2025-01-29 17:31:26
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AN UNDERSTATED POWER 0055
Harry stared at the plastic bottle in Arlo's hand with hopeful eyes. His lips were dry, and his throat felt like it was on fire. But just as he reached out to take it, Arlo smirked. "You want to drink this?" Arlo swung the bottle slightly, making the liquid inside ripple. "Too bad, this isn’t water. It’s camel urine." "But if you're really that thirsty, who knows? Maybe it won’t taste as bad as you think." Harry fell silent for a moment. His blood boiled at the blatant humiliation. His jaw clenched, and he balled his fists. "You're joking, right?" Arlo chuckled. "Bebank Town is in the middle of a dry desert, Captain. Water sources are scarce, and the people here don’t waste anything valuable." "Camel urine is filtered and drinkable in desperate situations. The locals know that." "But it seems you’re still not used to our way of survival," Arlo continued. Harry knew Arlo was just mocking him. The former captain and vice-captain had never been humiliated like this. Frustratio
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In Morow State, Lanua City, at the Nexxon Villa. “Mr. Maximillian Knight, you are under arrest for allegations of multiple crimes: embezzlement, bribery, and prostitution!” One of the police officer declared firmly, breaking the silence of the night. Max stood at the doorway of his luxurious villa, his eyes sharply fixed on the two officers dressed in dark blue uniforms who had just arrived. “Are you sure you’ve come to the right place?” Max asked coldly, suspecting they had the wrong person. His voice was flat, though he was inwardly puzzled. The taller officer, wearing sunglasses, held up a document. “We’ve received an official report implicating you in these serious crimes. We need to take you to the station for further investigation.” Max raised an eyebrow as he skimmed through the document. “I’ve increased this state’s GDP tenfold, reaching $20 trillion. Do you really think I would need to embezzle money or accept bribes?” As the future son-in-law of Governo
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“Don’t let Morow State’s prosperity fool you,” he said, his tone as calm as ever.“Behind all the success lies dangers far greater than you can imagine.”He stepped closer, his gaze locking onto Seraphina’s face, as if penetrating her soul.“In Anoma County, tens of thousands live without proper compensation. Why? Because a giant factory was built illegally, leaving the people there without homes or a proper livelihood.”Not waiting for her response, he continued.“And Boxa County? A welcoming playground for gangs smuggling weapons and drugs. Their influence runs wild, controlling the streets and intimidating local authorities. They only stay in check because I’ve been holding them down.”Max took a short breath, then spoke with a sharper edge to his voice.“Then there’s Cexl County. Greedy businessmen ran Ponzi schemes, and now thousands have lost everything. Unemployment is skyrocketing, inflation is out of control. Without me? No one could stop it!”“And don’t forget Debua County,”
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Seraphina walked to her car, her phone pressed tightly against her ear.A satisfied smile clearly marked her face.“Everything is going according to plan, Father,” she said, her voice sweet but laced with mockery.“Max really can’t do anything. He didn’t event resist.”Darrus Hayes’s deep voice sounded pleased.“Good. Of course, he didn’t resist. What could an orphan do?”Seraphina chuckled softly.“He actually believes that Morow State can’t function without him. Truly, it’s pathetic.”Darrus nodded, though it was only heard through the phone.“What a foolish man!”He continued, “Dominic Lancaster will arrive tonight. I want you to pick him up at the airport and make sure everything goes smoothly.”“We’ll celebrate this big step. Morow State will soon be under our control.”Seraphina smiled, proud of the task at hand.“Of course, Father. I’ll make sure erverything is perfect.”Darrus continued, his voice filled with ambition.“The Lancaster family is the most influential in the capit
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Max did not immediately answer Chief Raul’s question.He glanced at the chair in front of him, and Chief Raul immediately sat in it, right across from Max.Max crossed his legs, leaning casually back in his chair.Max gave a thin smile, but his eyes remained sharp.“I’ve been accused of corruption, bribery, and... engaging in illegal activities.”"That's why I'm here now," he continued.Chief Raul was stunned, almost jumping out of his seat in shock.How could this be?Max was the one who had stabilized Morow State, played a significant role in the progress of the state, and now he was suddenly accused of such crimes?It felt like a bomb exploding in his chest.Chief Raul couldn’t fathom who could have orchestrated all of this.For the past four years, under Max’s leadership, Morow State had risen from the darkness.New schools had opened for children from poor families.The rampant child trafficking had been eradicated, and dozens of missing children had been returned to their famili
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The Next NightSeraphina stood in front of the mirror, ensuring her makeup was flawless.The maroon satin gown she had chosen elegantly hugged her figure, highlighting her grace without appearing excessive.Her red lipstick added a bold touch, as if declaring that tonight, she was the center of attention.After confirming her appearance was perfect, she stepped out toward the car waiting to take her to the airport.At the VIP terminal, she watched Dominic’s private jet land.The lights on the runway reflected off her car’s window.When Dominic finally exited thecabin, Seraphina immediately walked to greet him.Dominic, dressed in a sharp navy-blue suit, returned the greeting with a small nod.They walked side by side toward the car.Dominic glanced at Seraphina briefly, inwardly acknowledging that this woman knew how to command attention.His gaze involuntarily swept up and down her curvaceous figure, filled with intense aggression.However, Seraphina didn’t feel the slightest bit off
