Inside the lavish Gallagher Hotel's 8-star suite, Ava jolted awake, widening her eyes in surprise.
The soft glow of the opulent lighting in the hotel surrounded her. "Where...am I?" She muttered quietly until she suddenly noticed a stoic figure beside her covered in a duvet. "What?" She jerked immediately, sitting up straight on the bed. Just then, the silky sheets slid off her body, revealing that she was inexplicably without clothes. Confusion and a tinge of panic crept into her mind as she urgently tried to discover the figure lying beside her. As she pulled off the duvet, a tuft of unruly hair peeked out from beneath the fluffy covers, revealing a man asleep. "My gosh! What the hell are you doing here, pervert?" Ava's eyes were flushed red with fury as she jumped up from the bed. Could it be that this jerk had just r*ped her? Without hesitation, she walked up to the young man's side and nudged him hard to wake him up. "How dare you, you bastard! Did you abuse me? Oh, no! I can't believe this!..." The young man, just waking up from his sleep, managed to sit up after Ava's forceful awakening. "That's not true. You gave your consent, so how could you even accuse me of abusing you?" Dave interrupted, refuting Ava's claims. Almost immediately, memories of the events from the previous night flooded Ava's mind. The both of them were at the party last night when she suddenly began to act helplessly, making erratic movements after taking her drink which was drugged. Seeing her act restlessly and irrationally at the party like a drunk, a young gentleman had helped her to her hotel room. But Ava didn't allow him to leave. Instead, she threw herself at him, begging him for sex and that was the end of it! Right now that Ava was thinking clearly, she regretted falling in bed with some common man whom she knew nothing about. "Oh, no... How could I have made such a mistake...?" "Young lady," Dave interrupted, gently taking Ava's hand. "There's no need to worry. Trust me, we'll pick up from here, and you won't regret taking this step with me..." "Fuck off!" Ava yelled, forcefully pulling her hand away from Dave's grasp. "You don't even know me," she said, shooting Dave a disdainful look. "I cannot have anything to do with a nada like you..." "And what if I'm not who you think I am, lady? I'm successful, and I promise I'll make it worth your while. There's no need to be upset." "Just keep shut! Don't try to deceive me," Ava yelled in frustration as she walked to her own side of the bed and sat down at the edge with her back facing Dave. "You know what? Let's pretend this never happened. Don't breathe a word of it to anyone, or... you'll deal with the consequences yourself!" Ava growled in frustration. "Listen..." "Enough!" Ava cut Dave off, preventing him from saying anything more. Seeing Ava's reaction, Dave was pissed off. There was no need to try to convince someone as stiff-necked as Ava. What was the point, anyway? Without hesitation, he rose from the bed, donned his shirt and trousers, grabbed his phone, and exited the room without a backward glance. Watching Dave depart brought a sense of relief to Ava. Finally, she had rid herself of the arrogant braggart! Just as Dave exited the hotel and reached the entrance, a tall man dressed in a sleek, well-fitted charcoal grey suit approached him. He was Carl Mullen, one of the nine leaders of The Great Empire. The Great Empire stood as one of the most formidable business conglomerates in Nexroh, dominating vast sectors of the business world with a net worth of a hundred billion dollars! Its influence extended across multiple industries, from technology and finance to real estate and entertainment. Many companies in Nexroh aspired to join its ranks; however, there were only limited slots available. Without hesitation, Carl walked up to Dave and bowed his head in respect. "Master, I thought I'd greet you when I heard you were staying at this hotel. Congratulations once again on your appointment as the President of The Great Empire. I trust you had a pleasant trip to the mountains last week?""Master, since you just arrived, I'm sure you'll need a place to stay. That's why I prepared the top mansion in Prestige Estate. Here is the access card. Please accept it," Carl said, bowing his head in respect while presenting the card. "Also, here is Bovsa's Platinum Card, with a credit limit of 500 million dollars. You can use it at any store or fuel station owned by Kevton's Chamber." Dave smiled in appreciation. "That's very thoughtful of you," he said. "Master, I've also prepared a special world-class restaurant, Feldman, not far from here where you could have a good breakfast before leaving for home," Carl informed. Dave looked at him a bit surprised. None of the nine leaders of The Great Empire had ever given him such a gift, so Dave felt it was good to reward Carl for his kind gesture. "Carl Mullen, what will you have me do for you?" Dave asked. Carl decided to take advantage of this opportunity with Dave. He had found out that Dave was the mystic
