Chapter 131

Megan saw Darryl begin to undress and settle on the couch. 

"You!" Megan glared at him, but decided to let it go since he was only going to sleep there. 

Meanwhile, Darryl took out his phone as he lay down. There was a reason behind him choosing to stay. It was already late, and if he went home now, Lily wouldn’t sleep well, and he’d disturb Samantha, who would later complain.

Not long after, Megan walked out, pointing toward the couch. “You’ll sleep here tonight. Behave yourself and don’t wander around.”

After saying that, she quickly walked into her bedroom. A little later, she came out with her clothes, heading toward the bathroom. Before closing the door, she hesitated and shot Darryl a glare.

Before she could speak, Darryl smiled. “Don’t worry, I won’t peep.”

Megan’s face turned red, her heart racing, and she quickly shut the door. Soon, the sound of running water filled the room.

Her house had a European design, and the bathroom had frosted glass doors. While Darryl couldn’t see clearly, he could still make out Megan’s faint silhouette as she moved inside.

Gulp.

Darryl swallowed hard, his imagination running wild. He sighed at the situation, feeling both amused and a little overwhelmed by the view. Just then, his phone vibrated.

It was a message from Yvonne.

Darryl was shocked when he checked. There were around 70 to 80 messages from her, all sent at intervals from the evening until now. Each message was similar: "Are you there?" "Darryl, what are you doing?" and so on.

"Why is she so desperate to find me? Could it be something urgent?" Darryl mumbled and decided to give her a call.

At the Young residence, Yvonne was in her pajamas when her phone rang. Her heart raced, and excitement filled her face. After all this time, he had finally reached out.

There was no actual emergency, though. Ever since her father’s misunderstanding with Darryl, Yvonne had been thinking about him. She just wanted to talk to him today but hadn’t expected him to reply so late. Still, Yvonne wasn’t upset—she was actually excited.

When she answered the call, she heard Darryl’s voice ask, "Why? Is there an emergency?" He sounded concerned.

Yvonne bit her lip, feeling happy. "No, everything’s fine. I just wanted to know what you were doing."

Everything’s fine?

Darryl was confused. After sending him 70 to 80 messages, it didn’t seem like everything was fine. He decided to joke, "Sigh, don’t tell me you miss me?"

On the other end, Yvonne’s face turned bright red as she stammered awkwardly, "Why… why would I miss you?"

Darryl felt a sense of pride at her awkwardness. Then, remembering something important, he asked, "Oh yeah, since the Young family are antique experts, do you have any ancient books about army weapons?"

His Blood Drinking Sword had upgraded earlier that day, and he couldn’t figure out if it was a valuable weapon or just a strange artifact.

After a moment of thought, Yvonne replied, "There might be some in my father’s study. Let me check for you."

The sound of Yvonne walking downstairs could be heard as they talked. After about two minutes, she said shyly, “I found one. Do you want to come and get it now?”

Her voice was nervous, and she felt uncertain as her face flushed after making the offer.

Chapter 132

It felt like Yvonne was almost asking Darryl out on a date in the middle of the night. 

Darryl shook his head and said, "No need, I'll come by and get it from you tomorrow."

Yvonne sounded a little disappointed but replied softly, "Alright then, I’ll wait for your call tomorrow."

As soon as Darryl hung up, Megan walked out of the bathroom. Although her pajamas were conservative, they couldn’t hide her curvaceous figure. Her damp hair rested on her shoulders, and her rosy cheeks from the hot bath made her look incredibly attractive.

Darryl couldn’t help but stare at her, finally understanding the meaning of the word "alluring."

Megan felt his gaze and asked, "You're still not asleep?"

Darryl grinned. "I'm waiting for you to appraise my sword."

He pulled out the Blood Drinking Sword, and under the dim lights, it gleamed with a strange blood-red glow. The dragon carved on the blade gave it a grand and imposing look.

Megan, as a police team leader and a member of the Emei Clan, recognized immediately that this sword wasn’t an ordinary weapon. The dragon carving was so detailed, and the sword itself measured three feet two inches, making it a remarkable piece.

She moved closer to inspect the sword but noticed Darryl’s eyes wandering over her body.

Feeling shy, she said, "I’m really tired now. We can do this some other time."

Megan realized Darryl was deliberately trying to draw her near while she was still in her pajamas. Blushing with embarrassment, she hurried back into her room and locked the door.

Darryl chuckled, both amused and slightly disappointed when he heard the door lock. Megan, as the leader of a criminal investigation team, always kept her guard up at the right moments.

Yawning, Darryl settled down on the couch, closing his eyes. 

Donghai City had been experiencing a lot of unrest lately, with numerous events taking place. One of the most shocking developments was the opening of Great West Real Estate.

No one knew who owned Great West Real Estate, but everyone was aware that the company had strong ties with Platinum Corporation, Black Tiger Real Estate, and Poesia Eleganza Cosmetics. Just based on these business relationships, it was clear that Great West Real Estate had immense potential.

The opening ceremony was held with great fanfare. The mall entrance was adorned with balloons, and luxurious cars filled the parking lot. Almost every prominent figure in Donghai City had been invited, hoping to gain new business opportunities by forging connections with the company.

The most eye-catching figure at the ceremony was the General Manager, Jade. Dressed in a stunning wine-red gown, she looked both elegant and sexy, effortlessly commanding attention.

Many people couldn’t take their eyes off Jade, admiring both her beauty and intelligence as she gracefully handled the crowd and answered questions throughout the event.

Within the first hour of the opening, Great West Real Estate announced the acquisition of several prime plots of land in Donghai City, with a total investment in the billions. The media immediately picked up the story, and the company became a sensation overnight.

In just half a day, Great West Real Estate had established itself as a leading player in Donghai City's real estate market. And Jade, the General Manager, gained instant fame.

Reporters from Donghai Satellite Television were eager to interview Jade, curious about the woman behind such a massive success. 

Yet, no one knew that it was Darryl who had orchestrated the acquisition of those prime lands. Nor did they know that he was the true owner of Great West Real Estate. Everyone, instead, was trying to curry favor with Jade, who quickly earned the title of "Goddess" for her beauty and "Iron Lady" for her business acumen.

Many men in Donghai City had already set their sights on pursuing her.

Chapter 133

Due to its seaside location, the weather in Donghai City was always a bit strange—hot during the day and cold at night. But there was one place that seemed to attract people regardless of the weather: Pearl Pavilion. 

The walkway outside Pearl Pavilion was lined with stalls selling antiques. Antique enthusiasts frequently gathered here, hoping to discover hidden treasures that might be worth a fortune. Sellers and buyers were often engaged in heated negotiations, trying to get the best deal.

Darryl’s car pulled up nearby. He glanced around at the sellers, making sure nothing caught his interest, before heading upstairs. Yvonne had been waiting for him on the upper level of Pearl Pavilion.

As soon as Darryl arrived, Yvonne walked toward him with a smile, her heels clicking against the floor. "Why are you suddenly interested in books about army weapons?" she asked curiously. In the world of antiques, ancient weapons weren’t exactly a popular topic, so Yvonne wondered what had sparked Darryl's interest.

Darryl smiled back. "Nothing really, I just developed a sudden interest in ancient army weaponry."

Yvonne bit her lip and said softly, "My father’s words were a little harsh the other day. Please don’t take them to heart."

She blushed as she spoke, remembering the embarrassing incident where her father had misunderstood Darryl’s presence when three women had been tied up. It had been a compromising situation.

Darryl shrugged. "It’s fine. I didn’t really mind."

Then he added, "Has Mister Young cleared up the misunderstanding by now?"

Yvonne hesitated for a moment, recalling her father's words. He had said to her, "You can be with Darryl, but only if he divorces Lily first and doesn't get involved with any other women." The memory made her feel both embarrassed and flustered.

Was she really developing feelings for Darryl?

Yvonne tried to keep her emotions under control as she softly replied, "Yes, the misunderstanding has been cleared up. I explained everything to him."

Darryl smiled. "How did you explain it?"

"I just told him the truth," Yvonne said, sounding a little shy and nervous.

Darryl found Yvonne’s sudden nervousness and shyness quite charming, making her seem even more attractive than usual. He considered teasing her further, but seeing the people around them, he decided against it.

