Chapter 3 Three Hours Ago

• Earlier that morning, Hazel had told her grandfather that she would be going out to meet her fiancée.
• Arnold was excited to meet Master Crane's disciple.
• "I'm home," Hazel said.
• "Hazel, the young man behind you…" Arnold asked nervously.
• "One of my friends introduced him to me. I think we're a great match, and we've already registered our marriage at the city courthouse," Hazel replied. "I'm sorry I can't fulfill that marriage contract of yours now."
• "What?" Arnold was dumbfounded when he heard the news.
• Hazel didn't marry Master Crane's disciple, and she even registered her marriage with this random guy! Oh no, we can't escape disaster this time!
• "You… You…" Arnold stammered, unable to complete a single sentence. He was about to have a stroke.
• Daryl was also flabbergasted.
• He did not wish his daughter to marry a hermit, but he would not want her to marry any random person either.
• Looking at the young man's clothes, he looked like a peasant.
• "Hey, kid, what do you do for a living?" Daryl glared at Vance and asked unhappily.
• "I just got out of prison. I haven't found a job yet," Vance answered truthfully.
• The entire household erupted as soon as they heard that reply!
• "Hazel! What have you done?"
• "How dare you bring an ex-con back home? What will happen to our reputation?"
• "Throw him out of the house now! I don't want to spend another minute in the same house as him!"
• Even Hazel was also starting to feel embarrassed.
• She blamed herself for not asking more questions about the young man's background. If she had known he was just released from prison, she would rather marry that hermit.
• Daryl's face was turning purple from rage. "Why are you two still standing there? Go and get yourself divorced! If you don't, I'll disown you."
• Hazel turned and looked at Vance helplessly.
• "I'm sorry. We can't divorce," Vance said.
• "Why not?" Daryl asked.
• "Because she's pregnant."
• "What? Since when?" Daryl was furious.
• "Um… About three hours ago."
• What the…Hazel felt like she was about to pop a vein. She had not expected the young man to be such a bold liar.
• Of course, Daryl could tell that Vance was only making things up.
• Arnold slammed his walking stick on the floor. "How could you do this to us, Hazel? Not only have you disappointed me, but our family might meet its end very soon! I shouldn't have doted on you!"
• While the entire family was clueless about what to do next, a gruff voice was heard from the outside. "Happy 60th birthday, Mr. Sullivan!"
• A group of men barged into the house.
• The leader of the group was none other than Lord Tigre, the second-in-command of the Desperados.
• Behind him, several men were carrying a black coffin. Obviously, they did not come to celebrate Arnold's birthday.
• The atmosphere instantly turned grim. The people of the Sullivan family knew that the end was coming.
• Arnold maintained his composure and asked, "Good morning, Lord Tigre. I don't remember having a grudge against you. What's the meaning of this?"
• Tigre was the second most powerful person in Chevron's criminal underworld. Even Arnold had to address him as "Lord Tigre."
• "You must've become senile, Mr. Sullivan. How dare you injure my close relations?"
• "There must be some sort of a misunderstanding, Lord Tigre," Arnold replied anxiously. "I wouldn't dare to lay a finger on anyone you know."
• Tigre scoffed, "Heh. Your company is the developer of the Golden Sands Bay project, right? You bulldozed the houses there and injured my second aunt. How are you going to compensate me for that?"
• Golden Sands Bay!
• Arnold stared at Daryl. "Daryl, you're the one in charge of the Golden Sands Bay project. Tell me, what is actually going on?"
• Daryl was instantly struck with fear. He answered with a trembling voice, "I… I didn't know your second aunt lives in Golden Sands Bay, Lord Tigre! If I had known, I wouldn't have demolished the houses there!"
• "You can't blame us for not knowing, Lord Tigre. I hope you can forgive us."
• "We are willing to apologize to you and your aunt. Of course, monetary compensation isn't out of the question either."
• Tigre scoffed. "Do you think you can solve the problem by apologizing? Why don't I shank you and then say sorry?"
• Arnold tried his best to stay calm. "Let's not beat around the bush anymore, Lord Tigre. How would you like to settle this problem?"
• "That's easy. I'll give you two choices," Tigre said. "Number one, you lie in this coffin, and we'll bury you alive. Number two, fill up this coffin with money. Five hundred million dollars, and not a cent less."
• The people of the Sullivan family instantly sank into despair.
• Of course, they could not bear to see their patriarch buried alive.
• Compensating five hundred million dollars was out of the question either. That was what their entire family business was worth. Tigre was out for blood this time.
• Master Crane's prediction had come true. The Sullivan family's luck would run out on Arnold's 60th birthday.
• Vance had been keeping quiet all this while, but he realized he could not hold his tongue anymore.
• "What's the meaning of this? It's Mr. Sullivan's 60th birthday today. Don't you think you're too heartless for bringing the coffin here?"
• Tigre and the other men shuddered involuntarily when they heard Vance's voice. It was then they realized Vance was hiding among the crowd.
• Tigre began to hyperventilate. The miracle doctor is here to celebrate Mr. Sullivan's birthday. Don't tell me they know each other!