Chapter: CHAPTER 129Alicia’s office exuded a modern and elegant atmosphere. Glass walls provided a sweeping view of the city, while a large wooden desk at the center of the room was neatly organized with stacks of documents. Alicia looked cheerful, wearing a maroon blazer paired with white trousers, making her appear both professional and graceful. This was the first time Asher had visited her office—normally, their meetings took place elsewhere or at Asher’s own office.When the door opened and Asher walked in, Alicia immediately stood from her chair with a wide smile. “I’m glad you could come,” she said sincerely, gesturing for Asher to sit on the comfortable sofa in the corner of the room.Before Asher could say anything, he handed her a bag filled with desserts he had purchased earlier from La Pâtisserie Éclat. “This is for you,” he said casually, looking at Alicia with a calm, attentive gaze.Alicia was momentarily surprised, then let out a soft laugh, her sweet smile lighting up her face. “You didn
Last Updated: 2025-01-21
Chapter: CHAPTER 128The sound of shattering glass broke the silence in Kaylery Barnnet’s office. A crystal glass that had been in his hand now lay scattered across the floor, its contents soaking into the thick carpet. Kaylery stood in the center of the room, his breathing heavy and his eyes red with rage. He raked his hands through his hair, the gesture rough and filled with frustration.“Damn it! I hate him!” Kaylery shouted, his voice echoing through the room.His subordinates stood frozen near the door, too afraid to say anything. They knew that when Kaylery was angry, everything could end tragically. None of them dared to approach him.Antony had been taken by Asher Dixon. Fernandez’s project had been ruthlessly canceled. Defeat after defeat had struck Kaylery, igniting his already massive ego. But beneath his fury, his mind was still working. He wouldn’t lose this easily. These setbacks were only temporary—a small piece of a larger plan he was crafting.A knock at the door briefly distracted Kayler
Last Updated: 2025-01-21
Chapter: CHAPTER 127The abandoned building was eerily silent, illuminated only by the dim light of a portable lamp Joseph had brought. The walls were covered in graffiti, and the dirt floor was dusty, mixed with footprints and drying stains of fresh blood. The early morning air was cold, but inside that room, the tension burned hotter than fire.Three men lay sprawled on the dusty floor, their bodies bruised and their faces battered, groaning faintly in the heavy silence. Their hands were tied behind their backs, and their eyes darted with fear every time they glanced at the figure standing before them.Asher stood tall in front of them. His black suit, simple yet impeccable, radiated an aura of authority and mercilessness that couldn’t be ignored. His face showed no hint of compassion, only a sharp, penetrating gaze that could pierce the soul of anyone unlucky enough to meet it. Behind him, Joseph stood still, his eyes carefully watching every movement of the three men.“Is it done?” Asher asked flatly,
Last Updated: 2025-01-20
Chapter: CHAPTER 126In the hidden tech room within the Celestial Haven Hotel, Joseph stood amidst the blue glow radiating from the holographic screens in front of him. Complex graphics moved rapidly, displaying security data, guest movement patterns, and advanced monitoring systems. There were no physical screens, only projections hovering in the air—a testament to Dixon’s cutting-edge technology.Joseph’s face was serious, his eyes scanning every detail on the screen. But his composure broke when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned quickly to see Wilson pointing toward one of the holographic screens on the right.“On the 24th floor, look at that,” Wilson said quietly but firmly, his finger pointing to a man dressed entirely in black who appeared on the surveillance camera.The man looked suspicious, walking briskly toward room 234. The camera’s auto-zoom captured his movements. Joseph’s eyes narrowed as he watched the man stop in front of the room, pull something from his bag, and attach it to the
Last Updated: 2025-01-19
Chapter: CHAPTER 125The party grew livelier. Guests chatted, laughed, and indulged in the luxurious dishes served at every corner of the ballroom. Soft classical orchestra music filled the air, complementing the brilliance of the crystal lights that illuminated the room. However, in a dimly lit corner, Kaylery Barnnet’s mood stood in stark contrast to the festive atmosphere around him.Kaylery’s sharp eyes were fixed on Asher, who stood by Alicia’s side. The woman was smiling warmly while Asher casually brushed his hand against her cheek. The simple gesture was enough to make Kaylery’s anger boil over. His left hand gripped a glass of whiskey on the table tightly, while his right hand clenched the edge of his chair.In one swift motion, he lifted his whiskey glass and drank it down to the last drop. The burning sensation of the drink wasn’t enough to distract him from the storm of emotions in his mind. His eyes remained on Alicia, glowing beside Asher.“Are you jealous?” A low, mocking voice sounded from
Last Updated: 2025-01-18
Chapter: CHAPTER 124After finishing at the branch office, Asher returned to complete various tasks at the main office. He sat upright in his chair, signing documents one by one with skilled hands. The meeting with another company, which had just concluded, left the conference room filled with reports and data. The atmosphere felt slightly lighter now, though the tension hadn’t entirely dissipated.Kailos stood beside him, occasionally glancing at his watch, waiting for Asher to finish signing the remaining documents. Now and then, Asher would glance up at Kailos before refocusing on the stack of papers still awaiting his signature.Before he could finish the last document, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed. Joseph entered the room with a serious expression, holding a tablet in his hand. Behind him, the door closed tightly, ensuring there would be no outside interruptions.“We’ve found Antony, Sir,” Joseph said as he carefully handed over the tablet. His face was serious, full of urgency.Asher di
Last Updated: 2025-01-17
