2024-12-26 15:04:35Darrus 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 is." Darrus continued.
"You reveal evidence of his luxurious lifestyle-his mistresses, embezzlement, and even corruption.”
“If this gets exposed to the public, Max will never recover. His name will forever be associated with scandal and disgrace!”
Dominic set his cup down and leaned back in his chair.
"You’re right. That’s a brilliant idea. This way, I can show everyone that I’m a transparent and firm leader.”
“They’ll see that I’m not afraid to uncover the truth, even if it involves my predecessor."
Darrus nodded in satisfaction.
"Exactly. And this is also your chance to strengthen your position.”
“Those who might still be loyal to Max will lose their faith in him. Instead, they’ll start seeing you as the more capable leader."
Dominic chuckled, then burst into laughter.
"Max must be crying now, sitting in that prison cell, lamenting his fate.”
“He probably still thinks he’s important, but in reality, he’s already insignificant."
Darrus joined in with hearty laughter.
"Exactly!”
Their laughter filled the room.
Meanwhile, Max’s condition in prison was a stark contrast to what Dominic and Darrus imagined.
Max woke up from a peaceful sleep.
A guard entered, carrying a basin of warm water and a clean white towel.
"Good morning, Mr. Max," the guard greeted politely.
"We brought this for you to wash your face."
Max raised his eyebrows briefly, a bit surprised, but then smiled faintly.
"Thank you. It’s not really necessary, but I appreciate it."
The guard simply nodded respectfully before placing the basin on a small table in the corner of the cell.
After freshening up, the cell door slowly opened.
Chief Raul stood at the doorway, wearing his neatly pressed uniform.
"Good morning, Mr. Max," he said in a calm yet respectful voice.
"Breakfast is ready. Please enjoy it."
Without saying much, he rose from his seat, adjusted his sleeves, and stepped out of the cell.
Max arrived at a small dining room set up like a fine restaurant.
A large wooden table in the center of the room was adorned with a pristine white tablecloth and a vase of fresh flowers.
On the table, a variety of French-style dishes were laid out: buttered toast with jam, Parisian cheese, tender ham, fried eggs, sausages, fresh orange juice, and a steaming cup of black coffee.
A chef in a crisp uniform stood at the end of the table, smiling proudly.
Chief Raul stood beside the chef, stepping forward to introduce him to Max.
"Mr. Max, this is the best chef in Morow State," Chief Raul said.
"He prepared all of this for you."
Max glanced at the table with a neutral expression, then shifted his gaze to Chief Raul and the chef.
"You really didn’t have to go to such trouble. I’m not picky about food. Whatever is available is fine,” said Max.
Chief Raul offered a small smile, bowing slightly.
"My apologies, Mr. Max. This is a gesture of our respect. You deserve the best."
Max said nothing more, simply sitting down and quietly beginning to eat the meal.
Amid the tranquil dining atmosphere, Chief Raul’s phone rang.
He answered it immediately, his face turning serious as he listened to the voice on the other end.
It was Dominic, speaking in a tone of arrogance and overconfidence.
"Chief Raul, I’ll be leading an inspection of the properties in Golden Hills today," Dominic declared, his tone exaggerated as if issuing an order.
“As the Chief of Police, you must attend.”
"I’ll expose Max’s corruption scandal and his mistresses kept there," Dominic continued.
Chief Raul gripped the phone tightly.
His face remained impassive though he struggled to contain his anger.
After the call ended, Chief Raul placed the phone on the table and glanced at Max.
"Is there a problem?"
Max asked calmly before taking another sip of his coffee.
Chief Raul took a deep breath before finally asking in a cautious tone.
"Mr. Max, do you… do you own properties in Golden Hills?"
Max slowly set his cup down.
"Yes.”
Chief Raul seemed even more uneasy but pressed on.
"Are there… are there women living there? I mean, do you have… relationships with them?"
“Of course, I take care of those women,” Max replied calmly.
“W-What?” Chief Raul stammered nervously.
