2024-12-26 14:45:12Manager Nelson stood tall, despite the atmosphere in the room growing increasingly tense.
"With all due respect, Miss Seraphina," he said, "I cannot allow you to dismiss Mr. Max's contributions so easily."
Seraphina shot Manager Nelson a sharp glare.
"What do you mean?" her voice cold.
Manager Nelson lifted his chin slightly, taking a deep breath.
"Everyone in Morow State knows who’s truly been working behind the scenes.”
“Without Mr. Max, this state wouldn’t be what it is today. Our current GDP? The stability we enjoy? It’s all made possible by Mr. Max’s contributions."
To Manager Nelson, Seraphina’s remarks were a cruel joke.
Everyone in Morow State knew that Max had been working tirelessly behind the scenes, transforming a once-chaotic state into a stable territory with a $20 trillion GDP.
Even the Moont Hotel, the pride of Morow State, stood tall thanks to Max’s unseen support and contributions.
After Manager Nelson countered Seraphina’s claims, the room’s atmosphere shifted drastically.
Governor Darrus's expression hardened instantly, his face revealing a barely concealed fury.
His dark eyes burned with a menacing intensity, and his jaw clenched tightly.
On the other hand, Dominic sat with a cold demeanor, though his eyes betrayed a deep displeasure.
Darrus leaned slightly forward, his fingers tapping the table impatiently.
He cast Manager Nelson a glare that could make anyone tremble.
“Do you think you have the right to speak on such significant matters?”
"You've gone too far. This isn’t your concern!"
Darrus’s voice was heavy and brimming with anger.
Manager Nelson fell silent.
He realized that Max had been exploited and discarded by the Governor and his allies.
Quietly, he felt both disgusted and worried.
If Max were truly ousted, Morow State could descend into chaos once more, and even this hotel might... collapse alongside it.
Suddenly, the door to the room burst open, startling everyone inside.
Lieutenant Governor Avo stormed in, his strides filled with fury.
His gaze immediately locked onto Darrus and Seraphina.
"Who came up with the idea of framing Max with charges of corruption, bribery, and prostitution?"
His voice was loud and commanding, echoing through the room.
Darrus remained silent, but Seraphina stepped forward confidently, though her eyes flickered with nervousness for a moment.
"I suggested it, Mr. Avo. The accusations are legitimate, and we have strong evidence to back them up."
Mr. Avo crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow.
"Alright. Show me the evidence now."
Seraphina froze, her mouth opening slightly as if to respond, but no words came out.
"What? You’ve got nothing to show?"
Mr. Avo sneered as he pointed at Dominic, his gaze filled with contempt.
"This is all just a ploy to take Max down, isn’t it? So this boy here can take his position and claim all the credit for himself? How shameful!"
Seraphina bristled, but she tried to defend herself.
"Mr. Avo, Max is nobody.”
“He’s just an orphan my father gave a chance to. Without us, he would never have gotten this far," she continued.
Mr. Avo stared at her sharply, his tone growing colder.
"If it weren’t for that ‘orphan,’ Morow State would still be mired in poverty and chaos.”
“Not just anyone can replace Max. What you’re doing isn’t just disgraceful—it’s downright foolish!"
He pointed a finger at Darrus, who remained tense and silent.
"Governor Darrus, you should know better!”
“For six years, I’ve served as Lieutenant Governor, and I’ve seen firsthand how Max worked tirelessly to elevate Morow State."
"Max is the one who brought stability, security, and prosperity to this state, while you all sat in your comfortable chairs reaping the benefits!"
Mr. Avo continued, his expression furious.
Mr. Avo paused briefly, memories flashing through his mind.
He vividly recalled the moment when Max stood before the "Lord of the Abyss" at the border.
The tension was palpable then, with the cold wind carrying the scent of blood and destruction.
Max didn’t falter for a second.
With a resolute stance and firm voice, he forced the "Lord of the Abyss" into submission.
That agreement became a shield for Morow State.
As long as Max was in charge, the border remained secure.
Previously, chaos had been a way of life.
The "Lord of the Abyss’s" subordinates frequently launched sudden invasions, destroying cities and villages, burning fields and farms, and instilling mass terror.
Many lives were lost, civilians and soldiers alike-defending the territory with all they had.
But after that meeting, the threats ceased entirely.
Avo recalled with pride how border residents hailed Max as their savior.
To this day, Max’s name remained a heroic legend in the area.
Even now, beyond the border, they believed that Morow State’s safety from the grasp of the "Lord of the Abyss" was thanks to Max’s leadership.
This was undeniable proof of Max’s immense influence!
And yet, these three fools were too reckless to understand what they were doing.
They were truly trying to topple Max, as if the man meant nothing.
Mr. Avo couldn’t hold back.
He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, despair evident on his face.
