
Chandler Logan's POV:
The office is dimly lit with the huge fluorescent lights hanging on the ceiling as I enter the security office at New Leaf Corporation. I come here and expecting a normal meeting with Julius Mannell, my manager and discuss my monthly performance. I am also hoping for a promotion since I know to myself that I did a good performance on the last project that I handled. But as I get inside the room, I quuckly feel a tense atmosphere around me. Julius is lounging in his chair while his feet are propped up on the desk. His fingers are flicking the end of his cigar and letting the smoke curls up toward the ceiling. He doesn't bother to look at me as I stand in the doorway. The air around us is almost suffocating. Even without saying anything yet, I can already sense that something is wrong. “Mr. Julius, I heard you wanted to see me?” I said after clearing my throat. Julius looks up and meets my gaze with disdain and amusement in his eyes. “Chandler Logan” he said while dragging my name out in his mouth. “Starting today, you are no longer an employee here. Take off your uniform and get out of this building right this instant.” I stop for a moment and process what he just said. His harsh words are hitting me like a punch to my gut. Fired? Me? My brain is having a hard time to make sense of the sudden shock. “W-What?” I stammered. “You’re firing me? But why?! On what basis?!" Julius lets out a mocking laugh and leans back in his chair. He looks like someone who is enjoying my confusion. After huffing a smoke from his cigar, Julius gives me a malicious look. “On what basis, you say? Why don't you ask your wife?" "My wife?" "Heh. Your wife is now making waves all over the city. The news about her romantic affair with Hansel Renver is now spreading in the whole city like wildfire!" I cannot move my body as I hear his words. “What are you talking about?” I asked in a hollow voice as if it's not me who is speaking right now. “Jannica? No! Jannica will never—" “Oh? But what will you do now? She already did." Julius cuts me off before leaning his body forward on his desk. There is a smug on his face that is too much to my liking. “It's now a huge scandal, Chandler. And with that, do you think New Leaf Corporation is still going to keep you here when your wife is having an affair with the richest businessman in the Denver City? You're now a threat. Your personal issues will surely affect the reputation of this company and none of us wants that to happen.” “Are you kidding me?” I asked while trying to keep my voice calm. “You have no right to do this—” Julius slams his fist on the desk and cuts me off with a sneer. “Don’t you dare question my decisions, Chandler. This is about the company’s status and future. Hansel Renver is a big deal. His wide connections can make or break us. With your wife’s scandal, this can become a threat to all of us.” I can feel the hard pounding of my heart. His words feels like they are coming at me too fast and my brain cannot comprehend it all at once. But I still cannot accept in my head the main reason why all of this are happening right now. Jannica... my wife... Having an affair? With Hansel Renver? It doesn't make sense at all! I never see any signs of it. Jannica and I are suppose to have a happy life. We are building our future together. We love and care for each other. So why is she doing all of these? "Anyway, pack all of your things and leave this company as soon as possible." Julius said before huffing another smoke from his cigar. “Wait. You’re telling me I’m fired because of some rumors about my wife?” I asked while barely trying to hide the anger that is bubbling up inside me. Julius looks at me with that same smug expression on his face. “The rumors are more than that, Chandler. If you didn't know yet, this news has been circulating for weeks now and everyone is talking about it. You are quite popular too, you know? A husband who have a cheating wife probably because he's a sore loser. Heh." I can feel my stomach churning as he continue speaking. But when I thought I'm about to puke in too much emotion, something unusual happens. There is subtle shift in my vision. At first, I thought it is just my imagination. But there is like a small glitch that is happening around me. Then suddenly, there is a small window that appears in the corner of my vision. It looks like a game notification that pops up in a game. [Reputation: 0/100] Seeing it makes me feel a prickling sensation crawling up on my spine. It is not a physical feeling. It is more like the world itself is slowly changing somehow. I shake my head and tries to clear it. Am I losing my mind now after hearing the news of my wife's infidelity? What the hell is this? When I look back at Julius, he is still talking making me forget the things I'm seeing right now. "This is not just about you, Chandler. This is about your wife and the way it’s affecting the company's reputation. If you still have shame in your body, get your things now and get out.” His words are hitting me harder than I expected. My whole career at New Leaf Corporation is slowly slipping through my fingers. But the worse is I am being discarded over a rumor. A rumor that can be a malicious lie being spread to ruin my reputation. But with Julius keeps telling me to leave, I decided not let him step my reputation so easily. I take a step forward and ignores the anger in my chest. “If you’re firing me because of these rumors, then give me my severance pay now. I will leave but I will get what's for me.” The smile on Julius's face falters for a second. But he soon recovers and sneers at me in