From Rags to God of War

The Culprit

Everyone in the room panicked. The nurses and doctor who had arrived with Sonia immediately crowded around Adam's bed. Only Jessica remained calm, a look of satisfaction on her face that her plan had worked. Nicholas, who had been on the floor, slowly opened his eyes. Isabella quickly helped him sit up.

The hospital doctor frantically checked Adam's condition. Moments later, his expression shifted from panic to astonishment.

"This is incredible!" the doctor exclaimed, his voice filled with admiration. "His pulse is stable! His blood pressure is normal! He's past the critical stage!"

Sonia was dumbfounded. "What do you mean? That black blood... isn't that extremely dangerous?"

"That black blood was the poison expelled from Mr. Adam's body, ma'am," the doctor explained. He then turned to Jessica, who was cleaning her medical instruments. "You are an extraordinary doctor! I apologize for underestimating your abilities." The doctor extended his hand to Jessica.

Jessica shook the doctor's hand briefly. "No problem. I need to leave immediately. I have many other patients waiting."

Ignoring the astonished gazes of the other doctors and nurses, Jessica left after a brief nod towards Nicholas and Isabella.

Sonia gave Nicholas a sarcastic look. No words of thanks came from her mouth, only clear hatred radiated. The doctor then spoke again.

"Mr. Weber has passed the critical stage. We can move him to a regular ward now for further observation," the doctor said.

Adam Weber's transfer was initiated immediately. Sonia and Elsa were busy with paperwork and ensuring all of Adam's needs were met in his new ward. Meanwhile, Isabella accompanied Nicholas, who was sitting in the waiting area.

"Nicholas, are you okay?" Isabella asked, her face full of concern.

Nicholas nodded. "I'm fine."

"Thank goodness." Isabella sighed in relief. "Thanks for helping me. And Dad."

"It's just part of my job," Nicholas replied flatly.

After making sure Adam was in a regular ward, Isabella held Nicholas's hand. She only intended to see Adam for a moment to ensure everything was okay. However, as they arrived at the door, Elsa appeared with a cold stare.

"What do you want now?" Elsa asked sharply, looking at Isabella and Nicholas. "You've caused enough trouble."

"I just want to see Dad," Isabella replied, trying to control her emotions.

"No need," Elsa cut in. "Dad needs rest. Just leave."

Sonia, standing beside Elsa, said nothing. She just turned her face away, as if Isabella and Nicholas weren't even there.

"Elsa, Mom, you should be thanking Nicholas!" Isabella exclaimed, disappointment swelling in her chest. "He saved Dad!"

Sonia finally turned, looking at Isabella with disgust. "Thank him? For what? For bringing problems to our family? Even if I thanked him today, it wouldn't change the fact that I'll never consider him my son-in-law."

"But Nicholas has helped us so much, Mom!" Isabella tried to explain. "He even helped us with our project with the Diamond Group. Victor Meyers agreed to collaborate because of Nicholas!"

Elsa snorted sarcastically. "Diamond Group? Victor Meyers? He probably just begged Victor, asking for pity. I'm sure Nicholas is just a jobless bum who's staining the Weber family's good name."

Nicholas's lips thinned. He didn't explain to them that he was the revered God of War, a man with military power and almost limitless wealth. They wouldn't understand, and he didn't care about their opinions anyway.

Nicholas took Isabella's hand. "That's enough, Isabella. Let's get out of here."

Isabella looked at her stubborn mother and sister. The heartbreak tore at her chest, but she chose to follow Nicholas. "Alright, Nicholas. Let's go."

They both turned and left, leaving Sonia and Elsa at the door of Adam's hospital room.

A few minutes after they left, inside the room, Adam slowly opened his eyes. His gaze flickered, trying to focus.

Sonia, who was sitting by the bedside, saw her husband awaken. Her face immediately lit up. "Adam! You're awake! Thank goodness!"

Elsa quickly approached. "Dad, you scared us half to death!"

Adam tried to speak, his voice hoarse. "I'm... I'm still alive?"

"Of course, you're still alive, Adam!" Sonia hugged him carefully.

Adam frowned. "They injected me with poison."

Sonia was silent for a moment. Secretly, she was shocked. Nicholas was right. It really was poison. But she wouldn't say it out loud.

"Who were they, Dad?" Elsa asked, her face pale.

Adam took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. "I don't know. They said this was just the beginning. They'll keep coming until the entire Weber family is wiped out."

