Blood Thirst: God of War

The Beginning of Revenge

The banquet was still in full swing, but all the celebratory vibes in the world couldn't save the Garcias now. Kenneth and Quella had finally completed the first step of their mission and found the Duke.  

And right now, they stood with their heads bowed, trembling before Duke Morgan as their pride was shattered to bits. 

“P-Please, your Grace! We don’t understand anything… why did you terminate your cooperation with the Garcia family all of a sudden?” 

Kenneth stammered, his usual arrogance gone. Quella lowered her head in submission.

“My grandfather has recently passed away, your Grace. But I assure you, you will never face any complaints from our side. We have always been loyal to you, and I remember all your favors on us. Please reconsider, your Grace…”  

Her words trailed off, since Duke Morgan had already moved towards the guests standing on the other side of the room. 

He didn't even look at them once, as if they were completely beneath his notice. 

But they refused to give up. Like flies buzzing around a piece of cake, they hovered, their desperate voices growing louder.  

Kenneth even reached out, grabbing at the Duke’s sleeve like a beggar.  

“Please, Duke Morgan! At least give us a chance to prove ourselves! One chance, that's all we want–”  

SMACK!  

A sharp sound echoed through the hall as Duke Morgan slapped Kenneth across the face. Kenneth fell backward, holding his red cheek, while Quella ran to support him. 

“How can you do that! We are your guests, has the old man lost his mind–”

Before Quella could protest further…  

Smack!  

She got slapped as well, her head snapping to the side as she gasped in disbelief. The hall fell silent out of shock. 

Duke Morgan wiped his hand with a silk napkin, as if just touching them had made his hands dirty.  

“Don't you dare cross your limits again! And forget about the invitation, is this how guests behave?”

He spoke without waiting for a reply, his voice icy cold. 

"The Morgan family does not cooperate with immoral garbage.”  

Quella and Kenneth froze… so it was really over? Completely over. 

Duke Morgan turned and strode toward the bow of the yacht, where a huge sand table had been set up. He wanted to wait till the end of the summit to announce this, but now, he didn't want to wait anymore. 

The sand table displayed a detailed map of the region, and the focus of the entire gathering shifted towards him, the despair of the Garcias was instantly forgotten. 

Duke Morgan raised his glass of wine, his deep voice carrying through the hall.  

“Ladies and gentlemen… tonight, I am pleased to announce a new investment project worth nearly one billion US dollars.”  

The members of the elite society were holding their breaths in anticipation. 

“The Morgan family will select a single business partner from among the esteemed guests present tonight, based on your the plans they have submitted.”  

Whispers broke out again– a single deal with the Morgans was a golden ticket to absolute wealth and power.  

Every family and corporation present there was waiting, hoping, praying that the next words would be in their favor.  

Kenneth also tried to lift himself up, feeling hopeful despite the Duke's harsh words. Quella gritted her teeth, whispering frantically, 

“It has to be us! He must be testing our loyalty! We have to—”  

But before she could complete that sentence, Duke Morgan walked straight past them.  

Past some of the most powerful families, and stopped in front of Julius and Miley. Raising his glass, he toasted them.  

“To the Hammonds!” 

He announced, his voice rising above the stunned silence. 

“The Morgan family has chosen to fully cooperate with them.”  

There was a moment of dead silence on the Primrose Hill, before it was overcome with sounds of cheers, hoots and whispers. 

Julius simply smirked, as Miley smiled gracefully, clinking her glass with his. 

“We are honored to get this opportunity, your Grace.”  

And just like that, Kenneth lost it.  

He struggled against the bodyguards holding him back, his face twisted in anger.  

“This is a fucking joke!” 

He roared, still kneeling but showing no humility or regret on his face. 

“Julius is worth nothing! He doesn't have ten bucks in his pocket, then how can he submit a plan or proposal for this project! This is a fucking prank!! How can a thief get this chance despite many other capable candidates?”

Quella tried to calm him down, but Kenneth had already tolerated way more than his limit.

“Is this what you consider honorable! He's a bloody thief! Who had to steal an invitation just to be here. And yet all you shameless bootlickers are clapping and cheering for them? 

