Elissa Ramsey's eyes quivered as she stared straight at the masked man before her."You're joking, right?" she nervously questioned, hoping against hope that this was all just some twisted prank.But as she watched his brown eyes darken, a chill ran down her spine. It was then that she realized she wasn't playing a game; she was in a dangerous situation, teetering on the edge of an abyss.Where had her confidence vanished to now?"They said Gregory was a pushover. That damn Sebastian gave me the wrong information," she grumbled inwardly, regretting ever attempting to seduce a man she had thought was an easy target."No, I'm not kidding," Marcus's voice dripped with sinister intent. "We can make anyone disappear without a trace.""But William isn't like that. Your reputation was clean and—""A clean reputation doesn't equate to clean morals. Do you want me to show you the other side of William?" Marcus's tone brooked no argument."N-no. I'm sorry. I didn't... I'm sorry. Please, it hurt
"What happened here?" Philip Cheng asked as soon as he returned to the CEO’s office. His tone was assertive, but his expression betrayed no hint of shock."It was in a much worse state earlier," Marcus replied, his attention absorbed in memorizing lines for his acting project."Are you that bored?" Philip sighed, reluctantly using the intercom to call for a clerk to clean the office."Nah, I'm working harder than you think," Marcus said, flipping through his script."What do you mean?" Philip asked, moving furniture to sit across from Marcus."You haven't heard from HR, have you?" Marcus glanced at Philip briefly."What else is there to hear? The clerk met the standards; she just needs a bit of refinement in her manners," Philip shrugged."What manners? A less than professional demeanor?" Marcus snorted."This isn't your playground, so please behave," Philip said sternly."So, you're not interested in what I found out about the clerk?" Marcus asked, indifferent to whether his knowledg
Marcus Xu entered the film location where he'll shoot his debut web series.Dressed in a casual yet stylish outfit, he exuded confidence as he made his way through the set, greeting each staff member with warmth.“Good morning! It's a pleasure to meet you all,” he said, his smile as charming as ever.The crew, taken aback by his friendly approach, returned his greeting with surprised smiles.“Hey there! Nice to meet you,” he said, extending his hand to a crew member setting up lights, who reciprocated with a smile.“Good to meet you too, Marcus. We're excited to work with you,” a crew member responded.He then paused to engage with the makeup artist. “Please make me look really handsome later,” he remarked.“Oh boy, you’re already handsome.,” the makeup artist replied, her words tinged with a bit of awkwardness but still continuing to smile sweetly at him.Marcus chatted with the make-up artist for a moment before spotting the production assistant. He rose to greet him with the same w
Marcus continued with his packed schedule, spending half of his day as the son-in-law double and the other half as an actor working on a web series. He barely got enough sleep, but his love for what he was doing kept fatigue at bay."Are you sure you're okay?" Luther asked, concerned about his artist's lack of sleep."I'm fine. Miss Clarisse does a great job of hiding my eye bags," Marcus said, winking at the makeup artist prepping his skin."But it's better to get proper sleep. Do you have other projects on the side?" Clarisse asked, her tone friendly.She and the other makeup artists and stylists had grown comfortable with Marcus over the few days they'd been working together.They had been a bit awkward at first, but thanks to Marcus's kind demeanor and approachable charm, they quickly warmed up to him."I don't have any other acting projects aside from this one. I have multiple other jobs, so I can hardly get proper sleep," Marcus shared."Isn't this job paying well enough already
CEO Joe Sabal rushed to the filming set immediately after his secretary notified him about a live stream circulating on social media."What the hell? I clearly warned the director not to ruin Marcus's image!" he grumbled, storming onto the set in search of Marcus and the director. "What is Marcus Xu even thinking?"His feet moved swiftly as he kept his eyes glued to his phone, watching the live stream. However, he froze when he noticed something peculiar about the confrontation being broadcast."He didn't hit back?" he muttered.CEO Joe Sabal found himself deeply intrigued by Marcus Xu's behavior and his connection with the William Group, prompting him to closely observe him. After a month of working with Marcus, he knew that Marcus wouldn't tolerate bullying, especially without fighting back."What is he trying to accomplish?" he mused, the panic and anxiety on his face giving way to a curious smile. "Let's find out," he exclaimed excitedly as he made his way into Marcus's dressing r
