....
Going back a week ago, in a different city one that Max still didn't visit.
The Wood family had always been a sharp-edged dynasty, built on a foundation of ambition, legacy, and ruthless business acumen. Bruce Wood, patriarch of the family and the leader of SFLH, was a man of patience and precision, much like a seasoned samurai.
His life was dedicated to the growth of the company, forging alliances, and maintaining an air of stability, even in the face of turbulence.
Despite his stoic demeanor, Bruce's love for his family ran deep, though he often struggled to show it in ways that his daughter, Amelia, understood.
Amelia, however, was a far cry from the disciplined heir that Bruce had envisioned. In a world of privilege and luxury, she had become spoiled, arrogant, and detached from the reality her father navigated daily.
Her world revolved around beauty, status, and entitlement, qualities that, over time, mutated into a venomous entitlement, thankfully he had a counter measure which was Kevin, he wanted this young powerhouse to take care of her, but it all back fired.
In the wake of her kidnapping and the brutal loss of Kevin, Amelia's already fragile mind crumbled. She blamed Charles, her cousin and fellow heir to the Wood family throne, for Kevin's death, unable to comprehend the bigger picture. Her grief fueled a hatred that she directed indiscriminately.
Charles, on the other hand, was a vibrant, volatile figure, a third rate villain with ambitions that far outweighed his talents.
Where Bruce had cultivated patience and reserve, Charles thrived in chaos. His actions were always swift and decisive, a reflection of his personality, undisciplined but alive, filled with a restless hunger for power and influence.
Unlike Bruce, who believed in legacy and the family name, Charles lived in the moment, always looking for the quickest way to seize what he wanted, even if it meant betraying his own blood.
He wasn't always this extreme, it was after the kidnapping ordeal that had rattled the Wood family to its core, that he changed.
....
Bruce was shaken by the ordeal, but he quickly got back to work, trying to stabilize what was left of the family and the company.
But in the background, Jason, his younger brother, and Charles were already plotting their next move, capitalizing on Bruce's vulnerabilities.
The company's future was at stake, and with Amelia becoming increasingly hostile and irrational, the family was no longer a cohesive unit. Instead, it was a battlefield.
....
Bruce sat in his office, the pale light filtering in from the window, casting shadows on the polished wood floors. His mind was focused on the company's future, But there was a storm brewing, one that he could not control.
The door to his office opened, and Amelia stepped in, her presence sharp and unsettling. Gone was the young girl who once sought his approval. In her place stood a woman with venom in her eyes, an entitled smirk on her lips, and a broken heart filled with hate.
"Father," she began, her voice dripping with disdain. "I know you're busy, but I think it's time we talk about Charles. He's the one to blame for Kevin's death. And you're still siding with him."
Bruce closed his eyes for a moment, the weight of her words sinking in. He had always known Amelia had a rebellious streak, but this was different. This was a poisoned mindset, one that wouldn't heal with time.
"Amelia," Bruce said softly, "You don't understand the bigger picture. Charles didn't kill Kevin."
"Then who did?" she spat, her face contorted with anger. " You're blinded father. "
She took a step closer, her voice rising with each word. "I'm not going to stand by and let his walks freely. He's nothing but a spoiled brat, a coward. You're turning a blind eye because you're too weak to face the truth. If you won't see it, then I'll have to take matters into my own hands."
Bruce stood, his hand steady as he gripped the arm of his chair. He looked at his daughter, his eyes hardening.
Before he could respond, Charles entered the room, his figure lithe and agile, his smirk mischievous. He had overheard the conversation and sensed the tension in the air.
"uncle, Amelia," he greeted, his voice light, almost playful. "How are we today? Getting a little too caught up in emotions, aren't we?"
Amelia's eyes narrowed, and she glared at her cousin. "Don't talk to me like you're some saint, Charles. You killed Kevin, and now you think you can just waltz in here like everything's fine."
Charles chuckled, an amused glint in his eye. He wasn't intimidated by Amelia's anger; instead, he thrived in it.
