Female NovelManiac cast a look of disdain at Joel. "They're someone you can't afford to mess with. This isn't something you can pay your way out of, so forget about it." Joel flew to his feet when he heard that. His tone was sharp as he said, "I'm not scared of you, Maniac! | could hold you down back then and | still can." "It's true that you used to be able to holddown." Maniac got to his feet, staring right at Joel. "But you're dead this tand you're paying in your own blood. Got it?" Joel paused for a while before saying, "This is about Ethan Osborn, isn't it?" "No comment." Maniac leaned back in his chair, taking another sip of whiskey.
Joel sneered. "Don't you forget about Mister Taft, Maniac. You're an idiot if you think you can run Anya City with him around." Joel turned to leave after that. Maniac's expression shifted slightly.
After Joel was gone, Haley asked softly, "Who's Mister Taft? Is he really powerful?" Maniac got to his feet, pacing to and fro in the office before saying, "Chance Taft, also known as Mister Taft to us all. He's an expert Ambience level cultivator who's been famous for twenty years, back when | was just a nobody hooligan. He retired to cultivate during his peak, so most of us have pretty much forgotten about him." "He sounds really powerful. Do you think Joel might ask this Mister Tuft for help then?" "I can't be too sure about that. However, I've got to tell Mister Penn about this at once." "Who do you think's more powerful between the two of them?" "lI don't know either. Mister Taft was an expert Ambience level cultivator, but Mister Penn seems incredibly powerful and mysterious as well. | honestly can't tell who would win." "Wouldn't things get really dangerous if Joel is truly able to get Mister Taft's help?" "That might not be the case. Mister Penn had been powerful enough to take down a corporation belonging to someone like Joel William. Otherwise, Joel wouldn't have cto see me. Also, who knows if Joel will be able to convince Mister Taft to help him out? And if Mister Taft does agree to help, it might not end in a fight. As for how dangerous things might get... People in our industry have never lived a safe life. You need to take risks if you want to make it big." Haley said nothing more after that. She knew just what Maniac was like. He was an adventurous risk-taker who would never change his mind after it was made, regardless of what Haley tried to say.
Maniac left the office after that, driving over to where Wilbur was staying.
Wilbur was currently snacking on a hotdog from a street stall, listening to a group of tipsy guys bragging to their girlfriends.
"Did you hear about the ongoing battle between Maniac and Joel William?" "Of course | have! | heard that Joel William's been losing." "What? He's the richest guy in Anya City! He used to be able to completely lock Maniac down." "Well, rumor has it that Maniac's working for someone incredibly powerful. This person's powerful enough to grind Joel William into the dirt." "Really? Gosh, if only Mister Taft was around. He would've taken care of whoever was behind this back then." "You're talking like you've met Mister Taft himself." "My old man has! They even had a drink together." "Ha ha ha ha!" The group burst out laughing.novelbin
Wilbur was a little amused by the conversation. Rumors sure traveled fast.
Just then, his phone rang. Wilbur got up to pay and returned to his room to the sight of Maniac standing by the door.
"Cin." Wilbur opened the door, and both men headed inside.
"What's the matter?" Maniac told Wilbur about Joel coming to look for him.
"Ah. Anything else?" Maniac then told Wilbur about Mister Taft, making sure to watch Wilbur's expressions closely.