King of War's Dominance

Chapter 4

The Lanster family banquet was an annual event that everyone looked forward to.

It was an open house for upper middle class businessmen, officials, investors, and elite figures.

An invitation to this event was a symbol of status. A sign that someone had connections, power, or influence.

Edmund Had, who actually had none of those things, looked very proud that night.

He wore an old black suit that had been ironed very carefully. His chin was raised, his chest puffed out.

"Not everyone gets a personal invitation from Frank Lanster," he said again and again during the trip, as if he wanted the whole world to know.

But the truth was he was a nobody.

Not a businessman.

No position.

No job.

For years, he had lived off his daughter's salary and Thom's military money.

But none of that mattered to him tonight. What mattered was that he would step into the most influential family banquet in Geurodia.

The old taxi they were riding moved slowly into the wide road leading to the Lanster mansion.

But Edmund quickly noticed something strange.

On both sides of the road, there was a military convoy. Not one or two, but dozens of armed military vehicles with a black dragon emblem, the elite convoy that was usually deployed only to protect someone with the highest level of national clearance.

"What is this? Why is there security like this?" Edmund muttered, his eyes widening.

Rachel looked at the convoy for a moment, then shrugged. "Maybe they are escorting another high official who is invited.”

“The Lanster family has connections up to the highest military level. This must be normal, Father."

Edmund nodded quickly, as if convinced by that explanation. "Yes, yes. That makes sense."

Madam Yosie, who sat beside him, added while glancing at Thom with a belittling look, "Right. Unlike your husband who is only a low level soldier. A worthless job with no future."

Rachel let out a small laugh.

Edmund also burst into laughter.

Thom said nothing. He only sat quietly while holding his daughter on his lap, his gaze turned to the window.

The military convoy was not for high officials.

The convoy was not for the invited guests.

The convoy was for him—Thom!

The taxi finally stopped at the front courtyard of the Lanster mansion.

Luxurious lights decorated the main entrance. Guests stepped out of expensive cars like limousines, black SUVs, and exclusive sedans.

Among all that grandeur, their old taxi looked very out of place and embarrassing.

Rachel quickly stepped out with a tense expression, afraid of being looked down on by the other guests. But something even more shocking was happening.

Thom came out last while carrying Shenina in his arms.

But something strange happened the moment Thom's foot touched the courtyard floor.

Behind them, the heavy engines stopped all at the same time.

The military convoy that had been escorting them suddenly stopped in a neat formation.

In seconds, dozens of soldiers stepped out of the vehicles, their steps fast and trained.

"Hm... what is happening?" Rachel frowned, her breath caught.

The soldiers did not step out casually. They lined up on the right and left sides of the mansion entrance, forming a long corridor.

Several members of the special forces quickly rolled out a red carpet that stretched seven meters to the main door.

Their movements were swift and respectful, as if welcoming an important national figure.

Edmund gaped, his eyes widening until they almost popped out.

"A... are we... being welcomed like this?" his voice almost cracked.

Rachel looked around quickly, making sure there were no important guests stepping out of the car behind them.

There were none. Only she, her mother, her father, and Thom who was carrying Shenina.

Other guests who had just arrived from the main entrance stopped and whispered when they saw the scene.

They looked at the red carpet that was suddenly rolled out, then looked at Rachel's family as if wondering who they really were.

Madam Yosie stared at the scene with eyes shining in delight. Her nose lifted high. In an instant, she reached her own conclusion with full confidence.

"Of course all of this must be ordered by Frank," Madam Yosie said with a proud and exaggerated tone.

"Look, Rachel. Frank really loves you. He is even welcoming you like an honored guest." She snorted in triumph.

"A military convoy, a red carpet. All of this is clearly for us!” Madam Yosie continued.

Rachel was stunned. Her cheeks turned red from excitement and nervousness mixed together.

She patted her dress as if making sure she looked graceful enough to be welcomed like that.

"I... I did not know Frank would prepare... something like this..." Rachel said while looking at the soldiers on both sides.

The soldiers stood tall in a full salute.

They stood like they were welcoming a great general or someone greatly respected.

Rachel became even more certain.

"Mother," she whispered, "this is amazing!”

Edmund could not speak at all. He stood with his mouth open, his chest puffed with pride.

And they immediately realized that the eyes of those elite soldiers were not fixed on Rachel.

Not on Madam Yosie.

Not on Edmund.

But their gaze was directed straight at Thom!

“What the hell is this?” said Rachel.