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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
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0018
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
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0022
Dominic began to feel confused but quickly brushed it aside.In his mind, he started thinking this could actually work to his advantage.If Max indeed had a peculiar preference for older women and had formed a “harem” like this, it would only further tarnish Max’s image.Dominic became increasingly convinced that exposing this would allow him to delve deeper into Max's wrongdoings and use the situation to destroy his reputation.With a faint, uncontainable smile, Dominic felt satisfied with his thoughts.He cleared his throat loudly to grab everyone's attention, ensuring it was audible, and turned to the live stream camera.He was ready to address Darrus and the other governors, confident that this was the perfect opportunity to reveal Max's disgrace and solidify his own position.With an expression full of conviction, Dominic began his speech in a serious tone, as if delivering undeniable truth.“Max has been proven guilty of numerous corrupt acts,” he said, his voice full of emphasi
Latest Chapter
0075
In front of the governor’s office, more than a hundred people gathered in a massive demonstration. They shouted demands for Max to be removed from his position.Banners and posters filled the crowd with sharp criticisms: "Cowardly Leader!" "Max Ran Away, Morow is in Ruins!" "Governor, Fire Max Now!"The chaos was further fueled by the media, which kept reporting that Max was irresponsible and merely looking for an excuse to avoid the difficult situation.***On the other side, Max had just descended from Mount Alken. His steps were firm as he walked toward the parking area where he had left his car.However, upon arriving, his eyes narrowed as he noticed that all four of his tires had been deliberately deflated. His lips thinned, and his expression turned cold.He knew this was no coincidence. Someone wanted to stop him here.Max could feel sharp gazes watching him from the shadows. His battle instincts immediately kicked in. Calmly, he lifted his head slightly and spoke in a col
0074
Three Days After Max’s Departure from Morow State…Morow State, which had begun to recover, was once again gripped by fear.Within two days, a series of brutal attacks shook the city. Explosions rocked churches, causing widespread panic and outrage. Not only that, but a recreational park filled with families suddenly turned into a sea of fire due to an unexpected bomb attack.However, the terror did not stop there. Ruthless gangs roamed the streets, committing muggings, robberies, and acts of violence without anyone able to stop them. The police were overwhelmed by the highly organized and brutal attacks. Citizens who once felt safe were now too afraid to leave their homes. Social media exploded with complaints, demands, and widespread fear. People questioned: where was Max? Why had their hero disappeared when Morow State needed him the most?The situation worsened when political figures and opinion leaders began highlighting Max’s absence. The very people who once praised him now t
0073
After completing his martial arts training, Max stood with heavy breaths, sweat soaking his body. Yet, he knew this journey was far from over. Saheel gazed at him with wisdom in his eyes. "Now, it is time for you to master the second power," Saheel said. "The ability to heal." Max raised an eyebrow, still not entirely convinced that he possessed such an ability. But he remained silent, waiting for further instructions. "The first step," Saheel continued, "is to channel the energy of life into a living being. Touch this plant." Saheel pointed to a withered plant in the corner of the room. Its leaves had turned yellow, and its stem was nearly broken. Max stepped forward and crouched down, hesitantly placing his hand on one of the leaves. "Focus," Saheel whispered. "Feel your energy flow. Imagine life coursing through your body and into the plant." Max took a deep breath, trying to sense something. Several seconds passed, and nothing happened. He frowned. "This is ridicu
0072
Max sat cross-legged on the cold stone surface, his eyes closed, breathing slowly as Saheel had taught him.Saheel stood before Max, gazing at him with a calm expression. "Now, you will enter your subconscious. There, you will meet someone who has been waiting for you for a long time. Prepare yourself..."Without waiting for permission, Saheel placed two fingers on Max’s forehead.In an instant, the world around Max spun rapidly, his body feeling weightless before sinking into darkness.Yet, within that darkness, a dim light appeared, and suddenly, Max found himself standing in the middle of a vast field, shrouded in thick mist."You’ve finally come, boy." The deep voice echoed around Max.From within the mist, a man with long white hair and a flowing robe slowly stepped forward. His sharp gaze was like that of an eagle, and his body radiated a powerful, oppressive aura."Mentor..." Max furrowed his brows, his heart trembling. It was his late mentor, the man who had taught him the fun
0071
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
Hearing that, Sarah immediately shot Dominic a sharp glare. Her eyes flashed with anger. “Nonsense! Max is not that kind of person!” she exclaimed loudly. “All this time, Max has worked harder than anyone else. Even tasks that weren’t his responsibility, he completed with full dedication.” Sarah stepped forward, standing right in front of Dominic. “Do you even know how much he has done? He cleaned out the thugs in Bebank Town, eradicated crimes that weren’t even part of his duty as the governor’s spokesperson.” “He did it because he cares. Everyone in Morow State believes in his abilities, and he has proven himself time and time again.” Dominic tensed, his jaw clenched tightly, but Sarah didn’t stop. With a mocking tone, she continued, “And now, I ask you, Dominic. What have you contributed so far? What have you done?” Dominic didn’t answer. His face remained cold, but Sarah knew her words had struck his pride. “You’re just a young man relying on your father’s big name,” Sara
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
