The Last Billionaire Candidate

Alice is only a means of satisfying Robert's lust

The inauguration of the new CEO of Vanguard Zenith became the nation's top headline. At the moment, the name Vero Van Houten was shaking the international business world.

The media revealed that under Vero's leadership, Vanguard Zenith now held major stakes in hundreds of multinational corporations and possessed an investment network stretching across numerous countries.

Robert Davidson could only stare blankly at his television screen.

He finally realized that the man he had always underestimated had now surpassed him.

But Robert was not someone who gave up easily.

"This time, I may lose..."

"But next time..."

"I'll destroy him through business."

That night, Robert held a secret meeting with several wealthy investors who had long been his underground business partners.

They were powerful figures who cared nothing about the law or their reputation. The only things they desired were money and power.

Robert proposed an alliance.

He needed a massive injection of capital to maintain his business empire and withstand Vanguard Zenith's aggressive expansion.

In return, he offered them access to the underground business network he had spent years building.

Meanwhile...

Robert began looking at the Ashford family company differently.

For years, Mike Ashford's company—the company owned by the father of the woman he was currently dating—had relied heavily on financial support and business contracts from Davidson Group.

They also had no idea about Robert's illegal business operations.

At first, Robert had dated Alice merely to use her as part of his plan to frame Vero.

Instead, he had ended up falling deeply in love with her.

Robert was an extremely ambitious and intimidating man.

There was almost nothing he could not conquer.

Yet when it came to women, he had one undeniable weakness.

Alice seemed exceptionally skilled at capturing his heart.

However, the Ashford family's company generated far less profit than the amount of resources Robert had to spend supporting them.

Deep down, Robert had begun to see the Ashford family as a burden.

Still, he chose to remain silent.

He still needed them as political and business allies.

They also served as the perfect cover, allowing everyone to believe Davidson Group was a respectable and legitimate corporation while hiding Robert's flourishing black-market empire.

Meanwhile...

One person continued to occupy Robert's thoughts.

"Luna..."

Robert muttered quietly as he recalled how breathtakingly beautiful she was.

She was always seen beside Vero.

At first, Robert had assumed she would be appointed CEO of the giant corporation.

Instead, it had been Vero.

How had Vero become the CEO?

Robert had already ordered his men to investigate Luna's identity.

Yet they found absolutely nothing.

She did not come from any wealthy family.

None of the major corporations currently working with Mr. V had anyone named Luna among their executives or family members.

"Who exactly is she?"

Robert began to suspect that Luna was the key figure behind Vero's rise.

He devised a new plan.

Not to seduce her...

But to approach her professionally, gather information, and find a weakness he could exploit to destroy Vero from within.

---

The peaceful morning inside the Vanguard Mansion turned slightly gloomy as the giant television in the family lounge broadcast the day's top headline.

"Vanguard Zenith's New Billionaire Once Again Under Scrutiny. Old Embezzlement Allegations Resurface."

Vero's photograph filled the screen.

Beneath it, various media outlets replayed archived reports from the time his name had once been linked to a police investigation.

> "According to our sources, the alleged embezzlement case reported several weeks ago has once again attracted public attention. Although the case never proceeded to court, many are questioning how someone with such a history could now lead one of the world's largest investment companies."

Report after report continued to appear.

Several anonymous commentators, their identities concealed, also shared their opinions.

> "The public deserves to know who Vero Van Houten really is."

> "The reputation of a corporation as large as Vanguard Zenith is at stake."

In the corner of the screen, numerous other news outlets began broadcasting similar reports.

It was obvious...

Someone had coordinated this entire media campaign.

Yet...

Vero simply sat calmly on the sofa.

A cup of coffee remained in his hand.

His expression never changed.

> "Several media outlets continue questioning the background of Vanguard Zenith's new owner. Although the case never resulted in a court ruling, the reappearance of these old files has sparked widespread speculation."

The television switched channels.

Vero continued scrolling through them.

Every station was broadcasting the same story.

Old photographs.

Archived police reports.

Comments from analysts.

Within minutes, nearly every news channel was discussing the exact same topic.

"He really has nothing better to do," Vero muttered in annoyance.

DING.

A blue hologram materialized in midair.

《Abnormal Publication Pattern Detected.》

Several graphs appeared.

Publication times.

Media networks.

Narrative similarities.

《Probability of a Coordinated Campaign: HIGH.》

《Source: Unable to Confirm.》

《Name Most Frequently Appearing in Pattern Analysis: Robert Davidson.》

Vero read every piece of data without changing his expression.

"Just a suspicion..."

he murmured.

"That's not enough."

Luna looked at the hologram.

"Would you like me to do something?"

Vero slowly shook his head.

"Not yet."

"Robert isn't careless."

"If this really is his doing..."

"He has undoubtedly created multiple layers to prevent anyone from tracing it back to him."

Vero tapped the hologram until it disappeared.

He stood up.

Then walked toward the window.

Outside, the city was gradually coming alive with the morning rush.

"I know Robert."

"He never attacks without preparing an escape route."

Luna asked quietly,

"So what should we do?"

"Nothing."

"He's only preparing a trap for himself."

"So let him."

"Robert... do you really think I'm still as weak as I used to be?"

Elsewhere...

Robert Davidson reviewed the latest media developments in his office while staring at his tablet.

A fresh report confirmed that the news campaign against Vero was spreading exactly as planned.

Yet Robert was far from satisfied.

Instead, he tapped his fingers slowly against the desk.

"Too quiet..."

he muttered.

"If Vero isn't responding..."

"Then he's preparing something."

Robert turned toward his secretary.

"Continue monitoring every movement made by Vanguard Zenith."

"Yes, sir."

"I want to know every single change that occurs after this news spreads."

After the secretary left, Alice entered Robert's private office.

She pushed open the executive office door of Davidson Group with graceful confidence.

Robert lifted his head from the monitor in his hands.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

Alice was dressed in a slim-fit denim blouse that hugged her figure neatly, paired with a black executive pencil skirt that gave her the refined elegance of a successful career woman.

A Hermès Birkin bag hung from her left arm, while both of her hands were filled with shopping bags from the world's most prestigious luxury boutiques.

The logos of Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Prada, Cartier, Bvlgari, and Rolex were clearly visible on the bags she carried.

A Rolex Lady-Datejust sparkled on her wrist.

Around her neck rested a Cartier Love necklace that perfectly complemented her graceful appearance.

A pair of Tiffany & Co. diamond earrings reflected the light whenever her brown hair swayed.

Her Christian Louboutin high heels completed her sophisticated look.

Robert glanced at the shopping bags.

"You still haven't cut back on your shopping habit, have you, Alice?"

Alice smiled without the slightest hint of guilt.

"Just a little, baby..."

Robert rubbed his forehead.

"'A little,' according to you, means emptying an entire boutique."

Alice laughed softly.

"You know, darling... I have excellent taste. That's why I chose you."

Robert could only chuckle.

"Hmm... Tell me."

"Don't I look beautiful today?"

"Yes..."

"Very beautiful."

Robert’s blood heated up as he gazed at the alluring curves of Alice’s body and the beauty of her bosom. The  pencil skirt riding high on her thighs made it impossible for him to restrain himself.

"You always know how to stir up desire in me, Alice..." he whispered huskily. She moved closer and perched on his lap the swivel office chair made their intimate encounter all the more exciting.

"Do you want me? I’ve always longed for your virility, Robert..." murmured the beautiful woman who was still legally married to Vero Van Houten.

She was completely oblivious to the fact that she was abandoning her husband for a mafia boss who controlled the black market.