2024-10-31 08:11:26Elijah hesitated for a moment, staring at the foreign number on the screen. Something about it felt off, but curiosity got the better of him. Slowly, he pressed the "answer" button and brought the phone to his ear. "Hello?" he said, his voice wary. Almost immediately, a deep voice on the other end responded. "Hello, Elijah." Elijah frowned. "Who’s this?" he asked, a mix of confusion and irritation in his tone. There was a brief silence, just a few seconds, but it felt much longer. Then the voice spoke again, calm and deliberate. "Happy Birthday, Elijah." Elijah froze, his heart skipping a beat. "Happy Birthday?" he echoed, shock washing over him. "How do you know my name?" His mind raced—what birthday? He hadn’t celebrated his birthday in years, not since everything fell apart. The voice on the other end continued, as if it hadn't heard his confusion. "Happy 21st birthday, son. Daddy and Mommy wish you the best in life.” The voice on the other end continued, as if it hadn't heard his confusion. "Happy 21st birthday, son. Daddy and Mommy wish you the best in life." Gasp! Elijah’s entire body tensed, his mind reeling. His dad? His mom? How was this possible? He had grown up as an orphan, believing his parents were dead. His head started spinning, and he had to steady himself on a nearby lamppost as the rain pattered softly around him. His pulse quickened, and his breathing grew shallow. Anger flared in his chest, his confusion giving way to suspicion. This has to be a scam, he thought, tightening his grip on the phone. "Whoever you are," Elijah said, his voice shaking, "this is not my birthday. And my parents are dead. Don’t call me again with your scam!" His heart pounded, and he clenched his jaw, ready to hang up as anger surged through him. “Hold on, hold on, son,” the voice said urgently, cutting through Elijah’s anger. “I know you must be mad at me, but please, just hold on.” Elijah’s heart was racing, his grip on the phone tightening as he struggled to make sense of what was happening. “Who are you? Which son?” He demanded, his voice sharp. His head was still spinning, and the rain wasn’t helping. This had to be some cruel trick, a sick joke. “I called to wish you a birthday, Elijah,” the voice said calmly, almost as if explaining something simple. “The limit we set for you is finally up since you’re now 21. Is your birthday not on the 5th of October? Kindly confirm the date and month.” Elijah’s throat tightened, and he found himself swallowing hard. What the hell is going on? His thoughts were a mess, but his chest tightened as the man’s words sank in. That date... it was indeed his birthdate. But how could this stranger know? His pulse quickened as he croaked out, “Yes… it’s my birthdate. So what?” His voice was edged with frustration, but beneath it all, a creeping fear was settling in. How could someone know something so personal? "I understand," the voice continued, calm and certain. "Check your date. It’s probably still the 4th there, a few hours more to the 5th. But you know, in the United States, with the different time zone, it’s already the 5th here—12 a.m. It’s your birthday, Elijah." Elijah’s heart skipped a beat as he quickly pulled out his phone, checking the date. Sure enough, it was still the 4th, only a few hours until midnight. He hadn’t even realized he was that close to turning 21. For a moment, he stood frozen in disbelief. "You... yo... you, who are you?" Elijah’s voice wavered as the question tumbled out. "I’m your dad, son," the voice replied, deep and steady. "My... my dad?" Elijah stammered, his heart racing. "You must be joking, right? What’s your name?" "Marcus Steel," the voice replied, this time deeper, more resonant. Elijah frowned. The name sounded vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t place it right away. His eyes wandered, trying to remember why the name sounded familiar, until they landed back on the posters he had just seen moments earlier. His breath caught in his throat as he stared at the name again: General Marcus Steel. His body trembled slightly as the realization began to settle in. "Which Marcus Steel?" Elijah asked, his voice now quieter, more fearful. "There's only one Marcus Steel, and it's me, your dad, son. General Marcus Steel." Boom!” It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck him. Elijah’s body weakened instantly, his knees nearly giving out as he clung to the nearby pole for support. His mind raced, spinning in a whirlwind of disbelief and confusion. General Marcus Steel? The name echoed in his head, louder and louder. Even though Elijah had never personally known much about General Marcus Steel, he had always heard the stories. Everyone had. Marcus Steel was not just a general—he was