2025-02-12 16:11:19A while later, Zach stood before the Five Star Bank, his clothes a patchwork of soot and grim of sorts thanks to the fire from the burnt house, his face smeared with exhaustion and faint hope. The murmurs of people passing by stung like needles, their eyes scanning him with disdain.
Even the guards exchanged glances but made no move. This was a prestigious bank, often housing low-profile billionaires. The guards wouldn’t risk making a mistake by ejecting someone who might secretly own half the city.
Zach walked to an ATM machine, clutching the black card tightly. He inserted it, his fingers trembling slightly. His real birthday—27-09-1998—replayed in his mind. He took a deep breath and entered the pin, hitting the button to check the balance.
The screen blinked once, twice, and then froze entirely. The green interface flickered and vanished, replaced by a cryptic message. A loud beep echoed through the hall, turning every head towards him.
“What’s going on?” murmured a customer.
“Must be a system error,” said another.
Zach’s brow furrowed. Before he could step away, two bank staff appeared, their eyes narrowing as they approached him.
“Excuse me, sir,” one said, his tone sharp. “This isn’t a public facility. Where did you get that card?”
“I’m the holder,” Zach replied evenly, though his embarrassment seeped into his voice.
The second staff member, a woman with sharp features, sneered. “The holder? Dressed like that? Please. You probably found it on the street.”
Their voices drew the attention of more staff and customers.
“You think someone like him could be a top-tier client?” a cocky female staff member chimed in, loud enough for everyone to hear. “He probably stole it. Guards, get him out of here before he embarrasses himself further.”
Zach’s cheeks flushed red. The humiliation burned hotter than the fire that had consumed his home. “I’ll leave,” he muttered, his voice low, “no need to throw me out.”
He turned to go when a commanding voice stopped him. “Wait.”
Heads turned as a tall, poised woman strode into the hall. She was stunning, her sharp suit tailored perfectly, her dark hair pulled into an elegant bun. Her heels clicked against the marble floor, and every staff member bowed in deference. She was the bank's Manager.
“Ms. Barbara,” someone whispered.
“Who caused the system freeze?” Barbara asked, her voice calm but firm, her sharp eyes scanning the room.
The cocky staff member stepped forward. “Ma’am, we were just handling a vagrant who—”
Barbara cut her off with a raised hand. “I’m not asking for your opinions. I’m asking who accessed the account that froze our system.”
Fingers pointed at Zach. “Him,” they said, their voices tinged with disdain.
Barbara’s gaze landed on Zach, and her sharp expression softened with surprise. “You?”
The staff around her began to whisper among themselves.
“Yes, Ms. Barbara,” the cocky staff member sneered. “We were just about to remove him.”
Barbara’s face darkened. “Remove him?” she echoed. Her voice rose, each word laced with icy authority. “This man holds the position of most exclusive VIP in this bank! And you dared to insult him?”
The hall fell silent, the cocky staff member’s smirk fading into sheer terror. “M-Ma’am, I didn’t know—”
“Enough!” Barbara snapped. “Your behavior is disgraceful. Apologize. Now.”
The cocky staff member turned to Zach, her face pale. “I-I’m so sorry, sir. I didn’t mean—”
Barbara interrupted. “Your apology means nothing. You’re suspended. Effective immediately.”
One by one, Barbara pointed at each staff member who had mocked Zach. “You’re suspended. You too. And you.”
Their protests were drowned out by her unwavering tone. “Five Star Bank’s reputation depends on respect and professionalism. You’ve failed at both.”
Zach stood rooted to the spot, stunned. Him, the most exclusive VIP of the greatest bank in the city? It felt surreal, a dream he never dared to have.
It wasn’t until the rudest staff member clasped her hands and begged him for forgiveness that reality began to sink in.
But his mind raced with one burning question: How much could be in the account to freeze an entire bank?
Barbara straightened her suit, her tone now measured with professionalism but softened with an air of regret.
“Mr. Zach,” she began, her eyes meeting his with a sincerity that disarmed him. “I deeply apologize for the earlier misunderstanding. I’m Barbara Davis, the Manager here. Allow me to personally assist you.”