disgust. “Fine. You will get your severance pay. But don’t think for a second that I’m going to pay you for this month's payroll, you hear me? You should know your salary is not enough to pay for the disturbance your wife is doing right now to our company." I balled my hands into tight fists and feel my nails digging into my palm. I want to lash out and burst in anger while demanding answers. But I still want to keep calm so I can think rationally. As much as I hate to admit it, I need to get away from this situation for now. But I also promised to myself not to let this slide for a long time. I turn around and goes straight to the door. But there is something weighing on my chest as I walk out of the security office. I can feel the cold air as I step into the main lobby. And soon, I finally discover the reason for the heavy feeling on my chest. Several of my coworkers are now standing near the reception desk. They are whispering to each other while their eyes are flickering towards me. Their murmurs are loud enough for me to hear. But I did not expect their words will hurt me deeper than the words I heard from Julius a while ago. “Did you see the news his wife? She is now Hansel Renver’s famous mistress.” “Yeah, I saw it too. The whole Denver City is talking about it. Chandler is probably too stupid to even know about it.” “I bet he is just too weak to stand up for his wife. What a pity though. Chandler is quite handsome." "So what? You know what they say, right? Beauty cannot pay for your bills. No wonder his wife left him for someone with real power and money.” I can feel a knot in my stomach as I listen to their words. The hushed words of my co-workers are too cruel in my ears. But what hurts me the most is that they are too informed with the rumors about my wife. The things that I want to believe as a rumor has turn into a reality. But the worst is, I am the fool at the center of it. I feel like being trapped in a game I cannot understand. As I continue walking, I remember the system prompt I saw earlier. [Reputation: 0/100] Is this what it feels to be humiliated? To have your life turn into nothing more than a stat? A number that can return to zero after a few careless words and actions? When I step outside of the building, I pull out my phone and dials Jannica’s number. I need to talk to her. I can hands are trembling while waiting for her to pick up. When Jannica picks up the call, there is a long pause before she speaks in a cold and distant voice. "Why are you calling? I'm busy right now." “...Where are you?” I asked while keeping my voice calm. “At work." “Really? Then I'm coming over. We need to talk." "Wait!" I can hear the panic in Jannica's voice. But before I can end the call, I heard another voice on the line. It was Danica, my mother-in-law. “Chandler.” Danica called my name. “Jannica is with me. Come to Room 404 at the Scarlet Hotel and be quick." “But why?” “It’s time for us to talk seriously this time. Now come here and Jannica will explain everything to you." Danica ends the call and I stand there and letting her words to press me down. This is it. This is the end of my life. I am not just losing my job. I am not just losing the life I'm building. I am losing everything. I feel like my world is getting smaller every second. I have no idea how to deal with. I also have no idea who should I blame for these things. But I am not going to walk away without a fight. Not this time. Taking a deep breath, I quickly hail a cab to bring me to the Scarlet Hotel. I desperately need to get the answers to my questions.Related Chapters
The Son-in-law's Wealth System Chapter 2
I goes straight to the hotel with a pounding heart in my chest. Every step I take feels heavy. I can also feel the confusion, anger, and fear crawling on my chest as if something had already been decided without my knowledge. When Danica gave me the room number over the phone, her tone was full of finality and felt like a slap to my face. When I finally reaches the door and pushes it open, a surreal sight welcomes me in an instant. The room is too luxurious that I can only afford in my dreams. There's a lot of huge furniture everywhere, expensive paintings on the walls, and thick carpets covering the floor. It is a huge contrast to the frugal life I've been living until now. Jannica is sitting on the plush sofa with her mother beside her. They are quietly sipping tea and completely at ease, as if they didn't just invited me here to watch the end of my marriage and my career. My eyes flickers to Jannica first, and then to Danica, who gives me a resentful glare that makes my blood
The Son-in-law's Wealth System Chapter 3
There is now a hologram is blinking in front of before me. Its faint blue light is casting a gentle glow inside the whole room. For a moment, it feels like I slips into a strange dream similar to a virtual game. I can feel my heart beating so fast in my chest. My palm is also starting to sweat. As I continue staring at the hologram, I can feel my body trembling in mixed confusion, amazement and fear. Soon, I can hear a mechanical voice in my mind. Its words is waking me up from my trance. I blink my eyes rapidly and reads the words written on it. [Wealthy System Activated.] I shake my head and squints my eyes on the words in front of me again. What is going on right now? These things doesn’t make sense at all. I shake my head again and try to force myself to focus. The words 'Character Profile' on the holographic screen flashes for a moment before coming into sharp focus again. My name, Chandler Logan, is displayed first, follows by something that causes my stomach to churn.
