University of Oxford."Alex, I think it's time for you to accept that you never fit in with Miranda," a woman in her early twenties said to me as I served her a pizza."Why?" I asked."Look at you," Danielle, Miranda’s best friend, called out. "You work part-time at a pizza shop. You don’t have a car. How can you keep thinking that you can be Miranda’s boyfriend?"“We love each other.”“Fuck love!”"I helped her a lot in our first year. I even did all her assignments," I said."Alex, tell me, how much do you earn working here?""$5 per hour.""How do you think a guy who only gets scrap money, without a car, without anything, can be Miranda’s boyfriend!""With love, for sure," I said."You are poor, Alex! You can't even feed yourself well and you're hanging by your scholarship.”“I love her and she love me. End story!” I replied.“Oh please, all poor people talk about love. If you don’t have money, don’t find a girlfriend, just use your fingers to fuck.""Danielle, I know you are Mira
I sat at the side of the road, lost in thought. Rich or poor, it seemed everyone had an angle.When I was wealthy, people swarmed around me, their intentions as transparent as glass—each one after my fortune. No one really wanted me.Yet, when I am poor, people also leave me because of my poverty; no one really loves me either.Suddenly, my phone rang, pulling me from my reverie."Mr. Alex.""Yes?" I answered."I got your number from Mr. Xian.""What do you want?" I asked, noticing a group beginning to form around me. It appeared that Damian's thugs had rallied their forces."I heard you offer freelance bodyguard jobs, and right now, you're at the University of Oxford.""Yes," I replied as I stood, plugging my phone into a wired earphone.About ten guys, armed with baseball bats and iron bars, approached me menacingly."How dare you hit Damian's people," they shouted as they advanced.To me, their movements were sluggish, almost comical. I struck one in the face, channeling my inner e
Inside the pizza café, in front of all the people eating, drinking, and looking at the incident."Oops, sorry," Damian said, laughing. "My hand slipped."I took a deep breath and glanced at the clock on the wall; only three more minutes remained before I could end my shift."It's okay," I said politely as I moved to clean it up. "I'll take care of it."Just as I bent down to pick up the soup bowl, Damian carelessly dropped another bowl of soup on my head, chuckling, "Oops, sorry waiter, it slipped from my hand again.""It's okay," I replied calmly.When the next shift part-time worker arrived to help clean up, I headed to the back of the café, took a wash, and changed my clothes.After slipping into my usual attire, I exited through the back door and then re-entered the café through the front door.The part-time worker looked up in surprise. "Anything left?" he asked."No, I'm a customer now. Please give me the menu," I responded. He handed me a menu, and I ordered two bowls of chicke
As I was taking care of Sophia, explaining everything about Oxford University to her, she clung to my arm with a smile on her face.I felt like she was enjoying the relationship between a man and a woman for the first time."Are you still doing this? Don’t you think your boyfriend will be jealous?" I asked when we are passing the park.Sophia laughed joyfully. "Do you know that I've never had a boyfriend?""Really?" I smiled in disbelief. "It's impossible for a beautiful girl like you to have no boyfriend.""I went to an all-girls high school, and when I was there, there were a lot of scary guys chasing everyone. So, no guy really dared to make a move on me."I laughed. Thinking they must be her bodyguards, Who in the right mind want to date a mafia’s daughter.Suddenly, I found myself thinking maybe it was time for me to return to my early life being rich.Why do I keep pretending to be poor? For my ego? Let's start by reclaiming my title, "Prince Charming." It's already been so long
In the entrance hall of the bridge, where people were hanging around, Danielle approached me and said, “How can a poor person like you come here?”I stared at Danielle, this girl so eager to cling to Damian’s side, as he is the wealthy second son of the Spencer family.It seemed she played a crucial role as the go-between Miranda and Damian.From what I recalled, Miranda typically stayed at her apartment, immersed in college work and her paintings, rarely venturing out except for our beautiful times together.It was impossible for Miranda to looked for Damian.As for Danielle, she was just another bad girl, flitting from one group to another, desperate to connect with society’s elite.But who knows.In past I invested in Miranda artwork, but everything changed once she became quite famous and gained money.“Danielle, I could ask the same thing of you. Last time I checked, you were just as poor as me, and even poorer since you still owe me $200 for rent from months ago. Please pay it b
Damian, upon first glimpsing Sofia, was captivated by her beauty and smile. He could not shake the image of her from his mind, his desire for her growing.Stealthily, he moved toward where Sofia was, while Miranda and Danielle were still engrossed in watching Alex perform.He approached Sofia, "You are Sofia, right? I just got your name from my friend."Sofia looked at Damian, her brow furrowed. "So, are you thinking about breaking up with your new girlfriend?""Let's not talk about that," Damian replied, his mind still on Miranda. How could he let go of a catch that was already so close?"Alex is poor and unfit for you. I'm honestly giving you advice; kick that guy out of your life.""Why are you making choices for my life?" Sofia challenged."Because it's for your own good," Damian said, forcing a smile. "I'm a good and kind person you should hang around with. Care to give me your phone number?""Fuck off," Sofia snapped suddenly. "You're just an asshole. A disgusting creature.""It