Zach nodded stiffly, still processing the whirlwind of events.
She led him through a polished hallway to a private room, its decor minimalist yet intimidatingly luxurious. At the center stood a reinforced ATM machine encased in a sleek security frame. With a swipe of her keycard, Barbara unlocked the system, gesturing for Zach to step forward.
“This is a secured terminal,” she explained. “Please proceed with the same pin.”
Zach hesitated, glancing at her, then at the machine. He slowly entered the pin, his fingers trembling as he pressed the buttons.
The screen blinked, processing for a moment before displaying the balance.
$100,812,947,450.63
His breath hitched, and he instinctively took a step back. “This… this has to be a mistake.”
Barbara’s calm smile didn’t waver. “No mistake, Mr. Zach. This account was set up for you specifically. With it comes elite privileges, including my personal assistance in managing your finances.”
“Personal assistance?” Zach echoed, his voice low, almost disbelieving.
“Yes,” she replied, her voice firm. “You are our only elite client. We are at your service—whether you need financial advice, asset management, or access to exclusive opportunities. Whatever you require, consider it done.”
He rubbed his temples, trying to grasp it all. The words of Laura from earlier flooded back to him: “You are the leader of Dominion’s Shadow—the most powerful and secretive organization in the country…”
He blinked, his mind racing. Earlier today, he was confirmed dead. Then he had risen, fought five men single-handedly, and now stood here, a cardholder of unimaginable wealth.
Barbara interrupted his spiraling thoughts gently. “Mr. Zach, is there anything you need immediately?”
“A house,” he admitted after a pause. “I need a place to stay.”
Barbara’s expression lit up. “Of course.”
She excused herself briefly, made a quick phone call, then returned with a confident smile. “It’s done. We have a top-tier villa ready for you. You can move in today.”
Zach’s jaw dropped. “Today?”
“Yes,” she confirmed. “It’s our only best available property. Fully furnished and secure.”
He stared at her, stunned and utterly speechless.
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Zach stared at the black card in his hand, the privileges Barbara had listed replaying in his mind like a dream too grand to be true.“Unlimited access to top-tier financial management, exclusive properties, and the bank's best property for a house?” he murmured, his voice laced with disbelief. “It’s almost absurd.”Barbara handed him her sleek business card, the gold lettering on it exuding sophistication. “Mr. Zach,” she said warmly, “if you ever need anything—anything at all—please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. I’m at your service.”He nodded, still in awe.“Oh, and one more thing,” she added. “We’re hosting a business banquet this afternoon. As one of our highest-level clients, you are not only invited but have influence over the bank’s major projects. I strongly encourage you to attend.”Zach blinked. “A banquet?”Barbara smiled. “Yes, sir. As a top-tier client, you have a say in the bank’s major investment projects happening today. Your attendance is highly valued.”Her
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 8 ~
The air in the banquet hall shifted abruptly as Maya’s assistant, Lena, who had been trailing behind them, let out an audible gasp."Lena, what is it?" Maya turned sharply, her annoyance evident.Lena hesitated for a moment before blurting out, “The Crest Villa—the most expensive villa in the city—it’s just been assigned a new owner. The new resident is moving in today!”Maya froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Crest Villa? That can’t be true!”Luke frowned. “Impossible. No one’s ever been able to meet the bank’s standards for that place.”Lena held up her phone, scrolling rapidly. “It’s all over the Internet. First Star Bank announced it officially a while ago. People are speculating who the new owner could be.”Luke and Maya exchanged a stunned glance. The villa was a legendary property, owned by the bank and symbolizing ultimate power and influence.“Who could it be?” Maya murmured, her mind already racing.Luke scoffed. “Whoever it is, they must belong to a family so influenti
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 9 ~
