Beatrix had already alerted the police, and soon, police cars surrounded the building where the incident took ce.


    Ashton, nked by her team, hurried over to Emmanuel and Mackenzie, asking in surprise, "Aidan is dead?"


    Emmanuel nodded.


    Ashton swiftly assessed the situation inside. Upon returning, she addressed


    Emm and Mackenzie, expressing shock. "He died like a dog! I assume you killed him wh was trying to harm your wife?"


    Emmanuel nodded again.


    Ashton nodded in agreedment. "Serves him right! Legally speaking, your actions could be seen as self-defense, but the Tanner family won''t take this lying down. Prepare yourselves. Things are going to get dicey from here on out."


    Not the slightest bit bothered, Emmanuelforted Mackenzie. "You have nothing to worry, Mackenzie. The incident with Tobias before is in the past."


    Mackenzie chuckled. This fool seems to have wisened up, showing more care and consideration than before.


    Ashton smirked and teased, "Alright, you two should head back. If I need more answers, I''ll find you. I can''t handle all this mushy stuff in front of me!"


    "Thank you so much for your assistance," Mackenzie replied politely.


    Now that the truth was out, she no longer distrusted Emmanuel. Emmanuel treats


    Ashton like a buddy. I shouldn''t see her as a love rival anymore, nor should I be jealous of her.


    As Ashton anticipated, Steven Tanner arrived at the Summerton family''s viter that evening with a group of men in tow.


    Zaiden felt a sense of foreboding at the sight of the head of the Tanner family of Onza, but still managed to force a smile. "Mr. Tanner, what brings you here at thiste hour?"


    Althea stood beside Zaiden, her expression solemn. She already surmised the reason for the Tanner family''s visit.


    "Hmph! Mr. Summerton, are you dering war on us, the Tanner family?" Steven didn''t beat around the bush.


    Feeling the pressure, Zaiden struggled internally but managed to keep his cool. "V would you assume that, Mr. Tanner? While we may not be allies, we certainly aren''t enemies either. There must be a misunderstanding somewhere."


    In the past, Zaiden reluctantly took over the Summerton family. With a risk-averse mindset, he cautiously managed the family''s social connections and business affairs.


    He avoided forming alliances or making enemies too hastily, skillfully navigating theplex web of rtionships with care and diplomacy.


    Despite being a branch established by the Tanner family of Zovince, the Tanner family of Onza held significant sway. With two or three dozen simr factions nationwide, Zaiden never underestimated their influence.


    Had Julian not used the family inheritance as an excuse to push through the sale of the


    Hadley factory to the Quillen familyst time, the Summerton family wouldn''t find themselves entangled with the Tanner family


    "A misunderstanding, you say?" With a kick, Steven sent the table crashing in th


    Summerton family living room, creating a deafening uproar that made Althea


    trem


    Zaiden''s expression darkened. While he hesitated to provoke the Tanner family, it didn''t mean he''d tolerate being trampled on, especially in his own territory!


    While the Summerton family might seem focused on protecting theirm own territory, they had hidden forces backing them, so they weren''tcking in fierce, capable fighters. The


    Tanner family would have to think twice before messing with them.


    "The Quillen family killed my son, and yet your Ashton insists on shielding those murderers. What else is that if not a deration of war against the Tanner


    family?"


    Zaiden was left speechless by Steven''s words.


    Years immersed in business, politics,


    and military affairs had shaped


    Zaiden''s perspective divergingo M drastically from the norm. He knewN?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    all too well that fairn justice were mere illusions in this cutthroat world, where power and force reigne


    supreme.


    Unaware of the details surrounding Emmanuel''s confrontation with Aidan, Zaiden found himself unable to refute Steven''s usations.


    "I''ve struck a nerve, haven''t I? Is the


    Summerton family plotting to ally with the Quillen family to oppose us, the Tanner family, in Onza?" Steven continued to threaten, While the Tanner family of Onza might not carry the weight of a renowned name or an ancient noble lineage, we''re still part of the Tanners, answering to


    Teddy Tanner, the esteemed chairman of the Chamber of


    Commerce. Should anyone dare to


    challenge or cause trouble, the


    chairman won''t sit idly by!" Visit  to read thetest


    chapter of this novel


    "There seems to be a misunderstanding here. Please allow me some time, Mr. Tanner, I assure you, I''ll investigate thoroughly and provide a satisfactory


    exnation."


    Feeling the pressure and under Althea''s subtle cues, Zaiden reluctantly concede


    Steven''s demands.