His Lordship Alexander Kane

Chapter 0258 +15 BONOS At the Chesire homestead.

Twilight was settling in, casting long shadows across the entrance of the village. The folks of Chesire were gathered, hopefully yet worriedly. Village chief Chesire paced, his eyes scanning the northern road with

growing anxiety. “Mister Kashton Chesire.”

Acherry-red Porsche rolled to a gentle stop at the crossroads. Alexander emerged, flashing a gold-embossed card with his name on it, and offered a reassuring smile. “The pharma company has cthrough with compensation. Everyone can head to the hospital, and the bills are taken care of.”

Next to him, Asher climbed out, his mouth opening and closing without a word. His eyes, fixed on Alexander’s face, were filled with silent thanks.

He had seen it all go down and knew the truth-the Jackman family from up north had not paid a dime. However, Alexander, or Alex as they fondly called him, stepped up to cover all the medical costs for the villagers.

Agodsent aid, indeed. Alexander was nothing short of a hero to the Chesire clan.

12

“Alex, | can’t even begin to express my gratitude!” Kashton was clueless about the behind-the-scenes, but his thanks were endless. He paused, concerned about creasing his brow.

“Everything’s squared away with the factory, right? They’ve dealt with the pollution problem?” Alexander’s smile did not waver.

That factory, the Jackmans'’ old place, was perfect for New Chesire Group’s next expansion. His father-in-law, Patrick, had been eyeing it to boost the local economy, and then it was theirs. Two wins for the price of one.

The villagers’ healthcare costs? Compared to the factory’s worth, it was peanuts. That was a bargain if there ever was one. “Once we're back at Ol’ Mare, I'll get the ball rolling. Training for everyone, then it’s off to work at the plant.”

Alexander did not waste any twith small talk. After quickly briefing Kashton, he hopped back into his Porsche, flashed a reassuring smile, and waved to the villagers. “Just hang tight for the news, folks. I’m off!”

With that, he floored the gas pedal and his car shot toward Ol’ Mare like a streak of lightning.

In Ol’ Mare, at the bustling headquarters of New Chesire Group, Amber was blissfully ignorant of the drama unfolding at the Chesire family estate.

New Chesire Group was on a roll. ‘One Life’ had taken the domestic market by storm, and the Tigerbite Herb farm in Lackspur County was rapidly taking shape. The whole group was a hive of activity, and the Chesire family had easily clinched the title of Ol’ Mare’s richest.

“Amber.” +15 BONOS Back at the office, Alexander did not miss a beat and made a beeline for the general manager's office.

He briefed Amber on the situation at the Chesire estate, his smile easy. “A few tweaks to that pharma factory, and we'll be up and running. It'll sort out the jobs for the locals too. We can let the planning team handle it.”

Amber’s face went blank, her mind struggling to catch up. Alex-killed the Jackman family’s heirs in a fight and seized their factory? That was a catastrophe!

“Alex, you've... You've stirred up a hornet’s nest!” Amber's eyes brimmed with panic as she faced Alexander’s composed expression. “The Jackman family aren’t sminor clan you can just push around. They're one of

the northern powerhouses, the real deal. You've... You’ve been way too reckless!” Alexander just cracked a wry smile. The Jackman family, impressive?

Two of them gone were two less to worry about. For someone like Alex, the mighty Lord of War Temple, dealing with them was as easy as swatting flies. If he decided to take down their whole clan? Well, that would

have been a walk in the park.

“| get it, you’re tough,” Amber said, her voice tinged with worry. “But even the bravest can be overwhelmed, and even a tiger can’t stand alone against a pack of wolves.”

Fear crept into Amber’s thoughts, draining the color from her cheeks. “Alex, you have to promise me; no more rash moves! The Jackman family... Just do as | say, and lay low abroad until this storm passes.

“lll handle things here. Don’t even think of coming back until you hear from me.”

She reached for the office phone, her fingers trembling as she prepared to book his escape.

Alex watched her, his eyes soft with affection. Amber, his rock, was thinking only of his safety, ready to take on the Jackman family by herself if needed. A man could not ask for a better partner.

“Amber, take a breath,” he said, his hand finding hers, his smile reassuring. “The Jackman family are nothing to lose sleep over. If you’re worried about payback, | can always...”

His words were cut short by the buzz of his phone. A message. “Huh?” He pulled out his phone, his eyes widening at the non the screen: Maxine.

The message from Maxine, the Duke of War, was clear. [Mr. Kane, do you have any of that ancient medicine? | have a friend who’s difficult to move, and he needs a combination of ancient and Western medicine to recover.]

Amber peered over, her surprise mirroring his. What could the Duke of War want with them?

She had met the formidable Duke of War, known to others as Maxine, and recognized the woman as Alexander’s old battle buddy. However, that cryptic message-what was it about? What was this ‘ancient medicine’ they needed?

+15 BONOS

“| need to make a call to Maxine.”

Alexander did not go into details. He patted Amber’s hand reassuringly, a slight smile on his lips, and walked out of the office. As soon as the door closed behind him, his smile vanished, replaced by a look of deep concern.

The text message he received was coded and meant something grave. ‘Ancient medicine’ was code for a critical issue. ‘Difficult to move’ was a discreet way of saying someone was held against their will possibly kidnapped. “The combination of ancient and Western medicine’ was a clue that the trouble was happening on foreign soil.

It was the secret language of the Lord of War’s inner circle, a warning that someone of significance had run into serious trouble abroad.