The room fell silent instantly. Sonia and Elsa's faces turned ghostly pale. Fear crept into their hearts. The threat felt real and chilling.

"What should we do?" Sonia asked, her voice trembling.

Adam stared at the ceiling, his eyes full of calculation. "We'll form a protection team. I won't let them destroy our family."

...

Isabella and Nicholas got into the car. Silence enveloped them, broken only by the soft hum of the engine. Isabella started the car.

"I need to head to the factory," Isabella said, focusing on the road. "There's an incoming stock of goods I need to oversee directly."

"Alright," Nicholas replied briefly. "I'll get off at the intersection."

Just as Isabella was about to respond, Nicholas's phone vibrated. A message popped up from Martin Luther, his assistant. Nicholas read the message carefully. His expression immediately turned cold and tense.

The message from Martin: "Sir, I've found information on Adam Weber's attackers. They're from an elite mercenary group called 'Black Eye'. They're not only targeting Adam. You and Isabella are also on their primary target list. They are cunning and move quickly. Please be careful."

Nicholas let out a low growl, grinding his teeth. "Damn it!"

Isabella turned, her gaze questioning. "What's wrong?"

Nicholas turned to her, his eyes sharp. "Nothing. Just work stuff." He couldn't tell Isabella now. Revealing the fact that both of them were being hunted by an assassin group would only make Isabella panic and scared, and that was not what Nicholas wanted.

Nicholas immediately typed a reply to Martin. "Arrange special, discreet protection for the entire Weber family. Don't let anyone know."

He didn't want to see Isabella sad and scared because of his failure to protect the family. Nicholas had to protect them all.

Message from Martin: "Consider it done, Sir."

Martin Luther didn't ask further questions. He knew Nicholas wasn't messing around.

"I won't get off at the intersection after all," Nicholas said suddenly, slightly surprising Isabella. "I'm coming with you to the factory."

"But, Nicholas," Isabella frowned. "You have no business there. I'll be fine."

"No," Nicholas insisted, his gaze unwavering. "I'm coming. Period."

Isabella looked at Nicholas suspiciously. "What's wrong with you? Something's definitely up. You're not usually like this."

Nicholas couldn't explain. He just gave her a stern look. "I just want to be with you."

Seeing Nicholas's resolve, Isabella finally gave in. "Alright. If that's what you want."

They arrived at the factory. Isabella immediately headed to the production area, wearing a project vest and helmet. As project leader, she deftly supervised all processes, from checking stock and raw material quality to the production flow. She gave instructions to the foreman and several other employees, ensuring everything ran according to plan.

Nicholas stayed within a reasonable distance from Isabella, watching her from afar, blending in with the bustle of factory workers. His eyes scanned every corner, looking for anything suspicious. His instinct told him danger was lurking.

Suddenly, a deafening screech of metal echoed from above. Nicholas looked up quickly. A large metal beam, a roof support, had detached from its joint and was falling freely, heading straight for where Isabella stood.

Time seemed to slow down.

"Isabella!" Nicholas yelled, his voice thundering amidst the factory noise.

Nicholas ran like lightning. In a fraction of a second, he grabbed Isabella's waist, pulling her hard, out of the beam's path. A loud crash echoed as the metal beam slammed onto the concrete floor, just centimeters from where Isabella had been standing. Dust flew everywhere.

The workers were stunned, some screaming in panic. Nicholas held Isabella tightly, shielding her from the scattering debris.

"Are you okay?" Nicholas asked, his voice heavy, his eyes scanning Isabella.

Isabella was still in shock. Her breath came in ragged gasps. "I'm fine."

Nicholas released Isabella, his gaze immediately going upwards, towards the gap where the metal beam had detached. A black shadow moved swiftly, leaping from one rafter to another, then disappearing behind the upper factory wall. It was pointless to chase. It would only be a trap. They hadn't come to fight here. They only wanted to send a message, or finish the job quickly.

Other employees immediately swarmed the scene, trying to clear the debris and check for damage. The foreman ran closer, his face pale. "Ms. Weber, Sir! Are you two alright?"

Isabella stared at the impact mark of the beam, then at Nicholas, then in the direction of the disappearing shadow. A bitter realization hit her. "They're targeting me too, aren't they?"

Nicholas met Isabella's eyes, his face firm. "They made a big mistake. I'll catch them."