BENEATH THE FACADE
Author: Victor Amos Regannez
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

Three weeks had passed since Marvin’s card was declined, and now he was back at the same establishment.

The moment he walked in, heads turned, but not in admiration—people who recognized him cast dismissive glances in his direction.

The respect they once had for him was gone. They remembered how he had requested for equipments worth 3.5 million dollars, only for his card to fail. To them, he was no longer the wealthy man he appeared to be.

Marvin ignored the looks and walked straight toward the financial department.

His steps were firm, but inside, his heart raced. He had something to prove.

As he entered the department, he saw Derek behind the counter. Derek noticed him right away.

Marvin pulled out his Diamond Royale card and spoke clearly, “Hello, Derek.”

Derek squinted, trying to place the face. “You… I remember you. You are…”

“Marvin, the guy whose transaction was declined,” Marvin said, helping him remember.

“Aha!” Derek’s face lit up with recognition. “Yes, I remember you n
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    Derek laughed out loud as the payment machine displayed "PAYMENT DECLINED" again."Oh, it really happened again, just like I predicted!" he said, shaking his head in disbelief. His two colleagues burst into laughter, slapping each other on the back.“Well, you know the deal,” Derek said, still chuckling. “Take off your clothes and shoes. You promised.”Marvin's face tightened. “No, run the card once more,” he demanded, his voice was calm but firm.Derek rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed. “Come on, are we really doing this again? What makes you think your card is going to work this time? Are you trying to make a fool out of us?” Derek’s voice grew louder, and frustration was showing in his face.Marvin didn’t flinch. His eyes were cold and sharp. “Run the card once more,” he said, his voice was steady but with a chilling edge.Derek paused, noticing the change in Marvin’s expression. Something in those cold eyes made him flinch. He hesitated, but then, abandoning his earlier confidence

  • THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR    THE NEOVALLE DEBUT

    There at the Aurora grand hotel, Marvin stepped out of the hot shower, with the water still steaming as it ran down the tiled walls. He reached for a soft towel, wrapping it around his waist. His bathroom was spacious and sleek, with modern fixtures and a large mirror that reflected his focused expression. As he began drying his body, he couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement. Today was a big day—the Neovalle Tech Conference was just hours away.Walking over to the sink, Marvin grabbed a comb and started grooming his hair, carefully parting it to the side. The Neovalle conference was more than just a gathering of tech enthusiasts—it was an opportunity for innovators to showcase their projects. The best exhibit would not only win a large cash prize but also gain the attention of key investors and influential figures. Marvin knew that his project, Helios, could be the game-changer that would put him at the forefront of the tech world here in Neovalle.Since last week, when he

  • THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR    THE NEOVALLE DEBUT 2

    Marvin’s assistant Kenny shifted uncomfortably, as his confidence started wavering. The sheer size of the other exhibits, the fancy vehicles, and the obvious wealth of the competitors were intimidating. He looked around at the drones, the robotic arms, and the giant screens showing off complex technology, and he began to feel a sinking sense of inferiority."Marvin," he whispered, hesitating. "Maybe we should have brought more equipment... or something bigger. Everyone else seems so prepared. We just have this one bag…"Before Marvin could respond, a group of contestants approached them. One of them, a woman in a sharp blue suit, eyed Marvin and his assistant with a mocking smile."Are you two really contestants?" she asked, her tone was condescending. "Or did you just get lost on the way to the audience seats?"Her friends laughed, their eyes were gleaming with amusement as they looked at the bag that was now in Marvin's hand.Marvin stood tall, his expression was calm but firm. "W

  • THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR    THE NEOVALLE DEBUT 3

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  • THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR    AND THE WINNER IS...