one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the United States. His influence stretched far, his name carried weight, and here Elijah was, receiving a call from someone claiming to be him—claiming to be his father. Elijah felt dizzy and overwhelmed. His breath quickened. He had spent his life thinking he was an orphan, barely scraping by, saluting this powerful man’s picture out of respect. And now? Now, this stranger claimed that they were blood? It felt impossible. Unbelievable. He gripped the phone tightly, his mind still reeling, but he managed to compose himself. “Hey, which fraud are you?” His voice was sharper now, laced with anger. “Which General Marcus Steel are you claiming to be?” There was a brief pause before the voice responded, calm and unbothered. “Look around you, Elijah. Are there no posters of me around, son? That’s me.” Elijah’s heart raced as he glanced again at the posters, but the absurdity of it all hit him. Despite the shock, he let out a bitter laugh. “Do you think I’m a fool? You guessed my birthday, lied about being my dad when I’m an orphan, and now you’re claiming to be General Marcus Steel? The well-known general? The richest man in the U.S.? Haha! If you were him, then I’m also God,” he spat out angrily, his voice trembling with emotion. There was a long sigh on the other end of the line, and the voice softened. “I knew it was going to be hard for you to believe, Elijah. What do you want me to do, son? Tell me.” “Switch to FaceTime,” Elijah shot back, his frustration boiling over. “Let me see your fraud face.” A moment later, the call switched; it was on FaceTime.
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The screen came to life. Gasp!Elijah’s breath caught. There he was—a man in his late forties, maybe early fifties, sitting in a luxurious steady room. His sharp features were unmistakable. The room behind Marcus Steel was lined with bookshelves filled with leather-bound books. A golden desk sat in the background, papers neatly stacked—everything about him screamed authority and control. And yet, there was something gentle in the way he smiled, as though he held the entire world at his fingertips.The high cheekbones, the piercing green eyes, and the streaks of silver in his neatly combed hair matched every image Elijah had seen in magazines and on TV. But there was something more personal in the way he looked at Elijah now—something almost... familiar.Seeing that the man on his screen was actually the same as General Marcus Steel he had always saluted, his heart raced, and he felt his entire body tense up. A million thoughts swirled in his head: Was this real? Could he actually be
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“Of course,” the General replied, his tone earnest. “You’re my son, and I want to make sure you have everything you need. It’s time you lived a life free of worry. Just let me know how you’d like it transferred.” Elijah’s breath caught in his throat. "Can I mention my account number to you then?" he asked quickly, his heart pounding with anticipation. The General chuckled lightly. "Your bank account will freeze if you get such a large sum at once. I assume you have a crypto USDT account, right?" Elijah nodded immediately. He had one, though it was empty—something he’d never really given much thought to. "Yes, I do," he replied, his voice shaky. "Good. Now, give me the details," the General instructed. Elijah fumbled with his phone, his hands trembling as he went through the app to find his USDT wallet address. His mind raced, barely believing what was happening. Once he had the long string of numbers, he carefully typed it out, gulping as he hit send. He stared at his screen, w
Rise Of The General's Forgotten Son Chapter 7
As the car began moving, Elijah pulled out his phone, excitement coursing through his veins. He opened his app and quickly transferred $100,000 from his USDT wallet into his bank account. As soon as the transaction was completed, he saw the balance update on his banking app. His bank account had never felt this heavy before. The sight of six figures sitting comfortably in his account made his heart race. The driver glanced through the rearview mirror, his brow furrowing as he studied Elijah. “Young man, which hotel exactly do you want me to send you to?” he asked Elijah leaned forward slightly. “Just send me to any. Something of luxury,” he said, his tone casual. The driver gave a soft chuckle, eyeing Elijah’s appearance again. “Luxury, huh? Why’re you heading to a place like that? No offense, kid, but you don’t look like someone who can afford a night in one of those places.” Elijah’s lips curled into a small smile, the weight of his recent fortune settling in. “I want