Laura’s response was immediate. "Right away, sir. I guess they must have offended you.""They have," Zach said, his voice tight with anger. Laura sneered. "How dare they bite the very hand that feeds them. We've given them opportunities in the past, just like First Star Bank. This is how they repay us? Nonsense.”Zach added. "I want you to also halt all business dealings with them.""I will take care of it, Master Zach," Laura confirmed. "Consider it done."Zach exhaled slowly, his grip on the phone tightening as he finished the call. He wasn’t just about to take back his dignity; he was about to make sure no one ever dared to mock him—or his family—again.He stepped back into the grand hall, the echoes of his footsteps competing with the sneers and mocking laughter that immediately greeted him. Luke, Maya, and a few others snickered, their eyes gleaming with amusement as they watched him walk in."Back so soon, Zach? Did you go to weep for a moment or call some top authority?" Maya
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 10 ~
Luke stood frozen, his cheek stinging where Laura’s hand had struck him. His body stiffened, humiliation creeping up his spine like a slow-burning fire. He could feel the weight of every gaze in the room—sharp, scrutinizing, waiting to see his reaction. His fists clenched at his sides, but the anger boiling in his chest was overshadowed by a rare sensation: shame.Laura stepped closer, the sharp tap of her heels against the marble floor slicing through the thick silence. The air around her was suffocating and commanding. When she spoke, her voice was deceptively calm, but every word was edged like a blade."You really think you can treat people however you want, Luke?" she asked, her tone a quiet storm. "You’ve crossed a line, and you will answer for it."Luke opened his mouth, but his voice faltered. He had never felt powerless before, never been put in his place like this. He stole a glance at the crowd, seeing the judgment in their eyes, the silent amusement on some faces. His arro
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 1 ~
The morgue was oppressively silent, the air heavy with the sterile sting of disinfectant. Zach’s body lay still on the cold steel table, shrouded in a white sheet that clung to the lifeless contours beneath it. “Skip the autopsy and send the body for cremation immediately,” a sharp, impatient voice echoed. Maya stood near the doorway, arms crossed, her expression devoid of grief. Instead, there was a flicker of irritation, as if Zach’s death was merely an inconvenient chore to finalize. The nurse hesitated, her brow furrowed. “Ma’am, are you certain? Protocol requires confirmation—” Before the sentence was complete, Zach’s chest heaved. A ragged gasp shattered the stillness, and his eyes flew open, darting frantically as he inhaled like a man drowning in air. The nurse screamed, staggering backward. “He’s alive!”Maya stumbled back a step, her face pale with shock before her lips curled into a sneer. “Why couldn’t he just stay dead?” she muttered under her breath, her tone laced
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~2~
Luke's sheer arrogance made Zach want to puke at his face while he gnashed his teeth. Although he was deeply worried about his sister, he refused to give them the satisfaction by going on his knees. He wouldn't ruin his dignity in such a way.Luke’s smug grin widened as Zach stood motionless, gripping the edge of the steel table. “What’s the matter, pauper? Cat got your tongue?” Luke sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.But Zach didn’t kneel. Instead, he straightened his spine, his gaze sharp and unwavering as it locked onto Luke. His lips pressed into a thin line, trembling slightly with the effort of containing his fury.“I’m not kneeling,” Zach said, his voice low but steady.Luke’s smile faltered for a moment before twisting into a smirk. “Oh? Do you think defiance makes you a hero? Let me remind you—your sister’s life is hanging by a thread, and all it takes is one phone call from me to cut it.”Zach’s fists clenched, the veins in his arms taut as a surge of anger coursed th
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 3 ~
Zach stared at Laura, stunned. The words she had spoken were like pieces of a puzzle that didn’t fit together. Leader of a powerful organization? Dominion Shadows? It all sounded absurd. His heart weighed heavily, burdened by the loss of his adoptive mother and the constant worry for his sister’s safety. He didn’t have the time or energy for elaborate stories.“Look,” he said, his voice low and firm, “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I need to go somewhere urgently. If you think I’ll fall for this nonsense, you’re wasting your time.”Laura’s calm demeanor didn’t waver. Instead, she reached into her tailored blazer and pulled out a sleek black card. The card gleamed under the overhead light, its surface embossed with intricate golden patterns and the unmistakable emblem of First Star Bank—the most prestigious financial institution in the city.“This,” she said, holding it out to him, “is your supreme black card. It originally belonged to you.”Zach hesitated before taking the
