King of War's Dominance

Chapter 6

Thom's words felt like a hard slap to Madam Lena. Her face turned red with anger, and her voice rose without caring about the guests watching.

"How dare you talk like that!"

"No, you are not part of this family!"

"You are a bastard child! This is not your house. Leave right now!"

Rachel swallowed hard, her body tense. 

Madam Yosie covered her mouth, afraid that even a small sound would make things worse. 

Edmund lowered his head, trying to distance himself so he would not get dragged into Madam Lena's anger.

But before Madam Lena could continue her outburst, Frank quickly grabbed her arm.

"Mother, stop!" he whispered urgently. "We have to act polite. Do not make a scene."

Madam Lena glared at him. "You are defending him? He even dared to come here without an invitation!"

"We cannot fight right now," Frank whispered even more quietly while glancing at the gate. "General Darlene is here."

Madam Lena froze.

General Darlene?

The third richest person in the entire state?

He had never once agreed to attend any of their family banquets. The Lanster name was not even big enough to attract someone of his level.

But now, in the distance, a strong man in a special military uniform walked toward them. Dozens of elite soldiers surrounded him in a perfectly disciplined formation.

The atmosphere changed instantly.

Guests straightened their posture. Phone cameras slowly lifted. Soft murmurs of amazement spread through the crowd.

Madam Lena took a deep breath and quickly put on her best smile. Frank and his relatives stood taller, trying to look elegant and dignified.

When General Darlene reached them, Madam Lena greeted him with a very polite and formal gesture.

"Welcome to our family banquet, General Darlene. Your presence is very unexpected. We are honored."

General Darlene replied with a small but polite nod. "Hm."

For a moment, his eyes moved. He saw Thom standing a few steps behind the Lanster family.

It was only a brief glance, but all the elite soldiers around them held their breath at once.

General Darlene actually wanted to salute him. How could he not? Thom was their King of War. One of the most dangerous and most respected men in the country.

But General Darlene knew very well that Thom did not like to be honored in public.

The King of War was a humble man. He did not like his identity to be exposed. He ordered all his subordinates to act as if he was an ordinary person, as long as they were not in a military operation.

So General Darlene held himself back. He lowered his gaze and looked at Madam Lena again.

"I just came to look around," he said calmly.

Madam Lena smiled proudly, as if General Darlene's arrival was the highest form of respect for her family.

She had no idea that the elite soldiers were still watching Thom...and watching how Thom showed no reaction at all to the presence of a high-ranking general.

As if to Thom, General Darlene was just an ordinary man.

The Lanster family noticed it too, shocked by how disrespectful Thom was for not saluting or showing manners to General Darlene.

They held their breath, certain that Thom would be punished for standing so close to General Darlene without giving even the slightest greeting.

Benny and Frank exchanged a panicked look, then slowly moved closer to Thom.

Frank whispered sharply from the side. "Are you crazy? Give a salute now! That is General Darlene. If he gets offended, your small career will be destroyed. You could even be kicked out of the military!"

Benny added with a mocking tone. "Do not forget your status. You are a low-ranked soldier. One small mistake and you will end up homeless. Stop acting arrogant and salute!"

Behind them, Rachel also tried to help, though her voice was full of frustration.

"Please, Thom," she whispered, her face burning with embarrassment. "At least show some respect. Do not be stubborn like this. You are making us look bad."

Madam Yosie bowed her head in shame. Edmund covered his face with his hand, afraid of attracting the attention of the important guests.

Everyone knew the rumors about General Darlene.

A ruthless general.

A man who hated even the smallest act of disrespect.

A figure who, if offended, would not hesitate to ruin someone's career with a single sentence.

Some guests even held their breath while waiting for his reaction.

But Thom stayed silent. He did not even show the slightest intention to salute. He stood tall, holding Shenina in his arms, looking straight ahead without fear.

General Darlene looked at Thom again.

The air grew even quieter.

Every second felt painfully long.

Rachel bit her lip.

Frank held his breath.

Madam Lena was ready to see Thom humiliated in public.

Many guests whispered, guessing what punishment General Darlene would give.

But what happened shocked everyone.

General Darlene spoke. "It is fine."

Only two words, yet the entire mansion courtyard fell into stunned silence.

He did not punish Thom for not saluting him?