After the shop owners left, Lita returned inside, her curiosity piqued. She approached Charles with a puzzled expression on her face.
"What did you discuss with them, Charles? And why are they happy after the talk?" Lita inquired, her brow furrowed.
Charles sighed softly and looked at Lita with a calm smile. "I just asked them to work under me.
You see, Lita, running a successful business is not just about selling high-quality weapons.
It's also about creating a strong brand and establishing a reputation."
He continued, "By having them work under me and changing their shop's name to mine, we can build a network of interconnected shops with a shared reputation for exceptional weapons.
This way, even if I open another business in the future, I'll already have a strong customer base, thanks to the popularity of the shop's name."
Lita's eyes widened as she began to understand Charles' strategy. "So, by expanding the network of shops under your name, you'll have a loyal customer base for future endeavours. It's a clever way to ensure the success of your new ventures."
Charles nodded in agreement. "Exactly, Lita. It's all about planning for the future and creating opportunities. By collaborating with the other shop owners, we can collectively overcome the challenges of a changing market and secure our businesses' prosperity."
Lita smiled, impressed by Charles' foresight and business acumen. "I see now, Charles. Your vision extends beyond just this shop. You're building a legacy and creating a lasting impact in the weapon trade."
Charles returned the smile, appreciating Lita's understanding. "That's right, Lita. Together, we can shape the future and leave a mark that will be remembered. And who knows, maybe one day we'll have a chain of successful businesses under our name."
As they closed the shop for the day, Charles and Lita discussed their plans for the future, excited about the possibilities that lay ahead.
With the support of the newly allied shop owners, they were determined to create a thriving network of businesses and establish themselves as leaders in the weapon trade.
•
The next day, as the shop began to open, a man entered the establishment.
The man had a dishevelled appearance and the faint smell of alcohol lingered around him.
"Umm... Lara." He spoke in an uneven tone.
Lara who was cleaning the knife dropped it seeing the person who called. Her eyes were full of disgust as she said.
"What are you doing here? Wasn't it enough for you to sell me? Why did you come here?"
Lara's voice trembled with a mix of anger, hurt, and disappointment. The memories of the pain caused by this man resurfaced, and she struggled to keep her composure.
The man's face showed a mixture of regret and shame as he took a step closer, his voice filled with remorse. "Lara, please, I know I made terrible mistakes in the past. I've been trying to change, to become a better person. I want to make amends, to be a Husband to you again and a better father for Ai and Nu."
Ai clenched her fists, her voice filled with bitterness. "A father? You lost that privilege a long time ago. You walked out on us, leaving us to fend for ourselves. We've built our lives without you, and we don't need you now."
The man lowered his head, tears streaming down his face. "I... I understand that I don't deserve your forgiveness, but please, just give me a chance to make things right.
I've been sober for months now, attending church and support groups. I want to be there for you and your mother."
Lara's gaze hardened, her voice cutting through the air. "You had years to change, to be a father. Where were you when we needed you the most? We don't owe you anything."
As Lara stood firm, refusing to be swayed by the man's attempts to reconcile, his desperation seemed to intensify.
The man's eyes darted between Lara, Ai, and Nu, his mind seemingly plotting a different course of action.
He took a step closer to Lara, his voice feigning sincerity. "Lara, please, just hear me out. I know I've made mistakes, but I want to make things right. I miss you and the girls. Let's put the past behind us."
Lara held her ground, her voice firm. "I won't be fooled by your empty words again. You can't just show up and expect everything to go back to the way it was. You hurt us deeply, and I won't let you hurt us again."
As the man's attempts at sweet-talking failed, his frustration boiled over, revealing a darker side of his character. His tone turned aggressive, and he lunged toward Lara, grabbing her arm tightly.
"You ungrateful bitch! After all, I've done for you, this is how you treat me? I'll make you regret ever crossing me," he spat, his anger fueling his actions.
Ai and Nu, witnessing their mother in danger, reacted with a mix of fear and courage. They hurriedly approached the man, trying to protect their mother.
Lara's voice quivered as she pleaded with the man, "Please, just leave us alone. We don't want anything to do with you."
But the man didn't listen and raised his hand to slap Lara.
As the man's aggression escalated, his hand poised to strike Lara, a sudden gust of wind swept through the shop, knocking him off balance. Charles, having arrived just in time, stood between the man and Lara, his eyes filled with determination.
"Enough!" Charles' voice thundered through the shop, commanding attention and halting the man in his tracks. His presence exuded an aura of authority, backed by his unwavering resolve to protect those he cared for.
Lara, Ai, and Nu, their hearts pounding with a mix of fear and relief, watched as Charles confronted the man, a look of stern disapproval on his face.
His voice remained steady as he addressed the intruder.
"You have no right to raise your hand against anyone, especially not against Lara or her daughters."
The man, his anger now directed at Charles, glared at him with bloodshot eyes. His voice laced with bitterness, he retorted, "Stay out of this, Charles. This is a family matter, and it doesn't concern you. Lara and I have unfinished business."
Charles maintained his composure, his gaze unwavering. "I may not be directly involved, but as the owner of this shop and a friend to Lara and her daughters, I won't stand idly by while you threaten them. They deserve better than that."
The man's face twisted with rage as he clenched his fists, his voice growing louder. "You think you can just swoop in and play the hero? You have no right to meddle in our affairs. This is between Lara and me."
Charles took a step closer, his tone firm and resolute. "Lara made it clear that she wants nothing to do with you. Your past actions speak for themselves. If you genuinely want to make amends, you need to respect her wishes and give her the space she needs."
The man's anger seemed to boil over as he lunged at Charles, his intentions turning violent. However, Charles, skilled in combat, swiftly blocked the man's attack, using his strength and agility to overpower him.
With a combination of martial prowess and measured force, Charles restrained the man, ensuring he could no longer pose a threat to Lara, Ai, and Nu.
Breathing heavily, the man struggled against Charles' grip, his voice seething with frustration. "You won't keep me away forever. I'll find a way back, and when I do, I'll make all of you pay for this."
Charles, undeterred by the man's empty threats, maintained his hold, his voice filled with resolve. "You're mistaken if you think I'll allow you."
Charles used his nightmare skill with the combination of thought acceleration that he had learned from Lucius.
The man was a drunkard for so many years, his brain was rotten. And thanks that Charles didn't have a problem taking care of him.
Charles had used his skill to make the man 1000× sensitive.
It may seem less but it was like hell. Because even the slightest touch would feel like getting hit in the ball with full force.
He then asked the ladies to vent their anger. The ladies weren't humble and took the chance to vent their anger.
On the outside, it could be seen they had just beaten him for 10 minutes but thanks to Charles's thought acceleration, it felt like years for the men.
Lara, Ai, and Nu surrounded him, their expressions filled with a mix of relief and gratitude. They couldn't help but recall the times Charles had come to their aid in the past, making their lives better and safer.
Lara, her voice filled with deep appreciation, spoke first. "Charles, words can't express how grateful we are for everything you've done for us. You've saved us not just today but multiple times before. You've been our guardian angel, and we can't thank you enough."
Ai, her eyes glistening with tears, added, "Mister, you've been there for us when no one else was. You've protected us, provided for us, and showed us kindness when we needed it most. We owe you our lives, and we'll never forget what you've done for us."
Nu, her voice barely above a whisper, chimed in, "Thank you, Mister. You've shown us what a true hero looks like. Even at such a young age, I can see how much you care for us. You're like a big brother to me, and I'm grateful."
"What did I tell you to call me?" Charles asked the little girls.
"Big Brother!!" They said in unison.
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