THE VENGEANCE OF THE WAR GOD

Chapter 15

The next morning, the sun hit the bedroom floor, but Serena was already gone.

Dustin rubbed his eyes and walked into the living room.

Mrs. Earnshaw and her friend, Mrs. Morgan, were sitting on the sofa. They were drinking tea and looking at him with disgust.

"Good morning," Dustin said politely.

Mrs. Earnshaw didn't greet him back. Instead, she put her tea down with a loud force like she’s willing to brake the mug in response to her rage and anger.

"Look at you. You look like a beggar who stayed the night.

How much longer do you plan to ruin my daughter’s life?"

Mrs. Morgan laughed. "He is probably waiting for a handout.

Look at those clothes. Even my gardener dresses better."

Mrs. Earnshaw pulled a checkbook from her bag. She wrote a number and tossed the paper on the table.

"Here. Ten million dollars. Take it and leave Serena forever. Go back to your village and buy a farm or whatever you feel like, that should be enough for a like standard like you."

Dustin looked at the check and scoffed. He didn't even pick it up.

"Ten million? That is not even a quarter of what I will give my wife when we are truly married. Keep your pocket change and use if for something better."

The two women froze, then erupted into laughter.

"You?" Mrs. Earnshaw gasped for air. "You can't even afford a bus ticket! You are a liar and a dreamer."

“You’re just so willing to distroy my daughter’s life, you’re just a miserable man and you know it.” She added.

Mrs. Morgan narrowed her eyes. She didn't laugh as much.

"If he won't take ten million, he is up to something. He must have a secret mission. No sane poor man turns down that much money unless he is planning to steal something bigger from the family."

“Or was he sent by your competitors to destroy the Enshaw’s businesses.” Mrs Morgan added i. A fain disbelief.

While they mocked and accused him wrongly, Serena was miles away.

She stood in front of a giant, private villa.

This was the home of Mr. Roland, a powerful assemblyman.

Serena had worked very hard to get this meeting. She needed his help with the Avalon project.

If the assemblyman supported her, even Ferdinand and his gangs couldn't stop her.

This was her last hope.

A servant led her to a large office. Mr. Roland sat behind a heavy desk.

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Ah, Serena. The most beautiful businesswoman in the city. Please, sit."

Serena sat down and began to explain the project. She talked about the land and the potential.

But as she spoke, she felt a chill. Mr. Roland wasn't looking at her maps or her papers.

He was looking at her body.

His eyes moved slowly, making her feel dirty and uncomfortable, it was as if he wanted to feel her body right away.

"Mr. Roland?" she asked, her voice tight.

"Are you listening?"

"Of course, my dear," he said smoothly.

He stood up and walked to a side table. He picked up a bottle of dark wine.

"But business is boring without a drink. I want you to taste this. It is very expensive."

He poured a glass and pushed it toward her.

Serena felt her heart race.

"Thank you, sir, but I don't drink. I am allergic to alcohol."

Mr. Roland stopped.

His smile turned into a sneer. "Allergic? To what part? This wine is special.

Anyone can drink it. Don't be rude, Serena. Drink the wine."

"I am not interested," Serena said, her voice rising.

"I came here to talk about the Avalon project. Let’s focus on that."

Mr. Roland leaned over the desk. His face was cold now.

"I will not help you unless you drink the wine. It is a simple rule. My house, my rules."

Serena looked at the glass. She remembered the night with Ferdinand it traumatized her so bad.

She remembered the feeling of being drugged and helpless.

She realized Mr. Roland was doing the same thing.

He didn't want to help her; he wanted to break her to his satisfaction.

"I’m leaving," Serena said. She stood up, her face went with anger.

She turned and ran toward the door. She grabbed the handle, but it wouldn't move.

Suddenly, the doors swung open, and two huge men in suits blocked her path.

"Let me pass!" she screamed.

The men didn't speak. One of them reached out, grabbed her arm, and threw her back into the room.

Serena hit the floor hard. She tried to scramble up, but the two men were on her instantly, pinning her arms to the ground.

Mr. Roland walked over slowly.

He looked down at her and scoffed.

"You should have just drunk the wine while I was being nice. Now, we have to do this the hard way."

"Help!" Serena cried out. She fought with all her strength, but the men were too strong.

As she struggled, the small pendant around her neck began to pulse. A faint, golden light blinked deep inside the stone.

Back at the house, Dustin was in the bathroom already, splashing water on his face. Suddenly, he doubled over.

A sharp, stabbing pain hit his chest, right where his heart was.

He gasped, clutching the sink. It felt like a needle was piercing his soul.

He closed his eyes, and a blurred image flashed in his mind. He saw a dark room. He saw men in suits. He heard a voice, faint and crying.

Dustin!

It was Serena. He could feel her fear. He could feel her heart racing against his own.

The bond they shared through the pendant was screaming at him.

"Serena," he whispered, his eyes snapping open. They were no longer the eyes of a village boy. They were the eyes of the God of War.

He didn't care about the ten million dollars insult. He didn't care about the insults.

He only knew one thing: someone was hurting his wife, and they were about to regret being born.