Chapter One. The living in son in law
Stephany strode into the house, her laughter mingling with the voices of her friends, filling the room with lively energy. Her high heels clicked against the polished wooden floor as she led the way, a few shopping bags swinging from her arms. Her friends, chattering animatedly, followed her into the living room. "Chris, we're back!" Stephany called out, her tone cheerful but commanding. Her eyes swept across the room, quickly zeroing in on the mop and bucket still standing in the corner, a small puddle of water beside them. The floor, far from the gleaming surface it was meant to be, bore streaks and patches of dirt. Chris, who had been in the kitchen making tea, emerged at the sound of her voice. He froze for a moment, the teapot in his hands, as he caught sight of Stephany's disapproving gaze. He knew what was coming. Chris, the son in law of the of the illustrious Preston family, had once been a promising figure in the business world. As the first grand son of the Brown’s he was naturally made the manager of the Brown Conglomerate limited and lived an extravagant life. However, two years ago, his world had crumbled when he was framed for embezzling twenty million dollars from the Browns' company. Despite his desperate attempts to explain that he had used the money to invest in a promising project, the Browns refused to believe him. The accusations of theft for personal gain flew thick and fast, orchestrated by his aunt, Georgina who had long harbored ill will towards him for being in that position. The scandal led to his denouncement and separation from the company and subsequently, the family. Since then, Chris had been living with the Prestons as a live-in son-in-law. His tarnished reputation and a limping leg from an old injury prevented him from finding work. As a result, his days were filled with household chores, a far cry from his former life. "Chris," Stephany began, her voice cutting through the chatter, "didn't I ask you to finish mopping the floor before I got back?" Chris set the teapot down gently, his eyes lowering to the floor. "Yes, you did. I was just about to—" "Just about to?" Stephany interrupted, a hint of irritation creeping into her voice. "You know how important it is to keep this place clean, especially when we have guests coming over." Her friends exchanged awkward glances but said nothing, clearly used to witnessing these exchanges. Stephany's role in the household was clear; she managed everything, and Chris, given his circumstances, was expected to contribute by taking on various chores. Chris clenched his jaw, the familiar frustration bubbling up inside him, but he forced it down. He had learned long ago that complaining or making excuses would only make things worse and had learn to accept his fate. This was his responsibility now, a way to show his appreciation and earn his keep. "You’re right honey," he said quietly, moving towards the mop. "I'll finish it right now." "You'd better," she replied, her tone softening just a fraction as she turned back to her friends. "It's just so frustrating when things aren't done properly." Chris's ears burned with embarrassment, but he kept his focus on the task at hand. He dunked the mop into the bucket, wringing it out with quick, practiced motions. The living room buzzed with conversation again as Stephany and her friends settled onto the couch, their shopping bags rustling as they began to unpack their latest finds. As he worked, Chris could hear snippets of their discussion—new dresses, a restaurant they planned to visit, a funny story from work. It was a world he was part of, yet somehow always on the periphery. He finished mopping the floor, making sure every inch was spotless this time, then quietly put the cleaning supplies away. When he returned to the kitchen, Stephany's voice called out again, this time more gently. "Chris, could you bring us some tea, please?" "Of course," he replied, busying himself with the cups and saucers. As he carried the tray into the living room, he couldn't help but steal a glance at Stephany. Her stern expression had softened into a smile as she chatted with her friends, the earlier tension seemingly forgotten. Chris placed the tray on the coffee table and began pouring the tea, careful not to spill a drop. Stephany looked up at him, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment. "Thank you," she said, and though her voice was still firm, there was a hint of appreciation there. Chris nodded, offering a small smile in return. It wasn't much, but it was enough to remind him why he stayed, why he continued to shoulder these responsibilities. This was his place, his role, and despite the challenges, he was determined to fulfill it because he loved his wife.Chapter Two: Spend with caution. Eleanor Preston stepped into the house, her presence immediately commanding attention. Her eyes, though kind, missed nothing as they scanned the room, taking in the sight of her daughter, Stephany, surrounded by a lot of shopping bags. "Stephany," Eleanor began, her voice warm yet tinged with concern, "I see you've been shopping again." Stephany looked up, a flicker of guilt crossing her face before she forced a bright smile. "Just a few things, Mom. Nothing extravagant." Eleanor walked further into the room, her gaze shifting to Chris, who was quietly finishing up his tasks. She offered him a brief, unsmiling nod before turning her full attention back to her daughter. "Stephany, you know we need to be careful with our spending right now. Spring Fashion Week is coming, and Luxury Flair hasn't planned anything significant because we're still searching for investors. Last year’s profits weren't enough to support this year’s endeavors." "You'
