Chapter 77

Although his eyes were closed in meditation, Nash perceived every conversation around him. Seeing Kai approach with Helena, he opened his eyes and stood before them. Kai, still shaken by the masked man's attack, abandoned his usual arrogance, offering a nervous laugh. "We… just wanted to offer a toast to the warden!"

Helena echoed, "Yes, the warden cares deeply for the country and its people. He defends the Northern Territory. We should show our respect!"

"Scram!" Nash's voice was glacial.

The moment his aura manifested, a wave of intense cold enveloped the pair. The glasses in their hands shattered, spilling wine.

Walter, witnessing his grandson's encounter with the imposing Nash, hurried over. "What's going on?"

Kai stammered, "We… we just wanted a drink with the warden…"

Helena pleaded, "Grandpa, you must help us… We admire the warden greatly…"

Walter's brow furrowed. "Are you the girlfriend Kai's been seeing?" He sensed urgency and an underlying motive in Helena's eagerness to toast the warden.

"Yes, my name is Helena Lewis," she replied, realizing this was their first meeting and her haste had precluded an introduction.

Walter addressed Kai. "You two should leave. The warden is unwell and can only have three drinks. Even I haven't had the opportunity to toast him." Theo had already toasted the warden twice, once for his grandfather and once for Mr. Lewis.

"It doesn't have to be alcohol! Juice or tea would be fine," Helena offered desperately, the weight of a missed 1.5 million riding on the interaction.

Nash took a slow step forward. "Will you leave of your own accord, or shall I compel you?"

Walter's face hardened. "Get lost, now!"

Witnessing his usually gentle grandfather's anger, Kai grasped the gravity of the situation—they stood before a formidable powerhouse.

"Let's go!"

"But…"

"Stop embarrassing me!" Kai snapped, leaving Helena behind with a brisk stride.

Disheartened, Helena returned to her table.

"Yay… We won!" Hera exclaimed jubilantly. "1.5 million! Even Baroque's peak annual profit doesn't reach that!"

Nash heard Hera's elation. A slow smile played on his lips. The woman was overjoyed by 1.5 million; what would 450 million elicit?

Meanwhile, Rooney snatched Helena's bank card. "What are you kids doing, placing bets?! The previous agreement is void!"

Skadi mocked Helena. "What's the matter? Can't even afford this much?" Lauren and Harrison also displayed their displeasure.

Hubert chuckled dryly. "We're family. Let's not take a joke too seriously."

Lauren snorted. "A joke?" Her eyebrow arched. "Helena, was this all a joke?"