Chapter Twenty Three; The Ancient Immortal Cup Versus The Pendant. “You!” Henry glared at Chris for a minute, then went to another room to fetch his gift. Stephany gave Chris a sharp look. "And what about yours, Chris? You didn't give a gift either, and now people will notice."“Eleanor who was sitting close to them overheard their conversation and looked at Chris wearily, “Didn’t I tell you to prepare a gift for grandma? How do you expect to attend a birthday party without a gift?”“But I have a gift for grandma.” Chris said and brought out a small jewelry box from his pocket. “This small box? What could possibly be inside?” Eleanor Preston questioned Chris in disagreement.“Hurry, go and keep it on the gift stand before anybody notice what you are carried.” Stephen’s told her husband. Just when Chris stood up to drop his gift, Henry returned to the hall with a shiny big box on his hand and he happened to see the small box Chris was holding. Henry, sensing an opportunity to elev
Chapter Twenty Four; Feminine Jealously “Grandma doesn’t need this thoughtlessness from you,” Henry jeered, his voice dripping with contempt.The pendant fell to the ground, making a soft thud that seemed to echo in the silent room. For Chris, this was the last straw. He stood up from his seat, his face set in a grim determination, and walked over to retrieve the necklace. Every step felt heavy, laden with the weight of the ridicule and scorn directed at him.As he bent down to pick up the pendant, Chris's mind flooded with memories of his mother. The pendant wasn't just a piece of jewelry; it was a connection to his past, a symbol of his mother's love and the values she had instilled in him. It had taken him a great deal of emotional strength to part with it, hoping it would convey his respect and admiration for Grandma Preston.He picked up the pendant, brushing off the dust, and turned to face the crowd. "If you don’t appreciate it, I’ll take it back," he said, his voice stea
Chapter Twenty Five: My Wife will not be a scapegoat Henry sat in a corner of the grand hall, feeling the weight of the evening’s failures press down on him. He had gone to such lengths to secure the deal for Grandma Preston, enduring humiliation and now facing potential legal consequences. The future seemed bleak, and the thought of the next day filled him with dread. Desperation clawed at him, pushing him to consider every possible avenue for redemption.His gaze drifted to the celebration still in full swing. Guests mingled, chatted, and danced, oblivious to the turmoil within him. He knew what he had to do, even if it felt like his last resort. Grandma Preston was his only hope, and he decided to convince her to compel Stephany to take over the negotiations with MTD Entertainment. That way, she could do whatsoever she did go secure the deal in the first place to confirm it and even possibly avert the possible lawsuit.If Grandma asked Stephany in front of everyone on her bi
Chapter Twenty Six; The Breakout The slap echoed through the grand hall, silencing the room. Chris reeled from the force of it, his cheek stinging. He slowly turned to see who had struck him. It was his mother-in-law, Eleanor, her face contorted with rage."How dare you, Chris?" Eleanor spat, her voice trembling with fury. "How dare you speak like that in front of everyone when you’re just a useless! Ungrateful excuse of a man.”“You've done nothing but bring us problems since you married Stephany. You have no respect for elders, and you think you have the audacity to speak for her?"Chris met her fiery gaze, his own eyes steady and calm. He bowed his head slightly.“I’m sorry for all the troubles l've caused you and your family," he said quietly, but his voice carried through the hushed room. "The slap you gave me has made us even now since it was delivered in front of everyone, I would no longer be of burden to you and Steph.” Chris saidThe room remained silent as Chris turned
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Change of TideChris was about to leave the venue when his path was blocked by a towering figure. The man was huge, with a menacing presence that instantly commanded attention. It was Darrick, a notorious enforcer in the state, known for his close ties to Mr. Dickson, the mafia lord who ruled the town with an iron fist. Behind Darrick stood a group of tough-looking men, each radiating a similar aura of danger.Darrick's voice boomed through the hall, stopping everyone in their tracks. "No dog goes anywhere!" he bellowed, his eyes scanning the room before landing on Chris.Chris instinctively stepped back, recognizing the threat in front of him.Henry, seizing the moment, shouted, "Darrick! Over here!" He pointed at Chris with a smug expression. "That's the man. I want to finish him right here."The guests exchanged uneasy glances, their whispers filling the air with tension. Henry's association with Darrick was well-known among those familiar with his unsavory
Chapter Twenty Eight: The Mysterious Mr. BrownThe party had only just begun to settle from the chaos of Chris's confrontation with Darrick when the atmosphere was stirred once again by the arrival of a sleek Bentley. Heads turned as the luxurious car came to a halt, and the whispers started anew. Out stepped Mr. Dante, the influential owner of several high-end restaurants, bars, lounges, and hotels. His presence alone commanded respect and curiosity, as it was an unexpected honor for someone of his stature to appear at Grandma Preston's birthday party.Grandma Preston herself was taken aback, her brows furrowing in confusion. She had only met Mr. Dante once and did not expect him to attend her celebration. Guests whispered among themselves, astonished at the level of influence Mrs. Preston seemed to command, yet equally bewildered by his presence.As Mr. Dante made his way through the crowd, his eyes scanned the room with a purpose. “I'm looking for Mr. Brown," he announced, his
Chapter Twenty Nine: A Last GoodbyeThe murmurs about the mysterious Mr. Brown echoed through the hall, but Stephany was only half-listening. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of her own certain Mr. Brown, which is Chris. Somehow, amidst the confusion and the revelations, she found herself missing him already. There was an inexplicable pull in her heart, a feeling she couldn’t shake off, after all, they’ve been staying together for over two years, it was inevitable she would miss him. Without thinking, she pulled out her phone and texted him, "Where are you?"A reply came quickly: "At home, packing my things."Her heart sank. Chris was leaving, and she knew that after everything that had happened, their marriage couldn't continue. He had embarrassed her grandmother, and there was no way the family would let them stay together. But despite everything, she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret and longing. "Wait for me there," she texted back, not entirely sure what she in
Chapter Thirty: Descent into DarknessStephany felt an overwhelming heaviness settle over her as she walked, her steps growing sluggish and her vision blurring. A sense of foreboding loomed, but she pushed herself to call Chris, her fingers fumbling over the phone. She managed to dial his number, but before she could say anything, darkness claimed her, and she fainted, her phone slipping back into her bag.On the other end, Chris heard the unsettling sounds through the still-connected call. "Ah yes, finally I’m able to get these two young sisters all to myself," a voice sneered. It was Bradley. Chris’s heart pounded as he realized the danger Stephany and Ella were in. He dropped everything and rushed to the Preston house, recalling the last words he heardZ “I wanted to get one, but it seems I’ll be able to get two lovely sisters after all.” Upon arrival, the gatemen confirmed they had seen Stephany, Ella, and Bradley leaving together. Chris's instincts screamed that something w
Chapter 325: A New Threat?Chris walked into his study the next morning, feeling the weight of the previous night's events. The Syndicate was weakened, but they were far from defeated. He sat down and opened his encrypted laptop, searching for any updates or intel.As he scrolled through messages, a ping alerted him to a new file. It was from an anonymous sender. Chris opened it cautiously, his eyes narrowing as he read the details. The Syndicate was forming alliances with dangerous rogue groups, planning to strike back harder than before.He leaned back, letting out a slow breath. “They never quit,” he muttered.Chris decided he couldn’t wait for the next attack. If they were regrouping, he needed to hit them first. Using his shadow abilities, he infiltrated one of their smaller hideouts to gather more information.The hideout was nearly empty, with only a few guards patrolling. Chris took them down silently, using shadows to bind and knock them out. Inside, he found documents d
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