Chapter 525


    Chapter 525


    Members Only The sight of the eight prestigious families squabbling over Jennifer like children outside


    the gates of Est Montaigne would undoubtedly be a ludicrous one to any bystanders. The crowd fought


    unceasingly, none willing to relent. They then looked to Tyrone, who was seated at the side. “You were


    the one to offer this reward of ten billion. So tell us, who should enter first?” Tyrone was too concerned


    for Jennifer’s safety to be bothered with anything else. “Who amongst you dares to go head to head


    against Gibbons?” Tyrone said derisively at the group of fools being frustrated over their order of entry.


    Tyrone’s words shocked them to a realization.


    Though they were members of the eight prestigious families, none of them could contend against


    Gibbons in terms of power or brutality. Gibbons was smoking a cigarette and enjoying the show when


    the other seven prestigious families fell silent at the mention of his name. What’s there to argue about?


    Like Tyrone said, who dares to walk in front of Gibbons? The entrance to Est Montaigne opened slowly.


    “It’s open! The gates are open!” Gibbons threw the cigarette butt onto the ground, extinguished it with


    his heel, and stretched before strolling toward the facility. The other prestigious families followed


    closely behind.


    Though they could no longer contend for the privilege to enter first, the position of second ce was


    still up for grabs. All of their expressions changed upon entering the facility. Tevin was lying in bed with


    a mouthful of blood and wide, unblinking eyes which seemed to contain no more life. Other parts of Est


    Montaigne were also in a wretched state. It looked as if it had been trampled by a frightening force.


    “Did somebody attack Est Montaigne?” “Go in and locate Jennifer. Quickly!” Tyrone ordered. The


    subordinates he brought immediately ran further into Est Montaigne. The explosive news caused a


    buzz of emotions throughout the Youngblood family. The attack on Est Montaigne left none alive! Sixty-


    odd managers in charge of the Youngbloods’ safe houses around the world sat around a long table in


    the hall of the Youngblood residence in Gerton. Every one of them looked grim.


    Before themy the information and personnel list of the security surveince system in Est Montaigne.


    Two Quattuor Ste Warriors and Sivert. The security setup installed in all the safe houses was


    deemed of above-average quality. It could ensure theplete safety of the house’s upants, even


    in a country ravaged by war. A safe house of that description had been razed in Pollerton. “Since


    everybody is here, let’s hear it.” The patriarch of the Youngblood family in Gerton, Yuvich Youngblood,


    sat at the head position in the hall and swept a cold gaze at everybody within. “Ever since news


    regarding Est Montaigne was released, Mr. Youngblood, the valuation of Youngblood Group has shrunk


    by five percent. Our old clients in banks worldwide are also requesting to transfer their capital because


    they feel Youngblood Group’s safe houses are not as safe as they had imagined.”


    The Youngblood family had managed a rapid ascent due to the reputation of their safe houses. As a


    result, the impact on Youngblood Group could only be imagined with such a blow to their reputation. “I


    don’t want to hear what I already know. Tell me something else,” Yuvich barked as he surveyed the


    crowd. “Like how Est Montaigne was razed, and who is behind it all.” “All of the surveince cameras in


    the facility had been destroyed, Mr. Youngblood. There are no survivors in there, so we could not find


    out who did it. Whoever it was left no trace behind.” “Is that so?” Yuvich said as he rapped on the table


    lightly with his fingers.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    “Then why did I hear Tyrone announcing that he would give ten billion to whoever it was that could


    rescue a woman named Jennifer from Est Montaigne before it was destroyed?” The Youngblood family


    members present were not stupid. Their eyes lit up at Yuvich’s words. They derived two pieces of


    information from Tyrone’s deration. The first was a woman named Jennifer being at Est Montaigne


    before the incident urred. The second was Tyrone being the person most likely to attack the


    upants of Est Montaigne since he had offered a ten billion reward to whoever it was who could


    rescue Jennifer. “Send somebody to investigate. The person who attacked Est Montaigne must have


    connections to Jennifer or Tyrone. Report whatever you find back to me. I’ll have that person wish they


    were never born.” “Yes, Mr. Youngblood.” “One more thing. I heard Donald Campbell of Pollerton has


