They Buried Me, So I Took Back Their Empire

Chapter 1

The main gate of Jerovania Prison creaked open, and a man dressed in casual clothes stepped out.

Parked at the entrance was a sleek Bentley Flying Spur. As the car door swung open, an elegant woman stepped out, her beauty sharp and commanding.

She looked down at him as she held a stack of papers—the divorce agreement.

"Grace, why did you come here yourself? Where's Natalie?"

Daniel Cooper glanced around, searching for his wife, but she was nowhere to be seen.

"How dare you even ask about my daughter? Here's the divorce agreement. Sign it." Grace flung the papers at Daniel, her disdain palpable.

Daniel's face darkened as he looked at the agreement. His voice was low and heavy with emotion. "Why are you doing this, Grace? Do you think the love between Natalie and me can be erased so easily?"

Grace let out a cold laugh, her eyes narrowing with arrogance.

"The Clark family is worth billions now. Natalie is the CEO of a top-ten company in Jerovania. And what about you? You're just a r*pist. What makes you think you're still worthy of her? Sign the papers and leave with whatever shred of dignity you may have left."

"A r*pist?"

Daniel's lips curled into a bitter smile, his laugh hollow. He repeated Grace's words, his voice cutting.

"Grace, you know better than anyone what really happened back then. I took the fall for your son, Ethan. If it weren't for the fact that he was still in school, do you think I would've gone to prison?"

For a moment, Grace's smug expression faltered, but she quickly regained her arrogance. "Whatever the case, you're a r*pist now. You're nothing but a stain on the Clark family's reputation. Even if you tell the truth, who would believe you?"

Anger flashed in Daniel's eyes.

"Can't believe you're such an ungrateful person, Grace. I sacrificed everything for Ethan. It's been three years. Do you have any idea what I endured during those years in prison? And this is how you repay me?"

"That was your choice, Daniel. No one forced you to make it. The Clark family doesn't need a r*pist like you. Sign the papers and leave." Grace didn't take Daniel's words seriously. Even though Daniel was right, the Clark family today was way out of his league now.

Daniel drew in a deep breath, steadying himself. "I won't sign it. I need to see Natalie. I need to explain everything to her face-to-face."

Grace sneered, "Do you think Natalie wants to see you? She's done with you. Stop living in a fantasy."

Daniel's jaw tightened, his voice firm. "I don't care what you say. I'll see her, no matter what."

Grace's tone snapped with irritation. "Don't push your luck, Daniel. Coming here to hand you the divorce agreement is already more than you deserve."

Daniel's eyes didn't leave hers. "Grace, Natalie isn't the kind of person to turn her back on someone like this. There must be an understanding."

Grace's glare sharpened. "Give it up. The Clark family will never take you back."

Daniel's voice rose as he looked Grace in the eye. "Grace, do you know what 'karma' is? Does everything I've done for your family mean nothing to you?"

For a split second, Grace hesitated, but she quickly masked it with a scoff. "Karma? What a joke! You're just a disgraced ex-convict, Daniel. You have no right to talk to me about karma."

"No matter how hard you try to stop me, I'll find Natalie and tell her the truth." Daniel's fists clenched tightly, his knuckles white. If it weren't for him, the Clark family would never have reached where it was today. Their business partners only helped them out of respect for him.

During his three years in prison, Daniel went through a lot. In his first year, he was secretly sent to a battlefield overseas by a mysterious figure, where he survived amidst piles of corpses.

On the battlefield, he learned many skills, one of which was killing. He became a well-deserved king of mercenaries. At the same time, he had extraordinary medical skills. He could bring people back from the brink of death, and it was unknown how many foreign tycoons and high-ranking government officials he saved.

In gratitude to Daniel, these individuals invested in Natalie's company. However, despite all his sacrifices, what awaited him was nothing more than a divorce agreement.

Grace sneered and said, "You think you can just walk back into Natalie's life? The Clark family isn't a place you can barge into whenever you feel like it."

Daniel's gaze was unwavering, his voice unshakable. "No matter how hard you try to keep me away, I won't stop. Mark my words, old hag. You'll regret this."

"Did you just call me an 'old hag'? Daniel, you b*stard!"

Grace swung her hand at Daniel.

But Daniel caught it effortlessly.

"Grace," he said coldly, his voice steady, "I'm not the same Daniel who let you walk all over me. You've been heartless, so don't expect me to show mercy."

