Shhh!
Ssshh! Ssshh! (The sound of laser fire) In the vast and silent shooting range, the only sounds were the faint hum of weapons and the sharp blasts of laser shots. Zander Rhett Guezz—a 27-year-old man with a reputation as a feared war commander—stood tall in the middle of the range. His muscular frame, clad in a black uniform devoid of rank insignias, radiated an undeniable cold aura. He raised his laser pistol, aiming with precise accuracy. A red beam shot out, piercing the target dead center. Without flinching, he pulled the trigger again, this time unleashing three rapid shots, all landing squarely on the bullseye. Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps approached from behind. A middle-aged man with a worried expression hurried toward him. It was Jacky, the former bodyguard of the Guezz family, now reinstated to serve Zander after his return from the military. “I am really sorry, Young Master… I’m two minutes late,” Jacky said, his voice cautious, almost a whisper. He stood upright, his body slightly bowed, like a subordinate ready to accept punishment. “I am prepared to face any consequences you give to me.” Zander did not respond immediately. Without even glancing at Jacky, he emptied the magazine of his laser pistol and carefully placed it back into the metal case. “Take me to the Xanta family house,” he said at last, his baritone voice cold, leaving no room for debate. Jacky swallowed hard and replied hesitantly, "Young Master… your daddy is waiting at home. He’s eager to see you. Please, return to Leeds.” Zander paused, then turned his head slightly, just enough to see Jacky from the corner of his eye. His gaze was sharp, almost piercing. “Tell him, I’ll come home when I want it." Zander replied firmly, his tone flat but commanding, before striding toward the car waiting at the edge of the range. “For now, I need to visit the Xanta family.” Jacky froze momentarily, unsure whether to argue. He knew Zander was no longer the same young man he had been seven years ago. The military had forged him into someone harder, more unpredictable. “I-I’ll relay the message, Young Master,” Jacky finally replied in a low voice. Zander entered the car without wasting time, motioning for Jacky to follow. Jacky hurried to the driver’s seat while Zander settled in the back, arms crossed. As the car cruised through the darkening streets, a heavy tension filled the air. Zander sat upright in the backseat, his gaze cold yet sharp as it pierced through the window. From the driver’s seat, Jacky, his expression uneasy, could feel the weight of unspoken thoughts hanging between them. The silence was eventually broken when Zander spoke. “How is Biella?” he asked flatly, though a clear tension underpinned his tone. “I haven’t been able to reach her for the past two years.” Jacky hesitated. The question felt like an arrow piercing his chest. He knew this was a delicate subject but had no definite answers. “Why are you silent?” Zander pressed, his voice growing colder, making Jacky feel like he was being interrogated. “Did something bad happen to her?” Jacky took a deep breath, then replied haltingly, “Miss Biella Xanta… disappeared long ago, Young Master. I… I lost contact with her two years ago.” Zander immediately shifted his gaze to the rearview mirror, his eyes sharp. “What do you mean?” Swallowing nervously, Jacky carefully explained, “I’ve been searching for her for the past year. But the Xanta family’s influence… it’s too powerful." "They’ve concealed Miss Biella’s whereabouts completely. I don’t know where she is now, Young Master.” Zander clenched his fists tightly on his lap, the knuckles turning white from the pressure. Biella Xanta was not just any woman to Zander; she is his first love—the only person who had ever managed to melt his icy exterior. But this revelation hit him like a brutal blow. Biella and Zander had been inseparable seven years ago, despite the Xanta family’s vehement disapproval of their relationship. The Xanta Family harbored a long-standing hatred for the Guezz family, fueled by decades of unresolved political and business conflicts. Yet, Zander and Biella had remained together, defying the inherited animosity of their families. This defiance had driven Joseph Guezz, Zander’s father, to force his son into the military. As a calculating and uncompromising man, Joseph believed separating Zander from Biella was the only way to