2025-02-12 16:11:19A while later, Zach stood before the Five Star Bank, his clothes a patchwork of soot and grim of sorts thanks to the fire from the burnt house, his face smeared with exhaustion and faint hope. The murmurs of people passing by stung like needles, their eyes scanning him with disdain.
Even the guards exchanged glances but made no move. This was a prestigious bank, often housing low-profile billionaires. The guards wouldn’t risk making a mistake by ejecting someone who might secretly own half the city.
Zach walked to an ATM machine, clutching the black card tightly. He inserted it, his fingers trembling slightly. His real birthday—27-09-1998—replayed in his mind. He took a deep breath and entered the pin, hitting the button to check the balance.
The screen blinked once, twice, and then froze entirely. The green interface flickered and vanished, replaced by a cryptic message. A loud beep echoed through the hall, turning every head towards him.
“What’s going on?” murmured a customer.
“Must be a system error,” said another.
Zach’s brow furrowed. Before he could step away, two bank staff appeared, their eyes narrowing as they approached him.
“Excuse me, sir,” one said, his tone sharp. “This isn’t a public facility. Where did you get that card?”
“I’m the holder,” Zach replied evenly, though his embarrassment seeped into his voice.
The second staff member, a woman with sharp features, sneered. “The holder? Dressed like that? Please. You probably found it on the street.”
Their voices drew the attention of more staff and customers.
“You think someone like him could be a top-tier client?” a cocky female staff member chimed in, loud enough for everyone to hear. “He probably stole it. Guards, get him out of here before he embarrasses himself further.”
Zach’s cheeks flushed red. The humiliation burned hotter than the fire that had consumed his home. “I’ll leave,” he muttered, his voice low, “no need to throw me out.”
He turned to go when a commanding voice stopped him. “Wait.”
Heads turned as a tall, poised woman strode into the hall. She was stunning, her sharp suit tailored perfectly, her dark hair pulled into an elegant bun. Her heels clicked against the marble floor, and every staff member bowed in deference. She was the bank's Manager.
“Ms. Barbara,” someone whispered.
“Who caused the system freeze?” Barbara asked, her voice calm but firm, her sharp eyes scanning the room.
The cocky staff member stepped forward. “Ma’am, we were just handling a vagrant who—”
Barbara cut her off with a raised hand. “I’m not asking for your opinions. I’m asking who accessed the account that froze our system.”
Fingers pointed at Zach. “Him,” they said, their voices tinged with disdain.
Barbara’s gaze landed on Zach, and her sharp expression softened with surprise. “You?”
The staff around her began to whisper among themselves.
“Yes, Ms. Barbara,” the cocky staff member sneered. “We were just about to remove him.”
Barbara’s face darkened. “Remove him?” she echoed. Her voice rose, each word laced with icy authority. “This man holds the position of most exclusive VIP in this bank! And you dared to insult him?”
The hall fell silent, the cocky staff member’s smirk fading into sheer terror. “M-Ma’am, I didn’t know—”
“Enough!” Barbara snapped. “Your behavior is disgraceful. Apologize. Now.”
The cocky staff member turned to Zach, her face pale. “I-I’m so sorry, sir. I didn’t mean—”
Barbara interrupted. “Your apology means nothing. You’re suspended. Effective immediately.”
One by one, Barbara pointed at each staff member who had mocked Zach. “You’re suspended. You too. And you.”
Their protests were drowned out by her unwavering tone. “Five Star Bank’s reputation depends on respect and professionalism. You’ve failed at both.”
Zach stood rooted to the spot, stunned. Him, the most exclusive VIP of the greatest bank in the city? It felt surreal, a dream he never dared to have.
It wasn’t until the rudest staff member clasped her hands and begged him for forgiveness that reality began to sink in.
But his mind raced with one burning question: How much could be in the account to freeze an entire bank?
Barbara straightened her suit, her tone now measured with professionalism but softened with an air of regret.
“Mr. Zach,” she began, her eyes meeting his with a sincerity that disarmed him. “I deeply apologize for the earlier misunderstanding. I’m Barbara Davis, the Manager here. Allow me to personally assist you.”
