2024-12-26 15:03:16Chief 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!”
After ending the call, Chief Raul's body still trembled with anger.
That night, he lay in bed, tossing and turning restlessly.
He reached for a cigarette, lit it, and began chain-smoking.
The room filled with smoke, yet his anger refused to subside.
***
The next morning, Dominic emerged from Seraphina’s room looking refreshed.
He made his way to the dining room downstairs, where Governor Darrus had prepared breakfast for him.
“Good morning, Dominic.”
Darrus greeted warmly, gesturing toward the table laden with food.
Dominic sat down casually and picked up a glass of milk.
He took a sip but immediately spat it out.
“This is hot and sour!”
Dominic complained, slamming the glass onto the table.
Darrus turned with a puzzled expression.
“What’s wrong? The milk was just warmed.”
Dominic didn’t answer.
He grabbed a piece of bread and took a bite, but his face twisted in disgust.
“It’s moldy!” he exclaimed indignantly.
Darrus tried to calm the situation.
“There must have been a mistake. I’ll call the servants to prepare something fresh.”
“No need,” Dominic snapped as he stood up in irritation.
“The food in the capital is far better than this.”
What Dominic didn’t realize was that the servants had deliberately sabotaged his meal.
They sympathized with Max and believed Dominic was unworthy of replacing him.
To them, Max wasn’t just a leader but also a role model who genuinely cared and never demanded more than what he deserved.
In contrast, Dominic represented everything they despised: laziness, arrogance, and incompetence.
When they learned that Dominic was being considered as Max’s successor, their frustration reached a breaking point.
They decided to retaliate subtly but effectively.
The milk served to Dominic was deliberately overheated after it turned sour.
The bread placed on the table was slightly moldy and intentionally left unreplaced.
Even the fruits, usually selected with care, were dull and nearly rotten this time.
As they watched Dominic spit out the milk and complain about the bread, they exchanged glances in the kitchen, hiding sly smiles on their faces.
Dominic remained seated at the dining table, his frustration evident.
He pushed his plate away, unwilling to touch anything else after the unpleasant experience with the milk and bread.
Darrus, however, seemed oblivious to Dominic’s dissatisfaction.
“Dominic,” Darrus began as he sipped his tea calmly, “you know, when Max was leading Morow State, he had an excellent relationship with many mayors and town leaders.”
Dominic raised an eyebrow at him.
Darrus set down his teacup, leaned back in his chair, and continued with a serious tone.
“I suspect many of them benefited directly from Max. Bribes, or maybe under-the-table deals.”
“They idolized Max too much. Relationships like that are rarely pure without some sort of personal gain,” Darrus added.
Dominic leaned back in his chair, a smug look on his face.
“Are you saying that some of them will cause me trouble?”
Darrus chuckled cynically.
“Right! I bring this up as a warning. Many of them might try to use this situation to undermine you.”
“They’re loyal to Max, not to Morow State.”
Dominic nodded slowly.
“So, what do you suggest?”
“Humiliate Max,” Darrus said without hesitation.
“Destroy his reputation entirely!”
“If you succeed, it will prove you’re the better leader and leave them with no choice but to respect and follow your leadership.”
Dominic narrowed his eyes at Darrus.
“How do we do that?”
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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
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0015
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
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0016
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
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0017
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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Then, the group arrived in front of the house closest to the community gate.This house, with its modern facade, stood majestically, adorned with large glass windows and towering white pillars.Dominic pulled a stack of documents from his bag and walked toward the front door.He signaled his subordinates to get ready, waiting for his command to begin the investigation at the first house.“Make sure everything goes according to plan,” Dominic ordered one of his subordinates, his voice filled with authority.“Understood, Mr. Dominic,” the subordinate replied while checking the recording equipment and other documents they had brought.After confirming everything was in place, Dominic took out his phone and made a video call to Governor Darrus for a real-time update.The call was answered after a few seconds.On the screen, Darrus’s serious face appeared, sitting at a large desk with several monitors in the background.Darrus was in the middle of an important conference with other governo
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0019
Darrus made sure that the live streaming was visible to all the other Governors.Once the live stream set was ready, he signaled to Dominic to begin.Dominic felt a wave of intense excitement.As part of the effort to uncover Max's crimes, he would play a major role.He not only wanted to destroy Max's reputation but also carve out a name for himself among the officials as someone trustworthy and capable of taking decisive action.With his hands slightly trembling from excitement, Dominic approached the first house, located closest to the gate of the luxury community.He rang the doorbell and stood tall, preparing himself for the role he was about to play.The camera turned on, displaying Dominic's face on the screen."My name is Dominic, a government investigator," he said, his voice cold and filled with authority."We are conducting an investigation, and we require all residents to cooperate."Behind him, the officials began stretching their necks, curious about who the woman allege
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0020
Dominic stared at the middle-aged woman arrogantly, refusing to answer her question.Instead, with a condescending tone, he asked, "Do you know Max?""Of course, I know him," the woman replied.She nodded slowly, her face reflecting deep emotion.She paused for a moment, her mind flooded with memories.Her husband, a resolute and dedicated man, had sacrificed his life in a secret mission targeting an organ trafficking network near the western border of Morow State.The mission was so perilous and fraught with risks that it claimed her husband's life.She recalled how it was Max who had called her to deliver the tragic news.His voice at the time was firm, yet filled with sorrow and empathy.When they finally met at the funeral home, the image of Max, with sorrowful eyes and a heavy sense of guilt, flashed vividly in her memory.She remembered how Max bowed deeply to her—a gesture of profound respect she would never forget.In Max's gaze, she had seen a powerful mix of emotions—deep gu
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0021
Dominic, feeling he had full control of the situation, pointed toward the street in front of the house.With a contemptuous tone, he instructed her, “Go and gather all of them. I want them assembled in front of this house. Now.”The middle-aged woman frowned slightly at Dominic but said nothing.She walked slowly back to call her neighbors.Dominic saw this as a golden opportunity.He glanced at the cameras, ensuring everything was being clearly recorded.In his mind, this was the perfect moment to reveal a "major scandal."He wanted the officials and governors watching the live stream to see for themselves that Max had been "harboring" numerous women, including minors, in this place.In the conference room, Governor Darrus sat confidently.His sharp eyes fixed on the screen showing the live broadcast.Leaning slightly forward, he spoke with a tone of speculation and judgment.“I’m certain that the middle-aged woman is just part of Max’s strategy to divert attention.”Darrus said, poi
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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
