Chapter 1 A Viper Comes

"Swyland Bank's loan hasn't been approved yet." Joseph Sawyer, the eldest son of the Sawyers, was sporting bloodshot eyes. His usual confidence that stemmed from being a financial bigshot was gone.

Irene Sawyer, the daughter, kicked her heels aside and massaged her forehead. She was exhausted as she muttered wearily, "The seven largest local banks refuse to take our calls. Our cash flow has gone to dust."

The Sawyers were one of the many families in Imperia's elite circle, but they were currently facing impending doom. I was curled up on a couch in the living room, scooping out the sweetest part of a sliced watermelon.

Jonathan was right beside me, carefully wiping the corners of my mouth. "Slow down."

He was the black sheep in a family of Icy League graduates and managers of multibillion-dollar projects. He was a prodigal son who cared about decadence, not success. I was one of his situationships, and I was the one who leeched off money the most.

I spent every single moment talking about money with him. To these elites, I was just their youngest son's plaything. I didn't mind. After all, they had no idea that I never let the wealth I gathered sleep in my account.

Instead, I had a penchant for tapping into my connections and amassing more wealth through various means.

Truth be told, Jonathan was just one of my sources of wealth.

Joseph couldn't take it anymore. He slammed his tablet on the coffee table and barked, "This isn't the time for you to be flirting around, Jonathan!"

Jonathan nearly jumped out of his skin as he pulled me behind him. "I don't even know how to run the business, man. So, why are you shouting at me?"

Irene sneered. "You might not know a thing, but you should know enough that the family's going to go bust! All your pretty little playthings have scurried away.

"The butler just told us that Melissa's desperately trying to sell the luxury condo you gave her, and that was just half an hour ago. I bet Felicia is only staying because she's trying to see if she can wring every last drop she could out of us right up to the last second.

"I can't believe you think she's that great."

Jonathan retorted matter-of-factly, "At least she stayed, unlike everyone else. The fact that she has means she really does love me. So what if she's also a gold digger? It just means she could've gone for any other rich guy!"

Joseph couldn't help but feel that his head was about to explode upon hearing those words. He was about to whoop Jonathan silly when a loud screech stopped him in his tracks.

A car had skidded to a halt.

Their butler, Boris, staggered in, and his face was white as he gasped, "Mr. Sawyer, Mr. Joseph, Ms. Irene, it's Zack Hempson! He's here."

The look on Jonathan and Irene's faces changed. Philip rocketed up from his seat, nearly losing his bearing in his haste.

The bodyguards unceremoniously flung the door wide open.

Soon, a man in a custom-made suit came in. Zack Hempson was a viper among capitalists and had seen a meteoric rise lately. He was cruel, ruthless, and showed no mercy to anyone who dared to get in his way.

"I hope you're doing well, Mr. Sawyer." A sardonic smile curled his lips as he swept his gaze across the Sawyers before him. A lawyer in a suit followed him, carrying a heavy suitcase.

"What are you doing here?" Jonathan stepped up and shielded Philip. "Get out! You're not welcome here!"

Zack snickered. It was obvious that he didn't even see Jonathan as a threat. Instead, he went to the main couch and made himself comfortable. The man even crossed his legs and acted like he owned the place as he drawled, "Temper, temper."

Then, he took a file from his lawyer and tossed it onto the coffee table.

He pointed at the file. "I'm offering you a lifeline. That's a share transfer agreement. Sign the papers, and your family walks away safely."

He paused as the look in his eyes darkened before continuing, "If you don't, then Sawyer Group is history come morning."