Chapter 3: You Must Become His Woman

Words : 2002 Updated : Nov 27th, 2025

Kane Lyall stood off to the side, dumbstruck. He didn't know Roberto Hoez, but he did know Brock Thubron. Even his brother, Ricardo Lyall, only had a little influence in Xavon; in front of Brock Thubron, Ricardo was just a tagalong. Brock was a whole row back from Roberto-that alone told you how high Roberto ranked, and that's on top of him being from Kento. Someone that important in Kento turned out to be the brother of a young guy just released from Belton Prison? Who on earth was this guy? It was obvious the big shot Ricardo had mentioned on the phone-the one they were supposed to pick up-was this man. Thinking about how the three of them had just talked to him, cold sweat broke out on Kane's forehead; he wished he could bite his own tongue off. He stood there trembling, not daring to make a sound. Miller Cutmore looked at the elder before him and nodded. "Brother Hoez, Master mentioned you. Thanks for coming all the way from Kento just to pick me up at the prison." Roberto Hoez replied evenly, "Master gave the word-we follow." Miller frowned. The meaning was clear: he'd come because Master told him to, not out of any brotherly feeling. Miller got it. Nobody knew how long the old blind master had lived; he'd taken so many disciples he probably couldn't even remember them all. But Master had given his only token-the purple thumb ring-to Miller, his true last disciple, which didn't sit well with the older disciples. Seeing Miller's expression, Roberto decided to be blunt. "Miller Cutmore, half a year ago Master called me and told me to come today to meet you. I'm here. I'll host a welcome banquet for you, then head back to Kento. Let me make this clear up front." He glanced at the purple thumb ring on Miller's hand, drew a long breath, and said, "Master gave you the token. Whether you can keep it is up to you. You've got three years to make a name for yourself in the jianghu. If you can't, you're not fit to keep it. After that, I'll hold onto it for Master." Seeing Miller silent, he assumed he was scared and said coldly, "Even if I don't make a move, the other disciples will try to take it from you. How could Master's disciple be a useless good-for-nothing?" Miller smiled. Having it out in the open actually felt good. He turned the purple thumb ring with his right hand and said to Roberto, "Now that I'm out, I only want revenge. As for chasing status in the jianghu or being the guy everyone calls 'boss,' I'm not interested. If anyone wants to take this ring, let them try. I never wanted anything the old blind master didn't give me. But what he did give me, nobody can take. Not even you." "How dare you talk like that!" The young woman in a black dress at Roberto's side arched her brows and snapped at Miller. "Who do you think you are? Do you even know who my grandpa is? Where'd you get the guts to talk to him like that?" She'd been watching Miller and found him nothing but ordinary, neither ugly nor especially handsome. She couldn't understand why her grandpa-a man who held sway in Kento and even half of Chiton-would travel so far and go through all that trouble to come to Xavon in person and show this kid that kind of respect. The worst part was, the kid acted cocky, not the least bit grateful, like he had no shame at all. Miller said evenly, "I'm just telling the truth. And thank you, Mr. Hoez, for the honor, but the welcome banquet isn't necessary. I just got out. I've got a lot to take care of, and I'm in no mood for a banquet. Please head back." "Why are you so ungrateful?" The woman in black fumed and was about to curse him when Roberto said in a deep voice, "Barbara." He wasn't put off by Miller's boldness. If Master's last disciple didn't have that much spirit, it would have been disappointing. Barbara let out an angry huff and clammed up. Roberto looked at Miller and said, "After Master called, I did my homework on you. About the Juggins family, how do you plan to handle them? For Master's sake, I can give you a few contacts..." "No need." Miller cut him off without hesitation. "My enemies are mine to deal with. I don't need anyone interfering." Barbara shot him a sideways glare and snorted, "As if anyone's dying to get involved." Roberto nodded. "Fine. I'll head back to Kento now. Take care of yourself." Miller clasped his hands in salute. "I won't see you out." Roberto turned to leave, but as soon as he took a step, his body listed to the right. Barbara, at his side, quickly caught him and cried out, "Grandpa!" "I'm fine." Roberto waved her off and let her help him as he moved forward carefully. Watching his right leg from behind, Miller frowned and said, "Wait." When Roberto stopped, Miller had already reached him. He glanced down at the right leg. "Your leg's been injured? Roll up your pant leg-let me take a look." "What are you doing?" Barbara snapped impatiently. "What does his injury have to do with you? What could an ex-con just out of prison possibly know?" Miller ignored her, crouched down, and without asking, tugged Roberto's pant leg up. From thigh to calf, the right leg was covered with bulging veins, skin stretched over bone. It looked frightening. Barbara exploded. "Are you out of your mind? Who let you touch my grandpa? I'll beat you to death!" The people nearby surged in, ready to pile on. "Barbara, stop!" Roberto barked, reining in his granddaughter. He waved for the others to fall back, then turned to Miller. "Do you know what's wrong with me?" Miller curled his lip. "A Hidden Energy injury, that's all." He set his hands on Roberto's thigh and smoothed downward, then his fingers danced quickly across the meridian points. "You..." Barbara started to protest, worried for her grandpa, but before she could finish, she stared in astonishment. The horrifying bulging veins on his right leg had disappeared; the leg looked normal again. Roberto's face showed shock as well. He looked at Miller, eyes bright. "You've mastered Master's Meridian Technique. I trained for thirty years and never perfected it, yet you, at your age, use it with such ease. No wonder you're Master's last disciple." His gaze held no trace of earlier disdain, only excitement and gratitude. Miller rose and waved a hand. "You came all that way to meet me at the prison-clearing the Hidden Energy from your leg was only fair. We owe each other nothing. Once you're back, massage your right leg for five days and take it easy; it'll clear up for good." Roberto nodded without fuss and clasped his hands. "Brother, I'll wait in Kento for your good news. We'll meet again." Miller smiled faintly, neither agreeing nor denying. The group climbed into their cars and soon vanished without a trace. Even Kane Lyall, urged on by his brother, helped two injured underlings into a car. He didn't dare linger, let alone argue. He made a clean getaway. In the Rolls‑Royce, Barbara glanced back at Miller standing where he was, curled her lip, and said with contempt, "What's he even showing off for? He's just an ex-con who can give massages." Roberto looked at her gravely. "Barbara, when we get back, I'm transferring you to Xavon. I don't care how you do it. Within a year, you must become Miller Cutmore's woman."

Chapter 3: You Must Become His Woman

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