He opened his eyes slowly, a sharp glare radiating from his hardened expression.
His voice was deep and authoritative as he finally spoke.
"If Max is replaced," he said firmly, "and the Lord of the Abyss decides to act again, what do you think will happen?”
“Border towns will descend into unimaginable chaos!”
He glanced at Seraphina, then Darrus, and finally Dominic, his gaze piercing through them like a knife.
"There will be nothing left to save!"
“Our soldiers, our people, even our economy—everything will crumble into pieces. Is that what you want?"
Mr. Avo stepped forward, gripping the table tightly, his voice lowering but exuding menace.
"Don’t meddle in things you don’t understand. Max is the reason you all can sit here comfortably today!”
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0007
Darrus and Dominic's faces hardened, revealing their displeasure as their plans began to unravel.However, Darrus remained unmoved by Mr. Avo's warnings.With a tone full of disdain, he scoffed."Max is nothing but an orphan with no value," Darrus sneered."He has no talent, no education, and has only made it this far because of my generosity.”“Meanwhile Dominic," he continued, glancing at Dominic, who sat confidently, "is a top graduate from the Cadenza Leadership Institute.""Dominic has extraordinary skills, a strong family background, and an extensive network of connections.""Comparing Max to Dominic? It’s like comparing a filthy maggot to a soaring eagle. They’re not even on the same level," Darrus concluded.Mr. Avo sneered, his gaze sharp with contempt.Crossing his arms, he responded in a cold ironic voice,"Oh, is that so? If Dominic is so brilliant, why hasn’t the capital’s GDP surpassed Morow State yet?"Mr. Avo’s words struck like a whip, darkening Darrus and Dominic’s e
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0008
The next morning, Max woke up early, breathing in the refreshing coolness of the morning air.He had a simple breakfast that had been prepared for him while checking the items he would take to Mount Arleth.There were fresh flowers, candles, and a few other supplies.Meanwhile, Chief Raul appeared restless, pacing back and forth in front of the inn’s door.Seeing that Max was ready, he approached him.Chief Raul said anxiously, “Excuse me, Sir. But may I accompany you?”“The security out there… I’m concerned, Sir.”Max looked at Raul and calmly replied, “Stay here. I’ll be back. There’s no need to worry.”However, Chief Raul insisted.“I can’t just stay here, Sir. I must go with you.”Max gave a slight smile, unbothered by Raul’s unease."If it makes you feel better, then come along with me."With a nod, Chief Raul and his subordinates followed Max out of the inn.Yet, as soon as they stepped outside, Chief Raul paused briefly, his eyes scanning the path ahead.He was used to being on
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0009
At that moment, Chief Raul and his men finally realized who these people really were.They were subordinates of the "Lord of the Abyss."The "Lord of the Abyss" was a figure of immense military power.He controlled key trade routes, strategic territories, and wielded influence that extended into neighboring countries.Seeing someone as formidable as him paying respect to Max left them both astonished and deeply impressed.Chief Raul looked at Max with a newfound perspective.In his heart, he reflected, if someone as influential as the "Lord of the Abyss" showed such respect to Max, then Max’s reputation must far exceed anyone’s imagination.Max didn’t need to rely on corruption, threats, or underhanded methods to gain influence.His very presence was enough to command authority and control any situation.Chief Raul pondered for a moment.If someone like Max ever turned his back on Morow State, the consequences would be unimaginable.Only devastation would remain.Moments later, the yo
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0010
Without looking back, Max turned and began descending from the peak, passing rows of soldiers who stood silently with their heads bowed.Each of his steady steps on the snow resonated with an undeniable authority.Chief Raul, standing not far away, observed Max’s steps with mixed emotions—admiration and profound respect.The young man leading the troops suddenly moved forward.With a respectful demeanor, he knelt before the tombstone, followed by the rest of the soldiers.Chief Raul and his men could only stand frozen, unsure of what they should do.Then, the young man bowed deeply, and the entire troop followed suit.Chief Raul found the scene extraordinary, as though he were witnessing something that would never happen again in his lifetime.In his heart, Chief Raul thought, Max was a symbol of irreplaceable strength.If someone like Max were imprisoned, the damage to Morow State would be unimaginable.Chief Raul witnessed everything with deep admiration.The extraordinary power and
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0011
Meanwhile, Governor Darrus, Seraphina, and Dominic returned to the Hayes family residence.The Lieutenant Governor, Avo, with his arrogant demeanor, had ruined the welcome dinner for Dominic, turning what should have been a warm occasion into a tense one.Nevertheless, a spirit of optimism remained among them.They were confident that Dominic would successfully take control of Morow State.Their plans were solid, alliances firmly established, leaving no room for Max to turn the tables.Max had already lost, and Dominic’s vision as the new leader of Morow State was becoming more tangible with each passing moment.Darrus sat relaxed in the spacious living room.Thoughts of the future began to fill his mind.He felt proud of how his family had forged strong ties with Dominic’s influential family in the capital.With these connections, Darrus envisioned a bright future ahead-opportunities for promotion, greater wealth, and an elevated social status.He even imagined one day moving to the
