The shadow chief stood before my executive desk, looking at me with a mixture of intense curiosity and residual confusion, clearly desperate to understand what subtle details I had picked up that he had missed entirely.
"Sit down, Chief," I instructed softly, gesturing toward the comfortable leather chair directly across from me. "Repeat your last line for me."
The chief paused for a moment, sifting through his memory before reciting carefully, "The powerful benefactor backing the Smiths from the shadows—will acknowledge Karon’s ruthless efficiency and elevate his status to match the great families like the Kensingtons and Harringtons. Are you talking about this line, sir?"
"Exactly," I replied, leaning forward and resting my elbows on the desk with a sharp, knowing grin. "If you had only mentioned the Harringtons, I might have given it some thought and even believed it. But matching the Kensingtons? Tell me, Chief, how many years has the world been operating under democracy?"
The shadow chief thought carefully for a second, analyzing historical facts in his head. "About two hundred to two hundred and fifty years, sir."
"And how many years has the Kensington family held supreme power?" I countered smoothly, raising an eyebrow.
"Before democracy, they ruled as a royal house, and after democracy, they transitioned into the modern era," the chief answered after a brief mental calculation. "We can say almost five hundred years total, sir."
"Perfect," I said, a genuine spark of excitement flashing in my eyes. "Do you have any idea how many powerful clans, hidden factions, and ambitious foreign powers have tried to dethrone the Kensington family from the global top spot over the centuries? Every single one of them perished or vanished into total obscurity while trying, yet the Kensingtons remain completely untouchable at the very peak of global power."
I paused, letting the heavy weight of my words sink into his mind. "That means whoever is backing the Smith family from the shadows is either someone directly tied to the Kensingtons, or an elite foreign power operating behind a very thick veil. But one thing is crystal clear: whoever that backer is, they are merely using the Smiths as a disposable pawn. They want to see how things play out, or perhaps they are simply getting entertained by watching smaller families tear each other apart for scraps of power. But there is absolutely no scenario where a regional clown like Karon Smith will ever rise to the level of the Kensingtons or the Harringtons."
The shadow chief’s eyes widened in realization as the pieces fell perfectly into place. "I understand completely now, sir. So, what should our next move be?"
I replied, "Did you instruct our hackers to proceed with compiling and releasing the evidence against the Smith family?"
"Yes," he replied smoothly. "By first thing tomorrow morning, every major social media platform and news outlet will be flooded with undeniable evidence of the Smith family’s hidden crimes—their illegal operations, hit-and-run car crash cover-ups, and massive tax evasion."
"Splendid," I murmured, a wide grin spreading across my face.
"Good. Now, do one more thing," I instructed, my tone turning ice-cold. "Never use your own hands to destroy an enemy directly—that is the fundamental strategy used by true kings. No matter how many soldiers or pawns an enemy loses, a true king remains safe until the very end. What you need to do is anonymously leak word to the Smith family elder council that Patriarch Karon is actively plotting against them, using them as stepping stones to seize absolute power for himself at their expense."
The shadow chief smiled broadly, bowing his head in deep admiration. "Boss, you truly are a master strategist. You saw right through that mysterious benefactor’s game and carved out a brilliant plan entirely on your own. You really are an anomaly among men."
I chuckled softly, waving away the praise with a dismissive gesture. "I’m no anomaly, Chief. I simply pay close attention to details and hard facts. Now, go take care of everything we discussed. I’m heading back to my room for the night; it’s been a long day."
"Understood, sir. Tomorrow morning, you will see the news headlines erupt across every single network, and the senior elders of the Smith clan will receive our anonymous tip. You can sleep peacefully tonight."
"I would have slept soundly regardless, but thank you anyway. Good night, Chief."
With that, I stood up from the desk, walked out of the quiet study, and made my way up the carpeted stairs. Entering my master bedroom, I closed the door softly behind me. Clara was already waiting under the covers, her soft, rhythmic breathing filling the quiet room.
I climbed onto the mattress, slipping under the warm blankets beside her. "Sorry to keep you waiting so long, love. Work ran a bit late," I whispered gently into her ear.
Clara stirred with a sweet smile, opening her arms to pull me close. "I don’t mind at all... though I certainly wouldn’t have complained if you took even longer out here with me."
