Not long after Sherry left, Copper King and his two companions returned to Fyren's side. Seeing Fyren, they immediately dropped to one knee, faces alight with excitement.
"Young Lord! We've successfully rescued Elton Leng!"
"So soon?" Fyren raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Bring him here."
The fat man tossed a sack onto the floor and opened it, revealing the unconscious Elton Leng.
Fyren smiled. "Take him to the inner room to rest."
"Yes, Young Lord!"
Copper King practically vibrated with enthusiasm. "Young Lord, you were right! Otto was really there. Ha! He even tried tricking us, claiming to be you. As if I'd fall for that! Gave him a proper beating—especially those face slaps! My brothers here each broke one of his legs. Look, I took pictures!"
Fyren examined the photos and gasped. "Good heavens!"
Cora, standing beside him, wrinkled her nose. "I can barely recognize him."
Fyren chuckled. "Oh, I'd know that face anywhere—even if he were reduced to ashes."
Internally, Fyren rejoiced.
Now Copper King's trio could never return to Otto's side.
The protagonist never forgot grudges. He always came out on top, never accepting defeat.
After this beating, revenge would be inevitable.
"Copper King, transfer those funds to me."
"At once, Young Lord!"
Fyren continued, "Send me 4.9 billion."
"And the remaining 100 million?"
Fyren's smile widened. "You three performed exceptionally. Take 10 million each as bonuses."
Their faces lit up like festival lanterns.
The Young Lord's generosity knows no bounds!
The Young Lord's wealth is limitless!
The Young Lord's magnanimity is unparalleled!
Back in the Mighty Syndicate, even losing limbs only earned them paltry 100,000-200,000 compensations.
Yet here? A simple mission netted them 10 million each!
They dropped to their knees again, foreheads touching the floor.
Fyren waved a hand. "Rise."
"Uh... Young Lord, 30 million leaves 10 million unaccounted for..."
Fyren's eyes twinkled. "You're the leader. You deserve extra."
Copper King rubbed his hands so vigorously they might spark. "Young Lord! I've never known such luxury! You're my second parents, my rebirth! We'll follow you unto death, unwavering!"
"Hmm." Fyren nodded, then sobered. "But don't get carried away. Use part of that extra 10 million for new clothes. Look at your current rags..."
He gestured dismissively. "Go shopping—each of you needs several outfits. Chloe will accompany you. Remember, in my absence, her word is law."
"Yes, Young Lord!"
"And don't pinch pennies. You represent me now. I won't tolerate miserly men in my service."
"Worry not, Young Lord! I'll whip these two into presentable shape!"
Fyren's strategy proved masterful.
With rewards this lavish, loyalty was guaranteed.
The transfer was completed without a hitch. The three million was now securely in their possession.
Fyren received 4.9 billion in cash, while the three men split one billion between them. Fyren instructed Chloe to take them shopping.
Chloe had been carefully briefed by Fyren: his current identity was Otto, their young lord. She mustn't slip up.
At the mall, Chloe clicked her high-heeled shoes across the floor, her black stockings shimmering as three hulking men trailed behind her.
Copper King secretly gave a mental thumbs-up. The young lord is truly remarkable! So many beautiful women around him!
"Angel..."
Chloe stopped and turned. "Don't call me angel. Chloe is fine."
"Ah..."
"The young lord asked me to take you shopping for clothes and daily necessities," Chloe explained. "I've arranged a suburban villa for you - not huge, but spacious enough for three. There's also a BMW X6 at your disposal."
The men beamed. "Thank you, beautiful Chloe!"
She giggled. "Each of you needs three suits, six pairs of dress shoes, three belts, and six shirts. As for casual wear, sportswear, sneakers, toiletries, socks, underwear... choose whatever you like."
"Beautiful Chloe, how does the young lord have so much money to be this generous?"
Chloe smiled knowingly. "The young lord just makes one call to a branch office, and someone voluntarily delivers 5 billion as pocket money. Do you really think money's an issue?"
"Yes, yes! The young lord is truly incredible."
"And eventually, all four major families of Crystalpeak City will belong to the young lord. Serving him means living like gods. You've made the right choice."
The trio was overjoyed. Their days as Red Guards in the Mighty Syndicate had never offered such luxury. This was like ascending from hell to heaven.
"Beautiful Chloe, we're new here. Please look after us and put in a good word with the young lord!"
"That depends on your performance!" Chloe smiled faintly. Taking the hint, the men promptly bought her two watches and several outfits.
"Beautiful Chloe, are there any taboos we should know about?"
"You've asked well. With the young lord, doing right matters, but avoiding wrong matters more."
"The young lord dislikes excessive gangster behavior. In Crystalpeak City, you must obey laws, act politely and civilly. If you cause trouble or bully civilians, tarnishing the young lord's reputation, he'll be furious - might even toss you in the river."