Rise Of The General's Forgotten Son Chapter 8
Without even glancing at Elijah, Jay turned to the guard, his voice sharp. "What’s going on here? Why are you holding him like that?” The guard straightened, scrambling to justify himself. "Sir, this young man here... he's a thief! I caught him trying to break into one of the parked cars." Elijah’s mouth opened in protest, but he held back, curious to see how Jay would respond. Jason’s gaze narrowed as he looked Elijah over, his expression of doubt and curiosity. “Young man, who are you? You dare to walk into a hotel like this, trying to steal?” His eyes trailed over Elijah’s worn, wet clothes, lingering on the muddy shoes. Elijah met Jason’s gaze, sensing the respect he had for this man and pushing him to respond calmly. “I’m here to book a room and spend the night, sir. I was only admiring the cars, and then he ran over with his accusations.” He nodded toward the security guard. “Ask him if I was actually doing anything suspicious.” Jason paused, studying Elijah, then a
Rise Of The General's Forgotten Son Chapter 9
Elijah glanced at the clock on the wall and noticed he had just about 25 minutes left before his birthday, just as his dad had mentioned. The realization sent a surge of excitement through him as he turned back to the receptionist. "Yes, that’s right. I’ve heard great things about it—stunning views, a private jacuzzi, a private terrace,” he repeated confidently, refusing to let anyone doubt him.The receptionist’s face tightened as she glanced at the well-dressed couple nearby, who were watching the interaction with growing interest. Clearly annoyed, she forced herself to stay calm. "Um, sir, the penthouse suite is quite expensive," she said, raising an eyebrow, as though challenging him.The young lady beside the man turned to him with a slight pout, wrapping her arm around his neck. “Darling, why not book the penthouse for us?” she suggested sweetly, casting a dismissive glance at Elijah.The man hesitated, eyeing Elijah skeptically. "Hmm, why not another room, since he says he wa
Rise Of The General's Forgotten Son Chapter 10
As Elijah stepped into the elevator, he felt a rush of excitement. It had been ages since he'd even ridden in an elevator, let alone one this sleek and polished, lined with mirrors and soft lighting. The feeling of luxury surrounded him as he pressed the button for the top floor. The doors closed with a quiet hum, and he couldn't help the smile that spread across his face.This was his first real taste of what having money and freedom felt like. No more being looked down on or treated like he didn’t belong. For the first time, he had control over his life, and tonight was just the beginning.Soon, the elevator glided to a smooth stop at the top floor, and with a soft ding, the doors slid open. Elijah stepped out into a quiet, dimly lit hallway lined with luxurious carpeting and framed artwork. Taking a deep breath, he walked down the hall, his footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. Finally, he reached his suite door. With a quick swipe of the key card, the door unlocked with a satis
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As the app loaded, he spotted a live video that immediately caught his eye. He clicked on it, and in an instant, the face and voice of Sierra Lane filled his screen. Her voice, rich and velvety, seemed to pour out of the phone, captivating him entirely.Sierra Lane, the TikTok sensation with a voice like no other. In her early twenties, she’d already gathered millions of followers who couldn’t get enough of her soulful performances. Sierra herself was striking, with long, wavy hair cascading down her shoulders, framing her expressive face. Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she sang, and she wore a comfortable yet stylish outfit, perfect for her laid-back yet engaging vibe. Her talent wasn’t just in the smoothness of her voice but the warmth she brought with each note, making every live session feel like an intimate, personal concert. The walls were adorned with a few colorful posters of her favorite artists, and various musical instruments were scattered around—a guitar leaned c
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As Sierra finished her song, she glanced down at the comments, hoping to see another message from FlibbityBoo. Her smile faltered just slightly when she noticed that he was no longer watching the live. A small pang of disappointment hit her—she had hoped he would stay long enough for her to thank him properly or maybe chat a bit more. Still, she couldn’t help but beam with joy over the incredible support he had shown.Turning back to the screen, she spoke to her audience, her voice full of excitement. “Wow, I honestly can’t believe tonight! FlibbityBoo, if you’re still watching somehow, thank you again. You really made my night—no, you made my whole week!”….Elijah checked the time on his phone—it had already been 25 minutes, and he was starting to feel his stomach rumble. He was just about to lay down on the bed to wait a little longer when the doorbell suddenly rang."They’re here already?" he murmured, pleasantly surprised. He quickly walked over to the door, expecting to see a t
