Rain poured over the silent street.
Dozens of black SUVs blocked the road. Their headlights cut through the darkness like blades.
Marcus Hale stood in the middle of it all.
And around him were dozens of men.
"Commander."
The tall man in front kept his head bowed.
"It has taken us five years… but we finally found you."
Marcus stared at him silently.
Then he spoke coldly.
"You're late."
The man lowered his head further.
"General Marcus Hale… Commander of the Supreme Army Squadron… the War God of the Northern Campaign."
His voice was filled with respect.
"Supreme Commander General Viktor has sent me personally."
Marcus's eyes narrowed slightly.
Five years ago…
He had been nothing more than a foot soldier climbing the ranks through blood and war.
Until the Northern Campaign; the war that changed everything.
On the battlefield, Marcus became a legend. Enemy battalions collapsed before him. Fortresses fell overnight.
The soldiers began calling him a name whispered across battlefields.
The War God.
Within three years, he rose to become a Three-Star General and commander of the Supreme Army Squadron. Second only to the Supreme General Commander Viktor who put him in charge of half of him Squadron.
But then came the betrayal.
Marcus's fists slowly tightened.
"The battlefield at Black Ridge," he said quietly.
The man froze.
Marcus's voice turned colder.
"I was surrounded by enemy artillery."
"No reinforcements."
"No air support."
His eyes burned.
"You all set me up to die."
The kneeling officer immediately lowered his head to the ground.
"Commander, that was never the intention!"
"The entire faction believed you were killed in the explosion!"
"We searched the battlefield for weeks. When we couldn't find your body, we continued searching across the country!"
Marcus said nothing.
For five years, he had lived like a ghost. Hiding his true identity and instead lived as a useless son-in-law mocked by everyone.
The officer spoke again.
"The Supreme Commander regrets how everything turned out. He wishes to see you immediately."
Marcus's eyes sharpened.
"Why?"
The man answered carefully.
"He has chosen you… as his successor."
The street fell silent.
Marcus suddenly laughed.
It was a cold laugh.
"Successor?"
He looked down at the kneeling men.
"You left me to die on a battlefield."
"And now you want to hand me the throne?"
His gaze turned icy.
"Tell Viktor this."
"I refuse."
The officer looked shocked.
"But Commander—"
Marcus turned away.
"My war ended five years ago."
But his voice carried a quiet threat.
"However… debts still remain."
His eyes slowly turned toward the glowing skyline of Ironhaven City.
"And soon… I will collect them."
Two hours later.
The Bennett family banquet finally ended.
Luxury cars lined the hotel entrance as guests began leaving.
Inside the lobby, the Bennett family members were still discussing their new merger deal.
Suddenly the glass doors opened and Marcus walked inside.
Everyone froze.
Mrs. Bennett's face instantly darkened.
"You again?!"
Sophie frowned.
"Didn't we tell you to stay off until it's time to clean the halls?"
Marcus ignored their hostility.
"Grandpa's condition worsened tonight," he said calmly.
"He's in critical condition."
The family members exchanged looks.
Then Jonathan Bennett scoffed.
"So?"
Marcus stared at him.
"The hospital needs immediate payment for surgery."
"You rushed all the way here… just to beg for money?" Emily snickered.
"How much?"
"One million dollars."
The lobby went silent for a second.
Then Mrs. Bennett waved her hand dismissively.
"Ridiculous."
"Grandpa is already old. His body is failing."
"It would be a waste of company funds."
Marcus's eyes slowly hardened.
"He saved this family."
Mrs. Bennett's voice turned cold.
"And now he's dying from old age."
"That's normal."
She leaned closer.
"And besides… the company needs stable leadership now."
"Keeping him alive won't change anything."
Marcus finally understood.
They didn't want Sir Bennett to recover. Because the old man favored Marcus.
Marcus clenched his fists.
"Fine."
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
Behind him, the Bennett family laughed.
"What a joke."
"He thought we'd spend a million on that old man."
"Useless idiot."
Marcus rushed back to the hospital.
