Chapter 5 Do Not Touch Her

Howard and Lillian entered, flanked by several bodyguards. Seeing Bjorn and the others sprawled on the ground in pitiful states, Howard's expression twisted in fury. “Seriously? You can't even handle Norton and that old hag? What use are you lot?” he barked. “A bunch of worthless idiots!” “Mr. Zulker, you've got to help us!” Bjorn whined as he shuffled toward Howard, using his sleeve to clean Howard's leather shoes. “That guy's a real fighter. He took us all down like we were nothing!” But Howard barely noticed him. His attention was fixed on Lucille and Serene. What a stunning and classy lady! The elegance, the beauty—he couldn't take his eyes off Lucille. Compared to her, Lillian looked plain, almost laughable. It was like comparing an ugly duckling to a swan. A wicked thought flashed through Howard's mind as his gaze lingered on Lucille. He stepped forward, flashing a self-assured grin. “Hello, ladies,” he said, extending his business card. “I'm Howard Zulker. A pleasure to meet you both. My family, the Zulkers, are considered a third-class family here in Yarburn. My father is the head of the family. I don't suppose you're aware that White Swan, the legendary War Goddess has recently arrived in the city?” He smirked, clearly proud of the information he was about to share. “You might not be from around here, but surely you've heard of her—the War Goddess White Swan, White Swan? My family is the only one she's deigned to visit, thanks to my uncle. He's a nine-star Warrior in the Military Department and very close to her. So close, in fact, that she's staying at our residence right now.” Howard's smile widened as he held out his business card further. “I'd be honored to invite you to my home. Perhaps, if you're lucky, you'll even meet the White Swan in person.” Inwardly, Howard congratulated himself. How could they resist? Once they step into my house, they'll be mine to handle however I please. Such an elegant and beautiful lady—I must win her over! Lillian, standing nearby, couldn't hide her irritation. She was baffled by Howard's blatant interest in Lucille, and it didn't sit well with her. “Howie,” Lillian snapped, “what are you even talking about? Your uncle's not accompanying White Swan right now.” Lillian was visibly upset, her mood darkening as she caught Howard's lingering gaze on Lucille. It left her feeling unsettled. Earlier that morning, she had gone home with Howard and met his uncle. But when she asked about White Swan's visit to Yarburn, all his uncle could tell her was that the goddess was supposedly on her way. As for when or where she might arrive, he was clueless. The Zulker family, however, was mobilizing all their connections throughout the city to track down any information on White Swan. Even Lillian and Howard were given assignments, tasked with gathering intelligence in their area. Boom! Suddenly, a powerful aura of hostility emanated from Serene when Howard casually mentioned Lucille's arrival in Yarburn. Her presence in Yarburn, alongside Lucille, was supposed to be a secret, known only to the commander-in-chief of the Military Department. Where could this nine-star Warrior have possibly gotten his information? In Serene's mind, Howard's fate was sealed. The moment Lucille gave the order, she wouldn't hesitate to execute him. “Heh, and who exactly does your Zulker family think they are?” Serene's icy voice sent chills down their spines. “Do you honestly believe you're worthy of meeting the War Goddess White Swan?” With a single step forward, Serene's overwhelming murderous intent caused Howard and his entourage to tremble visibly. D*mn, how could a girl possess such a terrifying presence? It was then that Lucille finally spoke. Her voice was calm yet carried the weight of judgment. “Howard, right? Were you the one who sent people to attack Mr. Qualls's mother?” Lucille stood regal, her commanding tone and icy demeanor radiating a quiet yet lethal authority. She appeared every bit like a queen, looking down upon her subjects. Though she always maintained her composure, she had worked hard to keep her relationship with Norton private. She couldn't risk her mother finding out about Norton just yet—it would endanger him and his mother. But Lucille had already made up her mind. She would marry Norton. His mother was destined to be her future mother-in-law. And when her future mother-in-law was attacked, how could she possibly turn a blind eye? Her identity would inevitably be revealed soon, and she had no intention of hiding any