Next, the moment for my revenge had arrived.

I would repay Madeline for every ounce of suffering she had inflicted upon me until the Whitman family was no more.

Madeline lunged at me and grasped my sleeve, ready to slap me. But I was quicker, catching her wrist before she could land the blow.

With a snap, I stared into her astonished face and returned the favor with a resounding backhand slap.

I had fantasized about this moment for far too long.

"Madeline, now it's your turn to beg for mercy from me," I declared.

Releasing her wrist, I wiped my fingers with disdain.

As I stepped back, the door to the room swung open.

Madeline clutched her face, and her eyes were burning with resentment.

"Drag this madman away! I'm going to end him!" she screamed.

I had put all my strength into that slap, so her face must have been swollen.

I retreated to the manager's side, watching Madeline with a mix of interest and disdain.

She seemed unable to comprehend the situation clearly.

"Madeline, I'll give you a chance," I said.

"Kneel on the ground and lick the wine off my shoes, and I will spare the Whitman family."

Madeline was dumbfounded, and her eyes betrayed her confusion as she looked at me.

A few seconds later, she charged at me like a wild beast.

"William, who do you think you are?" she snarled.

But before she could reach me, she was restrained by the bodyguards who had rushed in.

I slowly removed the cumbersome doll costume, observing her playfully.

"Madeline, you should know yourself well," I said calmly.

"Within three days, repay every penny you've spent at this pub over the past five years, or I will ensure the Whitman family vanishes from Huxton."

The manager bowed respectfully. His face mirrored his inward obsequiousness.

"Mr. Jones, your parents await your return home," he said.

I waved a hand and followed him out.

After settling into the car, I felt the small box in my pocket.

It contained the remnants of the system's redemption: the Resurrection Pill, which was capable of bringing my grandmother, Jennifer Jones, back to life.

Five years ago, I was coerced into binding with this absurd system.

Jennifer had suffered a fatal car accident on her way to see me. The system promised that if I followed Madeline and completed ninety-nine tasks unconditionally, Jennifer would be revived.

Compared to my dignity, Jennifer's life was paramount.

Even if given the chance, I would make the same choice.

The first thing I did upon returning home was to visit Jennifer's room.

The Jones family had hired the best doctors and cared for her diligently.

Yet, the results were minimal.

I pushed the door open, my fingertips trembling as I gazed upon her familiar face.

"Grandma, I'm sorry," I whispered.

If not for me, she wouldn't have been trapped in this unending slumber.

I opened the box and fed her the pill.

The lines on the monitoring instruments began to shift, and Jennifer's fingers twitched slightly.

"Doctor, my grandma is moving!" I called out.

The doctors by the door flooded in, and I was pushed aside.

With a livid expression, my father, Leo Jones, yanked me out by the collar.

"William, are you looking for a fight?

"Have you had your fill of fun?"

When I first bound with the system, I had forsaken the family business.

Leo had shouldered the burden alone for five years, so he looked much older and wearier.

I pulled at the corners of my mouth, offering a bitter smile.

"Dad, I've made up my mind. I'll take over my responsibility as the heir," I said.

Though I had never before taken charge of the Jones family's business, I had made private preparations.

Moreover, these five years were not entirely wasted.

The small company I owned was thriving.

Leo released his grip, snorting coldly.

"What about that Madeline you were so infatuated with? Do you truly not care for her anymore?" he asked.

Leo understood my entanglement with Madeline with an intimacy that bordered on prophetic, so his every utterance dripped with skepticism.

I extended my hand, presenting the phone to Leo.

I declared, "Her extravagant spending at WakingUp Pub over the past five years must be settled within three days; otherwise, I will dismantle the Whitman family."

Compared to the Jones family, the Whitman family was as insignificant as an ant before an elephant.

Leo eyed me suspiciously, scrutinizing the surveillance footage on the phone.

"Are you sure?"

I adjusted my collar and nodded resolutely.

"It's been five years. Continuing like this would tarnish the Jones family's reputation."

I couldn't remain willful forever.

Those within the Jones family were already eyeing me covetously. I couldn't let Jennifer wake up to a world of mess.

I spoke calmly, but at that moment, my cell phone rang.

Leo snorted as he gleefully watched my phone.

I retrieved it, glancing at the caller ID.

It was Madeline.

Under Leo's watchful gaze, I removed the SIM card and snapped it in two.

"Get me a new card. I'm not someone just anyone can reach."

After stowing the card away, I glanced at my phone and tossed it into the trash.

From now on, my identity as the heir of the Jones family would be more advantageous to navigate than ever.

Seeing my serious demeanor, Leo prepared the necessary arrangements.

The doctor emerged swiftly, and Leo and I entered the room together.

Jennifer was propped up at the head of the bed. Her face turned stern when she saw me.

"Young man, have you found a girlfriend yet? How old are you now? I'm still waiting to cradle your child."