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 4 ~
Zach stared at his hands, trembling with disbelief. The crumpled car hood bore the marks of his newfound strength. Since waking in the hospital, his body had felt different—stronger, sharper, as if some dormant power was clawing its way to the surface.“Zach!” Mary’s tearful voice snapped him out of his daze. She threw herself into his arms, her small frame trembling against his. Her sobs were muffled against his chest as she clung to him tightly.“You’re alive!” she cried, pulling back just enough to look at him. Her face lit up with joy, though fear lingered in her wide eyes. “I thought you—” Her voice cracked, and tears streamed down her cheeks.“I’m here, Mary,” Zach said softly, holding her close. “I’m not going anywhere.”Her relief was short-lived as her gaze darted toward the group of men watching them. “You—You should run! They’ll kill you. Please, don’t fight them!”Zach’s jaw clenched, his gaze shifting to the gang. The group of five men sneered, clearly unimpressed by his
Latest Chapter
~ 10 ~
Luke stood frozen, his cheek stinging where Laura’s hand had struck him. His body stiffened, humiliation creeping up his spine like a slow-burning fire. He could feel the weight of every gaze in the room—sharp, scrutinizing, waiting to see his reaction. His fists clenched at his sides, but the anger boiling in his chest was overshadowed by a rare sensation: shame.Laura stepped closer, the sharp tap of her heels against the marble floor slicing through the thick silence. The air around her was suffocating and commanding. When she spoke, her voice was deceptively calm, but every word was edged like a blade."You really think you can treat people however you want, Luke?" she asked, her tone a quiet storm. "You’ve crossed a line, and you will answer for it."Luke opened his mouth, but his voice faltered. He had never felt powerless before, never been put in his place like this. He stole a glance at the crowd, seeing the judgment in their eyes, the silent amusement on some faces. His arro
~ 9 ~
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~ 8 ~
The air in the banquet hall shifted abruptly as Maya’s assistant, Lena, who had been trailing behind them, let out an audible gasp."Lena, what is it?" Maya turned sharply, her annoyance evident.Lena hesitated for a moment before blurting out, “The Crest Villa—the most expensive villa in the city—it’s just been assigned a new owner. The new resident is moving in today!”Maya froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Crest Villa? That can’t be true!”Luke frowned. “Impossible. No one’s ever been able to meet the bank’s standards for that place.”Lena held up her phone, scrolling rapidly. “It’s all over the Internet. First Star Bank announced it officially a while ago. People are speculating who the new owner could be.”Luke and Maya exchanged a stunned glance. The villa was a legendary property, owned by the bank and symbolizing ultimate power and influence.“Who could it be?” Maya murmured, her mind already racing.Luke scoffed. “Whoever it is, they must belong to a family so influenti
~ 7 ~
Zach stared at the black card in his hand, the privileges Barbara had listed replaying in his mind like a dream too grand to be true.“Unlimited access to top-tier financial management, exclusive properties, and the bank's best property for a house?” he murmured, his voice laced with disbelief. “It’s almost absurd.”Barbara handed him her sleek business card, the gold lettering on it exuding sophistication. “Mr. Zach,” she said warmly, “if you ever need anything—anything at all—please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. I’m at your service.”He nodded, still in awe.“Oh, and one more thing,” she added. “We’re hosting a business banquet this afternoon. As one of our highest-level clients, you are not only invited but have influence over the bank’s major projects. I strongly encourage you to attend.”Zach blinked. “A banquet?”Barbara smiled. “Yes, sir. As a top-tier client, you have a say in the bank’s major investment projects happening today. Your attendance is highly valued.”Her
~ 6 ~