Chapter Three: An Unexpected Opportunity Chris stood at the kitchen sink, scrubbing the last of the dinner plates, when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen and saw a familiar number that hadn’t contacted him for over two years. Hesitating for a moment, he decided to answer. "Hello, this is Chris." "Chris, it's your Uncle Martin," came the gravelly voice on the other end. "I have some incredible news. The tech company you invested in—it’s blown up. They've made an enormous profit. We're talking about a hundred billion dollars." “What are you talking about?” Lost for a minute, Chris called the attention of his uncle. “The investment you did two years ago with the company’s money.” His uncle explained. “Uncle, I’ve been saying this, I made that investment with my money, I only used the family company name as a platform” “You said it yourself, you used the company name, by default, it has become the family money, and at this moment, I am telling you
Chapter Four: The Morning Awakening Chris was jolted awake by the sharp, loud voice of his mother-in-law, Eleanor. "Is this not the man who was talking about helping to get the investment money yesterday?" Her tone was mocking, dripping with disdain. "And here he is, still sleeping at ten in the morning. Lazy as ever." He had been so excited the night before and didn’t get to sleep until the early morning hours. He rubbed his eyes, the remnants of sleep quickly fading as he registered her words. Eleanor stood at the foot of the bed, arms crossed, her expression one of stern impatience. "Get up, Chris. I need you to take this document to Stephany at the office. Now, she needs it for a pitch.” Without another word, Eleanor tossed a manila envelope onto the bed. Chris sighed, dragging himself out of bed and quickly getting dressed. He grabbed the envelope, his mind still processing the events of the previous day. He hurriedly made his way out of the house, catching a t
Chapter Five: A New Bargain Chris stood in front of the towering Brown Conglomerate building, its imposing facade reminding him of the days when he worked there. He had just started working and hadn’t spend half a year when he was asked to leave and asked never to set foot on the office building. Fortunately for him, time have turned and he was now invited back by the same people who sent him away. He took a deep breath, straightened his tee shirt and walked through the revolving doors. Inside, the lobby was a bustling hub of activity, with employees moving swiftly, their expressions focused on their various activities, no body seem to notice him. Chris approached the VIP elevator, an old habit he got used to from his days as a member of the Brown family. As he reached the elevator, a young receptionist, who was new to the building, ran from her desk to stop him. She was neatly dressed, her demeanor sharp and condescending. "Excuse me, Mr. Man," she said, her eyes scann
Chapter Six: An Unexpected Encounter Leaving the Brown Conglomerate building, Chris felt a sense of triumph and relief. He had signed the papers, secured his share of the profits, and received the Blue Emerald Diamond Cartier necklace for his dear wife. Now, it was time to celebrate in a different way, which was by attending his high school classmate’s wedding, which had turned into a mini-reunion since the entire class had been invited. The wedding venue wasn’t far from the Brown Conglomerates office building, so Chris decided to walk there. The fresh air and the chance to clear his mind were welcome after the intense morning. As he strolled through the bustling streets, his thoughts wandered back to the receptionist's condescending attitude and his uncle's swift defense. It was a bittersweet reminder of the respect he had lost and was now regaining. As he walked, Chris noticed an old man struggling with a heavy load. The man was hunched over, his face strained with ef
Chapter Seven: Old Friends and New Faces and miracles Chris entered the garden venue, its beauty somewhat dimmed by his lingering discomfort from the near-accident. He glanced around, noticing the elegant attire of his former classmates. The men wore tailored suits and the women donned stylish dresses, their laughter and conversations filled with the air of success and contentment. In stark contrast, Chris wore an old T-shirt and jeans, his limp more pronounced as he navigated the crowd. As he moved through the gathering, he greeted his class mates, but no one regarded him. Not even a “hi” did he get back. However not long after, the crowd roared in excitement looking him Chris towards the entrance, it was Turner coming in, he was dressed in sharp suit, he acted so high mighty, walking with confidence and immediately swooning the attention to himself. "Wow, Chris, didn't think you'd have the guts to show up looking like that. wearing those old rags, huh?" He said a
