Mistaken Match: Marrying the Enigmatic CEO
Chapter 2353; The Tangled Web of Ambitions and Betrayal
“Heh, and what kind of outcome are you hoping for?” Santiago asked with an easy smile.
Eric, never one to mince words, especially in front of two Martial Saints, lifted his chin and stood tall. His voice rang with quiet conviction as he said, “If my family had the support of you two back then, my father, Theodore Lannister, would’ve undoubtedly become the president of this country.”
“Theodore Lannister?!”
The name struck both Santiago and Yorick like a sudden gust of wind. They froze for a brief moment, the name pulling them into the recesses of old memories.
Three decades earlier, the race for the presidency had indeed come down to three men, but on of them had stepped down without explanation. That man had gone by the name Theodore Lindt.
Neither Santiago nor Yorick had known him personally, but their rank and station had exposed them to all sorts of whispers and speculation.
According to rumor, Theodore was the illegitimate son of someone powerful, a ghost among the elite. He had apparently held a high-ranking position within a prominent family, but until now, neither of them had known that his real name was Theodore Lannister.
“That’s right,” Eric acknowledged, his tone firm, his eyes unwavering. “Our family’s policy was always to stay out of politics. That’s why my father entered the public sphere under the name Theodore Lindt. Very few ever knew he belonged to the Lannister line.”
He went on, his voice gaining strength. “And he wasn’t just a man with a hidden name. My father held a title so distinguished, so revered, that even Helios offered his full support to get him to the presidency.”
“Helios!”
At that name, something flickered across Santiago’s and Yorick’s faces, recognition steeped in awe. The Airspace Group rose sharply in both their memories.
Years ago, each of them had been challenged by an unrivaled masters, the top ranked fighter from the Airspace Group, Helios himself.
neither had been defeated, but both remembered vividly how helpless they had felt. No matter what they did, they couldn’t gain the upper hand. Had the duel not been limited to a set number of moves, both knew they would have fallen by the three hundredth strike.
“Exactly,” Eric said. “Helios is Atticus’ older brother. The two chose very different paths. While Atticus walked the route of diplomacy, Helios amassed immense wealth and used it to forge the Airspace Group from the ground up. He brought together thousands of elite fighters and even founded his own research centers.”
There was a glow of pride in Eric’s expression now, a subtle lift in his voice. “And yet, that same man, one of the most powerful figures of our time, held my father in the highest regard. He didn’t just admire him. He called him ‘Master’.”
“Why?” Yorick finally asked, his curiosity too sharp to keep buried. “Why would someone like Helios bow to a man in secret?”
“A fair question,” Eric replied, his eyes glinting with something both proud and distant. “Because my father was the illegitimate son of Princess Rosalind. He carried the true imperial bloodline.”
“Wait, imperial bloodline?” Santiago’s brows lifted in amusement more than disbelief. They weren’t living in some ancient dynasty anymore. Who even cared about that kind of thing these days?
Yorick frowned too. “Princess Rosalind? Wasn’t she the youngest daughter of the last emperor? She had a child out of wedlock?”
“She did,” Eric said, entirely unfazed by their doubt. “And that child was my father. Whether people care or not doesn’t matter. The truth is my family carries the imperial bloodline.”
Santiago shrugged slightly and muttered, “So what?”
He could no longer hold back his curiosity. “So, this is the reason Helios wants to make your father the president of the nation?” he asked.
“Exactly,” Eric answered without hesitation. “Helios” grandfather was once the most formidable warrior in the royal palace. The Sheffield-Grey family rose to power thanks to the king’s favor, growing into a true political heavyweight. Out of deep loyalty, Helios genuinely wanted my father to take the presidency.”
Yorick leaned forward, sensing an opportunity. “Then, what about Atticus? Why is he running for president, too?”