The Son-in-law's Wealth System Chapter 4
The elevator ride down from the hotel room feels like the longest journey of my life. I feel the weight of my decision sinkingdeeper in my mind in every floor I pass. But it also feels liberating in a strange way. The cold steel walls of the elevator feels strangely comforting. No one is offering their judgment and expectations here. All I hear is the hum of the elevator and the quick beating of my heart. Closing my eyes, I exhale slowly and tries to calm my the thoughts running inside my head. "Family Legacy, huh..." I mutter under my breath. Until now, I am still trying to process the strange system that showed up in front of me. The blue light from the holographic screen, the words flashing on it, the wealth and power it promised... It feels like something you can only see in your dreams. But this is not a dream. I have lost track of how many times I shake my head and pinch myself to make sure that I am not dreaming. Not to mention that the loud heartbeat in my chest tells m
The Son-in-law's Wealth System Chapter 5
I can't tell if it is the brisk air of the chilly evening or the sheer exhaustion I felt from from emotional disaster that happened to me today. But for once, it seems like all of my emotional baggage disappears as I focus my gaze ahead. The countdown on my holographic display in my peripheral vision is ticking steadily. The panic that I always feel is now replaced with determination to prove everyone wrong. I've been complacent for too long. I let the expectations of others drag me down. Manuel and his judgmental sneers, Jannica’s endless nagging and disappointments, her family’s mockeries and other people's harsh judgment as they keep sizing me up like I am a failure since birth. But I want to change all of it now. I stop walking for a moment and stares at the holographic display in front of me. Without my knowledge, the countdown has reached two minutes. My pulse quickens as I think of the possibilities that will happen after this. As I wait for the countdown to finish, sever
The Son-in-law's Wealth System Chapter 6
"I trust that you already received the funds?" I look at Harold Johanson first before I nod my head. I can't help but feel a little uneasy now that I'm sitting in of him. "Yes. I received them." I replied. My own words feels hollow although I am only speaking the truth. I have a million dollars sitting in my account. But what does that really mean? What did he expecting from me? Mr. Harold’s gaze on me never wavers. His eyes are piercing into me with a sharpness that feels like it is cutting through to the core of who I was. "Good." He said with a nod. His voice sounds neutral as if he is examining an object rather than a person. "I assume you understand that I am giving it to you not as a gift." I swallow hard and nods my head again. The weight of his words is sinking in. "I understand." I said carefully. "But why?" Mr. Harold nods his head as if he is already expecting that question. "You are going to use that money to build something. You will prove to everyone that yo
The Son-in-law's Wealth System Chapter 7
The weight of Mr. Harold Johanson's words still presses on me even hours after leaving his office. He is giving me the opportunity to prove that I am more than the derogatory words that others have thrown at me. I close my eyes and remembers how I barely breath in Mr. Harold's room. Now that I'm out of that suffocating atmosphere, the reality of what's been handed hits me harder.The money sitting in my account should feel like a godsend, right? But right now, I feel like this is a little burden. This is not just about the money alone. It's also about anticipation and expectation. Mr. Harold wants to see if I have the edge to turn this money into something I can be proud of. If I'm not going to be careful, this 'opportunity' will turn into something that will make me fall flat on my face. There’s no middle ground. It's either I make something of myself or I’m left with nothing and be a loser forever.I let out a sigh and stare at my phone which shows my account balance.[Remaining Ba
The Son-in-law's Wealth System Chapter 8
I've been walking for what feels like hours now. The things that happened earlier keeps looping in my head. I keep doing it so I will surely not forget everything that happened between me and Hansel Renver. I am determined to use that as another motivation to succeed. "Focus, Chandler. Focus!" I mutter to myself under my breath. I also slap my cheeks to pump myself up and to stop my nerves from making my determination waver. "You can do this!"I stop in front of a convenience store and opens its door. The sweet chiming of bells hanging on it welcomes me together with the chilling air coming from the inside. The store is brightly lit and their aisles are packed with snacks, sweets, and canned goods.I grab two packs of sandwiches and a huge bottle of water before paying at the counter. Unlike the guy in the car earlier who tossed money at me like it was disposable, I properly give my payment to the cashier and wish him a good night. Unlike that jerk, I have good manners. I can feel
