The news of the eighty-million-dollar gold vein spread through the city’s upper crust like wildfire. Overnight, the nameless orphan who had been kicked out of an antique shop became the most talked-about mystery figure in the financial district.Leon stood on the top-floor balcony of the Murong Group’s headquarters, looking down at the heavy city traffic. He wore a crisp, tailored midnight-blue suit that perfectly complemented his tall, athletic frame. The soft autumn wind blew past his face, but his eyes remained calm, sharp, and entirely unbothered by the sudden fame.The heavy glass door behind him slid open with a soft hum. Cynthia Murong walked out, holding two crystal flutes of premium champagne. Today, she looked exceptionally radiant. Thanks to the top-grade Imperial Jade Leon had sold her, her grandfather’s birthday banquet had been a historic success. Her grandfather had officially named her the primary successor to the Murong family empire, completely crushing her corrupt cousin’s ambitions."The government permits came through ten minutes ago, Leon," Cynthia said, handing him a glass with a rare, genuine smile. "The excavation rights for Plot 4B are fully secured under your name. The media is calling you the ’Miracle Investor.’ Every major bank in the city is practically begging to open a private line of credit for you."Leon took the glass, his fingers lightly brushing against hers, causing a subtle flicker of surprise in Cynthia’s eyes. He didn’t drink the champagne; instead, he placed it down on the stone railing."A miracle is just an event whose hidden patterns people fail to see," Leon replied smoothly, his voice deep and magnetic. "The banks aren’t looking at me; they’re looking at the gold. The moment the vein runs dry, they’d throw me back into the gutter without blinking."Cynthia’s smile turned into one of profound respect. Most young men who suddenly inherited eighty million dollars would be drowning in luxury cars, expensive clubs, and arrogant spending by day three. But Leon remained entirely stone-cold, as if an eighty-million-dollar fortune was merely a small stepping stone in his grand plan."You’re right," Cynthia nodded, her tone turning business-like. "So, what is the next step? The Young family’s real estate branch has completely collapsed. Their stock values are dropping by thirty percent every hour. The banks are seizing their assets as we speak."Leon turned around, his eyes flashing with a dangerous, dark intensity. "The next step is to wipe them off the map completely. I’m going to establish my own investment firm today. I will call it The Sovereign Group. And my first acquisition will be the very store that threw me out.""The Golden Pavilion Antique Store?" Cynthia blinked in surprise. "It’s the crown jewel of the Young family’s cultural retail sector. Even in bankruptcy, its historical value and premium location make it a tough target. Young Master Young’s father will fight to the death to keep it.""Then let him fight," Leon said with a freezing chuckle. "He will find out that against me, death is the easier option."An hour later, a fleet of luxury black SUVs arrived at the front entrance of the Golden Pavilion Antique Store. The grand store looked miserable today. The wealthy clients were gone, and the display cases inside were half-empty as the staff desperately packed away items, fearing the bank’s upcoming raid.Leon stepped out of the lead vehicle, his polished leather boots clicking against the pavement. Cynthia walked right beside him, accompanied by a team of ten high-profile corporate lawyers from the Murong Group.The moment Leon pushed the heavy glass door open, the familiar scent of expensive wood and polish hit his nose.Standing near the main vault, screaming frantically at the remaining employees, was Manager Henderson—the man who had framed Leon and ordered the thugs to beat him. His tie was loose, his shirt was soaked in sweat, and his arrogant face was covered in pure panic."Pack everything! Put the rare scrolls in the unmarked boxes before the bank auditors get here!" Henderson roared."I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Manager Henderson," a calm, chilling voice cut through the chaotic room.Henderson froze, his body stiffening. He turned around slowly, his eyes widening in absolute horror as he locked sights on Leon. Just three days ago, he had watched Leon bleed in the rain. Now, the man standing before him looked like a high-born prince, radiating an aura of absolute authority that completely suffocated the room."L-Leon?!" Henderson stammered, backing away until his spine hit the vault door. "What... what are you doing here? You’re fired! You’re banned from this store!"Leon didn’t answer. He casually walked over to the manager’s luxurious mahogany desk, pulled out the heavy leather chair, and sat down, crossing his legs elegantly. The lawyers immediately lined up behind him like a wall of dark iron."I was banned by the Young family, Henderson," Leon said, pulling out a freshly printed legal document from his leather folder and tossing it casually onto the desk. "But as of five minutes ago, the Young family no longer owns this floor. The Murong Group and I have bought out forty percent of their bank debt, converting it into absolute ownership of this establishment."Henderson’s face turned entirely white. He snatched the document, his hands trembling violently as he read the official court signatures. It was true. The Golden Pavilion was no longer a Young family asset."You... you bought the store?" Henderson gasped, his voice cracking as he fell to his knees in front of the desk. All his arrogance vanished, replaced by pure, pathetic terror. "Leon... please! I was just following Young Master Young’s orders! He told me to frame you so he could take Chloe! I have a family to feed, Leon! Please don’t fire me!"Leon looked down at the begging manager, his expression completely expressionless. He quietly activated the Eye of Truth, sweeping his gaze across Henderson’s figure.[Person: Manager Henderson][Hidden Crime: Has been systematically stealing rare artifacts from the store’s vault for the past five years, hiding them inside a secret compartment in his private villa worth $1.2 Million.]Leon let out a low, dark laugh that made Henderson’s skin crawl."Fire you? Oh no, Henderson. Firing you would be far too kind," Leon whispered, leaning forward over the desk, his eyes locking onto the manager’s soul. "I know about the secret vault in your private villa. I know exactly how many genuine Tang dynasty artifacts you’ve stolen over the past five years."Henderson choked on his own breath, his eyes bulging out. How could Leon possibly know that? He had never told a single soul, not even his wife. It was a secret buried deep in his mind.Leon stood up slowly, adjusting his silver cuffs without giving the ruined man another look. He turned to the lead lawyer behind him."Call the police and the federal fraud division. Hand over the full asset tracking reports I gave you this morning. Make sure he spends the next twenty years of his life in a maximum-security prison," Leon ordered flatly."Yes, Mr. Leon," the lawyer replied with a respectful bow.As the security guards dragged the screaming, crying manager out of the store to wait for the police sirens echoing in the distance, the remaining staff stood in absolute, breathless silence. They looked at Leon not just with fear, but with a profound, terrifying awe.Leon walked over to the center of the grand showroom, looking at his new empire. The first thorn in his side had been completely eradicated. Tomorrow, the Sovereign Group would officially open its doors to the world, and the final destruction of the Young family would begin.
Chapter 5: The Birth of a Monarch
The God-Level Appraiser: I Can See The Price of Everything!