The Charismatic God of War

Chapter 8

"Investigate what Arabella did yesterday." Thayer ordered, sitting in his desk chair.

"Did something happen, General?" Abner noticed Thayer had been sullen since last night.

"Just carry out my order," Thayer snapped.

"Alright." Abner left the room, but his steps halted when his phone buzzed. He checked it.

"General," Abner turned back to Thayer. "Spencer is asking you to attend the inauguration event hosted by the Lennox family. He promised an extraordinary reward if you come."

Spencer?

Veins in Thayer’s neck tightened when he heard the name. Instead of anger, an idea flickered in his mind.

Thayer gave a mysterious grin. "I will come—if he fights me."

Abner was shocked. "Are you sure? He could die if you fight him. Your reputation as a General would be tarnished."

Thayer pondered for a moment, stroking his chin. Abner was right. He could not stain his name or reveal his identity as the God of War.

"Tell that bastard he must fight one of the God of War's men. Order the best soldier in the military to defeat him. He must feel his punishment."

Abner hesitated, but he wouldn't defy his boss's command. Finally, he nodded.

He sent a reply to Spencer.

[The General will attend if you agree to fight his man]

Elsewhere, Spencer was stunned reading Abner’s message.

"What’s wrong, sir?" Peter, Spencer’s assistant and driver, frowned as he noticed his boss's shocked expression in the front mirror.

"The God of War asks me to fight his man as a condition."

"That’s good. Aren’t you skilled in martial arts? You are Morris’s grandson, the former God of War. Besides, you’re asked to fight his man, not the God of War himself."

Spencer rubbed his stubbled jaw. "True. This fight shouldn’t be hard for me."

He replied immediately.

[I accept]

[I will send the location]

Spencer smiled smugly. This was his chance to impress the General.

Not long after, Spencer arrived at the office. His face darkened when he saw a familiar woman waiting nervously in the lobby.

Spencer approached her with an annoyed expression.

"Who allowed you to dirty the floor of my office?"

"Spencer? You finally came?" Stella forced a polite smile. "Sorry to bother you. But could you lend me some money?" Stella begged. "My little brother is sick."

"That's not my problem. Leave. I already told you never to come near me, anywhere!" Spencer snapped and walked away.

Stella chased after Spencer into the office. "Please… help me. Aren’t we cousins?"

Spencer shoved Stella’s hand away roughly. "Don't say that in front of so many people," he scolded, glancing around anxiously.

Stella looked at Spencer with tearful eyes. "I wouldn't even ask if you and your family had given me part of Grandfather’s inheritance." Her voice sounded desperate.

"You enjoyed Grandfather's wealth while he was alive. Besides, you aren’t Morris’s biological granddaughter. Grandfather picked you up on the battlefield and told Cornelia, your adoptive mother, to raise you."

Stella gasped. Was Spencer lying? She wasn't Morris’s biological granddaughter?

Was that why her mother always blamed and cornered her?

"Because of you, I lost my late husband's inheritance rights."

"From now on, never come to me again. If you do, I swear I will make sure you cannot get a job anywhere for the rest of your life."

Stella froze as Spencer left, having revealed that bitter truth. So that was why her adoptive family cast her out.

Wasn't that cruel?

Suddenly Stella's phone rang, stopping her tears. The caller ID read Manager Jinny.

She felt despair again, imagining she'd be fired today.

With a heavy heart, she answered. "I-I'm sorry I haven't sold—"

"Where are you now? Come to the office immediately," Jinny urged, and the line went dead.

Stella was stunned. What happened? She rushed into a taxi and arrived at the office.

When she entered, she was shocked as all the staff shouted, "Congratulations! You made it! We're proud of you!"

Stella frowned. "What happened? Congratulations for what?"

Manager Jinny smiled brightly for the first time. "You are so humble, dear! I know you managed to sell twenty units in one day."

In one day? Impossible, even though Stella had worked through the night.

"Abner, the legendary commander and the God of War’s aide, bought twenty units—apartments and mansions—because of your offer."

Stella gaped. She didn't even know Abner, much less meet the most respected man.

"This is your bonus!" Manager Jinny handed her a check for $20,000.

Before she could process it, questions filled her mind. "Isn’t this too much, ma'am?"

"Not at all for a staff who made the God of War notice our business."

Stella didn't know how to react. Her heart brimmed with joy and curiosity, but she set curiosity aside. What mattered was she had money to pay for her brother's hospital bills and her sister's tuition.

"Thank you." Stella smiled widely, moved.

She left for home and went straight to the hospital to see her brother.

"Do you have the money, huh?" Cornelia, Stella's adoptive mother, snapped. "Didn't I tell you not to come if you don't bring money!"

Stella kept smiling. "Don't worry, Mom. I managed to get money to pay Jerry’s treatment fees." She handed over the check.

Cornelia snatched it and stared at the amount. "My God! Where did you get so much money?!"

"I got it as commission for selling twenty units in a day," Stella replied.

"Good." Cornelia grinned and pocketed the check. "I'll cash it later."

"Don't forget to pay Sherly’s tuition, Mom."

"No."

Stella's brow furrowed. "Why not?"

"Do you think the money you gave is enough for three months of Jerry's outstanding bills? You must find additional money! By any means necessary!"

"But—"

"I don't want to hear it! You must earn more money for us!"

Stella felt a tightness in her chest, the same hurt she had carried since Morris died five years ago. "Why do you always treat me cruelly, Mom? Is it because I'm not your biological child?"

Cornelia stiffened. "Where did you hear that?"

"Spencer."

There was no remorse on Cornelia’s face; she looked pleased. "Good that you finally know. So now, you must work harder to support us for the sake of me raising you."

Stella fell silent.

"Understand?!" Cornelia snapped.

"I understand, Mom." Her voice was listless.

"Good. Now go."

Stella left broken. Tears spilled without her wanting them to. If only Grandfather were alive, no one would dare hurt her.

---

"I've gathered information on Arabella, General." Abner reported. "Spencer trapped her in his apartment with the promise of a job," he explained while showing CCTV footage and other evidence.

"Damn!" Thayer slammed the desk until it cracked. He regretted having accused Arabella so harshly. He shouldn't have blamed the innocent woman without any proof.

"Should I step in to punish that bastard, General?" Abner seethed.

"No need! I'll beat him with my own hands!" Thayer declared, clenching his fists so hard the veins stood out.

"What do you mean? You will beat Spencer yourself without intermediaries?" Abner was astonished.