2024-12-27 21:32:49Dominic 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 dozens of properties without being involved in corruption and bribery?”
Dominic asked, his tone firm yet laced with a theatrical sadness.
“And if he wasn’t entangled with prostitutes or keeping multiple women,” Dominic continued, “why did he transfer thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars to these women on a regular basis?”
The officials began whispering among themselves.
Some appeared doubtful, while others looked confused.
Dominic stopped walking and stood in the center of the room again, observing their expressions one by one.
“I know this is hard to accept,” he said softly.
“But we must face the truth. Max, whom we regarded as a hero, is nothing more than a parasite.”
“Max deceived us all with his false image. He is not the hero we thought he was.”
“He is an enemy of the state, and he deserves both disgrace and appropriate legal punishment!” Dominic concluded.
The room fell silent, the tension thick in the air.
Dominic felt triumphant, even as he maintained his façade of feigned sorrow.
Chief Raul, however, looked increasingly angry and dissatisfied.
He recalled how Max had been treated with respect by the subordinates of the "Lord of the Abyss."
To Chief Raul, Dominic’s accusations were absurd and laughable.
But before Chief Raul could interrupt Dominic, Mr. Avo stopped him.
“Raul, don’t,” Mr. Avo said softly, gently patting Chief Raul’s shoulder.
The exchange was only audible to the two of them.
“Arguing with Dominic now is a waste of time. Someone like him won’t listen to any rebuttal,” Mr. Avo said.
Chief Raul furrowed his brows.
“But this is too much, Mr. Avo. We can’t just stay silent while Mr. Max is being slandered like this.”
Mr. Avo let out a long sigh.
“I’m angry too. But trust me, Dominic will never back down. He’s arrogant, greedy, and will only learn after hitting a wall.”
“Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do right now,” Mr. Avo continued, a hint of despair in his voice.
Chief Raul looked at Mr. Avo with a frustrated expression.
“So, what should we do?”
“Keep your emotions in check,” Mr. Avo replied.
“I’m growing disillusioned with Dominic and Governor Darrus myself.”
“They only care about their personal ambitions. The future of Morow State? Without Max, I’m pessimistic.”
“I’m even considering retirement and moving to another state.”
While Mr. Avo and Chief Raul spoke in hushed tones, Dominic led the group of officials to the Golden Hills community.
After a fifteen-minute drive, they arrived.
Everyone was stunned by the community’s environment.
The main road was wide enough to accommodate four buses side by side.
The scenery was breathtaking, with well-maintained infrastructure.
There were top-tier private schools from elementary to secondary levels, as well as renowned higher education institutions.
The officials exchanged bewildered glances, confusion and amazement on their faces.
One of them finally spoke in a low voice, “If this is the result of corruption, how is everything managed so well?”
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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
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
AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0024
Dominic stood stiffly behind one of his bodyguards, his face as pale as a sheet.The atmosphere, once thick with tension from his orders, had now turned into an eerie silence that hung over everyone.The middle-aged woman stepped forward slowly but with unwavering confidence.Her hand rose high, holding a shining badge the size of her palm.The center of badge featured a photograph of a uniformed person, with a line of text below the photo.She began to speak, her voice calm yet brimming with an authority that silenced everyone present.“This is my husband,” she said, the emotion in her tone unmistakable.“He died while carrying out a secret operation to combat human organ trafficking in near the western border of Morow State.”“His body was destroyed beyond recognition.”“And this badge is a memorial, issued by the President of Synergia to honor my husband's sacrifice."In accordance with the federal constitutional protocol, anyone who made significant contributions or sacrifices for
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
