Divorced by the CEO,Then I Unsealed My Power and Took Everything Back

"This... this isn't real. I even bought our daughter a teddy bear—look how cute it is. She's going to love it." Colin stared at Iris, his eyes fixed on her. "Our daughter is still... she's still here, right? You were lying just now, weren't you, Iris..." "Enough!" Iris closed her eyes. A single tear slid slowly from the corner of her eye, but her voice was cold as frost. "It's true. Our daughter is gone. I'm sorry, Colin..." "Ah..." Colin collapsed to the floor. His eyes burned red, his body shaking, convulsing like a man caught in a seizure. His fingernails dug deep into his palms, blood welling up between his fingers. His poor daughter had never even entered this world before leaving it. And watching Colin writhe in agony, Maxwell, Kate, and Gerard wore nothing but cold smirks. Not a shred of sympathy—only undisguised contempt. "Why?" Colin's voice tore from his throat like a wounded animal. "Let me tell you why." Kate walked over and stood above him, looking down. "Iris is at the peak of her career right now. If she'd stayed pregnant, everything she's built would've been ruined." "So the child had to go. We couldn't let it become a stumbling block—like you." "Oh, and just so you know?" Kate's smile twisted into something demonic. "I'm the one who took her to get it done." Minutes passed. Slowly, Colin rose to his feet. The trembling had stopped. His face was calm now. But his eyes had turned to ice. He walked forward and signed the divorce papers without hesitation. His handwriting was beautiful—almost mocking the ugliness of what it represented. Then he picked up the teddy bear from the floor and cradled it against his chest, as if it were everything he had left. Seeing how lost he looked, something flickered in Iris's expression. "Colin, I can compensate you. Anything in this house—take whatever you want. And money..." She pulled out a checkbook. "Write down any amount." Kate's face soured immediately. "Iris, what are you saying? Everything in this house is valuable! We worked hard for all of it—this worthless man doesn't get to take a single thing!" "He's been freeloading off us for three years. We've done more than enough. He doesn't get a cent!" "Mom, don't talk like that. Colin—" Iris frowned. "I don't want anything," Colin said quietly. "Not money, not possessions. Just the clothes in that closet." He walked toward the bedroom. The closet was stuffed with tiny, beautiful outfits—every single one sewn by his own hands, stitch by stitch, for his daughter. He gathered them all, wrapped them in a bedsheet, stuffed the teddy bear inside, and slung the bundle over his back. "That jade pendant is mine. Give it back." Colin's gaze fell on the Serpent-Ember Jade hanging around Iris's neck. Without a word, she unclasped it and handed it over. Colin pulled out a document—the contract with Longtide Group. "Today is our wedding anniversary. I had a gift for you. But it doesn't matter anymore." He dropped the contract on the floor and walked toward the door, hollow-eyed. "Hey Mom," Gerard snickered, "doesn't his pathetic back look just like a stray dog?" "Now that you mention it..." Kate's laughter was vicious. "It really does." But at the doorway, Colin suddenly turned. His gaze swept across each member of the Fox family, one by one. Finally, it settled on Iris. "Remember this," he said, each word deliberate. "You will regret this." "I, Colin Cox, will get justice for my daughter." The ice in his eyes, the weight of his presence—Iris felt an involuntary shiver run through her. "Ha! This little bastard thinks we'll regret it?" Kate howled with laughter. "I'm too busy celebrating to regret anything!" Gerard picked up the papers from the floor. "A contract with Longtide Group?" Longtide Group? Both Iris and Henry's expressions shifted. Longtide Group was one of Southland's top conglomerates, with massive ongoing projects in Seacliff—investments totaling tens of billions. Every company in Seacliff was fighting tooth and nail to partner with them. And securing a connection to Longtide was precisely why Iris had wanted this divorce. "It's fake." Henry, the wealthy young heir, barely glanced at it before scoffing. "Iris, your useless husband had quite the imagination—forging contracts now?" Iris's brow furrowed. This was the gift Colin had prepared? A fake contract to impress her? She'd felt a twinge of guilt about forcing the divorce. Now it seemed she'd made the right call. "Iris, now that you're single, things will be much easier." Henry adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, every inch the privileged heir. "I'll pull some strings and get you into the Southland Council." The Southland Council! Kate and Maxwell's eyes lit up. The Southland Council was an exclusive private organization, chaired by none other than the famous Marjorie Floyd herself. Longtide Group belonged to the Floyd family, and their billion-dollar Seacliff projects were all under Marjorie's direct oversight. Every member of the Council was either filthy rich or extremely powerful. Membership was a status symbol. The catch? Only single women could join—which was exactly why Iris had divorced Colin. "Mr. Harrington, you're too kind," Maxwell gushed, his wife nodding eagerly beside him. "With your connections as heir to the Harrington Group, Iris's career is sure to soar." "Seriously," Gerard chimed in, "you're ten thousand times better than that loser Colin. If my sister had married you from the start, she'd be the richest woman in Seacliff by now." "You flatter me." Henry's words were modest, but his expression said otherwise. His gaze drifted to a piece of calligraphy hanging in the corner of the living room, and he walked over. "Beautiful work," he murmured. "What does it even say? 'Spring pool,' something something?" Gerard squinted. "Looks pretentious. Throw it out—it's bad luck." "It says Spring Pool's Gentle Charm." Henry's eyes grew brighter the longer he looked. The brushwork was exquisite. Then he noticed the signature. His face changed. "This is... this is a piece by Master Solitude!" "Master who?" Maxwell asked. "Master Solitude is a reclusive calligraphy grandmaster living right here in Seacliff..." Seeing their blank faces, Henry cut to the point: "His work sells for a hundred thousand dollars per character." "What?!" Kate's jaw dropped. Maxwell, mid-sip of his tea, froze. Even Iris looked stunned. "Henry, you can't be serious." "I'm completely serious. My father is vice-chairman of the Seacliff Calligraphy Association, and I'm a member myself. Master Solitude's work goes for a hundred thousand a character—when you can even find it. Just last week, some tycoon from Capital City paid two million for an authentic piece. Two characters. That's a million per character." Henry took a deep breath, visibly shaken. "How does your family have an original Master Solitude?" A long silence followed. Finally, Iris spoke, her voice distant and dazed. "Colin... Colin wrote it."

