Harem of the Dragon Lord
Copyright© 2026 by BillMax
Chapter 26
SMACK!
A crisp sound rang in everyone’s ears. Accompanied by the sharp slap, Drake Harlan was sent sprawling to the ground by Derek Vance, where he passed out completely.
The scene instantly fell deathly silent. The security guards on duty were all dumbfounded. In their wildest dreams, they had never imagined that Derek Vance could be so powerful.
Uncle Reginald’s old face burned with shock and shame. He remembered what he had just said and wished the ground would swallow him whole.
But their shock paled in comparison to Serena Blake’s. She was so stunned her mouth hung open wide enough to fit seven or eight eggs. She was utterly flabbergasted.
Yet Derek Vance just scratched his head as if nothing had happened and even smiled apologetically.
“Captain, sorry about that. It’s been a while since I’ve made a move, so I didn’t control my strength very well. I did try to hold back as much as possible, though.”
Ethan Blackthorn wasn’t the least bit surprised by the outcome. Just as Derek Vance said, he had indeed been holding back. If he hadn’t, with that one slap, forget a mere Yellow Level Martial Artist—even if Drake Harlan had been a Heavenly Extreme Martial Artist, Derek Vance would have killed him instantly.
“I know. Good work,” Ethan said with a smile.
“Captain, can I get to work now?”
“No rush,” Ethan said, still smiling.
Derek Vance looked at Ethan, completely puzzled, while Ethan turned his smile toward Serena.
“Honey, what do you think? Derek Vance is definitely stronger than that piece of trash, right?”
Serena snapped back to her senses. Honestly, she was both pleasantly surprised and guilt-ridden. She was surprised that Derek Vance was so powerful, and guilty for once again suspecting that Ethan was just bragging.
So I was the fool.
“Derek Vance, what is your current cultivation level?” Serena asked coldly.
“Ms. Blake, I’m not entirely sure myself, but I’m definitely stronger than that guy from before!”
“Then would you be willing to be the bar’s vice president? It’s the position Damon Stone held, with an annual salary of five million.”
Serena knew that for a top-tier expert like Derek Vance, five million wasn’t much, but she simply couldn’t afford to offer more.
Derek Vance was inwardly stunned. Good grief, five million right off the bat! Anyone else would have eagerly accepted on the spot. But Derek Vance’s gaze shifted to Ethan.
Ethan knew he was waiting for his approval. “Don’t look at me. This is your business, so you should decide for yourself.”
After a moment’s thought, Derek Vance said, “Ms. Blake, how about this? I’ll continue as the security team’s deputy captain, and I will step up whenever the bar needs me. As for the salary, the captain already promised me a raise of ten thousand a month. I think that’s enough.”
Derek Vance was certainly aware of the value of his cultivation. But he was also a man who understood gratitude. The complete recovery of his abilities was entirely due to Ethan, and he naturally wanted to repay him properly. Since Serena was Ethan’s wife, Derek Vance wanted to repay him this way. He knew that compared to the immense debt he owed Ethan, this gesture was shamefully inadequate, but it was the only way he could think of at the moment.
Serena was startled again. This man was turning down the vice president position at the bar to remain a deputy captain. Moreover, on such a critical matter, he looked to Ethan for guidance.
When did this scoundrel become so capable? To have an extraordinary expert like Derek Vance listen to him...
Serena’s gaze fell upon Ethan.
“Honey, why are you looking at me with such tender affection?” Ethan asked with a beaming smile.
Serena glared at him, annoyed. What a scoundrel, saying such shameless things in broad daylight.
“Hmph, you, come with me!”
“Alright!”
He followed Serena into her office.
“You scoundrel, I’m asking you, why does Derek Vance listen to you?”
“Because I’m amazing, of course,” Ethan said with a grin.
Great, here he goes, boasting again.
Serena suppressed her frustration and asked in a low voice, “Tell me, how exactly are you so ‘amazing’?”
“First, I’m incredibly handsome—you have to admit that. Second, my medical skills are incredible; I cured his illness. And finally, he was won over by my personal charisma. That’s why he listens to me,” Ethan rattled off with ease.
Serena glared at him, fuming. She was trying to have a serious conversation, and he immediately started spewing nonsense. She could tolerate him calling himself handsome, but bragging about his medical skills? That was something Serena couldn’t stand, as it reminded her of yesterday at the hospital when this guy tried to take credit.
“Ethan, can you ever say a single truthful word?” Serena looked at him with sheer disappointment.
“Honey, I’m telling the truth!”
“Hmph, if you bragged about anything else, I might reluctantly believe you. But your medical skills? What, are you going to tell me you were the one who saved my mother yesterday?”
“Fine, just pretend I didn’t say anything. If there’s nothing else, I’ll get out of your hair.” Ethan really couldn’t be bothered to argue with her anymore.
“Hmph, flying into a rage out of embarrassment now that I’ve exposed your lies?”
Her words made Ethan laugh. This woman’s imagination is off the charts.
“Honey, you truly have a discerning eye, to see through my lies so easily. I’m impressed,” Ethan said with a chuckle. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to work.”
“Wait!” Serena said sternly.
“What now?”
“Although your lying is detestable, I am grateful that you recommended Derek Vance,” she said coldly. “Here is one thousand dollars. Go buy yourself some new clothes.”
“Well now, Honey, I didn’t realize you were one to repay your debts. But isn’t a thousand a little stingy? Shouldn’t you at least make it two thousand?” Ethan asked with a grin.
Serena’s heart sank. It wasn’t that she thought two thousand was too much, but she felt Ethan was being too vain. One thousand was more than enough for a set of clothes, yet he had to ask for two.
Nevertheless, she didn’t refuse. She took another thousand dollars from her desk drawer and handed the two thousand to Ethan.
He accepted it with a wide smile. “Thanks, Honey! If there’s nothing else, I’m off to work!”
Serena snorted coldly. She wished he would just disappear already.
After leaving the bar, Ethan called Derek Vance over and handed him the two thousand dollars from Serena.
Derek Vance stared at the money, confused. “Captain, why are you giving me money?”
Ethan rolled his eyes at him. “You’re overthinking it. It’s not for you. After work tonight, take the guys out for a meal. Even though you’re the deputy captain now, it’s still essential to build a good relationship with them.”
Derek Vance’s face filled with gratitude as he looked at Ethan.
To read the complete story you need to be logged in:
Log In or
Register for a Free account
(Why register?)
* Allows you 3 stories to read in 24 hours.