0004
Author: Calendula
last update2024-12-26 14:44:03

Max did not immediately answer Chief Raul’s question.

He glanced at the chair in front of him, and Chief Raul immediately sat in it, right across from Max.

Max crossed his legs, leaning casually back in his chair.

Max gave a thin smile, but his eyes remained sharp.

“I’ve been accused of corruption, bribery, and... engaging in illegal activities.”

"That's why I'm here now," he continued.

Chief Raul was stunned, almost jumping out of his seat in shock.

How could this be?

Max was the one who had stabilized Morow State, played a significant role in the progress of the state, and now he was suddenly accused of such crimes?

It felt like a bomb exploding in his chest.

Chief Raul couldn’t fathom who could have orchestrated all of this.

For the past four years, under Max’s leadership, Morow State had risen from the darkness.

New schools had opened for children from poor families.

The rampant child trafficking had been eradicated, and dozens of missing children had been returned to their families.

Infrastructure was rebuilt with available funds, reaching every neglected corner of the state.

Healthcare for ordinary people had been improved, granting access they had never dreamed of before.

In terms of the economy, the prices were stable, production had increased, and even in a city like Adoona, known for its drug cartels, Max was respected.

Even the mayor of Adoona was deeply grateful to him.

Still shocked, Chief Raul spoke with a trembling voice.

“Mr. Max… how is this possible? You... you are the one who built Morow State.”

“You’ve given so much to this state. How could someone like you be accused of crimes?”

In the corner of the room, the two junior officers who had arrested Max stared at the scene with stunned expressions.

One of them whispered to his partner, just low enough not to be heard by Max.

“Did we arrest the wrong person?”

His partner, who had previously been so sure of himself, now appeared pale, cold sweat starting to form on his forehead.

“If he really isn’t guilty... we’re in big trouble,” he whispered again, his eyes glancing nervously at Max, who seemed unfazed.

Meanwhile, Max didn’t immediately respond.

He simply shrugged calmly.

“I didn’t come here to hear your defense.”

“I plan to go to Mount Arleth, before I’m imprisoned,” Max continued.

Chief Raul was silent for a moment, clearly shaken by the statement.

“Mount Arleth?” he repeated, his voice slightly trembling.

“That’s a dangerous area, Sir.”

Mount Arleth was the natural icon of Morow State, towering high with its peak always covered in snow, making it the highest point in the state.

The mountain had a far more somber and tense atmosphere, filled with chaos and instability, and countless deaths had occurred there.

It served as the natural border of Morow State from the Immortal Ravine to the north.

“Pardon…What’s the reason you’re going there, Sir?”

Chief Raul finally asked.

“That’s none of your business,” Max said briefly.

“I’m just telling you because, as of now, I’m considered a criminal.”

“So, to avoid being seen as fleeing,” he added.

Chief Raul took a long breath, weighing his decision. 

“Then, let me accompany you, Mr. Max. At least let me ensure your safety.”

Max stood slowly.

“If you want to come long, then keep up, but I don’t need protection.”

He said coldly, then began to walk toward the door without waiting for a response.

Chief Raul quickly stood up too, his expression unreadable.

Behind him, the two uniformed officers remained silently, their heads bowed.

They didn’t dare to look directly at Max as he passed by them.

By now, Chief Raul had sharply realized what had just happened.

He suspected that it was someone from the governor's office who had reported Max.

He decided to do something about it now.

For Chief Raul, Max couldn’t be treated like this.

Morow State wouldn’t survive without his leadership.

Without Max, this state would return to the chaos, terror, and violence they had tried so hard to overcome.

Max was the foundation that supported this state.

Without him, everything would collapse!

With slightly trembling hands, Chief Raul grabbed his phone and immediately contacted Lieutenant Governor Avo.

“Mr. Avo,” he said in a heavy voice, “I’ve received a report about Mr. Max.”

“Do you know about it?”

“What?! How come? You mean the Governor himself might be behind all this? Has he gone crazy?”

Chief Raul took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

The voice on the other end of the line was faint, but the anger was clear, and Chief Raul listened attentively.

“Sure, I’ll try my best to keep Mr. Max safe. Thank you, Sir, for looking into this more thoroughly.”

After ending the call, Chief Raul quickened his pace to catch up with Max.

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  • 0074

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    Sensing Max’s presence, the old man slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was sharp yet filled with wisdom. He immediately stood up and bowed respectfully before Max."Welcome, Young Master," he said in a deep, calm voice.Max returned the gesture with a slight bow, showing his respect to the figure before him.The man was Saheel, an 80-year-old hermit and the disciple of Max’s late mentor. His face was lined with deep wrinkles, yet his eyes still held sharpness and vigilance.Saheel looked at Max with confidence. "I knew that one day you would come to see me, and today proves it." A faint smile appeared on his face. "In fact, I could sense your presence hours ago."Max nodded slightly, not particularly surprised by the statement. "That doesn’t matter. I wasn’t expecting a grand welcome. I came here to see you and ask for your help."Saheel raised an eyebrow. "Help?"Max took a deep breath before speaking again, his voice quieter but firm. "I need your help to heal my mother. The illness s

  • 0070

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  • 0069

    Dominic clenched his fists, struggling to contain the storm of emotions boiling inside him. Seraphina’s degrading words felt like sharp knives stabbing his pride. But what hurt even more was the undeniable truth in her words. Dominic had fallen—he had lost all the connections and influence he once had. Seraphina smirked mockingly at him. “So, why are you here?” she asked sharply. “Are you here to meet Max as well?” Dominic remained silent, refusing to answer. However, Seraphina seemed to have already guessed everything. She let out a mocking laugh. “HAHA… So it’s true? You’re here to beg Max, to grovel at his feet, and plead for a position in this government?” Dominic gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing with fury. His fists clenched tightly, but he still refused to speak. Seraphina merely looked at him in satisfaction, savoring her small victory. Before Dominic could retaliate, the woman who had been sitting across from Seraphina stood up and walked toward them. S

  • 0068

    Max stared at his mother, his sharp and commanding eyes reflecting an inner turmoil no one could comprehend. He wanted to believe that his mother’s illness was merely a rare medical condition, something that could be explained logically. However, after witnessing firsthand how her body changed, how the convulsions seemed to react to something invisible—Max felt a crushing sense of helplessness in his chest. With all his might, he held back his emotions. He didn’t want his mother to see him vulnerable. Max wasn’t the type of man who let his emotions control him, but at this moment, he felt utterly useless as a son. He clenched his fists on his lap, his jaw tightening, and for the first time in his life, he cursed himself. ‘If only I were stronger… If only I could save her…’ Then, something strange happened. The air around Max trembled, and the temperature in the room dropped drastically. It felt as if something inside him was stirring—something long sealed away, wai

  • 0067

    Max held his mother’s hand tighter, gazing at her aged face, which still carried warmth despite her inability to speak. He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the emotions swirling inside him before finally speaking. "Morow State is stable now, Mother. I’ve resumed my position as the chief spokesperson for the governor’s office," he said, his voice soft yet firm. "I came here to take you with me. I want you to live with me, not in this place, not with Father." Max looked at his mother with hope. For a long time, he had wanted to take his mother away from this house, away from the shadow of his father, whom he always believed was the source of her suffering. But every time Max voiced his wish, his mother always refused. Today, Max was trying once more. "I need an answer, Mother," Max continued. "If you agree to live with me, blink once. If you don’t, blink twice." Silence filled the room. Max held his breath, waiting for a different answer this time. But in the next

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