Written by Colin? Henry stared in disbelief. The legendary Master Ashen was actually Colin Cox? "That loser's calligraphy is worth this much? Henry, are you sure you're not mistaken?" Kate Galloway asked. "There's no mistake. The brushwork, the presence, the visual impact—this is undoubtedly Master Ashen's authentic work. And look, there's even his signature seal on the back." Henry was equally puzzled. Colin was so young—how could he possibly be Master Ashen? "Are you certain Colin wrote this?" He turned to Iris. Iris was about to nod, but then she remembered how Colin had just tricked her with a fake contract. This calligraphy could be fraudulent too. "I'm not sure. Colin claimed he wrote it, but who knows if that's true." "Well, there you have it. Colin always did have excellent penmanship." Maxwell rose from his seat. Kate couldn't sit still either. Having thrown Colin out so abruptly, she suddenly felt a twinge of regret. If they'd kept him locked up at home writing calligraphy, with each character worth a hundred thousand dollars, a thousand characters would be... a hundred million! "No, I'm going after him." Kate grabbed the calligraphy scroll and shot Gerard a meaningful look. Gerard immediately jumped up and hurried out the door with his mother, chasing after Colin. Meanwhile, Maxwell crushed out the cigarette he'd barely started and rushed to Colin's room to search for more of his work. "Don't just stand there—start looking! Each character is worth a million!" Maxwell was sweating with urgency. At his words, Henry sprang into action, joining Maxwell in turning the room upside down. Iris remained where she stood, her expression uncomfortable. Her entire family had just thrown Colin out, and how long had it been? Now they were frantically searching for his calligraphy. The irony wasn't lost on her. Meanwhile, Colin walked toward the Old House, his daughter's clothes bundled on his back. Iris divorcing him—that stung, but he didn't hate her for it. What he hated was that the Fox family had taken his daughter's life! That child wasn't just Iris's. She was his daughter too. What right did they have to make that decision without him? Three months. His daughter had been three months along. She'd already developed into a tiny life, with a heartbeat, a small body, the first stirrings of awareness... And just like that, she was gone. Rage erupted from Colin's chest, blazing skyward. "The Fox family—every last one of them is a murderer!" He would settle this score. He would make them regret that foolish decision for the rest of their miserable lives. He would get justice for his poor daughter. The truth was, these past three years, Colin had only wanted to live as an ordinary man. But in the end, he'd made the bitter discovery that he couldn't even protect his own child. "If that's how it is, then I'll become who I used to be. After three years of silence, I suppose everyone's forgotten the name 'Dragon Lord.'" Colin gripped the Serpent-Ember Jade at his chest. The moment he shattered it, the Dragon Seal would break, and he would once again become the Dragon Lord—the man whom all eight regions once revered. But... he still couldn't bring himself to do it. His cultivation was completely gone, and the injuries inside him hadn't fully healed. Even if he broke the seal, he wouldn't be able to cultivate. He could handle ordinary people easily enough, but against a true martial arts master, it could cost him his life. After a long moment, Colin let out a heavy sigh, and his grip on the jade slowly loosened. His phone rang. It was Amos Floyd calling—the patriarch of the Southland Floyd family, and an old friend. That Longtide Group contract had come from the old man himself. "Colin! Heard you got divorced. Congratulations! I was just about to set off firecrackers to celebrate." The old man's voice dripped with schadenfreude. "You old bastard." Colin laughed despite himself. The man's information network was terrifyingly efficient. "Perfect timing, actually. My granddaughter Marjorie happens to be in Seacliff. You should meet her. She's absolutely stunning—'moon-shaming, flower-eclipsing beauty,' they call her. Known as Well Spirit's most beautiful woman, the Queen of Commerce, five-foot-seven..." Colin cut him off. "Old man, just tell me what you want. I'm not in the mood." Amos chuckled. "Fine, fine. Here's some good news: I've found a five-hundred-year-old Blood Spirit Reishi. A treasure like that should be exactly what you need." Colin's eyes lit up. A five-hundred-year Blood Spirit Reishi would be enough to fully heal his injuries! "I'll head to Well Spirit right away," Colin said immediately. "Hold on now. I spent a fortune acquiring this. I half want to eat it myself—you think I'm just going to hand it over?" The old man's voice turned smug. "What do you want me to do." Colin knew the man never did anything without a motive. Amos's tone grew serious. "Longtide Group has run into trouble in Seacliff. No one else can handle it. You're the only one I can ask. My granddaughter—beautiful as a flower, I might add—will come find you shortly. Once you've dealt with the problem, I'll give you the Blood Spirit Reishi." "Deal!" Colin agreed without hesitation. The Blood Spirit Reishi was too important. With it, he could fully repair his internal injuries. And once that was done, he could break the Dragon Seal and return to the path of cultivation! To get justice for his daughter, he needed power. There was no other way. He pocketed his phone, his gaze hardening with resolve. His pace quickened. When he reached the entrance of the residential complex, a Rolls-Royce Wraith glided to a stop in front of him. The door slowly opened, and out extended a long, porcelain-white leg.

