Chapter 861: VIP Cardholder of Longine Bank
“Hmph, I didn’t cut in line! I have urgent business, and I’m a VIP cardholder of Longine Bank. I’m entitled to priority service!” The woman pulled out a bank card and glared at Emmanuel. Sensing the situation wasn't in her favor, she added, “See? This counter has a partnership with Longine Bank. VIP customers get priority!”
The crowd’s opinion shifted again. “She’s a big shot. No wonder she’s so arrogant!” one person muttered. Another agreed, “Yeah, he’ll just have to take it. He’s not as wealthy as she is.”
Emmanuel remained impassive. “Since you have priority, go ahead. But you must apologize for stepping on me.”
The woman showed no remorse. “Apologize? You were in my way. I didn’t make you kneel, so consider yourself lucky!”
Emmanuel’s eyebrows furrowed. Such rudeness! He understood being in a hurry, but apologizing after stepping on someone was basic kindergarten manners. However, he was also pressed for time and didn't want to argue. He needed cash to meet Nathan at Sage’s designated location. He ignored her.
The woman, mistaking his silence for fear, had her boyfriend exchange her money, then pointed at Emmanuel and sneered, “Scared, beggar-boy? You’re probably a country bumpkin who’s never been abroad! You don’t even understand ‘ladies first’?” She continued, “Someone like you should stay in Chanaea and not embarrass our country!”
Emmanuel retorted, “I’m dressed appropriately. You cut in line and acted arrogantly. That’s embarrassing. You’re making our country look bad.”
“You… How dare you argue with me?” The woman, furious, visibly bristled.
“You were wrong. Show some self-awareness,” Emmanuel replied calmly. His composure contrasted sharply with her anger.
“You… Go to hell!” She slapped him. Before he could react, she deliberately fell to the ground.
“You’re crazy!” Emmanuel muttered, finding her more annoying than Ashton.
Her muscular boyfriend rushed to her side. “Darling, what happened?”
Sobbing, she played the victim. “He hit me! Men should be more considerate! I stepped on him, so what? Is he even a man?” she shouted. “Am I wrong? How can a man bully a woman?”
The crowd murmured, some supporting Emmanuel, others the woman. He ignored them, intending to exchange his money and leave.
The muscular man, however, roared, “You’ll pay for bullying my woman!” and lunged at Emmanuel. Emmanuel dodged and easily sent the man flying into a trash can.
“He’s a skilled fighter!” the crowd exclaimed. They realized Emmanuel hadn’t been intimidated, merely unconcerned with the woman’s antics.
Chapter 862: Surprises at the Airport
The onlookers were initially convinced Emmanuel was intimidated, but now saw he simply didn't care about the woman's behavior. Her arrogance had backfired spectacularly.
“I’d like to exchange 1,000 Chanaea currency for Yeternia currency,” Emmanuel said calmly, placing his money on the counter.
“I apologize, sir, but I must assist the gentleman first,” the staff member said, gesturing to the man near the trash can, wary of upsetting a powerful customer.
Emmanuel produced his Longine VIP Platinum Card.
The onlookers gasped. “So he’s skilled and wealthy!” one exclaimed. Another added, “He has a VIP Platinum card and still waited patiently while that woman acted arrogantly with a regular VIP card.”
The woman blushed, speechless. The staff, shocked, quickly served Emmanuel.
“You… You hit someone! I’ll sue you!” the enraged woman screamed, attempting to provoke him.
Emmanuel ignored her; a fight would ruin his plans.
Suddenly, a tall man in black emerged, slapping the woman without a word. More men in suits arrived, taking control.
Emmanuel was momentarily stunned, then composed himself.
“Mr. Lowe, I apologize! Mr. Nathan instructed us to pick you up. Please forgive our tardiness!” The man in black bowed.
“What? Mr. Nathan?” The woman stared at Emmanuel in disbelief. This man had a Longine VIP Platinum card and connections to Mr. Chapman?!
“It’s alright. I’ll exchange the money and go with you,” Emmanuel said.
“Mr. Lowe, you don’t need to exchange the money. We have plenty,” the man said, his subordinates producing two large boxes of Yeternia currency (100,000 per box).
Emmanuel smiled but declined, knowing accepting it without reason could lead to problems.
“Sir, do you still wish to exchange the 1,000 Chanaea currency?” the staff asked.
“Yes, thank you,” Emmanuel replied, taking the money and leaving with the men.
The woman muttered, “So many people pretend to be weak and prey on the strong.”
Chapter 863: Shadows in Paradise
Yeringham, Terence Group. Lexi entered Mackenzie’s office. “Ms. Quillen, here are the companies with the extraction technology you requested.”
Mackenzie’s expression darkened as she reviewed the files. Lexi explained, “Of twenty-three companies, only seven meet our requirements. Five terminated cooperation, and the Oatley Family changed their minds. The only option is the Chapman family.”
Mackenzie instructed Lexi to contact the Chapman family. Lexi knew this would be difficult, but the mysterious consortium wanted to deal with the Quillen Family and had already bribed six companies, leaving only the Chapman family. Mackenzie worried about the Quillen Family's safety against the Chapmans, the country's—and arguably the world's—top family.
To Mackenzie's surprise, Lexi brought good news that evening. “Ms. Quillen, I contacted the Chapman family. They’re willing to cooperate, but with one condition.”
“What condition?” Mackenzie asked eagerly.