A warm laugh escaped my lips as I leaned down close to her face. "Is that even a question, love?"
Our lips met, and we melted into each other’s warmth. The quiet hours of the night slipped away in a blur of deep affection, passion, and genuine emotional closeness that lasted for two solid hours before we finally drifted off to sleep, completely content in each other’s arms. Cuddling her bare body under the thick blanket, I realized once again that no amount of worldly wealth or power could ever compare to the peaceful warmth of holding the person you love.
The next morning, golden sunlight streamed softly through the sheer curtains as I blinked awake at 8:00 AM. Gently lifting Clara’s arm from my chest and resting her head softly against the plush pillow, I slipped out of bed and headed into the master bathroom for a refreshing shower.
Stepping out minutes later, I dressed in a stylish set of luxury casual wear, finishing the look with a sleek wristwatch carved entirely from rare blue sapphire stone. Just as I buttoned my cuffs, a familiar electronic chime resonated in my mind:
[System Notification:] Host has gained 20,000 Indulgence Points for last night’s intimacy and successful reunion with old friends! Total Indulgence Points updated.
[System Status Overview]
Host: Julian VanceCharm: 100 / 100 | Physique: 100 / 100Skills: Eyes of Insight | World-Class Business Mind | Grandmaster Combat | Grandmaster Driving & RacingPrimary Assets: 100% Equity in Cosmos Group | Grandview Villa No. 1 | 10 Prime Commercial Storefronts (Grand Galleria) | Fleet of 7 Luxury VehiclesLiquid Cash: $1,053.12 Billion Stardollars | Net Worth: $1,310.12 Billion Stardollars | Indulgence Points: 90,000
[Inner Circle Panel]
Seraphina Lin: Destiny Confidante (100% Complete Devotion)Clara Carter: Destiny Confidante (100% Complete Devotion)Dr. Sophia Starling: Inner Circle Member (Relationship Status: Complete Devotion)Belle Young: Inner Circle Member (Relationship Status: Complete Devotion)
System, open the system shop, I commanded mentally.
A translucent blue interface materialized directly before my eyes. Following the recent system update, the system shop has also been upgraded, a pleasant robotic voice echoed in my mind. You can now purchase special functional items and combat skills:
Bad Luck Card: 100,000 Indulgence PointsBankruptcy Card: 100,000 Indulgence PointsBasketball Skill: 10,000 Indulgence PointsAce Shooting Skill: 30,000 Indulgence PointsAll-Weapon Handling Skill: 30,000 Indulgence Points
Curious about the new options, I asked for clarification. What do the cards do?
The Bad Luck Card can be used once on any specific target, the system explained immediately. When activated, that targeted person will experience intense bad luck for twenty-four hours. It is not fatal, but just severe enough to ruin their plans. The Bankruptcy Card, when used on a target—regardless of whether their assets are legal, illegal, foreign, or hidden—will instantly strip away all money, properties, and wealth, leaving them with nothing but an empty wallet.
I analyzed the options carefully. I don’t have enough points for the cards yet, but I’ll take the Ace Shooting Skill and the All-Weapon Handling Skill. Will buying the weapon handling skill grant me total mastery over every single type of weapon?
Yes, the system confirmed crisply. Does the Host wish to confirm the purchase?
Confirm.
Instantly, a bright chime rang out: Host has successfully purchased two skills! 60,000 Indulgence Points deducted. Remaining Indulgence Points: 30,000.
A sudden, powerful surge of kinetic muscle memory and tactical knowledge flooded through my nervous system, instantly etching every firearm layout, ballistic trajectory calculation, and weapon handling technique into my physical core. Another system notification popped up:
Host has gained two new skills: Eyes of Insight | World-Class Business Mind | Grandmaster Combat | Grandmaster Driving & Racing | Ace Shooting Skill | All-Weapon Mastery
I smiled to myself in satisfaction. Six mastery-level skills now. At this rate, I’m practically evolving into a perfect human being, especially since my physique is already at the absolute pinnacle of physical perfection.
Stepping out of the spacious dressing room fully dressed, I glanced toward the bed. Clara was still sleeping soundly under the duvet. Seeing that it was already 9:00 AM, I walked over with a gentle, affectionate smile to wake her up for the day ahead.