Marcus Xu’s face contorted under his bandages as he walked through the hospital hallway, a throng of media and reporters clashing with his security detail, desperate for a statement."Why now? This old man is really a piece of sh*t." Marcus voiced his frustration as soon as he entered the restricted area where the reporters couldn’t follow.“The family is gathered in the lobby,” Butler Morgan reported, trying to ignore Marcus’s grumbling and focus on his duties.“So you called me just to idle?” Marcus asked irritably. “I’ve got a lot of other things to do, you know.”“But Madam Margarette was looking for you.”“So, is Margarette your boss now?”“No, that’s not it,” Morgan stuttered. “It’s just that everyone is here, so I thought you should be here too.”“As if I’m part of this family,” Marcus said, glaring at Morgan.His time was precious, especially with so much to do with catching Reyster Sebastian.Even though he knew the competent Carlos Roki was on the move, he wanted to make sur
No one noticed Marcus harshly grabbing Gregory’s wife by the face, as everyone’s attention was on the doctor’s statement.He instantly silenced Margarette with a menacing glare.“Do you know what happens when you treat people like filth? They might end up like Miguel Xu—driven to the point of suicide."“Isn’t dying easier than suffering in poverty?” Margarette innocently replied, failing to empathize with people like the Xu brothers.“Why do I even bother trying to make you understand?” he groaned, releasing her but unable to calm his rage. He badly wanted these people to pay and taste what poverty feels like.“I don’t get what you’re trying to say. Aren’t you a William too?” Margarette said.“Ha! That’s right, I am a William now,” Marcus dryly laughed. He then tried to confirm if everything Margarette said was reliable. “How do you know all of this?”“Mom would usually express her concerns when she thought I was asleep. She talks to herself a lot.”“That’s funny to hear. Fermina is r
All the members of the William family glared at Marcus with disapproval. Their silent protests were as loud as thunder, but only Fermina openly expressed her disdain, shouting at him.“What did you do?” she exclaimed.“What? Don’t worry, I’m not interested in taking everything away from you all,” he shrugged. “Is it just as bad for me? A new workload I never asked for?”“Tell me honestly, what are Gudofredo and you planning to do?” Fermina asked, her gaze menacing.This was not part of her plan at all. None of this was what she expected. No one expected this.“Nothing. I’m as shocked as you all, but as a good son-in-law, I’ll do the job well.” Marcus winked and then stepped closer to Fermina and Michael, looking at them contemptuously. “Now, I think your ears are ready to listen to what I have to say.”“We won’t just follow your orders,” Michael said. “I am still the eldest son of this family. You should watch what you say,” he added, though there was a hint of caution in his tone.“L
In the hallways of Larvo University, heads turned as Marcus Xu, a strikingly handsome and charismatic performing arts student, strolled confidently down the corridor. His mere presence commanded attention, drawing admiring glances from both male and female students alike. "Of course, you'll be amazed by my charm," Marcus thought with confidence. He was keenly aware of the attention he was receiving, and he relished it. "Take a good look while you can. Once I become a superstar, you'll rarely catch me in person," he mused inwardly. As Marcus walked, his easy smile and relaxed demeanor exuded an irresistible charm. "Oh my gosh, it's Marcus Xu! He's so dreamy," a female student whispered to her friend. "I know, right? He's like a walking work of art," another female student giggled. "Man, how does he do it? He's got everyone's attention without even trying," a male student commented bitterly. As Marcus passed by, students couldn't help but steal glances, their eyes lingering on his
The buzz of excitement rippled through the corridors as students poured out of their classrooms, drawn by the flickering LED board at the department's entrance. Marcus Xu, however, approached with a sense of apprehension gnawing at him. He couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. As the video began to play, Marcus's stomach churned. He watched in disbelief as his modest living quarters were broadcast for all to see. The whispers and gasps around him felt like icy needles pricking his skin. "Is that your place, Marcus?" a voice sliced through the murmurs. Marcus nodded stiffly, his jaw clenched. He despised the pity in their eyes and the thinly veiled judgment. "Can you even afford to be here?" another voice sneered. His classmates' comments felt like daggers, each one drawing blood. Marcus fought to maintain his composure, but his hands trembled with suppressed rage. "I’m fine," he managed to choke out, but his words sounded feeble even to his own ears. Just as M
Marcus Xu was immediately taken to the dean’s office, while Reyster and his friends were sent to the hospital. "You've been doing well. Why are you causing trouble now, with only a few months before graduation?" the dean groaned, frustration etched on his face. "It's not me. It was Reyster and his friends who—" Marcus began, but the dean cut him off with a wave of his hand. "I don't want to hear it," the dean said sternly. "I'm sorry, but you can't graduate because of this incident." Marcus's mind raced, but he kept his face impassive. He knew the dean was likely making hasty decisions because Reyster was a relative of the school director. "Seriously?" he said, feeling the injustice searing through him. "This is a serious matter. I will make sure you won't get expelled, but your graduation this year is not possible," the dean stated firmly, his tone brooking no argument. "Are you sure about that? I wasn't the one in the wrong here," Marcus argued, his voice steady but edged with
Marcus Xu scowled, nearly dropping his food, when a foreigner yanked him upright. "Hey, don't grab me!" he exclaimed, pushing the stranger away. "I'm Philip Cheng, Greg's strategic assistant. Please, I desperately need someone to take his place for a while," Philip pleaded, casting cautious glances around. "Why me?" Marcus queried, recognizing Gregory William's name from the prominent conglomerate family. Gregory William was a household name synonymous with success, wealth, and the glittering facade of high society. His face was a fixture in business magazines; he was hailed as a genius in corporate strategy and a mogul in the construction and estate industries. “There’s a catch?” Marcus said, sensing the danger. "I just need someone, please," Philip insisted, attempting to tug Marcus's arm again. "I don’t know, man. This sounds sketchy," Marcus replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty, though inwardly his interest was piqued. “Just name your price. I'm in a rush!” Philip impa
Marcus Xu froze, unsure of what to do. His worry mounted about his pay and contract with Magic Entertainment potentially going to waste."Your physique looks exactly like that of my husband, but mister..." Margarette commented, scrutinizing Marcus's appearance. "My husband never answers back. He's good at sitting still.""Ah, that's why Philip Cheng told me to stay still," Marcus admitted, resigning himself to the situation. There was no need to continue acting now that he had been caught. He removed his mask and met Margarette's gaze with a brave face."You're really nothing like him. My husband's ugly," Margarette remarked bluntly the moment Marcus's handsome face was revealed."Why do you even mock Sir Gregory?" Marcus asked in disbelief, wondering what kind of mistreatment a wealthy man had been enduring until now."Where did you find this man, Philip?" Margarette inquired, ignoring Marcus's question."He's one of the performers here at the hotel. His body looks similar to Sir Greg