"No, no, no—not a chance."


    Ned''s heartfelt congrattions left Hux shocked, and he quickly shed a smile awkwardly. "I would


    never have been allowed to seed you if you refused. If you need anything, just say the word and


    consider it done."


    Hux was clearly a people''s person, offering Frank assurance and then insisting his loyalty toward Ned


    in quick session.


    Cid hurried over, eager to show his face. "Don''t worry, Mr. Janko. My brother will definitely lead the


    Sunzers to new heights."


    Ned smiled and nodded, and finally showed his true colors just then. "Would you happen to be free


    later, Vicky? I have a reservation at a hotel restaurant nearby. Care to join us? Let''s get to know each


    other..."


    Pax, who was about to leave despondently, heard him.


    His eyes lit up right then, and he ran over to them with a fawning smile. "We''re still friends even though


    I''ve passed the torch to Hux, right? And I''m leaving the country soon anyway. It''ll be ourst banquet


    together, so I can properly say my goodbyes to you and Hux."


    Ned frowned in turn—he only wanted to invite Frank.


    Everyone else could tell what he was up to with that, and yet Pax had to tactlessly insert himself.


    "Sorry, Mr. Janko." Frank refused right then and started to leave. "I appreciate the offer, but I have other


    business to see too and can''t stay. See you around."


    Even if Ned was good-looking, Frank simply did not swing that way. Also, he was not dense enough to


    be oblivious to Ned''s intentions, and he refused to give him the chance.


    "Hey, where are your manners?! Mr. Janko himself is inviting you!"


    "That''s right! Not many people can say the same across all of Morhen. Stop being so pretentious!"


    "Disrespecting Mr. Janko?! You''ve really done it now!"


    The pretty boy valets around Ned promptly snapped at him.


    "Shut it." Ned stopped the valets'' outbursts while clearing his throat and frowning at Hux.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Hux flinched when he noticed Ned''s unhappy stare and could tell right then that Ned would never rest


    until Frank went to that hotel.


    His face contorted in pain in turn even as he cursed Ned inwardly—he had just be boss of the


    Sunzers, but his two benefactors were already giving him a hard time!


    Moreover, it was Ned who wanted Frank. Why was he in charge of the seduction?


    Also, if he could actually tell Frank what to do, did he even have to stay and suffer Ned''s whims?


    Did the man even stop to think if he could afford to upset Vicky Lawrence?!


    Still, his thoughts notwithstanding, Hux could not afford to upset Ned either.


    Making a face, he turned to Frank and said, "Mr. Lawrence, Pax is right—we''ve developed an


    understanding over the years as partners, and talking shop at Mr. Janko''s banquet would smoothen the


    transition. Could you perhaps..."


    Frank could tell from Hux''s reaction that he was left in a difficult situation.


    And Frank himself still had use for the Sunzers—he had to do something or Ned might take out his


    frustrations on Hux, even removing him from power.


    With that in mind, he feebly agreed to join them.


    He had shown the extent of his strength anyway—if Ned started to behave funny, he just had to kill


    Ned.