticed he was wearing gloves. Was he a Fish Man?


    The realization hit him like a thunderp. As the gloves slipped off, the man revealed hands covered in ck scales.


    Felix was shocked. ording to Pierre''s stories, ck scales signified the highest and most terrifying rank among Fish Men.


    Judging by this detail and the old man''s age, it was highly likely this was the great-grandfather Pierre had mentioned who was still alive.


    The next moment, dizziness overtook Felix as waves of disorientation hit him hard. The seven pieces of Dragonspine within him began trembling violently.


    Not daring to hesitate, Felix quickly took out his small flute and began to y, shutting his eyes tightly to avoid looking at those ck-scaled hands.


    "Oh? So you know about us Fish Men. How naive, though. Do you think closing your eyes is enough to block it? Ridiculous!"


    -------------------


    The pressure didn''t ease. If anything, it grew even stronger. Worse yet, the flute had no effect at all. The old man''s steady,manding voice rang out, unaffected.


    Felix remembered what Billy had said. The flute only worked against beings with unnatural souls or malevolent entities. It was useless against someone with a normal soul.


    That could only mean one thing-this old man''s soul was entirely normal. However, the intense vibrations of the seven Dragonspine pieces within him suggested his soul was under Sort of assault. Everything pointed to those ck-scated hands.


    Was that what ck-scaled Fish Men were capable of. Even at Felix''s level of cultivation, he was still at a disadvantage.


    He couldn''t continue on like that. Even though the Dragonspine was protecting him, the splitting


    172


    headache kept growing worse. If this continued, Felix knew he''d lose consciousness and fallpletely under the old man''s control. Given his current state, he couldn''t even muster a counterattack.


    "I''m not your enemy, sir!"


    At the critical moment, Felix pulled out the crystal pendant Pierre had given him and tossed it over.


    There was no immediate response from the old man. However, a few secondster, the headache subsided.


    Felix opened his eyes and saw the old man carefully inspecting the crystal pendant.


    "This is my grandson''s crystal pendant. If it''s in your possession, it means you saved his life. You''re a benefactor of the Lannerby family. Forgive me for my earlier offense," the old man said.


    Oh? Felix was taken aback. For someone from the sinister and mysterious Fish Men, this old man seemed unexpectedly principled. Not only did he stop the attack immediately, but he even apologized. "This pendant is fused with my grandson''s very essence. He wouldn''t have given it to you unless he willingly entrusted it to you.''


    Felix let out a sigh of relief and gave a wry smile. "That''s right. I helped treat Pierre and his girlfriend when we were in Guneria."


    "Treated them?" The old man''s murky eyes suddenly gleamed with sharp rity. "Does that mean... my grandson has be... ordinary?"


    If this were before, Felix wouldn''t have dared to admit it, no matter what. But seeing how much the old man respected the crystal pendant, he decided it didn''t matter anymore.


    "Yes. He''s now just an ordinary person," Felix replied.

 Chapter 896

    The old man burst into uncontrobleughter after confirming the truth.


    "Cured? Someone has actually managed to cure our family''s Fish Man Disease? Oh, thank the heavens!"


    What the heck? Did that mean he didn''t want to be a Fish Man?


    "I am Kayden Lannerby," the old man said. "And what''s your name?"


    ""Felix Zeller."


    Kayden nodded and continued, "You may not know this, but the Fish Man Disease is a hereditary curse in my family, Felix. We''ve sought out countless famous doctors over the generations, but no one could treat it.


    "Truthfully, curing it is quite simple-when the silver scales begin to show, removing just one from the hand would return the person to normal. But the challenge lies in the fact that the scales can''t be removed." Felix silently agreed. Even with his extraordinary medical skills, it had been an incredibly difficult task.


    "From this moment onward," Kayden said with a trace of hope, "if Pierre builds a family of his own, perhaps the Fish Men lineage will finallye to an end. But who can say for sure? At least it''s something to look forward to."


    After a brief pause, Kayden turned to Felix. "You didn''t just follow me for no reason. Speak your purpose.


    11


    Felix hesitated before deciding toe clean. "Do you happen to have a peculiar bone in your possession, sir?"


    To his surprise, Kayden waved his right hand casually producing the item. "Are you referring to the Dragonspine?"


    "Yes, exactly. The Dragonspine," Felix confirmed.


    Kayden chuckled. "Interesting. You''re the first person I''ve met who can sense its presence."


    Felix had thought things would progress smoothly from here, but Kayden suddenly shifted the conversation. "In the past, I might have handed it over to you without hesitation. But now, with your remarkable medical skills and formidable strength, I hope you can do something for me in return.


    "If you agree, I will dly give you the Dragonspine."


    Though this wasn''t what Felix had envisioned, it was still better than a life-and-death battle for the Dragonspine.


    "Please, tell me what you need, sir."


    ¡°There''s a treasure cauldron in


    Skyward Guild''s possession,"


    l.ne


    Kayden began. "Within a five-mile radius of that cauldron, my hands lose their power entirely. That cauldron is an artifact lost by my family long ago. If Fish Men ce their hands inside, the cauldron


    nourishes them and enhances their


    abilities."


    He let out a bitterugh. "To be honest, even if my hands worked near it, I wouldn''t dare set foot inside Skyward Guild. It''s the strongest sect, after all."


    Felix was stumped. How was he supposed to go there when even Kayden didn''t dare to?


    "I understand, sir. Rest assured. Once I''ve secured the treasure cauldron, I will contact you immediately.


    11


    Since this involved the Dragonspine Bone and Felix had already shed with Skyward Guild, he had no intention of refusing. Nheless, this matter would require careful nning.


    If he could im victory in the Dragonia Martial Arts Competition and learn Lone Paragon, then he would be prepared to pay Skyward Guild a visit.


    "Good," Kayden said with a satisfied smile. "I''ll await your good news."


    As Felix pondered his next steps, he mused over something Kendrick had mentioned. He hadn''t lied. However, the person Kendrick had met wasn''t Pierre''s third uncle. Instead, it was his great-grandfather.


    Although the Dragonspine wasn''t in


    his hands yet, Felix felt confident


    that Kayden wouldn''t go back on his word. With this piece secured, only one bone remained. However, where was the final piece of Dragonspine?


    For reasons he couldn''t exin, Felix felt a growing sense of urgency, as if some great cmity were on


    the horizon.


    Emerging from the forest, he noticed someone pacing around his Cullinan, inspecting it curiously.


    He didn''t think much of it at first.


    After all, they were deep in the mountains, and not many people had seen such a luxurious car. This kind of behavior was perfectly normal. The man wore oversized shorts and a tank top, typical attire for the area.


    Just as Felix was about to speak, somethingpletely unexpected happened that left him utterly dumbfounded.

 Chapter 897

    The young man seemed to be in his early 20s. H¨¨ casually lifted Felix''s Rolls-Royce Cullinan with one hand as if it were weightless and started walking forward.


    Lifting something as heavy as a car was not something an ordinary person could do. However, he didn''t just lift the car. After taking a few steps, he even bnced it on his pinky finger. Clearly, he wasn''t just any martial artist. He had to be someone extraordinary. Felix had no choice but to step forward and stop him. "Excuse me, but that''s my car."


    The young man paused, looking at Felix with a bit of confusion. "You''re sure about that?"


    Felix showed him his keys to the car. "Yeah, I''m pretty sure,"


    Seeing that, the young man carefully ced the car back down and scratched his head awkwardly. "My bad! I thought it was abandoned. Wait. Is this a Rolls-Royce?"


    The young man''s expression was sincere, as if he hadn''t been exposed to much of the world.


    "Yes. It''s a Rolls-Royce model called the Cullinan," Felix replied.


    The young man grinned. "I knew it! My uncle keeps saying his dream is to drive a Rolls-Royce. I figured I''d just bring one home for him. Guess this one''s yours, though." Finding him interesting, Felix approached him. "If you want to get your uncle a Rolls-Royce, you can''t just take one. You''ll have to buy it. But it''s not cheap."


    The young man fished around in his pocket and pulled out a little over a thousand dors. "Is this enough?"


    Enough? It might buy a single screw from the car. "Not even close. Like I said, this car is very expensive."


    "Ah..." The young man looked disappointed, sighing heavily. Then, as if struck by a sudden idea, his face brightened. "Have you heard of the Dragonia Martial Arts Competition?" "Yeah, I''ve heard of it."


    The young man lit up with excitement. "Do you think the prize for winning the tournament is enough to buy a Rolls-Royce?"


    Felix''s expression turned a bit strange. Was this guy nning to enter the Dragonia Martial Arts Competition, too? He wasn''t expecting that. "Yes, of course," he replied.


    The top prize for this year''s Dragonia


    Martial Arts Competition wasn''t just


    the prestigious Lone Paragon


    technique. It also came with a whopping cash prize of a hundred million dors. The second-ce prize was 60 million dors, and the


    third ce got 30 million dors.


    Of course, for those capable of earning high rankings, money wasn''t their main motivation. The cash was just an added bonus.


    "That''s perfect! Once I win the tournament, I can finally get my uncle his dream car."


    The young man practically jumped for joy before sping his hands together and thanking Felix, "Thanks for clearing that up for me. My name''s Ronan Morel." "I''m Felix Zeller," he replied.


    Ronan seemed about to say something else when his attention suddenly snapped toward the nearby forest. Though there was nothing visible there, he kept staring. Felix, still standing beside his Cullinan, raised an eyebrow in surprise. Ronan didn''t seem to be just a regr martial artist.


    A few momentster, someone emerged from the forest, their eyes locked onto Felix with deadly intent.


    "Die!"


    The word was barely out of the attacker''s mouth before they lunged at Felix.


    Felix was just about to defend himself when, out of nowhere, the assant was sent flying backward, crashing into a tree and slumping unconscious to the ground. "Whoa! Did I kill him?" Ronan eximed.


    He had thrown a punch so casually that it seemed almost effortless, yet its impact was devastating.


    Ronan rushed over to check the


    attacker''s breathing and exhaled in relief. "He''s still alive. Grandpa


    always said people outside aren''t as tough as they look Guess he was right held back, and I still almost kiffed the guy.


    Felix stood frozen in ce,pletely stunned. If he hadn''t seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn''t have believed it.


    The attacker was an early-stage


    Blood Realm fighter, a formidable opponent by any standard. However, Ronan had taken him down with a


    single punch, as if it were nothing. How strong was Ronan, really?


    "Felix, you''ve answered so many of my questions today. Let''s call that punch my way of helping you out,


    Ronan said.

 Chapter 898

    As Ronan was about to leave, Felix called out, "Wait a second. You don''t seem very experienced. Why don''t you stick with me until the Dragonia Martial Arts Competition begins?


    "Big cities can be full of bad people. Didn''t your grandfather ever teach you? It takes years to learn to do good, but you can pick up bad habits in just a day."


    Ronan tilted his head, thinking for a long moment before breaking into a smile. "Alright, thanks! I had no idea where I was going to stay anyway. And you seem like a nice guy."


    "I seem like a nice guy?" Felix thought. "I am a nice guy!"


    It seemed like the Dragonia Martial Arts Competition was drawing out a lot of hidden young talents.


    After Ronan entered the car, Felix walked over to the unconscious man. With a few well-ced silver needles, he extracted the information he needed. However, what he learned left him conflicted. The man had been sent by Xena''s eldest uncle to kill him because Felix had killed two of Xena''s uncles.


    He wondered how many uncles Xena had. Not one of them seemed decent.


    Still, the fact that her eldest uncle sent someone at the early stage of the Blood Realm spoke volumes about his status and power.


    On the way to the airport, Ronan spoke casually to Felix after


    Out his age. He couldn''t contain his curiosity. "Felix, are youpeting in the Dragonia Martial Arts Competition, too?"


    "Of course," Felix replied. "Who wouldn''t want the Lone Paragon?"


    Ronan scoffed. "Not me. My grandpa had to beat me up a few times just to get me to agree toe. I wasn''t interested until he mentioned the one-hundred-million-dor cash prize for the champion." Felix was stunned. He had never heard of a martial artist who didn''t covet Lone Paragon.


    "You do realize what Lone Paragon means, right?"


    "Of course. It gives a threefoldbat power boost with no side


    effects. Honestly, it''s not that impressive. I can already trigger threefold power boost by activating my bloodline. The downside is it onlysts ten minutes, and then mpletely drained for a whole day.


    "So yeah, I don''t really care about that technique."


    Felix rolled his eyes. Ronan was ridiculously straightforward, to the point of spilling hisbat secrets to a virtual stranger. "Listen. It''s fine to tell "Listen. It''s fine to tell me, but don''t ever share things like that with


    anyone


    else."


    Suddenly, Ronan pped a hand over his mouth. "Oh no! My grandpa said the same thing! I''ve broken my promise. He''s going to kill me when I get back!" When they arrived in Gray City, Felix took Ronan to the clinic. Melissa wasn''t there.


    After introducing Ronan to N and Billy, Melissa''s voice called out, "Felix, you''re back! Perfect timing. I just bought a bunch of fruit. Let''s eat together." Following the voice, Ronan turned to see Melissa. The moment his eyesnded on her, his face went pale. He clutched his chest and staggered back several steps. "You... You!" Pointing a trembling finger at Melissa, Ronan''s expression was one of absolute shock, as if he''d just witnessed something indescribable.


    "What''s wrong with you?" Felix asked, rmed. Ronan''s face was ghostly white like he''d suddenly fallen ill or been injured.


    However, after checking his pulse, Felix found that other than an extraordinarily rapid heart rate, Ronan waspletely fine.


    "Who are you? Are you crazy? You''re acting like I''m a ghost," Melissa said, clearly annoyed.


    Before she could continue, Ronan


    dropped to one knee pulled a ring made of woven twigs from his pocket, and held it up with both hands. "My wife! Come home with me and let''s have kids!"

 Chapter 899

    The clinic fellpletely silent. No one expected Ronan to make such a move, and judging by his expression, it seemed like he was deadly serious. Billy started pping,ughing out loud. "Good news! This is great news!"


    Melissa smacked him on his back immediately. "Are you out of your mind, fatso?"


    With an annoyed nce at Ronan, Melissa turned and ran off as she was genuinely startled.


    "Wait, my wife! Don''t leave! You''re supposed toe home and have kids with me!"


    Ronan started to chase after her, but Felix stopped him.


    Wearing an ugly expression, he asked, "Is this how you pursue a woman?"


    Ronan, looking dumbfounded, didn''t know what to say.


    "Where did you find this kid?" N asked.


    Hearing that, Felix''s expression darkened even more.


    "I didn''t actively search for him, alright? I had no idea he was going to pull something like this. Go check on Melissa."


    A few minutester, only Felix and Ronan were left in the clinic.


    "That''s my sister Melissa. I didn''t have the chance to introduce you earlier."


    Ronan immediately bowed deeply. "Please ept my humble greetings, dear future brother-inw."


    Felix fought the urge to punch him in the face, struggling to stay patient. "What was that all about? Were you joking?"


    Ronan quickly shook his head and hurried to exin, saying, "No, Felix! I wasn''t joking! My grandfather always said that if a woman makes my heart race the first time I see her, she''s my destined wife. I have to marry her. Even if I have to fight for her, I''ll do it." That was it? If it weren''t for the sincerity in Ronan''s eyes, Felix would have kicked him out right then and there.


    "Call your grandpa. I''ll have a talk with him. We''re both family, so it should be fine, right?"


    As Ronan was strong, his grandfather wasn''t someone to mess with if he was anyone like Ronan. With Melissa involved, Felix felt he had to y the role of a protective older brother.


    "Alright. I''ll call him right now."


    When the call connected, Felix almost had a stroke from what Ronan said first.


    "Grandpa, my wife''s brother wants to talk to you."


    Felix snatched the phone from Ronan and said, "What''s going on with your grandson? He saw my sister for the first time and already called her his wife, saying he''ll even fight for her if he has to."


    On the other end, a heartyugh rang out. "He''s definitely not joking! Are you a martial artist?"


    "Yes!"


    "Great! That makes things easier. Our family''s bloodline is special, and it''s been passed down through generations. It must never be broken!


    "For the bloodline to continue perfectly, the choice of wife is critical. So far, there are three types of bodyposition that work. Your sister is definitely one of them, or else my grandson wouldn''t be acting this way."


    Felix frowned. He hadn''t noticed anything unusual about Melissa''s bodyposition, but who could say for sure? After all, with thousands of years of history in Dragonia, who could truly know everything?


    Bodyposition?


    "Even though you''ve exined the situation to me, love nowadays is about mutual consent. I''m fine with Ronan pursuing my sister, but if it doesn''t work out, then sorry. He''s not allowed to keep bothering her."


    The old man''sughter grew louder.


    "Interesting! It''s been years since anyone has dared to speak to me like this! Listen, kid. My grandson has finally found a woman who can continue our bloodline. There''s no way he''s going to let her slip away. If he can''t get her, I''ll step in myself."


    Felix was fuming. "Fine! If I''m not your match, my mentor, the miracle doctor, will step in, too. Go ahead and give it a try."


    He had plenty of powerful connections, too, so he wasn''t afraid of Ronan''s grandfather.

 Chapter 900

    There was suddenly silence on the other end of the line.


    Felix thought it was because of a bad signal and was about to speak when a much fiercer voice came through, "What? You''re the apprentice of the respected elder? Wow, that''s an honor! "Don''t worry, my future inw. I guarantee my grandson will pursue your sister with all his heart. I swear, I won''t lie to you. If this rascal isn''t worthy, he wouldn''t dare to force it." Respected elder? This was the first time Felix had heard someone refer to Gerald like that, so it felt a little strange.


    "Are you sure?"


    "Absolutely. Please pass the phone to my grandson, I need to give him a serious talking-to."


    Before handing over the phone, Felix asked who the old man was. The only answer he got was "Warlock", which he had never heard of.


    ...


    Four days passed quickly. Despite the uing Dragonia Martial Arts Competition, Felix was not affected at all. He still went to the clinic every day, though he still hadn''t had a single patient. "Did Melissa go shopping again?"


    N, who had brought in some drinks, nodded. "Yeah."


    Felix was feeling frustrated. Although Melissa was initially uncertain and nervous when Ronan started pursuing her, she began treating Ronan like a butler the very next day. The transformation was almost miraculous.


    Half an hourter, Melissa walked in, with Ronan trailing behind her, carrying a bunch of bags. "I bought you and Billy a watch each. You can swap out your old ones for them."


    Looking at the watches on the table, Felix was utterly confused. "Patek Philippe? Where''d you get all that money?"


    Melissa grinned. "I picked the items, and Ronan paid for them."


    Ronan noticed Felix looking at him and gave a hearty smile.


    "Uh, my grandpa said pursuing a woman costs a lot, so he transferred one billion dors to my card in advance. Not sure if that''ll be enough."


    A billion dors? Felix buried his face in his hands.


    When Ronan left for the Dragonia Martial Arts Competition, the old


    man had only given him three thousand dors. But now, to pursue a woman, he handed him a billion


    dors? It was beyond


    "Are you still nning to participate in the martial artspetition?"


    He had only entered thepetition for the hundred-million-dor prize. But now that he had a billion dors, why bother?


    To his surprise, Ronan looked at


    Qu


    Melissa. "I''lHet my wife decide. Anyway, my grandpa has said that finding myself a wife is more important than the Dragonia Martial Arts Competition and Lone Paragon."


    Melissa shot him a look and said, "Of course, you''re going to participate. If you run into. Felix, just forfeit right away. It''save him energy and time. Besides, didn''t you im to be an amazing martial artist? Beat a few strong opponents to pave the way for Felix."


    Ronan immediately pped his chest. "Rest assured! Since you said it, I''ll give it my all."


    Felix waspletely dumbfounded by their interaction, He didn''t know what to say. Just as he was about to return the watches to Melissa, Billy burst in and snatched one of them.


    "Two luxury watches? Wow, I guess I''m finally considered an elite member of society!"


    ncing at the time, Felix stood up.


    "Alright. It''s time. Ronan,e with me."


    However, N and the others followed him out, too. They pulled down the roller shutters of the clinic and the flower wreath shop next door. "What''s going on?"


    Melissa pursed her lips. "You think too poorly of us. N has already arranged the entry passes for us, so we''re all heading to Yartford for thepetition." Without saying anything else, Felix took a step forward. He was determined to obtain Lone Paragon. Whatever challenges that awaited him would not stop him.

 Chapter 901

    Felix and his friends gathered in a luxurious private room at an upscale restaurant in Yartford that night.


    "Everybody, please try the pasta. I hired professional chefs to cook it for all of you."


    Madeline called a group of waiters over. Her pasta was renowned for being delicious.


    After tasting it, Melissa, who loved eating pasta and fondue, eximed in surprise, "Wow! It tastes great, Maddy. When are you going to open a franchise in Gray City? I''ll miss this terribly." Madeline smiled. "Since you said that, I''ll open one soon."


    Though Ronan looked like a simple and honest person, he was actually pretty quick-witted. So, he swiftly said, "Can you teach me how to cook it, Maddy? If Melissa craves it in the future, I can cook that for her." Hearing that, Felix replied, "Shut up! That is Maddy''s secret recipe. How could she give it to you? Let''s drink instead."


    Realizing that Jack was drinking juice, Felix asked, "Are you a woman, Jack? Do you have that ''time of the month'' when you can''t drink beer, too?"


    Everyoneughed, making Jack a little awkward.


    He answered, "Please be more understanding. I have an important meetingter on, so I can''t drink beer."


    Meanwhile, Vanessa told Felix, "Why can''t you two be more upfront with one another? You two are friends. Jack has already resigned from his previous job and is managing his ownpany now.


    "The organization has been officially registered, and he''s waiting tond his first business deal. This meeting is very important for that."


    Felix didn''t know about that at all.


    "Why didn''t you tell me that you were starting your ownpany? You''re something else."


    Yet, Jack didn''t know what to say. He managed to establish good connections with others because of Felix''s help, so he didn''t want to bother thetter unnecessarily.


    Just then, Ryan interjected, "Jack, are you going to the banquet organized by Ocean at midnight?"


    Jack questioned curiously, "How did you know?"


    Then, George smiled and joined in the conversation, "Ocean is a talented man, and the Whit family is the second most prestigious family in Dragonia. Of course, we would know what''s going on there." This made Felix confused. He asked, "What''s this got to do with Jack?"


    "Jack''spany is involved in the trading business, right? If he wants to be sessful in his endeavors, he has to be acquainted with the Whit family first, or things will go wrong for him. Since he can''t drink while he''s with us, I could guess the reason easily," George replied.


    Jackughed bitterly. "That''s right, but I''m not sure if I can attend Ocean''s banquet tonight."


    On the other hand, Vanessa couldn''t help but reply, "You keep dawdling. Didn''t we trouble Felix a lot in the past? Are you going to decline the invitation? Felix, to enter Ocean''s banquet, we have to fulfill a few weird conditions first and bring a powerful martial artist with us.


    "They will give every visitor a test at the entrance. If we pass their test, we can enter the ce. But, if we can''t pass it, we''ll be asked to leave. So, he wants to ask if he could bring you with him." "Was there a rule like this?" Felix wondered and readily agreed.


    "Alright, Jack. You''re too polite. Look at Vanessa. Why are you still hesitating at this point? Aren''t we friends?"


    As he patted Felix''s shoulder, Jack had aplicated expression on his face.


    N piped up, "Be careful, Felix.


    Ocean''s banquet is a pretense. He wants to invite a few martial artists who attended the Martial Artist Competition in the past to gauge his powers. At the same time, he wishes to eliminate a few useless martial artists."


    Nodding, Felix fell silent and continued drinking his beer.

 Chapter 902

    At 11:00 pm, they finished their dinner. Jack drove Ronan and Felix to the banquet hall.


    "Rest well, Felix. Leave everything to me!"


    Ronan had been dragged into the car by Melissa. Thetter threatened to break up with him if he made Felix fight this time. "Okay," Felix replied.


    To be honest, he was a little drunk. The liquor was bought by Ryan and was made using a secret technique, so it was very valuable. Apparently, even powerful martial artists would be a little drunk after drinking it, so its authenticity was confirmed. Once they arrived at the ce, they saw arge restaurant on Yartford''s outskirts.


    It wasn''t a coincidence that Ocean Whit chose this ce. Since many experts were arriving there, they would be fighting a lot, and fighting wasn''t allowed in the central area of Yartford.


    When the three men got out of the car, a muscr man at the entrance said, "If you can make me retreat without getting me injured, you can enter the banquet."


    That was probably the important step to entering the banquet-one had to fight gracefully.


    After looking at the muscr man, Felix realized that thetter had reached Aetherial Realm. This proved the standards set by Ocean. If they weren''t able to defeat someone in Aetherial Realm, they couldn''t attend the Martial Arts Competition. However, there were no restrictions in terms of Realms in thepetition. Even if one was a Marital Saint or Martial God, they could attend it. However, they couldn''t be afraid of facing humiliation.


    Silently, Ronan raised his hand, making the muscr man, who was at a distance away from them, retreat.


    "You may enter!" The muscr man made a motion with his hands seriously.


    Ronan was the fourth among the many martial artists who attended the banquet that made him fearful. Ocean was right. Many powerful yet nameless martial artists would go there. The courtyard was filled with tables, which were ced in two circles.


    As the waiter led them to their seat,


    Felix and the others sat in the center. They were four tables away from the center seat. Evidently, there seemed to be a reason why they were seated there.


    "Our mission is aplished, Felix. Let''s ck off now."


    Since Jack entered the ce, he would be able to meet Oceanter on, allowing him to be sessful in his future business endeavors.


    "If you need my help in the future, tell me. Otherwise, I''ll look down on you. I''ll rest for a while. Tell me when this banquet ends."


    The moment Felix closed his eyes, he heard someone say, "Ronan?"


    Opening his eyes, he saw a prettydy wearing a dress standing in front of them. There was a sword near her waist, which added a charm to her appearance.


    "Milo? Are you attending this Martial Arts Competition?" Ronan questioned.


    The woman, who was called Milo Nichols, nodded. Then, she looked at Jack and Felix.


    "Are they your friends?"


    Ronan smiled happily. "Yes. Let me introduce them to you."


    "What''s the use of introductions?"


    Pointing at the other two men, Milo replied, "Both of you may leave."


    At first, Jack was already irritated because he couldn''t drink with Felix. As such, he became furious when he


    heard that. "What did you sam

 Chapter 903

    Milo''s gaze turned indifferent. Raising her scabbard, she warned, "I told you to leave!" Hearing that, Ronan anxiously asked, "What are you doing, Milo? They are my friends."


    Sneering, Milo looked at Felix and Jack disdainfully. "Are you really his friends? Ronan may be naive, but I know what you two are thinking. You probably want him to do something bad for you. Had we not met, it would''ve been fine. But since we did, I have to care about him. "Are you leaving or not?"


    Meanwhile, Felix frowned. He couldn''t even take a small nap. It was frustrating. "Can you tell her to shut up, Ronan?"


    Hearing that, Ronan was scared senseless. He pulled Milo over and said, "Stop meddling in my affairs, Milo. I know I''m naive, and you probably said that because you care for me. But they won''t trick me." He had known Milo since they were young. So, he realized that thetter was looking at him distrustfully and hurriedly whispered, "His younger sister is going to be my wife soon. Do you understand now?" Milo was shocked. Evidently, she knew how special Ronan''s family was.


    "I see. However, you still have to be careful. Those in the city are bad, and some of them are hypocritical."


    "I got it."


    A few minutester, Ocean appeared and led the way for a man. Evidently, that person was a powerful person.


    "Please sit, Mr. Greene."


    If Felix had opened his eyes at that moment, he would have seen that man. It was Aiden.


    "I''m honored to be in your presence, Mr. Greene."


    Ocean''s family and abilities weren''t as powerful as Aiden''s. Therefore, he behaved very politely.


    "You''re pretty capable. You brought a few powerful men over."


    Hearing that, Oceanughed. "It seems that I didn''t make a mistake. At first, I was worried that the martial arts experts wouldn''te."


    Aiden waved his hands dismissively.


    "You''re wrong. The Martial Arts


    Competition is starting t


    and it involves Lone Paragon. one would dare to view it lightly, so those who could make it are here!


    "Although all of them are arrogant enough to assume that they will win thepetition, who can be certain of what the oue will be? I''ll make use of your banquet to see if any Stubborn opponents are here."


    After that, Ocean asked, "Who do you have your eye on, Mr. Greene?"


    It seemed that because of Lone Paragon, Aiden was in a good mood. As such, he observed his surroundings and replied, "That man, the one holding the sword, and that person."


    After selecting five men, Aiden saw the sleeping Felix and felt very unhappy.


    "Felix?" he said out loud.


    Looking over, Ocean noticed Felix. With his high status, he knew what happened in the Greene family previously, so he recognized thetter. "I''ll get my men to chase him away, Mr. Greene."


    Hearing that, Aiden felt contemptuous. He didn''t care about Felix, but he knew that he was a problematic person because thetter couldn''t be killed by True Blood Realm experts. "Alright."


    Yet, why did that concern him? Since Ocean wanted to get in his good books, Aiden wouldn''t refuse the opportunity to annoy Felix.

 Chapter 904

    Both Ocean and Aiden were powerful and from influential families. After realizing that the Martial Arts Competition would take ce, they privately won over the favor of a few young martial arts masters. They wanted to eliminate the useless martial artists during thepetition and make them withdraw once they saw both of them. This was to save time.


    So, a whileter, a muscr man approached Felix and crossed his arms. He said coldly, "Do you dare to fight with me? I don''t think you''re qualified to sit here."


    Hearing that, everyone looked over. They knew that something dramatic was about to happen. Fights weremon in the banquet, so long as no one died in the process.


    However, Felix continued snoring.


    When they noticed that, a few people didn''t know whether tough or cry. They wondered who Felix was and why he was sleeping there.


    As expected, the muscr man was infuriated.


    Just when he was about to attack, Ronan stopped him. "How can you disturb Felix''s sleep? Let me fight with you instead."


    The muscr man was contemptuous. He was a martial arts master in Aetherial Realm. He soon threw a punch at Ronan. s, he flew into the air at the next moment.


    All this while, Ronan remained silent and went back to his seat, acting as if nothing happened.


    Meanwhile, Ocean looked unhappy. Ronan had been chosen to fight Aiden''s men, but the former kept protecting Felix.


    After that, the fight officially started, and everyone kept battling one another. All of them restrained themselves. So, although the space was a little small, the martial artists'' skills could be determined. Anyway, this was the main purpose of the banquet. "Can you fight with me, Ms. Nichols?"


    Other people also tried to fight with Milo, but she continued sitting and caused her opponents to fall to the floor with a flick of a finger.


    "Your friend is pretty powerful," Jack whispered to Ronan.


    Thetter smiled. "Of course! We can''t defeat Milo. Those people won''t be able to defeat her, too."


    While he spoke, he stared at the sleeping Felix He had been shocked when he realized that Felix was attending the Martial Arts


    Competition. That was


    because he


    couldn''t figure out what Realm thetter was in even after interacting with him for a few days.


    Felix was a mysterious man with an unfathomable power.


    "Let me fight."


    On the other hand, Ocean couldn''t help but challenge a few men as well. However, he was easily defeated by Ronan.


    As he stared at Felix, who was still sleeping, he was infuriated.


    "Forget it. You can''tpete with him." Aiden stopped Ocean. He acted with tact-the banquet was hosted by Ocean, so if someone defeated him, it would be too humiliating.


    Besides, Ocean wasn''t a match for Ronan at all.


    "Humph! I''ll let him off first. If I meet Felix at the Martial Arts Competition, I''ll give him a hard time."


    Suddenly, someone started


    at the moment?  en


    "You keep hiding. If you''ve got the guts,e out!"


    Just then, someone stood in the center of the courtyard. They were dressed in ck, and their face was covered with a veil, so no one knew what they looked like. "Since all of you are here, I won''t have to find you one by one. Go die!"

 Chapter 905

    No one took this guy, who dared not show his face, seriously. Some people present were evenughing at him.


    However, when his intimidating presence nketed the entire yard, their expressions shifted, and fear started growing in their hearts.


    "He''s in the Boneforging Realm!" someone yelled in shock, fear finally consuming him.


    What did being in Boneforging Realm imply? This was a major realm after True Blood Realm. Few in the older generation of cultivators had reached this stage.


    This was a Realm that could only be reached by a martial artist who had progressed onto forging his bones after having purified every single drop of blood in his body. It was certain that he would be extremely powerful. Everyone present was still young. Even if they were gifted, there was no way they could battle against a powerful cultivator in Boneforging Realm.


    Aiden remained calm, though. He said with augh, "I think you''ve probably lived in some cave for too long, old man. We''re in Yartford. Do you think you''ll suffer no consequences aftering forward like that?"


    The masked manughed as well. "You''re quite strong-willed, young man, to be able to remain calm despite my bearing. You''re right. We''re at Yartford. Unfortunately, though, we''re in the countryside.


    "If the banquet were held in the city, I wouldn''t have dared to show myself. But here? Of course I harbor no reservations."


    He clenched his fists. "Even if the nation''s Protector is to appear at this moment, there''s no guarantee I''ll fear him."


    "Are you sure about that?" said a voice that seemingly came from all directions.


    A ray of light shone momentarily in the yard, and the masked man fell onto the ground with a heavy thump.


    "Go on, young ones," said the voice.


    No one present had seen clearly what had happened or what the man looked like. After the voice had left those words behind, the masked man disappeared as well. "Damn, was that the Protector?"


    "He''s exceptionally strong. That masked guy couldn''t even take a hit from him."


    "That''s why my family elder told me to keep my head down in Yartford. He was right."


    Felix, who had long since woken up, could only marvel at the power of the nation. No matter how powerful the martial artists were, the nation would always be capable of suppressing them¡ªthe nation would be a mess otherwise. The power of the Protector who had visited prior made this clear.


    "Oh, no!" His expression shifted as he shot up.


    "What''s going on?"


    "What are you trying to do here, Felix?"


    Jack and Ronan got up as well, confused about what was going on.


    "Shoot! That old man released poison just now!" Felix said anxiously.


    What poison could this be? Even he, a master healer, had failed to notice until his body had reacted to it.


    "Hey! Stop yelling over there. You''re making everyone anxious! There''s no poison!" Ocean, who had long harbored resentment toward Felix, pointed at him in usation. He was feeling great, so where was this so-called poison?


    Felix didn''t bother responding to the idiot Ocean. He called Xena immediately, saying, "We''re in trouble. A big group of young martial artists attending the banquet at the Yartford countryside are dosed with poison. Come with your men, along with all the master healers. This poison is extremely lethal."


    "I''ll be there immediately!"


    After the call ended, Felix performed acupuncture on himself to see if he could remove the venom from his body.


    Someone called anxiously upon seeing that, "Hey, were we really dosed with poison? He''s jabbing needles into his skin!"


    Ocean rose and pped his hands, saying with a smile, "There is no need to be anxious, everyone. He''s just trying to gain clout by doing this."


    Aiden looked uneasy. He knew that Felix wasn''t someone like that. Considering Felix''s skill in healing, it was possible that the old man had really released poison during his brief visit a really lethal poison at that.

 Chapter 906

    Just as Ocean''s reassuring efforts started to work, Jack vomited blood. Not just him, but so did the regr citizens here, such as all the waiting staff in the yard.


    "Crap!" Felix stopped quickly. Only then did he remember that regr folks were also present. The martial artists could still resist the effects of the poison somewhat, but the ordinary citizens not versed in the martial arts didn''t have a chance. Based on his brief resistance against the poison, he could confirm that an ordinary citizen would die within one minute. How could he watch his best friend die just like that?


    "Anyone with silver needles on hand? Take them out!"


    With a flick of Felix''s hand, all his needles flew toward all directions. Even so, only half of the regr people present were rescued. The others copsed onto the floor in agony.


    "Am I going to die, Felix?" Jack stared at his blood on the ground, his face frozen in disbelief.


    "Shut up! As if I''d let you die!"


    Milo rushed over to ask Felix, "Are there any substitutes for the needles?"


    There were no traditional medical practitioners present, so why would they have silver needles with them?


    A harried Felix caught sight of a corner of the yard covered in pebbles, and he quickly said, "Shape the pebbles into needles. Hurry!"


    He unsheathed his sword, which prompted everyone else to rush to the pebbled area. The martial artists present all had a strong enough control on energy, so shaping pebbles into needles was still within their abilities.


    Even Aiden had started doing something, as he felt something out of the ordinary happen to his body as well. Five more minutes at most, and he''d no longer be able to suppress the poison in his body. When that happened, he would have no choice but to rely on Felix. Almost three minutester, everyone sat cross-legged on the floor, with many needle-shaped stones attached to their skin.


    "You can make an antidote, won''t you?" Ronan looked beseechingly at Felix. He''d finally met his future wife after many difficulties, so of course he didn''t want to die.


    Everyone turned their gazes toward Felix hopefully. He was now their only hope.


    As martial artists, they knew the current situation of their bodies well. The acupuncture treatment, coupled with their own strength, could only suppress the effects of the poison temporarily. No one knew how long this could go on.


    "I can only try," Felix said.


    A terrified Ocean kept on sending Aiden telepathic messages. "What should we do, Aiden? What if Felix seeds in making an antidote but refuses to give it to us?"


    Aiden was worried about that as well. He could only say resignedly, "Who should I ask? You can only hope that Felix upholds his moral standards as a traditional medicine practitioner."


    Felix walked over to a waiter and performed the Seven Points of Transcendence routine. The waiter, who looked pale and wilted, recovered quickly.


    Upon witnessing that, everyone felt joyous, as it was clear that Felix could heal them.


    "You''re amazing, Felix!" Ronan called.


    Felix ignored that, though. He bent down and took the waiter''s pulse, and the results made him frown.


    "What''s wrong?" Everyone''s


    attention was on Felix, so they could notice even the slightest change in him, not to mention such an obvious change of expression. It seemed like something terrible was happening.


    They were right. The venom in the waiter''s body was not fully cleansed, with a remnant of it left. However, when Felix took his pulse, he noticed that the venom was spreading in his body at a terrifying speed.


    "Damn it! Even the Seven Points of Transcendence can''t do anything to it! What on earth is this poison?"

 Chapter 907

    Felix had never felt so powerless before. The hope in everyone''s eyes was an indescribably heavy mountain weighing on his shoulders.


    "You''ve done your best, Felix. So, don''t put the me on yourself." Jack smiled. He knew Felix better than everyone else. It wasn''t that Felix didn''t want to save everyone. It was that he couldn''t.


    The masked man had risked his life to kill them. Felix would never believe that this wasn''t rted to the Martial Arts Competition.


    He had never expected to fall victim to this poison, too, not when he was already extremely powerful. From this, it was clear how valuable this poison was. The masked man must have been sure that this could kill all the young martial artists here.


    Suddenly, inspiration shed in his mind. Felix fished out his phone and called Selmer. "Bring the alchemy furnace here as soon as possible!"


    Felix had brought with him to Yartford one of the two furnaces he owned for sudden emergencies. Little did he know it would reallye in handy.


    He called Yasmin after that. "Ms. Qualls, I need these herbs for an emergency. How long do you need to prepare them? I''ll have someone collect them from you. This is a life-and-death situation!"


    Yasmin replied immediately, "I''m in Yartford, where Qualls Pharmaceutical''srgest medicinal herb warehouses are, so I can have them ready in an hour."


    "Thank you so much," Felix said.


    One of the pills in the medical book Gerald had given him was an antidote pill. He had no idea if this would work against the poison, but he was out of ideas at this point.


    The Windseeker Pill he''d cultivated had miraculous effects. The pill he gave Selmer also enabled him to achieve a breakthrough and reach True Blood Realm. These past experiences made Felix quite hopeful. The loud whirring of helicopters came from afar. Everyone looked up to see dozens of helicoptersing toward them at breakneck speed, which, again, gave them hope.


    Xena wasn''t the only new arrival. Aside from the Shadowdragon Warlord, all the Warlords hade with. The entourage also consisted of many master healers, all of whom Felix knew, such as Ss, Xander, and Wesley.


    "Lemuel will be here in 20 minutes at most," Xena said.


    Felix nodded. Perhaps Lemuel would have a solution to this problem.


    "The situation is more serious than I thought," Xena remarked, looking at everyone sitting cross-legged in the yard.


    There were about 60 of them in total, all of them young martial artists with high potential. It wasn''t just that, though. Aiden''s and Ocean''s identities were enough reason for everyone to take this


    situation seriously.


    If all these martial artists ended up dying here today, the entirety of Dragonia would be shaken.


    About 15 minutester, Ss and the other master healers said gravely "There''s nothing we can do. This is our first time witnessing a poison so lethal. If Felix weren''t here, they would''ve been dead."


    Xander kept on sighing. "Are you also uncertain that you can heal them, Felix?"


    Felix smiled bitterly. "I can only suppress the poison temporarily but not eradicate it. This poison is terrifying."


    He couldn''t even remove the poison from his own body, much less heal anyone else.


    Hector shook his head after he was done with a phone call. "Don''t expect that old man to do anything. He said that there''s no antidote to this poison, and no one in this world is capable of making one.


    "He discovered the poison in a cave by a cliff, and it''s a very old poison. It probably has been preserved


    until now since ancient times."


    Everyone wasn''t feeling totally hopeless, but the news dealt a heavy blow nheless.


    Another helicopter whirred into sight-Lemuel was finally here.

 Chapter 908

    The arrival of the best master healer in the country reignited Aiden''s and everyone else''s hope that they could survive this.


    Due to the magnitude of the situation, Lemuel didn''t reminisce about the past with the other healers present. He picked a random person and started taking his pulse. After one minute, he stood up. "Can an antidote be made, Mr. Morris?" asked Hector, who felt a headacheing on. If this situation wasn''t dealt with well, devastating consequences were sure toe.


    If these people had really died, the headquarters would certainly be med, as they were the organizer of the Martial Arts Competition. Who would want to shoulder the me when the time came?


    "This is the Blightbane Poison. I read about it in a medical book once. It was concocted by a highly skilled practitioner of medicine from thest dynasty. ording to the book, even the inventor himself has not formted an antidote for it.''


    What? A poison from the previous dynasty?


    "And this is why there is nothing I can do," continued Lemuel.


    The yard was filled with a tense silence. Everyone''s voices disappeared.


    "How long do they have to live?"


    Lemuel looked at Xena, then at Felix.


    "Felix and I will take turns suppressing the poison. They have 24 hours at most."


    The waiting staff present were all sobbing. Who would have thought going to work as usual would result in them losing their lives?


    "Unfortunately, we cannot locate the Miracle Doctor. He might have a solution," Lemuel said.


    Upon hearing that, Felix gritted his teeth and entered a room not far away. He had thought about that, but


    he knew for sure that Gerald was not currently in Yartford and thus could note here on time.


    However, now that he''d learned from Lemuel the name of this poison, he could ask Gerald about it.


    A call came through soon after. Felix said quickly, "Mr. Hoffman!"


    "You damned brat, what time is it? I need my sleep!"


    "Something serious happened. Have you heard of the Blightbane Poison, Mr. Hoffman?"


    He didn''t expect Gerald to reply immediately. "I know about it. It was invented by this madman from the


    "30 pills holding the poison were circted in the public. When the pill is pinched, the poison will seep into the air. It will dissipatepletely within a few minutes, but a few minutes are already enough, Those who are in the area will die without a doubt."


    Felix didn''t know how he should react to that. "I''m one of these people now."


    When Gerald was done listening to Felix''s narration of what had happened, he roared, "You idiot! Don''t


    ever tell anyone you''re my apprentice from now on! The Miracle Doctor''s apprentice dying from poison- what a huge joke!


    "There are only two ways to remove the poison, though."


    Oh, Gerald knew how to do it!


    Felix was overjoyed. "Tell me, Mr. Hoffman-more than 60 lives are at stake here."


    "The first method is the Nine Points of Cmity Technique."


    The Nine Points of Cmity Technique? Felix had some choice curse words in mind. This was a technique even harder than the Seven Points of Transcendence, and he didn''t know how to do it yet. "Can you not give pointless suggestions, please?"


    Gerald said exasperatedly, "I want you to learn from this lesson, or else you''d think too highly of your skill


    in medicine. It''s now when you finally feel helpless, huh?"


    Felix admitted readily to his blunders before ttering Gerald a bit more.


    "Okay, okay. Didn''t I give you a medical book? If you haven''t cked off, you should be able to cultivate the most rudimentary antidote pill in the book. That should deal with the Blightbane Poison nicely."


    Gerald added, "Your current sess


    rate isn''t high enough for you to make more than 60 pills before poison takes effect, so save as. many people as you can and don''t feel guilty about it, not when you''re already doing your best."

 Chapter 909

    Felix''s guess had been correct. Where did the pill recorded in the medical book that Gerald gave hime from? It was the most basic antidote pill. Yet, it was enough to counteract the Blightbane Poison that had everyone at their wit''s end. It was unbelievable.


    "Can youe over, Mr. Hoffman? We can hold out for 24 hours," Felix asked just in case. It would make things easier if Gerald coulde.


    "You damn brat! Are you sure you''re my student? First of all, I can''t make it back in 24 hours. Secondly, even if I could, why should I? Whether those people live or die has nothing to do with me. Goodbye!"


    Felix smiled bitterly. He had forgotten how Gerald had long since been disillusioned by humanity''s greed. To him, saving lives and healing the wounded was nothing but drivel.


    As soon as he stepped outside, he noticed that all eyes were on him. It was in to see that he remained everyone''s greatest hope.


    "It should work, but I can''t guarantee it. I''ll just have to do my best."


    The crowd''s expressions varied. Regardless of their sentiments, Felix''s words still offered them a sliver of hope.


    A few minutester, Yasmin arrived with several helicopters. Given the lives at stake and the number of people involved, it was only natural that the headquarters provided assistance.


    "Are these medicinal herbs enough, Dr. Zeller?"


    Felix nodded. "They''re enough."


    The quantity was sufficient enough to produce a hundred pills, but would things be that easy? They were racing against time. Once Felix went to refine the pills, only Lemuel would be left to suppress the poison. Even if Ss and the others assisted them, they''d only be able to hold on for 14 hours.


    "Don''t allow anyone to disturb me!" Felix said before shutting himself into a room.


    Hector and Cairo stationed themselves on either side of the door, personally guarding thest line of defense to ensure no problems arose.


    "You have to seed, Felix," Xena prayed silently. Her mind was consumed with worry for Felix''s safety. She realized that she had never forgotten him but had always avoided confronting her feelings.


    That was when she saw N enter.


    "How dare you? Didn''t I say no one is allowed to enter?" Xena scolded N.


    How could an outsider casually stroll in during such dire circumstances?


    Alistair, who led N in, hurriedly exined, "Mdy, she''s personally authorized by Lord Lionel to enter." N''s eyes, visible above her veil, were filled with a sense of urgency.


    "Where''s Felix?"


    Right now she was in no mood to argue with Xena. She hurried over the moment she received the news. Who would''ve thought that


    attending a banquet would turn into a fight for survival?


    "He''s working on the antidote inside. No one is allowed to disturb him. That includes you."


    If Felix was working on the antidote, did that mean they were all pinning their hopes on him? That sounded like a joke. Felix himself was poisoned, wasn''t he?


    With two Warlords standing guard at the door, N wasn''t going to impulsively approach them to give them a piece of her mind. Instead, she approached Ronan and Jack.


    "N."


    "What are you doing here?"


    They both eximed in surprise. N didn''t say a word and merely nodded slightly. It was as if she was reassuring them that there was nothing to worry about now that she was here.  en


    That was indeed the case. She had brought three pills with her.


    Although she didn''t know the exact poison they were dealing with, she was confident they could counteract its effects.


    en

 Chapter 910

    "I know you have something that can counteract this poison, N. Name your price," Aiden''s voice suddenly rang out, prompting N to sneer.


    "Then, would you be willing to die for it?"


    After a brief silence, Aiden''s tone grew much colder. "So, you intend to tie yourself to Felix. It''s true that I can''t touch you. But that doesn''t mean Felix is off limits."


    N nced over at Aiden, who was sitting cross-legged a distance away, and responded, "You and Felix are both prodigies, but do you know what sets the two of you apart?


    "One of you can set aside your hatred to fight with everything you have to save lives, while the other is still talking about killing. That reason alone is why you''ll never measure up to him!"


    Time kept passing on, and the tension continued to escte. They waited from nightfall till dawn. Now with the sun setting again, everyone began to panic.


    "Mr. Morris, there''s only one hour left. What do we do now?"


    Ss looked at the nearly exhausted Lemuel and grew anxious. If Felix failed, they would have to watch more than 60 people die right before their eyes.


    "It all depends on Felix now. There''s nothing more I can do."


    It seemed like it took all his strength to even utter a word. He could no longer suppress the toxins in all these people any longer.


    After all, there were more than 60 people present. Lemuel had to continuously treat each one with acupuncture. He was no god. As a human being, of course, he''d be tired.


    "No! I don''t want to die!"


    "Please, I''m only 20 years old. I don''t want to die, either."


    "Mom, Dad, I''m sorry. I won''t be able to care for you in your old age."


    Cries of despair echoed through the courtyard. It wasn''t just the ordinary folk who were breaking down.


    Some martial artists could also no longer hold back their emotions.


    A quick death would''ve been easier to ept. But to be slowly consumed by death and despair was truly torturous.


    "To think that I, Ocean Whit, would die in such a pathetic way."


    Aiden, who was sitting next to him, didn''t know what to say. So, he kept his gaze focused on the room in the distance. It was clear what was going through his mind.


    "I''ll only wait for 30 more minutes, Felix."


    N was also waiting. If Felix remained unresponsive after 30 minutes, she would storm in, and no one would stand in her way.


    Just then, the door opened. Felix carried a tub in his right hand, his face deathly pale.


    "Quick. Give each person a pill. I''ve already taken one myself, so don''t worry about me."


    The moment the final syble left his lips, he copsed backward.


    Hector caught him just in time. "I''ll leave it to you, Cairo."


    Cairo nodded and immediately sprang into action after he took the tub.


    N and Xena simultaneously ran to Felix''s side.


    "Felix!" both women cried out in unison, their eyes filled with identical expressions of heartache and concern.


    "He''s fine, just severely drained. He''ll recover after some rest," Ss said after checking Felix''s pulse. His words allowed the two women to breathe a sigh of relief.


    "My God! It''s really working."


    After everyone took the pills, Ronan was the first to leap up. As a martial artist, he had a keen sense of his body and could make a rough judgment as to whether or not the toxins had been neutralized.


    "He truly is a master healer!"


    No one disagreed with his


    statement. Felix had saved the lives of more than 60 people through his own efforts. This act of turning the tide might just go down in history.


    Aiden''s expression grewplicated as he stared at his hands. It was unthinkable that Felix, his sworn


    enemy, had saved him.

 Chapter 911

    Not far from the courtyard, Mira smiled softly as she pulled out her phone.


    "Is the result out?"


    "Yes, Mr. Hoffman. Felix seeded."


    "Wait. What?" Gerald was quite shocked.


    "That''s impossible! His pill-forming rate is far too low. It''s only been 11 or 12 hours. How could he have crafted over 60 antidote pills? Even if they''re just the most basic kind."


    Mira resigned as she sighed. "Mr. Hoffman, he''s your apprentice. If you don''t have confidence in him, shouldn''t you at least trust your own judgment?"


    Gerald chuckled. "It seems you all know how to butter up an old man like me. Much better at it than Felix -his social skills are practically nonexistent, but it looks like he really does have a talent for pill cultivation, after all. I''ve never been wrong about my judgment.


    "Alright. I''m hanging up now."


    ncing at the courtyard ahead, Mira patted the small bag she was carrying.


    Gerald always loved to act tough, but the fact that he sent her rushing here overnight said it all.


    "The stage is set, Felix. I hope you''re ready when the timees. We might not have the energy to protect you."


    It was unclear how much time had passed when Felix finally woke up. He felt refreshed, his body brimming with vitality, as if he had reached a new pinnacle of health.


    "Felix, you''re finally awake!"


    Melissa hurried over with a ss of water.


    Felix asked with a smile, "How''s the banquet going?"


    "Everything''s fine. With you stepping in, what could possibly go wrong? Oh, and guess what-thetest rankings are out! Lemuel personally submitted the application. You''re officially Dragonia''s top healer now." It was just a title. He couldn''t care less.


    "N was the one taking care of you the whole time, and I only just took over. She even gave you a pill to help you recover faster. After all, the martial arts tournament starts tomorrow."


    The mischievous glint in Melissa''s eyes made it clear she was acting as a matchmaker. Felix was a bit speechless and resigned.


    "Alright. Let''s head out."


    No wonder his body felt so rejuvenated-it was all thanks to N''s help.


    He nced at the clock. It was already 11:00 pm. By his estimate, he had only been asleep for a little over four hours.


    Everyone was gathered in the vi''s living room. N was the first to ask, "How are you feeling?" "Much better now. Thank you."


    N''s expression flickered with


    disappointment. Felix was still so polite and distant toward her,


    showing no sign that their


    swnovel


    rtionship had deepened in any way.


    en


    "It''s my fault," Jack said with a sigh. "If I hadn''t dragged you to the banquet, none of this would''ve happened."


    He med himself endlessly. Felix had to throw a few yful jabs his way before Jack finally started to loosen up.


    "Felix, Milo has something he''d like


    to say to you Ronan said awkwardly pulling Milo forward. It was clear from her expression that this wasn''t easy for her, considering how poorly Milo''s first meeting with Felix had gone.  en


    "You saved my life, so I owe you a favor. I''ll do one thing for you in return, but if we meet during the Dragonia Martial Arts Competition, I won''t hold back."


    His determined expression left no room for argument. Given the weight of the Lone Paragon technique, his response was only natural.


    "You''re Ronan''s friend. I didn''t save you because I wanted something in return. Do you really think I acted the way I did back then just to collect on some favor?"


    Milo froze for a moment, then her gaze softened with respect. She sped his fists together and gave Felix a deep bow before leaving.


    "Where''s Fatso?"


    Noticing that Billy wasn''t around, Melissa immediately spoke up, "Humph! That guy went out to have fun. He even said something like, ''Felix is tough as nails, so he''s not going to die.'' He''s so annoying! What kind of friend says that?"


    Billy really was something else.


    "It''s gettingte. Everyone should get some rest. The martial artspetition starts tomorrow," Melissa


    added before grabbing Ronan and heading upstairs.


    Jack, Vanessa, and the others took the hint and made their way out as well, leaving the living room empty except for N and Felix.

 Chapter 912

    "This


    is for you."


    As N took out a box for him, Felix was confused.


    "Who is it from?"


    "Aiden."


    Aiden? Felix''s confusion deepened.


    "Why would he send me something?"


    Shaking her head, N exined, "I''m not entirely sure, but he made it clear that if you ept this, it''ll settle the debt of him owing you a favor for saving his life. After that, you''re even. No favors owed, no strings attached.