Chapter Eight: Pay fir all their outfit Chris's phone buzzed with a message from Stephany as he left the wedding venue. "Hurry up! The Preston family emergency meeting is about to start." Panic surged through him as he realized the urgency. The distance between the hall and the main road where he could catch a taxi was significant. He usually struggled with such walks due to his limp. Determined not to be late, Chris picked up his pace. To his astonishment, he found himself walking much faster than usual. His leg, which always caused him pain, felt surprisingly strong. Each step was steadier than the last, and the familiar discomfort was absent. He quickened his pace further, a mix of disbelief and hope rising within him. By the time he reached the main road and flagged down a taxi, Chris was almost running. He couldn't believe how normal his walking had felt, but he didn’t have time to ponder it. He hopped into the taxi and gave the driver his address, his mind racin
Chapter Nine: A Family Meeting Revelation The Preston family settled down after the tense start to their emergency meeting. Chris could feel the weight of everyone's gaze, but his focus remained on Grandma Preston, who was clearly ready to reveal the purpose of their gathering. Grandma Preston cleared her throat, capturing everyone's attention. "I’ve gathered you all here today because I received some important intelligence about MTD Entertainment." Chris felt a jolt of recognition. MTD Entertainment, the crown jewel of the Browns' empire, where he was about to take the helm as president. He listened intently, curious about what Grandma Preston had to say. "MTD Entertainment is going to be appointing a new president soon," she continued, her eyes scanning the room. "And they're planning to sign a new actress. This presents a golden opportunity for us. If we can secure a partnership with MTD, it would be immensely beneficial for our family business." Murmurs of excitement
Chapter 324: Shadows in Motion Chris sat in his dimly lit study, the soft glow of his laptop illuminating his face. The files he had extracted from the Syndicate's mountain facility were spread across his desk. They were a treasure trove of information, bank transactions, coded messages, and the names of individuals in powerful positions. Despite the victory, Chris couldn’t shake the feeling that the Syndicate’s downfall had been too easy. Organizations like that didn’t crumble overnight. They regrouped, evolved, and returned stronger. He leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. It was time to decide the next move. The next morning, as Chris went about his usual routine, he received a message on an encrypted line he rarely used. It was from an unknown number: “You’ve made an enemy, but also an ally. Meet me at the old chapel on Birchwood Road. Midnight."Chris stared at the message, weighing his options. The old chapel had long been abandoned, a perfect location for an
Chapter 323: Unraveling the Syndicate The basement was quiet except for the faint hum of energy as Chris meditated. His focus was razor-sharp, the shadows around him responding to his command. The Syndicate had issued their challenge, and he was ready to strike back. Chris’s plan was simple yet dangerous. He would attend their so-called meeting, but not as a pawn in their game. He was going to dismantle the Syndicate from within, leaving them no chance to recover. Two days later, Chris arrived at an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. The building loomed like a monument to decay, its rusted metal doors creaking as Chris pushed them open. Inside, the air was thick with tension. A dozen figures sat around a long table, their faces hidden behind ornate masks representing animals—a lion, a snake, a crow, and others. At the head of the table sat the Syndicate leader, his mask a gleaming black dragon. Chris stood before them, his posture relaxed but his senses on
Chapter 322: The Web of Shadows Chris returned home late that night, the city lights fading behind him as he parked his car down the street from the Preston residence. He took a moment to collect his thoughts, reviewing Hector's confession.The meeting at the mansion was a significant lead, but it was also a potential trap. Walking into the house, Chris made sure to slip inside quietly. Stephany and her family were likely asleep, and the last thing he wanted was for anyone to see the grim determination on his face. Tonight wasn’t the time for explanations or slip-ups. Instead of heading to bed, he went straight to the small storage space in the basement, locking the door behind him. Inside, Chris knelt in the center of the room. With a flick of his wrist, a small, glowing orb of energy appeared in his palm, illuminating the space. This was his sanctuary, a place where he could channel his cultivation abilities without raising suspicion. The energy pulsed in his hands, and
Chapter 321: Into the Lion’s Den The address on the note led Chris to an old, abandoned warehouse on the edge of the industrial district. The surrounding area was quiet, with most of the buildings boarded up or crumbling. The air smelled of rust and stale oil, a reminder of the district’s forgotten days of prosperity. Chris parked a few blocks away and approached on foot, keeping to the shadows. The closer he got, the more aware he became of the subtle signs of life. A flicker of movement in the upper windows. The faint crunch of gravel under boots. Hector wasn’t careless—he had guards watching every angle. Chris smirked faintly. “They’ll need more than that.”He stopped near a stack of old shipping containers and took a moment to assess the scene. Two men patrolled the front entrance, both armed with pistols. A third leaned against the side wall, smoking a cigarette and occasionally glancing at his watch. Chris’s fingers twitched, the energy within him stirring eagerly. T
