2026-05-12 11:54:42At the private boardroom of Vanguard Enterprises, Marcus sat calmly at the long table.
Across from him, Chairman Leonard Reynolds looked very nervous. The contact from the Supreme General had warned him not to mess this up. If only he had gotten there early he could have prevented this embarrassment. “Stupid boy!” He cursed Robert under his breath. His voice was respectful. “Sir… I sincerely apologize for what happened downstairs. I was rushing to make it on time but traffic delayed me.” He was so scared of what would happen to him if the Supreme General decided to take this up. Forget his job, his life will be in danger. “It’s not your fault.” Marcus waved it off. Leonard nodded quickly. “I thank you for your understanding.” He then opened a folder on the table. Inside were contract documents. He slid them toward Marcus. “This is the deal you came for.” Marcus glanced down. The number written across the top page was bold. $50,000,000 Leonard folded his hands. “The Bennett Industrial Holdings contract.” Marcus looked at him. “It’s yours.” Leonard smiled politely. “Thank you.” Marcus replied Leonard then added something unexpected. “Actually… I have another proposal.” Marcus raised an eyebrow. Leonard leaned forward slightly. “You should become the new CEO of this division.” Marcus blinked “Me?” Leonard continued quickly. “I’m serious.” “I have the chairman’s authority. The entire board would approve immediately.” At that exact moment the door burst open. Robert Langford who had been listening by the door rushed in carrying a silver tray. The coffee trembled in his shaking hands. He had heard the last sentence. Marcus becoming CEO. That meant he would lose his job! The tray slipped. CLATTER! The cup fell onto the carpet. Robert rushed forward and dropped to his knees. “Mr. Hale!” His voice trembled with panic. “Please forgive me!” He bowed his head repeatedly. “I was blind! I didn’t recognize someone of your status!” Marcus looked down at him calmly. Robert continued desperately. “I insulted you… I ordered security to throw you out…” “If Chairman Reynolds hadn’t arrived, I would have ruined everything!” His forehead nearly touched the floor. “Please… forgive me!” The room was silent. Chairman Leonard waited for Marcus word so he could decide. Marcus finally spoke. “Stand up.” Robert froze. Marcus repeated calmly. “I said stand up.” Robert slowly lifted his head. Marcus’ voice was steady. “I’m not interested in your job.” Robert blinked. “You’re… not?” Marcus shook his head. “Relax. I’m not taking your position.” For a moment Robert simply stared. Then relief washed across his face. “Thank you! Thank you, Mr. Hale!” “I swear from today onward, if you ever need anything—anything at all—I will do it!” Chairman Leonard frowned at him. “Langford.” Robert straightened immediately. “Yes Chairman!” Leonard’s voice turned stern. “Let today be a lesson.” Robert lowered his head. “You became arrogant and looked down on others simply because of their appearance.” Leonard gestured toward Marcus. “And that arrogance nearly destroyed your career.” Robert nodded repeatedly. “Yes Chairman.” “From today onward I will never judge someone by appearance again.” Leonard leaned back. “Good.” He pushed the contract toward Marcus again. “Sir… the deal is ready.” Marcus picked up the pen. With a few calm strokes— He signed. Just like that. A $50 million contract now belonged to Bennett Industrial Holdings. Twenty minutes later Marcus exited the building. The signed documents were safely inside his bag. Outside the lobby, two familiar faces were still waiting. Emily and Sylvester. The moment they saw Marcus walking out, they rushed toward Robert Langford who had followed him out. Emily’s voice was sharp. “Mr. Langford! What just happened there?!” Sylvester added quickly, “Yes, why did the chairman personally escort Marcus upstairs?” Robert’s expression darkened instantly. “You two…” Emily blinked. “Yes?” Robert’s anger exploded. “Do you know what you almost did to me?!” Both of them froze. “You called Mr. Hale a beggar.” “You