    "Honestly, for someone as arrogant as Aiden, he does have a shred of honor in him at times." "Repaying a life-saving favor with a mere box? Isn''t that a bit too arrogant?" Felix thought to himself. However, Felix didn''t care. If it had just been him and Aiden in the courtyard yesterday, there was no way he would''ve stepped in. The hatred between them was too deep-who in their right mind would save their enemy?


    Yet, yesterday''s circumstances left him no choice. With so many people around, even headquarters had taken notice. Could they really have skipped over Aiden''s antidote pill? That wouldn''t have made any


    sense.


    Whether or not Aiden repaid him for saving his life, Felix couldn''t care less. In the end, they would fight each other anyway, so gratitude was meaningless in the grand scheme of things.


    "Throw it away," he said, turning to leave.


    Just as he was about to step forward, N grabbed his arm.


    "Let''s take a look first. Based on what I know of Aiden, he wouldn''t take something like this lightly." Frowning, Felix hesitated before finally opening the box. Inside was a card and a USB drive. The handwriting on the card was unmistakably Aiden''s.


    "Felix, I have never owed anyone


    anything in my life-let alone a debt for saving my life. This USB drive settles that debt. Even your father, Victor believed this drive had been destroyed by your grandmother. In reality, it''s been kept intact all along.


    "Once you see what''s on it, you''ll understand whether or not it''s worth clearing the te." Information about his biological parents? Felix let out a coldugh.


    "Throw it away for me."


    Once again, N stopped him.


    "Felix, one day you''ll be a father, too. While the world isn''t without heartless people, most parents put their children above everything else. You''ve met Victor, even if only briefly. Do you really think he''s the kind of man who would abandon his wife and child?" Content Belongs to


    Seeing Felix remain silent, N pressed on, "Nobody''s perfect-we all make mistakes. You''ve given


    plenty of people second chances before. Why not extend that same courtesy to them?


    "Just check it out. At the very least, consider this as giving them a chance. What you decide afterward is entirely up to you, and no one can force your hand. Let me grab theptop for you."


    Felix had to admit, her words got to him. Sometimes, when he really thought about it, his inability to forgive after all these years was solely because of the hatred he felt


    from being abandoned, and it might have been a bit excessive,


    Before long, N returned, cing theptop on the table. Without saying another word, she left. She was a smart woman and knew better than to let curiosity take hold in situations like this.


    Even though she knew exactly who Felix''s biological mother was and had even met her once, she still had to hold herself back.


    Felix opened theptop, picked up the USB drive, and stared at it for a long while before finally inserting it into theputer.


    As the drive loaded, the cursor moved toward the folder, but he suddenly noticed his right hand trembling slightly.


    "Am I scared? Or just nervous?"


    He sighed, then double-clicked to open the folder. Inside, there was only one video.


    "Our sweetheart''s finally 100 days old!"

 Chapter 913

    A chubby little baby danced with joy in front of the camera. His round face and big eyes made him utterly adorable.


    Felix knew that was him as a child, and the voice that followed sent a shiver down his spine. It was the kind of voice every child would cheer for-the voice of a loving mother.


    "Honey, look! said.


    seems like our son knows today''s a special day. Just look at how happy he is," a man


    As the camera pulled back, two faces came into view.


    The man was handsome, and it was easy to tell it was Victor. However, the woman...


    Felix was captivated. This was what beauty truly meant. For the first time, he understood the true meaning of the word.


    While it''s true that the woman with the most perfect looks so far was Zara, the woman in the video was the kind of beauty that would stay with one forever, especially whenbined with an iparable maternal glow. It was beyond words.


    "Is this really my biological mother?"


    Just as the family was immersed in their joyful moment, the door suddenly crashed open. Victor leapt to his feet, blocking the camera, and all that could be heard was a voice cutting through.


    "Who are you?"


    "I''ve been looking for you for so long. I never expected you''d end up in the capital."


    "Layne, I have no rtionship with my family anymore. Please, just pretend you didn''t see me, okay?" "That''s not up to you. Wait! You two have already had a child? You''ve got some nerve!"


    A sickening sound followed.


    Several blood holes appeared on Victor''s back, visible in the shot.


    "That bastard must die!"


    "No! Layne, please! I''ll go back with you. Just don''t hurt my son or my husband. I''ll do everything the family asks of me. I promise there will be no more resistance."


    "Fine. I''ll let it go. After all, I watched you grow up. However, I have one condition. You will need to abandon this kid. Whether he survives or not doesn''t matter. As for you two, you must never recognize him as your son again. If you do, I''ll show up and make sure everything gets fixed."


    A sudden noise erupted, and Victor copsed to the ground in front of the camera. He kept pounding the


    floor in anguish as he said, "I''m sorry, sweetheart! This is all my fault. I''m really sorry..."


    Victor coughed up arge mouthful of blood and copsed, dead on the spot.


    Less than a minuteter, a woman entered the room. She nced at the camera, and everything went ck.


    Felix immediately recognized her. It was Meredith from the Greenes.


    His fists clenched tightly. The sound of his mother''s desperate pleas and Victor''s final, tragic moments echoed in his mind, unable to fade away.


    He understood how he had been abandoned, and they must have had their reasons, but still...


    Felix couldn''t bring himself to decide. He didn''t know if he should forgive them.


    Several minutester, N entered and ced a note on the table. "This is the location of Victor''s grave."


    With that, she left. She left Felix to decide whether he would go or not and what he would ultimately choose to think. That wasn''t something she could persuade him on.


    ...


    The next day, Felix and the others were on a business trip in a Mercedes Vito, heading toward the outskirts of Yartford.


    "They just said to go to the foot of


    the mountain. Could it be that we''re supposed to have a duel at the summit? That can''t be right,


    especially with so many people," Melissa said. She looked at the address, confused.


    "Girl, you don''t understand, do you? Do you know why that nameless mountain in Yartford''s outskirts is under military control? Do you really think there are troops stationed there or some secret research happening? No, that''s not it at all!"

 Chapter 914

    Melissa nced at Billy and curled her lips in disdain. "You talk like you know everything."


    Billy chuckled. "Of course I do. That unnamed mountain? Its core has been hollowed out quite a bit. The interior is massive, with a space that looks like some kind of martial training arena.


    "There are four enormous stone tforms in total, and even masters in Boneforging Realm can''t leave a single scratch on them.


    "Surrounding the tforms are stone-carved seats, clearly designed for spectating duels. The exact age of the site is unknown, and the government has been studying it for years.


    "Unfortunately, they haven''t uncovered anything extraordinary about it. So, they decided to use it as the venue for this martial artspetition."


    Felix gave Billy a skeptical nce. Somehow, hearing it from him didn''t make it any more believable. "Yeah, right. Keep talking," N said as sheughed.


    "Melissa, he''s actually telling the truth."


    When they arrived at the base of the unnamed mountain, Felix noticed more than just the armed guards patrolling the area. He could also sense the presence of several powerful experts hidden nearby.


    It seemed the recent banquet incident had caused a significant boost in security.


    Thinking about it, it actually made sense. The allure of Lone Paragon was simply too overwhelming. No matter who the masked figure from that night was, the force behind them clearly saw it as a worthwhile gamble.


    Sacrificing even a master in Boneforging Realm to eliminate strongpetitors and increase their odds of obtaining Lone Paragon was a calcted move.


    Felix couldn''t help but specte. Was Lone Paragon really just what Gerald had described? Or could there be some deeper, hidden secret tied to it? Regardless, the artifact''s ability to triple one''sbat strength without any side effects was more than enough to drive people mad with desire.


    At this point, Felix and Ronan split off from N and the others, taking separate paths up the mountain. The distinction betweenpetitors and spectators became clear.


    That said, N''s connections were truly impressive. While it had taken great effort for people like George and Ryan to secure even a single spot, she managed to bring multiple people in without breaking a sweat. "Stage One on this side. Stage Three on that side," someone called out.


    When they reached the mountainside and stepped into a cavern, the space began to open up, exactly as Billy had described.


    Felix''spetition badge designated him as contestant number eight for Stage One, which meant he and Ronan had to take separate tunnels.


    As soon as he entered, he saw several people already gathered. Some people were standing, and some were sitting.


    The sheer number of young talents participating in this martial artspetition was evident at a nce.


    ???


    Felix stood still for a moment, taking in his surroundings. The space was nothing short of a masterpiece, a marvel of ancient craftsmanship Intricate patterns were etched into the rocky walls, vivid and lifelike, making the ce feel like a resting area meant for masters preparing for battle.


    The ingenuity of the ancients, in some ways, didn''t seem inferior to the advancements of modern times.


    "Stand aside, mutt!" A sudden, sharp voice broke through his thoughts.


    Felix turned to see a burly man ring at him with open hostility.


    "Could you move aside?"


    The burly man frowned.


    "Hey, brat. If it weren''t for the no-fighting rule in the rest area, you''d already be crippled by now."


    No sooner had he finished speaking than his expression shifted. Out of nowhere, three figures appeared on either side of Felix, their gazes sharp and threatening as they locked onto the man.


    "Apologize to Dr. Zeller immediately! Otherwise, if Ie across you during the tournament, you won''t even have the chance to surrender."


    "Just a mere Martial Saint, and you think you can act so arrogantly? Who gave you the nerve to disrespect Dr. Zeller?"


    "Apologize immediately!"


    The pressure radiating from the


    three was enough for the burly man to realize he had messed with the wrong person. He swallowed hard, fear evident in his every movement.


    What? This brat was Dr. Zeller? How was that even possible?

 Chapter 915

    "I''m sorry! I didn''t know who I was dealing with. Please forgive me," the man begged.


    Though his mind was swirling with a thousand questions, the burly man apologized immediately. What choice did he have? If it came down to a match on the arena stage, was he really willing to risk getting beaten to death?


    "Thank you, all three of you," Felix said, nodding in gratitude.


    Of course, he recognized them. They were the people he had saved during the banquet incident. "Dr. Zeller, you''re being too polite."


    "This is the least we could do."


    "Without you, I wouldn''t even be standing here today. Please, don''t thank us."


    The three of them knew they had no hope of winning thepetition. They were simply here for the experience. Even if they walked away empty-handed, building a good rtionship with someone like Felix was well worth the trip.


    The contestants in the Stage One rest area were visibly stunned. Most of them were strangers to one another, and there had been virtually no interaction up to this point.


    Suddenly, seeing Felix, a seemingly ordinarypetitor, being openly defended by three powerful experts naturally drew more than a few curious nces.


    As time passed, the martial artspetition officially began. There were no speeches or grand opening ceremonies. The battles started immediately, with a level of simplicity that was almost jarring. They got straight to the action.


    A staff member entered the rest area and nced down at the iPad in their hand.


    "Contestants 13 and 21, please proceed to the stage for your match."


    The matchups were determined randomly by aputer and generated instantly. There was no need for contestants to waste time drawing lots or picking numbers. Everything was designed with speed and efficiency in mind, a format that probably hadn''t been seen before.


    "Excuse me. How do I get to the arena?"


    Contestant 13 looked utterly confused. The staff member didn''t even nce back and made no effort to guide anyone. With only one exit visible in the rest area, everyone was left wondering what the process actually was.


    "See that giant boulder over there? Use your own strength to move it. That will reveal the path to the arena. If you can''t even manage that, consider yourself eliminated."


    Oh? Now that sounded interesting. Everyone''s attention immediately shifted to the massive stone. "Let me make this clear. The boulder has been tested, and it cannot be moved by anyone below Innate Realm. Of course, if you don''t believe me, you''re wee to try for yourself."


    Contestant 21, the burly man who had insulted Felix earlier, was a Martial Saint and had not yet reached innate Realm. Hearing this, he was unwilling to ept it and walked over with a defiant look.


    Unfortunately, after several attempts, the boulder didn''t budge an inch. Frustrated, he had no choice but to give up.


    His opponent, Contestant 13, had just recently reached Innate Realm and easily moved the boulder aside.


    "That''s enough! Contestant 13 advances, and Contestant 21 is eliminated. Please leave."


    "Next! Contestants five and 19, prepare for battle."


    Meanwhile, in thergest chamber within the mountain, the audience members who had earned the privilege to watch were already seated in their respective spots.


    In the center, four massive dueling tforms stood prominently, allowing spectators to focus on whichever match they preferred.


    The tforms were made of an unknown green stone. Considering they could endure battles involving Boneforging Realm masters, it was obvious the material was far from ordinary.


    "When is it Felix''s turn? Ugh, this is so boring," Melissa muttered, her face full of boredom. She had never been particrly interested in these kinds of things. If Felix weren''t participating, she wouldn''t havee at all.


    "Yeah, the earlier matches aren''t that exciting. Unless by chance two powerful masters face each other, it''s either an immediate forfeit or a one-move victory."


    As N spoke, Billy''s eyes kept scanning the spectator seats.


    "Wow, a lot of big names have shown up! Several warlords are here, even Lord Lionel. Wait. Is that Meredith from the Greenes? How old is she? She''s not even a martial artist. What''s she doing here?"


    Just as Billy had pointed out, many


    remarkable figures had arrived. Even renowned healers like Lemuel and Ss were present. Representatives from major sects, like Skyward Guild, were also in attendance.


    swnw


    Of course, the crowd was filled with unfamiliar faces, likely reclusive monsters who had long stayed hidden from the world.

 Chapter 916

    "Is that Lord Lionel? Who''s the woman next to him? She''s so beautiful and elegant," Melissa eximed in awe. Her attention was finally captured after Billy pointed out the figure in the audience.


    "She''s the legendary Chief Commander who retired from headquarters years ago. Of course, she''s qualified to sit as an equal with Lord Lionel."


    "Really? She''s so young, that''s just unbelievable!" Melissa thought to herself.


    "Mira, you really kept me in the dark," Lionel said, his tone full of mock resentment as he looked at the woman beside him.


    "What, did you expect me to write on my forehead who my fellow apprentice is? Would that make you happy?"


    Despite sitting next to Lionel, she remainedpletely at ease, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.


    "I didn''t mean it like that. No wonder Felix is so exceptional. It turns out he''s your apprentice, someone


    who was trained in the same school. It makes sense now. Only someone like Dr. Hoffman could produce a genius who excels in both medicine and martial arts."


    After speaking, Lionel stole a quick nce at Mira.


    "Ahem! After all these years, you haven''t aged a bit. Meanwhile, just look at me," he said with a self- deprecating smile.


    Raising an eyebrow, Mira shot him a yful look and said, "What''s this? Still up to no good? You''re not exactly young and handsome anymore. Maybe it''s time to focus on your appearance.


    Lionel immediately fell silent. Only a few old friends knew about the embarrassing events from years ago, and he had fought tooth and nail to keep it that way.


    Even if others found out, they probably wouldn''t believe that he once relentlessly pursued Mira. "You didn''te here just to watch Felix''s match, did you?" he asked.


    Trying to quickly change the topic, Mira nodded slightly.


    "Yeah, Mr. Hoffman felt something unexpected might happen, so he asked me toe check it out personally. Even though there''s a Protector in the shadows, who can really be 100% sure about anything?"


    "Oh? Dr. Hoffman himself instructed you?" Lionel stroked his chin, then immediately stood up and left. Since even Gerald had said so, it seemed necessary for him tomunicate with the Protector.


    At this moment, Felix finally stepped onto Arena One, prompting Melissa to cheer loudly, "Go, Felix!" However, his opponent bowed and immediately surrendered in the next moment.


    "Huh? Is Felix that strong? His mere gaze made the other person back down?" N chuckled, amused.


    "If I remember correctly, that guy was one of e victims of the poisoning at the banquet. He''s just at the Oceanus Realm, so there''s no way he could win the championship. Might as well give Felix the win, and maybe he can make some connections in the process."


    So that was how it was. Fate really was a strange thing. Just then, Billy suddenly pointed with his right hand.


    "Look at Arena Two. That one should be interesting."


    N looked over and was surprised to see one of the participants was Ocean. However, the other one was quite strange. It was scorching hot out, and even though the mountain''s interior was cooler, wearing a thick


    coat like that seemed odd thick +


    "Could this person be sick? Why else would he wear such a thick coat topete?"


    After thinking for a moment, N said, "Ocean just recently broke through to the Pulse Realm. He''s


    kept a low profile until now. This


    time, he''speting to make name for himself and attract more powerful people to his family, not for the championship.


    "He knows that with Aiden around, the championship has nothing to do with him."


    With that, Billy grinned widely.


    "I see... His name is Ocean... He''s done for."

 Chapter 917

    "Fatso, are you sure you''re going to jump to conclusions before the fight even starts?" Melissa said. Though Melissa had a point, N couldn''t help but remain fixated on the mysterious Billy.


    She turned her gaze back toward him, curiosity gnawing at her. Honestly, she couldn''t see anything extraordinary about the man bundled up in a heavy winter coat.


    His aura clearly marked him as someone in the Pulse Realm, so why was everyone so convinced that Ocean was doomed?


    When the names were announced, she finally learned that the opponent''s name was Wally Ortiz. It was an odd name, to say the least.


    "Die!"


    As the match began, Ocean showed no intention of holding back.


    This was his first fight, and he was determined to make an impression. He needed to demonstrate the brilliance of the second family of Dragonia and pave the way for future triumphs.


    Just as he was about to strike, the crowd collectively gasped. Ocean froze, sensing something was terribly wrong, but it was already toote.


    Wally had somehow appeared behind him without a sound. With a casual lift of his right hand, he effortlessly grabbed Ocean''s arm.


    "Impressive speed, but do you really think this is enough to defeat me? Not a chance!"


    Though startled, Ocean''s training as a martial arts artist, along with his instincts, kept himposed. However, what happened next shattered his confidence.


    To his horror, he realized that he couldn''t move.


    An unbearable cold surged through his body, spreading like wildfire. It felt like he had been plunged into the deepest, most frigidyers of a tundra. No, it was worse than that.


    "He''s as fast as lightning!"


    In the audience, many shared the same thoughts as N. Speed like that was far beyond what someone in the Pulse Realm should be capable of. Either Wally had used a secret technique, or he was hiding his true strength.


    "Look! Ocean''s forehead... It''s frozen!"


    Melissa''s startled cry drew everyone''s attention. How could a person freeze like that in the middle of a fight? It was unnerving.


    Not far from Arena One, Felix was on his way back to the resting area when he noticed the battle in Arena Two.


    "It seems the Lone Paragon is truly drawing out some extraordinary young talents."


    The techniques Wally disyed were nothing short of bizarre. To freeze someone''s body mid-battle was both terrifying and impressive.


    "I..."


    Ocean had already realized something was terribly wrong. He tried to move his mouth to concede defeat, but even forming a single syble was a monumental effort.


    His entire body turned into an ice sculpture in less than five seconds. He was frozen in the exact pose he had been in as he prepared to attack.


    "No!"


    From the audience, members of the Whit family roared in outrage. Yet, restrained by others, they dared not make any rash moves.


    Before entering the martial artspetition, every participant signed an agreement and stamped their fingerprints to acknowledge the rules.


    Either they admitted defeat


    themselves, or victory was


    determined. There was no third oue. Life or death was entirely their responsibility, as the risks had been clearly stated when they signed.


    §à§á§â


    At that moment, Wally released Ocean''s arm and moved to stand in front of him. The crowd erupted in shock when Wally gently tapped on Ocean''s forehead.


    Ocean''s entire body shattered into pieces, breaking into uneven chunks of ice.


    Though the method of killing left no trace of blood, it was even more chilling and scary. It was a kind of horror that reached deep into the soul.


    "Someone from the Icejade Sect is still alive?" Lionel, who had just returned, muttered under his breath. His expression remained calm, as though he had seen it all before.


    Life and death were part of any


    martial artspetition. If someone


    wasn''t prepared for that, what business did they have being here?


    Obviously, this was not a game for children.


    "Are you reminiscing about another one of your past loves again?" Lionel blushed. Mira had him utterly under her thumb as she teased him.


    The battle had barely begun, yet


    someone had already died. What made it even more shocking was that the one who died was a member of the Whits, the second most prominent family in Dragonia.


    The atmosphere among the audience grew heavy, the previous sense of easepletely reced by tension and unease.

 Chapter 918

    Back in the resting area, Felix had barely settled in when the announcer''s voice rang out again. Suddenly, a section of the cliff face seemed to shift, startling everyone.


    The southern cliff wall, which appeared to ripple, revealed itself to be something entirely unexpected. It wasn''t stone but a person.


    Until then, no one had noticed his presence. He had been sitting cross-legged with his head lowered, blending seamlessly with the cliff. One could tell he was no ordinary person.


    "Competitor number three, Heath Stanton. Interesting," Felix muttered, a faint smile crossing his lips. Heath''s ability to suppress his essence was exceptional. Even Felix hadn''t sensed him. Surely, he had to be a powerful opponent.


    "I... I surrender!"


    Thepetitor assigned to fight Heath had barely moved the boulder blocking their path when they turned to face him, then promptly bolted.


    Heath stood tall at nearly eight feet with a hulking frame that somehow seemed almost harmless. At the deration of surrender, he calmly retreated to his spot and resumed his cross-legged position.


    If one didn''t look carefully, it was as though he''d vanished into thin air.


    The matches progressed quickly after that.


    Each arena had its share of seededpetitors who dominated effortlessly, either overwhelming their opponents with sheer aura or ending the fights in a single move.


    Onepetitor, however, hadn''t lifted a finger yet-Wally Ortiz. Anyone who drew him as an opponent forfeited immediately to avoid facing certain death.


    "Thank goodness Felix and Ronan weren''t assigned to Arena Two," Melissa said while patting her chest to calm her nerves. Even as a spectator, the thought of facing Wally was terrifying.


    "Actually," Billy chimed in, "wasn''t Ronan''s friend Milo assigned to Arena Two?"


    Realization dawned on Melissa, and she eximed, "Oh no! You''re right! Milo and I got along so well


    earlier... But surely she''ll surrender too, right?"


    Right after she said that, the ground beneath them shook lightly with a boom.


    The booming vibration came again, stronger this time.


    "Looks like Felix has to make a move this time. He''s up against quite a formidable opponent."


    The tremors came from Arena One. As everyone turned toward the source they collectively gasped in astonishment at the sight of Heath''s massive and towering frame approaching.


    Each step he took sent ripples through the ground, a testament to the sheer power he carried.


    "What the... Can Felix even take him on?" Melissa whispered.


    Meanwhile, in Arena Four, Aiden lingered after his final match instead of returning to the waiting area. He''d secured his victory and had time to watch the unfolding battle.


    He was fortunate that there hadn''t


    been any overwhelming opponents in his bracket. On top of his strategic alliance with fellow martial artists, his path to the next round had been swift and easy.


    "Felix, there''s no way you''re getting past this round," Aiden remarked smugly.


    Even Heath''s normal strides caused the earth to tremble. Aiden wasn''t sure he could beat Heath, and for Felix, it was even less likely.


    Finally, Heath and Felix faced each other on the tform.


    When the match began, Heath sped his hands together in a respectful gesture. His voice boomed like thunder across the arena.


    "May the best fighter win!"


    The mere motion of Heath''s hands


    created a gushing shockwave. If not for the quick intervention of the officials, the audience in that direction would have been swept off their feet.


    Someone gulped, their eyes wide with fear. How could anyone possibly beat this monster?

 Chapter 919

    Felix mirrored the gesture as a sign of respect.


    Heath reminded him of Ronan in some ways-both carried an air of innocence and inexperience. The match began abruptly, with Heath making the first move. He remained rooted in ce and sent a palm strike hurtling toward Felix from a distance.


    The power was palpable. If his earlier gesture could create gale-force winds, this deliberate attack shattered the very air.


    A cacophony of snapping and crackling filled the arena, showing just how terrifyingly powerful his seemingly straightforward strike truly was.


    Felix vanished from his spot and reappeared at Heath''s nk, delivering a swift roundhouse kick. Heath didn''t dodge or flinch. Instead, he absorbed the attack with his body and struck again. Immediately, Felix retreated several feet away.


    He felt like he''d kicked against a mountain earlier. It waspletely ineffective against Heath, proving that thetter''s body possessed incredible resilience to physical attacks.


    Moreover, that kick''s power was equivalent to an early-stage Blood Realm strike. Yet, judging by Heath''s essence, he was merely at the Pulse Realm.


    "Wow. Felix is fast, but it doesn''t look like he can hurt that guy. That big guy''s defense is unreal."


    Upon hearing Melissa''sment, Billy yawned and said, "Felix is being too cautious. All this testing and probing is boring. Just fight already."


    A minute passed, and the crowd grew bored as well.


    The fight seemed to hit a stalemate. Heath''s slow speed meant he couldn''tnd a hit, while Felix, quick as he was, couldn''t break through Heath''s defenses.


    "You''re not giving your all. That''s disrespectful to me," Heath suddenly rumbled. Raising both hands, he mmed them downward with immense force.


    "Crush!"


    An invisible pressure exploded downward, nketing the entire tform. There was no ce to run. Felix raised his right hand and felt the oppressive force bearing down. I was formidable, enough to obliterate an early-stage Blood Realm martial artist in an instant.


    "Is this man seriously only Pulse Realm?" Felix wondered in amazement.


    The martial arts world never ceased to surprise him with its impossibilities.


    As the crushing force descended, Heath moved for the first time and it was a revtion.


    The massive fighter, who had


    seemed sluggish until now, suddenly burst forward with surprising speed. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Felix and throwing a devastating punch.


    "Damn! That guy was holding back the whole time!" Melissa gasped, covering her mouth in disbelief.


    Although Heath''s speed wasn''t


    extraordinary, it was far greater than anyone had expected from his


    earlier movements. The apparent sluggishness had been a deliberate


    ruse.


    en


    "Can''t fault him for strategy," Billy replied. "He never imed he was slow. He just stood there, throwing long-distance strikes. Clever, really.''


    Melissa didn''t like Billy''s tone, but she couldn''t argue with his logic.


    "It''s over," Aiden said from the sidelines, a smirk tugging at his lips.


    He could sense the overwhelming energy in Heath''s punch. Whenbined with the oppressive pressure overhead, it was a move designed to finish the fight.


    A blow like that would crush Felix.


    "He''s surprisingly smart," Aiden remarked, fully convinced of Heath''s victory.


    Heath seemed equally certain as his fist barreled toward Felix-until he heard Felix''s approving voice.


    The collision erupted into a


    shockwave that ripped outward from the two fighters. The sheer force sent the arena''s officials scrambling to shield the spectators from harm.


    When the dust settled, everyone gaped at the scene.

 Chapter 920

    At some point, Felix''s free hand had raised and clenched into a fist. It met Heath''s massive punch head- on, despite the stark size difference between their hands.


    Felix''s smaller fist somehow contained a terrifying power that halted Heath''s advance.


    Aiden''s expression fell.


    The shockwave from the sh had a force on par with the power of ate-stage Blood Realm attack.


    It was now clear to him that Felix''s previous victory against a True Blood Realm master in Guneria wasn''t due to outside intervention. It was highly likely that Felix had achieved it himself.


    "You might barely qualify to fight me," Felix remarked.


    Atst, even the spectators were in awe. While the fight was a straightforward disy of raw power rather than a dazzling spectacle, it was undeniably thrilling.


    "I yield."


    Just as everyone thought the battle was about to erupt in full force, Heath suddenly retracted his hand and voluntarily conceded defeat.


    "You''ve surprised me," Felix said with a light chuckle.


    Heath shook his head. "I know my limits. The allure of the Lone Paragon is immense, but I didn''t expect to meet someone of your caliber before even reaching the finals. I ept my defeat."


    "Perhaps we''ll meet again someday," Felix replied.


    Heath''s elimination disqualified him from contending for the Lone Paragon title.


    Despite its ws, thepetition''s rules ensured that luck might influence second or third ce but never the champion''s oue.


    With his victory secured on Arena One, Felix didn''t have to return to the resting area. He only needed to wait for the winners of Arena Two and Three before the final round could begin.


    Thepetition felt rushed, as if the organizers were desperate to crown a champion as quickly as possible.


    In Arena Two, Wally stepped onto


    the tform again. Following him was a new challenger-N''s friend, Milo Nichols, who always carried her sword.


    "Now, this is going to be interesting."


    Billy perked up as if sensing this bout would be something special. "Do you think Milo will concede?"


    N replied with a grin, "Not likely


    Milo''s strong. Wally''s tough, sure, et


    but his earlier methods were mostly effective against weaker opponents. Milo won''t fall for that."


    As they stepped onto the tform, Wally spoke. "It seems you''re not nning to surrender."


    Milo sneered. "Icejade Sect techniques? You think you can fool me with your little tricks?"


    Wally''s eyes narrowed. He hadn''t expected someone to recognize his origins.


    "Then let''s see what you''ve got."


    The fight began, and Wally vanished, employing the same stealthy tactics he had used in previous matches to take down Milo.


    In an instant, Milo disappeared too,


    and the sharp sound of a sword being drawn rang out. A sh of silver fight streaked across the tform, visible to everyone for the briefest moment.


    When Milo reappeared standing in Wally''s original position, her sword was already sliding back into its scabbard.


    As the sword clicked into ce, Wally staggered several steps back. Clutching his neck, he stared in disbelief as blood gushed from the wound.


    "You... How is this possible?" he choked out before copsing lifelessly to the ground.


    Even in death, his expression was one of utter shock.


    "Idiot," Milo muttered. Her poise was unshaken as she descended the tform.


    Felix couldn''t help but smile wryly. "That woman''s trouble. I hope I don''t face her in the finals."

 Chapter 921

    To Felix''s surprise, the winner of Arena Three turned out to be Ronan, whose strength was remarkable. Once all four finalists agreed they didn''t need much rest, the championship match was scheduled for an hourter. It would adopt a draw-lot system to determine the pairings for two one-on-one matches. Felix sat alone in the resting area with his eyes closed as he meditated. The rules prohibited any interaction between contestants during this period.


    "Felix, are you really going to continue?"


    The unexpected voice made him open his eyes, and he saw Xena had entered the room.


    "Of course. I''vee this far. Is there any reason not to?"


    A trace of worry flickered in Xena''s eyes. She hadn''t wanted toe but couldn''t suppress her emotions. "Those three... not one of them is simple. I can''t say more, but you should think carefully."


    Felix smiled. "Don''t worry. I''m not simple either, am I?"


    Xena stared at him for a long moment before turning and leaving without another word.


    About half an hourter, a staff member, apanied by Hector and Cairo, entered the room.


    The staff member held a box in his arms for the draw. Meanwhile, two warlords escorting the process emphasized the importance of thepetition.


    "Felix, I''ve got my money on you!" Hector gave a thumbs-up, his enthusiastic encouragement bringing an amused smile to Felix''s face.


    Cairo, by contrast, remained expressionless. To him, the champion was undoubtedly Aiden. The only real challenge was Milo, who was no doubt a formidable opponent.


    "Thank you, Mr. Downy." Felix rose, casually drew a lot, and unfolded it.


    The slip bore the number two.


    "Has everyone else drawn their numbers?" he asked. The box contained only one remaining slip. "Yes. Your opponent is Milo."


    Felix let out a bitter smile at the news. Of all the potential matchups, facing Milo was the one he least wanted. He said, "Well, difficult as it may be, I''ll do my best."


    Cairo, on the other hand, felt immensely relieved. This matchup meant that Aiden could conserve his strength and hold back his trump cards to surprise Milo in the final round.


    However, what Cairo didn''t know was that Felix''s grimace wasn''t because Milo was a powerful opponent, but because she was Ronan''s close friend.


    That rtionship made it tricky for Felix to determine how far he could go in the fight.


    As the hour passed, it was finally time for the semifinals, which were structured as sequential matches to show respect for thepetitors.


    "The first match will be between Aiden and Ronan," the announcer dered.


    Melissa froze in disbelief. "Wait, does that mean Felix has to fight Milo?"


    Everyone knew how fearsome Milo was. Wally, with all his tricks and uncanny techniques, had been killed in a single stroke by her. It was easy to imagine the challenge Felix now faced.


    "Felix''s luck with women really is something else," Billy joked. "Even his opponents are beauties." Melissa shot him a re. "Fatso, is that all you can think about? Ugh, you''re so annoying! If you can''t say anything useful, just shut up. N, what do we do?"


    N, however,ughed softly and said, "What''s there to panic about? Trust Felix. He''s not someone who would fall here. No way."


    What she didn''t say aloud was her firm belief in Felix. He was a man she had her eyes on a future titan destined to stand at the pinnacle.


    Something as minor as a martial artspetition couldn''t possibly stop him.

 Chapter 922

    Lionel smiled as well. "Is this fate? Brook''s descendant got paired with Felix, of all people.'' Mira also couldn''t hold back a chuckle. "Perhaps. After all, Felix truly has luck with thedies."


    If Gerald learned that Felix was battling Brook''s descendant, his reaction would surely be a sight to behold.


    At longst, Aiden and Ronan stood on the stone stage. Thetter was shooting the former a sharp look. "Show me all you''ve got!"


    After what happened at the party, Ronan knew full well about the bad blood between Aiden and Felix. Now that Aiden was his opponent, he wasn''t about to pull back any punches. He might not be able to defeat Aiden, but the least he could do was inflict some injuries.


    "As you wish," Aiden responded with perfect calmness, as if victory was already within his grasp. Ronan''s body trembled as the bell tolled. His skin was cloaked in a blood-red aura that pulsated maddeningly. No one knew what was going on with him.


    Milo was allowed to spectate the battle and immediately frowned when he saw it. "What''s going on here? Why did Ronan empower himself with Bloodtinge at the start of the duel? Just how serious is he? Isn''t Lone Paragon not that tempting for him?"


    Felix shared Milo''s thoughts. He might not have seen it before, but he could roughly sense something. As a matter of fact, Ronan did increase his fighting prowess with Bloodtinge. He was now three times more powerful than his usual self. Although it onlysted ten minutes, it was enough to make jaws drop. Ronan''s eyes turnedpletely red. As he stared at Aiden, he parted his lips and let out a guttural roar. Everyone on the scene was stunned. If they hadn''t seen Ronan with their own eyes, they would have thought an actual tiger was loose on the hillside. His roar was so deafening that no words could describe it.


    At the next moment, Ronan sprang into action. He pounced at Aiden like a starving tiger.


    "Not bad." Aiden remained unfazed as he faced Ronan''s ferocious attacks. He merely moved his shoulder and threw a punch ahead of him.


    A loud sound rose in the air. Before the audience could register what had just happened, they noticed arge crack on the cliff face far away from them. Something crashed against it and created a huge dent. "Aiden Greene won."


    The audience didn''t realize that


    Ronan had been sent flying until the announcer spoke up. More to the


    point, was the duel over? It was supposed to be a fierce battle, but it ended up being a one-hit knockout again.


    UM


    The thing was that this was the semifinals, and both contestants were formidable fighters. So, why would something like this happen Moreover, Ronan''s roar had clearly revealed his fearsome fighting prowess. In other words, just how terrifyingly powerful was Aiden?


    Felix was already sprinting toward Ronan, and so was Milo.


    "Ronan!"


    When they pulled Ronan out of the deep dent on the cliff face, he was covered entirely in blood. From the looks of things, he was either on the brink of death or had already passed away.


    "Aiden Greene!" Felix merely took one nce at Ronan, and his expression turned as dark as coal. Thetter was dying Aiden''s blow proved to be fatal.


    As Felix gnashed his teeth, Milo also lost it. After all, the former was a master healer. If he got this pissed off, Ronan must''ve been beyond medical help.


    "I''m going to end you!" she yelled.


    Aiden had just gotten off the stage.


    He cast a nce at Milo, who stood in his way, and wore a puzzled expression. "End me? Do you have what it takes to do it? If one


    participates in the Dragonia Martial Arts Competition, one has to be


    prepared to give his life to it.


    "What''s the matter? Didn''t your friend realize this?"


    Milo held the hilt of her sword. "Let''s put your theory to the test. Perish!"

 Chapter 923

    "Don''t give in to your impulses, youngdy. Remember the rules."


    Just as Milo was about to throw caution to the wind and cut Aiden to ribbons, a voice rang in her mind. For some reason, the voice immediately calmed her down as if it was magical or something.


    "You''ll pay for this," Milo said before she left and returned to Felix''s side.


    Needless to say, she knew about the rules. More to the point, all contestants of the Dragonia Martial Arts Competition ced their lives on the line the moment they signed up for it.


    What really pissed Milo off was the fact that Aiden emanated an aura that only a Boneforging Realm martial artist possessed. There was a good reason she was this upset too.


    Ronan had just be a Blood Realm martial artist. He might''ve empowered himself with Bloodtinge and increased his fighting prowess threefold, but he would never be able to defeat Aiden, who was two realms above him.


    In other words, Aiden had this duel in the bag, and yet he struck a fatal blow. That was what pissed Milo off.


    "Aiden lived up to his name as the Greene family''s prodigy. He''s still so young, but he was already a Boneforging Realm martial artist," Lionelmented.


    Mira nodded gently. "He is immensely talented."


    She was the one who spoke to Milo telepathically just now. Otherwise, thetter would''ve attacked Aiden out of rage. Not only would Milo fail to vent her frustration, but she would also be kicked out of the venue due to breaking the rules.


    Now, everyone understood why the duel ended as quickly as it did.


    "Boneforging Realm?" Melissa was shocked to the core when she heard it. "Dear Lord! He''s very young. How is it that he was already at Boneforging Realm? No one will be able to win him in a duel!"


    Although N didn''t respond, she had to admit that Aiden was the kind of super-talented martial artist who existed only once in a generation.


    N might have considered Aiden one of her candidates if it weren''t for his questionable mentor. Felix might not have had his turn.


    After some time, Felix was finally done with the acupuncture. "He''ll be fine now."


    He had to use Seven Points of Transcendence to bring Ronan back from the brink of death. Milo had to agree to dy both of their matches so that he would have enough time to do it.


    Take what happened at the party, for instance. Felix needed a way to neutralize the poison, and he tried Seven Points of Transcendence on an ordinary waiter. By all means, he should''ve chosen Jack or Ronan as histest subject, but he didn''t.


    The fact was that the acupuncture technique worked the best the first time it was administered to someone, which meant that it was essentially useless after that. If Felix had chosen his best friends as test subjects, he wouldn''t have been able to save them if their lives were in danger.


    "Thank you." Milo noticed how Ronan''s breath became regr again, and she let out a sigh of relief. She honestly didn''t want to watch as her friend died.


    "Come on. It''s time for us to start our duel," Felix said.


    Milo frowned. "You have just treated Ronan. It''s better if you take a rest."


    "It''ll be fine. I want to take on Aiden as soon as I can. Let''s not waste our time."


    Felix might''ve sounded confident, but Milo was still a little upset. The former basically just said that thetter would definitely lose in the fight.


    "Alright. Let us begin, then. Just don''t look down on me like that."


    When both of them got on the stone stage, Felix raised his right hand. "I''m not looking down on you at all, but you''re Ronan''s friend, and I respect you. So, I''m not going to hold anything back."


    Felix emanated a fearsome aura that left Milo dumbfounded.


    "Boneforging Realm? I can''t believe you''re this powerful as well!"


    Everyone on the scene could sense Felix''s aura as well. They were also shocked to their core.


    "Um... Is he another Boneforging martial artist? Are the younger generation trying tounch a mutiny or something?"


    "I have wasted my cultivating in


    martial arts. It has been over fivez decades, and I remain an Oceanus martial artist, but these young folks have already made a breakthrough into Boneforging Realm."

 Chapter 924

    This was the first time Melissa knew about Felix''s fighting prowess. For a moment, she had no idea what she could say about the situation. She was even so pleasantly surprised that she was shedding tears of joy.


    Meanwhile, N was also grinning from ear to ear. She made a wise choice to fall for Felix.


    Billy was the only person who pursed his lips. Although he didn''t say anything, his expression said everything.


    "I appreciate your respect for me." Milo was stunned for a while before she moved her hand away from the hilt of her sword. "But I''m yielding.


    It was Felix''s turn to feel puzzled. As far as he was concerned, Milo wasn''t the kind ofdy who would give up this easily. In fact, she would''ve chosen to duke it out with him.


    "There''s no reason to feel strange about it. I''m not powerful enough to take on a Boneforging Realm martial artist right now. I know that about myself. So, why do I have to fight you at all?


    "More to the point, we don''t really know each other. Ronan didn''t exactly bring us together as friends, either. With all of these in mind, I would just be asking for death."


    Felix was stumped. Milo could be very smart when she kept her cool.


    "It would be far more logical for me to admit defeat and let you keep your strength. I want you to beat that bastard to a pulp on my behalf." Milo''s expression turned bitter after she turned around.


    Milo''s elder was right when he said that Lone Paragon would draw out numerous inhumanly formidable warriors with unimaginable powers. She wondered if her elder expected there to be two Boneforging Realm martial artists this time.


    Did this signify the rise of the world of martial arts once more?


    Meanwhile, Aiden had taken several deep breaths. To this moment, he still couldn''t ept the fact that Felix was as powerful as he was.


    "You''ve kept your strength well hidden, Felix!" Aiden was truly frustrated. He possessed this impressive talent that amazed a lot of people. He made a breakthrough into Innate Realm when he was ten years old. That made him one of the top-ranking talents in history.


    With his unprecedented talent at his disposal, Aiden was able to attain Boneforging Realm at such a young age. Fewer than ten of the older generation of martial artists were a match for him, let alone the younger generations.


    That was why it was utterly shocking that Felix was as powerful as Aiden was.


    "Sure, and you also live up to everyone''s expectations as Victor''s son. It''s time for us to find out who the stronger martial artist is."


    Ten minutester, both of them


    stood on the stone stage, and the much-awaited championship was about tomence. Everyone held their breath and focused on the stage, not wanting to miss a single moment.


    "You''ve been nothing but an insect beneath my boot in the past. However, you''ve exceeded my expectations and secretly became this powerful. Color me surprised."


    Felix looked at Aiden and shook his


    head. "Your heart wasn''t in the right ce from


    the beginning. There''s p


    such thing as being better than everyone else. We are all born into this world equally. What makes you think you get to sit on a high horse?"


    Aiden sneered. "Some people are born into a poverty-stricken family, while others are born with a silver spoon. God has never been fair. What''s wrong with me sitting on my high horse?"


    Felix extended his right hand and said slowly, "Let''s cut the bull crap and begin the duel. We have been waiting for this day toe for a long time now."


    "Fine. Your time is up, Felix!"


    Both Felix and Aiden knew that this match wasn''t just about victory. In fact, it was a fight to the death. None of them would ever surrender in this fight.


    As the duel started, Aiden made the first move. He brushed his eyebrow gently with his right hand, and a wicked grin crept up his face.


    "Perish.''


    At the same time, Lionel''s expression changed for the first time. "I can''t believe what I''m seeing. Is the old geezer Aiden''s mentor?"

 Chapter 925

    After Aiden lowered his hand, a ck mark appeared between his eyebrows.


    Naturally, the others didn''t know the meaning behind the mark, nor would they really care about it. After all, this was nothing worth getting shocked over. If it were, then Wally''s earlier moves would''ve been downright earth-shattering.


    With that said, those who were in the know were anything but calm, and Lionel was one of them.


    "It''s hard to believe that there''s something you don''t know about, Lord Lionel," Mira said teasingly.


    Lionel responded solemnly, "Do you know about it already?"


    "I don''t. I was merely a little surprised. It looked like Mr. Hoffman shouldn''t have spared that old coot''s life all those years ago."


    The Shadowdragon Warlord was stunned for a moment before something shifted in his gaze. "It sounds like Dr. Hoffman knew about it. I''ll wager that was why he sent you here to oversee thepetition."


    Mira giggled. "That''s where you''re wrong. I''m no match for that old coot. My fellow apprentice could hold her own against him, though."


    Once the bell rang, Aiden made the first move. He raised his hand and pointed at Felix, shooting a wave of energy, which thetter effortlessly swatted aside.


    "Are you still testing my strength?"


    Aiden''s lips curled into a grin in response. At the next moment, he vanished into thin air.


    "cial Strike!"


    Felix thrust both his fists out and firmly met Aiden''s attack, and a frigid power immediately coursed through his veins.


    "A melee strike? You''ve been hiding your true powers, huh?"


    Felix leaped into the air and somersaulted. He shed with Aiden countless times, taking thetter''s attacks head-on every single time.


    Most of the audience couldn''t exactly see what was happening, but they could hear the resonant sound of the twopetitors trading blows. It felt as if the fierce battle was happening right next to them, and it got their blood pumping.


    A small cluster of martial artists could see what was happening, but even they were overwhelmed by the intense battle.


    Was this how powerful Boneforging Realm martial artists were? The speed and strength Felix and Aiden demonstrated were simply inhumane. It was a good thing that the stone stage could withstand the magnitude of their fight. An ordinary stage would''ve crumbled much earlier.


    "Sr Strike!"


    Several minutester, Aiden adopted apletely different move. He was still attacking with both his palms, but it was no longer the same as the technique he had just used.


    This time, Aiden''s attacks were soft yet firm. Although he dished out the attack at a ferocious speed, it seemed so slow to the naked eye, creating an illusion that would mislead his victim.


    When Felix first took on Aiden''s Sr Strike, he felt a zing heat coursing through his veins. It was inherently different from thetter''s cial Strike.


    "Aiden has employed both cial Strike and Sr Strike. There''s no doubt about it now. He''s definitely Kevin Beasley''s apprentice." Lionel''s expression darkened. It looked like he was seething with rage. "What''s the matter? Are you going to seize Aiden after this?"


    "There''s no seizing him!" Lionel


    scoffed and continued, "Kevin might''vemitted countless atrocious deeds, but Aiden hadn''t done a darn thing that was illegal. At least, none that I am aware of. So, how am I supposed to seize him?


    "I don''t get it. Why did Dr. Hoffman spare Kevin''s life all those years ago?"


    Mira shook her head. "I''ll do you one better. Mr. Hoffman is fit and healthy, and he has spent nearly ten million dors on spas. Why is he still lying low and not showing himself?


    "There are questions in the world we don''t want the answers to."


    Huh?


    Lionel''s expression turned extremely strange. It turned out Gerald liked going to those ces.


    Then, he decided to drop it and pretend he hadn''t heard a word. Otherwise, he might get himself into unnecessary trouble.


    Minutes came and went. Aiden realized he still couldn''t defeat Felix with his attacks. The knowledge made him impatient. They were both Boneforging Realm martial artists, but there were gaps between different martial artists.


    At the very least, Aiden wouldn''t


    im he was the strongest fighter among all Boneforging Realm martial artists. Be that as it may, no ordinary martial artist was his match. It genuinely surprised him that Felix could effortlessly keep up With him.


    "Is that all you got?" As fate would have it, Felix spoke up. His taunting tone infuriated Aiden beyond words. If he could spare the time to say something like this during the he fight, it only went to show how easy the whole thing was to him.


    "At first, I thought it was just dumb luck that you could fend off my attacks. However, it would seem that


    you are quite capable.


    "Fine, it''s time to end you."

 Chapter 926

    The diamond-shaped ck mark on Aiden''s forehead flickered with a dark glow before fading away. As this happened, his attacks changed dramatically, and his speed nearly doubled.


    He shouted, "Shadow Assault!"


    Felix began to retreat while defending against the attacks, which only fueled Aiden''s confidence. He mocked, "You think you''re worthy of fighting me? Die!"


    As Felix approached the edge of the arena, he suddenly smiled, causing Aiden''s heart to skip a beat. Felix said, "Since you''re finally going all out, I don''t need to y around anymore.


    "I hate to break it to you, but for someone from the Greene family who''s supposed to be a prodigy, you''re pretty disappointing."


    "Dragon Fist!" Felix roared. He had been fighting Aiden with basic moves this whole time without using any special techniques.


    Felix was a master of the Dragons Destroyer style, known for defeating opponents above his level. At the same level, he was practically invincible. So, there was no way Aiden could possibly match up.


    Nheless, the fact that Aiden hadsted this long against even basic moves was impressive enough. Felix had only dyed using his true strength to gauge just how capable this arrogant guy was. Now it was clear-Aiden''s so-called strength was mediocre at best.


    When Felix unleashed the Dragon Fist, Aiden''s face turned pale. He could not hold his ground and took a direct hit within three seconds, followed by a relentless barrage of devastating strikes.


    Aiden stumbled backward, coughing up blood as his body took massive damage. His mind was racing as he thought, "Why? Damn it! What''s going on? How is Felix this strong? I can''t even defend myself! This can''t be happening!"


    Despite Aiden''s inner turmoil, the situation in the arena remained unchanged.


    "Time to end this," Felix stated coldly. From the moment he used Dragon Fist, he knew Aiden would not even have the chance to surrender, even if his pride allowed it.


    Felix nned to eliminate Aiden legitimately through this martial artspetition. Afterward, he would visit the Greene family.


    "No!" In that critical moment, Aiden was overwhelmed with terror as he watched the final punch approach, unable to dodge or defend.


    Suddenly, Felix''s expression changed as a gentle force pushed him backward. A gust of wind swept through, and Aiden vanished.


    "Who dares interfere with the Martial Arts Competition?" the Protector''s angry voice boomed through the arena.


    "Was that... Kevin?" Lionel asked, dumbfounded.


    "Who else would it be? He''s got to look after his precious apprentice," Mira replied with a knowing smile. Lionel''s eyes flickered with anger. "But the Protector is here. Isn''t he just too bold?"


    Mira smirked. "You''re still a level below understanding how the higher-ups work. Just pretend this never happened."


    It was clear there was some kind of


    deal


    for kind the scenes. Otherwise,


    Beasley to interfere in the


    ov


    match, he would have been executed on the spot.


    While Felix was still processing what had happened, Aiden''s voice echoed throughout the mountains. "Felix, you better watch your back! One day, kill you with my own hands. Mark my words!"  en

 Chapter 927

    Someone had actuallye to Aiden''s rescue. Felix''s expression darkened as he recalled how he had nned to defeat Aiden fairly in the Martial Arts Competition from the moment he learned of his participation.


    Everything had gone ording to n until this unexpected intervention. Even with the Protector present, no one should have been able to interfere.


    No matter who Aiden''s mentor was, pulling something like this off should have been impossible. Yet, it happened anyway.


    With Felix''s sharp mind, he immediately suspected there was more to this situation than met the eye. However, no one would dare question the Protector, especially since no one else had been hurt in the process.


    "I hereby dere Felix Zeller the champion of this Martial Arts Competition," the Protector announced. The scattered apuse that followed reflected how the sudden appearance of the powerful fighter had affected everyone''s mood. Felix shook his head and descended from the arena, deciding that dwelling on Aiden''s escape would only cause unnecessary stress-he could always finish this another time. He wondered if the Lone Paragon technique would live up to his expectations. Following the staff''s directions, Felix returned to the rest area at Arena One. It waspletely empty, leaving him alone to wait.


    "Congrattions, young man," a voice suddenly sounded.


    Felix had not sensed the person''s approach at all, and he immediately realized who it was. He greeted respectfully, "Protector, sir."


    The neer, who had gray hair and wore a formal suit, radiated vitality despite his apparent age and spoke with a strong, clear voice that betrayed no weakness.


    "This is the Lone Paragon," the Protector said, holding out an object. "Simply ce it on your forehead to begin your training."


    Felix examined the item curiously. It was palm-sized and irregrly shaped, with a greenish hue. It resembled an emerald piece, but something about it felt different.


    "This is called an emerald slip, an ancient artifact used to record rare and powerful techniques. These are incredibly rare, and each one carries unique secrets.


    "Once someone begins practicing the technique within, the emerald slip dissolves into light and disappears, its destination unknown."


    Following the Protector''s instructions, Felix ced the emerald slip against his forehead. Instantly, knowledge flooded his mind in an extraordinary way.


    When he regained awareness, the slip had indeed transformed into a streak of light and disappeared so quickly that even his keen eyes could barely track it.


    "Thank you, Protector," Felix said gratefully.


    The Protector smiled and did not leave immediately. He asked, "I assume you''re wondering why I allowed Aiden''s rescue?"


    Felix felt awkward. "Not at all, sir. Not even slightly." After all, he was no one to question the Protector''s decision.


    The Protector chuckled. "You''re a


    terrible liar. You remind me of Geraldt''s uncanny how much you''ve picked up his habits, even if you were nothing alike before."


    Felix''s interest was piqued. "You know Mr. Hoffman?"


    "Of course I do," the Protector replied with a grin. "There are only a handful of old-timers left in Dragonia. We att know each other. That includes Aiden''s mentor, Kevin Beasley. owed him a favor from my younger days, and tonight was my way of repaying it."


    Felix nodded in understanding this exined how someone dared to interfere with the Competition while the Protector was present.


    "The future belongs to young ones like yourself," the Protectormented as he prepared to leave. "We''ll all step aside eventually."


    Felix knew this exnation was only given out of respect for Gerald and did not expect anything more.

 Chapter 928

    George and the others threw a celebration party for Felix''s victory that night, and everyone was in high spirits. Even Milo, who usually avoided such gatherings, joined in the festivities.


    Despite drinking quite a bit, Felix cleared his mind when he got home and began studying the Lone Paragon technique. He could not resist exploring something that so many people had been seeking. When Felix opened his eyes again, he was shocked to find that dawn had already broken-time had passed even faster than during pill cultivation.


    "The Lone Paragon is just a fragment? How incredible must theplete version be?" he wondered aloud.


    Indeed, the Lone Paragon technique he received could triple hisbat power without any side effects, but it was only a portion of the whole. He murmured, "Where is the rest of the Lone Paragon?" ording to the text, the Lone Paragon techniques had to be learned sequentially, and Felix had only received the most basic part. Without this foundation, one would not even qualify to discover the advanced techniques, let alone master them.


    "This reallyes down to fate, I guess," Felix mused. Checking the time, he noticed that it was already 6:30 am. So, he quickly ate breakfast and headed out.


    This was his first visit to headquarters, and Felix was curious about the ce. The security was indeed strict, just as he had heard.


    Finally, he met with Xena in an office. He joked, "Are you already giving me another assignment?" After all, Felix had been working overtime for them in the past six months.


    "Actually, I am, but this mission depends on whether you''ve mastered the Lone Paragon," Xena replied. Hearing it was about the Lone Paragon, Felix said with interest, "Then tell me more."


    "ording to the Protector''s assessment, you should be able toprehend the Lone Paragon within a month. Is that true?" Xena asked.


    After some thought, Felix responded, "That sounds about right."


    "Good. In one month, you''ll head to that side-I think you know what I''m referring to," Xena said.


    Felix instantly sat up straighter. "I''ve heard of ''that side,'' but I know nothing about what it actually is. Why


    would headquarters send me to such a mysterious location?"


    Xena''s expression showed a hint of


    ´¨


    helplessness, "I can only tell you


    what headquarters authorized me to


    share. The rest is ssified-this


    mission concerns our nation''s


    survival, so please take it seriously."


    "National survival? That''s quite the im," Felix thought. Then, he asked aloud, "What if someone else had received the Lone Paragon?"


