2024-10-29 15:30:03Max turned around and saw a striking figure approaching—a woman he instantly recognized as Emily Rose, his college classmate.
Noticing the tension between Max and the security guard, she stepped forward without hesitation, intent on helping him out.
She knew Max often took on odd jobs to make ends meet, and seeing him in such a situation here took her by surprise.
But her kind heart couldn’t bear to watch him be treated unfairly.
Emily was a regular at the venue, a VIP guest well-known to the staff.
As soon as she approached, the security guard immediately recognized her, his expression shifting from tension to a polite respect.
“Ms. Rose! Oh, my apologies! I… I didn’t know you were here,” he stammered, trying to regain composure and plastering a fake smile on his face.
“It’s an honor to see you.”
Emily looked past him, her gaze focused on Max.
“And why, exactly, are you stopping this gentleman from entering?”
The guard hesitated, the confident sneer fading from his face.
“Uh, well… you see, Ms. Rose… this guy here, he looks like some… well, he looks like he doesn’t belong here. I thought he was, you know, just some beggar trying to cause trouble.”
Max clenched his fists, struggling to hold back his frustration, but Emily’s sharp glare at the guard silenced him.
“Some beggar?” she repeated coldly, raising an eyebrow.
“Did you even ask who he was before jumping to conclusions?”
The guard’s face flushed. “I… I mean, look at him, Ms. Rose. I was just doing my job, keeping the place safe for people like you.”
He attempted a weak smile. “Surely you wouldn’t want folks like him—”
Emily cut him off.
“This ‘folks like him’ you’re talking about happens to be my guest today. He is my classmate, and I invited him here. You’re stopping my guest.”
The guard’s eyes widened, and his face turned pale as he stammered, “I… I had no idea! Ms. Rose, please! I didn’t realize he was… your guest!” He quickly dropped to his knees, his earlier arrogance gone in an instant. “Please forgive me, Ms. Rose! It was a mistake, I swear! I shouldn’t have offended your guest.”
Turning to Max, the guard’s expression was desperate.
“Sir, I… I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean any harm. I’ll crawl to you and beg for forgiveness if you’d like! Just… just please don’t have me thrown out.”
Emily crossed her arms, her gaze icy.
“And what about that promise you made? I seem to recall you saying you’d eat a toilet if Max could afford a meal here.”
The guard’s face turned a deep shade of red, and he looked at her, trembling.
“Ms. Rose, please… it was a mistake! I didn’t mean it literally. I… I was blind! I misjudged him! Please, I beg you, have mercy!”
The guard looked mortified, dropping to his knees as he stammered out an apology.
“Ms. Rose, please… I didn’t know he was your guest. It was a misunderstanding. I—I was just doing my job, I swear! Please, don’t hold this against me.”
Emily’s face remained impassive.
“Doing your job by judging people on appearances? I don’t think that’s quite the job description.” She looked down at him, her voice sharp.
“You can beg for forgiveness all you want, but I’m not interested in excuses.”
The guard’s voice shook. “Please, Ms. Rose, I’m sorry!”
With a dismissive wave, Emily turned to Max.
“Let’s go, Max. We have better things to do.”
Ignoring the guard’s continued pleas, she led Max through the entrance as onlookers whispered among themselves.
Max looked over at her, both impressed and curious.
“Hi Emily… that was… amazing. Thank you. I had no idea you carried so much influence here.”
Emily shrugged with a small smile.
“It’s nothing, really. People like him need to be reminded that respect isn’t based on someone’s clothes.”
“Well, I appreciate it,” Max replied, a touch of awe in his voice.
“You didn’t have to go that far.”
She smiles at Max, her eyes sparkling with a mix of surprise and curiosity.
"I didn’t expect to see you here, Max," she says, her voice warm yet teasing.
"But since you're already here, why don't we catch up and take a stroll around the mall?"
Max, feeling a sense of relief after the uncomfortable encounter with the guards, can’t help but return her smile.
"I’d like that," he replies, his tone lighter than before.
"Actually, after all that commotion, I think I could use a little distraction. Maybe even pick up a few new clothes."
Emily's eyes brighten at the suggestion.
