"Shall I take you to work later?" Eric asked, considering making this a regular thing in the future.'Is this his way of saying that I'm his?' Sylvia thought. "Sure," she agreed. He had helped her a lot, so accommodating his wishes seemed reasonable.-In the afternoon, at Elly's house.Before Blake and Melinda moved in with her, Elly used to have her lunch outside instead of at home. But now, there was an abundance of food spread across the table.After Karen took a bite, she lowered her fork and asked, "Elly, can I ask you something? Do you feed my son like this every day?"Karen always brought up the same topic during meals. However, Elly paid her no attention. She didn't care whether they liked the food she prepared."Mother, I didn't marry Craig to take care of him. My cooking skills are only at this level. If you want better food, you can ask Craig to give you money to eat out," Elly replied with indifference.She had previously discussed Craig's situation with Karen an
After dinner, Elly headed to the kitchen to wash the dishes while Blake went back to his room. Later, he came into the kitchen holding a black plastic bag."Elly," he said, placing the bag in front of her. "I talked to your mom. Since you're getting a car, consider this money our way to help.""Dad!" Elly recognized what was inside and quickly said, "This is your hard-earned money. I can't take it!""Just accept it," Blake insisted. "I can earn it back once I'm better. Your mom's health isn't great, so we won't raise cows or horses anymore. Just a few pigs, chickens, and ducks for food when you visit. Besides, you can't work while taking care of your kids. Having some money will be useful."Elly got emotional. Her parents truly cared despite not being wealthy. Her dad insisted on lightening her load with the money.Worried, Blake continued. "Don't worry about your brother. He runs his own company and has our plot's compensation if needed. He'll sort things out in two years."Elly
However, Craig had no idea that his life was about to change drastically.-Eric entered Irvin's office and asked, "What's wrong, Big Bro?""I need to tell you something important," Irvin said, handing a document to Eric.Confused, Eric read the document, his brows furrowing. He looked at Irvin and questioned, "Are you certain it's him?"Irvin nodded. "Yes, I'm sure. I wanted to inform you beforehand, so you can talk to your sister. He might be facing legal charges."We're not heartless. We'll arrange a meeting. If he admits and apologizes, we'll go easy on him because he's your brother-in-law. If he is found guilty, it can hurt your sister and nephews. Their chances of getting government jobs could be affected."Eric sighed.Evidently, Craig had been taking illegal kickbacks for about six months, totaling over 180,000 dollars.Accepting kickbacks meant compromising the quality of goods supplied. Irvin might have had to resort to legal action if not for Eric's sake."I'll hav
Elly and Melinda were busy tidying up the house when Elly suddenly spotted Eric. She was taken aback and blurted out, "Eric? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?"Eric replied, "Elly, I just got back from Sonnex Corp. I need to talk to you about something important."Elly went to wash her hands, suspecting that the matter was related to Craig. He had been absent for days, likely spending time with Jocelyn.After washing up, she sat down and asked, "Did you catch Craig with Jocelyn again? Honestly, we should just let them be. As long as he hands over his salary, he can do as he pleases."Elly's concern was mostly about the money now. With it, she could support her children. Working herself might not yield enough money, plus it would consume time needed for her children. She had made significant compromises already."That's not what I want to talk about," Eric clarified.Elly was surprised. "Then what is it?"Eric glanced at their parents and continued. "Irvin shared
Eric picked up Sylvia in the afternoon, and they headed home. While driving, he asked, "Sylvia, what kind of job do you think a woman with children can manage while also taking care of her kids?""Simple. She can start her own business," Sylvia said. "Running a business offers more flexible time. Is your sister considering work?"Eric shook his head. "I don't know if she plans to work, but it seems she has limited options."He then told Sylvia about Craig's situation, and she became angry. "180,000 dollars? That's enough to land him in prison! Previously, someone at Williams Corp. embezzled about 100,000 dollars and got a five-year sentence!"Eric was shocked, and Sylvia continued. "Starting a business is feasible. She could learn makeup or nail art. These days, women are a bit lazy. Opening a shop like that could definitely earn money and let her care for her children. Also, there'll be high demand for makeup artists when companies have events."Eric raised his eyebrows. Sylvia's
"Craig, if you have a death wish, can you not drag the kids and me with you?" Elly said. Her anger wasn't just about Craig's kickbacks—it was that he hadn't considered their children.If he was sent to prison, their kids' future could suffer.However, Craig didn't understand Elly's concern and scoffed. "What are you even talking about? Dragging you and the kids along? I'm the one providing for you guys!""True!" Karen chimed in. "You don't bring in money. Without Craig, you'd be struggling. He's your lifeline!"Elly sighed. "You call it sponging off, but it's his duty as a husband and father. And who avoided looking after the kids? Who preferred the countryside over the city? Do you think I enjoy being a full-time homemaker? Anyway, that's not the issue here."Elly faced Craig and continued. "You call it nonsense, but you know exactly what you've done. It's $180,000! Do you realize the impact? Do you want to ruin our family?"Craig turned pale."How did you find out?" he stamm
