Xena fished her Bluetooth headphones from her bag and slipped them over his ears, raising one eyebrow. "Do as I say."
Fyren nodded and walked out.
Xena's voice came through the headset: "Walk over naturally and sit across from her."
Fyren obeyed, moving to Cora and taking a seat.
"Take her hand and talk."
Fyren gently grasped Cora's hand. She struggled briefly before letting him hold it.
"Good, you've got her hand. She's flustered now, starting to overthink. Say the lines! Be dramatic!"
Fyren studied Cora. Though she kept her gaze fixed out the window, her cheeks had flushed slightly.
"Cora, I—"
He hesitated. Wasn't this just lying?
Cora turned to him. "What is it? Why did you stop?"
Fyren swallowed. "I... like you. I've always liked you. Only you. Most of all, I—"
Cora stared at him, dazed. "You're not lying to me, are you?"
Xena hissed in his ear: "Say no!"
Fyren blurted, "No."
"Ugh, idiot! Don't just say 'no'—sell it!"
Fyren wrestled with himself. Spreading lies felt wrong, but his life was on the line. And if deceiving a girl was the worst consequence... surely that was forgivable?
"I... mean it. Today really wasn't what you thought. It's complicated, and right now the Copper King is outside—"
Xena groaned. "Too much talking! Kiss her!"
"Huh?" Fyren said aloud in his panic.
Cora frowned. "What?"
Xena snapped, "Kiss her! Touch her, short-circuit her brain! If you can't manage that, strip her naked—god, you're a man, you should know this! Hurry! We're out of time!"
Cora tensed. "Fyren, what the hell are you—"
Fyren gritted his teeth.
"Screw it, I'm dead either way!"
He suddenly pressed Cora against the window's recliner and kissed her.
Cora's mind blanked.
This guy—straight to force?
Hmph! When we were kids, at least he bothered lying first. Now he doesn't even pretend, just goes straight for the hard approach!
But... it feels so good...
Once Fyren started kissing, he lost himself completely.
His mouth wasn't the only thing busy—his hands roamed freely.
Xena's voice crackled in his ear: "Yes, yes, focus on the right spots—girls lose their minds when you touch them there. Ugh, you're so stupid, that button doesn't open like— Hey! Fyren, that's enough! Stop!"
When Fyren showed no signs of slowing, Xena cut in again.
After what felt like forever, he finally pulled back, staring at Cora, speechless.
Cora, flushed, refastened her buttons. "What? Why the guilty look after forcing yourself on me?"
Fyren mumbled, "I'm sorry."
Xena shrieked in his headphones: "Idiot! Why apologize?!"
Cora narrowed her eyes. "Xena. Get out here. I heard you feeding him lines through that headset."
Xena emerged from the adjoining room with a sheepish grin. "Oops, hey, my bad. Did I get a little too carried away?"
Fyren turned to Cora. "We can settle our personal matters later. Right now, our lives are literally at stake - I need your help."
Cora gave a disgruntled nod. "Must be serious if it's got you this... worked up."
"Cora, you answer the door. Remember - I'm Otto now."
"Uh-huh."
As Cora moved to open the door, Xena plopped herself into Fyren's lap.
"I told you to put on an act, not go all the way!"
"I was following your instructions!"
"My instructions? Did I tell you to put your hand up her skirt? If I hadn't been here, would you have actually taken her right then?"
"You're a girl - watch your language!"
"I'm just talking! Unlike someone who actually does it!"
The door swung open to reveal three men whose eyes immediately widened.
Well, the young lord certainly knew how to enjoy himself.
They dropped to one knee in unison. "Your subordinates greet the young lord!"
Fyren casually fondled the sexy loli in his arms, tilting Xena's chin while his free hand wandered over her body. "And you are...?"
"Servants of Copper King, my lord. These are my sworn brothers. We've come to deliver funds and assist in eliminating that traitor Iron King."
Fyren maintained his aristocratic demeanor, regarding them with a cold stare.
Cora slinked over to occupy Fyren's other side. Now flanked by beauties, their ample curves and shapely thighs presented a sight to make any man green with envy.
Copper King dared a glance and felt his pulse quicken.
These women were absolute perfection - did such breathtaking creatures even exist?
That petite one with the torn skirt clearly played rough!
And the graceful one with those bedroom eyes and voluptuous figure - born to please men!
Fyren's icy gaze swept over them, sending all three bowing their heads again.
"Take a good look," Fyren drawled. "Wouldn't want you making the same mistake as last time. I might not be worthy of being your young lord yet..."
Copper King immediately understood - he was still angry about Iron King's earlier blunder!
"Your lordship's jade-like brilliance outshines all! With your noble bearing and heroic aura, there could never be another true dragon like yourself! Only a demented fool like Iron King could make such an elementary error. We were sent by the Tactician specifically to serve you. We beg your magnanimity and the chance to prove ourselves!"
Fyren's hand slid under Xena's shirt. Far from resisting, she arched into his touch.
Fyren shot a glare backward, causing Copper King to immediately lower his head again.
Withdrawing his hand, Fyren cupped Xena's chin. "Ah girl, the Tactician sent three more men. What do you think - should we keep them?"
