The Yimmels traveled from Riverton to Zamri fashionably, with a procession of over twenty cars bearing their family crest.It was an ostentatious sight, drawing the states of many pedestrians.A few of them recognized the family crest and were left wondering why they would suddenly show up in Zamri.Were they extending their influence here to Zamri? That did not make sense, considering the distance between Bralog and Riverton. While it was not particularly far, it was not exactly close either, with the state of Norsedam sitting between them.If the Yimmels were expanding their influence, they should start by heading to the closer city, Norsedam. Why start with Zamri?While the pedestrians were busy pointing and gesturing and speculating at the grand procession, Yora Yimmel was laughing smugly, as she sat in the Lincoln limousine in the middle.After all, she had done her homework.The Three Bears of Zamri had previously kept the city beyond the reach of outside influence, but th

"Eh?"Although they had taken the elevator upstairs, the key members and executives of the Yimmel family could still hear the ruckus below."What's going on here?" Yora asked in confusion.Ding.However, that was when the elevator jingled, indicating their arrival.Since Yora had been there before, she knew her way around on the executive floor, where Helen's office and the board conference room was.But as the elevator doors opened and Yora was about to ask about the ruckus below, she found herself staring blankly at a familiar face.Frank Lawrence!On top of that, he stood there outside the elevator as if waiting for them to arrive.Even as her heart sank to rock-bottom, she asked with a quiver in her voice, "W-What's the meaning of this…?"None of the key members and executives of the Yimmel family behind her answered, as they all knew that they had been tricked, even willingly falling into Frank's trap."Welcome!"Frank smiled and started clapping, and the huge crowd be

Yora could not beg for her life—not when she was joking around and bragging with her family members and executives on how to split the spoils after taking over Lanecorp.But in just the blink of an eye, she was a captive, a reversal of fortunes that came all too quick.If she begged now, she would be thoroughly humiliated. Her place as matriarch would also be reduced to a joke, as the Yimmels would certainly not listen to her afterward.Threats? Yora had certainly tried. But in all likelihood, Baba Yaga, her greatest leverage against Frank Lawrence, had been killed by the man himself.What else could she threaten him with now?"We still have a hand to play!"Nonetheless, Cadell Yimmel shook her, whispering under his breath, "Don't you remember the Southstream Lanes? Hagar is still in Laneville with our many elites! If Frank dares to attack us now, we will kill our hostages!"Cadell's words jolted Yora to her senses.That was true! Gavin Lane and his family were still in their

Yora was no different, as she could barely hold back her rage.She was ready to be reasonable with Frank, just as she intended to use the excuse of alliance to make Frank, the sole heir to the Lord of the Southern Woods, the Yimmels' new patron.Not only did Frank immediately refuse, but he was also demanding that the Yimmels become vassals to the Lane family?!Did he even consider the weight class of either family?!If anything, Frank's demand made it clear that the Yimmels could not reason with Frank now—he wanted to push them over the brink, and the so-called alliance was certainly a pipe dream.Moreover, from the perspective of the key members and executives of the Yimmel family, Frank merely meant to insult them.You can kill a pawn, but never humiliate them—some were even thinking that it was high time they killed their hostages in Laneville!Helen almost fainted at Frank's ridiculous demands too.They were just inches away from saving the Southstream Lanes unscathed whil

And as the Lane family got caught in the Yimmels' mess, Frank would have to do something.One had to admit that Yora was cunning, as she was banking on Frank's connections and involvement once the Lanes formed an alliance with their family.After all, an alliance between the Lanes and the Yimmels did not sound as ideal or mutually beneficial. In reality, the Yimmels would be leeching off the Lanes—specifically Frank.The Yimmels wanted to leech off him? Sure they could, but they were not going to lord over him while they did.In fact, they should be begging on their knees!If the Yimmels were so keen on their survival, the only option Frank would give them was to make them pay before allowing them to serve as vassals for the Lane family. That was the only way he could be convinced to take them in.However, demanding an alliance instead? There was absolutely no chance.That was why Frank took away any leverage the Yimmels might have, including their hostages in Laneville.Firm