I was sitting at the table with Sofia, enjoying a peaceful moment with wine after the dinner when Danielle suddenly rushed over to us in panic and sweat on her face.She was clearly frightened. “Miranda was caught by Jeremi Bolton in the private room number 2.”“Where is Damian?” I asked, somewhat indifferently.“Damian was there trying to protect Miranda, but Jeremi and his people are going to hit him.” Danielle’s face turned pale. “Please, Alex, help her.”“Nope, I’m done for. Just call the cops.” I poured more wine into my glass and Sofia’s to continue our evening.“Alex!” Danielle yelled. “He’s Jeremi Bolton. Even the police can’t catch him; his father is Vex Bolton, the most scary underworld king of Oxford.”“Then Miranda is lucky,” I said sarcastically. “She got someone even better than Damian. Isn’t it also your dream, Danielle? Sucking up to your friend when you push them for higher social hierarchy?”“Fuck you, Alex,” Danielle snapped angrily. “Just help her.”“Why must I hel
At the University of Oxford, I heard that Jeremy Bolton was searching for a guy who had hit him, and anyone who could provide a name would receive $5,000.People thought that anyone daring enough to strike Jeremy must be a madman with a death wish.Yet, I think they would never meet me as my schedule was already set: mornings at the university and the market to buy fresh food, then locking myself in my room, the art room, or Sofia’s room to paint.I wasn’t type that hanging around.I had mastered my art skills, by system shop. But I was never short of money, so I didn’t think I needed to sell any of my paintings. It was better to use it for myself.One day, Sofia was looking at my painting of her and she loved it. "This is the most beautiful painting I have ever seen," she said.She liked it so much that I gave it to her.One day, she fell down the stairs because of the winter. I carried her to her room and used my acupuncture skills to address the swelling, which reduced significantl
I stared at Sofia, puzzled. "Must I remind you that you were the one who asked for the divorce.”“You deserve it.” Sofia returned my gaze with a troubled look. "You're not selling any paintings. Everyone is talking about how poor are you.""They can hate me and talk about me all they want," I protested. "But why do you have to listen to them? I’ve never used any of your money for my daily living. I even buy and cook food for you and pay the bills. Remember, I never asked a single cent from you. Why must you judge me? Meanwhile, you freely use my money.""I make no mistake; my conscience is clear," I reaffirmed."You have no money," she shot back."So, I'm in the wrong for having no money?" A headache began to form. "Whatever. We're divorced already, and you were the one who initiated it.""Alex, I have given you many chances to prove yourself, to sell your painting, but you never want to sell any of them. You don’t deserve me.""Alright, whatever you say. Can we just finish this? I do
“I do not think that we are close enough for that relationship,” I said politely as I gently pushed her to one side.“So you are playing hard to get, Mr. Alex?” Sasha looked at me with a seductive smile. “You make me want you more.”She took out a card from her purse and handed me a golden card.“What is this?”“This card will give you all-access to all Powell Group's hotels and lodgings. You can enjoy all the food and service, on our lodgings without any payment. Just think of it as my treat to you.”“I don’t think I need this,” I replied politely, having more than enough money to eat and sleep wherever I wanted.“Please accept it, Mr. Alex. It is not a payment for your job; it's just our treat to our honorable guest.”Free stuff to eat and sleep? After not having a home, staying in a hotel for a bit wouldn’t be a problem until I found a new house. “Well, I accept this. Thank you very much.”Suddenly, I felt a killing tension around me. When someone is sensitive to energy, every tho
While I was deeply channeling my inner energy, I was so concentrated that I didn’t notice the chaos outside.I pushed the poisoned blood out of the needle, but when it was about 20% more to go, the needle was suddenly removed.Unable to retract my inner energy quickly, the blood had no exit and rebounded into Winston's body, causing him to convulse violently.Blood started gushing from his nose, ears, mouth, and every possible human outlet. His face turned an ominous black.Professor Calvin, taken aback by the sudden turn of events, exclaimed in shock, “What is happening?”I quickly tried to retract my inner energy, but the blood had already created a blockage, and Winston suddenly coughed up a clot of blood, hitting Professor Calvin in the face. Then, his body went limp.The other doctor, monitoring the medical machine, yelled, “We need to save the patient, professor!”Without delay, Professor Calvin, along with two doctors and a nurse, began emergency resuscitation to save the patie