Smooth and shapely, pale as jade—a pair of sheer stockings clung to her legs like a second skin, tracing every elegant curve. Colin's pulse quickened at the fleeting glimpse. She was tall, strikingly beautiful, and after a brief appraisal of him, she walked straight over. The woman wore a flowing white gown trimmed with violet and gold thread—sensual yet undeniably regal. Her face was the kind that stopped hearts: delicate, luminous, as if she'd stepped out of some mountain goddess legend. Her eyes shimmered like autumn waters, captivating and impossibly refined. "You must be Colin Cox. I'm Marjorie Floyd—my grandfather should have mentioned me." She smiled and extended her hand. Marjorie Floyd? Colin blinked. So this was the Floyd family's eldest daughter. She truly was breathtaking. "Hello. I'm Colin." He took her hand. Soft, smooth—like warm jade. "Mr. Cox, Longtide Group has run into a problem we can't solve on our own. We'd like your help." Marjorie was direct. "I know. Old Mr. Floyd already told me." Colin gestured toward the run-down apartment complex nearby. "Wait here. I need to stop by my place first." Wait? Marjorie's brow furrowed slightly. With her status, she wasn't used to being kept waiting when she personally came to recruit someone. But Colin was her grandfather's recommendation. She had no choice but to comply. Colin headed home with his belongings. This apartment had been his and Iris's marital home—a cramped unit in a decrepit old complex. With his help, Iris's career had flourished, and two years ago she'd moved out. This shabby place? She'd left it to him. Back inside, Colin opened his bundle and stared at the colorful little clothes he'd made for his daughter. His chest felt like someone had carved out a piece of his heart. He sorted through the tiny garments, and before he knew it, tears were streaming down his face. A man doesn't cry easily—only when his heart is truly broken. Just then, the door slammed open. Kate Galloway and her son Gerard burst in. "Colin! Colin—" They hollered like they owned the place. "What do you want?" Colin's voice was ice. "So the loser really is hiding here." Gerard sneered, waving a piece of paper. "Did you write this?" Spring Pool's Gentle Charm. Colin glanced at it and gave a slight nod. Mother and son exchanged looks, eyes lighting up with greed. They stared at Colin like he was a gold mine. "Not bad handwriting. Since you're so pathetic you can't even find a job, I'll do you a favor. Write for me every day, and I'll pay you two thousand a month. How's that sound?" Gerard was playing quite the angle. Colin scoffed. His calligraphy commanded ten thousand dollars a character—and this punk was offering two thousand a month? "Not interested. Get out." "What? You piece of trash, you're refusing me?" Gerard's face contorted with rage. Kate quickly grabbed his arm, then plastered on a smile and sidled up to Colin. "Colin, you were my son-in-law after all. Writing a few characters—it's such a simple thing. Since Gerard's already asked, just say yes." "Son-in-law?" Colin laughed coldly. "Iris and I are divorced. I have nothing to do with you people." Kate's expression hardened instantly. "You ungrateful wretch! Forgetting your mother-in-law the moment it's convenient—are you even human? Today you're writing whether you like it or not!" "Get out." Colin's eyes flashed with anger. "Bastard—you want to die?" Gerard grabbed a stool and swung it at Colin's head. Colin sidestepped easily. Gerard stumbled, nearly falling. But Kate was quick. She darted to the pile of tiny clothes and smirked. "Colin, if you don't write a thousand characters for us today, I'll burn every last one of your daughter's things." Gerard was already there with a lighter, snatching up a stuffed bear and dangling it in Colin's face. "Write, you dog—or else!" The flame flickered closer to the toy. Soon, an acrid smell filled the room. The bear caught fire. "You animals!" Colin's restraint shattered. His palm connected with Gerard's face before the younger man could react. Crack! Gerard flew backward, his head slamming into the corner of the wall. Blood streamed down his face. Colin lunged forward and smothered the flames on the bear—but it was already ruined beyond recognition. The more he looked at it, the angrier he became. He grabbed Gerard by the collar, hauled him upright, and slapped him across the face again. And again. A dozen blows later, Gerard's face was a swollen, bloody mess. Two teeth flew out mixed with blood. He looked like a battered pig. "You dare hit my son? I'll kill you!" Kate shrieked and kicked off her heels, driving the stiletto point toward Colin's eye. He caught her wrist and shoved. She landed hard on her backside. "Get. Out." Colin's voice was low, dangerous. His bloodshot eyes burned with something that made Kate recoil—like staring into the face of a demon. "Brock Hale! Get up here—someone's beating me!" Gerard screamed into his phone, blood dripping down his chin. He'd always been a street punk. Now that he had money, he fancied himself a big shot and had collected a gang of lowlife friends to match. Minutes later, a tattooed hulk led a dozen thugs up the stairs. They looked ready for murder, weapons in hand. "Beat him! Beat this bastard to death!" Gerard jabbed a finger at Colin, snarling through broken teeth. The thugs fanned out, surrounding Colin with their weapons raised. Colin didn't flinch. He reached up and unclasped the jade pendant from his chest, then hurled it to the ground. The outer casing—carved in the shape of a serpent and phoenix—shattered completely. But inside, something else emerged. A dragon. The Dragon-Shaped Jade. Colin gazed at it, his expression softening with unexpected tenderness. Old friend... I'm sorry I kept you locked away for three years. But now? The serpent shatters. The dragon rises. I, the Dragon Lord, have returned.