Peter, the staff member in charge of Pearl Pavilion, couldn’t help but notice how different Yvonne seemed that day. Normally, she was quite cold and distant with her staff, showing little emotion. But here she was, acting gentle and shy in front of Darryl. Peter couldn't help but wonder, Could Miss Young really have feelings for this live-in son-in-law?

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Darryl said, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way."

Yvonne nodded. "Alright."

Darryl left Pearl Pavilion and headed back to his car. As he reached it, his phone rang. The number was unknown, but he answered it anyway.

"Brother Darryl, it’s Skyler," came an excited voice from the other end. "Brother Darryl, my gang and I have gathered a lot of Bicolor Flowers. How should I get them to you?"

Skyler sounded both nervous and respectful.

Oh, right, Darryl thought. They’re talking about the antidote refinement.

He nodded and asked Skyler to meet him at Platinum Corporation. Bicolor Flowers were rare and valuable, often used in producing various medicines and elixirs. They were a key ingredient in treating common illnesses and insomnia.

Later, in the President’s office, Darryl sat at his desk, smiling. He looked at the collection of Bicolor Flowers that Skyler had delivered.

"Great work," Darryl thought. There are dozens of Bicolor Flowers here. Skyler wasn’t kidding when he said there was a place where they grow abundantly.

With that, Darryl began working on refining the antidote.

Chapter 134

After a few hours of hard work, Darryl wiped the sweat from his forehead and carefully stored the antidotes he had just produced. Skyler, filled with gratitude, held the antidotes tightly in his hands, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Brother Darryl, you're our lifesaver," Skyler said emotionally. He then pulled out a jade pendant and handed it to Darryl. "This pendant belongs to the Master of the Grandmaster Heaven Cult. It represents the Master's identity. I didn't get a chance to give it to you last time, but please keep it safe. If anyone from the Grandmaster Heaven Cult has any misunderstandings with you, show them this pendant, and they'll know you're a member."

Darryl nodded and accepted the jade pendant, tucking it away securely. He patted Skyler on the shoulder and said, "Quickly, go and save your gang."

Skyler nodded and left immediately. 

Once Skyler was gone, Darryl focused his attention on researching the Infinite Elixir Manual. With the Bicolor Flowers in his possession, he was eager to find out what other powerful elixirs he could create.

That evening, at the Lyndon residence, Lily and Jade were sitting on the couch in short skirts, enjoying ice cream to beat the heat.

Lily looked over at Jade and said softly, "Jade, I still can’t believe you’ve suddenly become a real estate tycoon. Who did you meet? Who invested in your business?" Lily was well aware of Jade’s circumstances. While Jade’s family was relatively well-off and had connections in Donghai City, it seemed almost impossible for her to start such a large real estate company.

Jade felt a mix of emotions and forced a smile. "I just met a friend," she replied, hesitant to reveal that Darryl was the one behind her success.

"Well, if you ever get the chance, introduce me to this friend," Lily said, oblivious to Jade’s discomfort.

Jade smiled awkwardly. "Yes, sure," she replied, though her heart was conflicted.

Just then, Samantha, dressed in jeans, approached them. She looked as mature and attractive as Lily and Jade. "Jade, have some fruit. You've got a bright future now that you’re the President of Great West Real Estate."

Jade quickly replied humbly, "Aunt Samantha, don’t say that. I’m just an employee. The owner is someone else."

Samantha, however, responded proudly, "It’s the same thing. Just like Lily here, holding a managerial position in the Lyndon family business, you’re making money for the family."

Jade was about to respond when Darryl walked into the hall after a long evening of reading.

Lily lit up when she saw him. "Darryl, you’re home!"

Darryl nodded at her and, without stopping, said, "Jade, you’re here. You girls carry on." He headed upstairs.

Jade let out a quiet sigh of relief, but Samantha was not pleased.

"What’s wrong with him?" Samantha huffed. "He talks so rudely to Jade, doesn’t even offer her a drink! Where are his manners?"

Despite the expensive necklace she had received from Darryl, Samantha’s opinion of him hadn’t fully changed.

"Aunt Samantha, it’s fine, really," Jade said quickly. "I don’t need a drink." The idea of Darryl serving her felt almost laughable.

Upstairs, in the bedroom, Darryl took out the ancient book on army weapons that he had borrowed from Yvonne. The cover was worn, and large letters spelling out "Ancient Army Weapons" were printed on it. He began flipping through the pages in search of information about the Blood Drinking Sword.

Before he could find the right section, the door swung open. Samantha strode into the room, glaring at him.

"Darryl, go buy yourself some new clothes tomorrow. Stop wearing those old, torn outfits. Lily’s the President now, and you’re embarrassing her!" Samantha snapped.

Darryl nodded and replied, "Fine."

Frustrated by his indifferent response, Samantha added, "The Hough family has organized an outing, and many other families will be attending. Make sure you dress appropriately and don’t embarrass Lily. This is my final warning."

The Hough family? Darryl thought. Megan’s fiancé, Kent Hough, came to mind. Was his family behind this outing?

"Did you hear what I said?" Samantha snapped again, pulling him out of his thoughts. "Look at you, Darryl! You’re embarrassing Lily!"

Chapter 135

It was just an outing, so Darryl didn’t see the point of needing new clothes. "Can’t I be excused from the outing?" he asked, not eager to meet Kent Hough, Megan's fiancé, who would certainly be there since it was organized by his family.

Samantha shot him a stern look. "Honestly, I wouldn’t have asked you along for such a high-class event, but Lily’s the President now, and as her husband, you should be there to support her."

"Fine, I’ll go get some new clothes," Darryl relented.

"That’s more like it," Samantha said coldly. "If you don’t have enough money, ask Lily for some. Don’t show up in something cheap and embarrass her."

Darryl nodded again, and Samantha left the room after a few more nagging comments.

Once she was gone, Darryl quickly returned to his book, Ancient Army Weapon. The cover was worn, full of scratches, and there were faint brown stains that looked like old blood. It was clear the book had been through a lot over time. He admired how well the Young family had preserved such a rare piece of history.

Darryl began reading, and the first weapon he came across was the Thunder Hammer, a Blue Category Level Four weapon with the ability to summon thunder. He continued to read eagerly.

He encountered the Universe Ring, an unbreakable weapon created in the mountains, classified as Blue Category Level Five, with the ability to traverse the universe. It was owned by the legendary Prince Nezha. 

Next, he read about the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, a nine-foot-long weapon that could split rocks and mountains, owned by the famous War Saint Guan Yu. It was rated as a Blue Category Level Three weapon.

Darryl was captivated, but his heart raced as he finally found the chapter on the Blood Drinking Sword. He read with growing excitement. 

The Blood Drinking Sword appeared to have a surface like jade but wasn’t made of jade, like steel but not quite steel. It was extremely sharp and could absorb the Earth’s energy. The weapon was classified as a Red Category Level One, with the unique ability to absorb human blood for self-upgrade. Only fresh human blood could trigger this upgrade; animal blood wouldn’t work. 

Darryl couldn’t believe it. He had found a true treasure. A sword that could upgrade itself by absorbing blood—it was no wonder it was called the Blood Drinking Sword. As he read on, he discovered that once the sword recognized its owner, it could be stored in the owner’s blood when not in use, and summoned with just a thought.

Darryl focused, holding the Blood Drinking Sword, and with a thought, the sword vanished into his bloodstream. He smiled in disbelief. He concentrated again, and with a flash of red light, the Blood Drinking Sword reappeared in his hand.

Wow! This sword is truly something extraordinary! Darryl thought excitedly.

Just as he was marveling at the sword, Samantha’s voice called from downstairs, interrupting his moment.

"Darryl, come here now!" she yelled.

Darryl sighed, put the book away, hid the sword, and went downstairs.

"What is it?" he asked when he reached her.

"Sit down," Samantha commanded. "This outing is very important. Dozens of families will be attending, including the Houghs, the Youngs, the Whites, the Quinns, and us, the Lyndons. Hundreds of people will be there, all of them important and famous. Don’t embarrass Lily or yourself. Lily is now the head of the Lyndon family."

The outing, Samantha explained, was an opportunity for families to gather, build relationships, and even make business deals. In high society, an extra friend meant an extra opportunity for profit.

"I’ll be careful," Darryl said, nodding. He couldn’t help but think about the families that would attend. Yvonne, as the head of the Young family, would definitely be there. He thought of how she had looked shy but incredibly attractive the last time they met.

