The Supreme General

Chapter 8 The Trap

Later that night at the Bennett mansion, everyone was asleep except Sophie Bennett who sat elegantly on the edge of her bed, her phone pressed against her ear.

Her voice was sweet and seductive.

“Hello… Mr. Laurent.”

On the other end of the line was Lucas Laurent—the arrogant heir of the powerful Goldspire Group, the Fourth Power of Ironhaven.

Sophie slowly crossed her legs.

“Yes… I’d love to meet you tomorrow.”

There was a pause as Lucas spoke.

A slow smile spread across Sophie’s face.

“There’s actually something I wanted to discuss with you.”

Her voice dropped into a conspiratorial whisper.

“I need your help setting up a little… trap.”

Silence lingered for a moment.

Then Lucas chuckled darkly on the other end.

“Oh?”

Sophie’s eyes drifted toward the hallway, towards the direction of Marcus’ room.

Her expression hardened.

“There is someone I want to take out of the way.”

Lucas laughed again.

“And who would that be?”

Sophie’s lips curled in disgust.

“My husband.”

Another pause.

Then Lucas said calmly,

“Interesting.”

Sophie leaned back against the headboard.

“I want to set him up for a scandal.” She smirked

“Infidelity. That way the courts can’t ignore my wishes.”

Lucas understood instantly.

“ I see..you want a clean divorce, without tainting the Bennett family’s reputation.”

“Exactly. My husband, Marcus will take the fall. I want his reputation tarnished to the gutters.” Sophie said ruthlessly.

“If Marcus falls publicly, the media will surely side with me.”

Lucas laughed softly.

“I enjoy things like this. let’s make sure he falls hard.”

Sophie ended the call.

Then she looked again toward Marcus’ room.

Hatred burned in her eyes.

“Finally…”

“I can crush that dirty rat.”

But Sophie Bennett didn’t understand one thing.

It would take far more than traps…

To crush a man like Marcus Hale.

The next afternoon.

Ironhaven’s elite gathered at one of the city’s most luxurious restaurants.

The legendary Celestial Crown Restaurant.

Only the wealthiest figures in the city could afford to dine there.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled above polished marble floors.

Soft piano music drifted through the air.

Every table hosted CEOs, politicians, and heirs of powerful families.

At one corner table…

Sophie Bennett sat across from Lucas Laurent.

Lucas wore a sharp navy suit, his expensive watch glinting under the light.

He smiled arrogantly.

“So… about this trap. Do you have any ideas?”

Sophie stirred her wine glass.

“We arrange a situation,where he would meet with a woman that would put him in a compromising position. Something scandalous.”

Lucas smirked.

“Easy.”

He leaned forward.

“I know people who specialize in that.”

Sophie smiled.

“It is settled then. Cheers.” She raised her glass to click with Lucas when she sees something at the corner of her eye.

She froze. Her smile vanished instantly.

Lucas noticed.

“What is it?”

“Speak of the devil.” Sophie said icily.

Lucas turned.

Walking through the restaurant entrance was Marcus Hale dressed in a simple suit. He walked with the authority of a man that belonged.

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

“Well, well.”

Sophie scoffed loudly.

“What is he doing here?”

Marcus spotted them immediately.

He hesitated for a moment.

Pain flickered briefly in his eyes.

His wife.

Dining with another man.

At one of the most expensive restaurants in Ironhaven.

And yet she still accused him of infidelity.

Marcus approached their table slowly.

Sophie crossed her arms mockingly.

“Well look who crawled out of the gutter.”

Lucas smirked.

“Marcus Hale.”

He leaned back comfortably.

“Tell me something.”

“What are you doing in a place like this?”

Sophie laughed.

“This restaurant costs more for one meal than he makes in a month.”

Lucas chuckled.

“Maybe he’s here to wash dishes.”

Several nearby diners began watching the scene.

Marcus remained calm.

“I’m meeting someone.”

Lucas burst into laughter.

“You?”

“Meeting someone here?”

Sophie sneered.

“Don’t embarrass yourself.”

Marcus’ voice remained steady.

“I have a reservation.”

Lucas leaned forward.

“Oh really?”

“Then tell us.”

“What table?”

Marcus glanced toward the elevator.

“The penthouse.”

For a second…

The entire table went silent.

Then Sophie burst out laughing.

“The penthouse?!”

Even Lucas laughed loudly.

“That’s hilarious.”

Sophie shook her head.

“Marcus, even I can’t afford the penthouse here.”

She waved her hand toward a nearby valet.

“Excuse me.”

The valet walked over politely.

“Yes, miss?”

Sophie pointed at Marcus with disgust.

“This man doesn’t belong here.”

Lucas added coldly,

“He’s a beggar.”

“Please escort him out.”

The valet looked Marcus up and down.

His expression turned skeptical.

“Sir…”

He reached for Marcus’ arm.

“I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

Marcus didn’t resist.

But his eyes remained calm.

Then suddenly—

“Stop.”

A sharp voice cut through the restaurant.

Everyone turned.

The restaurant manager hurried toward them.

Sweat dotted his forehead.

“Sir!”

He bowed respectfully toward Marcus.

“My apologies for the misunderstanding.”

The entire restaurant froze.

The manager turned toward the valet.

“Release him immediately!”

The valet quickly stepped back.

Sophie frowned.

“What is this?”

The manager straightened nervously.

“This gentleman…”

He gestured respectfully toward Marcus.

“…has a reservation.”

Sophie scoffed.

“Yes we know.”

Marcus answered calmly.

“The penthouse.”

The manager nodded immediately.

“Yes, Mr. Hale.”

“The penthouse suite is prepared for you.”

The room fell silent.

Utterly silent.

Sophie’s face drained of color.

Even she had never been able to book the penthouse at the Celestial Crown.

Only the city’s most powerful elites could reserve it.

Lucas’ confident smile disappeared.

The manager bowed again.

“Your guest has already arrived.”

Marcus raised an eyebrow.

“She’s here?”

“Yes, sir.”

The manager gestured respectfully toward the private elevator.

“Please allow me to escort you upstairs.”

Marcus glanced once at Sophie.

Then at Lucas.

His voice was calm.

“Enjoy your meal.”

Then he walked toward the elevator.

The manager followed respectfully behind.

The elevator doors closed quietly.

And only then did Sophie realize something horrifying.

Marcus hadn’t been lying.

He really had a penthouse reservation.

And whoever he was meeting…

Had to be someone far more powerful than she imagined.