The Hidden Overlord Halston

Chapter 4

Kyra didn't know whether to be afraid or amazed by Halston. But she quickly prepared his order again. "W-Wait a moment, sir!"

Meanwhile, the thugs stood huddled near Tom. They couldn't believe he'd been defeated.

"B-Boss, are you awake?" one called, but silence answered.

No thug dared to move. Their eyes were fixed on Halston, who stood calmly amid the chaos.

"W-What are you waiting for?!" another thug shouted, trying to muster courage that had already faded. "We'll win if we attack him together!"

Though hesitant, the thugs finally moved. They charged as a group, some wielding sharp weapons, others relying on bare fists.

Halston snorted and, without looking, landed a punch on the first thug's jaw. A hard kick hit the second's stomach, making him collapse with a groan. A smooth spin took down the third, his head hitting the floor. One by one, the thugs fell in just minutes.

At the door, the remaining thugs hurriedly dragged Tom's unconscious body away. One, with a pale face, stopped at the entrance.

He glared at Halston. "Y-You'll see! We'll get revenge!"

Halston stepped slowly toward him. The thug shut his eyes, bracing for a blow he was sure would finish him. But no punch came.

Instead, Halston extended an open hand. "Pay for my ruined food, or I'll beat you to a pulp."

"O-Okay, sir!" The thug quickly dug into his pocket, handing over a leather wallet.

"Get lost," Halston waved his hand as if shooing a fly.

The thug ran off to join his friends. As the last thug ran away, an old man in a dark coat slipped into the restaurant through a side door. He was Victor, a scout for the Red Syndicate, sent to watch Tom's operation.

"You're no ordinary courier," Victor said, his voice low and curious. "Who are you, really?"

"Just a guy doing his job," Halston replied indifferently.

Victor smirked. "I'll remember you. The Syndicate doesn't forget a face."

"Tell your Big Boss to stay out of my way."

"Bold words. We'll see." Victor chuckled before vanishing through the door, leaving a tense silence.

Halston turned and approached Kyra, who had finished preparing his order. "Here's the money. Keep the change," he said, pulling out all the cash from the thug's wallet, which held ten hundred-dollar bills.

Kyra stared at him, her mouth half-open. How could someone be so calm after all this?

"Thank you. Really," she said finally, a soft smile appearing on her pale face. "But I'm worried they'll come back. They're not ordinary thugs. Tom and that old man are from the Red Syndicate, a big gang in the underground."

Halston grabbed a pen and a receipt from the counter. He wrote something and handed it to Kyra. "Call me if they return. I promise I'll help you."

Kyra took the paper, her heart racing. Her own father didn't care about her, but Halston, a stranger, had helped her. She didn't get to thank him again because he'd already left to deliver the food.

That evening, Halston returned home later than usual due to many orders. Mia stood at the doorway, arms crossed and chin raised high. They lived alone in a grand house, a wedding gift from Matteo, Mia's grandfather.

"Why are you back so late?" Mia asked sharply.

Halston took off his helmet, smiling. "Were you worried about me?"

Mia scoffed, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Don't get the wrong idea! The dishes are piling up. Dinner's not ready. My dog's mess hasn't been cleaned. If not you, who's going to handle it?" she said harshly.

Without waiting for a reply, she turned and left. Halston sighed as he walked to the kitchen. For two years, he'd lived like a servant because it was the only way Mia found him useful.

Scrubbing floors, washing dishes, and cleaning the cage of Mia's beloved white poodle dog. He did it all without complaint, believing Mia had saved his life.

While Halston washed dishes, Mia hurried to the second-floor balcony and secretly called someone. "Nolan, I want to speed up our plan!" she said, her voice full of impatience. "I'm sick of living under the same roof as that loser."

A man's laugh came from the other end, low and cunning. "You're the most patient person I know, darling. If I were you, I wouldn't last a day with that loser. Are you sure he doesn't suspect our plan?"

Mia chuckled. "That loser's too dumb to suspect anything. As long as you show up at the party, I'll make sure everything goes smoothly. After that, we're free to do whatever we want!"

"Alright. We'll stick to your plan," replied Nolan Clark, Mia's affair. Nolan was known across Rivertone as the heir to Clark Realty, a major property company in the city.

"You're so reliable! All men should be like you. I'm so lucky to have you by my side!"

"Don't worry, Mia. I'll definitely get that loser out of your life!"

For three months, Mia had been secretly cheating on Halston. She could never have done it before because her grandfather seemed obsessed with supporting her useless husband. Matteo's serious illness finally gave Mia the chance to have an affair with Nolan.

No one would suspect anything since Mia always used work as an excuse to get close to Nolan. She went downstairs to the kitchen and tossed an invitation card at Halston.

"What's this?" Halston asked, confused.

"Can't you read? It's an invitation to a party tonight, you bumpkin," Mia said, throwing another item at him: a bank card. "Use this to buy decent clothes so I'm not embarrassed!"

Halston wiped his wet hands on his apron and picked up the invitation. Gold lettering on thick paper read: Rivertone Exclusive Gala – Only for the Worthy. His eyes shifted to the bank card. Mia, who never bought him anything, was now giving him a card? Something was off.

"Why are you suddenly letting me come?"

Mia rolled her eyes. "Let's just say I want to show everyone I'm a kind woman who accepts a useless husband like you. Don't ruin my plan with cheap clothes! I'm leaving first, so you follow later," she explained before strutting away.

Halston stared at the invitation, his fingers tracing the paper as he smiled happily. "Is Mia finally accepting me? I'll give her what she deserves at that party!" he muttered with determination.