All Chapters of The Return of The King Steven: Chapter 1
- Chapter 10
10 chapters
Chapter 1
Steven sat at their small dining table, staring at his cold plate. He had been waiting for over an hour. Waiting for his wife, Nora—to be home. Nora still hasn't come home. She usually lets him know when she's on her way. But this time, there hasn't been a single message. It's past eight thirty. Steven took a deep breath. He didn't want to think badly of her. He always tried to believe. Throughout their years of marriage, that was the one thing he continued to do—believe. The door finally opened. Nora entered with hurried steps, her face looking happy—not at Steven, but at her cell phone, which she held tightly. "Sorry, I'm late," Nora said without looking at her husband. Steven stood up spontaneously. “I've prepared dinner. You haven't eaten yet, have you?” Nora took off her coat and sat down on the sofa. "I already ate. Ryan treated me. He... Well, he said he wanted to apologize for the past." That name. A name that for years he had heard only as an old memory.
Chapter 2
The next morning, Steven woke up earlier than usual. Not because he had to work, but because he couldn't sleep because Nora's words from the night before kept running through his head.It's up to you.That sentence hit him harder than all the previous accusations.Steven went down to the kitchen. He wanted to make breakfast for Nora as usual, even though last night their feelings had plummeted without brakes. But when he opened the refrigerator, he found something that made him stop.There were two fancy food boxes with a small note that read:"For Nora. From Ryan."Steven closed his eyes for a moment. He felt like a stranger in his own home.Nora appeared a few minutes later. Her hair was still messy, but she was smiling—a smile that wasn't for Steven."Oh, have you seen it?" Nora picked up one of the boxes. “Ryan sent this earlier this morning. He said I probably didn't have time for breakfast.”Steven swallowed hard. "What did you say to him?""That I appreciate it."There was
Chapter 3
Two days after that conversation, the house no longer felt like home to Steven. Nora began to come home less often. Even hen she came home, she just picked up her things, changed her clothes, and left again. Without speaking or looking at Steven's face.That morning, when Steven went down to the dining room, he saw a large envelope on the table. No name or note. Just a plain white envelope.He took it and opened it. Inside was:Divorce Petition.Without further discussion. Without trying to defend anything.Steven took a deep breath. He had expected it, but it still felt like a big hammer hitting his chest.A few minutes later, the front door opened. Nora appeared with a blank expression. He wasn't surprised to see Steven holding the letter."Oh, you've seen it," she said, walking past Steven without stopping. "The sooner the better."Steven looked at her. "You really don't want to talk first?"Nora paused, glanced back, her voice cold. "About what? About the accusations that you
Chapter 4
"I'll let you see who you're really looking down on."The words echoed in the dark living room. There were no witnesses, no listeners, except himself. Steven stood up slowly, straightening the suit he had carelessly thrown down. His eyes were empty, but deep inside there was something new—angry calmness.He went to the kitchen and turned on the kettle. Waiting for the water to boil was like waiting for his own time to come.Five minutes later, the front door opened. Nora entered with quick steps. She looked tired, but not because of Steven. More like someone who was chasing something, and Steven wasn't part of that goal."Who's that tea for?" Nora asked coldly, watching Steven pour hot water."For me," Steven replied briefly."Great. Don't make anything for me."That tone was no longer blunt—it was outright insulting.Steven didn't reply. It was useless.Nora took off her bag and went straight into the room to get some things. The sound of the closet being opened loudly, drawers
Chapter 5
That morning came without mercy. The sky was slightly overcast, but bright enough to remind him that nothing could be hidden any longer.Steven stood in front of the window of the cheap hotel room where he was staying temporarily. His hair was a little messy, his face tired, but his eyes... for the first time in years, they began to look alive. There was something there—a decisiveness that even he himself had almost forgotten he possessed.The phone rang. The name that appeared: Leon, his loyal right-hand man since long ago."Sir, everything is ready," Leon's voice sounded firm."The company, personal assets, reports of all transfers to Mrs. Nora's business. Everything has been summarized. When would you like to make the announcement?""Not yet," replied Steven. "The first act wasn't about proving who I am. Nor was it about revealing my identity.""Then what, sir?""To show what happens to people who underestimate a man's self-esteem."Leon paused for a moment before saying, "Yes,