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Chapter 241
Phantom’s eyes darkened, his jaw clenching, but Elijah wasn’t done yet."You’re not even your own boss then," Elijah continued, smirking."You’re just a puppet on Nathaniel’s strings. He throws a few coins at you, and you bark and fetch like a dog?"A few of the men visibly flinched, the insult hanging heavily in the air.Phantom's hands balled into fists at his sides, his body stiffening, but Elijah leaned in slightly, smiling even wider."I expected more from a man with a name like Phantom Reiss," Elijah said mockingly."But it turns out you’re just another street thug in a fancy cage playing gangster.”The room was dead silent for a moment. Even the dogs in the cages seemed to sense the tension, their growls low and threatening.Phantom Reiss’ nostrils flared, and his voice came out low and murderous,"You’ve got a death wish, Elijah Westbrook.”Phantom’s dark eyes glared coldly through the flickering light of the grim room.Nathaniel's voice came from the phone speaker, smug and v
Chapter 240
His cold, sharp eyes locked onto Elijah's calm, unwavering face.There was a moment of chilling silence, the sound of the dogs barking faintly behind them filling the heavy air.Phantom frowned slightly, as if assessing Elijah from head to toe.The blood-stained singlet on his chest stuck awkwardly to his skin, his muscles tense, the brutal energy he carried unmistakable.Yet before him stood Elijah — unflinching, arms slightly loose at his sides, his expression unreadable, almost casual.Phantom dropped the stick to the ground with a loud thud, wiped his hands slowly on a dirty cloth nearby, and took two slow steps closer, the tension thickening with every move.Phantom stared at Elijah for a long moment before a twisted smile curved on his lips.He opened his arms wide slightly and said in a low, taunting tone,"Elijah Westbrook... welcome."Elijah remained calm, his sharp gaze surveying the room again — the cages, the brutal scene behind Phantom, the men standing like loyal wolves
Chapter 239
The scarred man gritted his teeth furiously but stayed in place, glaring at Elijah with burning hatred, breathing heavily as if restraining himself.Elijah stood there, unbothered, a light smirk still on his face. His calmness only made them more unsettled."Tch," Elijah muttered, shifting his weight slightly on his heel, still relaxed. "If this is the best Phantom Reiss has, then maybe I should be disappointed already."The group stiffened hearing Elijah mention Phantom Reiss so casually.One of the rough-looking men stepped forward, pointing a thick finger at Elijah and barking, "How dare you mention boss's name with your filthy mouth?"Another, gripping a rusted pipe in his hand, spat on the ground and said angrily, "Let’s just beat him bloody here and now!" His voice was thick with rage.But immediately, one of the older, slightly smarter men grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back roughly."No! Are you dumb?" he snapped. "Boss said bring him, not break him here. If we mess him u
Chapter 238
As Elijah drove further, he suddenly spotted a small open area along the road—a place wide enough to pull off without causing suspicion.Without hesitation, he turned the steering, brought the Prado smoothly to a halt, killed the engine, and stepped out casually, leaving the driver’s door open.The man following him, surprised, immediately slowed down too, stopping a few meters behind, unsure what was happening.From inside his car, he watched Elijah.At first, he thought maybe Elijah was checking something on his car... but when he saw Elijah closing the door slowly and beginning to walk toward him—directly—his heart skipped a beat."Shit," the man muttered under his breath, quickly adjusting himself in the driver’s seat.He frowned hard, panic creeping in."Am I exposed? How? Was he monitoring me the whole time?"He kept his hand ready on the ignition, debating whether to drive off, but Elijah’s calm yet intimidating pace made it clear:Running might make it worse.Elijah's gaze was
Chapter 237
