The Indomitable War God

Chapter 9

A ripple spread through the lobby the moment Victoria Sterling stepped inside.

“Victoria Sterling?”

“The executive president of the Nine Dragons Group?”

“What is she doing here?”

The guests who had been gleefully watching the drama unfold couldn’t hide their shock. In Cloud City, Victoria Sterling was not just a beautiful woman—she was a figure that countless elites feared. After all, a single word from her could decide the rise or fall of a company.

Amelia’s brows furrowed slightly as she watched the reactions around her. She didn’t recognize Victoria immediately, but from the crowd’s response alone, she could tell this woman’s status was terrifyingly high.

Lisa’s expression had also changed. She did not expect that such a powerful figure would appear because of the commotion.

While the rest of the crowd were stunned, Cameron’s eyes suddenly lit up. All the earlier frustration and humiliation on his face disappeared, replaced by excitement and anticipation.

“Hahaha… this is perfect timing,” he muttered under his breath. He straightened his suit hurriedly despite the excruciating pain in his knee and forced a confident smile.

“Now let’s see how you’re going to keep pretending.” Cameron sneered at Sebastian.

Boyd had also regained his composure, and his earlier unease had vanished completely. Instead, he looked at Sebastian with cold satisfaction.

“You’re finished now,” Boyd said gleefully. “Miss Sterling personally oversees the operations of the Nine Dragons Group. Forging the Heavenly Dragon Card in her presence…”

He let out a cold chuckle and shook his head. “You won’t even know how you die. Nobody can save you now. Hahaha.”

The guests immediately woke up out of their stupor. They looked at Sebastian with pity, as though they were watching a dead man who hadn’t realised his fate. Yet Sebastian remained standing calmly in place, an indifferent expression on his face, as though none of this concerned him.

However, his calmness only made Cameron angrier.

“You’re still pretending even at this point?” he said mockingly. “You really don’t know when to stop.”

Meanwhile, the crisp sound of high heels echoed closer and closer. Victoria walked forward steadily, her cold gaze sweeping across the lobby. The moment her eyes landed on Boyd, her expression darkened instantly.

Boyd felt his scalp go numb, and before he could even react, Victoria’s cold voice rang out.

“What is going on here?” Her tone was calm, but it carried an invisible pressure that made everyone hold their breath.

Boyd quickly stepped forward, bowing slightly.

“Miss Sterling, this man forged a Heavenly Dragon Card and caused trouble in the lobby. I was just about to have him thrown out—”

SLAP!

A crisp, resounding slap suddenly echoed throughout the entire lobby, and Boyd’s words were cut off instantly as his head snapped to the side. A red handprint bloomed across his skin, and he staggered back several steps, completely stunned.

The entire lobby fell into dead silence. Everyone was frozen in shock. Cameron’s smug smile froze on his face, his jaw hanging slightly open while Amelia's and Lisa’s eyes widened in shock.

Boyd covered his face in disbelief. “M-Miss Sterling…?”

Victoria didn’t even spare him a single glance, her cold voice laced with fury.

“Who gave you the authority to decide who is a guest here?”

Boyd's face went pale—drained of every drop of color. "I—I was only—"

“Shut up.” Victoria’s tone was extremely icy. "You cannot even recognize who you have offended, yet you dare act so arrogantly in the Nine Dragons Pavilion?"

Boyd’s legs trembled. He glanced at Sebastian, who was still standing calmly, and a terrifying thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.

At this point, Cameron couldn’t hold back anymore. He stepped forward, forcing a respectful smile.

“Miss Sterling, you may not know the full story. This man—”

Victoria’s gaze shifted to him. Her gaze was cold and unforgiving, and Cameron’s words instantly got stuck in his throat.

“You are Cameron Vance?” she asked coldly.

Cameron’s heart tightened, but he answered anyway.

“Yes, Miss Sterling. I’m sure you’ve heard of the Vance Group. We even had some dealings and unfinished projects that we’re cooperating on.”

“Is that so?” Victoria’s lips curled slightly, a cold glint shining in her eyes.

“From this moment on, all privileges granted to the Vance family within the Nine Dragons Group are revoked.” Victoria declared loudly. Her voice was calm, but every one of her words struck like thunder.

“Your membership is now revoked, and all business cooperation between the Nine Dragons Group and the Vance family is now terminated!”

Cameron’s face turned deathly pale. “Miss Sterling? What are you saying?!”

"Additionally", Victoria continued coldly, completely ignoring him, "inform all affiliated branches. The Vance family is now blacklisted from every establishment owned by the Nine Dragons Group!”

Cameron staggered a step forward, the last trace of his composure cracking. His knee was still hurting, but he didn't even feel the pain anymore.

“Miss Sterling, there has to be some kind of misunderstanding!” Cameron pleaded, his voice cracking. “The cooperation between the Vance Group and Nine Dragons involves multiple active projects. The termination fees alone are over $30 million! Please reconsider!”

Victoria did not even look at him. Her gaze remained as cold as ever, as though he were nothing more than background noise.

“Miss Sterling!” Cameron’s tone rose, panic bleeding through. “You can’t just cancel everything without cause. There are procedures, contracts—”

Without even wasting any time on him, her gaze swept across the lobby and landed on both Boyd and Simon.

The waiter had been standing frozen near the wall, praying to all the gods he knew to go unnoticed. His earlier smirk had long since evaporated. His face was the color of old parchment, and his hands shook at his sides.

“You’re both fired this instant. Leave this premise immediately!” She declared coldly, leaving no room for negotiation.

Boyd felt like the world had collapsed around him. His legs gave out, and he nearly fell to the ground.

“No… no, this can’t be happening…”

The surrounding crowd was completely stunned, and no one dared to speak. They all held their breaths as they watched the events unfold.

Victoria finally turned her gaze toward Sebastian. The coldness in her expression disappeared instantly, replaced by a rare trace of respect. She walked up to him and bowed her head slightly.

“Mr. Helios.” Her voice was calm, but it carried unmistakable reverence. “I apologize for the inconvenience caused by our staff. Please rest assured that Mr. Rutherford would provide suitable compensation for your troubles.”

“What… what’s going on…?” Lisa’s lips trembled in shock, and Amelia’s heart pounded violently as her gaze slowly shifted toward Sebastian.

Cameron’s eyes widened in absolute despair. Lisa stood frozen, her face completely drained of color while Amelia stared at Sebastian, her mind going blank.

‘Who is this man? Was he really an ordinary military soldier on leave?’

Sebastian, however, remained indifferent.

“Please, this way," Victoria said respectfully.

Sebastian didn’t spare anyone another glance and simply walked forward. Victoria followed half a step behind him, personally escorting him toward the private elevator.

Amelia stood rooted to the spot, her gaze fixed on Sebastian’s back. Her thoughts were in complete chaos, and an unknown feeling slowly sprouted in her heart.