Chapter 8 The Power of the Tyrant Whip

• Connor was surprised. "Huh. How do you know?"
• The Sullivan family members were dumbfounded. Vance was right! Was he really having lunch with Mr. Duchenne in VIP Room 1? Did Mr. Duchenne come to VIP Room 2 because Vance asked him?
• Vance's true identity had become a greater mystery.
• "Were you looking for me for something, Mr. Sullivan?" Connor asked.
• Arnold came to his senses. He told the problem that was plaguing the Sullivan family business. Apparently, the Golden Sands Bay project needed some paperwork done with the Urban Planning Department, and the delays were causing losses of up to a hundred thousand dollars every day.
• Solving the problem was a piece of cake for Connor. He settled it by making a single phone call.
• He did not stay in the private room for long. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Arnold and Daryl, he hastily left.
• Silence enveloped the private room after Connor left. The Sullivan family members remained in dumbfounded shock.
• "Hazel, just who is this Vance guy?" Arnold asked. "I suspect what Vance said was true."
• Hazel shook her head. "I know about him as much as you do."
• Daryl remained unconvinced. "Father, I'm pretty sure there's a misunderstanding somewhere. If Vance is actually someone important, why would he dress so plainly, and why would he go to prison? Why don't I call Ferdie and ask him what happened?"
• Arnold nodded. "Mm. That's a good idea."
• Daryl dialed Ferdinand's number. "Hello, Ferdie. Where are you now?"
• "Hello, Mr. Sullivan. I had some business to attend to, so I went home. Right, did Mr. Duchenne go and look for you?"
• Ferdinand already had thought up an excuse. If Daryl said Connor was never there, Ferdinand would use the golden excuse that would absolve him of all blame.
• However, Daryl's reply surprised him. "Yes, Mr. Duchenne dropped by, and he already left. Did you ask him to come here?"
• Ferdinand was at a loss for words for a moment.
• I've never even met Mr. Duchenne in person before. Why would he go to VIP Room 2? Could Uncle have arranged the meeting on my behalf? That must be the case!
• Connor laughed. "Frankly, Mr. Sullivan, I'm a little offended that you'd ask the question. If I hadn't arranged the meeting, could that ex-con have done it? He got it right though, Mr. Duchenne was indeed having lunch with Ms. Lewis in VIP Room 1. My company happens to have some business relations with Ms. Lewis, so she invited me to lunch as well. After chatting with Mr. Duchenne, I urged him to go to your room. I had some other business, so I left."
• "Ah, so that's how it is! I'm so sorry, Mr. Krauss. We were mistaken!" Daryl said.
• After ending the call, Daryl chuckled and said, "Heh. I nearly believed that ex-con's claims earlier. What a joke! He probably found out Mr. Duchenne's schedule by some underhanded means, so he's trying to take the credit. I bet he went to prison because he's a scammer."
• The other Sullivan family members also believed it was thanks to Ferdinand that Connor visited them.
• However, Hazel remained suspicious.
• Before Hazel and Vance arrived at the resort, Vance had told her that Helen had invited him to lunch.
• There must be some reason Vance said that.
• Hazel realized that there was more to the plain-looking man.
• "Even though Ferdie did a huge favor for us, I'd still want Master Crane's disciple to be Hazel's husband," Arnold said. "Daryl, send more men to find Master Crane's disciple. Hazel, you should divorce the ex-con as soon as you can."
• "Yes," Hazel replied.
• After lunch, Hazel went to the Zenith Mansion.
• Meanwhile, Vance had already arrived at Zenith Mansion.
• As soon as he stepped through the door, he could sense something was amiss. Many people were lying in ambush.
• Vance walked over and sat down calmly. "Show yourselves. There's no use hiding," he declared.
• Nine figures stepped out of the shadows and surrounded Vance. One could easily tell from their demeanor that they were experienced fighters.
• The leader of the group was a vicious man with a face crossed with scars.
• "You noticed us. Looks like you're not a pushover. Even so, that's no excuse for squatting in the Zenith Mansion. You should know this mansion is our gift to Mr. Wiltmoor!"
• "Mr. Wiltmoor? Do you mean Donald Wiltmoor? He gave me this mansion as a gift," Vance replied.
• "Bullsh*t!" One of the men yelled. "You've never met Mr. Wiltmoor before. He's not some random person you can befriend! Mr. Wiltmoor is a legendary underworld figure. If you utter his name again, I'll cut your tongue!"
• The scar-faced man scoffed. "If Mr. Wiltmoor really gave you this mansion, why did you have to break down the door?"
• "I lost the key!" Vance replied.
• "Hahaha!" The scar-faced man did not believe it. "Do you think the Desperados are a bunch of clowns?"
• "Oh, so you're from the Desperados. I'm friends with Tigre, the second-in-command."
• "You desecrated Mr. Wiltmoor's sanctuary. No one can save you now!" the scar-faced man roared. "Steelmen, stand in attention!"
• The other eight men roared in unison, "Yes, sir!"
• "Chop off his four limbs and toss him off the cliff. Make it quick."
• "Yes, sir!"
• The scar-faced man rested his hands behind his back and walked out of the mansion.
• He had not taken two steps before loud sounds of punching and kicking could be heard from behind him. He believed that the eight Steelmen were making quick work of beating that idiot up.
• In the next second, a figure flew over his head, slammed on the front door, and spat out blood.
• Looking closely, the scar-faced man realized it was not Vance but the strongest of the Steelmen.
• Wait… What?
• The scar-faced man's eyes widened. He abruptly turned his head around in fear.
• Vance was still sitting on the couch. In fact, he had not changed his posture.
• The eight Steelmen were scattered all over the living room, writhing in agony.
• What just happened? This is very bad news! The scar-faced man began to panic.
• "These ‘Steelmen' won't last half an hour in my cell," Vance said nonchalantly.
• The scar-faced man took a deep breath to calm himself down. "Looks like I've underestimated you. You're stronger than I thought. Today, I shall let you experience the power of the Tyrant Whip."
• The scar-faced man removed his belt and cracked it toward Vance.
• The custom-made belt was embedded with countless steel blades. One touch and it would rend skin and flesh.