Chapter: CHALTER 22Rafael stood tall before the massive mirror adorning the wall of his lavish chamber. His broad shoulders were cloaked in an outfit tailored to perfection, befitting his new title as crown prince. A sleek black suit with modern cuts hugged his frame, paired with a long crimson mantle that shimmered subtly under the golden light. The royal crest of Carlies, a gleaming gold emblem, adorned his chest, a symbol of the authority now officially his.Servants moved swiftly around him, adjusting the folds of his suit, slipping white gloves over his hands, and ensuring every detail was immaculate. Rafael, however, remained calm, unfazed by the flurry of activity.His gaze in the mirror reflected the bearing of a leader, though beneath his composed exterior lay a flicker of satisfaction he couldn’t entirely mask. It wasn’t just the restoration of his rightful title that pleased him—it was also the ruin of those who had once dismissed him."Frederick," Rafael murmured softly, his voice laced with
Last Updated: 2024-12-08
Chapter: CHAPTER 21Three days had passed, and the devastation in Hurbret was undeniable. Small villages lay in ashes, fields were barren, and refugees filled the main roads with despair etched into their faces. The air reeked of smoke, blood, and death. Frederick stood on the balcony of his now-disheveled estate, his sharp eyes scanning the empty fields below, his jaw clenched tight.Inside the house, the chaos mirrored the destruction outside. His trusted secretary stood with his head bowed, clutching a stack of official documents. His voice trembled as he spoke, trying to deliver the news delicately.“Baron,” the secretary began softly but firmly, “I’ve just received a report from the royal envoy. The kingdom is planning a welcoming feast for the new crown prince.”Frederick froze for a moment, then slowly turned with eyes as sharp as daggers. “What?” he asked, his voice low and filled with menace.“A welcoming feast, sir,” the secretary repeated, swallowing hard before continuing. “The new crown prin
Last Updated: 2024-12-05
Chapter: CHAPTER 20In the vast silver-toned chamber, Rafael sat in an armchair, holding a glass of red wine in his hand. The room felt warm, but Rafael’s mood burned hotter. A brief report from Caesar had just been delivered, and every word in it brought a wide smile to his face.He read the letter again, letting his eyes dance over the words describing the downfall of the Hurbret family. The collapse of trade guilds, attacks from wild beasts, and the growing number of refugees—all these details seemed like personal entertainment to Rafael. But the highlight was the description of Frederick, the once-arrogant baron who had now become a desperate man groveling for help to survive.“That coward truly is like a dog,” Rafael muttered disdainfully.He couldn’t hold back. A booming laugh erupted from his lips, echoing through the chamber like a victory bell. Tossing the letter onto the table, he swirled the wine in his glass lazily. “Utterly hilarious,” he murmured, his smile curling into a sneer.Rising from
Last Updated: 2024-12-02
Chapter: CHAPTER 19A week had passed since Rafael left the Hurbret territory, and chaos had begun to unfold. The once-thriving trade guilds collapsed one after another. Goods failed to arrive on time, and trading partners gradually withdrew their support. Meanwhile, wild beasts from the forests, which had previously kept their distance, began attacking nearby villages. Farmers lost their fields, and residents started abandoning their homes in search of safety elsewhere.In the grand but now hollow Hurbret manor, Baron Frederick paced back and forth in his study. The once-confident man now bore a somber expression, deep lines of worry etched across his forehead. Reports piled up on his cluttered desk, none of them bearing good news."Why is this happening?" Frederick muttered in despair, staring blankly at the scattered papers.In the corner of the room, Marquess Greyson Yrewich sat with a tense expression. His fingers massaged his temples, his tired eyes reflecting his growing frustration. As a landlord
Last Updated: 2024-12-01
Chapter: CHAPTER 18The banquet hall that night was filled with the aroma of exquisite cuisine, the clinking of wine glasses, and the lively chatter of knights. The majestic pillars of the royal dining room stood tall, adorned with golden carvings reflecting the shimmering light from the crystal chandelier above. However, the jovial atmosphere abruptly shifted when King Tremos rose from his seat, raising a hand to command silence."Brothers!" Tremos' voice boomed with authority, echoing throughout the hall. "Tonight, I wish to introduce someone many of you thought lost to us. He is my blood, a son who has proven himself far beyond these palace walls. My own son—Rafael De Carlies."Sitting calmly beside the king, Rafael raised his wine glass slightly, a faint, unreadable smile gracing his lips. Some of the knights looked puzzled, while others immediately rose from their seats, bowing respectfully."Greetings to the Grand Prince of Carlies," one knight proclaimed with reverence."Isn't he Duke Rafael, the
Last Updated: 2024-11-27
Chapter: CHAPTER 17The luxurious chamber fell silent after the heated exchange. King Tremos stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his emerald eyes locked sharply on Rafael as if trying to decipher every detail of his son’s expression. Finally, Tremos took a deep breath, his voice lowering from its usual commanding tone.“So, what is it that you want?” Tremos asked, at last, his voice calm but still cold. “Do you wish to be king?”Rafael, who had been standing nonchalantly with his hands in his pockets, raised an eyebrow, as though surprised by the question. Slowly, a thin, meaningful smile curled on his lips. He didn’t answer right away, letting an awkward silence stretch between them. Finally, with a casual motion, he stepped away from the sofa, standing tall in front of his father.“Yes,” he answered firmly. “Restore my status. I am still your son, am I not? Isn’t it time I replaced you? Though times are changing, the title of king might not hold the same significance in the future. Even so, I’l
Last Updated: 2024-11-26
