Chapter 145: A New Threat Part 3

The following day, much of the media was still buzzing over the official opening of the Ark Academies, as well as the revelation that Arias was a meta-human. 

Many accusations began to spring up, with some saying that Arias was creating some sort of new world power focused on meta-humans and the like. 

Even without having to dig into the sources, Arias knew that much of the slander toward his name in the last few hours was due to the government. Getting a rumor to trend about him was as easy as breathing for them. 

It was the sort of tactic that didn't necessarily need to succeed; its purpose was simply to put doubt in the minds of citizens regarding him. 

All probably seemed like it was going according to plan for them, until it was announced at noon that **Slade Wilson** would be running for president, with Arias Markovic being one of his sponsors. 

Just as he predicted, the whole thing was almost seen as a joke by the upper class and the more educated sections of the country. However, the middle and lower classes were open to the idea, with some already declaring where their vote would go. 

What really made Slade trend were all the memes that began to go viral following the announcement. Those who didn't know him, now did. 

A war veteran turned killer for hire, arrested, then pardoned to serve his country by risking his life. Some disliked him, but the majority loved him even without hearing what he stood for or what he promised to bring. 

Arias only did one thing that day concerning the announcement, and that was declaring that he would be donating **25 billion dollars** to Slade's campaign as he believed in his vision. 

That astronomical amount of money was nearly double what the rest of the candidates were spending on their campaigns... combined. 

The elections were still some time away, and until the seat of power changed or was at least affected, Arias couldn't truly start what he had planned for the Ark Academies, but he was in no rush. 

Rather, he just sat in his living room, watching the chaos he had caused unfold before him in 8K. His phone rested on his armrest, and since morning, it had been buzzing nonstop, with many of the missed calls coming from the White House. 

After seeing the same number appear multiple times, Arias felt the stress he had likely caused had cooked to perfection, so he picked up. 

"Hello?" he greeted in a casual and relaxed manner. Meanwhile, the person on the other side could be heard breathing heavily. 

**[Oh, yes! Mr. Arias Markovic, this is the secretary to the president. He wanted to speak to you. Please just hold on while I go—]**

"Make an appointment. I'm a busy man," Arias cut her off, not giving the feminine voice on the other side a chance to finish her sentence. He cut the call and tossed his phone aside. 

'If he's letting his secretary do this, then the situation clearly hasn't set in fully.' 

Arias quickly grew bored of watching the country scramble because of his schemes, so he turned off the television and decided to leave his suite. 

While doing so, he immediately ran into Harley, who seemed to have already been on her way to his suite. 

"What's got you in a hurry?" he asked while tilting his head at an excited Harley, who quickly explained the reason behind her rushed movements. 

"Look, Mr. M!" Harley took out her phone and wiggled it in front of Arias's face. On it was the digital version of Slade's presidential candidacy poster. 

Seeing this, he just raised a brow at her. "I'm aware," he revealed, not stating he was the one who started the entire thing. 

As loyal as Harley seemed, she was neither the smartest nor the most reliable. The more he kept her around, the more he began to see her as more of a pet than an asset, like a hyper little puppy. 

Despite Arias's lack of enthusiasm, Harley remained excited. "This is big news, Mr. M. Don't ya get it? If Slade wins, we don't gotta pay taxes or stop at red lights. Also, we can make bank by selling his merch." 

Arias narrowed his eyes at her, not upset, just... curious as to what went on in her head. That, though, was a topic he didn't want to delve into, so he turned his attention elsewhere. 

"That's a nice set of pajamas you have," he complimented as his eyes glossed over her rather simple sleeping attire, which she still had on despite it nearing noon. 

It consisted of some tight pink booty shorts that left little to the imagination and a thin, semi-transparent sleeping bra. 

Harley immediately shifted from excited to curious as she scanned her own attire, noticing only now that it possessed some sexiness to it. 

She smirked mischievously and immediately did a twirl before arching her back a little, showing just how well the shorts clung to her well-rounded ass. "You like what ya see, Mr. M? Feels even better, scouts honor," she teased. 

Arias gave her the tiniest of smiles and reached out to grab one of her ass cheeks firmly with his right hand. "They feel... fuller. Have you been putting in some work?" 

Harley didn't move an inch and allowed herself to be groped by Arias as if it were the most natural thing. "Of course, Mr. M. I gotta keep myself in tip-top shape. If this hero thing doesn't work out, I'm gonna try modeling. You won't catch me flipping burgers and getting groped for tips." 

Ignoring whether she was serious or not, Arias moved his hand slowly up her butt before stopping right at her waist. He then slid his hand into her shorts to cop a more... natural feel. 

Harley still didn't shift and even began to look more welcoming. "Whatcha looking for down there?" she asked teasingly. 

Arias played along and raised a brow. "Your panties. It seems you chose a more traditional style today, huh?" 

As he spoke, Arias gently lowered her shorts until they were halfway down her ass, giving him quite the view. Harley smiled and arched her back even more, as if welcoming Arias to take a closer look. 

She shrugged her shoulders at his comment. "Why don't you try checking closer? Ole Harley would never forget to wear her panties, not like she walks around always ready to get dicked down by her boss. That'd be crazy. Am I crazy?" 

Arias could see where she was going with this, and his smile grew somewhat wider as he nodded. "Yes, yes you are," he answered but still continued gripping her. 

She felt her lust building the longer the two exchanged words, her craving for Arias rising by the minute. "I guess that means I'm ready to get dicked down by my boss too. Y'know, like all good employees." 

"Eager little thing, aren't you?" Arias commented but decided to explore the situation further. "Alright then, let's you and I have a little private... meeting. I think you've earned a raise." 

Harley smiled and bit her lip while staring at Arias's crotch. 

"There's only one thing that I wanna see rise."