Elijah Schwarzenger Rises To Power

0011

Schwarzenger stared at Elijah for a long time, his expression a mixture of confusion and concern as the weight of his son’s rage hung in the air.

“You asked about Benjamin,” he began carefully. “And you also exploded the moment you found out he worked under RIVA. Why, son? What does this man mean to you? You don’t like seeing him in movies?”

Elijah hesitated, his chest rapidly rising and falling. He was worried about how Schwarzenger would react to the truth about Benjamin. “I…” he swallowed hard and then looked up at his father's face. “He’s the reason I went to prison, and his so-called fiancée was my former girlfriend who betrayed me for him.”

Bartho quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “Master Eli, I deeply apologize. Had I known, I would never have spoken his name with such regard. That man doesn’t deserve to breathe in the same room as you. How dare he?"

Elijah waved a hand dismissively, his face remaining expressionless. “It’s fine. You were only speaking from what you knew. I’m sure Ruthila played her role well too—convincing him she loved him just to ride his fame and secure roles for herself. I never suspected she had a taste for power.”

Schwarzenger leaned forward, folding his fingers together. “You know, I promised I’d always interfere in your personal fights if someone ever wronged you. But in this case, I want to give you the right to respond with precise anger and do whatever you wish.”

Elijah’s eyes lit up at those words. He stood up immediately, rounded the long table, and pulled his father into a hug. “Thank you, Mr. Schwarzenger,” he murmured jokingly, his voice cracking slightly. “For trusting me to fight my own battles.”

Schwarzenger grunted fondly. “My job was to build a fortress for you, son, which I’ve already done. Yours is to defend it with all your intellect.” He then raised a hand and discreetly gestured to Bartho, who leaned down quickly. Schwarzenger whispered something into his ear.

Bartho straightened, adjusted his tie, and faced Elijah. “Sir,” he said with reverence, “Sir Lugard will bring you the necessary documents by tomorrow's sunrise. You’ll officially take over as the chief proprietor of the entire Schwarzenger family.”

Elijah’s eyes widened in astonishment. “W-what?!”

Bartho nodded. “Yes, young master. It’s time for you to assume the title of 'Lord Schwarzenger.'”

Without thinking, Elijah leaned in and pressed a grateful kiss to his father’s forehead. “I don’t even know how to thank you,” he breathed, filled with excitement.

Schwarzenger smiled softly and placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. “I’m placing everything in your hands, starting with my public assets lent to the federal government, the hidden shares, and the offshore rights to the legacy. Take this name, son... and carry it higher than I ever could.”

“I will, sir,” Elijah replied firmly, adopting a professional tone. “I promise to make you proud with all my strength.”

With renewed excitement, he returned to his seat, picked up his fork, and devoured his steak like someone who had been starving for months.

Meanwhile, at the lavish duplex in the heart of Kawnar city elite's Ridge, Benjamin Warren reclined shirtless on his California king bed, his toned chest glistening slightly under the amber glow of the overhead chandelier.

Ruthila lay beside him, continuously stiffening her body as the silk robe she wore barely clinged to her shoulder. Benjamin had been slowly inching closer, trying to wrap an arm around her waist. Each time he moved closer, she subtly shifted away.

He noticed and it instantly irritated him. “Babe,” he said in a low, sensual murmur, “are you seriously going to keep acting like I’m invisible tonight and I don't matter?”

Ruthila sighed and sat up sharply, her eyes dark with frustration. “Four good weeks back, you promised me a Rolls-Royce, Benjamin. For our honeymoon. You said it like you're a king that would do anything to spoil his Queen. And then what did I see parked outside this morning? A Toyota. A f**ckin damn Toyota.”

Benjamin rubbed his face and groaned uncomfortably. “I thought we talked about this already.”

“Talked about what? Tell me what we talked about!" she snapped, her chest rising due to anger.

He sat up and leaned back against the headboard, his breathing exasperated. “That the showroom in San Dicevey didn’t realize the remaining Rolls-Royce Spectre was a prototype and not a real retail model. I was even furious, okay? The manager literally fell to his knees begging me to please understand and not sue them.”

Ruthila scoffed and rolled her eyes, not willing to take Benjamin's flimsy excuses. “That doesn’t justify you driving home in a random Toyota this morning! I don't give a F about how expensive it was. I'm Benjamin Warren's wife to be. I shouldn't be humiliated like that. You should have tried another showroom. There’s one in SouthRiver and in the capital, San Futuro…”

Benjamin interrupted, telling a smooth lie. “They did not have. The manager even had to put a call through to both showrooms, and guess what? Neither of them had it. It turns out only his showroom had the Spectre in the entire country, and even that was a dummy. It was just... a promo thing.”

Ruthila folded her arms across her chest, her bottom lip jutting out slightly in a pouty style. “Still doesn’t mean I should be in a Toyota.”

Benjamin leaned in, his lips brushing her ear gently. “Guess what…” he whispered.

She groaned. “What now, Ben? I’m not in the mood to guess anything!"

“Come on,” he teased. “Just guess. This is something that’ll make your day. Hell.. it might make your whole year.”

Ruthila's eyes narrowed as she glanced at him, a greedy little smirk forming on her lips. “You’re finally buying us the Rolls-Royce?”

Benjamin chuckled and kissed the corner of her jaw. “No. But it’s bigger than that.”

“Then say it already. I don't care!"

“You know the biggest box office hit RIVA Entertainment’s been prepping for the past year?” he said, eyes gleaming with excitement.

She tilted her head as she tried to remember. "The one they named you lead actor for?”

Benjamin nodded proudly. “Yes, that one. And guess what? I’m pushing for you to be the lead actress beside me.”

Ruthila’s breath caught in her throat and she immediately turned to face him fully now, her excitement battling her earlier disappointment. “You’re serious?”

“Of course, I'm sure dead serious,” he grinned satisfyingly, seeing that he's got Ruthila's attention. “I've already spoken to the assistant casting director. You’re going to be RIVA’s princess, baby. This movie? It’ll surely make you a biggest star. The kind of star who doesn’t need to use premium card to buy a Rolls-Royce, tch. We can just sign an autograph and get one.”

Ruthila’s pout began to melt into a slow, seductive smile. That kind that always appear on her face anytime when she smelt opportunity. “You really think they’ll agree and go for it?” she asked, her voice softening.

“With me, Benjamin on the poster? They’ll sure do whatever I say.” Benjamin boasted, hitting his chest with pride. "What do you even mean, I'm their biggest star."

And just like that, Ruthila forgot about the Toyota and her mind was already racing with imaginations of red carpets, billboards, and flashing cameras all over her at the movie premiere.