The conference hall buzzed with nervous energy. Whispers drifted like smoke, rumors thick in the air — Ronald's empire had crumbled, and everyone knew who stood at the center of it now. All eyes flicked toward Raymond, some in fear, some in awe, others still trying to guess what kind of man he really was.
The moment broke only when two familiar faces approached hesitantly. Thomas and Annabelle stepped forward, bowing their heads slightly as though afraid to breathe too loudly.
"Thank you, sir," Annabelle said softly, her gratitude almost trembling in her voice. "You didn't have to help us, not after everything that happened…"
Thomas nodded quickly in agreement, his voice a bit rough. "We owe you more than we can repay."
Raymond's eyes softened, just barely. He allowed himself a faint smile, rare and fleeting.
"Loyalty is worth rewarding. You two have proven yourselves. I don't forget things like that."
The relief in their faces was clear. Gratitude shone in their eyes — and yet, that warmth didn't last long.
Because then came the sound of footsteps — hurried, desperate. Two women pushed through the crowd. Stella and Magret. Their clothes were fine, but their dignity had already cracked.
They fell to their knees before him.
"Raymond, please forgive us!" Stella's voice shook, high-pitched and frantic. She grabbed at his sleeve with trembling fingers, eyes wet with desperation. "Please… I'll even have sex with you if that's what it takes. Just give us one more chance!"
Gasps rippled across the hall.
Magret was sobbing openly, her tears staining her cheeks. "Please, don't abandon us like this. We only did what we thought was best… Raymond, please!"
For a moment, it seemed Raymond might not even acknowledge them. Then his gaze fell on the two, sharp and cutting.
"I can forgive many things," he said quietly — and yet the coldness in his tone was absolute, "but betrayal is not one of them. You embezzled funds. You built your wealth through illegal means. That has a price."
The color drained from their faces.
Beside him, Alastor leaned in like a devil whispering in a man's ear, his smile dark and cruel. "Cast them into the streets. Let them starve. That's what they deserve."
Raymond didn't look at him. Instead, he pulled out his phone with one smooth motion, his expression unreadable. A few taps later, both women's accounts were frozen.
"You'll live," he said flatly. "But you'll live with nothing. That is mercy."
The silence that followed was suffocating. Stella collapsed backward, staring blankly. Magret wailed, her cries echoing in the high-ceilinged hall, but no one moved to help them.
Then—
The doors slammed open.
Reporters poured in like a flood, cameras flashing, voices overlapping. The sudden rush of questions hit all at once.
"Mr. Raymond! Is it true you're now the second richest man in the world?"
"Sir, did you really purchase Techno City?"
"What about the rare element found in the North? Are you behind the funding?!"
The spotlight fell fully on Raymond now, brighter than ever. He didn't flinch. He didn't even blink. Instead, he straightened slightly, as though the chaos was nothing more than the natural sound of victory.
The world was waiting for his answer.