Jack easily grabbed the large weapon from the robber's hand. Then, with a swift movement, he slammed the butt of the rifle into the robber's head, knocking her unconscious instantly.Moreover, the wide-open door made it easy for Jack to check the main room ahead."There are actually four robbers!" he muttered. The four robbers were on alert in their respective positions, not turning their faces away from the hostages."How fast is this quantum power, really?" Jack wondered.He wanted to see if his body could still move very quickly over a longer distance than the one he just covered when he incapacitated the robber with the AM50 weapon."It wouldn't hurt to try, right?"With that thought in mind, Jack swiftly moved towards another robber closest to him.Woosh!In just a few seconds, he was next to the robber.Caught off guard by someone suddenly appearing, the robber didn't have time to aim her weapon at Jack when the young man incapacitated her in the same way.Of course, what Jack d
Jack approached the crowd of people to see what was happening.In the midst of the crowd, there was a ten-square-meter arena surrounded by ropes one meter high from the ground.Inside the arena, two large-bodied men were facing each other, preparing to fight.It only took a glance for Jack to assess that they were just ordinary fighters.As Jack thought they were going to fight each other, two young men dragged a girl in her early twenties, slender with a height of not more than about 150 cm, from the middle of the crowd and brought her into the arena.Jack had no clue what to do on this mission.Nevertheless, it only made him more determined to figure out what he needed to do."Are they fighting over this girl?" Jack thought, furrowing his brow as he looked at the girl.The girl had a beautiful face and very clean skin.Compared to the people in the crowd, she was certainly the cleanest among them all.That's when Jack realized something."Are they fighting over the girl?" he thought
What?The shout certainly startled the people.Not only them, but also the referee leading the duel had to stop his movement.When they turned their gaze to where the sound came from, a handsome young man almost 190 cm tall was staring towards the arena with a cunning smile on his lips.A person with that much money in that place was undoubtedly Jack!"I bet a thousand RG on that big guy! Any problem?"Jack knew that the total amount of money collected from the audience was not more than five hundred RG.So Jack's bet was not only the largest. It was double the amount of money they collected.He did this so that Jemima would not pretend to lose and keep fighting. This way, Jack can carry out the plan he had in mind.The man outside the arena who had collected money from the people narrowed his eyes."Don't talk nonsense here, or I'll throw you out with a body full of wounds! Get the hell out of here!"Jack continued to smile.He then approached the organizer of the duel and threw a st
All night, Jack followed simulations so he could increase his points more quickly.Time kept ticking.When Jack was about to take the fourth special simulation for tonight, the sound of a car engine roared from outside.Looking out, Jack saw it was Ines who had returned from the airport with her husband."Jack, did you wait for me until you haven't slept until this early morning?" Ines asked, placing both her hands on Jack's face, looking at him carefully.However, she didn't see any signs of fatigue there."I just couldn't sleep, Mrs. Reynolds!" Jack replied.While Ines showed a friendly reaction, it was different with Watson, her husband.Since seeing Jack for the first time tonight, his face suddenly looked very pale. "Is this real? How can Jack be in my house? This is impossible, isn't it?"Jack could see the unusual expression on Watson's face, something slightly suspicious considering Matilda said Watson was one of his father's friends."This is a bit strange, isn't it?" Jack th
As expected from a luxury restaurant, Jack had no problem parking his car.A vast yard adjacent to a lake served as the parking lot for customers.Since it was a holiday, it was evident that many people were visiting the restaurant, judging from the number of cars in the parking lot.When Jack opened his car door and was about to get out, he realized that Matilda was still in the car, seemingly unwilling to move from there."Mom, are you okay?" Jack asked. "If you're feeling unwell, I can order breakfast for you and ask them to bring it here!"Jack's last sentence only made Matilda more nervous. "That's not needed, Jack! I-I'm fine!""Then, what are you waiting for, Mom? We can enjoy breakfast inside!"Matilda's heartbeat quickened. It was the first time in her life she had set foot in this super luxurious restaurant.Especially when she saw the lineup of luxury cars in front of her.Not one of the cars that came to this place was priced below 100,000 RG!Just by seeing who the visito
What?Jack's words made Matilda extremely surprised. She just stared at her son, speechless. "Jack..."Meanwhile, the host, who was sharply glared at by Jack, couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated."Huh, keep pretending! But I've warned you! If something happens inside, especially if you don't pay for what you've ordered, don't blame me if we drag you to jail!"Reluctantly, the host then led them to a large room furnished with luxury furniture and several chandeliers on the ceiling.Although it was a regular room, it was very luxurious."Sit there!" said the host again. "But make sure your ugly clothes don't dirty the chair!" he said, becoming increasingly rude.Jack grabbed the host's hand. "What are you doing?"The host thought Jack was offended by his words."Am I wrong? Even my uniform here is far more expensive than your clothes!" he said more sharply, annoyed by Jack grabbing his arm."I have no time to listen to your words! I do not have the desire to eat my breakfast in thi
The servants had now finished placing all the dishes on the table."Mom, let's enjoy breakfast!" Jack said casually as he took the appetizers.However, instead of doing as Jack requested, Matilda started crying right then and there. She couldn't contain the overwhelming emotions crushing her chest."Mom, are you okay?" Jack stood up from his chair and approached Matilda’s seat"I'm fine!" she replied. "I'm just touched to see what you can achieve now after years of struggling with me!"Those words made Jack even more touched. He imagined how this woman lived in quite difficult conditions after her husband's death."No need to be sad anymore! I promise, I won't make you cry from now on!"Jack's words further moved Matilda.She hugged her son with great joy and pride."Alright! Let's enjoy the food before it gets cold!" Jack said again.Matilda then did as Jack asked.The nervousness and worry in her heart, that he wouldn't be able to pay for the meal in this place, slowly disappeared.
