First Intergalactic Emperor: Starting With The Ancient Goddess

”I know how it sounds,” Xavier continued. ”He still laughed. Still played along. But he was different. He only did it because of Maximillian, Ethan, Lucas. You know how they were. If he didn’t join in, they would’ve turned on him too.”

John’s fingers drummed once on the desk, silent otherwise, but his eyes narrowed as he listened.

”Sometimes,” Xavier said, leaning forward now, voice dipping into something softer, ”when no one else was around, he helped me. Small things. A word, a warning, covering for me when things went too far. He... he was my only friend. Even if he never admitted it out loud.”

The silence between them pressed heavier now. John was waiting for Xavier to continue, while Xavier had purposely paused to add some tension.

”And then—” Xavier’s hands clenched on his knees, his tone sharpening. ”And then Maximillian pulled the trigger. Like it was nothing. Like Leonardo’s life was just another round in a stupid, pointless game.”

John’s face hardened, his grief twisting into something darker.

Xavier’s gaze dropped, his voice trembling just enough to sell it. ”I wanted to stop him. I wanted to fight back. But Maximillian’s father was there. Dominic. And he made sure I knew exactly what would happen to me if I spoke. I was just a kid. I was scared.”

He paused there, letting the lie sink, letting the weight of it twist the knife.

”Leonardo didn’t deserve that,” Xavier whispered. ”Not after pretending. Not after trying, in his own way, to protect me.”

The smart glass pulsed faintly against the table, uploading, stealing, digging through Kane Tower’s systems while Xavier’s words kept John rooted in place.

John’s stare burned through Xavier, the weight of a grieving father mixed with the restraint of a man who’d carried his rage for too long.

”Why are you here, boy? To narrate my son’s death back to me? To dig up wounds that don’t heal?”

Xavier leaned forward, his expression hardened but his voice layered with fire and grief. ”At that time, I couldn’t do anything. I was just a scared kid with Maxmillian’s gun at my face and Dominic standing behind him. But things are different now. Dominic is dead. Maxmillian is a wanted man with no one to shield him. And I...” his jaw clenched, ”I want to take revenge. For Leonardo. For my only friend.”

John’s eyes narrowed, his tone cold. ”Why? Why risk your life for him now?”

Xavier let the silence hang a beat before admitting, ”It’s not just for Leonardo. It’s also for me. For every bruise, every humiliation, every day I was their target while Maxmillian laughed at my pain.” His voice dropped, raw. ”I want him to suffer like I did.”

John’s breath was heavy, his fists trembling on the desk. ”Then why are you here?”

”To ask for your help,” Xavier said without hesitation. ”Because I know you must want the same. You can’t tell me you’re content sitting in this tower while your son’s murderer walks free. Dominic, your closest friend, betrayed you. He covered up Leonardo’s death like it was dirt to be swept away.”

John’s features twitched at that. Grief cracked into fury, but he steadied himself and forced his words out. ”You don’t have to worry. Leonardo will be given justice once Maxmillian is arrested.”

That was when Xavier snapped. He slammed his hands against the desk, his voice cutting through the office like a blade. ”Justice? You really think this rotten system is going to give you justice? You know as well as I do Maxmillian will walk free. Money, power, connections... it’s always the same story! And even if he is locked away, he’ll live, John! He’ll still breathe, laugh, eat, fuck, and in a few years, he’ll walk out of prison like nothing happened!”

John’s silence weighed heavy. His composure wavered.

”Meanwhile,” Xavier pressed, voice blazing, ”Leonardo’s life ended young. His youth snatched away before he even lived it. And you’re telling me you’re content letting the courts decide his worth? That’s not justice. That’s spitting on his grave.”

Xavier shoved his chair back and stood, shaking his head with a bitter scoff. ”Forget it. If you don’t have the spine to help me, I’ll take care of Maxmillian myself.” He turned, taking a step toward the door before throwing one last dagger over his shoulder.

”I came here thinking you were a father who’d fight for his son. Turns out you’re just a coward hiding behind the system. Leonardo must be rolling in his grave—oh wait.” Xavier’s lips twisted into a cruel smirk. ”That’s right. His body hasn’t even been found. Who knows what Dominic and Maxmillian did with it. Maybe they buried him in a ditch, maybe they fed him to the dogs. Maybe he’s just another piece of trash they tossed aside.”

John’s breath hitched, but Xavier didn’t stop.

”Leonardo’s probably cursing you from the heavens right now, John. Cursing his father for failing him. For doing nothing. For sitting here in this office while his killers walk free.”

The words hung sharp, venomous, leaving John trembling in the storm Xavier had unleashed.

John’s hands shook when Xavier’s words cut through him. The grief that had sat like a stone in his chest finally cracked and poured out, hot and raw. His face went from pale to hard, eyes sparking with a terrible light.

”You think I’m a coward?” John’s voice was low and dangerous. ”You think I’ll sit while they walk?” He slammed a fist on the desk so hard a framed certificate rattled. ”Of course I want revenge. I want him—Maxmillian—to feel it. I want to kill him with my own hands.”

For a heartbeat, the office was a raw thing of sound and breath. John’s mouth tightened into a cold smile. ”If it’s mercy you want, boy, there is none. He will know every second of it.”

’Fina-fucking-lly!’

Now that Xavier had cracked the egg, it was now time to prepare a fine and delicious dish out of it.