Chapter 1 Leader Of The Empyrean

• “Honey, have you left yet? N-Nothing... I just wanted to tell you... take your time and don't hurry back...”
• Franklin Callier stood on the streets and listened to his fiancée, Rebecca Leaven's weird voice over the phone, asking with concern, “Rebecca, what are you up to? Why do you sound out of breath?”
• “I'm... Um... I'm jogging...” Rebecca suddenly let out a soft yelp before she could finish her sentence.
• “What's wrong? Are you okay, Rebecca?” Franklin asked, anxious.
• “I-I'm okay... I just tripped over a rock and almost fell... Anyway, y-you should go get groceries. I have to go... Ouch...”
• The call ended, leaving Franklin somewhat puzzled. Rebecca should be at home now. When did she go out for a run? And why does she sound so out of breath while speaking? This is strange...
• As Franklin was debating whether or not to call her again, a convoy of black Rolls-Royces suddenly pulled up, blocking off the entire road.
• Subsequently, five elderly men dressed in traditional attire disembarked from the vehicle and knelt before Franklin.
• “Congratulations, Mr. Callier, you've successfully completed the five-year assessment. From this moment forward, you are the leader of the Empyrean! The vast wealth, the overwhelming power, and the countless experts under the name of the Empyrean, are all now under your command!” Five elderly individuals, dressed in traditional attire, spoke in unison with deep respect.
• “Please rise.” Franklin spoke nonchalantly.
• The five elders, clad in traditional attire, said in unison, “Yes, Mr. Callier!”
• At that moment, Franklin was dressed in plain attire, even carrying a basket of vegetables in his hand.
• It was hard to believe that Franklin, who seemed so ordinary, was actually the leader of the Empyrean.
• The story began six years ago when Franklin's family of five was tragically targeted in an arson attack. The inferno claimed the lives of Franklin's parents and his two sisters. However, he himself was saved from the fiery hell by a passing girl who pushed him into a lake, allowing him to escape.
• After a narrow escape from death, Franklin, by a fortunate stroke of serendipity, was taken in as a disciple by the former leader of the Empyrean. He was taught medical skills, martial arts, and other divinations exclusive to the Empyrean.
• Five years ago, Franklin, following the requirements of the Empyrean assessment, had voluntarily sealed away all his knowledge, concealed his identity, and arrived in Jacaster. He found the woman who had saved him years ago, Rebecca, and became her fiancé, effectively positioning himself as the prospective live-in son-in-law of the Leaven family.
• He did this for two reasons. Firstly, it was to test and refine his temperament. Secondly, it was to repay the girl's kindness.
• For the past five years, Franklin had sealed away his knowledge and hidden his true identity, so he couldn't harness his powers. Hence, in Rebecca's eyes, he was nothing more than a penniless, powerless, and useless loser.
• Franklin was treated like a servant by Rebecca every day. His daily tasks included doing her laundry, cooking her meals, mopping the floors, and even washing her feet. He was subjected to all sorts of ridicule and sarcasm, and at times, he was even verbally abused and physically assaulted.
• However, Franklin willingly accepted it with all his heart.
• In order to repay the life-saving grace of Rebecca, he could tolerate all her flaws.
• Franklin was certain that one day, he would eventually win Rebecca's heart.
• An elder named Desmond Greif cautiously said, “Mr. Callier, regarding the succession ceremony...”
• “The succession ceremony will take place in Jacaster ten days from now. Let's not return to the headquarters,” Franklin said.
• “As you wish. I will start arranging for the ceremony right away.” Desmond nodded.
• Franklin continued, “Additionally, I plan to combine my succession ceremony with my wedding.”
• For the past five years, Rebecca had always considered Franklin as a good-for-nothing, refusing to hold a wedding with him. Now that Franklin had risen to become the leader of Empyrean, he planned to hold their wedding ceremony during his succession ceremony.
• He wanted to assure Rebecca that her husband was far from a nobody. Instead, he was a man of immense wealth, possessing trillions in assets. He also held tremendous power and commanded countless elites as the leader of Empyrean.
• “Understood! Congratulations, Mr. Callier! I'm happy for you. I'll go prepare everything right away!”
• “All right, you may leave now.”
• “Rebecca! Rebecca! I have some great news to share with you.”
• Franklin didn't continue his grocery shopping. Instead, he went straight back to the Leaven residence, bursting with excitement as he pushed open Rebecca's bedroom door. He wanted to share everything with Rebecca and surprise her.
• In the next moment, however, Franklin was left dumbfounded, as if he had been struck by lightning.
• In the bedroom, Rebecca was wrapped in the arms of a greasy-looking man.
• Franklin recognized the man. His name was Samuel Webster from the Webster family of Jacaster. He used to hang out with Rebecca frequently, but Franklin never expected Rebecca to have hooked up with him.
• “Rebecca... You...” Franklin couldn't believe his eyes. The pain of betrayal was unbearable.
• Rebecca might have looked down on him, insulted him, and berated him over the past five years, but she had never done something this outrageous.
• Now, however, she had cheated on him.
• Rebecca was initially flustered to get caught in the act, but she quickly regained her composure, straightened her clothes, and yelled, “What? Why are you home so early, you good-for-nothing? Hurry up and start cooking!”
• “Rebecca... Why did you...” Franklin felt as though his heart was stabbed.
• He simply couldn't wrap his mind around it. The girl who had once fearlessly charged into a sea of flames to save his life had shockingly betrayed him.
• Was what I did over the past five years not enough? Is she really that heartless?
• “Fine. Since you've found out, we might as well come clean.” Samuel smirked and held Rebecca tightly, looking at Franklin condescendingly. “Rebecca has never loved you. The only reason she was with you was because I asked her to.”
• It turned out that for the past five years, Rebecca let Franklin be her fiancé simply to cater to Samuel's unique kink.
• Every time Franklin wasn't around, the two of them would spend time together.
• Had Franklin not decided to skip his usual trip to the farmers' market today, thereby returning home early, he might still be kept in the dark.
• Overwhelmed by heart-wrenching pain, he asked, his voice trembling, “So... I had always been a fool for these five years?”
• “Absolutely! You can only blame yourself for being a simp. Don't you know? Being a simp only leaves you with nothing in the end! Hahaha!” Rebecca laughed.
• A simp? She thinks of me as a simp?
• A wave of sorrow washed over Franklin. How ridiculous! I'm the respected leader of Empyrean! The wealthy, unparalleled, leader of countless elites! I've hidden my identity, sealed my powers, and come to repay her kindness for five years, but in her eyes, I'm nothing more than a simp! A simp that she can humiliate and trample on!
• Franklin said, disheartened, “In that case, I'll find another way to repay the life-saving favor you did for me five years ago... You can choose between money or power.”
• He was still determined to repay the life-saving favor he owed her, but in a different way.
• Rebecca was free to choose between money or power, but he'd no longer love her.
• After that, they would be even.
• “Life-saving favor? Haha! Franklin, not only are you useless, but you're also stupid! When have I ever saved the life of a loser like you? Are you kidding?” Rebecca said with utter contempt.
• “What do you mean? The massive fire at Evermist Lake six years ago... You braved the flames to rescue me. Have you forgotten all about it?” Franklin's expression shifted.
• “Six years ago? Evermist Lake? Idiot! I've never been to Evermist Lake in my entire life! Keep dreaming, you loser! You think I would risk my life to save you from a burning building? What a fool!” Rebecca spat in disgust.
• “Wait... What?” Franklin was instantly shell-shocked, almost falling to the floor in disbelief.