Ava and Dave turned in Gordon's direction. He approached them, smiling broadly, glad to see Ava and Dave together. "Oh, splendid. It's wonderful that the two of you are already getting along," Gordon remarked, gesturing for them to follow him into the mansion. Despite feeling uneasy about the situation, Ava and Dave remained silent, unsure of how to respond to Gordon's assumption. Ava was eager to enter the mansion to share with her grandfather that Dave wasn't a marriage prospect! Upon entering, they encountered Greg and Joyce Dexter, Ava's parents, deeply engrossed in laughter and conversation while watching a movie. "Joyce, we have a special guest. Ask the chef to prepare a nice meal for him," Gordon instructed, prompting Greg and Joyce to look up. Their gazes landed on Dave, and they exchanged puzzled glances, wondering who he was. Dave was dressed in a simple T-shirt and trousers, causing them to wonder why Gordon had introduced him as a special guest. They
"An expert, that's who I am. A mystic physician who has several other skills...""Cut that crap, fool. Aren't you tired of being a shameless braggart?" Ava interrupted. “There's no way I'm going to fall for you. You mark my words!”“Come on. Who knows? You might find me charming and suitable. Don’t jump to a conclusion.” Dave couldn't help but tease Ava, which made Ava even more furious.“A street rat is even better than you, so quit dreaming!”While Ava was still speaking, a white Rolls Royce vehicle pulled up in front of them, and a young, pretty lady clad in an expensive designer dress stepped out of the vehicle. “Ava!” She said, waving her hands at Ava. She was Ava's best friend, Hannah. Hannah walked up to Ava and gave her a warm hug. "Sweetheart, thanks a lot for picking me up," Ava said, and then, she gestured towards Dave. “And this is the one I told you about.” When Ava realized she couldn't avoid obeying her grandfather by marrying Dave, she decided to seek advice
As soon as Hannah, Ava, and Dave arrived at the Cents' Sports Club and made their way through the entrance, heads turned, conversations paused, and all eyes focused on Hannah and Ava. Their beauty was undeniable and captivating!Ava's dark, wavy hair cascaded down her shoulders, perfectly complementing her emerald green dress that hugged her figure in all the right places. Meanwhile, Hannah's fair complexion and delicate features were also accentuated by a flowing lavender gown that made her look like she had stepped out of a fairy tale.Dave was dressed in simple attire—a plain shirt and trousers that marked him as a commoner in the eyes of the club’s elite, so no one seemed to notice him. However, Dave wasn't perturbed. Some of the young men, dressed in their finest attire, were captivated by Hannah and Ava's ethereal beauty.One of the men, Clark, who had been pursuing Ava for some time, approached her. "Ava, you look absolutely stunning. You're simply irresistible," he remark
Jerry's blood continued to boil in indignation at the sight of Dave.How could someone like Ava, his dream goddess, be married to a commoner? It was a humiliation he could hardly bear!In Jerry's mind, Dave was not just unworthy of Ava; he was unworthy of being his rival. The mere thought of competing with someone like Dave filled Jerry with disdain. He decided he needed to put Dave in his place and teach him a lesson about where he truly belonged!With confidence, Jerry faced Dave with his voice dripping with condescension. "Hey, Dave. Why don't you join me in the noble sports competition today? Let's see how much of a man you are."Dave looked at Jerry expressionless, "I'm not interested, Jerry," he replied casually.Jerry's eyes narrowed. He was not accustomed to being dismissed so easily. "What’s the matter, Dave? Afraid you can’t keep up? Afraid you'll embarrass yourself?" He leaned in closer, his voice lowering to a mocking whisper. "Or maybe you just know that you're not
Upon hearing Jerry's remarks, the crowd burst into laughter. Jerry's smug smile widened as he soaked in the attention, feeling victorious, even before the competition had begun. He had every reason to believe that Dave would crumble under the pressure."Come on, Dave! Prove you’re not just a waste of space!" someone shouted from the crowd."Yeah, Dave, show us what you’ve got, if you’ve got anything at all!" another person added.Dave, however, was not someone that could be easily pushed around or manipulated. He gave Jerry a cold look."Hey, man, if you’re so eager to make a fool of yourself, then I’ll grant your wish. I’ll compete with you. And when I win, everyone will see who the real fool is."The crowd fell silent for a moment, shocked by Dave's retort. Then the laughter resumed, louder and more boisterous than before. Jerry's eyes narrowed with his smile fading into a tight-lipped grimace."How could a loser like you even talk of winning? I'm sure you've never played sport
