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nTranslator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

nQueen Felicity was flabbergasted. ‘I thought that Finn Taylor wouldn’t know anything about the company’s affairs since he hasn’t been in Chicago for three years. Besides, I’ve always been very careful. Not a single person in the company knows about what I’ve done, but he knows everything! He really has everything under his control!’

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nChicago, the Taylor family.

nFrida Cameron’s gaze was set on Maximus Brugel. “Mr. Brugel, didn’t you say that you’d bring him back?”

nMaximus Brugel’s gaze was meaningful. “He’s back. He just hasn’t returned to the Taylor family’s residence.”

nFrida Cameron was overwhelmed with emotions. ‘He’s back. Everything will be much easier to handle now.’

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nAt that moment, Wendy Jensen glanced at Frida Cameron. “Mom, do you really have to be so ruthless?”

nThat old lady pounded her walking stick on the ground. “Are you feeling remorseful? You’d better mind your own business.”

nWendy Jensen was dejected because the old lady was about to do something she didn’t want to see.

nAfter everyone had fallen asleep that night, Finn Taylor took his first step into the Taylor family’s residence in three years.

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nHe pushed his room door open. As he switched on the lights, he saw everything covered in a thick layer of dust.

nNobody had entered his room in three years, much less cleaned it. It was as though he didn’t even belong to the family.

nFinn Taylor could only shake his head while cleaning the room up.

nThe second day, the old lady spotted her grandson in the living room as soon as she woke up.

n“You unfilial thing, how dare you not come home immediately to greet me once you returned to Chicago? Where have you been?” The old lady was sure that Finn Taylor had crawled onto some woman’s bed the previous day since he hadn’t returned home.

nAnd now, he wasn’t even taking the initiative to greet her!

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nThe old lady had grown up in Chicago and was extremely traditional. In her opinion, she was the Taylor family’s eldest and the most senior member. That meant that everything she said was the law, even if it was wrong.

nFinn Taylor was just a young man. He was wrong to go against her or rebuke her.

n“Did you call me back just to pretend to be him?”

n“It’d be an honor for you.” The old lady’s eyes were filled with viciousness.

n“Should I thank you then?”

n“Do you not want to do that? You should know what will happen to that woman in San Francisco if you refuse.” The old lady was threatening Finn Taylor, and that was exactly what he hated the most.

nClank!

nFinn Taylor slammed a dagger on the table. “You should very well know that I can kill you right here and now.”

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nThe old lady stumbled and took a few fearful steps back upon seeing that dagger. “Are you going to kill me? I’m your grandma!”

n“Is that so? I think you previously said that I’m not worthy of being your grandson, so why have you suddenly become my grandma?”

nIn this tense atmosphere, Maximus Brugel walked over. “Finn Taylor, put away your dagger.”

nOn Maximus Brugel’s account, Finn Taylor finally picked up his dagger and put it away.

n“Ma’am, do you still remember what you promised me?”

nThe old lady remained silent in contemplation.

nTen minutes later, she finally spoke again. “Ask them to return. Give the command: Nobody from Peregrine Hall is allowed to touch that woman.”

nMaximus Brugel nodded. ‘I’ve finally managed to diffuse this tense situation.’

n“Give your dagger to me. I’ll give the order right away.” Maximus Brugel reached out toward Finn Taylor, who handed the dagger to the former without any hesitation.

nHe had only used it to scare the old lady. He wouldn’t even need any weapons if he really intended on killing her.

nHowever, he had never even considered doing so. He didn’t want to bear that responsibility for the rest of his life.

nBesides, that old lady hadn’t apologized to him. She couldn’t die just yet.

n“Tomorrow, you’ll officially take the title of Master Peregrine in Donovan’s name. You’d better not mess up.” The old lady was still a little hesitant. Initially, her plan had been to kidnap Yvette Larson and bring her to Chicago.

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nOnce she had Yvette Larson, she wouldn’t need to be afraid of Finn Taylor doing anything funny.

nHowever, Maximus Brugel had argued with her for a long time. They eventually reached a compromise, which led to the current situation.

nIt was an unhappy reunion for Finn Taylor and the old lady. However, the former had already expected such an outcome.

nThe news of Donovan Taylor returning to the Taylor family and was going to be appointed as Master Peregrine spread throughout Chicago.

nThere were four most prominent families in Chicago: Ferguson, Crawford, Hamilton, and Mackenzie. These four families were also the four most powerful families in the city.

nNow, these families’ heads were in discussion.

nRussell Ferguson: “That brat from the Taylor family is back!”

nElijah Crawford: “Yes, I thought he was dead.”

nAndrew Hamilton: “The Taylor family has probably committed too many sins that the heavens are punishing them now. Jacob Taylor died, and his son is a good-for-nothing. I think this is the end for Peregrine Hall.”

nEdward Mackenzie: “You shouldn’t say that. We’re part of Peregrine Hall after all.”

nAndrew Hamilton: “You’re not wrong in saying that, but I’ve never sworn loyalty to the Taylor family.”

nElijah Crawford: “We’re no match for the Taylor family for now. We’ll just have to wait for that old lady to die. Once she does, it’ll be our chance to rise up and take our piece of the pie.”

nRussell Ferguson: “Since we’re already talking about this, I’d better say my piece. When that time comes, we’ll fight it out together. Don’t you dare try to play any dirty tricks.”

nEdward Mackenzie: “Of course. The four of us were the most insignificant families out of all 100 families in Peregrine Hall. It was only because we formed an alliance that we’re way above all of them today.”

n“Speaking of that, I don’t understand why Jacob Taylor sent the Sullivan family to New York, the Scott family to Seattle, and the Kennedy family to Washington. He left only the Yeats family here in Chicago.”

n“The Yeats family—they’re not even in Chicago anymore. I heard that they’re in San Francisco now. I really don’t understand what’s in the Taylor family’s minds.”

n“Who cares? If they were still here in Chicago, do you think we’d have the chance to have our day?”

n“You’re right. Without their help, the Taylor family could only rely on other families. I bet they don’t even know that we’re not loyal to them.”

nIn reality, all four of Chicago’s most prominent families had already started rebelling against the Taylor family.

nOf course, the Taylor family was clear about this too. Yet, there was nothing they could do about it.

nJacob Taylor had been gravely ill, Donovan Taylor was incompetent, Wendy Jensen was powerless, and Frida Cameron was old and weak.

nThe Taylor family was at the end of their road and was no match for the four families. Now, they were only just barely holding onto Peregrine Hall as well.

nA war was bound to break out between the four families and the Taylor family one day.

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