When Colin picked up the jade pendant and slowly rose to his feet, everyone sensed something different about him. The dozen or so thugs surrounding him all felt a chill crawl up their spines. "Get him, Brock! Look what he did to me!" Gerard pointed at his grotesquely swollen face, screaming with rage. "Move in!" The tattooed brute glanced at Colin, then waved his hand. "I'd like to see who dares!" A commanding female voice cut through the air as a breathtakingly beautiful woman strode toward them. It was Marjorie, flanked by two bodyguards in black. The moment Gerard laid eyes on her, despite his bruised and battered face, his heart skipped a beat. What a knockout! Those legs in silk stockings—absolutely exquisite. "Deal with Mr. Cox's problem." Marjorie surveyed the scene, her delicate brows drawing together. One of her bodyguards stepped forward and made short work of the thugs. Even Brock caught a vicious slap across the face before scrambling away in a panic. The Floyd heiress's bodyguards were no ordinary men. Colin narrowed his eyes. He hadn't expected this woman to handle his trouble for him. But the Serpent-Ember Jade was shattered now, and the Dragon Seal was broken. The Dragon Lord had returned. "Colin, who are these two...?" Marjorie looked toward Kate and her son. Before Colin could respond, Kate shrieked, "So that's how it is! No wonder you were so eager to divorce my daughter—you've been keeping a little mistress on the side! This shameless hussy—" She never finished. Marjorie's palm connected with her cheek. A woman of her standing would not tolerate such slander. A vivid handprint bloomed across Kate's pale face. "Ahhh—!" She let out a piercing scream. "How dare you hit me! Do you have any idea who I am? I'm President Iris Fox's mother! You're finished—" "My precious boy, kill these two! Avenge your mother!" "You bitch! You hit my mom—you're dead!" Gerard charged forward, blood streaming down his face. But before he could get close, a bodyguard's kick sent him flying. His body slammed into the security door with such force that the solid wood panel caved inward. "Ahhh..." Gerard lay on the ground, howling like a slaughtered pig. His arm was broken, no doubt about it. "You... that was brutal!" Kate pointed at Marjorie, then at Colin, snarling, "My daughter is Iris Fox! You broke my son's arm—I'll make sure you pay for this!" "Break her jaw!" Marjorie was already in a foul mood. She had no patience for this woman's threats. The bodyguard moved to comply, mechanical in his obedience to the young mistress's orders, regardless of the target's gender. "Forget it. Let them go." Colin spoke up. Marjorie immediately waved her hand. "This isn't over!" Kate spat, refusing to back down even in defeat. Supporting the half-dead Gerard, she reached down to grab the calligraphy scroll from the floor. "Leave the scroll." Colin's voice was flat. "What are you doing? You beat my son, and now you want to steal my family's treasure?" Kate's expression shifted. Colin scoffed. It was his calligraphy. When had it become her family's treasure? Well, technically it might have been while he was married. But they were divorced now. Despite her devastating beauty, Marjorie was a woman of decisive action—she wouldn't be running the Longtide Group otherwise. One look from her, and the bodyguard snatched the scroll from Kate's hands. "Fine! Just you wait, you cheating pair! If I don't get my revenge, I'm not human!" Kate ground out through clenched teeth. "Slap her." The moment Marjorie uttered those words, Kate grabbed Gerard and fled. "Hm? This is Master Ashen's calligraphy... an original?" Marjorie's eyes swept over the scroll, and her expression transformed. "That shrew had a genuine piece by Master Ashen!" "It's mine." Colin extended his hand. "No!" Marjorie clutched it to her chest. The iron-willed businesswoman from moments ago had vanished, replaced by something almost childlike. "Colin, let me have this. Master Ashen's work is my grandfather's greatest passion. If I gave him this piece, he'd be over the moon." "Please?" Those mesmerizing eyes of hers shimmered with a look that could break any man's resolve. Her grandfather, despite his status, owned only one original by Master Ashen, which he treasured and hung in his study. Though those particular four characters weren't exactly refined—"Senile Old Fool!" Yet her grandfather cherished them like a priceless artifact. These four characters, "Spring Pool's Gentle Charm," were far more elegant. "I'll pay for it. Name your price..." Marjorie was actually tugging at Colin's sleeve now, pleading. "Fine. Take it." Colin sighed. For the old man's sake, she could have it. Marjorie's face lit up with joy. She quickly tucked the scroll inside her coat, pressing it against her chest. "Didn't you have something you needed me for?" Colin asked. "Right." Marjorie quickly composed herself. "Yesterday, over a dozen Longtide Group employees collapsed with severe abdominal pain and vomiting after eating lunch in the cafeteria. The doctors are completely stumped—they're calling it some kind of mysterious illness." "They've all fallen into comas now. Their lives are hanging by a thread..." "If they all die, Longtide Group will face serious consequences." Colin considered this briefly. "Let's go. Take me to them." The Dragon Lord was unmatched in both medicine and martial arts. Though his cultivation was gone, his medical expertise remained. Soon they arrived at Riverview General Hospital, the finest in Seacliff—built with Floyd family investment. Two muscular men in black suits stood guard outside the ICU. "Miss Floyd, Second Master already brought in Dr. Murphy, the most famous physician in Seacliff. There's no need for you to go in." One of them blocked Marjorie's path. "Where is Dr. Murphy?" "He's finished his acupuncture treatment. He's having tea with Second Master in the reception room." Marjorie turned to Colin. "Want to take a look inside?" Colin peered through the window, and his brow furrowed. "Let's go in." "Move aside." Marjorie faced the two guards. "Miss Floyd, Second Master gave strict orders—no one goes in. Please don't put us in a difficult position..." Slap! Marjorie backhanded him across the face. "Out of my way." Both men immediately lowered their heads and stepped aside. Inside, Colin found thirteen patients lying on beds. A dark miasma clung to each of their chests, their faces twisted in agony. Their shirts had been removed, and their torsos bristled with silver needles. "What happened here?" Marjorie demanded. One of the suited men hurried to explain. "Dr. Murphy said they've been poisoned. These are detoxification needles—they need to stay in for two hours to draw out the toxins. Under no circumstances should they be removed before then—" His words died in his throat, his face draining of color. Colin had stepped forward and ripped every needle from the patient's chest.