    "Whoever receives it mustplete this mission. Whether through incentives or pressure, no one can refuse," Xena exined.


    Felix smiled wryly, acknowledging the truth in her words.


    "The Lone Paragon was only


    provided to increase the mission''s chances of sess," Xena continued. "Consider what this. mission''s importance must be f we''re willing to give up sucha precious technique."  It was clear this would be an extremely challenging mission if they were willing to part with the Lone Paragon. Even though Felix had demonstrated his Boneforging Realm abilities, Xena maintained her serious demeanor.


    ???


    "Whether I''m a Dragon Knight or not, my bloodline and abilities remain the same. If my country needs me,


    I won''t hesitate to serve," Felix dered.


    Taking a deep breath, Xena finally revealed, "Your mission is to bring the people from that side to the capital. The nation needs their help to repel an impending invasion."

 Chapter 929

    If not for Xena''s serious expression, Felix would have thought he had misheard. He asked in disbelief, "An enemy invasion? How is that possible when our nation is so powerful?"


    Xena gave a bitter smile and exined, "I wish I knew the answer too, but as a warlord, my rank isn''t high enough. I can only follow orders and tell you what''s relevant to the mission. As a proper Dragon Knight, your duty is simply to obey."


    Since even Xena did not know the details, Felix knew pursuing that line of questioning would be pointless. He said, "Tell me about ''that side'' then.''


    Xena sighed with relief, grateful that Felix had not pressed further. "That ce is where arge portion of our most powerful martial artists migrated from the capital years ago. They''ve thrived there, building families andmunities, and theirbat abilities far surpass what we have here."


    Felix had to agree with this assessment. He thought of Cynthia, his supposed fianc¨¦e''s sister, and her incredible strength. Then, there was the descendant of Yusri Maximus, the first practitioner of Dragons Destroyer.


    Felix still remembered the despair he felt then, knowing he would have died if Karina had not appeared suddenly.


    Xena continued, "That side'' is actually a secret realm, a hidden paradise created by a long-lost array of ancient formations."


    She paused before adding, "We only call it ''that side'' because that''s the simplified term the headquarters uses. The capital has strict rules prohibiting anyone from disclosing details about it.


    "Back in the day, a major rebellion among martial artists broke out, and those who learned about that ce often became obsessed with it, desperate to live there instead. To avoid further unrest, the headquarters issued a nket rule to keep it all under wraps."


    That exined a lot. Felix had often asked N or his senior apprentices about that ce, only to be met with silence.


    They had always told him he would learn about it when he reached a certain level. Now, it was clear this was all because of the rebellion. It must have been a massive event to warrant such strict regtions. "The ce enclosed by these formations is called Martial City," Xena revealed.


    After pondering this, Felix stroked his chin and asked, "Do people in Martial City live like they did in ancient times?"


    Xena actuallyughed at this. "Of course not! Did you think Martial City has no contact with the capital? Apart from cutting-edge technology, they have most of what we have here. The differences are minor at


    best.


    "After all, Martial City isn''t some sprawling utopia where everyone gets their own mansion. Space is still a limitation."


    Felix frowned, still puzzled. "If there''smunication between Martial City and the headquarters, why doesn''t the headquarters just ask them for help directly? Why send me toplete this mission instead? Isn''t that just oveplicating things?"


    worl.ne


    Xena walked to the window and gazed outside thoughtfully. She said, "Martial City is ruled absolutely by one person. In the past, directmunication might have worked. However, our chances are slim with the new leader."


    "Then why do you think I can aplish this seemingly impossible task?" Felix asked, confused.


    Turning to face him, Xena clenched


    her fist. "Because of the Martial Arts


    Competition. Lone Paragon was


    being used as bait, and whoeveret


    wins the championship will prove themselves to be a super-genius with unmatched potential.


    "No one can predict how strong someone like that will be. Martial City''s name reflects its nature strength rules all. When you be the strongest in Martial City, all its martial artists will follow yourmand."

 Chapter 930

    Felix rolled his eyes at the notion of bing the strongest in Martial City. He was not even bothered to respond to such an oundish idea.


    "Don''t underestimate yourself, Felix," Xena insisted. "Look how young you are and already at the Boneforging Realm that alone is remarkable. Don''t you think it''s possible with the Lone Paragon''s power boost?"


    Xena felt mixed emotions, knowing Felix had hidden his true strength from her. He had already reached the Boneforging Realm, which meant he must have been incredibly powerful before, yet she had no idea. "Whatever. I''ve epted the mission, and I''ll do my best, but I can''t guarantee the oue-no one can," Felix said.


    Their conversation continued until sunset before Felix left. While headquarters had shared extensive information about Martial City, Felix realized he would only truly understand it once he got there himself. Watching Felix''s retreating figure, Xena opened her mouth several times but could not bring herself to speak. She could not stop thinking about yesterday''s Martial Arts Competition and Felix''s victory, which stirred up feelings from their shared past-something she would never forget.


    Xena had finally admitted to herself that she still loved Felix, but she was afraid to tell him. The fear of rejection held her back.


    "I''ll wait until he returns from Martial City," she mumbled.


    Back in Gray City, Felix resumed his regr routine without mentioning his uing departure to anyone.


    Interestingly, Aiden had not returned to the Greene family, seeming to have vanishedpletely. Word had it that the Greene family had spent a significant amount of money hiring several martial arts masters, though it was obvious who they were trying to defend against.


    Two weeks passed, and Felix had sessfully mastered the Lone Paragon. Sure enough, it sessfully tripled hisbat power. Its power was nothing short of extraordinary.


    That day, just as he arrived home, Selmer called. He reported, "Mr. Zeller, the man you warned us about -the one targeting Ms. Emmerson-has appeared. We''ve trapped him at the clinic."


    "I understand. I''m on my way. Don''t harm him," Felix replied.


    Shaun had shown up again. It was obvious that he could not give up his obsession with Melissa.


    At the clinic, Melissa was confronting a middle-aged man. "You thought you could kidnap me again? Do I look like some reusable object to you?"


    The man''s eyes were filled with


    terror. He never imagined that Melissa would have so many powerful people protecting her im such a short time. Just as he tried to make his move, Selmer, Louise, and Billy appeared out of nowhere.


    When faced with such a lineup, escape was impossible, and resistance was futile.


    l.ne


    Felix had anticipated this ever since the Martial Arts Competition ended. Knowing the Greene family would be too preupied with their own. issues, he had arranged for Louise to stay in Gray City as additional protection.


    The man begged, "Please let me go. Last time, even though I kidnapped you, I neverid a finger on you or truly hurt you, right?"


    Melissa''s face twisted with hatred. She snarled, "True, you didn''t touch me, but you locked me in a cage like an animal and tried to auction me off! You don''t think that counts as harm? Now, I''m going to kill you!"

 Chapter 931

    Selmer immediately stepped in and said, "Ms. Emmerson, Mr. Zeller instructed us to keep him alive. Please don''t act impulsively."


    However, Louise was more direct. He stepped in front of Shane without hesitation. He had just arrived and was not that familiar with Melissa or the others, so he only followed Felix''s orders.


    "Alive? No way!" Melissa shot back, her voice filled with fury. "Felix knows exactly what''s going on here. Don''t try to fool me!"


    Blinded by hatred, Melissa could not think rationally. The sight of Shane brought back horrifying memories of being treated like livestock at the auction, and it made her seethe with rage.


    Shemanded, "Ronan, kill him for me!"


    Ronan did not hesitate. Although he had great respect for Felix, his heart belonged to Melissa. He warned Selmer and Louise, "Get out of my way, or I might just use force on you too."


    Though Ronan was only at the Blood Realm major mastery stage while Selmer and Louise were True Blood Realm fighters, as a member of the Warlock family, he could fight above his level.


    Once his bloodline powers were activated, hisbat strength would increase significantly, and he was confident he could take them on.


    "Mr. Zeller''s orders must be followed!" Selmer dered as he moved to block Ronan. Although he respected Melissa, his loyalty was ultimately to Felix.


    "Melissa," Selmer said firmly.


    Meanwhile, Billy was no help at all. Instead, he casually pulled out a packet of chips and began snacking while watching the unfolding chaos like it was a show. His nonchnt attitude left everyone speechless. Thankfully, N stepped in with a stern shout. "Enough of this nonsense. Don''t you trust Felix?" Gritting her teeth, Melissa let out a cold snort and stormed into the back room. She knew if she stayed, her anger would push her to force Ronan to act.


    Selmer exhaled in relief. At least the immediate tension had dissipated, giving them time to call Felix. Ten minutester, Felix arrived at the clinic. Melissa was the first to rush to him, asking, "Felix, aren''t you going to avenge me?"


    Without a word, Felix raised his hand and pointed a finger at Shane. The man copsed unconscious to the ground.


    "We can''t kill him yet," Felix exined calmly. "But don''t worry, he''ll get what''sing to him. Or do you think I''d ever let scum like this walk free?"


    Melissa''s anger cooled as she looked at Felix, her tone softening. "Of course, I trust you. It''s just frustrating to let this bastard live even a moment longer."


    Felix had one more task before heading to Martial City-obtaining the Dragonspine from Kayden. Given the unknown dangers that awaited him, he needed every advantage he could get.


    Fish Men were mysterious. Killing Shane now, who happened to be Kayden''s grandson, might alert Kayden to Felix''s actions. He needed to y it safe.


    As the sun rose, a new day began. At the Skyward Guild, the sect leader Terry was inspecting his disciples'' training while Stamford apanied him.


    "Are you really not worried at all?" Stamford asked with a wry smile.


    Ever since the Martial Arts


    Competition ended, the sect had ot had a moment of peace. They had tried every method to monitor Felix, terrified they might lose track of his movements.  en


    "What''s there to worry about? Felix is a Dragon Knight from headquarters-he wouldn''t dare cause trouble here in broad


    daylight," Terry replied, though his


    confidence wavere


    Having witnessed Felix''s victory at the Boneforging Realm level during the Competition, Terry felt chills down his spine. With Felix''s growth and the addition of the Lone Paragon, while he might not be able to defeat the entire Skyward Guild, few could stand in his way.

 Chapter 932

    Terry''s onlyfort was Felix''s status as a Dragon Knight, believing it would keep him in check. However, Stamford could not help butugh bitterly-how could they expect restraint after sending assassins after Felix?


    "Terry!" a voice suddenly boomed throughout the Skyward Guild, causing all the training disciples to freeze in curiosity.


    "Who dares to cause trouble in my Skyward Guild?" Terry growled as he vanished on the spot, with Stamford following close behind.


    When they reached the front courtyard, they found Felix standing there, which immediately dampened their aggressive stance.


    Terry asked diplomatically, "Ah, if it isn''t the honorable Dragon Knight. What brings you to our Skyward Guild?"


    Felix smirked at the gathered martial arts masters. "Call me Felix or Dragon Knight; I don''t care-I''m here for justice."


    Terry''s greeting was not lost on Felix. Using the title "Dragon Knight" was a calcted move to tie him to the headquarters and make things moreplicated.


    "Oh, you must be joking, Dragon Knight," Terry replied with a dry chuckle. "I''m afraid I don''t understand what justice you seek."


    Felix raised his hand, causing a nearby stone b to explode. "I''m done with the small talk. You sent people to kill me in the Guneria. Whether you admit it or not doesn''t matter-either give me what I want or prepare to die."


    Under normal circumstances, someone would have already stepped forward to challenge him. However, everyone knew what had happened at the Martial Arts Competition.


    Felix had reached the Boneforging Realm, and now he had mastered Lone Paragon. No one wanted to test their luck.


    Seeing that Felix had no intention of negotiating, Terry kept hisposure. "If you insist on this, Dragon Knight, then I''ll have no choice but to appeal to the headquarters for mediation."


    Felix sneered. "You think I''d be here if I cared about that? I wouldn''t hesitate to kill everyst one of you. What do you think the headquarters will do about it?"


    Terry''s expression darkened. He


    wondered if this was some kind of


    tacit approval from the


    headquarters. If that were the ease, escting the conflict would not end well for the Skyward Guild.


    "Perhaps you could tell us what you want? Skyward Guild has always been open to reasonable discussion," Terry offered.


    The guild''s martial artists exchanged puzzled nces, confused about the unexpected negotiation option. "The Twin Fish Cauldron," Felix stated simply, referring to the treasure Kayden had requested.


    Terry''s face twisted, his expression shifting from anger to disbelief. "The Twin Fish Cauldron is our guild''s most prized artifact. Felix, don''t you


    think you''re going too farent


    Felix chuckled, his eyes narrowing. "Do you seriously think I''m here to negotiate with trash like you?"


    In the next moment, he unleashed the Rising Dragon technique. After several explosive sounds, no one remained standing.


    He asked, "Still think I won''t kill any of you?"


    Felix had nned this carefully, knowing headquarters was focused on the Martial City mission. He did not even bother using the Shadow Mask, choosing to attack directly.


    Despite several Boneforging Realm masters being present, none could withstand even a single strike from Felix. It just proved the terrifying power of the Lone Paragon-and he was not even using his full strength.


    "You... You actually attacked us?" Terry sputtered, blood dripping from his lips as he clutched his chest in shock.


    "Attack? I''ll send you all to hell!" Felix threatened.


    As terror rose, Terry shouted, "Summon the Founding Master!"


    Felix turned his head as well and called out, "Karina, it''s your turn."

 Chapter 933

    A terrifying aura spread from a distant building, instantly enveloping the entire Skyward Guild. Terry and his followers were overjoyed, knowing their Founding Master had been monitoring the guild''s safety even during meditation.


    "How long has it been since someone dared to cause trouble in the Skyward Guild? Such audacity!" A powerful voice echoed across the grounds, brimming with authority.


    Even without appearing in person, the sheer presence of this unseen force was overwhelming.


    "Felix, you''ve brought this upon yourself!" Terry snarled through gritted teeth, his injuries making his anger even more palpable.


    The other guild members began shouting, their earlier caution forgotten. "So what if you''re a Dragon Knight? You struck first, and that gives us every right to retaliate. The headquarters won''t say a word against us!"


    Someone else growled, "Do you really think that being at the Boneforging Realm makes you invincible? Wait until you face our Founding Master!"


    "Mr. Miles gave you so many chances, yet you chose death!"


    Felix''s response was a mockingugh. "Oh, look at you all, barking louder when hiding behind someone stronger."


    Suddenly, a flute''s melody filled the air. It was gentle and soothing, bringing an inexplicable peace to everyone''s minds. The overwhelming aura of the Founding Master vanished as abruptly as it had arrived. It was as though it had never been there.


    A series of coughs broke the silence, followed by a begrudging voice. "Ah, Ms. Smith, I didn''t realize you were here. This is just a minor dispute among the juniors. I''ll return to my meditation now."


    Terry could not believe what he was hearing their Founding Master was backing down without a fight over a single flute melody. As the tune faded and the silence lingered, the realization sank in-he was noting back.


    The implications were ringly obvious. The Founding Master had not even dared to intervene. That flute-the Silver Flute-was something every senior member of the Skyward Guild knew about, but none of them had expected their revered leader to be so intimidated by it.


    "Well then, let''s continue." Felix''s voice snapped Terry back to reality.


    Despite his injuries, he scrambled to his feet with a forced smile. "Dragon Knight, this is all a misunderstanding.


    "We merely wanted to witness the skills of the Martial Arts Competition champion firsthand. There''s nothing more to it, I assure you. I''ll fetch the Twin Fish Cauldron right away."


    Felix looked at them with contempt, knowing they would have clung to false hope until the very end. Besides, this was Skyward Guild, the top sect in Dragonia. Felix had learned from his encounter with the Pris that walking in unprepared would be foolish, so of course, he came with a contingency n- Karina.


    With her on his side, Felix had no reason to hold back. Ever since the Martial Arts Competition ended, the restriction''s ced on him by Gerald had been fully lifted, allowing him to freely contact any of his nine senior apprentices.


    He would have already confronted the Greene family with their help if not for the urgent national crisis. Meanwhile, Stamford was nursing his severe injuries and wearing a bitter smile. From the start, he had been the only one against making an enemy of Felix. Yet here they were, facing the very disaster he had warned them about.


    No one expected someone as young as Felix to reach Boneforging Realm, win the Martial Arts Competition, and gain Lone Paragon. Now, he had even called on the legendary Silver Flute So, how could they possiblypete with that?


    Sighing deeply, Stamford silently prayed that Terry would finally learn his lesson. If not, this would not be the end of their troubles.

 Chapter 934

    Several minutester, Terry returned, holding a small bronze cauldron. He also brought along two young individuals a man and a woman.


    "Dragon Knight, this is my disgrace of a son, and that woman is his lover. Everything started because of this little bitch. I''ll make things right with you today."


    As soon as he finished speaking, Terry raised a hand and pointed at the young woman. She copsed into a pool of blood before she could even react.


    "Please, spare my son''s life," Terry pleaded, his voice trembling with desperation.


    Terry was truly out of options. Even the founder of his guild had given up trying to handle Felix, so what could he possibly do? If Felix continued to grow stronger, Terry knew his own fate would be sealed one random night.


    "I''m not unreasonable. We''ll proceed as you suggested," Felix responded in a measured tone.


    If not for Xena''s warning about outside threats, he might not have been so lenient. Besides, the Skyward Guild''s strength made them valuable national allies.


    Terry bowed repeatedly in gratitude and struck his son with enough force to injure him severely. When he looked up again, Felix had vanished, allowing Terry to finally breathe a sigh of relief.


    On the flight back to Gray City, Karina watched Felix with concern. She advised, "Be careful when you reach Martial City. We won''t be able to reach you quickly if something happens. Even though we can travel to Martial City, it''ll take time."


    Felix nodded appreciatively. "Thank you for your concern, Karina. I''ll be cautious."


    After a moment''s thought, Karina continued, "By the way, Ophelia is likely in Martial City, though she''s difficult to contact. Take this stone-Ophelia has an identical one. When you''re within range of each other, you''ll be able to sense each other''s presence."


    Felix was surprised to learn that his fellow senior apprentice, Ophelia Starling, was in Martial City-no wonder he had not heard from her, though he wondered about her purpose there. "Understood," Felix replied.


    Karina had reserved the entire


    first-ss cabin, and Felix could not help but feel a bit puzzled as to why. Just then, she asked, "Could you check if anyone''s in the restroom?"


    Though confused, Felixplied. The door was closed but showed as vacant, so he knocked to be sure.


    When there was no response, he opened the door to verify.


    Suddenly, a hand reached out and pulled him inside as the door closed behind him. "Averill?" Felix was stunned to find her there.


    Averill grinned mischievously. "Hey, Felix. Bet you''ve never done anything like this in a ce like this, huh? Today''s your lucky day! Look at


    this short skirt, super convenient."


    Time passed, and when Felix finally stepped out, his face was flushed with embarrassment. He avoided Karina''s gaze entirely, choosing to hide in a random seat instead. The thrill of what had happened in there was indescribable, but now facing Karina felt impossible.


    "Come here," Karina called out unexpectedly, and before Felix could respond, Averill pulled him over. Felix froze, unsure of how to respond. Before he could decide, Averill grabbed his arm and dragged him over.


    Averil teased, "Why so shy? You''re a grown man! If Karina wasn''t dealing with her period, she''d¡ª"


    She stopped mid-sentence when Karina shot her a death re. Then, Karina stood abruptly and walked over to Felix, taking his hand without a word.


    "Come with me to the restroom," she said.


    Felix felt his heart sink, thinking, "Not again! Why the restroom? And wasn''t she supposed to be...? Oh no. Could she possibly mean-?"

 Chapter 935

    "Ha! I can''t believe you actually got up! Think you can handle it?" Averill doubled over withughter. Karina was also chuckling, and Felix finally realized they had been teasing him. He shook his head and said, "Alright, you two, enough with the jokes."


    ...


    The next day, Felix met with Kayden, the powerful Fish Man, on the outskirts of Gray City.


    "Here''s the Twin Fish Cauldron. I trust everything is in order?" Felix asked, and after carefully examining the artifact, Kayden smiled with satisfaction.


    "Indeed, this is the genuine Twin Fish Cauldron. You truly delivered on your promise," Kayden confirmed. Felix understood why someone as powerful as Kayden had been hesitant to retrieve it himself-he feared the founding master of Skyward Guild.


    "And here''s your Dragonspine," Kayden said as he handed over the item, making Felix smile. It was


    refreshing to have a straightforward exchange without any hidden agendas.


    ...


    That evening, Melissa executed Shane, the imprisoned Fish Man. She finally achieved her revenge and found closure. Meanwhile, Felix and N sat across from each other in the vi.


    Felix asked, "So you''re saying I shouldn''t use the Shadow Mask in Martial City unless absolutely necessary?"


    N nodded firmly. "Correct. Martial City is filled with powerful experts, and the Shadow Mask carries its ownplicated history. If you''re discovered using it, surviving there would be extremely difficult at your current level."


    Felix sighed, feeling a little disheartened. He had thought the Shadow Mask would provide an extrayer of security. "Thanks for the warning. I''ll y it by ear," he replied.


    Felix and N had already agreed to split up once they reached Martial City. Felix needed to reach a certain level before reuniting with N and fulfilling their promise. Given the gap in their abilities, traveling together now would only slow him down,


    N remarked, "It''s too bad you''re only going to Martial City for a


    ???


    mission. Otherwise, you could go straight to your birth mother and save yourself a lot of trouble. But there''s a catch-if you acknowledge her you''ll have to stay by her side. Otherwise, your life will still be in danger."


    Felix frowned thoughtfully. "I haven''t decided about meeting her yet. I''ll cross that bridge when Ie to it."


    While N knew of Felix''s mission to Martial City, she was not privy to the details. For Felix, focusing on the task at hand was the priority; finding his birth mother could wait.


    "Since you''re going on a mission, I''m sure the headquarters have prepared everything you need," N said. "Here''s my phone number in Martial City-please contact me immediately if you run into trouble." N had no reason to linger in the capital now that she had found the man she was looking for, which would be in Martial City.


    "I will," Felix promised.


    After N left, Felix received a call from Ss. They chatted briefly, with Ss mostly asking if Zara, his treasured apprentice, had visited Felix. Unfortunately, there was still no news.


    This was not necessarily bad-it meant Zara was still resisting the Twinshade Body and had not sumbed to it.


    While standing by the window, Felix


    contemted his situation under the


    moonlight. With Kayden''s


    Dragonspine absorbed, he now possessed eight pieces, needing just one more forpletion. His


    enhanced power would definitely improve his chances in Martial City.


    He had sessfully learned the Lone Paragon, a reliable lifeline against powerful enemies. Even if he


    could not win a fight, activating it at the crucial moment would at least ensure his escape.


    Felix had also been diligently studying Gerald''s medical book every day. After experiencing the benefits of


    the pills described within, he was more motivated than ever to master its teachings.

 Chapter 936

    Time flew by quickly, and the one-month deadline was suddenly upon them. Xena woulde for Felix tomorrow, making this hisst night in town.


    There was no grand farewell party since he had already said his goodbyes to everyone. Ronan and Melissa were getting along well, nning to travel the world together after Felix''s departure. From the looks of it, they were not far from making their rtionship official.


    Felix definitely approved of this match, as Ronan was a genuinely good person. The man was honest and reliable, someone worthy of trust. As for Jack and the others, they had called to say they would beying low for a while, which had be somewhat routine by now.


    That night, Felix and Billy were sitting in Floral Wreath Boutique, where a few dishes and bottles of wine were on the table.


    "Honestly, eating and drinking in a ce like this gives me the creeps," Felix said, ncing around. Billy waved him off, unconcerned. "You''re overthinking it. Look at me¡ªam I not enjoying myself? And don''t even think about trying to squeeze anything out of me tonight. I wouldn''t give you a favor even if you begged."


    Caught in his attempt, Felix remained unfazed. "Come on, my trip to Martial City will be dangerous. You wouldn''t want all these favors to go unpaid if something happened, would you?"


    Billy rolled his eyes and shook his head firmly. "Cut the drama. Sure, Martial City is full of powerful people, but you''re no slouch yourself."


    Felix sighed deeply. "Who knows what''ll happen? I''m not so worried about dying, but the thought of leaving debts unpaid really troubles me."


    Billy wanted to snap at him but held back, grinding his teeth for a moment before pulling something from his pocket. It was a small paper doll, shrunken down enough to fit in his hand.


    "Fine, fine! You''re worse than a nagging old man. Here, take this. It''s thest one I''ve got, so don''t even think about asking for more."


    Felix grinned as he picked up the tiny paper doll. Despite its appearance, it felt firm and sturdy. He asked, "How does it work?"


    "Blood activation. Like I''ve said a million times, anything that works with blood is an artifact-you can absorb it into your body. As for what it does-it''s for saving your life, of course."


    Felix''s smile widened at the mention of life-saving capabilities.


    Billy exined, "If your life''s in danger, the paper doll will activate on its own. It''ll grow to your size and release a soul-disturbing wave, tricking your enemies into thinking it''s you."


    en


    "A decoy? That''s amazing," Felix mumbled, inspecting the artifact with newfound admiration.


    "Remember though, it onlysts five minutes. If you haven''t escaped by then, well... you''re out of luck," Billy warned.


    Felix immediately raised his ss. "Fatso, you''re my lucky star! After I leave, are you nning to leave Gray City too?"


    After clinking sses, Billy nodded. "Yeah, but wipe that look off your face. I''m not going to Martial City!"


    Felix felt disappointed at failing to


    convince Billy to join him. After all having someone as mysterious and capable as Billy in Martial City would have been a huge advantage


    §Ù§Ú§Þ


    As Felix finished his drink, he froze, his hand still holding the ss. His scalp tingled as he noticed the


    paper dolls in the shop starting to sway as if they were alive.


    "Fatso, is this ce haunted?" Felix asked nervously.


    Billy frowned, gestured with his right hand, and then pressed two fingers against Felix''s forehead. "It is haunted, alright, but it''s not my shop-it''s you!"

 Chapter 937

    Felix felt a chill ran down his spine when Billy said he was haunted.


    "A master practitioner has cursed you," Billy exined between bites. "They''re so skilled that I couldn''t even sense it when you first walked in."


    Felix checked himself but felt nothing unusual. "I feel fine, though. What kind of curse are we talking about?"


    Instead of answering right away, Billy casually continued eating. "There are many types of curses, both in Dragonia and abroad. From what I can tell, this is the work of a foreign expert."


    He paused to take another bite, then added, "These masters are especially dangerous. All they need is something you keep close to you, and they can attack you remotely. From the looks of it, they''ve already started."


    Felix jumped up in rm. "Stop joking around! I don''t feel anything, and the Dragonspine isn''t even reacting!"


    Billy smirked. "That''s because your soul is unusually strong. What''s strange, though, is how much it''s grown in such a short time. I mean, the thing inside your soul is impressive, but it shouldn''t have boosted you this much in just a month.


    Felix frowned, his mind racing. The only exnation he could think of was his recent encounter with Naomi. He asked hesitantly, "So, I''m not in danger?"


    Billy shook his head. "Not yet, but this master is skilled. They''re just getting started, and the curse will intensify."


    Felix felt panic rising. "Come on! Give me a straight answer-can we fix this?"


    He could not believe that Billy was still in the mood to eat, acting nonchnt just because it was not happening to him.


    Unbothered by Felix''s outburst, Billy calmly took another bite of food. "I''ve already located the caster. With your speed, you''ll get there in no time. Rx-you''ve got time to finish a drink or two."


    "Finish a drink? Are you kidding me?" After some heated argument, Felix got the address and rushed out of Floral Wreath Boutique.


    As he approached the location, the eight Dragonspine pieces within him began to vibrate, warning of danger Felix burst into an apartment to find an elderly, tanned man kneeling on the floor, his eyes wide with shock at Felix''s appearance.


    He stammered, "Y-You''re alive?"


    The man could not believe it. After all, the curse had reached its final stage, and by normal standards, Felix should have been writhing in agony near death by now. Yet, here he stood.


    Felix smirked. "Sorry to disappoint you. You''ve gone through all this trouble to kill me-now it''s my turn to return the favor."


    With swift action, Felix subdued the old man and forced him to confess. The Westerto Order had sent him to kill Felix, a continuation of Helena''s incident. Their intelligencework was impressive-they had managed to track Felix down, even if it had taken some time.


    Felix growled, "The Westerio Order? If only you''de a few days earlier, I might''ve sent a little gift your


    way."


    Unfortunately, with his mission to


    1.n


    Martial City starting tomorrow, revenge would have to wait. There was some good news, though¡ªthis elder held a high position in the Westerlo Order, equivalent to a Scarlet Cardinal. His curses were so potent that he had even killed masters from Dragonia''s Boneforging Realm.


    This made Felix realize just how strong his soul had be-future soul-rted attacks would likely be much easier to handle.


    The next morning, Xena arrived to pick him up. Felix boarded the military ne, and the two sat in silence for the entire flight.


    After over four hours in the air, the ne finallynded. Felix nced out the window and saw nothing but rugged mountain ranges stretching in every direction. There was not a single sign of a city in sight.

 Chapter 938

    "Let''s go," Xena said.


    After getting off the ne, Felix got into a car with Xena behind the wheel. She was driving herself, with no one else apanying them.


    "In the backpack, you''ll find everything you need for Martial City. I''ll exin each item as you take them out," she said.


    Felix grabbed the backpack from the back seat and opened it, finding only a few items inside.


    Xena exined, "This phone only works in Martial City. Due to the barriers, it can''t connect to satellites, but it works perfectly within the city. It''s unregistered too, so you don''t need to worry about being tracked." The device was more of a chunky block than a modern phone. It had an archaic feel and a tiny screen that did not support video calls or other advanced features.


    "What''s this card?" Felix asked as he pulled out another item-a card that looked like an emerald-green bank card. The only difference was that it appeared to be made of emerald, with elegant swirls of pale green throughout.


    "That''s an emerald card! In Martial City, the currency isn''t money-it''s emerald. The city''s treasury issues these cards. Whatever amount of emerald you deposit shows up as your bnce," Xena replied. She continued, "When martial artists reach the Innate Realm, they can absorb energy from emerald to enhance their training. That''s why it became the city''s currency. Also, like the phone, the card isn''t tied to your identity."


    Theck of traceability made Felix uneasy, as it suggested the dangerous nature of Martial City-anyone could steal without consequences.


    "How much is on here?" he asked.


    "Ten thousand emeralds," Xena replied.


    Felix thought that seemed stingy, but Xena seemed to read his mind. "Once you''re in Martial City, you''ll realize just how substantial that amount is."


    After putting those items away, Felix found what looked like a small, golden sheet about the size of his palm. He asked, "And what''s this?"


    "Your medical license. This has to be registered, and it''s extremely difficult to obtain normally. We got it arranged for you in advance. The good thing is, you can practice under a code name instead of your real one it''s quitemon in Martial City."


    Headquarters had thought ahead, giving Felix a legitimate upation to avoid suspicion. He was familiar


    with medical code names, like those used by Ss, Wesley, and others instead of their real identities.


    "Felix, be careful there," Xena said as the car stopped, her expressionplex. "If things get too dangerous, don''t push yourself-juste back."


    The car came to a stop, and Xena turned to him, her expression unreadable.


    "I will," Felix promised.


    Xena seemed like she wanted to say more, but she held back, her inner conflict evident. As soon as they exited the car, Felix felt a presence behind him. Turning around, he saw six figures rapidly approaching.


    He thought it would be people from the headquarters, but he quickly recognized one of the figures from the Elders'' Council.


    "Gage?" Felix''s brow furrowed in surprise. Their recent silence suddenly made sense they had been nning this moment.


    The groupnded in front of them in an instant, their movements precise and threatening. Xena


    immediately stepped forward, her voice sharp. "Who are you, and how dare you trespass in a restricted zone?"


    One of the men smirked. "Phoenix Warlord? What''s next? Are you going to mention the Protector? Don''t worry-he''s been kept busy by our Grand Elder."


    As he spoke, Gage turned his


    attention to Felix. "Now that you''ve reached the Boneforging Realm and are about to enter Martial City, it''s time to put an end to this. You should be honored that six Elders


    from the Councile for you."

 Chapter 939

    "Wait over there. They won''t dare touch you," Felix told Xena while maintaining a calm expression as he faced the six Council Elders.


    In the past, he might have been less confident against these formidable opponents. Each of them was strong enough to challenge those above their level, which was precisely why they had earned their positions as Council Elders.


    Having dealt with Gage before, Felix knew his cunning and temperament were terrifying. All that made him an exceptionally dangerous adversary.


    "Felix, are you sure about this?" Xena asked worriedly, wondering how the Elders'' Council dared to act so boldly and who this Grand Elder was that could hold off the Protector.


    "Just go," Felix replied, his tone firm.


    Gage took a step forward, his expression cold. "I know you''re keeping your cool because you have the Lone Paragon on your side, but relying on something like that won''t change your fate."


    Felix smirked. "Skip the speech. You chose this location because you n to hide in Martial City after killing me, right?"


    Felix knew his mission was crucial to national security, and anyone interfering would be considered an


    enemy of the state. The Elders'' Council had clearly gone mad to attempt this, and they had no choice but to flee to Martial City afterward since nowhere else would be safe.


    "You''ve figured it out. Now, prepare to die," Gage said, though none moved. Their attention suddenly shifted behind Felix, causing him to turn around.


    "Why are you all doing here?" Felix asked in surprise as four women appeared about 30 feet away-Mira, Delh, Leslie, and Averill.


    "How annoying! We came to see you off, only to find these mood-killing old fossils," Averill growled, her eyes shing dangerously.


    "Go ahead, Felix. We''ll handle this," Miramanded. After exchanging nces with his senior apprentices, Felix left with Xena.


    When the six Council Elders saw the


    women, their facespletely changed, and they immediately turned to flee. They had not expected four of Gerald''s disciples to show up,pletely derailing their ns.


    "You old geezers think you can just leave aftering here? Prepare for your death!" The four women vanished in pursuit.


    Given how formidable his senior apprentices were, Felix knew the Council Elders would likely never be seen again.


    "This is the spot. Please wait for the Protector," Xena said.


    Xena''s emotions were in turmoil.


    She could not believe Felix had so many senior apprentices-let alone ones this stunning. Each one was breathtakingly beautiful, the ind that left people speechless.


    Though she did not feel inferior, she could not deny a simple truth-Felix was nevercking when it came to beautiful women around him.


    In less than a minute, the Protector whom Felix had met at the Martial Arts Competition appeared.


    "Hmph! Some people are getting too bold, thinking they can find safety in Martial City," the Protector


    snarled, confirming Felix''s suspicion that the Grand Elder had already fled there.


    However, this brought Felix no joy. Instead, his heart was filled with bitterness, knowing that Eloise''s threats would carry less weight with the Grand Elder in Martial City. There was a very real possibility that the Grand Elder would search the entire city for Felix without restraint.

 Chapter 940

    "Felix, don''t worry! You''re on an official mission to Martial City. That scoundrel is an unexpected problem, but I''ll ensure your safety," the Protector reassured Felix as he handed Felix two tokens.


    The Protector exined, "The red token is essential for entering and leaving Martial City. Without it, no one can safely pass through the barriers. Each token only works once before turning to dust, so guard it carefully. They''re extremely rare and valuable, even within Martial City."


    Felix nodded in understanding as he epted the tokens, but his attention was drawn to the yellow one. It was round and slightly mysterious.


    "The yellow token wasn''t something I originally nned to give you," the Protector continued. "It''s not ideal for your growth, but given what just happened, I want to ensure your safety above all else."


    "If that old man from the Elders'' Counciles after you again, don''t hesitate to crush this token. Someone wille to your aid immediately."


    Felix was unsure whether to feel relieved or concerned. Thanks to the Grand Elder, he had now gained a safety in the form of this token, though he hoped he would never have to use it.


    "The barriers randomly transport people to different locations when entering or leaving," the Protector warned. "Stay alert you might face danger immediately upon arrival. Head southeast and take five steps forward to reach the barrier.''


    The area ahead looked like an empty wastnd. Nheless, the Protector''s specific instructions hinted at the mystical nature of Martial City''s defenses.


    "Thank you, Protector. I''ll be going now," Felix said.


    Despite the Protector''s presence, Xena could not resist giving Felix a farewell embrace. "Take care. I''l wait for your safe return."


    "I will," Felix promised.


    After five steps, Felix felt the world spin around him. A wave of red energy enveloped him, stabilizing his senses. He realized the red token had activated just in time-without it, the disorientation might have caused serious harm.


    Still, the sensation of time passing felt distorted. It was as though only a few minutes had passed, yet it also felt like days had passed. When his vision cleared, Felix found himself standing on a grassy field. Nearby, a winding mountain trail stretched downhill. He murmured to himself, "So, this is Martial City?"


    Tall mountains nked the area, and


    the sound of chirping birds filled the air. Everything felt vivid and alive in a way the Capital never could. Felix took a deep breath, feeling an unparalleled sense of refreshment, as though he had stepped into paradise.


    "I''ll take it one step at a time," Felix decided as he approached the path.


    The path opened up as he descended, and the view became clearer. In the distance, a sprawling city came into sight. Skyscrapers stood tall, and the modern architecture blended seamlessly with the surrounding mountains.


    It was not the ancient, rustic ce Felix had imagined. In fact, it looked almost like an advanced version of the capital.


    Just as he reached the bottom of the trail, Felix spotted an old man ahead. The man clutched his chest, moved slowly, and had a pale, drawn face. With trembling hands, the man fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a small bottle, but he copsed onto the ground before he could open it.


    The bottle rolled out of his hand,nding just inches away, but the old man''s frail body made it impossible


    for him to reach it. He struggled to lift his head, his eyes meeting Felix''s as his lips parted.


    In a faint, shaky voice, he pleaded, "Help... help me."

 Chapter 941

    Even if the old man did not ask for Felix''s help, he would definitely lend a helping hand. After all, Felix was never the type to just stand by and watch, whether it was his nature or what Gerald had taught him.


    Since he encountered the situation, there was no way he could ignore it. Besides, it was clear the old man was having a heart attack, and the little bottle he clutched likely contained some kind of fast-acting medication.


    Felix quickly ran over, opened the bottle, and handed it to the old man, who immediately took three pills. In less than a minute, the man looked as if nothing had happened.


    "Thank you so much," he said.


    Felix smiled and replied, "No need to thank me. It''s just the right thing to do."


    As Felix turned to leave, the old man grabbed his arm urgently. "You''re really a good person. Doing something so kind without even leaving your name? But I can''t just let you go without repaying your kindness-wait a moment."


    With that, he pulled out his phone and made a quick call. "Come pick me up," he said before hanging up. Then, turning back to Felix, he chuckled and added, "Ah, I guess I''m not as strong as I used to be. My wife''s grave is up on that hill, and I''ve gotten into the habit of walking there to pay my respects.


    "Usually, I only call someone if I feel unwell, but this time, it hit me so suddenly, and I nearly lost my life because of it. So, don''t refuse. I have to repay your kindness."


    Felix hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. He figured it would not hurt to see where this would lead. After all, for someone new to Martial City like him, a little goodwill might help him find some direction. "What brings you to Herbs Hill, young man?" the old man asked curiously.


    Felix scratched his head sheepishly and said, "I came to gather some herbs. My family used to practice medicine, and I learned a bit from them, but they''ve all passed on.


    "Now, I have to do everything myself. I heard these hills have rare medicinal nts, so I traveled all the way out here. Unfortunately, I wasn''t lucky. My bag fell off a cliff, so I''m leaving empty-handed."


    Though his exnation had some holes, Felix was prepared with answers if the old man pressed him for details.


    "You''re a doctor? No wonder you''re so kind-hearted," the old man replied with admiration. "It''s true what they say a healer always haspassion. I must be lucky to have met you."


    Thankfully, the old man did not ask further questions. After waiting about five minutes, a sleek car appeared on the road.


    Felix could not help but feel a little out of ce seeing an Audi here in Martial City..Xena had told him before that cars, no matter the brand, were insanely expensive in this city. They required a lot


    emeralds, and only the truly wealthy


    could afford one.


    In Martial City, owning a car was more of a status symbol than even owning a house. The Audi stopped, and two people stepped out, hurrying toward the old man with looks of concern.


    "Sir, are you all right?" one asked respectfully.


    The old man smiled and said, "I''m fine, thanks to this young man here. Oh, what''s your name, by the way?"


    "Felix Zeller," he replied casually.


    Beforeing to Martial City, Felix


    had asked Xena about the Maximus family and their influence. She


    aximuses


    assured him that using his name would not draw attention. The Maximuses would never expect him to show up in Martial City, and with the city''srge poption, Felix was not exactly a rare name.  What truly gave Felix the confidence to be here was the favor Billy had done for him after the battle with Westeri Order''s sorcerer. When Felix returned to Floral Wreath Boutique that night, Billy had helped temporarily mask his energy


    signature.


    the


    As long as he did note face-to-face with the Maximus family''s young heir, they would not be able to sense his presence.

 Chapter 942

    ording to Billy, one''s energy signature would essentially be an extension of their soul''s frequency. While he could mask it temporarily, it would onlyst for about a year-making it permanent was simply impossible.


    "Felix,e with me. I''ll make sure to repay you properly. Trust me. I have the means, so don''t turn me down," the old man insisted.


    Feigning hesitation, Felix eventually agreed and got into the Audi A4. As the car moved, the two of them chatted casually, though Felix remained cautious.


    "Where are we headed, sir?" Felix asked when the car began to slow down. He noticed, with some surprise, that they were entering a massive cave.


    "This is my summer retreat. It''s normal to be curious if it''s your first time seeing it," the old man replied with a smile.


    Felix simply nodded and said, "Oh."


    The car came to a stop inside, and Felix followed the old man out. To his surprise, a group of more than a dozen people was waiting there. At the center, an elderly woman sat in a chair, licking her lips as she examined him.


    "My, what a handsome young man!" the woman said with a sly smile.


    Shedding his earlier demeanor, the old man immediately knelt and said humbly, "You''ve got a sharp eye, ma''am. Not only is he good-looking, but I can vouch for his kind heart. He''s guaranteed to satisfy your... tastes."


    Felix frowned and demanded, "What''s going on here?"


    The group erupted intoughter as the old man narrowed his eyes. "Oh, it''s nothing. You were just too kind for your own good. In Martial City, people like you are rare these days. Be smart and don''t resist¨D you''ll suffer less that way."


    Felix shook his head with a wry smile. "So, this was your n all along, huh?"


    The old woman''s grin widened. "I like how calm you are. It makes the meal that much more vorful."


    Felix''s expression turned cold as his energy erupted outward. "Meal? With just a bunch of trash like you?"


    These people were not even


    qualified to sense Felix''s realm, let alone fight against him. In an instant, everyone froze in fear. They were so overwhelmed that they could not even stand, copsing to the ground under the sheer pressure of Felix''s presence.


    Someone blurted out, "Y-You''re a martial artist!"


    "You lured me here with bad intentions. You''ve only got yourselves to me," Felix said icily.


    Even the old man and the elderly woman began pleading for their lives, but Felix was not about to show mercy. By now, it was far toote for that.


    Felix had followed them because he had already gauged that the old man and the two others from earlier were only at Martial Saint level. He figured their leader or backup would not be much stronger, which meant he could easily handle the situation.


    Nheless, Felix knew better than to take unnecessary risks, especially as a neer to Martial City. After eliminating everyone in the cave, he searched the area and uncovered the truth behind their twisted scheme.


    His expression darkened with


    disgust when he found out that the elderly woman had a grotesque obsession-she enjoyed eating human hearts, particrly those of kind-hearted individuals. The old man had been ying out this act for some time, luring victims into their trap.


    While it did not always work, they would asionally get lucky. This time, however, they had run into


    Felix.


    Felix searched the cave thoroughly


    and found five emerald cards. Adding up the numbers on them, they barely totaled a little over 1,000 emeralds. It made him realize how


    significant the 10,000 emeralded


    on


    his own card were-he had more wealth than he initially thought.


    As he was about to leave, Felix suddenly sensed trouble. A group of dozens was rapidly approaching the


    cave, and leading them was someone with a Pulse Realm energy signature.


    Staring at the bodies littered across the ground, Felix saw his situation take a turn for the worse. His face hardened as he muttered, "Great. Just what I needed-more trouble."

 Chapter 943

    For Felix, someone at the Pulse Realm level was as insignificant as a bug-he could crush them effortlessly. However, since he had just arrived in Martial City and knew very little about the ce, acting rashly could lead to unpredictable consequences.


    If someone stronger lurked in the shadows, failing so soon after arriving would be a disaster. Felix nced at the corpse of the old woman and quickly came up with a n.


    Within a minute, a group of dozens rushed into the cave, their faces shifting to surprise at the sight of so many bodies and all the blood. One of them muttered, "They''re all dead?"


    Leading the group was a young woman who appeared to be in her 20s. She had striking features and a graceful demeanor. She wore a white dress, and her sharp, intelligent eyes scanned the scene.


    "Miss, what''s going on here?" one of the subordinates asked cautiously.


    The woman frowned and examined the area before noticing Felix huddling in a corner. He was crouched with his hands over his head, trembling as if terrified. The group had seen him when they entered but had ignored him, assuming he was not worth their attention.


    "Stand up, or you die," the womanmanded coldly, her tone leaving no room for argument.


    Felix instantly jumped to his feet, his face pale as he shouted, "Don''t kill me! Please don''t kill me!"


    Several of the group sneered, clearly looking down on him. Judging by his presence, Felix seemed like an ordinary person who could not evenpare to a martial artist-pathetic to the extreme.


    What they did not know was that Felix was using the Nightshade Discipline. Even though he could naturally conceal his energy, this technique made himpletely indistinguishable from an average human.


    The woman stepped closer and asked, "What happened here?"


    Emboldened slightly by the sight of her beauty, Felix managed to calm down a bit. He asked cautiously, "You''re not with them?"


    "No. We were sent here to eliminate these criminals," she replied firmly.


    With a sigh of relief, Felix ced a hand on his chest and said, "Thank goodness! Then, I''m saved! Earlier, someone suddenly burst in and started killing everyone.


    "They didn''t even say a word¡ªI didn''t get a clear look before hiding here. I thought I was going to die,


    too.''


    One of the subordinates leaned


    toward the woman and whispered, "Miss, all these people were killed in a single strike. The cave is


    untouched, meaning they didn''t even


    get the chance to fight ov


    Another chimed in, "The crazy woman was an Oceanus Realm martial artist. Whoever did this has to be at least Pulse Realm, like you. Then again, those criminals had iting-no doubt they''ve racked up their fair share of enemies.


    The woman nodded thoughtfully before turning her gaze back to Felix. She asked, "Were you lured here by them?"


    Felix blinked in surprise. "How did you know? I was-"


    Before he could continue, the woman cut him off, "No need to exin. You can leave."


    Felix hurriedly thanked her and began to walk away, but one of the men stepped in front of him. "Miss, are we just going to take his word for it? I think we should search him.


    "Those emerald cards the crazy woman had are missing-what if this guy''s just ying innocent and has already hidden a fortune?"


    Felix clenched his fists, inwardly cursing the man. There were only 1,000 emeralds, and he was still pinning to it.


    Felix wondered just how broke he was. He was prepared to fight if it came to it there was no way he would let them search him. If they found the emerald cards, his secrets would be exposed, and it would all be over.


    The woman snapped, "Let him go! He''s just a victim. If you''re stooping low enough to target a defenseless civilian, you''re the real waste of space."


    The man immediately backed off, bowing his head as he mumbled an apology. Relieved, Felix quickly left the cave, silently vowing to be more careful.


    If he had put the emerald cards back where he found them, none of that would have happened.


    Sometimes, greed was not worth the trouble unless you were absolutely certain it would not backfire.


    After figuring out which direction to go, Felix began walking toward the city he had seen earlier.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 944

    Felix did not dare to sprint recklessly, knowing that if he caught the attention of a true powerhouse, things could spiral out of control.


    In Martial City, he had to tread carefully. Xena had warned him that while killing was forbidden within city limits, anything outside was fair game, and no one would


    care.


    "The spiritual energy here is so dense-it''s worth the trip," Felix muttered, marveling at the environment.


    Back in the capital, his current level left him with no clear path forward unless he obtained a Dragonspine, which was nearly impossible. Absorbing spiritual energy there was futile due to its scarcity-it would take years to make any progress.


    Although Gerald''s medical book mentioned pills as a way to advance, the higher the grade, the rarer the ingredients.


    For instance, after the martial artspetition, Felix contacted Yasmin to refine a pill, but three key ingredients no longer existed. Despite years of searching, even Qualls Pharmaceutical had not found a trace of them.


    Martial City, however, was different. The dense spiritual energy here fostered unique nt growth, making it likely that extinct herbs from the capital still existed in this region.


    That was why the headquarters insisted hee to Martial City-without its resources, achieving greatness would be an uphill battle.


    After walking for over half an hour, Felix sighed bitterly, realizing someone was quickly closing in on him. Bound by his disguise as an ordinary person, he did not dare look back.


    "Why am I so unlucky? Martial City is massive, yet trouble keeps finding me right after I arrive. Can''t you people bother someone else?


    Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind whooshed past, and someone shot ahead of him. A loud explosion followed, and the figure was hurled through the air,nding 30 feet in front of Felix.


    "It''s her?" Felix instantly recognized the woman lying on the ground, coughing up blood and too injured to stand. She was the same woman who had indirectly helped him in the cave earlier.  en


    "Hah! Do you think I''ll let a Larsson family member escape? What a joke!" a gruff voice rang out as a


    middle-aged man appeared. He


    wore @business suit that


    shed


    bizarrely with his rugged, unkempt appearance.


    "Bobby! If you kill me, the Larsson family of North City won''t let this slide!" The woman, Laura Larsson, tried to sound defiant.


    Nheless, she knew escape was impossible. Her threats were a desperate attempt to cling to life.


    Bobby Weinstein burst intoughter, his voice echoing across the area. "Do you actually think I care about your Larsson family? I already went after you, didn''t I?


    "North City is miles away from here-how could they possibly find out? And, Laura, you''re quite the famous beauty. I even heard you''re still a virgin. What a treat for me!"


    Grinning wickedly, he added, "Killing a woman like you without enjoying the moment first would be such a waste."


    As Bobby''s eyes drifted to Felix, who had been quietly walking away, his grin twisted into a sneer. "Hey, kid. You saw me kill someone, and now you think you can just stroll off? Think again."


    Felix froze and turned back, his face pale as he forced a groveling smile. "Please,


    sir, I''m nothing to you¡ªjust an ant. I didn''t see anything, I swear. Let me go. I beg you."


    Bobby smirked. "At least you know your ce. But the thing is, I love stepping on losers. So, what do you think I should do?"


    Felix''s submissive demeanor vanished in an instant, reced by a cold, resigned expression. "Are you really going to kill me? This is yourst chance to reconsider."

 Chapter 945

    Even Laura, who was gravely injured, was stunned. She could not believe what she was hearing a so-called "ordinary person" was actually bold enough to talk to a martial artist so audaciously. In Martial City, such arrogance could only cause him his death.


    What baffled her more was that Felix seemedpletely unfazed, despite the earlier attack creating a massive crater over 30 feet wide. If even she found it terrifying, Bobby''s expression at the moment was beyond strange.


    Bobby sneered. "You must really have no idea how big the world is. You''re the first ordinary person to speak to me this way. Don''t worry. I won''t let you die too quickly. First, I''ll crush every bone in your body, then I''ll take your head and use it as a ser ball. How does that sound?"


    Felix shook his head and sighed. "Not very appealing, honestly."


    With a casual gesture, he raised his right hand and pointed a single finger.


    Bobby froze mid-smirk, his expression locked in ce as a bloody hole appeared in the center of his forehead.


    "You-" He managed to utter just one word before copsing to the ground, his eyes filled with disbelief as he took hisst breath.


    Laura was utterly shocked. Bobby was an early-stage Blood Realm martial artist -someone known for his power-yet Felix had killed him instantly. That meant Felix''s strength had to be at least mid-stage Blood Realm, if not higher.


    What puzzled her more was why Felix had been hiding his power. In Martial City, high-level martial artists unted their strength as a badge of honor, yet Felix had concealed his. This also exined the massacre in the cave earlier it had to have been Felix''s doing.


    As she pieced it together, Felix turned his gaze toward her, his eyes filled with unmasked killing intent.


    "Please, don''t kill me! I''m begging you!" Laura pleaded desperately. She was not ready to die, and despite her injuries, she clung to hope.


    Felix remained unmoved. With a mission as critical as his, leaving witnesses alive was too dangerous-he understood this all too well. Laura realized she had no other option and bit her lip.


    "Sir, you must have your reasons for hiding your strength. My family, the


    Larssons, is one of the most prominent in North City. I''m sure we could be of help


    to you in some way. Please spare me."


    Felix hesitated, knowing she was not wrong. As a neer unfamiliar with


    Martial City, having a local ally could save him significant time and effort.


    "I''ll let you live, but only if you agree to be myckey. That''s your only choice," Felix said bluntly.


    "Yourckey?" Laura''s heart sank. No one wanted to live under someone else''s control. But seeing no alternative, she reluctantly agreed.


    Half an hourter, Felix finally rxed after using a Soul Sealing Needle to ensure her loyalty. Laura was nowpletely his.


    "Sir," she said, her tone surprisingly genuine.


    Though she had initially felt conflicted, Felix had already healed her life-threatening injuries within minutes. His incredible strength and medical skill made her realize that following him might not be such a bad deal, after all.


    "Just call me Felix from now on," he said. "There''s no need to attract unnecessary attention."


    "Got it," she replied.


    Felix asked why she had not driven out of the city, and Laura exined that driving outside Martial City was incredibly risky. Without a strong martial artist as an escort, cars were prime targets for bandits.


    Vehicles were expensive and rare, making them a ring mark inwless areas. The old woman''s gang from earlier had simply been


    lucky to keep theirs for so long as they never stayed in one spot for too long.


    BUMS

 Chapter 946

    "Laura, I''m thinking about opening a clinic in the city. Is that difficult to do?" Felix asked casually.


    Laura chuckled. "Not at all. As long as you have a medical license, you can open one easily."


    Having just arrived in Martial City, Felix already had a rough n.


    His primary goal was to strengthen himself, and opening a clinic seemed like the most stable way to achieve that. On the surface, he would treat patients, while in secret, he would purchase rare medicinal herbs for pill cultivation-it seemed like a solid approach.


    "How easy is it to acquire rare medicinal herbs here? Is it just a matter of having enough emeralds?" Felix inquired.


    Laura could not help but smile knowingly. By now, she had guessed that Felix had to be from the capital. The questions he asked were things no native of Martial City would ever wonder about.


    Although Xena had provided Felix with a lot of general knowledge, deeper details about life in Martial City could onlye from someone who had lived there.


    "If you''re looking for rare herbs, I''d suggest joining Harmony Clinic," Laura advised.


    She added, "They control most of the medicinal herb trade in Martial City. Even when people find rare herbs on their own, they almost always sell them to Harmony Clinic first¡ªit''s practically an unwritten rule."


