All Chapters of The Loser Is the War Commander: Chapter 11 
				
					- Chapter 20
				
44 chapters
				Chapter 11: The First Payment
			
The Grand Celestial Hotel ballroom had transformed from a celebration into a battlefield.The silence that followed Darius's declaration was absolute—the kind of silence that precedes hurricanes, the moment before the world tears itself apart.Peter's face had gone dark, his jaw working as he ground his teeth together.His eyes darted between Darius's calm expression and the soldiers standing in perfect formation, then to his own defeated guards scattered across the marble floor like broken dolls.The calculation was visible on his face.The strongest fighters from both the Reksar and Ward families weren't here—they were stationed at various properties, handling security for other assets.The wedding was supposed to be a celebration, not a warzone.The guards present were competent, but clearly no match for these... whatever these people were.Darius began walking, his footsteps echoing in the terrible silence.He moved past the coffin, past the trembling guests, past Rita and the oth
				CHAPTER 12 ONE MONTH
			
The statement was so unexpected that it stopped the chaos. People paused mid-flight, turning back to stare at him in confusion."What?" Peter managed."Today I only came to collect interest," Darius explained, his tone almost pleasant. "A small down payment on the debt your families owe. One death for the dozens you caused. It hardly seems fair, does it?"He walked back toward the coffin, running his hand along its polished surface. "The real revenge—the full payment of what you owe—that comes later.""When?" Haley whispered, though some part of her clearly didn't want to know the answer."One month from today," Darius said, his voice carrying clearly through the silent ballroom. "On the anniversary of the Kane family's destruction. On the day you helped slaughter everyone I loved. That's when I'll complete my final revenge."The words hung in the air like an executioner's axe."One month," Darius repeated. "Mark your calendars. Say your prayers. Make your peace. Because on that day, 
				Chapter 13 NEW TRIALS
			
The small house felt emptier without Bill's presence. Alessia moved through the cramped rooms mechanically, tidying things that didn't need tidying, her eyes still red from crying—though this time, the tears were born of relief rather than despair.Darius found her in the kitchen, scrubbing a plate that was already clean."Alessia," he said quietly.She turned, quickly wiping her hands on a threadbare towel. "Young Master? Do you need something? I can prepare food, or—""When was the last time you left this house?" Darius interrupted gently. "Not counting the cemetery. When was the last time you did something for yourself?"Alessia blinked, confused by the question. "I... I don't understand.""You've spent three years guarding my family's graves and caring for your father," Darius continued. "You've sacrificed everything—your youth, your freedom, your happiness. Today, I want to thank you for that loyalty.""Young Master, you don't need to thank me! You saved my father! That's more tha
				CHAPTER 14 OLD FRIEND
			
The boutique door chimed as new customers entered. Alessia turned automatically, and the color drained from her face.A woman strode in, her arm linked possessively through that of a man in an expensive suit. The woman was perhaps twenty-five, dressed in designer everything—her dress, her shoes, her jewelry all screaming money. But it was the kind of new money that tried too hard, everything just slightly too flashy, too coordinated, too desperate to announce its worth.The woman was Madison Foster, and she'd gone to high school with Alessia.Madison's eyes swept over the boutique with practiced assessment, already calculating which bag she'd demand from her companion. Then her gaze landed on Alessia, and her expression transformed from bored entitlement to malicious delight."Well, well, WELL," Madison's voice rang out across the quiet boutique, deliberately loud. "Alessia Jackson? Is that really YOU?"Alessia's face went red. "Hello, Madison.""Oh my GOD, it IS you!" Madison release
				Chapter 15: The Saleswoman's Cruelty
			
Madison's laughter echoed through the boutique, drawing even more attention from the other shoppers. Her eyes glittered with malicious pleasure as she looked between Darius and Alessia."Oh, this is RICH!" Madison clutched her stomach dramatically. "You brought a boyfriend! How adorable! Let me guess—he's just as broke as you are? Did you two bond over sharing food stamps?"Brandon snorted with amusement, his eyes still roaming over Alessia's body in a way that made her want to scrub her skin. "Look at his clothes, babe. Generic brand everything. Probably shops at discount outlets and thinks he's doing well.""At least he HAS someone," Alessia said quietly, trying to summon courage. "That's more than—""More than WHAT?" Madison's voice rose shrilly. "More than ME? I have Brandon! He's a junior executive at his father's investment firm! He makes more in a MONTH than you'll see in your entire miserable life! And you? You have THIS?" She gestured dismissively at Darius. "Some nobody who 
				CHAPTER 16 WHO WINS?
			