"New clothes, huh? I’d be glad to help you pick something out," she says enthusiastically.
"I think I know exactly what would suit you."
Max raises an eyebrow, intrigued.
"I’m not exactly the fashion-forward type, so I could use all the help I can get."
"Don’t worry," Emily laughs, gently nudging him. "I promise I won’t let you walk out of here looking like a disaster."
They went into a nearby luxury designer store.
The attendants greeted her with wide smiles, clearly recognizing her.
As they entered, Max couldn’t help but admire the array of high-end suits, jackets, and designer clothes.
It was a world he had never dared to step into before.
Emily wasted no time, browsing through racks of clothing and pulling out various items.
She handed him a smart jacket and a pair of tailored jeans.
“Try these. They’ll bring out your confidence, and I want to see you in something that makes a statement.”
Max took the clothes, looking a bit dazed.
“Now, go try them on.”
A few minutes later, Max emerged from the fitting room, looking transformed in the sharp jacket and well-fitted jeans. Emily smiled approvingly.
“Much better. But we’re not done.”
For the next half hour, Emily helped Max pick out several more outfits—some casual, others more formal, all high-quality and tailored to perfection.
Max felt a surge of gratitude and admiration as he watched Emily in action, her confidence and poise making every interaction effortless.
He glanced at her as they waited at the counter.
“Emily, I don’t even know how to thank you. You’ve done so much for me already.”
Emily waved it off with a smile.
“You don’t need to thank me.” She paused, her gaze softening.
“People shouldn’t have to face what you did out there. Maybe now they’ll think twice before judging you.”
Suddenly, she felt a hard bump from behind, and her shopping bags slipped from her grasp, tumbling to the floor.
She turned around, her expression calm but questioning.
“Oh, look at that! Are you blind or what?” sneered the man who had bumped into her.
His voice dripped with arrogance.
Max’s eyes widened as he recognized the voice.
Johnson. And, standing beside him, glancing at Emily with an equally disdainful expression, was none other than Amanda, his ex-girlfriend.
Emily straightened, unfazed.
“Excuse me? You walked into me.”
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Amanda held up the luxury handbag, twirling it with a radiant smile.“Johnson, isn’t it stunning? This bag would be perfect for me! You wouldn’t want me to leave without it, would you?”Johnson laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.“Amanda, didn’t I… just get you that luxury car last week? Maybe we could take it easy for a bit?”She pouted, her eyes widening in exaggerated disappointment.“Oh, Johnson, it’s just one little handbag. Imagine how perfect it would look with my wardrobe. Plus, everyone would know I’m spoiled by you. Don’t you want that?”Johnson hesitated, glancing at the price tag.This would go over my budget, he thought. If he gave in, he’d risk his dad’s wrath for overspending again.“Well…” He stalled, trying to think of a way out.“I mean, it’s… beautiful, but maybe we could find something similar, but, you know… less?”Amanda’s eyes narrowed slightly.“Less? Johnson, it’s not about the price; it’s about showing that you care. Are you telling me you can’t
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Amanda joined in, rolling her eyes. “It’s probably a piece of plastic from a toy store. Come on, Max. You’re really out here trying to fool people?”The other shoppers had started to take notice, their whispers creating a soft buzz of judgment in the air. Max stood quietly, the black card held loosely between his fingers."Max," Emily whispered urgently beside him, "you don't have to do this. Let me—"Johnson cut her off with an exaggerated gasp. "Emily, dear, don't tell me you actually believe this circus act? Look at him! He probably colored a regular card with a Sharpie!""The craftsmanship is quite poor, if you ask me," Amanda chimed in, examining her reflection in a nearby mirror. "You can practically see the marker strokes."Emily's face flushed as she reached for her purse. "I can handle this," she said quietly to Max. "There's no need to—""To embarrass himself further?" Johnson interjected, slapping his knee. "Oh no, please let him continue! This is better than dinner theater
ALMIGHTY DOMINANCE LOST HEIR CHAPTER 11
The machine beeped loudly, and the dreaded word flashed across the screen in unforgiving red: DECLINED.Max felt the weight of that single word hit him, his confidence momentarily shaken.He frowned, glancing down at his black card, disbelief flickering across his face.From behind him, a loud, exaggerated laugh echoed through the store. Amanda stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with a cruel amusement.“Oh, look at Mr. High Roller. Can’t even afford a little shopping spree? Poor Max!”Johnson chimed in, crossing his arms and smirking.“Guess it’s true what they say, huh? All bark, no bite. Or should I say, all card, no cash?”Bystanders, intrigued by the commotion, paused in their own shopping to watch the scene unfold.Their whispers grew louder, blending with Amanda and Johnson’s taunts.“Isn’t that the guy who’s always bragging about his car?” one bystander murmured.“Yeah, what a fake,” someone else agreed. “Probably rented the suit, too.”Max tried to ignore the whispers and forc
