Chapter 29: Kokok’s anger issue

The air in the Innovation family mansion was still charged with tension as the gathering began to disperse. Conversations buzzed with speculation and opinions about the outcome, but Marcelino’s mind was elsewhere. His victory was bittersweet, overshadowed by the animosity from Kokok and the other candidates. He knew that the road ahead was fraught with danger and intrigue, and he would need to remain vigilant.

As the crowd thinned, Marcelino exchanged a few brief words with his grandfather Manuel, who gave him a nod of approval. But even amidst the congratulations, Marcelino could feel the weight of expectation settling on his shoulders. This was just the beginning, and he had much to prove.

Kokok stood at the back of the hall, his face flushed with anger and disbelief. His hands clenched into fists, and his jaw tightened as he watched Marcelino bask in his victory. A bitter seed of resentment took root in Kokok’s heart, fueled by the humiliation of his defeat.

“John, I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you! I swear!” Kokok muttered under his breath, his eyes fixed on Marcelino with a murderous glare. His family gathered around him, urging him to leave before he made a scene.
As Kokok stormed out of the hall, his family followed closely behind, exchanging worried glances. They knew all too well the depths of Kokok’s rage and what he was capable of when consumed by his emotions.
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Back at the Kokok family estate, the air was thick with tension. The opulent halls echoed with the sounds of Kokok’s fury as he vented his anger on the priceless artifacts that adorned his home.
The first to fall was a centuries-old Ming dynasty vase, its delicate porcelain shattering into a thousand pieces against the marble floor. Kokok moved like a whirlwind, his rage manifesting in a destructive path as he tore through the estate.

“Young master, please stop!” Kokok’s secretary pleaded, rushing to his side in an attempt to calm him. But the plea fell on deaf ears.
“Slap!” The sound of the slap reverberated through the room as Kokok lashed out, his hand connecting with the secretary’s face.

“How dare you interrupt me when I am in the middle of my moment!” Kokok spat, his voice dripping with venom. With a swift kick, he sent the secretary sprawling across the floor.
“Get lost! I don’t want you to come here. Leave me alone!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the cavernous room. The secretary scrambled to his feet and hurriedly retreated, leaving Kokok to his destructive frenzy.

Kokok’s rampage continued, each shattered vase and destroyed painting a testament to his frustration and impotent rage. The room, once a testament to wealth and culture, was reduced to a landscape of broken treasures.

“Damn you, John!” Kokok shouted to the empty room, his voice raw with emotion. “You think you’re better than me? You’ll regret this. I’ll make sure of it.”

He sank to the floor amidst the debris, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. The realization of his defeat weighed heavily on him, but beneath the despair lay a burning desire for revenge.
Kokok knew that Marcelino’s victory was more than just a personal slight; it was a challenge to his status within the Innovation family. He had always prided himself on being a key player, someone who could influence and control outcomes. Now, his position was in jeopardy, and he couldn’t bear the thought of being overshadowed.

As he sat in the ruins of his home, Kokok’s mind raced with plans and schemes. He would find a way to bring Marcelino down, to expose him and reclaim what he believed was rightfully his.
“You won’t get away with this, John,” Kokok vowed, his voice a whisper of determination. “I’ll make you pay for humiliating me.”
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Meanwhile, Marcelino returned to his quarters, the weight of his new position settling heavily on his shoulders. The road ahead was uncertain, and the challenges he faced were formidable. But Marcelino was nothing if not determined. He had fought too hard and sacrificed too much to let anything stand in his way now.

The events of the day replayed in his mind, the tension and drama of the selection process still fresh. He thought of Kokok’s outburst, the fury in his cousin’s eyes, and knew that the battle for the family headship was far from over.

Marcelino understood that his position as a finalist put him in the crosshairs of not just his rivals but potentially the entire Innovation family. The politics and machinations within the family were as complex as they were ruthless, and he would need every ounce of cunning and strategy to navigate them.

But beyond the immediate challenges lay the bigger picture. Marcelino’s ambition went beyond just securing his place at the top of the Innovation family. He had his sights set on something greater, a vision that extended beyond the family’s legacy and into the broader world.

“I have to stay focused,” Marcelino reminded himself, pacing the length of his room. “This is just one step in a much larger game.”

As he prepared for the days ahead, Marcelino knew he would need allies and support. He had already begun to cultivate relationships with key figures within the family, those who could help him solidify his power and extend his influence.

The challenges were daunting, but Marcelino thrived on the thrill of the competition, the rush of outmaneuvering his opponents. He was a strategist at heart, a master of manipulation and deception, and he would use every tool at his disposal to achieve his goals.
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Meanwhile, back at the Kokok family estate, the aftermath of Kokok’s rampage was evident in the shattered remains of priceless artifacts and the air of despair that hung over the house.
Kokok’s family gathered in the main hall, their expressions a mix of concern and determination. They knew that Kokok’s actions had repercussions, that his defeat and subsequent meltdown had weakened their position within the Innovation family.

“We can’t let this stand,” Kokok’s father said, his voice firm. “John’s victory is a threat to us all. We need to rally our supporters and find a way to turn the tide in our favor.”
Kokok nodded, his resolve hardening. “We’ll find a way,” he agreed. “John may have won this round, but the game is far from over.”

As the family strategized and plotted, Kokok’s thoughts turned once more to Marcelino. The rivalry between them had reached a boiling point, and Kokok knew that only one of them could emerge victorious.
“Watch your back, John,” Kokok muttered to himself, a dark smile playing on his lips. “You may have won today, but I’m not finished yet.”
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For Marcelino, the journey to the top was fraught with danger and intrigue. He understood that his path was lined with obstacles and enemies, but he welcomed the challenge.
As the night descended on the Innovation family estate, Marcelino stood by the window, looking out at the sprawling grounds and the stars that glittered in the sky. He felt the weight of his ambition, the pull of destiny that drove him forward.

The game was on, and Marcelino was ready. With every step, he would carve out his legacy, securing his place in the annals of the Innovation family and beyond.
The stakes were high, and the competition fierce, but Marcelino knew one thing for certain: he would do whatever it took to claim his place at the top, to become the leader the Innovation family needed and the world demanded.

For Marcelino, the journey had only just begun, and he was determined to see it through to the end. The future was his to shape, and he would stop at nothing to achieve his dreams.