Aaron looked at Damien Thornton, who stood there like a complete fool. "I truly don't know how you've managed to hold the position of Patriarch all these years. You're still as simple-minded as ever. If I die tonight, your son absolutely will not survive past dawn, and the Northern Sovereign, the Whitfield family, and the Thornton family will all be destroyed along with me.""Insolent!""Arrogant!"Black Tiger rose to his feet, his massive frame looming like a wall of solid muscle, utterly terrifying to behold.Aaron's words had infuriated them all. He actually dared to claim that his death would bring about the annihilation of the Northern Sovereign, the Whitfield family, and the Thornton family. Even Governor Ashford himself wouldn't dare make such a declaration."Our boss is a figure of supreme authority," Ironwolf roared. "You think a nobody like you gets to run his mouth about him?""Am I wrong, though?" Aaron's smile remained calm and unhurried. "

"Even if Aaron Holmes had three heads and six arms, it wouldn't matter. He's finished this time!"Sullivan Rowland shook his head. "Do you know that Governor Ashford just took Haven City's top brass to Fick Winery?""What? The Governor took people to Fick Winery?"Nolan Rowland was stunned.Sullivan let out a long breath. "It's not just the Governor. I placed scouts across every district on Haven Outskirts a while back. Today, two reinforced regiments moved into the outskirts. By now, they're probably already at Fick Winery.""Two... two reinforced regiments?"Nolan's eyes went wide, nearly bulging from their sockets. This was nothing like what he had imagined. Wasn't Aaron Holmes supposed to be a nobody? His only backing was that woman, Serena Vale, and the Vale family behind her. But that counted for nothing. Any one of the Three Great Houses could crush them without breaking a sweat. The only things that had given anyone pause were Riverstone Corp an

The only ones still standing were Landon Whitfield, frozen in place like a man whose mind had simply shut down, and Hunter Thornton, whose face was twisted with grief.Every soul in the courtyard stood rooted where they were, not a word spoken, waiting for Aaron Holmes to break the silence."Vaughn Whitfield.""Landon Whitfield.""Dorian Tyler.""Brad Tyler.""Damien Thornton."He listed the names without emotion, each one landing like a verdict. "These five had been plotting against me for some time. Dying here tonight is no more than they deserved." His gaze drifted to the one survivor among them. "As for Landon, who's still breathing..."The words jolted Landon out of his stupor. His knees buckled and he dropped to the ground, pressing his forehead against the stone again and again in frantic kowtows. Within moments, blood streaked down his brow and dripped from his chin, leaving dark smears on the flagstones beneath him."Lord Holmes,

What if Serena's grief overwhelmed her and her body couldn't take it? If she fell seriously ill again, then the Vale family's plan to quietly absorb Vale Group through Riverstone Corp would become far more complicated."Serena, this has nothing to do with our family. Everything that happened was Aaron's own doing," Felix Vale said, his tone measured but firm. "But as your mother said, Aaron isn't the only man in Haven City. Whoever catches your eye, your uncle will do everything in his power to make it happen."Serena sat limply in her chair, her body drained of strength.Then, after a long moment, she suddenly stood. Something wild flickered across her face."No, I'm going to find Aaron. I don't believe he's dead."She had barely risen to her feet before Camille Vale caught her by the arm and pulled her back. "Serena, why are you being so stubborn about this? Your uncle has already promised you. Once our family joins the Great Families, you'll have your pic

"How did I end up with such a fool for a son?" Sullivan Rowland's voice thundered through the room. "That Aaron Holmes clearly has a solid relationship with Riverstone Corp and Governor Ashford. This time, the Governor even handed the Whitfield family's entire business over to Aaron. Have you forgotten how much bad blood we've had with him? If Aaron says one word to the Governor about us, do you think the Rowland family will have a single peaceful day left?"Nolan Rowland's face cycled between pale and flushed as the implications finally sank in.The more Sullivan thought about it, the angrier he became. Why couldn't his own son be like Aaron Holmes, connected to all these powerful figures? He swung his palm and smacked the back of Nolan's head."Listen to me, you little idiot. No matter what grudges or grievances you've had with Aaron Holmes in the past, you will let them go. Tomorrow, when we see him, you will apologize properly. Only when Aaron is satisfied can our