His heart was still burning with anger, he was going to beg the hospital to take his whole savings and start the treatment until he could complete the money.
But when he reached the nurse station the nurse looked surprised.
"Are you Mr. Marcus Hale?"
Marcus frowned.
"Yes."
"The medical bill has already been paid."
Marcus froze.
"Paid? By who?"
The nurse nodded.
"One million dollars deposited by an anonymous donor. Though they left their card."
The nurse said and handed him a small black card.
Marcus looked down, his eyes narrowing immediately. The card carried a familiar symbol.
A golden sword piercing a crown. The insignia of the Supreme Army Faction.
Marcus sighed quietly.
"Those stubborn fools…"
Later that night.
Marcus returned to the Bennett family villa.
The moment he stepped inside, everyone turned toward him.
Jonathan crossed his arms.
"So?"
"Where did you get the money?"
Marcus remained silent.
"You paid the hospital bill, didn't you?" Sophie asked with narrow eyes.
"Did you steal company funds?" Mrs. Bennett's expression turned cold.
"I didn't steal anything." Marcus said coldly.
"Then where did a useless man like you get one million dollars?" Sylvester scoffed.
Marcus said nothing.
His silence only made them angrier.
Jonathan slammed his hand on the table.
"Enough!"
"Marcus, it's high time you prove your value to Bennett company." Mrs. Bennett nodded coldly.
"We need investors."
"Convince one of the top four groups to work with us, then you can keep your place at the company."
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
Ironhaven had five dominant financial factions.
The topmost was the Sovereign Consortium. The most powerful and mysterious group in Ironhaven.
The second group was the Hawthorne Dynasty by the Hawthorne family. An old-money family with influence stretching across finance, real estate, and global trade.
The third group was Vanguard Enterprises by the Sterling family. Controlling investment banks, venture capital, and luxury real estate.
The fourth group was Goldspire Group by the Drake family,an Industrial giant dominating infrastructure, manufacturing, and logistics.
The Bennett family ranked last. They dominate in Construction, relying on other groups for contracts.
Jonathan leaned closer.
"Get us a contract with Vanguard Enterprises."
"Then maybe we'll keep you in the company."
The entire family burst into laughter.
It was an impossible task. They had just given him an excuse to fire him.
Marcus simply nodded.
"I'll get it done."
Their laughter grew louder.
After Marcus left the room, Emily whispered to Sophie.
"You should find a way to divorce him."
"I'm actually eyeing Adrain, heir of the Drake group." Sophie smirked.
"He'll be a better husband,"Mrs. Bennett agreed.
The next morning.
Marcus walked past the city alley on his way to work when suddenly…
A woman's scream echoed from the shadows.
"Help!"
Marcus rushed into the alley.
A drunk man had pinned a beautiful young woman against the wall.
"Let go of me!"
The man laughed.
"No one's coming to save you."
Then—
CRACK.
Marcus grabbed the man's wrist and twisted it violently.
The man screamed, collapsing and Marcus kicked him aside.
"Get lost."
The thug ran away in terror.
Marcus turned toward the woman.
She was stunning. Long black hair, elegant features.
Her dress was slightly torn.
"Are you alright?" Marcus asked.
The woman looked at him with wide eyes.
"I… I'm fine."
Her gaze lingered on him. Something about this man felt different.
Marcus simply nodded.
"Be more careful next time."
Then he turned and walked away.
The woman watched him leave. A strange feeling stirred in her chest.
At that moment a black Rolls-Royce suddenly stopped outside the alley.
An elderly butler rushed toward her.
"Young mistress!!"
He looked panicked.
"We've been looking!"
The woman sighed.
"I'm fine, Alfred."
The butler lowered his voice urgently.
"You cannot wander around alone like this. You are the heiress of the Hawthorne family!"
"I know Alfred."
The woman looked toward the alley exit where Marcus had disappeared.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Interesting…"
"Alfred?"
"Yes, young mistress."
"That man that just left this alley, find him for me."
"As you wish, young mistress."