Why Should I Stop Being a Villain

306 Cunning

"Aztech, a company from Somaria, has decided to donate 10 billion AUR to citizens affected across three continents," a news anchor reported.

Behind the recording cameras, a man adorned with a suit and luxurious watches oversaw everything.

Standing behind him were the people in charge of the studio, poised upright, awaiting the man's response.

"Don't divulge too much information, and emphasize that not many have come forward so far," the man instructed.

He was the owner of the News and Broadcasting Company, a top contender in Fashia, Desmar, and Belvoria.

Tyler Preston, the proprietor of this esteemed company, was widely recognized for his broadcasting business. However, his primary enterprise remained concealed from public view.

He was involved in information trading in the black market and other clandestine operations, all under the company's guise.

His current expression didn't suggest satisfaction. After all, he felt he'd become a pawn since sealing the recent deal.

His constraints stemmed from compromising information: Tom had evidence of Tyler manipulating evidence, falsely accusing individuals, illicit trades, betraying partners, and even conspiring against members of elite families for potential future leverage.

"Is this satisfactory?" Tyler inquired, turning to his associate.

The room was thick with tension.

"It's adequate," Dane responded, ensuring Tyler Preston acted according to their wishes.

Dane was here because of Asher's orders.

He had told them to make sure that people like Tyler Preston, who had signed the contract with them knew that even if they were in other continents, the consequences that would come with betraying him.

"Maintain this level of work, and we'll all be happy" Dane said with a casual tone, his gaze drifting to Tyler's bodyguards.

Among them, a few were S Rank Hunters, while the majority were A Rank Hunters.

Tyler rose, leveling a serene gaze at Dane.

He had been in this business for years, and he wasn't someone that would back down with a simple warning, and if someone other than the strongest elite families had threatened him, he wouldn't have behaved like this.

Tyler ensured he remained off the elite families' radar, fully comprehending the perils of entangling with the world's power brokers.

He intended to leverage the intelligence he'd amassed against the elite families only when circumstances were undeniably in his favor.

He didn't know how this information was revealed because he had always made sure all this was done secretly.

It wasn't hard to know that if that information was revealed Greville would be the least of his worries.

As the Greville Family only had the power in Somaria, he would be safe but the moment Tom would leak the information that they had against Tyler, there were a few elite families that would be out for his throat.

All the Families that had maintained their seats in High Council for years, weren't foolish that they would let go of a individual who had tried to gather evidence against people from those families.

As Tyler departed, his bodyguards ensured Dane kept a safe distance.

In his car, Tyler glanced at his wristwatch. His secretary was in the passenger seat.

"Investigate the heir of the Greville family," Tyler ordered.

"It could prove challenging," she hesitated.

"Take your time. Keep searching," Tyler said, distractedly checking his phone.

A smirk crossed his face. 'I won't be manipulated for long,' he thought, plotting against Aztech.

He just needed time to gather something that could serve as a bargaining chip against the Heir of the Greville Family.

There was no rush, as Tyler was patient enough to wait for years until he would gain a upper hand and free himself from the clutches he was now trapped inside.

"You're courting death?" The driver suddenly interjected, causing Tyler and his secretary to stare in alarm.

"What on earth are you—" The secretary began, her voice cut off as a dagger was placed against her throat, and the car came to a halt.

Tyler looked in the mirror, and the face of the Driver shifted. Now, it was Kai who sat there.

As Kai placed a device near the gap between the two front seats, a hologram appeared. Tyler's face changed as he saw Asher Greville on the other side.

"This is your last warning, Tyler Preston," Asher declared.

"Next time, you won't be alive to correct your mistakes." Asher's crimson red eyes bore into Tyler.

The hologram vanished before Tyler could respond. Kai opened the car door, leaving the dagger behind.

"Forget what I said a moment ago," Tyler murmured as he gathered himself.

"Yes," the Secretary nodded, her hands trembling.

Both felt that in that instant, Kai might have killed them.

"Did you finish?" Dane inquired, waiting near an alley.

"Yeah, that guy got the message quicker than the previous ones," Kai responded.

Bloodstains marked Kai's sleeves. They had just come from 'correcting' some individuals who now assumed the situation would normalize.

"Let's head back," Kai proposed as Dane retrieved a necklace.

Tom sat in his room when Kai and Dane appeared through the door, tossing a data drive onto his desk.

"We secured what you wanted," Dane informed him, grabbing a chair.

"Good work. I can finally rest too," Tom responded, beginning to type feverishly.

The following day, Asher perused the public's reaction to the news broadcasted earlier. While many articles praised the company, a few started pinpointing the mastermind behind the act.

Asher Greville's name began circulating, receiving much adulation.

Asher's motive here was not about improving his public image. He didn't care how people perceived him in the first place. It was to create a chain reaction.

When people were given help from a distant person, they expected better from those closer to them.

And when people of Fashia, Desmar, and especially Belvoria knew about it, their expectations from the Elite Families of their continent increased.

But the issue arrived as the economic restrictions that were placed by the World Association didn't allow massive fund transfers unless they were regulated by the World Association first.

Osbert made that rule to stop the takeovers that were happening, and to give himself enough time to fix the situation. And this restriction started becoming the excuse for certain people to improve their public image.

With the restriction, those funds couldn't go past the World Association, until their clear purpose was stated.

Right now, the World Association was under a lot of attacks from the citizens of these three continents, especially Belvoria, who wanted those funds but couldn't get them.

The timing with the decision and Aztech's donation was bad and it made the World Association lose favor with the citizens.

And it was the one thing that supported the World Association. Unlike Elite Families, the restrictions on the World Association were bigger, as they were supposed to be an association that maintained the law and made sure normal people's lives were secured.

And this restriction started becoming the excuse for certain people to improve their public image.

The World Association faced increasing hostility from the citizens of the three continents, particularly Belvoria, who needed these funds the most.

The timing of the decision and Aztech's contribution negatively impacted the World Association's standing with the masses.

Distinct from Elite Families, the World Association faced stricter constraints. They were tasked with upholding the law and ensuring civilians' safety.

"We need to amend or at least modify these restrictions," one Executive suggested but he was met with silence.

All of them desired change but they couldn't confront Osbert without the other Vice Chairman's presence.

Even if a few of them raised their voices, it wouldn't matter; the majority would side with Osbert since the power balance currently favored him.

Currently, Osbert was analyzing reports. He discovered Aztech was tied to Asher Greville, who had arranged these funds a week prior to the restrictions.

To Osbert, it seemed like unfortunate timing. However, Greville's recurring interference vexed him.

"Relax the limitations on relief funds. Ensure this issue is settled," Osbert instructed his assistant.

The assistant exited, leaving Osbert alone in the room.

"Greville," Osbert whispered.

'Soon,' he mused, eyes shut, focusing on his mana.

The disarray within his mana persisted due to chaotic black energy that was lingering in his body due to the wounds he had received during the fight and they required more time to heal.

Although Osbert hadn't achieved his objective, he had gained some control over the economies of Belvoria and Fashia.

However, the fallout was evident, rendering his strategic pieces for the future moot.

Even Osbert realized meddling further was futile.

His immediate concern was another matter altogether: Zephyr.

1