"What do you think you're doing?" Two men rushed forward to block Colin. "Stand down!" Marjorie shot them a sharp look, then turned to Colin. "Are you sure about this?" Colin nodded and pulled the silver needles from the second patient. By the time he reached the eleventh, an old man in a gray robe came hurrying over, his white beard bristling with fury. "Stop! What the hell are you doing?" The old man was so angry his whiskers practically stood on end. He shoved Colin aside. "Are you trying to kill these people?" Colin studied him. "You must be Dr. Murphy." Russell Murphy—Seacliff's legendary practitioner of traditional medicine. Even Colin had heard of him. "That's right." Russell's face was purple with rage. He shoved Colin again. "These patients have been poisoned. I've been administering my Vernal Detox technique—it takes two hours to fully purge the toxins. And you just ripped out every single needle!" His voice cracked. "You might as well have yanked the oxygen tube from a dying man!" "You've wasted all my work. These people will die right here, right now. What exactly are you playing at?" Colin's brow furrowed slightly. "Dr. Murphy, your diagnosis is wrong." "What? You dare question me?" Russell looked ready to explode. He jabbed a finger in Colin's face. "I've practiced medicine my entire life! I've saved more people than you can count—" "I'm not questioning your record. I'm telling you what's actually happening. These workers aren't poisoned. They're—" "Nonsense!" Russell cut him off with a roar. "Seize him! Take him to the police—this man is attempting murder!" The two men in suits moved to grab Colin, but Marjorie's bodyguards stepped between them. "Dr. Murphy." Marjorie's voice was calm but firm. "Colin is a physician I brought in myself." "Miss Floyd!" Russell finally noticed her. His white eyebrows knotted together. "If you know what's good for you, you'll have him arrested immediately. Otherwise, all thirteen of these people will die!" "I..." Marjorie thought of her grandfather's words. Colin's methods did seem reckless, but she'd made her choice. "I'm putting my trust in Colin." "You—!" Russell's whiskers quivered with indignation. "What's going on here?" A middle-aged man strode into the room, his bearing heavy with the authority of someone long accustomed to power. This was Samuel Floyd, Marjorie's uncle and a formidable figure within the family. Russell's eyes lit up like he'd found a savior. He rushed over and laid out Colin's "crimes" in excruciating detail. "Arrest him!" Samuel's face darkened with fury. "Uncle Samuel, please—trust me. Colin can heal them." Marjorie held her ground. Samuel's cold gaze swept over her. "He walks in and starts yanking out needles? That's not medicine—that's recklessness. What could some green boy possibly know about healing? Russell Murphy is the most renowned physician in Seacliff. You'd trust this nobody over him?" His voice turned to ice. "Marjorie, if you mishandle this, we're talking about thirteen lives. You won't just lose your position as head of Seacliff operations—you'll lose your standing in the family entirely." "Think very carefully about what you're risking." Marjorie's slender frame trembled, but she lifted her chin. "Uncle Samuel, I'm putting my trust in Colin." Before Samuel could respond, Colin spoke up. "Two patients still have their needles in. We'll know soon enough who's right." He sat down, closed his eyes, and began circulating his Vital Abbott, preparing for the treatment ahead. Breaking the Dragon Seal had cost him nearly all his cultivation. What little energy he could muster now was barely a thread—but it would be enough for what came next. That was when it happened. The two patients still bristling with silver needles began to convulse, their faces twisting in agony. The dark miasma pooled at their chests started spreading outward, creeping toward their limbs. The monitors tracking their vitals shrieked in alarm, their shrill warnings filling the room. "What—" Russell and Samuel both went pale. Even they could see it: the patients were deteriorating rapidly. Meanwhile, the eleven patients Colin had treated remained stable. "Dr. Murphy." Samuel's voice was dangerously quiet. "Explain." "I... this shouldn't be happening." Russell clutched at his beard, bewildered. "They were poisoned—my technique is the finest detoxification method there is. It should be helping, not making things worse!" "Are you going to remove those needles or not?" Colin's eyes snapped open. Marjorie moved before anyone could stop her, her hands swift and sure as she pulled the needles from the last two patients. The effect was immediate. Like cold water poured into a boiling pot, their convulsions eased. The dark energy that had been spreading across their torsos retreated, condensing once more around their hearts. The change was visible to everyone in the room. Russell's weathered face flushed crimson. "Everyone out," Colin said, rising slowly. "I need to work." Samuel shot Russell a withering look and swept out of the room without a word. Once the others had gone, Marjorie closed the door and drew the curtains. "Colin, what exactly is wrong with these people?" "Get me a jar. You'll see soon enough." Colin selected a silver needle and approached the first patient. Channeling his Vital Abbott, he worked with blinding speed, his hands a blur of precise motion. From the Shanzhong point at the chest to the Shenting point at the crown of the head—thirty-seven needles in all. What happened next defied explanation. The dark mass coiled around the patient's heart began to move, following the path of the needles as if drawn by an invisible thread. It traveled upward, finally gathering at the Renzhong point just beneath the nose. "Come out." Colin flicked the final needle with his finger. From the patient's nostril emerged a black worm, glistening and writhing. It was two inches long, covered in fine hair, its back marked with patterns that seemed almost deliberately sinister. The sight of it made Marjorie's stomach turn. Colin dropped it into the waiting jar and sealed the lid. He repeated the process for each patient. Thirteen worms, thirteen extractions, all now squirming together in the container. "What are those things?" Marjorie's voice was barely above a whisper. "Parasites." Colin's expression was grim. "Heart-Devouring Parasites, to be specific. They nest near the heart and slowly consume it from within. Eventually, the victim becomes what the old texts call 'one without a heart'—and dies in agony." A chill ran down Marjorie's spine. "How did they get inside these people?" "Parasites don't just appear on their own." Colin exhaled heavily, the strain of continuous needle-work showing on his face. "Someone planted them. Someone who wants Longtide Group destroyed." Marjorie's face hardened. An enemy hiding in the shadows, wielding such dark arts—who could they possibly have offended so deeply? Half a minute later, she gasped. "Colin—look!" He followed her gaze to the jar. Inside, the thirteen worms had arranged themselves in a deliberate formation. They spelled a single word. Death.

