Achilles: The Warlord Emperor

3. The Ultimate Deceit

On reflection, Achilles' knees quivered in shock, gazing like a lost sheep.

Words stuck in his throat, “Huh?!”

He managed to stare at his pumpkin, who couldn't make sense of her mother's heart-wrenching words.

“I said don't fucking touch my daughter!”

“Son of a murderer!”

Gabrielle's hands shivered, tears welling in her eyes but Star persistently yanked her backward.

Before Achilles could muster a word, the gate behind them swung open, a well-dressed man stepped inside, his face etching with contempt.

It was none other than Felix Jacobs, Star’s so-called cousin.

With spite, she ran towards Felix, embracing him, cupping his face, and tendering his lips with a passionate kiss.

Lost in a puzzle, Achilles' forehead knitted in disbelief, he mused. “Did she just kiss her cousin in front of me?”

Gabrielle’s eyes widening in disorientation, she exchanged dumbfounded eye contact with Achilles.

Time slowed down!

He shot bloodshot glares at Star to begin explanations at once, several questions hung in the air.

Finally, he snapped, “What the hell's going on here?!”

Star flashed him a cold smirk, flirtatiously stepping away from Felix.

“It’s high time you knew the truth.”

Right then, he suspected whatever secret they were about to reveal would be a dreadful bomb.

He charged further, “Speak already! What's all this madness about?”

With contempt, Eunice scoffed, winking at Star to let the cat out of the bag.

“Felix was never my cousin. He's my boyfriend, my lover!”

Her lips curled into menace, “And yes, he's Gabrielle's biological father. I was already a week pregnant when you proposed eight years ago.”

On reflection, Achilles' heart shredded into pieces. He slowly stared at his pumpkin whose eyes were already brimming with tears.

He couldn't believe that Star would be so manipulative as to have him raise another man's child.

For what exactly?

Eunice spewed out further ill words. “Oh yes. I encouraged my daughter to accept your marriage proposal because of your family's esteemed name and affluence.”

“You guys were so wealthy and powerful. Who wouldn't want to marry Achilles Hector, the Vehement God of War?”

Her words pierced through Achilles’ heart like a dangerous dagger!

He took in the raw pain, holding tight to his regrettable emotions. He must be strong for both himself and his pumpkin— no matter the odds.

Felix stepped further, wearing an annoying gloat on his face, “Oh, you thought my girlfriend loved you? Good heavens, you were so gullible, man.”

“It was all about the money! When they informed me of the financial benefits I'd gain every month from the hundreds of dollars you sent in weekly.”

“I had to play along with the facade of being Star’s cousin. Thank you for taking care of my daughter.”

Finally, the pieces began to fall into place— the unexplained expenses, the secretive conversations, the way Star had always been most concerned about money.

Achilles forced a laugh, which got them rather surprised. Why should he chuckle after all the revealed dirty secrets?

“All these schemes were just for my family's wealth, right? Indeed, I married a She-Devil–”

Instantly, Star cut him short with a spiteful giggle.

“Haha! Did the exiled God of War actually think he married me?”

Taken aback, Achilles rolled his eyes, curiosity moved his tracks further, “What the hell are you insinuating? Have you suddenly forgotten that we got married over seven years ago?”

They all burst into hysterical laughter. Right there; he knew more horror was about to be thrust into his crumbling world.

“My God! He's damn dumb!”

Wearing an unremorseful expression, she sneered, “The marriage was all a facade!”

“Nothing was real. It was all a calculated scheme to milk your family wealth.”

“Our marriage certificates were all fake. The priest who officiated our so-called union is a pastry chef in Berlin. We paid him handsomely to disguise himself as one.”

“I am no wife to the military exiled Achilles Hector, the fallen Vehement WarLord. Never!”

Achilles felt like a truckload of stingers had been dumped in his chest.

The sting of their betrayal and deceit was a lot to take in at once but his expression remained rigid.

Gabrielle wasn't his biological daughter and the woman he had called wife for almost eight years was nothing but a fraud.

Eunice, with a satisfying gloat. “Thank you, for being our golden goose.”

“All these years, you were nothing but our money machine. You clearly don't know how much we made off from you.”

“We now own multiple shares in several organizations— various investments, properties, and businesses. All thanks to you: our gullible never would be son-in-law.”

With her last words, Felix and Star chuckled spitefully to ensure Eunice’s words sank deep into his head.

While the Hector's wealth, assets, and properties had been seized— the Hayden family would flourish henceforth after using his hard-earned money to their selfish advantage.

Without hesitation, He poured out his heart, “You all disgust me! Shame on you for tricking a responsible man who didn't do anything bad but took care of his family's needs and ensured they lacked nothing.”

He questioned further with cold glares, “When did it become a crime to be a provider? Huh?”

His words fell on deaf ears, they embarked on a giggle parade to frustrate him further.

Gabrielle, still under her mother's grip, mumbled a word to Achilles. “Sorry, Daddy.”

Star's face flushed with anger at the words of her daughter, shooting a stern glare at Achilles, “Now get out of my house!”

He squinted his eyes at her insolence. “You must be a joker! The same building I bought with my money?”

They laughed even more at his words. “Dumbass! Yes, you might have bought the house but the property legal documents had my name written all over it alongside my appended signatures.”

“Haha, the mansion is mine! And I detect who stays and who leaves.”

The outcome of their dirty scheme sent goosebumps down his shoulders— he wondered why the Hayden family would play him like a toy.

The once exalted Vehement Warlord was on the verge of becoming homeless.

Eunice’s tongue was cruel, showing no iota of pity, “Get out of our house!”

Gabrielle mouthed in a low breath. “Please, allow Daddy to stay, please!” She cried.

Her words struck Felix's heart like a dagger, his veins thrusted out with fury. “He's not your father. I am!”

“Your presence here has caused enough havoc. Now leave.”

When he refused to move, Star, Felix, and Eunice pushed him harder towards the widened gate.

Achilles staggered backward, his foot catching the edge of the pavement. A terrifying horn blared across the street. A moving car hit him and his body thudded on the road.

“Daddy!”

Hot shivers plunged down Gabrielle's shoulders, screaming at the top of her lungs.

She struggled hard and yanked off her mother's hands, tears shimmering down her cheeks.

She fell on her knees beside him, her fingers trailing across Achilles’ bloodstained face.

“Dear Daddy! Please wake up!”