Arthur’s eyes narrowed with icy determination as he scrolled through the online chatter.

“Tomorrow, it won’t be the Osborn Family trending,” he muttered under his breath, a chill in his voice as he shut off his phone.

——-

Meanwhile, in an luxurious villa that screamed wealth and power, a massive living room resembled a grand hall more than a home.

BANG!

A stunning white vase, clearly worth a fortune, shattered against the wall, scattering shards everywhere.

“Damn it! Another failure!” Oliver Sterling shouted furiously, his handsome features twisted with rage.

With a sharp jawline and high cheekbones accentuated by sinister eyes, he looked every bit the part of someone who have anger issues.

“Calm down, Oliver,” came the calm voice of Kane Sterling, seated comfortably on an elegant sofa.

As head of the Sterling Family and father to Oliver, Kane exuded authority even in moments of crisis.

The Sterling Family may not have the ancient lineage of the Osborns but had quickly risen through dubious means with backing from a mysterious benefactor.

Their arrogance had grown alongside their newfound power in Neo-Luminara.

Despite their rapid rise,their reputation was tainted; unethical business practices were their norm.

If they couldn’t acquire something through legitimate means? They resorted to illegal tactics instead.

It was common knowledge among upper-class circles that Oliver and his family were behind many misfortunes that befell Arthur and the Osborn Family.

The recent attacks on Arthur’s parents and multiple assassination attempts on the Osborn family have left everyone uneasy.

The upper class knows all too well that the Sterling Family is behind it, yet they turn a blind eye as long as their own interests remain untouched.

“Father, how can I convince you that if we don’t secure that piece of land, we won’t be let off easily?” Oliver looked earnestly at his father.

“I know that boy. You don’t need to remind me,” Kane replied coldly, his gaze piercing through Oliver.

“I’m sorry, Father,” Oliver muttered quickly, lowering his head in fear.

Kane’s icy demeanor softened slightly as he sighed. “I understand your impatience. But with the escalating attacks on the Osborn family lately, do you really think other influential families doesn’t know that we are the ones behind it? If this continues, we risk isolation in this city. While the Sterling Family may not care about that now, isolation can be detrimental, especially when it comes to business.”

He paused for effect before continuing. “We need to lay low for a bit and devise a new strategy to acquire that land,it’s our top priority.”

Oliver listened intently but couldn’t help but look puzzled as he raised his head again. “Father, why is that land so crucial to that person? Sure, I know city authorities plan to build a subway station nearby and some schools, but isn’t that an overreaction?”

Kane chuckled softly and shook his head. “Oh boy, you still have much to learn.” He leaned in closer. “Do you realize why that land is so valuable?”

Oliver shook his head eagerly, waiting for his father’s insight.

“Not just one subway station, there will be twelve! Plus three universities and five high schools!” Kane exclaimed.

“What?!” Oliver’s eyes widened in disbelief; he looked like he could fit an egg in his mouth!

“Yes! That much!” Kane confirmed with a nod.

“That means…” Oliver stammered as realization washed over him. “The only places in Neo-Luminara with so many subway stations are Metroplex Plaza with ten stations, Sunset Square Mall with five stations, Golden Gate Shopping Center, five subway stations, Harmony Plaza nine subway stations, Cityscape Galleria with six subway stations….oh my gosh!”

Kane nodded knowingly. “Exactly! That land could become the sixth-largest commercial hub in Neo-Luminara.”

“No way! It could even surpass them all!” Oliver said excitedly. “If managed properly… it might become the business center of this city!”

“Now you see why it’s so important,” Kane said with satisfaction.

Oliver nodded, but his eyes betrayed a storm of envy and jealousy that simmered just beneath the surface.

“Dammit! Just because the Osborn Family snagged that land for a mere $15 million doesn’t mean they got a steal. It’s now worth hundreds of billions, and it could skyrocket even more in the future!” His voice dripped with frustration.

“Don’t worry,” Kane replied with a cold smile, “they won’t be able to hold onto that land for long.”

At those words, Oliver’s eyes sparked with renewed hope, a sinister grin creeping across his face.

BUZZZ!

Suddenly, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He answered casually, “What!”

