2024-11-15 13:08:11I 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 boil. “Jannica, explain all of this." I said in a voice tight with urgency. I ignore the look on Danica’s eyes towards me. My focus is on my wife's face. “This is just a misunderstanding, right?” Jannica puts her teacup down on the coffee table and sighs softly. "Well…" Jannica started. "I didn’t betray you... Oh, forget it." I feel a chill run on my spine when I hear the sudden change in her voice. "No, it’s not a misunderstanding." Jannica said with a smile. "I betrayed you. Simple as that. So let’s get a divorce today, okay?” The words hit me like a physical blow. My legs nearly gives out as I try to process what she had just said. Divorce? Now? After everything? After all the years we’d been together? Is it really that easy for her to do this? Before I can respond, the door swings open and someone enters the room. It was Manuel, my brother-in-law. Manuel glances at me with a mocking expression before moving to greet Jannica and Danica. “What are you doing here?” I asked in a low voice to contain the anger in my heart. Manuel smirks at me and crosses his arms. He stands arrogantly in front of me and speaks in a tone dripping with mockery. "Me? I’m here to fetch my sister and mother. As for you… Heh. You’re nothing more than trash. My sister finally did the right thing of divorcing you. She deserves better than someone like you. Jannica will just waste her bright future if she continue staying with you." "And that means she is going to be with Hansel Renver?" "Exactly." My blood boils more at those words. Hansel Renver is someone Jannica and I knew during our college years. The three of us goes to the same university but I only got a few short interactions with Hansel Renver. His family owns a lot of businesses in our city and Hansel will inherit all of it in the future. I know the Zedd family is always looking down on me. Ever since I married Jannica, her family never spare any chances to treat me like an outsider. My background, my family, and my career truly pales in comparison to the wealth and status of the Zedd family. "But why...?" I can't help but asked. “You're really asking that?" Manuel sneered at me. "Jannica obvioulsly agreed to go with Mr. Wallace because has everything you don't have." Danica doesn't wait for me to react and add more insulting words towards me. "Mr. Renver is offering fifty million to invest with our family's new business venture. Unlike you who can’t even gather ten thousand dollars so quickly, Mr. Renver can provide everything my daughter wants." Fifty million. It is an amount I cannot even imagine to have in my pocket. I am well-aware that Jannica's family is greedy. But today, I can now clearly see just how desperate they are for money. And for that, the Zedd family and my wife are willing to throw themselves to Hansel Renver because of his money. “I can’t believe you will do this to me, Jannica!" I shouted in a voice filled with disbelief. “You’re really going to sleep with that man for money? Are you seriously going to sell yourself just like that?” "Watch your mouth, you loser!" Manuel said as he tightly grips my collar. "Shut up! This is about me and my wife!" I argued back while glaring at him. "You—" "Oh, please! Stop now, will you?" Jannica quickly separates us and quickly stands in between me and her brother. After making sure Manuel is okay, she throws me a contemptious look. “Jannica, why are you doing this?” I asked. I clench my fists and feels my chest tighter with anger while waiting for her answer. But instead of showing any remorse or guilt, Jannica rolls her eyes at me as if she is starting to get irritated. Then with a huff, she looks at me from head to toe before shaking her head. “You're asking me why? Because you can’t do anything!” Jannica shrieked. "...What?" “You are proven useless to me to all those years that we've been married, Chandler. To be fair, I truly married you for love. But can you blame me? I keep seeing the man I used to love getting useless as the time goes by. You cannot even buy me a good gift on our last anniversary!" Jannica exhales again before she continues. "Unlike you, Hansel Renver can provide everything I need. Hansel just need to make a call and he can instantly bring me anything I want. Tell me. Can you do that, Chandler? Can you give me anything I want?" "I—" "No, you can't! You cannot even buy yourself a new suit. So how am I expecting you to buy me a new bag or jewelry during special occassions? You’ve done nothing for me, Chandler!” Her words hit me hard. I always give the best of my ability to provide for our family. I always believe that I am not a failure and the right time for me to be lucky in life will come to me soon. But right now, I cannot ignore the truth anymore. Jannica had given up to our marriage. This hurts me to admit it, but it's true that I cannot give anything that she asked from me. Although Jannica grew up as a rich lady, I thought she would understand our new life when she said yes to my proposal. But