18. The king wakes
Next Morning — The King Wakes
Soft sunlight slipped through the tall curtains, brushing across Maximilian's face.
He opened his eyes slowly.
For a moment, he didn't move.
His mind took a second to switch from exhaustion to full awareness.
Then—
the mask slid back on.
The ruthless CEO.
The king of Brooks Empire.
The man who carried entire industries in the palm of his hand.
His personal life may have been a storm,
but responsibility never stopped—
not for curses, not for darkness, not for fear.
Maximilian got out of bed, showered, dressed in an immaculate tailored suit,
and tied his watch with the practiced precision of a man who never wasted a moment.
Brooks Multinational Holdings demanded perfection.
And he always delivered.
---
Breakfast at Brooks Mansion -
When he entered the large dining hall,
his family was already waiting.
Uncle Adrian
Aunt Liana
Cousin Aiden
Cousin Chloe
All sitting around the long table decorated with an elegant breakfast spread.
The moment they saw him—
"Good morning, Max!"
"Morning, sweetheart."
"Morning, big bro!"
Warm.
Soft.
Genuine.
Maximilian simply nodded with a faint, controlled smile.
It was small, but for his family… it was precious.
As he took his seat, a maid placed a cup of fresh black coffee in front of him.
He unfolded the morning newspaper, scanning the headlines with razor focus.
Aiden, munching on pancakes, leaned toward Chloe and whispered loudly:
"Did you see the headlines?
Max is on the front page again.
Our brother is scary famous."
Maximilian didn't bother looking up.
Chloe dramatically placed her hands on her cheeks:
"Of course he is!
He looks like he walks straight out of a billionaire romance novel!"
Aiden nodded with exaggerated seriousness.
"If Max ever becomes single again, I'm quitting studies and becoming his bodyguard."
Maximilian turned one page of the newspaper.
"You can barely protect your breakfast from Chloe."
Aiden gasped.
"Wh— That's not true!"
Chloe stole one of his pancakes.
Aiden screamed.
Maximilian quietly sipped his coffee.
A soft smile almost appeared on his lips. Almost.
Aunt Liana chuckled.
Uncle Adrian shook his head.
"Every morning with these two is a comedy show," he sighed.
Aiden pointed dramatically at Maximilian.
"Brother! She stole my pancake! Say something!"
Maximilian lowered the newspaper just enough to show his eyes.
Cold. Sharp. Dead serious.
Then:
"Eat faster."
Aiden: "…You're ruthless."
Chloe: "He's right."
Uncle Daniel nearly choked on his juice trying not to laugh.
---
Assistant Kyron Arrives -
The dining hall door opened.
Kyron, Maximilian's elite personal assistant, stepped inside with perfect posture.
Black suit.
Tablet in hand.
Expression serious.
He bowed respectfully.
"Good morning, President Brooks."
Maximilian nodded once.
Kyron began reading the schedule with crisp precision.
"First, you have a negotiation meeting with the Zenith International directors at 9:30.
Followed by a contract finalization with the Eastvale Tech CEO.
At noon, the global board expects your approval on the merger documents.
And at 2 PM—"
He hesitated.
"—the press conference regarding your new energy project."
Aiden whispered to Chloe:
"See? This is why Max doesn't have time to date."
Chloe replied:
"Date? He doesn't even have time to breathe."
Maximilian calmly closed the newspaper.
"Kyron. Prepare the car in ten minutes."
Kyron bowed.
"At once, sir."
He left swiftly.
---
The Morning Ends With Warmth
Maximilian stood to leave.
Aunt Liana touched his arm softly.
"Take care of yourself, Max."
Uncle Adrian nodded.
"We'll visit your mother again ."
That's right , uncle Adrian and Aunt Liana leave in Hollowmist City. As he has his own business in another country.
Aiden and Chloe leave with their older brother Maximilian for their studies in one of top prestigious college in entire Hollowmist city own by Maximilian.
Aiden grinned.
Chloe smiled brightly.
For a moment—
just a moment—
the hardness in Maximilian's eyes softened.
"Thank you."
And then the king walked out,
ready to conquer the world again.
And so does his little warriors to the college...
---