chapter 6 Return of the King ===

In a luxurious mansion, elegantly dressed people were mingling and chatting politely, having a great time.
Today was the birthday banquet of Elsa, the daughter of one of the four major families in Lymelathe City. Everyone attending the party was a prominent figure in the city.
Among them were self-made tycoons, rich second-generation heirs with billions in assets, industry elites earning seven figures annually, and top celebrities.
All of them looked glamorous and had exceptional qualities.
Being invited to this event was a symbol of high status!
Most of them were young, with very few being over forty years old.
It was well known that this was not just a birthday party but also an engagement banquet!
The four major families in Lymelathe City were the Willow family, the White family, the Cooper family, and the Mallory family.
The match between Elsa and Hubbery was seen as a perfect match made in heaven.
They were a match in terms of social status, talent, and beauty, and their relationship was already public and highly regarded in Lymelathe City's upper-class circles.
This was a powerful alliance, a union between two major families!
It was rumored that tonight, Hubbery and Elsa would officially announce their engagement.
The party had just begun, and the hosts, Elsa and Hubbery had not arrived yet.
The renowned pianist Jay was playing delightful music, and several young couples were dancing elegantly on the upscale lawn.
Despite the presence of many beautiful and famous women, including a few screen celebrities, they were all overshadowed by a graceful and stunning figure!
This woman had her hair elegantly styled, delicate features, perfect makeup, and was wearing a black evening gown that accentuated her curves.
She had an angelic face and a devilish figure!
Unfortunately, she seemed out of place, with a slight frown on her face, dimming the atmosphere of the party. The stars in the sky even seemed to lose their sparkle because of her displeasure!
At that moment, a tall and handsome young man in a sophisticated Versace suit stood before her, with a cold expression, saying,
"Meral, since you're here, stop making that sour face!
I've asked you to dance three times already. Do you think I, Kirk, have no dignity?"
Meral suppressed her annoyance, pursed her lips, and insincerely replied, "Mr. Youngblood, you're being too harsh. The Youngblood family has flourished rapidly in recent years and has become a top-tier powerhouse below the four major families. You are noble and distinguished.
As for my Quinnell family, we have long been in decline. As a daughter of a humble family, how can I be qualified to dance with you?"
Their conversation caught the attention of many around them, including Humphrey, who had just handed over an invitation and entered the mansion.
Humphrey, clad in a black overcoat, stood quietly at the mansion's entrance, towering like a mountain, his gaze fixed on Meral, subtly flickering.
For a moment, Humphrey's mind drifted back to the carefree days in Lymelathe City seven years ago.
Meral, his childhood sweetheart.
"Humphrey, you and Dempsey aren't blood brothers, but in my eyes, you're closer than any real brothers."
"In this lifetime, I'll only marry Humphrey. Only he is worthy of me! As for you all, you're not even worth a single finger of his. Don't bother me in the future!"
When they were young, she had said, "Humphrey, when you grow up and become invincible, will you protect me forever?"
Humphrey agreed, and to keep his promise, he enlisted at eighteen to become the invincible man in the world.
In just seven years, he went from a mere warrior to the God of War of the North with hundreds of battles under his belt.
Now, he was truly invincible, keeping his promise and returning in glory.
But she stood lonely and helpless at this out-of-place banquet, being pressured by others.
He had returned.
She was still not at peace.
Kirk sneered, "Meral, don't be ungrateful!
Your Quinnell family is in decline, and your uncle Les wants you to become a socialite, mingling in Lymelathe City's top-tier events just to salvage the family's reputation.
I heard your family was negotiating a deal with Galaxy Clothing Company.
But do you know that Galaxy Clothing Company is only successful because of my Youngblood family? The CEO of Galaxy Clothing Company, Fitch, is nothing but a lapdog in front of my family!
If you don't dance with me today, with just one phone call, I can make Fitch cut ties with your family. Do you believe me?"
Meral's face changed, looking troubled!
In Lymelathe City, the Quinnell family once rivaled the four major families and was close to becoming the city's top family alongside the Herbert family.
After the Herbert family's sudden downfall last year, Les, then head of the Quinnell family and Meral's father, worked tirelessly to help the Herbert family regain stability.