mocked him.” “You nearly cost me my career!” Emily’s face turned pale. Sylvester tried to explain. “There must be some misunderstanding—” Robert cut him off. “Security!” Two guards immediately approached. Robert pointed at them furiously. “Throw them out.” Emily gasped. “What?!” Robert’s voice was cold. “And blacklist them.” “Neither of them is allowed inside any Vanguard property ever again.” The guards grabbed Sylvester immediately. Emily screamed. “Let go of me!” But it was useless. They were dragged toward the exit like criminals. Marcus watched quietly with amusement. Oh how the tables has turned Robert turned back to him respectfully. “Mr. Hale… please allow me to drive you home.” He gestured toward a luxury black sedan waiting nearby. Marcus looked at it. Then he smiled faintly. “No need.” He walked past the car. A moment later he unlocked a simple bicycle parked by the street. Robert stared in disbelief. Marcus placed the contract safely in his bag, he rode away on the bicycle. By evening the Bennett family mansion was in chaos. Emily sat on the couch crying loudly. Sylvester sat beside her with a stiff expression. The entire Bennett family surrounded them. “What do you mean you were thrown out?!” Jonathan demanded. Emily sobbed. “That stupid Marcus!” “He somehow convinced the chairman to meet him!” Sylvester clenched his jaw. “It doesn’t make sense…” “How could someone like him even get inside that boardroom?” The family argued loudly. Trying to understand what had happened when the front door opened. Marcus walked in calmly as all eyes turned on him. Jonathan stepped forward angrily. “What did you do?!” Marcus simply placed a folder on the table. Inside were the signed contracts. The Bennett family rushed forward. Their eyes widened when they saw the number. $50,000,000 Margaret Bennett looked up sharply. “What witchcraft did you use to get this?!” Jason sneered. “You must be having some disgusting relationship with that chairman!” Marcus’ expression darkened. For the first time that day real anger appeared in his eyes. He picked up the contract. “Should I return this to Vanguard?” The room froze. Marcus continued calmly. “And maybe tell Chairman Reynolds what you just said about him?” Panic exploded instantly. “No!” “Wait!” Margaret rushed forward. “We didn’t mean that!” Jason forced a smile. “Yes Marcus, we were just joking!” Marcus placed the contract back on the table. “Before I give this to you, you should keep your promise.” Margaret quickly nodded. “Of course!” She turned toward Sylvester. “You!” Sylvester blinked. “Me?” “Go bring Marcus’ belongings from the garden shed.” Sylvester’s face turned red with humiliation. Just hours ago he had been laughing at Marcus, now he was being ordered to run errands for him. Marcus leaned casually against the wall, a faint smirk appeared on his face. “Better hurry.” Sylvester clenched his fists, but he had no choice. He walked outside. Minutes later Marcus’ suitcase and belongings were placed inside the main house. A new closet was prepared for him, right beside Sophie’s closet. Sophie stood there silently. Her nails dug into her palms. Face burning with anger. Her mother whispered beside her. “Endure it.” Sophie turned slightly. Margaret continued quietly. “Once we finish using him…” “We’ll find a way to throw him out.” A slow smile appeared on Sophie’s face. Good. Because she already had someone better in mind. The heir of the Fourth Group — Goldspire Group. A man far more worthy than Marcus. Back in the living room, Marcus finally handed over the contract. The Bennett family signed eagerly. Not one of them bothered to read the contact. Marcus smirked as he watched them quickly sign the contract without reading it through. If they had, they would have seen a single clause buried deep inside the document. The Vanguard contract must be personally managed by Marcus Hale. If Marcus Hale is removed from Bennett Industrial Holdings, the contract will automatically transfer to whichever company he joins. Marcus watched them sign quietly, a faint smile on his lips.
