God of Restitution : Zero to Sovereign

Chapter 1: The Soup and the Ring

The heavy rain beat down on the cold streets of the city.

Leo Sterling pedaled his delivery bicycle as fast as his tired legs could carry him. His plastic yellow raincoat did nothing to block the freezing water. His cheap shoes were completely soaked, squishing with every movement of his feet.

His hands were numb from the biting wind, but he tightly gripped the handlebars. He could not afford to be late.

Inside his small pocket, right against his chest, was a tiny velvet box. It was a cheap promise ring that cost him three months of his hard-earned savings. Today was his three-year anniversary with his beautiful girlfriend, Chloe.

To pay for her expensive lifestyle, her designer bags, and her university fees, Leo worked three different delivery jobs every single day. He slept for only four hours a night. His back always ached, and his palms were covered in thick calluses.

But he did not care. He loved Chloe, and he wanted to give her the world.

Leo pulled up to the entrance of the Royal Oasis. It was the most expensive luxury restaurant in the entire city. Golden lights shone brightly through the giant glass windows. Rich people dressed in fine silk and expensive suits walked inside, laughing and talking.

Leo looked down at his wet, muddy clothes. He felt small, but the thought of seeing Chloe’s smile gave him courage.

He walked through the glass doors. The warmth of the heaters hit his face, but the fancy host at the front desk immediately blocked him with a disgusted look.

“Stop right there,” the host said, holding his nose. “Delivery drivers must use the back door. You are dripping dirty water all over our expensive carpet. Get out.”

Leo wiped the rain from his eyes and spoke politely. “I am not here to deliver food. I am looking for Chloe Taylor. She made a reservation here.”

The host laughed mockingly. “A delivery boy eating at the Royal Oasis? What a joke.”

But before the host could call security, Leo spotted a familiar face in the center of the VIP dining section.

It was Chloe. She looked incredibly beautiful. She wore a stunning red dress that cost more than Leo made in six months. Her hair was perfectly styled, and she was laughing happily.

But Leo’s heart suddenly stopped. She was not sitting in her own chair. She was sitting directly on the lap of a handsome young man who wore a sparkling diamond watch.

The man was Julian Vance. He was the sole heir to the biggest real estate company in the province. Julian’s hands were wrapped tightly around Chloe’s waist, and Chloe was feeding him a fresh strawberry with a bright smile.

Leo felt like he had been hit by a speeding truck. The small velvet box in his pocket suddenly felt burning hot. He walked over to the table, his wet shoes leaving dirty marks on the clean floor.

“Chloe,” Leo called out, his voice shaking.

The laughter at the table died instantly. Chloe turned her head. When she saw Leo standing there, soaking wet and looking like a beggar, her beautiful face twisted into pure disgust.

She quickly stood up from Julian’s lap and pushed her expensive chair back.

“Leo? What are you doing here? How did you even get inside this place?” she snapped, her voice loud enough for the neighboring tables to hear.

Leo looked at her, his eyes full of pain. “Today is our three-year anniversary, Chloe. I have been calling your phone all day. Why are you sitting on his lap?”

Julian Vance leaned back in his leather chair, crossing his legs. He looked at Leo like he was looking at a dirty insect. He took a sip of his expensive wine and laughed softly.

“So, this is the trash driver you told me about, Chloe?” Julian mocked, shaking his head. “He looks like a homeless dog that just crawled out of a sewer.”

Chloe crossed her arms, her eyes completely cold. There was no love left in them. There was only deep shame that she was associated with Leo.

“Leo, do not embarrass me here,” Chloe said sharply. “Look at yourself. You work all day and night just to make a few dollars. You wear garbage clothes, and you smell like rain and sweat.

I am a beautiful woman. I deserve to live a luxury life. Julian can buy me diamond necklaces and take me to Paris. What can you give me? A ride on your rusty bicycle?”

The rich people at the other tables began to whisper and point at Leo, laughing at his misery.

Leo felt tears mixing with the rainwater on his face. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small velvet box. He opened it, revealing the simple silver ring inside.

“Chloe, I know I do not have much right now,” Leo pleaded, his voice cracking. “But I work hard for you. I bought this ring for us. It is a promise that I will make you happy. Please, come home with me.”

Chloe looked at the silver ring. She did not look touched at all. Instead, she burst into loud, cruel laughter.

“A silver ring? Leo, this cheap piece of junk does not even cost as much as the appetizer on this table!” she yelled.

She snatched the velvet box from his hand and tossed the silver ring directly into a hot bowl of seafood soup in the center of the table.

The ring splashed, sinking deep into the thick, greasy broth.

“That is where your love belongs, Leo. In the trash,” Chloe said coldly. “We are over. From today on, I am Julian’s woman. Never call me again. You are banned from my life.”

Julian smirked, highly entertained by Leo’s total humiliation. He snapped his fingers loudly, signaling to the back of the restaurant.

Two giant, muscular bodyguards dressed in black suits immediately walked out from the shadows. They stood behind Leo like two immovable stone walls, their faces completely expressionless.

Julian took another slow sip of his wine, his eyes gleaming with absolute cruelty.

Julian signaled his hulking bodyguards to drag Leo into the dark alley behind the restaurant.