You are all being fooled by this scum, I know him better than anyone else! Either he has successfully pulled off this scam, or the old Duke has lost his mind and gone fully insane!”

Till now, Kenneth and Quella had been some peculiar guests, whose drama was entertaining some guests. But after Kenneth said these words, every single face in the gathering showed expressions of disbelief and disapproval. 

Duke Morgan turned his head slowly, his sharp eyes locking onto Kenneth. Kenneth flinched, all his courage and anger leaving him as soon as the Duke took a single step forward. 

But Duke Morgan barely glanced at him before scrunching his face in disgust, like he was just a steaming pile of crap and said;

“I think I'll let Julius deal with you instead." 

Kenneth’s breath hitched. What?  

Out of all the things he could imagine, this would be the last one on that list. But without any explanation, Duke Morgan turned and walked inside. 

Kenneth gulped, his fate was no longer his own. This wasn't a situation he could manipulate for his benefit, but maybe Julius wouldn't–

That thought vanished as he watched Julius approach him, completely relaxed, like a lion gazing down at a rat.  

There was no trace of anger on his face, but it was completely grey with the pain of betrayal, he had never hated anyone more than he hated Kenneth. And finally, he had got the opportunity to take the revenge of everything wrongdoing Kenneth had done to him.

But still, he wanted to see him apologise and beg first. 

“Kenneth Colton! I'm going to give you one chance to apologize. You have been trying hard all your life to show me as inferior to you, and I have let the water get over my head. But you crossed a line with Duke Morgan today, and there is no leniency until you apologize–”

"Apologize for what! For saying the truth? You're clearly manipulating the old bastard just like you manipulated Quella's grandpa! You have a special talent for abusing the power of old senile men, so I just told everyone about it.”

“Kenneth! Mind your tongue." 

Julius had said each word like he wanted to stab Kenneth with it, his voice was low but red lines of anger were appearing in his eyes. 

“And why would I try to show you as inferior, when you were born as inferior!! Low blooded son of a stray bitch. You deserve to be below us, just like my mom replaced your mother in dad's life! Because you scum aren't worth it, thankfully Quella realized it faster! Why else do you think she replaced you with me?”

Kenneth was saying everything that came to his mind, venting out his own frustration, without realizing the anger that had started to flow in Julius' veins. 

He had suddenly remembered the day of torture that he had tolerated in a coma… hearing them cheating on him. 

Something clicked in Julius' jaw as he growled out his next command;

“Since you have so much pride for being superior, you can see if it saves you now.”

Before Kenneth could understand, Julius looked at a guard and gave his command in a cold voice.

“Throw him into the sea.”

He knew Kenneth was afraid of water, and this would be the best revenge he could take from, to make him helpless… the same he had been making him feel. 

All the blood in Kenneth’s face was drained within seconds. 

“WHAT?! WAIT—NO! YOU CAN’T—”  

“Yes, I can. This is the punishment for disrespecting the Duke while being at a party hosted by him! And hence, you have lost all right to be here.”

He gestured once, and the bodyguards didn’t hesitate before grabbing Kenneth from both sides. With one swift motion, they threw him overboard.  

A splash echoed in the still night, followed closely by Quella's high pitched scream.  

She lunged forward, eyes wide with horror. “KENNETH!!”  

For a few moments, she kept staring at the inky black sea before her eyes landed on Julius, full of hatred and disbelief. 

“How could you?” 

She choked out,

“How can you be so heartless and cruel! He is your brother!”

But Julius simply titled his head, as if she had complimented him.  

“Don’t worry…” 

He said lightly, “I'm only cruel to those who think they can cheat on me and get away with it. You'd better pray that he makes it to shore before the sharks in these waters catch up to him. And dear ex, it’s your turn next.”  

Quella felt like she had been turned to a stone statue, the blood in her veins being replaced by pure terror. 

Before her mind could catch up with her body, she began to run. She shoved past guests, taking wobbly steps in her pencil heels, her hands shaking. 

But Julius didn’t move a single muscle. He simply watched her disappearing back, like he was bored, then shook his head as he looked at the bodyguards who were waiting for a signal from him. 

“There is no need to chase her.”

They nodded and stepped back.    

“She can run… for now.”