Then, thinking about the White family, Darryl couldn’t stop himself from asking, "Didn’t the White family cut ties with us when the Lyndons were financially ruined? Why are they attending the outing?"

Lily smiled. "In business, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal profit. Yes, during my father’s time, when we lost all our money, the White family cut ties with us. But once we recovered, they came knocking on our door again."

Darryl grinned at her words.

Lily continued, "We have to make many new friends at this outing. Be mindful of what you say. Just stay close to me."

Darryl laughed. "Sure, I’ll follow you closely."

Chapter 136

Lily blushed slightly at Darryl’s words but quickly teased him, "Shame on you, don’t you know people call you a live-in husband?" However, realizing her comment might have hurt him, she immediately apologized, "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it."

Darryl smiled, unfazed. "No worries, I don’t care what people say about me. You’re my wife, and your opinion is the only one that matters."

Lily smiled back and decided to drag him out on a shopping trip. She wanted to buy him a nice suit for the upcoming outing, but Darryl had become accustomed to wearing cheap, non-branded clothes throughout their three years of marriage. He felt awkward in anything fancy. After some negotiation, he ended up buying two sets of branded leisure clothing.

When Darryl was about to pay at the cashier, Lily stopped him. "I haven’t gotten you anything for the past three years. Let me cover this. After all, you did buy me a lot of clothes earlier," she said with a warm smile.

Darryl felt touched by her gesture and let her pay without further objection.

The next morning, the Hough family sent out transportation to pick everyone up. They were well-known in Donghai City and had arranged a fleet of business-class Mercedes, parked neatly along the road, giving off a sense of luxury.

Lily looked stunning in her tight blue jeans, white blouse, and stilettos. Her long legs caught the attention of more than a few people, including the driver, who couldn’t help but stare as she got into the car.

After a few hours, they arrived at Dragon Rising Lake, also known as Gallery Twenty, a private and exclusive retreat. Though it was referred to as a lake, it was actually a bay, reserved for the rich and famous to relax and enjoy the scenery.

When they reached the reception area, they saw other families had already gathered. The outing was mostly attended by the younger generations, who would be inheriting their family businesses, making it a key networking event.

Among the familiar faces were William, Elsa from the Lyndon family, and Zayler from the White family. They greeted Darryl and Lily as they approached, but a few of the men couldn’t help but gawk at Lily, mesmerized by her beauty.

Even though the Lyndon family wasn’t among the top-tier elite, it was known for having several beautiful women, and both Lily and Elsa stood out in their own ways.

William, however, couldn’t resist the opportunity to make a snide remark. With a cold grin, he sarcastically commented, "Darryl, you look good today. Where’d you pick up those clothes? From some bargain stall?"

He laughed at his own joke, but it was clear no one else found it amusing. William knew Darryl had strong fighting skills, but he felt safe enough to mock him at a family gathering, confident Darryl wouldn’t make a scene.

Someone else chimed in, "William, is this the live-in son-in-law you mentioned earlier? Why would a live-in husband be allowed to join such an outing?"

William laughed heartily. "He’s only here because of his wife, Lily. He’s nobody on his own."

The group joined in the laughter, but Darryl merely gave a cold smile and remained silent. He had promised Lily that he wouldn’t cause trouble.

Unable to take the insults anymore, Lily glared at William. "We’re here to have a good time. What’s the point of saying something so ridiculous?"

Even Elsa frowned at William, telling him, "William, stop it. We’re family."

Grumbling, William walked away, but it was clear he wasn’t happy.

Just then, a young man in a checkered suit approached Lily with a wide smile, extending his hand. "Ms. Lily Lyndon, how are you? I’m Justin Quinn, the second son of the Quinn family. I’ve always admired you. It’s an honor to meet you today."

He was clearly trying to impress her.

Darryl, who had been quietly sipping his drink, nearly choked when he heard the man introduce himself. He held back a laugh, thinking to himself, What kind of name is that? Justin-Quinn? Who named this guy?

Chapter 137

"Why are you laughing?" Justin shouted, clearly upset. His jealousy toward Darryl was obvious. He couldn’t fathom how someone as beautiful as Lily could be married to a live-in son-in-law like Darryl. To Justin, it was simply unfair, even if the marriage seemed fake in his mind. Furious, he pointed at Darryl, "If you laugh again, I’ll tear your mouth off! What’s so funny?"

Darryl, unfazed, replied with a grin, "Nothing, really. Your name just sounds... great."

People around them couldn’t help but start murmuring the name to themselves, "Justin Quinn, Just-in-Queen?" The more they said it, the funnier it sounded. Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Justin’s face turned red with anger as he saw everyone laughing at his expense. He was about to charge at Darryl when Lily stepped in softly, "Mr. Quinn, we’re all here for fun. There’s no need to get angry."

Justin, taken aback by Lily’s calm demeanor, quickly changed his attitude. "Fine, the goddess is right," he muttered, his temper subsiding. Eager to regain some dignity, he reached out his hand to Lily. "My dear goddess, it’s an honor to meet you. I’ve admired you for a long time."

Darryl, still grinning, almost burst out laughing again. One minute Justin was angry, the next, he was trying to impress Lily. 

Lily politely shook Justin’s hand, but quickly pulled away, stepping back behind Darryl with grace. While Justin seemed charming on the surface, his lingering gaze on her made her uncomfortable.

Justin, feeling awkward after Lily withdrew, suddenly shifted his focus toward the entrance. His expression changed, and so did the mood of the entire group.

All eyes turned toward the arrival of two stunning figures emerging from a car—Megan and Yvonne! 

Megan, with her perfect hourglass figure showcased in a body-hugging dress, caught the attention of every man present. Yvonne, in a long, elegant purple gown, exuded sophistication and beauty. Their presence immediately became the highlight of the event. Yvonne, the daughter of the prestigious Young family, was still single and had many admirers among the gathered families.

Yvonne walked over to Darryl with a bright smile. "You two are early," she greeted him warmly, though her eyes revealed a trace of disappointment as she saw Darryl standing close to Lily.

Megan, in her high heels, followed closely behind, giving Darryl a teasing smile. "Dear little brother, you're here too?" she said, surprised to see him. In their upper-class society, these outings were an annual tradition, and Darryl had never attended before.

Darryl, slightly amused, thought to himself, Little brother? Since when did I become her little brother?

The crowd looked bewildered, trying to piece together what was going on. How was Darryl suddenly on such familiar terms with Yvonne and Megan? The admiration Yvonne's suitors had for her quickly turned into jealousy, while Kent's face darkened with embarrassment, especially seeing his fiancée, Megan, so close to Darryl.

Unable to hold back, Kent sneered, "Megan dear, there’s no surprise why Darryl’s here. He’s only here because he’s riding on his wife’s status. It’s certainly not because of who he is."

His tone was dripping with sarcasm, and the crowd burst into laughter again, all eyes now on Darryl.

Megan, clearly annoyed, turned to Kent. "Kent, we’re here to have fun. Don’t act like this."

She couldn’t help but feel frustrated. Darryl had risked his life to save a little girl from robbers. He had shielded a complete stranger from a gunshot, and for that alone, he deserved respect. Yet, here everyone was, laughing at him.

"Why are you defending him, Megan?" Kent asked, clearly upset by her loyalty toward Darryl.

Chapter 138

Megan shot Kent a cold glare. "I just don't want my mood ruined. If you keep acting like this, feel free to leave me and enjoy the outing on your own."

"Alright, fine. I’ll listen to you," Kent replied quickly with a forced smile, though his face clearly showed his anger. He turned toward Darryl, eyes full of resentment. How dare a live-in son-in-law join our outing? I'll make sure you embarrass yourself!

Just then, Edward Hough, Kent's father and the organizer of the outing, stepped forward with a microphone. "Hello, everyone. Thank you for your patience." He looked around at the crowd and cleared his throat. "As you all know, you're the younger generation of your families, so I won’t repeat the outing’s rules. But I’ll remind you all of one thing: please take care of your safety! I repeat, take care of your own safety!"

Edward continued, "We’re at Dragon Rising Lake, and it’s a great spot for fishing. We’ve provided plenty of fishing rods, so let’s make it interesting—tonight’s dinner will depend on what you catch!"

