Rise of Marcus Reid: Betrayal to Dominance

Chapter 3

Marcus found himself at Riverside Park, seeking solitude to process the chaos of the past hours. His chest felt hollow, and he had no sense of direction or purpose. With Sophie’s divorce finalized, he understood he was essentially adrift until he reconnected with his grandfather.

“What will Grandfather think of me now? Will he view me as incompetent?” he whispered to himself.

He’d deliberately concealed his devastation in front of Sophie, knowing she’d exploit his vulnerability and ridicule him further. The separation itself was agonizing, but failing to honor his grandfather’s expectations compounded the wound.

“Perhaps transparency was better than deception,” he reasoned internally. Had he revealed his true identity or assumed control of the Corporation before Sophie’s infidelity surfaced, he might never have recognized her authentic character.

“I’m utterly exhausted right now,” he muttered bitterly, letting his hands fall away from his face.

Sophie had always possessed significant wealth, inherited from her privileged background. Throughout their years together, she’d been his financial supporter before advancing to her current position. Even before the dissolution, she’d covered his expenses, though her generosity often carried barbed commentary.

He probably would have overlooked those cutting remarks if she hadn’t demanded the divorce, given his profound affection for her. Despite his modest circumstances, he’d demonstrated unwavering devotion and prioritized her welfare. His poverty existed solely because accessing his grandfather’s empire required him to prove his worthiness first.

“She will experience profound regret for this. I guarantee it,” he vowed silently, cursing her actions. He firmly believed she’d never encounter another man as genuinely devoted as him, regardless of their financial standing.

Within him, conflicting emotions wrestled, hope battling against despair. Gradually, reality began overshadowing his optimism.

His grandfather might reject him now that he lacked a spouse, lacked biological heirs. The family patriarch might perceive him as foolish for failing to recognize his wife’s disloyalty across five years.

“Anyone incapable of identifying such an obvious betrayal lacks the acumen to manage my corporation,” his grandfather’s stern voice echoed in his memory. Kevin understood his expectations. Absolute. Unwavering. Consequences were irrelevant.

He required a solution. But what?

As apprehension infiltrated his thoughts, his phone suddenly vibrated. A caller with an unfamiliar number appeared on his screen.

He nearly declined, but when he observed a small golden checkmark next to the contact profile, a symbol reserved for the ultra-wealthy, intrigue compelled him to answer. A golden mark meant significant status.

“Could this be Grandfather calling?” his pulse quickened, remembering that his grandfather carried identical VVIP credentials.

Marcus accepted the call. “Yes?”

“Is this Marcus Reid?” an authoritative male voice inquired with unmistakable command.

“Speaking,” Marcus confirmed, intensely curious.

“Your presence is required at 83 May Lane immediately. If you can arrive within the next hour or two, that would be beneficial,” the voice instructed.

Now a woman’s voice replaced the man’s, her tone struck him as vaguely recognizable, possibly someone he’d encountered through media, yet he couldn’t identify her precisely.

“You rescued me ninety days ago. Do you recall? When the Lamborghini went over the embankment near Downtown Street, my brother and I were passengers. Your colleague recommended abandoning us, yet you insisted on diving into the water to pull us to safety…”

His memory stretched backward.

He’d performed numerous acts of compassion, swimming through treacherous waters to extract drowning individuals. Many had been in expensive vehicles, yet he’d never sought compensation or recognition for his interventions. What made this particular incident memorable to her?

“I’ve assisted countless individuals throughout my life. There’s nothing extraordinary about that incident. Being in the right location at the right moment, I simply acted. It’s what I do.”

“I spent three months locating you, until a woman posted a video of you labeled as a ‘domestic abuser’ online.”

“What?”

“Regardless, I’d like to meet with you personally,” the woman said. “Arrive at the address I provided.” The line disconnected.

Marcus immediately searched Sophie’s social media account. His image was everywhere, cascading through feeds.

#DomesticAbuser

#FilthyWorthlessCreature

#MyBiggestMistake

He could barely scroll through the content without wanting to throw his phone.

Over three million people had seen it. The comment thread was catastrophic.

“You endured him this long and nobody suspected?”

“Such violent individuals should be incarcerated permanently.”

“Someone locate his address. We’ll handle his punishment ourselves.”

Marcus couldn’t absorb any more. Rage consumed him, his chest felt ready to explode. He desperately needed to escape, to calm himself before acting on impulse. Hasty decisions made in fury would sabotage any strategic plan.

He reconsidered the woman’s invitation. Previously, he’d been hesitant to engage.

“Perhaps she’s someone influential. Maybe she has resources,” he thought, allowing lustful speculation to cloud his judgment.

Using his remaining cash, he arranged transportation. The journey consumed three hours, and upon arrival, he discovered the location was an exclusive members’ club, somewhere for the extremely wealthy.

“She’s probably inside somewhere,” he reasoned. He attempted to phone her but the call wouldn’t connect. A quiet voice suggested he wait and attempt again later.

As he stood there, a couple caught his eye, both figures seemed strangely familiar, but the man particularly seized his attention.

“That’s… could that be my brother?” he gasped. Marcus studied the young man’s features as he pivoted, and recognition struck him hard. He bolted forward, ignoring the security staff’s objections.

As he approached, Marcus registered that the woman accompanying him was Sophie.

His legs buckled beneath him. The realization hit like a physical blow, and his knees collapsed. For a moment, everything went black, but he forced himself upright.

“Who is this? Alan? When did you return from overseas? Is she your current wife?”

“Marcus?” Alan’s expression shifted to shock. “Why do you look so disheveled?”

“Baby, do you know this person?” Sophie asked uncertainly.

“Sweetheart, this is my older brother. The one I mentioned, the one who was supposed to inherit Grandfather’s wealth. But I had other plans. I married you and established paternity. Our location didn’t matter.” Alan sneered.

“What happened to your spouse? Didn’t you promise Grandfather you’d build a stable marriage? You were supposed to demonstrate responsibility, if my girlfriend here hadn’t retained legal representation, you would have killed your wife.”

“I… what?” Marcus stood paralyzed.

Sophie, now trembling visibly, clutched Alan’s arm. “Let’s leave. He’s unstable. He must have followed me.”

“No, honey, I explained, this is my brother.”

But Marcus had already lunged forward, grabbing Alan’s throat with crushing force. His vision reddened with fury. “What the hell are you doing with her?”

“Which woman?” Sophie screamed.

“What do you mean, ‘which woman’? You’re completely unhinged?” Alan shoved him backward, but Marcus returned, seizing him again. Alan retaliated with an open-handed strike.

“Envious your relationship with Grandfather crumbled? Well, I have two healthy children now, and the Corporation will be mine.”

Kevin’s body ignited with adrenaline. His fist connected with Alan’s face with devastating force, drawing blood. Alan staggered, collapsing to the ground. Sophie immediately dialed emergency services, providing her location.

Within moments, police arrived. Spectators had assembled around them.

“So the rumors were accurate, he’s genuinely violent.”

“If he attacks men this savagely, a woman wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“He belongs in solitary confinement indefinitely.” The murmurs grew louder.

“Arrest him,” Sophie commanded the officers. As someone of public prominence, her directives carried immediate weight.

Marcus remained motionless, his expression unchanging. He harbored absolute certainty that regardless of his incarceration duration, once released, he would methodically dismantle every aspect of their lives.