Page 43 of Ruthless Kings of Havoc

It’s rather dangerous for me to acknowledge any brewing attraction to her because I know she’s extremely important in this game.She’s the Queen on the board of chess.The real problem is I have competition, and she has every intention of being shared by them.

An accommodation I’m considering taking.

Like father, like son.

Now, that makes me smirk defiantly.

“Let’s get to it by starting with the Ruthless Kings, Deviant Lords, and Savage Heirs. As the top three Royals in the vast hierarchy, it’s time for public recognition and praise of their official Kings and their chosen Maidens.” Mr. Hennessy stands a little taller, gesturing toward the black suede curtains behind him.

It’s interesting watching this all transpire behind the very curtains that hide our presence. It’s building up this level of suspense while admiring the vast view of the crowd on the massive 85-inch screen above.

“Let us give a warm welcome to the founder of Leighton Royals University, Mr. Leighton.”

There he is.

A true mastermind in this ruthless world of cunning misery.

My father.

The man who once promised my mother the world. The man who told me no one could tear us apart. The sinister brains and rulers of so many organizations keep this small yet prestigious community moving.

The man in charge is ready to display his hidden gems.

Now that I’m older and wiser, I can understand why they did what they must. Why does this web of deceit and lies have to be laid to encourage our survival? It would be preposterous to even thank him, but I haven’t healed from the level of trauma his abandonment bestowed upon me.

Needless to say, I have to be on his good side to take these next crucial steps.

So, let me play to his rebellious tune.

I notice Hannah’s presence on my right side, and I don’t need to move for her to place an earpiece in place so I can hear what’s being planted in the crowd.

“Where’s Danny?” There’s one of my cunning rats. One of the planted gossip slaves I ensured would be close enough to my little brother that he’d be able to overhear their conversation. It’s perfect timing now that they’re working on setting up the podium for Father, who’s talking to another key individual who’s going to make his grand debut today.

“You didn’t hear?” There’s the male rat, the partner of this gossip slave. I enjoy using them because they work well together. “He’s dead.”

“No way,” the woman hisses. “When? How?”

“Found in some warehouse. Shot in the balls and the head. They’re saying he had to have messed with someone’s woman because shit... getting shot in the balls to bleed out. Then, in your head? You tried to touch the wrong woman.”

“I warned him not to cause trouble.” The woman sighs. “I heard he was talking shit at that photoshoot. The one with that royal model.”

“Ah. Albrecht’s heir. That photoshoot with Forbes Elite got him ten million before it blew up. The man probably made another ten to twenty million in deals and tips. Apparently, one of the biggest players on the field tipped them massively. He doesn’t need to work for the rest of his life to finish that money,” he reveals and sighs. “Lucky bastard. Good looks and he’s a Ruthless King? I bet you that’s what he did to secure his role.”

Every spoken word has a meaning to all those secretly listening in. They’re excited to grab every bit of information. Only these rats and I are aware of the real intention of their bickering.

The greatest entertainment.

“What do you mean? I thought the roles were chosen based on your performance at school?”

“No.” The man lowly chuckles. “Everything you do, in and out of Leighton, is analyzed. You think these fuckers aren’t watching your every move? How you treat your Maiden. How you treat your fellow Kings. Their very titles—Ruthless, Deviant, Savage—come into play. They contribute to this final moment where they get to be acknowledged by all of us here in this grand ballroom.”

“So… they’re supposed to be villainous in nature, then?” The woman sounds confused.

“That’s the real test,” the man declares. “Because no one knows. Not a single person can guess the criteria of whether being horrendous as a being takes you to the top or brings you to the very bottom of the ladder to claim your royal status. Obviously, birthright plays another huge role, but is it absolute? No. Just because your father is a King who graduated from hereand made his own foundation doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed that same path.”

I’ll have to admit his statement wasn’t in the original script, at least not to this extent. He’s right about the criteria being completely unpredictable. The only thing many don’t realize is the benefit of having a balance between unhinged and serial individuals in a group dynamic.

Some scenarios deserve a sprinkle of insanity to prove not everything can be glorified or touched in this world. There are many possessions in this world that many don’t have the balls to look at because they know what the consequences will be if the deed is caught by the obsessive source. Other scenarios need sensibility to come into play, or one wrong move and you’re out of the game before it could get tricky.

---