The Return of The King Steven

Chapter 6

That night, the city seemed normal. 

The building lights were shining calmly, as if the world was not moving towards someone's destruction. 

But for Steven, everything had changed.

He sat in the chair—a small, simple room in a temporary apartment. There was no luxury, no symbols of power. 

Just Steven, his laptop, some documents he had long neglected, and the calm before the storm.

Leon entered without knocking.

"Sir, everything is ready," he reported as he placed a thick folder on the desk.

Steven closed his laptop. "All the evidence?"

"Yes. Starting from Ryan's illegal transfers to several key employees at Nora's company, the financial reports he manipulated, to the recording of his conversation with one of the illegal investors who wanted to take over the business."

Leon continued, "He has set a trap to bring Nora down. If his plan succeeds, he will take over the company within three months."

Steven nodded slowly, his expression showing no surprise whatsoever.

"Nora doesn't know anything," Steven said calmly. "She's too busy thinking I'm the biggest problem in her life."

"Will you hand over this evidence tomorrow, Sir?"

"No." Steven opened the folder and looked through the pages one by one. "Tomorrow is not the time to reveal the whole truth."

"So what are you going to do?"

Steven closed the folder, then stood up. His gaze was cold, his eyes sharp.

"Tomorrow, I have only one goal: to destroy Ryan's confidence in front of Nora, just like he did to me."

Leon bowed respectfully. "Yes, Sir."

The next morning, Steven arrived early at Nora's office. He sat in the lobby without saying much, just waiting. 

Some employees who passed by whispered, some looked cynical, some looked pitying, some looked amused at the man they believed had been "abandoned" by his wife.

Steven didn't respond. He didn't care.

At exactly 9:00 a.m., Ryan stepped out of the elevator. He was wearing an expensive suit and looked very pleased with himself.

As soon as she saw Steven, he smiled smugly.

"You came too early today. Can't wait to be treated like a lowly employee?" he quipped.

Steven stood up, staring at him blankly. 

"Come on, get in."

Ryan approached with a condescending tone. 

“I hope you don't upset Nora again today. She needs peace and quiet. You know she's been suffering.”

"She's suffering because of the story you made up," Steven replied coldly.

Ryan laughed loudly. "Stop your heroic act. You're nobody."

Steven walked past her without responding at length. 

"You will realize how wrong your words are."

On the 21st floor, Nora was already waiting. 

Her face looked tired, but when she saw Ryan coming after Steven, she immediately flashed a warm smile.

“Ryan, have you had breakfast yet?”

"Sure," Ryan replied, glancing at Steven, as if to show his position—which was always prioritized.

Steven just stared emotionlessly.

"What do you want to talk about today?" Nora asked, her voice sharp.

Steven didn't sit down. "It's simple. I want the three of us to play a quick game."

Nora massaged her temples. 

"Steven, I don't have time—"

"It won't be long," Steven interrupted.

Ryan snorted. "What else? Your childish games?"

Steven took out his cell phone, opened one of the files, and then placed it on the table.

"Before we move on to the second round, I want to know one thing."

He looked straight at Ryan.

“Ryan, do you really love Nora?”

Ryan immediately smiled softly, as if the question was a gift.

"Of course," he replied. "Isn't that obvious?"

Steven stared without blinking. 

"In that case, answer the second question."

He leaned forward slightly.

"Do you intend to take over this company?"

The room fell silent.

Nora immediately looked at Ryan, her face changing. 

"What do you mean, Steven?"

Ryan chuckled. "That's an absurd accusation."

Steven didn't move. He didn't smile. He wasn't angry.

"Just answer yes or no."

Ryan held back his expression before finally smiling slightly. 

"Of course not. I just want to help Nora. You're being paranoid."

Steven tapped the table softly.

This time, he didn't smile. But his voice was very calm.

"Alright. Let's begin the second round."

He pressed the screen of his cell phone.

The voice on the recording is clear:

"Once Nora signs that contract, the company will be completely under my control. Make sure the fake documents are ready."

Ryan's voice.

Ryan froze.

Nora's face turned pale.

Recording continues:

"Nora is too easy. She still thinks I love her past. After the company fell into my hands, I didn't need that woman anymore."

Ryan gasped.

Nora covered her mouth with her hand, tears welling up in her eyes.

Steven turned off the recording.

No drama. No explosive anger.

Only silence.

Steven stared at Ryan blankly. "You said you loved her."

Ryan tried to get up, panicking. 

"That's an old recording! I—I—Steven, you're twisting—"

"No need to lie in the first round," Steven said calmly. "You've been losing since the beginning."

Nora stared at Ryan in horror. 

"You... took advantage of me?" Her voice trembled.

Ryan tried to grab Nora's hand, but Nora pushed him away while crying.

Steven stood up and took his phone back.

"This is just the beginning."

He looked at both of them.

"The war has just begun."

Steven turned around and left the room without looking back.

Ryan fell down.

Nora cried silently.

And for the first time, Steven made them feel the pain that only he had endured before.

Tomorrow, the next round. And it will be tougher.