The Dragon's Mandate

But on a stormy night five years ago, the enormous Byrd family was wiped out in a single night, paving the way for the current power structure in Tongnan City.

As for the mastermind behind the Byrd family's downfall, it was now common knowledge in Tongnan City.

It was the Zhang family, along with the slightly less powerful Xia and Wang families.

Back then, the Zhang family was just an unremarkable small family. They allied with the Xia and Wang families and suddenly launched an attack on the Byrd family.

In a single night, they massacred the entire Byrd family.

From that point on, the Zhang family rose to prominence, and within a year, they secured their position as the leading family in Tongnan.

As for how the small Zhang family managed to bring down the mighty Byrd family back in the day, the people of Tongnan City had many theories.

The most popular one was that the Zhangs had the backing of a mysterious force from the capital. This belief was precisely why no one in Tongnan dared to speak ill of the Zhang family or show them any disrespect.

The grand scale of tonight's birthday banquet said it all. Old Master Zhang sat at the head of the hall and suddenly let out a hearty laugh. Then, he stood up.

"It's been five years, and you've grown into quite the handsome young man. But unfortunately, you shouldn't have come back."

"With my family's enemies still free, how can I rest without avenging them?" Navid Byrd's face showed no emotion.

Foolishness! Old Master Zhang shook his head with disdain. The Zhang family of today was not what it used to be; it was deep and unfathomable. How could a discarded child like Navid talk of revenge?

The guests who had come to celebrate with the Zhangs also shook their heads in pity. They thought Navid's return was a poor decision. Navid was no longer the young master of the Byrd family from five years ago. Now, he was just an orphan.

Even if he had made some money and could afford a lavish wedding, he had no power.

How could he seek revenge? It would only cost him his life and completely extinguish the Byrd family line.

"Navid Byrd, oh Navid Byrd, has five years not been enough for you to grow wiser?" Robert sneered. "Five years ago, you were a reckless fool, and now, you're still just as foolish."

"If you had just hidden away in some remote village, maybe you could have lived a peaceful life. But no, you had to come back to Tongnan and deliver yourself right to our doorstep."

"What are you looking?"

"Death?" Robert taunted.

As soon as he finished speaking, hundreds of guards and servants from the Zhang family gathered around, weapons in hand, glaring menacingly at Navid, waiting for their master's command.

"Byrd family trash, don't say I didn't give you a chance," Robert said, his hands clasped behind his back, exuding calmness. "I'll give you the chance to end it yourself, or else you'll be left with nothing."

"How dare you!" Hector Iker shouted angrily, standing beside Navid. "Insulting our master means certain death!"

With that, a powerful aura emanated from Hector, as if he was ready to unleash his fury on everyone present.

But to everyone's surprise, the elder Mr. Zhang waved his hand dismissively. He spoke calmly to his eldest son, Robert, "Rashness is not the Zhang family's way."

"Today is a celebration, and we shouldn't ruin the mood or shed blood. Let him go."

Upon hearing this, the crowd murmured in admiration, "Patriarch Hector truly is the master of Tongnan, with a magnanimity and spirit beyond ordinary men."

"Not bad, truly a demeanor befitting a leader. Such actions show a heart as vast as the ocean," someone commented, and Navid Byrd smiled slightly.

The world was indeed a cold place, and people's hearts were not what they used to be. When did murderers start getting praised by the masses?

How amusing.

"Father, you're right. It was my oversight!" Robert said, bowing respectfully.

"Kid, you're lucky today. The old master is merciful. Get out of here!"

"In three days, come to the Zhang family to apologize!"

Navid chuckled softly, glanced at the old Master Zhang, and turned to leave.

"In three days, it will be the end for your entire Zhang family."

"Make the most of your time!"

Robert Zhang glared venomously at Navid Byrd's departing figure, seething with anger. "Dad, are we really just going to let him walk away? That guy said he'd come back to cause trouble in three days. He's so arrogant."

Hector Zhang, the patriarch, turned his gaze slowly to Robert. "Robert, after the birthday banquet, share what you know with your brother. If he dares to boast, then let's make sure he doesn't live to see those three days."

Robert nodded, his eyes cold.

"Did you say that kid has a wife and daughter?" Robert asked later that night.

Daniel Zhang casually took out his phone and played a clip from a wedding ceremony.

"You should recognize this woman," Daniel pointed at Priya Yarrow.

Robert frowned for a long moment before realization dawned on him. "That's the ugly duckling from the Yarrow family!"

Daniel gave a sly smile. "Brother, I heard that Yarrow family is quite familiar with Humphrey Walker"

Robert immediately caught on to Daniel's implication, letting out a cold laugh. "That kid Navid, it's like fate is against you!"

Later that night, Toby Zhang, the youngest of the Zhang family, directly called Humphrey Walker.

Humphrey was in the middle of some unsavory business with Sierra Yarrow when the phone's ring startled him.