Despite the lack of evidence, the murmurs of cheating and deceit continued to circulate among the members of the club. For many of them, it was easier to doubt Dave's character than to accept that someone from a humble background like his, could defeat Jerry so effortlessly! Jerry, who had been seething with anger and embarrassment, now found a twisted sense of relief in the crowd’s continued mockery of Dave. The accusations of cheating provided him with a convenient escape from the humiliation of his loss. As long as they continued to mock Dave, his pride remained somewhat intact! "Did you see how he played?" another club member whispered to another. "No way someone like that jerk could beat Jerry without some kind of trickery." "I know, right? It just doesn't add up," the other replied. "Jerry is one of the best. That guy must have done something sneaky." Jerry, overhearing these comments, felt a smirk tug at the corners of his mouth. Though he had no proof
Ava, who had been glaring at Dave with obvious disdain, turned her attention to Jerry. "What is it, Jerry?" Jerry's smile widened, sensing an opportunity to regain control of the situation. "I heard from my Uncle that Carl Mullen, the head of the Kevton Chamber of Commerce is hosting a banquet tonight. I know you've been working hard to help your family's business, Dexters' Associates, join the chamber. This could be your chance, you know?" Ava's eyes lit up with interest. "Really? Carl Mullen is in town?" "Yes," Jerry confirmed. "I thought you might want to attend the banquet. I can introduce you to him and pave the way for Dexters' Associates to gain access to the Kevton Chamber of Commerce. Don't you think it's going to be a great opportunity?" The mention of such a prestigious event immediately captured Ava's full attention, and she momentarily forgot her disdain for Dave. "That would be amazing, Jerry. Thank you for thinking of me." Jerry's eyes glea
The entire scene fell into an eerie silence, the kind that weighed heavy on everyone present. Zane and her driver sat wide-eyed, their expressions a mixture of awe and disbelief. The words to describe what they had just witnessed eluded them.The thugs, once loud and arrogant, now shivered in terror. Those who had been wailing in pain moments ago lay flat on the ground, not daring to make a sound. It was as if the very life had been drained from them by the sheer magnitude of Dave’s actions.Dave, standing calm and composed, surveyed the aftermath with a dispassionate gaze. To him, this was nothing extraordinary—just another confrontation resolved. Yet, for everyone else, it was an unforgettable moment of sheer dominance.The quiet was interrupted by the faint roar of engines growing louder in the distance. Zane perked up, recognizing the sound. “That must be my father’s men,” she murmured, still shaken but relieved.Dave nodded slightly but didn’t reply, his focus shifting to
Chaos erupted among the remaining thugs as their leader’s lifeless body hit the ground. Their bravado crumbled, replaced by raw terror.One thug, trembling with fear, muttered under his breath, “He… he must be a martial artist… no, not just any martial artist… He’s a real-time warrior, someone with unimaginable skill!”Their minds raced to comprehend the impossible scene they had just witnessed. Some clung to the hope that Dave's back was turned, thinking they could exploit the moment to attack. But as they moved to act, Dave casually waved his hand.In an instant, an overwhelming aura enveloped the wasteland. It was as if the very air had turned into a crushing weight!The thugs froze in place, their limbs locked in fear.Their legs trembled uncontrollably beneath them, unable to hold their weight.A few thugs collapsed to their knees, their faces pale and drenched in sweat. Gasping for air, they clawed at their throats as if suffocating under an invisible force. The weaker-min
The leader of the thugs sneered, his expression dripping with malice. "Listen up, boys. As long as we take care of these four," he gestured toward Dave, Zane, the driver, and the assistant with his gun, ".... we’ll be out of here safe and sound."His grin widened as he added with a vile laugh, "We’ll chop this delicate-looking guy into pieces and feed him to the dogs. As for the girl..." His eyes flickered to Zane. "We’ll have some fun first. Teach her a lesson before finishing her off."The other thugs erupted in laughter, some jeering in agreement. One particularly depraved man smirked at Dave. "What about him? He’s delicate, pretty even. Maybe we could have some fun with him too before we send him to the dogs."Their laughter grew louder, a chorus of wicked amusement that filled the tense air. Zane’s face drained of color, and her trembling hands gripped the edge of the car window. The driver, sweating bullets, sat frozen in terror.Dave, however, remained eerily calm, his l
Dave stood his ground, his face impassive. “Let them go.”The leader’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve got no idea who you’re messing with. Back off now, and I’ll pretend this never happened. But if you push your luck—”Dave interrupted, his voice cold and steady. “What happens if I push my luck?”The leader smirked, gesturing toward his men. “You’ll regret it. You think we’re some street punks? We’ve got backing—real power. If you anger the big shot behind us, not even God will save you.”Dave’s chuckle echoed through the wasteland, a sound both amused and chilling. "I've got some big appetite," he said mockingly. "So, if your so-called big shot isn’t capable enough, they wouldn’t even be enough to fill the gaps between my teeth."The leader of the thugs, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, clenched his fists, his face flushing red with anger. "You’ll regret those words, bastard!" he growled. "I’ll make sure your death is slow and agonizing!"Behind him, the thug Dave had thro
