The Hidden Overlord Halston

Chapter 2

Halston frowned, reading the second message from the unknown number. Though it had no name, he knew it was from his family, who had once cast him out like garbage.

"They need my help?" A cynical laugh escaped his lips.

"After they kicked me out, now they're begging?" he hissed, blocking the number without hesitation. He only replied to his subordinate's message, arranging to meet later.

As he slipped the phone into his pocket, a man in a tailored suit bumped into him in the lobby. The man was Ethan Carter, one of the investors in Mia's company. He sneered at Halston's worn-out courier uniform.

"Watch it, delivery boy," Ethan snapped, brushing his sleeve as if Halston's touch made it dirty.

Halston responded in a calm manner. "You bumped into me."

Ethan laughed, his voice loud enough to turn heads. "Listen to this guy! Thinks he's worth my time!" He faced the growing crowd. "This is Mia Brown's loser husband, isn't it? What a disgrace!"

Halston's jaw tightened. He wanted to respond, but Mia's face flashed in his mind. Ethan's investments were important to her company. A wrong move could hurt her career.

He kept his voice low. "Sorry, I didn't mean to bump you."

Ethan smirked, stepping closer and poking Halston's chest. "Sorry? You think that's enough? You're nothing but a beggar!"

"I said sorry," Halston repeated softly.

"Look at this trash! Apologizing like a coward. Stay away from me, loser!" Ethan walked away as the crowd whispered.

People in the lobby kept whispering as Halston left. "That's him, right? The useless guy married to Mia?" said one receptionist, her voice full of hate.

June frowned. "What do you mean? So it's true that loser is CEO Mia's husband?"

Her senior leaned closer, nodding secretively. "You're new here, so you don't know. Two years ago, that rumor shook the city. Mia, the most beautiful, educated, and wealthy woman, married a man with no future. The whole city was shocked!"

"How could Mia accept a man like that?" June shook her head.

"They say her grandfather arranged it. Since the marriage, that guy's been living off Mia's wealth. His job is just a food delivery courier. Embarrassing, isn't it?"

June burst into a small laugh. "A guy like that really exists? Unbelievable!" Her sarcasm sparked laughter in the lobby.

Halston heard every word. But his face remained cold, showing no reaction. The insults were like passing wind to him. He stepped outside to his old motorcycle to continue his work.

His bike stopped at a quiet fast-food restaurant. A beautiful woman with a nametag reading "Kyra" appeared, her face tired but smiling when she saw Halston. Kyra knew him well since he often came to pick up online orders.

"You must be here for an order. Classic Cheeseburger and a large soda, right? Wait a moment!"

The order was ready in minutes, but before Halston could take the food bag, the restaurant door slammed open.

Bam!

A group of tattooed thugs stormed in, kicking chairs and slamming tables. A chair flew across the room and hit Halston's food bag, knocking it to the floor. His burger rolled away, and soda spilled all over. The loud crash startled the customers, making them run out in fear.

"Shhh, get out quick!" Kyra whispered to Halston.

A thug's harsh shout boomed. "Where's the restaurant owner? Come out and pay your debt!"

He scanned the room with fierce eyes and stopped when he saw Kyra. "Aren't you the owner's daughter? Get over here!" he waved his baton.

Kyra approached with trembling hands, offering a few crumpled dollars. "T-This is all I have, Mr. Colt. I promise to pay the rest later."

Colt snatched the money, counting it roughly. "Just this?" he barked, his face red with anger. "Get more, now!"

"I-I'm sorry, that's all the restaurant made today."

"Lame excuse!" Colt threw the money on the floor. "I need cash, not empty words! Bring a thousand dollars right now, or I'll wreck this place! I promise to leave if you give me the money."

"A thousand dollars?" Kyra's eyes widened.

With shaking hands, she pulled out an old wallet and handed over savings she'd collected for three months. "Here's a thousand dollars. You will leave after this, right?" she pleaded.

Colt counted the money quickly. "Hmm, it's not enough. Now pay the interest, and I'll leave! It's just five thousand dollars."

"W-What? How can the interest be that much?"

"Because your dad's always late paying his debts, idiot!"

A sly grin spread across Colt's face when an idea flashed through his mind. "You know what, you can pay with your body," he said, licking his lips. The thugs behind him whistled and laughed mockingly.

"Great idea!" one of them cheered. "A pretty girl like her would sell well!"

Kyra backed away as a thug approached. "I won't do it! You promised to let me go after a thousand dollars," she shouted.

Colt shrugged nonchalantly. "I promised to let you go. But my friends didn't promise anything. Boys, grab her!"

The thugs moved toward Kyra all at once. They laughed, their footsteps heavy and slow, like they were toying with her.

"If you touch me, I'll report you to the police!" she threatened, grabbing a knife from the table and pointing it at them.

"Go ahead!" Colt chuckled. "Let's see who's faster, the cops or us! It will be easier for you if you give up, darling."

Kyra's anger exploded. "Cowards! You're only brave enough to pick on women! You don't deserve to live. Go to hell, bastards!"

Her words ignited Colt's fury. "How dare this bitch talk back!" he roared, raising his hand to slap her. But before his hand landed, a strong grip stopped him.

Halston stood beside him, still wearing his helmet. "You need to pay for ruining my food."

Colt was shocked because he didn't expect this courier to have such strength. But he masked her fear with a mocking grin. "Who are you, acting tough in front of me?" he asked in a dismissive tone.

"Just an ordinary food delivery courier," Halston replied before landing a hard punch to Colt's face.

Thud!

The thug's body flew back, crashing into a table and splitting it in half. Silence instantly covered the restaurant. The other thugs froze, watching Colt collapse with a bloody nose and broken front teeth.