The Supreme General

Chapter 10 The Price of Betrayal

The courtroom was colder than Marcus expected.

Not physically.

But in the way people looked at him.

Judging.

Whispering.

Watching the “useless son-in-law” finally fall.

Marcus stood quietly before the defendant’s desk, hands resting lightly on the polished wood. His suit was plain, his expression calm, but inside his chest something heavy pressed against his ribs.

Across from him sat Sophie Bennett.

Perfectly composed.

Her posture elegant.

Her face carefully arranged into a mask of wounded dignity.

Anyone watching would believe she was the victim.

The judge shuffled the documents before him with slow indifference.

“This court will now review the evidence presented by the plaintiff.”

The lights dimmed slightly as the screen behind him flickered on.

A photograph appeared.

Marcus recognized it instantly.

The alley.

The night he had stopped the assault.

The girl—terrified—clinging to him in fear.

But the angle of the image told a different story.

The girl’s arms wrapped around his waist.

Her face pressed against his chest.

To an outsider, it looked intimate.

The lawyer representing Sophie stepped forward smoothly.

“This photograph,” he began, “was taken several weeks ago.”

Another image appeared.

Then another.

Each carefully chosen.

Each twisted just enough to suggest something scandalous.

The lawyer clasped his hands behind his back.

“My client discovered these images after suspecting her husband’s infidelity.”

A murmur rippled through the courtroom.

Marcus clenched his jaw.

“That’s not what happened.”

The lawyer glanced at him with mild amusement.

“Oh?”

Marcus stepped forward.

“That woman was being attacked.”

He pointed at the screen.

“I stopped the man who was trying to rape her.”

Some people in the audience shifted uncomfortably.

But the lawyer simply shrugged.

“A heroic story.”

He tapped a remote.

Another photo appeared.

The girl clinging tightly to Marcus, her body pressed against his.

“Yet this is what the camera captured.”

Marcus looked at the judge.

“Your Honor, those images are misleading.”

“They’re taken out of context.”

The judge leaned back, folding his hands across his stomach.

His expression was unreadable.

For a long moment he said nothing.

Then he spoke flatly.

“Mr. Hale.”

“The court deals with evidence, not stories.”

Marcus felt something tighten in his chest.

He looked at Sophie.

She didn’t even meet his eyes.

The judge raised the gavel.

“The evidence clearly demonstrates marital infidelity.”

Marcus’ voice hardened.

“You’re wrong.”

The judge ignored him.

“The court hereby approves the dissolution of the marriage between Marcus Hale and Sophie Bennett.”

BANG.

The gavel struck.

Just like that…

It was over.

Marcus stood still as the courtroom erupted into whispers.

He knew the truth.

And Sophie knew it too.

But the judge had already made up his mind long before this hearing began.

Money had spoken louder than truth.

Outside the courthouse, the afternoon sun was harsh and blinding.

The Bennett family gathered near the steps, their mood far different from inside the courtroom.

They were celebrating.

Ryan Bennett laughed loudly.

“Did you see his face?”

Margaret Bennett sneered at Marcus.

“You shameless piece of trash.”

“You cheated on my daughter and still tried to argue with the judge.”

Sophie walked forward slowly, the diamond ring on her finger glinting in the sunlight.

Her voice was calm.

Almost bored.

“You should be grateful, Marcus.”

He looked at her.

“Grateful?”

“Yes,” she said coldly. “Now you’re free to chase after your little alley girlfriend.”

Something inside Marcus snapped.

“You know the truth.”

Sophie’s lips curled slightly.

“The court decided the truth.”

Marcus stared at her.

Three years of marriage.

Three years of humiliation.

Three years he endured because of Grandpa Bennett’s dying wish.

And this was how it ended.

Suddenly a sleek black sports car rolled to a stop beside the courthouse.

The engine purred like a predator.

The door opened.

A tall man stepped out.

Sharp suit.

Confident smile.

Power radiated from him like heat.

Lucas Laurent.

