Love at the Wrong Table by Emmanuel Lowe

Chapter 2001

In a modest residential area in the Onza district of Zovince, Teddy sat

comfortably, fully immersed in the day’s national news broadcast. The

headlines flickered across the screen, capturing his attention.

“Severe floods ravaged the West End of Chanaea, displacing hundreds of

thousands. The chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Teddy, promptly

called upon all sectors of society to donate aid and dispatched teams to the

disaster areas for relief.

“Teddy generously donated fifteen million in private funds to the disaster

zone. The chairman, known for his frugal lifestyle, consistently dedicated

himself to charitable and public welfare initiatives…”

As Teddy absorbed the headlines and summaries, a satisfied smile graced

his face, a reflection of his commitment to the community. Just then, a

sudden ping interrupted his thoughts. An anonymous message had arrived,

revealing the latest movements of Mackenzie, the chairman of the Nuthana

Chamber of Commerce.

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Chapter 2001 The Struggle in the West End

After a moment’s contemplation, Teddy decided it was time to act. He quickly

summoned his assistant, Levi, along with the four key envoys, who swiftly

gathered in the elegantly arranged meeting room.

“I apologize for calling you here tonight on such short notice,” Teddy began,

his tone serious yet approachable. “However, a matter of urgency has arisen

that requires your assistance.”

Teddy took it upon himself to personally arrange the banquet, extending his

utmost courtesy to the five individuals.

“Mr. Tanner, please, feel free to give us your orders,” Levi said respectfully, his

demeanor confident and unwavering. The four envoys remained standing,

ready to listen, their expressions keen and attentive.

“Here’s the situation,” Teddy explained, his gaze steady. “I received

information from Nuthana indicating that Mackenzie intends to travel to the

West End. She likely aims to rally support.”

He paused, ensuring the weight of his words sank in. “The West End

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represents our weakest foothold. Should she succeed in her mission, it could

jeopardize my re–election and, by extension, disrupt the national elections.

For the sake of stability in Chanaea, we cannot allow that woman to

succeed.*

“Understood. We will take her down,” Aora responded, saluting with

determination, her spirit resolute.

Teddy suddenly erupted in laughter, pointing at Aora with an amused glint in

his eyes. “Aora, how should I praise you? You’re so quick to resort to violence!

That will not do, especially when dealing with women; one must be gentle,

you understand?”

Aora rolled his eyes, fully aware of Teddy’s playful intent but unable to resist

replying, “Mr. Tanner, we know you possess a kind heart and act for the good

of the nation. While we might refrain from outright murder if Mackenzie were

to accidentally meet her end, we wouldn’t exactly be obligated to save her,

would we?”

Teddy laughed again, his demeanor light and infectious. “Aora, handle it as

Chapter 2001 The Struggle in the West End

you see fit. I trust you to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.”

With a respectful bow, Aora turned to lead his three companions out of the

room. As they departed, they muttered among themselves, a knowing

camaraderie evident in their voices. The common people might not grasp

who Teddy truly was, but they did.

“It’s exhausting to keep up appearances,” one of them remarked.

“Mr. Tanner, they seem to misunderstand you,” Levi observed after the four

had left. A soft sigh escaped him, the weight of his loyalty evident. His

dedication to Teddy stemmed from genuine admiration, a stark contrast to

the self–serving motivations of Aora and the others.

“Haha, how many true confidants does one encounter in life?” Teddy replied,

his relaxed demeanor unshaken as he sipped his drink. A sense of

melancholy flickered across his features. “In this world, one can either be

mundane or solitary. When perched high above, the chill sets in. To have

even one or two true friends is a blessing–enough. Haha…”

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Chapter 2001 The Struggle in the West End

7253

Levi found himself in awe of Teddy’s poise. While many perceived him as a

villainous hypocrite, Levi knew the truth: Teddy genuinely cared for the

nation’s people. Some bloodshed, he reasoned, was simply the consequence

of justice.

“By the way, Mr. Tanner, here is the Dragon Tome that Aora brought back,”

Levi seized the opportunity to present a weathered book. “It is said that

mastering this internal skill can extend one’s lifespan. You are vital to the

stability of Chanaea, and I suggest you ponder its contents.”