While holding the pen in her hand, Matilda continued to stare at the document on the table.The document was a contract between Matilda and Harry, in which the former agreed to work without being paid by the latter."I'll give you one more chance to think!" Harry said, flashing a sly smile towards her."You don't have to sign this paper as long as you're willing to spend time with me tonight! Just for one night!"Earlier, Harry had asked Matilda to sleep with him for a week, a request that was turned down by the woman.Now the manager lowered his offer. "Just for one night! What do you think? I don't think it's a big deal considering your status as a widow! You're not bound to anyone, so you won't be considered wrong for spending one night with me!"Matilda looked increasingly puzzled. She certainly wouldn't let anyone touch her. "I promised Gunnar that I would never marry again in my lifetime, let alone let someone take advantage of my body!" she thought.But, on the other hand, she
Maartje stayed in a different room from the one she usually used before.This time, she was assigned one of the rooms on the third floor whose decoration and furniture had been completely changed. Not only wider than the room she used to occupy on the first floor, this room also looked more luxurious.The girl was sitting on the edge of the bed typing a message on a highly secure phone."I haven't seen my parents yet. Can you do something?"Shortly after, a reply landed on her phone."We're working on it, Lady! We'll check all satellite images and CCTV cameras."Maartje was almost certain that her parents had been moved from the palace. "I've checked every corner of this palace, but they're nowhere to be found!" she muttered.Earlier, before the female soldiers escorted Maartje to her room, the girl asked them to accompany her to explore the palace, which they said was being renovated.Those who had no suspicions about Maartje finally complied with the girl's wishes.However, there wa
In Cornelia's mind, by marrying Maartje, Leon would not only gain a very beautiful girl."Haven't you remained unmarried all this time because you were searching for the most beautiful girl in Crystalbrook?" said the secretary. "That girl is now before you! So what else are you waiting for?""Furthermore, consider one more thing!" Cornelia continued. "Maartje is a symbol of resistance and at the same time a symbol of hope for the people of Crystalbrook. By marrying her, you will not only be able to force those who have opposed you all this time to support you! On the contrary, the possibility of people rebelling will diminish even more!"Upon hearing such considerations, Leon's eyes widened. So did his mouth. How could he miss such a great opportunity?Back to the present."I will not only make you my deputy governor, but you will also be my wife!" Leon said again, walking slowly towards Maartje proudly while holding a glass in one of his hands."Both of us will produce successors who
Feeling disgusted by Leon's gaze towards her, Maartje quickly opened her mouth. "You shouldn't waste my time! I came here to sign the reconciliation letter!"Leon smiled widely. "My dear, why rush? We haven't met in a long time. Wouldn't it be appropriate for us to exchange a word or two first?"The man then ordered the female soldiers to leave."Alright, Duke!" they said and immediately left the room, closing the door behind them.As the female soldiers left, Maartje felt very uncomfortable being alone with Leon. However, she tried to control her feelings."Come, sit here!" Leon gestured for Maartje to sit on the sofa where he had been drinking earlier.Maartje quickly moved to the spot Leon indicated because she didn't want the man to try to touch her again."Here, take this!" Leon handed Maartje a glass of wine."I am good!" Maartje simply said without touching the glass offered to her."Do you know what I dislike most about someone?" Leon asked as he sipped the wine in his hand.M
Thirty minutes later, the long sedan carrying Maartje arrived near the palace. Behind the sedan, a large jeep followed."This is truly terrifying!" One of the female soldiers inside the jeep couldn't contain her feelings upon seeing the sea of people surrounding the palace. "This is far more than what we faced before!" she murmured again.The female soldier used to be one of the Warriors who fought alongside Duke Dujardin to overthrow Leon.Back when they attacked this palace, Leon's forces weren't as numerous. But now, the situation was completely reversed."I really don't understand how Duke Sardou could gather such a massive army!" muttered the other female soldier, still focusing on her driving.The horror they both felt was also felt by Maartje inside the long sedan. "So many soldiers," she murmured. "There's no way I could fight them!"Anyone who saw the large group of blue-uniformed soldiers would shiver immediately.The sedan continued along the straight asphalt road that woul
