Chapter 2

Charles walked behind Frank and kicked him in the back.

Frank stumbled forward and landed flat on his face. He immediately turned around and glared at Charles.

“You fucking kicked me?”

Charles said nothing. He slammed another fist into Frank’s face.

Frank covered his face and curled up in the corner. “You—you fucking hit me!”

Charles grabbed him by the collar.

“That’s exactly what I did. Frank, I gave you your position, and I can take it away whenever I want!”

Frank’s face twisted viciously.

“Are you fucking dreaming?”

Everyone in Rivergate who had once acted submissively in front of Charles now desperately wanted Horizon Group to collapse as soon as possible.

It was not because Charles was unpopular. Those businessmen simply could not accept an orphan ranking above them.

They had never respected Charles. They only bowed to him because of Horizon Group’s status.

A cold smile appeared at the corner of Charles’ mouth. “Frank, when you come crawling back to beg me, make sure you beg properly.”

Frank roared, “You can’t even protect Horizon Group, yet you still think you can scare me? There won’t be anywhere left for you in Rivergate. You’re going to end up in a miserable state!”

Charles shoved Frank away and strode out.

Frank’s expression turned vicious.

“I’ll tear down your orphanage! I’ll make sure you end up a stray mutt living on the streets!”

Long Chime Street.

It was the only old street in central Rivergate that had not been demolished and redeveloped.

Charles grew up there, so no real estate company had dared touch it.

However, many people had their eyes on it now.

The day Horizon Group went bankrupt would be the day construction began on Long Chime Street.

Charles returned to his room at Hope Haven Orphanage, a place filled with childhood memories.

His expression was dark.

Just then, the door opened.

Charles quickly rose and helped the person who entered.

“Mary.”

Mary Lee was the most important woman in Charles’ life. She was the director of Hope Haven Orphanage, and Charles grew up under her care.

Mary said, “I received a lot of calls just now.”

She trembled all over, clearly terrified.

Charles said, “Mary, don’t worry about whatever they said. As long as I’m here, no one can tear this place down.

“This is my home. No one has the right to touch it.”

Mary suddenly fell to her knees, her face deathly pale.

Charles stood frozen as though he had been struck by lightning.

Mary was like a mother to him. He could never allow someone like her to kneel on the floor.

“Mary, get up. Please, get up!”

Mary cried, “Charles, you should leave. You’ve already done more than enough for the orphanage.

“I can’t drag you down with me. You’re the orphanage’s most accomplished child. You shouldn’t end up like this.

“This is all my fault. If I hadn’t urged you to marry Sophia, none of this would have happened.”

Sophia had worked hard to win Charles over back then. She had put on such a convincing act in front of Mary that Mary believed Sophia truly loved him.

Tears streamed down Mary’s face as she blamed herself.

Charles quickly knelt on the floor as well, a tremendous fury surging through him.

“Those beasts are threatening even an elderly woman! Mary, I won’t spare a single person who called you.

“Trust me. As long as I’m here, no one can touch a single brick of the orphanage.

“The Rivergate business world is about to face a complete purge, and I’ll still be the one in control.”

Mary shook her head. “Leave Rivergate. You’re capable of making a comeback somewhere else. Listen to me and leave today.”

Charles saw the panic in Mary’s eyes and knew that her concern for him had surpassed everything else. He had to put her mind at ease, or she would be unable to eat or sleep.

At Mary’s age, poor sleep and inadequate meals could seriously harm her health. Charles did not want to see that happen.

“Mary, have you heard of Kingston Industries?”

Mary instinctively nodded.

Kingston Industries’ position in Rivergate was gradually beginning to surpass that of Horizon Group. Mary did not know much about the business world, but even she knew how powerful Kingston Industries was.

“Actually, I’m the owner behind Kingston Industries.”

Mary’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Charles.

“You… You’re not joking with me, are you?”

Charles smiled. “Why would I joke about something like this? I started preparing the moment Sophia began making a fuss about joining Horizon Group.

“I knew she never married me for love. She only wanted my money and status. I founded Kingston Industries for this very day!”

Sophia was not the only one who would pay the price. Everyone who secretly looked down on Charles would pay for it too.

Mary stood rooted to the spot. Without her encouragement, Charles’ marriage would never have happened.

Charles had done all this because he listened to her.

Mary said, “It’s all my fault for falling for her act. Alice was always the good one. It’s a shame I was blinded back then.”

At that moment, the sound of high heels echoed from outside and drew closer.

When the door opened, a graceful woman in a long dress walked straight up to Charles and handed him a document.

Speak of the devil.

Charles asked in confusion, “Alice, what’s this?”

Alice Oliver said, “I sold my advertising agency. I’m willing to help you. Let’s leave Rivergate together. As long as you have money, your abilities will be enough to help you make a comeback.”

Charles froze. He had never expected Alice to do something like this.

Although Alice’s advertising agency was not worth much, it was still the business she had built through years of hard work. Yet she sold it without hesitation!

Charles frowned. “Why are you helping me? Don’t tell me you want me to marry you in return?”

Alice nodded without hesitation. “If that’s possible, even better.”

Charles was left utterly helpless. He had merely said it in passing, yet Alice had treated it as a serious proposal.

“I’m a married man.”

“Once Horizon Group goes bankrupt, your marriage will be over.”

Charles rubbed the tip of his nose. “But I’m not interested in you.”

Alice’s face instantly flushed. Tears glistened in her eyes, on the verge of spilling over.

Alice composed herself, took a deep breath, and said, “The fact that you’re not interested in me doesn’t change the fact that I’m willing to help you. Leaving Rivergate is your only choice.”

Charles shook his head. “No. I have another choice—to silence every doubter and rebuild Rivergate’s business world!”

With that, Charles turned and walked away.