"Yes, yes! We'll be law-abiding, civilized people doing civilized things."
"The young lord is gentle and kind-hearted. He particularly dislikes men who mistreat women. Don't fight over women here, or he'll deem you incompetent, shallow, and dull. The punishment would be severe."
"Understood, understood. We'll remember not to bully women. Anything else?"
"Well... The young lord dislikes show-offs. You can do as you please in Crystalpeak City, just don't be too flashy. He needs you to remain hidden assets - people who can act decisively when needed, so maintain a low profile."
"Ah yes, low profile, low profile..."
Chloe continued, "The young lord knows you've worked hard and asked me to take you clubbing tonight. I've already spoken with the manager. Feel free to chat up girls, but no trouble."
"Yes yes yes! We'll be extremely careful!"
...
That very evening, financial news headlines exploded with a shocking corporate battle. Foreign conglomerate Dongfang Group launched an aggressive acquisition campaign in Crystalpeak City, met with fierce resistance from the Zhang family who poured hundreds of billions into the fight. A significant portion of the Leng family's shares now rested in Zhang family hands.
Elton Leng eventually intervened, holding a press conference to stabilize the situation. This bloodless war temporarily reached a stalemate.
The final tally showed:
Dongfang Group's Northlandia branch acquired 29% of Qingfeng Group shares
The Zhang family's Dasheng Group secured 20%
Eliza retained control of another 20%
Elton Leng held the remaining 31%
The Leng family now balanced precariously - one misstep from total collapse.
Eliza had awakened and now sat across from Fyren at the dining table, studying him intently.
Fyren dabbed his mouth with a napkin. "Why aren't you eating?"
Eliza offered a faint smile. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it." Fyren set down his utensils. "The doctor confirmed you're fine. It was like you took a long nap - peaceful, while I nearly died multiple times."
"Why?" Eliza asked.
"Too complicated to explain now. Essentially, multiple crises converged simultaneously, and I..."
"I meant why you saved Qianfeng. You're now short hundreds of billions - money earmarked for the shantytown project. Was Qianfeng worth that?"
Fyren smiled cryptically. "It wasn't just for Qianfeng."
"Then for whom? For me?"
After a thoughtful pause, Fyren answered, "For myself. Now eat."
Eliza pushed her plate away. Having reviewed today's transaction reports, she'd grasped the dire situation completely, leaving her despondent.
"I originally planned to exit Qingfeng Group - sell my shares cheaply to Father and start fresh. But now it's clear we're being targeted. Qingfeng Group is likely finished."
"Your father knows Otto's true nature now. He'll be strategizing. Between his shares and ours, we still control the board. The situation remains manageable."
Eliza shook her head. "Father doesn't trust you at all. When he awoke, you and your team were the first faces he saw. He believes you orchestrated this whole scheme to deceive him, not Otto."
"If he keeps cooperating with Otto, combined with Hakan's 29% stake, the two of us won't stand a chance against them."
Fyren sighed. "I was too careless. I assumed he'd figure out Otto's scheme once he woke up. Never expected Otto to be so cautious—he didn't even show his face during the kidnapping. And my rescue happened to coincide with him being completely unconscious. So... well, he has no idea what happened in between."
Fyren took a sip of juice. "And that damned Hakan deliberately acted like he was on my side. That only made your father more suspicious of me. Now he thinks I'm conspiring with my old Southlandia classmates to take over Qianfeng."
Eliza looked at Fyren. "Fyren."
"Hmm?"
"Take over Qianfeng."
Fyren startled. "What are you talking about? Why would I want to take over Qianfeng?"
"Do it." Eliza's voice was firm. "I'd rather see you take control than let Otto and Hakan get their hands on it."
"I don't have that kind of money! Even if I did, I'm not interested in Qianfeng."
"Don't underestimate Qianfeng Group just because it's struggling now. During my years at the helm, I've resolved countless internal issues. Once a few key projects launch, Qianfeng's advantages will become obvious again—it's still highly competitive. Not to mention, several ventures I've quietly set up are about to start turning profits."
"No, no, no. You've got it wrong," Fyren said. "I'm not refusing because I think Qianfeng has no future. This is your company, your dream—the result of years of your blood, sweat, and tears. I can't just... take it from you. That's absolutely out of the question."
Eliza countered, "I own 20% of Qianfeng's shares, and so do you. Together, we still have a fighting chance."
"I said no."
Eliza's voice softened. "I'm yours."
"What?"
Eliza rose from the table, walked to Fyren's side, and slowly knelt on one knee. She took Fyren's hand in hers, gazing into his eyes.
"I, Eliza, swear from this day forward to devote myself entirely to you. Everything I am—my body, my heart, my dreams, all that I possess—belongs to Fyren. I will never betray you."
Fyren sat frozen in shock.