From Rags to God of War

Called 'General'

Nicholas stepped forward, his gaze cutting through the crowd. His eyes locked on Sebastian. A flash of anger crossed his tired face.

"What are you doing?" Nicholas's voice was low, but it sent shivers down spines.

Sebastian snapped out of his surprise. His usually pale face was now filled with false confidence. He glanced at Nicholas's disheveled appearance, then smiled disdainfully.

"Oh, look who it is!" Sebastian said, trying to diffuse the awkward atmosphere. "The groom finally showed up! Welcome, Mr. Krause! But... what happened to you? You look like you just fell into a ditch! Is this what a groom looks like?!" Sebastian burst into laughter, trying to incite laughter from other guests. Some guests joined in with cynical chuckles.

Elsa approached, her face filled with mockery. "I knew it! He's a swindler! How could he possibly have money! All that dowry must have been ill-gotten gains, and now he's being hunted down, which is why he looks like this! Coward!"

Adam looked at Nicholas with disgust. "Nicholas! What is this? You show up to your own wedding looking like this? You're bringing more shame to our family!"

Sonia sighed, shaking her head. "My God, Isabella. You see it for yourself, don't you? This is all too much."

Nicholas ignored all the insults. His eyes were solely on Isabella, ensuring she was alright. Isabella, who had been disgusted by Sebastian's behavior, now looked at Nicholas with eyes full of worry.

"What happened to you?" Isabella asked, stepping forward. She reached for Nicholas's arm, touching his dirty shirt. "Are you hurt?"

Nicholas gave Isabella a faint smile. "I'm fine. Just a slight problem on the way." He then shifted his gaze back to Sebastian, then to Elsa, and Adam.

"I know I'm late," Nicholas said, his voice calm and steady, devoid of any regret or guilt. "And I know my appearance isn't what you expected. But I'm here."

Elsa laughed again. "Here? You call an appearance like that 'here'? You'd be better off not coming at all! You're just embarrassing Isabella! You see how ashamed she is of you!"

Sebastian provoked again. "That's right, Nicholas. Aren't you ashamed? Seeing all the guests gathered here? It seems you don't appreciate this event at all. You'd be better off leaving, and letting me take your place as the groom. I'm far more deserving of Isabella."

Nicholas's face hardened. A dangerous glint reappeared in his eyes. He saw Sebastian reach out his hand again, as if to touch Isabella. Nicholas didn't hold back anymore.

His movement was so swift, no one saw it coming. One of Nicholas's hands gripped Sebastian's outstretched wrist. Without needing excessive force, Sebastian groaned in pain. Nicholas twisted it, making Sebastian fall to his knees on the floor.

"No one is worthy of replacing me," Nicholas said, his voice as cold as ice, booming throughout the ballroom. "And no one is allowed to touch my wife."

Sebastian groaned in agony, kneeling before everyone, his face flushed with shame and pain. His wrist felt like it would break in Nicholas's grip. All the guests gasped, including Adam, Sonia, and Elsa. A chilling silence descended.

"Don't you dare try to touch her again," Nicholas hissed, his gaze burning. He released his grip on Sebastian.

Sebastian staggered, standing with difficulty, clutching his wrist. His face was ashen, not just from the pain, but also from immense humiliation. He had just been publicly disgraced by the man he called a bum.

Richard Green, who was not far from there, couldn't accept what he was seeing. Sebastian, treated like that. Richard approached, trying to assert himself, threatening Nicholas.

"How dare you! Who do you think you are? You've ruined this wedding party and now you're treating my friend like this?!" Richard yelled, forgetting the slap he received from Martin. "You don't know who you're dealing with! Green Corporation will..."

Before Richard could finish his sentence, Nicholas cut him off in a flat tone. "Green Corporation. Owners of nickel mines."

Richard gasped. Nicholas had mentioned the details of his father's company assets so accurately.

Nicholas continued, "And I also know that the stock price of Green Corporation is currently plummeting. Investors are withdrawing capital, plus several legal issues related to environmental permits. In the next month, you will face a major lawsuit from the government and claims for damages from shareholders."

