"You're fired," a tall, striking woman announced.

"You're fired," a tall, striking woman announced. 

She wore a black pencil skirt, and her demeanor was cool and distant.

Frederick Lester swallowed harshly as he looked at the woman's beautiful figure and tried not to let his eyes wander.

The woman was Jennifer York, the recently appointed Vice President of the corporation. 

At twenty-seven, she was a highly educated returnee with a Ph.D. and dual degrees. She was also rumored to earn an incredibly high annual salary of as high as one billion!

Today was her first day, and it had been full of tough interviews and layoffs.

Someone from HR came up and tapped him on the shoulder. "Frederick, it's your turn." 

Frederick nervously entered her office. "Ms. York, you wanted to see me?"

But as he entered, he saw Jennifer on the floor. She was obviously in distress, and her breathing was heavy!

Frederick's concern spiked, and his heart raced.

He had to do something!

Despite her situation, her beauty was undeniable. He couldn't help but admire her stunning appearance, and turning his eyes away was difficult!

"Get out!" Jennifer exclaimed when she saw Frederick.

Frederick was startled at her shout. He was about to leave when she cried out, "Wait! Come here... Help me!"

Frederick couldn't help but listen to her and quickly returned to her side, assessing her condition with surprising expertise.

That was because he wasn't an ordinary man!

Jennifer was in a bad state. Her body was overheating, and her breathing was heavy and unstable.

She was also unconsciously tearing at the blouse she wore.

Frederick's expression grew serious.

"Ms. York, you've been poisoned with a strong aphrodisiac. If we don't act fast, you'll combust and die in less than three minutes! The only way to counteract it is through physical contact."

Jennifer was pale and in pain, but she nodded faintly.

Frederick looked determined. "I apologize for what I'm about to do."

In a swift move, Frederick tore off all her clothes and pressed himself against her!

"Wait..."

Jennifer was shocked. This wasn't what she had expected!

As she started to protest, her strength faded, and she fell unconscious.

Ten minutes later, Frederick stood and said, "Ms. York, I apologize for any discomfort. Please take care and rest well. I'll be taking my leave now."

Frederick quickly dressed and left with a pang of guilt.

Jennifer gathered herself from the sofa and picked up her torn clothing, her eyes seething with anger at Frederick's departure!

-

"Oh my god... I'm so dead! My impulse to help might cost me my job. That petty woman is undoubtedly upset, and she might fire me!"

Frederick sighed deeply as he left the office. On his way, he noticed the department manager, Ivan Graham, acting suspiciously.

Since it was almost time for the work day to end, Frederick was concerned about running into Jennifer. So, he quickened his pace and left the building.

He was going to attend his thirty-third blind date today.

Three months ago, Frederick's name was still well known in the Northern Frontier. He was a prominent figure who led a vast army and held the title 'Hades, the Dark Monarch'.

He single-handedly defeated the coalition forces of various nations and saved the fate of the kingdom Drakonia. 

However, due to his outstanding achievements overshadowing the ruler, he suffered from the suspicion of the powerful. 

In a fit of anger, he announced his early retirement and returned to his hometown, Mirage City.

Since his records were classified as military secrets, he had to keep them a secret from his family.

In their eyes, he was just an ordinary man with only a high school education and a seven-year military stint.

He didn't dwell on his past and never discussed his time in Belleria, where he was stationed when he served in the military.

When he arrived at the restaurant for his blind date, his mother, Sylvia Harper, greeted him anxiously.

"Fred, you're late! Ms. Campbell has been waiting!" Sylvia said as she ushered him inside.

Marissa Campbell sat at a table. She was elegantly dressed and looking unimpressed with Frederick's simple attire.

Frederick introduced himself calmly, "Hello, Ms. Campbell. My name is Frederick Lester. I'm twenty-five years old, a veteran, and a high school graduate. I don’t own a car or a house. Currently, I'm an intern at Prospera Corporation, making three thousand five hundred a month."

As soon as he finished, a cup of cold water was splashed on his face!

"What a waste of my time!" Marissa exclaimed.

Marissa grabbed her bag and stood up. 

She sneered and said, "I'm a graduate of a prestigious university and a senior employee at a Fortune 500 company! I earn twenty thousand a month, own two cars, and a house!

