I'm Trying To Go Broke, So Why Do I Keep Getting Richer?!-Chapter 196: The Dictator?

Leo’s words immediately commanded the public’s attention. If he was apologizing, did it mean the Lionel Family really had a legitimate reason to attack? Was the fault actually with Hero Tower and Alpha Corp?

Was he about to come clean regarding some dark secret? The masses hung on his every word.

"I am sorry," Leo began, "Because I failed to protect you. I am sorry that this cruel and unnecessary attack took so many lives, and that I wasn’t able to stop it in time!"

"I learned of the Lionel Family’s attack at the same time as all of you. I did everything in my power, even sending Alpha Bank’s last security fleet to protect Earth, but we couldn’t arrive in time to intercept them before they struck."

"So once again, as the man who failed you, I apologize with a heavy heart."

Leo lowered his head again. "I feel this weight especially because I haven’t only failed you, but also my brother. If he were here... I’m certain he would have been much more proactive than I. As I expected, I truly am not as capable as my missing brother."

"I am filled with grief and regret. So today, with a heavy heart, I am announcing something vital. Something to ensure that Earth will never suffer in such a manner again! Something to ensure that I can be more proactive next time!"

Leo took a deep breath. Seconds of silence stretched into minutes as his gaze hardened with determination. He finally opened his lips and made a declaration that stunned almost everyone who heard it.

"From today onward, Alpha Corporation will take responsibility for Earth’s protection... not just from external enemies, but from internal traitors as well!"

"Anyone who wishes to hurt Earth will have to go through Alpha Corporation first! In this endeavor, I hope all the people of Earth will support me, especially the Hero Tower, so that there never comes a time when Earth is this helpless again!"

Although the words were simple, those in power could decipher the subtext. This wasn’t just a speech; it was a declaration that Alpha Corporation intended to become the governing authority of Earth.

To purge external enemies and internal ones? This implied a level of power far beyond what any traditional government held. It was the kind of authority the Hero Tower enjoyed... no, it went even beyond that.

After all, the Hero Tower still answered to an executive group filled with world leaders. Any drastic decision had to pass through that committee. Alpha Corp was effectively seizing that same authority, but without the burden of oversight.

"There’s no way it will work! The people of Earth should be able to see through his intentions! They won’t agree to this, will they?" the President of one of Earth’s nations asked his advisors.

Unfortunately, his expectations were shattered the moment he checked the live reactions.

"Doesn’t he just want to be a dictator? Have we really reached that point?" a few skeptics asked. Their voices, however, were buried under a massive wave of support.

Alpha Corp already enjoyed immense public goodwill. They had been distributing funds to the people for a long time without demanding anything in return.

If they were truly greedy, why would they do that? The public refused to believe Leo was hungry for power, and that hard-earned reputation was now paying dividends.

"Honestly, they’re just taking over our defense responsibilities. Aren’t you all over-exaggerating? I support this!" one comment read.

"It might be better to have a good person like Leo helping us! Otherwise, these traitors might actually destroy us from within!"

"If someone like Leo helps us, wouldn’t things be better? We might even become a higher-tier world faster with their resources!"

"That’s right! They haven’t done anything wrong. If they were dangerous, why would they be so close to the Hero Tower? If not for them, Earth would’ve been destroyed already!"

"ALPHA CORP DADDY FOR PRESIDENT!" read another comment the President’s eyes landed on, complete with fifteen heart-eye emojis and a flickering gif of Leo.

The President blinked, certain his glasses were malfunctioning. He scrolled down.

"If the Hero Tower really loved us, they would’ve apologized for failing us. Alpha Corp has my taxes. Take them. Take my dog. Just keep protecting us!"

The advisors huddled around the screen, their faces pale. The live feed wasn’t a debate. It was a fan club meeting.

"Sir," one advisor said, pointing at a trending poll. "78% of the population currently supports Leo’s declaration."

On the screen, Leo remained looking down. There was no greed or ego in his gaze.

"He’s literally staging a corporate takeover in front of four billion people!" the President yelled, throwing his pen at the monitor. "Isn’t he indirectly calling us incompetent?"

"This bastard... he really is a wolf in sheep’s clothing!" he exclaimed. "I can’t believe I was a member of his fan club! This is a pure betrayal of his home planet!"

"Actually, sir," the social media aide said, cringing. "The public has already started a hashtag. #FireTheBoardHireTheLord. They really think that we are incompetent, and are just slowing down Earth’s growth."

Leo looked up then, his gaze piercing through the lens and into the very souls of the masses. The cheers from the streets outside the capital were loud enough to rattle the windows of the Office of people in power.

"This bastard," the President sighed, sinking into his chair.

Elsewhere, even the Heroes were watching the live feed. Many looked on in confusion, wondering if they were dreaming.

Was this really an illegal takeover of Earth? But why? Why would Leo suddenly want this when he already had everything?

He was one of the wealthiest men in the sector. His massive space fleet was strong enough to rival the Lionel Family. Why would he take over Earth and risk damaging the public’s faith in him?

Even if a large majority on Earth supported him, there would always be those who hated him and remained suspicious of his motives.

It was even worse for those beyond Earth, who would simply brand him a dictator for making such a move at such a crucial moment.

Why? Not a single person could understand his true intentions. Why was Leo doing something like this? The question was in everyone’s head.