chapter 13 Meet

Following Awenasa's mocking and relieving laughter, Jedrek's off-road vehicle came to a stop.
Observing the pretentious old man seated in the distance and the beautiful woman with obviously sinister eyes, Jedrek stepped out of the car with an indifferent expression.
Viet, the driver, also wanted to disembark, but Jedrek simply gestured for him to stay put, and he remained seated in silence.
This was not a scene that required much fuss. Jedrek intended to handle it on his own.
After all, he was still unsure how to address the issues with the Bishop Family.
Should he resort to violence? Or render them all incapacitated?
Jedrek chuckled softly, showing no interest in exchanging pleasantries with the Bishop family. He reached for a cigarette, lit it, and exhaled the smoke gently.
"Are you from the Cooper family?" The beautiful woman's demeanor shifted as she spoke calmly.
Upon hearing her words, the old man furrowed his brow, turned around, and scrutinized Jedrek from head to toe. Suddenly, a sense of familiarity washed over him, as if he had seen Jedrek somewhere before!
Meanwhile, Awenasa, who remained kneeling on the ground, kept her eyes shut tightly. She refused to dwell on anything at that moment, focusing solely on awaiting news about Busby.
"The Cooper family? Haha, is Awenasa's husband a member of the Cooper family?" Jedrek remarked casually.
Awenasa trembled at the sound of his voice, turned to gaze at Jedrek in disbelief, and stood there dumbfounded for a moment.
Witnessing Awenasa's reaction, the beautiful woman's eyes reflected suspicion.
However, the old man suddenly recalled something, his gaze turning fierce in an instant as he bellowed angrily, "It's you!"
Jedrek smiled composedly, "Yes, it's been six years. I'm still here, much to your dismay."
The old man's eyes narrowed gradually, his hands trembling as he nearly spat out through gritted teeth, "You're a disgrace, Jedrek!"
Glancing at the old man with disdain, Jedrek then shifted his gaze to Awenasa, softening his tone as he asked, "Are you willing to give me another chance?"
Awenasa's eyes welled up with tears instantly. She covered her mouth, gazing at Jedrek intently.
But in the next moment, thoughts of her daughter flooded her mind.
At that instant, the beautiful woman reacted swiftly. Rising from her kneeling position, she locked eyes with Jedrek and declared, "You are Jedrek, the one who fathered Awenasa, and gave birth to an evil kid!"
Upon hearing the word "evil," Jedrek abruptly turned to face the beautiful woman, a strong sense of menace emanating from his eyes.
Before he could make a move, the woman had already acted. With a swift motion of her hand, a slender, icy blade shot towards Jedrek.
Jedrek remained motionless, simply extending his fingers to catch the projectile effortlessly.
Examining the thin needle held between his fingertips, Jedrek tossed it aside nonchalantly.
puff!
The stunning woman spat out a mouthful of blood in disbelief, her gaze fixed on the slender needle lodged in her shoulder!
puff!
Once more, the beautiful woman expelled a mouthful of blood in an instant!
That minuscule needle was indeed laced with poison!
"Bastard!" The elderly man bellowed in fury at the sight. Hair bristling all over his body, he glared at Jedrek with eyes ablaze, a savage expression hinting at a desire to devour him whole.
boom!
The lovely woman crumpled to the ground, her state uncertain—alive or dead.
Meanwhile, Jedrek paid them no mind, his focus solely on Awenasa, awaiting her response.
Awenasa met Jedrek's gaze. Eventually, she offered a bitter smile and queried, "Do you have the money? I need 1,400,000 dollars, can you provide it?"
Jedrek furrowed his brow, "You only seek to save our daughter; the sum of 1,400,000 dollars is inconsequential!"
Upon hearing this, Awenasa scrutinized Jedrek deeply, "It has been five years...how can I trust you?"
Those words struck a chord within Jedrek.
Indeed, he had been absent for five years, neglecting all responsibilities. How could he expect her trust upon his sudden return?
"Jedrek!"
Abruptly, the elderly man beside him issued a chilling cry. His gaze malevolent, devoid of the former immortal spirit, he fixated on Jedrek like a venomous serpent. His voice, harsh and frigid, "Awenasa is on the brink of marrying into the Cooper Family! Hehehe..."
A sinister grin played on his lips as he regarded Jedrek with a taunting expression.
Awenasa, upon hearing this, thoughts immediately turned to her daughter. Overwhelmed with fear, she found it arduous to trust anyone, even her daughter's father standing before her.
As Jedrek pondered his next move with a furrowed brow, Viet, seated in the car, mirrored his expression.
1,400,000 dollars? Why did madam require such a sum?
Why did the Red Dragon scowl? Was 1,400,000 dollars a significant amount?
Misunderstandings clouded both Awenasa and Jedrek.
Awenasa felt abandoned, and her faith in Jedrek shattered.
Jedrek mulled over Awenasa's intention to wed into the Cooper family.
The source of the misunderstanding was clear, yet after more than five years apart, communication proved challenging.
Observing Jedrek's silence, the elderly man's eyes darkened. Regret gnawed at him for not eliminating Jedrek earlier; now, he stood alone, unable to act!
"Are you marrying into the Cooper Family?" Jedrek inquired, his brow furrowed.
Awenasa cast a silent glance at Jedrek, offering no reply.
Jedrek's frown deepened as he surveyed Awenasa, then shifted his gaze disdainfully to the elderly man, "Marry into the Cooper Family? Haha, the Cooper family's future is uncertain!"
With those words, he turned and entered the car.
Viet, wisely at the wheel, maneuvered the vehicle, turned, and departed.
Awenasa remained rooted in place, tears streaming down her face. Amidst the bitterness, love endured, but for her daughter's sake, nothing else mattered.
The elderly man clenched his hands tightly, his eyes as somber as a ghost. He glanced at Awenasa, his gaze cold, and uttered softly, "Let's depart."
As his words echoed, the woman on the ground suddenly opened her eyes, wiped blood from her mouth, removed a fine needle, and declared firmly, "Is this Jedrek? Impressive. Without the antidote, I might have perished here today!"
Her lingering fear was palpable.
While she spoke, her phone buzzed. Glancing at Awenasa, she remarked casually, "It appears Busby has located that rascal!"
Awenasa shuddered upon hearing this, casting a hopeful glance at the woman.
She prayed that Busby hadn't found her daughter.
When the call connected, Busby's enraged voice demanded, "Inquire from her, ask her where she concealed that scoundrel!"
At that moment, both the woman's and the elderly man's expressions shifted simultaneously. They fixed icy gazes upon Awenasa.
Yet, Awenasa breathed a sigh of relief, rose slowly, and stated composedly, "Provide the funds, or I won't comply."
The elderly man snarled, "Don't assume Jedrek's arrival will shield you. Let me make it clear..."
"Hand over the money and I'll handle the task, or I'd rather perish with my daughter!" Awenasa's tone was resolute.
The woman ended the call, gazing at the elderly man inquisitively.
His face flushed with anger as he glared at Awenasa.
After some thought, the woman proposed, "How about this, Awenasa, marry into the Cooper Family, and we'll transfer the funds immediately."