Juliana gritted her teeth.

This sly old fox! He took everything into account and is forcing me to clash head-on with Huntley. Yet, what of Huntley? His loved ones are kept under tight control. Even if he wants to act, he likely does not have the guts to do so.

As such, this competition between them had to be staged.

“You're good at strategizing, Father. This bloodbath is your doing. Aren't you worried that I can't fight back and will end up dead by his hand?”

Raymond then slammed the now-empty glass onto the table and held back the smile on his face. “If you can't defeat him and end up dead, then it'll only prove that you are not as skilled as the rest. You are unfit to lead the Hoffman family,” said Raymond darkly. “If he does kill you, however, I'll have him put to death and bury the two of you together.”

Juliana smiled bitterly at this. This is the cold and ruthless man I've called my father all these years.

“I guess it's no wonder Wendy chose to forsake this family and not succeed as matriarch. There is no warmth to be had in this home.”

“What did you say? I need you to repeat that.”

“It's nothing important. You should head to sleep, Father. It's getting late.”

...

Veikko's private plane had just landed at a private airstrip in the suburbs of Yannopolis in Gregan.

After he left the aircraft, Veikko said, “Find a hotel and have Ms. Caridee settled in. I also need you to arrange for a few bodyguards to protect her. She is not to leave her room under any circumstances.”

Caridee, who was following them closely behind, immediately froze when she heard his orders. She then strode forward and grabbed onto his sleeve. “I'm not going to a hotel! I'm coming with you!” said Caridee through gritted teeth. “We've already agreed upon this while on the plane. You can't go back on your word now.”

A hint of impatience flashed in Veikko's eyes as he reached out to push her away. “Either you behave and go to a hotel, or I send you back to Hallsbay. You decide,” said Veikko icily.

“I swear, you are—”

Before Caridee could finish speaking, loud gunshots rang out from around them.

“This is bad. We're under attack! Everyone, protect Veikko!”

In an instant, chaos descended upon all of them.

Veikko pushed Caridee back by a few paces before finally arriving at the fuselage. Veikko's gaze swept around the area vigilantly.

“What's going on?”

“Sir, someone launched a sneak attack from the southwest. Preliminary judgment would indicate that it's Tarragon. They must have figured out in advance that you were headed to Yannopolis, so they lay in ambush here to catch you off guard.”

Veikko's expression froze. He was about to go out and take a look, but someone yanked onto his arm.

“V-Veikko! Don't go! I'm s-scared!”

Veikko cursed under his breath. As he heard the increasingly intense gunfire around him, he deduced that he was likely outnumbered.

“Go back to the cabin.”

“Okay.”

Veikko dragged Caridee along and hurriedly made their way toward the steps.

“Hurry up! I'll—”

Before he could finish speaking, a sharp noise pierced through the air, faintly carrying the momentum of thunder. From a distance, someone had fired a long-range bullet straight at Veikkos's back.

Veikko could sense the danger headed his way. Subconsciously, he wanted to tremble in fear, but he was rooted to the spot. It was as if his legs were made of lead.

Veikko could not duck either. If he did, the bullet was going to hit Caridee for sure.

At that very moment, he felt a strong force in his arm. Soon after, he noticed the vague outline of someone dashing towards his back.

Veikko was stunned.

He thought he had strong reflexes, but in the blink of an eye, the girl in front of him disappeared.

A piercing scream reverberated through the air as a soft and delicate body slid down his outstretched arms.

“Caridee...”

The metallic tang of blood assaulted his nostrils. Subconsciously, he turned around to catch her before she fell. Veikko immediately turned around and fired a few shots.

“Veikko, hurry and take Ms. Luther to the cabin. The shot went through her shoulder, which may hit a major artery. We need to get the bullet out and staunch the bleeding!”

Veikko pursed his thin lips and carried Caridee up the steps in big strides.

Caridee endured bouts of dizziness from the blood loss. With a pained expression, she said, “I-I know you could dodge it, but you were worried that the bullet was going to hit me instead. They were aiming for your heart. If that bullet had pierced your back, you would've definitely died. To reduce the damage, I had no choice but to take the hit for you. Veikko, you are the first person I am willing to defend with my life.”

“Shut up,” said Veikko in a low voice. There was a rare look of distress on his usually indifferent mien.

Fine. I'm not going to die anyway. Now that he owes me his life, I can use this as leverage over him. Thinking of this just gives me joy.

...

In Luther Group, Bailey had just rushed into the CEO's office.

Artemis was discussing matters with several department directors when he saw Bailey hurry inside. He quickly got up and greeted her.
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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