"Oh, Amelia, always so dramatic. Kevin was a casualty in something I like to call the strong one's whims, nothing more. You should learn to accept it, like the rest of us."
Amelia lunged at him, but Bruce stepped forward, raising his hand. "Enough."
There was silence, a long, uncomfortable pause. Charles didn't back down; instead, he stood his ground, his posture bold and defiant. "Amelia, you don't understand what this family needs. We need to move forward. You're too busy holding onto the past." He smirked, "Let go of the weight, and you'll see. It's time for you to accept that I'm the future of this company."
Amelia's fury was palpable.
"You think you're so much better than me, don't you, Charles?" she seethed. "Well, you'll see. You'll all see that I'm not the fool. You're the ones who are blind!"
Her words echoed in the room as she stormed out, leaving the two men behind in an eerie silence.
....
Now alone, Bruce and Charles stood facing each other.
"It's over, Bruce," Charles said, his voice casual but with a steel edge. "I'm taking over this company. Your legacy ends here."
Bruce's eyes hardened. "Not if I can stop it."
But it was already too late. Jason had already positioned his forces, and the corporate world was a battlefield where loyalty was scarce. Charles and his father moved swiftly, exploiting every weakness.
...
As the battle for the company reached its boiling point, Charles stood victorious. With his father's help He had outmaneuvered his uncle, although it wasn't too difficult because of his pig teammate;Amelia.
With the company now in his hands, he stood alone, his father stepping back, his cousin a distant memory of what could have been.
...
As Charles reclined in his office chair, savoring the sweet victory of his recent corporate coup, his phone buzzed. The screen displayed a bizarre number: 00X0.
Curiosity got the better of him. He picked up.
"Hello?"
"Charles," came a familiar voice on the other end. "It's Max. How's the company?"
Charles froze. Then exhilaration hit him like a sugar rush.
"I took over completely! Though, uh… I might've had to bend the truth here and there."
Max was slightly surprised, he didn't expect that Charles would actually pull it off, when he made the suggestion for cooperation it was merely a blind shot, just now he had called with the intention to give Charles a helping hand.
"I see. Well, I knew my blind trust in you wasn't wasted, you didn't disappoint me, Charles. Color me impressed."
Charles beamed, but his grin faltered as he recalled the minor hiccup in his plans.
"Thanks, boss… but we've got a tiny problem."
Max's tone grew sharp.
"What kind of 'tiny problem'?"
"Well, uh… when I was taking over, I prioritized speed over… sustainability. So, I may have told a rival company that we're backed by a B-rank powerhouse."
Max's eyebrow twitched. "A B-rank? You? Charles, you're barely powerful enough to operate a vending machine."
Charles winced.
"I know! I know! But, uh, the rival company does have an actual B-rank on their side, and now they're demanding a meeting, with our B-rank. In a few days. Help?"
Max was silent for a beat.
"I see... That's manageable. Give me their B-rank's information and location, and I'll blow them up. You handle the aftermath."
Charles blinked, then nodded frantically, even though Max couldn't see him.
"Of course! No problem, boss. Backlash? I can totally handle that. No exploding for me, thanks."
Handling backlash was far more appealing than being smithing to death by a B-rank so he would have to manage.
"Good," Max continued, his tone all business now. "Send me your bank account details. I'll add funds gradually and slowly don't question is source and make sure the bank is one that you somewhat trust.
And I need you to Expand the business into new markets, I want access to everything from equipment to skills.
And one more thing: change the company name to Pip."
Charles scribbled notes furiously.
"Pip? Uh… what does that stand for?"
"It's my family name. Start working immediately."
"Got it, boss. Pip it is. Pip Global industry, "
Hanging up, Charles leaned back in his chair, muttering to himself.
"Pip… Sounds like a fruit. Well, whatever. Time to call a company meeting."
As he stood up to leave, he couldn't help but smirk.
"At least I won't get deleted by that B-rank."