The Son-in-law's Wealth System Chapter 9
"Julius Mannell." I begin in a steady voice. "I'm not here to beg or to take any more of your crap. I am not going to mince my words. I am here to tell you exactly what you did wrong."Julius raises his eyebrow and leans slightly forward."Wrong? Me? I'm pretty sure you're the one who did something wrong." He sneers.Julius is clearly thinking he still has the upper hand in the situation. But I fold my arms and stand taller than I ever had before in this room. "You ruined people's lives with your petty power games. Unlike you, there are more people who worked hard and sacrificed so much who is more deserving to that position."While my mouth is moving and speaking on it's own, I notice that the door is now slightly open and there are a few employees listening to our conversation. But it seems like Julius doesn't notice them because he is more focused on me. "You treated the other employees like dirt. And for what? Because we didn't bow to your petty demands? Because we had the guts
Latest Chapter
Chapter 138
Evan worked fast. Within an hour, he compiled a list of employees who had been approached. Some were lower-level staff, but a few were key figures like our managers, engineers and even members of the legal team."They're being offered higher salaries, better benefits and promises of long-term security." Evan said before putting the report in front of me. "Whoever is funding this has deep pockets."Robert leaned back while rubbing his temples. "And since Mrs. Stewart is behind it, she knows exactly who to target."I scanned the list. Some of these names weren't just employees. They were people I had personally worked with and trusted."How many have accepted?" I asked.Evan hesitated. "Five so far."I clenched my jaw. Five might not seem like much but it was a crack in the foundation. A warning shot."Who's the biggest loss?"Robert pointed at a name. "Thomas Grayson. He was overseeing part of the cybersecurity division."I nodded slowly. "Then we remind everyone that loyalty pays.
Chapter 137
For the next few hours, my team and I worked tirelessly and analyzing every possible angle of attack Hansel and Mrs. Stewart that we could exploit. Their attempt to flood our system with false security alerts had failed but it was only a matter of time before they tried something else.And then, it came. It was Andrew's voice that broke the tense silence. "Chandler, check the market reports. Something feels off."I immediately pulled up the latest financial data before my stomach twisted. A sudden wave of negative speculation was hitting the company. There are series of anonymous sources had leaked damaging reports about Magnus X and claiming that our encryption methods were flawed and that our firewall had been bypassed during testing."Where the hell is this coming from?" Evan muttered as he scanned the reports.Andrew clicked furiously on his keyboard."I'm tracing it now... Damn it. The original source is masked through multiple shell accounts."Robert's expression faltered. "Ha
Chapter 136
My mind is racing while analyzing the situation. Mrs. Stewart was still in the game. That much was clear. And the problem? She was too smart to make an obvious move. If she was directly involved in trying to steal Magnus X then she had a deeper strategy in play."What now?" Andrew asked in a sharp voice.I exhaled slowly. "We will confirm it."Evan looked at me. "Sir... You mean we will verify the breach? But the data doesn't lie, sir.""No." I said. "But people do."I pulled up a secondary program, Shadow Line, which is designed to simulate a counter-hack. If Mrs. Stewart was behind this then I wanted her to think she was still in control. With a few click of my keyboard, I set a data loop. It is one that would feed back false information."And with this, she wilk think she is still winning." I murmured. "Meanwhile, we will track every step she makes."Andrew smirked. "I like this side of you."But Evan is still not convinced. "We are playing with fire, sir."Then I glanced at hi
Chapter 135
I let my fingers to fly across the keyboard as I navigated Magnus X's backend security system. Whoever was attacking us wasn't some amateur hacker. They were professionals. Their assault came from multiple sources and each using advanced techniques to mask their origins.But I wasn't just defending our system.I activated Predator Trace. It is an advanced AI tool I secretly implemented in Magnus X. Andrew and Robert developed it in secret while we were facing Hansel before. While they tried to break through, the Predator Trace will follow the attack's digital footprints while working its way back through proxies and VPN layers.[Quest Progress: Tracing the Attack – 45% Complete]Then Andrew hovered over my shoulder. "Can you stop it?"I didn't look away from the screen. "Stopping them isn't enough. I need to know who is behind it."Robert, sitting across from me, tapped his phone. "Uhm... I've contacted our cybersecurity team but I don't think they will be able to help much. This a