The crowd chuckled at Edward's announcement. Most of them, coming from upper-class families, saw no issue with fishing, and the idea of a fresh seafood barbeque excited them.

Everyone eagerly grabbed their fishing rods and headed toward the seashore. The women laid down to sunbathe, while others began mingling, exchanging business cards with glasses of red wine in hand. The purpose of the outing was to make connections, after all.

However, not everyone was enjoying the calm atmosphere. A group that included William, Kent, and a few others couldn’t resist taking jabs at Darryl. Wherever they went, they found some excuse to mock him. Darryl remained calm on the surface, acting like he wasn’t bothered, but inside, he was furious. What’s wrong with these people? he thought. Especially Kent—he’s as annoying as his name suggests!

If Darryl had known more about Kent back then, he might have reconsidered his decision to save him from the Grandmaster Heaven Cult. Meanwhile, those who had been fishing began to tire out. The sun was scorching, and the idea of catching enough fish to feed hundreds of people seemed impossible. One by one, the sons of wealthy families gave up, preferring to rest in the shade of nearby huts.

The crystal-clear water of the bay sparkled invitingly under the sun. It didn’t take long before someone suggested, "Why don’t we go for a swim? It’s way too hot here."

The men immediately perked up at the idea, and a few of them shot eager glances at Megan, Lily, and the other women. The thought of swimming alongside these beautiful women clearly excited them.

Lily, Megan, and the other ladies, drenched in sweat, were intrigued by the idea but hesitated. Swimming with so many people watching them felt a bit awkward, and none of them had brought swimsuits for the occasion.

Kent, seizing the moment, laughed. "Swimming is too easy! Let’s make it more fun—how about a race?"

William raised an eyebrow. "A race? What kind of race?"

Kent pointed toward a small island in the middle of the lake. "A competition between families. Each family will be represented by one male and one female. The first family to reach the island will be the winner."

Excitement rippled through the crowd at the suggestion.

Zayler stepped forward, grinning. "If this is a race, there should be a bet involved!"

Kent nodded. "Of course, we’ll have a bet. Here are the rules: only the first-place winners will receive the prize. Every losing family must pay the winners one billion bucks."

One billion bucks?! The crowd fell silent, realizing the gravity of the bet. While this gathering was for the rich, some of the smaller families couldn’t afford such an enormous sum. Betting a billion bucks could wipe out their entire fortunes.

Several families sighed in disappointment, their desire to participate squashed by financial reality.

Kent, on the other hand, was grinning inwardly. He had carefully crafted this plan, hoping to pressure the Lyndon family into participating. If they refused, he would use the opportunity to humiliate them in front of everyone. Confident in his swimming skills, he was sure he would win the race. If the Lyndons did participate, they would lose both the race and the billion bucks. 

Kent pictured Lily and Darryl, humiliated and desperate, coming to him on their knees, begging for an IOU after losing everything. It would be the perfect way to settle his grudge.

Chapter 139

The tension in the air was palpable after Kent's challenge. A billion bucks was no trivial matter, and William, the eldest grandson of the Lyndon family, hesitated. How could he decide something so enormous on his own? Losing such an amount could devastate their family.

Kent seized the opportunity, mocking William. "What’s the matter, William? Is the Lyndon family too scared to play? I knew Darryl was spineless, but it looks like the whole family is full of cowards!"

Hearing this, William clenched his fists in anger. How could he let Kent insult him like this? But the decision wasn’t his alone—Lily was the head of the Lyndon family now. He turned to her with frustration, "Lily, we should join the race. It’s just a bit of fun, and we can't let Kent talk down to us like that."

Everyone from the Lyndon family waited for Lily's response, many of them secretly resenting her leadership. As the only female head of the family, she had more than her share of rivals. If they lost this race, the blame would fall on her shoulders, and William knew he could use that as an excuse to undermine her authority.

Lily bit her lip, feeling the weight of the decision. She looked around and realized she had no choice if she wanted to protect the family's dignity. "Fine," she said, "The Lyndon family will participate."

Kent’s smirk widened upon hearing Lily's agreement. Everything was going according to plan. If the Lyndon family lost the race, not only would they owe a billion bucks, but Lily’s position would be in jeopardy, and Darryl would be humiliated in front of everyone.

The families finalized their participants. The Hough family was represented by Kent and Megan; the Young family by Yvonne and her younger brother; the Lyndon family by Lily and Darryl; the White family by Zayler and one of his relatives; and the Quinn family by Justin and his cousin, Charmaine. Excitement buzzed through the crowd, especially as the male participants eyed the beautiful women who were about to take part in the race.

For the spectators, this wasn’t just about a competition—it was an opportunity to watch stunning women like Lily, Megan, and Yvonne swim in their soaked clothes, revealing their flawless figures. The men onshore were already whispering excitedly among themselves.

While everyone was distracted, Kent discreetly sent a message on his phone. Soon after, a young man from the Hough family quietly slipped into the water near the shore, unseen by the other competitors.

"Alright, everyone, get ready!" Edward Hough, the race’s judge, announced with a smile. He shot Kent a thumbs-up, confident that his son would win. After all, Kent had been swimming competitively since childhood, and Megan was no less skilled as a police team leader.

Lily, standing nervously beside Darryl, confessed, "I’m not a strong swimmer."

Darryl, ever the calm presence, smiled reassuringly. "Don’t worry, I’m here." His confidence eased her nerves, and she managed a small smile in return.

Edward raised the microphone and shouted, "Let the race begin!"

With a splash, the ten participants dived into the water and began swimming toward the small island in the middle of the lake. Cheers erupted from the shore.

"Go, Lily!" 

"Look at them, they’re beautiful!"

All eyes were on Yvonne, Lily, and Megan, whose clothes clung to their bodies, accentuating their perfect figures. The men onshore couldn’t take their eyes off them.

Meanwhile, the male participants showed off their swimming skills. Kent and Zayler confidently displayed advanced techniques like breaststroke and butterfly, their movements smooth and powerful. The crowd was impressed by their prowess.

And then there was Darryl, swimming in the most basic doggy paddle. His technique was unpolished and awkward, drawing a few snickers from the spectators. But despite his lack of form, Darryl was moving at a good pace.

While the others had grown up with swimming lessons, Darryl had spent his youth differently. As the second son of the Darby family, he could have been trained like the rest of the elite, but his interests had always lain elsewhere—martial arts and antiques.

Though Darryl’s swimming may have looked amateurish, it was clear that he had more determination than anyone had expected.

Chapter 140

As Darryl swam awkwardly, the laughter from the shore became louder. "Is that really the Lyndon family's son-in-law? Swimming like that?" someone jeered. 

"Doggy style! That's just embarrassing," another voice joined in, making some of the girls giggle.

Lily bit her lip in frustration. She could hear the mocking comments, and even she found it hard not to laugh at Darryl’s clumsy strokes. Despite his earlier confidence, his untrained swimming style wasn’t exactly inspiring. Yes, he wasn’t the slowest, but he wasn’t fast enough to win either. And if they didn’t win, they'd be out a billion bucks.

Lily’s heart sank as she thought about the consequences. If they lost, the Lyndon family would be in deep trouble. She might even lose her position as the family leader. Desperate to win, she tried to swim faster, but it felt hopeless.

Suddenly, screams erupted from the shore.

"What’s that?" someone yelled.

"Oh my God, is that a shark?!" another voice shouted.

All the participants in the water stopped swimming and turned to see a black fin cutting through the water, moving quickly toward them.

"Shark! There’s a shark!" came the panicked cries from the shore.

Lily, Yvonne, Megan, and the others froze in terror as they saw the fin approaching. Even the men, usually composed, were stunned, their faces pale with fear. Panic rippled through the group.

"Swim back! Swim back to shore!" Megan shouted. Despite her strength and skill, even she knew she couldn't fight a shark.

In a frenzy, everyone began swimming frantically back to shore, abandoning the race. No one cared about the billion-dollar bet anymore—life was on the line. The shark was closing in on the women fast.

The spectators on the shore were horrified. Some couldn’t bear to watch and covered their eyes, fearing the worst.

But amidst the chaos, two people remained calm—Darryl and Kent.

From where Darryl was, he could see the "shark" clearly, and something was off. It wasn’t a shark at all—it had shoulders and feet. It was fake. Then he noticed Kent's calm demeanor, which struck him as odd. Kent, the same man who had nearly wet himself when captured by the Grandmaster Heaven Cult, wasn't even flinching. Darryl put two and two together: Kent had staged this entire thing.

