The Emperor

Chapter 4

Anna hesitated for a moment, “but the surgery is expensive, Christopher… it costs a hundred thousand dollars. Where did you get that kind of money?” She asked looking worried.

Christopher smiled softly, “you don’t need to worry, Anna. I’m back now and I’ll take care of everything. Money won’t be a problem.”

Her brows furrowed as she looked worried “Christopher… you didn’t—start dealing drugs, did you?”

Christopher let out a helpless sigh.

If only she knew.

As Emperor, he commanded vast wealth that could shake nations. A mere hundred thousand dollars was less than a drop in his ocean. Yet, how could he explain that to her without sounding delusional—or arrogant? He simply smiled in silence.

Seeing his quiet hesitation, Anna decided to let it go. She changed the subject gently.

“Have you seen the news?” she asked. “Last night, all of Vance’s properties were seized. I guess he finally got what was coming to him.”

Christopher’s lips curved faintly.

When the Round Table moved, eliminating someone like Marco Vance was no harder than swatting a fly.

“I told you, Anna,” he said quietly. “I’ll protect you and Faith. I won’t let anyone bully you again.”

Anna blinked, her eyes widening as she studied him.

“Wait… Christopher—don’t tell me you’re the one who did that last night?”

Christopher nodded. “That’s right.”

Anna frowned immediately. “Don’t joke about something like that. Where have you even been these past five years?”

“I was called back to the military,” he replied.

She nodded, murmuring an “oh,” without pressing further. She could sense there were things he didn’t want to talk about, and she respected that.

Even if he really had been in the military, she assumed he was probably just an ordinary soldier who’d finally been discharged.

After all, Marco Vance wasn’t just anyone, he was the most feared mafia boss in Lisle City.

And Christopher… well, he had been just an ordinary man.

Christopher watched her quietly. He had thought she might question his absence, demand explanations—but she hadn’t. She didn’t seem to care about his status, his wealth, or his secrets.

Instead, she reached for his hand and said softly, “It doesn’t matter, Christopher. As long as you’re here with me and Faith—that’s all that matters. You don’t have to tell me anything. You’re my husband. I’ll stand by you, no matter what. Rich or poor—it doesn’t change how I feel about you.”

For a moment, Christopher felt something tighten in his chest.

Anna was still the same woman he had fallen in love with—humble, loyal, and kind. No amount of time or hardship had changed her heart.

He smiled faintly. He would tell her everything, someday… but not yet. He wanted the right moment, when his truth wouldn’t sound like madness.

“Tonight is my grandfather’s eightieth birthday party,” she said. “Will you come with me?” Anna looked up at him a hint of anticipation.

Her grandfather, Harold Lancaster, the powerful head of the Lancaster family was a man Christopher remembered all too well.

He recalled the invitation his secretary had mentioned the night before. The Lancaster family had sent it not out of kindness, but for prestige. He knew their intentions.

But when he remembered how they had treated Anna and Faith in the past, his expression darkened.

Christopher made up his mind.

If the Lancaster family wanted a show, he would give them one they’d never forget.

The Lancaster family had once cast Anna and her daughter out, leaving them homeless and humiliated.

For years, Anna endured both their judgment and their shame. But tonight, she was returning.

Christopher could already imagine the sneers waiting for her.

If she went alone, they’d tear her apart with words sharper than knives.

So he made his decision.

He’d go with her.

And he’d make sure the Lancaster family remembered this night for the rest of their lives.

Christopher nodded gently and said, “Of course. I haven’t seen your grandfather in a long time. It’s about time I pay him a proper visit…”

“I’ll make sure it’s a visit he never forgets.” Christopher said.

Anna didn’t fully understand what he meant, but she smiled anyway. Together, they took a taxi to the grand hotel where Harold Lancaster’s eightieth birthday banquet was already in full swing.

The Lancaster family wielded considerable influence in Lisle City, and tonight that power was on full display.

The entire hotel was lively with music. Luxury cars lined the entrance, and photographers hovered near the red carpet as wealthy guests stepped out in tailored suits and their glittering gowns.

The ballroom was filled with laughter. The ornate gifts piled up near the stage.

Seeing the continuous stream of presents, the deep wrinkles on Harold Lancaster’s face seemed to ease.

“Welcome, everyone, to my birthday celebration!” Harold announced proudly.

Around him, the elite of Lisle City mingled and exchanged gossip.

“Did you hear?” one man whispered to another. “A highly influential figure arrived in Lisle City yesterday. They say he even canceled a meeting with the President just to come here!”

The other man replied. “I heard about it too! They say dozens of fighter jets escorted him, and over three thousand soldiers were deployed to secure the airport. Whoever he is—even the President fears him.”

