The Legendary War God Returns

Chapter six

The next day.

Lydia received an invitation to a private business launch with an investor, Lucas Vance, who had attended the previous day's dinner party. 

In the details of the invite, Lucas explained that the meeting had the potential for an investment that could save Whitmore Globals from financial difficulties; however, Lydia didn’t buy it.

Unfortunately, she had been very wary of Lucas since their previous meeting. Rather than focusing on the topic, he had spewed harsh remarks about her marriage and suggested that she would be happier with a more successful man.

He might not have said it directly, but his actions hinted at who he meant-him. She couldn’t bring herself to believe the meeting he was inviting her to would be any different. That was why when he proposed offering Orion a job, she didn’t like the idea.

“You have to attend!” Damein stood by the door shortly after giving her the invitation.

He noticed the dejected look on her face and immediately added. 

“Mr. Lucas is an important investor, and refusing his invitation could damage the family business interest.” 

He pointed out harshly and had in mind to report her to Victor if she still proved stubborn and refused to listen.

Lydia nimbled her lips, realizing if she refused, not just her but Orion could be kicked out of the house entirely this time. If such a thing were to happen, where would they go?

Though she began to reconsider, she had her terms after all. 

“Okay, I will attend, but only if the meeting takes place in a public restaurant.” She stated. If Lucas tried to molest her, since they were in public, she could just raise an alarm.

“Hmp, whatever!” Damein snorted and walked off. As long as she attended, that was all that mattered.

…

Half an hour later, Lydia got dressed and went to Orion's room. She told him about the meeting and what had happened previously. 

Orion felt enraged when he heard this and cursed at Damien in his heart multiple times. But of course, he could tell it was planned.

“You owe no one public attention in exchange for a business opportunity. If he'd like to, why didn’t he mention it at the party or come to the house?” Orion snorted.

Lydia also thought the same thing; however, she had no choice but to attend.

“Don’t worry too much. I’ll handle the meeting.” She assured him with a gentle smile. 

Besides, she was dressed and was about to step out. Orion looked at her and realized he might not be able to change her mind, especially with how her family was pressuring her.

He nodded in understanding; however, he immediately suggested.

“Why don’t I come with you? I would like to understand the investment plan too.”

Lydia didn’t refuse but agreed to it. It was a public meeting after all, and by rights, her husband could as well accompany her. It also gave her a sense of security.

…

An hour later, they arrived at a five-star restaurant. The opulence radiated luxury with sparkling chandeliers, marble floors, elegant furnishings, and impeccably dressed waiters serving exquisite dishes.

Seated beside one of the tables was Lucas Vance. He was clad in a refined tailor's suit, and his hair was combed nicely, adding a uniqueness to his charm. A document was sitting in front of him as he waited when shortly after, the door swung open and Lydia walked in.

He stood up with a sparkle in his eyes, but shortly after, it dimmed when he saw who walked in.

His face immediately contorted into a deep frown.

“Mrs. Lydia, you brought your unemployed husband along? But why? To carry your handbag or what?” Though he was clearly annoyed, he decided to use Orion's situation to humiliate him. 

Lydia frowned as his comment came as a surprise. With how triggering they sounded, she looked at Orion and consoled him.

“Don't take it to heart, please.”

Orion nodded at her in response. 

They arrived at the table and sat down opposite Lucas, who was still annoyed and clearly irritated by Orion's presence. He had planned so much for today, but Orion's presence was likely to ruin it all.

After thinking for a while, a thought popped into his head. He pulled out a few dollar bills and extended them towards Orion.

“Here, go find something to eat or drink. I want to talk to her alone.” His tone indicated how much of an eyesore Orion was to him at the moment. 

Orion looked at the money and then back to meet his gaze. 

“Is this how you treat all your potential business partners?” He raised a brow at him.

“Hahahaha. Well, I only respect people who can contribute something valuable.” Lucas let out a mocking laugh in response.

The atmosphere didn’t take long before it changed. Lydia quickly stepped in to soothe the mood professionally and only then did Lucas proceed.

He extended the document in front of him to her to review while explaining a few details to her. 

While Lydia was going through it, Orion, who was seated close to her, didn’t fail to join in. Though he could hear Lucas curse him out with his glares, he didn’t care.

Soon, Lydia noticed something with the proposal. The financial terms were vague. As she was having conflicted thoughts on how to go about it, Orion proceeded to ask.

“What are your sources of income and the proposed repayment conditions?” 

Lucas' face scrunched up. Orion's question indeed could expose the gaps in the proposal. Something he couldn't afford. 

“Are you trying to sabotage the deal?” He refuted Orion instead.

Orion smirked. 

“If your proposal is legitimate, there should be no reason to fear reasonable questions right?”

Bang!

Lucas lost it as he smacked his hand on the table before him. 

His hand pointed at Orion, and he warned.

“Mrs. Lydia you should put your husband on his leash, or else your family will never receive another investment offer!”

Orion remained calm, but Lydia’s face had become pale, as she didn’t expect the turn of events even though Orion had been asking harmless questions after all.

“Don’t you think threatening a woman because she refuses to tolerate inappropriate behavior is a poor way to conduct business?” Orion mocked with a playful grin on his face.

Lucas' face paled in shock and then contorted into a deep frown brewed in anger. 

“Guards!” He yelled out in a fit of rage. His voice impacted the surroundings, and in no time a burly man clad in uniform rushed over.

Lucas pointed at Orion and ordered.

“Drag this idiot out!”

The guard acknowledged and reached for Orion's shoulder at once. However, to everyone's surprise, Orion caught his wrist inches away before he could reach him and held him in place.

His hand felt like an iron claw around the guard's wrist. He tried to break free, but regardless of what he tried, his efforts were futile.

By the side, Lydia, who was about to plead, suddenly looked dazzled as Orion's raw strength caught her off guard too.

“Let him go!” Seeing this, Lucas yelled. 

He had underestimated Orion indeed. The man was more than meets the eye.

Orion smirked and released the man’s wrist, but his expression already was a blatant insult toward Lucas.

“This meeting is over!” He declared without a second thought.

Orion said nothing or tried to plead as Lucas had expected. In fact, he held Lydia up, who was a bit reluctant, as her family would definitely demand an explanation for this.

“Don’t worry, we will find another solution. Besides, what you saw, his proposal had a clause in it.” Orion consoled her and only then did she agree to leave. If her family questioned her about it, she could as well just tell them that.

Lucas watched how the couple walked out and Orion's words kept echoing in his head. 

Angrily, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

The call connected shortly.

“Find out who Orion Ashford really is. I want everything on that man!”