    Felix frowned slightly, realizing it would not be as simple as he thought. After a moment of contemtion, he asked, "Have you heard of pill cultivation?"


    Laura''s eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. "Of course! When someone masters the art of medicine, they can attempt pill cultivation-that''s where the real value lies for martial artists.


    "But the problem is that books teaching pill cultivation are almost entirely in the hands of Harmony Clinic. For ordinary people, getting their hands on one is next to impossible, though a few rare copies are floating around."


    Felix was impressed. Martial City truly lived up to its reputation. While pill cultivation was not exactlymon, it also was not as mysterious or unattainable as in the capital.


    Laura''s excitement grew as she processed the implication of Felix''s question. If he was capable of pill cultivation, then his skills were far beyond what she had imagined.


    "Does joining Harmony Clinic mean losing your freedom?" Felix asked next.


    Laura shook her head, chuckling. "Not at all. Harmony Clinic doesn''t operate like a strict sect. It offers lot of freedom. If you join, they''ll even fund your clinic, and all you


    &t


    have to do is turn over a percentage of your ie each month


    She continued, "If you know pill cultivation, though, the arrangement is different. They''ll provide you with herbs, but they''ll also set strict quotas for the pills you produce.


    "If you fail to meet the quota three times, you''ll be expelled. They''re a lot stricter with pill cultivation than with regr medical practice."


    Felix''s eyes lit up. With his sess rate in pill refinement, he doubted even Harmony Clinic could imagine how


    Pr many pills he would be able to


    produce. If they were supplying the herbs, it could be a golden


    opportunity for him to keep most of what he refined.


    "Perfect! Once we''re in the city, take me to Harmony Clinic," Felix instructed.


    Laura nodded enthusiastically,


    though she hesitated for a moment


    before adding, "But you should be


    prepared Harmony Clinic''s


    vel


    assessments are notoriously tough they''re almost absurd. Getting in as a doctor isn''t too hard, but for pill cultivation, they only ept geniuses."


    Felix chuckled, raising a brow. "What? Do I not look like a genius to you?"


    Lauraughed nervously but did not respond directly.


    After a moment, Felix''s expression grew serious. "Laura, have you ever heard of


    the Maximus family in Martial City?"


    Laura froze mid-step, her expression shifting to one of sheer terror.

 Chapter 947

    "What''s wrong?" Felix asked with a frown. Laura''s reaction seemed overly dramatic, as he had only asked about the Maximus family, nothing more.


    Realizing her mistake, Laura quicklyposed herself and apologized, "I''m sorry. I didn''t expect you to ask about the Maximus family.


    "In Martial City, they''re a very special group with eyes and ears everywhere, both inside and outside the city. Whatever you do, don''t mention them to anyone else. It''s too easy to end up on their radar."


    Her exnation left Felix feeling fortunate to be guided by her. With matters like Harmony Clinic, he could figure things out by spending a bit of emerald.


    However, it would not be as easy to find sensitive information about the Maximus family because there would not be a second chance to learn that, and no one else would have warned him.


    "The Maximus family is the top family in Bedford, located in the southern region of Martial City. They''re extremely powerful and notoriously domineering. On top of that, they''re shrouded in mystery, and outsiders know almost nothing about them," Laura exined.


    Felix exhaled in relief. While he did not know exactly where Bedford was, the name alone suggested it was far from North City, which meant he could rx a little.


    "What about the Hughman family?" he asked, keeping the conversation flowing.


    Laura, familiar with the prominent families of Martial City, quickly answered, "The Hughman family is a major power in Denverville. If not for their shortage of male heirs, they''d be even more influential than they already are."


    Felix used the walk to ask Laura about many things that Xena had not mentioned. These details, specific to Martial City, gave him a clearer picture of what to expect.


    He knew that once he reached the city, he could not afford to remain too closely associated with Laura. A stranger suddenly getting close to a Larsson family member would undoubtedly draw unwanted attention.


    When they finally arrived at North City, Felix was struck by its open and bustling atmosphere. It was not confined by city walls or guarded gates like some other ces. They entered with ease, blending into the flow of people on the busy streets.


    The city felt strangely familiar to Felix, with people going about their daily lives. However, the noticeableck of car''s was a stark difference from the capital-seeing a single car every few minutes felt like a rare urrence.


    "Felix, that building over there is Harmony Clinic''s North City branch," Laura said,


    pointing to a towering structure. "Once you go inside and state your purpose, someone will guide you."


    Felix nodded and smiled. "Thank you."


    As he walked away, Laura''s


    emotions were a whirlwind. Despite her status as a Larsson family member, she had never been treated as one of their own because her mother had not been officially married into the family. That was why she had been so vulnerable during the earlier incident with Bobby.


    Although her role had now shifted to that of an underling, Laura found herself hopeful. Felix was strong, highly skilled in medicine, and


    capable of pill cultivation-aral


    Harmony Clinic stood tall, an impressive 20-story building with a luxurious design.


    Its grandeur alone showcased the clinic''s wealth and influence.


    A line of women in sleek dresses greeted visitors at the entrance, each wearing a polished smile. As Felix stepped in, one of them immediately approached him. "Sir, how can we assist you today?"


    "Hello. I''d like to learn pill cultivation," Felix replied calmly.


    The woman''s eyes flickered with surprise, likely because of how young Felix looked. Still, she maintained her professionalism and said, "Please follow me."


    She led him to the west wing on the first floor, stopping in front of a room. With a polite bow, she gestured to the door and said, "This is the assessment room.


    "You''ll need to pass the preliminary test before moving on to the next step. There''s already someone inside. Please go ahead."


    "Thank you," Felix replied as he stepped forward.

 Chapter 948

    When Felix entered the room, he noticed a pale-faced young man slumped over a table, fast asleep. Nearby, a middle-aged man was engrossed in a book,


    seemingly unaware of Felix''s presence.


    "Hello," Felix greeted, drawing the man''s attention.


    The middle-aged man looked up, smiled, and stood. "Are you here to learn pill cultivation?"


    Felix nodded. "Yes, I am."


    "Prepare your silver needles," the man instructed.


    Felix was not entirely sure why butplied without hesitation.


    The man then woke the young man, who groggily grabbed a ss of water, took a sip, andy on a bed in the corner. "You have ten minutes to cure him. If you seed, you''ll pass the preliminary assessment. Otherwise, you''ll have to leave."


    Felix approached the young man and immediately realized the issue. Though the man appeared healthy, his internal organs were rapidly deteriorating-a clear effect of whatever was in the water he had just consumed.


    The symptoms were so severe that even a master healer would likely find themselves helpless. The test was indeed tough, just as Laura had warned him, and many would have already failed at this stage.


    After carefully administering acupuncture, Felix sessfully treated the young man in seven minutes and 30 seconds. Of course, he had held back to avoid drawing too much attention.


    He knew standing out too much in Martial City could attract trouble, whether from the Maximus family or powerful figures like the Grand Elder. Felix preferred to stay low-key, using the clinic as a front while discreetly working to increase his strength.


    Laura had mentioned that Harmony Clinic valued talented individuals. However, Felix was not one to ce his trust in organizations.


    If he encountered an enemy too powerful to handle or became a liability, Harmony Clinic would not hesitate to cut ties. With that in mind, he decided to prioritize caution above all else.


    "Not bad¡ªseven minutes and 30 seconds. You''ve passed the preliminary assessment. See that elevator over there? Go up to the fifth floor," the middle- aged man instructed.


    "Thank you," Felix replied before heading to the elevator.


    After Felix left, the young man stretched and yawned. "Do you think this guy has a real chance of seeding?"


    "Hard to say," the older man admitted. "Pill cultivation and healing are rted, but they''re not the same. We haven''t found a better way to test aptitude over the years, so this is all we''ve got."


    One thing that set Harmony Clinic apart was its strict neutrality. They did not care about a person''s background-even murderers or criminals could join as long as they followed the rules. As a result, no one had even asked Felix for his name or any personal details.


    When the elevator doors opened on the fifth floor, Felix stepped into a spacious hall where another woman was waiting. She smiled and said, "Congrattions on passing the preliminary assessment! Please follow me."


    She led him to a desk near a window, where an elderly woman sat with her eyes closed, seemingly deep in thought. After gesturing for Felix to sit, the beautiful woman left without saying another word.


    The old woman opened her eyes,


    and for a brief moment, they gleamed with a sharp, intimidating light. Felix''immediately recognized her as a True Blood Realm expert, a testament to Harmony Clinic''s formidable resources.


    "Making it this far means you''ve got some talent," the old woman remarked, her voice calm butmanding. "This is the final stage. If you pass, you''ll be allowed to learn pill cultivation. Are you ready?"


    "I''m ready," Felix replied confidently.


    The old woman did not stand.


    Instead, she gestured for Felix to sit across from her. "Before we begin, there are a few things you need to understand. Listen carefully, as this will help you make an informed decision-and ensure you have no reason to hide your true abilities."


    Felix''s heart skipped a beat as he thought, "Hide my abilities? Did she notice


    something? Did I slip up somehow?"

 Chapter 949

    Thankfully, the old woman''s next words assured Felix that his concerns were unwarranted. She ced a piece of paper on the table and said, "This is the form for one of the most basic pills in pill cultivation.


    "Once you''ve learned the basics, this pill can be crafted within a month with a 100% sess rate. This pill will serve as your final test. The time it takes you to sessfully craft it will determine your pill cultivation talent."


    She exined, her gaze locking onto Felix."Harmony Clinic categorizes pill cultivation talent into five grades: Heaven, Supreme, High, Intermediate, and Low. We don''t ept anyone in the Low grade.


    "If you can craft the pill within a day, your minimum grade will be Supreme. You''re considered Heaven grade if youplete it within half a day. High and Intermediate grades take between two and five days, respectively."


    Her gaze locked onto Felix as she continued, "Many peoplee here and purposely conceal their abilities. They could finish much faster but deliberately drag it out. We''ve seen it countless times."


    So, that was what she meant by hiding abilities. Felix found it ironic but also impressive that Harmony Clinic had anticipated such behavior.


    "You''re free to hide your talent," the old woman said with a slight smirk. "Harmony Clinic won''t force you to reveal your full potential. But remember this: your talent grade determines the resources you''ll receive.


    "For example, if you''re Supreme grade, you can apply for enough herbs to craft one pill per month. If you''re Heaven grade, you''re entitled to enough for three pills, and the approval process for rare herbs is much faster. The difference between grades is enormous."


    Felix kept his expression neutral, though he was wrestling with his thoughts. The old woman''s exnation made perfect sense.


    His goal here was to increase his strength as quickly as possible, and consuming pills was the fastest way. Gerald''s medical books confirmed this, but he had always been held back by ack of materials.


    Her words made Felix realize his original n was not ideal. The supply of herbs, especially rare ones, would directly impact his training speed.


    "Thank you for rifying, ma''am," Felix said, nodding respectfully.


    The old woman handed him the paper. "Take this to the room over there and study it. You have up to an hour. When you''re ready, press the red button, and someone will bring you the necessary herbs. Once you begin, the timer will start."


    She added, "Likewise, if you seed, press the red button again."


    Once inside the room, Felix examined the instructions. To his surprise, they were so detailed that even aplete novice could follow them step by step.


    In fact, he joked to himself that even a dog could probably give it a try as long as it could read. The only real challenge was whether the pill could actually be crafted sessfully.


    As the hour was about to end, Felix pressed the red button. Momentster, someone brought in arge batch of herbs and left without a word. For a master healer like Felix, the concern of working for days without eating or drinking was not an issue-such problems had long been resolved with his expertise.


    Meanwhile, a different door opened in another part of the hall, and arge, burly man walked out. His messy hair and unshaven face gave the impression he had not groomed himself in years. To make matters worse, he was casually picking his nose with a look of pure


    satisfaction.


    "Dickson, you''re Harmony Clinic''s deputy chief. Can you at least try to maintain some dignity?" a woman nearby scolded him.


    Dickson Marlow quickly flicked the offending material away andughed. "Aw,<pe on, Delh. You know this is just one of my quirks-I can''t help it!"


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 Chapter 950

    From the conversation, it was clear that the old woman, Delh Goddard, held a significant position within Harmony Clinic. She even called Dickson by his first name without hesitation.


    "Has the kid started?" Dickson asked.


    "Interesting. It''s the first time I''ve seen you take an interest in pill cultivation. It''s not really your style," Delh replied.


    Dickson leaned back, propping his feet on the table. He was about to pick his nose again but stopped when Delh shot him a sharp re, forcing him tough awkwardly.


    "Ordinary cases don''t interest me, not even those with Supreme-grade talent. But this kid is different," Dickson said casually.


    "Oh?" Delh''s curiosity was piqued. "What''s so special about him? Hearing you, of all people, give an opinion on an alchemist is unheard of."


    Dickson nced at the closed door of the room where Felix was working and did not answer directly. Instead, he posed a question of his own, "Delh, among the alchemists you know or have heard of, who''s the strongest martial artist?"


    Delh frowned slightly but answered. "Why do you ask? Obviously, it''s Bern Earnhart. You know this. His martial artist rank is at Physical Refinement Realm, and his pill cultivation skills are unmatched. There''s no one else like him."


    Physical Refinement Realm was a major realm beyond Boneforging. Its level earned respect even in a ce like Martial City, where martial artists were plentiful.


    Dickson chuckled. "And how old is Bern? Never mind. I''ll cut to the chase the kid in there? He''s already at Physical Refinement Realm."


    "What?" Delh shot to her feet, her face filled with disbelief. It had been years since she had disyed such shock.


    "You''re sure about this?" she demanded.


    Dickson confirmed, "100%. This kid isn''t just strong-he''s ridiculously talented. I had to use a forbidden technique to see through his real presence.


    "He''s definitely mastered some kind of advanced technique to hide his energy. And the scary part? He''s so young. Honestly, he''s on par with the Top Ten Menaces of Martial City''s younger generation."


    Delh paced back and forth, her hands sped behind her back. It was clear the revtion had shaken her deeply. "This is unbelievable. §Ö Who is he? A disciple or descendant of some hidden master? Either he shuns fame, or he''s been in seclusion for years. Otherwise, his


    name would already be widely known."


    Dickson nodded in agreement. "Exactly my thoughts. That''s why we shouldn''t spread this around. Martial City still has hidden monsters, and if we go around publicizing this and it shes with some old master''s wishes, we''ll be the ones in trouble. Harmony Clinic can''t afford that."


    He picked up his coffee and took a casual sip, his easygoing nature already brushing off the earlier shock. However, Delh was not so quick to move on.


    She suddenly stopped pacing and looked at Dickson with a serious expression. She dered, "If this kid''s talent reaches Supreme grade, I''ll take him as my apprentice."


    Dickson spat out his coffee, staring at her in shock. "Are you serious?"


    Delh wasn''t just anyone. In Martial City''s alchemical world, she was second only to Bern. For years, no one had met her exacting standards-not even the


    Heaven-grade talent from three


    years ago had impressed her enough to consider taking on a student. But now, she seemed


    genuinely moved.


    A rare smile crossed Delh''s face. "Yes, I''m serious. I''ve never been this certain before."


    Dickson clutched his chest dramatically as if bracing himself.


    If Felix''s talent turned out to be Supreme grade, Delh''s decision would inevitably lead to something monumental. The apprentice ceremony alone would attract some of Martial City''s most prominent figures, turning it into a grand event like no other.

 Chapter 951

    Time was running out-less than an hour remained before the 12-hour mark, and Felix was still grappling with his decision. He muttered, "s, this is such a headache."


    He knew that if he did notplete the task within the next hour, his talent would forever be categorized as Supreme grade, and Heaven grade would be out of reach. Talent was a fixed trait, unchangeable by time or experience, so once determined, there would be no second chances.


    "The gap between Heaven grade and Supreme grade is massive. Then again, bing Heaven grade also means drawing a lot more attention," Felix thought.


    For ten hours, he had agonized over this, torn between the external threat of the Maximus family and the Grand Elder and the internal challenge of Harmony Clinic''s resource restrictions. It was no wonder the choice felt impossible.


    "Damn it! Sacrifices must be made," he murmured through gritted teeth, finally making up his mind.


    The resources provided to a Heaven-grade alchemist were simply too valuable to pass up, and Felix knew he would regret holding back. After all, rewards were always tied to risks-if he had hesitated forever, he would never have gotten this far in life.


    Meanwhile, Dickson had already left, leaving Delh to keep watch outside the room. Her eyes remained fixed on the closed door.


    "Well, just over ten minutes left. I guess Heaven grade is out of the question," she murmured with disappointment.


    Having decided to take Felix as her apprentice, she naturally hoped for him to have the highest possible talent. She knew all too well the vast difference between Heaven grade and Supreme grade in pill cultivation.


    But just as she started to give up hope, the door opened. Delh shot to her feet, her face lighting up with excitement. Her voice betrayed a hint of eagerness as she asked, "You''re done?"


    Felix, feigning exhaustion, forced a tired smile. "I think so, but I''m not sure if I did it correctly."


    Delh quickly gestured for him to sit down, hiding her excitement as she examined the pill. After a thorough inspection, she broke into a smile.


    "It''s perfect. You''ve passed the assessment-your talent is Heaven grade!" she dered.


    Of course, Felix had passed. He had been practicing pill cultivation back in the capital, so there was no way he would struggle with such a basic pill.


    Delh continued, "Don''t sell yourself short. Whether you finish in one hour or eleven, both are ssified as Heaven grade. Talent is crucial in pill cultivation, but it''s not the only factor.


    "Hard work and understanding each step are also important, though talent ounts for 60%. The rest only matters if you have the talent to begin with."


    Felix nodded politely. "Thank you for exining. What should I do next?"


    Delh could not hide her excitement as she thought about Felix in front of her, already at Physical Refinement Realm. Even more astonishing, Dickson had confirmed that Felix''s bone age was genuine-he truly was still a young man.


    "What''s your name?" Delh finally asked.


    Felix nearly sighed in relief. Finally! If they had not asked for his name by now,


    he''d have started to wonder if this was a fake Harmony Clinic. They had been way too rxed.


    "My name is Felix Zeller," he replied.


    Delh pointed to herself, softening


    her usually stern expression into a


    warm smile: "You may call me


    Delh. am Harmony Clinic''s lead alchemist. I''d like to take you as my apprentice. What do you think?"


    Anyone familiar with Harmony Clinic-or the world of alchemy-would have been stunned speechless. Delh, second only to Bern in pill cultivation, had never taken a student.


    Even when a Heaven-grade talent emerged three years ago, she had shown no interest. Yet here she was, offering to take Felix under her wing.


    Felix, however, felt a wave of frustration. He had anticipated that achieving Heaven grade would bringplications, but he had not expected them to arrive so quickly.


    Nheless, he still feigned shock and gratitude, standing up and respectfully bowing to Delh.

 Chapter 952

    "Ma''am, I''m truly honored by your offer, and I''ll never forget your kindness, but I''ve already sworn allegiance to a mentor. I''m afraid I must decline," Felix said with an apologetic bow.


    Delh had expected as much. Felix''s young age and his remarkable attainment of Physical Refinement Realm clearly indicated that he was not self-taught.


    "It''s fine," she replied with a smile. "Your mentor can''t possibly be an expert in every field. The path of learning never ends, and truly talented individuals often have more than one mentor. I would only be guiding you in pill cultivation and nothing more."


    Beforeing to Martial City, Gerald had mentioned that Felix could consider taking on a mentor for pill cultivation, as Gerald himself was not an expert in the field. However, Felix had too many unknowns to deal with right now and did not dare rush into such amitment.


    "I appreciate your understanding, ma''am," Felix said politely, bowing again.


    Delh felt a pang of regret but decided against pushing further. She had thought about revealing Felix''s actual martial artist rank to sway him, but after some consideration, she held back.


    She replied, "Very well. Take this token and head downstairs. Someone will guide you from there. Congrattions on joining Harmony Clinic!"


    "What a remarkable young man-respectful and grounded! I won''t give up on him just yet," Delh thought.


    As Felix stood to leave, he paused. "Ma''am, one more question does Harmony Clinic offer any protection for its members?"


    Delh chuckled lightly. "Not under normal circumstances. In the city, violence is rare, and you''re rtively safe here.


    "However, if you need to leave the city, you can request protection from the clinic if you''ve made sufficient contributions as a healer or if you''re an alchemist with High-grade talent or above."


    Felix nodded, inwardly relieved. He had initially thought the clinic might provide constant protection, but this system made sense-there simply were not enough experts to act as bodyguards at all times. Even having protection for trips outside the city was already generous.


    "Thank you for rifying, ma''am," he said before heading to the elevator.


    When he reached the elevator, the woman from earlier greeted him with a much brighter expression than before. "Congrattions, sir, on bing an alchemist!" Felix smiled slightly. "Thank you."


    Downstairs, another woman with a simr look of admiration escorted him into a room. This room was. sparsely decorated, but the centerpiece was a bed with a woman reclining on it.


    She wore low shorts and a white strapless top that entuated her curvaceous figure. Her face was stunning radiating a mix ofziness and allure that made her impossibly captivating. She was the epitome of a mature beauty, her presence both maic andmanding.


    "Finally, an alchemist hase in after three days," the woman drawled, her voice so sultry that it nearly made Felix lose hisposure.


    Her words carried a teasing edge, and her gaze had a dangerous gleam. She asked, "So, kid, what''s your talent grade?"


    Felix steadied himself and replied respectfully, "Ma''am, I''m Heaven grade."


    In an instant, the woman vanished from the bed, reappearing right before Felix: A fragrant breeze swept over him, and before he could react, she plucked the token Delh had given him right out of his hand.


    "Well, well! Heaven grade, huh? Finally, my luck has turned around!" she eximed with a brightugh.


    Then, without warning, she hugged Felix tightly and nted a kiss on his cheek. She grinned and eximed, "You''re my lucky charm now!"


    Felix was stunned by her behavior. What was with this woman? She was way too forward.


    But before he could fully process her actions, she did something even more shocking. She wrapped her arms around him and, with surprising ease, carried him toward the bed.


    "Heaven grade, huh? Words mean nothing let me convince you," she purred, her voice dripping with mischief. "By the time I''m done, you''ll know what choice to make."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


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 Chapter 953

    Felix panicked, wondering what the hell was happening. Before he faced any life- threatening dangers in Martial City, he was actually at risk of losing his dignity first.


    What made it worse was that the seductive middle-aged woman holding him in an iron grip was a Physical Refinement Realm martial artist, just like him. He would have to go all out if he wanted to resist, but could he risk that here?


    "Ma''am, what are you doing?" he protested. No matter how much he struggled, it was useless. Her hold on him was unshakable, leaving himpletely immobilized.


    "My, my!" Nellie Belmont chuckled, clearly amused. "You''re an interesting one. Most men would kill for the chance to be with me, and here you are, acting scared. It''s adorable, really¡ªit''s making me enjoy this even more."


    "Who is this crazy woman?" Felix thought, his frustration mounting. No matter how alluring she might be, there was no way he would allow himself to be caught up in this mess just because of his hormones.


    "Ma''am, you said you wanted me to make a choice. What exactly do you mean?" he asked, hoping to distract her.


    Her steps did not falter, but she answered with a mischievous grin, "I want you to stay in North City instead of heading to Harmony Clinic''s headquarters.


    "And if I can, let''s say, persuade you with my charm, I''m sure you''ll want to stay. Don''t worry. I''ll make sure you''re very satisfied. And if you ever need anything, you cane find me once a month, no strings attached."


    Hearing that, Felix felt both relieved and exasperated. He hurriedly replied, "Ma''am, I was already nning to stay in North City."


    That finally made Nellie stop in her tracks. "You''re serious?"


    "Yes, absolutely!" Felix confirmed. "I''ve always intended to open a clinic here to both help people and focus on pill cultivation."


    Nellie smiled, finally setting him down. She even went so far as to help smooth out his clothes, though her hands wandered inappropriately as she did.


    "Good, good. Staying in North City is definitely the smarter choice," she said. Extending a hand, she introduced herself, "I''m Nellie Belmont, North City''s steward for Harmony Clinic."


    It was clear she was thrilled. A Heaven-grade alchemist choosing to stay in North City meant more resources, funding, and prestige for her division.


    "Nice to meet you, Nellie," Felix replied, still a bit cautious.


    Nellie licked her lips, her gaze lingering on him. "Are you sure you don''t want to spend a night with me?"


    Felix forced a polite smile, trying to remainposed. "I''m sure, but thank you for the offer, Nellie."


    After leaving Harmony Clinic, Felix


    let out a deep breath, feeling like he had just survived a bizarre ordeal. At least he had taken his first major


    step in Martial City. Now, all he


    needed to do was find a ce to


    open his clinic, report back t


    Harmony Clinic, and quietly proceed with his ns.


    "Hey, kid. I''ve been waiting for you," a voice called out as Felix was about to turn a


    corner.


    A car door mmed shut, and a young man stepped out, dressed in a tailored teal suit despite the warm weather.


    Felix sighed inwardly, wondering


    what it was with people in Martial


    City and their obsession with formalwear. Including thete Bobby everyone with even a hint of status seemed to dress like they were attending a banquet,


    "Are you talking to me?" Felix asked, stopping in his tracks.


    The young man approached him, his lips curling into a cold sneer. "Don''t y dumb. I know why you went straight to Harmony Clinic, but you made me wait long enough."


    Felix frowned, still trying to make sense of the situation. He was not about to act rashly without understanding what was going on. "I''m sorry, but I don''t know what you''re talking about."


    The young man''s expression


    darkened as he pointed an usatory finger at Felix. "Cut the crap! In all of North City, no man


    dares to be seen walking a


    with Laura-except you. You think you can just break that precedent?"

 Chapter 954

    Felix cursed internally, furious at the absurd situation he hadnded in. No matter how carefully he had nned, he had never ounted for the irrational jealousy and arrogance of someone like this wealthy heir.


    "Who doesn''t have friends of the opposite gender?" Felix thought bitterly.


    He and Laura had maintained a noticeable distance while walking into the city, and their time together had been brief before splitting up at Harmony Clinic. Yet somehow, someone had decided to make it into a scandal.


    "You''ve got it all wrong. Laura and I¡ª" Felix began.


    Before he could finish, the young man cut him off sharply, "Save it! I have no time for your excuses! I, Jared Windson, have made it clear to everyone in North City that no man is allowed to even get close to Laura! And you dare break my rule? Take him away!"


    Two men grabbed Felix''s arms, forcing him to remain still. Confused, Felix frowned. Weren''t there rules about no fighting in the city?


    "Jared, right? I''m a member of Harmony Clinic. Do you think you can get away with this?" Felix said, attempting to invoke the organization''s name for some


    leverage.


    Jared chuckled darkly. "Oh, I''m grabbing you right outside Harmony Clinic, and look-no one''s stepping in. Do you see anyone from inside caring about what happens to you?"


    He tightened his grip on Felix''s neck, a smug grin stered on his face. "You''re just another wannabe doctor using Harmony Clinic''s name to stir up trouble. Harmony Clinic won''t bother cleaning up trash like you¡ªthey''d probably thank me for doing it for them."


    In truth, Jared was itching for Felix to fight back. In Martial City, the rules were simple: whoever struck first bore the me. If Felix retaliated, Jared could im self-defense and kill him on the spot without consequences.


    Felix''s mind raced, recalling what Xena had exined about the city''sws. It all made sense now-Jared was provoking him intentionally, trying to force him into making the first move.


    "I''m not going anywhere. What can you do about it?" Felix retorted calmly, refusing to let the provocation rattle him.


    No matter how the men pulling at his arms tried, Felix did not budge an inch.


    Jared''s expression darkened. "Useless fools! Drag him away!"


    Several more men appeared, all clearly in Innate Realm. Their eager expressions showed they were more than willing to do Jared''s dirty work, a stark reminder of how Martial City differed from the capital.


    "Stop!" a familiar voice rang out as Laura appeared, stepping directly between Felix and Jared.


    Jared''s scowl immediately softened into a grin. "Laura, it''s nothing. I was just joking around with your friend."


    Having spent the trip into the city exining Martial City''s rules to Felix, Laura had pushed Jared to the back of her mind. But something about him nagged at her memory, athe


    and at thest moment, she rushed to Harmony Clinic''s entrance, only to find she was almost toote.


    "Then, let him go," Laura demanded firmly.


    Jared shook his head, his grin widening. "You know me, Laura. When I say something, I follow through promised to joke around, so I''ll keep joking around. Besides, my men haven''tid a fingeron him. He''s perfectly fine, see?"


    Felix clenched his fists, his anger barely contained. He had hoped that Laura''s arrival might defuse the situation, but Jared was determined to escte things.


    The fact that all of this was happening right outside Harmony Clinic-and no one from the clinic seemed to care-only added to Felix''s frustration.


    Just as he was about to voice his anger, something caught his eye. Felix turned abruptly to his right, his expression shifting to one of


    disbelief-the final piece of the ne


    Dragonspine here in Martial City.


    ROUMS

 Chapter 955

    The unmistakable energy Felix sensed could not have been wrong. It was the Dragonspine, the final piece he had been searching for, and it was in Martial City.


    For a brief moment, he almost charged off to pursue it, but he forced himself to calm down. It might have been possible if he were alone, but right now, he was locked in a standoff with Jared.


    If he revealed his strength recklessly, Felix would have to abandon his Harmony Clinic identity and all the advantages that came with it.


    Worse, the Dragonspine''s owner could be far more powerful than he anticipated. If he failed to take it, he would lose both the Dragonspine and his current foothold in the city.


    Weighing the pros and cons, Felix reluctantly decided to hold off. At least he now knew the Dragonspine was in Martial City, which meant there would be more opportunities to im it in the future.


    Meanwhile, on the second floor of Harmony Clinic, Nellie stood by the window, arms crossed, watching themotion outside with a puzzled expression.


    "Ma''am, are we really not going to step in? Watching this is making my heart ache," she muttered.


    Jared had not been entirely wrong-Harmony Clinic was not a babysitting service that intervened in every petty conflict. But the idea of ignoring a Heaven-grade alchemist in trouble was ridiculous. Under normal circumstances, someone would have intervened long ago.


    The reason no one had acted was simple: it was by Delh''s order.


    "Let him endure some hardship-it''s good for him," Delh had said.


    Though confused, Nellie did not dare argue with Delh, who was her superior. After all, their difference in rank was too vast.


    "Jared is so annoying," Nellie grumbled. "He''s only this arrogant because his father is a general in North City''s garrison. One day, he''s going to cross the wrong person and end up dead."


    Ordinarily, such tant behavior-detaining someone in broad daylight-wouldn''t be tolerated in the city. But Jared was not just anyone. With his father as his backer, he acted so boldly.


    Laura, on the other hand, was seething. No matter how hard she tried to reason with Jared, he refused to back down.


    Worse, she could not push too hard, fearing it might make Jared believe she cared too much about Felix. That would only make things messier.


    "Jared, you''re getting bolder by the day. Do you really think you can stir up trouble right at Harmony Clinic''s doorstep?" A voice suddenly cut through the tension as a sleek Mercedes pulled up nearby.


    A woman stepped out, her long hair swaying lightly in the breeze. She wore a flowing purple dress, and her features were so strikingly perfect that they looked almost sculpted. Her cold, detached expression radiated an air that warned others not to approach her lightly.


    Jared''s scowl vanished in an instant. He turned, ready tosh out, but froze when


    he saw who it was. His entire demeanor shifted in an instant.


    Jared blurted out, "Natalie? You''re back in North City? Why didn''t you tell me? I could''ve prepared a wee party for you!"


    The woman did not even bother hiding her disdain. "A wee party? You don''t have the qualifications for that. Let him go and don''t make me repeat myself."


    Though her words were scathing, Jared''s expression only grew more fawning. He waved his men off and shouted, "Yes, of course! Let him go! Everyone, we''re leaving now!"


    As he departed, Jared shot Felix a cold re, silently warning him that this was not over.


    In


    "I''m sorry, Felix," Laura said, stepping closer after Jared left. "Ipletely forgot about that obnoxious guy. His father''s position as a general in North City''s garrison is the only reason he gets away with behaving like this."


    Felix smirked, his eyes shing with a cold light. "It''s fine-it''s over now. But who was that woman? Do you know her?"


    Given her appearance and Jared''s reaction, she was clearly someone with considerable influence. Felix figured she had to be part of Harmony Clinic.


    Laura nodded. "Oh, absolutely. There are probably only a handful of people in


    Martial City who wouldn''t recognize her. That was Natalie Earnhart.


    "She''s the only person to ever earn a spot among Martial City''s Top Ten Menaces purely through pill cultivation. Even among the Top Ten Menaces, two of them are actively pursuing her. Compared to her, Jared really is nothing."


    Laura paused, then added, "Oh, and she''s also a member of Harmony Clinic."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 956

    Felix had heard about the Top Ten Menaces before from Laura. Those ten people represented the most powerful young talents in Martial City. They were each


    extraordinary in their own right.


    "What are you going to do about Jared? He''s definitely going to keep causing trouble for you," Laura said.


    He replied, "Don''t worry about it. I''ll handle it."


    Upstairs, Natalie stepped out of the elevator. She was followed by two elderly men, who were bodyguards assigned by Harmony Clinic to protect her. Their presence alone spoke volumes about her status.


    "Well, well! If it isn''t my dear Nattie. What brings you back to North City? Do you miss me already?" Nellie greeted her with a sly smile.


    Natalie''s eyes shed with fear, and she instinctively took a step back. "Please stop joking around. I''d rather not hug you."


    Quickly, Natalie approached Delh and greeted her respectfully, "Hello, Madam Goddard."


    For once, Delh''s face softened with a smile. "Are you having trouble again, little one?"


    "Yes, I was hoping you could help me," Natalie said.


    As the sun set, Felix stood by the window of a two-story mixed-use property, gazing out at the bustling street below. For a moment, he felt a strange sense of disorientation.


    It was his first time seeing Martial City''s nightlife. Given its neon lights and lively streets, it wasn''t all that different from a modern metropolis.


    He had entered the city during the afternoon of the previous day. By the time he left Harmony Clinic, it was still daylight.


    He''d already purchased themodity housing, which had previously been used as a medical clinic. It didn''t require much renovation. With just a bit of cleaning up, it was good to go. There were quite a few empty clinics like this in North City, though Felix wasn''t sure why.


    ording to Harmony Clinic''s policy, if he had the money, he could buy the property himself and get reimbursedter. If he didn''t, he could pick a location first. Afterward, Harmony Clinic would send someone to make the purchase for him, granting him full use of the property.


    "I wonder when I''ll encounter him again," Felix thought.


    When Jared left earlier, Felix could no longer sense the presence of the Dragonspine. His speed alone was a clear indicator of how powerful he was. Luckily, Felix hadn''t acted recklessly at the time.


    He pulled out his phone and called N. It took a long time before she finally answered.


    "Felix, where are you? Are you okay?" Her voice was urgent,ced with deep


    concern.


    "I''m fine for now. I''ve settled down in North City."


    In Martial City, N was the only person Felix could fully confide in without fear of


    betrayal or hidden agendas. He told her everything that had happened.


    "You''re making the right choice," she said. "Joining Harmony Clinic is definitely the best way to improve your skills and strength. They pretty much have a monopoly on herbs. If you were on your own, it''d be nearly impossible to manage.


    "But one thing I don''t get why didn''t you ept Delh''s offer to take you as her disciple?"


    That was exactly what Felix wanted to ask about. "Is Delh really that amazing?"


    N let out a wryugh. "Delh is a legend in Martial City. Even many of the top powerhouses owe her favors. Being called the second-best alchemist in Martial City is no exaggeration.


    "From what I''ve heard, she''s trustworthy, despite her peculiar personality. If you became her disciple, you''d save yourself a lot of trouble and gain a powerful backer in Martial City."


    After what happened with Jared,


    Felix had a rude awakening. Although he hadn''t provoked anyone, that didn''t mean they


    wouldn''t attack him. While eveel


    longed for a quiet, orderly life, that was impossible.


    Just then, two cars pulled up outside. Jared stepped out and looked up directly at


    Felix standing by the second-floor window.


    Their eyes met.


    "Hello, I''m back. Let''s see who''s going to save you this time," Jared said.


    Felix slowly smiled and dialed the clinic. "This is Felix. I need to speak to Delh."

 Chapter 957

    The metal roller shutter creaked open, and Felix stepped out of the storefront.


    Jared smirked upon seeing him. "Well, well, you''re not stupid, after all. Coming out on your own saves me the trouble. I was about to make you experience some heat tonight."


    Not far away, someone stood holding a lit torch, leaving little doubt about their intentions.


    "Jared, I don''t believe you''d really dare to act so recklessly," Felix said.


    Jared sneered with disdain. "You really don''t get it, do you? I''ve got an army of loyal men ready to die at mymand. You, a nobody, wouldn''t understand."


    While Martial City appeared to have strict rules, Felix quickly learned that those rules only bound ordinary people. Those with power and connections always found ways to evade them.


    Take arson, for instance. Jared''s people could torch a building and have a scapegoat lined up to take the fall without any consequences.


    "Laura and I are just friends. She already exined this to you, and I''ve said it more than once. Yet you insist on targeting me?"


    Running a hand through his hair, Jared actually nodded. "That''s right. You may think it''s unreasonable, but it''s a big deal to me! The gap between people is set from birth, kid. Hard work doesn''t mean sess. If you want me to leave you alone, you''ve got to make me leave you alone.


    "s, I don''t think you''re capable of that. So, this is the way it is. Now shut up ande with me. Maybe once I''m satisfied, I''ll let you crawl out of this alive."


    Jared''s words revealed more about how Martial City operated, and Felix couldn''t help butugh.


    "Assuming things work the way you say they do, aren''t you worried that I''m someone you can''t afford to provoke?"


    Jared froze for a moment, then burst intoughter, nearly doubling over. "Are you trying to make me dieughing? Sure, there are people in North City I wouldn''t dare cross, but you? You''re not one of them. Joining Harmony Clinic doesn''t put you in their league.


    "Take him!"


    A sharp, crisp sound rang out as Jared''s head snapped to the side. His eyes widened in disbelief.


    For a moment, he couldn''t process it. He was the son of the city guard''s general in North City. Yet, he was smacked in the face on his own turf?


    "Kill him!" Jared roared, veins bulging on his neck. He didn''t even look at Felix, too furious to think straight.


    "Kill who?"


    Another pnded, leaving Jared stunned. He finally realized that none of his bodyguards or the hidden experts protecting him had made a move. Something was very, very wrong.


    When Jared turned to look, his face drained of all color. He gasped and immediately bent at the waist in a deep bow. "G-Greetings, Madam Goddard." Although Delh stood alone, her presence was overwhelming. It silenced everyone around her. No one even dared to breathe loudly.


    "Jared, do you need me to call your father here to discipline you publicly?"


    Jared felt as though his legs might give out. If his father found out he had offended Delh, he''d be lucky to escape with just a beating.


    "No, no! Please, Madam Goddard, please calm down. I was wrong. I see that now."


    Another pnded squarely on Jared''s face. This time, it came from Felix. Jared was so stunned that he froze on the spot. "You... You dare hit me?"


    Felix''s expression was calm and unyielding. "Why wouldn''t I? By your own logic, you''re nothing an a worthless bug in my eyes. So, why wouldn''t I p you?"


    Jared opened his mouth to argue but couldn''t find a single word to refute him With Delh standing there, the truth was in for all to see. Felix now held the upper hand, and there was nothing Jared could do about it.


    Yet, a question gnawed at Jared. Why would someone like Delh, a legend of Martial City, protect a mere nobody like Felix? It simply didn''t make sense.

 Chapter 958

    "Why are you still standing there? Get lost!" Felix said.


    Not daring to stay any longer, Jared bowed respectfully and retreated. He knew that staying would only lead to more humiliation.


    "That p made me like you even more," said Delh, a smile spreading across her face. The more she looked at Felix, the more satisfied she felt. That decisive p earlier had truly earned her favor.


    To her, his actions were akin to alchemy. He knew exactly what to do at every step, acting with precision instead of hesitation. Without such quick thinking andposure, one could never hope to master the art of alchemy at its highest level.


    Since she had already intervened, the initial two ps clearly signaled that neither Jared nor his family were worth her time. With that assurance, Felix had no reason to fear or worry anymore.


    "Thank you foring, Madam Goddard. Please,e inside. I have something I''d like to discuss with you."


    Felix was well aware that Jared wouldn''t let this go easily, but he was absolutely safe within the city. As for outside the city? He almost hoped Jared would try something there. Who''d live or die in that scenario was anyone''s guess.


    Once indoors, Felix spoke earnestly, "I''m willing to be your apprentice, ma''am. But I do have one condition. I know it might seem like I''m overstepping, but I have my reasons. I hope you''ll understand."


    Delh was already in a good mood. "Go ahead. Speak your mind."


    "I hope that for now, only the two of us will know about me bing your apprentice. No announcements, and no grand ceremony."


    Felix''s modesty was almost too much. Delh had originally nned to host a grand apprentice induction ceremony, inviting all the prominent figures in Martial City. But instead, he made this unexpected request.


    "Alright. I agree. After all, it''s only a matter of time before this bes known."


    Felix was overjoyed. Just as N had said, Delh was genuinely a good person.


    In the simplicity of his little home, Felix officially became Delh''s apprentice, and Delh became his second mentor.


    "My dear apprentice," Delh said warmly, "when you''re ready to share your story, tell me anything, no matter how difficult. I''ll always be on your side."


    Felix was deeply moved. Delh truly respected him.


    "Thank you for your understanding, Madam Goddard."


    Although Delh held a lofty status, the Maximus family and the Grand Elder were not to be


    underestimated. He would have to understand his situation better to decide whether or when to disclose his situation.


    "Now that you''re my apprentice," she continued, "there''s no need for you to visit Harmony Clinic every day to read alchemy books.


    "Take this. It''s the culmination of my life''s work in alchemy. I even had a master craftsman turn it into a semi-artifact. While it doesn''t have any other functions, you can bond with t through blood and store it within your body."


    As Felix held the artifact, he felt its significant weight.


    "I promise not to disappoint you, Madam Goddard. I''ll do everything I can to live


    up to your expectations."


    One of life''s major milestones had been achieved. Delh hadn''tughed this much in decades, and why wouldn''t she? She had gained


    an apprentice with exceptionale


    character, intelligence, and emotional sensitivity.


    "Child, the path of alchemy is tedious and lonely. Once you embark on it, you


    must staymitted. I''ve seen too many people give up halfway."


    But Felix just smiled.


    "I actually find it pretty fun, ma''am. Oh, by the way, let me tell you a little secret."


    "A secret?" Delh''s curiosity was piqued.


    "That basic pill for the assessment? I can make it in ten minutes."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 959

    Delh was utterly stunned upon hearing Felix''s confession, her mouth agape in disbelief. However, she didn''t think that Felix was lying.


    "So, you already know alchemy?"


    To achieve such speed, there was only one exnation: Felix was already skilled. No matter how exceptional his talent, it wasn''t possible to cultivate pills within ten minutes for the first time. Merely understanding the instructions would take at least an hour.


    "Yes."


    Upon receiving confirmation, Delh stood up immediately. "Come on. Let''s head to Harmony Clinic. If I''m to teach you properly, I need to understand your current skill level."


    Felix had no reason to refuse. Since he had chosen to trust her, he felt it


    necessary to reveal some secrets. After all, with Delh''s abilities, harming him would be as easy as lifting a finger, and there was no need for her to beat around the bush.


    At Harmony Clinic, Felix spent half an hour studying the book Delh had given him. The book had already been bound to him by blood. He then said, "Madam Goddard, with what I''ve learned from your teachings, I can only refine basic pills for now."


    To be honest, Felix was a little surprised. The names and effects of the pills in the book were identical to those in Gerald''s teachings. He had expected there to be significant differences.


    The distinctiony in the scope of knowledge. Gerald''s book was quite concise. On the other hand, Delh''s book was vast andprehensive. Not only did it include detailed annotations and insights, but it was also far more robust in content.


    "Oh? You can already refine basic pills? What about Windseeker Pills? Can you make those?"


    Felix nodded. "Yes."


    Delh immediately made a phone call, instructing someone to deliver the herbs required for refining Windseeker Pills.


    "The most critical aspect of being an alchemist," Delh began, "is pill-forming rate. Pill-forming rate essentially refers to your control over the process.


    "Think about it: with the same set of ingredients, someone might produce six pills from one batch, while another only produces three. Over time, this gap will grow exponentially.


    "The key to pill-forming rate is talent. Hard work can help, sure, but it can only improve your yield by about 10% to 20% at most."


    After some thought, Felix asked, "Are there no exceptions?"


    Delh chuckled. "Of course, there are. But Martial City is too small. So far, I haven''t seen anyone like that here."


    While waiting for the herbs, she casually asked, "How many years have you been cultivating pills?"


    Years? Felix hesitated, his expression slightly awkward. Should he tell the truth? After all, he''d be showcasing his skills soon enough, so what was there to hide?


    "Three months, give or take."


    Delh nodded in satisfaction. "Three years would be considered impress¡ª


    "Wait!"


    Suddenly, Delh froze, staring intently at Felix. Her expression was indescribable. "How long did you say you''ve been cultivating pills?"


    Startled by her reaction, Felix cautiously held up three fingers. "Three months."


    Delh inhaled sharply, nearly choking on her own breath. If not for Felix''s upright demeanor, she would''ve pped him on the spot.


    What kind of nonsense was this? Cultivating basic pills in just three months? If Martial City''s


    number-one alchemist, Bern, heard


    this, he''d probably crush Felix with a


    single p.


    Bern, hailed as a prodigious alchemist, had taken two whole years to achieve the


    same feat, yet Felix had done it in just three months?


    Only those who practiced alchemy


    could understand the sheer absurdity of this im. Ordinary martial artists wouldn''t evenprehend the significance of Felix''s aplishment.


    Even N knew when Felix first acquired a pill cauldron. Within two months, he had refined a basic detoxification pill at that party, saving countless poisoned guests.


    At the time, her reaction hadn''t been monumental-partly because Felix excelled in so many areas that it was easy to overlook just how extraordinary his alchemy skills were.

 Chapter 960

    It wasn''t until the herbs were delivered that Delh seemed to snap out of some kind of trance. Her gaze flickered with a mix of emotions.


    "You can head inside and start cultivating the pills. Just one sessful batch will do."


    "Understood," Felix affirmed.


    As the door closed behind him, Delh''s expression shifted repeatedly. It was full of excitement, then tinged with doubt, and then glowed with joy.


    "Three months? That can''t be right¡ª"


    Though she had personally asked to take Felix as her apprentice, if the situation had been reversed, she''d definitely assume he was exaggerating. After all, there''s no way to verify ims like that.


    It wasn''t just about how long someone practiced refining. It was about the talent and results they could demonstrate.


    As the sun rose higher, Delh sat in deep thought. Suddenly, she heard movement and quickly looked up, seeing Felix step out of the room.


    "You seeded on your first try?"


    Felix smiled. "Yes."


    Was it luck, or was he truly this skilled? For someone so new to cultivating pills, seeding on the first attempt was impressive enough, especially within just two or three hours. Since it was his first batch, it would be a good way to benchmark his abilities.


    "Let me take a look. How many pills did you manage to produce? Don''t be discouraged if it''s not many. After all, you''ve only just started refining. Everything takes time."


    However, when Felix opened the box, Delh faltered. Inside were nine perfectly crafted pills, neatly arranged. The sight of them was almost blinding.


    Delh jumped up like she''d been bitten by a snake, snatching the box from him. She picked up each pill, inspecting them one by one. She discovered that they were all Windseeker Pills, each wless in quality.


    "You"


    Her eyes widened, and her legs suddenly felt weak. If Felix hadn''t helped steady her, she might''ve be the first True Blood Realm expert in history to faint from sheer shock, without being injured


    "Are you alright, Madam Goddard?" Felix asked, concerned.


    Delh forced herself to sit down, feeling her heart racing.


    "Don''t worry about me. I just... need a moment to calm down." She looked at him, a hint of guilt in her eyes.


    "Although I know this might hurt your feelings, please forgive me for asking. Are you absolutely sure you didn''t prepare those nine pills in advance?"


    re


    Felix finally understood that his pill sess rate had startled her. He chuckled and said, "It''s natural for you to have doubts, ma''am. How about this? You can watch me refine another batch and see for yourself."


    Swe


    Faced with his calm and sincere response, Delh felt a pang of regret. She had already taken him as her apprentice, yet she still doubted him. It felt unfair, even to her.


    "No, there''s no need. I was overthinking it. I''m sorry, truly. Let''s leave it at that."


    Felix, ever sharp, quickly reassured


    her, "I really don''t mind, Madam


    Goddard. As you said,


    understanding where I''m at now will help you teach me better. So, let''s go ahead and do another batch ''m


    totally fine with it."


    ?


    Delh was deeply moved by his words. "Alright. I''ll have them send over another set of herbs."


    As the materials arrived, Nellie stepped out of the elevator. She seemed surprised to see Felix.


    "Delh, Nattie said the head of her family is on his way and bringing you some gifts. Is there anything I should do to prepare to wee him?"


    At that moment, Delh''s mind was entirely consumed by Felix''s abilities. She couldn''t be bothered with anything else.


    "No time for that! And listen. Nellie, make sure no onees up to this floor. If anyone does, don''t me me for showing no mercy!"


    The door mmed shut with a bang, leaving Nellie frozen in shock.


    What on earth just happened? In all these years, she''d never seen Delh act like this. Could it have something to do with Felix?

 Chapter 961

    Half an hourter, in the most luxurious reception room of Harmony Clinic in North City, Natalie helped an elderly man into the room.


    Though the old man''s hair was white, his steps were steady, and his face was lit with a warm smile. His demeanor alone exuded a vitality that many young people could only envy.


    "Is it just you? Where''s Delh?"


    "Please don''t be upset, Mr. Earnhart Senior. Madam Goddard is handling an urgent matter," Nellie said respectfully. Her tone was humble, as she was addressing Bern, the top alchemist of Martial City. She didn''t dare show even a hint of disrespect. It would be far too inappropriate.


    Besides, in all of Martial City, only a handful of people dared to call Delh by her first name, and Bern was one of them.


    "What could that woman possibly be doing that''s more important than meeting me?" Bern''s smile faded, reced by a clear look of displeasure. Natalie quickly tried to calm him.


    "Grandpa, maybe Madam Goddard really does have something very urgent to attend to."


    Indeed, Natalie, one of Martial City''s top ten prodigies, was one of Bern''s youngest grandchildren.


    The old man wasn''t one to act without purpose. While he could teach alchemy himself, he had insisted on having Natalie join Harmony Clinic. He knew that Delh had unique expertise, and no matter how much or how little Natalie learned from her, it would ultimately benefit her future.


    Interestingly enough, Bern had once pursued Delh in his younger days. Unfortunately for him, she had been entirely focused on her alchemy at the time, unwilling to spare even a moment''s thought on anything else.


    In the end, his efforts were fruitless. Bern eventually married someone else to continue his bloodline, but even after all these years, his feelings for Delh hadn''t changed.


    "Nellie, be honest with me. What exactly is Delh busy with? And don''t lie," Bern demanded, visibly restless. It was clear he''d never encountered this kind of situation before.


    Nellie was sweating bullets. She nced at Natalie, but even thetter looked helpless. She could usually offer some words of


    swnovel


    nothing she said would work lh,


    Left with no other choice, Nellie told the truth, "She''s in the alchemy room."


    The moment he heard that, Bern''s smile returned. "Oh, so she''s cultivating pills. I knew it. What else could be more important than meeting me?"


    As a fellow alchemist, he understood all too well that when inspiration struck, nothing could get in the way.


    "You all go about your business. I''ll just wait outside the alchemy room. Nattie, hand me the flowers."


    "Grandpa, I''ll stay with you. It''s rare for you to leave home, and I''ve really missed spending time with you," Natalie said with a smile.


    Nellie was on the verge of panicking. Delh had strictly forbidden anyone from stepping onto that floor, but how was she supposed to stop Bern? She couldn''t.


    At her wit''s end, Nellie ran to another room and made a phone call. "Mr. Marlow, are you still in North City? Pleasee to Harmony Clinic immediately. Something big has happened!"


    After listening to her exnation, Dickson chuckled. "Oh, Mr. Earnhart Senior is there? Nellie, you''re being unfair. Sure, I''m the deputy chief, but that doesn''t mean I can stop Mr. Earnhart Senior. Honestly, even the chief himself might struggle to do So. Good luck!"


    Nellie was so frustrated she nearly stomped her feet in anger. She had no solutions left. If Delh emerged and was upset, she would just have to ept the punishment.


    "Grandpa, would you like me to


    arrange something for dinner? I can prepare it right away," Natalie asked upstairs, already prepared for a long wait. After all, it wasn''t unusual for an alchemist of Delh''s level to take several days to finish refining a batch of pills.


    "No, thanks. I brought fasting pills. If you''re bored, you can go do your own thing," Bern replied.


    Natalie smiled. "What could be more important than chatting with you, Grandpa?"


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 962

    Patting Natalie on the head, Bern looked thoroughly pleased. "You''re as considerate as always," he said.


    Just three hourster, as the grandfather and granddaughter duo were engrossed in conversation, the door suddenly opened.


    Bern''s expression shifted instantly. He quickly sent a mental message to Natalie, saying, "Pay attention and act ordingly. Coming out this quickly clearly means she has failed. You know how temperamental Delh can be. Whatever you do, don''t say anything wrong."


    At that moment, even Bern, who always maintained an air of deference around others, looked visibly nervous. Despite his usual confidence, he had absolutely noposure when dealing with Delh.


    However, they soon saw that Delh wasn''t alone. She had brought along a young man.


    Meanwhile, their unexpected appearance caused Delh to frown slightly. "You may leave," she said to Felix.


    Felix immediatelyplied, "Yes, Madam Goddard."


    Their mentor-apprentice rtionship was still being kept under wraps, so he addressed her using her title.


    However, as he took a few steps toward the elevator, Bern couldn''t resist calling out, "Young man, wait a second!"


    Before he coulde up with an excuse to dy him, Delh shot him a re. "Old fool, since when do you get to give orders? Please leave!"


    Felix stepped into the elevator.


    Bern, left with no choice, gave Natalie a meaningful look. Catching on, she politely greeted Delh and exited as well.


    "Delh, who was that young man?" After decades of knowing each other inside and out, Bern''s curiosity was inevitable.


    "None of your damn business!" Delh snapped.


    Bern froze on the spot, wide-eyed in disbelief as he stared at her. "Delh, in all the years I''ve known you from when we were young until now-this is the first time I''ve seen you scold someone while smiling."


    Delh let out a cold huff and walked over to the window, adjusting herposure. She couldn''t help it. Her excitement was too overwhelming. She hadn''t expected that a random remark from Dickson had led her to stumble upon such a treasure.


    The batch Felix had justpleted turned out wlessly. Nine perfect Windseeker Pills were formed, each of pristine quality.