protect their family from further destruction. Zander and Biella had made a secret promise to reunite after seven years when Zander’s military service ended. That promise had been the sole reason Zander endured the harshness of war. But now, Biella had vanished without a trace. The silence returned to the car. Jacky knew he had said everything he could and now waited for Zander’s reaction. Finally, Jacky mustered the courage to ask cautiously, “Young Master...are you sure we should go to the Xanta family’s house?” Zander didn’t answer immediately. He stared straight ahead, his face as cold and unyielding as stone. Yet, from the reflection in the window, Jacky saw Zander give a resolute nod. Still unsure, Jacky asked again, “But… for what, Young Master?” Zander gazed out the window, his eyes narrowing as if envisioning something far beyond the horizon. Then, with a low, threatening voice, he replied, “To send those who wronged me and my family… straight to hell.”At the Xanta Family Mansion, Venua City…. The house resembled a palace, grand and majestic, adorned with crystal chandeliers radiating luxurious brilliance from every corner. That evening, the house was filled with formally dressed guests crowding the main hall, which was embellished with a red carpet and golden ornaments. The clinking of glasses and soft laughter filled the air, marking the celebration of a major achievement by the Xanta family’s eldest grandson—Darren Xanta. Darren stood in the center of the hall, clad in a perfectly tailored black suit that emphasized his aura as the family heir. His confident smile shone as he graciously received congratulations from the guests. "Congratulations, Darren! Securing the contract with V-Tech is an extraordinary achievement," said an elderly man—Mr. Birru, a renowned jewelry tycoon in Venua. "Thank you," Darren replied politely, a slight nod of his head reflecting the composure of a man who knew he had reached the pinnacle.
"Who is he? How dare he come dressed like that?" whispered one guest. "Does he think this is a night market? Look, even the servers here are dressed better than him," scoffed another guest. Zander remained unfazed. He strode toward a sofa in the corner of the hall, sat down casually, and grabbed a glass of wine from a nearby table. With a swift motion, he propped one leg up on the table, exuding the demeanor of a boss. Across the room, Ganza Xanta-the Xanta family’s second grandson, spotted Zander. His face instantly darkened. His jaw clenched, and his eyes narrowed sharply. "What the hell is this?!" Ganza hissed furiously. Without hesitation, Ganza stormed toward Zander, his steps brimming with rage as though he were about to erupt. Once he reached Zander, he stood directly in front of him, his anger palpable. "Zander Guezz," Ganza’s voice was cold and filled with venom. "It’s been a long time, but you still have the audacity to show up here? Are you challenging the X
The luxurious black SUV glided smoothly down the road leading to Zander’s main mansion, situated on the outskirts of the city. The mansion was surrounded by the sprawling grounds of the Rhett Military Academy, a training facility renowned not only for its stringent discipline but also for producing the finest soldiers. This academy was Zander’s private enterprise, a strategic investment designed to secure loyalty and military strength firmly under his control. In the backseat, Zander sat silently, his cold gaze piercing through the tinted window. Outside, hundreds of soldiers were rigorously training—engaging in shooting drills, hand-to-hand combat, and war simulations. Every activity was conducted under the watchful eyes of stern instructors. As the SUV approached the academy's main gate, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. A tall, broad-shouldered commander in full green uniform stood near the guard post. Spotting the approaching vehicle, he barked a sharp order t