"You make less than four thousand, and you're a nobody. How dare you think of dating me?!

"I assumed you were some charming, wealthy heir. But a twenty-five-year-old with neither a car nor a house? What a disappointment! How can you be so shameless to even show up here?!"

Marissa pointed a finger accusingly at Frederick, her words cutting like a knife.

Frederick's face turned icy in an instant. If this were Belleria, a woman like her would never get away with such behavior!

When the situation escalated, Sylvia quickly stepped in and said, "Marissa, even though Fred doesn't have a car or house right now, he's down-to-earth and full of potential..."

"Back off! Don't touch me, you old hag!" Marissa yelled and rudely shoved Sylvia aside.

"Don't touch my mom!" Frederick said angrily.

Then, an older woman with heavy makeup stood up, laughing mockingly.

"Sylvia, my daughter is a treasure. Does your son even deserve her? Had it not been for your pleading, do you think I would have let her come on this date? You've shown no real sincerity!"

The woman was Marissa's mother, Lucy Zeller. She was arrogant, and her eyes were filled with disdain as she looked at Sylvia and Frederick.

Sylvia stammered, "W-what do you mean, Lucy?"

"Don't you own a piece of land? Since you're strapped for cash, why not offer it as a dowry? Maybe then Marissa will reconsider..." 

Lucy sneered, then continued, "You can demolish that old house at the same time. It'll be easier to construct a new place for the new couple, don't you think?"

Frederick angrily shot back, "If you take that land and tear down the house, where will my mom live? On the streets?!"

"Oh my! I just suggested one thing, and he's already acting like this! How can I trust him to treat my daughter right?" Lucy said agitatedly, gesturing dramatically.

Sylvia awkwardly said, "Don't say things like that, Lucy. I'll agree to your proposal!"

"Mom?!" 

Frederick couldn't hide his shock.

Meanwhile, Lucy was grinning from ear to ear.

"Also, I have a brother who made a small mistake and was recently released from prison. He's single now. You have a daughter, right? Why not join our families? Your daughter could marry my brother!"

Sylvia turned pale instantly.

Frederick's younger sister, Selene Lester, was just starting university. 

Sylvia had heard that Lucy's brother had been in prison for the past twenty years for robbery and murder. Also, he was in his fifties and didn't have a job!

The thought of Selene marrying such a man was horrifying!

"Um, about that..." Sylvia began hesitantly.

But Lucy swiftly cut her off, "Plus, my daughter is sensitive and precious. After they marry, your son must do all the housework and give his entire salary to her. She hates pain, so he mustn’t touch her without her consent!"

Frederick could not take it anymore and exclaimed, "Are you marrying or selling off your daughter? Even if I bought a cow, it would at least know how to plow a field and work! I refuse to marry someone so pampered! Mom, I won't go through with this. Get them to leave!"

Marissa's expression darkened as she burst out in insults, "How dare you, you loser! You should be honored I even bothered to show up today! Look at your family! It's in shambles! Those who don't know you might even think you're all beggars!"

Lucy added scornfully, "You're a fool dreaming of the impossible. You're not even willing to pay such a small price? Tsk! You're shameless!"

Ignoring their taunts, Frederick gently took Sylvia's hand and led her away.

"What, now you're leaving without a word? What a worthless man!"

Lucy and Marissa's mocking voices continued to echo behind them.

But then, a Bentley suddenly pulled up at the entrance, turning heads in the restaurant.

It was a Bentley Elegance 700, a model worth twelve million and was exceedingly rare.

A strikingly beautiful woman stepped out, and she was poised and captivating.

She was dressed in professional office attire, with a tight skirt complemented by black stockings.

Marissa was left in awe. She considered herself fairly attractive, but compared to the woman before her, she felt like a country girl.

She suddenly felt utterly embarrassed!

Frederick was the most surprised among them all. 

The woman was none other than his boss, Jennifer!

Jennifer approached with her elegant gait and said, "Frederick, come with me!"

"Huh?!"

Frederick stood there, completely baffled.

"What's with that look? Don't tell me you've forgotten me already?! We just met today!"

Jennifer's frustration was obvious when she saw Frederick frozen in place. She grabbed his arm and ushered him into the Bentley before driving off quickly.

