I Am the Ruler of All

Chapter 26

To make up for the shortfall, Reene visited all of the investment companies in Cleapolis from sunrise to sundown. However, none of them were willing to invest in her company as they didn't want to offend the Jacob Family.

Her last resort was to return to the Wynn Family and seek her grandfather's help.

As Henrich Wynn sat on his armchair, a light flickered in his eyes. "It's not impossible for me to temporarily get you through your difficulties... However, the funds withdrawn by the Jacob Family are not a small amount, and the Wynn Family can't help you unconditionally, can we?

His words clearly meant that Reene wasn't part of the Wynn Family.

Her gaze darkened. "Grandpa, you don't have to make up for the shortfall all at once. You just have to invest a portion of funds for the company to operate normally. I'm confident that we will be able to get through this! Neveah Department Store is a product of my hard work, and I will never let it go down. If you're willing to help me get through this, I'm willing to pay the price!" Reene pleaded.

"Hahaha! Since you've brought it up, I might consider it."

He then looked over at Clarence and asked, "Clarence, do you have any thoughts about this? Please share them with us."

"Clark Corporation would be able to fund the money, but as a condition, you'll have to transfer eighty percent of Neveah Department Store's shares to me!" Clarence let out a sinister smile before continuing, "Moreover, you'll have to let Alex be the chairman of the company!"

"Eighty percent of the shares…" Reene's red lips trembled as she was caught in a dilemma.

"Why? Are you not willing to do so? In that case, we shall wait for the demise of Neveah Department Store!" Alex scoffed.

His words were like a sharp knife, stabbing right into her heart. She'd never let her hard work go down the drain!

"Sure! I promise to give you eighty percent of the shares, as well as the position of chairman. However, I must participate in making important decisions for the company!" Reene gritted her teeth.

Clarence laughed smugly, "Hahaha! That won't be an issue. I'll get someone to draft the transfer contract over the next few days, and we shall sign it at Neveah Department Store in three days!"

Meanwhile, Kingsley had no idea about the difficulties that Reene was facing. Currently, he was on his way to the suburbs; after dinner, he had received a phone call from Gavin notifying him that Henrich was in Cleapolis.

The Tanner Mansion was located in the suburbs, and it was designed with a vintage touch to it.

In one of the rooms on the second floor of the mansion, Henrich was seen sitting on a luxurious cushion while playing chess. His second son, George Tanner, and his third daughter, Chermaine Tanner, were standing next to him.

Even though Henrich was almost in his eighties, he was still full of energy like a sixty-year-old.

After Gavin brought Kingsley into the room, he bowed respectfully. "Father, Kingsley is here."

The next moment, one of the chess pieces dropped on the chess board.

As Henrich slowly raised his head, he saw Kingsley standing upright by the door. "Are you the descendant of the Nicholson Family?" he asked.

Henrich looked at him intently as if he was trying to figure him out. novelbin

Kingsley greeted smilingly, "Mr. Tanner, it's nice to finally meet you."

Henrich raised his brows, recalling how frightened the juniors of the Tanner Family were when they first met him. In fact, they were so nervous that they would stutter. However, the young man standing in front of him didn't show any trace of fear whatsoever.

"According to the Tanner Family's house rules, juniors will have to greet Mr. Tanner by kneeling," Gavin said in a small voice.

"I'm not part of the Tanner Family," Kingsley replied calmly while smiling. How could they make the God of War kneel in front of them? After all, it might be too overwhelming for an old man reaching his eighties.

When they heard those words, the Tanner siblings felt anxious since no one in their family had been so impudent toward Mr. Tanner. Not only that, no one in the Northern Underworld of Qusita dared not to kneel before him!

As Gavin was about to reprimand Kingsley, Henrich raised his hand to stop Gavin. "That's fine. You can

sit down if you don't want to kneel," he stated.

"Sure thing, old man." Kingsley sat down directly on the cushion. As he sat right in front of Henrich, the only thing between them was the chess board.

Three of the siblings looked at each other with sour expressions, for only several people could sit on the cushion. Up until then, only a few venerable men were lucky enough to have sat on it a few times. Even the three siblings weren't qualified to sit there!

