Ex Husband Returns: The Martial Arts Godmaster

Chapter 5: The Rescue and Unexpected Embrace

The warehouse fell into absolute silence as Aaron's unconscious form lay crumpled on the concrete floor, his limbs twisted at unnatural angles. The remaining kidnappers stared in horror at their broken leader, finally understanding the magnitude of their mistake.

"Master Logan," the silver-haired man whispered, his voice filled with reverence. "Your power... it's beyond anything we imagined."

One by one, every powerful figure in the warehouse dropped to their knees again, this time with genuine awe rather than mere respect.

“All hail the great Master Logan!” They chorused, their voices deep as drum.

"Forgive us for doubting even for a moment," called out a mafia boss whose organization controlled the eastern districts. "We should have known that insects like Aaron could never truly threaten a god among men."

"The Martial King's legend spoke of supernatural abilities," added a billionaire industrialist, his forehead touching the ground. "But witnessing it... this is beyond mortal comprehension."

Logan paid no attention to them at all.

Instead, he surveyed the kneeling figures with cold indifference before turning to the remaining kidnappers, who were now cowering against the warehouse walls.

"The girl," Logan said simply. "Where is she?"

"P-please don't hurt us!" one of the kidnappers stammered, pointing with a shaking hand toward a metal door at the back of the warehouse. "She's in the storage room! Unharmed! We swear she's unharmed!"

"We didn't touch her!" another kidnapper pleaded. "Aaron said to keep her safe for the ransom! Please, Master, we're just small-time criminals! We didn't know who you were!"

"If you had known," Logan's voice carried a deadly edge, "would that have changed your actions?"

The kidnappers looked at each other in panic, realizing the trap in his question.

"We... we would never have taken the job!" one of them cried out. "We're like ants compared to you! Worthless insects who should have known better!"

"At least insects serve a purpose in nature," Logan replied coldly. "What purpose do you serve?"

Before the terrified criminals could respond, Logan strode toward the storage room, his followers parting respectfully to create a path. Mayor Richards hurried after him, tears streaming down his face.

"Thank you," the mayor whispered. "Thank you for saving my daughter from these parasites."

Logan pushed open the metal door to reveal a small, dimly lit room. In the corner, bound to a chair with rope, sat a young woman in her early twenties. Samantha Richards had long dark hair that fell in waves around her shoulders, and despite her obvious fear, her eyes held a spark of defiance that hadn't been broken by her ordeal.

"Samantha!" Mayor Richards rushed past Logan to embrace his daughter.

"Dad?" Samantha's voice was hoarse from crying, but her relief was palpable. "How did you find me? The police said—"

"This man saved you," the mayor said, gesturing toward Logan as he carefully untied the ropes. "This is Master Logan, and he—"

"Logan?" Samantha's eyes widened as she looked at the shabby figure in work clothes standing in the doorway. "But... but you look like..."

"Like a common laborer?" Logan's tone was neutral. "Like someone who crawls in the dirt for a living?"

Samantha flushed with embarrassment. "I... I didn't mean to sound ungrateful. It's just... you don't look like someone who could take on an entire gang of criminals."

"Appearances can be deceiving," Logan replied simply.

As the last of the ropes fell away, Samantha stood up unsteadily, her legs weak from being bound for hours. She took a tentative step toward the door, then another, but her knees buckled.

Before Mayor Richards could react, Logan moved with lightning speed, catching Samantha before she could fall. For a moment, their eyes met at close range, and Samantha saw something in Logan's gaze that made her breath catch—not the cold indifference he showed to others, but a flicker of genuine concern.

"Thank you," she whispered.

But instead of releasing her once she was steady, Samantha did something that shocked everyone present. Still shaken by her ordeal and overwhelmed by gratitude, she threw her arms around Logan's neck and buried her face against his shoulder.

"Thank you," she sobbed, her body trembling with relief. "I thought I was going to die. I thought no one would save me."

Logan froze completely, his arms hanging at his sides as the young woman clung to him. He had faced armies without flinching, had stared down death itself with cold calculation, but this simple gesture of human gratitude left him utterly speechless.

The powerful men watching from the warehouse floor exchanged uncomfortable glances. Several cleared their throats awkwardly, unsure how to react to seeing their feared master in such an unexpectedly tender moment.

"Master," the silver-haired man called out carefully, "perhaps we should—"

"Dad, make them stop staring," Samantha whispered against Logan's shoulder, though she made no move to release him.

Mayor Richards looked around nervously at the crowd of dangerous men watching his daughter embrace Logan. "Gentlemen, perhaps you could give us some privacy?"

"We're just insects observing the Master's mercy," one of the mafia bosses said respectfully, though he didn't move from his kneeling position.

His words made the suspicion in Mayor Richard to increased.

The awkward silence stretched on as Samantha continued to hold Logan, who remained as still as a statue. His usual commanding presence seemed to have deserted him entirely in the face of such unexpected physical contact.

The uncomfortable tableau was finally broken by the sound of approaching footsteps. A tall, stern-faced man in an immaculate black suit entered the warehouse, his movements precise and military. Unlike the others present, he showed no surprise at the scene before him.

"Ahem," the newcomer cleared his throat loudly and deliberately.

Samantha jumped at the sound, finally releasing Logan and stepping back with a deep blush covering her cheeks.

Logan seemed to shake himself back to awareness, his usual composure returning. He moved away to meet the newcomer

"Master," the stern man said with a respectful bow, "I apologize for the interruption. I am Commander Chen, your second in command. I received word of the situation and came immediately."

"Chen. Status report." He demanded.

"All of your assets have been mobilized and are awaiting your orders," Chen replied efficiently. "The men responsible for this incident will face appropriate consequences."

Although, their conversation couldn’t reach the ears of the mayor and his daughter.

Once they were done discussing, Mayor Richards stepped forward, his voice filled with emotion. "Master Logan, I cannot express my gratitude enough. You've given me back my daughter, my most precious treasure."

"It was necessary," Logan replied curtly.

"Please," the mayor continued, "allow me to show my appreciation properly. Tomorrow is Samantha's birthday, and we're holding a celebration banquet. I would be honored if you would attend as our guest of honor."

Logan's expression hardened. "I don't attend social gatherings."

"But sir," Mayor Richards pressed, "surely you understand how much this would mean to us? To show our gratitude to the man who saved our family?"

"I said no."

Samantha stepped forward, her earlier fear replaced by determination. "Please, Mr. Logan. I know I have no right to ask anything of you after what you've done for me, but..."

She hesitated, then looked directly into his eyes with surprising boldness.

"I would really like you to be there," she said softly. "It would make my birthday truly special, knowing that my hero was celebrating with us."

The lady couldn’t admit she admired Logan for his braveness. Despite being dressed shabbily, she secret observed the way he was respected by others; it showed he was no ordinary person.

The thought was the same for the mayor.

Her interest was suddenly piqued.

Logan studied her face for a long moment, and the watching crowd held their breath.

"One hour," he said finally. "I'll stay for one hour."

Samantha's face lit up with a radiant smile that transformed her entire appearance. "Thank you! Oh, thank you so much!"