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Manager Nelson stood tall, despite the atmosphere in the room growing increasingly tense."With all due respect, Miss Seraphina," he said, "I cannot allow you to dismiss Mr. Max's contributions so easily."Seraphina shot Manager Nelson a sharp glare."What do you mean?" her voice cold.Manager Nelson lifted his chin slightly, taking a deep breath."Everyone in Morow State knows who’s truly been working behind the scenes.”“Without Mr. Max, this state wouldn’t be what it is today. Our current GDP? The stability we enjoy? It’s all made possible by Mr. Max’s contributions."To Manager Nelson, Seraphina’s remarks were a cruel joke.Everyone in Morow State knew that Max had been working tirelessly behind the scenes, transforming a once-chaotic state into a stable territory with a $20 trillion GDP.Even the Moont Hotel, the pride of Morow State, stood tall thanks to Max’s unseen support and contributions.After Manager Nelson countered Seraphina’s claims, the room’s atmosphere shifted drast
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Darrus and Dominic's faces hardened, revealing their displeasure as their plans began to unravel.However, Darrus remained unmoved by Mr. Avo's warnings.With a tone full of disdain, he scoffed."Max is nothing but an orphan with no value," Darrus sneered."He has no talent, no education, and has only made it this far because of my generosity.”“Meanwhile Dominic," he continued, glancing at Dominic, who sat confidently, "is a top graduate from the Cadenza Leadership Institute.""Dominic has extraordinary skills, a strong family background, and an extensive network of connections.""Comparing Max to Dominic? It’s like comparing a filthy maggot to a soaring eagle. They’re not even on the same level," Darrus concluded.Mr. Avo sneered, his gaze sharp with contempt.Crossing his arms, he responded in a cold ironic voice,"Oh, is that so? If Dominic is so brilliant, why hasn’t the capital’s GDP surpassed Morow State yet?"Mr. Avo’s words struck like a whip, darkening Darrus and Dominic’s e
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Harry stared at the plastic bottle in Arlo's hand with hopeful eyes. His lips were dry, and his throat felt like it was on fire. But just as he reached out to take it, Arlo smirked. "You want to drink this?" Arlo swung the bottle slightly, making the liquid inside ripple. "Too bad, this isn’t water. It’s camel urine." "But if you're really that thirsty, who knows? Maybe it won’t taste as bad as you think." Harry fell silent for a moment. His blood boiled at the blatant humiliation. His jaw clenched, and he balled his fists. "You're joking, right?" Arlo chuckled. "Bebank Town is in the middle of a dry desert, Captain. Water sources are scarce, and the people here don’t waste anything valuable." "Camel urine is filtered and drinkable in desperate situations. The locals know that." "But it seems you’re still not used to our way of survival," Arlo continued. Harry knew Arlo was just mocking him. The former captain and vice-captain had never been humiliated like this. Frustratio
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Meanwhile, Harry and his team waited in the shade, drenched in sweat, feeling dry, dizzy, and on the verge of heatstroke. At that moment, a few townspeople walked by with iced cola, flaunting their drinks, and Harry’s team couldn’t help but swallow hard. "Captain… we're really thirsty here," one officer complained, his voice hoarse. "We don’t even have a single bottle of water. Is this what you call a well-planned operation?" Harry’s subordinates were now regretting following him on this mission. They had expected comfort, but instead, they were suffering. Not only were there no proper supplies, but they didn’t even have a single bottle of water. "When the former captain and vice-captain were still here, we never had to go through anything like this," another officer muttered, his voice filled with nostalgia. Harry was at a loss for words in response to his team's complaints. He knew they were right. This mission was far more difficult than he had imagined. But giving u
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Again...Nichol was reminded of four years ago. He remembered how strong and scary Max was! At that time, in this very place… In the dimly lit basement, tension hung in the air like a double-edged sword. Nichol stared at the pages Max had thrown onto the table. His usually steady fingers now trembled as he flipped through the sheets. Nichol’s once-confident expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the names on the list. It contained key figures in the city's illegal business network. If Max truly managed to take them all down, it wouldn’t just shake Bebank Town—the entire underground network of Lav Nexus would be in ruins! Worse yet, Nichol’s own business would be on the brink of collapse. Taking a deep breath, Nichol tried to compose himself. He looked up, attempting to put on an innocent face. "Mr. Max, I don't know where you got this list, but these people left town a long time ago. I can't hand over what I don't have." Max remained silent. His cold, u
