THE WAR GOD'S RECKONING

Chapter 8

Max didn’t even break stride.

He gave the man in the suit a bored glance and waved him off, voice flat, “If the Thompsons are sincere, the head of the family should come out himself. Sending a butler to fetch me? That’s not how respect works.”

The butler’s practiced smile faltered, clearly not expecting to be dismissed in front of his own men. But Max was already walking away, daughter in his arms, and sister by his side.

Amelia’s eyes were wide, panic flickering. She tugged at his sleeve, voice dropping to a hurried whisper. “Max, that was the Thompson family. People don’t just ignore them...”

He stopped her with a look, his expression amused and unbothered. “You worry too much. Minor figures, minor issues. You’ll see.”

Rose just giggled, clapping, oblivious to the tension. “Daddy’s so cool!”

They left the fleet of expensive cars behind, the butler still standing there, unsure whether to chase after or retreat with his dignity intact.

As they walked, Amelia kept glancing at Max, awe and fear mixing in her stare. “You really don’t care who you offend now, do you?”

Max grinned, shrugging, “Never waste respect on people who only show up when it’s convenient for them. Power’s not about flexing your title, it’s about not needing to beg for attention.”

Amelia frowned, her worry not easing. “But the Thompsons… they own half the city. Aren’t you afraid they’ll make trouble?”

“If they want to make trouble, let them,” Max replied, voice dropping cold. “I’ve survived worse than rich men with fragile egos and they wouldn’t dare make such stupid moves.”

He turned gentle for a moment, “Focus on recovering. When you’re better, you’re going straight back to college. This time, nothing will hold you back.”

Amelia hesitated, still not sure whether to be terrified or inspired, Max’s phone vibrated again.

Fiona’s name flashed across the screen.

“Max,” her voice came through breathless and unsteady, like she was afraid the words would break if she said them too loudly, “come home. Now. You need to come home immediately.”

Max didn’t ask why cause he already knew.

They rushed back. The moment he stepped through the door, he saw it, Fiona standing in the middle of the room, a slim folder clutched in her hands, her fingers white from gripping it too tightly.

Her eyes were wide, unfocused, like she was still trying to convince herself she wasn’t dreaming.

“It’s done,” she said softly, almost in disbelief. “They signed it. Atlas Consortium… they actually signed... God.. it's like a miracle!”

She laughed once, breathless, then shook her head. “I still don’t understand how. Even after everything you said, I never fully believed it would work. I thought maybe they’d hear me out and then send me away politely.”

Max just nodded, calm to the point of arrogance.

“That’s because you were thinking like someone asking for mercy,” he said. “You weren’t. You were cashing in a debt.”

He took the folder from her, flipped through it once, eyes scanning fast, then handed it back like it was nothing more than a receipt.

"Congratulations sister inlaw." Amelia muttered with a smile, genuinely happy to see her Fiona so happy. It's been long she'd been this happy.

"Congrats mama." Rose hugged her mom leg and she bent and kissed her head.

Max looked at them happy and he felt good.

“Told you not to panic.”

Fiona stared at him. In that moment, it finally hit her, this wasn’t confidence born from blind faith. He knew. He had known from the moment he told her to walk into Atlas Consortium that the door would open.

After a few seconds, her shock hardened into something sharper.

“I’m going to the Smith house,” she said. “I want them to see it. I want them to read it. Every single word.”

She looked at him. “Come with me.”

Max nodded without hesitation, he has nothing to do anyway, it will be good to see those fools shocked faces and witness some drama.

Before leaving, he crouched in front of Rose, who was already frowning, arms crossed in protest.

“Daddy, you just came back. Why are you leaving again?” she demanded, eyes shiny.

Max kissed her forehead gently. “I’ll be back soon, little troublemaker. Guard the house for me.”

Rose puffed out her chest. “I will!”

Then they were gone.

---

The Smith house was just as they expected, smug faces, sharp tongues, and people who mistook cruelty for superiority.

The moment Fiona and Max walked in, laughter broke out.

“Well, look who’s back,” one cousin drawled, leaning back in his chair. “What, did Grandpa’s offer finally sink in?”

Another chimed in, voice dripping with mockery. “Here to beg? Or did you come dressed properly this time to marry into the Cooper family?”

Snickers followed.

Someone added, “Careful, Fiona. Kneel too hard and you might actually convince them to take you back.”

"Did your begger husband brought you to marry Brian." They laughed.

Max didn’t react and he didn’t even bother lifting his eyes.

Inside his head, he was already sorting them the way a soldier sorted targets.

They were really petty, loud and disposable.

Five minutes ago they were kings of the room. Five minutes later they’d be statistics. People like this didn’t deserve arguments. Arguments were for equals. These ones deserved silence… followed by consequences that arrived late and hurt worse.

He listened to them bark and thought, Amazing. Same mouths, same stupidity. If ignorance paid rent, this place would be a palace.

One cousin laughed too loudly another leaned back like he owned the air.

Max wondered briefly how long it would take before fear replaced arrogance. He decided he’d find out soon enough.

Fiona walked forward steadily, ignoring every insult, and every laugh and then, she slammed the folder onto the table.

“Read it,” Fiona said.

Her smile was thin, controlled and cruel.

“Since you all talk so much… I thought you’d enjoy seeing exactly how wrong you are.”