As the "shark" reached the women, Yvonne, Lily, and Megan were terrified. Their screams echoed across the water.

"Darryl! Help us!" Lily shouted in sheer desperation, her fear palpable.

Darryl stayed where he was, now sure of Kent’s plan. This was a setup for Kent to play the hero. Let him have his moment, Darryl thought.

Just then, Kent charged forward, pretending to confront the "shark." "Don't worry, ladies! I'll handle this!" he shouted dramatically. 

"Big shark, come at me!" Kent yelled as he swam toward the fake predator.

The women on the shore gasped and cheered. "He’s so brave!" someone said. "What a man!" another swooned, and soon they were all clapping for Kent, admiring his "fearlessness."

Meanwhile, Lily's heart sank. She was disillusioned. Here she was, shouting for help in what felt like a life-or-death situation, and Darryl—the one person she had depended on—had ignored her. Yet Kent, Megan's fiancé, had rushed to save the day without hesitation.

Lily couldn't help but feel disappointed.

Chapter 141

As the 'shark' swam closer, it headed straight for Megan. Terrified, she screamed, "Kent, help!" Despite all her experiences, nothing had prepared her for this, and the fear overwhelmed her.

Kent grinned to himself. This was exactly what he had planned—the perfect moment to play the hero. He had set up this whole situation to show off his bravery, especially in front of Megan. Now was his chance to be her knight in shining armor.

The 'shark' continued to swim aggressively, but it never seemed to actually bite anyone. Zayler and Justin realized this too and swam over to protect their partners, showing some courage. Darryl, meanwhile, floated nearby, calmly observing the whole spectacle. Lily, disappointed once again, watched as Darryl remained distant. Her faith in him was beginning to fade—maybe she had overestimated him.

"Megan, dear, don’t worry! Your husband is here!" Kent called out, laughing triumphantly as he swam toward her, pulling out a knife he had hidden for this moment. He looked as heroic as possible, holding Megan tightly by the waist while brandishing his knife toward the 'shark.'

"You bastard! How dare you threaten my wife? Look what I’ve got for you!" Kent shouted theatrically, pretending to stab the 'shark' with his knife. He held Megan closer, savoring the moment. Megan, meanwhile, clung to his neck, touched by his apparent bravery. She had never let Kent get this close to her before—not even a kiss—but at this critical moment, she felt grateful for his protection. Maybe she had been wrong about him all along.

On the shore, the crowd was mesmerized. They didn’t know what was really happening. All they saw was Kent, fearlessly confronting the 'shark' while holding Megan in his arms. People gasped and cheered, impressed by what they thought was real courage.

"Be careful, Kent! It’s a shark!" someone shouted, adding to the drama.

Kent confidently touched the 'shark' with his knife, just enough for his helper underwater to release the pig blood, creating a dramatic scene. The water turned red, and Kent acted as if he had barely survived the encounter. Still holding Megan tightly, he whispered to her, "It’s fine now, Megan dear. Your husband is here."

"Thank you, Kent," Megan said softly, biting her lip. She felt overwhelmed by his bravery and started to see him in a new light.

Onshore, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause. "He killed the shark!" someone yelled. 

"Kent is so brave!" another person shouted. 

The whole group, previously unimpressed by Kent’s reliance on bodyguards, now saw him as a real hero. Kent soaked up the admiration, still holding Megan tightly. He knew he had just transformed his image in front of everyone, and he was loving it.

"Kiss! Kiss!" someone from the crowd suddenly shouted, and soon others joined in, chanting for the couple to kiss.

Kent had been waiting for this moment for so long. Finally, he thought. He leaned in toward Megan, but she shyly pushed him away, saying, "What are you doing? There are so many people here!"

Although she had begun to accept Kent after his "heroic" act, she still had her limits. Kissing in front of such a large audience wasn’t something she was ready for.

Kent, still smiling, nodded understandingly. "Please don’t be angry, Megan dear. I just couldn’t help myself," he said, feeling confident that she had opened up to him. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future, he thought. No need to rush—he had time.

Chapter 142

As Darryl swam towards Lily, he noticed her distant expression and asked with concern, "Lilybud, what's wrong?" He thought maybe she had been frightened by the fake shark.

But Lily, filled with disappointment, coldly replied, "I'm fine. I’m not in the mood. Don’t talk to me," before swimming away, not even glancing back. Watching Kent bravely fight off the shark while Darryl did nothing made her feel embarrassed. She regretted thinking Darryl had changed after getting a job and inviting him to the outing. In her mind, nothing about him was different.

Darryl was left stunned by her reaction, confused about what had caused this sudden coldness. Just as he was about to follow her and find out more, a new commotion erupted from the shore.

“There’s another shark!” someone yelled.

“Sh*t! Another one!” echoed more voices as the crowd noticed a black fin cutting through the water, heading towards them fast. This time, however, the crowd wasn’t as frightened as before. After watching Kent “kill” the first shark, they assumed this one would be handled just as easily. All eyes turned expectantly to Kent.

“Brother Kent, do it again! Kill it!” someone shouted.

Darryl was shocked by the unfolding scene. How many actors did he hire for this charade? he thought to himself.

But Kent’s face paled. This wasn’t part of his plan. The second shark was real. Its speed, agility, and size were completely different. It was no fake. “Run! Hurry, swim to the shore!” Kent suddenly screamed in panic.

Megan, confused by his outburst, looked at him and asked, “Kent, why are you panicking? Don’t you have a knife?” But Kent was too terrified to listen. He ignored her and swam desperately toward the shore, his earlier bravado completely gone.

“Kent, wait for me!” Megan shouted, realizing he was abandoning her. The crowd watched in disbelief as Kent frantically swam away, yelling, “Run! Run! This one’s real! It’s a real shark! Swim for your lives!”

In his panic, Kent had swallowed several gulps of water, making his escape even more chaotic. He knew he was in danger—the knife he still held was covered in pig’s blood from the earlier fake shark stunt, which had now attracted the real shark. No matter how fast he swam, he couldn’t outpace the predator.

"Please don’t eat me! Please don’t eat me!" Kent whimpered. Desperate, he started pleading with the shark, “Dear father shark, I’m begging you! Please don’t eat me!” In a final moment of terror, he tossed the blood-stained knife away, trying to rid himself of what was drawing the shark’s attention.

The knife landed dangerously close to the group of women—Lily, Yvonne, and Megan. The shark, now zeroing in on the scent of blood, veered towards them. 

“Kent, how could you?!” Megan screamed, realizing Kent had effectively led the shark straight toward them.

The crowd, now aware that the first shark was fake and this one was real, watched in horror as the true danger unfolded. 

Lily’s face turned as pale as the shark fin slicing through the water towards her. She felt paralyzed, nowhere to run or hide. Her mind raced with the realization that her life was about to end. She could feel her hope slipping away...

Chapter 143

The atmosphere was thick with tension as the shark charged toward Lily. Everyone on the shore gasped, some even screamed, as the predator's jaws opened wide. Lily, feeling hopeless, closed her eyes and braced herself for the end.

But the shark’s jaws never reached her.

When Lily slowly opened her eyes, what she saw left her in shock. The entire crowd held their breath, frozen in place. There was Darryl, riding on the back of the shark, gripping its fin tightly and punching it repeatedly.

The scene was surreal. No one could speak, and the beach fell into a dead silence. 

The shark thrashed wildly in the water, and in the chaos, its sharp teeth slashed through Darryl's arm, leaving a deep wound that began to bleed profusely.

"Go, go!" Darryl shouted through the pain, his body covered in blood.

Lily, her voice trembling with emotion, cried out, "But what about you? Darryl, I'm sorry! I was wrong. I was wrong for thinking you were a coward. You're the only one saving me!" Tears streamed down her face.

"Go!" Darryl roared, urging her to swim to safety.

With a heavy heart, Lily realized she had to leave. She turned and swam towards the shore, praying for Darryl’s survival. The others, seeing her urgency, began swimming toward safety as well.

But then, Darryl’s grip on the shark faltered, and the beast broke free, turning its attention toward the swimmers. Most had made it to the shore, but Yvonne, exhausted from her lack of stamina, was still far behind, struggling to make it halfway.