longer. “Mr. Qualls? Norton?” Lillian's voice was sharp, cutting through the tension. “What's your connection to Norton? You wouldn't happen to be the little sl*t he picked up from a nightclub, would you?” From the very start, Lillian had disliked Lucille and Serene, especially Lucille. There was no comparison between them—whether in terms of poise, beauty, or demeanor, Lucille outshone her completely. And now Howard's infatuated gaze toward Lucille only fueled her irritation. “How dare you insult Ms. Jadeling!” Serene thundered. Smack! The slap was swift and brutal, delivered with the precision of lightning. Serene struck Lillian so hard that one of her teeth was knocked loose. Staggering backward in shock, Lillian was on the verge of retaliating but stopped short when she met Serene's icy glare. Those cold eyes radiated pure, unrestrained menace. Intimidated, Lillian had no choice but to swallow her pride and turn to Howard for help. “Howie!” she whined, holding her bruised face. “S-She actually hit me! Get your bodyguard to teach her a lesson!” Howard, initially startled by the domineering presence of Lucille and Serene, soon recovered. He even felt a thrill of excitement. Now he had the perfect excuse to corner these two stunning women into submission. “Miss, I approached you with good intentions. But allowing your servant to hit my fiancée is a serious offense. You've left me no choice!” Howard's tone became threatening. “Have your servant kneel and apologize to my fiancée. After that, the two of you can join me for a couple of drinks.” A sly smile crossed his face. “Otherwise, I guarantee neither of you will leave this hospital today.” With a subtle nod from Howard, his bodyguards began to close in, surrounding Lucille and Serene. “Are you threatening me?” Lucille asked, her voice devoid of anger, only mild amusement. She looked at Howard as if he were the biggest fool she had ever encountered. Howard sneered. “If that's how you see it, I can't stop you. Let me clarify something for you. Even without my uncle, my family commands respect across half the city. And now that my uncle is personally accompanying White Swan, we're untouchable!” Lucille raised a brow. “Your second uncle is a nine-star Warrior? Is he really so powerful?” Howard puffed out his chest, brimming with confidence. “Of course! My family may be a third-class family in Yarburn, but when it comes to the pharmaceutical industry, we're top three! We supply directly to the Military Department. In fact, White Swan herself has agreed to be a witness at my wedding with my fiancée in six days. Do you understand what that means? It means my family will soon rise to second class, maybe even first class! My uncle's on track to becoming a War King, and in two years, he might even become a War God!” “Pfft!” Serene couldn't contain her laughter. Howard's face darkened. “What's so funny?” “Can't I laugh when something amuses me?” Serene asked, still giggling. Howard glared at her, growing angrier by the second. “What's there to laugh about? I suggest you get serious and kneel before my fiancée. Otherwise, don't blame me for what happens next.” Before he could finish, Serene burst into laughter again. This time, Lucille joined in, her laughter melodic and infectious. It caught everyone off guard, especially Howard, who stood frozen. “And what's so funny this time?” Howard asked, bewildered and flustered. Lucille smiled. “Oh, just that... it was the funniest joke I've heard all day.” Howard's face twisted in confusion, then dawning realization. His face flushed with anger. “You're playing me for a fool? Fine! You've brought this on yourselves!” He turned to his bodyguards. “Take them down. But be gentle. I don't want to ruin their pretty faces.” Before the bodyguards could make a move, a voice rang out from the ward. “Howard, if you so much as touch a single hair on Ms. Jadeling's head, I'll destroy your entire family.” Norton emerged from the ward, his presence commanding and his voice dripping with menace. His intense gaze softened only as he approached Lucille, taking her hand in his own and pulling her protectively behind him. For a brief moment, Lucille felt an unfamiliar warmth spread through her heart, a feeling that completely eclipsed the murderous aura surrounding Norton. So this is what it feels like to be protected by my man? But Serene, standing nearby, felt something entirely different. Norton exuded a level of danger she had never encountered before. It was a suffocating, bone-deep fear that made her blood run cold.