“Elijah Westbrook?”“Yes. He just came out of a flower store by East Ridge Avenue, entered a black Prado. He’s with another man—probably a close aide or driver. They’re still parked.”“Good. Stay on him. We'll come there quickly.”The call ended. The man’s fingers moved swiftly over his phone screen, snapping a picture of the car and sending it in a flash.Elijah carefully opened the back door of the Prado and placed the beautifully wrapped bouquet—white and red roses mixed with some fresh lilies—gently onto the back seat. He closed the door quietly and glanced up at the sky; it was already getting darker, with the thick clouds hinting that rain could fall again soon.He checked the time on the car dashboard — 4:30 pm, almost brushing 5 pm. The day had moved faster than he expected.Without wasting time, he got into the driver’s seat, buckled up, and started the engine with a soft hum. Felix, who had been quietly scrolling on his phone, looked up and nodded as Elijah began driving out
Chapter 236
Betty glanced at Sierra and suggested, “What about some jewelry? Like a nice chain or bracelet? Might look good on him.”Sierra shook her head gently. “I’ve not really seen Elijah wear those kinds of things. He’s more of the simple and classy type. I think these are enough.”“Alright then,” Betty nodded with a grin. “Still, what you’ve picked is solid.”With that, the two of them continued walking toward the mall’s main payment counter, their hands filled with stylish branded bags and other goods.On the other side of the floor, Sophia had also gathered a few items—less than Sierra but still noticeable. She began walking in the same direction, unaware of who else might be headed there. Her heels clicked lightly as she adjusted her purse and made her way to the counter to process her payment.As Sierra walked forward toward the main counter, her steps slowed slightly. Her eyes locked onto a familiar figure just a few meters ahead which was Sophia“That lady?” she murmured to herself, e
Chapter 235
"I know I've wronged you, Elijah," he said, his voice cracking as desperation bled into his tone. "Please… please help me get out of here. I beg you."Elijah didn’t flinch. He held Damian’s gaze, his face unreadable—until, suddenly, he broke into laughter. Cold, mocking laughter that echoed off the walls of the grimy cell block."Help you?" Elijah chuckled, stepping closer. "Damian… why would I save you… from the very place I personally put you in?"Damian’s eyes widened, his lips parting in shock. "W-What? What do you mean… by where you brought me?" he stammered.Elijah’s smile was calm, sharp. "That’s right," he said smoothly. "Everything… every step that led you here—it was all part of my plan. You see, I knew what you were doing. I watched you ruin others, abuse your power, lie, manipulate. You thought nobody saw, didn’t you? But I did. And I waited. Waited till the right moment to crush you under the very weight of your own sins.”Damian stumbled back a step, gripping the bars ti
Chapter 234
As they stepped out of the office, Elijah’s eyes caught Felix already standing across the hallway with his arms crossed, waiting alertly.Upon seeing Elijah approach, Felix immediately straightened up.Elijah stopped in front of him. “I’m giving you a task,” he said firmly. “You’ll make sure this whole place—everything inside—is transformed in a week. Hire the best interior designers or whoever you need. Every single material in this station must be replaced. Floors, walls, chairs, desks—everything. It should look brand new and high quality. And if you need more money, let me know.”Felix nodded instantly. “Sure, brother. I’ll do so. You can count on me.”Elijah gave him a quick nod and turned, continuing his walk with Dorson by his side. Felix followed closely behind.They soon reached the side of the building where the other policemen were stationed. The officer who had escorted Elijah earlier was there too. As they saw their superior, Superintendent Dorson, all the policemen stood
Chapter 233
As Elijah sat silently, staring at his phone screen while it rang, Superintendent Dorson chuckled mockingly and leaned back in his chair, clearly thinking he had the upper hand.“Now you’re quiet, huh?” Dorson smirked. “Thought so. Must be regretting that chairman story. You young people and your jokes—next thing you’ll say is you own half the city. Don’t worry, I won’t lock you up… yet.”He laughed again, smugly folding his arms. “You looked so confident before, now you look like someone who just realized he’s out of his depth.”Just then, Elijah’s phone screen lit up—Isla had picked up the video call.Her face came into view, seated at her sleek desk, her glasses perched delicately on her nose. Behind her, the Dominion Group’s logo gleamed brightly on the wall.“Yes, Master Elijah?” she said calmly, clearly on speaker as her voice echoed faintly through the phone.Dorson’s laughter froze midsentence. His eyes widened, brows furrowing in confusion as he leaned forward, staring at the
