Chapter 1

“Marvin Rock! You’re paroled today. Get out, fast!” shouted a guard in front of one of the cell blocks.

Hearing that, Marvin was utterly shocked. Wasn't he supposed to serve two more years of his sentence? He stood up, then slowly walked past a dozen other inmates crammed into the ten-by-twelve-foot room.

The sweltering, stuffy air mixed with their body odor, making his nose itch intensely and his lungs feel tight. For the very last time, Marvin inhaled the utterly repulsive stench of the prison.

Upon arriving in a closed room, Marvin spoke in private solely with his younger brother. Harven Rockwell wore a deeply solemn expression and said earnestly, “Brother, the terrorism charges were nothing but a frame-up. The court proved that your invention is fuel, not a weapon of mass destruction.”

For months, Harven had gathered a mountain of evidence to prove in court that his brother was completely innocent. Marvin knew deep down that he was innocent. But who was the one who had made him suffer through this agonizing year?

Harven continued with absolute conviction, “I know both of them. I have solid proof.” Furthermore, Harven dared to expose other secrets that his brother had never known about. During the trial a few days ago, the truth had finally come to light.

However, the lawsuit filed by Harven naming Russel Winston and Raymond Harvard as the conspirators had been rejected by the court. The reason? Simply because the two of them had used money to grease the wheels of the entire process.

Flabbergasted, Marvin’s eyes went wide. It had never crossed his mind that Russel, his own brother-in-law, could have done such a thing. As for Raymond, Marvin certainly knew the young scion of the Harvard family. “I recall that at one time, Raymond was slated to be a candidate for Gennifer Winston’s husband—my wife.”

Harven explained that, in fact, Raymond would soon propose to Gennifer. “This news has been openly delivered by the Harvard family to ours, Brother. Mom and Dad already know.”

What staggering news!

Marvin hailed from the Rock family, residing in Gloriston City, Chemisland. After earning his master's degree, he was recognized by his alma mater and top-tier corporations as a brilliant engineer and scientist. He had racked up numerous achievements during his university days and as a key figure in his own family business.

Although the Rock family wasn't particularly prominent compared to other elite households, they owned Rock Electra, the second-best power plant in Chemisland. On top of that, they had Marvin Rock, the man widely tipped to propel the Rock family into a prominent dynasty across the entire nation.

Marvin’s popularity had captured widespread public attention, particularly from the Winston family. Aside from the genuine love between Marvin and Gennifer Winston, the Winston family clearly wanted to march forward hand-in-hand with the Rock family. Before the wedding, Gennifer’s parents had warmly embraced Marvin’s presence.

Marvin was like a general poised to lead both families to the pinnacle of Chemisland’s energy business competition. The Winston family could be considered middle class, roughly on par with the Rock family. Their business was petroleum, but it was floundering due to poor management.

However, not everyone agreed with the marriage. Russel Winston, the eldest son, would have preferred his youngest sister to marry Raymond, the sole heir of the Harvard family. After all, the Harvard family was the wealthiest dynasty in the entire country. Consequently, bitter resentment toward Marvin had triggered a massive catastrophe.

In his laboratory and factory, Marvin had discovered a new compound he called MR-25, named so because he discovered it at age twenty-five. In his research, MR-25 was intended to serve as a power plant fuel replacing coal and uranium, being far more efficient and environmentally friendly.

The Harvard family was terrified that the Rock family would skyrocket to success because of MR-25. Raymond was, in truth, a loose cannon for his own family. He was ordered by his parents to eliminate Marvin so there would be no formidable competitors in business. Cunning as he was, Raymond leveraged Russel’s presence to execute his mission.

A little over a year ago, they had filed a complaint with the authorities claiming that Marvin was designing a weapon of mass destruction that would endanger the nation. That was why Marvin was imprisoned. Once Marvin suffered and was eventually divorced from Gennifer, Raymond would step in as her husband. If anyone asked whether Raymond did this out of affection for Gennifer? Absolutely not; he was merely obeying his family's wishes.

At the Rock residence, Werner Rockstone was overjoyed to welcome his son home. “Welcome back, my son!”

Every single month over the past year, his parents had faithfully visited him, simply to check on his well-being, bring him food, and ease their longing. Werner and Laura weren't surprised by their son’s gaunt and unkempt appearance, given that prison life offered only the barest of necessities.

An emergency family meeting was called. Werner opened, “There will be a special meeting between the Winston family and the Harvard family. Cunning Russel is exploiting Gennifer just to keep his family’s business afloat.”

SLAM!

Marvin slammed his fist onto the table, overcome with emotion. “I must go to the Winston family’s estate as soon as possible before that proposal takes place.” How could he not be furious? His wife was being used as a pawn by two scheming villains at once.

Raymond was pretending he would marry Gennifer solely to get rid of Marvin. Meanwhile, on the other end, Russel was exploiting his own sister to rescue his failing family business with the help of the Harvard family. Yet they all knew full well that Gennifer was still Marvin’s lawful wife.

Not only that, but the Harvard family was utterly ruthless. For the umpteenth time, Werner offered his testimony, “Marvin, our sphere of operation is constantly being choked off by Harvard Corp. Your brother doesn't fully grasp business management yet. And as for me, growing older and occasionally ailing, I clearly cannot manage things to the fullest.”

Marvin gazed at his father, nodding slowly before replying, “I understand, Dad. Harvard Corp doesn't want any company to surpass them. If they perceive a threat, they will play dirty and stop at nothing.”

Werner snorted with a sneer. “Harvard Corp is even powerful enough to manipulate the government. Once it comes to that, what strength does this single company of ours have left?”

For the longest time, Rock Electra relied on coal from Harvard Corp to fuel its power plants, while Winsoil—the Winston family’s oil enterprise—similarly depended on crude oil supplies from Harvard Corp.

Marvin’s grand dream was to sever all of those dependencies once and for all!

That afternoon, accompanied by his younger brother Harven Rockwell, Marvin Rock visited their family’s power plant in the northernmost district of Gloriston. Behind the plant grounds stretched a vast wilderness as far as the eye could see, all of it owned by the Rock family.

Standing atop a high ridge of land, Marvin swept his gaze across the expanse below and said, “Harven, beneath this very earth lie billions of tons of Glorisium, the core element forming MR-25. I estimate its value to be no less than ten trillion dollars!