The onlookers were abuzz with whispers and speculation!

This stunning woman had come for Frederick!

Marissa's mouth fell open in disbelief. 

Why had such a gorgeous woman come for a nobody like Frederick?!

Lucy looked as though she had seen a ghost.

"Sylvia, your son... has already gotten himself a wealthy partner?! Why did you even set up this blind date, then? Were you toying with us?!"

Sylvia was equally puzzled.

When did her son know someone so prominent?

-

The Bentley eventually stopped in a quiet spot. Jennifer's dress had a plunging neckline and was eye-catching.

Frederick sat in the passenger seat and tried not to stare as he asked hesitantly, "Ms. York, why did you come for me?"

Slap!

Jennifer's hand connected with his face as soon as Frederick finished speaking.

"You're shameless! And despicable!" she hissed through clenched teeth.

Frederick was more surprised than hurt. He touched his cheek and gave her a strained smile.

"Ms. York, I didn't think much back then. I was only focused on helping you. I'm sorry! If you think that's not enough, feel free to hit me again, or even fire me."

When he saw Jennifer approaching him just now, he already suspected that it meant trouble. She had probably come to confront him about what happened!

Facing Jennifer was like dealing with a tiger!

Jennifer's hand paused in mid-air, her expression frosty.

"Your name is Frederick Lester, and you're an intern in our sales department, correct?"

"Yes."

"I need your help with something. If you do it successfully, I won't hold your earlier actions against you. In fact, I might even give you a permanent job," Jennifer declared in a haughty tone.

"Ms. York, you need me to do something else? Do you need me for physical contact again?" Frederick asked, his eyes unintentionally drifting to her collarbone, where evidence of their prior encounter was still visible.

Jennifer was furious, and her glare was so cold that it could even put a fire out.

"Listen carefully–if you dare bring up that matter again, you can leave this car now and never return to work!" she warned sharply. "I need you to act as my fiance for just one hour."

Frederick was taken aback, wondering if he had misheard. 

"Why?"

Pretending to be her fiance, and only for an hour?

Was it possible that Jennifer was still affected by their previous meeting and wasn't thinking clearly?

"Don't question it. You're not in a position to ask. Just follow my instructions!" Jennifer commanded.

She raised her chin like a queen, then stepped on the accelerator and drove off into the distance!

-

The stir caused by Jennifer's arrival and departure eventually calmed down. The restaurant returned to its normal state, with Marissa and Lucy having departed.

But then, three high-end luxury cars, each worth a fortune, rolled up to the entrance. A group of black-suited bodyguards emerged, creating an imposing scene.

Three influential men stepped out, each radiating authority and influence. Their presence was like a shockwave, electrifying the atmosphere.

"The mayor of Mirage City, Matthew Zephyr!"

"Mirage City's wealthiest businessman, Derek Sullivan!"

"The underground ruler of Mirage City, Gavin Zeller!"

"Just a sneeze from any of these men could shake the foundations of the city!"

These three powerful figures of Mirage City, seldom seen together, were now gathered in the same location...

It was an event of the century!

In comparison, the excitement caused by Jennifer's appearance seemed trivial.

"It looks like we were one step too late. Lord Hades has already left! What a shame!" 

The three of them exchanged glances, understanding each other tacitly.

Despite their usual rivalries, these three titans had rushed here for the same man!

The man they were here for was the Dark Monarch of the Northern Frontier, a pillar of the nation, and one of the pinnacle figures of power in Drakonia!

By establishing a relationship with the Dark Monarch, they could soar to great heights with limitless prospects!

"It seems that you both have also heard the news. The Dark Monarch has been frequenting this restaurant that's popular for matchmaking lately," Matthew said with a smirk. "Looks like I'll have to keep a close watch from now on. Can't let you guys get ahead of me!"

All three knew deep down the terrifying power of the Dark Monarch! He was someone even the kings of the West would bow down to!

Even if they couldn't flatter him, they had to maintain good relations. Otherwise, if the Dark Monarch became enraged, countless would perish, and rivers of blood would flow!

If he wished it, the Dark Monarch could obliterate the three powerhouses in an instant!

"I've heard that Lord Hades has now settled in Mirage City. I'll find him sooner or later!"