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  • THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR    AVK 437

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Latest Chapter

  • THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR    

    BITTER NEGOTIATIONS

    Mr. Richmond shifted uneasily in his seat, his lips trembled as he finally found the courage to speak. His voice was soft, almost pleading, as he asked, “What do you want me to do, Marvin?”Marvin’s gaze didn’t waver as he leaned forward, his expression was calm but deadly serious. The glow of his veins was gone, but the intensity in his eyes remained. “If I decide to help you deal with Mr. Daniel Bowen,” Marvin began slowly, “then I will be entitled to thirty percent of what Richmond Tech generates annually for the next twenty years.”The room went silent. Mr. Richmond’s eyes widened in shock, and his mouth opened slightly as though the air had been knocked out of him. “But... but with all due respect, son, that is an outrageous offer. Come on, son, that offer is not fair.”Marvin’s eyebrows furrowed in disgust. “Not fair?” he asked, his voice rising slightly as he repeated the words, a sharp edge of bitterness lacing his tone.“Not fair?” He stood abruptly, glaring down at his fat

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    WHEN THE PAST WALKS IN

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  • THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR    

    THE REVELATION OF HELENA

    The room grew silent for a moment, the only sound was Marvin's heavy breathing as his body gave out. His knees buckled completely, and he crumpled to the floor, his glowing veins had faded into dull lines as his consciousness slipped away.Just as the energy field began to spiral out of control again, a faint whirring sound filled the room. The female cyborg stepped forward, her movements were smooth yet deliberate. Her metallic limbs shimmered under the harsh glow of the unstable core, and her glowing eyes were locked onto the chaotic pulses of energy.She knelt beside Marvin, placing a cold hand on his shoulder. "Rest, Marvin," she said softly, her voice was calm and soothing. "You've done enough."Straightening her body, the cyborg turned her focus to the core. Her expression was unreadable, but her glowing eyes seemed to brighten as she extended her hands toward the storm of energy.Her internal systems were activated, sending a surge of telepathic waves toward the core. Her m

  • THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR    

    POWER BEYOND LIMITS

    The air around Marvin crackled with energy, the violent storm of the Synapticore was roaring louder as the seconds ticked by. His chest rose and fell with labored breaths, sweat soaking his face as the temperature in the room climbed to unbearable levels. Yet, his eyes were fierce, fixed on the glowing core.“Tell me what to do,” he repeated, his voice was sharper now, his resolve solidifying.Luminar’s voice echoed in his mind, it was calm but tinged with urgency. “like I said before, to stabilize the grid, you must sync with its chaotic frequency. The energy is wild and erratic, but you can calm it by matching its rhythm. Focus, Marvin. Listen to the pulses, feel them, and let your mind flow with them.”Marvin closed his eyes, shutting out the flashing lights, the sparks, and the unbearable heat. His breathing steadied as he reached deep within himself, his consciousness stretching out to touch the volatile energy field. Slowly, he began to feel it—the erratic thrum of the core’s

  • THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR    

    FACING THE EYE OF THE STORM

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  • THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR    

    SYNAPTIC SURGE: THE BREAKING POINT

    Marvin pressed his palm firmly against the cyborg’s cold, metallic arm.The moment their connection was made, a jolt of raw energy shot through him like an electric surge. It was as though his very veins were on fire, as each pulse of energy sent a sharp tremor up his arm. He gritted his teeth, trying to concentrate. The Synapticore energy that lived deep within him, which was dormant and unpredictable, was now his only lifeline."Focus," the cyborg’s voice broke through the chaos, it was steady and commanding. “Draw it out. Don't hold back. This is it.”Her words echoed in Marvin's mind, but his body was already pushing past his limits. His veins, once normal, were now glowing a brilliant sky-blue, pulsing as if his very bloodstream had become a river of energy. He clenched his jaw against the searing heat of it, fighting the rising panic.The energy surged through him, pooling in his chest, his limbs. He didn’t hesitate. He funneled it all down into his arm, sending it out throu

  • THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR    

    THE CHOICE TO TRUST

    Marvin’s heart pounded as he stared at the woman before him. Chaos erupted all around them—the roaring hum of the energy field grew louder, threatening to consume the entire facility. Yet, his focus remained locked on her, as if the world had paused just for this moment.Her piercing eyes, like shards of tempered steel, held a strange mix of calm and determination that left him both mesmerized and unnerved. The flickering lights played across her flawless features, highlighting a beauty that seemed almost inhuman.No, not almost.Marvin’s gaze traveled downward, catching the gleam of her metallic arm. Its sleek, intricate design was unlike anything he’d seen, seamlessly blending with the flesh of her shoulder. It wasn’t a flaw; it was a statement.“Who… are you?” Marvin asked, his voice was barely audible above the cacophony around them.The woman’s expression remained steady. “Focus, Marvin. There’s no time for distractions,” she replied, her tone was calm yet commanding.Her words