The Hand of Death

Chapter 4

A City was a wealthy place, home to thousands of rich families.

However, four great families stood above the rest, each fighting to gain more power and hold on to what they had.

Among them, the Hale family was the second most influential in A City.

For years, they had been nothing more than an ordinary second-tier family.

That changed fifteen years ago when Angelo Hale, the head of the family, suddenly stepped down and handed his position to his son.

Such a move was not unusual. What shocked everyone was Angelo’s age. He was barely fifty, while his son had just turned twenty-two.

In A City, heirs were usually trained to lead their families by the time they turned twenty-eight.

Most took over at thirty-three or later, depending on when the family head chose to step down.

But Aaron Hale had never been the chosen successor.

In fact, he was third in line.

To make matters worse, he was an illegitimate child.

When news broke that he had become the new head of the Hale family, many people expected the family to fall apart.

Some even wondered how a young man who wasn’t supposed to inherit the position had managed to get it.

But those doubts didn’t last long.

Under Aaron’s leadership, the Hale family grew stronger year after year. Fifteen years later, they had become the second most influential family in A City and the third wealthiest in the country.

Aaron had achieved what many thought was impossible.

So, when Maren Elwood was told that an unexpected guest had arrived, she stopped her birthday toast in the main hall and hurried downstairs.

Her guests were just as surprised and quickly followed her.

Maren hadn’t invited anyone from the Hale family. If she had, everyone would have known about it beforehand.

So why had Aaron Hale suddenly shown up at her son’s birthday party?

She was skeptical, but that didn’t stop her from rushing to see for herself.

When she arrived on the first floor, she found it filled with gifts. More were still being carried inside by the men who had arrived with the guest.

Among them stood a bespectacled man in his thirties. His back was turned to her, and he seemed focused on the entrance.

Maren recognized him at once.

“Mr. Hale, your family is one of the most influential in A City. It’s an honor to have you here.”

Aaron turned at the sound of her voice and looked her over, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

So this was the woman who tamed the Hand of Death. What was so special about her.

He studied her for a moment then walked toward her and reached out to shake her hand, placing his other hand over theirs.

“Ms. Elwood, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Maren’s eyes widened, and her heart nearly leaped out of her chest.

A two-handed handshake?

It was a sign of great respect, usually reserved for someone of much higher standing.

Under normal circumstances, she should have been the one greeting Aaron that way.

Yet here he was, showing her such respect.

“I had no idea the Elwood family had any ties to the Hales,” one of the guests whispered.

“Really? Haven’t you heard? Maren’s husband has been trying to get a private meeting with Aaron Hale for ages. They must have finally met in secret if he’s showing up at this birthday party.”

Aaron heard the whispers, but he said nothing.

He kept a polite smile on his face and allowed the guests to believe whatever they wanted.

He hadn’t come here to explain himself.

“This is such a wonderful surprise, Mr. Hale,” Maren said, barely able to hide her excitement. “Please, stay a little longer. The party has only just begun.”

“I’m afraid I can’t stay,” Aaron replied with a smile. “I only came to deliver a few gifts for the birthday boy.”

He gestured toward the gifts being carried inside.

“Please, don’t let my arrival interrupt your celebration.”

His words were polite, and his smile never faded.

“Of course! Thank you so much, Mr. Hale. Nico will be delighted.”

Aaron nodded before turning to leave with his men.

Maren watched him go, still struggling to believe what had just happened.

Leland had told her how difficult it was to get a business meeting with Aaron Hale. Yet Aaron had personally shown up at their son’s birthday party, brought gifts, and treated her with such respect.

A proud smile spread across her face.

Before Aaron had even left the premises, news had begun to spread that he and Leland Pierce were close.

Why else would a man like Aaron Hale personally deliver gifts to Leland’s five-year-old son?

The guests didn’t need any more proof.

In a matter of minutes, the Elwood and Pierce families seemed to have risen in status.

It didn’t take long for the guests to start approaching Maren with flattering words.

“Maren, you’re truly lucky to have such a successful husband.”

“Your son is blessed, too. Just look at all those gifts his daddy’s friend brought him!”

“Maren, you know the Warner family has always supported you. Perhaps you could put in a good word for us?”

Maren enjoyed the attention, neither confirming nor denying their assumptions.

Why would she correct them when the misunderstanding only made her look better?

For once, she was the one those from higher families wanted to impress.

Meanwhile, Roman sat in a café with Jonas King.

While Baby happily ate her food, Roman read through a file Jonas had prepared.

Jonas sat across from them in an expensive suit, a costly watch on his wrist. Yet he seemed uneasy as he watched Baby eat.

Several times, he opened his mouth as though he wanted to say something. Each time, he changed his mind and shut it again.

Eventually, he couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Boss, you really didn’t have to leave us just because you had a kid. The boys and I could have helped you babysit her. We could put her in one of those things babies move around in while we went out to beat up some punks.”