Other times, Noelle used different kinds of toxins. She avoided lethal doses, careful not to leave evidence for the police. Since the substances only cause misery rather than death, the police had nothing on Noelle. Besides, Manny’s hired assassins were not exactly the sweetest angels. They could not go to the cops after Laurence’s security team beat them up. So long as no one died, the incidents were kept quiet. Manny had thought about confronting Laurence directly. However, Laurence would never be seen without his sunglasses and mask. The sheer arrogance felt like a disrespect to Manny. More infuriatingly, every time Manny cornered Laurence for a proper talk, the latter would drug Manny with laxatives, and he would have to spend hours in the bathroom. It happened all the time. Yet, Manny had no idea how Laurence pulled the stunt. At this point, Manny avoided running into Laurence for fear of another bathroom incident. Most of the time, though, Manny could not even sec

Meanwhile, Laurence was at Longtail Hotel, closing the deal with Stewart. It was the contract Sonny hijacked from Manny. Once the groundwork was laid, Sonny left Laurence the responsibility of getting Stewart’s signature on the contract. The meeting was set at eleven, and lunch would follow. However, Stewart showed up early, bringing everything else forward. It was just as well. With paperwork finalized, there were fewer chances for things to go sideways. Word had probably reached Manny’s ear, and he would likely rush to intervene. It was too late. With the written contract out of the way, Laurence stood up and shook Stewart’s hand. “Pleasure doing business with you, Stewart.” “Likewise.” Stewart was all smiles, feeling relieved. He was afraid that Longtail Group might back out. Now that they had a contract, they could all heave a sigh of relief. Longtail Group had been an unstoppable force in recent years. Any partnership with them was basically a win-win. Longtail

The two bodyguards stood like statues. Roxy could not push them away. With Laurence inside the vehicle, the driver started the drive. Roxy wanted to run after the car, but before she could get far, the bodyguards grabbed her arms and held her from getting in Laurence’s way. Since the bodyguards seized her by the arms, Roxy dropped the bouquet of flowers. “What are you doing? Let me go! Do you know who I am? Such disrespect!” Roxy shouted out loud while putting up a fight. Still, she could not break free. She had some training, but was nowhere near Noelle. Yet, she was defenseless against the two bodyguards. Laurence’s security team was the best of the best. With Laurence’s car gone, the two bodyguards released their grip on Roxy. Roxy spun around to slap the bodyguard, but the latter caught her hand before the blow could land. The bodyguard narrowed his eyes eerily. Not one to be sympathetic to girls or fear Roxy’s social standing, he wrenched her arm back, and Ro

“Roxy thinks too highly of herself. She has never seen your face before. Yet, she talks about love. The romantic pursuit is only a cover for her to get close and rip off your mask. She just wants to see what you look like. “Manny’s people suspect you’re the one they’ve been looking for in the last thirty years. They can’t confirm until they see your face. “You’re on the hit list. We all know the assassins were sent by Manny. He’s still not quite his father, though.” After a brief silence, Laurence said, “There’s a reason major families let the main bloodline take over. They’re usually the smartest and most competent. “The bloodline is just so strong. Every generation produces one extraordinary individual, someone practically destined to inherit the position of family head. “Meanwhile, the side branches are always a step behind in one way or another. It’s not as if none of them are gifted, but they tend to decline with each passing generation. Every so often, someone brilliant

However, Laurence’s car was bulletproof. The assault barely started when sirens blared into the night. The assassins were lost for words. Tonight sure was not their night. They did not even have the chance to get close to Laurence yet. They had not engaged in a fight with his security team. The police arrived before any of them could exchange blows.They wondered if word of their mission had gotten out. Somehow, the police were tipped off to catch them. The assassins jumped into their vehicles and fled the scene. However, the police were one step ahead of them. Outnumbered, the assassins had nowhere to run. The armed killers engaged in a shootout with the police, but their numbers were too great. It was only a matter of time before the killers’ ammunition ran out.That was when their luck ran out too. Once the killing squad was out of ammo, Laurence’s security team stepped out of the cars and engaged in hand-to-hand combat. The killers who showed up tonight were skilled,