“What? Something happened at the company? Okay, I’m on my way!” He hung up and turned to Kane. “Dad, there are some minor issues at the company; I need to head out.”

“Go,” Kane waved dismissively, his tone nonchalant.

With a quick nod, Oliver rushed out of the villa.

Moments later, the roar of an engine echoed from the garage before fading into the distance.

Time slipped away, and in a blink of an eye it was already evening, the evening sun began its descent, casting a warm orange hue across the horizon.

The sky transformed into a breathtaking canvas of colors, but inside the towering office building, the atmosphere was anything but serene.

In a lavish office adorned with expensive furnishings, Oliver sat in his grand chair behind an imposing wooden desk.

His brow furrowed in deep thought as frustration bubbled within him.

“Damn that Arthur! He’s like a cockroach, impossible to squash!” he muttered, rubbing his temples in irritation.

As he glanced out through the expansive glass windows at the fading sunlight, his eyes darted to his watch.

Surprise flickered across his face; time had flown by without him noticing.

Without uttering another word, he rose from his chair and strode out of the office.

Passing through the workspace, Oliver noticed several employees still diligently focused on their tasks.

The moment they spotted him, fear washed over their faces as they quickly lowered their heads.

Ignoring them completely, he made his way to the private elevator and descended to the lower floor.

A few moments later, as the elevator doors opened with a soft chime, Oliver stepped out and headed toward the entrance of the building.

Just then, a sleek car pulled up right in front of him. A bodyguard rushed forward and opened the door.

Oliver cast a brief glance at the bodyguard before stepping toward the vehicle, when suddenly…

BANG!

Suddenly Oliver half of his head was blown off like a watermelon being crashed as blood and brain matter splatterd everywhere.

The atmosphere was thick with tension as the bodyguard stood frozen, his figure drenched in blood.

He stared in horror at the headless corpse of Oliver, lifelessly sprawled in a pool of crimson.

The silence shattered like glass, replaced by an ear-piercing scream that echoed through the air.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

Panic erupted among the crowd gathered outside the office building, pedestrians and employees alike were engulfed in terror.

Some fell to their knees, retching at the sight before them, while others fainted on the spot, unable to comprehend such a horrific scene.

—

Meanwhile, within the opulent dining hall of the Sterling Family villa, Kane sat at a lavish table laden with food.

His wife, a kind-faced woman in her thirties, sat beside him with their two children: a girl about Oliver’s age and a twelve-year-old boy.

Despite the feast before them, no one was eating all; they seemed to be waiting for someone.

“Where is that boy Oliver? What’s taking him so long?” Kane snapped, glancing impatiently at his watch.

“Calm down; maybe he’s busy at work,” his wife replied soothingly as she grasped his hand gently.

“Dad! I’ve already called him but nobody seems to be picking up!” exclaimed their daughter, her eyes darting nervously toward Kane.

Kane merely nodded in response, an unsettling silence enveloping them.

Suddenly…

BANG!

The front door exploded inward with a deafening crash, sending splinters flying across the room.

Before Kane’s family could react, five men clad in black uniforms stormed into the dining hall, guns drawn and ready.

“Who are you?” Kane stammered as he instinctively shielded his family with trembling arms.

A burly man stepped forward with an icy glare. “Dead men do not need to know anything.”

“Please… don’t harm my family; they’re innocent!” Kane pleaded desperately as realization dawned upon him.

“Mr. Sterling,” the burly man said coldly, “have you ever heard the saying about cutting weeds and uprooting roots?”

Terror washed over Kane as he opened his mouth to protest, but it was too late. With a swift motion of his hand, he signaled his men.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Gunfire erupted like thunderclaps as bullets tore through flesh and bone.

There was no time for screams; only silence followed as crimson cascaded from their bodies.

Kane’s expression froze in terror; his wife clutched their son tightly before both fell lifelessly together.

Their daughter met a similar fate, her life extinguished in an instant as chaos reigned supreme within those once-hallowed walls.

In mere moments, the Sterling Family, once proud figures within Neo-Luminara, lay slain without mercy or remorse.

—

“Let’s go,” the burly man said, glancing at the bloody scene before signaling to the others. They quickly made their exit from the Sterling Family estate.

About ten minutes later, the blaring sirens of police cars echoed in the distance.

——-

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