Chapter 78: CH-78 - Bonus -

The sun pushed its way over the horizon, painting the sky in streaks of gold and pink.I wrapped my hands around a steaming cup of hot cocoa, letting its sweet, rich aroma mingle with the cool morning air that nipped at my cheeks.

First sip slid down smooth, warming more than just my hands, and I sank deeper into the balcony chair, letting the cushions hug me

’What a great view.’

The mountains stretched endlessly, their peaks lost in early morning mist, a scene people paid a fortune to chase in magazines.

It made me realize just how beautiful the modern world really was. Compared to that ancient hellhole, this place was paradise.

About ten minutes later, the others started to wake up.

From the kitchen came the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon, mingling with the faint sweetness of toasted bread.

The maids moved briskly, carrying plates piled high with eggs, fruit, and steaming bowls of porridge.

Once everything was in order, the group began to settle in.

They were still in their pajamas, and even without having bathed yet, it did little to diminish their natural charm.

However, the perfection of this picture‑worthy scene did nothing to lift the awkward atmosphere.

Ellie’s eyes were still red from last night’s crying as she stared at her food blankly.

I had done what I could to help her move on, but while her mind dulled the pain, her heart still trembled beneath it.

It would’ve been easier if those same heart symbols lived in her eyes. Then I could erase the pain entirely.

Alice wasn’t smiling either.

Her family had served the Mercers for generations, and while Daniel never liked me, he always treated his people right.

I even remembered when she was sick as a child; he’d paid her hospital bills without a second thought.

Ella on the other hand sat straight, palms flat on the table. Her foot tapped once, twice, and stopped; she was being mindful of her mother’s feelings.

I was about to open my mouth to lighten the mood a little when a shadow fell across the table. One of the guards leaned in, lowering his voice.

"The Mercer Family’s Legal Council is already here, young master."

My hand hovered in midair, cup halfway to my lips. I expected them to move fast, but not this quickly.

"Tell them to meet me in the bar."

He bowed respectfully before leaving.

Finishing breakfast felt longer than it should have, my mind already running through possible scenarios.

Twenty minutes later, I pushed open the wooden bar door, Ellie and Ella following close behind.

Inside, five men formed a loose semicircle, lounging with glasses of expensive vodka, acting like they owned the place.

Just looking at them, I could tell they were top-tier professionals, so used to being on top that their arrogance had practically seeped through their thick skin.

Or maybe they simply didn’t respect me that much.

"Mr. Mercer, I’m here to read the last will and testament of your father."

The oldest of them, a short man with graying hair and almond-shaped eyes—opened an envelope.

He cleared his throat, the paper trembling just slightly between his fingers — either from age or the weight of what he was about to unleash.

"In accordance with the final testament of the late Daniel Mercer..."

His voice carried the kind of rehearsed tone you only get from years of breaking bad news to rich people—or good news to their families, depending on how you look at it.

"All personal and corporate assets under the Mercer name — including real estate, stocks, patents, and subsidiary holdings — are to be transferred to the Saint Reina Foundation effective immediately."

"Additionally," he continued, "the remaining liquidity, including proceeds from DarkRock Capital, will also be liquidated and donated to the same foundation."

For a second, I thought I misheard him.

Then the words hit properly.

The empire Daniel built—the empire I was supposed to inherit—was handed off to a charity like it was loose change.

My jaw tightened until it clicked. "And what exactly did he leave for his family?"

"Per the prenuptial agreement, Ms. Ellie Mercer is entitled to one hundred million. You, Mr. Mercer..."

"Go on," I prompted. Googlᴇ search novel_fіre.net

"You are granted one million, as per the original contractual clause drafted by Mr. Daniel himself."

The words fell like stones.

One million? Getting nothing would have been better.

My lips twitched. "Do you all expect me to believe this?"

"Mr. Mercer, please don’t be like this. We all know the truth about you. It would be wiser not to escalate things further... or you might even lose that one million."

Fuck, that statement only made me angrier. What the hell was I supposed to do with that pittance?

For a brief second, the edges of my vision pulsed black.

I could almost see their necks bending under my grip, and it took everything I had not to let my impulses take over.

"So now that’s done, here’s the cheque for that one million," he said, waving it in front of me.

"Do I look like a joke to you?"

The air crackled around me, Qi rising just enough to make the chandelier sway. The youngest lawyer paled, taking half a step back.

I exhaled slowly through my nose.

"No one move, or I swear to God I’ll goddamn kill every single one of you!"

The shadow slid off my sleeves like spilled ink, pooling at my feet. It stretched, a black cloth that crept along the floor and curled around the lawyers’ wrists until their hands stopped moving.

I looked down at them like a litter of pigs waiting for slaughter.

The oldest attorney hand hovered over the will as if the page might bite.

"Mr. Mercer, please calm down. Do you want to be a criminal?"

I smiled. Not the friendly kind. The one with teeth.

"Do I want to be a criminal?" I repeated, contempt curling my lip. "You dare call me that when you’re a bunch of corrupt men, bought and paid for? Who bribed you — DarkRock, or the organization hiding behind them?"

"No...No one...This—this is Mr. Daniel Mercer’s final will. It was signed by him and notarized accordingly."

A younger attorney tried the soft sell.

"Mr. Mercer, I assure you, the document bears the proper signatures and independent verification. The transfers were executed in accordance with his directives."

I dragged a fingertip along the armrest; the wood sundered like soft cheese under pressure.

"I wonder what will happen if I use my hands to squeeze your necks," I said, lifting my palm, and pretending to choke something.

"Please, Mr. Mercer... think about what you’re doing!" They protested.

"Oh, I’m thinking very, very hard right now. That’s why you all still have your heads." I paused, letting the words land like boulders on their thick skulls.

"Keep poking and I’ll retire everyone permanently. Consider this your one‑way ticket off the payroll. You’re all fucking useless anyway."

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Authors Note:

I hope you enjoy this bonus Chapter.

Advisory: There might be a delay in my usual schedule, as our country is once again facing another typhoon, so power outages are becoming more frequent.