The heir to the Goldspire Group — the Fourth Power of Ironhaven.

The Bennett family immediately straightened.

Margaret whispered excitedly.

“That’s him…!”

Lucas walked straight toward Sophie.

Then, to everyone’s shock, he knelt on one knee.

The crowd gasped.

He opened a velvet box.

Inside rested a massive diamond ring.

“Sophie Bennett,” Lucas said smoothly.

“Will you marry me?”

The Bennett family nearly exploded with joy.

Ryan clapped loudly.

Margaret covered her mouth with delight.

Sophie pretended to hesitate.

Then smiled sweetly.

“Yes.”

Lucas slid the ring onto her finger.

The reporters nearby rushed forward.

Marcus watched in silence.

Then he spoke quietly.

“So this was the plan.”

Sophie looked at him coldly.

“What are you talking about?”

“You were already seeing him.”

Lucas chuckled.

“Careful, Marcus.”

“You’re starting to sound jealous.”

Marcus stepped forward.

“You cheated before the divorce.”

Sophie laughed.

“But according to the court…”

She raised her hand, showing the ring.

“You’re the cheater.”

Marcus’ fists tightened.

“You lying—”

Lucas swung his fist.

The punch was fast.

But Marcus was faster.

His hand shot up and caught Lucas’ fist in midair.

Gasps erupted around them.

Lucas froze.

Marcus twisted his wrist slightly.

Pain flashed across Lucas’ face.

“Let go!”

Marcus’ voice dropped to ice.

“You shouldn’t throw punches you can’t finish.”

Lucas’ face turned red with fury.

“Guards!”

Four bodyguards rushed forward.

“Break his arms!”

They surrounded Marcus.

The tension snapped tight.

But before the guards could move—

“Stop!”

A voice cut through the chaos.

A young woman ran forward.

She wore a simple white dress.

No jewelry.

No bodyguards.

Just quiet elegance.

Marcus recognized her instantly.

The girl from the alley.

The one he had saved.

She stepped between Marcus and the guards.

“You won’t touch him.”

Lucas frowned.

“Move aside.”

The guards tried to push her away.

Sophie suddenly recognized her too.

Her expression twisted with disgust.

“So this is the woman.”

She stepped closer.

“You’re the whore he cheated with.”

The woman didn’t respond.

Sophie spat at her feet.

The spit landed on her polished shoe.

“Stay away from my fiancé.”

She shoved the woman’s shoulder.

“Filthy woman.”

Before anyone could react—

Black SUVs screeched to a stop around the courthouse.

Doors burst open.

More than a dozen armed security officers jumped out.

In seconds they surrounded the Bennett family.

The crowd panicked.

Ryan stammered.

“What… what’s happening?”

One of the guards stepped forward.

He bowed respectfully to the woman in the white dress.

“Second Group Heiress.”

The Bennett family went pale.

The guard continued calmly.

“Give the order.”

“And we will punish anyone who dared lay hands on you.”

The silence was suffocating.

Sophie’s knees nearly gave out.

Second Group…

Heiress?

The woman slowly looked down at her shoe.

Her voice was soft.

Cold.

“You got my shoes dirty.”

Sophie dropped to her knees instantly.

“I’m sorry!”

She wiped the shoe with the sleeve of her expensive suit.

Her hands trembled violently.

Then she lowered her head and kissed the shoe.

“Please forgive me!”

The heiress ignored her.

Instead she turned toward Marcus.

Her eyes softened.

“Are you alright?”

Marcus nodded slowly.

“I’m fine.”

Luxury cars pulled forward.

The guards opened the doors.

Marcus hesitated for a moment.

Then he stepped inside beside her.

The convoy of black vehicles drove away, leaving the Bennett family standing frozen on the courthouse steps.

Humiliated.

Terrified.

And unaware that what happened today…

Was only the beginning.

Because Marcus Hale had lost his marriage.

But the Bennett family had just made the greatest mistake of their lives.

And soon…

He would return to collect every debt they owed him.