Panic swept through the crowd as the shark turned toward Yvonne. She froze in terror, unable to move.

"Quick! Swim over here!" Darryl yelled.

Yvonne snapped out of her daze and tried to swim toward Darryl, but her pace was slow. From the shore, onlookers shouted helplessly, urging her to swim faster, but no one dared jump in to help.

"Yvonne, it's right behind you! Hurry!" people screamed, but fear held them back from entering the water.

At the last moment, Darryl reached her, grabbing her by the waist. He channeled his inner energy, sending it into Yvonne, who had felt weak and dizzy moments before. As Darryl’s energy flowed into her, she felt revitalized and a wave of security washed over her.

"I’ll distract it. Swim to the shore," Darryl whispered gently into her ear.

Yvonne blushed, overwhelmed by being so close to him. She nodded and swam away, her heart racing—not just from fear, but from an unexpected feeling of affection. Her thoughts were scattered, wondering how she could feel this way about Darryl, a live-in son-in-law. But in that moment, she felt safe with him, and that was all that mattered.

As Yvonne swam, she glanced at the shore and saw Lily standing there. Embarrassed by her thoughts, Yvonne’s face flushed with shame. How could she be thinking like this in such a situation?

Just then, the water erupted with a loud splash as the shark—over ten feet long—leapt out of the water with its jaws wide open, aiming straight for Darryl.

From the shore, Kent watched with smug satisfaction, thinking, Sh*t, that’s a big one! Good thing I got out in time. He reassured himself, knowing Megan might be angry, but at least he was alive. In his mind, Darryl was doomed. “He’s definitely going to die,” Kent thought.

In a horrifying moment, the shark lunged at Darryl, sinking its teeth deep into his arm.

The crowd onshore gasped in shock as blood poured into the water. Darryl fought with everything he had, but before anyone could react, his head vanished beneath the surface along with the shark. The water calmed for a moment, though now it was stained with blood.

“He’s gone!” someone shouted from the shore.

“Well, no one told him to act smart and fight the shark,” another person muttered coldly.

The crowd, now observing the blood-streaked water, showed little sympathy. To them, Darryl was just a live-in son-in-law, his life not worth much in their eyes.

Chapter 144

Lily sat on the ground, her face drained of color, as the voices around her faded into the background. Her heart raced with despair. Is he really dead? she thought. No, he can’t die, I won’t let him!

She stood up, her voice breaking with desperation. "What are you all standing around for? Go help him! Help him!" she screamed at the crowd.

But no one moved. The crowd exchanged uneasy glances, unwilling to meet her gaze. Was she out of her mind? There was a ten-foot shark in the water, and no one would risk their life for a live-in son-in-law like Darryl, especially when he had acted on his own. No one asked him to play the hero.

Determined, Lily stormed over to William. “William, you’re part of the Lyndon family too! You have to help him!”

William smirked coldly. "I'm sorry about Darryl, but I’m not much of a swimmer. Besides, that shark could kill me. It’s huge.”

Though his words sounded apologetic, William’s excitement was thinly veiled. He was secretly thrilled to be rid of Darryl.

Lily’s heart sank at his callousness. Then William added, "Lily, this is your fault. You’re the one who wanted to join the race! If we lost, the family would’ve been out a billion bucks. Thanks to that shark, we won’t lose anything. Darryl’s life for a billion dollars—that’s a good trade. And don’t forget, he died because of you."

Tears streamed down Lily’s face. She wanted to argue, but the words wouldn’t come. She was overwhelmed with guilt and sadness.

The water remained eerily calm, only ripples of blood floating on the surface. Darryl and the shark had been underwater for over two minutes, and there was no sign of either.

Unbeknownst to the crowd, Darryl was still fighting beneath the surface. He was badly wounded, but so was the shark. The water around them was stained red, and the shark, enraged by the scent of blood, attacked with renewed vigor.

With blood-red eyes, the shark opened its jaws wide and charged at Darryl again. Summoning the last of his strength, Darryl dodged and focused his remaining energy into his core.

“Ascension of the Nine Dragons!”

A loud roar echoed through the water as nine golden dragons erupted around Darryl, encircling him in a powerful vortex. The dragons crashed into the shark’s body repeatedly, battering it into submission.

With a flash of steel, Darryl’s Blood Drinking Sword appeared in his hand. He struck the shark with all his might, piercing through its body, causing a torrent of blood to gush out.

On the shore, the crowd gasped. "What’s happening? Why is there so much blood?" they murmured, unable to see what was happening beneath the surface.

"He’s probably been bitten to death," one person muttered.

Lily’s sobs grew louder. "No! He’s not dead. He can’t be dead!" she cried out, her voice filled with anguish.

Her mind raced back through their three years of marriage, replaying memories like a film. You can’t die! I still love you. Please, Darryl... she thought desperately.

"Darryl!" Lily shouted at the sea, her tears falling uncontrollably. "You’re not allowed to die! Come back, now! Did you hear me? Come back!"

She stood by the water’s edge, her body shaking with sobs, as she cried out again, “You’re not allowed to die, Darryl! Come back…”

Her voice grew faint as her strength began to leave her.

Then, through the silence, a voice rang out from the water, “Who said I was dead?”

Lily’s head snapped up, and her eyes widened in disbelief. Emerging from the water, covered in blood but very much alive, was Darryl. In one hand, he dragged the massive ten-foot shark, lifeless in his grasp.

"This fish is for tonight's barbeque. It should be enough to feed all of us, right?" he said with a smile.

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried across the shore, and everyone heard him. Under the blazing sun, Darryl stood tall, a symbol of strength and resilience.

Chapter 145

Complete silence fell over the crowd as Darryl reached the shore, dragging the massive ten-foot shark behind him. The disbelief was palpable. One of the men in the crowd swallowed loudly, eyes wide in astonishment.

How did he do that? How could he have killed such a beast?

Hundreds of eyes were fixed on Darryl, all stunned and amazed by the seemingly impossible feat.

Darryl broke the silence with a grin. "Why is my dear wifey crying so much? Were you that worried about your dear hubby?"

Lily, overwhelmed with emotion, had thought she’d never see him again. Her heart had been in pieces, and now, seeing him walk toward her, she wanted nothing more than to hug him. Her beautiful face was still streaked with tears, but her cheeks flushed when she heard Darryl calling her "wifey" in front of everyone.

"Stop it... I-I wasn’t worried about you!" she stammered softly, quickly wiping away her tears, avoiding his gaze.

Just then, Megan and Yvonne rushed over. "Darryl! Are you okay?" they both asked with concern.

The crowd murmured in awe. Thanks to Darryl, they had all escaped becoming the shark’s next meal. With three beautiful women surrounding him, the envy of the other men was obvious.

"I’m fine," Darryl reassured them with a smile, glancing between Lily, Megan, and Yvonne. The three of them were still soaked from the swim, their wet clothes clinging to their bodies, emphasizing their figures. Megan’s curvaceous body was the most eye-catching, while Lily had a perfectly balanced figure with a strikingly slim waist. Yvonne, with her graceful demeanor, radiated elegance.

Darryl couldn’t help but feel elated, surrounded by such beauty. What a moment, he thought.

As the scene unfolded, a young man approached them, laughing and looking at Darryl with admiration. "Haha, that was impressive! You’re really strong to take on a shark like that. It’s laughable that anyone ever called you useless. What rubbish!"

He spoke boldly, not caring if his words offended anyone—clearly taking a jab at Kent, William, and a few other rich heirs who had mocked Darryl earlier. Normally, Kent would have fought back, but now, both he and William looked defeated and kept their mouths shut.

The young man introduced himself. He was Dax Sanders, a name that carried weight in Donghai City. The Sanders family wasn’t in the trade business but rather operated through the city's underground networks. Dax’s grandfather had built their empire through his fists, starting at the city port. Over the years, the Sanders family had grown to control countless bars and KTV clubs. Their name commanded fear and respect.

Though Dax was young, he held a powerful status in Donghai City’s underworld. Even influential figures like Brandon and Abby would respectfully greet him as "Brother Dax" if they crossed paths.

Dax wasn’t interested in wealth but valued loyalty above all else. His family even worshipped the War Saint Guan Yu, a symbol of loyalty. Dax had been impressed by Darryl’s bravery—how everyone had looked down on him, yet he stood up and fought the shark single-handedly. It resonated deeply with Dax’s sense of honor.

