No soldier wanted to end up like Richard. But what they didn't know was why the Great Commander of the Northern Hemisphere had really visited him.The old commander already suspected treason.He had ordered his most trusted men to investigate the fake drug charges, but most of them turned up dead. His suspicion grew into terror.To avoid making it obvious that he was stalling, he went to the hospital to dismiss Lieutenant Richard Eagle himself.While there, he caught General Thickcup’s wicked smile the moment Richard was handed the title of Battalion Lordship.Thickcup had never forgiven the Great Commander for winning the election against him.On his way back to the White House, the commander's car exploded. His driver died instantly.When the news reached his hospital bed, Richard was stuck in shock.The only high-ranking official on his side was dead!Now, General Thickcup was the acting Great Commander, and Richie knew Thickcup would come to finish him off.“Boss, you need to get

Audrey felt a sharp pang of shock and heartbreak wash over her.Her own father had just made a life-altering, permanent decision about her future without even asking her opinion.“Dad, I barely even know him! He’s been living in the Northwest Municipal ever since we finished high school,” Audrey yelled, her voice cracking as she waited for her father to laugh and call it a sick joke.“That is the exact reason I pushed the engagement back to next week. He’s flying in today, giving you both plenty of time to get reacquainted,” Mr. Morgan replied coldly, not even turning his head to look at her as they sat side-by-side in the moving car.“Is marriage just a game to you, Father?! I don't love him, and this forced engagement will not happen. You can't just barter me off like property to your friend's son!” Audrey cried out, digging her fingernails so hard into her palms in displeasure.Thick glassiness fogged her bright, tear-filled eyes.“My dear, think about our family company, and the r

Blue Mountain coffee at Morgan Estate dining room. Mr. Morgan was at the head of the long table, scrolling lazily through his tablet while a financial daily newspaper lay wide open beside his plate.The front-page headline blared details of the successful engagement gala from the previous night, featuring full-color photographs of Sean Thickcup standing proudly beside a visibly stiff Audrey."Look at this market response, Sean," Mr. Morgan murmured, a proud, self-satisfied chuckle escaping his lips as he tapped the screen."Our stock jumped four percent before the opening bell even rang this morning. Tying our lineage to the Thickcups was the single greatest business move of my career."Sean sat a few seats down, wearing a silk designer bathrobe, cutting into a rare steak with lazy, exaggerated movements.He took a slow sip of his mimosa, a smug grin plastered across his face."I told you, Mr. Morgan, people like us don't lose," Sean bragged, chewing slowly as he recalled the events o

At the blue harbor, multi-million-dollar superyachts lined up along the private pier.Music thumped heavily from the deck of the largest vessel, with the lively sounds of laughter, clinking champagne glasses, and cheering socialites.This was Sean Thickcup’s exclusive bachelor yacht party, an extravagant floating palace designed to show off a level of wealth that ordinary people could only dream of seeing in a lifetime.High-society models in designer bikinis lounged on white leather sunbeds, while wealthy heirs and corporate partners smoked expensive cigars in the shaded VIP lounge.Sean stood near the captain's wheel wearing expensive Italian sunglasses and a white silk shirt, holding a glass of aged champagne like a king surveying his personal kingdom."Look at this life," Sean shouted over the pulsing bass, wrapping a careless arm around a glamorous model standing next to him."Everything I touch turns to gold. In a couple of hours, I will marry Audrey, and our family name will co

The cathedral at the heart of the city was a breathtaking sight filled with white roses, flowing silk ribbons, and shining crystal lights.Outside, cameras flashed rapidly as luxury cars lined the old stone street, dropping off politicians, wealthy business owners, and famous guests.Inside, the high ceiling carried the soft, beautiful sound of a live string band playing a classic wedding song.Rows of arranged seats were full of powerful people who had come to watch the big wedding of the Rossman and Thickcup families.At the front of the altar stood Sean Thickcup. He wore a dark blue tuxedo with a fresh white flower pinned to his jacket.His face was bright with victory, a huge, proud smile spread across his mouth as he waited for his bride.A few steps away, Mr. Morgan stood tall and happy, beaming with joy as he watched the doors at the back of the church slowly open.The crowd turned as Audrey Rossman walked out under a warm pool of golden light.She wore an expensive designer dr