THE VENGEANCE OF THE WAR GOD

Chapter 10

The guard kept bowing repeatedly, panic written all over his face.

“Sir… I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t know. Please forgive me. I was wrong. I was very wrong.”

His voice cracked as he spoke, almost desperate.

Dustin looked at him for a moment, then spoke calmly.

“You are forgiven. But next time, never judge someone by how they look.”

He stepped closer slightly.

“You don’t know who has the power to ruin your life. Watch your tongue. It is a knife. It can either protect you or shred you into pieces.”

The guard nodded quickly, sweat forming on his forehead.

“Yes, boss. I have learned my lesson. Thank you.”

Dustin gave a small smile and walked past him into the boutique.

Inside, everything changed.

The place was massive, glowing under crystal lights. Glass shelves reflected gold, silver, and designer pieces. Shoes were arranged like art. Clothes hung neatly like they belonged in a museum. The air smelled expensive, clean, and polished. Soft music played in the background while staff moved around quietly like shadows trained to serve only the rich.

Dustin walked slowly, taking it all in.

Then his eyes stopped.

Serena.

She stood near a display rack, arguing lightly with Lizzy while looking through clothes. Lizzy was still talking fast, explaining something to her with dramatic hand gestures.

Lizzy suddenly paused mid-sentence.

Her eyes shifted past Serena.

Dustin was walking toward them.

Her expression twisted instantly.

“How did that rat enter here?” she muttered. “He definitely doesn’t have clearance.”

Then she clicked her tongue. “He must have mentioned your name, Serena. Probably used that whole ‘husband’ nonsense to sneak in. That’s the only way he could enter.”

Serena turned sharply.

Her face tightened the moment she saw him.

“Dustin,” she said coldly. “Stop acting like you didn’t trail me here. And remember, we signed that you wouldn’t parade yourself as my husband.”

Dustin stopped in front of her, hands in his pockets.

“I didn’t use that to enter,” he said flatly.

Serena scoffed immediately. “Don’t lie. There is no way you can enter this place without help.”

Dustin sighed lightly, choosing not to argue further.

Instead, his eyes moved to what she was holding. some male dresses.

He blinked.

“Is that for me?”

Serena paused.

Dustin tilted his head slightly. “You came shopping for me?”

Serena looked away a little, still irritated. “Yes. There is no way I can watch you walking around in that village attire. It irritates me.”

A small smile formed on Dustin’s face.

“You came to this expensive place… for me?”

He exhaled softly, almost amused.

“I’m grateful.”

Serena was still nodding slightly in annoyance when a voice came from behind her.

“Look who we have here.”

She paused.

Slowly, she turned.

Rachel stood there.

A blonde girl of the same age stood beside her, dressed sharply and confidently. Next to them was a young man Serena and Lizzy immediately recognized. He was the manager of the boutique and more importantly, the son of Mr. Wilson, the owner of the entire place.

Rachel was the blonde girl name.

The same Rachel from their school days.

Serena’s expression didn’t even change. No greeting. No reaction. She simply exhaled and turned to Lizzy.

“Let’s just pay for these and leave.”

Lizzy nodded quickly. “Yes, I’m already tired of this place.”

They walked to the counter with their selected items.

The staff began scanning and preparing the bill.

That was when Rachel walked over again, heels clicking sharply on the floor.

“I greeted you,” Rachel said loudly, “and you snubbed me?”

Serena sighed without turning fully. “We both know you’re not being serious. We’re not friends, so what is the greeting for? And I don’t feel like answering.”

Rachel’s lips curled.

“Well, you better answer properly,” she said slowly, “or else I might just send you out of here with nothing. Everything you came here to buy… gone.”

Lizzy turned sharply. “Don’t you think you’re stepping out of line? Why would you send us out? Like we won’t pay?”

Rachel ignored her completely and pointed at Serena.

“Just greet me properly. That’s all I’m asking.”

Then she smiled and turned toward the young man beside her.

“Or else,” she added softly, “I’ll have my boyfriend deal with it.”

Without hesitation, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

The young man smiled immediately, clearly enjoying the attention.

“Baby,” Rachel said in a sweet voice that didn’t match her tone earlier, “this lady is rude to me. If she doesn’t greet me properly and apologize, I want you to send her out. Including her friend.”

The manager—Henry, Mr. Wilson’s son—shifted his stance confidently.

He looked at Serena and Lizzy with authority.

“You heard my baby,” he said firmly. “I want both of you to greet her properly and apologize. Or I will personally make sure you leave this place immediately.”

Serena’s stubborn expression hardened. She scoffed and crossed her arms.

“Do you even have an idea what you are saying?” she said coldly. “We are here to buy something, which we will pay for. We don’t feel like greeting her. And you think you can throw us out?”

Henry’s face tightened immediately. He stepped forward with authority.

“You clearly don’t know who I am,” he said sharply. “I am the manager of this entire place. My space, my rules. I can do whatever I want.”

Rachel smiled behind him, enjoying every second.

“So either you greet her,” Henry continued, pointing at Rachel, “or you get out of here.”

Serena couldn’t believe the level of arrogance. She let out a small laugh of disbelief, shaking her head.

“This is ridiculous.”

Lizzy sighed beside her, pulling slightly at Serena’s arm.

“Serena, let’s just leave. This isn’t worth it.”

Serena hesitated, her jaw tight.

Before she could respond, another voice cut through the tension.

“Why should they leave because they refused to greet a snake like her?”

The entire boutique seemed to pause.

All heads turned.

Dustin was walking toward them. Calm. Unbothered. Hands in his pockets.