The most expensive and heavily guarded district in all of Skyhaven City—every inch of land here was worth a fortune.
At the very heart of the mountain stood a sprawling estate that stretched across acres, a symbol of absolute power and unimaginable wealth.
At that moment, on a massive golden hardwood bed in the master bedroom—large enough to fit several people—Victor Hale suddenly opened his eyes.
The room was breathtaking, with a six-meter-high ceiling and crystal chandeliers casting a cold, shimmering light.
The air carried the rich scent of agarwood, yet it did nothing to ease the violent pain surging through Victor's mind.
"...Did I just transmigrate?"
He pressed a hand against his forehead as a flood of unfamiliar memories crashed into him like a tidal wave.
Victor Hale.
Forty years old.
The richest man in Skyhaven City.
Chairman of the Hale Consortium.
A business titan whose every decision could shake the entire region.
A perfect start.
For a brief moment, a smile touched his lips.
Then it froze.
His expression darkened instantly, and his blood pressure seemed to spike.
Because in this world… he wasn't the protagonist.
He was a villain.
A background character destined to lose everything.
And worse—he had a son.
A biological son who could only be described as the ultimate idiot villain—Ryan Hale.
Despite his looks and elite upbringing, Ryan was nothing more than a hopeless simp.
Instead of enjoying life as a powerful heir, he obsessively chased after Sophia Quinn, a girl from a mediocre family.
He gave her everything—sports cars, villas, endless resources.
He even used the Hale family's influence to suppress her competitors, all just to win her affection.
And what did he get in return?
Nothing.
Sophia ignored him completely—yet showed clear interest in Lucas Reed, a poor nobody who had just arrived from the mountains in worn-out clothes and cheap shoes.
Classic.
Victor didn't need to think twice.
This "Lucas Reed" was obviously the Chosen One.
According to every cliché storyline, Ryan would now provoke Lucas again and again—only to be humiliated each time.
First the son gets slapped.
Then the father steps in and gets slapped harder.
In the end:
Ryan would be crippled.
The Hale family would be destroyed.
And Victor himself?
He'd spend the rest of his life rotting in prison—reduced to nothing more than a stepping stone for Lucas Reed's rise.
Victor let out a slow breath.
"So this is what they mean by raising a son for your old age…"
A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.
"More like raising one to bury you."
In his previous life, Victor had survived decades in the brutal world of business.
Now that he'd been handed power like this, there was no way he'd let some ridiculous "plot" decide his fate.
Just then—
A knock sounded at the heavy mahogany door.
"Come in."
His voice was calm, yet carried a chilling authority.
The door opened, and Mr. Foster, the butler, stepped in holding a tablet. His expression was uneasy.
"Sir… the young master…"
Victor didn't even turn around.
"What did he do this time?"
Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, Victor gazed down at half the city beneath him.
Mr. Foster hesitated before speaking.
"The young master attended the Quinn family's birthday banquet tonight. Miss Quinn's grandfather is critically ill, so the young master brought a rare ginseng worth millions as a gift, but…"
Victor let out a cold laugh.
"Let me guess."
"It was called fake."
"Or exposed on the spot by that guy named Lucas Reed, who claimed it was just some worthless root?"
Mr. Foster froze in shock.
"H-How did you know, sir?"
"It's exactly as you said! That waiter, Lucas Reed, publicly declared the ginseng useless. The young master got furious and ordered the bodyguards to act, but…"
"They were all beaten down within seconds," Victor finished calmly.
"And my son was forced to apologize in public."
Mr. Foster lowered his head, sweat forming on his forehead.
"Yes… and Lucas Reed also said the Hale family is nothing but a group of nouveau riche fools… and he added…"
Victor turned slowly, his gaze icy.
"Let me guess again."
"'Don't bully the young because they are poor.'"
Mr. Foster nodded rapidly, stunned beyond words.
How could his master predict everything so perfectly?
A faint, cruel smile appeared on Victor's lips.
As expected.
A textbook "chosen one" storyline.
According to the script, he should now rage, send stronger forces, escalate the conflict—and ultimately become nothing more than experience points for Lucas Reed.
Unfortunately for them…
Victor Hale didn't play by those rules.
Ding!
A cold mechanical voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
[Extreme emotional fluctuation detected.]
[Activating: Supreme Patriarch System…]
[System purpose: Assist the host in building the strongest family and crushing all opposition.]
[Current objective: The Chosen One, Lucas Reed, is displaying dominance at the Quinn family banquet.]
[Mission: Attend the banquet. Suppress the Chosen One. Discipline the rebellious heir.]
[Rewards: Grandmaster Combat Mastery, Divine Insight Ability, +1000 Family Fortune.]
[Starter Gift: Body restored to peak condition. Top-tier combat proficiency granted.]
A surge of warmth flooded Victor's body.
His fatigue vanished instantly.
Muscles tightened. Strength surged.
It felt as if a sleeping beast had awakened within him.
Victor clenched his fist.
Crack.
The sound echoed sharply.
So this… was the power of a system.
He walked toward the mirror.
The man staring back at him was tall, imposing, and dangerously composed.
Time hadn't weakened him.
It had sharpened him.
Especially his eyes—
Deep. Cold. Devouring.
"Mr. Foster."
Victor adjusted his robe, his tone eerily calm.
"Prepare the car."
"We're going to the Quinn residence."
Mr. Foster stiffened.
"I'll arrange the bodyguards immediately—"
"No need."
Victor cut him off.
He stepped into the dressing room, his gaze sweeping past rows of luxury items before settling on something simple.
A black leather belt.
He picked it up and gave it a sharp flick.
Smack!
The sound cracked through the air.
"Also," Victor said casually, "bring a bottle of iodine."
Mr. Foster blinked in confusion.
"Iodine… sir?"
Victor wrapped the belt around his hand, testing its weight.
A chilling smile spread across his face.
"So I can disinfect it while I use it."
"If something's gone wrong…"
"I'll fix it myself.