While Colin was at the hospital, Kate and Gerard climbed into the ambulance. Kate was seething. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that Colin—always so meek and obedient around her—would dare to lay a hand on her. And he'd beaten Gerard to a pulp. Before they even reached the hospital, she was already on the phone with Iris, lodging her complaints. "Mom, is something wrong? I'm in a meeting right now. Can I call you back later?" Iris kept her voice low. Kate's shrill voice cut through. "Forget the meeting, Iris! Something terrible happened! That bastard Colin has gone completely off the rails!" "Mom, what's going on?" Kate's voice cracked with theatrical sobs. "Gerard and I went to see Colin about that calligraphy piece. The second that animal heard it was an authentic Master Ashen work, he tried to snatch our family treasure!" "When we refused to hand it over, he hit me! And he beat Gerard—badly. Gerard's injuries are critical. He's in surgery right now, fighting for his life!" "What?" Iris immediately cut the meeting short, her voice sharp with alarm. "Gerard's in surgery?" "Could you please stop exaggerating? It's just superficial wounds and a fractured arm. His life isn't in danger," the paramedic snapped, shooting Kate a withering look. Hearing the paramedic's words, Iris relaxed. "Mom, you're being dramatic. Colin would never hit anyone. He's the gentlest person I know." "Gentle my ass! You didn't see the look on his face—like he wanted to kill me and your brother! If we hadn't run fast enough, we'd be dead!" Iris rolled her eyes. There was no way she'd believe Colin was capable of murder. "By the way, Mom—what did you find out? Did Colin write that calligraphy?" "Of course that animal didn't write it! If he had, why would he try to steal it?" Kate's voice dripped with anguish. "That's an authentic Master Ashen piece, worth millions! Iris, you need to have Colin arrested immediately and get our treasure back!" Iris's tone remained calm. "Mom, it was Colin's property to begin with. If he took it back, that's his right. Let it go." "Let it go? He robbed us—" Before Kate could finish, Iris moved to hang up. Kate scrambled. "Wait, don't hang up! There's something else! Colin's keeping a mistress on the side. She helped him beat us!" "A mistress?" Iris laughed. She believed that even less. After three years of marriage, she knew Colin's character inside and out. Other women could be stunning, and he wouldn't spare them a second glance. "Mom, I'm in a meeting. We'll talk later." Her tone was dismissive. Kate turned hysterical. "Iris! Your mother and brother are in the hospital because of him! If you won't do anything about it, I might as well be dead! Don't try to stop me—I'm jumping out of this ambulance!" Hearing her mother's theatrics, Iris had no choice but to relent. "Fine, Mom. I'll call Colin later and find out what happened. If he really hit you, I won't let him get away with it." "Iris, you have to avenge your mother..." "DIE!" The thirteen venomous insects had arranged themselves into that single character inside the jar, and the sight sent ice through Marjorie's veins. There was no mistaking it. This was a declaration of war. A threat. A show of force. As the reigning queen of Seacliff's business world—the precious heiress of the Floyd family—Marjorie had weathered countless storms. But facing something this sinister and unnatural rattled even her. "What do we do?" She looked to Colin, helpless. Colin remained unruffled. A faint smile played at his lips. "I've already dealt with this particular problem for you. Whether I continue helping depends on what your grandfather decides." Marjorie blinked, then quickly dialed her grandfather. She returned moments later. "Colin, my grandfather says he'll have the Blood Ganoderma delivered immediately. He's asking you to resolve this threat completely. And within the month, he'll send you a Dragon-Scale Root as well!" Dragon-Scale Root! Colin's eyes lit up. It was a spiritual herb—one that strengthened the body and laid the foundation for cultivation. The old patriarch certainly knew what Colin needed, offering terms he couldn't refuse. Now that Colin had broken the Dragon Seal, his most pressing task was cultivation. Only by restoring his former strength could he accomplish what he needed to do. Including seeking justice for his daughter. "Very well. I'll see this through to the end." Colin smiled slightly. Marjorie's spirits lifted. "So what's our next move?" Colin considered for a moment. "Whoever's behind this is clearly targeting Longtide Group. Most likely a business rival. You'd know better than I would who might be responsible." Marjorie's beautiful eyes narrowed. "I have a few suspects in mind, but nothing concrete." "Investigate. You'll find traces eventually. They failed this time, which means they'll try again. It won't be long before we see their true faces." Colin's voice was calm. "So for now, we stay composed and wait—" Before he could finish, Samuel and Russell burst through the door. "It's been a while. How's the treatment going?" Samuel demanded. "They've stabilized." Marjorie gestured toward the monitoring equipment. Samuel checked the readings. Sure enough, all the vital signs had returned to normal. "Heh heh, Mr. Floyd, I told you so." Russell stroked his beard with a satisfied smile. "After I used my silver needles to purge the toxins, naturally they recovered." "Excuse me?" Marjorie and Colin exchanged glances, equally stunned. This man had nearly caused a catastrophe. Colin was the one who saved these patients. And now Russell was swooping in to claim credit? "Dr. Murphy is truly remarkable," Samuel praised. Colin said nothing. He didn't care about credit—his eyes were fixed only on the Blood Ganoderma. But Marjorie couldn't let this slide. "It was Colin who cured them. Why are you taking credit? Besides, these employees weren't poisoned—they were infected with venomous insects." "Your needle technique only agitated the creatures inside them, accelerating their deaths. Did you already forget what happened?" "Nonsense! What venomous insects? This was clearly poisoning. Without my needle therapy to purge the toxins, would they have recovered?" Russell argued indignantly. "See for yourself. The insects are right here—Colin extracted every one of them." Marjorie pointed to the glass jar on the table. Russell leaned in for a closer look, then scoffed. "Venomous insects? These are just caterpillars. This Colin fellow caught some bugs to trick you, and you can't even see through such an obvious ploy?" With that, he reached for the jar. "Don't open it!" Colin's expression shifted. But it was too late. Russell had already pried off the lid, sneering, "Look—these are obviously just cater—" Before he could finish, a black insect shot out like lightning and burrowed into Russell's nostril. The color drained from Russell's face. Within seconds, searing pain tore through him. He collapsed to his knees before Colin, his face contorted in agony. "Dr. Cox, save me—"