A woman in an elegant evening gown gasped dramatically. “Oh my! The Mayor of Lisle City waited outside the airport for three hours, and the man still refused to see him!”

The murmurs spread through the banquet hall.

Harold’s smile faded slightly as he overheard the talk. He had sent an invitation to that very same mysterious VIP, hoping to use the man’s presence to elevate the Lancaster family’s prestige. But from what he was hearing… it sounded like the man had ignored him completely.

A flicker of frustration crossed Harold’s aged face.

His reputation was on the line.

Just then, his second son Gerald Lancaster hurried through the crowd, nearly tripping over his own feet.

“Father!” he exclaimed breathlessly. “I just received a message from General Leon, the five-star general himself. That super VIP has agreed to attend your birthday party tonight!”

The entire room fell silent. Then gasps followed like thunder.

“What?!”

“The same man who refused the President’s meeting?”

“He’s coming here?!”

Shock painted every face in the room.

The guests looked at Harold as though he had become a legend overnight.

If such a powerful figure truly intended to attend, the Lancaster family’s name would echo across the entire nation.

Harold’s expression slowly relaxed, he felt proud. “Excellent… Excellent!” he murmured, straightening his jacket. “Prepare a seat of honor. We must welcome him properly!”

At that very moment, a woman’s sharp voice broke the buzz of excitement.

It came from Catherine, Gerald’s wife, her eyes narrowed toward the grand entrance.

“Father… why is she here?” she hissed.

“Isn’t that Anna? And she’s with… that man—Christopher?”

The air seemed to freeze.

Heads turned toward the doorway where Anna stood nervously, holding Faith’s hand, with Christopher beside her in a plain black suit.

Whispers surged instantly.

“Why would she come back here?”

“Does she not have any shame?”

“And she brought him? That nobody?”

Harold’s smile vanished completely. His jaw tightened, his face darkened like a gathering storm.

“Anna, how dare you show your face here today?”

The hall fell silent.

“You not only married a scoundrel, but you bore his child. You have disgraced the Lancaster name. From this day forth, I will never ever recognize you as one of us!”

“Father, Anna even brought Christopher here—the same man who ran away five years ago. She must be here just to embarrass the Lancaster family!” Catherine’s voice cut through the crowd.

A ripple of whispers spread through the hall.

Gerald stepped forward, he sneered, “Anna, even that husband of yours knows he’s not worthy of our family. Yet you still have the nerve to bring him here? Have you no shame?”

Laughter erupted from the guests.

Their faces twisted, filled with scorn as they looked at Christopher like he was a piece of dirt tracked into the ballroom.

Christopher, however, remained still.

He had expected disdain from the Lancasters. What he hadn’t expected was to see Anna humiliated because of him.

He took a step forward, “Anna came here today to celebrate your birthday, Mr. Lancaster,” he said. “Is this how you show hospitality to your guests?”

Harold’s lip curled into a sneer.

“You’re not qualified to lecture me,” he snapped. “You should be grateful I haven’t already thrown you out.”

Gerald scoffed. “A pathetic bastard like you doesn’t belong here! Get out before I make you!”

Laughter burst again across the room, louder this time. 

To them, Christopher was nothing more than a piece of entertainment at the banquet.

But instead of anger, Christopher felt something else. Pity.

He looked around.

So this is what the Lancaster pride amounts to, he thought. Superficial people who mistake cruelty for power.

His expression hardened, and his calm voice cut through the noise.

“Isn’t it ironic?” Christopher began.

“The Lancaster family loves to talk about honor and reputation—but look at how you treated Anna all these years. You abandoned her and our daughter, left them to fend for themselves in the streets.”

His words startled the guests.

“Tell me, Mr. Lancaster—did you even know your granddaughter was born with congenital heart disease? Did you know Anna nearly died trying to save money for Faith’s surgery?”

Harold’s face stiffened.

“Of course not,” Christopher said bitterly. “Because none of that inconvenienced you. All you care about is your name, your prestige, and your self-image. You let your own flesh and blood suffer while you counted your gifts and smiled for cameras.”

The room fell silent. The guests exchanged uneasy looks. 

“If anything, Anna’s kindness should humble you. The fact that she was willing to set aside her pain and come here tonight—despite everything your family did to her—is something you should be grateful for, not mock.”

The crowd buzzed with whispers.

“Is that true?”

“The Lancaster family abandoned their own?”

“Did the patriarch really ignore his granddaughter’s illness?”

Harold’s face twisted in fury. “You—!”

But before he could speak, a sharp voice rang out from the side of the hall, slicing through the murmurs like a whip.

“And what are you pretending for, Christopher? Acting like the noble husband now?”

Everyone turned toward the voice.

A woman stepped forward from the crowd, 

He froze. His breath caught in his throat.

“Mom?”