    He hadpleted two consecutive batches with a 100% sess rate! This was unprecedented, something no one before him had achieved. Anyone fortunate enough to take on such an apprentice would


    bev


    grinning even in their dreams.


    "Delh." Bern approached cautiously.


    However, before he could say more, Delh cut him off, saying, "Come on. Let''s grab a drink."


    "A drink?" Bern''s jaw practically hit the floor. Delh had sworn off alcohol decades ago. What could possibly have happened to change her mind?


    With a heavy sigh, he resigned himself to relying on Natalie to uncover the truth.


    Meanwhile, in one of Harmony Clinic''s offices, Felix was patiently waiting for the reimbursement after submitting his expense report.


    "Hello," a voice greeted him.


    He turned to see Natalie standing nearby.


    "Hello," he replied with a polite smile.


    As Natalie took a closer look at him, a few images shed in her mind. "Weren''t


    you the one that Jared tried to hassle yesterday?"


    Felix smiled and nodded. "Yes, I was just about to thank you for stepping in to help me."


    Just yesterday, he had been


    powerless against Jared''s bullying. Yet today, Delh had brought him into her private alchemy chamber. There was no way this wasn''t significant.  en


    After a moment of thought, Natalie spoke up, "If you really want to thank me, you could tell me what your rtionship with Madam Goddard is."


    The scene she had just witnessed waspletely out of character for Delh.


    Just as Felix was about toe up with a vague excuse, someone suddenly appeared at Natalie''s side out of thin air.


    The neer bowed respectfully


    and reported, "As has just entered North City, Ms. Earnhart. It''s highly likely he''sing for you. Do you


    want to avoid him for now?n 9

 Chapter 963

    While Natalie furrowed her brows in thought, Felix''s heart sank. The surname "Earnhart" was far too distinctive for him not to make a connection. Moreover, if As was pestering Natalie, it meant they were likely of simr age.


    Felix had every reason to suspect it was the same guy who hade looking for him in the capitalst time.


    "Never mind. That guy is relentless-it''s impossible to avoid him anyway," Natalie said firmly.


    The messenger nodded and vanished.


    Natalie turned back to Felix, only to be startled by the look on his face.


    Felix was openly staring at her with a roguish gleam in his eyes, the kind of gaze


    that made her feel as though she weren''t wearing any clothes.


    "Are you deliberately getting close to me, miss? Do you have a little crush on me?" he asked.


    For a moment, Natalie felt dazed. It was as if she were suddenly speaking to apletely different person.


    "You''ve got it all wrong," she replied. "I was just asking a casual question."


    However, Felix''s gaze grew even more brazen. He even reached out toward her hand, which she quickly dodged.


    "Come on. We''re both adults. Let''s drop the pretense. If you really want answers, why don''t we take it to the bedroom and have a... thorough discussion?"


    "You-"


    That crossed the line. Natalie was furious, her hand frozen midair, trembling with the urge to p him. "You shameless scoundrel!"


    She couldn''t wrap her head around it. How could this man be so vulgar? If she weren''t still trying to figure out his rtionship with Delh, that p would''vended long ago.


    In all of Martial City, who would dare speak to her like that? After all, she was one of the city''s Top Ten Menaces. Felix was undoubtedly the first.


    Watching her storm off, Felix let out a sigh of relief. It couldn''t be helped. That was the only way to quickly make her leave. If she stuck around and brought As into the mix,` there''d be no peace for him moving forward.


    Though he wasn''t sure who would win if they shed again, there was no denying the power of the Maximus family. Right now, Felix had no way of contending with them.


    Once his business at Harmony Clinic was finished, Felix called Delh. "Madam Goddard, could I borrow a private room to study the medical texts?"


    Delh immediately sensed something was off. Felix should''ve been heading back to his own clinic by now.


    "Alright. Go find Nellie. She''ll make the arrangements."


    Hiding out in a secure room at Harmony Clinic was the safest option until As left. Until then, the danger wasn''t entirely gone.


    That evening, in a vi in North City, Natalie was venting her frustrations to Bern, who had just returned. "Please don''t make me talk to Felix anymore, Grandpa!"


    Bern frowned. "What happened? That kid clearly has a close connection with Delh. If you don''t get the information, who will?"


    Getting anything out of Delh was impossible. He''d spent an entire drinking session with her today and learned nothing. All he could tell was that she was in an exceptionally good mood, likely the best in years. That only made the situation even more suspicious.


    "That guy is aplete pervert! His gaze is lewd, and his words are disgusting. don''t want to see him again, let alone a second time. Dealing with As alone is already


    driving me insane, and now, you''re adding Felix into the mix? Spare me, please, Grandpa!"


    Bern''s face darkened. "Nonsense! How many years has it been since we''ve seen Delh like this? I have to figure this out.


    "Here''s the n. The Maximus family''s patriarch recently asked me to refine a pill for him, and I was nning to deliver it once I left North City. Now that As is here, why not take advantage of the situation?"


    Hearing that, Natalie felt slightly better. As unbearable as Felix was, As was even more detestable.


    "Fine. I''ll find another chance to talk to Felix."

 Chapter 964

    The next day, Delh entered the private chamber where Felix was staying.


    "As has left," she said.


    Felix was taken aback. "So quickly?"


    In the end, he couldn''t avoid exining why he''d holed up in the chamber. It felt wrong to keep hiding it when things had reached this point.


    "It wasn''t supposed to happen this fast," Delh said. "But that old fox, Bern, pulled a move that forced As to leave."


    She sat down, her eyes filled with a gentle fondness. "Don''t you think it''s time you told me the real reason you''re avoiding As?"


    Felix had prepared his answer long ago. "To be honest, Madam Goddard, I''m originally from the capital. My mentor noticed my talent for alchemy and sent me here to Martial City to further my skills."


    Delh chuckled knowingly. "You sly one! Did you think I couldn''t figure that out? It''s better to tell the truth. Only then can we truly be mentor and apprentice."


    Her words didn''t surprise Felix. After all, Delh was a seasoned figure in Martial City.


    It wasn''t like Felix, with his extraordinary talents, could have appeared out of nowhere. While it was possible he was the descendant or apprentice of some reclusive master, it was far more likely he came from the capital.


    "As came by the capital for some reason, and we ended up in a confrontation," Felix began. "That was when I realized how terrifying Martial City could be. I was no match for him. My mentor had to step in and injure him, forcing him to flee back to Martial City.


    "Later, when I came here, I heard from Laura that the Maximus family dominates Bedford. So I¡ª"


    There was no need to finish the sentence. Delh nodded in understanding. "You''ve been cautious and evasive, which is a wise choice. The Maximus family is full of lunatics. Back in the day, Yusri Maximus mastered the Dragons Destroyer technique, making him invincible in Martial City for a long time.


    "But as the saying goes, what rises must fall. After Yusri disappeared, the Maximus family began to decline little by little.


    "They only dare to im dominance in Bedford now. Still, some of their elders are quite powerful, and their. younger generation includes As one of Martial City''s ten prodigies. ording to the Maximus family, he''s their best hope to master the


    Dragons Destroyer agster the


    and


    restore their former glory."


    Hearing that, Felix''s suspicions were all but confirmed. The young man from the capital he had encountered must have been As. There was no way someone else from the


    Maximus family''s younger


    Lovel


    generation could possess such overwhelming strength.


    "If I step in, I can mediate the conflict between you and As. What do you think?" Delh asked.


    Felix shook his head firmly. "There''s no need for you to intervene, Madam Goddard. Some problems are better solved by myself."


    The situation involved the Dragonspine, a matter far too sensitive for mediation. Even if Delh could pressure the Maximus family into a truce, it would only resolve things on the surface.


    Behind the scenes, who knew what schemes they''d cook up? That would make things even more dangerous than they were now.


    "Very well. If you ever need help, you can alwayse to me," Delh said.


    Felix was already a powerful expert in Physical Refinement Realm, so he was fully qualified to speak this way. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have been so amodating.


    "Madam Goddard, I''ll head back to the clinic to get ready for its opening," Felix said.


    Delh smiled warmly. "Go ahead. While alchemy takes up a lot of time, you can''t stray too far from the essence of being a healer. Treating patients can often give you new insights into alchemy. You''ll understand this more over time. "That''s also why everyone who joins the Harmony Clinic must first run a clinic."


    Just as Felix was about to leave, he hesitated, then turned back. After a moment of internal debate, he asked the question that had been on his mind,


    "Could you enlighten me Madam Goddard? Who is the most powerful woman in Martial City?"

 Chapter 965

    Felix would never forget the scene he had watched in the video before. Cordelia, unwilling but resigned, had left him to protect him. Later, he learned some details from N, which led to this question.


    No matter what happened, he still wanted to know more.


    "Why would you ask that?" Delh shot back.


    Looking at the intriguing smile on Delh''s face, Felix felt a bit nervous. This new mentor of his was no ordinary person. She was really good at noticing things.


    "Sinceing to Martial City, all the powerful people I''ve encountered have been women, so I started wondering if it''s true that women here are more talented?"


    Delhughed at hisment. "Well, you''re not entirely wrong. Let me answer your question directly. The most powerful woman in Martial City is known as the Empress. She is the strongest member of the royal family, and you could say she is the most powerful person known in Martial City."


    Could the Empress be Cordelia?


    "Thank you, Madam Goddard."


    Indeed, Martial City did have a royal family¡ªone that had existed since the time of migration.


    Yusri, who was invincible at the time, never wiped out the royal bloodline. Instead, he allowed it to survive and continue. It seemed this mysterious great formation was deeply tied to the royal family. If the royal family ever declined, the formation would be in jeopardy as well.


    These were things Laura had shared with him, along with the fact that Martial City had five major cities: Denverville, Westville, Bedford, North City, and the Imperial City in the center, where the royal family resided.


    The royal family had always been powerful, whether due to their bloodline or their martial arts techniques. Over the years, except for Yusri, who practiced the Dragons Destroyer technique, no one had dared to challenge the royal family. However, N had said that reconnecting with Cordelia would bring safety, but there was a catch: he had to stay by her side. This made Felix wonder if the internal politics of the royal family were moreplicated than they appeared.


    So, Felix decided it was better to focus on his own growth rather than gamble on such uncertain oues.


    Soon, the clinic opened, and Felix didn''t need to worry about anything. People from Harmony Clinic had set up everything needed, and a sign representing Harmony Clinic hung outside.


    As for the name, he had chosen "Tranquil Clinic".


    Sitting inside the clinic, Felix looked at the medical book given to him by Gerald. He nned to study this first before moving on to the book Delh had given him. After all, he had plenty of time.


    ?


    "Tranquil Clinic? Nice name," said a voice, and Felix frowned as he saw Natalie walk in. He had already acted so crudely toward her, so why was she here? There was no choice but to continue the charade.


    "I guess the beautifuldy can''t forget me. Should I close the door, and we can have a nice long chat in bed?"


    Natalie, who had been trying to act tough, immediately scowled. As a proud woman, she had never been teased like this. Not even As, one of the Top Ten Menaces with a powerful background, had dared to do so. Thus, she was deeply offended.


    "Humph! Pervert!"


    Watching Natalie leave in a huff, Felix couldn''t help but find it odd. She was too easy to deal with.


    He had no intention of getting involved with Natalie. After everything he''d been through, he knew all too well how dangerous such rtionships could be. The term "femme fatale" wasn''t just a saying.


    After all, not long after he arrived in Martial City, he had almost gotten into serious trouble with Jared, all because of Laura.


    Elsewhere, Jared sat in a car, seething as he stared at Tranquil Clinic. "Damn it! When have I ever been humiliated like this? I''m going to make Felix pay for this!"


    The middle-aged man in the front


    passenger seat sighed and turned around. "Please give it a rest, Mr. Windson. The general has already received a call from Madam


    over


    Goddard, which is why I was asked to keep an eye on you."

 Chapter 966

    Jared gritted his teeth. Even with Delh there, he couldn''t ept what


    happened. However, he didn''t dare to provoke Felix again. He wasn''t brave enough to.


    "Hahaha! Just because I''m unable to doesn''t mean no one else can''t," Jared muttered. His eyes followed Natalie''s retreating figure as she left Tranquil Clinic.


    He slowly picked up his phone.


    "Mr. Windson, are you nning to use Natalie and her suitors in North City to deal with Felix? But based on what we know, they don''t seem to have anything together," the middle-aged man in the front seat said.


    Glowering at him, Jared sneered. "You know jack shit! Let''s not talk about them, but As will definitelye. That man truly inherited the arrogance of the Maximus family. It won''t allow him to tolerate any obstacle in his way!"


    With that, Jared dialed a number-fury in his eyes. It was as though he could already see Felix''s terrible end.


    ...


    Just as the sun was about to set, Felix had finished treating six patients. The citizens of Martial City truly trusted Harmony Clinic. As long as the name stood, there wasn''t a need to worry about theck of patients.


    To be honest, this was the first time Felix had run such a busy clinic. He felt a type of satisfaction from a job well done.


    "Felix, this is one of the workers from the Larsson family. He''s quite sick," Laura said as she walked in. The man she brought him indeed looked sick, but it was just a pretense.


    As Felix treated the patient, theymunicated through voice transmissions.


    "How''s the matter I''ve asked you to investigate?"


    "Mr. Zeller, the name Cynthia is toomon in Martial City. It''s absolutely impossible to find her with just that one name! However, based on the information you''ve given, the younger sister is at least in the True Blood Realm, and the elder sister might even be above the True Blood Realm!


    "With that, it had led me to discover something."


    The little girl, Cynthia, had left a deep impression on Felix. He hadn''t forgotten about her at all.


    Now that he was in Martial City and despite having Delh to rely on, enemies like the Maximus family, the Grand Elder, the Elders'' Council, and maybe even Kevin and Aiden were potential threats!


    These possible enemies weren''t something Felix could deal with alone. Despite that, Delh alone wasn''t reliable enough. This meant he needed to find some trustworthy external aid as one of his trump cards.


    Although he hadn''t spoken with


    Cynthia for long, he knew that she was trustworthy. As for her elder sister, her willingness to honor a marriage contract despite never meeting proved her character. How could such a woman be bad?


    "Tell me about it."


    "There''s a pair of sisters in the Xavier family in Westville who met the characteristics you gave! The younger sister is J Xavier, who is at the True Blood Realm. Meanwhile, her elder sister is Nerissa Xavier.


    "She''s even stronger than J. Nerissa is at the Physical Refinement Realm and is one of the top talents in Martial City."


    J and Nerissa? None of those names were "Cynthia", but then again, nicknames weren''t always written in official records.


    "You''ve done well. I''ll give your worker a small bag of medicationster. It''ll contain pills that are meant for someone in the Pulse Realm. After taking them, you should be able to break through to the Blood Realm."


    Laura was overjoyed! How could she


    not know how rare these pills were? She was grateful to have pledged loyalty to the right person; otherwise, even with her status in the Larsson family, she would''ve never had the chance to grow.


    "Thank you, Mr. Zeller."


    Almost as soon as Laura left, Felix stood up suddenly-feeling the energy of the real Dragonspine again. After some hesitation, he closed the shutter doors and put on


    the Shadow Mask before leaving


    through the back door.


    If he could obtain the final Dragonspine, he wouldn''t have to be so afraid in Martial


    City.

 Chapter 967

    Although N had advised him not to wear the Shadow Mask in Martial City, Felix couldn''t care less at this critical moment.


    He wasn''t impulsive, acting cautiously. He knew that Martial City was full of powerful people. Who knew whether the guy with the Dragonspine was strong or weak?


    That was why Felix decided to follow the man-to at least have an idea of who he was. With that, Felix quickly headed out. He moved rather quickly, reaching his top speed, which was barely faster than that of the other man.


    He could tell that the man was definitely not weak.


    As they arrived at an alley, Felix stopped. On the other hand, the man didn''t move either. However, they both stood where they stopped.


    "You''ve been chasing me for so long, yet you don''t dare toe over?" The voiceing from the alley was sinister. It was a voice that would send chills down anyone''s back.


    Felix remained calm andposed-continuing to hide in the shadows.


    "Hmph! You''re hiding in the shadows? Let''s see what you are!"


    With a bang, a stream of energy surged toward Felix and he leaped back. He watched as the ground where he stood exploded into rubble, and a crater appeared on the ground instantly.


    Dust lingered in the air and that attack alone showed how powerful the man was. Felix was about to run away when he felt the energy of a Dragonspine move behind him instantly.


    "Rising Dragon!" Without hesitation, Felix countered with his skill and collided with the man.


    The explosion was deafening, and the ground cracked. Felix''s expression darkened. Judging from that one move, his opponent was at least a martial artist in the Physical Refinement Realm-among one of the strongest.


    Otherwise, his attack wouldn''t have been on par with Felix-who practiced the Dragons Destroyer and was well capable of fighting above his level.


    "Hahaha! I was wondering who you were. Turns out, you''re just a young man with a mask. Tell me, I''m really curious where you''re from." The voice chuckled mockingly.


    As the dust settled, an old man appeared. He wore a tattered gray robe; his hooked nose and beady green eyes made him stand out. He gave off a strange energy.


    "What do you mean by this, mister? I was just passing through, and I don''t intend to be your enemy," Felix replied.


    Based on the old man''s expression and eyes, Felix knew that the old man was just testing him. The old man was incredibly strong.


    "What do ''you mean? Passing through? You''ve followed me all the way from North City and now you''re just a passerby? Young man, you''ve reached the Physical Refinement Realm at such a young age, and you have such an advanced


    concealment technique.


    "You''re a true prodigy-unlike those so-called geniuses. People like you are the true geniuses."


    At this moment, Felix felt bitter. He regretted underestimating the situation. The old man had seen through his Shadow Mask, proving that N''s advice was not unreasonable.


    Fortunately, the old man didn''t know that Felix followed him because of his Dragonspine-otherwise, it would be even more troublesome.


    "Alright, then let''s be clear. I was just curious. I have no intention of making you an enemy. How about going our separate ways? After all, you''re still injured, right?"


    The old man smiled sinisterly. "Amazing! And you''re a doctor? I''ve hidden my injuries so well, yet you still saw through my concealment! But even if I''m injured, so what?


    "It''s no issue to take down a martial artist who''s only in the Physical Refinement Realm! Die!"


    The old man nned to capture Felix alive, believing that Felix''s techniques could bring significant rewards. Felix took a deep breath and finally understood the brutality of Martial City.  en


    It was incredibly different from big cities. There wasn''t a need for many words and the strongest won. The strong needed no words-this perfectly exined what it meant to be powerful.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 968

    "Lone Paragon!" Although Felix could clearly see that the old man was injured, he activated this technique immediately. This was a battle between life and death!


    His opponent was strong, so Felix couldn''t afford to have a slip-up. The two of them fought, trading blow after blow. The battle was so intense that there was nothing left intact.


    A few minutester, the old man felt terrified. Could this young man have a secret technique to increasebat power? He was much stronger than before-could he actually defeat the old man?


    The old man panicked a little, but he wasn''t afraid of losing to Felix. However, because of such a bigmotion, although they were far from North City, it would inevitably attract other martial arts masters!


    "Boy! You''ve earned my respect! As you''ve asked before, we should go our separate ways now. How about that?"


    Felix was annoyed-the old man was injured, and Felix was sure he could wear the old man down quickly.


    "When did I say that? Old man, you started the fight!"


    The old man was so furious that he almost choked on saliva. His expression turned ugly and he began weaving his hands in aplex technique.


    "I''ll remember you, you brat! I''ll make sure to drink everyst drop of your blood. Bone Prison!"


    There were loud crunches as countless bones emerged from the ground. They moved so fast that Felix had no time to react at all. Soon, Felix was entrapped in the bones, leaving no gaps andpletely blocking the moonlight.


    It took Felix a full minute to break through the strange prison made of bones. "Hmph! Do you think you can escape?"


    As long as the old man didn''t run out of his range, it would only be a matter of time before Felix caught up to him. Hisst attack was definitely powerful, but it was only able to trap people¡ªnot hurt them.


    Felix guessed that the old man was too injured. Just as Felix was about to chase after the old man, another man appeared in front of him.


    What confused Felix was how casual the man looked-picking his nose and lookingpletely delighted.


    "Weren''t you fighting the Skeletal Demon earlier? Why didn''t you stop him? What a waste of my time."


    Cold sweat dripped down Felix''s forehead. This man was the real deal. Felix hadn''t noticed this at all. Since the old man ran away-could it be because of this man?


    "Oh? Huh? Is that a Shadow Mask?


    Whose is it? Where are you from?TM As the man spoke, he took his finger out from his nose and flicked his fingers. A rock in the distance shattered on the spot.


    "Wait! You''re Felix Zeller, aren''t you?"


    This man knew Felix? Felix panicked even more. How could this man know him? That was impossible!


    "Don''t worry, I''m Dickson Marlow-deputy chief of Harmony Clinic."


    Oh, so he was from the Harmony Clinic. Felix instantly felt relief. "Greetings, Deputy Chief!"


    Dickson waved him off dismissively with a smile. You really surprised me! Although the Skeletal Demon was injured, he isn''t someone a Physical Refinement Realm martial artist could handle. Yet, based on the destruction around here, you managed to fight him for several minutes!


    "Impressive! What''s even more remarkable is that you forced him to use his Bone


    Prison! You remind me of when I was younger."


    At this moment, Felix was


    conflicted. He could still sense the


    location of the Skeletal Demon.


    However, if he told Dickson the


    location, a martial artist like him would definitely chase him down and kill the Skeletal Demon.


    But could Felix really trust Dickson? After all, it involved a true Dragonspine.

 Chapter 969

    After some thought, Felix finally let up the thought. It was best for him to be cautious when it came to the true Dragonspine. In fact, it was because he was no match for Dickson, and he wouldn''t be able to take control of the situation.


    Despite working at Harmony Clinic together, it meant nothing. Even biological brothers would turn against each other in the face of interests-let alone rtionships.


    Even if Felix mentioned Delh, he couldn''t entirely rely on that fact. As he pondered the thought, the energy of the true Dragonspine soon faded away and he couldn''t feel it anymore. All his thoughts werepletely dispelled.


    "Don''t worry, I won''t question you. Go back to the clinic. Even though you''re in the Physical Refinement Realm, it''s best not to leave the city unless absolutely necessary.


    "It is even dangerous for me, do you understand?"


    No questions? Felix felt relieved. Dickson really didn''t seem that bad.


    "Thank you, Mr. Marlow. I''ll head back to the clinic first."


    As Felix disappeared from sight, Dickson stood there with a smile. "Madam Goddard, you truly have an incredible disciple. However, he has a lot of secrets. It''s hard to say if it''ll be a blessing or a curse."


    Dickson had been hunting down the Skeletal Demon for a while now. The Skeletal Demon was incredibly good at hiding his presence. His skills of constantly changing appearance were also strong. It was difficult to find him-let alone track him down.


    Today, Dickson finally got lucky and found traces of the Skeletal Demon on the outskirts of North City. He immediately took action, but unfortunately, the Skeletal Demon was too experienced.


    The Skeletal Demon had used a hidden technique to trap Dickson and despite being injured, he was able to flee into North City. It was too difficult to find the Skeletal Demon again.


    This led to a subsequent battle between Felix and the Skeletal Demon. From the fight alone, Dickson could deduce that Felix was invincible in the Physical Refinement Realm.


    However, how old was Felix?


    ...


    After safely spending the first week in Martial City, Felix adapted to life in North City ording to the requirements of Harmony Clinic, he was talented enough. This meant that he only needed to open the clinic twice a week.


    Refining pills didn''t take over five days, so there wasn''t a worry for conflicts.


    "Madam Goddard, I want to try refining intermediate pills," Felix told Delh that day.


    "My dear boy, you really terrify me! You haven''t even properly digested the previous information yet, and you want to take on intermediate refinement?"


    It had only been a few days since Felix started refining pills, yet he dared to try intermediate refinement.


    "Madam Goddard, please don''t mock me."


    "How can I mock you? I''m delighted! However, if you want the materials for intermediate pills, you need to pass Harmony Clinic''s trials. The higher you go, the more precious the herbs are, and it''s impossible to allow anyone to waste them.


    "You must prove yourself first," Delh instructed.


    Felix hadn''t known about this¡ªno one had told him. He guessed it was most likely because he had just started. No one would''ve known he could run since he hadn''t even tried walking yet.


    "Think about which intermediate pill


    you want to refine, and tell me. I''l prepare the ingredients for you to try. Also, it''s best to refine it in Harmony Clinic. Intermediate pills are precious."


    "Alright, thank you, Madam Goddard."


    Felix was now in the Physical Refinement Realm. Among the intermediate pills, there were pills that could be taken by martial artists in that realm to improve their strength.


    With so many martial artists in Martial City, the faster Felix could improve his strength, the better. The mission could wait. Protecting himself was his main priority.


    Just after hanging up the phone, Natalie entered. Felix felt extremely overwhelmed, but he had gotten used to it.

 Chapter 970

    As long as Harmony Clinic was open, Natalie would alwayse by rain or shine. Although she always left quickly after getting insulted, she would stille.


    "Are you stupid? You don''t want to get close to me, yet you stille by. What''s wrong with you?" Felix snapped.


    However, Natalie didn''t get angry this time. Instead, she turned and closed the shutter door-surprising Felix.


    "Hah! I can see that you''re all bark but no bite. Now that the door is closed, we''re alone. You can do whatever you want to me. Come on." A sly look shed in Natalie''s eyes.


    Felix was so annoyed he wanted to teach her a lesson and tell her to nevere again.


    "You said it yourself. How lucky I am to have one of the Top Ten Menaces- Natalie Earnheart, the beautiful alchemist. I didn''t expect I would get to have a taste," Felix said as he walked over to her slowly.


    His movement made Natalie feel a little unsure. Could the elder''s analysis be wrong? Was this man really a pervert?


    "There are surveince cameras in the clinic. It''ll prove that you consented to have sex with me."


    As he approached, Felix made it look like he was about to drool. Natalie, on the other hand, felt terrified.


    "How shameless! I''ll nevere and see you again! You''re disgusting!" she eximed. She pulled open the door and mmed it angrily on her way out.


    However, Felix felt relief. "It should bepletely effective this time."


    Meanwhile, Jared sat outside in a car, wanting tough and apud Felix''s audacity if it wasn''t for the current situation.


    "Hah! What a fool you are, Felix! You''re digging your own grave! You even closed the shutter door? You''re definitely dead meat now!" he thought triumphantly.


    Jared turned to the young man next to him and took a deep breath. The tension in the car increased by the second, showing how angry the young man next to him


    was.


    "See, I didn''t lie to you, Mr. Maximus."


    The young man next to Jared was As Maximus. As had just arrived, and he was determined not to believe Jared''s words-however, he had seen it with his own eyes. There was nothing else to say.


    The main fact was that the door was shut, and no one could see what happened inside. It was less than a minute before the door opened again-meaning Felix couldn''t have possibly done anything.


    However, when As saw the woman he liked with another man like this, he couldn''t ept it.


    "You''ve done well," As said casually before opening the car door. He left the car and walked straight to Tranquil Clinic across the street.


    "Let''s see if Delh will still protect you when you''re facing someone from the Maximus family, Felix!"


    Although Jared wanted to see the drama, it was also important for him to keep himself hidden. If Delh found out, she wouldn''t harm As, but she might vent her anger at


    Jared! Now, that would be a huge loss.


    In the clinic, Felix was reading a medical book. When he heard footsteps, he looked up and was about to greet the entrant. However, he was stunned to see who it was.


    It was someone he would never forget. It was the man who wanted to take his Dragonspine back then. If it weren''t for Karina''s appearance, Felix would''ve died


    then.


    "It''s you!" Felix eximed.


    As, who hade in, stopped in his tracks. He stared at Felix with bulging eyes, disbelief all over his face. At first, he thought he had made a mistake, but Felix had the same reaction, so he knew that this was the same man he had tried to kill!


    After thinking of all the possibilities, As was sure of one thing-Felix couldn''t havee to Martial City knowing he was here. If Felix knew, how could he have walked into this trap?


    But since it happened... As chuckled. "Felix, the gods are watching! You''re really brave!"


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 971

    Felix sat back down in his chair. Once the initial surprise had passed, heposed himself. Since there was no way to avoid this, he had to face it.


    Fortunately, he wasn''t the newbie who knew nothing when he first came to Martial City. He was strong enough, and Delh supported him. So what about As? There wasn''t a need for Felix to be scared.


    "Are you telling me that the most dangerous ce is the safest? Interesting, I never thought about it like that before."


    As closed the door behind him, walked over, and sat down. He looked like he had won. The issue with Natalie had been long forgotten since the true Dragonspine was far more important.


    "Where is that powerful woman? I''m guessing she didn''te with you." As didn''t attack immediately because of the rules in Martial City, and he was afraid that Karina was hiding in the shadows.


    When he was in the capital, he experienced how strong Karina was. If it weren''t for the magical weapon his elder had given him, he would''ve died.


    "Are you scared? If you are, then just get out of here."


    Asughed and sneered, "I was just casually asking. From your expression when you saw me, I can already guess that she isn''t here. No matter why you came here, you walked straight into a tiger''s den."


    Felixughed. "Could you enlighten me? I don''t really understand. What''s the point of giving the true Dragonspine to someone who can''t even cultivate Dragons Destroyer?"


    When As heard this, his expression darkened. Not being able to practice Dragons Destroyer was a deep wound, and anyone who touched the wound could never be forgiven.


    As the most talented martial artist in his family for years, he still couldn''t practice Dragons Destroyer. No one else could understand his bitterness and depression. "The Maximus family elder was the first to practice Dragons Destroyer. With that, we''ve even developed methods to use the true Dragonspine. How does that sound?


    "Although it can''tpare to Dragons Destroyer, I still won''t have a problem dominating the entire Martial City."


    As was really arrogant. Did he really think that Felix would still be as helpless as before?


    "Juste with me, and I''ll spare you after I take your Dragonspines. At the time, you were no different than an ant," As mocked.


    Felix yed with a silver needle in his hand and shook his head. "I''m not going with you."


    There was a buzz as a majestic energy spread out, instantly filling the entirety of Harmony Clinic.


    "What about now? Can you even manage to fight me? Or will someonee and save you again at this time? As for the no-fighting rules, can find someone to settle it for me easily. What do you think?"


    Felix stood up and pped his hands, giving him a thumbs-up. "How amazing! You''ve reached the


    early-stage of the Transcen Realmat such a young age. Martial City is indeed a paradise for warriors.


    "You''re truly in the right time and ce, and you''re able to practice really fast."


    When Felix revealed his realm, As immediately furrowed his brows. Unless Felix had reached the Physical Refinement Realm, it wasn''t possible.


    The so-called Transcendent Realm was thest realm of a fighter. Just like the Blood Realm, it was divided into early-stage, middle-stage, andte-stage realms. The gap between each stage was even more exaggerated than the Blood Realm.


    ¦¯¦«¦¯


    ording to various history books, there were basically no records of a martial artist in Transcendent Realm fighting above their level. This was how rare it was.


    All of a sudden, As withdrew his energy and smiled again.

 Chapter 972

    "Impressive! No wonder you''re someone who practices Dragons Destroyer. If your family hadn''t practiced it before, I would''ve been shocked by your terrifying martial arts talent. Haha!


    "This is just another benefit of having the true Dragonspine. Otherwise, how could you reach the Physical Refinement Realm so fast?" Asughed.


    Felix shook his head again. "Is it necessary to say such things tofort yourself? I can practice the Dragons Destroyer. I think that speaks for itself."


    As''s smile immediately vanished with those words. "Well, whether you want to or not, you''lle with me today! A mere Physical Refinement Realm martial artist means nothing to me!"


    "Alright, then let''s see if you''re able to make me go with you," Felix said as he stood up.


    The shutter door was pulled aside just as they were about to fight. "Two grown men with the door closed in broad daylight? What are you two doing in here?"


    As turned around fiercely and was about to angrily spit out the words, "Get out!"


    However, he immediately recognized the woman walking into the clinic, and he quickly bowed.


    "Hello, Madam Goddard."


    Felix was confused as to why Delh was here this time.


    "Ah, it''s As! You''ve been running around North City recently. Are you here looking for Natalie? What are you doing here then?"


    Since the Maximus family would never reveal the information about true Dragonspine, As quickly replied, "I saw a new clinic opening up here, so I came in to take a look. I''ll be taking my leave now."


    Just as he passed by Delh, she said, "Felix here is our alchemist in Harmony Clinic with Heaven-grade talent. Although he hadn''t reached the title of the Top Ten Menaces, I still value him a lot. It''s good that you''re making friends with him."


    As wasn''t daft, immediately hearing the warning in the sentence. His heart immediately skipped a beat.


    No wonder Felix was so confident! It turned out that he was not only strong because he was in the Physical Refinement Realm, but he also had someone like Delh backing him up.


    "You''re right, Madam Goddard," As said. However, did Felix really think that he was safe? They would just have to wait and see.


    Since it involved the true


    Dragonspine, As''s family would


    definitely stand with him. He didn''t believe that Delh or Harmony Clinic would stand with Felix if challenged by the Maximus family.


    "Why are you here, Madam Goddard?" Felix would only address her like this during public asions. He would also sometimes address her as his mentor when no one was around.


    "You underestimate me, boy. Since you mention the grudge with As, why wouldn''t I pay more attention to you? When I learned As came to the clinic, of course, I rushed here as fast as I could."


    Felix was touched by the thought and smiled helplessly. "It''s exactly what I feared. It''s all because Natalie is constantlying to me again and again. I acted like a bastard to


    drive her away, yet she still came by.


    "Otherwise, how could As have found me so quickly in the city?"


    Delh felt a little embarrassed now. "It''s my fault. Bern had sent Natalie to gather information about your rtionship with me."


    What? Felix was shocked. So everything that happened was his own doing? If he hadn''t proposed to keep their mentor-mentee rtionship a secret, Natalie wouldn''t havee in the first ce.


    It seemed like everything he did truly had consequences. As he thought about this, he bowed.


    "Madam Goddard, since As is already here, there''s no point in hiding our rtionship. Please publicize it."


    Delh burst intoughter. "Hahaha! Good, good! I can finally have a disciple publicly!"

 Chapter 973

    In the end, Delh still chose not to hold a ceremony to ept him as a disciple. She knew that Felix was still harboring a secret, and although they were mentor- mentees, they still respected each other.


    She was very happy that they could acknowledge each other as mentor-mentees in public without having to hide it anymore.


    Soon, Felix went to the secret room in Harmony Clinic to try the intermediate refinement process for the first time. Meanwhile, As had already contacted an elder of the family.


    "Herbert, I just received news from the spy at Harmony Clinic. Felix Zeller had just been epted as Delh''s disciple!"


    On the other end, Herbert wondered for a long time before replying, "Thisplicates things. If he was merely a genius at Harmony Clinic, your earlier assumptions would''ve been right.


    "But since Felix was epted as Delh''s disciple, this is a little difficult to deal with! I can''t guarantee anything-but two things are certain. First, Harmony Clinic will stand firm behind Delh; second, many martial artists who owe her will refuse to back down, even when facing our family."


    As gritted his teeth. He couldn''t have thought of this-that was the terrifying part of being an alchemist.


    "Fuck! What kind of stupid luck does Felix have? He''s actually some kind of genius in alchemy!" he cursed in front of his elder. He was the only one who dared to do this in the Maximus family.


    "Don''t worry. Felix is in Martial City. It''s much easier to do what we must do than in the capital. Now, we just need to wait for the right time¡ªand it''lle."


    Inside Harmony Clinic, Bern came by with Natalie, holding various items in his arms. They came to look for Delh.


    "Congrattions, Delh! You finally got yourself a precious disciple," Bern congratted her.


    As he did, Natalie offered her congrattions as well. However, she didn''t have a good impression of Felix. She couldn''t understand why Delh valued someone like Felix so highly.


    After all, everyone in the pill cultivation world knew how strict Delh was about epting disciples. Otherwise, she would''ve epted many a long time ago. Why would she wait until now?


    "Are you only saying a word of congrattions? Bern, you''ve truly grown less considerate with age!"


    Even as he was scolded, Bern


    smiled. "What do you want, Delh? You know how I am the best. Your disciple is like family to me! Of course, I wouldn''t forget a proper gift. just didn''t want to bring something you wouldn''t like and get scolded again."


    Delh nodded. "That sounds about right. He stillcks a proper alchemy furnace. Why don''t you give him your Ice Dragon furnace? It''s just about right for him."


    That being said, she had been eyeing the furnace for a long time now. Otherwise,


    she would''ve given Felix an Ice Dragon furnace long ago.


    The Ice Dragon furnace was a genuine pseudo-magical artifact. It was considered one of the top-level alchemy furnaces in Martial City.


    These items were categorized into different levels. Artifacts were the mostmon, followed by true


    artifacts, treasured artifacts, and et


    magical treasures. Pseudo-magical artifacts were a cross between a treasured artifact and a magical treasure.


    In Martial City, they were rare items. Even Bern and Delh only truly use alchemy furnaces that were pseudo-magical artifacts-showing how valuable the Ice Dragon furnace was.


    "An Ice Dragon furnace? Delh, you know me so well," Bern replied with a bitter


    smile. He was quite reluctant to give it up. It was a pseudo-magical artifact, after


    all.


    "Madam Goddard!" Natalie said.


    "Forgive me for intruding, but the


    elder gave me a Fiery Phoenix furnace to pair with the Ice Dragon furnace. When the furnaces are paired together, the sess rates of


    refining pills increase significantly.


    "The elder promised that when I find a partner, they also said that they would give


    an Ice Dragon furnace to my partner."


    A faint smile grew on Delh''s face.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


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 Chapter 974

    "You truly hit the nail on the coffin, girl! Felix is a perfect match for you. If he doesn''t get the Ice Dragon furnace, who else would?" Delh eximed.


    Huh? A couple? Natalie''s expression quickly changed. Her? Coupled with that pervert? That was absolutely impossible!


    "Alright, alright, Nattie. Since Delh is asking for it for once, I cannot refuse. As for whether you get with him or not, that''s for you youngins to decide. We won''t care about the matchmaking," Bern said with a chuckle.


    Immediately, a silver-white furnace appeared. There were two dragons carved on each side¡ªa total of four dragons. On the silver surface of the furnace, the dragons truly looked like they were real.


    "I''ve lifted the restrictions on it. Now, let''s allow Felix to try."


    The smile on Delh''s face grew even wider. "Ah, you old man, you''re still so kind. Let''s wait until hees out before letting him try it. He''s refining the Breath Concealment pill currently."


    Bern nodded. "Alright. Then let''s wait for him to finish his refinement-wait! You said the Breath Concealment pill?"


    Beside him, Natalie''s eyes widened in shock. The Breath Concealment pill was an intermediate-level pill. Could Felix truly refine it?


    "That''s right! My disciple is a super genius that onlyes once in a thousand years. Are you surprised that he can refine an intermediate-level pill? He could refine an intermediate-level pill just after three months of studying medical books!"


    What the hell?


    Bern pointed at himself. "Is he better than I was back then?"


    "Oh, nonsense! It''s only a matter of time before he surpasses you. I would never lie!" Delh dered.


    When she saw the stunned expressions of the grandfather and granddaughter, Delh couldn''t be happier! Her old acquaintances had always boasted about their disciples.


    Now, she finally got to experience this feeling! It was truly riveting!


    "My goodness, no wonder you were so eager to ept him as your disciple! If this boy was left alone, I don''t know how many alchemists would want to snatch him up!" Bern eximed.


    Natalie remained silent, unable to ept it. Didn''t that mean Felix would take away her title as the top alchemist of the new generation? She had been practicing alchemy for many years-yet she had only started refining intermediate pillsst year.


    Felix must just be exaggerating.


    "When will the ceremony to ept disciples be held?" Bern asked.


    Delh shook her head. "There''s no ns for that yet. Felix is in a critical stage, and he hasn''t been systematically taught alchemy. before. These are our top priorities now, and we can''t dy them just for the ceremony."


    ...


    Soon, three days passed by in a sh. The door to the secret room finally opened, and Felix appeared, looking quite depressed.


    "Madam Goddard, I''m so sorry. You prepared three sets of ingredients for me, but the first two attempts failed. However, the third attempt seeded."


    There was a huff as Bern spat out the tea he was drinking. "You rascal! This is your first time refining an intermediate pill, and you seeded on the third try! Are you still not satisfied?


    "My god, someone kick this show-off out of here!"


    Natalie had aplicated look in her eyes. Just for this reason, she had lostpletely. Back when she first refined an intermediate pill, she had used a lot of ingredients and


    finally seeded on the 15th try.


    Inparison, this was simply indescribable.


    "Oh, hello, Mr. Earnhart!" Felix quickly greeted Bern once he noticed him and Natalie there. Felix didn''t want to be perceived as rude after all.


    Even Delh, who knew Felix better, was shocked once again.


    "It''s alright, it''s okay! Sess on the third try is already incredible! How many pills did you make? Let me check the quality."


    Felix walked over, seeming even more dejected than before. "Madam Goddard, it seems like I''m not as skillful as I thought. The intermediate refinement process really pushed me. I only made six pills..."

 Chapter 975

    Bern stood up and pointed a trembling finger at Felix. "No one stop me! I''m going to beat this little show-off into a pulp right now!"


    However, no one even attempted to stop him! Delh wasughing wholeheartedly, and Natalie was dumbfounded.


    This was Felix''s first time refining an intermediate pill; he not only seeded in three attempts but also made six pills? It was so terrifying that it was hard to describe. Yet, throughout all this, he was more worried about the oue.


    "Sit down, Bernie! You know nothing at all! My disciple has high ambitions. And here I thought he was as easily satisfied as you!"


    Delh''s eyes sparkled with joy. This was indeed her beloved disciple. She was also surprised by the sess rate of his first intermediate refinement.


    "Felix, making six pills on your first try has already broken the record of the alchemists of Martial City! If you don''t believe me, you can ask old Bernie here how many pills he had made on his first try."


    Bern calmed down, his eyes shing withplicated emotions. Even with his rtionship with Delh, he still felt envious of her. If only he had met Felix first, he would''ve taken Felix as his disciple at all costs.


    "Go and rest. Come to Harmony Clinic tomorrow, and I''ll start teaching you the art of alchemy."


    "Alright, Madam Goddard. I''ll take my leave now."


    Shortly after he left, Bern and Natalie also left. When they got into their car, Bern looked at Natalie with fiery eyes.


    "My dear, beloved granddaughter, I''ve given the Ice Dragon furnace to Felix. Since it''s a pair with your Fiery Phoenix furnace="


    How could Natalie not know what Bern was implying? She immediately refused, "No! Absolutely not. Grandpa, I admit that Felix''s talent in alchemy is terrifying, but he''s annoying, and he''s not a good man.


    "He''s not my type!"


    "Bullshit!" Bern uttered furiously. He pointed at her and almost scolded her. "Those who achieve greatness don''t care for trivial matters! As long as Felix lives, he''ll be the genius alchemist in Martial City!


    "One that nobody in the world has ever seen and might never see


    again! Right now, not many people know his true potential-giving you the perfect opportunity. Otherwise, women pursuing him would line up from North City all the way to Bedford!


    "Then, you would lose your advantage!"


    Although Natalie knew that Bern was right, she herself wasn''t inferior to anyone.


    Besides, Felix had left a horrible impression on her.


    "Oh, I know. What you say is right. I''ll consider it."


    "That''s my girl!"


    In reality, her words were just perfunctory agreement. From her eyes, any woman would be interested at first. However, after knowing what kind of double-faced bastard Felix was, they would definitely stay away from him.


    At that point, there would be many women chasing after him, but none of them would be worthy. At the end of the day, Martial City was a city for martirtists. No matter how powerful Felix became as an


    alchemist, he would always rank


    secondpared to martial artists.


    As soon as Felix returned to the clinic, a woman walked in with a disdainful


    expression. She regarded Felix with contempt.


    "Are you not here to see a doctor? If not, please leave." Felix was quite displeased when she didn''t say a word after entering.


    "Hehe! I thought you might have some extraordinary abilities, but it turns out it''s just a small fry who just joined the Harmony Clinic. However, it''s true to Laura''s taste!"


    Laura? Felix frowned.


    "Are you from the Larssons?" he asked.


    The woman''s smile grew wider. "Smart boy! I''m Mindy Larsson¡ªLaura''s sister. Of course, I rarely admit to the rtionship publicly. After all, it''s already such a shame to have that bitch in my family!"

 Chapter 976

    It was clear to Felix that Laura was struggling to live within the Larsson family. Despite not sharing her troubles with him, he could sense her difort from the get-go.


    It was telling that she didn''t even have skilled bodyguards by her side, especially considering the size and influence of the Larsson family in North City. It was unthinkable for them not to provide proper protection for their direct kin.


    Mindy said, "I am here to inform you that Laura has been confined to the water dungeon due to her involvement in an inappropriate rtionship with a member of our household staff. She will face execution in 30 minutes.


    "If you have already had any rtions with her, consider yourself fortunate. It is acknowledged that she possesses considerable physical attractiveness. However, if not, then it is indeed unfortunate for you."


    Mindy left without saying another word.


    Felix''s expression became stern and disapproving. It was absurd to use Laura of having an affair with a member of the household staff.


    Not only him who had been in contact with Laura, but anyone could see that she wasn''t the type to be interested in a mere household staff.


    After leaving Tranquil Clinic, Mindy quickly climbed into a waiting car, where Jared sat in the backseat. She immediately embraced him, seekingfort in his arms.


    "Did you say everything you were supposed to?"


    Mindy nodded in agreement. "Of course, when have I ever not followed your instructions? It''s taken you years, but you''ve finallye to your senses."


    Jared sneered, "You''re right. I was foolishly blinded by love back then. How could I have been so naive to fall for that deceitful Laura? If it weren''t for my protection, the Larsson family would have destroyed her in no time."


    Jared imed it was all his doing, but Mindy knew that wasn''t entirely true. His family background wasn''t impressive enough to make the Larssons fear him.


    The truth was, Laura was undeniably gorgeous. A woman like her could bring great advantages if used wisely and was married off. Otherwise, she would have been in trouble long ago.


    "Jared, you have to keep your promise this time. I''ve made a solemn oath to my father about it."


    Jared reached his hand out nonchntly and smiled. "Don''t fret. This deal is with your father. Would I dare to joke around without his orders? But there''s one major condition-Felix must die.


    Mindy''s expression lit up with excitement. "I trust my family. They always have everything under control. But I can''t help but wonder, will Felix drop everything ande to my house for Laura?"


    This was also a concern for Jared, but it was more of an added bonus, in his opinion. "Well, it depends a bit on luck. Anyway, it doesn''t affect our deal."


    Initially, he had let out all of his pent-up frustration. He made sure to watch as As shut the door of Tranquil Clinic before leaving immediately. But to his surprise, Felix emerged unscathedter on.


    He didn''t dare question As about it and could only specte that Natalie''s presence in North City might have prevented him from taking any drastic action and forced


    him to follow the city


    for now. ,


    Wan


    Even though Andrew had initially nned to make a deal with the Larsson family, God knew exactly when Felix would leave the city¡¢


    However, if they could some


    rid of Felix, it would be an added


    bonus.


    get


    Otherwise, they would simply have to wait for As to take matters into his own hands. Just then, Jared spotted Felix bolting out of Tranquil Clinic at full speed.


    "Ha! He really bought it. Let''s head to your ce and watch everything unfold."


    He had carefully nned the timing so Felix would have no opportunity to warn Delh. He even had


    someone temporarily block the cellphone signal in the area.


    Everything was going ordel


    n, as he had hoped.


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 Chapter 977

    The locations of Harmony Clinic and the Larsson residence were inpletely opposite directions. Jared spected that at Felix''s speed, there was no way he could make it to both ces in time to save Laura.


    So, once Felix made his move, he was certain to go to the Larsson residence. To guarantee the sess of this n, Jared threatened one of Andrew''s subordinates with life or death, forcing them to block all signals in the area surrounding Harmony Clinic.


    After all, Andrew held a high-ranking position in the city defense forces and had the power to make this happen.


    In Martial City, one of the four major cities under the rule of the royal family alongside Imperial City, various families held power and influence. However, they are all subordinate to the royal family, and their city defense forces are under theirmand.


    As time went by, in a courtyard belonging to the Larsson family in North City, Laura hung from a rope. Though she didn''t show any visible signs of physical harm, her appearance was disheveled and far from her usual put-together self.


    Several members of the Larsson family were gathered in the courtyard, but despite being Laura''s siblings, none of them showed any sympathy or concern.


    Some had nk expressions, while others seemed to enjoy the sight, highlighting Laura''s low status within the family.


    "Five minutes have passed, and Felix still hasn''t shown up? Is he really that unreliable?" Jared looked at his watch and grew increasingly irritated as the seconds ticked by.


    The thought of how he was beaten and even pped by such a person filled him with intense hatred. "Could it be that I underestimated him? Maybe his feelings toward Laura are not as strong as I thought?"


    If this idea had truth to it, it would render all their ns futile. But just then, two guards from the Larsson family walked in, with Felix trailing behind.


    Jared couldn''t contain his satisfaction. With Felix present, there was only one possible oue-death!


    The guards approached Jeremy Larsson, the head of the Larsson family, and spoke quietly into his ear.


    Jeremy''s expression turned to a frown as he responded, "Felix from Harmony Clinic? Why is he here at the Larsson residence?"


    Felix''s gaze shifted to Laura as she hung in midair, and a cold glint shed in his eyes. As far as he was concerned, Laura was now under his care and protection, so it was only natural for him to feel anger on her behalf. "I would like Mr. Jeremy to release Laura."


    Looking at Felix, Jeremyughed. "It''s been years since anyone dared to joke with me like this."


    The Larsson family members chuckled loudly in unison. "Where did this bold kide from? He''s got quite the nerve."


    "Does he think that simply joining Harmony Clinic makes him untouchable?"


    "Felix, right? The fact that you were even allowed to join our esteemed Larsson family shows respect toward Harmony Clinic. How dare you try to push your luck by making such a bold demand?"


    As the crowd jeered, Jeremy said again, "You have one opportunity. Crawl out of here. And remember, crawl! I will forgive your disrespect toward the Larsson family if youply.


    "Otherwise, the consequences will be worse than anything you can imagine. Consider this a courtesy from Harmony Clinic."


    Harmony Clinic stood out from other


    family factions in its structure. While


    some individuals might earn


    recognition and be epted into the organization, others were outright dismissed and ignored.


    Despite this reality, no one who had be a member of Harmony Clinic had ever voiced their dissatisfaction with this hierarchical system.


    "What if I say I''m the disciple of Madam Goddard from Harmony Clinic?"


    Felix had expected his statement to be met with fear, but instead, these people burst into even more boisterousughter.


    Jeremy even nced over at someone next to him."Jared, you seem to have an uncanny knack for predicting things."

 Chapter 978

    At that moment, Felix became aware of Jared''s presence and realized the situation. Jared rose from his seat as well. "Felix, I had a feeling you''d show up to rescue Laura.


    "That''s why I informed the head of the Larsson family beforehand, anticipating your attempt to deceive them by posing as Madam Goddard''s disciple."


    Laura, who was in the process of getting hung, desperately wanted to say something. However, she had been silenced and could not utter a single word.


    The look in her eyes disyed a silent plea for Felix to leave as soon as possible and not to worry about her. If they both stayed, they would never be able to escape.


    However, Felix ignored her and remarked coldly, "So, you don''t believe me?"


    Jeremy''s eyes narrowed as if he were staring at something beneath him.


    "So today you''re Madam Goddard''s disciple," he scoffed. "What about tomorrow? Will another kide along and im to be Mr. Earnhart''s disciple? And what about the day after that? It''s absurd, and here you are saying it in front of the Larsson family. You''re ying with fire!"


    His statement was logical and made sense. Without it,rger families would struggle to maintain peace. But Felix found it absurd. How could someone act so confidently without any proof or evidence to back them up? It was as if they were fearless of any consequences.


    "It appears you''ve been well-prepared for this. Time is limited, and there''s no cell phone reception. You have all the advantages of the right timing, location, and people on your side."


    Jared''s lips curled slightly, and he silently cursed Felix. "Stupid fool, only now do you realize it? It''s toote!"


    Jeremy raised his right hand and pointed at Felix. "Your attempt to save someone from the Larsson family shows a tant disrespect for our authority, young man. By the city''sws, I have every right to kill you on the spot."


    Felix curled his lip in disdain as he lifted his right hand, flinging something toward him. "Don''t be so eager to spout off threats. Examine this first, and then we''ll see if you have the guts to follow through."


    Jeremy furrowed his brow and


    reached out to grab the object. After a quick nce, he rose from his seat. "Felix, you still haven''t learned your lesson? If I allow you to leave unscathed today, it will disgrace the Larsson family. So don''t get any ideas.


    "However, if you are willing to kneel and act like a dog in front of me, perhaps I''ll be in a forgiving mood and speak on your behalf. Our families have been close for generations, after all."


    Felixpletely ignored Jared''s presence. He had already deemed him someone who had to be killed.


    As the Larsson family watched in anticipation of Felix''s downfall, Jeremy suddenly stood between them with an anguished expression. "Felix took at what has transpired. We almost had a rift that could never be healed."


    Felix grinned. "So, Mr. Jeremy, are you saying that you won''t try to end my life anymore?"


    Jeremy''s face flushed with humiliation, and he wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole.


    The echoes of his family''s taunts still echoed in his head, fueling a sudden outburst of anger. "Shut up all of you Show some respect! Felix is Madam Goddard''s disciple, and you have no right to mock him. Apologize to him immediately!"


    The Larsson family couldn''t believe what they were hearing. Jeremy''s voice continued to ring in their ears, making it impossible for them to deny its authenticity. "We''re sorry!"


    Who would dare withhold their apology? After all, even Jeremy had a pleading expression. "Felix, please don''t be angry. We didn''t realize your status!"


    Jared was still in a daze, unsure of what was unfolding before him. Without warning, Felix lifted his right hand and pointed at Mindy, who was standing nearby.


    Her expression changed suddenly when Felix said, "I don''t want to see her again. Is there an issue with that?"

 Chapter 979

    Jeremy was known for his ruthless nature. With a flick of his hand, he sent an invisible force toward Mindy. She had no time to even scream before she copsed in a pool of blood, her final sound unheard.


    Despite murdering his own family member, Jeremy acted as though it were no big deal and even managed to force a smile. "You can make one more request," he offered casually.


    Once again, Felix was reminded of the heartlessness of the inhabitants of Martial City. It was a ce where strength equaled power.


    "Release Laura. From now on, she has no rtion with the Larsson family."


    Jeremy waved his right hand again, and the ropes binding Laura snapped. Shended safely beside Felix.


    "Let''s go," Felix said.


    With a deep exhale, Jeremy finally rxed, only toe face-to-face with Jared. "Jeremy, I believe I''m owed an exnation, don''t you think?"