"Ha ha ha ha..." Marjorie couldn't contain herself, bursting into laughter at the memory of what had just happened. Dr. Murphy on his knees, kowtowing to Colin, begging desperately until his forehead split and bled—utterly pathetic. And Uncle Samuel, who'd always been a thorn in her side, his face had gone dark as a storm cloud. After all, Dr. Murphy was Uncle Samuel's man, while Colin was hers. Each reflected on their respective standing. Clearly, her uncle had lost all face in front of her this time. "Hey, why did you save that old fraud Russell Murphy anyway?" Marjorie nudged Colin with her elbow. "He couldn't even diagnose the problem, just put on airs. Would've served him right to die." Colin's tone was mild. "He's a traditional medicine practitioner. Not recognizing a gu parasite is understandable." "But you practice traditional medicine too, and you spotted it right away," Marjorie pressed, curiosity piqued. Colin smiled faintly. "Don't compare me to others. It wouldn't be fair." "You—" Marjorie stared at his retreating figure, something stirring in her chest. His words had been modest enough, but she was sharp. She understood exactly what he meant. What an arrogant man! Her heart fluttered. She'd always considered herself proud, but this Colin seemed even more so. And he had every right to be. What kind of man is he, really? The question lingered in her mind, and she found herself genuinely intrigued. After leaving the hospital, Colin called the old patriarch to ensure the Blood Lingzhi would be delivered tonight. He'd barely hung up when Iris's name flashed on his screen. He hesitated for a few seconds before answering. "Colin, did you hit my mother and Gerard?" Iris launched straight into accusations. Colin gave a flat "Mm." "Colin, how could you? Yes, my mother never liked you, but you lived under the same roof for three years. We just got divorced and you're already attacking them like this? It makes me question your character." Her voice rose with anger. "Is this because they mocked you when we signed the papers? You held a grudge and decided to get revenge?" "So that's what you think of me." Colin laughed coldly. "Fine. I have nothing to say. Goodbye." "Wait, Colin." Silence stretched for a moment before she spoke again. "I'm sorry. I was too harsh. But I need to know—why did you hit them?" "They were going to burn my daughter's clothes," Colin said evenly. "I taught them a lesson. Is there a problem?" "Oh... I see." Understanding dawned. Iris knew what those clothes meant to him—handmade, stitch by stitch, for his little girl. They represented his love for her. "Colin, I'm sorry. What my mother and Gerard did was completely out of line." Her apology met only silence. She sighed deeply. "Colin, does it have to be like this between us? I was thinking... even though our marriage is over, we could still be friends." "I don't know why, but not seeing you at the company feels strange. Like something's missing. Like I've lost some sense of security..." Colin laughed at that. You haven't seen anything yet. You'll lose far more than just 'some sense of security.' Do you have any idea how many problems I quietly solved for you? Your success, Iris Fox—if not entirely my doing, at least ninety percent of it was! "Iris," he said coldly, "don't you realize how childish, ridiculous, and shameless you sound? If, at the height of my success, instead of sharing that joy with my wife, I kicked her aside and even..." His teeth ground together audibly. "Even destroyed everything she hoped for—do you understand what our daughter meant to me? You... you're worse than an animal, to be so heartless!" "Your conscience will haunt you for the rest of your life. Her ghost will be your nightmare forever!" "Iris Fox, you deserve to burn in hell!" On the other end, Iris clutched her phone, her body trembling as if struck by lightning, her face draining of all color. Colin's words were like blades, slicing her heart to ribbons. "I'm sorry, Colin, I'm sorry..." She broke down sobbing. "But I'll prove you wrong! Everything I've lost, I'll gain back a hundred times over! I, Iris Fox, will become the most successful businesswoman in Seacliff! My net worth will exceed billions—tens of billions! I'll be like Marjorie Floyd, a queen of commerce, a legend!" Her voice cracked with desperation. "Fine. I'll be waiting to see how you become a legend." Colin hung up, almost amused. A legend? She can barely hold things together as they are. Take Snowfall Pharma's flagship product—that pediatric cough syrup. Highly effective, top seller on the market. Snowfall Pharma had risen to prominence on the strength of that single product. The formula? Colin had secretly given it to Iris when her company was on the brink of bankruptcy. That alone had brought it back from the dead and propelled it to where it stood today. But the syrup's key ingredient, Purple Heart Grass, was extremely rare. The plant was delicate and notoriously difficult to cultivate. Colin had personally intervened, spending three full months laying a massive formation array across Snowfall Pharma's thousand-acre herb fields, creating the precise conditions the grass needed to thrive. Only because of that array could the Purple Heart Grass flourish, providing a steady supply of raw materials for their flagship product. But his powers hadn't fully recovered. The array was incomplete and required maintenance every month. Without upkeep, the formation would fail. The Purple Heart Grass would wither. And without raw materials, Snowfall Pharma's star product would cease to exist. He didn't need to lift a finger. The company would collapse on its own. When that day came, Colin would make Iris understand just how catastrophically wrong she had been. And he would make her kneel—kneel and beg forgiveness from their daughter's spirit. He would get justice for his little girl. He burned for that day to come. Just then, Marjorie approached from behind. "Colin, Longtide Group is hosting an Imperial Night Feast tonight. Want to come?" "Not interested." He had only one thing on his mind—the Blood Lingzhi and restoring his body. "Starlight Pharma, one of Longtide's subsidiaries, will be selecting partners and signing major contracts at the banquet." Marjorie's narrow phoenix eyes glittered with an almost hypnotic light. Her voice dropped, soft and enticing. "Iris Fox will be there too..." Colin looked up at her, radiant and alluring. "Time and place," he said slowly.