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Chapter 15– A Strange Request
Sophie Bennett stood in the lobby of Laurent Tower. Her phone was still in her hand. The news anchor was still talking. Behind her, the reception staff had stopped working. The security guard near the entrance was watching the same broadcast on his phone. Nobody was pretending not to look. “—Victor Laurent, former Chairman of the Goldspire Group, has been named a person of interest in connection with the deliberate poisoning of prominent Ironhaven businessman Sir George Bennett. Authorities have confirmed they are seeking to question Mr. Laurent regarding forensic evidence submitted earlier today—” Sophie’s hand dropped in shock. She looked at the elevator and Lucas had not come back down. She called him, it rang four times and he didn’t pick up. Suddenly someone tapped her on the shoulder. “Mrs. Laurent?” Sophie turned, it was a lady police officer in plain uniforms. “Yes? How can I help you,” She answered even though she wasn’t sure she wanted to bear that titl
CHAPTER 14 The New Chairman
The Laurent Tower was the tallest building in Ironhaven’s financial district. Lucas Laurent stood outside the main entrance in a charcoal suit, Sophie on his arm, watching the twelve board members arrive. He greeted each one with a handshake and a laugh. Sophie looked at the building and smiled. After today, nobody in Ironhaven would question them again. “All twelve confirmed?” Lucas murmured to his assistant. “Yes sir. All inside.” “Good.” They were still smiling when Sophie grabbed his arm. “Lucas.” He followed her eyes. Marcus Hale was crossing the plaza. Plain dark jacket. Hands in his pockets. Walking toward the main entrance like he had been invited. Lucas saw him and laughed out loud. “You’re joking,” Sophie said. “Let him try,” Lucas said, already enjoying himself. They watched Marcus walk straight up to the two security guards at the entrance. “I’m here for the board meeting,” Marcus said. The first guard looked him over slowly. “Name.” “Ma
Chapter 13–The Debt Collector
The office of Victor Laurent Senior occupied the entire top floor of the Laurent Tower.Floor to ceiling windows, a desk the size of a small car, paintings on the walls that cost more than most buildings in Ironhaven. The kind of office designed to make every visitor feel small before a single word was spoken.Victor Laurent had received presidents in this office. He had received generals. He had received men who controlled entire provinces and sent them away smaller than they arrived.So when his secretary informed him that a man named Marcus Hale was requesting a meeting, Victor laughed.“Marcus Hale,” he repeated slowly. “The Bennett boy.”“Yes sir.”Victor leaned back in his enormous chair.The Bennett family was already finished. Their assets were gone. Sophie was married to his son. The whole chapter was closed.“Send him up,” Victor said. “Let’s see what the little rat wants.”Marcus stepped out of the elevator alone.No men. No entourage. Just him in a plain dark jacket walkin
Chapter 12 Ashes of a Wedding
The wedding hall was still drowning in chaos when Marcus Hale turned to leave.Guests whispered furiously.Some stared at him in disbelief.Others looked at him with fear.Moments ago he had destroyed the Bennett family empire with nothing but two documents.Now he walked toward the exit as if nothing had happened.Behind him—“Marcus!”Sophie’s voice broke through the hall.Her heels clattered against the marble floor as she ran after him, her expensive wedding dress dragging behind her.She grabbed his arm desperately.“How could you do this to us?!” she cried.Her makeup was already smudged by tears.“After everything we did for you!”Marcus slowly turned to look at her.His eyes were cold.“You mean after everything you people did to me?”Sophie froze.Marcus stepped closer.“For three years you treated me worse than trash.”His voice hardened.“A beggar on the street would have received more sympathy from your family than I ever did.”Sophie lowered her head, trembling.“It’s all
Chapter 11 A Coffin for the Bride
The city of Ironhaven glittered beneath the afternoon sun.Inside the grand dining hall of the Imperial Crown Hotel, crystal chandeliers shimmered like frozen stars. White-gloved servers moved quietly between tables, placing delicate plates of gourmet cuisine before the elite guests who frequented the establishment.At a private window table sat Marcus Hale and the mysterious woman he had rescued weeks ago.Today she was no longer dressed like a frightened girl from a dark alley.She wore an elegant black dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, and the quiet authority surrounding her made even the hotel staff treat her with subtle reverence.She was Isabella Hawthorne.The Heiress of the Hawthorne Dynasty—the ruling family of the Second Group.And one of the most powerful women in Ironhaven.Marcus remained calm despite the luxurious surroundings. He had changed into a simple suit, but compared to the elite atmosphere of the hotel, he still looked like a man who didn’t belo
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.
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