chapter 22 Lessons and Warnings

"What happened?" The sudden turn of events left everyone, except Nick, stunned in their tracks. They were filled with this perplexity. "No... No!" Carter's response was an even more horrified scream. In that moment, an extremely terrifying image flashed in his mind. In the image, Nick gripped a blood-stained warblade and slashed it towards Carter! Carter wanted to dodge, to evade, and even to fight back, but his body seemed to be under a spell. He couldn't move at all, only watching in wide-eyed horror as the bloodied warblade loomed larger and larger in his vision... "Ah—" Immediately, Carter let out a horrified, anguished scream, collapsing to the ground. He gasped for air, cold sweat drenching him, his face still marked with deep fear. Just a moment ago, he thought he was dead! "Carter, what's wrong with you?" At this moment, Dave was the first to snap out of it. He hurried forward, asking with concern and worry. At the same time, everyone's gaze, except Nick's, focused on Carter, wondering why he had suddenly changed like this. "I... I'm fine..." Carter responded dazedly, then looked up at Nick, subconsciously doubting the hallucination he had just experienced was related to Nick. "It couldn't have been him!" Looking at Nick's calm face, Carter immediately dismissed his suspicions. Since he started working in the Armed Forces, he had gained a deeper understanding of this world, especially the world of Budo. He knew that there were a very small number of warriors with powerful spiritual strength who could influence others' mental domains through their spiritual power, even launching mental attacks, killing silently. And he clearly remembered that just now, when he made a move, Nick seemed to be dumbfounded, motionless. How could he possibly possess such an ability? Furthermore, in the global martial arts community, which warrior with such an ability wasn't famous? Thinking this, Carter wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and stood up. "For Grandpa's sake, I'll spare you today. Once you leave the Su family, I'll settle the score with you properly!" Carter regained his composure, staring at Nick with a cold expression. To cover up the embarrassment from earlier, he issued a threat again, not realizing that he was going further down the path of self-destruction! Just now, Nick had activated his spiritual power, forcibly entering Carter's mental domain, creating an illusion. This was Nick's lesson and warning to Carter! Otherwise, with his strength, if he hadn't held back just now, using his spiritual power to kill Carter would be no different than crushing an ant! "Carter, we're all family, what nonsense are you saying?" Without waiting for Nick's response, Richard walked over, frowning. Although Richard had been forced to expel Nick's family from the Su family years ago, he had carried a sense of guilt all these years. This time, he brought Nick's family back mainly to make amends to Nick and his two companions. Under these circumstances, how could he allow Carter to 'bully' Nick? Moreover, Richard could clearly feel that his lungs were no longer as uncomfortable as before, and he felt much better overall—this was the result of Nick treating him in the afternoon! "Grand... Grandpa, he just showed disrespect to my parents, Uncle Dave, and even bullied my sister." Carter regained his senses, responding with an unpleasant expression. Originally, he was already annoyed because he had made a fool of himself inexplicably in front of everyone just now. Now, seeing Richard defending Nick, he was very dissatisfied. "Yes, Dad. Not only did he insult Hannah and Olivia, he also showed disrespect to me and David. He even vaguely threatened both of us, saying that his lack of manners and respect for elders is just the tip of the iceberg," Dave added. "Dad, that's indeed what happened," David chimed in. "Grandpa, it was Olivia and Aunt who spoke harshly to my mom first. Then Nick appeared, and they started calling Nick names. Nick only fought back in self-defense," Mia defended Nick. "I didn't speak harshly to your mom at all..." Olivia immediately retorted. However— This time, before Olivia could finish her sentence, Richard furrowed his brows and sternly interrupted, "That's enough!" "Dad..." Dave was unwilling to let it go and was preparing to suggest that Nick be driven out of the Su family. "Nobody say anything more. This matter ends here," Richard first cut off Dave's words in irritation, then said, "I called you back today for an important announcement. Everyone, go to the dining room." With that, Richard led the way towards the dining room. Though the four members of Dave's family were feeling very unhappy, Richard had already set the tone. They couldn't say much more, so they all headed to the dining room, curious about what Richard was going to announce. Unbeknownst to them, Nick and Mia were well aware—Richard was going to announce that Mia would take over the reins of Su Group! However, Mia couldn't muster any joy at the moment. On one hand, on her way back to the Su family, she had gained a rough understanding of the current situation of both the Su family and Su Group. She believed that reversing the decline of Su Group would be an extremely difficult task. On the other hand, after the commotion just now, Mia could easily imagine that if she were to take charge of Su Group, Dave and others would definitely not support her, and might even directly oppose her. Troubles both inside and out. This was the problem she would face! "Sis, don't worry. I believe you can do it," Nick saw through Mia's worry and encouraged her with a smile. "Yeah, I'll do my best," Mia nodded, walking towards the dining room with Nick and Harper. Although she knew there would be great challenges, as a perfectionist, she never backed down in the face of difficulties. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to manage the Liu family's business so well, and even withstand the relentless attacks from the Zhen family in the business world! Soon, including Nick's family of three, everyone arrived at the dining room. Inside the dining room, the servants had already set the prepared dishes on the table. Everyone sat around the table, but no one picked up their chopsticks. This was a rule of the Su family: the eldest senior member had to start before anyone else could. Furthermore, Dave and the others remembered Richard's words from earlier, so they were waiting for Richard to announce the thing that piqued their curiosity! "As you all know, my lung condition is getting worse, my body is getting weaker, and my energy can't keep up anymore." In the midst of everyone's anticipation, Richard slowly began. Huh? Hearing Richard's words, Dave, David, and Clark were all taken aback, realizing what Richard was going to do today—announce the successor of the Su family! While understanding this, David and Clark both turned their gazes to Dave. Hannah, Carter, and Olivia did the same. At this moment, the angry expressions on their faces had vanished, replaced by excitement. Because they all believed that if Richard were to step down, it would inevitably be Dave who would take over, steering Su Group and bearing the banner of the Su family's revival!