King's Awakening

“Mr. Ivan, you… you want me to do this?”

After hearing this, Ezekiel’s reaction was one of disbelief. Although he had pledged his loyalty to Ivan Austin, his relationship with Beckett was not bad enough to harm him in such a way.

“What, you oppose?” Ivan Austin cast an indifferent glance at his ally, Ezekiel.

This caused Ezekiel to shiver uncontrollably, his legs shaking involuntarily, indicating his deep anxiety.

Ivan Austin then called over Ezekiel and grabbed him by the collar, saying: “Ezekiel, do you know why I’ve always treated you well even though you’re so loyal to White Mitchell?”

Faced with such intimidation from Ivan Austin, Ezekiel began to tremble more severely and responded stutteringly, “Because… because…”

But before he could finish speaking, Ivan Austin placed his hand on his shoulder, immobilizing him. “Because I think you understand the situation better than Beckett! I’ve always treated my people well, but equally so, I don’t let my enemies off lightly, as demonstrated by the case of White Mitchell.”

“You’re a man who understands the situation, and so you should know how to choose,” he continued, casting a meaningful gaze at Ezekiel.

Upon hearing Ivan Austin’s insinuations, Ezekiel’s feelings fluctuated between fear and trepidation. Ivan Austin continued: “Now that things have come to this, even if I recover, I will not be able to return to where I once was.

“As such, I intend to suggest to my brother that you be promoted to the position of deputy director, to act as my right hand man.”

“I’ve had high hopes for you, but, you need to reassure me. I can’t put someone I don’t trust in such a crucial position, always worrying about them stabbing me in the back, can I?”

Having heard this, Ezekiel began to waver internally.

He understood clearly what Ivan Austin was insinuating – if he refused to do it, Ivan Austin would assign someone else to do it.

In such a case, not only would he gain nothing, but he would also leave a thorn in Ivan Austin’s side.

It would be basically impossible for him to be trusted and valued by Ivan Austin in future. He’d likely end up like Beckett, barely clinging onto life as a minor supervisor in the production line, living with a meager wage.

That was not a reality Ezekiel was willing to accept, otherwise, he would not have pledged his loyalty to Ivan Austin in the first place.

“Mr. Ivan, I know what I need to do now. Rest assured; from now on, I, Ezekiel, will be loyal to you. If you say to go east, I will go east without any hesitation, ” with determination etched on his face, Ezekiel replied firmly.

Upon hearing such decisive words, Ivan Austin laughed heartily: “Hahaha…. Good. I knew you were a man who understands the situation. This proves that I didn’t make a mistake in my judgment.”

“Now, go and guide Adam. I will open a bottle of red wine here to celebrate your return.” He added.

Ezekiel nodded with determination, then quickly turned around and left the ward.

As he watched Ezekiel leave, a smirk passed over Ivan’s face. “White Mitchell, this is your so-called good brother? He’s nothing more than a joke!”

“White Mitchell, I want you to see how everyone around you betrays you one by one, all because of you!”

“You want to play around? I’ll make sure to ruin you!”

At the same time, after leaving the hotel, White Mitchell went directly to Beckett’s home according to the address he gave him.

It was only after arriving that White Mitchell understood how hard Beckett’s

life had been over the past five years.

Beckett had grown up with his parents in a factory dormitory. His family had neither a house nor land, so his biggest wish in life was to have a decent home for his parents in the city.

He had achieved this goal before White Mitchell was imprisoned, but in just five years, he had been knocked back to square one.

The place where he was living now was not the house he had bought before, but a farmer’s house that he rented near the factory.

The distance between the houses was so narrow that if you reached out the window, you could touch the house opposite. It was the kind of building often described as a ‘handshake building’.

The sanitary conditions here were appalling, and without direct access to sunlight, the overall environment was terrible. If it weren’t for Beckett’s guidance, neither White Mitchell nor Kylin would have been able to find it.

“A few years ago, my father got seriously ill, so I had to sell the house in the city. After all, we both work on the production line, so it’s actually more convenient to live here, ” Beckett explained with a bitter but hollow laugh.

Upon hearing these words, White Mitchell felt a pang of guilt.

Beckett’s current predicament had been caused by his own downfall. He felt deeply guilty towards Beckett and the others who had helped him start his business.

“Kylin, when you find the time, help me find two apartments in the city for Beckett. Don’t worry about the cost, as long as it’s a good environment,” White Mitchell directed.

Despite feeling touched by the gesture, Beckett interjected: “No, no, no. Kylin, just help out White Mitchell. I’m fine here, really.”

Kylin cut in: “Brother, you’re Amanda and David Herb’s leader now. Living here would be inconvenient. Don’t refuse our offer – join me in a couple days to look at some houses.”

White Mitchell joined in too. “Beckett, there’s no need for such ceremony between you and me. I’ve told you before, I’ll make you the Sayon King. It’s only the beginning.”

After hearing both of their reassurances, Beckett’s eyes welled up. He wanted to move out of this godforsaken place too, but he didn’t have the means before.

His father’s long-term illness required regular hospital visits, costing thousands every month, sometimes even tens of thousands. As a minor supervisor on the production line, he couldn’t afford this.

But now, everything had changed. The hope of a new beginning was renewed because White Mitchell had returned.

Beckett wiped away a tear and then ushered both White Mitchell and Kylin up the stairs with a broad, genuine smile.

What they saw when they entered Beckett’s home only strengthened White Mitchell’s resolve to help him move out of this sorry situation.

The family of three was cooped up in a less than 20 square meter rental room filled with various sundries, but it was clear that, despite their limited means, they were trying their best to keep the place clean and tidy. Despite the small space, they were taking full advantage of the area they had.

“Our guests have arrived. Come, come, wash your hands and have a meal. I know it’s simple in here, so please don’t be bothered. Just treat it like your own home,” said an elderly lady, who appeared to be Beckett’s mother, as she came out greeting the guests enthusiastically.

White had seen her before; she was a hardworking woman and Beckett’s mother.

However, when Beckett’s mother recognized White Mitchell, she gaped, her face turning a bit cold and distant. “Beckett, you said guests were coming. Is he the one?”

It was evident that she knew about Beckett’s hardship over the years and how Mitchell was involved. As such, there was animosity in her eyes when she looked at Mitchell.

“It was you who made our Beckett a target in the company. And it was you who caused Beckett to lose his girlfriend to another man. It was you who ruined

Beckett’s future prospects!”

“You came here shamelessly. Are you satisfied now seeing our family’s plight? Are you happy?

“Get out! We don’t welcome you here. Beckett, please show him the door.. Let him get lost!”