Victoria laughed—a harsh, mocking sound. "Customers? YOU? Don't make me laugh! Look at you! You probably can't even afford the dust cloth we use to clean these bags, let alone the bags themselves!""I'm asking you politely to leave," Victoria continued, her professional mask completely gone now. "If you refuse, I'll have no choice but to call security. And trust me, they're very good at removing trash from the premises.""Trash?" Alessia's voice shook with rage and humiliation. "You can't talk to us like that! We haven't done anything to deserve—""You EXIST in this space!" Victoria snapped. "That's enough! Now GET OUT before I—"She reached out and physically shoved Alessia backward.Alessia stumbled, her arms pinwheeling as she lost her balance. She would have fallen directly onto the hard marble floor if Brandon hadn't suddenly appeared, catching her with hands that lingered far too long on her waist and arms."Whoa there, careful," Brandon's voice was low and oily. His hands slid 
				CHAPTER 17 ONE MILLION BAG
			
Victoria moved with practiced elegance toward the locked display case at the back of the boutique, her heels clicking against the marble floor like a countdown to humiliation. The case was separate from all the others, positioned behind bulletproof glass with its own dedicated spotlight.Madison followed, her arm linked through Brandon's, practically vibrating with malicious anticipation. "Oh, this is going to be GOOD," she purred.Victoria produced a small key from around her neck and unlocked the case with ceremonial care. Inside sat a single handbag—a masterpiece of craftsmanship in midnight blue leather with platinum hardware and what appeared to be actual diamonds forming the clasp."The Beaumont Éternité," Victoria announced reverently. "One of only three in existence. Hand-crafted by master artisans over six months. Each diamond individually set. Each stitch perfect."Madison's eyes lit up with covetous hunger. "It's PERFECT. Wrap it up.""An excellent choice, Ms. Foster," Vict
				CHAPTER 18 ON YOUR KNEES
			
"What?" Brandon's face went red. "Did you just—""One million and thirty thousand dollars," Darius repeated. "That's my offer.""You're BLUFFING!" Madison shrieked. "You're completely INSANE! There's no way—""You think you can compete with ME?" Brandon's voice rose with fury and desperation. "I make six figures a year! My family is connected! We have RESOURCES! And you—you're nothing but a broke loser playing pretend!""Are you going to outbid me or not?" Darius asked mildly.Brandon's face went through several colors. The extra thirty thousand would push him dangerously close to his credit limit. His pride warred with his wallet, and wallet was starting to win. "I—you—this is RIDICULOUS! You can't even afford bus fare! There's no way you have that kind of money!""Then prove me wrong," Darius said. "Outbid me.""I don't NEED to prove anything!" Brandon sputtered. "Everyone here knows you're lying! You're a FRAUD! You probably don't even have a credit card!""Actually," Darius reache
				Chapter 19 The Black Card's Truth
			
The moment stretched like pulled wire, tension building to a breaking point.Brandon stood with his finger pointing at the floor, his face flushed with vindictive pleasure. Madison practically vibrated with anticipation.Victoria had her phone raised, ready to call the police. And Alessia looked like she wanted the marble floor to open up and swallow her whole.Darius simply smiled."WELL?" Brandon's voice rose. "What are you waiting for? GET ON YOUR—""What is going on here?"The new voice cut through the chaos like a blade through silk. Every head in the boutique turned toward the back office, where a door had just opened.A man emerged—perhaps fifty years old, impeccably dressed in a suit that made Brandon's expensive attire look cheap by comparison. His silver hair was perfectly styled, his posture military-straight, and his eyes sharp enough to dissect a person's worth in seconds.This was Christopher Montgomery, owner and general manager of not just this Maison Beaumont location
				CHAPTER 20 DARIUS, THE KING. 
			
Christopher rose immediately, still holding the card with both hands. "Sir, I—""The bag," Darius interrupted. "The Éternité. We'll take it.""Of course! Immediately!" Christopher snapped his fingers, and two associates rushed to the locked case."Please, please, allow me to escort you to our VIP lounge while we prepare everything. I'll personally oversee the transaction. And naturally, there will be no charge.""No charge?" Darius raised an eyebrow."Consider it compensation for the disrespect you suffered," Christopher said firmly. "Additionally, I'd like to offer you permanent VIP status at every Maison Beaumont location worldwide, a formal written apology from our corporate office, and..." He paused, then seemed to make a decision. "...and a complete rebate on any purchase you make in any store in this entire mall complex for the next year.""That's very generous," Darius acknowledged."It's the LEAST I can do, sir. The absolute least." Christopher turned to the associates prepari