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
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
“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
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,
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
“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
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
“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