From Rags to God of War

Surprise

Richard held his stinging, red cheek, his eyes full of anger and vengeance. He couldn't believe an assistant dared to slap him.

"Do you know who I am?!" Richard barked, his voice hoarse. "My family owns Green Corporation! You think you can get away with slapping a conglomerate's son?! I'll make sure you lose your job! No company will ever hire you again!"

Martin merely glanced at Richard with a cold stare. He wasted no time.

"I don't care who your family is," Martin stated plainly. "I don't have time for this ridiculous drama. I have a lot of other work to finish."

Richard flinched, surprised by Martin's indifference. Martin completely ignored Richard, turning instead to Isabella.

"Miss Isabella," Martin said, his tone friendly but efficient again. "This venue is ready. Please sign this document as confirmation of its use." Martin handed a thick contract to Isabella.

Isabella skimmed it. It was a confirmation for the use of the Sky Grand Ballroom. "I confirm," Isabella said. She quickly affixed her signature to the designated spot Martin pointed out. "I'll let you know when the event will be held soon."

Martin nodded, satisfied. He glanced at his watch. "Very well, Miss Isabella. My task here is done. I have other matters to attend to. I'll take my leave."

Martin gave a brief nod to Mr. Albert, then promptly walked away, leaving Richard and Elsa still reeling from shame and resentment. Isabella watched Martin leave, a sign that Nicholas wasn't messing around. She held the contract in her hand.

Isabella returned to the Weber residence. However, Elsa had apparently already called Adam and twisted the facts about what had truly happened.

That very afternoon, they gathered in the living room.

"Nicholas has managed to do what you asked. He's renting the Sky Grand Ballroom," Isabella said, showing a copy of the signed contract. "The venue is ready whenever we want it. For my wedding party."

Elsa let out a hollow laugh. "Ha! Nicholas isn't paying for that himself! Where *is* Nicholas? Why didn't he come himself? He must be hiding because he's scared and broke! What a coward!"

Sonia sighed. "I've already heard what Elsa said."

Adam looked at Isabella with heavy pressure. "You see for yourself, Isabella. He doesn't even dare to show his face. This is all just a game. We can't keep being played by someone with no self-respect like him!"

"He had an urgent matter," Isabella defended, her heart aching slightly at their accusations. "And he asked his colleague for help because—"

Elsa snorted. "Believe that? Or is he broke and afraid to show up? There's only one condition left, Isabella. That Rare Jade of the Five-Star General. I bet that will just be another trick! He'll probably show up with a fake stone or who knows what else!"

Sonia added, "That's right. That item is too valuable and too heavily guarded. There's no way Nicholas could get it. He'll definitely have another trick up his sleeve."

Isabella bit her lip. Their words stung. But she had no answer regarding the Rare Jade. Nicholas hadn't explained how he would obtain it.

Suddenly, a guard ran into the living room, a slight panic on his face. "Mr. Adam, Mrs. Sonia! Several cars have arrived. They say they've come to deliver the dowry from Mr. Nicholas Krause!"

The entire Weber family was stunned. Adam, Sonia, and Elsa exchanged glances. The dowry? The Rare Jade? They all stood and walked towards the front door. Isabella followed suit.

Several sleek black luxury cars were neatly lined up in front of the gate. From these cars, a group of well-built men emerged, wearing black suits and carrying diplomatic cases in their hands. They approached the Weber family.

"I am Isabella Weber," Isabella said, taking a step forward. "Are you bringing the dowry from Nicholas?"

One of the men at the front, with a serious face, nodded. "That's right, Miss. We are envoys from Mr. Nicholas Krause. We've come to deliver the dowry you requested."

The man gestured, and his subordinates opened the diplomatic boxes they carried.

Inside, a dark green Rare Jade shimmered with a soft glow, intricately carved with a beautiful dragon. The item was clearly no toy. It was the famed Five-Star General's Rare Jade. There wasn't the slightest doubt.

Besides the jade, they also carried keys to the latest luxury cars, ownership certificates for gold mines, glistening raw diamonds, and stacks of neatly arranged cash in suitcases. This wasn't just a dowry. It was an astonishing demonstration of wealth and power.

Elsa, Richard, Adam, and Sonia stared at it all with their mouths agape. Not one of them could utter a word.

Isabella accepted the dowry. She no longer needed her parents' approval. The wedding would be in two weeks, after she'd discussed it with Nicholas.

Ten days passed since Nicholas delivered the Rare Jade and other fantastical dowry items. That morning, Nicholas met Isabella at the Weber residence.

"Isabella," Nicholas said bluntly. "We need to register our marriage documents with the Civil Registry now."

Isabella was surprised. "Now?"

Nicholas nodded. "I have to leave. There's an important mission that can't be postponed. I might only return for the wedding reception."

Isabella looked at Nicholas, a hint of disappointment in her heart. "What mission?"

"It's classified," Nicholas replied curtly, but his gaze was reassuring. "Trust me. I'll be back."

Without further ado, they both went to the Civil Registry. The documents were processed very quickly and easily, as if an invisible hand facilitated everything. Afterwards, Nicholas drove Isabella home. He said goodbye, leaving Isabella with mixed emotions. Nicholas had kept his promise, but he was also leaving her amidst the preparations.

...

The wedding day arrived. The Sky Grand Ballroom was magnificently decorated, just as Nicholas had promised. Arrangements of fresh flowers, glittering crystal chandeliers, and every other luxurious detail. Isabella, wearing a beautiful white wedding gown, custom-designed for her, stood alone at the altar. Nicholas was absent.

Guests began to whisper. The whispers turned into murmurs, then gossip. The groom wasn't coming? Where was he?

Sebastian Wright arrived. The handsome man, wearing an expensive suit, immediately became the center of attention. He smiled warmly at the guests, then approached Isabella.

"Well, well, Miss Isabella," Sebastian said, his voice smooth. "Congratulations. You finally found a man brave enough to take risks. Although I know he's a coward." He glanced at the empty seat beside Isabella. "Do you need an escort, beautiful bride? I'm always ready to accompany you."

Isabella was offended. "No need, Sebastian. Nicholas will be here."

Elsa approached, her face full of mockery. "What did I tell you, Isabella? He's a coward! He ran away! He's just a con artist! All that dowry must have been acquired through deceit, that's why he's afraid to show up!"

Suddenly, Sebastian Wright stepped forward. He posed beside Isabella. "Excuse me, everyone," he said, his voice loud, as if he wanted everyone to hear. "This bride is too beautiful to be photographed alone."

People started laughing. They pointed at Isabella and Sebastian. "Look! They're a perfect couple!" "Sebastian and Isabella are true soulmates!"

Isabella was fed up. Her face flushed with embarrassment and anger. She wanted to scream, to explain everything. But she knew she had to hold back. If she made a scene, the party would be completely chaotic, and everything Nicholas had done would be in vain. She could only offer a wry smile, nod, and continue to provide alibis about Nicholas being busy with important duties.

The party dragged on slowly, feeling like torture for Isabella. Night grew late, and Nicholas still hadn't arrived. The taunts and pity grew louder. Sebastian became bolder, his hand beginning to circle Isabella's waist, holding her back, and sometimes moving towards her hip.

"Tonight, you're coming to my room." At the peak of that humiliation, as Sebastian brought his lips close to Isabella's ear, whispering suggestively and trying to kiss her cheek, the ballroom doors burst open. Nicholas appeared.

He looked disheveled. His hair was messy, his shirt a bit dirty and wrinkled, and there was even a small scratch on his cheek.

Isabella was worried. "What happened to you?"