They Called Asher a Fallen War Hero... Biggest Mistake Ever

06: First Major Dose

The Bennett Villa had never been this lively. Luxury cars filled the driveway, and well-dressed guests walked in and out of the mansion with smiles on their faces. Crystal glasses clinked together as waiters moved through the crowd.

Everyone was here for one reason: to witness the Bennett family's biggest business deal.

Elaine Bennett stood in the center of the living room wearing an expensive burgundy dress, accepting one compliment after another.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Bennett. I heard Blackstone Development personally chose your family."

"The Bennett Group is about to become one of the city's biggest developers."

Elaine laughed proudly: "It was only a matter of time. My family deserves this."

One of her sisters smiled knowingly: "You also made the right decision."

Elaine raised an eyebrow: "Huh? What decision?"

"Driving that useless son-in-law out."

The room burst into laughter.

"If Asher were still here, Blackstone would've walked away the moment they saw him. Who would work with a disgraced soldier?"

"He's lucky you even allowed him to see his daughter."

Every insult drew another laugh.

Only Serena remained quiet.

She stood near the window, holding a glass she hadn't touched. The voices around her sounded distant.

For some reason, she remembered Asher's last words to them. She pondered how a military-stripped, humiliated hero would still have such guts to warn them rather than beg.

She couldn't shake off the disturbing feeling that Asher River would indeed return for a ‘purpose’ she had never heard him make a promise and not fulfill it.

"Serena."

Elaine's voice interrupted her thoughts and jogged her back to reality.

"Why are you standing there? Our guests might think you're unhappy."

Serena forced a faint smile: "I'm fine, Mum."

Elaine frowned, but before she could say anything, the butler hurried into the room.

"Madam. The chairman of Blackstone Development has arrived."

Elaine's face lit up in split seconds: "Everyone! Our distinguished guest is here."

The room instantly became quiet.

A middle-aged man in a tailored navy blue suit walked into the villa with three assistants behind him. His expression was calm and observant.

He shook hands with Elaine before taking his seat: "It's an honor to meet you, Chairman Cole."

"The honor is mine." His answer was polite.

Nothing more.

The legal teams quickly arranged the contracts. Stacks of documents were placed on the table. Two recipient signatures, and the Bennett Group would secure the biggest project in its history.

Elaine could barely hide her excitement. She picked up her pen.

"So..."

"Shall we begin?"

Chairman Cole reached for his own pen. At that exact second...

His phone vibrated; he glanced at the screen. His relaxed expression disappeared.

"Excuse me."

He stood and answered the call. No one could hear the voice on the other end; they only watched his face.

The man's countenance first laced with surprise, then disbelief. Finally… it changed to respect.

"Yes. I understand. It will be handled immediately."

The call ended.

Chairman Cole slowly returned to the table, but he didn't sit down. Instead...

He closed the contract, and Elaine blinked in a heartbeat.

"Chairman Cole?"

"I'm sorry."

He looked directly at her and continued: "Blackstone Development is withdrawing from this partnership."

Shocked silence crept in; it seemed choreographed, as most people in the room froze.

Elaine swallowed hard and assumed she had heard wrong: "Emm… I'm... sorry?"

"The project has been cancelled."

The smile on Elaine's face went dead: "But… We've already agreed on everything."

Chairman Cole nodded politely: "That was before."

"Before what?"

He was silent for a brief moment: "I'm not at liberty to explain."

Elaine's breathing became hot: "There must be some misunderstanding."

"There isn't. My company has made its decision."

One of Bennett's relatives slammed his hand on the table: “You can't do this! We've already announced this partnership!"

Chairman Cole remained coordinated: "I understand your frustration. But my decision is final."

He gathered the unsigned contracts and handed them to his assistant.

"Again..."

"My apologies."

Without another word, he turned and walked out. The guests stared at one another in absolute disbelief.

The room that had been filled with laughter only moments ago now felt suffocating.

Elaine suddenly rushed after him: "Chairman Cole!" She caught up to him outside. "Please! At least tell me why!"

Chairman Cole stopped beside his car. He looked at Elaine for a long second.

Then he spoke quietly: "Mrs. Bennett… If I were you. I wouldn't ask that question."

Elaine's face turned pale: "What does that mean?"

Chairman Cole shook his head and got into his car.

Within seconds...

The convoy drove away, leaving the dream of the Bennett Group crushed.

Inside the villa, the celebration had become chaotic. Guests engaged in indistinct chatter among themselves.

None of it made sense to them. Within minutes, some quietly slipped out the front door, while others pretended to answer phone calls before sneaking off.

No one wanted to remain at a failed celebration. Elaine stood in the middle of the living room, her well-painted make-up suddenly felt heavy.

"This..." She stammered with a heavy chest: "This can't be happening..."

One of the directors hurried over with his laptop, his eyes bulged with concern.

"Madam. There's more."

Elaine glared at him with a snort

"Our secondary investor also withdrew."

"What?!"

"And… The bank has postponed approval for the construction loan."

Elaine staggered backward, her knees buckled in shock: "Impossible! Everything was approved yesterday!"

"I know..." The director continued: “But they've all changed their minds."

There was no explanation or warning. Everything vanished outright.

Across the room...

Serena quietly lowered her eyes, her expression laced with mixed feelings that terrified her, which no words could explain.

She felt that something invisible had just struck her family, and a weird feeling that more was about to come.

Something she couldn't see, something far more powerful than money.

****

At the old estate...

General Hale stood beside the window: "The celebration is over."

He placed a report on Asher's desk.

"Blackstone withdrew. The other investors followed. The Bennett family is in complete confusion."

Asher closed the file without reading it: "Any losses to innocent workers?"

General Hale smiled faintly: "None. We made sure every subcontractor was protected before the deal collapsed."

Asher nodded: "Nice."

General Hale looked at him curiously: "You don't seem surprised by how it quickly played out."

"I expected greed to blind them and think for a second that such a huge contract would be theirs."

Asher's voice remained calm: "They ignored every warning because they only saw profit."

He walked toward the window overlooking the mountains: "I don't want the Bennett family completely destroyed yet. I'd love to have fun while I watch them dance to my humiliation beat: step by step, bit by bit."

"Also, my sunshine is temporarily in their care… And I haven't forgotten the promise I made to her."

Asher's first concern was still his daughter.

A soft knock sounded at the door. An intelligence officer entered.

"General. We intercepted unusual communications. They're asking the same question across the city."

General Hale looked up: "What question?"

The officer swallowed.

He read directly from the report: "On who interfered with the Blackstone deal… and how did they do it without leaving a trace?"

The room fell into silence

****

Far away, in a dark office, a gloved hand slowly closed a file marked BENNETT GROUP.

A low voice broke the silence.

"So… The invisible king has finally made his first move."

The man looked toward the skyline: "Find him."

"No matter what it costs.”