While Steven sent his assistants across the city like chess pieces to oversee his growing empire, tension brewed within the walls of the White family estate.
Inside the grand hall, Arnold stood trembling before his father and the gathered elders. The atmosphere was heavy with judgment. Then—CRACK!—a loud slap echoed through the room.
"You imbecile!" roared Mr. White. "You can't even handle a single task properly. You're utterly useless!"
Arnold clutched his cheek, red and stinging. His father wasn't finished.
"Two weeks ago, you swaggered into Sky Pearl and caused a scandal! You made a reckless bet, racked up a half-million-dollar bill, and then fled like a coward. Were you eating gold?! Not only did you disgrace yourself, but you dragged the White family name through the mud!"
Arnold opened his mouth to speak, but another roar silenced him.
"Do you think you're invincible? You walk around your school like a king, clueless that there are others with status equal—or superior—to ours. Leon, that bratLeon—do you even know who he is? He may look poor, but his father is the Kingpin of Charlestown's underworld. And Veronica, you fool! Her parents may not hold much sway, but her grandfather? He's one of the most powerful men in the state! "
The room fell into stunned silence.
"Do you understand what could've happened if his precious granddaughter had been caught up in your idiocy? You think we'd be having a conversation right now? You'd be lucky to be breathing."
Arnold shifted uncomfortably. "Dad, it wasn't my fault. It was all that bastard Steven's doing!"
Mr. White narrowed his eyes. "Steven? The same boy you mockingly call a bastard? He's already a CEO. At your age, he's running companies—you're running from your responsibilities."
"But... he just got lucky. How was I supposed to know—"
"That's exactly the problem!" his father barked. "You know nothing! If you remain this ignorant, how will you ever compete with your rivals? Steven may be flashy with his CEO title, but the true power isn't him. It's his COO—Alex. That man came out of nowhere. No background, no connections—just results. He moves like a ghost."
Arnold blinked, confused. "So Steven's not the real boss?"
"Exactly. He's just the face. A puppet, for all we know."
Arnold leaned forward, trying to absorb it all. "But... he's getting close to Veronica. He's using his CEO title to impress her."
"You fool!" Mr. White exploded. "Didn't I just say Veronica is her grandfather's favorite? Do you understand what that means? No one touches her without consequences. Let Steven play his little games. If he steps out of line, someone will make him disappear."
Arnold gave a weak nod and tried to rise—but SMACK! Another slap brought him back to the floor.
"Who said you could stand?" his father growled. "I'm not done!"
He took a step forward, voice cold now. "You've embarrassed this family enough. That school trip? I arranged it to salvage your reputation. And what did you do? You ruined it."
"You picked horseback riding of all things! Why? To support your friend's dying business? What were you thinking? You could've organized a mountain trek, a visit to the waterfalls, or even taken them to the Silverline Circuit to enjoy a car race. But no—you had to pick the worst possible option."
He threw his hands in the air. "And then? You caused a disaster while riding! Who punches a horse to make it run?! Are you brain-dead?"
Arnold looked down, ashamed. His father's words were slicing deeper than any blow.
"Do you know how much I had to pay to settle with that girl, Lisa? Half a million dollars. Half a million, all to cover your stupidity."
The room fell into silence. The elders sat with stern faces, their disapproval thicker than the air itself.
Then Mr. White lowered his voice, making it even more ominous.
"Now listen, boy—and listen well. Things are shifting in this city. Three of the largest companies just changed ownership overnight. We still don't know who bought them. Same with Rosewood Hotel and the Sky Pearl Club."
Arnold looked up, eyes wide.
"Whoever they are," Mr. White continued, "they're powerful—and they're staying in the shadows. That makes them dangerous. If you, in your arrogance, offend any one of them… it might be the end of the White family."
His words hung in the air like a death sentence.
"So for once in your life, stay low. Don't play stupid games. Don't provoke anyone. Don't try to act smart. Because if you anger the wrong person—if you cross someone operating from the shadows—you won't even see the blade before it falls."
Arnold's throat was dry. He nodded again, not daring to speak.