Since that day, Duke Dujardin secretly helped those who were struggling financially to pay their taxes. "My father secretly doubled the employees' salaries! The aim was for this bonus not to be counted for deduction from their wages! He also provided financial assistance to those in great need, also secretly!" thought Maartje, recalling her father's struggle at that time. As time passed, the number of people receiving assistance from Duke Dujardin grew steadily. And it didn't take long for the duke to gain recognition from the wider community. "Hundreds of Paragons fought on my father's side! They sacrificed their lives so that Leon could be acquitted!" she thought again. The result was ten years ago when the very fierce civil war was finally won by Duke Dujardin. As Maartje reminisced about her father's struggle at that time, a voice inside her seemed to echo in her ears. A voice urging her to keep fighting, no matter how strong the enemy and how impossible victory may seem. T
It's been a common knowledge that although Leon and Duke Dujardin came from the same ancestors, their lines of luck differed. Duke Dujardin inherited thousands of hectares of land from his great-grandfather, a family wealth passed down through generations. It was all productive land cultivated with various vegetables, fruits, and even rare medicinal plants capable of generating billions of RG annually. That was just one aspect of the Dujardin family's wealth. Besides that, they also controlled several mining locations and significant real estate businesses. It could be said that the Dujardin family's hotels were almost scattered throughout the Eldoria kingdom. This was in stark contrast to Leon, or "The Unlucky Duke" as people called him. His grandfather was nearly bankrupt due to debts he couldn't bear. Meanwhile, his father became a fugitive after being found guilty of embezzling state funds. Leon, who was raised in a military education since childhood, lacked sufficient knowl
How dark Duke Dujardin felt hearing their explanations. Especially when they said that hospitals and social houses no longer provided social services. If you're sick or hungry, but you have no money, then the government can't do anything for you. In other words, you have to endure your suffering on your own, and there's no one you can ask for help. "The government argues that it's the people's obligation to pay taxes to them. While they have no obligations to the people!" the supervisor said again. When the tax rules were first implemented, along with the elimination of social security rules, chaos erupted almost throughout the province of Crystalbrook. It could even be said that this province experienced turmoil like never before in its history. "However, the protests we've made never succeeded because anyone who opposes will immediately be shot! If not, they will be arrested and tortured or sent to the mines for forced labor!" Duke Dujardin clenched his mouth tightly while clen
A month after Duke Dujardin lived in his luxurious manor in Emberfield, he was approached by a group of people who worked on his estate. "Duke Dujardin, forgive us!" The group of no more than ten people then immediately fell to their knees before the duke. "The police threatened to take our wages! We beg you, do not give them that money! It's all we have to feed our children and wives! We are even willing to work longer hours every day if you want us to, as long as you don't give that money to them!" They continued to prostrate themselves at Duke Dujardin's feet while pleading with him not to give their wages to the Crystalbrook police officers. Duke Dujardin didn't quite understand what they were saying. Of course, he wouldn't give their money to anyone. "Get up! There's no need to grovel like this!" he said, holding the shoulders of each worker one by one. "Please tell me, what's really going on?" They glanced at each other for a moment before the man at the forefront explaine
"What?" Jack exclaimed. "It seems Leon has been thinking about this for a long time! He realizes that Duke Dujardin has become some sort of symbol of rebellion for the people to oppose him! Therefore, he is convinced that as long as Duke Dujardin is still alive or residing in Crystalbrook, people will still have hope to rebel against him!" "In other words," Jack continued. "If Leon succeeds in marrying Maartje, then it's like destroying the last hope of the people of Crystalbrook to oppose him?" "Exactly! But, of course, that won't solve the problem in Crystalbrook! Mass oppression and exploitation will occur! In the end, it's the people who will suffer!" "You're right!" That's all Jack could say. Now he understood that letting Leon marry Maartje would only make the people even more miserable in the end. He also understood that the most important thing now was to save Maartje and her family first. "Quantara, do you have any ideas?" "Of course! I've been thinking of the most pos