Church Rat
Author: Jericho Chase
last update2025-05-24 21:18:24

The organizers burst into laughter, shaking their heads in disbelief.

"Nice try, Barry," Lukas sneered. "But this hotel was just bought by one of our old classmates. A real businessman. He should be arriving any minute now."

Barry’s brows furrowed. Sold? That couldn’t be right. He hadn’t approved any sale.

But with a vast empire under his belt, ranging from small restaurants and start-ups to powerful conglomerates, he couldn’t possibly keep an eye on every acquisition or divestment.

Sullivan Group was a beast of its own—always breathing, expanding and moving.

Still, the hotel being sold? Without his knowledge?

He frowned and looked around at the snickering faces. “Who is this new owner?”

Just then, the elevator chimed.

The heavy doors slid open with a soft whoosh, revealing a man stepping out confidently, adjusting the cuffs of his navy-blue blazer.

“I believe,” the man said, his voice smooth and confident, “I’m the one you’re all talking about.”

Barry turned sharply.

Standi
Continue to read this book for free
Scan the code to download the app

Latest Chapter

  • A true Alpha

    Draven was suspended in the air, one foot forward, claws of fire half-formed around his fists. Behind him, the members of the Draco family were frozen as well—their mouths open mid-chant.Time has stopped.Barry exhaled slowly.He reached into his pocket and drew out a strange black ring with an obsidian gem set at it's center. Barry slipped it onto his finger and clenched his hand into a fist.Then he moved, closing the distance until he stood directly in front of Draven. They were so close their foreheads were almost touching.Draven remained frozen in the air, his burning eyes locked on Barry’s indifferent gaze.Barry lowered his stance. His body coiled like a spring, spine tightening and muscles compressingEvery ounce of power he could muster gathered around his fist. The obsidian gem in the ring flared with a deep purple light.Time resumed slowly, unfreezing Draven and the Draco family. Draven’s flaming fist was inches from Barry’s face.But Barry struck first.His fist moved

  • The awakening

    Draven took off his shirt and slowly spread his arms.Behind him, the members of the Draco family formed a semi-circle, sinking to their knees on the asphalt.Their heads bowed, palms pressed to the ground as they began to chant in a low, ancient tongue that made the air vibrate.Draven inhaled deeply, drawing in their faith. When he turned to face Barry again, his eyes burned faintly like embers.Barry stood several meters away—well within fighting distance.He didn't assume any fighting stance. His posture was careless. His eyelids were lowered, and his expression was empty, as if his mind were elsewhere entirely.Draven sneered inwardly."This man is a madman," he thought. "Leaving himself wide open like this? I’ll roast him to a crisp and be done with it."Draven’s feet shifted, and he began to move.His body flowed into a strange, circular dance. His arms cut through the air like blades as heat gathered around him. Flames coiled up his limbs, warping the air.With a sharp thrust

  • The Draco family

    Three days later, as the first light of dawn tinged the sky over Liberty City, the Draco Family arrived.They did not come in tanks or with marching legions. They appeared at the main highway leading into the city, a long stretch of empty land separating them from the borders.They wore modern, dark clothing, but something about their presence felt powerful and ancient. The leader, a man who appeared to be in his robust middle-age with salt-and-pepper hair and sharp, hawk-like features, took a step forward. He raised one hand, palm out, towards the empty air ahead. His hand stopped as if pressing against solid glass. A faint, golden ripple spread out from the point of contact, revealing a massive, invisible dome-like barrier that encased the entire skyline of Liberty City.The man's eyes narrowed. He pushed harder, but the barrier didn’t yield. “This is a strong barrier,” he whispered under his breath. “Not even bombs could penetrate it.”He stepped back and sniffed the air, his e

  • The three letters

    The silence that followed was thick enough to choke on. Veronica stared at the letter in Barry’s hand as if it were a venomous snake.Her voice broke the silence. “Who is the Draco family?” she asked quietly. “I’ve never heard of them.”Sebastian’s expression darkened almost immediately.“I have,” he said, thoughtfully. “They come from a very old lineage—older than most nations, older than most religions. They worship a dragon god. Among our kind, we call them dragon worshipers.”Snow’s brows furrowed sharply. “This doesn’t make any sense,” she said. “Why would dragon worshipers suddenly want Liberty City? This is a human city built and owned by Barry. Why challenge him?”Sebastian’s gaze slid back to Barry. “Because Master is the Big Man. The alpha.”Everyone turned to him.“In every realm,” Sebastian continued, “predators are drawn to territory ruled by a stronger predator. They challenge, they provoke and test his strength. Their goal is to dethrone the current alpha and claim his

  • The three mysterious letters

    Veronica and Snow exchanged a look before quietly taking seats across from Barry’s desk. Snow was the first to speak, breaking the brief silence.“If you were given a portion of Sebastian’s power,” she said carefully, “then why aren't your powers manifesting?”Veronica nodded. “Yes. What are your abilities?”Barry leaned back slightly, steepling his fingers. “That’s the thing,” he said calmly. “Sebastian’s power doesn’t work like a switch you turn on. It’s dormant. Sealed inside me.”Snow frowned. “Dormant?”“Yes,” Barry said. “It only awakens when I’m faced with a serious threat that human capacity cannot manage. I'm not talking about business rivals or arrogant heirs. A real threat from the mystical realm.”The room went still.“There hasn’t been anything like that yet,” Barry continued. “Which means the powers sealed inside me has no reason to surface.”Veronica’s chest tightened. “Then why didn’t you tell me all these years?” she asked softly. “Why keep this a secret from me?”Ba

  • The Gift

    Snow’s gaze remained on the runway for a few seconds longer, her mind racing with thoughts. Then she turned slowly toward Veronica.“Does Sebastian have anything to do with this?” she asked quietly.Veronica raised an eyebrow in surprise. “What makes you say that? How does Sebastian fit into this?"Snow leaned back slightly in her seat, her expression thoughtful. “Because I know Sebastian. We were very close. Closer than most people ever realized. Sometimes, he tells me stories when he’s in a good mood.""What were those stories?" Veronica asked, leaning forward.“Sebastian has served many masters over the centuries. Kings, warlords and wealthy men. But in very, very rare cases, if he is profoundly pleased with his master, he grants them a single wish.”Veronica’s breath slowed. Her fingers tightened against the armrest.“And you think,” she said carefully, “that Barry made such a wish?”“Barry might not even know,” Snow said, her mind racing. “Sebastian’s gifts aren’t always announc

More Chapter
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on MegaNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
Scan code to read on App