01. The Destruction of Kalix Owen

A press conference was held in a large room with a backdrop of tall walls adorned with the company’s logo. On the stage, there was a conference table with the company’s logo, which now looked bleak. Rows of white chairs were neatly arranged for the members of the press and company executives.

The CEO of the company, Kalix Owen, sat in the middle of the table, appearing calm amidst the tension of others. Beside him, there were several lawyers and financial advisors of the company.

Members of the media and journalists sat in their chairs with pens, cameras, and microphones ready to cover the news. The room was very quiet and tense, with the expressions of the attendees reflecting concern and disappointment.

Before the conference began, the room was shrouded in a dark and somber atmosphere, as if representing the end of an era in the world of technology.

Kalix lifted his tired-looking face and slowly said, “It is with great regret that we make this statement today. Our company, State-of-the-Art Tech, is facing bankruptcy.”

He paused for a moment and continued with a heavy heart, “This decision was made after careful consideration of the financial pressures we’ve been facing for some time. We fully acknowledge our responsibility for this situation and understand the impact it will have on various parties, including our employees, shareholders, and loyal customers.”

The press conference proceeded smoothly until the Q&A session, when a bold journalist suddenly asked, “Mr. Owen, is it true that you are the illegitimate son of Governor Mason Dominic?”

Upon hearing the question, Kalix stared at the journalist. Rumors had been circulating for a long time, ever since Kai actively founded his company two years ago. However, he had never addressed them before.

“No,” Kai calmly replied.

People thought they wouldn’t get any more answers, but Kalix spoke again.

“I am not the illegitimate child of Mason Dominic, I am his legitimate child. Mason Dominic married my mother before he left us and married the woman who could take him to the pinnacle of his career.”

Today, perhaps he had to reveal the truth or have no chance at all.

This statement caused a major explosion in the midst of the crowd, all cameras focused on Kalix, but his expression remained calm as if he were prepared to face it all. After all, his company had been destroyed by that man, Mason Dominic. There was nothing left to hold him back.

“Mr. Owen, is what you’re saying true?”

“Yes, I have the evidence. I remained silent all this time because Mason Dominic threatened me with various things, including the life of my mother and this company, but now I have nothing left, and I don’t need to bow to his threats anymore.”

After the press conference ended, Kalix didn’t leave the company building. He sat in his chair and gazed at the overcast sky outside.

“Aren’t you afraid?” Nick, his friend, had been with him from the beginning.

“I am afraid, that’s the truth. But I don’t want to hide anything anymore,” Kalix turned to him and looked at Nick with gratitude. “Nick, go before that man captures you too.”

“What do you mean?” Nick furrowed his brow.

"Mason will definitely come to see me and might even kill me."

"It's impossible for me to leave you in this difficult situation!" Nick firmly refused.

"You have to go for the sake of justice for me later. You have to stand up for the truth for me."

"No, I..." Nick could see the determination in Kalix's eyes, which made him unable to argue further. "Do you have no desire to escape?"

Kalix shook his head. "I've given up."

Nick could only grit his teeth, he knew the immense pressure Kalix was receiving from his father. But Nick also knew he couldn't do anything. He couldn't confront someone like Mason Dominic.

"Fine. I will leave. If there's a next life, can you still be my friend?"

Kalix smiled for the first time in two days. "Of course."

They parted there. After Nick left, Kalix took out a cigarette and lit it. The ringing of his phone snapped him out of his reverie, and he checked the caller. He felt lazy to answer the call, but thought it might be the last time, so he answered it.

Once the call connected, a gentle voice of a woman called his name.

"Jane..." Kalix simply called his girlfriend's name without saying anything else.

Then Jane's concerned voice was heard. "It's going to rain soon. Why don't you come home? Where are you?"

"I'm still in the company building. I'll be home in a little while."

"Which company building? Kalix, take care of yourself, don't get sick," Jane sounded very worried.

Kalix felt a slight warmth in his heart, murmuring softly. The phone call ended shortly, and Kalix got up from his seat. He stretched his body a bit before taking a step outside.

Some people suddenly appeared from outside and blocked his way. Kalix wasn't surprised at all, he had suspected that Mason would send someone to find him.

"Yo, we meet again." It was one of Mason's secret guards, who rarely appeared because his actual job was quietly taking care of people who opposed Mason.

Kalix didn't say anything, he was very calm and just looked at the people lazily.

"Oh, have you resigned yourself to your fate? You're just a mouse, but you dare challenge a tiger." The man showed off his muscles, which were larger than Kalix's thighs. "Don't blame me if I make you even more useless."

"I won't resist, take me to the old man now."

"Hey, this isn't fun!" the man said, laughing with his friends. "Are you really afraid I'll break your bones?"

Then a thug behind the man spoke up. "Boss, why not give him a little beating before taking him to the boss? Otherwise, he might try to escape."

"Yeah, boss, that's right. A mouse shouldn't look so neat in a suit!"

The man felt his men made sense, so he did a little warm-up before hitting Kalix. Even if Kalix wasn't weak, he couldn't fight so many people and ended up sprawled on the floor.

"Take him away!"

They took Kalix, throwing him roughly into the car. Although Kalix was in a terrible condition, he didn't make a groaning sound or show any signs of pain, except for a slight furrow of his brow.

He was taken to an abandoned warehouse and tied to a rattan chair. The hanging lamp was right above his head, making him dizzy from the bright circle of light. Kalix was left alone until he passed out in a daze.