"The Sanders family holds the highest status among us all. Everyone wants to be in their good books," murmured someone in the crowd, fully aware of Dax’s influence.

Darryl, however, didn’t know who Dax was. He smiled and modestly replied, "It was just luck that I managed to kill the shark."

Dax stepped forward, extending his hand. "I’m truly impressed, Brother Darryl. I’m Dax Sanders. Let’s be friends."

For the first time in his three-year marriage, someone wasn’t looking down on Darryl. He smiled, shaking Dax’s hand, but his eyes caught something on Dax’s arm—countless scars, deep and ominous.

What had this young man been through to have so many scars? Darryl wondered.

Watching them shake hands, Kent grinned coldly from a distance, clearly displeased by the turn of events.

Chapter 146

Kent's jealousy simmered as he watched Darryl and Dax shaking hands. Darryl might have lucked out by befriending Dax, but they aren't equals. This won't last long, he thought bitterly. The whole shark ordeal had been his plan to humiliate Darryl, yet now Darryl was basking in attention—especially from Megan, who hadn’t even glanced at Kent.

Edward stepped forward, breaking the tense atmosphere. "Alright, everyone, silence please," he called out. "You're all from prominent families, and you've been pampered your entire lives. This outing is meant to challenge your survival instincts. We’ll barbeque the shark later, but for now, we need to find a place to rest."

The group quickly agreed, eager to move on from the day's drama. After enjoying the shark barbeque, everyone started searching for a suitable place to sleep. A shout rang out not long after: "Hey, there's a cave over here! It's big enough for all of us!"

The group moved as one towards the cave, ready to settle in for the night.

Meanwhile, over at Platinum Corporation, chaos reigned. Fans swarmed the building, holding signs and waving light sticks, all of them waiting for a glimpse of Giselle Lindt. The media was there in full force, eager to cover every detail.

Despite the earlier technical mishap with her earpiece during a performance, Giselle had only grown in popularity. Her stunning looks, powerful vocals, and her sexy yet sweet demeanor had made her an instant favorite. The judges on *Superstar* adored her, so it came as no surprise when she won the competition.

After her victory, the offers started pouring in from major film investors and entertainment companies. Some wanted to organize concerts, while others sought her as the lead in movies. Among these companies was Dalton Entertainment, which offered her five million dollars to star in their film—a huge sum for a newcomer like Giselle.

Dalton Entertainment had an impressive reputation, having launched the careers of top acts like the girl group Ladies 102. But when Giselle went for her interview with the company's president, Dalton Zander, she quickly realized something was off.

From the moment she walked in, Dalton ogled her, his eyes roaming over her body in a way that made her skin crawl. Despite his position as president, his behavior was utterly disgusting. Giselle tried to maintain her professionalism, but Dalton’s blatant disrespect tested her limits.

After the interview, Dalton came closer, smiling in a way that made her uneasy. He sat beside her and grabbed her hand, pretending to read her fortune. Giselle recoiled, furious at his inappropriate advances. She stood to leave, but Dalton wasn’t finished.

Grabbing her waist, he leered at her, his voice dripping with lust. "Oh wow, look at you. No wonder you won. You're amazing."

Giselle struggled, trying to free herself from his grip. "Excuse me, President Zander," she snapped, "please respect me. I'm not the kind of woman you're thinking of." She had always maintained her integrity, determined to keep her dignity intact despite the industry's challenges. Besides, Dalton’s lecherous advances disgusted her.

Dalton's mood shifted when he saw her resisting. "Come on, Miss Lindt, don’t be so uptight. You’re a smart woman. Just spend one night with me, and I’ll give you everything you need to succeed. What do you say?"

In his mind, Dalton was sure of one thing: every woman had a price. His years of experience in the entertainment world had taught him that, and he fully expected Giselle to submit to his offer.

But when his hand slid onto her leg, Giselle had had enough. Without hesitation, she slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed through the room, and Dalton's face twisted in fury as she stormed out.

"You little—!" he bellowed, his voice dripping with venom. "Who do you think you are? You’ll never make it without me! In two months, you’ll be back, crawling and begging for my help! If not, I’ll call myself your son!"

As Giselle left, her stilettos clicking on the floor, she pretended not to hear his threats. She had her pride, and nothing—especially not Dalton—would take that away from her.

Chapter 147

Giselle entered Moonlit River, still upset about the unsettling encounter with Dalton the day before. A call from her high school class monitor, Clifford, inviting her to a class reunion seemed like the perfect distraction.

The moment she walked in, she became the center of attention. Giselle had always been the class goddess, and now that she was a star, her presence attracted everyone. Her classmates swarmed her, eager to greet the rising celebrity. But Giselle wasn't the only one turning heads—Lana Thomas, their class teacher, was equally captivating. At 30, Lana still looked as stunning as she had during their school days, if not more so. Her pencil skirt showed off her enviable figure, and the boys—now men—were just as distracted by her beauty as they had been back in the day.

Clifford, ever the sweet-talker, was quick to compliment Lana. "Miss Thomas, you haven’t aged a bit. You still look as beautiful as ever!"

Lana smiled warmly. "And all of you look the same too. Clifford, you're still charming, and Giselle, you're as stunning as I remember. But the ones I’ll never forget are Darryl and Alex. They were always causing trouble, sitting side by side."

Alex burst into laughter. "Miss Thomas, you still remember! But I’ve changed now!" He couldn't help but reminisce. It had always been Darryl’s wild ideas that got them into trouble, yet here he was, remembering those days fondly. Darryl, why aren’t you here today? Alex thought. You’re missing out on seeing all our beautiful classmates.

Lana scanned the room. "Is Darryl here?" she asked.

Clifford responded quickly, eager to share the latest gossip. "Miss Thomas, Darryl's doing fine. He’s a live-in son-in-law now, living off his wife’s wealth. Doesn’t even need to work like the rest of us."

The room erupted in quiet laughter, with some of the women giggling. "Oh, that’s right," someone added. "He’s probably busy with chores at home, too busy to make it here."

Another classmate chimed in, laughing, "Miss Thomas, Darryl’s famous in Donghai City—for being useless!"

Alex’s face hardened as he listened. He couldn't stand the way they spoke about Darryl. "Come on, we're ex-classmates. Is it really necessary to badmouth Darryl behind his back?" he scolded.

Clifford waved him off, amused. "Relax, Alex. We’re just talking to Miss Thomas, not you."

Alex ignored them, returning to his seat, but Lana’s expression was serious now. She hadn’t heard great things about Darryl since their school days, and hearing that he was now a live-in son-in-law only confirmed her suspicions. "Let’s not talk about him," she said coldly. "He always gave me trouble back in school. If he’s ended up like this, it’s what he deserves."

Lana had been drinking, and the alcohol made her bolder. She was clearly proud of her students who were doing well, and Darryl's situation didn't garner any sympathy from her.

Later, as Lana headed to the restroom, she bumped into Giselle. "Giselle, can I ask you for a favor?" she said softly, closing the restroom door behind them.

Giselle smiled warmly. "Of course, Miss Thomas. What do you need?"

Lana hesitated before speaking, "I know you have connections with the President of Platinum Corporation... I’ve always wanted to try my luck in the entertainment industry. Could you introduce me to him?"

Chapter 148

Despite being a school teacher, Lana had striking confidence in her looks, body, and voice. She truly believed she could break into the entertainment industry if Giselle recommended her to the President of Platinum Corporation. Giselle, however, was momentarily stunned by the request. She almost let slip the fact that the President of Platinum Corporation was Darryl, who was keeping a low profile and didn’t want his status widely known.

Caught off guard, Giselle smiled politely. "Sure, I’ll find out tomorrow."

Lana's excitement was palpable as she immediately started sending photos of herself to Giselle. She was confident that with her beauty and charm, the President would be interested in her. Without much choice, Giselle forwarded the photos to Darryl, unsure how to handle the situation.

Meanwhile, at Dragon Rising Lake, the group had settled into the cave they had found, which was spacious enough for everyone to rest. As the night was still young, people formed groups to chat. Darryl and Dax hit it off quickly, enjoying a lively conversation. Eventually, Dax decided to take a walk with his wife, Nancy, who was as stunning and elegant as the rest of the women present. She wore jean shorts and a short top, showing off a fierce red phoenix tattoo on her back. Yet no one dared look too closely, knowing Dax's formidable reputation.