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Max handed over a sleek, metallic card to Mr. Collins, the store manager.The manager's eyes widened slightly as he received the card, and his fingers trembled slightly as he inspected it.The unique design, the modest insignia—they were recognizable. This was no ordinary card.How could he get anything like this?Mr. Collins' eyes flickered up, assessing Max with curiosity and skepticism.Could he truly be important?"Excuse me," Mr. Collins said, his voice hesitant."This is a very rare card. How did you get it?Max grinned calmly. "This is mine. Is there an issue?"Mr. Collins gulped, his attention returning to the card.He'd heard rumors that a strong family's ownership had lately been passed to an unknown heir—a young guy whose name was kept secret.Could it be him?"None at all, sir.I just didn’t expect..." He stopped himself, recognizing how rude his first reply must have been. He straightened his posture and adopted a more professional demeanor."I apologize, Mr. Max. Please l
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The glass doors of the luxury boutique swung shut behind them as Emily and Max stepped onto the bustling sidewalk.The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the designer shopping bags they carried, and a gentle breeze ruffled Emily's perfectly styled hair."I have to say," Emily began, her lips curving into an amused smile, "when I first spotted you in those clothes earlier, I was all set to play fairy godmother. But it seems my charity services aren't needed after all, Mr. College Student."The way she emphasized the last words made Max chuckle. The shopping bags in his hands rustled as he shifted his weight, designer labels catching the sunlight."About that..." Max started, preparing to explain his true identity.The weight of his American Express Black card seemed heavier in his pocket after the day's events."No, really," Emily continued, her eyes twinkling with genuine interest."Most college students I know are surviving on ramen noodles and student loans. But here you ar
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Max sat down in the soft chair.The yellow light from the restaurant's general lighting lit up his table.He looked down at his plate and was amazed by the wonderful smell of his carefully prepared food.It was the most expensive thing he had ever eaten, and each bite made him dream of the kind of wealth he had dreamt once, which has become now into reality.But his pleasure was cut short by a sudden commotion nearby.The voices grew louder and more angry, sharp, and mean.Max turned his head and saw a young man standing over a girl who looked about twenty years old.Her uniform was simple, her hands trembling as she tried to keep her head down, tears already glistening in her eyes."You stupid girl!" The man barked, and his voice was filled with disdain."Do you even know how much these shoes cost?"The girl said, "Sir, I'm so sorry." I meant not to—"He cut her off with a sneer and asked, "Didn't mean to? You poor little beggar didn’t mean to, of course. But you never know where you
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"This has nothing to do with you."Max stood his ground and said, "It is now. You went too far. She did something wrong. It doesn’t give you the right to treat her badly like this."Elliot Stoke fiddled with his expensive watch in a fake-calm way."Do you know who I am? No one dares talk to me like that!""You messed up someone you shouldn’t have. How much are these shoes?" He made a big gesture to point to the scratched leather. "One of a kind, limited edition, and worth more than you can imagine. And she messed them up."Max looked at the shoes with a bored look on his face."Perhaps you wouldn’t be acting this way if you spent less on shoes and more on learning how to be decent."The man was very angry, as you can see."Do you really think that talking about your shoes will scare me away?" Max responded with his eyebrows raised. "Is that all you have?"The man sneered and laughed in a mean way."Do you think this is a joke? I'm going to make her pay every penny. She doesn’t belong
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CHAPTER 111
One elder, a stern woman with silver hair, leaned forward.“Your reckless actions have drawn enemies to our gates, Max. You’ve endangered everything we’ve built.”Another elder, a balding man, added, “Your defiance against this council is unacceptable. Do you deny your role in the chaos that has befallen the Montgomery name?”Max’s jaw tightened, but he spoke with measured calm.“I deny nothing. The attacks on this family weren’t caused by me—they were orchestrated by someone in this very room.”The hall fell silent as Max placed the evidence on the table. He slid the ledger, surveillance images, and documents from the safehouse across the polished wood.“This is proof of decades of betrayal. Proof that someone among us has been manipulating this family for their own gain.”The elders leaned forward, scanning the documents.Some paled as they read, while others exchanged wary glances.A few shook their heads in disbelief.“This is absurd,” one elder scoffed, shoving the papers aside.
