0015
Author: Calendula
last update2024-12-26 15:05:13

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 operating on the frontlines of dangerous missions.

Max understood that without these people, many of the advancements and peace Morow State enjoyed today would not have been possible.

When they lost their lives in the line of duty, Max felt obligated to protect the families they left behind.

He provided them with homes in Golden Hills, ensuring that the widows and children had a safe and decent place to live.

But Max didn’t stop there.

Using his own money, he funded the education of their children, ensuring they had access to the best schools.

His goal was simple yet noble: to help these children grow up unburdened by their traumatic pasts and to give them opportunities for a better future.

To Max, this was his way of honoring the sacrifices their parents had made.

However, this story was never shared with anyone.

Max never sought recognition or accolades for what he had done.

To him, this was simply the duty of a leader-something that didn’t need to be flaunted.

Meanwhile, Chief Raul, who had initially been startled by Max’s admission of "taking care of the women," sat with a mind in turmoil.

Seeing Chief Raul’s confused expression, Max gave a small smile and said calmly,

"You’ll find out the truth in time. Don’t worry too much."

After finishing his breakfast, Max left without explaining any further.

Meanwhile, Chief Raul was left alone with his swirling thoughts.

Chief Raul could only stare at the empty plates on the table, his mind clouded with unease and anxiety.

***

By midday, the atmosphere in Dominic’s office was tense.

Mid-level and senior officials of Morow State had gathered, forming a crowd brimming with curiosity.

Mr. Avo sat with a face full of anger, still frustrated from failing to convince Governor Darrus to act rationally.

Meanwhile, Chief Raul stood with a serious expression, watching Dominic with a wary gaze.

Dominic stood in the center of the room, his posture arrogant and a smug smile on his face.

He tapped the table in front of him, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Today, we must address a very serious matter. I’m sure you’ve all heard the news that Max has been arrested.”

Murmurs began to ripple through the crowd, but Dominic continued without pause.

“Yes, Max, the former leader you all respected, has been proven guilty of embezzlement, bribery, and scandal.”

Dominic paused for dramatic effect, “he has kept numerous prostitutes in Golden Hills.”

A stunned silence fell over the room.

The officials exchanged glances, their faces filled with disbelief.

“This is nonsense,” a senior official finally spoke.

“Mr. Max was the first to step in when the storm devastated the southern district.”

“He helped rebuild homes and ensured aid arrived on time.”

Another official added, “He even established education centers for underprivileged children in remote areas. How could he possibly be involved in such a scandal?”

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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

  • 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

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    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

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    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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    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

  • AN UNDERSTATED POWER   0023

    The crowd of women and children stood frozen, their piercing gazes directed at Dominic, who now stood arrogantly in front of the live stream camera.A woman’s voice broke the silence.“Mr. Max would never do such a thing!”“He helped us without asking for anything in return!”Shouted a middle-aged woman, her voice trembling, her fists clenched at her sides.“That’s right!” another woman chimed in, her face flushed with anger.“He gave us a place to stay when we lost everything. We are widows and children living without protection!”"We are not mistresses!”Dominic merely chuckled cynically, stepping forward with confident strides.He raised his hand, pointing at the first woman who had spoken.“Then, answer me!”“Why did Max spend billions to buy houses for you?”“Why does he visit you every holiday, like a lover impatient to make love!?”The crowd fell silent, unsure how to respond.Dominic pressed his attack, his tone sharper.“Why does he transfer money to you every month?”“Isn’t

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    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

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    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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