The Hidden King: Rise of Hercules

He’s a Master?

Alex limped back over to the bed to grab his pants. His head was still spinning, but he somehow managed to pull them on.

The guard watched his every move, leading him straight out to the car. Alex muttered his home address to the driver, then zoned out, not even realizing when they finally reached his neighborhood.

Stepping out of the vehicle, he froze. A sudden, deep calm washed over him. Out of nowhere, the agonizing aches vanished entirely. The sharp throb in his nose was just... gone.

No, that wasn't all. A fierce, boiling energy surged through his veins. What if there was a whole side to himself he knew nothing about? He couldn't just be some random nobody. Something vital had to be tied to his bloodline.

Right then and there, he swore he would uncover his true past no matter what it took. There had to be more to his life than what met the eye.

The drive to the banquet took way longer than expected. Dressed in a sharp black suit he had saved up months of wages for, paired with matching shoes, Alex actually looked pretty good.

Sophia didn’t say a single word to him the whole ride. The brutal reality was clear for anyone to see: Alex was a total pauper, while Sophia belonged to the billionaire class.

As for Alex, he never wanted any of this high-class nonsense in the first place, and he still couldn't remember a thing from the night before. It felt like the universe was playing a sick joke on him.

He had visited the emergency room late last night, where doctors confirmed a couple of cracked ribs and told him to rest.

Alex absentmindedly spun the heavy, weathered ring on his finger. It was the only item found on him when the orphanage caretakers took him in years ago. Even though he had zero idea what it meant, it gave him a weird sense of identity.

That’s why he loved wearing it, even if everyone thought it looked old-fashioned.

“Could you please take that ring off? It looks ridiculous and so outdated,” Sophia muttered softly.

Alex glanced at her. “I’m sorry, but I can't. This ring is pretty much all I have left of who I am.”

Sophia let out a cold scoff just as the car came to a smooth stop. They had finally arrived at Diamond Hall. It was one of the premier venues in the entire state, loved by the mega-wealthy for its stunning design.

Alex never in a million years thought he’d step foot inside a place like this.

Walking through the grand doors, the very first person Alex laid eyes on was Ryan. He was strolling toward them with an upscale woman hanging onto his arm. Obviously, Ryan spotted them first.

“What the hell are you even doing here?” Ryan sneered, looking totally shocked.

Sophia let out a weary sigh. “He’s my husband.”

“Husband?” Ryan froze up, a flash of fear hitting him. He knew he was small fry compared to the Robinson family, but if Alex had married into such a powerful name, why was he still messing with Mia?

“Oh, look. It’s our dear cousin and her homeless pet,” Tyler chimed in, sauntering over to join the group.

Ryan looked confused until Tyler eagerly explained, “He’s just an unwanted son-in-law in the Robinson house. He ranks lower than our hired help!”

“I actually have a home!” Alex snapped back instantly, his anger finally boiling over.

Hearing Tyler’s taunt, Ryan burst into loud laughter. “Then I’m going to throw your good-for-nothing husband straight into jail. A stray dog needs to learn his place.”

Sophia stepped forward, standing her ground. “You will not talk to him like that. He’s here as a guest, just like everyone else.”

Ryan laughed even harder. “You ought to be ashamed of marrying a loser. He’s got zero importance because he owns nothing! Absolutely nothing!” he mocked with a smug grin.

“Ryan, what the hell is going on here?” a deep, commanding voice boomed through the room, making everyone snap their attention toward the speaker. He was wearing a custom Brioni Vanquish II suit that cost a fortune.

He clearly possessed insane wealth.

“Don’t mind him, Mr. Kane,” Ryan chimed in quickly. “This guy is just a criminal and a total nobody. He really ought to be kicked out.”

Sophia winced, looking away in deep embarrassment, while Tyler beamed a fake smile at the tycoon.

Mr. Kane gave Ryan a brief nod, then cast his critical gaze over Alex’s plain suit. “I don’t recall inviting you. Exactly who are you?”

Sophia spoke up, “Sir, he’s my... husband. He didn’t mean to crash your party. I’ll make him leave right now.”

Mr. Kane looked at her. “The young princess of the Robinson family? Fine. Just escort him out; I won’t press any extra punishment.”

“Okay, I’m going,” Alex muttered, raising his hand to leave.

Right at that exact second, Mr. Kane’s eyes dropped down to the ring on Alex’s finger. Pure shock flashed across his face as he noticed the faint engraving on the metal band.

“What are you waiting for! Throw this garbage out of the hall right now!” Ryan yelled when Mr. Kane’s guards didn't immediately move.

Mr. Kane raised a single hand to stop his men, staring hard at Alex. “May I speak with you for a moment?”

Alex stopped dead in his tracks. “Are you talking to me?”

“Yes, young man. Don’t go anywhere. Come with me,” Mr. Kane instructed, gesturing with his hand. His elite bodyguards instantly formed a circle around Alex.

Panic spiked in Sophia’s chest. Mr. Kane was arguably the most terrifyingly powerful man in the city. Even her grandfather’s powerful family wouldn't dare cross him, let alone fight him over a low-ranking son-in-law. Even though she despised Alex, she didn't want him killed.

“Don’t worry, child. I won’t hurt him,” Mr. Kane said, offering a rare, comforting nod to Sophia.

Alex’s boots felt like lead as he followed the tycoon down the hall. They stepped into a private room, and the heavy door clicked shut behind them. Fear crawled up the back of his neck.

“Don’t be scared,” Mr. Kane said softly, turning around. “I just need to check something out.”

Alex raised an eyebrow defensively. “Check what?”

Mr. Kane pointed a trembling finger down at the ring. “May I take a look at it?”

Alex clenched his jaw in anger. “I’m not giving you this ring! It’s mine, and I don't care if people think it’s outdated—it belongs to me!”

“What?” Mr. Kane furrowed his brows. “No, no! I mean I’m not stealing it. I just need to inspect it, please.”

Alex hesitated for a second before slowly extending his hand.

Mr. Kane took his wrist gently and squinted at the engraving. The letters stood out clearly under the light. The word Hercules was stamped right into the metal. Mr. Kane’s heart skipped a beat, and his entire body started to shudder.

The powerful old man looked up at Alex, his eyes welling with sudden tears. He began muttering under his breath, “Hercules... Hercules...”

Alex stood frozen, having no clue what was happening. Without any warning, the mighty Mr. Kane dropped straight down onto his knees on the floor. The old man started weeping openly.

“After all this time... we finally found you, Master!”