    The inner circle of the Youngblood family began executing their orders. Meanwhile, the ten prestigious


    families in Pollerton had also descended into silence. Sebastian stood at the cemetery, wearing a white


    flower in his breast pocket and an impassive expression on his face. Rodolphus, the white-haired elder


    of the Freedman n, arrived before Sebastian. “You’ve been in Pollerton for a long time, Sebastian,”


    he said in a low voice. “Have you not found out who killed Oscar in Est Montaigne?” Oscar was the


    most highly regarded member of his generation within the Freedman n. If everything went ording


    to n, he would take over from the elders in another three years to be the new patriarch of the


    Freedman family. Oscar’s purpose in Pollerton was originally to rx and gain experience.


    Unexpectedly, that was precisely where something had happened. Worse still, he had met his end in


    Est Montaigne. Sebastian knew whose hand Oscar had died under very well, though he kept it to


    himself.


    “I’m sorry, Mr. Rodolphus,” he said while shaking his head. “Oscar has many enemies in Pollerton, but


    none of them have the ability to raze Est Montaigne to the ground.” Rodolphus looked Sebastian


    beadily in the eye, though thetter did not flinch nor disy the slightest hint of guilt. Satisfied that


    Sebastian was telling the truth, Rodolphus pped the former on the shoulder. “I heard Donald is


    reinstating the Dragon Fide Project and that you have invested three hundred million in him. I hope you


    can give me a reason, or your family will strip you of your personal assets, depending on the severity of


    the situation.”


    Prominent families did not wish to see their offspring devote all their energy to internal friction. The


    Freedman family’s objection to the Dragon Fide Project was well-known among its inner circle, and


    Sebastian’s affiliation with Donald was undoubtedly seen as a move against the Freedman n. If


    Sebastian could not give Rodolphus a satisfactory answer, he would lose the Freedman n’s support.


    “I trust Donald and believe that the Dragon Fide Project would be a sess. It’s been on hold for the


    past few years due to Tyrone’s objection. In addition, it provided no benefits to the prestigious families.


    What if, however, the Dragon Fide Project benefited us?” “Preposterous,” Rodolphus boomed. “The


    world’s top billionaires will fall under Donald’s control if Dragon Fide Vi is built. How is that beneficial


    to the other prestigious families such as ours?” “The recently announced La Tercera Order revealed the


    government’s n to set up the area around Dragon Fide Vi to be a pilot free-trade zone within a


    month,” Sebastian said with a nce at Rodolphus.


    “I think the potential value behind this zone speaks for itself.” The Ten Prestigious Families did not


    materialize out of thin air. Instead, they were essentially businessmen driven toward profit. Even if


    Sebastian stood against his entire family, he did so for profit, leading to their betterment. Rodolphus


    could not object to that. “Even if what you said makes sense, the Freedman n will never go against


    Tyrone. Over the years, the prosperity of the Ten Prestigious Families has been inextricably linked. I


    can’t control what you do, but you cannot represent the Freedman n.” Rodolphus’ words were


    carefully measured. Though he did not expel Sebastian from the Freedman n, he did not dere his


    intention to stop Sebastian from siding with Donald and investing in thetter. Sebastian understood.


    He gave Rodolphus’ hand a squeeze before turning and departing the cemetery. Sebastian did not


    me the Freedman n for their ignorance regarding the true extent of Donald’s strength. He was


    adamant about being in the same boat as Donald until the end, as it was the only way to preserve the


    spark of the Freedman n until the very end. Donald held Jennifer and sat on the couch in the


    couples’ marital bedroom in Pollerton. He felt touched looking at the decor of their matrimonial room.


    Even though he did not live there anymore, Jennifer still kept the house clean and tidy. It looked as if he


    had never left. “No! Let go of me! Donald! Save me!” Jennifer suddenly began struggling in her sleep.


    Donald hastened to hold her. “I’m here,” he whispered in her ear. “I’m right here.” She quietened down


    at the sound of Donald’s voice. Jennifer hugged him and wept when she opened her eyes and saw his


    familiar face looming over hers. “I’m so sorry, Donald.” Donald brushed Jennifer’s nose as he chuckled.