As a result, the Quinnell family suffered a backlash from the current four major families and secondary families like the Youngbloods, isolating them and leading to rapid decline.
After Les's demise, the Quinnell family plummeted further, becoming a mere shadow of its former self.
Meral's uncle, Les, took over the family business with hopes of restoring its former glory. He pushed his beautiful niece, Meral, into high society events to build connections and networks.
Today's birthday party for Elsa was a result of Les forcing Meral to attend.
Yet, Les failed to realize that Lymelathe City now belonged to the four major families, who wouldn't allow the Quinnell family to rise again.
Even with Meral's unparalleled beauty and sharp mind, what good would it do?
Normally, Meral might have tried her best for the family's sake, but today was different.
Because Elsa's birthday party shouldn't have been held at the former Herbert family estate!
Today was the anniversary of Dempsey's death, the ultimate disrespect!
Because of that man, Meral respected Dempsey!
Dempsey is also her big brother!
She still remembers what Dempsey jokingly said back then, "If in the future Humphrey dares to disappoint Meral, I won't let him off easily!"
But now, things have changed!
"Have you thought it through? I think you should do me this favor, right?" Kirk, seeing Meral fall into a long silence, couldn't help but smile smugly and elegantly extended his hand.
He believed that after weighing the pros and cons, Meral would entrust her softness to him.
One side is the rise and fall of his own family, the other is the spirit of his big brother Dempsey in heaven. Meral clenched her small fist, unable to make a decision.
Just then, Humphrey at the gate of the manor took a step forward.
"Face, give it too much, even a dog would think highly of itself."
He stood tall, his face stern, exuding a domineering aura!
With each step, the imposing aura emanating from his entire body became more intense, his gaze towards Kirk was like that of a god looking at an insignificant ant!
Unable to withstand Humphrey's gaze, Kirk trembled all over, feeling like he was facing an insurmountable mountain!
It felt like facing a vast sea with unfathomable depths!
His temperament, aura, and even his momentum were like a raging fire.
This is what it means to overwhelm someone with power.
Just by approaching him, he felt his soul trembling!
As if using all his strength, he couldn't bear to surrender and retaliated, "Where did you come from you scum? How dare you insult me?"
Beside Humphrey, Claude glared and sternly said, "Kneel and respond! You have no right to speak in front of the superior!"
Even Humphrey's followers, with just one stern command, were as imposing as mountains and swords!
Overwhelmed, Kirk's knees buckled, and he knelt with a thud!
Everyone present was shocked and alarmed.
"Who are these two people? Why would the young master of the Youngblood family kneel to them?"
"I don't know, but they are so terrifying. I must admit, I felt like kneeling just now!"
"I feel the same way. My legs are even a bit weak right now!"
Meral trembled, staring at Humphrey in disbelief, "Humphrey, Humphrey? You're back!"
Humphrey strode up to Meral, gently raised his hand, and caressed her pretty face.
"It's me, I'm back. You've been through a lot all these years!"
Tears welled up in Meral's eyes in an instant.
In just a year of hardship and adversity, surrounded, she had quickly matured from a pampered rich girl.
Throughout this year, even though she cried herself to sleep at night, she never shed a tear in front of others.
But now, seeing the man she had missed for over seven years, and hearing his words of concern, she couldn't hold back her tears any longer.
Regaining her composure, she quickly wiped her eyes, put on a casual smile, and forced a cheerful tone, "I've been doing fine."
The Herbert family had collapsed, the Quinnell family had fallen, and Lymelathe City had long changed!
Meral knew Humphrey's temperament well. He was someone who feared nothing!
No matter how much grievance or heartache she felt, she dared not show it in front of Humphrey.
She feared that his anger might lead to trouble as soon as he returned to Lymelathe City!
After all, this was no longer the Herbert family they used to play and frolic in. It was now the territory of the Willow family.
This banquet was not just a birthday celebration for Elsa. It was also the engagement party for Elsa and Hubbery.
If Humphrey disrupted the normal proceedings of this banquet, causing trouble for the Willow and White families' heirs, disaster would surely follow!