CHAPTER 110
Max turned to her, his voice low but firm.“Then we take him down. Expose everything.”Molly glanced up from the laptop.“That’s easier said than done. Reginald’s been covering his tracks for decades. And if he’s as powerful as this makes him look, he’ll know we’re onto him.”Back at the Montgomery estate, Max and his team regrouped in the war room, laying out the evidence they’d collected.The sheer scope of Reginald’s influence was staggering—bank accounts, property holdings, and a network of loyalists within the family council.“This isn’t just one man,” Gerald said, gesturing to the files.“This is an empire within the family. He’s been playing the long game, and we’re just now catching up.”Max stared at the ledger from the vault, now cross-referenced with the safehouse documents.“Elliot never realized he was being used. Reginald manipulated him just like everyone else.”Emily leaned against the table, her voice soft.“Max, if Reginald knows you’re onto him…”“He’ll come after m
CHAPTER 109
The room was silent except for the hum of the tablet as Max and his allies analyzed the anonymous message.The single name—Reginald Montgomery—hung in the air like a storm cloud.“Reginald,” Emily repeated, her voice uncertain.“Your great-uncle?”Max nodded, his jaw tight.“He’s one of the oldest and most powerful members of the family. If this message is right… he’s the one pulling all the strings.”Molly frowned, staring at the screen.“But why? What could he gain from tearing down the family he’s part of?”“Power,” Gerald said grimly, stepping forward.“Reginald’s been consolidating power for decades. If he orchestrated all this, it wasn’t just to hurt the Stokes or your father. It was to make himself untouchable.”Red Fang crossed his arms, his tone skeptical.“So how do we know this isn’t another setup?”Max’s eyes narrowed.“We find out. Trace the message.”The trail led them to a dilapidated safehouse on the outskirts of the city, its exterior overgrown with ivy and weeds.The
CHAPTER 108
Victor stumbled out of the burning Montgomery estate, clutching his bleeding shoulder.His breaths came in ragged gasps as he glared back at the mansion.The mission had failed, but his anger burned hotter than his pain.“This isn’t over,” he muttered, disappearing into the shadows.Inside, Max leaned heavily against a pillar as Gerald reached down to help him up.“You’ve seen better days,” Gerald said dryly, gripping Max’s arm.Max winced but accepted the help.“What are you doing here, Gerald? Last I checked, you were locked away.”Gerald smirked faintly.“Let’s just say I know this estate better than the people who tried to keep me locked up.”Max pulled his arm free, his eyes narrowing.“Why should I believe you? You betrayed this family once. What’s stopping you from doing it again?”Gerald sighed, leaning against a nearby wall.“I didn’t come here to ask for your trust, Max. I came because I realized the truth—and because I owe you and your father more than I can ever repay.”Ma
CHAPTER 107
Outside, Red Fang and his men engaged the intruders, their movements sharp and deadly.Bullets ricocheted off walls and statues, and the estate’s gardens became a warzone.“Push them back!” Red Fang roared, slicing through one of the attackers with brutal precision.“No one gets inside!”One of his men called out, “Sir, they’re too coordinated! It’s like they’ve been planning this for months.”Red Fang growled.“Then we make them regret it.”Max fought his way through the chaos, dispatching intruders with swift, precise movements.He moved with purpose, his mind focused on one thing: stopping whoever was behind this.As he entered the grand hall, he froze.At the far end of the room stood Victor Kane, his face illuminated by the flickering flames of a shattered chandelier.“Well, well,” Victor said, his smirk infuriatingly smug.“Look who decided to join the party.”Max’s eyes narrowed.“Victor. I should’ve known.”Victor chuckled, stepping forward.“Elliot sends his regards. He wante