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0012
Meanwhile, inside the prison.Chief Raul stood tall in front of the large cell.The old, rusty iron door became the focus of his gaze.He turned to his subordinates and spoke in a firm voice."Remove this door. Clean everything!""I want this place to be as comfortable as a five-star hotel."His subordinates immediately went into action.Some of them began unscrewing the bolts of the iron door with the tools they had brought.The process made a creaking sound that echoed down the prison hallway.Others started mopping the floor, scrubbing every corner until it shined.One officer wiped the walls with a damp cloth, removing the dark stains.Several others moved the old, rusty metal bed out of the cell.In no time, a new, luxurious bed with a sturdy wooden frame, clean white sheets, and a soft pillow was brought in and carefully set up."Make sure everything is neat," said Chief Raul, watching closely with sharp eyes."Almost done, Chief."One officer reported while straightening the la
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0013
Chief Raul rushed out of the cell after ensuring Max's accommodations were perfectly arranged.Once he reached his office, he immediately called Lieutenant Governor Avo.“Lieutenant Governor Avo, what about Governor Darrus?”Chief Raul began the conversation.“He’s still being stubborn,” Mr. Avo replied on the other end of the line.“He remains insistent on that political marriage.”“He wants Dominic to take over Morow State. Nothing can change his mind.”Chief Raul slammed his fist on the desk.“Dominic? That man isn’t even worthy of cleaning Mr. Max’s shoes, let alone leading Morow State!”“I know,” Mr. Avo responded with a defeated tone.“But Darrus is obsessed with the capital alliance. He believes it will strengthen his position.”Chief Raul cursed loudly.“He’s a fool! Mr. Max is the only one who truly cares about this state.”“Meanwhile, Dominic doesn’t even know where the Morow State border lies!”“It’s ridiculous! We’re handing Morow State over to someone who will destroy it!
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0014
Darrus grinned slyly."I recently discovered that Max owns several properties in Golden Hills, the most luxurious neighborhood in Morow State.”“I don’t think those properties are just ordinary residences. From what I’ve found, his has dozens of mistresses living there."“We also confirmed that Max had been transferring thousands if not millions of dollars to his mistresses.”Dominic remained silent for a moment, pondering Darrus’s words. "If that’s true, then Max’s good reputation is all a facade. We can easily defeat him."Darrus nodded as he adjusted his seat, his eyes gleaming with cunning."I have a good idea. You should invite some government officials to join you in inspecting Max’s properties."Dominic frowned, turning his cup in his hands."That means I take them to the Golden Hills properties and make them uncover crimes Max has been hiding all along."Dominic started to smirk, a sign he was beginning to grasp the plan."Exactly! Use the opportunity to expose who Max really
Latest Chapter
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
0066
Max had never truly been interested in Sarah. To him, she was just a childhood friend—someone their families had once tried to arrange a marriage with when they were teenagers. But to Max, Sarah was nothing more than a part of the past, a past that had no place in his life now. After the incident at his office, Max decided to return to his family home—the Knight estate. As he stepped into the main hall, he found his father, Mr. Fernand Knight, sitting in an ornate wooden chair, engrossed in his book. The atmosphere of the room remained the same as he remembered—cold and filled with the shadows of a dark past. Without a word, Max walked past his father. But before he could ascend the stairs to the upper floor, Fernand’s deep voice stopped him in his tracks. “How impolite,” his father remarked, not even bothering to look up from his book. “You dare come back to this house without informing me? You didn’t even greet me.” Max paused for a moment, his jaw tightening, but he did
0065
After that incident, James, Darrus, and Dominic no longer dared to disturb Max. Their political careers had been utterly destroyed. The two major parties that once supported them now refused even to acknowledge their existence. Their names were only mentioned in the dark history of Morow State as figures who failed to maintain their power. Meanwhile, Morow State was now stable. Organized crime had been eradicated, the economy was improving, and public trust in the government was gradually being restored. Amidst the growing calm, someone from Max's past appeared in his office. Seraphina stepped in with a pounding heart. She knew the risks, but she couldn't let this opportunity slip away. With hesitant steps, she stood in front of Max, who was busy with his documents. "Max..." Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. Max didn’t lift his face; only his cold eyes glanced at Seraphina briefly before returning to his work. His silence made the air in the room feel even heavier. S
0064
