Villain Origin : Every Crime I Commit Helps Me Level Up-Chapter 16: A World Of Power

Andre stepped into his father's study once again.

His father, sitting behind his grand mahogany desk, glanced up from his paperwork and smirked. "What, you're back already? Don't tell me you missed me."

Andre snorted, shutting the door behind him. "Yeah, let's go with that."

His father chuckled and leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers together. "Alright, let's hear it. What brings you back so soon?"

Andre took a seat, resting an arm on the chair's armrest. "I just got back from seeing Mom."

His father barely reacted, simply nodding. "How's she doing?"

'No suspicion? No hesitation? Just straight to asking how she's doing?'

"She's fine," Andre answered. "But that's not what I came to talk about."

His father raised a brow. "Then what?"

Andre exhaled slowly, gathering his thoughts. "I want to know the truth."

His father gave a small amused scoff. "That's vague. The truth about what, exactly?"

"The argument you had with Mom before she left."

That got a reaction. His father's smirk faltered, his fingers tapping lightly against the desk. "So that's what this is about."

Andre didn't look away. "I overheard you back then, but I didn't understand what was going on. Mom said you were involved in something dangerous, and she didn't want to be a part of it. I need to know what she meant."

His father exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "You're really not the same son I used to know, are you?"

'No. The old me wouldn't have cared. He would've just kept wasting money and partying like nothing mattered.'

"I guess not," Andre said simply.

His father studied him for a long moment before finally speaking. "Fine. Since you're so eager to know, I'll tell you."

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk.

"You think the world is ruled by politicians? Celebrities? Business moguls? That's a lie. They're just faces—puppets meant to keep people distracted. The real power belongs to the gangs."

Andre narrowed his eyes. "Gangs?"

His father nodded. "Not the small-time street rats you see on the news. I'm talking about the Big Five—the five most powerful syndicates in the world. They run everything from the shadows. The rich? They're just wallets. The politicians? Owned. The celebrities? A circus act to keep the public from asking questions."

Andre's pulse quickened. 'So the city really is under their control. And not just the city—the entire world.'

'No wonder things never made sense. No wonder the most corrupt people always got away with everything. They weren't just protected—they were owned.'

"A few months ago, one of the Big Five approached me with a contract. They wanted me to sign over certain assets—our businesses, our resources. In reality, they wanted to use our family as a front. A way to move money, expand their reach, and operate without being exposed."

Andre's fingers clenched against the chair's armrest. "And you said no."

His father nodded. "Of course. I didn't build this empire just to hand it over to some gang. But refusing them... well, let's just say they don't handle rejection well."

A strange feeling settled in Andre's chest. 'I used to think I knew the gangs. I thought I understood their power. Back then, when I was nothing but a runner, I thought they were just dangerous criminals—scary, sure, but still human. Still limited. I never realized they controlled everything.'

He swallowed. 'No, I was a fool. I thought I was untouchable as long as I played by the rules. But the truth is... there were no rules. They could take whatever they wanted. Destroy whoever they wanted. And they did.'

His jaw tightened as old memories surfaced. 'They killed my sister. The only family I had.'

No—they had her killed.

His fingers curled into fists. 'And it was because of him. The person I trusted the most. The one I called my best friend.'

The betrayal still burned. He had done everything for his sister. Worked himself to the bone, ran jobs for the gangs, got his hands dirty—all so she could get treatment, so she could have a chance.

And yet, none of it mattered.

Framed for a crime he never committed, thrown away like trash. Executed without question.

'No evidence, no trial, no second chances. Just the word of a gang leader, and I was as good as dead.'

The worst part? He hadn't even seen it coming.

He had trusted his best friend completely. Had no idea the knife had already been buried in his back. And by the time he realized? It was too late.

He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. 'No matter how hard I fought, no matter what I sacrificed—I still couldn't save her.'

A slow breath left his lips as he forced his emotions down. He could mourn later. Right now, he needed to understand.

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His father continued. "Someone was spying on me. One of my security men caught him watching the house. Before we could question him, he tried to run. My men shot him on the spot."

Andre's mind snapped back to the present. "And that was the night you told Mom about it?"

His father exhaled, rubbing his temples. "Yes. She... didn't take it well. She was already on edge after I refused the contract, and when she found out what happened, she wanted nothing to do with any of it. She packed her things that night and left."

Andre thought back to that night, to the image of his mother storming off, shouting at his father in the parlor. He'd always thought it was just another one of their fights. He never realized it was the fight.

His father studied him. "Now that you know the truth, what are you going to do?"

Andre exhaled slowly, his mind racing. Then, after a moment, he smirked. "I'll handle it."

There was a pause—then his father burst out laughing. A full, amused laugh. "You? Handle it?"

Andre didn't flinch. "Yeah."

His father shook his head, still chuckling. "You're nineteen, Andre. What can you possibly do against the most powerful syndicates in the world?"

Andre turned toward the door, his smirk never fading. "More than you think."

His father's laughter slowed, replaced by something more serious. "You don't know what you're getting into."

Andre glanced back. "I know exactly what I'm getting into."

With that, he walked out, his mind sharper than ever.

'The gangs rule this city... but not for long.'