“NO!” he said in a low but firm voice. “Listen carefully. Don’t act recklessly going forward. You know I’m in the middle of a campaign.” “Every move we make will be watched. If you cause a commotion or attempt something foolish, it will immediately impact my popularity as a gubernatorial candidate for Venua.” Darren let out a long sigh, staring at the ceiling with an irritated expression. “So what do you want me to do, Daddy? Sit still and accept this humiliation?” Hammo stepped closer to the bed and sat in the chair next to Darren. He fixed his eldest son with a sharp gaze, his face full of determination. “I’ve spent a lot of money covering up Ganza’s case. You remember that, don’t you? The scandal at that party nearly destroyed us.” “With great effort, I managed to suppress that issue,” Hammo continued. “The media has stopped talking about it, and the public has started to forget.” “And I won’t let your foolishness or your personal hatred of Zander ruin everything.” “B
One Day Later at the Net TV Office Hammo arrived at the Net TV office with his eldest son, Darren Xanta. They were there to fulfill an invitation from Dom to be guests on the talk show scheduled for that afternoon. Hammo wore an elegant gray suit, while Darren, despite having his left arm in a cast, walked with a proud, confident stride. As they approached the front entrance of the building, Darren’s eyes immediately locked onto someone familiar. Zander, the former military commander, was mopping the floor in a janitor’s uniform, just as Darren had last seen him. “Daddy, look at that!” Darren whispered with a sneer, glancing toward Zander. “There he is, the former military commander now mopping floors. How embarrassing, right?” Hammo glanced toward where Darren was pointing, squinting his eyes as he observed Zander with a neutral expression. After a few seconds, he spoke in a low voice, though loud enough for Darren to hear, “Why does a big company like Net TV still employ
Hammo remained calm, though his lips tightened. He looked at Antony with a small, forced smile. "Ah, I know what you're referring to." "Unfortunately, there are many rumors that are often exaggerated. What happened at that party has been handled internally, and I assure you that there is nothing for the public to worry about," he continued. Antony didn’t back down. He gave a small nod before responding, “Of course, the public just wants to make sure that their leader doesn’t have personal issues that could affect his integrity.” Hammo seized the pause to give a more diplomatic response. "Antony, I believe integrity is paramount in leadership. That is why I have taken steps to ensure that all personal matters do not interfere with my responsibilities to the public.” “The people of Venua can trust that I am solely focused on their well-being.” The tension in the studio slightly eased. The audience behind the camera nodded in agreement with his answer. Darren, though still
The anonymous man spoke again, "I haven't been paid my salary for the last two months before I was suddenly fired." "I worked hard for the Xanta family, but when I started questioning some of Mr. Hammo's decisions, I was fired without a clear reason, and why wasn't my salary paid?" The audience in the studio and at home were stunned. Hammo, who had been listening carefully to every word, now looked increasingly anxious. Antony continued in a more serious tone, "That is truly shocking. Mr. Hammo, do you have an explanation for these accusations?" Hammo, despite trying to maintain his composure, finally responded. "What this anonymous guest is saying is a one-sided perspective. I have always strived to be fair to all my employees, including when it comes to salary payments." "If anyone feels wronged, we are always ready to resolve the issue in a fair and professional manner." However, the atmosphere in the studio was growing more tense. The audience started talking among
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 whis
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