Darwin’s cries filled the ward, echoing off the walls as he crawled backward, desperate. “Please… spare me! I—I’ll do anything! Don’t—don’t hurt me anymore!” Charles didn’t flinch. His eyes were ice. “How dare you drag my name into your mess?” he shouted, each word slamming into Darwin like a hammer. “Just because I took you as my subordinate doesn’t mean you get to shit on my reputation!” Before Darwin could respond, Charles stomped down, his polished shoe connecting with Darwin’s back like a hammer on rotten wood. Darwin shrieked, curling in pain, sweat and fear mingling on his face. He was confused. Why wasn’t the Emperor punishing Arthur? Why was he the one getting crushed? He had only tried to protect his son, to get revenge! His mind raced, panic drowning him. Around the ward, every eye was on the unfolding nightmare. Staff recoiled, jaws tight, breaths shallow. Their eyes flicked nervously to Arthur, whose calm figure towered nearby, hands tucked casually in his pockets, ex

Charles’ hesitation vanished at once. He straightened, gave Arthur a deep bow, and stopped walking. “Yes, sir,” he said without a shred of reluctance. Arthur continued forward without looking back. He stepped out of the hospital, leaving the aftermath of his chaos behind and heading home. At the edge of the parking lot, Christine followed him, but Arthur knew it was nothing more than curiosity, so he dismissed it. She could speculate all she wanted—Christine wouldn’t find so much as a pin on him, even if she tried. Until he drove out of the premises, Christine’s eyes remained glued to his car. What are you hiding, Arthur Price? How did you suddenly become so powerful? Christine watched him disappear down the road, her thoughts unsettled. … Arthur arrived home past midnight. On the way back, he stopped to shop a few times, making use of the card before it expired. Afterward, he went straight to his room. The moment he dropped onto the bed, his phone suddenly pinged. Arthur

The moment the Guild Boost notification appeared, the atmosphere shifted.It was subtle—but lethal.On the rival streamer’s side, a new golden emblem bloomed beside her username. The interface darkened briefly, then flared back to life with sharper colors, louder effects, and a rapidly accelerating donation multiplier.Beatrice’s chat caught it instantly.>Guild Boost?!>That’s unfair—she called her guild already?!>Those are whales… real whales…Arthur’s eyes narrowed in interest.“So that’s the play,” he murmured.On-screen, the rival streamer—Mixty Z—smiled again. This was the last stage for her to win the prize event, and she wasn't going to let a no name girl like Beatrice take up that spot. Mixty Z had been planning this for months. Even going as far as asking her family to borrow funds, disgusting themselves as her fans just so she could win. “Looks like things are getting serious,” she said sweetly, her voice carrying clearly across the split screen. “Don’t worry, Beatrice.

Wanda—Mixty Z to the outside world—was surrounded.Not by fans.Not by flashing lights.But by faces that demanded answers.Her father sat stiffly on the worn leather sofa, hands clasped together as though praying. Her younger brother lounged nearby, pretending calm, though his knee bounced uncontrollably. Across from them stood the platform agent, arms crossed, expression sharp and exhausted.Money had been poured into Wanda’s name. Borrowed money. Promised money. Money taken from people who had believed the story she sold them—that she was on the brink of becoming untouchable.Now the room reeked of regret.“So,” the agent said flatly, breaking the silence. “What’s the plan?”Wanda laughed—short, bitter, unhinged. “Plan?”She dragged a hand through her hair, pacing. “Do I look like someone who lost? The system glitched. That freak just cheated.”Her brother opened his mouth. “But sis, the prize—”“SHUT UP!” Wanda snapped, whirling on him. “Do you think I don’t know? Do you think I’m

As Promised, Arthur pulled up in the nearest hospital miles down from the town.He guided Hamas and Cherry through the hospital doors, their bodies tense, shoulders hunched over, and looking out of place. The nurses turned toward them immediately, expressions wary. The siblings’ ragged clothes and wary eyes didn’t help—they stared at Arthur like he was some stranger who had kidnapped them.“W-we’re not hurt,” Hamas blurted, face burning red. “He’s… he’s our guardian—”The nurses exchanged uncertain glances. No one moved to stop him, but their suspicion lingered like a shadow.Arthur ignored it completely. He didn’t say a word. He simply walked with them to a small consultation room. Cherry’s little fingers curled nervously into her brother’s sleeve. Hamas muttered assurances repeatedly, trying to convince the staff, but the nurses only shook their heads.Finally, one sighed. “We’ll check you quickly, but if there’s anything suspicious, we call security.”Hamas nodded fervently, relie