Nigel's eyes shifted to Darius, really seeing him for the first time. "And who exactly are YOU? Her boyfriend? Her protector?" He laughed. "You look like a beggar. Like dirt someone scraped off their shoes. You're not going to protect anyone.""Alessia doesn't need to be grateful," Nigel continued, turning back to her. "But she WILL marry me. Within the month. I'll send the details to your family. Be ready.""No," Darius said, his voice like ice. "She won't. She's refused. That's the end of it."Nigel's face flushed red. "Did you just— Did you actually just tell ME no? Do you have ANY idea who I am? What I can DO to people who cross me?""I know exactly what you've done," Darius replied calmly. "Fourteen wives, all dead under suspicious circumstances. You're not a man. You're a monster in an expensive suit.""MONSTER?" Nigel's composure finally cracked. "How DARE you! I should—GUARDS!"Four large men in black suits materialized from near the gate—Nigel's personal bodyguards, clearly u

Thomas and Linda, still watching from outside the gate, exchanged horrified glances.This was escalating far beyond anything they'd imagined. Tom Harrison's name carried weight—real weight.If he sided with the Portman family...A sleek black car pulled up within minutes, tires screeching. Tom Harrison emerged, his expression grim and purposeful. He'd clearly driven here at dangerous speeds, responding to Gabriel's urgent call."Gabriel!" Tom called out as he approached the gate. "What's going on? You said—"He stopped mid-sentence. His gaze had swept across the scene and landed on Darius, who stood calmly amid the pile of defeated thugs.Tom Harrison's face went white as fresh snow."Oh God," he whispered. "Oh no. No, no, no.""Tom!" Gabriel rushed toward him, relief flooding his features. "Thank God you're here! This man—this CRIMINAL—he attacked my son! Broke his leg! Beat up my men! He's trespassing in YOUR development! I want him arrested! I want him DESTROYED!"Tom didn't respon

More whips fell. More screams rose into the night air. Blood began staining the wooden racks, running down in crimson streams.Haley's face went pale. "What in God's name—"A commanding officer—a Captain by his insignia—stood overseeing the punishment, his expression cold and impassive. He noticed Haley and Peter approaching and turned to face them."This is a military operation," the Captain said sharply. "Civilians need to leave immediately.""What are you DOING to these people?" Haley demanded, her voice shaking despite her attempt at authority. "This is barbaric! This is—""This is punishment," the Captain interrupted coldly. "Authorized and ordered by the War God himself."The title hung in the air like a thunderclap. Peter's face went white."The... the War God?" he managed to say."Yes," the Captain confirmed. "These individuals committed serious offenses. They trafficked a human being for profit. They sold their own family member to organ harvesters. They valued money over the

"Two million was a lot of money," Peter admitted, "but it's proving to be the best investment we ever made. With the War God on our side, Kane is finished. That arrogant bastard who humiliated us, who threatened us, who ruined our wedding—he's going to regret everything.""He already regrets it, he just doesn't know it yet," Haley said with malicious satisfaction. "He attacked us thinking he was safe, thinking he had power. But he doesn't realize that we have the backing of the most powerful military commander in the country!"Peter pulled out his phone, scrolling through old messages. "Charles Wesley told us the War God would arrive in Duskfort within a month of our payment. That was three months ago. The timeline matches perfectly—the War God DID come, just later than expected!""And the first thing he does is attack the family connected to our enemies," Haley added. "That's not coincidence. That's coordination. The Wesley family must have briefed him on our situation, told him who

"We thought—we assumed—" Haley stammered. "The punishment of the Stormveil family. We saw it tonight. Military forces, torture, the War God's orders. We thought—"Understanding dawned on Thomas's face, followed by more cruel amusement. "Oh, you thought WE arranged that? You thought the Wesley family commanded the War God to attack your enemies?""Didn't you?" Peter asked, confusion evident.Thomas laughed so hard he had to brace himself against a chair. "Oh, that's PRECIOUS! You actually think the Wesley family can just ORDER the War God around like some servant? The War God doesn't work FOR anyone except the government! He's not some hired thug we can point at our problems!""But you said—" Haley protested weakly."I said we have CONNECTIONS," Thomas corrected, his laughter subsiding. "Connections meaning we know people who know people who might be able to get a message to him if the stars align and he's in a good mood. We don't CONTROL him, you idiots!"The hope that had been buildi