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Nichol suspected that Harry and his team were Max’s spies sent to infiltrate his operations, and the news of Max’s capture might be a trap. Nichol never underestimated Max. He couldn’t allow the terrifying and humiliating events of four years ago to repeat themselves. Four years ago was the first time Nichol had ever met Max. *** Four years ago… Nichol was an ambitious leader of an illegal business empire who believed he was invincible. He stood at the center of an important meeting in the same underground tunnel, surrounded by his trusted associates. Their agenda was to expand their illegal operations in Lav Nexus, exploiting legal loopholes and leveraging corruption within the local government. Everything was going smoothly until a loud explosion abruptly halted their discussion. The heavy iron door at the end of the tunnel was forced open, shaking violently before it crashed to the floor. Smoke and dust filled the room, leaving everyone there stunned. Out of the s
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Harry crossed his arms over his chest, staring impatiently at Arlo. “Now tell me, where can I meet the mayor?” Arlo wiped the sweat off his forehead, pretending to be confused. “The mayor? Oh, of course, Captain. Let me check if he’s around. Wait here for a moment.” Without waiting for a response, Arlo turned and walked briskly toward the main building. However, hours passed, and Arlo did not return. By 2 p.m., the sun scorched the ground of Bebank Town mercilessly. Strong winds carried swirling yellow sand, lashing against Harry and his team’s faces. Within minutes, the raging dust overwhelmed them. Their eyes burned, their throats were parched, and their bodies felt wrapped in suffocating heat. “Get to the car, quickly!” Harry commanded, shielding his face with his arm. They staggered toward the police car, seeking refuge from the sandstorm. But inside the car, the situation wasn’t much better. The temperature soared like a giant oven, nearing 60 degrees Celsius. S
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Darrus studied the reports on his desk with intense concentration. His face reflected deep concern. The illegal immigration incident in Bebank Town not only threatened security but also had the potential to tarnish the reputation of Lav Nexus County, which had long been known as the most stable and prosperous region in Morow State. The title of "Happiest County," earned for four consecutive years, now felt like a heavy burden. Darrus immediately took action by instructing the Lav Nexus Police Department to thoroughly investigate the case. The timeline was tight—only three days. Darrus knew that every minute without a solution would only worsen the situation. Although the group of illegal immigrants hadn't brought any contraband, he was well aware that this small breach could open the door to larger threats in the future. Darrus picked up the phone and called Harry, the head of the Lav Nexus Police Department. Harry sat in his chair with his ever-present confident smile
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"Additionally... The mayor of Bebank Town has been fired. The council is preparing to elect a new mayor soon," Arlo provided more information. Nichol raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharpening. "Really? So Max's allies are out?" Arlo nodded. "That's right. With the old mayor gone, this opens up many opportunities. We no longer have to worry about someone constantly keeping an eye on our movements." Nichol gave a faint smile, but behind that smile, a great ambition began to grow. "This is better than I expected." "We can start expanding without obstacles. In fact, there might be opportunities to establish relations with the new mayor." "If the new mayor is approachable, we could offer something... beneficial," Nichol continued, then he gave a wicked grin. Arlo nodded again. "What’s our next move, Boss?" Nichol paused for a moment, his voice filled with determination when he spoke. "We move in two directions." "First, you will investigate and make sure that Max is truly out of the g
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The twilight sky hung darkly over the government building of Morow State. In the front yard, a crowd of officials with determined expressions sat on the sidewalk, waving posters with bold slogans such as "Free Mr. Max!" and "We Won’t Work Without Mr. Max!" floating in the air. Some of them handed in their resignation letters with conviction, and a stack of white papers piled up on the receptionist's desk. "Free Mr. Max from prison!" These were the shouts of the protesting officials. Inside the office, Darrus paced angrily. His eyes sharply fixed on the wall, as if trying to find a solution behind the cold concrete. "Dammit! They think they can intimidate me with this stupid stunt?" Darrus' voice boomed, his fists clenched by his sides. He halted, his face flushed with rage. Without warning, he kicked the wall hard. "ARGH!" he groaned inwardly, the pain shooting up his leg, but he held it back by gritting his teeth. Breathing heavily, he shouted, "Nonsense! This state doesn'
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Dominic stared at himself in the mirror, still frustrated after the events of earlier that afternoon. The whispers of officials questioning his orders echoed in his ears, making his blood boil. However, before he could completely drown in anger and self-pity, the sound of a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Dominic opened the door, and there stood Darrus. Darrus had deliberately come to the capital just to meet Dominic tonight. His face appeared calm yet full of alertness, like someone who knew exactly what to do, even in the darkest of times. "Dominic, I know you're going through a tough day." Darrus said sympathetically as he stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. Dominic nodded, allowing Darrus to enter. "Yes, it's been a tiring day. Everyone is blaming me," Dominic muttered in despair. Darrus smiled faintly, motioning for Dominic to sit. "I understand. That's why I'm here." "I have a plan that will not only silence Max's supporters but also strengthe