“Good question,” Eric replied, his expression darkening with a flicker or irritation. “Our families have been closely tied for generations. We’ve always operated within overlapping spheres of influence. If both men ran for office at the same time, the votes would be split, and that would almost guarantee defeat. So, my father stepped back and withdrew from the race.”
Yorick didn’t let up. “Why was it your father who stepped back? Why not Atticus?”
A low chuckle came from Santiago. “I think I know why. Back then, someone started digging into Theodore’s past. Rumer had it he had more skeletons in the closet than a graveyard. His reputation would’ve crumbled under the spotlight, so he backed out before things got ugly.”
Yorick smirked, exchanging a knowing glance with Santiago. The silent understanding between them only deepened Eric’s frustration.
“Those underhanded tactics were all orchestrated by Artemis faction.” Eric spat, voice sharp with resentment. “That’s why I’ve hated him for years. I wanted him dead long ago, but at the time, I wasn’t strong enough, not like Pierre, so I kept my anger buried until last year.”
Santiago’s eyes narrowed. “So you ambushed Artemis.” His voice grew heavy with rage. He had once guarded Artemis with his live, and the betrayal hit close to home.
Yorick’s tone hardened as well. “Ever since the attack, people have been blaming me. Was that your doing too? Why are you so determined to ruin me?”
Eric suddenly laughed, the sound bitter and mocking. “Lord Dotson, I won’t deny my wrongdoing. But I beg you, at least let me explain.”
Yorick’s voice turned cold, and his eyes gleaned with a dangerous edge. “You get one chance. If your explanation doesn’t satisfy me, I’ll end your life where you stand.”
However, Eric stood his ground, unfazed by the killing intent, that hung in the air Gritting his teeth, he went on, “My father had an agreement with the Sheffield-Grey family. The plan was simple, if Atticus won the election, they’d consolidate their power, and five years later, he’s hand the presidency over to my father. That way, the glory of the imperial bloodline could be restored.”
Santiago let out a cold scoff but remained silent, letting him continue.
“But everything fell apart because of one women Jane,” Eric surmised, his voice sharpening, “Because of her, our families grand design was completely destroyed. Do you really think we wouldn’t want her dead?”
Santiago clenched his jaw, the truth settling uncomfortably in his gut. “So that’s why you went after my wife,” he said through gritted teeth. “If you wanted her dead, you could’ve come after her in the open. Why impersonate Yorick?”
Yorick’s fists clenched, the veins in his arms standing out as his rage built silently.
Eric met their anger head-on. “Because we wanted to frame Atticus. He and Helios may be brothers, but they don’t share the same ambitions. Later, I found out he wanted power for himself all along.”
His voice trembled with a mix of adrenaline and bitter pride. “When Artemis won the presidency, our family immediately drew up two plans. First, assassinate Artemis. Second, destroy Atticus’ public image. Only by doing both could my father have a clear path to the presidency.”
Yorick’s fists cracked audibly as he tightened them. “I’m the top fighter in Atticus’ command, he said darkly. “You used my identity to commit murder. You stained my name, tarnished his reputation, and sabotaged everything we worked for.”
Eric didn’t flinch. “That’s right,” he replied, almost defiantly. “Lord Dotson, we did what we had to for the greater good. It was never personal. Please accept my sincerest apology.”
He then bowed low, bending at a prefect ninety degrees. Yorick let out a low laugh, but there was no humor in it, only disbelief and fury.
Santiago too, chuckled, though he was laced with contempt. Then, without another word, the two men exploded with rage, voices cutting through the air like thunder.
“You ruined my life! Do you really think an apology is enough?!”
“You murdered my wife and left me alone for nearly thirty years! I want your blood!”
As their shouts rang out, Yorick summed a tiger, and Santiago raised his spear. Both moved in unison, deadly intent clear in their eyes.
Eri’s face went pale. Cold sweat broke out along his brow as he instinctively leaped backward but against the combined might of Silver Dragon and Savage Tiger, who in the world could hope to escape?
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