Xena glanced over her shoulder. "This Copper King speaks pleasantly, like someone with a silver tongue. A man who talks well must have some talent. Why not keep him temporarily? With proper training, he might become useful under the Young Lord's command."
Copper King's heart leaped with excitement!
The young lord's pillow partner had put in a good word for him - the matter was seventy to eighty percent settled!
Fyren disentangled himself from the two beauties and approached the three men, who still knelt without permission to rise.
The men stared at Fyren's leather shoes, sweat beading on their temples.
"Remember this," Fyren said. "Whatever style your Tactician and Helmsman prefer, I'm different. Under my command, you'll be rewarded for merit and punished for failure. I care only about results, not process. If you prove as worthless as that idiot Iron King..."
Copper King immediately declared: "We three brothers pledge undying loyalty to the young lord! From this moment, we obey only the young lord's orders. Whatever the young lord commands, we'll accomplish without question, sparing no effort to repay your magnificent grace!"
Fyren smirked. "Ah girl, you were right - quite the resourceful fellow."
Cora slinked over and embraced Fyren from behind. "Young lord, I don't like them. Send them away so we can continue... You were just saying you wanted someone to climb the peak again!"
Fyren nodded. "Leave your contact with the girl - phones on twenty-four hours. As for that money... Each of you take twenty million dollars and transfer it to your personal accounts. Consider it this young lord's settlement payment."
The three men gaped in astonishment at such unheard-of generosity.
In the Mighty Syndicate, hierarchy dictated everything: those at top ate meat, those below got broth, and the lowest barely smelled the cooking.
The organization operated with ruthless discipline - membership was a life sentence.
Resignation meant death.
Rewards depended entirely on the superiors' whims.
Those above didn't treat underlings as human beings. Even the Four Kings only received $70,000-$80,000 monthly, while many lower-ranked members struggled to make $10,000.
Yet this young lord casually gifted them twenty million each! Such unbelievable largesse!
They kowtowed vigorously like pounding garlic: "Thank you, young lord! Thank you, young lord!"
Copper King raised his clasped fists excitedly: "We've long heard of young lord's righteousness and generosity! To serve you is like our ancestors' graves emitting auspicious smoke, our family tombs erupting with fortune, our forebears' tablets struck by divine lightning...!"
Fyren looked thoroughly impatient. "Enough, enough, save the flattery for later. Did I say I wanted you following me constantly?"
Copper King's face brimmed with smiles. "Young Lord is magnanimous. Grant us brothers but a little time to prove our worth. We only wish to serve you - to hold your whip and lead your horses would be our greatest honor."
Xena giggled uncontrollably. "This Copper King certainly has a silver tongue, Young Lord."
Cora pouted as she approached. "Young Lord, this Copper King seems far more reliable than that Iron King. Honestly, that Tactician is useless - he should've sent this talent sooner! Iron King was delaying your grand plans."
Copper King's excitement surged!
Both of the Young Lord's beauties spoke favorably of him - this was perfect!
He hastily added, "Though unworthy of such praise, to prove my loyalty, I propose this: we three shall immediately hunt down Iron King's faction. We'll eliminate the rest and bring Iron King alive before you!"
"Bullshit!" Fyren snapped. "Housecleaning is basic duty - you think to claim merit for this? What dog-brained nonsense is that?"
Copper King marveled inwardly at the Young Lord's temper - truly befitting his station!
"My tongue slipped! Calm your righteous anger, Young Lord! Facing your dragon-like majesty, I'm overwhelmed with reverence. My eagerness to serve burned too fiercely, making my words reckless. With your heaven-spanning will and earth-shaking power, please forgive this unworthy subordinate's thoughtless outburst! We await only your command!"
Xena tittered. "Young Lord, he's practically an idiom dictionary! Adorable!"
Copper King smiled. "The fairy's wisdom dazzles! In youth, I dearly loved 'Idioms and Stories.'"
Cora soothed, "Don't be angry, Young Lord. Your wrath belongs to that dog-brained Tactician and idiot Iron King! You three - never mention that swine before Young Lord again!"
"Yes, yes, of course!"
Fyren scoffed. "Crystalpeak City's branch is equally pathetic - sending people who can't even dress properly. Listen well: you'll all revamp your appearances immediately. I don't care about branch standards - following Otto means presenting properly, unless you wish to shame me!"
The three exchanged glances, thinking: Such high standards! Truly, Young Lord operates on another level entirely from the Helmsman. His worldly sophistication must far surpass theirs!
"Yes, yes, we understand completely."
Fyren continued, "Iron King can wait - prioritize properly. That trash won't spoil. First, we handle the critical matter."
"What matter requires our service, Young Lord?"
Just then, Fyren's phone rang.
"Stand up. I'll take this first."
Stepping aside, Fyren received shocking news:
Before Eliza could formally resign, Elton Leng had already issued her dismissal notice while appointing Otto as Qingfeng Group's new president.
But as the order took effect, disaster struck - Southlandia's Dongfang Group launched aggressive business suppression against Qingfeng while initiating a hostile takeover!
Fyren hung up, understanding everything.
Eliza's coma was meant to swallow the Leng family whole!
He'd spared the Lengs, but Hakan had clearly allied with Otto.
The Lengs were finished.