Chapter 6
That night, the city seemed normal. The building lights were shining calmly, as if the world was not moving towards someone's destruction. But for Steven, everything had changed.He sat in the chair—a small, simple room in a temporary apartment. There was no luxury, no symbols of power. Just Steven, his laptop, some documents he had long neglected, and the calm before the storm.Leon entered without knocking."Sir, everything is ready," he reported as he placed a thick folder on the desk.Steven closed his laptop. "All the evidence?""Yes. Starting from Ryan's illegal transfers to several key employees at Nora's company, the financial reports he manipulated, to the recording of his conversation with one of the illegal investors who wanted to take over the business."Leon continued, "He has set a trap to bring Nora down. If his plan succeeds, he will take over the company within three months."Steven nodded slowly, his expression showing no surprise whatsoever."Nora doesn't know an
Chapter 7
The next morning, Steven was ready before the sun had fully risen. Neat hair, simple shirt, expressionless face—calm but dangerous. Today is no longer about presenting evidence. It's about making Ryan lose his footing.Leon then arrived on time."Everything is going according to plan, Sir," he said, handing over an additional folder.Steven opened it. "Is this Ryan's company financial report?""Yes, Sir. All his tax evasion, hidden debts, and shady business dealings. If this gets out... he'll be finished in a matter of hours."Steven closed the folder. "Good. But it's not time to drop everything yet."Leon nodded. "Your instructions, Sir?""Just the initial phase. Let's keep him busy. Make him panic."Leon smiled faintly. "With pleasure."***Meanwhile, at Nora's office, the atmosphere was no calmer.Nora sat in her room with swollen eyes. All night long she cried—swaying between anger, disappointment, and shame. She didn't sleep. Didn't eat and couldn't think.Ryan came in lookin
Chapter 8
After those words left Steven's mouth, he walked steadily out of the cafe. There was no doubt or regret. All the pain he had endured was enough. Now it was Nora's turn to feel it.Leon then followed behind.“Sir, shall we begin gathering evidence for the third phase?”Steven nodded. "Yes. Today, we made Ryan lose his last ally.""Alright."Meanwhile, at Nora's office, the atmosphere was chaotic. Everyone was talking about the same news: Ryan's company was under intense scrutiny. Rumors were circulating that he would soon be arrested.Nora sat pensively in her office. Her eyes were puffy, her face a mess. She tried to read report after report, but every letter seemed to move. Her head felt heavy.There was a knock at the door."Come in," Nora said weakly.Her assistant stepped in. "Mrs. Nora... there's one more thing.""What else?" Nora massaged her temples."Our main investor has canceled the partnership."Nora looked straight at him. "What?!""They said they didn't want to get i
Chapter 9
"Now, I am no longer your husband."Those words echoed in Nora's head even hours after Steven left the mediation room.Her hands trembled as she sat alone at the long table that now felt too cold.There was no sound except for the ticking of the wall clock, which seemed to embarrass itself every second.She never imagined the day when Steven—the man she had always looked down on—would stand staring at her without any emotion, then end their relationship as if cutting a rope that had long since been broken.Nora wiped her cheek, surprised when her fingers touched tears that had been flowing for who knows how long.She never cries like this.Not for anyone.And especially... not for Steven.***Outside the building, it was drizzling. Steven put both hands in his coat pockets, his face expressionless. He glanced at the glass door, but only for a second. There was no more doubt or pity.Nora has crossed the line many times. And now, she must face the consequences.Steven walked away wit
Chapter 10
It has been two weeks since the divorce was finalized. It had been two weeks since Steven closed the door without looking back. And in those two weeks... the world seemed to have changed.And finally back to where he belongs.That morning, a private helicopter landed on the roof of the 86-story building owned by Hawthorne Global Holdings, the largest multinational company that Steven had been running behind the scenes.He stepped out of the helicopter, wearing a sharp black suit, a world-class watch on his wrist, and a piercing gaze—as sharp as a man who no longer carries burdens that are not his own.The man Nora once made seem small... is now completely gone.The shareholders, directors, and lawyers waited on the rooftop landing pad, greeting each other formally."Welcome back, Mr. Hawthorne."Steven nodded briefly. "Let's get started right away. Directors, to the meeting room. Now."No small talk, fake smiles, or hesitation.Steven's aura returned to his body as if he had just ret