now, she is choosing a man for his wealth and power. Jannica is choosing someone who is not me. "Back in university, I was so in love with you because I thought you are different. You were ambitious and full of ideas. You were the most capable man I knew. I chose you because you promised me a better life! But now? Just look at you!" Jannica viciously points her fingers at me. "You are now a loser. I tried to help you, Chandler. I asked my dad to get you a better job in one of our company but you refused. You just want to be an ordinary employee who works in a dull office from nine to five everyday! I asked you to think about our future but all you did was telling me for the right time. But when will it happen?! I am getting impatient, Chandler!" The words I want to say is now stuck in my throat. I want to tell her the truth. Despite her beliefs, I want to say I’m not a real failure. I just have a little situation that stops me for showing my full potentials. But since it is not yet the right time, that means I can't show her that side of me yet. "But Jannica, listen to me. I—" “You don’t get it, Chandler!” Jannica shouted angrily. "You are just a nobody for me. You can’t even stand up for yourself! Gosh... You will never become someone who is worthy to be respected!” My hands trembles in mixed emotion right now. I want to scream at her. I really want to tell her who I really was. I am now weighing wether I can give her a hint or just let everything I built with my own strength falls right in front of me. “I’m so done with you, Chandler! I will have our family lawyer to prepare our divorce papers today." Jannica said coldly. “But don't worry. Since I'm the one who wants this divorce, then I will compensate you with money. Is five million enough for you? Knowing how frugal you are, I'm pretty sure that amount is enough for you." Five million? I can feel my blood running cold in my veins. All of This wasn’t just about the money. It was about my pride, my dignity. I couldn’t let her go like this. Not now. “I... I'll give you a luxurious life." I said before swallowing the lump in my throat. “I will find a way to make it happen. I’ll give you everything. So please... Don't divorce me.” The room becomes silent for a moment. But Danica's mocking huff interrupts it followed by Manuel's laughter. “You?" Manuel scoffs. “You will give my sister a luxurious life? You cannot even buy yourself a car! So pathetic!" “Are you crazy now?” Danica added while shaking her head. “I can do it. I have a way to make it happen. I can give my wife the things she wants. I—" "Oh, please. Chandler, I know you. You will never give me the things I want to have." "Jannica—" "We're over, Chandler." I look at Jannica straight to her eyes. I cannot see the love she used to have in it for me. Right now, her eyes are full of ridicule and mockery while staring at me. And those are breaking me slowly from the inside. But before I can say another word, something strange is happening again. There is a sudden faint blue glowing light like a hologram flickering in front of me. When I blink my eyes, the time around us seems to become slow. And then, a female robotic voice echoes in my mind. [Update: Wealthy System Activated.] [Loading...] [ | Character Profile | Name: Chandler Logan Real Name: Chandler Johanson Level: 2 Class: Hidden Heir Health: 70/100 Mana: 20/50 Reputation: -150 points Wealth: 20 (Loan Limit: 10,000) | Special Abilities | Hidden Potential (Passive): Increases strength, intellect, and charisma by 7% each year of survival. Family Legacy (Inactive): Once activated, it can unlock hidden wealth from the Johanson estate. Resilience (Active): Reduces mental and physical damage by 20%] I blink my eyes several times but the blue hologram light in front of me is still there. What is happening now?
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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
The Son-in-law's Wealth System Chapter 10
[Mission Success!][Rewards Acquired:• +35 Reputation• + 20 Reputation• + 40 Reputation• Unlocking Special Reward]I carefully read the words being displayed in front of me. The amount of reputation points I got is quite good. But just to be sure, I check my character profile to see if the reward quickly takes effect.[ | Character Profile |Name: Chandler LoganReal Name: Chandler JohansonLevel: 2Class: Hidden HeirHealth: 89/100Mana: 22/50Reputation: -55 pointsWealth: 1,000,000,020]I smile to myself seeing that the rewards I got quickly improves my reputation points. But the words 'Special Reward' is making me curious. The system is not being specific of what kind of additional reward I'll be getting after I finished the task.But I try to keep myself positive. I believe the system will not give me anything that can harm me at this point. So I look around again and start expecting something good to happen. Maybe I'll be getting another notification saying I received anoth
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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
