Top Notch War God

Chapter 101

"Ah!" Pete Norman instinctively grabbed his groin. The sharp, tingling sensation made him doubt whether he had been kicked so hard that something had burst. Sweat the size of peas dripped from his forehead. The pain cut through him, down to his very bones, but he couldn't scream—he didn't dare scream.

Talon let out a disdainful chuckle. "There's one last thing. You're supposedly a stranger to Ariya and have no knowledge of my existence. So why did you write such an article? Or is it that someone else gave you the article and told you to publish it?"

"It was all Jensen! Jensen gave me the photos. I've known him for years. He handed me a folder last night, and it had all of this—he even doctored the pictures himself! I had nothing to do with it. He paid me ten grand to make sure the news went live this morning, and I did as I was told!"

A flash of hatred sparked in Pete's eyes. If it weren't for Jensen, he wouldn't be suffering this way and wouldn't have had to spend all the money he earned over the years. He hated Jensen to his core.

"Jensen?" Ariya shot to her feet at the sound of the name. She couldn't believe it. The one behind the slanderous news was someone from the Willis family.

"Why... why would he do this?" Ariya felt a chill run through her body.

"I don't know. He gave me the post; I took the money, and I posted it." Pete was still in agony, speaking through gritted teeth.

"Alright, you're done here. Go. Once you've transferred the money, let Ariya know. I'll tell Flamestrike to leave immediately, and your family will remain unharmed. And remember, keep your eyes open from now on. Nothing like this can ever happen again. Understood?" Talon's lips curled into a smile.

"Understood! I'll get on it right away!" With Jessica's help, Pete struggled to his feet and went back to his office to transfer the money to Ariya.

As Ariya watched Pete leave, she muttered, "Jensen's probably holding a grudge because Grandpa didn't give him any shares of the Arilon Group. But still, we've worked together for five years. Why would he frame me? If I become famous in Philadelphia, what does he have to gain? He's just a despicable scumbag. It makes me sick!"

"Looks like the Willis family losing Corey wasn't enough. Now Jensen's stepping up to cause trouble. If we don't make the Willis family pay a steep price, this sort of thing will keep happening. Ariya, I have one question for you. Do you still have any feelings left for the Willis family?" Talon stood up slowly, chuckling.

Ariya looked down, thinking for a long time. She nodded, then shook her head. "I don't know. I really don't know. After this, I want Jensen dead. But he's my uncle's only son. My rational side tells me I can't do that. But I know Jensen—if we don't teach him a lesson, he'll keep causing trouble."

Talon sighed. Ariya was too sentimental. If it were him, no one from the Willis family would still be standing.

"Azureblade," Talon called out, his hands behind his back, eyes fixed on the sky.

"At your command!" Azureblade appeared behind Talon like a ghost, his expression menacing.

"Give the order. Mobilize the troops!" Talon spat out each word slowly.

"Yes, sir!" Azureblade stiffened, quickly leaving to make the arrangements.

"Talon... what are you planning?" Ariya's heart skipped a beat, and she asked anxiously.

Talon gently stroked Ariya's blonde hair. "I'm paying a visit to the Willis family. Don't worry; I won't kill anyone. But I'll make sure they're scared. I'll make them hurt so they won't dare to bother you again. You're exhausted. I'll have Nightwing take you home. Don't forget—I'll see you in bed to..."

"Stop!" Ariya blushed, angry and embarrassed at the sudden shift in Talon's tone.

"Well... just be careful. And don't kill anyone, okay? If you promise, then... you can sleep in bed tonight." Ariya's eyes sparkled as she spoke shyly, her gaze fixed on her clothes, avoiding Talon's eyes.

Meanwhile, inside the Willis family's conference room, all the key members were present. Alvin and his wife, Susan, were fiercely defending their daughter. Alvin had seen the news about Ariya that morning. He knew his daughter well. Over the five years since the divorce, she had come home every night. She couldn't have done something like this.

He quickly pieced it together. 'Mateo must have been upset after being played by Ariya and was now taking revenge. Besides, he clearly mentioned last night that he was going to make me pay. I just didn't expect Lord Willis to go so far; too ruthless.'

Holding back his frustration, Alvin spoke calmly to Lord Willis, "Dad, what are you doing? This negative news about Ariya, if it keeps going for a few more days, it'll ruin her reputation. And I'll be caught in the crossfire. The Skinthall Residence project is critical, Dad. If you don't care about Ariya, at least think of me!"

"Yes, Dad, think it through. Ariya's come a long way to get where she is, and Alvin didn't become deputy mayor without effort either. If you keep this up, you'll destroy them both. They're part of the Willis family! You can't treat them like this!" Norah chimed in, pleading.

Lord Willis slammed the table and shouted, "Shut up! Which of you saw me post anything? Which of you saw me deliberately slandering Ariya? You have no proof! Why are you coming here accusing the Willis family?"

He added, "I'll tell you, the post might not be wrong. Maybe Ariya just couldn't stand being lonely. Ask your daughter. She's been raising a kid alone for five years. Is it so surprising she'd find a man? Alvin, don't slander me!"

"Exactly, Alvin, it's not just me saying this—you really need to get your daughter under control. If she embarrasses herself, she'll embarrass the entire Willis family!"

"Who could argue? I'm embarrassed to even go out in public! It's not just the words; those pictures—disgusting, absolutely revolting!"

The Willis family members joined in, their faces full of contempt, siding with Lord Willis. They looked at Alvin, feeling a sense of satisfaction. Ariya had been bold, daring to cross Lord Willis—everyone wanted to see her embarrassed.

"That one picture where her face shows, it's clearly photoshopped! Can't you see that? Even if you can't, you know Ariya's character. She's lived with the Willis family for five years. If this escalates, Ariya's life will be ruined forever. Is that what you want?" Alvin finally let his anger show, grinding his teeth.

The Willis family scoffed. Lord Willis spoke heavily, "Alvin, don't forget—I've already kicked Ariya out of the Willis family. We're still deciding if we'll pursue legal action against her for damaging the family's reputation. As her father, you should talk to her. Tell her to hand over the Arilon Group. Maybe then this will all blow over."

Alvin let out a cold laugh, looking at the Willis family. He felt like this family had lost all sense of decency, blinded by greed.

"Legal action? For what? You're finally revealing your true motives. You just want the Arilon Group. Well, let me make this clear, Dad—you're old now; you should be enjoying your retirement. The Arilon Group will never, and I mean never, be handed over to you!"

Lord Willis flew into a rage, pointing at Alvin. "You ungrateful brat! Don't forget who paid for your education, who sent you abroad, who set you up with a wife and kids. Now that you've grown up, you think you can criticize me and accuse me without reason?"

Mateo was breathing more heavily at this point. "Let me tell you this—Ariya will hand over the Arilon Group whether she wants to or not. If she refuses, I'll make sure the news spreads nationwide. Then we'll see if you even keep your deputy mayor position, let alone that Skinthall Residence project!"

"Dad, that's unreasonable! I've never denied my debt to you!" Alvin's bravado faltered at the old man's words.

Mateo screamed, "Enough! Get out of the Willis family. As of now, I don't have a son!"

Just as Alvin was about to retort, applause rang out from the door, and a man's voice followed. "I didn't expect you to stand up for Ariya."