Rise of Marcus Reid: Betrayal to Dominance

Chapter 7

Marcus entered the mayor’s quarters to find him already prepared for departure alongside his daughter.

Victoria approached him. “Why did you take so long?”

“Apologies!” Mayor Hart’s authoritative voice resonated throughout the space. “She mentioned you were accompanying her.”

“I encountered someone, my brother detained me extensively.”

“He’s present?” Aldric’s interest piqued. “I’d enjoy meeting, ”

“Negative, Father,” Victoria interrupted swiftly. “He’s problematic. He despises my companion intensely.”

Both Mayor Hart and Marcus registered shock at her phrasing. Victoria’s complexion flushed crimson. “Remarkable!” Mayor Hart observed, examining them both intently. “My daughter, who’s historically disregarded romantic possibilities, appears to be developing affection.”

“I’ll provide privacy for your discussion. Return together afterward.” He departed hastily, granting them solitude.

Marcus remained motionless. Stunned. Speechless.

Once her father exited, Victoria leaned near him, her voice intimate. “My father perpetually encouraged matrimony so I could manage his inherited assets while he concentrated on administrative duties. I’ve personally operated his conglomerate, generational wealth from my grandfather.”

“Incredible!” Marcus exclaimed, astonished. He’d begun formulating, “We experience comparable circumstances,” when he remembered his strategy.

Never reveal your authentic identity prematurely!

“We should arrange taxi transportation from the hospital entrance. No need taxing the household drivers.”

“Agreed,” Marcus nodded. “During your initial contact, I supposed you merely intended gratitude. Yet you’re accompanying me home now. What precisely do you require from me?” He questioned directly, needing Victoria’s transparent admission regarding her intentions.

She paused, rotating to face him directly, their gazes interlocking. “I desire you!” Her declaration possessed unmistakable conviction. “From that initial moment following your rescue, I recognized you were destined for me. You demonstrated genuine compassion.”

She swallowed deliberately, briefly diverting her attention.

“Your assistance originated from authentic care, not obligation.”

Marcus’s emotions surged internally, though he maintained composure externally.

“Extraordinary,” he responded simply.

Victoria tightened her grip on his wrist. “I need your reciprocal affection. I need matrimony. I need you penetrating me constantly. I’m only twenty-one and still untouched. I require a man.”

“Unfortunately, you’re too youthful. I’m approaching thirty.”

Victoria’s facial coloration drained as Marcus articulated this. His intention was testing her dedication, verifying whether her feelings remained genuine. Witnessing her approaching tears, Marcus’s expression softened, though he concealed his visible emotional response.

“Chronological age represents mere quantification. I’ll embody submission regardless of my prominence. I possess attractiveness. I demonstrate maturity. I encompass everything you should desire.” Her voice trembled with increasing distress.

Marcus experienced compassion toward her distressed condition. “I shouldn’t burden this remarkable woman,” he contemplated internally, adjusting his posture.

“I require consideration regarding that proposition. Pursue me diligently. Your achievement depends upon your execution,” he suggested playfully. “Consider it preliminary guidance.”

Victoria’s countenance brightened dramatically. She propelled herself forward, embracing him with considerable enthusiasm. Hospital observers stood paralyzed in astonishment. Immediately, mobile devices appeared, recording the interaction. The footage circulated instantaneously online, trending almost instantaneously. Comments materialized immediately.

“Isn’t this the mayor’s daughter who historically dismissed romantic possibilities?”

“Who’s her fortunate partner?”

“Yet he appears impoverished. How did she fall for someone economically disadvantaged?”

“Perhaps his newly appointed security detail?” Ivy discovered the post and commented, amplifying its distribution. Her singular remark accumulated two hundred eighty thousand endorsements.

Neither Marcus nor Victoria checked communications while departing the medical facility. They navigated toward the roadside. An automobile appeared. They signaled the operator, who transported them inside.

“You understand my residence location?” Victoria inquired. Who wouldn’t?

The operator confirmed, “Indeed, ma’am.”

Yet Marcus assessed the driver with wariness. Something felt inadequate regarding him, though Marcus couldn’t articulate his apprehension. He presumed his heightened vigilance stemmed from Alan’s deception; perhaps he was manufacturing suspicious interpretations of neutral situations.

“Commence transportation,” he instructed the operator, maintaining observant attention.

They occupied the rear compartment of a charcoal-tinted Mercedes sedan.

Throughout their progression, Victoria extracted something from her handbag.

“Marcus, this represents our family insignia. An emblem signifying acknowledgment and acceptance into the Hart establishment. Should you transport this emblem anywhere, even vehicular travel, law enforcement cannot detain you.”

She positioned his palm, depositing the emblem. “I want you retaining it. It symbolizes our recognition of your extraordinary actions. Consider it a sentimental token.”

