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Zero to the Greatest and Richest Chapter 42
The velvet curtain of the stage lingered in its descent, its stillness belying the whispers that swirled through the audience like a hushed wind. My fingers hovered above the piano keys, feeling the cold of the air conditioner and my own heartbeat.Posturing my feet and body in the most relaxing posture for playing piano, drawing in a deep breath steeped in determination, I let my fingers fall gracefully onto the ivory keys, initiating the intricate melody of La Campanella. Each note danced through the air.***Beyond the curtain, people were gradually settling into their seats, waiting for the performance. The distant, mellifluous sound of the piano began to permeate the space from behind the closed curtain, stirring a curious wonder among the listeners.Despite the curtain remaining firmly closed, an unspoken agreement fell upon the crowd to be silent and enjoy the music. Some closed their eyes, allowing the cascading notes of the piano to paint vivid images in their minds. The musi
Zero to the Greatest and Richest Chapter 43
In the hall audience seat.I, Jessica, was a seasoned music critic for a prestigious magazine, having experienced a myriad of orchestras across the globe. Yet, today's performance stirred within me a reluctance I couldn't shake off. I hate the conductor. I checked the pamphlet and there was a name listed as the conductor: Benedict, notorious for his greed. was known to select musicians based on the thickness of their wallets rather than their talent. His conducting style, devoid of passion, always left me cold. I had no fondness for him, yet duty called, as the magazine I worked for insisted on a review, especially since a wealthy benefactor's offspring were to grace the stage.When I received my ticket, I deliberately chose a seat at a safe distance from the cacophony I anticipated. I had no desire to assault my ears with the conductor's mundane and uninspired interpretations. They were always so drearily predictable, lacking any semblance of artistic taste.As the first announcement
Zero to the Greatest and Richest Chapter 44
My musical talent was pushed to its limits as I endeavored to conduct the entire orchestra. Though a few imperceptible errors resonated in my trained ears, I doubted the audience would notice them. The mistakes were too subtle for those unaccustomed to the nuances of orchestral music.As the first performance concluded, I surveyed the orchestra, preparing them for our next piece, Francis Poulenc's "Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra." I was to conduct while simultaneously playing my part on the piano. I confidently settled into the piano chair, mirroring Sophia's actions on the opposite side. With a graceful sweep of my hands, I initiated the first cue for the orchestra, then seamlessly transitioned into my piano performance. But suddenly, the entire hall was plunged into darkness.***Meanwhile, in the audience, Jessica eagerly anticipated the second performance, particularly intrigued by the young, handsome conductor's dual role as pianist. She pondered his ability to manage both
Zero to the Greatest and Richest Chapter 45
My eyes ached, almost as if they were overwhelmed by the radiant beauty before me. In all my previous existence, never had I directly gazed upon such a captivating face. And to witness her in slumber, her features softened in repose, was a vision beyond words. The delicate pink hue of her youthful lips seemed to whisper promises of forbidden sweetness."Damn, how can a woman be so breathtaking?" I mused internally. The sight of her was enough to fill me with a serene sense of completion, as if my life's purpose had been fulfilled in this single moment. Her beautiful eyelashes and eyebrows, her lips, akin to a pink, forbidden fruit, her nose finely sculpted, and her skin, reminiscent of polished ivory. Strands of her lustrous hair framed her face perfectly, an image so stunning, she could effortlessly be the muse of Instagram admirers worldwide.The picture of the girl that millions of otaku and nerds were willing to die for, including me in my pastime.Every fiber of my being seemed t
Zero to the Greatest and Richest Chapter 46
As Sophia's words stirred my memory of the previous night, I found myself slowly remembering everything.In the chaos of audience went to greet me, the staff ushered me into the staffroom. There, a celebration awaited us, marked by glasses of rich red wine to toast the closing of our musical performance.The atmosphere was electric, the orchestra musicians exuberant with the success of the night, their joy infectious as they insisted I join them in toast after toast."I've never witnessed such enthusiasm from an audience in all my years!" exclaimed one musician, his eyes sparkling with excitement."Nor have I ever played such a mesmerizing piece," another added, her voice tinged with pride."To our conductor!" they cheered, as more and more people approached, glasses in hand, making it impossible for me to decline their offerings. I drank several glasses of red wine, making me feel tipsy.Amidst the revelry, a staff member approached, gently guiding me towards the office. "Conductor,
Zero to the Greatest and Richest Chapter 47
I revved the engine of my super bike, slicing through the city's cacophony as I made my way to the rehabilitation center. Celeste and Maria had already journeyed there by car, leaving me to navigate the bustling streets alone. Sophia and I had parted ways at the penthouse; her soul immersed in the intricate melodies of her new music. I had left her with the best songs to practice - John Legend's "All of Me" and Ed Sheeran's "Perfect," hoping they'd resonate with her artistic spirit.Upon arriving at the rehabilitation center, a heavy air of sorrow greeted me. People's heads shook gently, their expressions etched with grief. The atmosphere was thick with an unspoken sadness, almost tactile in its intensity. I maneuvered through the somber crowd, making my way to Victoria's room. The corridor felt longer than usual, each step echoing with the collective heartache of those present.Inside Victoria's room, the scene was heart-wrenching. Celeste was weeping inconsolably at her mother's bed
Zero to the Greatest and Richest Chapter 48
"Why do you hit me?" I gasped, clutching my aching stomach as I confronted the assailant. His eyes, cold and unfeeling, met mine briefly before he shrugged with a mocking smirk. "What?" he retorted, his voice dripping with disdain, "Can't I hit you?" Without warning, his fist connected with my head, a sharp pain radiating through my skull.Anger, hot and seething, began to morph into a blistering fury within me.The teachings of Buddha echoed in my mind, 'Control your anger, lest it becomes the source of your regret.'Taking a deep breath, I summoned all my speed and strength, channeling it into a swift blow to his stomach. My fist connected with a satisfying thud. Spinning with a fluid motion, I struck his face - once, twice, thrice - each hit a release of the pent-up fury. He crumbled to the ground like a marionette with its strings cut. A bitter laugh escaped my lips, "Fuck, Buddha, I am not a Buddhist!"The others, part of his gang, began to close in. He came at me, arms swinging.
Zero to the Greatest and Richest Chapter 49
The imposing figure, who seemed to be the leader, approached with an air of authority. As he spoke, the crowd hushed in anticipation. “What do you want?” he demanded.Confused and slightly taken aback, I stepped forward. “You take my superbike and destroy it, yet you ask me what I want? I demand compensation from whoever wrecked it.”The leader’s laugh echoed mockingly. “I don’t know who destroyed it. Did you see any of us do it? All I know is you came here attacking us.”I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity. “So, this is your game? You're even more of a coward than I thought, denying your own actions. Fine, I'll coax the truth out of you, one way or another.”“Do you really think you can stand against us?” The leader’s voice was dripping with contempt. “Attack him now!”Yet, no one moved. I walked up to the leader, my eyes locking with his. “Why don't you make your move, coward, always hiding behind numbers? I stand here alone, and still, you call for others to fight your battl
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Chapter 144
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
Chapter 143
“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
Chapter 142
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
Chapter 141
“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
Chapter 140
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
Chapter 139
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,
Chapter 138
“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
Chapter 137
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
Chapter 136
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