Grace's eyes burned with resentment as she spat back, "Ungrateful b*stard! Just wait. You'll regret this!"

She turned sharply and climbed into her sleek luxury car. Without another word, she sped off.

Daniel stood there, watching her car disappear into the distance. He silently vowed to make the Clark family pay for everything they had done to him.

Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. The caller ID displayed an unfamiliar number. Daniel frowned. Hardly anyone had his private number. Still, he answered. "Who is this?" he asked curtly.

"Is this Dr. Cooper?" an elderly voice responded on the other end.

"Yes, and you are?" Daniel asked, finding the voice unfamiliar.

"Hello, Dr. Cooper, my name is Robert Scott. I'm the wealthiest man in Jerovania. I've contacted a lot of people to get your number. Please, I'm begging for your help to treat my granddaughter. Name your price, whatever it takes!"

"I'm busy. Don't call me again." Before the man could respond, Daniel hung up.

On the other end of the line, Robert, a man of immense wealth and power, stared at the phone in disbelief. His usually composed face showed an almost childlike helplessness.

Beside him, a female doctor stood frozen, her mouth hanging open in shock.

'Did he just hang up on Mr. Scott, the wealthiest man in Jerovania? This guy must be crazy!' she thought.

Meanwhile, Grace sat in her car. She dialed Natalie's number, her frustration boiling over.

"Natalie, you have to divorce Daniel! He's completely changed after all those years in prison. He's a monster now. He even hit me! You need to divorce him, or I swear I'll kill myself!"

At Clark Group Headquarters, in the CEO's office, Natalie sat behind her desk. Her striking beauty was matched only by her composed demeanor.

Hearing her mother's tearful rant through the phone, she frowned, her mind clouded with unease.

"Mom, calm down," she said patiently. "What exactly happened?"

"That maniac hit me right after he got out of prison. He's a criminal! Natalie, you have to divorce him. You can't stay tied to someone like that!" Grace's voice rose hysterically.

Natalie was quiet for a moment. Then she said, "Mom, I know Daniel well. He wouldn't act like that without a reason. There must be some kind of misunderstanding?"

"Misunderstanding? Bullsh*t! I saw it with my own eyes. He even said he'd make our family pay. Natalie, you can't go soft on this!" Grace's voice was laced with anxiety.

Natalie sighed, rubbing her temples. "Mom, just go home and rest for now. I'll take care of it."

After hanging up, Natalie leaned back in her chair, lost in thought.

Memories of her time with Daniel floated to the surface, filling her with doubt and inner turmoil.

She didn't know whether to believe her mother or how to face Daniel.

But one thing was clear—her family owed a debt of gratitude to Daniel.

Years ago, her younger brother r*ped a college student. The victim's family had been powerful, leaving the Clarks with no choice but to pin the blame on Daniel.

While Natalie wrestled with her thoughts, Daniel had already arrived at the Clark Group building.

As he approached the entrance, two security guards stepped in his way.

"Stop right there. This is the Clark Group. You can't just stroll in like you own the place."

Daniel's expression darkened. "I'm here to see Natalie. Let me through."

The guard gave him a once-over, his lip curling in disdain. "You're dressed like a hobo. Do you think you can meet our CEO? Get lost before you embarrass yourself."

Daniel clenched his fists but kept his voice steady. "I have something important. Just let me in."

The guard shoved him roughly. "I said, get lost. If you don't, I won't be so polite next time."

Daniel's patience snapped. "You're asking for this!"

Without warning, he threw a punch, sending the guard sprawling to the ground. Since returning to the country, Daniel had tried to avoid violence, but these men were pushing him too far.

"Jason's been hit! Get over here!" the other guard shouted.

Moments later, several more guards rushed out, their electric batons crackling ominously.

Daniel's eyes narrowed, his voice cold. "I don't want trouble, but don't push me."

The lead guard sneered. "Do you think you can cause a scene here and walk out unscathed? Today, we'll teach you a lesson!"

The guards charged at him, batons raised.

Daniel sidestepped the first swing with ease, grabbing the weapon and using it to knock one of the men to the ground.

The remaining guards hesitated for a moment but quickly regained their nerve, attacking with renewed aggression.

Daniel stayed calm, his strikes swift and precise. Within minutes, all the guards lay groaning on the ground.