The Desperate Woman
As I walked towards my Maserati MC20, the cool night air was a sharp contrast to the heat of the ballroom's tension.
I had done what I needed to do.
I had humiliated Abigail without even trying.
I had left Joshua looking like a nobody.
And now? I was ready to leave.
But just as I reached for my car door—
A hand grabbed my arm.
I didn't even need to look.
I already sensed it.
Abigail. The bitch.
Step One – The Silent Power Play
I didn't react immediately.
Instead, I let the silence hang heavy between us, letting her feel the weight of my indifference.
Slowly, I turned my head, meeting her eyes with cold amusement.
Her breath was uneven, her perfectly polished exterior cracked.
She wasn't the powerful CEO of Bardot Industries right now.
She was just a desperate woman grasping at something she had already lost.
"Samuel," she said, her voice firm, but laced with frustration.
I raised an eyebrow. "Abigail." My tone was flat. Uninterested.
She hesitated, her grip tightening on my sleeve. "What the hell was that inside?"
I smirked. "You'll have to be more specific."
Her jaw clenched. "Don't play dumb with me." She took a deep breath, her eyes flashing. "You walk in there looking like some goddamn deity, steal the entire room's attention, humiliate me, and then walk out like you own the world?"
I chuckled. "I don't think, Abigail. I know."
She gritted her teeth, frustration leaking into her voice. "You think you're untouchable now? Just because Volkov said a few words?"
I tilted my head. "A few words?" I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping to a whisper. "He just gave me more power than you could ever dream of having."
She froze.
I could see it in her eyes—the slow realization that no matter how much she tried to control me, she had already lost.
She had spent so long thinking she was the one with the upper hand.
But tonight?
I flipped the entire game on her.
I gently pried her fingers off my arm, taking a slow step back.
Then, I smirked.
"What's wrong, Abigail?" My voice was low, mocking. "You finally realizing that I was the best thing that ever happened to you?"
Her eyes widened just slightly before she masked it with anger. "You're so full of yourself."
I laughed, completely unfazed. "Maybe. But at least I don't have to cling to another man just to prove my worth."
She stiffened.
A direct hit.
She opened her mouth to argue, to spit some bitter remark—but nothing came out.
Because deep down?
She knew I was right.
Step Five – Walking Away
I pulled open my car door, sliding into the driver's seat effortlessly.
As the Maserati's engine roared to life, I gave her one last look.
Smirking. Unbothered. Untouchable.
"Enjoy your party, Abigail. Hope Joshua was worth it."
The Maserati's engine growled as I shifted gears, ready to leave Abigail and this entire night behind.
But just as I was about to hit the gas—
The passenger door flew open, and before I could react, Abigail slid inside, slamming it shut.
I didn't flinch. I had sensed her move the second she acted.
She crossed her legs, arms folded, her expression both challenging and irritated.
"Since we are husband and wife on paper," she said, her tone sharp, "it's your responsibility to take me home."
I didn't even argue.
I just smirked, resting my elbow on the steering wheel.
"Which home?" My voice was laced with amusement. "Joshua's or yours?"
Her eyes twitched, her grip tightening on her designer clutch.
"Mine," she spat. "And don't test me, Samuel."
I chuckled, shaking my head as I pulled out of the Volkov estate driveway.
"Oh, sweetheart, I don't test people." I flicked my cigarette ash out of the window, smirking. "I already know the results before the exam even begins."
Her silence was louder than any argument.
She knew I was right.
The Maserati purred as I accelerated down the empty road, the city lights flickering past in a blur.
Abigail sat beside me, arms crossed, her face turned slightly toward the window. But I could see it—her jaw clenched, her fingers gripping her clutch just a little too tightly.
She was angry. Frustrated.
And most importantly?
She had no control over me anymore.
Good.
I let the silence linger between us for a moment before casually exhaling smoke from my cigarette.
"So," I said, smirking, "did Joshua cry after I left?"
Abigail snapped her head toward me, her eyes burning with irritation. "Oh, for god's sake, Samuel! Stop acting like a child."
I chuckled. "That's not an answer."
She huffed, leaning back against the seat. "If you must know, Joshua is unbothered by your little show at the banquet."
I raised an eyebrow, my smirk widening. "Oh? Then why are you so bothered?"
Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
Got you.
I turned my focus back on the road, my tone mocking. "Relax, Abigail. You still have your little trophy boy to parade around. No need to be so worked up over me."
She scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself."
I smirked. "I don't need to. You do it for me."
She fell silent again, her fingers now tapping against her knee—a habit she had when she was overthinking.
Good. Let her stew in it.
Arrival – Dropping Off the Queen Without Her Crown
Within minutes, I pulled up in front of her luxury penthouse.
The car slowed to a stop, and I leaned back against my seat, watching her.
"Well, princess," I said lazily, "we're here. You can stop pretending to tolerate my presence now."
She turned to me, her eyes locking onto mine with something unreadable.
For a second, I thought she was about to say something real—something past her usual arrogance and pride.
But instead, she scoffed. "Next time, don't act like you're above everyone, Samuel. It's pathetic."
I smirked. "And yet, here you are… still sitting in my car."
Her expression faltered just slightly. Then, with a frustrated sigh, she opened the door and stepped out, slamming it behind her.
I watched as she walked toward the penthouse entrance, her posture still perfect, her movements calculated.
But she wasn't the same confident woman from earlier tonight.
No, she was something else now.
Something uncertain.
And that?
That was my real victory.
With a smirk, I stepped on the gas, driving off into the night—leaving Abigail Bardot behind, exactly where she belonged.
As I sped through the empty streets, the city lights reflecting off the sleek black finish of my Maserati MC20, I exhaled slowly.
Tonight had been… amusing.
But now?
It was time to focus on the real goal.
I muttered under my breath, "System, show me my status window."
A blue holographic screen appeared in front of me, its glow illuminating the dark interior of my car.
---
[STATUS WINDOW – HEAVENLY DEMON]
Name: Samuel Gebb
Title: The Harbinger of Destruction
Level: 100 (Limit Break Achieved – Further Growth Possible)
Strength: 350
Agility: 300
Endurance: 320
Intelligence: 250
Charisma: 220
---
Unique Abilities:
Breath of Destruction – Releases an energy wave capable of erasing anything in its path.
Void Step – Moves between dimensions at near-instant speed.
Dragon Fear (Passive) – Instills an aura of dread, forcing weaker beings into submission.
Black Heart Resurgence – Grants limitless stamina and strength, adapting in battle.
Abyss Gauntlets – A pair of indestructible gauntlets that amplify physical attacks and absorb impact.
Heavenly Ashura Technique – A forbidden martial arts technique that enhances reflexes, speed, and strength beyond mortal limits.
Limitless Growth (NEW) – Unlike others bound by level caps, your powers evolve infinitely.
---
I smirked. "Tch. As expected."
While others had limits, I had none.
Reaching Level 100 wasn't the end—it was just the beginning.
And that meant…
I was only going to get stronger.
With that thought, I tightened my grip on the wheel, my smirk widening.
Project Hades, The Abyss, The Syndicate—
It didn't matter what stood in my way.
I was going to crush them all.