    “What are you talking about, silly? It’s fine now. Oscar did not do anything to you.” Jennifer lowered her


    gaze to her clothes and found they were indeed tidy. They did not look like they had been forcefully


    undone. “How is that possible? How did you find me?” Donald gazed at Jennifer. “I asked a friend for


    help in rescuing you. He is formidable but does not wish for anybody to learn of his existence. Can you


    promise to keep his secret, Jennifer?” Jennifer nodded obediently. “Are you still upset?” Donald


    suddenly asked. Jennifer blushed before rolling her eyes at Donald. “Yes, I am,” she huffed. “Let go of


    me.” Donald knew very well that Jennifer did not mean what she said and refused to let go. He bent


    down and kissed Jennifer, causing her embarrassment to turn into anger. “What are you doing,


    Donald? Let go of me!” Donald bent down and kissed her again. Jennifer’s resistance weakened, and


    her breathing becamebored. The couple kissed for a long time on the couch. “Would you like to go


    out for a bite?” Donald asked Jennifer atst. Jennifer nodded while blushing furiously. Donald was the


    only thing in her thoughts at that moment, so she was naturally agreeable to any suggestion he made.


    They emerged from their residential area. Donald took Jennifer to board a bus and arrived at Ophelia’s,


    a restaurant specializing in Epean cuisine. “Isn’t this restaurant a little expensive, Donald? What say we


    go to a different restaurant?” Though Donald and Jennifer each owned apany, their monthly sry


    was only slightly higher than that of an ordinary white-cor worker. On top of that, they had to worry


    about theirpanies. The patrons of Ophelia’s were mostly big fish from prestigious families. Their


    spending power was something the two of them could not contend against. “We’ll treat it as a


    celebration of you surviving a disaster. I can still afford a decent meal.” Donald led her by the hand and


    entered after he spoke before being stopped in their tracks by a server, Frank Lansing, standing at the


    door. “Excuse me. This restaurant is for members only. Are you two members?” “No. It’s our first time


    here.” Donald produced a bank card and handed it to Frank. “Since it’s members only, make us a


    membership card.” Frank did not take the bank card Donald offered. Instead, he said coolly, “I’m sorry,


    sir. This establishment operates on a rmended membership basis. We cannot allow you to dine


    here if you have not been rmended by one of our existing members.” “Forget it, Donald. Let’s eat


    somece else.” Jennifer was not insistent on dining in that restaurant. She tugged at Donald to hint


    that they should seek another. Just then, a piercing voice came from the entrance. “Well, well, if it isn’t


    Jennifer. Why are you standing here by the door instead of going in?” Jennifer turned around and saw


    a woman in a tight, low-cut red dress toting a Chanel purse gazing at her with an inscrutable smile.


    “Keira?” “Who else would it be?” Keira Summers said with a charming smile. “You were our campus


    belle, Jennifer. Where are you working now?” Jennifer was indeed the campus belle during high school.


    The boys who pursued her could almost make up an entire ss. Keira was also pretty then, but she


    and Jennifer were on two different extremes. Jennifer was pure and sweet, while Keira was kitsch,


    seductive, and had affairs with many boys in school. She was also the type of person who made others


    jealous if she failed to obtain something. She did have a boy she liked in high school. He was the heir


    of a good and wealthy family. Because that boy never considered her over Jennifer, Keira had always


    held a grudge. Jennifer was aware that Keira never liked her, so she did not prepare to entangle herself


    with thetter. “I’ve started my ownpany,” she replied half-heartedly. “Wow. You’re a boss now,


    huh?” Keira then nced at Donald. “Is this your boyfriend?” Jennifer blushed and did not answer.


