CHAPTER 02

“Everything appears to be in order for your father's birthday, which is happening today,” my secretary said as we entered through the gate.

I glanced through the window to see all of Father's guests.

“How many have arrived?” I asked.

“My men informed me that we were expecting over a hundred guests or even more, but only the important individuals showed up,” he replied.

“...and they are all my Father's faithful dogs?” I asked with a grin.

“Yes,” he replied succinctly.

After parking the car, I stepped out with authority and entered the fortress alongside my secretary. As I looked around every corner, I noticed prominent individuals engaged in cheerful conversations. Meanwhile, the guards, gathered together, remained vigilant.

Sakim sa kapangyarihan at yaman, bahid nang dugo sa kanilang mga kamay, lahat sila ay nakasuot ng disenteng kasuotan na para bang tinatakpan ng kasuotang iyon ang kanilang marumi at hindi makataong gawain.

“Dumating na ang anak ng baliw, hindi ko namalayan na dumating ka na.” The elderly man insulted me.

I smiled and remained calm. “As the child of a woman deemed mad, I am not obliged to announce my arrival, neither now nor at any time.”

I observed the changes in Mr. Govert's expression, the elderly man, after I uttered a word he didn't appreciate.

“Perhaps you have forgotten that our votes carry significance in nominating you as the new leader of Viper's Gang. Remember, you are not the only heir of Sir Levine's legacy,” Mr. Govert mocked me.

“Of course not. How could I forget your sister, who was my father's mistress and the product of their illicit relationship?” Mr. Govert suddenly fell silent upon hearing my words. “Please do not take me for a fool.”

Mr. Govert would have said more, but I noticed my father and his mistress emerging from the other room. I ignored Mr. Govert and made my way towards my despicable father, whom I intended to kill today with my own hands.

“You came? I thought you had no intention of attending your father's special birthday. Why? Are you worn out from conversing with your mentally unstable mother?” his question carried a chilly tone and insults directed towards my mother.

Clenching my fist, I opted not to answer his question and instead chose to calm myself down. I shrugged my shoulders in response.

“Nasaan si, Liam? Hindi ba siya dadating?” the mistress of my detestable father asked.

“Speaking of Liam, why can't I see him?” my contemptible father asked, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

“Liam mentioned that he couldn't make it today. It appears he is still occupied with the task I assigned to him, Sir Levine,” singit ni Mr. Govert, pero ang tingin ay nasa walang hiya kong Ama.

Father simply nodded and gave me a cold stare. In response, I met his gaze with equal emotional detachment.

“Come with me to my office. We have something important to discuss,” my father said, removing his hand from Emma's waist, his promiscuous mistress.

“Honey, hindi ba kasama si Liam sa mahalaga niyong pag uusapan? Anak mo rin naman si Liam sa akin.” Emma interrupted our movement.

I observed Emma come to a halt as she was blocked by two of my father's henchmen. My father glanced at me once more, signaling for me to follow him.

As we approached my father's office, I noticed two henchmen standing guard. As we drew nearer, they briefly glanced at me and nodded subtly, almost imperceptibly.

It appears that both of them are on my side.

After they opened the door for us, my father remained silent until they closed the door behind us.

“Let's take a seat first,” my father said, taking a seat ahead of me. I positioned myself to face him and sat down as well.

“What's going on? You already have plenty of guests. Aren't you going to attend to them?” I asked, although I anticipated this would occur.

“Pwede nilang simulan ang party kahit wala ako, mas importante na pag-usapan natin ito na alam kong interesado ka rin.” he responded with a repulsive smile on his face.

“What do I desire?” I asked, simultaneously expressing my astonishment as I provided the answer.

He crossed his legs and reclined on the sofa. “To become the leader of the Vipers Gang, am I mistaken?”

I chuckled softly at my father, who was mocking me. “Perhaps I do have an interest in that, but I'm not the only one seeking influence. There will be a vote between Liam and me, and they will decide whom they will serve.”

My composure wavered as my father suddenly burst into a loud laughter, treating the person he was conversing with as if they had no intelligence, even though, in reality, that was how he perceived things, driven by his own beliefs.

“Their vote? Let me tell you something. What good is it to be a leader if I don't exercise my power? Their votes are irrelevant if I choose someone whom I believe can withstand my ruthlessness,” he explained, casting a cold gaze upon me. “Ace Zion Levine, did you inherit your foolishness from your deranged mother? As the bearer of our family name, you should not bring shame upon me.”

“Then why are you sharing this with me?” I inquired.

“I want you to become the leader of our organization, but there is one condition you must fulfill,” he explained, placing a document regarding the succession of the next leader on the marble table. “Between you and Liam, I see greater potential in you to assume the role of the next leader. I see a reflection of myself in you, and I can confidently say that we share the same blood and flesh.”

Perhaps he is correct that we are connected by blood, and maybe he truly sees a resemblance of himself in me. That is precisely why tonight, his life will meet its end at the hands of his own flesh and blood.

As I was about to voice my opposition, there was a knock on the door. I glanced at my father, who was glaring while fixating on the door, and then turned to Knox, my secretary, with a questioning look, silently asking for an explanation.

Knox approached the door and faced us with a cold expression. “I apologize if I am interrupting your conversation, but while you both were engrossed in your discussion, I thought of bringing some wine to alleviate any boredom.”

I understood the signal Knox was conveying, and I gazed at my father with a smile. “Knox has brought a gift for you, Father. I'm certain you will appreciate it.”