Dave clenched his fists, forcing himself to focus. He remembered Kathy telling him something important: her mother was the orphanage director, and she had found him at the doorstep one cold night. He had been filthy and unconscious, with nothing on him except a jade-plate necklace and a note asking the orphanage to take him in temporarily.The image of the jade necklace flickered in his mind. He could almost feel its cold weight against his skin. It had been the only clue to his identity back then, yet it was now another piece of the puzzle lost to time.Kathy had also mentioned her younger brother—a simple-minded boy who always trailed behind her. Dave recalled the boy’s shy smile and the way he clung to Kathy like a shadow. The siblings had been inseparable, their bond unbreakable even amidst the harsh conditions of the orphanage.Just as the fragments seemed to align, a sharp, piercing pain exploded in Dave’s head."Argh!" he groaned, clutching his temples as he staggered bac
As Dave left the Dexter residence, everyone believed he had been embarrassed and ashamed, so no one tried to stop him. After all, his presence was of no good to them.Gordon who had invited Dave in the first place had been helped back into the room and had being receiving treatments from a private doctor.With Dave gone, Ava turned her attention to Jerry and Hannah, inviting them to stay for lunch before going for shopping that afternoon, just as they had planned.The family eagerly welcomed the idea, appreciating Jerry’s supposed role in resolving the casino issue. Over lunch, Jerry entertained everyone with stories of his supposed connections, further ingratiating himself with Ava and her family.---Ten minutes later, the sleek black car sent by Carl Mullen stopped at a desolate location.Dave stepped out and surveyed his surroundings.Before him stretched a wasteland of collapsed ruins, towering heaps of garbage, and overgrown weeds. The remnants of scorched buildings cast lon
"Hannah, you’ve always been quick to jump to the wrong conclusions. Ava is truly unfortunate to have you as a friend."At this moment, Ava became more angry at Dave.She had expected him to apologize to Jerry and even thank him for helping them. But here he was showing no sense of remorse.To her, it was beyond embarrassing—especially in front of Jerry, who had saved them from a dire situation.“Dave, your behavior is insufferable,” she said sharply, turning to face him. “You don’t realize how much embarrassment you’ve caused. Do you think we can’t see through your lies and your desperate need to prove yourself?”Dave's expression remained indifferent. He seemed unfazed by her accusations.Without hesitation, he turned to face Ava, standing beside Gerald and Hannah."You all are blind and ignorant,” he replied calmly."You’re praising the wrong person while being deceived. But that’s none of my business, is it? Fools will always pay their dues to liars.”Ava’s face flushed with anger
Jerry blinked, clearly surprised. He had never met the casino manager before, so how could the man speak of him as someone important he didn't want to offend? Even his family had no ties to the underground world."Your presence alone was enough to scare them off. How influential!" Gerald exclaimed.The room buzzed with murmurs as the rest of the family considered Gerald’s theory. It made sense, in a way. Jerry was well-known in high society, and his family’s influence was undeniable. If anyone could have caused the casino manager to retreat, it would be someone like him.Jerry, realizing that everyone was now looking at him expectantly, decided to roll with it. He chuckled, patting his chest in mock humility. “Well,” he said with a grin, "That was the least I could do. Ava and I are good friends, after all, and if my presence helped her and her family, I'm glad I could be of help."Hannah, standing next to Jerry, smiled and placed a hand on his arm. “That’s so like you, Jerry.
Gerald was just about to cry out to Jerry to help him, but before Gerald could say a word, the casino manager spoke up. Steeling himself, the manager gave a subtle but respectful nod toward Dave before addressing the room. “Listen everyone,” the manager began, his tone now composed and businesslike, though there was a slight tremor in his voice. “I’ve just realized something important. It appears that this family is hosting a very distinguished guest.” “Given this, I must apologize for any disturbance we’ve caused. Rest assured, Gerald’s debt is hereby cleared in full.” It turned out that just a couple of days ago, the manager had seen the photo of Dave in his boss's office. Although his boss hadn't explained Dave's identity, since he wasn't qualified to know too much either, had sternly warned his subordinates not to offend the person in the photo under any circumstances, or even God wouldn't be able to save them! The casino manager never expected to meet the person