A while later, Zach stood before the Five Star Bank, his clothes a patchwork of soot and grim of sorts thanks to the fire from the burnt house, his face smeared with exhaustion and faint hope. The murmurs of people passing by stung like needles, their eyes scanning him with disdain. Even the guards exchanged glances but made no move. This was a prestigious bank, often housing low-profile billionaires. The guards wouldn’t risk making a mistake by ejecting someone who might secretly own half the city.Zach walked to an ATM machine, clutching the black card tightly. He inserted it, his fingers trembling slightly. His real birthday—27-09-1998—replayed in his mind. He took a deep breath and entered the pin, hitting the button to check the balance.The screen blinked once, twice, and then froze entirely. The green interface flickered and vanished, replaced by a cryptic message. A loud beep echoed through the hall, turning every head towards him.“What’s going on?” murmured a customer.“Mus
~ 5 ~
Zach stared at the broken men before him, his chest heaving. His hands trembled, not with fear, but with the sheer force of what he had just done. He didn’t recognize himself. How had he done this? The impossible strength, the quick reflexes—it all felt like someone else’s body.But he pushed the questions aside for now. He had to protect Mary.“Leave now,” Zach commanded, his voice low and unyielding. His piercing gaze swept over the gang, daring them to challenge him. “Or none of you will leave in one piece.”The leader, now visibly shaken but desperate to maintain control, snarled. “You think you’re untouchable, boy? Darius will hear about this.” He turned to his men. “Get him! All of you! Squash him like the bug he is!”Mary’s face went pale, and she tugged on Zach’s arm. “Zach, don’t! There are too many of them. You’ll get hurt!”Zach gently pushed her behind him, his tone steady. “Stay back, Mary. I won’t let them touch you.”The gang hesitated for a moment, eyeing Zach warily,
~ 4 ~
Zach stared at his hands, trembling with disbelief. The crumpled car hood bore the marks of his newfound strength. Since waking in the hospital, his body had felt different—stronger, sharper, as if some dormant power was clawing its way to the surface.“Zach!” Mary’s tearful voice snapped him out of his daze. She threw herself into his arms, her small frame trembling against his. Her sobs were muffled against his chest as she clung to him tightly.“You’re alive!” she cried, pulling back just enough to look at him. Her face lit up with joy, though fear lingered in her wide eyes. “I thought you—” Her voice cracked, and tears streamed down her cheeks.“I’m here, Mary,” Zach said softly, holding her close. “I’m not going anywhere.”Her relief was short-lived as her gaze darted toward the group of men watching them. “You—You should run! They’ll kill you. Please, don’t fight them!”Zach’s jaw clenched, his gaze shifting to the gang. The group of five men sneered, clearly unimpressed by his
~ 3 ~
Zach stared at Laura, stunned. The words she had spoken were like pieces of a puzzle that didn’t fit together. Leader of a powerful organization? Dominion Shadows? It all sounded absurd. His heart weighed heavily, burdened by the loss of his adoptive mother and the constant worry for his sister’s safety. He didn’t have the time or energy for elaborate stories.“Look,” he said, his voice low and firm, “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I need to go somewhere urgently. If you think I’ll fall for this nonsense, you’re wasting your time.”Laura’s calm demeanor didn’t waver. Instead, she reached into her tailored blazer and pulled out a sleek black card. The card gleamed under the overhead light, its surface embossed with intricate golden patterns and the unmistakable emblem of First Star Bank—the most prestigious financial institution in the city.“This,” she said, holding it out to him, “is your supreme black card. It originally belonged to you.”Zach hesitated before taking the
~2~
Luke's sheer arrogance made Zach want to puke at his face while he gnashed his teeth. Although he was deeply worried about his sister, he refused to give them the satisfaction by going on his knees. He wouldn't ruin his dignity in such a way.Luke’s smug grin widened as Zach stood motionless, gripping the edge of the steel table. “What’s the matter, pauper? Cat got your tongue?” Luke sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.But Zach didn’t kneel. Instead, he straightened his spine, his gaze sharp and unwavering as it locked onto Luke. His lips pressed into a thin line, trembling slightly with the effort of containing his fury.“I’m not kneeling,” Zach said, his voice low but steady.Luke’s smile faltered for a moment before twisting into a smirk. “Oh? Do you think defiance makes you a hero? Let me remind you—your sister’s life is hanging by a thread, and all it takes is one phone call from me to cut it.”Zach’s fists clenched, the veins in his arms taut as a surge of anger coursed th