Within an hour, news of Nichol's arrest, along with all the crime bosses who had recently wreaked havoc in Morow State, had spread widely across various media platforms. National television aired exclusive reports, while social media was flooded with posts about the extraordinary event. One of the police officers involved in the operation gave a brief interview in front of the cameras. In an astonished tone, he explained how the arrests happened so quickly and without resistance. "We didn't need much force or additional strategy. The entire operation took only ten minutes. And it was all because of Mr. Max," he stated firmly. "What’s even more surprising is that these crime bosses didn't fight back at all. They bowed and showed respect to Mr. Max, as if they had known him for a long time." His statement quickly became a hot topic across social media platforms. Comments flooded the news posts, mostly from Morow State residents who now felt relieved and safe. "Max is truly a her
0063
The iron door swung wide open, revealing a vast room filled with tobacco smoke and the sharp scent of alcohol. The dim light from the flickering chandeliers cast a glow on the scattered stacks of cash spread across the gambling table. Several men sat around the table, laughing coarsely as they downed their liquor. In their laps, scantily clad—or even completely nude—women clung to them seductively, inhaling the intoxicating aura of power and wealth that permeated the room. However, the laughter and noise gradually faded as Max stepped inside with a calm demeanor. His cold gaze swept across the room, instantly shifting the atmosphere. Chief Raul and his three subordinates followed closely behind, their bodies tense, ready to act. His police instincts screamed at him to draw his weapon immediately, but he froze the moment Max raised a hand—an unspoken command that was clear and undeniable. Chief Raul furrowed his brows but lowered his gun. His men followed suit. At the center
0062
Not even 24 hours had passed since his release, yet Max was already back in action. There was no time to rest, no time to relax.Chief Raul, standing beside him as they prepared to depart, attempted to offer some advice."Mr. Max, you should rest first. At least for two days. Your body still needs to recover after everything that happened in prison."Max merely glanced at him briefly, his expression remaining cold. "Not necessary."That short response ended any further debate. Chief Raul sighed, finally giving up.They set off in a convoy consisting of two Hummers filled with police officers and soldiers.Their destination: Bebank Town, the epicenter of chaos that had shattered Morow State’s stability.Max already knew who was behind all of this—Nichol. A man who had caused trouble before and had now returned with even greater power.The journey to Bebank Town took several hours. The roads were eerily empty, with only the occasional passing vehicle speeding by as if trying to escape t
0061
Seraphina clenched her fists in fury, but there was nothing she could do. Darrus quickly grabbed her hand, suppressing the storm of anger raging within him.The two of them hurriedly left the place, frustration seething beneath their skin, as if they had just suffered a humiliating defeat.***Inside the car, silence filled the air, suffocating.Seraphina stared straight ahead, her jaw tightly clenched.Meanwhile, Darrus leaned back in his seat, trying to steady his erratic breathing. His anger was on the verge of exploding, but he was still attempting to stay calm.His personal assistant, seated in the front, handed him an envelope with an official seal."Sir, this just arrived from the governor’s office," the assistant said cautiously.Darrus snatched the envelope roughly and tore it open without hesitation. His eyes scanned the letter rapidly. The red flush on his face drained away, and his hands began to tremble."This… this can't be happening," he muttered, his voice shaking.Ser
0060
A tense silence engulfed the room after Max’s statement. Darrus remained frozen in place, his jaw clenched, while Seraphina bit her lip, struggling to suppress the storm of emotions rising in her chest. But before anyone could speak, a deep voice shattered the silence. "I think this is a good idea," Chief Raul said firmly, his gaze locking onto Darrus. "Mr. Darrus, you know very well the current of Morow State. Everyone has criticized your leadership, especially since Mr. Max was imprisoned for a crime he never committed." "If you still want to clear your name in the eyes of the public and continue your political career, you should consider this carefully, Sir." Chief Raul stated. Darrus clenched his fists, his expression a mix of fury and devastation. "I... I can't just give up my position!" Sarah stepped forward, her sharp eyes piercing straight into Darrus. "Can't? Or rather, won't?" Her voice was soft, yet laced with biting sarcasm. "Think about it, Mr. Darrus. Haven’t ther
0059
Seraphina was stunned, not expecting that response to come from Max's mouth. However, Max remained firm in his stance. To him, Seraphina was nothing more than a foolish woman filled with lust and ambition. She had never been someone who could capture his attention, let alone move his heart. If not for his late mentor’s request to stay in Morow State and assist Darrus, Max would have never involved himself with Seraphina from the beginning. And now, as he gazed at Seraphina with pure arrogance, he became even more certain—this woman had never changed, and she never would. Hearing his insult, Seraphina’s face flushed with embarrassment and rage. Her hands clenched tightly at her sides before, in a swift motion, she raised her hand, intending to slap Max in retaliation. But before her palm could make contact with Max’s face, another hand—slender yet strong—grabbed Seraphina’s wrist firmly. Seraphina was startled, her eyes widening as she turned to see who dared to stop her. A beau
