2024-12-26 14:59:57Without 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 influence of Max left him utterly impressed.
In his heart, he became more convinced that someone as formidable as Max should not be imprisoned.
If that happened, not only would Max become a threat, but the entire Morow State might be in grave danger!
After half an hour passed, Max descended to the foot of the mountain.
He walked calmly toward Chief Raul's car.
Without saying much, Max opened the door and got into the back seat.
In a calm but commanding voice, he said, “I’m ready to return.”
Chief Raul quickly nodded, not daring to utter a word.
He immediately took the driver’s seat.
One of his subordinates hesitated before stepping forward, "Chief, allow me to drive."
Chief Raul glanced at his subordinate briefly, his face expressionless.
However, he firmly shook his head as he started the engine.
"No. I will drive," he replied curtly but with undeniable authority.
He felt that in such a situation, it was better for him to drive the car himself.
As Chief Raul started the car, his gaze briefly flicked forward, and his eyes widened in shock!
He saw the young man again, standing respectfully.
Behind him, rows of fully armed personnel stood in perfect formation, saluting Max.
The sight sent chills down Chief Raul’s spine.
He felt his entire body tremble, and cold sweat began trickling down his temples.
This scene was like a vivid depiction that Max was no ordinary man.
Max resembled more of a god of war, revered and respected unconditionally!
As Chief Raul began to panic amidst the tense atmosphere, a loud and unified voice suddenly echoed, booming with deafening power.
“We bid farewell to the Great Mr. Max!”
Chief Raul was so startled by the shout that he nearly forgot how to drive.
His hands suddenly shook but he managed to regain control.
To steady himself, he pinched his thigh hard, ensuring he stayed focused.
Carefully, Chief Raul pressed the gas pedal, beginning the journey back down the road lined with armed personnel.
His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his fingers turning slightly white from the pressure.
As the car slowly moved down the road, Chief Raul’s eyes darted left and right.
Along the way, armed men stood in perfectly straight lines.
A growing sense of nervousness and discomfort overwhelmed him, but Chief Raul tried to maintain a composed expression.
In silence, he thought about the "Lord of the Abyss," a mysterious figure whose power had long been legendary in the region.
He was stunned to realize that Max possessed such extraordinary capabilities to command respect and even protection from the "Lord of the Abyss."
Admiration and fear mixed in his mind.
Chief Raul couldn’t shake off his growing concern.
If the governor insisted on imprisoning Max, what would happen to Morow State?
With Max's power, coupled with his secret ties to the "Lord of the Abyss," it was highly likely that Morow State would plunge into chaos.
He imagined uncontrollable uprisings or even total destruction!
***
That night, the atmosphere at the station was cold and quiet.
Chief Raul opened the car door for Max, who stepped out calmly.
Chief Raul’s subordinates stood nervously near the station entrance, not daring to speak loudly.
One of them finally mustered the courage to ask, “Chief, how should we arrange accommodations for… Mr. Max?”
His tone betrayed his confusion.
“Are we… really going to place him in a cell? Our prison cells aren’t suitable for someone like him.”
Chief Raul paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on Max, who stood expressionless.
In his mind, he knew his subordinate was right.
The prison cells at the station were harsh, cramped, and unfit for someone of Max’s influence.
But orders were orders, and he had no other choice.
“Mr. Max,” Chief Raul said cautiously, “I must be honest, the conditions in the prison here are probably not what you would expect.”
“I can try to arrange something more suitable for you.”
“It’s fine,” Max replied calmly.
“But, Sir…” Chief Raul tried to persuade him again, his tone more urgent.
“The prison is harsh. It’s not a place for someone like you.”
“Perhaps we can arrange something elsewhere?”
Max sighed softly, then fixed Chief Raul with a gaze that made the man instantly fall silent.
“There’s no point in wasting time debating this. Just do what you must,” Max said.
Chief Raul swallowed hard, realizing there was no use in arguing further.
He gestured to his subordinates to prepare to escort Max to the prison.
The subordinates, though hesitant, immediately obeyed.
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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
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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!
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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
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Max quickly realized that Dominic and Darrus were behind the cheap rumors, trying to ruin his reputation with fabricated scandalous stories.However, he showed no signs of anger or frustration.What most people, including Chief Raul, didn’t know was the truth behind the houses in Golden Hills.Max, with a heart full of responsibility and gratitude, had purchased those properties using his personal funds, not state money.The houses were not homes for mistresses or anything immoral.They were sanctuaries for people who had sacrificed everything for Morow State.The residents of those homes came from diverse backgrounds, all connected by extraordinary dedication.There were wives and children of soldiers who had fallen in battles against crime or terrorist attacks.Some were relatives of top scientists who had lost their lives in mysterious accidents while working on technological advancements for the state.Others were undercover journalists, humanitarian volunteers, and workers operat
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Dominic stood in the middle of the room, gazing at the officials who were beginning to grow restless.He smirked arrogantly, confident that the situation was entirely under his control.With a casual gesture, Dominic pulled a file from under his arm and tossed it onto the table.“Here,” he said with an air of confidence, “is concrete evidence proving Max’s guilt.”The officials in the room exchanged glances.Some began to move closer to examine the file’s contents, but Dominic continued speaking before anyone could open it.“This file contains information on Max’s property holdings in Golden Hills and his financial transactions with several women.”“I believe this is enough to open everyone’s eyes,” he added with conviction.Dominic strolled leisurely around the room, his sharp gaze meeting each official in attendance.He felt a wave of exhilaration within him but maintained an expression of somber seriousness and feigned compassion.“How could Max, a former state leader, acquire doze
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Dominic led the group of officials through the Golden Hills community with a confident stride.The homes in Golden Hills were symbols of luxury and prestige.The cheapest house, priced at ten million dollars, featured minimalist modern architecture, complete with a spacious yard and a private swimming pool.On the other hand, the most expensive house, worth up to two billion dollars, was a grand mansion in a European classical style.Surrounded by hectares of gardens, the property included a magnificent hall, a private cinema, a garage for dozens of cars, and breathtaking views overlooking the hills.“Look at this house,” Dominic said firmly, pointing to an extravagant house on the corner of the street.“This house alone is worth more than two billion dollars. And it's just one of the dozens of properties Max owns here.”The officials fell silent, some beginning to whisper among themselves.Dominic continued, raising his voice to ensure everyone could hear.“I know this is hard to bel
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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