Zach nodded stiffly, still processing the whirlwind of events.
She led him through a polished hallway to a private room, its decor minimalist yet intimidatingly luxurious. At the center stood a reinforced ATM machine encased in a sleek security frame. With a swipe of her keycard, Barbara unlocked the system, gesturing for Zach to step forward.
“This is a secured terminal,” she explained. “Please proceed with the same pin.”
Zach hesitated, glancing at her, then at the machine. He slowly entered the pin, his fingers trembling as he pressed the buttons.
The screen blinked, processing for a moment before displaying the balance.
$100,812,947,450.63
His breath hitched, and he instinctively took a step back. “This… this has to be a mistake.”
Barbara’s calm smile didn’t waver. “No mistake, Mr. Zach. This account was set up for you specifically. With it comes elite privileges, including my personal assistance in managing your finances.”
“Personal assistance?” Zach echoed, his voice low, almost disbelieving.
“Yes,” she replied, her voice firm. “You are our only elite client. We are at your service—whether you need financial advice, asset management, or access to exclusive opportunities. Whatever you require, consider it done.”
He rubbed his temples, trying to grasp it all. The words of Laura from earlier flooded back to him: “You are the leader of Dominion’s Shadow—the most powerful and secretive organization in the country…”
He blinked, his mind racing. Earlier today, he was confirmed dead. Then he had risen, fought five men single-handedly, and now stood here, a cardholder of unimaginable wealth.
Barbara interrupted his spiraling thoughts gently. “Mr. Zach, is there anything you need immediately?”
“A house,” he admitted after a pause. “I need a place to stay.”
Barbara’s expression lit up. “Of course.”
She excused herself briefly, made a quick phone call, then returned with a confident smile. “It’s done. We have a top-tier villa ready for you. You can move in today.”
Zach’s jaw dropped. “Today?”
“Yes,” she confirmed. “It’s our only best available property. Fully furnished and secure.”
He stared at her, stunned and utterly speechless.
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
~184~
Months passed, and Barbara’s birthday arrived. That evening, Zach threw a grand surprise party on the wide green lawns of his Villa, fairy lights twinkling like stars strung across the earth.Barbara gasped when she stepped into the lawn, her hand flying to her lips as dozens of voices shouted, “Surprise!” She turned sharply toward Athena, narrowing her eyes playfully.“You knew about this, didn’t you?” she accused.Athena only laughed and pulled her into a hug. “I didn’t want to ruin the surprise by dropping hints earlier!”Barbara chuckled softly, still overwhelmed. “Thanks, Aunt… this is a lot,” she said warmly before her gaze found Zach.Walking up to him, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “You did all this?”“For you,” he whispered, his lips grazing her ear.Later into the night, Zach led Barbara to the center of the lawn, where the lights dimmed, and soft music began to play. He took her hands, his thumb brushing her knuckles tenderly.“The last six months,” he began, his vo
~183~
Zach’s entire world seemed to still.“My… what?” he choked, his voice almost inaudible.Athena’s tears spilled as she nodded, trembling as she cupped his face gently. “My son… my beautiful boy.”For the first time since he could remember, Zach smiled, broken, tentative, but real. He fell into her arms, wrapping her tightly as she sobbed against his shoulder.Nearby, Dawson stood frozen, guilt etched deep in his features. He stepped forward finally, his voice unsteady. “Athena… I… I’m so sorry. I should have protected you. I should have protected Logan too. I failed you both by not standing up against my father because I was a coward.”Athena looked up at him through tears, her voice soft but steady. “No. Lex was… a monster, Dawson. But you…” She paused, her voice trembling as she reached for his hand. “You weren’t. You were just… trapped.”Dawson lowered his head, overwhelmed by her forgiveness.The air outside was lighter now, as though the weight that had smothered them all for year
~182~
