AN UNDERSTATED POWER

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Seraphina walked to her car, her phone pressed tightly against her ear.

A satisfied smile clearly marked her face.

“Everything is going according to plan, Father,” she said, her voice sweet but laced with mockery.

“Max really can’t do anything. He didn’t event resist.”

Darrus Hayes’s deep voice sounded pleased.

“Good. Of course, he didn’t resist. What could an orphan do?”

Seraphina chuckled softly.

“He actually believes that Morow State can’t function without him. Truly, it’s pathetic.”

Darrus nodded, though it was only heard through the phone.

“What a foolish man!”

He continued, “Dominic Lancaster will arrive tonight. I want you to pick him up at the airport and make sure everything goes smoothly.”

“We’ll celebrate this big step. Morow State will soon be under our control.”

Seraphina smiled, proud of the task at hand.

“Of course, Father. I’ll make sure erverything is perfect.”

Darrus continued, his voice filled with ambition.

“The Lancaster family is the most influential in the capital, with vast connections and unmatched power. When you marry him, you’ll be at the top.”

Seraphina stared into the dark night, her proud smile widening.

“Yeah, if I marry Dominic, our future will be bright. I’ll be at the top of everything!”

***

Meanwhile, at the Morow police station.

After the police car stopped at the station, Max calmly stepped out of the car and walked toward the building's entrance without looking back.

His steps were steady, as if he was someone completely sure of his purpose.

The two officers following him were stunned by his demeanor.

One of them whispered, "What is he doing? Why is he so calm?"

The other officer nodded.

"He doesn’t look like a criminal. He looks like... a leader walking into his own office."

Once inside the police station, Max sat down calmly in a chair.

Without hesitation, he said, "I would like to meet with Chief Raul."

The two junior officers exchanged complicated glances.

“What makes you think a criminal like you deserves to meet our chief?”

They were shocked by Max's request.

How on earth could he feel entitled to order them to meet the head of police?

"He should be begging for mercy, not giving orders," one of the officers mumbled in disgust.

The officers didn’t move.

Why would they listen to a criminal?

Max knew what was going on in their heads but he wasn’t at all bothered.

Instead, he said in a casual tone.

"Whether you call the head of police or not doesn’t matter to me."

Calmly, Max took out his phone.

"But trust me, it will make a big difference for you if I called."

His words, although short and simple, created a heavy pressure on the junior officers.

They felt uneasy, and after hesitating for a second, one of the officers quickly rushed out.

Obiviously to call the head of police.

One minute later, Chief Raul arrived in a hurry, his eyes fixed on Max, who was sitting calmly in the lobby chair.

Upon seeing Max, Raul felt a cold shiver run down his spine.

He couldn’t avoid remembering the undercover operation that involved Max some time ago.

In Adoona, a remote town in Morow State, Max had infiltrated the dangerous Medellin Cartel drug trade operation.

The town was known for being hostile, and many undercover agents had lost their lives there.

However, Max not only emerged unscathed, but also managed to transform the entire town into a profitable, legitimate place, with many legal businesses thriving.

He even saved numerous badly wounded undercover agents.

This extraordinary feat had left everyone in the Morow State Police Department, from senior to mid-level officials, in awe of Max’s methods, which were considered almost miraculous.

But now, in front of him, Raul was confused.

How could someone as extraordinary as Max suddenly appear at this police station?

Raul approached Max with steady, respectful steps, his face serious.

"Mr. Maxmillian Knight, it’s a pleasure to meet you again. Is there anything I can assist you with, Sir?"

Raul said, his voice full of respect, even bowing slightly.

The two junior officers following him were stunned by the very different demeanor.

They had never seen Chief Raul show such respect to anyone.

This made the two junior officers exchange nervous looks.

They couldn’t understand why Raul, their superior, the head of police, would treat Max, a prisoner-to-be, with such respect?