"Hmph! I'll be the one to find him!"

The three powerhouses exchanged cold glances and parted ways.

-

At Fascine Villa, Jennifer stepped out of the car and walked briskly inside, leaving Frederick stunned by its sheer luxury.

"Ms. York, where exactly are you taking me?" Frederick was still puzzled.

"You'll see when we get inside," Jennifer replied, leading Frederick straight into the hall, which was packed with people.

"Jen! This is a family meeting, yet you've brought an outsider?" Several men dressed sharply stood up with frowns on their faces.

Frederick's heart raced immediately!

Good heavens! 

That was Zacharias York, the CEO of Prospera Corporation!

And wasn't that Zeke York, the executive director?

There were also several other director-level figures!

These were the company veterans he had seen in the company's hall of fame when he first joined!

When they saw Frederick, many of the York family members looked at him with amusement. Some even whispered and laughed among themselves, as if he were an interesting specimen in the zoo on display.

"No way! What was Jennifer thinking? She brought some stray back home?"

"Look at what he's wearing! Are those from the trash? Even our dog dresses better than him."

"You're a beggar, aren't you? Don't come any closer! Take off your shoes and get out!" Zeke, Jennifer's second uncle, sternly said as he glared coldly at Frederick. 

"You've dirtied the floors of our family! You won’t even be able to afford a square foot of this house with your lifetime earnings!"

Upon hearing this, Frederick's eyes narrowed slightly.

Money, huh? 

He once had so much he couldn't spend it all, but he wasn't particularly interested in wealth. He was content with having enough to eat, drink, and spend on his family.

Little did he know, things he had casually discarded meant so much to others!

"Uncle, mind your words. I came here today to announce something!" Without warning, Jennifer took Frederick's hand and declared, "This man is my fiance! I won't marry that heir from some faction!"

The moment Jennifer finished speaking, the room erupted!

The York family members were stunned.

"Jennifer is interested in this beggar?! Am I hearing this right?"

Frederick was taken aback. 

He realized Jennifer had brought him here to use as a shield! What a treacherous woman! Wasn't she throwing him into the lion's den?!

Jennifer's father, Zacharias, slammed the table. He was obviously furious. 

"Outrageous! Where did you find this beggar? How dare you bring such a person into our family?"

Zeke chimed in angrily, "Jen, I know you resent the engagement to the Tiger Faction's heir. However, you're a member of our family! You should obey the arrangements we have made for you! It's your duty!"

"My duty? My marriage and future are my own! Even if you're my father or uncle, you have no right to dictate what I do!" Jennifer retorted defiantly.

Lifting her chin, she proclaimed, "I've already given myself to him! I will only marry Frederick!"

The York family members turned pale, staring at Jennifer in disbelief. She was the renowned icy beauty of the York family, yet she had chosen such a... lower-class individual?!

Zacharias fumed, "Argh! Such a waste! All those years of raising you... was all in vain!"

Zeke shook his head. "I don't believe it! Jen, did you just randomly pick a low-ranking employee from the company just to put on this act? You have better taste than this! How could you have fallen for him?"

Jennifer smirked coldly. "I don't care if you believe it or not. It's none of your business!"

"Ms. York..." Frederick began, but Jennifer cut him off.

"Shut up!!"

Jennifer glared at him menacingly, her voice cold and commanding.

"Um..." 

Frederick was dumbfounded and somewhat embarrassed.

"Hurry up! Didn't you hear me? Otherwise, I'll fire you immediately!" Jennifer hissed in a low voice.

She deliberately approached Frederick, her curvy figure and fair skin flashing in a tempting manner before him.

Frederick gritted his teeth and reached out, boldly squeezing a sensitive part of her body tightly!

Jennifer's expression changed instantly. She trembled slightly and gave him a cold glare. 

Yes, she had commanded him to touch her... But how dare he touch her so audaciously, especially in the most sensitive place! 

Struggling not to cry out, she maintained a composed facade and said, "See? We genuinely love each other. Dad, Uncle, just give up!"

"Nonsense! Jennifer! I don't care about your relationship with this lowly man. You must marry the Tiger Faction's heir!" Zeke erupted in anger, striding forward to slap Jennifer across the face.

