“Good,” Titus growled, his eyes narrowing. “In a week, our people stationed across the country can start their hostile takeover as every Turnbull and family executive returns to their base.”
Turning toward Sif, he said, “You’ll be in charge of dealing with Frank. The success of our plans hinges on what happened next week… we’ll just have to resort to violence if there’s any deviation again.”
After all, everything was Titus’ idea, be it assimilating the Turnbulls or the Jankos. Even if he was less talented than his younger brother Ehud in martial arts, his mind was far more formidable.
In fact, there was no chance that anyone could tell that his seething reaction back at Turnbull House was faked. Not even Frank could hope to read just what sinister intentions he harbored.
“Titus…”
Sif frowned at him just then, asking tentatively, “Are you sure you don’t want to punish Frank once I capture him? I mean, the things he and Vicky were doing—that’s an insult to you. Are you really not upset?”
Titus calmly shook his head, folding his arms before his chest as Aesop looked on approvingly.
“No, I’m not upset,” he said coolly. “For me, the outcome matters before all else, and as such, I don’t see Vicky Turnbull as a woman. She’s more of a tool—a key. Once I have her, I’ll have the disposition to claim everything the Turnbulls ever owned when we wipe them out. In contrast, do you think I care if she likes me, or if she hooked up with someone else? I won’t mind even if she’s pregnant with his child.”
While Sif found Titus’ reaction strange, Aesop was giving him a huge thumbs up. “There is no question that you will succeed as the heir apparent, Titus. Even Mr. Lionheart himself will be proud if he knows what you’ve put together.”
Even Sif had to be impressed that a single arranged marriage was so closely connected in such a convoluted web of conspiracy.
“Frank Lawrence…” Titus narrowed his eyes. “I’m afraid you’ll have to die…”
–
Frank could see that Glen was now sincere after seeing the Lionhearts leave.
He might only have a week to gather evidence, but Frank knew all too well that if the Lionhearts wanted to proceed with their plan to assimilate the Turnbulls, they still needed the South Sea Crow.
After all, they needed her to eliminate the leaders of the Turnbull family… or Glen, at least.
That was why he just had to wait for the Lionhearts to make contact with the South Sea Crow, who was really Ciaran Zobel, Frank’s fellow apprentice from Mystic Sky Sect.
She had agreed to contact Frank right away if the Lionhearts reached out to her again, and they could catch the Lionhearts with their pants down.
Once the Lionhearts’ conspiracy was thoroughly exposed, the Turnbulls would not be able to weasel their way out, and Vicky would be free.
Whatever happened between the Turnbulls and the Lionhearts was of no concern to Frank at that point—he had no stake in a conflict between two illustrious families of Morhen.
But should the Turnbulls refuse to see reason and keep Vicky bound by her engagement even after Frank produced evidence, Frank would have nothing to say at that point. He would simply join the South Sea Crow and massacre them as he promised before, and even Vicky could not stop him.
With that in mind, he said goodbye to Vicky for the time being and left Turnbull House with his head held high.
As soon as he stepped outside the front gates, he found Ned Janko waiting out.
He was actually surprised that Ned followed through with his promise to crash the wedding if it was necessary.