Chapter 320: Lines in the Sand The note clutched in Chris’s hand crumpled slightly as he stood on the porch, the cool night air biting against his skin. He stared at the words again—simple but direct. “You should have stayed in your small office job. The Syndicate always collects its debts.”Chris let out a slow breath, his eyes narrowing. Whoever had left the note wanted him rattled, but all it did was strengthen his resolve. He glanced at the dagger pinning it to the door—a cheap intimidation tactic. They were watching. They wanted him to know they were close. Without a word, Chris pulled the dagger free and slid it into his pocket. He folded the note, tucked it inside his jacket, and walked into the house, careful to keep his expression calm. Chris dropped his keys on the kitchen counter and poured himself a glass of water. His muscles were still humming from the trial earlier, a subtle reminder of the power now flowing within him. It wasn’t overwhelming anymore; it was
Chapter 319: Echoes of the Syndicate The stillness of Chris’s home was a sharp contrast to the chaos he had left behind at the warehouse. As he moved through the quiet halls, his senses remained heightened. The elixir’s effects still surged in his veins, sharpening his focus and amplifying his already formidable strength. He stopped briefly in his study, a small room filled with books, maps, and tools he used to piece together the web of the Syndicate’s influence. Tonight’s events had created a ripple, but he knew ripples had a way of turning into waves. Chris leaned against the desk, staring at the map pinned to the wall. Strings of red connected key locations in the city—places he knew were tied to the Syndicate. Victor Kane’s intel and tonight’s ambush had only solidified the reality: the Syndicate wasn’t just a threat to him but to the entire balance of power in the region. The faint vibration of his burner phone broke his concentration. He flipped it open to see a code
Chapter 318: The Syndicate’s Web Chris moved with a predator’s grace as he navigated the labyrinthine streets of the Syndicate’s known territory. The new strength coursing through him was undeniable—every movement felt sharper, every sense more attuned. The elixir’s effects had not just enhanced his cultivation but had also honed his instincts, giving him an edge in the dangerous game he was about to play. His contact, a low-ranking Syndicate informant named Victor Kane, had agreed to meet him in a dimly lit tavern on the city’s outskirts. The place reeked of smoke and desperation, a fitting backdrop for the underworld dealings that occurred there nightly. Chris entered, his demeanor casual but his senses on high alert. Victor was seated at a corner table, nursing a drink and casting nervous glances at the room. “You’re late,” Victor muttered as Chris slid into the seat across from him. Chris smiled faintly, leaning back in his chair. “I’m never late, Victor. You’re just
Chapter 317: The Shadow Cult’s Call Chris walked briskly through the darkened streets, his mind replaying the events at Ravenwood. His encounter with Armand Leto and the Syndicate’s inner circle had only intensified the stakes. For years, he had worked in the shadows, balancing his roles as a cultivator, a husband, and now, an unsuspecting adversary to one of the region’s most powerful clandestine organizations. But tonight, something lingered—a pull, faint but undeniable. It began as a whisper at the edge of his senses, a low hum vibrating in his chest. Chris stopped under a streetlamp, his breath visible in the chilly night air. He focused inward, reaching into the depths of his cultivation core. There it was again, the summons. A message from the Shadow Cult. The cult rarely called its members directly, preferring to operate in a web of subtlety and misdirection. When a summons came, it meant only one thing—something significant was unfolding. Chris took a dee
Chapter 317; the Flashback Chris had barely settled into his office when the door burst open. Georgina stormed in, her face a storm cloud of fury. He leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but his eyes sharp as they locked onto hers. “Good morning to you too, Georgina,” he said dryly. “Cut the pleasantries,” she snapped, slamming a folder onto his desk. “You’ve been meddling, haven’t you?” Chris glanced at the folder but didn’t bother opening it. “You’ll have to be more specific. I tend to be involved in a lot of things.” Her nostrils flared, and she took a step closer, her voice dropping to a hiss. “Don’t play coy with me. I know you’ve been digging into Sterling Horizon. Do you think you can outmaneuver me?” Chris smirked, folding his hands on his desk. “If I wanted to outmaneuver you, Georgina, you wouldn’t even see it coming.” Her eyes blazed with anger, and for a moment, she seemed to be holding herself back. Then she leaned over his desk, her voice dripping w