    Jeremy narrowed his eyes at Jared. If this guy weren''t the son of a high-ranking general in the city defense forces, he would have loved to give him a good p.


    "The object that Felix pulled out belongs to a respected member of the Larsson family. Madam Goddard once saved this elder''s life, and as a gesture of gratitude, he gave her this item. As long as someone presents it, the entire Larsson n is obligated to fulfill two tasks for them."


    "It appears that Felix is truly Madam Goddard''s disciple. Otherwise, how could he obtain such an item? Jared, I suggest you focus on your own affairs. The Larsson family no longer wishes to pursue any deals with your father. You may leave at this time."


    It was clear that the ongoing conflict between Jared and Felix had reached a point of no return. Felix''s future looked promising, having been epted as a disciple by Delh.


    But if Jeremy continued to associate with him and Felix held a grudge in the future, it could lead to trouble.


    Jared stood there, shocked and disbelieving. How could Delh choose someone like Felix to be her disciple? It seemed unbelievable.


    As they headed toward the clinic, Laura couldn''t help but feel guilty about the situation. "I''m sorry for causing you so much trouble."


    Felix smiled. "You belong to me now. It''s only natural for me to protect you. And this is just the start. Believe me, one day, you''ll have the power to stand above the entire Larsson family and make them truly regret their actions."


    Laura clenched and unclenched her fists before she nodded resolutely. She had no desire to return to that toxic family.


    Meeting Felix had been a blessing in disguise. With him by her side, the future seemed more hopeful than ever before.


    Once Felix was epted as a disciple, he had brought up Laura in conversation with Delh, who promptly handed him a special item to use in emergencies.


    The Larsson family was a minor issue for Delh. She had to put in some effort to remember that item Otherwise, it would have slipped her mindpletely. After all, plenty of people owed Delh favors, and the Larssons didn''t even make the list.


    So, using them to help Felix was not a big deal.


    Felix instructed Laura to go clean up and freshen up at the clinic before heading


    to Harmony Clinic to meet with Delh.


    A loud bang echoed through the room as Delh reacted to the news.


    She jumped out of her seat and eximed, "That Jared has some nerve! How


    dare he bully my disciple? That''s why our phone call was cut short. This brat must think his father can make all of this disappear."


    As Delh prepared to intervene, Felix interjected, "Madam Goddard, it''s not worth getting worked up over such a petty individual. I''ll handle himter. My concern is that his


    father may be overly protective and willing to do anything for his son."


    MS


    Jared himself may not have been intimidating, but his father was a powerful general in charge of the city''s defense forces. He had significant influence and could- manipte the city''sws, such cutting off phone signals and leaving someone helpless and unable to call for assistance.


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 Chapter 980

    Delh said, "Your words have brought back memories. That old man is cunning and sly. While I don''t consider him a real threat, removing him won''t be a simple task.


    "Hees from the royal lineage and holds a high position as the general of the city''s defense forces. His demise would not go unnoticed by the royal family."


    Felix was smart, but Delh''s tone hinted that there was more to the story. It seemed like she still had some limitations in Martial City, and there were certain individuals she couldn''t risk angering.


    "But don''t worry," Delh reassured. "I can easily transfer him out of North City to ensure your safety while you''re here."


    With that taken care of, Delh got down to business.


    "I''ve already submitted your application for the Intermediate Alchemy Assessment. It will take ce in five days at Harmony Clinic''s headquarters. Unfortunately, I won''t be able to apany you. I made a promise to an old friend to refine some pills for him. Your presence has caused me to be dyed."


    Delh couldn''te with him? Felix was about to speak up when Delh smiled and continued, "You don''t need to worry about safety. I have everything under control.


    "Dickson, the deputy chief of Harmony Clinic, will be your escort to headquarters and back. If anything happens to you while he is responsible for your safety, then it would truly be out of our hands."


    In many ways, Delh was simr to Gerald-she could speak such discouraging words with a calm demeanor.


    Four days flew by quickly. Laura had made a speedy recovery and was now assisting at Tranquil Clinic.


    She dressed much simpler now. Although she no longer gave off an air of being a Larsson family member, she seemed more genuine than before.


    "While I''m gone, you can go help out at Harmony Clinic. I''ve already spoken to Nellie."


    Felix was still concerned about leaving Laura on her own at the clinic. Even though Jared and Andrew had left North City, the Larsson family remained there. Who knew if there were any lunatics among them?


    "Thank you, Mr. Zeller," Laura replied.


    When they arrived at the entrance of Harmony Clinic, Nellie and Dickson were both there.


    "Don''t worry, Felix. I''ll definitely take good care of your little sweetheart," Nellie said.


    Laura''s cheeks flushed, and she looked down, unable to reply.


    Felix was starting to get used to Nellie''s straightforward way of speaking. "Then I''ll have to trouble you, Nellie."


    Nellie


    werfully blew a kiss to Felix


    and joked, "I should have known you


    were a genius back then. If only I had pushed harder."


    Dickson couldn''t take it anymore and cleared his throat. "Alright, alright. Let''s not use such crude


    Felix away now."


    At this point, Nellie''s expression turned serious. "Be careful."


    ...


    As soon as they were out of the city, As followed behind them, apanied by an elderly man.


    As was visibly ecstatic, and his body trembled with excitement.


    "Levi, this time it will definitely work, won''t it?" he asked eagerly.


    Beside him, Levi grinned. "No doubt about it. The Maximus family''s glory is on its way back."


    As gave himself a quick p on the cheek. He had been anticipating this day for what felt like an eternity. He thought the opportunity would take a while to present itself but it came unexpectedly fast.


    With that thought, Levi pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "They''ve already left the city," he reported.

 Chapter 981

    "Mr. Marlow, do you not like to drive or sit in cars?" Felix asked with curiosity while he and Dickson ran.


    "I don''t like that stuff. It''s too high-profile. I prefer traveling by foot, unless I''m traveling in a group. And you should call me Dicky or Dickson instead. ''Mr. Marlow'' sounds a little odd."


    Felix replied, "Sure. How about just ''Marlow'' then?"


    Dickson gave Felix a funny look. "Interesting. Usually, those who are close to me call me Dicky or Dickson. But you''re going for Marlow. Anyway, it doesn''t matter to me."


    In reality, Felix felt rather awkward calling someone Dicky, due to its association with the modern ng.


    "By the way, Marlow, where''s the headquarters of Harmony Clinic?"


    "It''s at the top of Sumera Mountain-rich in herbs. We''ve gotten the green light from the royalty to build our clinic on that mountain. In fact, we have the right to the entire mountain!"


    Felix was surprised to learn that Harmony Clinic''s headquarters was not set in Martial City. Still, if Harmony Clinic had the ambition to dominate the industry, it would be a formidable force.


    Fortunately, it was still a loosely organizedpany. But then again, such a structure had its pros and cons.


    In the evening, the two men came to a stop in a forest.


    "I''ll hunt for game."


    In no time, Dickson returned with a huge python. He said, "The python meat from


    this forest is fresh and tasty. You''ll know when you try it."


    He skinned and cut the python. Then, he started a fire with such ease. He probably lived alone in the wild very often.


    "Come! Have a taste!"


    After Dickson grilled the python meat, Felix took one of the cuts. He looked astonished after taking a bite. Even without seasoning, the meat was juicy and delicious.


    Dickson wasn''t joking about the taste of the python meat.


    "Felix, as a veteran, I have a few words for you."


    Felix immediately put on a serious face. "Go on, Marlow."


    Smiling, Dickson continued, "I don''t have any credibility in Martial City. I think it will take me at least one to two years to establish trust in the city. But there are exceptions. Sometimes, theck of trust will not only hurt oneself, but also the others."


    Felix had expected to get some insights from Dickson, only to hear such an ambiguous speech. Thankfully, he was smart enough to figure out the subtext.


    "Marlow, thanks for answering my questions."


    Felix was unable to tell Delh the truth about Dragonspine due to theplexity of the situation. After listening to Dickson''s advice, Felix refrained from sharing too many details as well.


    Fortunately, Dickson did not ask more questions. They devoured the python meat in silence.


    "Marlow, is there no realm higher than the Transcendent Realm? Is that truly the peak for all martial artists?" After eating, Felix finally blurted out his burning questions.


    "There is! And that''ll be the


    Grandmaster The Grandmaster


    reigns above all the martial artists,


    Sadly, no one after Yusri Maximus


    has ever achieved the status of a Grandmaster. Currently, the highest realm ever achieved in Martial City is the Transcendent Realm


    Dickson pointed at himself with a wry smile. "Take myself, for example. I have reached thete stage of Transcendent Realm, but I haven''t been able to break through over these years.


    "If mastering the Transcendent Realm proves to be this difficult, it''s no wonder no one dares dream of bing a Grandmaster. It''s not easy to advance to the Grandmaster Realm from the Transcendent Realm."


    Felix felt puzzled. "Well, I haven''t


    achieved that realm, but even I know that the alchemists can''t help the Transcendent Realm martial artists advance into the Grandmaster Realm. But surely they''ll be able to help those seeking to level up within the Transcendent Realm?

 Chapter 982

    Dickson nodded and started to pick his nose.


    "Oh, this feels great. Well, an alchemist can help, but we have a problem. There are ten alchemists who can cultivate pills for the early-stage and middle-stage Transcendent Realm martial artists. It''ll get harder from middle-stage tote-stage -only five alchemists are qualified.


    "For now, only Bern and Delh have the ability to cultivate pills needed for mastering the Transcendent Realm. Even then, their sess rates are dismally low¡ªout of ten attempts, they''re lucky if they manage to produce two pills."


    Huh? That sounded really incredulous.


    "As an alchemist, you need to understand that the rarer the pills, the more precious the herbs required. Gathering the ingredients for one attempt at cultivation takes a lot of time, effort, and emeralds. Factor in the slim sess rate, and you might walk away empty-handed. That''s why so many have failed in their quest to conquer the Transcendent Realm."


    Felix sank deep into his thoughts. The conversation with Dickson that day pointed him in a new direction. Perhaps it was worth a try. If he seeded, he could immediately wrap up his mission.


    Being a Grandmaster in Martial City would mean unrivaled. He''d be free to do anything he wanted.


    "See? I just told you about the consequences of ack of trust. And it''sing true now."


    Confused, Felix watched Dickson get up.


    Immediately, he sensed a buzz of activity heading in their direction. At the same time, Dickson spoke to him through telepathy.


    "Find an opportunity to escape. Don''t worry about me. The most they could do is gravely injure me. They won''t kill the deputy chief of Harmony Clinic, or they''re gonna trigger a war! I hope you have a way of protecting yourself."


    After Dickson spoke to him, six men showed up, with one among them being As.


    "It''s been a while, Mr. Marlow." One of the old men nodded at Dickson with a smile as though he were greeting an old friend after a chance meeting.


    "Wow. The other five elders of the Maximus family have shown up except Dean Maximus. What''s your huge n here?" While speaking, Dicksonmunicated with Felix via telepathy.


    He exined to Felix, "Those five old


    farts are elders of the Maximus


    family. Those two standing in the middle afe Jonah and Herbert Maximus, respectively. They''re both in thete-stage Transcendent Realm.


    "As for Dean Maximus, who is absent today, I assume he''s lurking somewhere in the dark. He has


    mastered the Transcendent Realm, which makes him the most powerful figure in Martial City.


    "My guess is that Dean will not show up today. It''s been many years since a battle between martial arts beyond the Transcendent Realm had happened in the Martial City."


    Felix''s expression clouded over. The Maximus family seemed to be the most elite family in Bedford. Just look at this frightening line-up!


    Still, he was confident in beating them. Although he was for Delh and Dickson,


    he had to keep the Dragonspine a secret-a request by Gerald he dared not defy.


    "Mr. Marlow, let''s be honest. You know very well why we are here."


    Dickson started to pick at his nose again, keeping hisposure in the face of the Maximus family line-up "Of course, I know. Let the grievances of the young be resolved among ourselves, shall we? Whoever wins will have the final say. It''s a promise."


    After thest word was spoken, As stepped forward with a wide smile on his


    face. "Do you truly mean that?"


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 Chapter 983

    "As the deputy chief of Harmony Clinic, I, Dickson Marlow, will not walk back on my promise," Dickson swore.


    The Maximus family members chortled at his reply.


    They knew for a fact that As was an early-stage Transcendent Realm martial artist. On the other hand, Felix was just a martial artist in the Physical Refinement Realm. The oue was already obvious.


    The Maximus family would prefer to bring Felix with them withoutying a finger on him.


    After all, it wasn''t their intention to offend those from Harmony Clinic, as that would mean insulting most alchemists in the industry. That might impede the growth of the Maximus family members in martial arts.


    Dickson''s prior analysis was on point¡ªeven if he got into a fight with the Maximus family, they wouldn''t kill him. The most they would do was to paralyze him so they could take Felix.


    If they killed Dickson, they would get into huge trouble with Harmony Clinic. "Do you agree with that, Felix?" Dickson seemed exasperated after seeing the threatening look in As'' eyes.


    "What else can I do? You''re forcing me into a corner," Felix said.


    Dickson and the five elders of the Maximus family immediately made way for Felix, each having their own thoughts.


    The Maximus family was confident in As''bat skills. On the other hand, Dickson was aware of Felix''s capability to fight the Skeletal Demon.


    Despite being injured, the Skeletal Demon was in the middle-stage of the Transcendent Realm. Dickson feared that As would be in for a tough ride.


    "Felix, in our first battle, I left youpletely powerless to fight back. This time won''t be any different!"


    As started the attack. A cloud of demonic ck smoke appeared atop his head after he waved his arms, but it vanished soon.


    Felix also made his move with the Shadow Strike, followed by the Rising Dragon to face his enemy. His energy shed with the ck cloud from As.


    As was undoubtedly one of the geniuses who made it to the Top Ten Menaces of Martial City. Hisbat power was not to be underestimated.


    Without warning, As leaped into the air with the ck smog underneath him. He shed against Felix''s Hidden Dragon move.


    At the same time, As waved his right arm, causing a massive ck arm to form in the air and wing toward Felix.


    "The eyes of the dragon!" Following Felix''smand, two massive dragon eyes abruptly formed in the sky. The silver rays shooting from that pair of eyes immediately


    pierced through As'' ck v


    swney


    "The growl of the dragon!" Taking advantage of As''nding, Felix suddenly charged at him and bellowed, sending a thunderous sound across the air.


    "Hmph! He certainly has a trick or two." As remainedposed. Some of the ck smog settled on his ears.


    He dashed toward Felix. "Oh, you want closebat? I''ll give you that!"


    When they collided, a cloud of dust erupted around them. Not a single tree in the area remained standing. Cracks spread across the ground, widening with each passing moment.


    As Felix unleashed the Dragon Fist, As wasted no time in fully engaging in the battle.


    Dark smog billowed into the air with every powerful swing of his limbs, radiating a terrifying energy.


    "Felix Zeller is a practitioner of Dragons Destroyer for sure! He''s able to battle those from higher realms!"


    "So what? I bet As has had enough fun. It''s time he brings out the ultimate weapon."


    The other elders of the Maximus familymunicated with each other via telepathy. Obviously, they had confidence in As, judging by how they sent him to the battle despite knowing that Felix was trained in the Dragons Destroyer technique.


    "Felix Zeller, I don''t have time to y these games with you." Without warning, As used the momentum from their sh to his advantage. He swiftly retreated, thenunched a powerful punch upward.


    He yelled, "Obsidian Sky!"


    For the first time, the ck smog thickened beyond imagination. It spread out around Felix and rose about 300 feet above him, covering him tightly like a web.

 Chapter 984

    Inside the ck smog was a perilous situation. The ck mist seemed alive, stretching out countless tentacles that charged at Felix.


    "Dancing Dragon!" Felix let out anothermand.


    The battle raged inside the smog. But outside, As stood with his arms crossed and a faint smile on his lips.


    "Mr. Marlow, don''t worry. I have it under control. I won''t kill him."


    Although he didn''t receive a response from Dickson, it didn''t dampen As'' confidence in winning the battle.


    This was his most powerful technique. When Obsidian Sky was unleashed, even an early-stage Transcendent Realm practitioner of the same level would suffer defeat on the spot. Middle-stage Transcendent practitioners would struggle to defend against it.


    As for Felix, so what if he had trained in the Dragon Destroyer technique? The Maximus family was a formidable force among martial artists.


    Suddenly, they heard a soft sound as a gap appeared in the ck smog. Something surged out from inside.


    As'' expression changed drastically. The figure moved so quickly and suddenly that he couldn''t react in time. He could only raise his arms in front of him.


    "Rising Dragon!"


    Of course, the person who emerged was Felix, but strangely, his body appeared to be covered in something like scales.


    This was also a technique from Dragon Destroyer, the only defensive technique within it-the Dragon Scales. It was precisely because of this that Felix dared to break through Obsidian Sky, catching As off guard with a surprise attack.


    Even with the sturdy defense of Dragon Scales, Felix still suffered a slight injury. This showed just how powerful As'' attack really was.


    Two loud crashes echoed as As was sent flying backward.


    Not only had As taken Felix''s Rising Dragon move head-on, but in the moment Felix charged out, As had also been struck by the Hidden Dragon technique.


    In other words, As had taken two hits in the blink of an eye.


    A spray of blood shot out, scattering in mid-air.


    Felix wasn''t about to let the opportunity slip by. He immediately took the advantage, aiming to finish off As right there.


    "How dare you, you brat!"


    A fierce st of energy surged toward him. Felix halted in his tracks as Dickson appeared in front of him, easily deflecting the attack from one of the Maximus family''s elders.


    "The four elders of the Maximus family, may I ask for the meaning behind that attack? A young man''s battle is none of your business. How could you bully the weak?"


    At that moment, As had been caught. His face was as pale as paper, and he quickly swallowed several pills, barely managing to


    straighten up and stand his ground.


    At that moment, rage filled his face. He never thought he would lose to Felix, especially since Felix was only at the Physical Refinement Realm, an entire realm below him.


    Was the legacy left by the family still iplete? Was Dragon Destroyer really that powerful?


    If As knew that Felix had fought him without even using his hidden trump card, the Lone Paragon technique, he probably would be stupefied.


    "Hmph!" At this moment, Jonah stepped forward. "Dickson! Enough talk. We need to take Felix with us. Are you going to let us or not?"


    Dickson smiled. "I don''t understand. Did he kill someone from your family, or did he desecrate your ancestors'' graves?


    "Are things really that serious? By the way, the battle''s already over, and Felix won. As a reputable family, you should just leave now."


    Jonah sneered and exchanged nces with the others.


    "Well, Mr. Marlow, I understand your decision now. If that''s the case, let''s settle this with a battle. We''re taking Felix today, and no one can stop us!"


    "Get him!"


    Dickson''s smile faded as he quickly instructed Felix before charging forward.


    "Run when you have the chance. If you really can''t escape your fate, I''ll make sure to build you the most expensive grave in all of Martial City."

 Chapter 985

    The battle was raging on the other side, but Felix was not having it easy either.


    Five elders from the Maximus family had arrived after him. Two of them, at thete-stage of the Transcendent Realm, teamed up to fight Dickson, while the other three, at the middle-stage of the Transcendent Realm,unched an attack on Felix.


    "You guys really have no shame. You''re two realms above me, and still, you gang up on me three-to-one!" Felix hadunched his Lone Paragon technique and was struggling to keep up.


    "Just shut up. Your fate is sealed," one of them sneered.


    They didn''t even acknowledge Felix''s victory from the earlier fight, so why would they care about the ethics of ganging up on him?


    A few minutester, Dickson was injured from the fight, while Felix was still desperately holding on. The fact that Felix was still in the fight rmed the three middle-stage Transcendent Realm elders from the Maximus family.


    They thought, "Damn it, what''s going on with this kid? Even if heunched the Dragon Destroyer technique, he shouldn''t be able to take on three of us from two realms above him!"


    As was absolutely furious as he watched the battle from the sidelines. He felt like his pride had been crushed and repeatedly trampled on.


    Judging by what was happening now, Felix clearly did not use his full force when they had fought earlier. If Felix had fought him the way he did now, As knew he wouldn''t evenst ten seconds.


    "It doesn''t matter. He won''t be able to protect that Dragonspine within him anymore. Whatever secrets he has, they''re all mine now¡ªall mine!"


    Finally, Felix took three hits in a row and crashed into arge tree. He spat out a mouthful of blood.


    Even with Lone Paragon, which tripled his power, it still wasn''t enough. After all, he was up against three middle-stage Transcendent Realm elders. If he could beat them, he would almost be able to walk around the martial world without fear.


    There was no choice now-he had to use the token given to him by the Protector. Once he shattered that token, someone woulde to rescue him. It seemed unlikely anyone could arrive that quickly to this remote area, but it was his only option.


    Felix hadn''t nned to use the paper figures that Billy had given him just yet. After all, Billy was probably more reliablepared to the Protector.


    Just as Felix was about to crush the token, a voice suddenly echoed in the air.


    "I feel so miserable¡ª"


    Everyone froze. The voice carried a deep sadness that seemed to infect everyone, even sending a shiver down their spines.


    "What''s going on?"


    Dickson appeared by Felix''s side. Despite being injured, he was on high alert. He


    sensed that something terrifying was about to happen.


    "Why didn''t you run? Why are you still fighting them?"


    Hearing the voice from telepathy, Felix smiled bitterly. "Dude, three of the


    Maximus family elders are ganging up on me. How could I run?"


    "I feel so miserable_"


    The same voice rang out again. This time, it felt much closer.


    Even Felix could feel the hair on his body stand on end. A wave of uneasiness spread through him. He quickly pulled out the little paper figure from Billy, ready to use it at any moment.


    Even when facing the three Maximus family elders, he had only nned to use the token from the Protector. Now, even without seeing the source of the voice, he could tell how terrifying that figure was


    "Who''s there? Show yourself!" one of the Maximus family elders yelled, clearly unable to stand it anymore.


    But before he finished his speech, they heard a soft popping sound. He slowly looked down, only to find a hand emerging from his back, holding a still-beating heart.


    Dickson inhaled sharply.


    One of the middle-stage Transcendent Realm elders had been killed instantly. Even the victim himself hadn''t sensed a thing before his death. How powerful exactly was that attacker?


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 Chapter 986

    "I feel so miserable-"


    The same sound echoed again. Another elder from the Maximus family fell victim -his heart ripped out on the spot with no resistance from him whatsoever.


    This time, due to the different angle, Felix and Dickson both saw the terrifying figure. It was a woman dressed in a filthy, tattered white dress. Her hair was a wild mess, and her face barely visible.


    "Let''s go!"


    The remaining four members of the Maximus family hesitated for a moment but immediately chose to flee.


    This was simply too bizarre. The mysterious woman appeared all of a sudden and had already killed two of their elders with no visible techniques or essence.


    Their morale was utterly crushed.


    "I feel so miserable-"


    The four words were like a death sentence. As the Maximus family members fled in fear, even Felix and Dickson quickly turned around, readying their defenses.


    But behind them was no trace of the strange woman. Instead, a scream echoed from a distance-another Maximus elder had his heart ripped out and died on the spot.


    The woman didn''t vanish. Instead, her body stiffly turned, and she peered at them through her long hair.


    A light breeze lifted a few messy strands of her hair, allowing Felix a glimpse of one of her eyes.


    In the next moment, she disappeared, and with it, the haunting words ceased. That seemed to signal the end of the strange urrence.


    "Has she left?" Dickson swallowed hard. He, a seasoned fighter, had just shed with two elders of the same realm from the Maximus family.


    While he would have ultimately lost, holding his ground against them for a few minutes was a testament to his strength. Yet, he seemed shaken to the core after the encounter with the woman.


    "She should have," Felix responded distractedly, his mind in turmoil.


    The moment their eyes met, Felix recognized her-the elusive woman was none other than Zara, Ss'' disciple who had gone missing some time ago.


    Zara had left when the Twinshade Body was activated, and now, she had mysteriously appeared in Martial City, exhibiting signs of severe mental disarray.


    Could this strange state be the result of her battle against the Twinshade Body?


    The sight of the three dead Maximus elders, all of whom had attacked Felix earlier and wounded him, further confirmed Zara''s identity.


    "Zara, what has happened to you?" Felix wondered with a sigh.


    Felix couldn''t find the words to describe the situation. Everything that had happened today was anticipated, except for Zara''s sudden appearance.


    "This ce is no longer safe. Who knows when that freakish woman will return? Let''s go," Dickson said.


    The two of them took some pills, made a few leaps, and vanished into the forest, leaving behind the three deadMaximus elders with their still-beating hearts.


    However, Felix didn''t know that there were others in the forest-one of them being


    Delh, who had been secretly refining pills in seclusion.


    She was surrounded by six people, each with an imposing presence.


    "Who is that woman?" Delh asked in shock, but no one could answer. None of


    them had experienced anything this bizarre before.


    That mysterious woman was a


    terrifying force, as she had Instantly killed the middle-stage


    Transcendent Realm martial artists without using a technique or


    releasing some sort onts


    After a long silence, someone''s voice broke through.


    "I might know something."

 Chapter 987

    One of the old men spoke up. Everyone, including Delh, turned to look. Only then did they realize he was the oldest among them.


    "When I was young, I once followed our family''s founder to witness Yusri Maximus in action."


    Yusri Maximus? The founder of the Maximus family, the only one to have reached the Grandmaster Realm?


    "You all should know that Grandmaster Realm warriors are considered the


    pinnacle of martial artists because, upon reaching that realm, they can cultivate a power known as a domain."


    Delh nodded. "That''smon knowledge, but the problem is, no one really knows what a domain looks like because no one has ever seen one."


    The old man gestured at the bodies of the three Maximus elders.


    "What you just witnessed might have been a domain, though not exactly so. It''s simr to what Yusri had exhibited.


    "In a domain, a Grandmaster Realm martial artist is absolutely invincible. No matter your realm, once trapped inside a domain, you''re no different from an ordinary person."


    From the sounds of it, the horrifying scene just now did seem to resemble a domain. The three Maximus elders could not even resist the attack and got their hearts ripped out. They were no different from ordinary people who ran into a martial artist.


    "Is that woman a Grandmaster? That sounds unlikely."


    The old man shook his head.


    "I''m just specting. But one thing you all must have noticed-the three who died were the ones who attacked Felix. The others are unharmed."


    Even Delh fell silent. How could she not have noticed?


    Did that terrifying woman show up to help Felix? But if that were true, why didn''t she give Felix a heads-up? It was all too strange.


    "Delh, no matter what, that precious disciple of yours seems rather extraordinary. As for that woman, we should pretend we never saw her and not spread word of it. The longer I live, the more afraid I am of death. I don''t want to wake up one night with my heart ripped out."


    The others shuddered. It was true; it was better to pretend they hadn''t seen anything. If that woman could kill a middle-stage Transcendent Realm martial artist with ease, she must have noticed their presence in the forest.


    "Since I haven''t done any favor for you today, my debt still stands. Delh, I''m leaving now. If you ever need anything, just reach out to me, and I''lle."


    A few of the others had thought that just by showing up, they''d return their favors to Delh. But after hearing the old man''s words, they were amazed by his shrewdness.


    Even if Delh took a backseat, this new disciple of hers-provided he didn''t die young¡ªwould surely achieve even greater feats in the future.


    At that point, their connections would be more valuable, especially with that mysterious woman involved.


    Everyone immediately sang the same tune as the old man.


    "Felix, how many more secrets are you hiding?" Delh sighed as she left.


    How could she truly allow Dickson to protect Felix alone?


    Although there was nothing wrong with doing that, Delh, having lived for so long, could tell that things wereplicated between Felix and As. That was why she had


    swn yet


    brought a group of people with her.


    She intended to make a move at a critical moment. She wanted Felix to experience the dangers of the martial world and strengthen their bond as master and disciple.


    But who would have expected such a terrifying woman to show up and resolve Felix''s trouble?


    Meanwhile, the remaining members of the Maximus family had already run out of the forest. After carefully observing their surroundings, they finally stopped to catch their breath.


    "Who was that woman? Who exactly was she?"


    As roared in fury as he felt his heart break into pieces.


    They had failed to bring Felix back with them to steal his Dragonspine in this meticulously nned operation. Not only that, the mission had also cost the family three members-a devastating loss.

 Chapter 988

    One of the Maximus family''s elders said, "It doesn''t matter who she is. The mission failed. Unless Dean takes action himself the next time, no one from the family will make another move for a long time."


    "Exactly. And we still have to worry about whether Delh or Harmony Clinic wille knocking on our door for an exnation. Let''s just forget about that terrifying woman."


    In truth, there was one thought As hadn''t shared-those who died were the ones who attacked Felix.


    Could that woman have been Felix''s ally?


    But he refused to consider that possibility, as admitting it would mean that there was no hope left for them.


    ...


    Meanwhile, Dickson and Felix slowed their pace. Dickson, for one, felt like he''d narrowly escaped death.


    "I''ve faced countless life-and-death situations, but never before have I experienced true despair. That woman managed to make me feel it."


    Wiping the sweat off his brow, Dickson couldn''t help but shudder. Although the dead were all middle-stage Transcendent Realm fighters, he, as ate-stage Transcendent Realm martial artist, still wouldn''t have stood a chance against that monstrous woman. How could he not be afraid?


    "No matter what, she resolved our crisis. We should be grateful to her." Dickson forced a bitter smile.


    Felix''s emotions, however, were far moreplicated. Who could''ve guessed he''d see Zara in such a moment-and in such a disoriented state?


    "She did save us," Felix admitted atst.


    Dickson didn''t mention that Delh had brought a group of skilled fighters who were waiting in the shadows, ready to intervene at any critical moment.


    However, that mysterious woman had derailed their ns.


    "Let''s keep moving and reach Harmony Clinic headquarters as soon as possible. I don''t want to run into that woman again."


    They traveled through the night, and by noon the next day, a mountain finally came into view.


    "That''s Sumera Mountain. Luckily, nothing happened to us on the way here."


    Dickson let out a deep sigh of relief. The mere thought of encountering Zara again was enough to give him nightmares for nights toe.


    "Marlow, I have a question. Why did you say earlier that the Maximus family patriarch probably didn''t participate in the mission?" Felix finally broke his silence as they


    swneve


    advanced toward Sumera Mountain.


    "There''s this unspoken rule in Martial City-those who''ve reached Grandmaster Realm should avoid intervening, or it could lead to chaos.


    "Aside from the royal families, most factions, ns, and sects only have one Grandmaster Realm expert, with a rare few having two. Think about it-if their strongest were forced to join the battle, there would be no hope for the other martial artists."


    It all made sense now. Felix immediately connected it to the rules in international rtions. A Grandmaster Realm expert in the martial world was equivalent to a nuclear weapon in a country''s arsenal.


    Once deployed, any negotiation was off the table.


    "Well, this is where I leave you. We''ve entered Harmony Clinic''s territory now. If there''s any danger, the chief won''t just stand by. You have nothing to worry about.


    "Even though you''re Delh''s disciple, it''s better to stick to protocol during such an important evaluation. Otherwise, it might give rise to unnecessary rumors."


    Felix bowed. "Marlow, thank you for your care along the journey. I won''t forget it, and I will repay your kindness in the future."


    Once Dickson disappeared from


    view, Felix made his way toward the foot of the mountain. The so-called evaluation, did not faze him at all; instead, his thoughts lingered on Zara. He wondered whether, in her current state, she could resist the corrosive force of the Twinshade Body.


    When he was deep in thought, the sound of a car horn startled him. He stepped


    aside, simply assuming he was in someone''s way.


    But the horn red again several times, snapping Felix out of his thoughts. His already restless mood turned sour as he frowned.


    Were they looking for trouble?

 Chapter 989

    Felix turned around. A Mercedes-Benz SUV had pulled up behind him, honking incessantly.


    Felix couldn''t help butugh in exasperation. This wasn''t some bustling metropolis with proper roads, traffic lights, or strict rules.


    It was open terrain, with no boundaries or designatednes to worry about. Martial City''s t ground made for smooth travel without much risk of bumps.


    The driver was clearly picking a fight on purpose. "Hey, kid! What are you staring at? Never seen such a nice car? Get out of the way!"


    The car door opened, and a young man stepped out. He pointed rudely at Felix.


    "The road''s wide enough. I''ve already moved over. What more do you want?" Felix replied coolly.


    The young man''s expression darkened with anger. "What the hell? Are you trying to teach me how to behave? Do you even know who''s sitting in this car? The disciple of Harmony Clinic''s chief steward is in the backseat! How dare you disrespect us?"


    The Chief Steward? That was a rank higher than Nellie and usually reserved for alchemists.


    Felix hesitated for a moment, but he stepped aside soon. He didn''t want to cause any trouble for Delh. Letting it slide was the easier choice.


    The young man smirked smugly. "Heh, see? That wasn''t so hard. You could have saved yourself from a scolding, you pathetic fool."


    The Mercedes-Benz sped off.


    Felix resumed his journey, soon noticing that the SUV was driving straight ahead without making any turn.


    The driver simply honked or got out to show off whenever people were in his way. It was all just to unt their status.


    As Felix moved closer to the mountain, the road became busier, with more people and vehicles appearing-likely others on their way to take the Intermediate Alchemy Assessment.


    Given the mix of participants, it was no surprise to run into all kinds of characters.


    At the foot of the mountain, Felix made it through a checkpoint before beginning his ascent.


    "Wow! Look at these cierthorns, Azure Blossoms, and True Essence Fruits! These are all rare herbs! This mountain really is extraordinary."


    "No kidding. Only Harmony Clinic has the privilege of owning a mountain where rare medicinal herbs grow naturally."


    "I''d love to gather some."


    "Hah! Go ahead and try. If you pick anything without approval, you''ll be expelled from the clinic at best, or lose you life at worst. Why do you think no one dares touch these herbs on the way up? There''s a reason the herbs are unguarded."


    While listening to the chatter around him, Felix couldn''t help but think. If such a mountain existed in a big city, it would''ve been stripped bare in no time. Only by harvesting in moderation and carefully tending to thend could they enjoy the


    xelie


    benefits over the long term.


    "Hey, I''m Barry Lufter. You''re also here for the Intermediate Alchemy Assessment,


    right?" A chubby man appeared at Felix''s side and greeted him.


    "Yes. I''m Felix Zeller."


    Barry''s round figure immediately reminded Felix of Billy, which left a good impression on him.


    "Felix, you must be incredibly talented to be taking the Intermediate Alchemy Assessment at such a young age. That''s impressive."


    Felix chuckled, feeling a bit awkward at the sudden ttery. "You don''t look much older than me yourself."


    Scratching the back of his head, Barry smiled sheepishly. "I''m not as young as I look. I''ve taken some special elixirs that slow down aging.


    "Truth is, I''m a bit older, and this is my third attempt at the Intermediate Assessment. If I fail again, I''ll have to consider a different career. Maybe alchemy just isn''t for me."


    "It''s your third attempt?" Felix raised an eyebrow, looking surprised.


    Laughter erupted from a group nearby. "Ha! Look at that! Barry Lufter has a friend! How hrious is that?"


    The sudden mockery made Barry''s face sh with fear. He quickly turned and bowed toward the group with a pleading expression, hoping they would spare him.

 Chapter 990

    Someone piped up, "Huh? Johnny, look over there. That''s the idiot who blocked our way before standing next to Barry! Birds of a feather, huh? No wonder they''re friends. Haha!"


    The man named Johnny was an extremelyposed and handsome young man. He didn''t respond at all and continued walking.


    Beside him was a stunningly beautiful woman with an air of nobility and a


    disdainful look in her eyes.


    "You''re right. Justpare our status to theirs. Even talking to them will tarnish our dignity. Let''s go."


    Once the trio left, Felix asked Barry, "Do you have a grudge against them?"


    Barry gave a bitter smile. "Not really. I would never provoke them. During thest Intermediate Alchemy Assessment, that guy tripped when he wasing up the mountain, probably because he was distracted.


    "Iughed at him just like everyone else did. Ever since then, he''s held a grudge. He picks on me whenever he gets the chance."


    He added nervously, "By the way, take my experience as a lesson-we can''t afford to mess with those people."


    Through Barry''s exnation, Felix learned that the three individuals were from the prominent Brennan family in Denverville. The talkative guy was Colin, and Johnny was his older brother. The woman was named Josie.


    "Actually, the Brennans are just a self-proimed prestigious family. Their rise only happened because Johnny has exceptional alchemy talent and was taken in as a disciple by a chief steward at Harmony Clinic.


    "The whole family benefited from Johnny''s sess. It''s funny how fate works. After Johnny, his cousin Josie also turned out to have impressive alchemy talent. She''s here to take the Intermediate Alchemy Assessment; Johnny and Colin are just apanying her."


    Felix chuckled. "You know quite a lot. Are you from Denverville as well?"


    "Yeah. I have an uncle working in the city defense forces. Colin would''ve already made my life miserable if I didn''t have an uncle in the forces."


    If Felix remembered correctly, the Hughman family hailed from


    Denver ville as well. Once he


    the Transcendent Realm, heered


    have


    to fulfill his promise to N.


    At the mountaintop stood Harmony Clinic, a vast architecturalplex that was


    not only magnificent but also uniquely styled.


    The structures were made of enormous cyan-colored stones, creating an


    imposing sight¡ªa true engineering marvel.


    The participants arriving for the assessment had no idea that someone was watching their entrance at the top of the tallest tower.


    "Mr. Whitwell, that''s Felix over there."


    Dickson stood beside an elderly man with white hair, pointing toward Felix as he introduced him.


    "He doesn''t look like much," Ezra Whitwell, the chief of Harmony Clinic, remarked.


    Despite being an extraordinarily


    powerful martial artist in the Grandmaster Realm, Ezra was slightlycking in his alchemy skills. "But if Delh has taken an interest in him, he must be top-tiero alchemy genius."


    "That kid has plenty of secrets," Dickson said with a smirk. "Delh told me he hails from the capital."


    After hearing this, Ezra''s eyes flickered with excitement. "Now, that''s impressive. If you hadn''t mentioned it, I might''ve forgotten the capital even existed."


    Dickson, while halfway through an absentminded gesture of picking his nose, froze in embarrassment and quickly stopped when he realized the chief was beside him.


    He muttered, "Delh says Felix has a mentor and that he''s from the capital can''t begin to imagine the man who''s mentoring Felix. Felix is practically wless-both in martial arts and alchemy."


    Ezra, who seemed about to say something, suddenly swallowed hard. "Dickson,


    do you still remember a certain someone?"

 Chapter 991

    Dickson shrugged it off, but something suddenly crossed his mind that made his throat go dry.


    "Are you talking about... the Ancient Sage?" he asked.


    Ezra nodded. "Indeed. If anyone in the capital could discover and nurture such talent, I can''t think of anyone else who could."


    The Ancient Sage was a legendary name in Martial City. Even now, no one dared to mention it in public. It was only whispered about in private conversations. No one knew for certain whether the Ancient Sage had truly achieved the rank of Grandmaster.


    "Interesting. I''ll personally oversee this year''s Intermediate Alchemy Assessment."


    Seeing how Ezra wanted to change the subject, Dickson yed along with a lightugh.


    This year, 86 candidates had registered for the Intermediate Alchemy Assessment. They were all currently staying at Harmony Clinic''s headquarters. The assessment would begin at sunrise tomorrow, which would give them ample time to rest from their journeys.


    As fate would have it, Felix and Barry ended up sharing a room.


    "Felix, do you know what the next big event is? It''s the Xavier family''s annual Battle for the Bride in Westville." Barry was an outgoing fellow who seemed to know everything about everyone and hadn''t stopped talking since they entered


    the room.


    "The Battle for the Bride? Is it about Nerissa Xavier?"


    Felix, who had been quietly listening until now, frowned. Hadn''t Nerissa already acknowledged her engagement with him and imed him as her future husband? Why would there be a marriage tournament? Could she be ying both sides? Barry''s eyes widened at Felix''s response. "Felix, you''re really out of the loop! You must be the only person in Martial City who thinks this is about Nerissa."


    Felix feigned embarrassment and asked, "How so?"


    "Nerissa is one of the Top Ten Menaces and an absolute beauty. She''s publicly stated that she''s engaged, but everyone thinks that''s just her way of keeping suitors at bay. Nobody knows who this supposed fianc¨¦ actually is."


    Felix was surprised. It seemed J Xavier had been telling the truth. For Nerissa to make such a public


    deration without everet


    him was remarkable. He could not help but admire her conviction, even though they had never met.


    "That''s true. The Xavier family must have many eligible women."


    Barry chuckled. "Yes and no to that. This isn''t about some ordinary member from


    a branch family. The tournament has been running for three years now, and it''s actually for Nerissa''s sister, J Xavier.


    "She''s also a stunning beauty, but she''s got quite a fierce personality. She believes only someone who can defeat her inbat deserves to be her husband.


    "When the news first broke, people were thrilled. Winning meant not only marrying the beautiful J but also gaining the backing of the powerful Xavier family.


    Unfortunately, no one has managed to defeat her in the past two years."


    So it was J. That certainly matched her personality.


    "J must be quite formidable, then."


    Barry nodded. "Absolutely! She recently reached Boneforging Realm. Under the tournament rules, no one at True Blood Realm could match her in the past two years.


    "The Xavier family must have umted some serious good karma to produce such brilliant sisters. Just as J broke through to Boneforging Realm, word got out two days ago that Nerissa had advanced to the early stage of Transcendent Realm."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 992

    Dear God! Nerissa had reached Transcendent Realm, too? Felix realized he had been progressing rather slowly-even his fianc¨¦e had surpassed him now. Still, her talent was truly terrifying.


    Felix knew that N also possessed remarkable martial talent. But after the ident that scarred her face, her mental state became unstable. It became impossible for her to focus on practicing martial arts.


    As Felixy in bed that night, something felt off. Barry had gone to the bathroom and was taking an unusually long time.


    Just as Felix was considering checking on him, Barry returned, appearing normal. However, he could not deceive Felix''s keen perception.


    Felix immediately took out a pill and approached him. "Take this."


    Barry paused before epting it. "Thanks."


    He had suffered significant internal injuries, so someone had clearly attacked him. "Felix, you''re a good man. Really, thank you."


    Felix did not pry, and Barry did not give any information, either. The night passed peacefully.


    The next day at sunrise, the Intermediate Alchemy Assessment officially began. All participants gathered in a small za. When they saw who emerged, everyone grew excited.


    "My God! It''s Mr. Whitwell!"


    "What''s going on? It''s just an intermediate assessment. Mr. Whitwell never shows up for these."


    One of themughed as he said, "If we can catch his attention with our skills today, our future is set!"


    Only Felix quietly observed Ezra.


    Having been with Harmony Clinic for some time, he had heard plenty about thetter. Even Deborah deeply respected him, which was a testament to his influence.


    "You are the future pirs of Harmony Clinic. I hope to see your best performance in this assessment!


    "I dere that the first person to sessfully cultivate their pill may choose any medicinal herb as a reward, regardless of its value. Consider it part of your legacy."


    After Ezra''s announcement, even Felix grew excited. If any herb was avable, he already knew what he wanted, would be something so rare


    teven Deborah could st


    obtain it, found only on this mountain where Harmony Clinic stood.


    "Let us begin."


    Though there were 86 participants, Harmony Clinic''s headquarters had more than enough private chambers for everyone to cultivate pills simultaneously.


    Once everyone entered their


    chambers through various corridors


    from the za, the Intermediate Alchemy Assessment officiallymenced. Everyone knew which pill they needed to process


    beforehand. Yet each year, many still failed to make the cut.


    Dickson and Ezra took their seats in the za. With their cultivation level, they could easily wait for several days.


    "Mr. Whitwell, you''re being quite generous this time," Dickson teased.


    "Herbs are meant for pill cultivation. What''s wrong with such a reward?" Ezra shot back.


    Dickson smiled. "Aren''t you worried that Felix might be the first to emerge?"


    Having served under Ezra for many years, he naturally understood him well. Such


    a sudden big reward was clearly meant for Felix.


    "Would that happen? It would be a total joke if someone Madam Goddard values so much were to falter in their performance."

 Chapter 993

    Aside from Ezra and Dickson, many others were waiting. All were aplished martial artists who could easily wait for several days.


    Among them were the Brennan brothers, Colin and Johnny. Their cousin, Josie, was participating in the assessment.


    "Johnny, could there be problems? Isn''t this too risky?" Colin fidgeted nervously, his eyes darting like a thief''s toward Ezra. His voice trembled even through the telepathicmunication.


    "Shut up! Is this something we can control? Who knew Mr. Whitwell would make such a promise? Every risk is worth it."


    Colin fell silent, though his heart remained unsettled.


    Harmony Clinic provided herbs to alchemists, but that came with limitations. While most pills usedmonly avable ingredients, the particrly precious herbs were typically distributed based on merit or other ranking systems.


    Thus, Ezra''s sudden announcement of such a reward needed no boration on its value.


    Three days passed, and the previously bored crowd grew alert.


    The required pill for this assessment was the Phantom Mist Pill. When used during escape, it could generate a fog covering nearly two miles. It would not only block vision but also conceal one''s presence from getting detected.


    Everyone''s attention peaked because even veteran alchemists needed at least two and a half days to create the Phantom Mist Pill. For these candidates, three days would be the absolute limit, and that was only for those with exceptional talent.


    "That brat should being out soon." Ezra stroked his chin as Dickson nodded.


    "Given Madam Goddard''s demanding standards, he should be."


    Minutes after they spoke, two figures emerged from separate corridors. "Interesting. I can''t believe there''s another one."


    One was Felix, but the other


    surprised both Ezra and Dickson. They had expected Felix''s quick emergence, given Deborah''s


    mentorship. But someone being able to match his speed and emerge at the same time as him was unexpected.


    "Damn it! Why did someone else finish so quickly? It''s almost the same time as Josie!"


    The Brennan brothers'' lifted spirits plummeted when they saw Felix appear. Colin especially recognized Felix instantly. "It''s that trash who


    was with Barry. How could he be so talented at alchemy? Impossible!"


    Johnny remained silent. No matter how impossible it seemed, it was reality. They had not expected this wildcard to appear. Hopefully, he wouldn''t disrupt their ns.


    As they walked toward the center, Felix remained unbothered. After all, it was simply wrong to think that he should be the only outstanding person in the world.


    Josie, however, was less epting.


    ???


    Her eyes filled with doubt and disdain, nearly spelling out "unworthy" on her face. How dare someone match her pace, especially this nobody she had seen with Barry yesterday?


    "Excellent! Two people have managed to finish at such speed. It''s truly a blessing


    for Harmony Clinic." Ezra stood up, beaming.


    As the chief of the clinic, he naturally hoped for the organization''s prosperity. The more talented alchemists there were, the better.

 Chapter 994

    "Mr. Webb, please evaluate this," Ezra said.


    A middle-aged man stepped forward. As Harmony Clinic''s chief steward, Wyatt Webb served as the head examiner for this Intermediate Alchemy Assessment.


    "Josie and Felix, youpleted your pills at the same time. Now open your boxes so we can check your pill-forming rate."


    Josie opened her box, revealing six Phantom Mist Pills.


    The crowd gasped. Producing six pills on the first attempt just proved her terrifying talent.


    "Josie Brennan, six pills."


    The Brennan brothers smiled. With such a pill-forming rate, the oue seemed clear. Though Felix had caught them off guard by appearing at the same time as Josie, the final result had not changed, so it didn''t matter.


    Ezra and Dickson exchanged pleased nces.


    Felix was quite surprised. He hadn''t expected Josie''s pill-forming rate to be so high. Clearly, talent had little to do with character.


    When he opened his box, another wave of gasps arose. Insidey six pills, identical to Josie''s.


    "Felix Zeller, six pills."


    Wyatt looked surprised. In all his years, he had never seen such a situation¡ªeven truly rare would be an understatement.


    The Brennan brothers'' faces darkened with tension. The identical pill count seemed far too coincidental.


    "Mr. Whitwell, in this situation, we


    can only determine the winner


    based on pill quality," Wyatt respectfully said. His implicit suggestion was to dere both winners, but hecked the authority


    for such a decision.


    Ezra smiled. "You may examine the pill quality, then. The path of alchemy shares much with martial arts. As they say, many may share the crown in literature, but there can only be one victor inbat."


    Seeing Ezra''s decision, Wyatt dared not speak further. "I''ll examine the quality right away."


    Just then, Josie spoke up, her gaze sharp, "Mr. Whitwell! He must have cheated!"


    Ezra raised his hand to stop Wyatt''s rebuke. "Hmm? What evidence do you have?"


    Johnny clenched his fists, silently cursing. Josie, the spoiled brat, was getting out of hand. How dare she use someone of cheating at Harmony Clinic!


    But Josie was oblivious to the gravity of her words, so she continued saying proudly, "Mr. Whitwell, Felix Zeller is a nobody who suddenly excelled in this assessment. Isn''t that suspicious?


    "My mentor is Jake Zinker, the chief steward of Harmony Clinic, and my cousin Johnny has exceptional alchemy talent. These facts prove I''m above suspicion. Based on this alone, my doubts about Felix arepletely justified."


    Wyatt''s expression turned strange. While Josie had talent for alchemy, her sense and sensibility was certainly not as great. How could she make such usations before Ezra without any evidence?


    After hearing Josie out, Ezra nodded


    slightly. "You make some good


    points. Very well. Both of you will


    rest for half a day, then cultivate pills here before everyone. That should reveal whether Felix''s talent is genuine or not, shouldn''t it?"


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 995

    Felix was indifferent to the proposal. He nned to produce nine pills this time. After all, the reward was too tempting, and having one single precious herb could make a difference in cultivating pills.


    Josie''s face turned ashen as she stood frozen. She never expected Ezra to make such a suggestion.


    The Brennan brothers started to tremble in frustration, knowing Josie''s alchemy talent was actually mediocre. In fact, she had relied on cheating.


    Everything should have gone ording to n, but an unexpected challenger had appeared. It had even pushed them into this difficult position.


    "Mr. Whitwell, isn''t this... somewhat against the rules?"


    Josie struggled to argue, but Wyatt frowned and spoke up, "How dare you question Mr. Whitwell''s authority?"


    Terrified by the rebuke, Josie quickly backtracked and said, "Then, I''ll concede first ce to Felix. Creating the Phantom Mist Pills has drained me considerably, so I won''t recover for at least ten days."


    Felix found this puzzling. Such alchemists whose energy would easily be depleted had terrible efficiency. Even as a neer to intermediate alchemy, Josie should recover after half a day or so. How could it take that long for her to recover?


    Ezra maintained his smile, though it now sent chills down Josie''s spine.


    He chuckled and asked, "Are you going to concede to Felix so easily? You''re truly


    a model alchemist for such generosity given." His tone suddenly shifted. "Or perhaps you simply can''t produce any more Phantom Mist Pills?"


    The crowd held their breath, sensing Ezra''s anger but unsure of its cause.


    "Mr. Whitwell, we''ve brought him!" Dickson appeared.


    Felix was surprised, as he had not noticed when Dickson had left.


    "Please spare me, Mr. Whitwell! I''ll never dare to do it again! Never!"


    With Dickson was an old man, now kneeling and begging for mercy.


    The Brennan brothers knew him well. He was none other than Jake Zinker, the mentor of Johnny and Josie and Harmony Clinic''s chief steward.


    "The audacity! I wouldn''t have found


    out if Felix hadn''te out at the


    same time. To think someone would dare cheat at Harmony Clinic"


    When Josie had acted strangely, Dickson had secretly ordered an inspection of


    her chamber. The evidence was easy to find.


    At this, Josie also fell to her knees in terror. "No! It wasn''t my fault! Mr. Zinker made me do it. He gave me the premade pills!"


    The crowd gasped. Had someone actually cheated on an alchemy assessment? For what purpose?


    Even if they passed this round, what aboutter? Such deception was too easily exposed. No wonder no one had tried cheating before.


    Felix was also puzzled. Cheating at alchemy seemed as foolish as faking medical skills. The truth would inevitablye out.


    "Take them away."


    "Yes, Mr. Whitwell!"


    Ezra gazed around the crowd, his


    words resonating firmly. "In


    Harmony Clinic, we don''t mind if you''re untalented, but we will never tolerate cheating. Once discovered, we will investigate thoroughly. Everyone involved will face consequences!


    "Let this be a lesson to all!"

 Chapter 996

    Ezra then turned to Felix with a smile. "Felix, what would you like?"


    Felix had already decided, and his opinion was undeterred by this incident. "Sris Root."


    Ezra gave him a thumbs-up. "Impressive! That''s almost the hardest one to get my hands on."


    Sris Root was incredibly precious and practically priceless. It was a key ingredient in creating Ascension Pills, which were essential for breaking through to thete stage of Transcendent Realm. That exined why it was so unobtainable.


    This confirmed Dickson''s earlier point. With materials so hard to gather, few could craft it, and the pill-forming rate was terrifyingly low. Whenever a single Ascension Pill entered the market, it caused an absolute frenzy-people would usuallypete fiercely for it.


    Meanwhile, the Brennan brothers were nervously making their way down the mountain, not daring to rush out.


    "Johnny, will we really be okay?" Colin asked.


    Johnny''s face darkened as he snapped, "At worst, we''re guilty of failing to report it. It depends on whether Harmony Clinic cares about small fry like us. So, how would I know?"


    Even if they weren''t arrested, his future was ruined. Josie and Jake would certainly be executed, and he would be expelled from Harmony Clinic. There was no future left for him-they had really shot themselves in the foot this time.


    "It''s all Felix''s fault. If we make it home safely, we''ll make him pay when we get the chance."


    A cruel glint shed in Johnny''s eyes. "Fortunately, Mr. Zinker only knew the basics of our family''s secrets. We still have a chance if we can make it back safely."


    Another day passed. In Harmony Clinic''s dining hall, Barry and Felix were drinking together.


    "Congrattions on bing an Intermediate grade, Barry!"


    Indeed, Barry had finally passed the assessment and could now cultivate intermediate pills. He was now officially ranked as an Intermediate-grade alchemist at Harmony Clinic.


    "Thanks, Felix, but I''m still far behind you! What really makes me happy today isn''t just my sess, but seeing the Brennans get what they deserved. But it''s a shame Johnny only got expelled, though, and Colin didn''t lose anything at all."


    Felix reassured him, "Don''t think too much about it. Harmony Clinic is rtively lenient. But those who needed punishment would get it. Going after everyone would only create unnecessary trouble."


    Felix wasn''t wrong. Other major families would have killed everyone involved, but Harmony Clinic didn''t operate that way. Executing the instigators, Josie and Jake, was


    enough to deter other plotter


    "True. After this, the Brennan family will surely decline. Once I build up enough connections, I''ll fight to reim my dignity."


    The next day, they each set out for home. Felix felt bad as Dickson was still escorting him around.


    "Dickson, you really shouldn''t trouble yourself," he said.


    Dickson picked his nose as he replied, "What trouble? When Madam Goddard asks for something, I see it through. Mr.. Whitwell actually wanted to see you before you left, but we''ll arrange it another time."


