Chapter 77
Although his eyes remained closed in meditation, Nash was fully aware of the conversations around him.
As he sensed Kai and Helena approaching, he turned to face them, stepping in their path.
Kai, having just experienced the chilling aura of this masked figure, put aside his usual arrogance. He forced a polite smile. “We… We just wanted to offer a toast to the warden.”
Helena quickly added, “Yes, the warden serves the country and the people, defending the Northern Territory. We should show our respect.”
Nash’s voice cut through the air like ice. “Scram!”
The coldness of his words was enough to freeze the moment. A wave of chilling energy washed over them, and just like that, the glasses in Kai’s and Helena’s hands shattered, spilling wine all over them.
Walter, noticing his grandson was stopped by the Smiling Grim Reaper, quickly stood up and approached.
“What’s going on?”
Kai, his voice trembling from both the cold and his unease, stammered, “We… We just wanted to have a drink with the warden…”
Helena, desperate, added, “Grandpa, please help us. We admire the warden so much…”
Walter raised an eyebrow. “Are you the girlfriend that Kai’s been seeing lately?”
He could see the urgency and eagerness in Helena’s eyes. The woman’s desire to toast the warden didn’t seem as innocent as it appeared.
“Yes, my name is Helena Lewis,” she replied quickly.
It was the first time Walter and Helena had met, and in her hurry, she had forgotten to properly introduce herself.
Walter glanced at Kai and then at Helena. “You two should step back. The warden isn’t feeling well and can only have three drinks. Even I haven’t had the chance to toast him…”
Theo had already shared two drinks with the warden—one on behalf of his grandfather, and the other for Mr. Lewis. Walter didn’t expect to get any special treatment.
Helena, nearly frantic, said, “It doesn’t have to be alcohol! Juice or tea is fine too.”
The stakes were high for her. If she couldn’t drink with the warden, she would lose 1.5 million.
Nash took a deliberate step forward, his presence commanding the room. “Will you leave on your own, or should I make you?”
Walter’s face darkened immediately, and his tone became stern. “Get lost, both of you!”
Seeing his usually gentle grandfather’s fury, Kai quickly realized the gravity of the situation. The man before them wasn’t someone to be trifled with.
“Let’s go.”
“But—”
“Stop embarrassing me!” Kai snapped coldly, his gaze not even lingering on Helena as he turned and walked away with heavy steps.
Helena, disheartened, lowered her head and trudged back to her table.
“Yay… We won!”
Hera nearly jumped out of her seat, her joy infectious.
1.5 million!
That amount was beyond anything she could’ve imagined. Even Baroque’s peak annual profit couldn’t compare.
Nash, overhearing Hera’s elation, couldn’t help but let the corner of his mouth curve upward.
She was this happy over just 1.5 million. What if he offered her 450 million? Would she offer herself in return?
Meanwhile, Helena sat down, defeated.
Rooney quickly pocketed Helena’s bank card, shaking her head. “What are you kids doing, placing bets like that? Whatever was said earlier no longer counts!”
“What’s the matter? Can’t you afford it?” Skadi shot back, her tone dripping with mockery.
Lauren and Harrison both displayed signs of growing irritation.
Hubert, sensing the tension, chuckled awkwardly. “We’re all family here. Let’s not take things too seriously.”
Lauren snorted coldly. “A joke?”
She raised an eyebrow at Helena, her gaze sharp. “Helena, tell me—was all of this just a joke to you?”