The Rise of the Legendary Santhigar

Chapter 6: The Set-up

Zoriel had been staring at his cellphone for a while now.

He had just finished talking to Jessa, who told him she wanted to meet.

"Don't tell me you're actually going to see her, Zoriel?" Caloy asked, frowning.

They were eating together at a local eatery when Caloy saw Jessa’s message flash on the screen.

Zoriel let out a sigh.

"Looks like I don’t have much of a choice."

Caloy clicked his tongue in frustration.

"I told you, we can get help from a public attorney. I know someone. You don’t need to go running back to her."

"But Alfred is still the Mayor. With just one word, he could make my case disappear—or make it worse."

Caloy shook his head.

"True. But I’ve never trusted your wife, not even back then."

Zoriel didn’t respond.

He understood where his friend was coming from. Caloy had witnessed firsthand how miserable he had been during their marriage.

After finishing their meal, Zoriel decided to head to the address Jessa had given him.

She said she wanted to meet at her new apartment.

When he arrived, the front door was slightly ajar.

"Jessa?" he called out from outside.

He pressed the doorbell just to be sure she knew he was there.

"Wait!"

Moments later, Jessa appeared.

Zoriel was taken aback—she was wrapped in a towel, her hair still damp from a shower.

"Oh—I should wait until you’re done."

Jessa smirked.

"No need. It’s not like you haven’t seen this before."

Zoriel scratched the back of his head, a bit awkward.

He stepped inside when Jessa finally opened the door wide.

Her new place looked more modern and upscale compared to their old house.

He wasn’t surprised—he was sure Mayor Alfred had paid for all of it.

"Just wait for me there," Jessa said, pointing to the sofa chair.

Zoriel took a seat and waited.

Soon, Jessa returned from her room, now dressed—but only barely.

Even though she had been his wife, Zoriel still felt uneasy seeing her in revealing clothes.

He could clearly see the deep neckline of her tank top and her flawless legs exposed by her short shorts.

"Why… did you call me here, Jessa?" Zoriel asked.

Jessa casually began applying lotion to her legs.

Zoriel couldn’t help but glance. He swallowed hard as he watched her movements.

"Well, I’ve been thinking about your jeep."

Zoriel’s expression instantly turned serious.

"Yes. I’m aware it was your boyfriend who sabotaged it."

Jessa chuckled.

"Don’t go around pointing fingers, Zoriel. You had violations, remember?"

"Violations I never even committed!"

Jessa rolled her eyes.

"Say what you want. But I called you here because I have an offer."

"What kind of offer?"

"You want your jeep back, right? And I know you can’t afford the fines or a lawyer."

She leaned a little closer and smiled.

"Give me the rights to your ancestral home, and I’ll make all your problems disappear with one phone call."

Zoriel went silent for a moment.

Their ancestral home.

It was a modest house made of bamboo.

Why would Jessa even want that?

It wasn’t in the city; it was deep in the province.

"What? Why would you want that? It’s not like it’s a mansion, Jessa."

Jessa sat up straighter.

"Well, maybe I want to turn it into a vacation house," she lied.

Zoriel grew even more suspicious.

In the two years they had been together, he had come to know her well.

She would never willingly go to a remote province.

She didn’t even go with him the last time he had to return there to fix some paperwork.

And besides, that house didn’t belong to him alone.

It was his grandfather’s property, and his dying wish was for it never to be sold.

"I… I can’t do that."

Jessa’s eyes suddenly narrowed.

"Why not? Think about it, Zoriel. Your problem would go away just like that."

Zoriel clenched his fists.

"So this is why you asked me to come? To manipulate me again?"

He shook his head.

"Sorry. But just like you wanted, our connection is over. I already signed the divorce papers. You should be happy."

Zoriel stood and began walking toward the door. But Jessa quickly stood up and grabbed his arm to stop him.

"You don’t understand, Zoriel! I was still your wife! I deserve that house for everything I sacrificed for two years!"

Zoriel frowned.

"Sacrifice? What sacrifice are you even talking about, Jessa? And why do you want that house so badly?"

Jessa’s grip loosened, her eyes darting around nervously.

There was hesitation on her face now.

"I just need it, okay? I want it, Zoriel. I deserve it!"

Zoriel smirked.

"Well, I’m sorry. But I can’t give it to you. You can have our house—but not that one."

He turned and walked away.

Jessa’s fists clenched. She couldn’t let him leave—not without getting what she wanted.

She followed him to the door and blocked his way. But before she could say anything, the door suddenly swung open.

She panicked for a second—but then an idea struck her.

She yanked Zoriel toward her, and caught off guard, he almost ended up hugging her.

Suddenly, Jessa screamed as if he were attacking her.

"No! Please! Don’t!" she shouted.

Zoriel frowned, pushing her gently away in confusion.

Before he could even say a word, someone grabbed him by the shoulder—and punched him hard in the face.

He stumbled back, stunned, and looked up to see who it was.

"Alfred?"

"What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!" Alfred snarled.

Before Zoriel could respond, two men grabbed him by the arms.

Jessa, meanwhile, trembled as she ran to Alfred and clung to him.

"Babe! I’m scared!" she cried. "He barged in here and started forcing me to help with his case. When I refused, he tried to hurt me!"

Zoriel’s mouth fell open.

"What?! I never did that!"

Alfred glared at him.

"Do it," he ordered.

Zoriel swallowed hard.

Alfred’s men shoved him to the floor.

Then the beating began.

Punches rained down on Zoriel, brutal and unrelenting.

He tried to fight back, but they were stronger—too strong.

Eventually, he crumpled to the ground, curling into himself.

Each strike, each kick to the ribs, each jolt of pain—he endured it in silence.

Why was this happening to him?

All he wanted was to get his jeep back and start over.

But fate had other plans.

No matter how fair his fight, he would always lose to those richer and more powerful.

At last, the beating stopped.

Alfred stepped forward, grabbed a fistful of Zoriel’s hair, and yanked his head up.

"Had enough, Zoriel?" he sneered.

"I already told you—stay away from Jessa. She doesn’t need you. She never did. So let her go!"

He shoved Zoriel’s head back and let go.

Groaning in pain, Zoriel looked up at him with burning eyes.

His entire body ached, but fury blazed hotter than the bruises.

"I—I will… but my j-jeep… I need my jeep," he rasped. "I-I didn’t…"

Alfred laughed.

"After what you did? You really think I’ll let you have it back? I won’t just take your jeep—I’ll destroy you!"

Zoriel clenched his fists. He still couldn’t grasp why this was happening.

He turned to look at Jessa.

She stared right back, smirking.

There wasn’t a shred of remorse in her eyes.

"R-Remember this, Mayor," Zoriel muttered through gritted teeth. "You’ll regret all of this—both you and my ex-wife."

Alfred raised an eyebrow, then smirked.

"Is that a death wish?"

He shook his head.

"You know what? I’ve changed my mind."

He turned to his bodyguards.

"Bury him alive instead."