    After thinking, Felix asked, "Is Mr. Whitwell not at headquarters? Has he gone out?"


    He immediately wanted to p himself. His curiosity was really getting the better


    of him. He had been less cautiouspared to when he first entered Martial City. He needed to change that.


    Dickson''s eyes shed with cold light as he said icily, "Mr. Whitwell went to avenge us both."

 Chapter 997

    At the Maximus residence in Bedford, the usual liveliness had given way to a heavy atmosphere. Even the housekeepers worked in silence with their heads down instead of chattering cheerfully.


    This change, of course, stemmed from the loss of their three elders. Such news couldn''t be hidden.


    "Dean Maximus!" A voice shattered the silence, echoing throughout the vast residence for all to hear.


    Soon, several people rushed to the front courtyard, including Jonah and Herbert. They were the ones who had ambushed Dickson and Felix earlier.


    "Mr. Whitwell, this is unexpected. Forgive us for not greeting you sooner."


    Indeed, it was Ezra who had called out. Though he stood alone without exuding any energy, his presence made both elders ufortable. Such was the terrifying nature of someone who had achieved the mastery of Transcendent Realm.


    Another elder appeared in a sh, smiling at Ezra. He asked, "Ezra, what brings you to our ce?"


    Ezra snorted coldly. "Spare me the pretense, Dean. We both know why I''m here."


    Since they were cutting to the chase, Dean dropped the act. "Regarding that incident, I truly knew nothing back then. But what happened in the end?


    "Your people from Harmony Clinic emerged unscathed while we lost three mid- stage Transcendent Realm masters. Isn''t that a fact?"


    Ezra shook his head andughed. "You haven''t changed a bit. Your ability to twist right and wrong remains as frightening as ever."


    Suddenly, he raised his hand. Jonah and Herbert immediately coughed up blood, looking so weak they could barely stand.


    "If there''s a next time, Harmony Clinic won''t stand by and do nothing. Consider carefully whether your family can afford such a war."


    Dean, the first elder of the Maximus family who had also achieved the mastery of Transcendent Realm, gritted his teeth. "Useless fools! You''vepletely humiliated me."


    He could have intervened, but he knew Ezra hade to make a statement and vent his anger. Stopping him might have triggered an all-out war.


    "Mr. Maximus, we''ve failed you."


    Dean waved his sleeve and looked skyward. Don''t be too discouraged. Felix surely hasn''t told the whole truth, so we still have a chance! Once we get the Dragonspine, everything can be salvaged


    thso


    "This time, report Felix''s movements straight to me." "Yes, sir!"


    ...


    A month passed in unprecedented peace¡ªat least that was how Felix felt.


    e


    During this month, he had put his new status as an Intermediate-grade alchemist to good use. Following Harmony Clinic''s regtions, he received a monthly allowance of herbs Based on his rank and talent. He had chosen to focus all of these r¨¦sources on cultivating pills that enhanced martial strength.


    These pills were scarce both in Harmony Clinic and throughout Martial City, so his effort would help many people. With a pill-forming rate of nine per batch, he kept six for himself and submitted the minimum requirement of three to Harmony Clinic. It was a profitable


    arrangement, indeed.


    "Not bad. ording to Dickson''s assessment of yourbat power, you can now venture out alone asionally!"


    Deborah was very pleased. Felix had not only progressed rapidly in alchemy but also in martial arts. He had finally broken through to the early stage of Transcendent Realm.


    "Thank you for your praise, Madam Goddard."


    Felix could barely contain his excitement. This marked his first advancement in martial arts without relying on the Dragonspine. It was a totally different feeling.


    Now, he would mostly be safe unless he encountered multiplete-stage Transcendent Realm masters or one who had achieved mastery. He really could venture out from time to time.


    "I''m heading to Westville tomorrow. Would you like to get some fresh air?" Deborah asked.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 998

    Westville? Felix thought about what Barry had mentioned. The Xavier family''s Battle for the Bride was happening in a few days.


    "Are you going to Westville for the Xavier family''s tournament, Madam Goddard?"


    Deborah''s expression turned strange. "So, you do have romantic interests! Here I thought your mind was filled with nothing but martial arts and alchemy. I didn''t think you''d know about the tournament. You''re not going to try your luck, are you?"


    Felix rubbed his head, slightly embarrassed. "Stop teasing me."


    Deborahughed. "J Xavier isn''t quite good enough for you, though her sister Nerissa is remarkable. Too bad she''s already engaged, or I might have yed the matchmaker."


    Taking advantage of the opening, Felix quickly asked, "Really? Do you think highly of Nerissa as well, Madam Goddard?"


    Deborah nodded. "Of course! That woman has strong principles and excellent character. Among the Top Ten Menaces, she''s one of the few who meet my standards. Whoever that mysterious fianc¨¦ is, he''s quite lucky."


    Felix found it interesting that even Deborah thought so highly of Nerissa. His instincts had not been wrong. "Then, I''ll join you tomorrow, Madam Goddard. It''ll be good to lift my spirits."


    ...


    Back at Tranquil Clinic, Laura was tidying up. Her overall condition had greatly improved from before.


    Thanks to the pills Felix cultivated in his spare time, Laura had sessfully reached the early stage of Blood Realm. Though this level of power meant little to Felix now, she had been the first person to help him upon entering Martial City. Thus, he still treated her well.


    "Mr. Zeller."


    Felix nodded slightly and went upstairs to call N on the phone. "I''m following Madam Goddard to Westville tomorrow. If nothing goes wrong after I return, I n to meet up with you and fulfill my promise."


    N was excited. "Really? That''s wonderful! I''ve waited so long for this day."


    "Don''t worry. When have I ever broken my word?"


    The Maximus family''s threat had been minimized, especially after Ezra''s warning. They likely would not dare to make any major moves.


    As for the Grand Elder of the Elders'' Council, he would indeed pose a threat and was likely at the mastery of Transcendent Realm. But


    had reached the early Transcendent With his Lone Paragon


    stage. With his Lone Paret


    activated and a few life-saving items, he needn''t fear leaving home.


    Regarding N''s situation, Felix had asked Deborah about it since he now trusted


    herpletely. The answer shocked him.


    N''s nemesis was actually Martial


    City''s third-ranked alchemist, second only to Deborah. That elder


    specialized in poison pills, making it


    nearly impossible to counter with


    normal antidote pills. The only


    sotution would be getting the


    original antidote.


    Coming downstairs, Felix was surprised to see Deborah sitting in a chair. Meanwhile, Laura was standing nervously nearby with an innocent look.


    "Don''t me her. I told her not to disturb you," Deborah said.


    Felix walked over. "Madam Goddard, is something wrong?" After all, they had parted ways just now.


    Standing up, Deborah smiled. "The Empress hase to North City. I just received the news. Would you like to pay respects to Martial City''s strongest woman with me?"


    The Empress from the royal family? Felix''s thoughts flickered. Wasn''t that Cordelia?

 Chapter 999

    Felix never imagined he would one day be so close to Cordelia or even meet her. Truthfully, he was not mentally prepared for this.


    From that video, it was clear the royal family despised him. If discovered, they would likely try every means to eliminate him. No wonder N had said that if he revealed his identity, he would need to stay by the Empress'' side-otherwise, he''d be in danger.


    "What''s wrong?" As an experienced elder, Deborah immediately noticed Felix''s


    unease.


    "Nothing''s wrong. Please go ahead, Madam Goddard. I''m focusing on alchemy right now and would rather avoid any contact with the royal family."


    Hearing this, Deborah did not question further. Felix had only recently arrived in Martial City and already faced trouble from both Jared and the Maximus family. Who knew whether dealing with the royal family would be a bad thing?


    "Very well. We''ll discuss this another time."


    Sitting in his chair, Felix felt bitter. Learning that his parents had abandoned him to save his life made it impossible to maintain any real hatred. With these thoughts, he quickly picked up his medical book to distract himself.


    Now that he had reached the Transcendent Realm, further advancement would require advanced pills. Aside from specific purposes, intermediate pills no longer helped with his strength.


    But in his current state, he couldn''t yet create advanced pills. The road ahead was long, indeed.


    "Laura, you should head back."


    The next morning at North City''s border, Felix stood waiting for Deborah to depart for Westville.


    Laura came to see him off, worry etched on her face. "Please be careful, Mr. Zeller."


    Though she had reached Blood Realm, she was still far from being able to help Felix. This thought filled her with guilt, leaving her only able to offer blessings and prayers.


    "Don''t worry. I''m traveling with Madam Goddard."


    Just then, a BMW pulled up, clearly just arriving from outside the city. The window rolled down, revealing a chubby young man with a smile that somehow seemed sleazy. "Well, if it isn''t taura! I heard you were expelled from the Larson family, weren''t you?"


    "That''s none of your business!" Clearly, Laura knew the man, and she turned to leave immediately.


    "Don''t go! Come for a ride. You''re like a lost puppy now. Others may not want you, but I can take you in.


    "How about it? You shoulde warm my bed instead. That''s better than wandering the streets without dignity, isn''t it?"


    Laura was furious. As she quickened her pace, she caught sight of Felix approaching. Before she could stop him, it was toote.


    Through the car window, Felix delivered a sharp p. "Apologize to her!"


    A month ago, Felix might have ignored this. But now, there was no reason he should be wary of someone like this. He did not even need to know the fatty''s background or status.


    If he was in North City and knew Laura, Felix would handle him immediately.


    "How dare you hit me? Damn it!


    You''re dead! The man raged,


    hurriedly opening his car door. Singe they weren''t technically within city limits he would not face


    jel


    consequences even for killing Felix.


    Just then, another vehicle approached from the opposite direction of the city. It was a Brabus G800 SUV, a car whose presencemanded respect even in the capital. Anyone driving one had to be either wealthy or noble.


    When the car stopped, the fat man froze. His eyes widened as he seemed to recognize whose vehicle it was.

 Chapter 1000

    An elderly man with flowing white hair rolled down the driver''s window and looked at Felix. "Get in the car already, will you?"


    Felix replied respectfully, "One moment, Mr. Ghost."


    When he turned back around, the fat man had copsed to the ground in fear.


    "Apologize to her!"


    Instantly, the man scrambled up and started kneeling before Laura, apologizing as if his life depended on it.


    "If I ever catch you disrespecting Laura again, you know what''ll happen," Felix warned.


    Laura''s vision blurred with tears, feeling that warm sensation of being protected once again.


    Only after the Brabus SUV left did the fat man dare to stand, his legs still shaking. "Dear God, I just had a brush with death! Damn, I''ve only been away from North City for a few months!


    "Who the hell is that guy? How''d he get a ride in Mr. Ghost''s car?"


    That vehicle was recognized throughout not just North City but all of Martial City as Shepherd Ghost''s ride. He was an undisputed master of the Transcendent Realm, so nobody would dare cross him.


    ...


    Meanwhile, in the Brabus SUV''s backseat, Felix felt awkward with Deborah in the front passenger seat. It made him feel like some VIP.


    "Felix, when can you start cultivating advanced pills? I may be free of attachments, but I do have some old friends whose descendants could use help," Shepherd said.


    Felix had met Shepherd a few days ago and was shocked to learn he had achieved the mastery of Transcendent Realm. Deborah''s connections were truly remarkable.


    "You tter me, Mr. Ghost. I''ve only been cultivating intermediate pills for a month. It''s far too soon."


    Shepherdughed. "That answer tells me you already have it figured out."


    Deborah rolled her eyes. "You old fox! You were full of excuses when I invited you. But the moment I mentioned bringing Felix, you couldn''t agree fast enough."


    Shepherd certainly owed Deborah favors before, but those debts were settled Now, they were more like friends. Small favors were fine, but anything requiring real sacrifice wasn''t so simple.


    "Listen to yourself! This is called investment, okay? What if Felix bes the


    alchemist with the highest pill-forming rate in the future?"


    ording to Deborah, when this car was on the move, no one dared block their way. Even if the Maximus family was still watching from the shadows, Dean would think twice before acting.


    Indeed, Felix''s every move was being monitored. How could the Maximus family


    not know about his first departure from the city in a month?


    Dean had already received the news. "He left the city again? They really aren''t afraid of our family at all."


    Kendrick, now fully recovered, gritted his teeth in hatred. "Yes! But he''s traveling with Shepherd Ghost."


    Dean frowned. He knew Shepherd well since they were equals in the realm, after all. That old man loved his car so much that he would drive even for distances under a quarter mile.


    "Where are they headed?"


    "If our intelligence is correct, Westville."


    Westville?


    Dean suddenly smiled. "If it''s


    Westville, there''s no need to worry. I have a way to draw Shepherd away for a while. Then, we''ll see if Felix''s luck holds. This time, I''ll handle it personally!"


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 1001

    "Mr. Ghost, do you know about the Skeletal Demon?" Felix asked suddenly during the drive, remembering how he had asked Deborah before without learning much.


    Shepherdughed and said, "Why are you asking about that one?"


    "A friend mentioned him once and said he was ruthless and terrifying. It just made me curious."


    Shepherd nced at Deborah with an odd expression. "Your mentor really does focus solely on alchemy, doesn''t she? The Skeletal Demon has been Harmony Clinic''s target for years. Obviously, you haven''t heard much from Madam Goddard, have you?" he teased.


    Deborah frowned. "Teaching him alchemy is enough. Should I keep up with every bit of gossip? Out with it, you old man! You''re getting more insufferable with age."


    Shepherd chuckled before continuing, "The Skeletal Demon is at thete stage of Transcendent Realm. Hisbat ability is mediocre at best-he''d lose to any serious fighter at his level. But his cultivation technique is strange.


    "He''s terrifyingly good at trapping enemies and excellent at disguise, too. It makes him a master of escape. That''s how he gets away with his dirty work, making enemies everywhere, including Harmony Clinic.


    "Dickson''s been hunting him for years. He rushes out at the slightest hint of news but still hasn''t managed to kill him after all this time."


    Felix''s heart leaped. He quickly asked, "Mr. Ghost, since you know so much about him, do you happen to know where he appears sometimes?"


    Deborah cut in right then, "Felix, don''t expect anything from this old fox. He puts profit above all. If I hadn''t known him for years and if he didn''t owe me favors, would you think it safe to ride in his car? He might sell us out any moment."


    Shepherd wasn''t embarrassed by this description. Instead, he let out an eerie giggle. "Deborah''s right. Dickson has asked me many times, but nothing he offered caught my interest. So, I refused them all."


    swney


    Felix''s excitement peaked. This meant Shepherd definitely knew where to find the Skeletal Demon. That would be invaluable information.


    The Skeletal Demon possessed the final Dragonspine piece that was confirmed.


    But finding him in the vast Martial City seemed impossible.


    "Mr. Ghost, Mr. Marlow has shown me great kindness. He escorted me from Harmony Clinic''s headquarters to North City. Though it was because of Madam Goddard, I could tell he''s a good person who took excellent care of me."


    Shepherd''s expression remained unchanged. "And?"


    "So, I want to help him. If you trust me, just provide the herbs needed for Soul Ascension Pills once I can cultivate advanced pills. I guarantee at least one sessful pill.


    "My former mentor taught me a secret technique to increase pill-forming rates. Since it can only be used once a year, I almost gave up on it as useless."


    In the front seat, Deborah remained silent. She knew Felix had no such technique since pill cultivation couldn''t be enhanced by secret methods. That was just talk to fool outsiders.


    But one thing was certain. If anyone could improve the pill-forming rate for advanced pills, it might just be Felix.

 Chapter 1002

    "Well, how could I not take a gamble after a pitch like that?" Shepherd said.


    Soon after, Shepherd sent Felix a private message about finding the Skeletal Demon. He was so cautious that he would not even let Deborah hear it.


    "Now you know. It''s up to you whenever you want to tell Dickson about this."


    "Thank you, Mr. Ghost."


    Deborah did not think much of it. After spending over a month with Felix, she knew he was an upright person. If he said he wanted to repay Dickson''s kindness, he meant it.


    She would not mention anything to Dickson since this was Felix''s decision.


    In Martial City, every car leaving town carried two gas cans in the trunk. Fuel was only avable within city limits, and running out on long trips would be disastrous.


    Especially with gas-guzzlers like the Brabus. By the time they reached Westville the next day, they had already stopped twice to refuel.


    Westville had its own Harmony Clinic branch, where they were staying. Felix made his request as soon as they arrived. "Madam Goddard, I''d like to explore the city alone."


    "Sure."


    Deborah was not worried about Felix''s safety. First, they were in the city where no one dared cause obvious trouble. Second, Felix had reached the early Transcendent Realm, so anyone targeting him would need to think twice.


    "Westville really is crowded."


    The streets bustled with nearly half the people of North City, perhaps due to the Xavier family''s Battle of the Bride.


    After walking a short distance, Felix called Barry, who was in Westville. He was a good guy, and it would be nice to catch up.


    Barry was thrilled to hear Felix was in town and told him to wait while he rushed over.


    ...


    "Damn! It''s you!"


    While waiting, Colin appeared with several men instead of Barry. After confirming Felix''s identity with a few nces, they immediately moved to attack.


    "Do we know each other?"


    Colin''s face darkened. Though he had escaped punishment for the cheating incident, Johnny''s


    expulsion from Harmony Clinic had caused their family''s decline. In just one month, their status had plummeted.


    In his view, Felix was to me for everything. If he had emerged even slightly


    "Felix, how dare you stroll around Westville after ruining Josie''s life?"


    Felix smiled. "Does the Brennan family rule Westville? Or do you not even respect


    the royal family? Must I report to you regardless of who I am?"


    These words startled Colin. Such talk was dangerous if spread.


    "Shut your mouth! Felix, don''t think being an intermediate-grade alchemist at Harmony Clinic makes you untouchable. Remember. This is Westville. You''ll be begging for mercy soon enough.


    "Let''s go!"


    As he turned, Colin''s shoulder bumped someone. Already angry, he immediately cursed, "Damn it! Who dares bump-"


    The other person''s response was more dramatic. She threw a punch at Colin''s stomach, which sent him flying through the air before he crashed heavily to the ground.


    "You''re the one who struck first."


    After casually saying this, the attacker turned to Felix with a sweet smile. "What''s


    your name? I want to make sure I haven''t mistaken you for someone else."

 Chapter 1003

    Felix froze in surprise. He never expected to run into J so soon after arriving in Westville. That''s the very same woman who would soon be the center of the uing Battle of the Bride.


    Her lively presence reminded him of their first meeting in the capital, which felt like only yesterday.


    "Someone get him out of here! He''s an eyesore!" J instructed


    Colin''s followers had been furious at first. But upon recognizing J, they fled without a word while carrying Colin away.


    "Fighting isn''t allowed in the city," Felix stated.


    Hearing Felix''s words, J''s smile grew sweeter. "That was self-defense! He struck first, and everyone saw it. So, it''s fine."


    Good grief. Colin was nearly knocked out cold, and she called that self-defense?


    J giggled. "When did you get here? It must have taken you a while to find Westville, right?"


    With that casual conversation, she had confirmed Felix''s identity.


    "Let''s find somewhere more private to talk."


    They then entered a restaurant. J''s status was evident-everyone knew her. They were immediately led to a private room.


    "Finally! Now, I can call you my future brother-inw properly!"


    Felix gave a wry smile. "Please don''t. There''s nothing between Nerissa and me. Don''t say such things."


    J pouted. "That''s just your opinion. Nerissa has announced it to the public. Even now, plenty of guys who think they''re something special are still pursuing her.


    "You''ve got toughpetition! I don''t call you my brother-inw in public to protect you."


    Upon seeing J''s determined expression, Felix felt helpless.


    "I came to Westville partly to meet Nerissa and clear things up. This arrangement isn''t fair to either party. She has the right to pursue her own happiness, and no one should take that away."


    J paused, then gave him a thumbs-up. "As expected of my future brother-in-w! Many have said that, but most were lying. You''re the only one who sounds genuine.


    "Though, once you meet Nerissa, you probably won''t talk like this anymore. Very few men can resist falling for her."


    After thinking, Felix said, "Well, could you arrange something if you''re free? Some things should be resolved now that I''m here."


    After J said yes, Felix indulged his curiosity. "What made you think of a


    martial arts tournament for choosing a husband?"


    J sighed. "No choice! I''ve always believed that only a man stronger than me deserves my hand. I refused to let my family decide.


    "Nerissa had to convince Dad quite a bit before he reluctantly agreed. After all, it''s better to find a martial prodigy for the family than have me throwing tantrums about marrying someone I don''t love."


    Suddenly, J''s eyes lit up. "Hey, since you''re in Martial City, why not join my tournament tomorrow? This isn''t like the capital. If you''re strong enough, you can have multiple wives here.


    "How about it? Wouldn''t it be quite an achievement to win both of us sisters?"


    Felix choked on his water. J really said whatever came to mind.


    "No, thanks. I grew up in the capital, but I don''t think that way. Besides, what makes you think I could beat you?"


    Hearing this, J looked disappointed. "Oh, right. I forgot about that! The rules are set-no cheating allowed! You''re too weak.


    "Even with some improvement sinceing to Martial City, you''re still no match for me. Plus, I had a breakthrough recently. I''ve reached Boneforging Realm now."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 1004

    After chatting a while longer and getting Felix''s number, J left.


    A few minutester, Barry appeared. He entered cautiously. "Wow, this is one of Westville''s high-end restaurants! A meal here costs at least 500 emeralds. You really know how to pick a ce."


    Felixughed and said, "Come on! You''re an Intermediate-grade alchemist now. Can''t you afford this much?"


    Barry gave a bitter smile. "Felix, I may have seeded, but my pill-forming rate is low. So, I''m barely hanging on at Harmony Clinic. Do you think all Intermediate grades are doing well?


    "Those of us with average talent spend most of our time making basic pills just to meet requirements, or we''d be kicked out."


    Felix understood this well. As an Intermediate-grade alchemist, if he could not deliver the required monthly quota of intermediate pills, he had to make up for it with basic ones. If he failed a few times, he would be expelled from Harmony Clinic.


    This created a vicious cycle. With low pill-forming rates, the alchemists had to spend an enormous amount of time cultivating basic pills, severely limiting time for intermediate ones. This meant little chance for improvement. It showed just how crucial natural talent was for alchemists.


    "It should have been cause for celebration, but given myck of talent, I asked my family not to make a big deal out of it. I''ve got to stay humble, you know?"


    Changing the subject, Felix asked, "Do you know about Ghosttown?"


    A sh of fear crossed Barry''s face as he lowered his voice. "Yeah, it''s a unique town in Martial City, located deep in the Silent Forest. The royal family has no control there. Only the most vicious people hang around there.


    "Death ismon, so normal people absolutely avoid that ce."


    Normal people? Felix felt helpless, yet he had to go there. ording to Shepherd''s information, the Skeletal Demon visited Ghosttown without fail every full moon, though nobody knew why.  en


    "So, are there no rules there? Are martial artists of all realms in danger? Or is there some limit?"


    Barry thought for a moment before saying, "I''ve only heard stories, but they say even a master of the Transcendent Realm died there once. So, I guess anyone could be in danger.  en


    "Don''t let your curiosity get the better of


    to do with. That ce has nothing


    us. Only someone who''s


    not in their right mind would go there for no reason."


    Felix then thought silently, "How dare you call me that!"


    Just then, Barry''s phone rang. He shot Felix an apologetic look and stepped away to answer. "Mom! What''s wrong?"


    Whatever he heard changed his expression instantly.


    "That''s impossible! Why would Dad break into the Xavier residence? That''s punishable by death! Mom, are you sure? This isn''t something to joke about."


    Apparently confirmed, Barry rushed out in panic. He only said, "Sorry, Felix. Family emergency!"


    All he could do now was rush out to find connections to help, or his father might lose his life at any moment.

 Chapter 1005

    Barry rushed to the Xavier residence at top speed, only to be stopped at the gate.


    "Please let me in. I''m Barry Lufter. My father''s inside!"


    No matter how humbly he begged, the guards wouldn''t budge. Annoyed, they threatened him, "You little punk! We''re already being nice by warning you. Here, then. We''ll step aside. Try breaking in and see what happens."


    When the two guards moved away, Barry backed down instead. One step across that gate would mean instant death.


    "Well, well! If it isn''t Barry Lufter! I heard you became an Intermediate-grade alchemist at Harmony Clinic. Have youe to show off at our house?"


    A young man emerged, and Barry quickly greeted him with respect, "Mr. Jace."


    The neer was Jace Xavier. He was from the main family line and was also Nerissa''s cousin.


    "Please, Mr. Jace, let me in. There must be some misunderstanding about my father trespassing."


    Jace looked down at Barry with contempt. "If there''s a misunderstanding, are you suggesting we Xaviers are bullying people? Barry, you''re quite bold to judge the Xaviers.


    "Oh, right. Aren''t you an Intermediate-grade alchemist of Harmony Clinic? Why don''t you use your connections? A big shot like you must know people who can put in a word for you, right?"


    Barry was frantic. On his way here, he had called everyone he could. But at the mention of the Xavier family, no one would help. Even the supervisor of Westville Harmony Clinic had politely turned him down.


    Truthfully, he could not me anyone since such favors were measured by one''s value. He could only curse his mediocre talent. If not, someone from Harmony Clinic would surely have stood up for him.


    "So, is Barry''s father really inside?" a voice rang out.


    It was Felix. He had been there for a while, waiting to confirm the situation. Seeing a Xavier openly mocking and bullying Barry made it clear enough.


    "Felix?" Barry was shocked. His face changed as he quickly pushed Felix away. "Leave now! This has nothing to do with you!"


    Jace was notoriously tyrannical. Felix was a stranger to him. Questioning him like this would only bring serious trouble.


    Sure enough, Jace''s expression darkened. "Stop right there! Who the hell do you think you are, shouting at my gates? Are you asking for death?"


    Ignoring the arrogant Jace, Felix


    spoke to Barry, "If your father realet


    did wrong, he''d face the consequences. But if it''s a


    novel


    misunderstanding, I''ll help."


    Hearing this, Jace burst outughing. "Trash really does attract trash! Your friend must be fresh from the countryside!


    "Come on! Step aside, you two. I want to see if this little brat dares take even half a step through our gates."


    Felix took out his phone and called


    J. Standing up for Barry was not an impulsive move. In Martial City anyone might only get one chance to act rashly, so careful


    consideration was essential vel?


    "If you don''t have the guts, get lost!"


    swnov


    Jace''s smile vanished when he saw that Felix was rooted to the spot He had now memorized Felix''s face, and those who knew him understood what that meant  en


    AQUM


    After hanging up, Felix patted Barry''s shoulder. "Don''t worry. Your father will be out soon."

 Chapter 1006

    Jace was losing his patience and was just about to strike. He pointed a finger at Felix, his voice ice-cold as he shouted, "In all these years, I''ve never met someone who could brag like you. Let me tell you now-your dad''s never getting out, not now, not ever!"


    Jace barely finished his sentence before the back of his head took a solid p.


    "You idiot, what nonsense are you spouting?"


    As Jace heard that familiar voice, his rage instantly evaporated. He spun around, a nervous, sheepish smile spreading across his face. "J, what are you doing out here?"


    Sure enough, the one who pped him was his own sister. She might not have been the strongest among the Xavier family''s younger generation, but her temper was legendary.


    The only one who could keep her in check was her older sister, Nerissa. Everyone else? They did not stand a chance.


    "Mr. Lufter, take it easy," J called out, ignoring the rest of the Xavier family as she gently helped an elderly man walk forward.


    "Dad!" Barry shouted in shock, rushing over.


    He could not believe it-Felix''s words had actuallye true. His father was safe and sound, walking out alive. It felt like a dream.


    Jace, standing frozen on the tform, was equally stunned. He tried to speak, "J, but he "


    Before he could finish, J shot him a re sharp enough to cut ss. "Shut up! We''ll settle thister."


    Felix stepped forward calmly and said, "Take your dad home first. We can deal with everything elseter."


    Barry was overwhelmed with gratitude. He could not wrap his head around how Felix had managed to connect with someone like J. The whole thing was unbelievable. Realizing this situation was way over his head, he quickly left with his father.


    J red at Jace again and barked, "Get over here! Apologize to Mr. Zeller right now. You''ve got no manners! If this had been outside city limits, you''d be dead already."


    Jace, knowing he had no way out, swallowed his pride and walked over. "I''m sorry, Mr. Zeller. I spoke out of line."


    J grabbed Jace by the ear and pulled hard. "You should be thanking me! I just saved your neck. Now get inside!


    "And remember this. Don''t hang out with those scumbags from the Brennan family again. Have you heard about the chaos at Harmony Clinic? One more screw-up, and I won''t be so nice next time."


    Jace groaned in frustration, muttering under his breath as he left. He figured J had no clue what was really going on.


    She exined to Felix, "Colin


    Brennan tricked Jace into going


    after Barry''s family. That idiot''s been spoiled rotten. He can''t even see through such an obvious maniption-what a disgrace to the Xavier family name!"


    Felix frowned slightly, processing what he had just heard. The Xavier family was


    not the type to fear the Brennan family, so why had Jace gotten himself involved?


    A voice echoed quietly in Felix''s mind, exining further, "There''s a rumor of an alchemist hiding within the Brennan family-a powerful one. Jace''s been getting a lot of benefits from him. We don''t have solid proof yet, but considering the shady business with Harmony Clinic, it might not be just hearsay."


    Felix nodded thoughtfully. If there really was an alchemist involved, it exined a lot. Josie''s cheating


    scandal would make sense-showet


    was likely the front for someone who supplied her with cultivation pills behind the scenes¡ªit was a ssic setup.


    Felix replied telepathically, "Thanks for the heads-up, J. I''ll get going now."


    J shed a sweet smile but suddenly became mischievous. "Oh, I don''t think you''re going anywhere."


    Felix caught a flicker of something in her expression and turned around. A sleek Porsche sports car pulled into view.


    J chuckled yfully. "Everyone in Westville knows that''s Nerissa''s ride."


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 1007

    Felix hastily left a partingment as he made his escape. "I''m not ready to meet Nerissa yet. I''m outta here!"


    J covered her mouth,ughing so hard that she did not bother to stop him. She found Felix absolutely adorable.


    The Porsche came to a halt, and the driver''s door opened. Then, a woman stepped out, wearing flowyvender-and-white wide-leg pants paired with a sheer gray top.


    Her hair was neatly styled up, her skin radiant and wlessly fair, and her features seemed almost too perfect, like they had been sculpted by an artist.


    However, what stood out most were her eyes-cold and sharp yet brimming with life¡ªso captivating that anyone who looked into them might find themselves lost.


    If Felix had been there, he would have been stunned by her beauty. While she might not surpass Zara, she could certainly rival his senior apprentices when it came to looks.


    "J, what are youughing about? Who was that guy just now?" asked the woman, who happened to be none other than Nerissa, one of the Top Ten Menaces of Martial City. She was also a genius of the Xavier family and a dream girl for countless men.


    J stifled her giggles and responded telepathically, "That was Felix Zeller."


    Nerissa raised an eyebrow. "Felix? Who''s Felix?"


    "Your fianc¨¦! He''s in Martial City now. You even saw him just now, right here in Westville. I was nning to schedule a meeting for you two once you got back, but it looks like fate had other ns."


    Nerissa''s heart skipped a beat. So, her fianc¨¦-the one she had never met-was already here in Martial City? All she had caught earlier was his silhouette.


    "Why did he run away?" she asked curiously.


    J burst intoughter again. "He said he wasn''t ready to meet you yet. Probably because it happened right at our doorstep. I have to say, my future brother-inw is kind of amusing sometimes."


    "I see," Nerissa said with a thoughtful nod. "Alright. Arrange it soon. Now that he''s here, I need to greet him properly."


    J looped her arm through


    Nerissa''s as the two of them headed


    inside. "Are you really sure about


    this? I mean, Felix seems great and all, but strength-wise... Let''s be honest, he''s nowhere near your level.


    swne vel


    "Heck, he''s not even close to mine! The only thing remarkable about him is that forbidden technique he''s cultivating. Even standing right next to him, I couldn''t sense his power level.


    "Still, if I had to guess, he''s probably capped at True Blood Realm at best."


    Nerissa yfully pinched J''s nose. "I''ve told you before, unless he rejects me, I''m going to be his wife. End of discussion."


    J could


    not


    resist adding one morement, saying, "But Westley has been missing for three months now. No one in the family would dare oppose this marriage if he were still around. You know what that means, right?"


    Nerissa''s expression darkened for a brief moment before she said quietly, "We''ll


    deal with that when the timees. For now, the rules stand."


    ...


    Meanwhile, in a dimly lit


    underground chamber within


    Westville''s Brennan family estate, Kendrick stood silently. Flickering candlelight cast shadows around


    as he tried to make out the


    him a


    figure seated 30 feet ahead.


    Despite his efforts, he could not get a clear look, a sign that the other person was


    on a far higher level than him. Finally, he broke the silence.


    He asked, "You contacted me first, and now, you sit there quietly. What''s the meaning of this?"


    After a long pause, a voice echoed from the shadows, "I need to confirm something before we proceed. If our goals conflict, this partnership is over."


    "Please, speak your mind," Kendrick said eagerly. Anything rted to Felix had his full attention.


    "If we kill Felix, I''m taking his head as my trophy. Do you have any objections?" Hearing this, Kendrick exhaled in relief. "No objections at all."

 Chapter 1008

    Kendrick chuckled darkly and replied, "You''re being pretty considerate, leaving Felix with something intact. But hey, do whatever you want with his head. We''re nning to rip the rest of him to pieces anyway."


    Since the Dragonspines were inside Felix''s body and not connected to his head, there was nothing to be worried about.


    "Good. Tell Dean that the n starts tomorrow," the voicemanded.


    "Yes, sir!"


    As Kendrick left, he could not help but feel puzzled. Felix had only just arrived in Martial City, yet he already had so many powerful enemies. It was almost as if fate itself had decided that such an arrogant man was doomed to die.


    Later that night, Barry showed up, and he and Felix shared a meal at Harmony Clinic''s dining hall. Barry was overflowing with gratitude.


    "Felix, I can''t thank you enough. If it weren''t for you, my dad would be dead by now, and I probably wouldn''t have survived, either."


    Felix smiled casually. "No need to thank me. I only did what I could. If it had been beyond my ability, there wouldn''t have been much I could do."


    Barry still could not get over the fact that Felix had connections with the Xavier family, one of the most powerful forces in Westville. It was beyond astonishing.


    He replied, "Regardless, you saved our lives. I might be a nobody with nothing to offer, but if you ever need anything, just say the word. I''d walk through fire for you without hesitation."


    Barry then mentioned how Jason had personallye to apologize and promised that there would be no more trouble from his end. That had been a huge relief for Barry.


    "If you really want to help me," Felix said, "keep an eye out for rare herbs used in the Ascension Pill. Let me know if you hear anything."


    The Ascension Pill was crucial for breaking through thete stage of Transcendent Realm. Felix could never have too many resources for that purpose, especially since relying solely on Harmony Clinic was too slow for his liking.


    Barry nodded solemnly. "It won''t be easy, but I''ll do my best."


    ...


    The next morning, Felix was summoned by Deborah. He asked, "Madam Goddard, you wanted to see me?"


    Deborah nodded. "Yes. I''ll be heading out with Shepherd. We might be back soon, or it could take a few days.


    "It''s hard to say. I thought about bringing you along, but the ce we''re going is dangerous. If something goes wrong, it''ll be tough for Shepherd to protect both of us."


    Felix did not expect her to exin herself, but he quickly reassured her, "You don''t have to worry about me. Just take care of yourself."


    Seeing how considerate he was, Deborah smiled warmly and sent a telepathic message. "I got word about two Sris Root nts in a swamp 18 miles from Westville.


    "You know that outside of the Harmony Clinic''s mountain, any ce with Sris Root is highly dangerous. If Shepherd weren''ting, I wouldn''t risk it, either.


    "From now on, any Sris Root I find will be saved for you. When you''re ready to make Ascension Pills, you''ll have what you need."


    Felix was deeply moved by


    Deborah''s kindness. After all, Sris Root was one of the rarest and most valuable ingredients for the


    l.ne


    Ascension Pill. Any alchemist who caught wind of it would go to great


    lengths to obtain it.


    After Deborah and Shepherd departed a staff member from the Harmony Clinic approached him The person handed over a box and said, ¡°Dr. Zeller, someone sent you a package."


    Felix immediately suspected J, believing only that mischievous girl would pull something like this. He took the box and replied, "Thanks."


    However, when he opened it, his expression turned deadly serious. He muttered in disbelief, "H-How is this even possible?"

 Chapter 1009

    There was a smartphone inside the box. Although phones were not unusual in Martial City, this one stood out.


    It was a high-end model from a major city, easily distinguishable by its oversized screen. What made Felix''s expression darken was not the phone itself but the ominous feeling creeping over him.


    After hesitating for a while, he carefully picked it up, his hands trembling slightly. He did not unlock it right away but instead flipped it over. The moment he saw the back, his jaw clenched tight.


    The phone was encased in a transparent stic cover, and underneath it was a perfectly sized photo of Melissa-his sworn sister. He did not need to power it on to know it was hers.


    Felix had spent enough time with her to recognize her phone instantly, especially since she never changed that photo, no matter what phone she used. With that, he finally unlocked the phone, which still had over 40% battery.


    He entered the familiar password and gained ess without issue. A few minutester, his face grew even grimmer. He wondered aloud, "How did Melissa''s phone end up here? And why would someone send it to me?"


    If the phone was here, it meant Melissa was in Martial City. Yet, that was impossible, given how difficult it was to enter the city. ording to Xena, the special entry pass that could bypass the protective barrier was strictly controlled by the central authority.


    Even powerful ns and sects barely knew Martial City existed, let alone had ess to it. There was no way Melissa could have made it inside.


    Yet, the phone was undeniable proof. It was real-terrifyingly real. Just then, Felix noticed a piece of paper hidden under the phone. He pulled it out and read it.


    "Felix, Melissa is in my hands. If you want her to live,e to the designated location by sunset. Otherwise, you''ll be collecting her corpse. And don''t bring anyone. If I see you with any help, the result will be the same."


    The note sent chills down his spine. Whoever sent the box knew his name and Melissa''s, and they had her phone. There was no room for doubt now.


    His mind raced. Melissa was supposed to be traveling the world with Ronan. He was puzzled and wondered how she ended up here. It made no sense, but he did not have time to ponder it since her life was at stake.


    He tried to contact Deborah but


    quickly found that her phone was off. She had warned him before leaving that she and Shepherd would be unreachable during the


    trip


    to harvest Sris Root, as it was too dangerous for any distractions.


    Felix clenched his fists in frustration. Even if he could somehow reach them, involving a powerful figure like Shepherd might endanger Melissa.


    If their opponent was also at the major mastery level of Transcendent Realm, they


    would easily detect Shepherd''s presence, and Melissa''s chances of survival would plummet.


    "Damn it!" Felix muttered under his breath.


    He had not been in Martial City for long, yet those closest to him were already being dragged into


    dangerous plots. His enemy knowet


    everything about him and had even managed to smuggle someone into this imprable city.


    He nced at the clock, noticing that he had five hours until sunset. The location


    in the note was two hours away, giving him some time, but not much.


    He needed a n-one that would catch his enemy off guard without alerting them to any backup. Then again, who could he trust with something like this?


    After taking a deep breath to steady himself, Felix left Harmony Clinic. He had no choice but to handle this alone.


    Thankfully, he had reached the early stage of Transcendent Realm. Without that, he would have had zero chance.


    The meeting point was filled with jagged boulders and towering rock formations...The stones rose over 30 feet in some areas. Felix had never seen terrain like this since arriving in Martial City, and the oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on him.


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 Chapter 1010

    "Come on out. Why keep hiding like a coward?" Felix called out, his voice steady but cold.


    His senses told him someone was lurking behind a massive boulder. Yet, instead of relief, he felt nothing but unease.


    Sure, the presence did not seem particrly strong. However, there was no way that someone would go through all this trouble if they were weak.


    As soon as he finished speaking, a figure emerged. Felix''s eyes narrowed in surprise as he realized it was Kendrick.


    "Judging by your face, you didn''t expect to see me, did you, Felix?" Kendrick grinned broadly, looking far more smug than theirst encounter, as though Felix had walked right into his trap.


    "Cut the crap! Get whoever''s hiding toe out. There''s no way someone as worthless as you could pull off a n this borate. Am I wrong?"


    Though a sh of anger crossed Kendrick''s eyes, he quickly masked it with another grin. He replied, "Sharp as always. It wasn''t easy luring you out of the city.


    "But you''re right-neither I nor the Maximus family could orchestrate something this grand. That''s why you should meet an old friend."


    Two more figures emerged. One stood in front of Kendrick, while the other positioned himself about 30 feet away at an angle.


    Kendrick introduced, "This here is Dean, one of the Maximus family''s leaders. He''s at the major mastery level of Transcendent Realm. As for the other one... I believe you might recognize him."


    Felix''s brow furrowed. He did not recognize the second man, an older figure with an unremarkable, generic face.


    "You may call me the Grand Elder," the man said in a deep, authoritative voice.


    Felix''s heart sank. Of all the enemies he feared in Martial City, two stood out: Kevin, Aiden''s master, and the Grand Elder of the Elders'' Council. Now, it seemed he had walked straight into thetter''s trap.


    "You sure went to a lot of trouble for me," Felix said, his voice low and tense. "I''m here now. You''re a respected Grand Elder. There''s no need to involve an innocent woman. Let Melissa go."


    The Grand Elder chuckled coldly. "I don''t stoop to such vile tactics. I wouldn''t kidnap some girl. Besides, I''d rather not provoke your senior apprentices. Even here in Martial City, that hasn''t changed."


    Felix''s eyes narrowed further. "What''s that supposed to mean?"


    The Grand Elder growled, "My grudge is with Gerald. The pain he caused me is something I''ll never forgive.


    "Killing you is the greatest revenge I can take on him. When I learned you wereing to Martial City, I


    prepared two ns. You alreadmet


    know the first one failed, which is why we''re now executing the second."


    His lips twisted into a sinister smile. "While my people intercepted you, I had them steal Melissa''s phone. Since your


    own phone was


    confiscated upon entry, there


    was


    swn!.


    no way for you to learn about it.


    "Besides, it wasn''t significant enough for her to mention to you. Do you get it now?"


    In other words, Melissa was not here at all. The Grand Elder had used her phone


    to bait Felix, fully confident he would take the trap and he had.


    "I''m going to take your head back to the capital," the Grand Elder said, his voice filled with cruel satisfaction.


    "Gerald will cry over your corpse for days, drowning in guilt for the rest of his life. Only then will I find peace."


    Kendrick sneered. "Oh, and by the way, Madam Goddard going after Sris Root? Yeah, that was us. The info we gave her was real.


    "If it had been fake, she would''ve figured out we were behind it. But with it being real, there''s no suspicion. Two Sris Roots... Quite the prize, don''t you think?"


    Kendrick''s grin widened as he suddenly roared, "Felix, you''ve got two major mastery-level Transcendent Realm warriorsing for you! If you survive this, I''ll bash my own skull against these rocks!"

 Chapter 1011

    Felix remained silent. Kendrick was acting even more arrogant than before, but he had to admit he was right.


    With the Grand Elder and Dean, both major mastery-level Transcendent Realm martial artists, there was no way Felix could win-even if he activated Lone Paragon. Facing just one of them was already impossible, let alone both.


    A month ago, Felix had fought a sparring match against Dickson in North City. During that battle, he had pushed his abilities to the limit.


    The conclusion was clear. With Lone Paragon activated, Felix could hold his own against someone at thete stage of Transcendent Realm and even defeat weakerte-stage opponents. However, against someone like Dickson, the best he could manage was a draw.


    This level of achievement was enough to shock most martial artists. The gap between minor stages in Transcendent Realm was massive.


    Early-stage warriors rarely, if ever, stood a chance against those in the middle stage, andte-stage battles were practically unheard of-except for Felix, whose Dragons Destroyer techniquebined with Lone Paragon made him an exceptional outlier.


    "Anyst words?" the Grand Elder asked, a cold smile spreading across his face. Years of meticulous nning were finallying to fruition.


    The Grand Elder had sacrificed a lot to get here. He had infiltrated the Elders'' Council, defied the Protector, and nearly lost his life in the process.


    After being gravely injured in a confrontation with the Protector, he had taken refuge with the Brennan family in Westville, secretly using his alchemical skills to help them rise to power while slowly recovering.


    Even after more than a month, he had yet to fully heal-proof of the Protector''s overwhelming strength. Felix did not know it yet, but the Grand Elder was also a master healer.


    Regardless, none of that mattered now. The time for schemes was over. This was going to be a life-or-death battle.


    Felix was about to respond when an overwhelming surge of energy suddenly descended upon the area. Then, someone shouted, "The Resonance Bell!"


    A brilliant golden light illuminated the rockyndscape. Within a blink, a massive golden bell materialized from the sky, trapping the Grand Elder, Dean, and Kendrick inside.


    "What... is this?" Felix muttered, astonished. Before he could process the situation, a woman appeared beside him.


    "I''m Nerissa Xavier. We need to leave-now! This bell won''t hold them for long," she urged.


    "Nerissa?" Felix did not waste time asking questions. Without a word, he nodded and sprinted at full speed alongside her.


    This was his chance to escape, and he was not going to waste it. If they could make it back to the city, the enemy would not be able to touch him.


    "You''re incredibly fast!" Nerissa eximed as they ran. Inside, she was reeling in shock.


    Felix''s speed was unreal, easily on par with ate-stage Transcendent Realm warrior. But that did not make sense-by her understanding, Felix was supposed to be at True Blood Realm at most. So, how could he be this powerful?


    "Sorry about this," Felix muttered as he swept her into his arms. His pace instantly elerated, leaving her speechless.


    "How did you end up here?" Felix asked as they sped through the rocky terrain.


    Nerissa quickly sent a telepathic reply. "I was curious about you and decided to check in on you secretly. followed you out of the city, but I never expected Dean and the Grand Elder to ambush you. Clearly, you''re not as simple and innocent as I thought."


    Felix felt a wave of gratitude and admiration for her. He wanted to kiss her right then and there. For


    someone like Nerissa to Coet


    against two major mastery Transcendent Realm


    powerhouses-just for him-proved she was someone he could truly trust.

 Chapter 1012

    Nerissa warned Felix, "Don''t celebrate just yet. That Resonance Bell is a pseudo- magical artifact passed down by my ancestors. It can only hold them for a few minutes.


    "We won''t make it back to the city in time. Do you have another n?"


    The situation had been dire, and Nerissa had not thought things through when she acted impulsively. Now that there was a moment of calm, she could feel the pressure of what they were facing.


    "I do," Felix said confidently. "In one minute, you''ll head toward Westville. I''ll go east. They''ve marked me, so they''ll follow me instead."


    Nerissa felt a warmth in her heart. Despite having barely interacted with Felix, his words showed the selfless resolve of a true man. She asked, "And what about you?"


    Felix had already formed a n, though it had been thrown off by the unexpected appearance of two major mastery-level warriors. However, with Nerissa''s help, he saw a new opportunity.


    "I''m going to try my luck in the Lone Paragon."


    Nerissa''s expression shifted dramatically when she heard the ce. After all, she knew exactly how dangerous it could be.


    "Echo Cavern?" she repeated, her voice tense. "I probably have no right to stop you, but going there is practically a death sentence. You might as well face those two head-on."


    The cavern, located deep in the mountains a few miles from Westville, was one of Martial City''s infamous Three Forbidden Lands. Few who entered ever made it out alive.


    ording to ancient texts, those who ventured inside were tormented by an endless, mind-shattering sound¡ªa sound that drove even Transcendent Realm masters to madness and death.


    "I know it''s dangerous," Felix admitted. "But at least there''s a slim chance of survival. If I face them head-on, I''ll die for sure."


    Despite the grim situation, Felix did not show a trace of despair. His years under Gerald''s mentorship had forged him in the fires of countless life-or-death battles, making his resolve unbreakable.


    He added, "Please pass a message to my mentor, Madam Goddard, at Harmony Clinic. Tell her not to do anything reckless. Just wait for me to return."


    vel


    When the minute was up, Felix grabbed Nerissa and tossed her gently to the side. He shouted, "Nerissa 4f I survive the Lone Paragon Echo Cavern, I''ll meet family and propose marriage. I''ll make you my wife!"


    Tears welled in Nerissa''s eyes despite herself. She barely knew Felix, yet his words struck a deep chord. Without hesitation, she turned and sprinted toward


    vel


    Westville, her heart aching but determined.


    Both of them understood the stakes. There was no time for drawn-out farewells or emotional confessions. They had made their decisions and would respect each other''s resolve.


    "Felix, stay safe. I''ll wait for you. If you die, I''ll never marry anyone else," Nerissa whispered to herself as she ran.


    ...


    Felix activated Lone Paragon and pushed his body to its limits, racing toward the cavern he had scouted earlier.


    "You little brat! Let''s see where you think you''re running to!" The Grand Elder''s voice echoed ominously from behind.


    With the speed and power of two major martial arts masters, they were rapidly closing the distance. Felix knew he did not have much time.


    "Felix, what''s your rtionship with Nerissa? How the hell did someone like you catch her attention?" Kendrick''s voice roared in frustration.


    Felix smirked and yelled back, "None of your damn business!"


    The sheer audacity of Felix''s response almost made Kendrick spurt out blood in fury.


    "Fine! Let''s see how tough you are


    once we''ve caught you. We''ll see if you''re still running your mouth then!" Kendrick shouted, his rage boiling over as he chased after him.O


    O.UMS


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 1013

    Kendrick''s question was not random-he was not sensing Nerissa''s presence but had recognized the Resonance Bell. Among the Top Ten Menaces, everyone knew that the Resonance Bell was a unique, pseudo-magical artifact that belonged solely to Nerissa.


    This was thanks to Westley Xavier, a major mastery-level Transcendent Realm warrior of the Xavier family, who spoiled Nerissa and gave her all the best treasures. It also exined how she could sneak up on Felix unnoticed, even by the Grand Elder and Dean.


    "Why is Felix heading in that direction? Shouldn''t he be running toward Westville?" Kendrick suddenly wondered aloud as they chased him.


    "It doesn''t matter," Dean responded curtly. "Even if he were running toward the city, do you think he''d make it in time? We chose this rocky wastnd to prevent exactly that. He''s as good as dead."


    Kendrick nodded in agreement. Felix was like amb to the ughter now. No matter which way he ran, the oue would not change.


    Within minutes, the gap between them had closed, and Felix was almost within striking distance. Just then, the Grand Elder shouted in rm, "Wait! That kid''s heading for Echo Cavern!"


    "You''ve got to be kidding me. We can''t let him reach it!" Dean''s voice grew panicked. Even as major mastery-level martial artists, neither dared to enter the Echo Cavern.


    "Damn it!" the Grand Elder cursed under his breath.


    If Felix reached the cavern, their entire n would fall apart. Whether Felix lived or died was not even the point. The Grand Elder''s goal was to take Felix''s head back to the capital and throw it at Gerald''s feet, a way to finally settle an old grudge.


    For Dean, it was even worse. The Dragonspines inside Felix''s body were their true objective. If Felix died in the Echo Cavern, the Dragonspine would be lost forever, rendering their efforts meaningless.


    "Felix, let''s talk this out!" Dean called out, his voice tight with urgency. "If you enter that cavern, you''ll face certain death. Why don''t we negotiate instead?"


    Felix sneered in response. "Do you seriously think I''m a child? If you really wanted to negotiate, you''d stop chasing me right now!"


    The Grand Elder and Dean exchanged nces, both grimacing. Their expressions darkened as they silently activated forbidden techniques, increasing their speed at the cost of harming themselves. It was now or never-they had to stop Felix.


    "Die!" Dean bellowed as the distance between them shrank to mere feet. The two martial artistsunched powerful, long-range attacks. The air crackled with deadly force.


    Felix''s face twisted in frustration. The entrance to Echo Cavern was only 16 feet away, but their attacks would hit before he could reach it.


    "Rising Dragon! Hidden Dragon!" Felix roared, unleashing every technique he had in a desperate counterstrike.


    Explosions tore through the air as


    UT


    Felix''s body was flung backward at incredible speed. Using the


    momentum, he shot straight into the darkness of the cavern, disappearing from sight.


    "Is he dead?" Kendrick asked, staring at the massive crater left by the attacks.


    Dean smacked him hard across the head, sending him sprawling. "Idiot! Does it matter? Even if he''s dead, his corpse is inside Echo Cavern. Are you brave enough to go in and


    retrieve it?"


    en


    The Grand Elder''s face was as hard as stone. He red at the cavern''s entrance onest time before turning on his heel and walking away without a word.


    Kendrick scrambled to his feet, rubbing his head. He sent a telepathic message to Dean. "If Felix is dead, the Dragonspines inside him should leave his body on their own.


    "Maybe we can track them that way. We wouldn''t be able to intercept it, but at least we''d have a chance to start over."

 Chapter 1014

    Dean''s face shifted between emotions for a while before he finally spoke, "This is Echo Cavern we''re talking about, and Dragonspine is already full of mysteries. There''s no record of anyone ever escaping the cavern, so how do you expect me to predict what''ll happen?"


    He turned to Kendrick and added, "Let''s move. After what happened, the Maximus family needs to relocate immediately."


    "Relocate?" Kendrick frowned. "Elder, are you really that worried about Ezra?"


    Dean let out a cold snort. "What kind of question is that? Do you think Ezra is a pushover? We already warned himst time.


    "Now we''ve driven Felix to his death-of course, he''s going to lose it. And don''t forget Madam Goddard. She''ll throw every resource she has into hunting us down for revenge.


    "If I stay back, maybe I''ll survive. But you guys? Not a chance."


    Kendrick could only grit his teeth in frustration. All this effort, all these sacrifices, only to end up on the run. If they had truly seized control of Dragonspine, it would have been worth it. However, it felt like they had not only lost the battle but the war itself.


    No one could have anticipated Felix''s sheer determination. He would rather enter the death trap known as Echo Cavern than give them the slightest chance to capture him.


    Meanwhile, deep inside the cavern, Felix stumbled forward, his body battered from the Grand Elder''s and Dean''s attacks. Fortunately for him, as soon as he crossed the threshold of Echo Cavern, a strange, invisible force blocked their assaults. If not for that, he would''ve been dead already.


    Felix quickly swallowed a few pills to steady himself. Yet, before he could catch his breath, an indescribable sound echoed in his mind, like a whisper that turned into a pounding headache.


    He felt disoriented and nauseous, as if the darkness around him was spinning uncontrobly. The legends about this ce were not exaggerations-Echo Cavern was truly a nightmare.


    Just when he thought he might lose consciousness, the eight Dragonspine fragments embedded in his body began to vibrate, offering some relief. However, the sound did not disappear. It grew stronger, shing against the fragments as if trying to overpower them.


    "Wait a second... Why are the Dragonspines reacting like this?" Felix wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his thoughts racing.