In the grand kitchen of Zander's mansion... The aroma of cooking wafted through the air, mingling with the clinking of pans and the hushed murmurs of conversation. In a quiet corner of the room, Leo, the new servant, stood awkwardly watching an older man with a stern face—Marcus—who was overseeing the kitchen with a sharp, discerning gaze. Leo glanced left and right, ensuring no one was too close to overhear. He swallowed hard, summoning his courage, and approached Marcus, who was meticulously chopping vegetables with the precision of an artist. “Mr. Marcus...” Leo’s voice was barely audible above the kitchen’s clamor. Marcus didn’t look up, only slightly raising an eyebrow. “What is it?” Leo hesitated for a moment, but the curiosity that had been gnawing at him refused to be silenced. “I heard... there was once a great war between the Guezz family and the Xanta family. Is that true?” Marcus’s hand froze mid-chop. The knife he had been using was slowly placed down on the
Darren exhaled deeply, trying to remain calm. He knew his father was nearly impossible to reason with when angry. “Dad…” Darren began, his voice firm but respectful. “I can’t speak directly to Mr. Death. In fact, I’ve never even met him.” Mr. Hammo narrowed his eyes, displeased with the answer. “What do you mean? You’re my eldest son! You’re responsible for this family’s safety!” “Mr. Death isn’t someone who can be contacted carelessly,” Darren replied. “Our partnership with V-Tech happened through his mediation, but Mr. Dom was the one who handled everything.” Mr. Hammo frowned, confusion and anger battling on his face. “So, what are you saying? That we should beg Dom for help now?” “That’s the issue,” Darren continued. “Asking for help through Mr. Dom could strain the business relationship we’ve built. If we appear desperate or reckless, he might pull out. You know how crucial our relationship with Dom is for the family’s business, Dad.” Mr. Hammo stepped closer, his eye
In the Morning, at the Golf Course... The expansive golf course stretched under the warm morning sun. The neatly trimmed green grass and the soft breeze carried the fresh scent of earth. Zander stood confidently, dressed in a sleek black polo shirt and crisp white pants. In his hands was an expensive-looking golf club. Beside him, Jacky stood casually, wearing a baseball cap. Zander took his position, his sharp eyes fixed on the golf ball resting on the tee. With a precise swing, his club struck the ball, sending it flying far into the distance and landing perfectly in the hole. “Nice shot, Young Master!" Jacky exclaimed in admiration. Zander offered a faint smile. “Golf is like warfare strategy. It’s not about power—it’s about precision.” Jacky nodded with a grin. “No wonder you always win.” Zander prepared another ball. But before he could take his swing, a faint buzzing sound filled the air. A small black drone emerged from behind the trees, flying low over
Darren didn’t answer his friend’s question. His phone rang again—another unknown number. Hesitant, Darren picked up. "Finally, you answered," a cold, heavy voice spoke from the other end, intimidating in its tone. "I’ve been trying to reach you, but you kept ignoring my calls." Darren recognized the voice immediately. It is Huros—the notorious crime boss known throughout Venua as a deadly shadow. His reputation in illegal dealings was unshakable. Darren sighed, realizing he hadn’t noticed Huros’ repeated attempts to contact him because he’d been partying. "Yesterday, you hired me to kill someona. I used my best method—the lethal drone." "Every target I’ve ever gone after has always ended up dead. But...He survived," Huros reported, his voice sharp and blunt. "I paid you $20 million, Huros. And what’s the result? He’s still alive! You’re incompetent!" Darren snapped, his anger spilling over. "Watch your mouth!" Huros replied coolly, his voice now edged with a dangerous thr
Dom began to explain, “After Mr. Xanta’s death, the position of head of the family remained vacant. During his lifetime, he had never named an heir to the family, so his wife—Madam Vioga Ode—temporarily assumed leadership of the family. However, it didn’t last long.” “Before her death, Madam Vioga declared in her will that the next head of the Xanta family would be Biella.” Jacky raised an eyebrow. “Why Biella? Isn’t the heir usually the eldest son or a male descendant?” “True,” Dom nodded. “However, in this case, Madam Vioga didn’t see any leadership potential in her three sons—Hammo, Galio, and Carrez. Moreover, the three of them have a terrible reputation.” “The public has long rumored them to be men who indulge in same-sex relationships, which is still taboo and illegal in Venua. Additionally, there is evidence suggesting their involvement in satanic rituals.” Zander slightly raised his head, his sharp eyes focusing intently. “Is that just a rumor, or is there concrete e