Director Lee paced back and forth, biting his nails, anxious about the repercussions of the trouble caused by his production assistant. His mind raced, calculating the potential costs that Magic Entertainment would charge them."You better apologize to Marcus and CEO Joe. You need to fix this!" he yelled, glaring at Emily with a threatening gaze."Why should I? I didn't do anything wrong! This just proves he's really trash! Why should we waste our time on an actor who could drag down our series?" Emily retorted furiously.In disbelief that no one was taking her side, Emily's anger towards Marcus intensified as she believed she had uncovered his hidden flaws."It's you who will drag this project down! CEO Sabal even came here! Do you understand how seriously Magic Entertainment takes protecting their artists?" Director Lee yelled, his frustration evident as he raised his arm, as if restraining himself from hitting Emily.The other staff members on the filming set watched nervously, fea
Marcus Xu reclined comfortably on the couch opposite his brother's hospital bed, feigning illness despite not having incurred any injuries himself. With a bored expression, he gazed at Miguel, who was engrossed in watching the news."Why are you still watching the news? Switch to channel 7; Caleb's new series is about to start," Marcus suggested casually."Are you trying to distract me from seeing the news about you?" Miguel asked, his eyes fixed on the television screen where Marcus's name seemed to be plastered all over."No, actually, it's the news about you," Marcus replied, stretching lazily."There's no news about me anymore. You should do what you did with yours," Miguel retorted, recalling how Marcus had managed to quash the media coverage of his own recent brush with trouble involving a gang/drug dealer—a setup he had unwittingly walked into after a brutal beating."I didn't do anything. Maybe your issue just isn't headline-worthy," Marcus retorted, refusing to acknowledge th
Marcus answered the phone with great anticipation, finding a secluded spot in the empty hospital lobby to take the call. He tried to mask his excitement as he spoke to CEO Roki."Why are you calling?" he asked, feigning reluctance."Boss, did you see it on the news?" CEO Roki's voice was brimming with excitement."Don't call me that," Marcus replied irritably, his excitement fading upon hearing the CEO refer to him as "boss.""Why? Anyway, Boss, I made it happen! I got Reyster Sebastian to acquire Megarev for triple its supposed value!" CEO Roki exclaimed, expecting Marcus to share his enthusiasm."Great job. Do you happen to know what happened to him afterwards? Or his reaction?" Marcus was more interested in the impact their scheme had on Reyster Sebastian."Of course! I made sure to check on him!" CEO Roki replied eagerly."And then?" Marcus prompted."He was scolded by the CEO and lost his chance to take the CEO position. Instead, he was given the COO position. He's definitely fur
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
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
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
While Marcus Xu was determined and focused on catching Reyster Sebastian and uncovering the truth behind his brother’s death, chaos continued between the brothers Michael and Gerald William in Aurora.The grand doors of the William mansion swung open, and in marched the imposing figure of Chairman Gudofredo, his eyes blazing with fury. His once sharp features, now softened by age, contorted in rage as he took in the scene before him.Michael and Gerald, the two heirs to the William empire, were grappling like schoolboys, fists flying and shouts echoing through the ornate hall."Enough!" The chairman's voice thundered, freezing everyone in place.Michael and Gerald, their suits disheveled and their faces flushed, sprang apart, panting."What in god's name do you think you're doing?" the chairman bellowed, his voice reverberating off the marble walls. "You are the CEOs of the William Group, not children in a playground!"Both men stood silent, eyes cast down, avoiding their father's fur