“Individuals observing you possessing this will recognize your status, treating you with corresponding deference. Even internationally.

Additionally, I reiterate my matrimonial intention. You demonstrate courage, devotion… truthfully, your previous spouse forfeited considerably. She hasn’t yet comprehended this deficiency, though comprehension approaches.”

“Miss,” he addressed formally.

“Victoria,” she corrected immediately.

Marcus continued regardless. “I cannot accept this,” Marcus stated, declining. Accepting felt inappropriate, resembling compensation for humanitarian intervention.

“Relax, Marcus,” Victoria responded with composure. “This isn’t institutional acknowledgment, it’s my individual expression. Please maintain it demonstrating my appreciation.”

“Your gesture demonstrates exceptional generosity, V…ictoria. I genuinely appreciate it,” Marcus articulated with respectful inclination, finally accepting the emblem.

The object comprised golden composition, enclosed beneath transparent diamond-equivalent material. Since Victoria presented it, Marcus judged it potentially beneficial eventually.

Mid-conversation, the automobile suddenly stopped abruptly. Without explanation, the operator abandoned his position, departing hastily, abandoning them bewildered.

“What’s transpiring?”

Instantaneously, two charcoal Lexus sport utility vehicles maneuvered alongside the sedan, entrapment on both sides. Doors opened. Over five masked operatives, uniformly black-clothed, muscular and imposing, exited simultaneously.

“We wouldn’t have undertaken this stratagem with your protective detail remaining,” the operation commander addressed Victoria. “And regarding you, Marcus. Destiny isn’t favorable today.”

“How could we disregard such convenient circumstance?” The secondary operative advanced with menacing confidence. Victoria trembled visibly, but Marcus secured her protectively. “Remain composed.”

“At minimum, your intellectual capacity functioned adequately, compensating the driver. Nevertheless, this methodology appears antiquated. Conventional abduction technique. Regardless, I’m genuinely curious… who orchestrated this?” Marcus suspected dual possibilities: either the operator himself or Ivy. The operator, having observed Victoria’s discussion of the emblem’s significance. Ivy, retaliating upon learning regarding Alan’s circumstances.

“Who commands your operation?” Marcus demanded forcefully, prompting Victoria to gesture toward him, signaling restraint.

“What if they discharge weapons?” she whispered apprehensively.

“They wouldn’t dare attempt it!”

“Awareness arrives upon transportation,” the bald-headed operative responded with impatience. “Do you exit independently, or should we facilitate your extraction?”

Victoria’s tolerance deteriorated. Her reaction was instinctive. “Do you comprehend your statements? This demonstrates foolishness and danger simultaneously. Have you forgotten your opposition? Should my protective detail locate you, annihilation will follow, fragmented remains scattered for scavengers.”

Her confrontation ignited their fury. Their facial expressions contorted with rage, eyes seemingly ablaze with destructive intensity.

“You lack authority over me,” Victoria persisted, maintaining her stationary position without wavering.

“Since you’re complicating matters, permit us demonstrating seriousness. Your identity matters irrelevantly,” the commander stated, signaling advancement. He elevated his appendage, intending to demolish the windscreen and forcibly extract them.

Abruptly, Marcus displaced the door, exiting independently. Victoria’s cardiac function accelerated with apprehension regarding potential injury. She’d projected boldness theatrically, yet confronting authentic danger differed substantially. She couldn’t tolerate witnessing her beloved sustaining harm.

“Victoria’s inadequate protector apparently possesses insufficient bravery,” the commander derided. “Observe his emergence, manufacturing artificial strength. Evacuate and prostrate yourself, and perhaps we’ll demonstrate clemency.” He taunted Marcus, comprehending how profoundly such provocation would lacerate someone emotionally significant.

Victoria experienced incandescent fury, being manipulated this manner transgressed palatability thresholds. The insult exceeded acceptable parameters.

“Evacuate immediately,” Marcus commanded with unquestionable authority.

The operatives regarded him with contempt, exchanging dismissive commentary, their aggression mounting.

“Depart! Your malnourished condition demonstrates inadequacy. An impoverished man challenging us?” they ridiculed, subsequently erupting in collective laughter.

Before the commander articulated completion, Marcus propelled his fist forward with devastating force. The impact nearly fractured the commander’s mandible. The operative staggered backward, his equilibrium compromised, his visual perception destabilized.

“Eliminate him!” he bellowed toward his subordinates.

The remaining operatives launched simultaneous assault, their instruments elevated. Marcus remained immobile, demonstrating absolute composure.

His movements traversed through them with remarkable fluidity, footwork appearing almost ethereal. Each proximity facilitated devastating strikes. The encounter resembled supernatural combat, displaying extraordinary proficiency bordering on the impossible.

Following successive impacts accompanied by anguished vocalizations, the operatives collapsed sequentially. Marcus remained the singular standing participant.