"Hahaha, Iris, you finally divorced that useless Colin! This is wonderful—what great news to come back to!" A woman in professional attire and black stockings laughed with undisguised delight. Her name was Queenie Bell, Iris's cousin and deputy manager at Snowfall Pharma. After Iris's rise to prominence, Aunt Kate had arranged for Queenie to join the company as Iris's assistant. "Queenie, actually..." Iris wanted to confide in her cousin. But she thought better of it. Anything she said would reach Aunt Kate's ears by tomorrow. Queenie patted Iris's shoulder. "Listen to me, I'm telling you this for your own good. I've been urging you to divorce him for ages. That deadweight was only dragging you down. Without him holding you back, you'll soar even higher." A smile finally spread across Iris's face. This was exactly what she wanted to hear. All she wanted now was to prove to Colin that Iris Fox would only become more and more successful. "By the way, Queenie, how did your trip to Lakeside City go?" Iris asked. "Hah, couldn't have gone better." Queenie's grin was smug. "The moment they heard Snowfall Pharma's name, those small pharmaceutical companies came swarming. Even Renchuan Pharma, who used to turn their noses up at us, completely changed their tune." "What's that saying again? 'The me you once ignored is now the me you can't afford.' That's us, that's Snowfall Pharma. But the real prize is the partnership with the Floyd family. We've made their shortlist, and we should hear back tonight. If we could partner with a giant like Longtide Group..." She clicked her tongue. "All of Seacliff would be ours for the taking!" "What are you two chatting about?" Henry strolled over, producing three invitation cards with a smile. "I managed to get invitations to the Imperial Night Feast. One for each of us." "The Imperial Night Feast?" Queenie's jaw dropped. "I've heard about that—it's being hosted by the Floyd family's heiress herself. She's invited celebrities and elites from every sector. It's a massive event; even ordinary millionaires can't get in." "Henry, you're incredible! You actually got three invitations!" "Heh." Henry smiled with casual ease. "Getting these was nothing. I mainly wanted to help Iris." "I heard Snowfall Pharma made the Floyds' partnership shortlist. I'll find an opportunity to get Iris some face time with their executives. That should boost your chances of being selected." "Listen to this man! I'm about to cry from how sweet that is." Stars practically sparkled in Queenie's eyes. "Iris, Henry's been so good to you—always thinking of your interests, and so capable too. Isn't he ten thousand times better than that worthless Colin? If it were me, I'd marry him without a second thought." Warmth bloomed in Iris's chest. She smiled radiantly. "Henry, thank you." That smile was breathtakingly beautiful. Henry's gaze fixed on her, unable to look away, barely restraining himself from pulling her into his arms right then and there. "Iris, our company was already strong, but once we play our trump card—the Pediatric Lung-Clear Oral Solution—no one else will even come close. Add Henry's connections to that, and we're guaranteed to be chosen." Queenie was brimming with confidence. "I'm confident too!" Iris's smile grew brighter. Everything was moving in the right direction. All the bad things—and bad people—had to be left behind. People like Colin. "I heard Miss Floyd herself will be attending tonight. Maybe we'll even get to meet her." "I'd love to see Miss Floyd in person." Iris was genuinely excited. Marjorie Floyd was a queen of commerce, a legend—and Iris's idol. They drove to Tang Rhyme Pavilion, where the feast was being held. Iris stepped out of the car in a flowing white gown, her tall, slender figure and graceful neck giving her the air of an elegant swan. "Wow, what a beauty! Absolutely stunning!" "That's Iris Fox, the one everyone's been talking about—CEO of Snowfall Pharma. Not only is she gorgeous, she's a rising star in the business world. Her net worth is already eight or nine hundred million!" "Word is that Starlight Pharma, under Longtide Group, is looking to partner with Snowfall Pharma. A powerhouse alliance. Iris is on fire—she's been dominating the business magazines!" The admiring gazes and whispers of praise made Queenie preen, lifting her chin proudly. But Iris paid no attention to the flattery. Her eyes had caught a figure standing by the roadside. It was Colin, standing beside a luxury car. The sight unsettled her. After a moment's hesitation, she walked over. His nose was straight and sharp as a blade, his profile seemingly carved by an axe—all hard, angular lines. Iris felt a strange unfamiliarity. He used to be gentle, warm as jade. But now his face had grown cold and severe. "Colin, what are you doing here?" she asked. Colin turned. Seeing her, his expression remained utterly unmoved. "Ah, President Fox. Why I'm here isn't really your concern." Iris brushed off his attitude and gestured toward the grand building ahead. "I'm here for the Floyd family's Imperial Night Feast. Snowfall Pharma is doing better than ever. If all goes well, I'll secure a contract with the Floyds tonight." "Congratulations." Colin smiled. His response caught Iris off guard. She wanted to see bitterness, discomfort—maybe even him begging her to reconcile. That would have given her the satisfaction she craved. But Colin seemed entirely unbothered. "Well, well, who do we have here? Iris's useless husband—oh wait, useless ex-husband." Queenie's mocking voice cut in as she and Henry approached. "I told you ages ago to divorce Iris, but you had no self-awareness. Now you've been tossed out like garbage, scurrying around like a stray dog. Bet you wish you'd listened sooner." Colin laughed. "Which eye of yours sees me scurrying?" "Hmph! Stubborn as a mule. As if a loser like you could ever set foot in a place as exclusive as Tang Rhyme Pavilion." Queenie sneered. "And what brings you here?" Colin asked mildly. "We're here for the Floyd family's Imperial Night Feast, obviously." Queenie brandished the invitation in her hand. "Open those beady eyes and take a good look. This is a Floyd family invitation—only people with real status in Seacliff get these!" "For trash like you, just seeing one should be an honor!" "Iris, show him your invitation. Let this nobody see what real prestige looks like!" Iris produced her invitation and waved it in front of Colin. "Colin, you can't get in without one of these. But if you want, I suppose I could bring you inside." "That won't be necessary." Just then, the luxury car's door opened, and Marjorie stepped out. Her commanding presence—regal as a queen—and her breathtaking beauty made everyone present freeze. Even Iris was stunned. "Invitations?" Marjorie glanced at the others, then reached into the car. "We have some too." She emerged with a thick stack of invitation cards—easily over a hundred—and deposited them in Colin's arms. "Here. They're all yours." "One will do." Colin pulled out a single invitation. The rest he tossed casually into a nearby trash bin.