Trash Son-in-law Returns as the Almighty Marshal

CHAPTER 5

Tyler took the pen with his shoulders hunched in defeat, and his chest tightened as he stared down at the divorce papers.

His grip on the pen trembled and he was close to backing out, but then his gaze darted to the lady. The blistering fear in her eyes as they fixated on the knife pressed against her throat, was all it took to break the last shred of his willpower.

Clenching his jaw so tightly a headache began to form, he scribbled his signature above the dotted line provided on the paper.

“There,” he spat when he finished. “I’ve done what you wanted. Now let her go.”

“Finally!” Frederick clapped as his triumphant laughter echoed round the warehouse. “I knew you’d crumble. You really are a weak little loser.”

The veins on Tyler’s face and neck bulged as he struggled to hold back his anger. “Let. Her. Go.”

Frederick raised both his hands in mock surrender as his laughter subsided into a grin. “Relax. I am a man of my word after all.”

“Drop the little heroine off somewhere,” he ordered his goons with a dismissive wave of his hand. “She has served her purpose.”

The goons began to drag the woman away, but before they reached the entrance, she shouted out to Tyler. “Thank you, sir! Thank you for saving my life!”

Tyler spared her no glance, neither did he reply to her words of gratitude. He just collapsed to the ground with his gaze burning holes through his signature on the divorce paper.

Frederick crouched down to snatch the papers off the floor and placed them back into the folder, then he straightened and looked down at Tyler with a smug smile.

“Katie belongs to me now. She’ll have everything she ever wanted, and you? You’ll be left to rot where no one will ever find you. Enjoy your new home as a prisoner, because you’ll be there forever.”

Tyler’s irises burned with rage, and if looks could kill, Frederick would have been ten feet under. Yet he didn’t get the chance to utter a word as a sharp blow to the side of his head took him out.

FOUR YEARS LATER

“All hail the Almighty Marshal!” A voice boomed, and the thunderous sound of boots stomping on the floor echoed in the air.

“Hail the Almighty Marshal!” The response came in unison as rows of uniformed men echoed their salute.

Tyler Maxwell stood at the head of the formation with his hands clasped behind his back as his gaze swept over the soldiers looking at him with reverence.

His eyes held nothing but pride at how far he’d come and he couldn’t help but reminisce to how it all started.

After Frederick had him shipped off to the most dangerous prison in Afghanistan four years ago, he thought his life was finished.

But fate threw him into the path of a man who changed his life forever.

Master Zaheer. In loving memory.

The old warlord, falsely accused of treason and thrown into exile, had saved Tyler’s life inside the prison. Master Zaheer became his mentor and taught him everything he knew, from Ancient Martial arts skills to Traditional Healing Techniques.

These newfound abilities Tyler now possessed caught the attention of some special forces and he was enlisted in the military.

With blood, grit and sweat, he rose through the ranks from a mere soldier and a nobody, to the most feared military official alive.

His numerous victories and battle conquests earned him the title of The Almighty Marshal.

Gone was the delivery man and simp husband from four years ago. Now, a powerful war machine stood in his place and he was ready to carve his name into the history of Ravenfall and make those who betrayed him pay.

“Sir?” The voice of his trusted subordinate, Colonel Briggs, drew him back to the present moment. “Are you sure about flying commercial? We can have your private jet prepped in minutes.”

Tyler shook his head. “That won’t be necessary, Colonel. I don’t want to draw attention to myself while I return.”

“Understood, sir,” Colonel Briggs nodded. “It’ll truly be a shock to your enemies. Wendy Nelson, the vice President of your company is already waiting to pick you up once you arrive at the airport. I must say, she’s done an excellent job taking care of your company in your absence.”

“She has,” Tyler agreed. “And she’ll be duly rewarded.”

Just a year ago, he had founded a company in Ravenfall under an alias, and within months, it exploded from a mere startup to a multibillion dollar powerhouse with a top 10 ranking in the Fortune 500 list.

“It’s time,” Tyler said as he adjusted his backpack over his shoulder. “I’m leaving you in command while I’m gone. If the Koga-tai strike again, can I trust you to keep them at bay?

Colonel Briggs clenched his fist across his chest in salute.

“You have my word, Marshal! I won't let you down! It’s been an honor to serve you! Whenever you need us, just say the word and we’ll be there immediately!”

The other soldiers mirrored his salute and echoed, “We wish you well, Marshal!”

Tyler waved his hand in return. “Thank you soldiers! Stay strong until we meet again.”

With that, he gave them a final nod before heading to the waiting car that would take him to the airport.

***

The plane touched down in Ravenfall a few hours later, and Tyler adjusted the strap of his backpack as he made his way from the jet bridge directly into the arrival terminal.

His casual outfit of a dark leather jacket, white tee and black cargo pants enabled him to blend in effortlessly with the rest of the crowd at the airport.

Lost in thought, he didn’t notice the lady coming in his direction, until it was too late.

They collided, and her styrofoam cup toppled, spilling iced latte all over her white fur coat and tan leather boots.

“What the hell!” the lady shrieked as she stumbled back and stared down at her clothes as if acid, not coffee had been poured on them.