I rubbed my nose, feeling a slight headache coming on.

The doctor's eyes grew increasingly peculiar as he looked at me.

For five years, they had tried every conceivable method to rouse Jennifer, yet it was only when I arrived that she awakened.

It was nothing short of a medical marvel.

But I had no way to explain the intricacies of that dreadful system.

Leo and I exchanged glances, both unable to suppress our laughter.

Jennifer's temperament remained unchanged, just as it had been before.

After handling Jennifer's affairs, I turned and followed Leo to the company.

But I hadn't expected to encounter Madeline downstairs.

She leaned against her pink sports car, gazing at us arrogantly.

"William, I'll give you a chance to apologize to me, and I might forgive you."

Leo raised an eyebrow slightly, halting to observe her.

I was also waiting for her next move.

Seeing that I ignored her, Madeline looked somewhat flustered.

She strode towards me in her high heels, hurling the handbag in her hand towards my face.

I looked down at her and raised my hand, pushing her to the ground.

The security guard at the entrance promptly stepped forward, and I gazed at her with disdain.

"Madeline, this is Jones Group, not your playground."

Before leaving, I had changed into the suit Leo had tailored for me.

After all, this was the official takeover of the company, and we needed to take it seriously.

I had been anticipating this moment for a long time.

Madeline thrashed about, punching and kicking the security guard. Her hair was in disarray.

The bag in her hand fell to the ground, and its contents were scattered across the floor.

I stared at the familiar card and bent down to pick it up.

"I've confiscated your VIP card. Remember to repay me. Do you understand?"

I had given her this card when she wanted to treat her friends at WakingUp Pub. It had unlimited spending.

But now, she was no longer worthy of using it.

Madeline stared at me with reddened eyes, her resolve unyielding.

"William, I know you're furious with me for humiliating you that day. At worst, I can let you have your moment at the banquet."

Leo playfully nudged my arm. He was chuckling at me.

But I wasn't in the mood for games, so I waved my hand, instructing the security guard to remove Madeline.

"Next time you see her, shoo her away. I won't have Jones Group's name tarnished by her presence."

The Jones family's century-old legacy could only be upheld by my hands.

The rest was mere detritus.

I turned and entered the building. Leo guided me to the exclusive elevator.

The elevator whisked us directly from the ground floor to the penthouse. As the doors parted, a handful of guards stood sentinel.

Over the past five years, I had meticulously researched every senior executive of Jones Group.

I knew their backgrounds intimately.

Since they all sought to play, I would engage them in their own game.

Leo pushed open the door to the president's office, inputting my fingerprint and iris scan.

"You must handle the shareholders' meeting later on your own."

Leo had risen to his position through his own efforts. No one in the Jones family had ever relied on others.

His son must be exceptional, so remarkable that others would pale in comparison.

I smiled, checking the time on my watch.

"Don't worry. I won't disappoint you."

Though the company I owned was not as formidable as Jones Group, it was more than sufficient to dismantle the Whitman family.

I had not been idle these years.

I had also seized numerous small plots of land that the Jones family had coveted.

At least half of the Whitman family's ventures had been crippled by my actions.

Before the meeting commenced, I followed Leo to the door.

Behind the closed door lay countless adversaries and a myriad of troubles.

I calmly opened the door, facing the roomful of shareholders.

"Ladies and gentlemen, long time no see."

The reaction was mixed; some were pleased, while others were dismayed.

I observed their expressions, and the secretary, Paul Lawson, distributed the documents I had prepared long ago to each of them.

"After five years apart, I've prepared a small token for everyone. Open the document before you; it will dictate what you should say and do next."

I ignored Leo's astonished expression because there was no time to explain.

As they busied themselves with the documents, I slowly assumed Leo's seat.

"The chair is uncomfortable. Replace it with a new one tomorrow."

The chair had broken under Leo's weight, which truly did not align with my temperament.

With a new president, of course, everything must begin anew.

Paul covered his mouth, suppressing a laugh, while Leo frowned, embarrassed.

I lifted my legs, crossing them and quietly awaiting everyone's reaction.

Ten minutes later, cold sweat beaded on some foreheads.

Others smiled joyfully, offering their warm support.

Paul stood obediently behind me, whispering the next plan into my ear.

"The last page of your document contains the main agenda of this meeting: whether you agree to Mr. William Jones becoming the new chairman of Jones Group.

"After signing, everything will return to normal."

His voice reached the ears of every shareholder, causing them to tremble with apprehension.

I tapped the table calmly, speaking slowly after they had signed.

"Since there are no objections, let me share my views on the matter.

"I will take charge of Jones Group from now on. I don't want those who betray the company, embezzle privately, or engage in shady dealings on its behalf.

"I'll give you one day to divest your shares at the current market price, with additional compensation."

Since I could make a move, no one dared to touch the Jones family's shares.

What I could offer, no one else could match.

At the end of the meeting, Leo seemed hesitant to speak.