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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM ILLUSION
Xaden's heart pounded in his chest as he burst into the dimly lit warehouse, the stale air thick with tension. This was where Adrian's men said they suspected Dominique was and Adrian trusted their information. When the system gave the riddle to look into the forbidden, they agreed to do a thorough search into Sylas’ illegal business. Definitely, someone like Sylas could never keep his hands clean despite how much the Knight Consortium was worth. Greedy people never considered their wealth enough and Sylas was greedy to a fault and also covetous. This warehouse had been part of the chain of illegal trade Sylas was in charge of. It was in a secluded position and was the most ideal place to hide someone. The flickering light from a solitary bulb cast eerie shadows on the cold, concrete walls."Sylas!" Xaden's voice echoed through the desolate space, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He didn’t bother trying to be silent because he could feel that he wasn’t alone.“Don’t bother trying t
THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM A NEW PROBLEM
“I don’t understand. We should have been able to find her. We checked every property that was connected to Sylas and that one was the best option. The System said we should follow the forbidden, how else are we supposed to do that?” Malessa asked with a bemused expression.“We thought the forbidden meant his business, but at this point, I don’t think the System meant his illegal businesses. I think it meant forbidden Manna practices, dark spells and things like that. Whatever posed as Dominique didn’t look like it was skinwalking. And there was a weird blade. The blade was very black and seemed to be sucking the light from everything within a metre of it. It also had a red ruby in the hilt with strange lines, I think they were runes that seemed to be filled with blood. It felt wrong, like a black hole draining everything around.” Xaden said and Adrian looked up in shock.“The blade itself was black?” Adrian asked and Xaden nodded.“Damn. This is worse than I thought. Sylas is really g
THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM ASHLEY'S INTERVIEW
“So Miss Miller, what made you come here today to have an interview with us?” The reporter asked.Ashley was with a handkerchief and was prepared to do all she could to gain public sympathy. It was easy to do since she was pregnant and was already showing. She also came with proof of her marriage to Xaden and the divorce papers as well. This was the plan she had come up with after never hearing back from the president. She had thought that Adrian would make her get back together with Xaden after she had complained to him that day over the phone.She had no idea that the person she had spoken to that day hadn’t been the real Adrian. And even if it had been, the real Adrian knew the real truth behind how Xaden’s marriage crashed. Xaden had come clean to him after the episode with Sylas skin walking in the Villa, and Adrian was in no way interested in bringing Ashley into Xaden’s life after she threw him away like garbage. She figured out that since the president never messaged her back,
THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM SETTING HER STRAIGHT
The news of Ashley's fainting spell spread like wildfire, igniting a storm of speculation and sensationalism in the media. Reporters clamoured for details, eager to uncover the truth behind the dramatic episode that unfolded in the newsroom. Among the throng of journalists, one figure stood out—the elusive and enigmatic Ashley, whose fabricated tale of betrayal and heartbreaking captivation captivated the public's imagination.As the frenzy of media coverage swirled around her, Ashley lay in a hospital bed, her facade of frailty concealing a calculated strategy. She had orchestrated the elaborate charade to garner attention, leveraging the public's fascination with scandal and intrigue to further her own ambitions.Meanwhile, Xaden, driven by a sense of obligation and a gnawing curiosity, tracked down the hospital where Ashley had been taken. Arriving just as the doctor delivered a sobering diagnosis, he observed the scene with a mixture of concern and scepticism.The doctor stood ove
THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM A LITTLE FORGIVENESS
A nurse rushed in, overhearing the raised voices. "Miss, you need to get back in bed. You're in no condition to be moving around." Ashley allowed herself to be led back to the bed, defeat washing over her. Xaden gave her one last disgusted look before storming out. Xaden strode from the hospital seething with anger. The nerve of Ashley, trying to manipulate him again with her fake tears and lies. After everything she had put him through, he would not fall for it this time. Regret gnawed at his conscience, a relentless reminder of his outburst in Ashley's hospital room. Despite the turmoil raging within him, a flicker of guilt tempered his resolve, prompting him to contemplate the consequences of his actions. Even if Ashley was at fault, the baby was innocent in all this. He didn’t want her to lose the child because of him. He needed to be more careful around her. As he made his way back to the presidential villa, President Adrian was waiting for him anxiously.
THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM PERMANENCE
The deceptively edited video of Xaden's hospital encounter with Ashley spread like wildfire through media outlets, igniting a conflagration of public condemnation against him. This carefully fabricated footage painted Xaden in a villainous light, casting doubt over his character and fueling rampant speculation and outrage. They made it seem like he was harassing Ashley, who was already in the hospital for health reasons.Xaden found himself battered by a relentless storm of negative publicity as the video spawned ubiquitous accusations across news platforms, social media, and gossip channels. This orchestrated smear campaign portrayed Xaden's actions in a distorted manner to turn public opinion against him.Sensing opportunity in the chaos, Xaden's rival Sylas seized the moment to escalate the attacks on Xaden's credibility, calling a dramatic press conference to denounce him publicly. With calculated precision, Sylas exploited the public's appetite for scandal, levying sensational al
THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM INTRODUCTION TO THE MILLERS
“You must be very stupid!” Xaden was appalled by the woman’s instant refusal. It was his first time witnessing such open hostility. “How do you expect us to just open our home to a stranger just because our father and your grandfather were old friends?” It was the woman’s brother,Trevor, that spoke this time with a frown on his face. “I don’t even understand why father would make friends with a man like that. Look at you, you’re just as wretched as your old man. Poor and stinking. Your shoes look worn out and you have dirt all over you. You also stink! While my father worked to gain all his wealth, your grandfather ran away like a coward to live in the country and remained poor.” Bianca sneered with obvious disgust and held her nose to emphasise her point. Xaden’s grandfather, John Dyre had been a good man and he was close friends with their father, Adam Miller. Though John had retired to the suburbs to live a quiet life, Adam had gone into business and become a millionaire. They b
THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM THEY HATE HIM
The house was far more beautiful than Xaden expected. He was used to living in a modest country home, not a house like this.There was a Japanese painting hung on one side of the room. Xaden recognized the painting. He had seen one back at home though he wasn't allowed to touch or go near grandfather's stuff. He came across the painting when he was trying to clean up the store room one time. He didn't realize that his eyes were still fixated on the painting until Trevor tapped him on his shoulder and asked if he was okay.“I'm fine, I'm fine. I just got lost in the painting. My Grandfather has one exactly like it."Trevor smiled. "That was my father's favorite painting. Come along, let me show you where you'll be staying for the meantime."Xaden followed suit. He was tempted to ask where Bianca was but he stopped himself before he even muttered a word. He understood why she was mean to him earlier. Suddenly a stranger appears on your doorstep claiming to be your father's friend's grand
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- THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM
PERMANENCE
The deceptively edited video of Xaden's hospital encounter with Ashley spread like wildfire through media outlets, igniting a conflagration of public condemnation against him. This carefully fabricated footage painted Xaden in a villainous light, casting doubt over his character and fueling rampant speculation and outrage. They made it seem like he was harassing Ashley, who was already in the hospital for health reasons.Xaden found himself battered by a relentless storm of negative publicity as the video spawned ubiquitous accusations across news platforms, social media, and gossip channels. This orchestrated smear campaign portrayed Xaden's actions in a distorted manner to turn public opinion against him.Sensing opportunity in the chaos, Xaden's rival Sylas seized the moment to escalate the attacks on Xaden's credibility, calling a dramatic press conference to denounce him publicly. With calculated precision, Sylas exploited the public's appetite for scandal, levying sensational al
- THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM
A LITTLE FORGIVENESS
A nurse rushed in, overhearing the raised voices. "Miss, you need to get back in bed. You're in no condition to be moving around." Ashley allowed herself to be led back to the bed, defeat washing over her. Xaden gave her one last disgusted look before storming out. Xaden strode from the hospital seething with anger. The nerve of Ashley, trying to manipulate him again with her fake tears and lies. After everything she had put him through, he would not fall for it this time. Regret gnawed at his conscience, a relentless reminder of his outburst in Ashley's hospital room. Despite the turmoil raging within him, a flicker of guilt tempered his resolve, prompting him to contemplate the consequences of his actions. Even if Ashley was at fault, the baby was innocent in all this. He didn’t want her to lose the child because of him. He needed to be more careful around her. As he made his way back to the presidential villa, President Adrian was waiting for him anxiously.
- THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM
SETTING HER STRAIGHT
The news of Ashley's fainting spell spread like wildfire, igniting a storm of speculation and sensationalism in the media. Reporters clamoured for details, eager to uncover the truth behind the dramatic episode that unfolded in the newsroom. Among the throng of journalists, one figure stood out—the elusive and enigmatic Ashley, whose fabricated tale of betrayal and heartbreaking captivation captivated the public's imagination.As the frenzy of media coverage swirled around her, Ashley lay in a hospital bed, her facade of frailty concealing a calculated strategy. She had orchestrated the elaborate charade to garner attention, leveraging the public's fascination with scandal and intrigue to further her own ambitions.Meanwhile, Xaden, driven by a sense of obligation and a gnawing curiosity, tracked down the hospital where Ashley had been taken. Arriving just as the doctor delivered a sobering diagnosis, he observed the scene with a mixture of concern and scepticism.The doctor stood ove
- THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM
ASHLEY'S INTERVIEW
“So Miss Miller, what made you come here today to have an interview with us?” The reporter asked.Ashley was with a handkerchief and was prepared to do all she could to gain public sympathy. It was easy to do since she was pregnant and was already showing. She also came with proof of her marriage to Xaden and the divorce papers as well. This was the plan she had come up with after never hearing back from the president. She had thought that Adrian would make her get back together with Xaden after she had complained to him that day over the phone.She had no idea that the person she had spoken to that day hadn’t been the real Adrian. And even if it had been, the real Adrian knew the real truth behind how Xaden’s marriage crashed. Xaden had come clean to him after the episode with Sylas skin walking in the Villa, and Adrian was in no way interested in bringing Ashley into Xaden’s life after she threw him away like garbage. She figured out that since the president never messaged her back,
- THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM
A NEW PROBLEM
“I don’t understand. We should have been able to find her. We checked every property that was connected to Sylas and that one was the best option. The System said we should follow the forbidden, how else are we supposed to do that?” Malessa asked with a bemused expression.“We thought the forbidden meant his business, but at this point, I don’t think the System meant his illegal businesses. I think it meant forbidden Manna practices, dark spells and things like that. Whatever posed as Dominique didn’t look like it was skinwalking. And there was a weird blade. The blade was very black and seemed to be sucking the light from everything within a metre of it. It also had a red ruby in the hilt with strange lines, I think they were runes that seemed to be filled with blood. It felt wrong, like a black hole draining everything around.” Xaden said and Adrian looked up in shock.“The blade itself was black?” Adrian asked and Xaden nodded.“Damn. This is worse than I thought. Sylas is really g
- THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM
ILLUSION
Xaden's heart pounded in his chest as he burst into the dimly lit warehouse, the stale air thick with tension. This was where Adrian's men said they suspected Dominique was and Adrian trusted their information. When the system gave the riddle to look into the forbidden, they agreed to do a thorough search into Sylas’ illegal business. Definitely, someone like Sylas could never keep his hands clean despite how much the Knight Consortium was worth. Greedy people never considered their wealth enough and Sylas was greedy to a fault and also covetous. This warehouse had been part of the chain of illegal trade Sylas was in charge of. It was in a secluded position and was the most ideal place to hide someone. The flickering light from a solitary bulb cast eerie shadows on the cold, concrete walls."Sylas!" Xaden's voice echoed through the desolate space, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He didn’t bother trying to be silent because he could feel that he wasn’t alone.“Don’t bother trying t
- THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM
NEW TASK TO FIND HER
The reporter he pointed to immediately stepped forward.“Mr Knight, you didn’t spend a lot of time inside, does that mean everything has been resolved? We all expected you to take at least a few hours to negotiate your takeover with the board members.”“Well it seems the board wants to start a fight they can’t finish by denying me my rightful inheritance. This company was established by Knights, built by Knights, and should be ruled by a Knight. I appreciate them holding the fort while I was unavailable, but now that I have returned, they should do the right thing and let me take my place as the last living legitimate member of the Knight family. I hope that answered your question.” Xaden said and pointed to the next person.“Sir, what’s your next move? Will you take this to court? Or let it play out? We want to know how you intend to fight back.” The next reporter asked and he smiled.“They say a magician never reveals his secrets. If I tell you my plans, then they can try to thwart
- THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM
FIRST APPEARANCE TO THE BOARD
When she woke up, she thought she had gone blind because she couldn’t even see her fingers even though she was sure she was holding them in front of her face. She tried to move but there was a clanging sound as the chains she was held down with moved.“Hello!” She screamed into the darkness.She tried to figure out who could have summoned forbidden shadowkin and also ordered them to take her. The last thing she remembered was seeing shadowkin in the alleyway leading to her house. The leader said they knew what she had done, and the only thing she could have possibly done to warrant being seen as betrayal was going to visit Xaden and Adrian. She knew her husband wasn’t a good person after finding out what he had done to Xaden but could he really be responsible for this too? She was confused. She didn’t want to believe that she had been married to a monster all these years but there was no other explanation even if it was a bit confusing because she was sure that Syalas had been asleep
- THE CONSORTIUM SYSTEM
SHADOWKIN
In the confines of the presidential office, Dominique stood before President Adrian, her eyes reflecting a mix of remorse and regret. "I want to apologise," she began, her voice tinged with sincerity. "I cannot excuse or justify what Sylas has done. I'm here to acknowledge the wrongs and take responsibility for my part in this. I should have been more observant of him. I know most of these things happened before I got married to him, but I still feel guilty. I know he will never swallow his pride and apologise so I want to do it on his behalf. I will try and talk some sense into him to avoid further disputes."Adrian, though still carrying the weight of the recent turmoil, acknowledged her sincerity. He knew it would be wrong to blame her unjustly because of her husband’s misdeeds, but he was still mistrustful of her intentions.What if Sylas just sent her here to deceive them and get close to them as a spy? Or what if she was actually here of her own accord, but still with nefarious