Jennifer staggered back three steps, her cheek reddening instantly.

"This is your lesson from me! Know your place!" Zeke sneered. "Don't think just because you found some lowlife from outside that you can disgust me and our family. Trash will always be trash!"

Unexpectedly, a forceful slap sent Zeke flying several meters in the next moment. He crashed into a marble pillar and started bleeding profusely.

"Lord Zeke!" The York family members rushed forward in shock.

Pulling back his hand, Frederick turned to Jennifer and asked, "Ms. York, are you okay?"

Jennifer was stunned. "How... how could you have such strength?"

Frederick smiled. "I served in the military for a few years. When I saw you being attacked, I didn't think much. I just retaliated."

"Seize this beggar and feed him to the dogs!" Zacharias roared furiously.

In a flash, several burly men stormed in, all of them York family enforcers. Seeing this, Jennifer hurriedly shielded Frederick. 

"Dad, stop being unreasonable! Uncle struck me first! Frederick was only protecting me!"

Seeing Jennifer defend him so fervently, Frederick was touched and stepped forward leisurely.

"It's alright, Ms. York. Dealing with these riffraffs is a piece of cake for me."

"Don't be reckless!" Jennifer shot back.

But before she could finish, Frederick swiftly moved. He incapacitated all the burly men with precise strikes, leaving them writhing in pain on the ground.

They were too weak! 

Compared to his adversaries in the Northern Frontier, these people were no match for him!

Jennifer's eyes widened in disbelief. 

Had she misjudged the situation?

"You've gone too far! Quickly, call for reinforcements!" Zeke roared as he clutched his head and staggered to his feet.

"Enough! Stop this madness!" A voice commanded.

At that moment, an elderly man in traditional attire and a bent back stepped forward.

The York family members instantly fell silent.

"Greetings, my lord!"

Frederick also recognized him. 

It was Xavier York, the chairman of Prospera Corporation and the true power behind the scenes.

Zeke quickly complained, "Father! Jennifer conspired with this outsider and injured our family!"

"No need for explanations. Jen, I will overlook all of your past misdeeds... As long as you agree to marry the heir of the Tiger Faction," Xavier responded calmly.

"The Tiger Faction's heir merely wants you. Whether you're still pure doesn't matter much," he continued dismissively.

Jennifer was shocked by her family's words. 

How could they say such a thing?

They were her family!

"Grandfather, am I just a tool for the family's profit in your eyes?"

"Remember, everything you have is from our family! I can strip you of your position as deputy CEO anytime I want!" 

Xavier's demeanor made Jennifer turn pale.

She knew that losing her position at Prospera Corporation would mean losing her foothold in Mirage City, leaving her vulnerable to the York family's whims!

Seeing her silence, Xavier coldly glanced at Frederick. 

"As for you, take two hundred thousand and leave Jennifer immediately! A nobody like you wouldn't be able to withstand the wrath of our family and the Tiger Faction."

He didn't even spare Frederick another glance. 

After all, in a few days, the Tiger Faction's heir would personally come to propose to Jennifer. The Tiger Faction had a deep influence all over Mirage City, and they were much stronger than the York family.

Looking at the bigger picture, Frederick was just trash and worth nothing! How dare he attempt to stand in the way of Jennifer's marriage to the Tiger Faction's heir?

In Xavier's eyes, Frederick was merely a trivial obstacle that was easily crushed!

However, Frederick was unfazed by the threat. He stared intently at Xavier and remarked, "Sir, do you know your time is running out?"

As soon as those words left Frederick's lips, the York family members erupted in fury and lashed out.

"Where did this trash come from? He has no manners at all!"

"He's cursing our grandfather to die!"

"We're offering such a worthless thing money?! We should just drown him in a river!"

"These low-class people are all the same! Even looking at them is a waste of my time!"

Xavier's face darkened. "Young man, do you know what you're saying? Apologize, and we can move on."

As an elderly person, being openly cursed was the last thing Xavier wanted to endure.

Frederick frowned. "I'm speaking the truth. You're already on your way out."

A cloud of gloom passed over Xavier's face. Suppressing his anger, he issued a final warning, "Say that again, I dare you."

"Grandfather, don't misunderstand. He's just tactless and always speaks out of turn," Jennifer interjected, glaring at Frederick.