    Donald took the initiative to speak instead. “Hello. I’m Donald Campbell.” Keira nced at Donald up


    and down, her eyes filled with disdain. Having associated herself with celebrities for many years, Keira


    had long since developed a sharp eye. Her sweeping nce informed her that Donald’s entire outfit


    totaled almost three hundred, less than what she would spend on a single manicure session. If


    Jennifer’s boyfriend is somebody like that, that means she isn’t doing well at all! Keira became gleeful


    at that thought. Weren’t you high and mighty during high school, Jennifer? Weren’t you like a white


    swan waiting for her Prince Charming? You still ended up with a loser boyfriend. “We have matters to


    attend to, Keira. We’ll make a move.” “Hey, don’t leave yet.” Keira tugged on Jennifer’s arm. “It’s rare


    enough to have run into an old ssmate, and you’re just going to leave?” Before Jennifer answered,


    Frank, the server, chimed in from his position at the door, “They are not members of the restaurant, Ms.


    Summers. We cannot allow them to dine here.” “Not members of our restaurant, you say?” Keira


    repeated thoughtfully before continuing with a frown, “What say we let them dine for my sake?” “Ms.


    Summers, that—” “What? Don’t you know who my husband is?” Frank did not dare say much else


    against Keira’s words. He stood aside and waved the three of them in. Jennifer did not wish to dine


    there via her association with Keira as it was awkward for her, but Donald was adamant that Jennifer


    epted the offer. The trio was seated at a table beside the window, but Keira had the server prepare


    four cutlery sets. “Coincidentally, my husband is about to get off work. Would you mind if he joined us?”


    As Keira was the one who brought them in, they could not say they minded. “Are we ready to order, sir


    and madams?” “We are.” Frank handed the three of them a menu each. Jennifer opened hers and


    found that it was entirely in Ferropenian. “Their steak is excellent, Jennifer. You should try it. It’s called


    the Murphy Steak. Can you find it?” Keira could tell from how flustered Jennifer looked that thetter


    did not understand Ferropenian. Her reason for asking was to embarrass her old nemesis.


    Unexpectedly, Donald said to Jennifer, “I know what you like, Jennifer. Let me order for you.” Jennifer


    heaved a secret sigh of relief, though she could not help feeling nervous. Does Donald understand


    Ferropenian? He then turned to Frank and rattled off in a foreign tongue, ending in a rising intonation.


    Keira was stunned when Donald spoke. He not only knew Ferropenian but was also highly fluent, with


    an impable ent to boot. Ophelia’s originally had menus in sevennguages, but Frank had


    purposefully handed them three with the scarcely used Ferropenian menu under Keira’s direction. Who


    knew that Donald spoke Ferropenian? “W-What did you say, sir?” It was Frank’s turn to be


    embarrassed. Their servers who spoke Ferropenian were bing increasingly scarce.


    Coincidentally, he himself did not speak it. Isn’t this picking a fight I’m guaranteed to lose? “You don’t


    speak Ferropenian?” Donald asked coldly. Sweat beads were beginning to form on Frank’s forehead. “I


    don’t. My colleague does, however. Would you like me to fetch him?” Donald chuckled. “Since you


    don’t speak Ferropenian, why did you hand us Ferropenian menus? What is the meaning of this?”


    Frank gulped, unable to find the right words. How should I exin something like this? I can’t say I


    wanted to see you embarrass yourselves, can I? Fortunately, Keira spoke up for Frank. “This is a


    custom of the restaurant. They will first give new guests the Ferropenian menu, though not many of


    them speak Ferropenian. Why don’t you bring three Chanaean menus over, and we’ll start over.” “Yes,


    Ms. Summers. I will make the change right away.” As if being spared a terrible fate, Frank dashed off to


    change the menus. Jennifer could tell that it was all arranged by Keira. At that moment, a man with a


    big belly entered through the door. Keira stood up excitedly as soon as she saw him and waved him


    over. “Come quickly, Darling. We’re over here.” Keira and Jennifer were of the same age: in their mid-


    twenties. But Keira’s husband looked to be at least fifty. However, she did not think it was a problem.


    On the contrary, she hugged his arm affectionately. “This is my husband, Fane Grayson,” she said


    haughtily to Jennifer and Donald as she made the introductions, “the Director of Fane Group. Darling,


    this is my high school ssmate, Jennifer Wilson, and her boyfriend, Donald Campbell.”