Toby Zhang!

The top young master of Tongnan was calling him?

"Hello, Young Master Zhang, this is Humphrey Walker!" Humphrey answered the call with a fawning tone.

"I heard Sierra Yarrow is your girl?" Toby's lazy voice came through the phone.

"Yes, yes, Young Master Zhang..." Humphrey replied, glancing suspiciously at Sierra, who was right next to him.

If Toby Zhang wanted Sierra Yarrow to be his woman, Humphrey Walker wouldn't dare refuse. He didn't have the guts. Even though Humphrey was from a prestigious family, the Walker family was nothing compared to the Zhangs.

"Does she have a sister or something? The one with the scar on her face?" Toby asked coldly.

Humphrey was taken aback that Toby mentioned Priya Yarrow. After hesitating for a moment, he nodded, "Yeah, but surely you wouldn't be interested in someone like her, right?"

"Watch your mouth! Bring your girl to the Presidential Suite at the Sky and Sea Club, now!" Toby snapped before hanging up.

Humphrey pondered for a while before turning to Sierra.

"Babe, Big Zhang wants to see you, but you mustn't..."

"Smack!"

Sierra slapped Humphrey across the face, pouting, "What nonsense are you talking about? What do you take me for?"

Humphrey held his face, forcing a smile. "Babe, it's my fault. Just be careful with your words when you meet Big Zhang."

With that, Humphrey hurriedly got dressed and took Sierra to the Sky and Sea Club.

Upon entering, Humphrey noticed that the large suite only had Toby inside, and his expression was far from pleasant, making Humphrey's heart sink.

He quickly approached, "Mr. Zhang, you called for me?"

Toby glanced at Humphrey before his eyes settled on Sierra.

"So, you're Sierra Yarrow?" Toby asked, his voice icy.

"Yes, Mr. Zhang, I'm Sierra Yarrow," she replied, moving close to Toby as if she had no bones in her body, pressing herself against him.

Humphrey Walker was stunned. Just a moment ago, Sierra Yarrow had the demeanor of a virtuous woman, but now she seemed like the embodiment of a scandalous figure!

"You know this person, don't you?" Toby Zhang said, tossing a photo onto the table.

Sierra picked up the photo and glanced at it. Priya Yarrow! She would recognize her anywhere, even if she turned to ash!

"Her? Of course, I know her. She's the jinx of the Yarrow family!" Sierra spat out angrily.

"I'll give you one day. I don't care how you do it, but get her out here for me. Both of them, the adult and the child, I want them!" Toby's eyes flashed with menace.

Sierra was startled by Toby's murderous glare and instinctively shrank back, hesitating. "Mr. Zhang, it's not that I don't want to help, but that guy Na ....."

Before she could finish, Toby cut her off coldly, "By noon tomorrow, if I don't see them, you and he can both kiss your lives goodbye!"

He gestured towards Humphrey Walker behind Sierra.

Humphrey shivered in fear and quickly stepped forward, "Mr. Zhang, I'm innocent here!"

Toby glanced at Humphrey with a sneer, "Humphrey, haven't you been bullied by that Navid guy recently? Don't you want revenge?"

Humphrey paused. Could it be that Navid Byrd had crossed the Zhang family?

If that were true, Navid was digging his own grave.

"Mr. Zhang, are you suggesting we use the adult and child to deal with Navid Byrd?" Humphrey asked, squinting his eyes.

"Deal with him? In three days, he'll be dead! And don't let this leak out, or you know what will happen to you," Toby threatened icily.

"Understood!" Humphrey nodded firmly, then frowned, "But once we lure the woman out, where do we keep her? What if Navid finds them..."

"Hmph!" Toby Zhang let out a cold snort, sneering, "Send them to the Zhang family. I refuse to believe he can rescue both of them from our grasp."

Humphrey Walker and Sierra Yarrow exchanged smug smiles after hearing Toby's words. This time, it was the youngest master of the Zhang family, the most powerful family in Tongnan, who was personally dealing with Navid Byrd. No matter how capable Navid was, he couldn't possibly surpass the Zhangs.

"Rest assured, Mr. Zhang. We won't fail you!" Humphrey replied with a sly grin.

"Go on, and remember, have them delivered to the Zhang family by noon tomorrow!" Toby waved them off impatiently.

Early the next morning, shortly after Navid Byrd's car left, a young woman in a white dress, wearing a sunhat and large sunglasses, peeked out from the trees in the distance.

"Priya Yarrow, your days are numbered!" she muttered, pulling out a scarf to completely cover her face as she quickly made her way toward Navid's home.

"Mom, where did Dad go?" the little girl asked, tugging at Priya's clothes.

"Daddy has to work, sweetie. Be good!" Priya knelt down, buttoning her daughter's shirt while gently caressing her cheek.

"Ding dong!"

Hearing the doorbell, Priya frowned. Could Navid have returned so soon?