Chapter 1027

Even though Ignatius had moved past his brawling days, his reputation still stood on par with the mayor of Tarthy City.

Mayors came and went. But in the underworld, he remained an unshakable force- one of the most influential men in all of Tarthy. No one dared to underestimate him!

As the car came to a stop, a beautiful young woman clung tightly to Ignatius' arm, her face beaming with joy.

She was his daughter-Casey Lloyd—also a legend in Tarthy's underworld.

At a young age, she had taken over her father's empire. Behind her beauty was a ruthless will. She was his true heir in every way.

Only in front of Ignatius did she show her softer side. Since childhood, she had idolized him, believing that no one could ever surpass him.

Today, she had brought her father here to bolster Patrick's standing.

Rumors said even this future queenpin held a special fondness for Patrick. He was the kind of man who could charm any woman. Casey wanted to do something— anything to capture his attention.

A man of Ignatius' stature had no reason to show up this early. People like him had their own sense of timing. As the most powerful man in the underworld, he was supposed to arrive last—to make an entrance.

But Casey couldn't wait. She wanted to get into the hotel early, to spend more time with Patrick, and so she had dragged her father along.

Ignatius adored his daughter. He would never refuse any of her requests.

He didn't particularly like Patrick, but if Casey was happy, that was enough. He had

no problem giving her love a little push. Compared to her happiness, his pride meant nothing.

Despite a past steeped in blood and violence, his love as a father remained unchanged.

His early arrival sent the gala organizers into a frenzy.

Countless powerful figures came out to greet him in person. Men who once commanded respect wherever they went now bowed low before Ignatius, their eyes filled with reverence and fear.

But just as he was about to step into the banquet hall, a man blocked his path.

Specter.

He was an old acquaintance of Ignatius. Though now Quintis' top bodyguard, in his prime he had been a rival-perhaps even stronger-than gnatius himself

Enraged that Specter would block Ignatius' path, the staff yelled, wanting to have him shoved out of the way.

But Ignatius coldly stopped them. "Stand down!"

Everyone stared at him in confusion, only to see an uncharacteristic gravity on his face.

The moment he laid eyes on Specter, his usually calm and unshakable gaze flickered with a rare hint of shock and uncertainty.

Specter met his stare indifferently, a trace of barely suppressed mockery curling at the corner of his lips.

He had every right to sneer at Ignatius no matter how powerful he was, he would never reach. Specter's level. In the end, he was nothing but Specter's defeated rival

It was clear for all to see-the powerful kingpin's face twisted with a terrifying expression if one looked closely, they might even notice an indescribable fear lurking deep within his eyes.

Yes, Ignatius was afraid of Specter.

The only man in his life he had ever feared. Had Specter not stepped back from the underworld all those years ago, Ignatius would never have risen to power.

"Specter?" Ignatius stared at him, suspicion and unease twisting his expression. After a long pause, he finally forced out the name through gritted teeth.

Casey, clutching her father's arm tightly, studied Specter with wide-eyed disbelief.

She never would have imagined that her father would show such an expression when facing someone.

What did he want?

"My boss is waiting for you," Specter said-terse and to the point, as always. He never wasted words.