At the Norwick City military base, a helicopter landed with a roar, sending dry leaves swirling into the air. Not far from the landing zone, rows of soldiers stood at attention and saluted as a man in a military uniform stepped out slowly.His face was stern, and his eyes burned with fury. He was Callen Vade, known across the Valdera Empire as the Unbroken Warlord.He walked toward a large man kneeling on the training field, bruised and battered. As soon as he got close, Callen delivered a furious kick to the man's chest."So, how do you want to die?"His cold voice made the atmosphere even more tense.Everyone around knew what it meant when Callen was angry. And clearly, Chad would receive no mercy.Chad's body trembled under Callen's piercing gaze. He tried to lift himself, his voice shaking as he begged, "I-I did this for your own good, sir."Callen let out a cold laugh. "Good? You call letting my wife and child suffer a good thing?" he growled, stepping on Chad's head.Chad was on

Jade's bodyguard froze at the sight. He was a former soldier who had faced life and death situations, yet he couldn't even see the dagger that flew straight at Jade's hand. Everything happened too fast."Why were you daydreaming? Hurry up and protect me!" Jade shouted.The bodyguard, named Stevel, immediately stood in front of Jade, ready in a defensive stance to shield him."I paid a fortune for you, and you can't even block one damn dagger! Useless!" Jade cursed while clutching his trembling hand in pain.Jade then turned his glare to Troy. "And you! Why didn't you block that dagger for me?" he asked, frustrated.Troy picked his ear casually. "My job is to kidnap the girl, not babysit a spoiled rich brat," he replied flatly.In truth, Troy was swearing inside. He also couldn't track the dagger's movement. So he gave an excuse to cover up the embarrassment of failing to intercept it."I'll pay you! Just protect me!" Jade offered."Five hundred thousand dollars, and I'll consider it,"

Thirty minutes had passed. Troy and Steve were locked in a brutal fight inside a circle scratched onto the ground. The rule was simple. If either of them stepped out of the circle, they would be shot.Blood soaked their clothes. Their breathing was ragged. Both had suffered fatal injuries, and it was impossible to tell who would win.Callen waited impatiently, glancing at his watch."Hurry up and finish. My daughter is waiting outside," he muttered.Beside him, Jade sat tied up with his mouth gagged. He didn't want to watch the bloody fight, so Callen forced him to.Callen's men pried Jade's eyes open, making sure he watched every second. His heart pounded in his chest, terrified because he knew he was next. Troy and Steve were treated this cruelly, so what would happen to him, the one who committed the worst offense?He didn't dare imagine it. Regret consumed him. He should never have kidnapped Lily. If only he could turn back time and cancel everything.Troy and Steve clashed again,

"Mother-in-law," Callen called out."Don't call me that! I don't want to hear it!" Camila snapped, her face twisted in disgust.Five years ago, she had welcomed Callen with open arms. Back then, the Carter family was just a small clan, and marrying Ivy off to a soldier was seen as a good fortune.But with all the nasty rumors surrounding him now, accepting Callen back would only make them the laughingstock of the city. Camila couldn't afford to let their reputation fall any lower."Ivy, what do you think you're doing? Get him out of here right now!""I'm letting him stay here for a while, Mom," Ivy replied calmly."What?" Camila shouted. "Didn't you say you'd already moved on from him?!""I have. But he has nowhere else to go. No matter what happened, he's still Lily's father. I can't let him sleep out on the streets.""You've got to be kidding! I won't accept this. Get him out!" Camila roared."Please, Mom. Just let him stay for a bit," Ivy pleaded."No way!" Camila barked back. But

The room fell silent for a moment. Callen's military uniform drew Noah's attention. He suddenly remembered that Ivy's husband had once been in the army.He scoffed. "Ivy, your husband must have spent too long on the battlefield. Looks like he forgot his manners."Ava added, "Troublemakers like you two belong together."Panic spread across Ivy's face. "Callen, apologize right now!""No! I didn't do anything wrong. Neither did you. You don't need to kneel and beg that bastard Collins for anything," Callen said, his voice shaking with anger.Ivy frowned. "You were eavesdropping?"Callen ignored her question and said something else instead. "I'm the one who drove Jade crazy," he admitted casually."You!" Ivy's eyes widened."He deserved it, Ivy. Jade dared to kidnap and hurt my daughter. He made her cry. Tell me, should I have just let that go?" Callen stared at her.Ivy gritted her teeth. She screamed, "Don't pretend to be a good father, Callen! You've ignored Lily all these years, and n