"Kingsley, you can't sit there!" Gavin was covered in sweat as he muttered.

"Why can't I sit here?" He moved to make space before asking, "Uncle Tanner, would you like to sit next to me?"

Gavin took a step back and refused while shaking his hand. "I wouldn't dare to—"

"Why not? Isn't this cushion for people to sit on? Don't you think so, old man?" Kingsley grinned at Henrich.

The older man gazed at him intently and explained, "Of course it is, but there's a condition to it."

"Oh? What is it?"

"If you sit here, you'll have to play a round of chess with me. If you win, you can sit however you want in the future," Henrich said nonchalantly.

"What if I lose?"

"If you lose, the hill behind the Tanner Mansion will be your final resting place."

Upon hearing that, Chermaine immediately went up and said, "Father, he is not part of the Tanner Family. He's unaware of our rules, so you should…"

Before she could complete her sentence, Henrich interrupted, "He doesn't know about the rules, but shouldn't you know about it?"

"Y-Yes, I'm aware."

Chermaine didn't dare to say anything. In the end, she merely stepped aside with a worried expression.

As Henrich pointed at the chessboard in front of him, he said, "Shall we continue with this game?"

"Sure. It seems like both sides are evenly matched." Kingsley nodded.

"You'll play for white, and I'll play for black."

"Alright."

After they reached an agreement, Kingsley picked up a chess piece and placed it on the chessboard.

Thirty minutes later, Henrich's frown deepened as he was on the losing end.

Kingsley had all the advantages, and all that was left was for him to make his last move. By then, Henrich would be defeated.

Meanwhile, the Tanner siblings stood on one side as they held their breaths. They were so nervous that they almost forgot how to breathe.

Henrich had obtained the highest ranking in chess and his chess skills had transcended to another level. All these years, no one had been able to win against him. Needless to say, no one expected that Kingsley could break the old man's winning streak!

"Kid, are you trying to let me win?" As Henrich looked at Kingsley, he asked, "You had the opportunity to take me down, why did you let me live instead?"

"I'm waiting."

"What are you waiting for?"

"I'm waiting for you to admit that you've lost." Kingsley smirked while looking calm.

Upon hearing his words, the siblings' hearts almost stopped! Henrich had ruled over the Northern Underworld of Qustia and was considered a hero. Never in his life had anyone dared to ask him to surrender. Gavin's palms were sweating as he feared that the old man would order Kingsley to be buried alive.

"Please leave the room, the three of you. There's something I need to tell him." Henrich waved his hand.

"Father—" Three of them shouted in unison.

"What's the matter? Do you need me to repeat myself?" Henrich's eyes widened. The three siblings didn't dare to disobey him, so they left the room feeling unsettled.

Now, Henrich and Kingsley were the only ones left in the room.

The former looked at the latter and commented, "You play chess very aggressively."

"As long as I'm able to win." Kingsley didn't deny it.

"When playing chess, you should pay attention to self-cultivation. Playing with a heavy killing intent is not the right way to go." Henrich shook his head in disagreement.

While smiling lightly, Kingsley replied, "When I've killed all my enemies, I will start practicing self- cultivation like you."

Henrich was stunned upon hearing those words. A few seconds later, he burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! Child, I can see my younger self in you!"

As he was talking, he took out a brocade box from a drawer behind his back.

He then stroked the brocade box with his wrinkly hand and sighed, "You are the second person who has beaten me over the years."

"Who was the first person?"

"It was your father, Xavier Nicholson."

Kingsley was surprised upon hearing that. Back then when Kingsley's godfather had taught him to play chess, he started winning every game after his first three attempts. Now, he realized that this talent ran in the Nicholson Family!

After placing the box on the chess board, he pushed it toward Kingsley and said, "This is for you."

"What is it?"

"It is something that I've been planning to pass to your father."

Kingsley slowly opened the box, and a wooden tag could be seen inside it.

The words 'Northern Draken Order' were written on it!

"The Northern Draken Tag? The tag that would warrant its owner the right to command all forces within the Northern Underworld of Qustia?"