“How many holy order members do we have ready in this city?” I asked as we walked toward the nearest park.The Holy Order had evolved into an international network of mercenaries or private armies, boasting around a hundred thousand personnel worldwide.They were now part of local underworld groups, working as private detectives, hired guns, and even assassins tasked with eliminating only the so-called bad people.They were the army I prepared to face the world in the inevitable World War III. With enough money, I could mobilize about a million soldiers globally.Taking down any country was a cinch, especially since I also owned a weaponry factory that collaborated with many countries.I had even begun developing a new nuclear weapon in collaboration with some countries, all under the radar.Weapons and soldiers were crucial if I aimed to conquer the world.“In Oxford, we have about fifty people,” Alfred continued, calculating quickly. “And we only need about thirty to execute the mis
Inside the house, as I looked around, I noticed Sofia, her mother, and Tina, Sofia's personal assistant came together.It is very rare for three of them appeared at the same time except there was an important stuff.Tina approached my table and placed a set of divorce papers in front of me.“Alex, these are the divorce papers, already signed by Ms. Sofia. I hope you won’t make this difficult; just sign them,” she said.“Divorce? What is the reason?” I asked, still looking at Sofia who remained silent letting Tina spoke for her.Tina continued, “You haven’t sold any paintings in three years. You’re a struggling artist with nothing to your name. Meanwhile, Ms. Sofia is a successful businesswoman, the new CEO of Anderson group. You two are not on the same level. Your presence merely tarnishes Sofia’s reputation. So, your marriage is over now.”“What?” I laughed in disbelief, staring at Sofia. “So this is how you see me now?”Tina stepped in front of me, blocking my view of Sofia, and sho
In the mansion of Anderson."You, a painter, what do you know about business?" Chris Wellington scoffed. "I suggest you leave now, or I'll need to call security to kick you out."Sophia grabbed my hand, her voice trembling with determination. "Alex, let's get out of here. I will never return to this family again.""Stop it, Sophia," her mother approached us, concern etching her features. But Sophia didn't care; she simply shoved her mother away."Guard! Take Sophia," Sophia's uncle commanded.I started to laugh, disbelief coloring my tone. "So, this is the meaning of family? You would sacrifice your daughter for a $100 million project?""Shut up," Grandma Anderson snapped. "Take Sophia and kick this guy out. He is not worth to be here."As a guard approached, wielding an iron baton, I launched a quick attack to his face, and he fell down.Causing shock to everyone there.The other guard who dared to come close received a kick to his stomach.As we walked to the gate, more guards came,
“Please don’t kill my son,” Vex Bolton pleaded. “Tell me want you want!”“Your son tried to kill me!” I yelled back the voice was echoing inside the mansion. “If he hadn’t started this, I’d be too lazy to bother him! I just want a peace, is it hard!”“I am sorry, so sorry. I didn’t know you are with Sicilia.” Jeremy stammered. “It won’t happen again.”I hung up the phone, pulled out my smartphone, and called Francesca.“What is it, Alex?” she answered.“I believe I had report about Vex Bolton trying to kidnap Sofia. Now, Jeremy Bolton, his son, is in my hands. Do you want him or not?”“What do you want in exchange?”“Nothing. Since he started by kidnapping my friend.”“Do you know we and Bolton are like water and fire?” Francesca asked.“It’s much better. When you want to kill Vex Bolton, I will help you.”“Great, send him to our place. We can try to use him for the negotiation; if it does not work, we will just go to war. Remember to take Vex Bolton's head for us.”“Don’t worry.”I w
Jeremy was shocked. "She really wants you to die? And doesn't care about you?"He clutched his head, feeling a slight headache."How can this be happening?" Jeremy threw a vase across the room."Where is Alex right now?" Jeremy demanded, pressing a knife against Miranda's stomach."At the university." Miranda said in fear."Alright, lead this girl to find the guy and bring him here. I believe she can find where he is," Jeremy commanded.The five men quickly moved, dragging Miranda away.***In my class, I was half-listening to the professor, drowsy, when a man suddenly entered the room with Miranda. "Professor, I'm sorry, but we need Alex here. It's an emergency."The professor looked around the class. "Anyone named Alex? Please, come forward."I stood and walked to the door."What's up?""Follow us," the man said. "It's urgent."I followed them to the parking lot, where only a few people were around. I found four people with Miranda's face was pale among them. Secretly, I noticed a s
At the Eden Group's painting exhibition, the initial plan was to showcase amateur paintings—a venue where people could make business deals and purchase art casually.The exhibition didn't start as an amateur painting showcase; it was solely for business deals. This change occurred when Alex used it as a cover to sell his own paintings and win a bet.As the first million-dollar purchase of a painting came from the Eden Group itself.Unexpectedly, the event escalated in seriousness when renowned art critics from around the globe flew in just to view the artworks.However, Alex clearly didn't believe anyone would genuinely want to pay more than a million dollars for his work."No one in their right mind would buy that painting," he thought.Yet, it seemed Alex had grossly underestimated the allure of art and the fervor of art investors.***I was still in Sofia's apartment when I received a phone call."The media want to meet the painter?" I was hesitant about revealing my identity as I