She didn't understand why Frederick was saying such things.

"Frederick, stop spouting nonsense. Apologize to my grandfather and leave! You have no business here anymore!" 

At the end of the day, Frederick was still her employee and had risked his life because of her. Jennifer felt obligated to defend him.

Growing impatient, Frederick retorted, "You're dying anyway. How many times do I have to repeat myself? Are you all deaf?"

His words ignited the situation further, shocking the York family members.

Xavier's face turned a livid color. Veins bulged on his forehead, and his anger surged. "You won't leave here alive! You... will die here today!"

Seeing the escalating tension, Jennifer urgently cut in, "Grandfather, he's an employee of our company..."

"Shut up! Even if he's as powerful as a god, he'll die today!" Xavier roared.

"Zacharias, Zeke!"

"Yes, Father!" Both responded promptly.

"Close the doors! Gather all our servants and thugs. I want this insignificant pest crushed!"

However, in the midst of his fury, a sudden and severe pain overwhelmed Xavier. He collapsed instantly, blood trickling from his eyes, nose, and mouth.

"Father!"

"Grandfather!"

The York family members were shocked. Their robust patriarch had suddenly collapsed and was bleeding everywhere!

"Quick, to the hospital! He's not well!" Jennifer exclaimed, rushing to his side.

But before they could act, Frederick calmly approached and pressed three specific points on Xavier's body, visibly alleviating some of his symptoms.

The York family members looked at Frederick in disbelief. 

"Could this young man have genuinely diagnosed Lord Xavier's condition?"

"Sir, I'm the only one who can save you right now. Otherwise, you'll be dead within five minutes," Frederick calmly stated. 

Over the years in the Northern Frontier, he had honed remarkable medical skills. He had observed Xavier's erratic vital signs and organ failures. The elderly man seemed fine on the outside, but his condition would erupt uncontrollably once it reached a critical point!

It so happened that today was that critical point.

Gritting his teeth, Xavier responded, "Then save me quickly! I'll give you a million later!"

Frederick shook his head and replied, "I don't want your money. Promise me that you won't use Ms. York's position as a threat again. Consider it as me repaying her favor."

Jennifer was stunned. She hadn't expected such a request from Frederick, and it left her with mixed feelings.

The York family members were furious at his request.

"Who do you think you are?! You're just a low-life trash! How dare you threaten our patriarch! Do you want us to wipe out your entire family?!"

Despite his deteriorating condition, Xavier gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! I promise! Save me now!"

After getting the elderly man's word, Frederick worked swiftly. He pressed a few more pressure points, and Xavier returned to a stable state in less than a minute.

The York family members were astounded. 

Frederick had revived a dying man in just a minute?!

That was unbelievable!

"I've fulfilled my promise. I hope you'll keep your word," Frederick grinned, leaving Xavier to regret his rash decision. 

As the head of the York family, he had no room for regret and finally conceded, "Jennifer will remain as the deputy CEO of Prospera Corporation. The York family won't touch her position."

Jennifer found it hard to believe. 

Was this the same grandfather she knew? The man who would never submit to anyone, regardless of the situation?

Seizing the moment, Frederick took Jennifer's hand. "Ms. York, let's go."

Once they departed, Zacharias and Zeke clenched their fists in anger. 

"How dare he take advantage of the situation like that?!"

Another servant interrupted, "My lord, we went to get the renowned doctor, Dr. Stewart, who lives nearby. He's here!"

"What? Bring him in!" Xavier's heart sank. 

If he had known about it earlier, he wouldn't have agreed to Frederick's terms.

When Mark Stewart arrived and heard the situation, he said, "It seems I arrived too late. But, let me give you a checkup, Lord Xavier."

After a brief examination, Mark was astounded. 

"Lord Xavier, why did you lie to me?! Have I offended you in any way?”

"What do you mean?!" Xavier was confused.

"Your ailment is caused by natural degeneration of the body. It's almost incurable with traditional medicine... But you're completely fine now! Only the top doctors from Drakonia could have done such a thing!" Mark exclaimed in shock.

"What did I lie about?" Xavier asked, still puzzled.

Mark exclaimed, "You said a young man cured you! That must surely be a lie!"