    He thought, "I recall the "If


    confrontation back in the capital with Tony and Helena, the


    fragments only vibrate when m


    soul is under attack. Does that mean Echo Cavern isn''t just targeting my mind but my soul itself?"


    Determined to test his theory, Felix pulled out the small flute. The moment he yed a few notes, the eerie sound in his head faded away.


    "It''s actually working!" he eximed, relief washing over him.


    If not for the experience he had gained in the capital, he would bepletely helpless right now. He could not help but remember Billy, that chubby friend of his. "Man, that guy really was my lucky charm."


    Unfortunately, his relief did notst long. In less than ten seconds, the dreadful sound came roaring back, more intense than ever.


    ????


    Felix immediately stopped ying the flute, and the noise gradually weakened again, returning to its earlier state, though still steadily increasing in power. It was locked in a battle of wills with Dragonspine.


    "Great! So, it''s a contest of strength now? This is going to be a pain," he muttered to himself.


    The cavern was pitch ck, so dark he could not even see his hand in front of his face. Though the sound''s current effect was minimal, it still dulled his senses, making it nearly impossible to find an exit.


    "If I can''t fight it off, how the hell am I supposed to get out of here?" he wondered aloud.


    For the next five minutes, Felix tried to focus through the noise, pushing himself to think clearly. Suddenly, his entire body tensed, and a strange expression spread across his face one of shock but also pleasure.


    "What... is this?" he whispered, his eyes glowing with newfound rity.


    He clenched his jaw and took a deep breath, making a firm decision. "If I can''t resist it... then, I''ll just go with the flow. Let''s see if I can make it out of this alive."

 Chapter 1015

    As night fell over Westville, J stared at Nerissa in shock after hearing her story. She eximed, "Oh, my God! Nerissa, are you out of your mind? I know you''re respectful and empathetic, but the Resonance Bell is a life-saving treasure Westley gave you-how could you just use it like that?"


    Before Nerissa could even respond, J kept going. "And you were way too reckless! I admit Felix seems like a decent guy, but you haven''t even spoken to him, let alone built a rtionship. You should''ve walked away in that situation- what if something had happened to you?"


    Nerissa frowned, sadness clouding her eyes. Despite having no real emotional connection with Felix and only a formal encounter between them, she already found herself mourning him. She wondered if this was what people meant by destiny.


    "Stop it," she snapped. "I''ve already decided he''s my man, so how could I just stand by and do nothing?"


    Seeing that Nerissa was upset, J sighed. "I get it... but he''s in Echo Cavern now. You know no one ever survives that ce."


    Nerissa''s face grew even more somber. It was true-she had never heard of anyone entering Echo Cavern and making it out alive.


    She mumbled, "I already went to Harmony Clinic to ask around. Felix really is Madam Goddard''s apprentice and already an Intermediate-grade alchemist."


    J let out another sigh. "What a waste. His martial skills might be average, but with such insane talent for alchemy, he wouldn''t have embarrassed you in the slightest. But he''s gone now, so none of that matters."


    Nerissa shook her head firmly. "Stop saying he''s dead. I have this feeling... Felix might actually survive. And stop badmouthing his martial skills¡ªhe''s just cautious and low-key.


    "Ten of you couldn''t match him. I didn''t see him fight, but judging by his speed, even someone in the middle stage of Transcendent Realm couldn''t keep up with him."


    J''s eyes widened in disbelief. "What the hell? Are you serious? I mean, you''re the one saying it, so it must be true... but still!"


    She huffed in frustration. "That guy is infuriating! When we talked before, I said he was probably only at True Blood Realm, and he just smiled without saying a word! Next time I see him, I swear-"


    Her voice faltered as the reality sank in again¡ªFelix was in Echo Cavern. Talking about him now only felt like rubbing salt into a wound.


    "With his insane alchemy talent and martial prowess, Nerissa... he really might be your soulmate. I''ll be praying for a miracle."


    Three days passed in a blur. Deborah returned to Harmony Clinic with a cheerful smile, clearly sessful in obtaining two Sris Roots.


    "Felix, this trip was totally worth it," she thought happily. As soon as she walked in, the Westville manager approached her.


    "Madam Goddard, Nerissa from the Xavier family came by several times. She asked me to notify her


    immediately when you got back-she said it was urgent


    1.n


    Deborah raised an eyebrow. Though puzzled, since she had barely interacted with


    Nerissa, her good mood made her less concerned.


    "Alright. Let her know I''m here. Oh, by the way, where''s Felix?" Deborah asked.


    "I haven''t seen him for three days. Maybe he''s out exploring the city," the manager replied.


    Deborah nodded, chuckling softly.


    "Good. That kid deserves a break


    Alchemy isn''t just about sitting n'' one ce¡ªit''s important to maintain a healthy mindset, too."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 1016

    Not long after, Nerissa arrived at Harmony Clinic. Deborah had a feeling that something serious was indeed going on.


    "Well, well, Ms. Xavier. This is our first official meeting," Deborah said with a smile. "Given your reputation as one of the Top Ten Menaces, I guess I should feel honored. So, what''s the urgent matter?"


    Nerissa respectfully sped her hands and gave a slight bow before speaking. "Madam Goddard, after returning to Westville, did you make contact with Felix?"


    Deborah narrowed her eyes slightly and chuckled. "Oh? Don''t tell me the heiress of the Xavier family, with a fianc¨¦ already lined up, is interested in my precious apprentice? I mean, I can''t me you. He''s exceptional, no matter where you put him."


    Deborah''s affection for Felix was clear in her words and expression.


    "Please, Madam Goddard, contact Felix first," Nerissa urged.


    Though still puzzled, Deborah did not sense anything unusual. She pulled out her phone and dialed Felix''s number. However, the call went straight to voicemail.


    Deborah tried again four or five more times, but each call ended the same way, causing her smile to fade. She asked, "What happened?"


    Nerissa hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell the truth. "I have nothing to hide at this point. The truth is... Felix is my mysterious fianc¨¦, though we had never met until recently."


    Deborah froze,pletely stunned. Of all the secrets Felix might have had, this was beyond anything she could have imagined.


    She could not believe that Felix was engaged to Nerissa, one of the Top Ten Menaces, a renowned beauty of Martial City, and part of the powerful Xavier family, which had a Transcendent Realm master backing them.


    Nerissa continued, "Three days ago, I wanted to observe Felix, so I followed him when I noticed him leaving the city in a hurry. That''s when I saw it."


    Deborah abruptly stood, her expression twisting in anger. "Are you telling me that Dean and another Transcendent Realm martial artist ambushed Felix?"


    Nerissa nodded gravely. "Yes. In a moment of desperation, I used my family''s Resonance Bell to trap them temporarily. But as you know, that wouldn''t hold them for long. Felix... he deliberately split from me and charged toward Echo


    ensure I could return veo


    Westville."


    "What?" Deborah staggered. If Nerissa had not caught her, she might have copsed.


    "I''m so sorry, Madam Goddard. I did everything I could, but Felix... he might still have a chance. He''s strong and resourceful-maybe he can survive."


    Tears began streaming from Deborah''s eyes as she slowly closed them, her entire body trembling. Nerissa watched in sorrow, her vision blurring as she shared Deborah''s pain.


    Everyone in Martial City knew


    Deborah''s tragic story. She had no family left and had never married. Felix was her only apprentice.


    Naturally, she truly cared for bin


    and now she was faced with the agony of potentially losing him.


    "Felix..." Deborah whispered, her voice breaking as she shook uncontrobly. A


    powerful aura radiated from her as her emotions surged.


    "Even in your death, you''re worried


    about me, telling me not to do


    anything rash. You foolish child," she


    muttered bitterly. "I''ve spent my whole life being cautious, always overthinking everything. But what''s the point of living if I don''t act now?"


    A roar of fury suddenly erupted from Deborah, shaking the entire Harmony Clinic. Everyone inside froze in shock.


    "The Maximus family! This isn''t over. I''ll make sure you pay-no matter what it takes!"

 Chapter 1017

    Nerissa could clearly sense how deeply Deborah cared for Felix. Even though most people in Martial City would let things go for the sake of political alliances and self-interest, Deborah was not one of them.


    "Madam Goddard, please try to stay calm," Nerissa urged gently. "Before you returned, I kept an eye on the Maximus family. They''re already gone-Dean lost control and killed several people before fleeing. No one knows where they are now."


    Deborah clenched her teeth in rage. Of course, Dean would n ahead, knowing full well that after driving Felix to his death, both she and Harmony Clinic would retaliate.


    Deborah replied, "Thank you for the information. I''ll handle the rest from here."


    ...


    Two dayster, Deborah sat cross-legged outside Echo Cavern. Dickson and Shepherd stood silently beside her, keeping herpany as she stared into the cavern''s dark entrance.


    Ezra, the head of one of Harmony Clinic''s branches, approached. He asked, "She''s still not leaving, huh?"


    "Yeah," Dickson answered. "Madam Goddard only ever took on one apprentice. Even though they''ve only known each other, I think you, of all people, understand how much he meant to her."


    Shepherd, unusually solemn,forted Ezra with a pat on the shoulder. "You have our condolences. Felix was remarkable¡ªpractically a prodigy. It''s a huge loss for everyone, not just her."


    Ezra sighed. Losing Felix had been a devastating blow to Deborah and the entire Harmony Clinic.


    "Madam Goddard, please get up," Ezra urged softly. "The Maximus family may be in hiding, but they can''t stay hidden forever. We''ve already held a meeting and decided that Harmony Clinic will issue a bounty with a reward of three Ascension Pills."


    Deborah stood and bowed respectfully to Ezra. "Thank you, but I still have two Ascension Pills of my own. I refuse to believe that the Maximus family can keep hiding when such a massive reward is out there."


    Within hours, hews of Harmony Clinic''s bounty spread like wildfire across Martial City. The offer of five Ascension Pills caught the attention of powerful martial artists and even masters in the Transcendent Realm.


    Many martial artists, especially those on the verge of a


    breakthrough, could not resist the lure of the pills. Even those who did not need them personally saw the value in securing them for thei


    descendants. All they had to do was eliminate Dean of the Maximus family-a task they deemed


    manageable with so much on the


    line.


    The Maximus family was now hunted-despised and pursued by nearly everyone.


    Deborah''s extensivework only amplified the situation.


    Harmony Clinic went all-out for the


    first time in years, making it clear just how important the matter was Even though no one knew about the reason behind the bounty, none


    cared much, focusing solee


    on the


    prize.


    ...


    Meanwhile, in Westville''s Xavier Residence.


    "Five Ascension Pills? That''s insane," J muttered in disbelief, her mouth


    hanging open as she read the bounty announcement.


    "Insane or not, it''s enough to get our family''s elders moving. They''ve already organized search parties to track down the Maximus family."


    Ascension Pills were incredibly rare. Only a handful of alchemists in Martial City had the skill to craft them, and even then, the sess rate was extremely low.


    A single pill was already worth a fortune-five of them could change the fate of a martial artist in thete Transcendent Realm, potentially pushing them to major mastery. No one could resist such temptation.


    J nced at Nerissa and sighed softly. "Are you still holding out hope for Felix?"


    Nerissa did not answer. Her gaze remained fixed on the direction of Echo Cavern, and her thoughts were hidden deep within her heart. Whatever she was thinking, she kept to herself.

 Chapter 1018

    In Denverville, Jared maniacallyughed as he read thetest news. "Harmony Clinic put out a massive bounty on the Maximus family!


    "That means Felix is dead for sure! Serves him right! Suddenly, I don''t feel so bad for being punished by Dad!"


    "Wow, Jared, what''s got youughing like a lunatic?" A woman sauntered into the room. She was stunning, dressed in short, tight-fitting shorts that showed off her


    curves.


    The way she walked, with her hips swaying hypnotically, could steal the breath of anyone watching from behind.


    "Oh, Joanna! Nothing major, just in a good mood."


    The woman was Joanna Yorker, the eldest daughter of the Yorker family, who was a dominant power in Denverville. Jared was clearly no match for her in terms of status.


    "I''m here to ask about Nerissa. Where''s the person I asked for? The deadline was three days ago. You''re not usuallyte like this," Joanna said, her voiceced with impatience.


    Jared scratched the back of his head awkwardly and leaned in to whisper.


    "Joanna, you know how it was easier when my dad was still stationed in North City.


    "Things moved faster without all the oversight. But now that he''s in Denverville, I have to be more careful, which slows things down a bit."


    Joanna gave him a yful yet warning nce, her gaze full of mischief. "Fine. I''ll give you two more days. But if you don''t deliver, the deal''s off. You know how easy it is for my family to find another seller."


    Jared quickly nodded,ughing nervously. "Of course! Two days is plenty." Then, he changed the subject. "By the way, Joanna, I saw N the other day. Is she back in Martial City?"


    A sh of disdain crossed Joanna''s eyes. "Yeah, she''s back. Spent all that time in the capital searching for a cure and found nothing¡ªnot even a husband.


    "So, now she''s stuck living with that face for the rest of her life. It''s funny how you used to chase after her. What happened to that?"


    Jared shuddered at the memory. "Don''t even joke about that. After I saw her real face... I had nightmares for three days straight. I would never ever go near her again, even if someone paid me."


    Joanna burst intoughter. This was exactly the reaction she had hoped for.


    Once upon a time, N had been a beauty who overshadowed her in every way. Hence, N''s fall from grace was nothing short of satisfying.


    Meanwhile, Felix was still alive inside Echo Cavern, though he remained locked in an exhausting battle with the relentless, otherworldly sound. Over the past few days, he had noticed a strange pattern.


    Whenever the Dragonspine fragments vibrated one hundred times, an


    indescribable sensation would wash over his entire body. It was so intense that he


    had to stop himself from crying out in pleasure.


    Felix could not exin it, but he was


    sure the feeling originated deep within his soul and might be tied to the mysterious crystal Helena had given him. Whenever this sensation hit, the sound''s attacks would instantly spike in intensity rather than gradually build up.


    "Man, I have no idea when this will end," Felix muttered, rubbing his temples. "My


    mind feels sharper somehow, but is that a good or bad thing?"


    As for the flute Billy had given him, Felix would not dare use it again. The sound within Echo Cavern was clearly the type that grew stronger when challenged. It seemed


    ver


    patience and caution were his only options.


    The fragments vibrated again, hitting the hundred mark. This time, the sensation was so overwhelming that Felix''s scalp tingled, and he could not stop his eyes from rolling back in ecstasy.


    The sound intensified once more, its oppressive force returning. Still dazed, Felix instinctively opened his eyes and froze in shock. He whispered, "What... is this?"


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 1019

    Felix noticed that the oppressive darkness around him seemed to thin ever so slightly. It was such a subtle change that an ordinary person would not have sensed it, but with his heightened awareness, he picked up on it immediately. "Finally, some progress. Let''s keep going," he muttered to himself, determination ring in his eyes.


    ...


    Time passed, and three months slipped by in the outside world. The frenzy surrounding Harmony Clinic''s bounty on the Maximus family began to die down. Despite the massive search effort, no one could find any trace of them. It was as if they had vanished into thin air.


    Rumors circted that the Maximus family might have fled to the capital. After all, how else could they avoid being discovered by so many skilled trackers? Regardless of the spection, Deborah''s health rapidly deteriorated.


    The loss of her beloved apprentice, coupled with her inability to avenge him, had broken her spirit. Bern personally diagnosed her condition and could only sigh in frustration.


    "It''s an emotional wound," he exined. "No medicine can cure this. If she doesn''t ovee it herself, she might notst a year."


    With Deborah bedridden, Harmony Clinic fell into disarray. The production of advanced pills slowed drastically, and no one had found a way to reverse the decline.


    One day, under the scorching sun, Felix opened his eyes inside Echo Cavern. The final traces of darkness hadpletely disappeared, and he could see his surroundings clearly for the first time.


    It was an enormous cave with a barren, rocky floor. The scattered stones reminded him of a massive public square, almost asrge as one in the capital. There were no decorations or furniture-just vast, empty space.


    Felix also noticed that the oppressive sound had stopped attacking his soul. The Dragonspine fragments within him had ceased vibrating, signaling that the sound no longer had any power over him.


    "Does this mean I can finally get out of here?" he wondered aloud.


    Looking around, Felix saw no exits. He approached one of the cavern walls and struck it with his fist. There was no sound, no damage¡ªjust an eerie, unsettling silence.


    A few secondster, however,


    cracks began to form where he had punched. The cracks widened, and chunks of rock crumbled away, revealing a glowing entrance filled with white light.


    en


    "Well, I''ve made it this far. Nothing to be afraid of now," he whispered, summoning his courage.


    Felix stepped through the opening and found himself in a smaller chamber roughly the size of arge living room. In the center was a


    stone tform from which the


    brilliant white light emanated


    "What''s this?" he murmured, approaching cautiously.


    A small dagger, glowing faintly,y atop the tform. The de was only about the size of a child''s hand, and the short handle would be awkward for an adult to grip.


    Felix circled the room several times to ensure no hidden traps before finally stepping closer to the tform. Taking a deep breath, he reached out and touched the dagger.


    To his relief, the only reaction was the disappearance of the flickering white light- no danger, no sudden attack.


    "Lumen... is that your name?" Felix whispered as he noticed the word briefly sh across the de.


    The moment the name left his lips, the dagger transformed into a beam of light and shot into his body, startling him.


    "What the hell?" he gasped, his hand instinctively going to his chest.


    He stood still for several moments, but when no harm came to him, he finally exhaled in relief. "Is this... some kind of treasure?"


    Felix sensed that Lumen was not physically embedded in his body. Instead, it seemed to have vanished into his very soul-a ce he could barely perceive. Moreover, as soon as Lumen disappeared, the soul-attacking sound that had gued him for months faded entirely.


    Felix could not help but wonder if the sound actually came from Lumen.

 Chapter 1020

    Felix muttered, "Let''s hope this thing is worth it. Otherwise, all that suffering wasn''t worth it."


    He sighed and looked around again before chuckling bitterly. "But how the hell do I get out of here?"


    Suddenly, a sh of white light illuminated the cave. A new opening appeared in the stone wall ahead, glowing softly.


    "It''s Lumen!" Felix eximed in shock. The light hade from Lumen, confirming its presence.


    He stepped through the newly formed entrance without hesitation. The moment he passed through, his vision blurred, and he instinctively shut his eyes.


    When he finally adjusted to the brightness and opened them again, he saw something he had not seen in what felt like an eternity-the sun.


    "Am I really out?" Felix whispered in disbelief.


    Turning around, he saw the entrance to Echo Cavern. As soon as his eyesnded on it, the entrance began to copse, sealing itself shut within moments.


    "It looks like Echo Cavern only existed because of Lumen. Now that Lumen has merged with my soul, the cavern has no reason to remain," he mused.


    Time inside the cavern had be meaningless, especially in that endless darkness. If he had not been a Transcendent Realm martial artist with a strong mind, he would have likely gone insane long ago. He had no idea how long he had been trapped until he pulled out his phone and realized it was dead.


    After that, Felix began heading toward Westville. On the way, he spotted a lone traveler moving in the same direction.


    "Excuse me, sir!" Felix called out as he approached.


    The man, a middle-aged traveler with a rugged but honest face, froze. Sensing that Felix was far stronger than him, he quickly stopped and bowed respectfully, silently praying that Felix was not a violent man.


    "Rx. Do you have a phone?" Felix asked calmly.


    The traveler was only at the Pulse Realm. Felix was shocked that someone with such a low level dared to roam outside the city alone.


    Meanwhile, the traveler quickly nodded and pulled out his phone. "Yes, of course. Here you go, sir."


    Though Felix seemed harmless, the traveler was not about to let his guard down. After all, you could never tell what someone was really thinking with just a few words.


    "What''s today''s date?" Felix asked.


    "The fifth of June," the man replied.


    Felix frowned and muttered, "Three months?"


    He had been trapped in Echo Cavern for three whole months. Deborah, Nerissa,


    and everyone else he knew probably thought he was dead by now.


    After a moment of contemtion, Felix made a decision. He thought, "If everyone, including the Maximus family and the Grand Elder, thinks I''m dead, I might as well use that to my advantage for now."


    He was about to make a call when he remembered that someone like Deborah would not answer a number not saved in her contacts. Instead, he dialed the North City Harmony Clinic.


    "North City Harmony Clinic. How can we help you?"


    "Hello. I''d like to speak with Nellie Belmont. I''m a friend of Mr. Dickson Marlow," Felix said, knowing he needed a name to get through to Nellie.


    "One moment, please."


    After a brief pause, Nellie''s voice came through the line. "This is Nellie. I have contact info for all of Marlow''s friends. So, who exactly are you?"


    Hearing her familiar voice, Felix felt a wave of emotion wash over him. He had truly survived one of the most perilous experiences of his life.


    He said, "Nellie, please stay calm, and don''t tell anyone just yet. I need you to notify Madam Goddard S secretly. You''ve probably recognized my voice by now. Yes, it''s me-Felix Zeller."

 Chapter 1021

    Nellie quickly covered her mouth. If it weren''t for Felix''s reminder, she might have screamed out loud.


    However, she soon regained herposure and demanded, "Evidence!"


    After all, this was a person who had been dead for over three months. Since he had reappeared via a phone call instead of in person, Nellie had every reason to be skeptical. After all, Felix had entered Echo Cavern, one of the Three Forbidden Lands-surviving that was almost impossible.


    Felix had anticipated this reaction, so he gave his answer without hesitation. "Back when I first arrived, Nellie, you tried to... do something to me. Does that count as evidence?"


    How could Nellie not believe him? That kind of thing was something only the two of them knew. No one else could possibly be aware of it.


    Suppressing the wave of emotions inside her, Nellie said urgently, "Then hurry back!"


    Even though she had a million questions, she knew this wasn''t the time to ask.


    "Nellie, I know Madam Goddard is worried about me," Felix said. "But since I have this chance, I want to take care of something very important to me. Please pass this message along for me I promise I won''t be in danger again, and once it''s done, I''ll go to her right away.


    "So, I ask for your help to keep this a secret. Don''t tell anyone except Madam Goddard."


    Felix''s goal was to head to Ghosttown. ording to the Shepherd Ghost, the Skeletal Demon would appear there during every full moon.


    After learning the date from the middle-aged man, Felix realized the full moon was in three days. Missing it would mean waiting a long time, and being "dead" now made his movements much easier. There was no need to worry about enemies tracking him.


    "Alright, I can tell you''ve made up your mind. I don''t have the right to stop you. Just be careful. Madam Goddard''s health is worsening by the day.


    "Ever since you entered Echo Cavern, she''s been bedridden. It''s a heartache that no medicine can cure. But the news of you being alive will surely help her start recovering.


    "That said, Felix, you must


    remember that if you encounter


    danger again while handling your so-called important matter, you won''t be the only one to die. Madam Goddard surely won''t survive either."


    Deborah''s health was already fragile. If she found out Felix was alive, only to hear


    of his death again, the emotional rollercoaster would be devastating, with no chance of recovery.


    Thinking about how Deborah had developed a heartache because of him, Felix felt deeply touched and guilty. He wanted to rush back immediately, but the opportunity to search for the Skeletal Demon was fleeting. Additionally, he believed that Deborah would start recovering after Nellie informed her.


    "Thank you, Nellie."


    After hanging up, Felix handed the phone back to the middle-aged man. Since the


    man didn''t know who he was, there was no need to silence him.


    As the middle-aged man was about to bow in gratitude, three men suddenly rushed over. Exuding a murderous aura, the three of them were Pulse Realm warriors.


    "That old guy sure runs fast. We almost lost him!"


    "You lent me your phone, which helped me. And you''re a smart man," Felix said.


    With a wave of his hand, the three charging Pulse Realm warriors fell to the ground, and their heads tilted at unnatural angles. They were as dead as could be.


    By the time the middle-aged man snapped out of it, Felix was already gone. In a panic, he grabbed the emerald cards from the three dead men and ran off.


    He wouldn''t dare breathe a word of what had happened that day. Even if he did, no one would believe him, so why bother?


    At North City Harmony Clinic, Nellie carried arge tray of fragrant dishes into a room. The spread wasvish. Deborahy still on the bed, her eyes dull and lifeless. The only reason she remained in North City was her longing for Felix.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 1022

    "Madam Goddard, these are your favorite foods," Nellie said softly.


    Deborah''s lips moved slightly. "I don''t have an appetite. Take it away."


    Setting the food down, Nellie walked over to her. Using telepathy, she told her, "You''ll definitely eat today because I just got a call. It was from Felix. He used someone else''s phone to call me."


    What? Deborah sat bolt upright, her gaze sharp and piercing. "What did you just say?"


    Nellie was startled by her reaction.


    "I wouldn''t dare lie to you, especially not about Felix. I''m not sure how he escaped from Echo Cavern, but he''s alive. That much is certain, and I''ve already confirmed it. It was definitely him."


    At that, Deborah grabbed both of Nellie''s arms tightly. "When... When is heing back?"


    "Felix said he needs to handle something very important while pretending to be dead. Once it''s done, he''lle back to see you. He asked me to tell you but also to keep it a secret. Don''t let anyone else know."


    Tears of joy welled up in Deborah''s eyes.


    "That rascal! I knew it. I knew he wouldn''t die so easily!"


    Seeing Deborah''s spirits lift dramatically, Nellie quickly added, "Then you''d better get up and eat something. Otherwise, when Felixes back and sees you like this, all weak and frail, he''s going to worry himself sick!


    "And remember, you''re his mentor. You''ve got to maintain thatmanding presence of a mentor!"


    Hearing this, Deborah nodded firmly. "You''re right. I can''t let that rascal see me in this state!"


    With her mood improving, Deborah''s mind seemed to sharpen as well.


    "Nellie, don''t you think Nerissa is just amazing? Felix sure is lucky."


    Nellie smiled. "She is. She visits you every week without fail, no matter what. Others may think she''s just trying to curry favor with you, but we know the truth. She''s genuinely kindhearted."


    Deborah sighed and made a decision.


    "When Felix returns, we''ll see what


    he thinks. If they both agree, let''s arrange their marriage. A woman like her doesn''te around often, and if he misses this chance, who knows when the next one wille?"


    on


    ...


    Two dayster, Felix was nearing Ghosttown He opted not to wear the Shadow Mask this time. After all, past encounters with Dickson and the Skeletal Demon had taught him that trying to hide his identity sometimes just invited more trouble.


    "No wonder they call this cewless," he muttered.


    Since sunrise, he''d alreadye across five corpses and witnessed two life-or- death battles. It was clear that every step in Ghosttown had to be taken cautiously. One wrong move could be fatal.


    "Hey, kid. What''re you doing wandering around Ghosttown? Looking for some excitement? Would you like to hand over your emerald cards, or must I take them by force?"


    A burly man blocked Felix''s path a few hundred yards ahead.


    The man was in the True Blood Realm. Clearly, he felt entitled to rob people in thiswless ce. He probably assumed that Felix wasn''t even in the Blood Realm yet, given his young age, unless he was one of those top-tier prodigies. Hence, Felix seemed like an easy target.


    "Get lost!"


    With that, Felix sent the burly man buckling to the ground, clutching his head in agony. Blood trickled from his orifices as he died on the spot.


    Many hidden observers observed the scene from the shadows. Felix''s disy of power was a clear warning to them not to mess with him.


    As he stepped over the man''s corpse, Felix suddenly stopped in his tracks. He took out a small stone and examined it closely. His expression lit up with excitement.


    "The stone''s reacting. Could it be that Ophelia is somewhere in Ghosttown?"

 Chapter 1023

    The stone Averill gave to him had proven its worth. She had mentioned that if Ophelia were nearby in Martial City, the stone would react once they were within a certain range. At the moment, it was perfectly validating her im.


    In Martial City, Deborah cared abundantly for him. On top of that, Nerissa was insistent on getting engaged with him upon their first meeting. Nheless, it was not his home.


    Sensing Ophelia''s presence made his heart race with excitement.


    "A genius who isn''t one of the Top Ten Menaces? I love tormenting your kind," a voice said.


    Just as Felix tucked the stone away, a man and a woman appeared ahead. Both were sneering at him.


    "He''s so handsome, isn''t he?" the woman said, turning to the man. "Husband, don''t kill him outright. I want him as my boy toy! With that face and his strength, he''d be so much fun to y with!"


    Their appearances were so hideous that they were almostical. If it weren''t for the oppressive aura they deliberately emitted-proof that both were in the Physical Refinement Realm-someone would have likely sent them to meet their maker long ago.


    Felix knew there was no reasoning with people in a ce like this-the only way to survive was to kill. He had no interest in wasting his energy.


    Just as he was about to strike, a voice thundered through the air. "Leave!"


    The couple didn''t even look back. Their faces paled instantly, and they bolted like frightened birds, vanishing without a trace. The speed of their retreat was astonishing. Clearly, they feared for their lives.


    Felix also felt the shift in the air. Those lurking in the shadows had disappeared just as swiftly as the couple. The power behind that voice was overwhelming, sending shockwaves through the entire area.


    This happened all because a woman appeared. As she stepped closer, Felix''s heart surged with emotion.


    "Follow me," she said.


    Suppressing his excitement, Felix obeyed, following her into Ghosttown.


    It was clear this ce was awless wastnd. The so-called town consisted of ramshackle huts, and anyone out in the open moved quickly, avoiding lingering for even a moment.


    The faint scent of blood hung in the air, filling Felix''s nostrils. In a ce like this, danger was a constantpanion. He had already survived two ambushes before even reaching the outskirts, which proved its peril.


    After following the woman to the edge of town and entering a small house, Felix didn''t even have time to speak before she threw herself into his arms.


    "Felix! I thought I was imagining things!"


    Felix felt his heart burn with warmth.


    "I felt the same way. I can''t believe I''m actually seeing you here in Martial City, Ophelia."


    When they finally parted, Felix took a moment to study her carefully.


    Ophelia''s long, jet-ck bangs framed her face, and her ck dress gave her an intimidating, unapproachable aura.


    Her personality was the most


    normal among the senior sisters To those who didn''t know her welk she seemed like an ordinary person with no special talents or skills,


    As for her looks, she was undeniably attractive. She could be considered cute,


    even.


    "ording to Mr. Hoffman, you shouldn''t havee to Martial City so soon," she said.


    "Mr. Hoffman?" Felix asked, confused. "Does that mean Mr. Hoffman intended for me toe here all along?"


    Ophelia smiled faintly. "Yes. Why else do you think I came to Martial City? I''m here to pave the way for you. He gave me a task, and everything I''m doing is for your sake."


    Felix was even more baffled.


    WI


    "Didn''t you tell Mr. Hoffman that your soul had somehow merged with something


    called the Destiny Crystal? That''s where it all started," she said.


    The Destiny Crystal?


    Could Gerald be helping him without fully understanding what the Destiny Crystal was? But why would he go to such lengths? It didn''t make sense.

 Chapter 1024

    "Stop overthinking. Are you hungry? Let me cook for you," said Ophelia.


    Felix nodded. He was more than just hungry. After months of surviving on fasting pills, he hadn''t had a real meal in ages. His craving for food had only intensified.


    Half an hourter, Felix was devouring the meal ravenously while Ophelia watched him with a beaming smile.


    "By the way, Ophelia, why are you in a ce like Ghosttown?" he asked between bites.


    He wasn''t worried about her safety. After all, her strength was indisputable. To be honest, even though he had reached the Transcendent Realm, he still couldn''t gauge the true level of his fellow apprentices'' abilities. Each had mastered different skills, making it even harder to deduce.


    "I like it here," Ophelia replied with a grin. "I''ve killed plenty of scum, and now my reputation keeps most trouble away. Life here is peaceful and free, unlike the city. It''s tooplicated there."


    Fair enough. The city was full of tangled power struggles where "killing to stop killing" wasn''t an option.


    "So, why did youe to Ghosttown?" she asked.


    Felix saw no need to hide the truth from her. "Because of the Dragonspine. I discovered the final piece here in Martial City. It''s with someone called the Skeletal Demon, who shows up in Ghosttown every full moon."


    Ophelia''s smile widened. "Tomorrow''s the full moon, isn''t it? Don''t worry. Leave it to me. I''ll handle it for you."


    After finishing his meal, Felix fell into a deep sleep.


    Ophelia sat beside him, gazing at his face with a soft, tender expression.


    "The burden Mr. Hoffman ced on you is too much. Even though we know it''s unfair, we dare not defy him. For now, let''s just let you rest peacefully," she murmured.


    Felix woke up at an unknown hour, feelingpletely refreshed. His body and mind were brimming with energy as he stretchedzily.


    "You''re awake?"


    Upon hearing Ophelia''s voice, Felix turned his head, ready to respond. However, he froze in shock.


    There wasn''t just Ophelia in the room. Another man was kneeling on the floor, trembling with fear and a pale face.


    Felix recognized him instantly.


    "The Skeletal Demon?"


    Indeed, the man kneeling before him was the Skeletal Demon himself.


    "You should''ve told me earlier you were connected to the Demoness, sir! I wouldn''t have dared to fight you!" the Skeletal Demon wailed, clearly terrified.


    He had only just stepped into


    Ghosttown when Ophelia had


    captured him. Though her reputation might not be widely known


    over


    elsewhere, in Ghosttown, hername carried unparalleled weight.


    Her legendary battle had sealed her status. She had taken on two peak Transcendent Realm warriors alone and emerged unscathed after killing them both. She was practically the queen of Ghosttown, and no one dared provoke her. Never had he imagined that Felix had ties to


    someone like her.


    "Felix," Ophelia said, her tone calm but serious, "I have some bad news. You''ve


    probably noticed already, haven''t you?"


    Felix froze for a moment, then his expression changed.


    "I can''t sense the Dragonspine!"


    Ophelia nodded. "That''s right. This guy just confessed. Three days ago, he gave


    the Dragonspine to someone else."


    "Who?" Felix demanded, his


    frustration evident. He had been so


    certain he''d secure thest piece


    and finally be able to focus on cultivating pills. Now, his ns were thrown into chaos.


    "Speak! Who did you give it to?"


    The Skeletal Demon trembled under Ophelia''s cold gaze, too terrified to lie. He stammered, "K-Kevin Beasley."

 Chapter 1025

    Felix''s expression darkened further as he red at the Skeletal Demon. "Kevin Beasley? Is it the same person I''m thinking of?"


    He couldn''t forget the Dragonia Martial Arts Competition. He''d nearly killed Aiden then. However, Aiden''s mentor, Kevin, had appeared and saved him.


    The Skeletal Demon swallowed nervously, terrified of saying the wrong thing. "I know Kevin spent many years in the capital before returning to Martial City. I''m not sure when exactly he came back."


    That confirmed it. It had to be Aiden''s mentor.


    "What does he want with the Dragonspine?"


    The Skeletal Demon shook his head, his face pale. "I don''t know. I don''t even know how he found out I had it. I got that thing a year ago."


    The Dragonspine was already in Kevin''s hands. Any further questions felt pointless.


    "How do we find him?" Felix asked.


    The Skeletal Demon gave a bitterugh. "I swear I have no idea, sir. Kevin was always elusive, and now I''ve got even less of a clue where he might be."


    Felix sat alone on the bed, stewing in frustration. He''d been so close, and now Kevin had snatched victory from him.


    Upon seeing this, Ophelia opened the door. With a casual wave of her hand, the Skeletal Demon was flung through the air. Before his body hit the ground, his head had already separated from his shoulders.


    "Don''t let it get to you, Felix," Ophelia said as she walked back in. "Unless someone cultivates the Dragons Destroyer technique, they can''t truly absorb the Dragonspine. So, keep heading in the right direction. One day, you''ll definitely cross paths with it again."


    Felix sighed. s, there wasn''t much else he could do.


    "Ophelia, does Ghosttown really not have electricity?"


    When he arrived yesterday, he''d noticed there wasn''t a single electrical device in the house. He wanted to charge his phone. After all, living without it was too inconvenient. Now that the matter with the Skeletal Demon was settled, it was time to return to Deborah.


    "There''s electricity," Ophelia said. "Go out, take a right, and you''ll see a house with lights on not far from here. That guy runs all kinds of shady businesses and has a


    generator. Leave your phonel


    with


    him, and when it''s charged,e back. I have something to discuss with you."


    Ophelia''s confidence made it clear that anyone with any sense in Ghosttown knew their rtionship and wouldn''t dare harm Felix.


    Sure enough, when Felix arrived at the lit house, the burly, one-legged owner greeted him with an obsequious grin. "Rest assured, sir. Once it''s fully charged, I''ll deliver it to you myself. I won''t touch a thing!"


    When Felix returned, Ophelia''s expression had grown much more serious. "Felix, do you know about the Three Forbidden Lands in Martial City?"


    Felix nodded. Of course, he knew. He''d juste out of Echo Cavern, one of the Forbidden Lands. "Yes. They''re Echo Cavern, Corpse Town, and Misty Ridge." Anyone who entered Martial City was warned about them. Wandering into any of these ces meant a near-certain death.


    "Mr. Hoffman sent me to Martial City ahead of time to study these Forbidden Lands," Ophelia said.


    "Study them?" Felix''s curiosity spiked. "What do you mean? Are you saying there''s some kind of secret to these Forbidden Lands?"


    Ophelia smiled faintly. "That''s right. The people of Martial City call them Forbidden Lands because they''re tied to matters of the soul. No


    matter how powerful a warriore


    are, venturing inside almost always means certain death."


    Felix nodded. He''d experienced Echo Cavern himself, and the soul-bound dagger,


    Lumen, was still lying quietly within his spirit.


    "Does this have something to do with the Destiny Crystal I obtained?"


    Ophelia paused, contemting his question before she responded.

 Chapter 1026

    "Probably," Ophelia said with a shrug. "Mr. Hoffman only mentioned that the Three Forbidden Lands could be helpful to you. He wasn''t too sure about the specifics. He''s too busy, so he sent me to help you explore them."


    Felix was startled. "Ophelia, don''t tell me... you''ve already been to all Three Forbidden Lands?"


    When Ophelia nodded, Felix was stunned. The Three Forbidden Lands were ces people in Martial City feared to even talk about, yet she had gone to all of them and returned unscathed. It was hard to believe.


    "How else could I gather information for you? Look at you, acting all surprised. Honestly, Naomi would''ve been better suited for this task, but she couldn''t give up on her dream of helping her vige prosper. So here I am."


    Felix chuckled bitterly. His fellow apprentices really went above and beyond for him.


    "Still, the results weren''t bad! I can''t guarantee everything, but I''m quite proud of one thing. I''ve figured out the correct order to visit the Three Forbidden Lands. You have to go to Echo Cavern first, then Corpse Town, and finally Mist Ridge. If you mess up the sequence, there''s a high chance you''ll end up in mortal danger."


    "I can''t go with you, though," Ophelia added, her tone serious. "I could only keep myself safe and make it out alive. I couldn''t delve too deeply into them. If I were to join you, it might even trigger unforeseenplications. It''s too risky."


    Felix''s expression became conflicted. Hesitating for a moment, he tentatively said, "Um, Ophelia, would you believe me if I said I''ve already been to Echo Cavern?"


    It was Ophelia''s turn to be caught off guard, and she widened her eyes in shock. "What? You''ve actually been to Echo Cavern?"


    Felix blinked innocently, and Ophelia patted her chest in relief.


    "Phew! That was close! Good thing it wasn''t one of the other two zones. Otherwise, we''d probably be building a grave for you right now. Ugh, I can''t believe I underestimated you like this!


    "I just assumed that with your current strength, you wouldn''t even think about approaching the Three Forbidden Lands anytime soon.


    wanted to gather more incon


    before seeking you out, but thankfully, nothing bad happened."


    ?


    Upon seeing her visibly shaken expression, Felix couldn''t help butugh nervously. "Well, I did get ¨¨ something from Echo Cavern. It''s a daggen called Lumen. It''s already bonded to my soul. But I can only vaguely sense its presence. I don''t know how to control it ofuse it properly."


    From Ophelia''s startled look, it was clear even she didn''t know what secretsy within Echo Cavern.


    "Alright then," she said. "Your next stop should be Corpse Town. As for when you go, that''s up to you."


    Stretching her armszily, Ophelia grinned yfully. "Well, my mission here is done. I''m heading back to the capital tomorrow. I really don''t like this ce."


    Felix grimaced. "Ophelia, can''t you stay and help me a little longer?"


    ring at him, Ophelia pinched his nose. "You little rascal, are you looking for a free bodyguard? I wouldn''t mind, but take a look at that stone Mr. Hoffman gave you."


    Felix pulled out the stone, only to watch it crumble to dust right before his eyes.


    "That''s a signal from Mr. Hoffman. Once we meet, the stone


    disintegrates, letting him know. So have to go back. Mr. Hoffman has other tasks for me in the big city. You don''t want him storming into Martial City and spanking the both of us, do you?"


    Felix sighed, realizing there was no way around it. If Ophelia stayed, they could go anywhere in Martial City. Even the so-called Imperial City wouldn''t be off-limits.


    Ophelia nced out the window at the full moon, a smile tugging at her lips.


    "Do you want to know why the Skeletal Demon always came to Ghosttown during the full moon? Come with me, and I''ll show you."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 1027

    It was only at that moment that Felix remembered to think about why the Skeletal Demon hade here in the first ce. The Shepherd Ghost hadn''t exined it


    before.


    Stepping outside, the scene that greeted him left him utterly stunned.


    On both sides of the street, people were racing back and forth at incredible speeds. Some even leaped into the air, pushing their agility to the limits. The whole disy was chaotic, and Felix had no idea what was going on.


    Suddenly, something caught his eye. He sharply turned his head to one side, barely catching a glimpse of something that shed past. It was so fast it defied description, but judging by its size-about as big as a cat-he could be certain it wasn''t human.


    "Take a closer look at what''s in front of each house," Ophelia said.


    Felix snapped out of his daze and scanned the entrances to the houses. Sure enough, a bowl was ced outside every door. What was in the bowls made him pause. It was a simple serving of steak, something one could find anywhere.


    "Ophelia, what''s going on here?" Felix asked, confused.


    Ophelia chuckled. "This is the Skeletal Demon''s purpose foring here. He wanted to capture the Seekstorm Beast."


    Without waiting for him to ask more questions, Ophelia exined, "The origins of the Seekstorm Beast are mysterious. People in Martial City only learned about it when Yusri, the founder of the Maximus family, had one following him.


    "The beast has nobat abilities whatsoever, but it''s unbelievably fast, making it incredibly difficult to catch. However, once captured, it will acknowledge its captor as its master.


    "Somewhere along the way, a Seekstorm Beast showed up here in this


    Ghosttown. Most of the time, it stays hidden, and no one knows where it goes. But on the night of a full moon, ites out, and it absolutely loves steak. As long as there''s steak, it''ll be drawn to the scent, giving people a chance to catch it."


    Felix had never heard of the Seekstorm Beast before. It seemed like Martial City still held many secrets.


    "What exactly can this Seekstorm Beast do?" he asked.


    "It can find medicinal herbs. No matter how rare or precious the herb, the Seekstorm Beast can locate it.


    "That''s why it''s so


    the


    so valuable. Even if


    someone isn''t an alchemist, they can sell the herbs to a medicinal guild or auction them off. With that kind of wealth, obtaining resources would be easy toe by. Who wouldn''t be tempted?"


    Tempted? Felix was more than tempted. He was practically itching to try. If the Seekstorm Beast could really locate herbs, then even those thought to bepletely extinct might still be within reach. The possibilities were endless.


    "Do you want to give it a shot?" Ophelia asked with a yful smile.


    Seeing her nod, Felix didn''t hold back. He observed for a moment, tracked the movements of the Seekstorm Beast, and bolted after it, activating his Lone Paragon technique to boost his speed.


    Ten minutester, he returned,pletely out of breath and looking defeated.


    "Good grief, who could possibly catch that thing? No wonder the Skeletal Demon keepsing here every full moon. He was probably just hoping for a lucky break."


    Opheliaughed heartily. "Exactly. I knew you wouldn''t give up until you tried for yourself. Even experts at the Transcendent Realm can''t catch it."


    Suddenly, Felix shot her a curious look. "Wait... you can''t catch it either?"


    Ophelia scrunched up her nose. "Why would waste my time? It''s useless to me. Besides, even for me, it''d take some effort. It''s just not worth it. And anyway, if someone else caught it, they''d be its master. It''s not like I could just hand it over to you."


    Letting go of the idea for now, Felix made a silent vow. One day, when he reached the level of Grandmaster Realm, he''d return to Ghosttown and try again. The


    Seekstorm Beast''s potential was too incredible to give up on.


    The next day, Ophelia left early. After getting his phone back, Felix prepared to leave as well. But before heading out, he made sure to give Deborah a call to let her know he was alive and well.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 1028

    "You little brat! Have you finally remembered your mentor?" Deborah asked.


    When he heard her voice, Felix felt his nose sting with emotion. Unlike his other mentor, who showed love in a more reserved manner, Deborah waspletely open about her affection. While the result was the same, the feeling was undeniably different.


    "I''m sorry, Madam Goddard. I was nning toe see you right away," Felix said.


    Deborah''s condition worried him, especially after his perilous journey to the Echo Cavern, one of the Three Forbidden Lands.


    Surviving such a ce was a miracle in itself, and asking him to recount the experience seemed unnecessary. After all, no one would willingly venture there unless driven by insatiable curiosity or the lure of treasure.


    "I''m doing much better now, so there''s no rush. If you really care, though, why don''t you focus on fulfilling the promise you made instead?"


    "Promise?" Felix frowned. "I''m not sure I understand, Madam Goddard."


    The next moment, Deborah''s tone turned sharp.


    "You little punk! Do you even remember how much Nerissa did for you? She faced down not one, but two Transcendent Realm powerhouses to save you. She didn''t run. She fought for you, even sacrificing a magic artifact in the process. Yet, you''ve forgotten the promise you made to her?"


    Felix nearly pped himself in frustration. He hadn''t truly forgotten-he just hadn''t thought about it immediately. How could he forget his promise to marry Nerissa if he survived the Echo Cavern?


    "But, Madam Goddard, I really want to see you first."


    "There''s no need. I''ll be heading to Westville myself, so we''ll meet there. Nerissa is a good woman. She''s worth it."


    Her high opinion of Nerissa didn''t surprise Felix. Nerissa truly was exceptional, with no ws anyone could point to.


    "Alright, Madam Goddard. I''ll head to Westville now."


    Still, Felix couldn''t help but think about N, who was in Denverville. He''d made a promise to her as well, However, knowing Nerissa''s


    BUT


    character, he figured she might not mind him handling things tactfully afterward.


    Since Ghosttown was situated in the far north, the distance to both Denverville


    and Westville was roughly the same.


    Meanwhile, a rare scene was unfolding at Xavier Residence in Westville. Nerissa was losing her temper.


    "Father! If it weren''t for that marriage


    contract, I''ve always respected familial loyalty above all else. I''d follow any arrangement you made, even if you wanted me to marry beggar. I wouldn''tin. But this? Well, it''s not happening."


    J opened her mouth to speak, but their father, the stern-faced Wilson Xavier, silenced her with a single sharp re.


    "Stay out of this. It''s not your ce to speak."


    Turning back to Nerissa, his tone softened. "My child, the marriage contract presented by Westley has the family''s full support. However, you must consider the two problems we''re facing.


    "First, the person you''re meant to


    marry-Felix Zeller-hasn''t even


    shown up. How can we count on him for the future? Second, Westley has been missing for a long time. Do you think the Xavier family doesn''t have enemies?


    "Without the protection of someone in the Transcendent Realm, those people are already eyeing us hungrily. When they confirm that Westley won''t be returning, it''ll only be a matter of time before they make their move.


    "Given these circumstances, as the head of the Xavier family, I have to prioritize finding a strong ally. Do you think that''s wrong?"


    Nerissa stood firm. "Father, you have your concerns, but I have my principles. Besides, you''re mistaken about one thing. Felix has already returned. I''ve met him, and he''ll being here soon to marry me."


    The moment she finished speaking, a burst of mockingughter echoed through the room.


    "Ha! Are you talking about felix, that reckless fool? The one crazy enough to enter Echo Cavern, biting off more than he could chew?"

 Chapter 1029

    Seven figures emerged, striding confidently in their direction.


    The six trailing behind all wore ck attire, exuding an oppressive aura. The young man leading the group, however, was even more striking. Dressed in a long golden robe, he radiated authority with every step.


    Even an ordinary person, seeing such clothing, would immediately recognize him as a member of the royal family. After all, in the entire Martial City, only the royal family dared to don such golden robes. Their royal guards, in contrast, wore imposing ck uniforms.


    Caught off guard by their unannounced arrival, Wilson quickly stepped forward with a wide, weing smile.


    "What an honor to have you visit our humble Xavier family, Your Highness. I apologize for not greeting you sooner."


    Though royaltymanded respect, it was more of a title than actual governance. Kneeling or performing grand ceremonial gestures wasn''t customary in such interactions. So, Wilson merely sped his hands together as a polite greeting.


    "Mr. Xavier, there''s no need for such formalities," the young man said. "I''m here on official business in Westville, but I thought I''d stop by and visit my fianc¨¦e while I''m here. It''s only proper."


    Zayn Palmer, the sixth prince, was a refined and elegant man. He carried himself with an air of unmatched grace befitting a member of the royal family.


    "Who''s your fianc¨¦e?" Before anyone else could respond, Nerissa broke in coldly, her face frosty with displeasure. "Hmph! Sneaking around eavesdropping on others, and now spouting such nonsense?"


    "Nerissa, mind your manners!" Wilson reprimanded sharply.


    Zayn, however, waved it off with a gentle smile. "It''s fine. Nerissa is, after all, a member of the illustrious Xavier family and one of the Ten Prodigies. A little temper is to be expected."


    Wilson was thoroughly pleased with Zayn''s response. For him, the grand strategy of securing the Xavier family''s future relied on this marriage. Zayn, the sixth prince, being royalty and exceptional in his own right, was an ideal match.


    "Your Highness, you are indeed magnanimous. By the way, you mentioned earlier about someone named Felix entering Echo Cavern. What''s that about?"


    A flicker of pride crossed Zayn''s eyes.


    "Mr. Xavier, it seems you''ve been


    it


    kept in the dark. Our royal family has ways of uncovering any secret. For instance, after you proposed the idea of a union between our families, I began watching Nerissa. That''s when I discovered her so-called mysterious fianc¨¦, a mere nobody named Felix.


    "Before we could dig deeper into his background, his enemies chased him into


    Echo Cavern. Entering that ce is no different from a death sentence."


    Even as J tried to hold her back,


    Nerissa''s fury was evident. She


    snapped back, "Echo Cavern is


    certain death? Maybe for someone like you. Felix is different. And even if he truly perished, I would never


    marry anyone else."


    Just as the tension began to grow, Jace Xavier suddenly broke the somber mood with a cheerful exmation. "I just ran into Felix!"


    The entire Xavier family froze in shock. No one had anticipated so many people gathering in their courtyard, especially with Zayn present.


    "Felix!"


    Standing at the side of the courtyard was none other than Felix himself.


    Unable to contain her emotions, Nerissa let out a surprised cry before rushing into his arms. She didn''t care about the crowd watching. Her feelings wereid bare, and she was overjoyed that Felix had survived Echo Cavern.


    Felix, far from feeling awkward, wrapped his arms around her and softly reassured her, "I''m sorry for worrying you. I''m here now to keep my promise."


    "Felix!"


    Not far away, J stood frozen, her hands covering her mouth in disbelief. She''d been certain Felix had entered Echo Cavern and wouldn''t survive.


    Yet here he was, alive and standing before them. It was a miracle in every sense


    of the word. Not just in their family but likely all of Martial City-no one else could im such a feat.

 Chapter 1030

    Zayn looked visibly displeased. He had never seen Felix before, but he trusted the reports from his subordinates. Felix had definitely entered Echo Cavern, so what was going on now?


    After separating from Nerissa, Felix turned to Wilson, sping his hands in respect. "Mr. Xavier, I greet you. I''vee today to formally propose marriage and to select the best date to marry Nerissa."


    Wilson was momentarily stunned, struggling to process what was happening. He even began to wonder if all the talk about Echo Cavern was a joke. Otherwise, how could Felix still be alive?


    "So, you''re the Felix mentioned in the marriage contract?"


    Felix nodded with a smile. "That''s correct. I''vee to honor that prenuptial agreement."


    Before anyone could respond, Zayn''s voice cut through. "Westley Xavier, who arranged that prenuptial agreement, hasn''t been seen in quite some time. Do you really think that agreement still holds? Even if you miraculously survived Echo Cavern, do you think you''re worthy of Nerissa?"


    Felix frowned and asked inly, "And who are you?"


    Zayn''s expression darkened instantly.


    One of his subordinates barked, "Impudent! This is the sixth prince of the royal family! How dare you disrespect him?"


    Felix was caught off guard. He hadn''t expected this person to be a member of the royal family. But what of it?


    "A refineddy is admired by noblemen, and in matters of love, everyone stands as equals. You have your rights, just as I have mine. If Nerissa wishes to go with you, I''ll have nothing more to say," Felix said.


    Nerissa''s reply, however, left no room for doubt. "My fianc¨¦ has returned, so this matter no longer concerns you, Your Highness. I''m sorry."


    Zayn sneered coldly and turned his gaze to Wilson as if to say, "Well, what are you going to do about this?"


    Wilson now


    found himself in a tough position, caught between a rock and a hard ce-on one side was the marriage prenuptial agreement. arranged by Westley, and on the other was the sixth prince, whom he had taken the liberty to invite as a potential son-inw-it would be difficult to choose a side.


    Still, with Westley absent, Wilson dared not openly break the marriage agreement. Yet, in his heart, he leaned heavily toward Zayn. After all, the benefits of aligning with the royal family far outweighed anything Felix could offer.


    Having made up his mind, Wilson''s expression lit up with a diplomatic smile.


    "Well, the Xavier family has always prided itself on integrity. Since the marriage prenuptial agreement was established, and both parties seem to be in agreement, we should honor it.


    "However, Felix, the Xavier family is no ordinary household. Respect and appearances matter to us. Do you truly intend to show up empty-handed to im my daughter? That would be rather dismissive of the Xavier family, wouldn''t it?"


    Nerissa was about to retort when J quickly stepped forward and whispered to her, "Don''t act impulsively. I know Dad is being intentionally difficult, but he''s not wrong.


    "With Zayn here as a witness, if we hastily finalize the wedding without observing proper customs, our family will be theughingstock of Martial City."


    Though reluctant, Nerissa remained silent. Her sister''s words had merit¡ªas much as she despised such shallow formalities, she couldn''t allow her family to lose face.


    Suddenly, the sound of pping broke the tension. Zayn smirked and gestured for one of his subordinates to step forward. "Mr. Xavier, this is just a small token of my regard. It''s a simple meeting gift."


    After emphasizing the words "meeting gift", the subordinate proudly announced, "50,000 emeralds, one luxury car, a property deed in the most prosperous district of the Imperial City, and six top-grade restorative pills."


    With that, Zayn cast a disdainful nce at Felix. "And you? What do you have to offer?"


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