“Mr. Chapman requests you negotiate personally,” Lexi replied.
Mackenzie frowned, though it was reasonable. Lexi added, “Ms. Quillen, I heard Mr. Chapman is a notorious womanizer. I’m concerned about his motives…”
Mackenzie, despite lacking international business experience, knew the risks as Terence Group's CEO. With the company’s future on the line, she decided to go.
“Book a flight and arrange bodyguards. Inform Mr. Chapman I’ll be there tomorrow,” she instructed.
Lexi, surprised but not entirely, asked, “Ms. Quillen, should we bring your husband?”
Mackenzie sighed. “He left the country today.” She mentally cursed Emmanuel for interfering.
Lexi agreed to make the arrangements. Meanwhile, Ashton arrived at Yeringham Airport, preparing to board a plane to Yeternia. She was tasked with apprehending Xylie Tanner, accused of murdering her adoptive father and fleeing to Yeternia. Ashton reviewed Xylie’s file—a gentle, beautiful former campus belle—and couldn't reconcile her image with the accusations. She also thought of Emmanuel, vowing to put him in prison. In Yeternia, Emmanuel and the men arrived at an island, a private beach owned by the Chapman family for Nathan’s leisure. The men led Emmanuel to the entrance. As soon as the door opened, he was confronted by a scene of dozens of women in revealing swimsuits. Emmanuel, despite his experience as a gynecologist, maintained his composure, determined to find Nathan and help Mackenzie.
Chapter 864: Stranded on the Beach
He was immediately accosted by a group of women. “Who are you? This isn’t a place for someone like you! Leave!” they scolded, identifying themselves as Nathan’s girlfriends. They were a mix of nationalities but fluent in Chanaea. Despite their beauty and provocative attire, Emmanuel remained calm, asking for Nathan. They refused to help. He decided to leave, but another group of women intercepted him. They accused him of peeking and taking pictures. Emmanuel denied it, but they wouldn't let him leave. He laid down on a lounge chair, ignoring them. They tried to call for help, but no one came. Emmanuel closed his eyes to rest. The women were frustrated by their inability to remove him. He overheard them discussing Nathan’s master, a powerful figure from the Northern Region, a “war god,” who was supposedly arriving with a 30 billion welcome gift. A woman named Ivy, seemingly a leader among them, returned from swimming. She confirmed the rumors about Nathan’s master, adding that he was supposedly impotent.
Chapter 865: The Impotence Rumor of the War God
Ivy's arrival caused a stir. She added that Nathan’s master was impotent, unable to even interest the granddaughter of Commander Stevenson. Emmanuel laughed; he’d never been interested in her either, and the rumor seemed absurd. The women continued gossiping, speculating about the war god’s supposed impotence. Emmanuel, though a gynecologist, found the scene overwhelming and looked away. The women finally noticed him again.
Chapter 866: ‘Wardrobe Malfunction’
Emmanuel was bewildered by their reactions. Ivy approached aggressively, accusing him of peeking. He dodged her punches, explaining his presence, but she persisted. He tripped her, accidentally causing her bikini top to come off. The other women gasped, believing Emmanuel had taken advantage of her. Ivy, enraged, screamed at Emmanuel, her "wardrobe malfunction" apparently ignored. The women believed Emmanuel’s fate was sealed.
Chapter 867: Nathan’s Respected Master
The women were convinced Nathan would kill Emmanuel. They spotted Nathan returning from a yacht trip, rushing towards them. The women tried to curry favor with him, describing Emmanuel as a pervert. Ivy reported that Emmanuel had removed her top. Nathan, however, ignored them completely, rushing toward Emmanuel and kneeling, greeting him as "Master." The women were stunned.
Chapter 868: Asking For Nathan’s Help
Emmanuel was relieved; he could now easily ask for help. Nathan angrily silenced the women, then kicked one who had touched Emmanuel. Emmanuel stopped him, concerned about causing harm. The women were shocked at Nathan's behavior. Nathan offered to take Emmanuel to dinner, then received a phone call, apologizing that he had to attend to a family matter. He gave Emmanuel a card to use at the restaurant. Nathan video-called his mother and asked why she needed him in Yeternia.
Chapter 869: The Unexpected Encounter
The photo his mother sent was a beautiful woman, simply dressed. Emmanuel arrived at a seven-star restaurant, overhearing a mother and daughters criticizing a poorly dressed woman. Emmanuel realized it was Xylie, whom he knew from Yeringham, and was surprised to see her in this situation. The mother and daughters, however, were focused on another young woman eating alone, mocking her for being a "former campus belle" now reduced to poverty. Emmanuel recognized the woman; it was Xylie.
Chapter 870: Unexpected Confrontation
Emmanuel felt compelled to help Xylie. One of the sisters grabbed Xylie's hair, taunting her for her current situation. Xylie, unexpectedly stubborn, refused to back down, even as the woman called attention to her. Emily, the aggressor, revealed that she had known Xylie in college, and claimed Xylie had stolen her boyfriend. Xylie defended herself, saying she worked at the restaurant and was simply using her salary for the meal. Emily, however, continued to mock her, and the crowd joined in. Emmanuel, unsure if he should intervene, noticed Xylie's stubborn resistance. Emily threatened to physically remove Xylie. Xylie refused to leave, her eyes filled with determination. Emily, enraged, pulled Xylie’s hair harder, threatening to teach her a lesson.