Hearing that, Richard Green froze. His face was pale. That information was an internal company secret that shouldn't have been publicly known. How could Nicholas know?

Adam, Sonia, and even Elsa were stunned to hear Nicholas's statement. They were businesspeople and knew exactly how critical such information was. If what Nicholas said was true, Green Corporation was in serious trouble.

"Nonsense!" Richard snapped, though his voice trembled. He tried to save face. "That's all lies! Our company is doing perfectly fine!"

Nicholas just looked at him with a cold stare. "Are you sure? Check your phone. News about a special government audit on Green Corporation must already be leaking. Investors aren't foolish."

Richard immediately pulled out his phone, his face filled with doubt. He opened several financial news portals. Instantly, his eyes widened. The news, indeed, was already there. Although not yet officially released, rumors of the audit and Green Corporation's stock plummeting had begun to surface.

Richard Green's face, which had been full of anger and arrogance, now turned deathly pale. Everyone saw the change in his expression. They knew Nicholas wasn't lying.

"Who are you, really?!" Richard whispered, his voice choked. He was no longer brave, but terrified.

Nicholas didn't answer. He merely glanced at Richard with a dismissive look. Then, he shifted his attention completely to Isabella, as if the other people in the room no longer mattered. He didn't have time to constantly entertain Richard's foolish arrogance. His priority at this moment was Isabella and their wedding ceremony.

Nicholas ignored the shocked and frightened expressions of Richard Green, Adam, Sonia, and Elsa. His gaze was now entirely focused on Isabella.

"Isabella," Nicholas called, his voice softening. "I'm sorry I'm late."

Isabella shook her head, a faint smile gracing her lips. She extended her hand, and Nicholas immediately grasped it firmly. The tense atmosphere in the ballroom slowly melted away. The bridal couple finally stood side-by-side. Martin, emerging from the crowd, handed the rings to Nicholas.

They had already registered their marriage at the Civil Registry. Sacred vows were exchanged, and a kiss between Nicholas and Isabella sealed their bond that night, merely as a formality.

...

After the party ended, Isabella prepared to return to the Weber residence. Martin approached her, while Nicholas was still conversing with Mr. Albert.

"Miss Isabella," Martin said politely. "The car is waiting. We will take you."

Isabella nodded. "Alright. I'll take care of it with my father and mother first."

Nicholas approached, his expression calm. "I'll come with you. There are a few things I need to tell them."

Adam and Sonia waited at the exit, their faces still looking tense. Elsa and Richard had already left.

"You've all seen everything," Nicholas told Adam. "From now on, Isabella is my wife. No one has the right to interfere in our affairs. And regarding Green Corporation, I hope you don't make any rash decisions that will harm you."

Adam could only nod, his tongue tied. After that, Nicholas and Isabella said their goodbyes.

Outside the building, a sleek black luxury car was parked. It wasn't the Weber family car, but a Rolls-Royce Phantom with a uniformed driver standing attentively by the door. The driver opened the back door with a very polite gesture upon seeing Nicholas and Isabella.

"Good evening, General," the driver greeted, bowing respectfully to Nicholas.

Isabella gasped at the greeting. General? The thought swirled in her head. She had just married a General?

"Why did he call you General?" Isabella glanced at Nicholas, but Nicholas merely offered a faint smile, no further explanation.

They both got into the car. The interior was luxurious, far exceeding the Weber family cars. The seats were plush, the cool air conditioning blew softly, and it offered perfect privacy.

The car sped through the night. Isabella thought they would return to the Weber residence, but the car drove past an elite residential area, past rows of luxurious mansions, and continued into a more secluded area. Finally, the car stopped in front of a very tall wrought-iron gate, flanked by sturdy stone walls.

The gate opened automatically, revealing a luxurious house. Not just a luxurious house, but a modern palace. The building stood in the middle of a vast garden filled with art sculptures, a swimming pool glowing blue, and lush trees.

Isabella stared at the scene, her mouth slightly agape. Was this her home? The home she would share with Nicholas?