Teddy accepted the tome, contemplating it with a thoughtful expression

before bursting into laughter. “How can you be certain it is authentic?”

Levi hesitated, shaking his head slowly. “I cannot confirm its authenticity. It is

up to you to discern the truth.”

In his eyes, Teddy was a sage–a wise man capable of discerning reality from

deception.

“Very well, I will give it due consideration.” He tucked the book away, then

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suddenly inquired, “What do you think of this young man, Gautier?”

“He is a remarkable individual,” Levi replied, not holding back in his praise. “He

embodies many traits of a great leader patience, an ability to conceal his

brilliance, and both courage and ruthlessness. Most importantly, he

possesses a keen sense of timing. If given the right circumstances, he might

very well become another president like yourself.”

“Haha… so you’re saying I am also ruthless?” Teddy threw back his head,

laughter spilling from his lips like a refreshing spring.

“Mr. Tanner, I didn’t mean it that way.”

Levi, feeling the heat of embarrassment rise, broke into a cold sweat. He

rushed to clarify, “Mr. Tanner, you are just and righteous. Thus, your

ruthlessness serves the greater good of the country.”

“Enough already. No more flattery that might backfire. Hahaha…”

Teddy waved his hand dismissively, his laughter echoing in the room. He had

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Chapter 2001 The Struggle in the West End

鐘

no intention of lingering on the topic. Yet, a sudden sigh escaped him as he

added, “Whether you call me just or evil, my greatest regret is that I have no

heir,”

Levi understood the weight of Teddy’s words and the pain that hung over him

like a dark cloud.

Teddy’s wife, Catherine, had endured a severe injury in her youth that

rendered her unable to bear children.

As for Teddy’s other brothers, their offspring were a mixed bag. His daughter,

Yuna, shone with talent in both arts and skills. However, his sons were nothing

more than disappointments, unable to rise to the occasion.

No matter how great Teddy was, he found himself with no one to pass his

legacy to, and the thought gnawed at him.

“Mr. Tanner, are you suggesting you want to train Gautier?”

Levi gasped in surprise, the realization dawning on him. “This young man

could be useful to us, but he is not to be trusted. His ambitions may be vast,

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and his loyalties are uncertain.”

Teddy chuckled heartily, waving his hand again. “I merely have that thought

in mind. Even if I were willing, he may not share my desires. Let’s see if he

proves loyal to me first.”

Levi sighed heavily, feeling the gravity of the situation.

After their conversation, Levi took his leave, the door closing softly behind

him.

Left alone, Teddy held the Dragon Tome in his hands, its ancient pages whispering secrets. As he studied it closely, an eerie sensation enveloped him, drawing him into an illusion. A sudden, intense pain throbbed in his head

and he felt as if the world around him blurred.

Desperation surged within him, and finally, after striking himself with a fist, he

spat out blood, jolting back to reality. He had narrowly escaped the clutches

of madness.

“Damn it,” he cursed under his breath.

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Chapter 2001 The Struggle in the West End

Teddy, usually exuding an air of authority, felt an uncontrollable rage swell

within him. In a fit of frustration, he hurled the ancient text to the ground,

where it lay as a forgotten relic.

From his earlier conversation with Levi, he pieced together the text’s origins. It

seemed the hidden Summerton family had deliberately set a trap, hoping

that anyone ambitious enough to grasp the Dragon Tome would descend

into madness and meet a grim fate.

“Those treacherous Summertons must be eradicated to prevent future

troubles,” Teddy seethed, his voice laced with venom.

“Teddy, what’s wrong?”

A gentle voice suddenly floated in from outside the room, interrupting his

thoughts.

“Catherine, what brings you here?”

Teddy opened the door, surprise washing over him as he saw his wife

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Chapter 2001 The Struggle in the West End

standing there.

He knew all too well that he had made many enemies. In his efforts to maintain a clean image, he often chose to reside in ordinary homes and frequently changed his location, always on guard against vengeful foes.

It was rare for them to see each other, making Catherine’s unexpected visit

all the more startling.

However, upon noticing the injuries on Catherine’s body, alarm surged within

him like a thunderclap. “What happened? Why are you so badly hurt?”

“I was attacked,” she replied calmly, as though sharing the mundane details

of an everyday occurrence.