From the moment he learned that the Swift family had provoked the Oracle King, the White Dragon King had made up his mind—he would sever all ties with them, completely and publicly.
Maybe the Oracle King wasn't the vengeful type.
Maybe he didn't intend to retaliate against the Swift family anymore.
But...
The White Dragon King couldn't afford to gamble.
No one could.
No one in their right mind would risk their life or reputation for a family that had crossed the Oracle King.
If the Oracle King even suspected he was siding with the Swifts, it would be seen as a challenge to his authority. And that? That was a death sentence.
So when the perfect opportunity presented itself, the White Dragon King seized it. He distanced himself from the Swifts in a way that seemed justified—one life sacrificed for plausible deniability. His reputation remained spotless, and his allegiance unquestioned.
How clever.
"If Laura were merely your mistress, I might have agreed to your request. But since she's your wife, she's part of the Swift family. She must bear the consequences," he told Alger, coldly.
'She doesn't deserve it!' Alger screamed internally, his heart burning with frustration—but he dared not say a word.
He wasn't stupid. He saw through it all.
The White Dragon King had already made up his mind. No matter what Alger said or did, Laura was doomed. The White Dragon King was just using polite words to wash his hands of the matter.
Even if Laura hadn't married into the Swift family, the result would've been the same. He would've found another excuse.
And if Alger pushed back now, the White Dragon King might turn his anger on him next.
That same day, after Alger returned home, the White Dragon King made a public announcement:
"From this day forward, the White Dragon King will no longer be the backer of the Swift family. The cooperation between both parties has been normally terminated."
He emphasized the words "normally terminated", making it sound like this was all part of a prearranged agreement. Like nothing had gone wrong.
The message was clear:
I keep my promises. They simply used up their chances.
Other wealthy families in Houston rejoiced at the news.
Without the White Dragon King's protection, the Swift family would have to keep their heads down—play it safe, go unnoticed. Over time, they'd be squeezed out by the city's more powerful families.
It was the beginning of their fall.
Everyone celebrated—except Alger.
He was livid.
The White Dragon King had gone too far.
Alger had thought, Even if he cuts ties with us, at least he'll keep it discreet. The outside world doesn't need to know. We can still survive quietly in Houston.
But no.
The White Dragon King had waited until Alger left—then he immediately spread the news.
It was a clean, ruthless kick to a man who was already down.
There was nothing Alger could do. He couldn't claim injustice, because technically, the White Dragon King had done nothing wrong.
But it was unforgivable.
And since Alger couldn't take out his anger on the White Dragon King, he did the next best thing:
He beat Laura.
He beat her hard.
Then, he threw her out of the Swift family like trash.
From that moment on, Laura lost everything.
Her mind unraveled.
As the sky darkened and thunder rumbled overhead, she wandered the streets barefoot, drenched in heavy rain. Each boom of thunder echoed the torment in her heart, carving invisible scars into her soul.
She was ruined.
And she couldn't accept it.
The rain poured harder, soaking her hair and clothes, turning her into a walking ghost. Passersby held umbrellas and stared at her, whispering behind her back. She looked like a madwoman.
"Anita Moore… this is all your fault!" she growled, her teeth clenched.
A flash of lightning lit up her twisted, hate-filled face.
Yes. It was Anita.
If it weren't for Anita, none of this would've happened.
If it weren't for Anita, she wouldn't have provoked John. If she hadn't provoked John, the White Dragon King wouldn't have turned against the Swift family. She wouldn't have been cast out like garbage.
All of this—the humiliation, the loss, the madness—it started with Anita.
It was easier to believe that than to face the truth.
She didn't remember that it had always been her provoking Anita.
She didn't care that Anita had always ignored her petty drama.
Laura had never reflected on her mistakes. If she had, she would've been content as the Swift family's matriarch instead of letting jealousy drive her off a cliff.
But now? Now, jealousy consumed her.
And she wanted revenge.
Her eyes burned with hatred as she pulled out her phone and screamed into it, "I don't care how you do it—find someone to rape Anita! Record it! Post it online! I'll destroy her reputation if it's the last thing I do!"
She had lost her mind completely.
If she couldn't tear Anita down through normal means, she would use the ugliest, dirtiest method possible.
She had nothing left to lose.
Even if it meant death, she would drag Anita into hell with her.
On the other end of the line, Julian was stunned into silence.
"Laura, are you insane?!" he shouted. "Anita is backed by the Long family now, and there's that monk protecting her. Do you have any idea what you're saying? We'd be committing suicide!"
His warning didn't register.
Instead, his words made her even more hysterical. "I'm not crazy! I'M NOT CRAZY!" she screamed into the phone.
"Laura, listen to me! Calm down—"
"SHUT UP!"
Rain streamed down her face as she shouted, "Don't forget who you are! You're just a henchman—my henchman! I've supported you for years! And now you dare to disobey me?"
There was silence.
Only the distant rumble of thunder filled the void between them.
Finally, Julian's voice came again—low and resigned.
"…Of course, Laura. I'll follow your orders. But this matter is too serious. We shouldn't discuss it over the phone. We need to meet face to face and plan carefully."