Craig stood up and left. Elly took away the divorce papers and said, "It's fine if you don't want to sign. Let's proceed through legal procedures then."She had already given up on Craig long ago, especially considering his recent significant mistake.-At noon, Elly met Eric and Sylvia.Upon learning of her desire for a divorce, Eric and Sylvia exchanged a glance."Elly, are you certain about this?" Eric asked. "There won't be a way back."Elly nodded. "I've decided. Our life is already chaotic. Craig disregards his sons and me completely. Following his actions at Sonnex Corp., I can't allow him to keep harming my kids. Since he refuses to sign the papers, I want to go to court."Eric sighed. Since he found out that Craig had been unfaithful to Elly, he anticipated this moment. He just didn't anticipate it happening so soon. Nor did he expect Craig to audaciously accept kickbacks at Sonnex Corp.The kickback, exceeding 180,000 dollars, was likely the last straw. After a brie
Elly cried the entire night. Even though she had given up on Craig, letting go still hurt her.The Earth spun on, and the sun rose again, bringing a new day.After taking the kids to school, Elly and Craig went to the lawyer to finalize their divorce.Elly didn't know when Sonnex Corp. would act against Craig. In the divorce, she didn't ask for assets or any of Craig's future earnings. However, he had to pay her 1,000 dollars monthly alimony.This wasn't a big sum for Craig. He even paid a year in advance.Maybe this gave him some relief. Elly wasn't sure.After divorcing Craig, she needed to find a new place quickly.-Meanwhile, Eric got the land compensation and heard from his sister about her plans to find a new place. She asked him to check about the training center Sylvia had mentioned earlier. She was determined to start anew.At noon, Eric and Sylvia had lunch at Elly's place. It was the first time Eric's parents met Sylvia. They probably guessed she had lent Eric the
In terms of innate talent, Eric was unparalleled, having reached the pinnacle of martial arts. With a single punch, he sent the 'God' flying."Good!" Stealthbane shouted with excitement.The ultimate enemy had finally been defeated, bringing peace to the world. Eric sighed in relief.However, in the next moment, the 'God' stood up again. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, he revealed a bloodthirsty smile. "You have successfully enraged me!"Everyone braced for a potential massacre, but instead, the enemy turned and fled.Could Eric let him escape?"Chase him!" Stealthbane commanded.Allowing this foe to escape would spell endless trouble.A group of people pursued the enemy, who soon reappeared clad in iron armor."Not seen this before, have you?" The 'God' seemed to have recovered somewhat. "Did you think I only research viruses? Wrong! I control global resources and global wealth!"This is our newly developed Doomforge Exosuit which amplifies a person's battle prowess tenfol
The sturdy floor lay in utter disarray.In desperation, Ruth shouted, "Eric, don't give him any more chances! Finish him off swiftly, or we'll face endless trouble!"Eric was well aware of this logic. As he fought, he said, "He's incredibly strong. Taking him down quickly isn't possible! We must fight to the death!"Eric had never feared battle. Besides, this might very well be his final fight.Their fists clashed fiercely.The 'God' also noticed that Eric was growing more formidable as the battle progressed."How do you have so much strength? Wouldn't it be better if we joined forces to control the world? We could have anything we desire!"All the world's wealth, women, and resources would be ours to enjoy. Why won't you listen to reason?" he roared.Eric's momentum didn't falter. "I don't share your grand ambitions. I just want a simple life with a job that pays 1,000 dollars a month and a warm home with my wife and kids. But you, you've disturbed my peace!"The 'God' was fu
The 'God' grew more courageous as the battle raged on, causing Stealthbane to worry incessantly.In another high-stakes clash, Eric and his opponent both retreated. Eric sensed his opponent's growing strength, finding it rather peculiar.The 'God' clenched his fist. "I must thank you! My techniques were slightly incomplete, but I've managed to fill the gaps through this battle!"Eric marveled at his opponent's genius. To mend something incomplete was indeed a rare talent.Despite Eric training with the complete manual, he could only match the 'God' blow for blow. This person was terrifying!The opponent's confidence soared. Although Eric had trained with the full manual, the 'God' felt his innate talent far surpassed Eric's. If he could match Eric with an incomplete manual, now that he had perfected it, wouldn't he be unbeatable?"I thought you had potential and considered inviting you to share this world with me," the 'God' said, his tone turning icy. "But now, I see it's unnece