The ballroom had fallen into a quiet lull for Lex. Guests still laughed and chattered around him, but their voices were distant, muffled under the pounding of his heartbeat. His gaze flicked repeatedly to the grand staircase, where Dawson and Zach had disappeared minutes ago into one of the private rooms upstairs. Every tick of the ornate clock mounted on the wall stretched like eternity.Then, finally, his phone vibrated in his pocket.Lex fished it out hastily. On the screen, a message from Dawson glowed faintly:“It’s done.”Lex’s lips curved into a slow, satisfied smirk. Without wasting a second, he made his way upstairs. Each step was silent yet deliberate, his polished shoes grazing the velvet carpet as he approached the corridor leading to the rooms.When he entered, his gaze immediately fell on the sight before him.Zach lay sprawled across the bed, motionless, his chest unnaturally still. A shattered vase littered the marble floor, water seeping slowly into the rug, and a fai
~181~
Lex stumbled backward, his usually composed demeanor cracking like shattered glass. His breath hitched, and his sharp eyes darted around the crowded hall, scanning faces that blurred under the golden chandelier lights. Murmurs spread through the guests like ripples on disturbed water, confused whispers tangled with hushed gasps as everyone tried to make sense of his sudden reaction.Dawson’s brows knitted together, his gaze fixed on his father’s pale, frozen face. “Father?” he called softly, but Lex didn’t answer. Without a word, Lex turned and stormed out of the ballroom, his long strides cutting through the chaos as if the walls themselves might collapse if he stayed a second longer.Dawson hesitated for a heartbeat before following. Something in Lex’s expression, a raw, unfamiliar fear, had his stomach tightening.Upstairs, in the dimly lit expanse of his room, Lex paced back and forth like a caged beast. His breaths came harsh and uneven, and his hands shook slightly, clenching a
~ 180 ~
By dawn the following morning, Zach stood at the center of the dimly lit chamber, his gaze fixed on the unconscious figure lying on the bed, Grand Master Tom, his grandfather. Shadows danced across the stone walls as candle flames flickered, their golden glow glinting off the seven rare items carefully arranged before him on a small marble altar.The Nightshade Pearl, with its faint purple luminescence, lay beside the delicate Veilroot Herb, its translucent leaves veined with silvery streaks. The Heart of Solis pulsed faintly as though it carried life itself, while the Ashen Myrrh gave off a smoky scent that clung to the air. The Celestial Fang, a small shard rumored to be from a beast that hunted under starlight, rested beside the Obsidian Tear, which shimmered like trapped night. And finally, the Imperial Stone, ancient and engraved with runes, anchored the sacred set.Dr. Kieran, a man whose silver-streaked hair and weathered face spoke of decades of study in the mystical arts, bro
~ 179 ~
Rabiu attempted to escape through the side entrance, shoving past startled guests, but before he could make it far, Zach caught him by the collar and yanked him back with force.“You think you can mess with me and walk away?” Zach’s voice was low, dangerous.Rabiu stammered, “I-I know…”A sharp punch landed on his jaw, sending him stumbling against a parked car. Gasps erupted from the crowd.“Pathetic,” Zach spat, wiping his knuckles before stepping back.The tension was palpable, the heavy silence hanging between Zach, Rabiu, and Dafne like a sharp blade waiting to slice through the air. The ruined warehouse smelled of damp wood and metal, the faint crackle of fire from a broken lantern in the corner adding an eerie undertone. Shadows stretched across the floor, their shapes twisting under the dim light.Rabiu wiped the trickle of blood from the side of his mouth, his chest heaving as he spat on the ground. “I won’t succumb to you, Zach,” he said, his voice hoarse but laced with defi
You may also like
Ethan Nightangle Rises To Power
Dragon Sly96.8K viewsSecretly Rich Son in Law
Banin SN190.2K viewsFrom Trash Bag to Cash Bag
Zuxian121.4K viewsTRILLIONAIRE IN DISGUISE
Lyonlee317.1K viewsBloodline Unknown
Manesa202 viewsAWAKENED ADRIAN LACANSTER
Michael Chi 7.9K viewsThe Enigmatic Alexander Chase
Sam Shelby2.0K viewsTHE EXILED LORD
LADY E4.9K views