Chapter 134
I sat at my desk, while apping my fingers lightly on my wooden desk. But my thoughts restless. Something was wrong. It wasn't just paranoia. I had learned to trust my instincts. And right now, they were screaming at me.But why?Mrs. Stewart had been exposed. Jannica and Danica were desperate but powerless. Hansel had taken a hit in the public eye and my team was stronger than ever. But an unsettling weight sat in my chest. It's like a warning I couldn't quite decipher. Then A knock at my door snapped me out of my thoughts. Evan peeked inside. "Are you okay, sir? You look tense."I exhaled before rolling my shoulders. "Something feels off. I don't know what but I can feel it.""Maybe you are overthinking it, sir? We have been pounding them hard and they have not been able to respond properly. Maybe it's their turn to feel lost."I wanted to believe that. I really did. But my system was silent. Too silent to my liking. Normally, it would nudge me with subtle warnings and small notifi
Chapter 133
Hansel Renver is swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand. His jaw clenched while he stares at the fireplace. The flames are now flickering in restless chaos and it is much like his own mind.He had finally done it. He had cut Jannica off.That useless woman had outlived her purpose. He had humored her long enough and let her believe she was valuable. But in the end, she had proven to be nothing but dead weight.She had failed to trap Chandler. She had failed to weaken him. And worst of all, she had underestimated him.Hansel took a slow sip of his whiskey and it burns down his throat but he ignores it. He had always known Chandler was ambitious. But this? This new version of Chandler? It was ruthless, untouchable and unpredictable. It was far more dangerous than the fool who used to stand beneath him.And now, Mrs. Stewart had been exposed too.He let out a quiet laugh. He feels amused despite the tension in his muscles. So even the old woman had her own schemes. It was entertaining i
Chapter 132
Jannica stormed into her mother's house without bothering to knock. The sounds of her heels on the floor is too loud. The anger burning in her chest is making it difficult for her to breathe. Soon, she sees Danica while enjoying a glass of wine in the living room."Jannica?" Danica called before putting her glass down on the coffee table. "What is the meaning of this?"Jannica threw her phone onto the table. The screen of it still lit with the anonymous message she had received.'A piece of advice, Jannica. Teach your mother not to overestimate herself. She is playing a game she has no chance of winning.'Danica picked up the phone and starts reading the message carefully. Her expression changes. First it was confusion until a flicker of unease shows on her fsce. Then she schooled her features back into a practiced calm."I don't know what is this about." she said before putting the phone back down."Don't lie to me, mom!" Jannica snapped. "I know exactly who sent it."Danica raised a
Chapter 131
I sat at the head of the conference table with my fingers interlocked as I observed my team. Evan, Andrew and Robert were all present and their faces serious as they waited for me to speak. The weight of Mrs. Stewart's betrayal still lingered in the room. "She's been a step ahead of us." I finally said. "But we are not out of options yet." Andrew adjusted his glasses. "We need to assume she has more moves planned. She's too smart to make only one play." "She invested in Magnus X." Robert added. "That means she still sees us as an asset. The question is, how far is she willing to go to take control?" I start considering their words. Mrs. Stewart had been methodical and staying close while setting traps in the background. If I had learned anything from my father, it was that a betrayal from an ally was far more dangerous than an attack from an enemy. "She's not reckless." I said. "If she's making a move against us and she believes she can win. That means she either has more levera
Chapter 130
Jannica stepped into the grand entrance of the Zedd estate. Her face pale and her hands trembling. The moment she closed the door behind her, Danica's harp voice cut through the silence."Well?" Danica demanded while standing in the middle of the lavish living room and her arms are crossed. "What did he say?"Jannica swallowed hard and then she hesitates. Seeing this, Danica's eyes suddenly narrowed at her. "What are you doing there, Jannica? Did you do what I told you?"Jannica clenched her fists. "I did. I apologized. I told him I wanted to fix things."Danica's lips curled into a victorious smirk. "Good. And? When is he coming back?"Silence. Danica's expression stiffened all of a sudden. "Jannica?"Jannica bit her lip. Then she speaks that is barely above a whisper."He refused."Danica's smirk vanished. "What?"Jannica looked away. "He told me it is over and we have been over for a long time!"Everything goes quiet for a moment. And then...Slam!Danica's palm crashed onto