THE VENGEANCE OF THE WAR GOD

Chapter 4

Dustin stared at the bathroom mirror, tracing the black vein that had retreated from his heart. They was no any ither explanation, than the pendant. he could even feel something glowing inside him.

He grabbed his phone and dialed a number that could call the only man he trusted.

“Mr. Fred. you have to hear this".

Mr. Fred was still sobbing, "Young Master we are already preparing your funeral. I feel like dying with you".

"They won't be any funeral, for now".

Mr. Fred was shocked hearing this. "What does that mean young master".

"something happened".

"Something? with the dark vien?"

"Yeah!!... i met her," Dustin said. "The woman from the arrangement. Serena Earnshaw."

“You went to the mansion already” Mr. Fred asked

"No," Dustin chuckled, glancing at the rumpled bedsheets.

"She came to me. Well, she stumbled into the wrong room, out of her mind on some kind of spike.

We… we had sex."

"mmm... sex already,things must have gone well". Fred hint happiness in his voice.

"listen....".

Fred’s jaw dropped as Dustin explained the night’s events—the accidental encounter, the glowing pendant, and the miraculous retreat of the black veins. By the time Dustin finished, the old servant wasn't crying anymore.

He looked like he’d just seen a ghost, if Dustin could see his face. Mr. Fred was shocked but strangely excited.

"Master Dustin," Fred breathed, his voice trembling with a new kind of excitement. "This is it. The Heavens haven't abandoned the Quinn family!, You are saved!!!"

Confused, Dustin asked what he meant. Mr. Fred explained.

" Maybe the cure in the pendant save you, if one encounter had reduced the venom in his body, then constant intimacy with the same woman might completely cure you boss!".

"What are you talking about?"

"Think! If one night with her pushed the venom back," Fred gripped Dustin’s sleeve, "then constant… intimacy… it might purge the poison entirely. She isn't just a fiancée, Dustin. She is your antidote."

Damien scoffed at the idea because it meant he would have to sleep with the arrogant woman again. He also remembered how boldly he had declared that he would never marry her.

Dustin let out a dry, sharp scoff.

"You’ve got to be kidding me. That woman? She’s an arrogant, loud-mouthed brat who spent all morning calling me a 'village boy and a 'church rat. I literally told her to her face that I wouldn’t marry her if she was the last woman on earth."

"Then you’ll have to eat those words, Young Master," Fred insisted, beaming. "You must marry her. Your life depends on it."

Dustin’s expression darkened. "Who is she, Fred? Why did my father set this up? How could a girl in Winchester City hold the cure to a poison that mages couldn't even see?".

"I… I don't have those answers, sir. I don’t even know when the contract was signed. maybe the sex or the pendant. you have to get closer to her".

Dustin sighed. if the lady was tied to his cure. alongside with her. he could find who killed her family and take revenge.

"Fine," Dustin murmured. "If she’s the medicine, I’ll take it. Besides, being the 'village boy' son-in-law to the Earnshaws is a perfect cover while I hunt down my family’s killers. It’s time for a little revenge."

He packed up immediately.

An hour later, a black car dropped Dustin off at the foot of the Earnshaw Mansion, it was so huge and wide.

Dustin, dressed in his simple traveling clothes, looked like a hiker who had taken a very wrong turn.

He hadn't even reached the buzzer when a burly security guard stepped out, blocking the path.

"Lost, kid?" the guard barked, eyeing Dustin’s worn boots. "The public park is three miles back. Move it along before I call the cops."

Dustin didn't blink. "I’m here to see Mr. Earnshaw. I’m expected."

The guard let out a laugh, turning to his partner in the kiosk. "Hear that? The charity case is expected! Listen, pal, unless you’re delivering the gold-plated toilet paper, you don't belong on this zip code. Get lost.".

"You should be careful," Dustin said, his voice terrifyingly calm. "In about ten minutes, I’m going to be your boss. It’ll be hard to collect a paycheck if I fire you for being a prick."

The guard’s face turned red. He reached for his baton. "You little—!, even i as a gateman is more well dressed and you will be my master.. I’m gonna teach you how we handle trespassers in Winchester!".

He was about to turn physical.

"Is there a problem here?"

The voice was like a crack of thunder. A old-aged man with graying temples and a sharp, tailored suit stepped out from the main foyer. Thomas Earnshaw, the titan of Winchester industry.

The guard immediately straightened. "Mr. Earnshaw! Sorry, sir. This beggar was just leaving. He’s been threatening me, claiming he’s the new boss—"

Thomas Earnshaw didn't even look at the guard. His eyes were locked on Dustin. His breath hitched, and to the guard’s utter horror, the great Thomas Earnshaw hurried forward and performed a deep, 90-degree bow.

"Young Master Quinn," Earnshaw said, his voice thick with respect. "You’ve finally arrived. Please, forgive the incompetence of my staff."

The guard’s amazed to the pavement. "M-Mr. Earnshaw? You’re bowing? To him?"

"Down!" Thomas hissed at the guard. "Bow to this man, or you will be blacklisted from every security firm in the nation by noon!"

The guard hit the gravel, trembling as he pressed his forehead to the dirt. "I’m sorry! I didn't know! Please, sir!"

Dustin looked down at the shivering man, then at Thomas. He shrugged. "It’s fine, Mr. Thomas. It’s hard for people to see what’s right in front of them when they are looking down their noses."

"Quite right," Thomas said, gesturing toward the house. "Please, come in. My grand daughter is already—"

Screeeech!

A red sports car tore up the driveway, spraying gravel over the bowing guard’s legs. The door swung open, and Serena stepped out, looking every bit the ice queen in a designer blazer and oversized sunglasses. She stopped mid-stride when she saw Dustin standing next to her father.

She ripped her glasses off. "You!"

"Me," Dustin said with a lazy wave.

Serena was calm, waiting for Dustin to announced the breaking the engagement. Just for Dustin to say.

"This must be my future wife... so beautiful, i can't wait to signed the contract", he smiled.

Mr. Earnshaw nodded, "Yes.... Serena, meet your fiancée. "

Serena scoffed, "My fiancée? tell him that you are not going to go on with the Engagement as promised".

Dustin feign ignorance, "What... do you mean".

Mr. earnshaw added, "Take your husband in".

Serena was so angry at Dustin, "Look grandfather. I don't care what the contract says. I met him yesterday, and he’s a disgusting, arrogant, penniless fraud! and this is who you are expecting me to marry, Never!!"

Mr. Earnshaw looked horrified. "Serena! Watch your tongue! This is the god—"

"He is nothing!. He told me he had zero dollars in his account! He’s a village boy looking for a payday. Tell him to get out, or I’m calling the police!"