Stealthbane even felt that Eric might not be a match for the "God."The power was overwhelming.The terrifying aura was enough to crush everything. To an ordinary person, this was a real deity—the strength possessed had already transcended human limits.Eric made his move with a burst of speed. The clash of their fists created a thunderous explosion, and the sound was so intense that Stealthbane felt his eardrums might shatter.This was a battle of the highest caliber, one that even a legend like Stealthbane could not hope to join.Seeing the two evenly matched, Stealthbane sighed in relief. At least there was a chance that the strongest combatants were neutralizing each other. The outcome was still uncertain.Eric shook his aching fist, his expression grave. The opponent's strength was as he had anticipated. If the ultimate boss of the Luminous did not possess such combat power, it would be absurd.Clearly, this "God" had also gauged Eric's strength.He extended a hand toward
Stealthbane knew that the figure facing them must be the ultimate leader of the Luminous.Suddenly, he no longer wanted to die. If he could hold on just a little longer, it would all be over."Mr. Johnson, these people don't seem ordinary. Could that leader be the ultimate figure of the Luminous? Are we about to complete the game?" he whispered.To him, this mission to the Ark felt like a game: defeat the final boss, and victory is achieved."If I'm not mistaken, it should be. This person gives me... a sense of danger," Eric said.Upon hearing this, Stealthbane felt reassured.Just a sense? That meant the problem wasn't too grave!The leader on the opposite side turned to Eric. "I didn't expect you to make it this far. I underestimated your strength, believing my Ark was impregnable, that no enemy could breach it. But why are you so persistent? Why such determination?"He suddenly screamed in a fit of hysteria, "I have so many people! Such a grand scheme! It has all succeeded!
Brent shouted desperately, "After you get on your knees, they'll kill you all, and we won't survive either! Kill them! Kill them all!"He understood the situation with stark clarity. Kneeling meant certain death. If they had to die anyway, fighting back would be their only chance of survival.Eric sighed. "Mr. Rogers, in the end, it was we who implicated you. But this place must be eradicated, and the Luminous must be destroyed as well! Everyone, attack!"As the battle commenced, the masked man immediately struck Brent with a punch.Eric charged in. "Die!"He knew that Brent was unlikely to survive. This punch was his way of avenging Brent.The masked man spun around, trying to block Eric's punch. But the speed of the blow was too much—the gust of wind from the punch arrived before the fist did.It was an instant kill.The masked man had no time to react before Eric's punch collided with his chest. The terrifying force shattered the mask on the man's face, revealing an unfamili
Stealthbane was blinded by rage. He was killing anyone in sight, his fury unrelenting. They had ventured deep into enemy territory, where every encounter seemed to be with an adversary.Eric and his team from the Combat Department showed no mercy.Yet even Stealthbane's resolve was wearing thin."I can't kill them all! It feels like every master in the world is concentrated here!" he shouted in frustration.He felt the number of people he had brought was insufficient. If he had brought a few thousand more, he might have been able to overrun the place.Stealthbane was overwhelmed by the sheer horror of their situation. Fortunately, they had arrived. If anyone else had come, they would have met their end here.The numbers of the masters seemed endless."Damn it!" Stealthbane cursed angrily. "There are too many of them, and they're all exceptionally powerful. What kind of game is this?"He was tempted to retreat, but where could he go?Eric sent an enemy flying, pushing forward
"I was opposed to coming in from the start, but as you all know, the Rogers family is extremely complex. If we hadn't entered, I might have ended up dead. At least if the virus isn't a threat, that's something!" Brent poured himself a cup of coffee and continued. "These people are ruthless! They want to kill everyone outside the Ark and establish a new order, managed by a select few. It's insane!"You don't need to tell me—I know you're here to kill them."He then pulled a small token from his pocket. "This is our Rogers family's privilege here. It allows us to move freely between different levels. With this, you can go anywhere!"Stealthbane grabbed it eagerly. "Why didn't you mention this earlier? Things will go much smoother with this!"Brent sighed. "Once you've handled everything, could you take me out with you? I really don't want to stay in this dreadful place any longer.""Sure!" Eric nodded. "We'll definitely call you when we leave. For now, we're heading out."Brent e
Everything was ready, but they couldn't just walk in.Ruth instructed the Combat Department to conduct a three-day intensive training for everyone, focusing on coordinated combat.-After three days, the forces led by Stealthbane moved out, first dismantling the outer defenses of the Ark. This was their specialty!A large group of several hundred arrived in front of the Ark's entrance. At first glance, it resembled a mountain.Jack scratched his head and said, "Is this the gate? I don't see any door."The Holy Templar's people arrived as well. St. Pius said, "Everyone, don't rush. Wait for two minutes. Once the gate opens, we need to get in quickly. I have other plans inside, but once we're in, it's going to be a life-or-death battle! No one should show any mercy!"Stealthbane flexed his fists and replied, "Do I look like a good guy to you? Just watch me deal with them!"No sooner had he spoken than there was a tremendous roar. The ground shook, and the door of the Ark swung