Chapter 31: Grand Announcent
[System: Defeated John Frost →
30 Fate Points.
Total Fate Points: 300]
That night, Tony slept while thinking about what to purchase from the system.
***
Next Day Morning...
Both the Clark family and Frost family announced the marriage.
The announcent did not arrive quietly... It exploded! The entire business circles were shaken and the stock market rushed to new peaks in both countries.
Across screens, across networks, across borders- within a single hour, every major dia outlet in Asia broadcast the sa ssage, stamped with the insignias of two of the most powerful families in Asia.
"Clark Family.... Frost Family.... Official Engagent Notice..."
It was a long letter discussing the joining of two clans in every aspect.
The letter was formal, precise, and unmistakably authoritative. It bore the signatures of both patriarchs, sealed with ancient crests that symbolized not just wealth, but legacy, power, and dominance.
"The Clark Family and the Frost Family hereby announce the engagent of their heirs, Tony Clark and Lily Frost..."
The rest of the ssage spoke of unity, prosperity, and shared futures—but no one was reading between the lines.
Because everyone already understood the implications of this bond.
***
In corporate towers, executives paused mid-eting, screens frozen on the announcent.
Deals were delayed. Negotiations halted. Phones lit up across continents as business magnates recalculated alliances that had taken years to build.
"If this goes through..." one chairman muttered, staring at the screen, "...the entire market shifts."
"It’s not just business," another replied quietly. "It’s influence. Military contracts, energy control, global trade routes... they’ll dominate everything."
-
In governnt offices, ministers and advisors gathered in urgency. Intelligence reports were rewritten within minutes. Strategic assessnts were updated in real ti.
"This changes the balance in Asia completely," a senior official said, his voice tight. "If the Clark and Frost families align fully, they won’t just be dominant- they’ll be untouchable."
But in the martial world... It was a silent discussion behind the curtains.
Inside a bustling 9 Lotus martial academy, the news spread like wildfire. Students, instructors, scholars, even servants gathered in clusters, their voices overlapping in disbelief and excitent.
"Did you hear?!" a young disciple exclaid, practically shouting. "The Clark family is hosting the grandest engagent ceremony in decades!"
A teahouse owner nearby leaned forward, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "Who hasn’t heard? It’s everywhere. But tell —why him? Out of everyone... why Tony Clark?"
A custor scoffed loudly, slamming his cup down. "Exactly! That’s what doesn’t make sense! Lady Lily Frost is a once-in-a-generation genius. And she’s marrying... him?!"
An older man sitting in the corner chuckled softly, stroking his beard with slow amusent. "You’re all thinking too simply," he said. "This has nothing to do with love. This is power. Pure power. When two giants join hands, who dares to oppose them?"
He leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing.
"Whether Tony is useless or not... doesn’t matter. His surna alone is worth more than most lives."
A younger man clicked his tongue in annoyance. "That’s still ridiculous. A person like him doesn’t deserve her."
"Deserve?" soone laughed bitterly. "In this world, since when did rit decide marriage? It’s always been strength... and benefit."
Another voice cut in, sharper, filled with disdain. "Even then, it’s hard to accept. A phoenix like Lily Frost... tied to soone like Tony? It’s a waste."
"Waste?" soone else added. "It’s worse than that. It’s a tragedy."
The murmurs grew louder.
"Even I’m more worthy than that guy."
"If not for his background, he wouldn’t even be allowed near her."
"Poor Lady Frost..."
"It seems even geniuses can’t escape their fate..."
***
Across countless cities, teahouses, training grounds, and academies, the sa conversations echoed. The sa conclusions ford.
No one believed this was love.
No one believed it was voluntary.
To them, this was a sacrifice.
Lily Frost, genius woman, being bound to a notorious, talentless villain for the sake of family.
If Tony had heard it—
He might have laughed.
Or perhaps coughed blood.
Because sohow, in a situation where he had been forced into the arrangent himself...
He had beco the villain who stole the heroine’s future.
But while the world whispered... The Clark family acted fast.
Within their estate, preparations had already begun at a scale unseen in decades. Decorations were not rely luxurious—they were symbolic. Every banner, every emblem, every announcent carried a clear ssage.
***
anwhile, far away, within the heart of imperial territory, the atmosphere was far less celebratory.
Inside the imperial chamber, Emperor Jamie Smith stood before a massive digital screen, the announcent displayed in full clarity before him.
General Kingsley stood behind him, silent, waiting.
For a long mont, the emperor said nothing.
Then—
"...They’ve already announced it."
Kingsley lowered his head slightly. "Yes, Your Majesty. The announcent was made simultaneously across all major channels. It was... coordinated."
Jamie let out a slow breath, his fingers tightening behind his back.
"They moved faster than expected," he said. "We anticipated negotiations... delays... internal resistance."
His gaze hardened.
"But this... this is a declaration."
Kingsley nodded. "If the engagent is finalized, their combined influence will surpass us. Not just economically... but within the martial sphere as well."
Silence fell again.
Then the emperor turned.
"What are our options?"
Kingsley hesitated for only a fraction of a second before answering. "Direct interference is no longer viable. The mont the announcent beca public, it gained legitimacy. Any open opposition will be seen as hostility."
Jamie’s eyes narrowed. "So we move indirectly."
Kingsley t his gaze. "But Majesty, it’s just an engagent. We can still stop the marriage."
The emperor walked slowly toward the table, his expression darkening.
"This engagent cannot proceed smoothly," he said. "There must be instability. Doubt. Conflict."
A faint, cold smile appeared on his lips. "If the foundation cracks... the structure collapses on its own."
Kingsley understood imdiately. "Should we target Tony?" he asked.
"Not yet," Jamie replied. "We observe first. A forced alliance is never perfect. There are always fractures."
The room fell silent as they began to make evil plans.
Outside, the world celebrated, gossiped, argued, and speculated.
But beneath it all— Forces had already begun to move. One announcent affected many people without their awareness.
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