Cris stepped behind Max with a playful grin. "I'll just watch from here," he quipped, waving a hand in mock surrender. "Combat's not really my thing."Max scanned the room, his gaze sharp and unyielding. "Last warning," he said, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority. "Put down your weapons."But Mr. Alonzo wasn't one to back down. He smirked, a wicked glint in his eyes. "Hurt us? How can you hurt us when you'll be dead in seconds?" Raising his hand, he gave the signal. "Fire."The room erupted into chaos as gunfire filled the air. Bullets sped toward Max and Cris, their path deadly and precise. Rick, still hiding behind the post, watched in horror. "What the hell am I doing here?" he muttered under his breath, cursing himself for getting involved. He shut his eyes tightly, convinced it was over for Max and Cris.Dust and smoke clouded the area where Max and Cris had stood, the ground trembling under the force of the barrage. Mr. Alonzo let out a triumphant laugh, raising

The butler's lips trembled, his desperation evident. He glanced toward Ms. Irene, as though seeking her permission or protection, but she offered neither. Instead, her face had turned pale, her carefully constructed facade crumbling by the second. "I... I don't know his real name," the butler stammered finally, his voice barely above a whisper. Max arched a brow, unimpressed. "Then what do you call him?" As the butler began to speak, his voice trembled with fear. "They call him The Chemist," he admitted, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "He's the one who developed the formula. We—Ms. Irene and I—just handle distribution."Ms. Irene visibly flinched at being implicated but didn't immediately deny it. Max's sharp eyes shifted to her."So, Ms. Irene," he said smoothly, "you're not just the face of this operation—you're a key part of it. Where is The Chemist now?""I... I don't know!" she blurted out, panic rising in her voice. "He only contacts us when he wants to deliver the ne

Olongapo CityMax sat on the terrace of a luxurious suite, observing the vibrant life of the city below. Neon lights flickered, and the constant buzz of traffic and nightlife filled the air. After resolving the counterfeit drug issue, Max's family had returned to San Fernando. But a message from Leon about the Dark Hood Organization had drawn him to Olongapo.Before leaving, Max told Alexa he was traveling to expand their business. Alexa, understanding Max's dedication, didn't ask too many questions. Before departing, Max instructed Robert to bolster the security detail around her and to report anything unusual immediately.His phone buzzed on the table. He picked it up and saw Leon's name on the screen. Answering the call, Max spoke casually."Leon.""Max," Leon replied in an easy tone. "Everything's set. I've got everything you need lined up. How's the city treating you?""Same as always. Loud and crowded," Max said, leaning back in his chair. "Why, you planning a visit?"Leon chuck

As the three approached, Waren stepped forward, his sharp gaze locking onto Max before curling into a confident grin. He greeted Rose and Lily with a casual nod."Rose, Lily," he said smoothly, his tone friendly yet laced with arrogance. His eyes shifted to Max, sizing him up. "And who's this?"Rose answered, her voice polite but firm. "This is Max. He's a transfer student."Waren nodded, his gaze lingering on Max. "Transfer student, huh?" he muttered. Then, turning his attention back to Rose, he asked, "Have you registered for the sports fest yet?"Rose nodded. "I did earlier. It's going to be three teams competing this year, right?"Waren's grin widened at the mention of additional competition. "Three teams, huh? Doesn't matter who they are," he said with a cocky laugh. "I'll crush them all, same as always."To emphasize his confidence, Waren suddenly executed a spinning kick, the sound of his foot slicing through the air echoing in the gym. The display was sharp and precise, making

Max, Rose, and Lily returned to their classroom for their next lecture. The students filed in, taking their seats, while Max casually walked to his desk, drawing subtle glances from almost everyone.As the professor prepared to start the lesson, a few of their classmates approached Max, their curiosity evident."Hey, Max," one girl began, shyly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Where did you transfer from?"Max looked up, his expression calm yet inviting. "A small town in the province," he replied with an easy smile.Another girl chimed in, her cheeks slightly pink. "Is it true you're on a scholarship? That must mean you're really smart!"Max chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I just try my best, that's all."The casual humility in his voice only seemed to endear him further to the girls, who exchanged excited whispers as they walked back to their seats, their faces flushed and hearts racing.Meanwhile, Lily slumped in her seat, her chin resting on her hand. She glanced at Ma