Marcus Xu arrived at the William Securities headquarters. Despite it being Michael William’s territory, the staff treated him with care, aware that Gregory William had equal power in appointing the next chairman of the conglomerate.“Please wait in CEO Michael’s office. We’ll bring all the files you need there,” an associate said.“No. I don’t want to wait,” Marcus bluntly replied as he barged into the headquarters' security control room, startling the staff.“Leave me alone. I’ll call you once I’m done,” he commanded, ignoring the startled looks from everyone around him.“What are you looking for, sir? It will be faster if we navigate it for you,” a security personnel suggested.“No. Everyone leave,” he said sternly, his commanding tone leaving no room for argument.Once alone, Marcus operated the computers with ease, his past experience as a part-time security personnel coming in handy. He quickly navigated through the controls, searching for footage of Miguel Xu meeting Michael Wil
Marcus's heart pounded with intense rage and confusion. He froze in place, struggling to digest the events that led to his brother’s death."Miguel wasn't just devastated because we were poor and I was murdered? He met these bastards? What did they do that pushed Miguel to kill himself?" he mused.He felt like snapping Michael and Gerald's necks as they remained nonchalant, talking casually about the person they killed and the consequences that led to his brother’s suicide.His veins popped out, and his brows knitted in disgust at the vile people in front of him.However, none of his expressions or intense rage would be noticed by the two because of the bandages wrapped around his face. Michael and Gerald were oblivious to the growing hatred within Marcus as they continued to speak casually."Why do you care about that actor and crippled brother? They don't matter. What matters is that you helped me get away from this jackass's scheme. Thanks to you, I was saved from being framed," Mi
At Aurora, the grand estate of the William family, the members gathered in the opulent study room, the tension palpable as they awaited the arrival of Chairman Gudofredo. The ornate room, filled with dark wood and rich leather, seemed to suffocate them under the weight of the scandal that had befallen the William Group.Ruben, the chairman's brother, lounged in a leather armchair, swirling a glass of brandy. His eyes darted around the room, assessing the anxiety etched on everyone’s faces."Well, isn't this a charming family gathering," he remarked with a sardonic grin. "I wonder which one of us will be the sacrificial lamb today."Lucretia, Ruben’s wife, sat primly beside him, her lips pursed in disapproval. "Ruben, this is serious. The company's reputation is at stake, and all you can do is make jokes."Emily, the wife of the eldest son, Michael, stood near the fireplace, her arms crossed defensively. "Perhaps if certain people had been more discreet, we wouldn't be in this mess," s
Jeyster Sebastian stood in his office, glaring at the mirror as his team bustled around him, preparing for the press conference. The weight of the latest scandal pressed heavily on him. His hands shook slightly as he adjusted his tie, trying to mask his anger and anxiety. The media had already crowded the hall outside, with cameras flashing and reporters shouting questions."Mr. Sebastian," his secretary, Killiman, approached cautiously, his face pale. "There's another problem."Jeyster's heart sank. He turned to him, his eyes narrowing. "What now?""Reyster caused a scene at the William Group conference," Killiman said, his voice trembling. "He barged in, accusing Gerald William of framing him. It’s all over the news already."Jeyster felt a surge of rage. "That idiot! He's making everything worse!" He slammed his fist on the table, making everyone in the room jump. "We need to fix this. Now."He barked orders to his employees. "Double-check the statements, make sure the press kit is
The grand ballroom of the Sunrise Hotel was filled with investors, executives, and media personnel, all buzzing with anticipation.Marcus Xu, disguised as Gregory William, stood confidently on the stage, his bandaged face hiding a sinister smile.The moment he'd been waiting for had arrived.“Let me in!”The crowd gasped, and security immediately moved to intercept Reyster Sebastian the moment he barged into the conference hall. He pushed through them with frenzied strength."Gerald William! Where are you?" Reyster shouted, his voice cracking with emotion. No longer intimidated by Gregory William, he furiously searched for Gerald. His disheveled appearance drew whispers and curious glances from the attendees. Wearing only a robe and slippers, he stood in stark contrast to the polished, high-powered crowd."Gerald William!" Reyster shouted again, his voice echoing through the ballroom. "Show yourself, you coward!"Marcus Xu stepped forward, gripping the microphone tightly. "Ladies and