Chapter 6: You're About to Die

Words : 1929 Updated : Dec 11th, 2025

The moment Asher Jauncy said it, the banquet hall erupted. "Is this kid crazy? Warmthborne Jade is the Chamber of Commerce's treasure, and he wants us to hand it over on a silver platter?" "Exactly! How did Mr. Scurr bring in someone this full of himself?" "He's a con man, leeching off Maria Scurr's name to freeload, and he even has designs on Warmthborne Jade. Talk about aiming way out of his league!" A middle-aged man in a navy suit, belly puffed like a ball, stepped out first. He was Marcelo Lapwood, a building materials dealer in Zerton. He usually cozied up to the Three Major Families, and now he rushed to take the lead. "Mr. Scurr! You owe us an explanation today! Did this punk spout off at your instruction? If you're trying to use Maria's illness to claim the Chamber of Commerce's greatest treasure for yourself, we won't stand for it!" "Marcelo's right!" A woman in gilt-rimmed glasses chimed in. She had always envied Maria Scurr's background and looks, and now she kicked them while they were down. "Warmthborne Jade belongs to all of us. Why let some no-name pauper call the shots? Mr. Scurr, if you still mean to act as the Chamber of Commerce President, then make this punk apologize to everyone right now!" Murphy Scurr found himself besieged by questions, his expression turning sour. He knew Asher Jauncy wasn't a nobody, but those words were too sharp, leaving no room for the Three Major Families. He was about to speak to smooth things over, but Maria Scurr grabbed Asher's arm first, her voice a little anxious. "Asher, don't be impulsive. They have the numbers. Let's swallow it for now and think of a way later, okay?" She trusted Asher, but with the Three Major Families joining hands and Ramon Scurr fanning the flames, plus the crowd of merchants heckling, if it turned into a standoff, it would hurt the Scurr family. More than that, she feared Asher would take the worst of it. Harris Zorn caught that tug. He immediately acted as if he'd found leverage, wrapping an arm around Juliana Yale's waist. "Yo! I thought he was some tough guy. Turns out he's just a kept man hiding behind a woman. Asher Jauncy, you think if you hide behind Maria Scurr, we won't touch you?" Juliana Yale sidled up, rose on tiptoe to lace her arms around Harris Zorn's neck, her eyes full of scorn toward Asher. "Young Master Zorn, don't stoop to his level. People like him have no capability; they just rely on women to prop them up! I bet he's making big claims to swindle Mr. Scurr and Ms. Scurr, angling to get Warmthborne Jade and sell it for cash!" "Juliana's absolutely right!" Andrew Zorn, Harris Zorn's uncle, spoke up, putting on the airs of an elder. He jabbed a finger at Asher's nose and cursed. "Mr. Scurr, don't let this punk fool you! He's using Maria's treatment as a pretext to swindle the Warmthborne Jade. If you keep protecting him, we won't accept it." Cody Looske's eyes turned cold. "Mr. Scurr, a wise man knows when to bend. If you kick this kid out right now and step down as President, we can still discuss the matter of Warmthborne Jade. Otherwise…" He paused, his tone loaded with threat. "Otherwise, we'll have to follow the Chamber of Commerce's rules and expel the Scurr family from the Chamber." Ramon Scurr pushed forward two steps, jabbing a finger at Asher so close his spittle almost sprayed Asher's face. "Asher Jauncy! Get out of here! Stop dragging the Scurr family down! My great-uncle took you in out of kindness, and you still have designs on Warmthborne Jade?" Faces around them lit with predatory glee, everyone waiting to watch Asher and the Scurr family fall on their faces. Some had already started whispering about how to carve up the Scurr family's client resources if they got expelled. Maria Scurr kept her face composed, but she clutched Asher's arm tight. Everyone thought that, faced with this, Asher would slink off with his tail between his legs. But Asher suddenly smiled. He patted Maria's hand, then strolled toward the Warth family's head, Kevin Warth. Kevin hadn't said much, lounging on a nearby sofa with a wine glass, watching the show. He had undergone Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery less than two months ago, and his body hadn't fully recovered. He had taken part in tonight's move against the Scurr family, but he wasn't leading it. Seeing Asher walk over, a flicker of puzzlement crossed his face. Asher stopped before him, bent slightly, and spoke in an utterly even tone. "You should get your affairs in order right now. You are about to die." The words dropped, and the room fell silent. Even the hecklers froze. Kevin Warth's face flushed crimson. It was pure rage. He sprang up from the sofa, jabbed a finger at Asher's nose, trembling with fury, his voice breaking. "You… what the hell did you say? You dare curse me to die?" The Warth family erupted. Kevin Warth's son, Eddie Warth, lunged first, roaring, "Are you tired of living? My dad just had Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, and you dare curse him like this? I'll cripple you today!" Other Warth relatives swarmed in, cracking knuckles, hurling curses at Asher. "Is this kid insane? Cursing our head!" "Beat him! Rip his mouth open! Let him learn what the Warth family can do!" "Stop talking-throw him out!" Even bystanders gaped. How did this kid dare? The Warth family ranked only below the Scurrs in Zerton. "Asher Jauncy is too dumb. How could he curse Old Warth to die? Old Warth cares most about his health." "Looks like he's smashing the pot now that he knows he can't swindle Warmthborne Jade. He's stirring trouble on purpose-but this time he picked the wrong target." "The Warth family's power in Zerton is no less than the Zorns'. If he walks out of here in one piece today, I'll take his surname!" Andrew Zorn and Cody Looske were happy to watch the show. "He's courting death. We don't need to lift a finger-the Warths will deal with him. Let's sit back and enjoy." Cody nodded, a cold smile hooking at the corner of his mouth. "Exactly. Let's watch the Warths beat him till he's spitting teeth. Murphy Scurr won't be able to save him then!" Juliana Yale nestled in Harris Zorn's arms, laughing breathlessly. "Young Master Zorn, isn't he stupid? He actually dared curse the Warth family head. He's about to suffer." Harris Zorn squeezed her waist, speaking with smugness. "Told you-he's brainless. Once the Warths finish with him, I'll make him kneel and apologize to you. Let him reflect properly." Maria Scurr watched Asher surrounded by the Warths, her heart leaping into her throat. She rushed forward, trying to pull him free. "Don't do this! Talk it out! Asher didn't mean it, he just-" But before she could finish, Eddie Warth shoved her aside. "Get out of the way! This has nothing to do with you! Keep shielding him and we'll deal with you too!" Maria staggered back two steps, barely keeping her footing. Fortunately, Murphy Scurr caught her in time. Eddie even raised his fist and swung toward Asher's face. But at that exact moment, someone cried out, "Master! What's wrong?" Everyone froze and turned toward the voice. Kevin Warth clutched his chest, his face as pale as paper, cold sweat beading on his brow. He swayed, and then, with a thud, went down hard.

Chapter 6: You're About to Die

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