CHAPTER 106
Except it wasn’t labeled openly. It was hidden under a false title: Financial Restructuring Plans, 1980–1990.“Clever,” Molly muttered as Max pulled the file.He opened it on a nearby table, revealing decades-old documents, photographs, and letters.The contents were damning.Max flipped through the file, each page painting a picture darker than the last. The Montgomery family had secretly funded illegal activities to maintain their grip on power:sabotage of competitors, bribes to government officials, and even orchestrated “accidents” for allies who became liabilities.“This…” Emily whispered, her eyes wide.“This is corruption on a massive scale.”Max’s hand froze on a photograph of his father with Nathaniel Stoke, both men shaking hands at the announcement of the pact.The caption read: Partnership for a New Era.“Look at this,” Max said, pointing to a memo dated weeks after the pact collapsed.“‘Ensure complete control by eliminating dissent.’” He clenched his fist. “This is pro
CHAPTER 105
As the team prepared to dig deeper, Winston, the family’s loyal butler, entered the room, his footsteps measured.He carried a small, sealed envelope in his gloved hands.“Master Max,” Winston said, his voice soft.“There’s something you should see.”Max looked up, frowning.“What is it?”Winston hesitated before extending the envelope.“Your father left this for you before he disappeared. I was instructed to give it to you when the time was right.”Max stared at the envelope, his heart pounding.“Why now?”Winston’s expression was unreadable.“Because the time has come for you to know the truth.”Max took the envelope, his hands shaking slightly.He glanced at Molly and Emily, who watched him with bated breath.“What’s in it?” Emily asked gently.Max’s voice was quiet but resolute.“The truth.”As Max turned the envelope over, he noticed his father’s handwriting scrawled across the front: For Max, when it matters most.Max sat at the edge of the war room table, the sealed letter in h
CHAPTER 104
Molly sat in the estate’s library, a warm cup of tea in her hands, though she barely noticed its heat.Max stood near the window, staring out at the rain-soaked grounds, his jaw tight with frustration.“You should rest,” Max said without turning. “You’ve been through enough.”Molly shook her head, her voice steady.“I’m not sitting this out, Max. Razor’s words weren’t just empty taunts. Someone in your family is behind this, and I’m going to help you find out who.”Max glanced at her, his expression softening slightly.“You don’t have to do this.”“I do,” Molly insisted.“If we don’t figure this out, Elliot wins. And I’m not letting that happen.”The war room was tense as Max, Molly, and Emily faced Leonard, the elder Emily had met earlier.The ledger lay open on the table between them, the evidence clear and damning.Leonard’s eyes darted nervously between the pages and Max’s cold stare.“I don’t know what you think you’re proving, Max.”Max slammed his hand on the table, making Leo
CHAPTER 103
Max drove Razor against a pillar, pinning him with his forearm.“You think this is winning? You’re just a pawn in Elliot’s game.”Razor grinned despite the pain.“Maybe. But at least I know who’s pulling the strings.”Max’s grip tightened.“Who?”Razor’s smile widened.“Someone closer than you think.”“Got it!” Red Fang shouted, cutting the final wire on the primary trigger.The countdown paused at 00:00:15.Emily exhaled in relief but then noticed a second set of wires running along the wall.“Red, there’s another system!”Red Fang cursed under his breath.“I can’t disarm both.”Emily helped Molly to her feet, supporting her weight.“Then we don’t have a choice. We need to run.”Max heard the commotion and glanced at the timer, his heart sinking.“It’s rigged to blow, isn’t it?”“Secondary charges,” Red Fang confirmed, his voice grim.“We’ve got less than a minute.”Max turned back to Razor, his voice low and lethal.“You’re done.”Razor coughed, smirking through his bruises.“Not qu