Before leaving, Dax told Darryl, "I'll take a walk with my wife. Let's continue our chat later," as he wrapped his arm around Nancy’s waist, showing off their strong bond.

Once they were gone, Lily and Yvonne seized the opportunity to approach Darryl. Lily, her curiosity finally getting the better of her, asked, "Darryl, how did you kill the shark? No matter how strong you are, it just doesn’t seem possible."

Darryl smiled modestly. "It’s nothing special. I just gave it a few punches, and it was out."

Eavesdroppers couldn't help but laugh, thinking Darryl must be lying to restore some dignity after being ridiculed as a live-in son-in-law. The idea that he could knock out a shark with just a few punches seemed absurd.

Kent, who was nearby, made a dramatic show of his disgust by pretending to puke loudly, trying to draw attention to his disapproval of Darryl’s story.

Unfazed, Darryl continued, "Actually, I found a knife when I was underwater. I’m not sure who threw it, but I used it to stab the shark and kill it."

Darryl added this part deliberately for Kent to hear, knowing full well that Kent had thrown the knife to distract the shark and save himself earlier.

Kent's face darkened with anger, remembering how Darryl had subtly exposed his cowardice. He was just about to confront Darryl when suddenly, a loud voice pierced the air.

"No! Something is wrong! Help!"

Chapter 149

Dax rushed into the cave, panic-stricken, carrying Nancy, who had fainted in his arms. Her eyes were shut tightly, and her breathing was weak. He frantically called out, “Is there a doctor here? Anyone?”

The group, previously relaxed and chatting, immediately gathered around, stunned by the sudden situation. No one knew what had happened, but the tension was palpable as they realized Nancy was in trouble. Many of them wanted to help and possibly use this opportunity to gain favor with the Sanders family, but none of them were doctors.

Helen Darwin, a second-year medical student and the granddaughter of the esteemed Darwin family, stepped forward. Dax, noticing her, felt a small surge of hope. Helen quickly checked Nancy’s pulse, but after a few seconds, she shook her head.

“This is abnormal. Her breathing is dangerously weak. She won’t last another two hours,” Helen declared gravely.

Dax, visibly shaken, pleaded, "Miss Darwin, you’re scaring me. Can you please do something to help her?"

Helen sighed, “With my current abilities, there’s nothing I can do.”

Dax stood in shock, unable to process her words. Helen was supposed to be the best in her class, her medical knowledge equal to that of professional doctors. Furious and desperate, Dax turned his wrath on Kent, the organizer of the outing. “Kent, didn’t you plan for any medical emergencies? Why isn’t there an ambulance on standby?”

Dax’s voice was like thunder, and Kent, visibly terrified, stammered, “B-b-brother Dax, I... I’ll call for an ambulance right away.”

But it was too late. The area was too secluded, and even if an ambulance were called, it wouldn’t arrive in time. Megan, worried, despite her earlier irritation with Kent, watched him tremble helplessly. The weight of the situation was clear to everyone: there wasn’t enough time.

Suddenly, Darryl spoke up calmly, “Don’t bother calling for an ambulance. By the time it arrives, the poison will have spread completely.”

Dax, his desperation growing, looked at Darryl with a flicker of hope. “Darryl, can you save my wife?”

Before Darryl could answer, Lily pulled him aside, anxious and doubtful. “Darryl, don’t say anything. This isn’t a joke. How could you possibly help? You’re not a doctor!”

But Darryl reassured her with a gentle touch. "Don’t worry, Lily."

Turning back to Dax, Darryl asked, “Did your wife eat any wild fruits earlier?”

Dax, thinking back, nodded. “Yes, I picked some plums from a nearby tree, and she ate a few.”

Darryl smiled slightly. “That wasn’t a plum. She accidentally ate a poisonous fruit called Monk’s Blood, which is used in making elixirs. Luckily, I can help.”

The crowd murmured in disbelief, but Darryl remained calm. "Dax, place her on my lap."

The crowd, already skeptical of Darryl, was furious at the suggestion. They thought he was trying to take advantage of the situation. Justin, one of the onlookers, snapped, “Darryl, are you out of your mind? You’re so desperate for attention that you’d use this moment to touch Dax’s wife? You really are pathetic!”

But Darryl ignored the insults. His only focus was on saving Nancy. According to the knowledge he had from the Infinite Elixir Manual, he could create a cure for the Monk’s Blood poison. The process involved making a Tri-solar Elixir from water, tree roots, and worms, but it would take time—and he needed to seal Nancy’s energy field first to stop the poison from spreading further.

The room buzzed with disbelief and tension, but Dax was running out of options. Trusting Darryl was his only hope now.

Chapter 150

“Do you want to die?” Kent shouted in frustration, echoing the panic in the cave.

Darryl didn’t respond right away; instead, he waved his hands dismissively. “Fine then, if that’s the case, both of you treat her.”

Both men stood there speechless, realizing they had no idea how to help. 

“Enough! Both of you, shut up!” Dax yelled, his frustration boiling over. He carefully set Nancy down and helped her sit on Darryl’s lap. “Darryl, please find some tree roots and worms from outside,” he said, desperation in his voice as he pressed his fingers against Nancy's abdomen.

The Rising Sun Acupoint. During his martial arts training, Darryl's master had warned against touching that acupoint unnecessarily, as it was a critical point for energy and blood flow, easily leading to blockage.

Once Dax left, Lily approached Darryl quickly, worry etched on her face. “Darryl, stop fooling around. Nancy's condition seems really bad. Are you sure you can do this? Don’t force yourself.”

Lily felt uncomfortable seeing Nancy so close to Darryl, her jealousy flaring up. 

“Don’t worry, I can handle it,” Darryl reassured her, his focus unwavering.

But Lily couldn't shake her unease. “How can you say that? You’re not a doctor!” 

She was furious. “You’re going to get the Lyndon family in trouble! We can’t afford to upset the Sanders family!”

Darryl continued to concentrate, pressing on Nancy’s acupoint while channeling his energy into her. 

A few moments later, Dax returned with a plastic bag filled with tree roots and worms. 

William, one of the onlookers, was sweating profusely. “President Sanders, this is a matter of life and death. Can you really be so careless? What can Darryl do? Please don’t trust him!”

If Darryl failed to save Nancy, the consequences could be dire—not only for him but for the Lyndon family as well. 

“Yeah, he doesn’t know a thing! Please don’t trust him, President Sanders,” another voice chimed in.

Dax’s frustration peaked. “CAN ALL OF YOU SHUT UP?” he shouted, glaring at the crowd. “I know what you’re thinking. You’re worried about being implicated if anything goes wrong. Don’t worry, even if Darryl fails to save my wife, I won’t hold any of you responsible.”

His words stunned everyone into silence. 

Dax then added, “We have no other choice now. The ambulance won’t arrive until tomorrow morning. I trust Darryl.” 

A collective sigh of relief passed through the group. With Dax’s assurance that they wouldn’t be held accountable, the tension eased.

Lily stood quietly, her concern growing. She realized that Dax and Darryl had only just met that day, yet he trusted Darryl completely. Meanwhile, she had lived with Darryl for three years and had often doubted him. Did she really not know him well enough?

“Are you sure you can treat Dax’s wife?” Lily asked, stepping closer to Darryl.

Darryl smiled reassuringly. “Have I ever broken my promises?”

Lily felt a shiver run down her spine. It was true—every time she followed his guidance, everything turned out fine. It felt as if her husband possessed some sort of hidden strength.

At that moment, Dax, still anxious, asked, “Darryl, do these worms need to be consumed directly?”

The worms, known as Ground Dragons, were a traditional medicinal remedy for various ailments.

“No,” Darryl replied, shaking his head. “It won’t help to consume them raw. They need to be made into an elixir first.”

“What? An elixir?” A few girls giggled, clearly unconvinced. The idea of the live-in son-in-law claiming to produce an elixir seemed absurd to them.

William scoffed, “Darryl, when did you learn how to produce an elixir? Did you pick that up during your years with the Lyndon family? Are you going to show us the Eternal Youth Elixir too?”

Laughter erupted around them, mocking Darryl’s words and leaving him unfazed as he focused on saving Nancy.

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