Axel's fists clenched, veins bulging against his skin as his grip tightened around Hendricks' collar. His breath was heavy, his eyes blazing with rage, and the room buzzed with an almost unbearable tension. The other board members exchanged nervous glances, unsure of how to defuse the situation. Discover more stories at m v l e mpyr
"Axel, stop this!" The Tiger Association leader, Seo Jihnyuk, shouted, rising from his seat. His voice cracked with a rare mix of urgency and authority, trying to cut through Axel's fury.
Axel didn't flinch.
"I understand you're angry, Axel. But don't go any further with this disrespect," Racheal, the head of the Serpent Guild, urged, her tone almost pleading. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into. If you keep going, not only will you suffer for this, but so will your sister... and your mother."
Axel's jaw tightened, and his grip around Hendricks grew firmer. He ignored her, his mind clouded with memories of the past, the injustice his family had suffered at the hands of the very people now begging him for restraint.
Vicky Shaw, the eldest and most respected among them, stood slowly. His white hair shimmered under the boardroom lights, giving him an almost ethereal appearance—a stark contrast to the storm brewing in Axel's eyes. He approached with deliberate steps, exuding the authority that came with decades of leadership.
"Axel Teras," Vicky's voice was measured, calm, and yet it carried the weight of his wisdom. "You are nothing compared to the men in this room. I strongly suggest you release him, now, before things get worse."
Axel's response was instant and venomous. "No."
The word sliced through the room like a blade, causing the board members to freeze in their places. A gasp echoed from one corner of the table, and even Vicky's calm facade cracked for a second.
"What did you just say?" Wukong, the feared leader of the Red Fist Alliance, shot to his feet, his body radiating a dangerous energy. His hand hovered near the hilt of the sword strapped to his waist. "Do you have any idea what you're doing, boy?"
Axel met his glare without hesitation. "I said no, you idiots!" His voice was raw with anger, each word dripping with defiance. "I'm done listening to your orders. Done pretending like any of you matter!"
For a brief moment, silence reigned, as though the very air in the room had been sucked out. The other board members shifted uncomfortably in their seats. The tension was suffocating, and the atmosphere crackled with the threat of violence.
But Axel wasn't listening. He shrugged off Trisha's hand, turning his back on the room. His eyes were still burning with rage, but for now, the fight seemed to have drained from him.
"I'm sorry for what happened to your father," Hendricks said, standing up and bowing slightly, a gesture that felt almost insincere. "I'll make it up to you. I'll take care of your mother's treatment, your sister's schooling. Everything. You have my word."
Axel stopped in his tracks, his hand hovering over the door handle. He hesitated for a moment, as though considering the offer. But then, with a low growl, he slammed the door open with such force that the hinges shattered, the doors tearing off and clattering to the floor with a deafening crash.
"How rude of him," Wukong scoffed, folding his arms over his chest. "Hendricks forgave him, offered him more than he deserved, and he still acts like a brat. If it were up to me, I'd have put him in his place a long time ago."
Hendricks smiled weakly. "He's young. Let's chalk it up to youthful foolishness."
But inside, Hendricks' thoughts were darker. *I won't let this go. No one disrespects me like that.*
As the board continued to debate Axel's behavior, Seo Jihnyuk remained silent, his sharp eyes focused on Trisha. Their gazes met briefly, and with a subtle nod, Seo signaled for her to leave the room. She understood immediately, slipping out quietly to attend to other matters.
'Alright, Axel,' Seo thought as he watched her go. 'You've made your move. But now, you've brought a storm to your doorstep. Hendricks won't let this slide, and neither will the rest of us.'
Axel Teras had made more enemies today than he realized.
***AuthorEriElegbede note***
Today was another rather miserable day of my life... I feel so much down spirited, and can barely think, I'm sorry if this chapter felt weird, it had some emotions from depressed author over here.
Honestly, the reason why I put my Author's note this was instead is because the only thing I have left to live for, are my books. I'm an introvert that my life has broken many times. Enjoy the novel ajd keep supporting me even with power stones or reviews, the smallest things can still be an encouragement.