WAR GOD : Rise After Betrayal

Chapter 6

Ares was still sitting on the sidewalk when thirst struck again. His throat was dry, his stomach twisted faintly. He swallowed several times, but there was nothing to swallow.

“Calm down… don’t die yet,” he muttered while massaging his temples.

He half-stood, then sat back down again. His vision spun slightly. He had not eaten anything since the afternoon, and his body still carried the lingering pain from the beating earlier.

“Idiot,” he said to himself. “Just surviving is already hard, and I still managed to cause trouble.”

The sound of a car engine approached slowly.

Ares lifted his head, slightly alert. A black car stopped right in front of him. The window rolled down, revealing Tom’s calm face.

“Ares,” Tom called briefly.

Ares fell silent for a few seconds. “Tom?”

Tom stepped out of the car without wasting words. “Get in.”

Ares frowned. “Get in where?”

“Into the car,” Tom answered plainly. “Now.”

Ares stood up, hesitant. “Where are you taking me?”

Tom looked straight at him. “Miss Elara’s order. You’re coming with me.”

Ares took a deep breath. “What if I refuse?”

Tom opened the rear door of the car. “I’ll still wait until you agree.”

Ares chuckled softly, then nodded. “Alright.”

As soon as he got into the car, Ares immediately smelled the clean, cool scent of the air conditioning. Tom took a bottle of mineral water from the center console and handed it to him.

“Drink,” he said.

Ares did not refuse. He opened the cap and drank greedily. The cold water felt like new life.

“Slowly,” Tom said.

Ares paused for a moment, then smiled awkwardly. “Sorry. I really was thirsty.”

Tom took out a pack of bread and handed it to him. “Eat this first.”

Ares stared at the bread for a few seconds, then accepted it carefully.

Ares bit into the bread. His eyes closed slightly as his hunger eased.

“At least I won’t starve to death,” he muttered in relief.

Tom glanced at him briefly. “Do you often skip meals?”

Ares shrugged. “I’m used to it.”

The car began to move.

“Why does Miss Elara bother so much?” Ares asked softly after a while. “I’m just a stranger who hasn’t officially worked for her yet.”

Tom kept his eyes on the road ahead. “Because you saved her life.”

“Many people could have,” Ares replied.

“Not everyone would,” Tom answered briefly.

Ares fell silent.

Elsewhere, Rachel and Max had just arrived at Max’s luxury apartment. The door closed tightly as soon as they entered.

Rachel took off her high heels and immediately sat on the sofa.

Max paced back and forth with an anxious expression. “Are you sure he doesn’t suspect anything?”

Rachel snorted lightly. “Ares is stupid. Too stupid.”

Max stopped in front of Rachel. “You have to be careful not to let him know this child is his.”

Rachel looked at Max with a faint smile. “Relax, Max.”

Max clenched his fists. “You know the risk. My family must not know.”

Rachel gently stroked her stomach. “This child is yours, Max. The world will see it that way.”

Max swallowed. “But you know I—”

“I know,” Rachel cut him off. “You’re impotent. But no one needs to know.”

Max’s face hardened. “This child will be my family’s heir. The only one. The existence of this child will put me on the throne… haha.”

Rachel smiled in satisfaction. “And I will become the mother of a noble family’s heir. Isn’t that beautiful?”

Max stared at her sharply. “You’re doing this for money. I like that.”

Rachel chuckled softly. “Of course. Wealth, power, status. What else matters?”

“Of course.”

“I’ve planned this from the beginning. So you must keep your promise to help my company level up.”

Max remained silent for a long time, then nodded slowly. “Of course, darling.”

Rachel stood up and hugged Max. “That useless man turned out to be useful after all. He gave us a child to use as a tool.”

Elsewhere, Tom’s car entered an elite residential area. The tall gate opened automatically. Ares stared out the window in disbelief.

“This is… the Cole Mansion?” he asked softly.

Tom nodded. “Yes.”

Ares swallowed. This house was like a palace.

The car stopped in front of a magnificent white building with a vast yard. Garden lights glowed softly.

As soon as he got out, Ares stood awkwardly. Then they went inside. The interior of the mansion felt warm and calm.

Tom walked ahead. “Follow me.”

Ares followed until they stopped in front of a door.

“Guest room,” Tom said as he opened it. “This is your room.”

Ares stepped inside. The room was spacious, clean, with a soft bed and a private bathroom.

“This is… excessive,” he said softly.

“Miss Elara’s order,” Tom replied. “This room is next to hers.”

Ares was startled. “Next to?”

Tom nodded. “Yes.”

Ares scratched the back of his neck. “I hope I’m not causing trouble.”

“No,” Tom said firmly. “You belong here.”

Tom turned before leaving. “Tomorrow morning, I will introduce you to a martial arts instructor.”

Ares blinked. “A martial arts instructor?”

“Yes,” Tom replied. “Miss Elara wants you to learn.”

Ares let out a small, humorless laugh. “Even I don’t know where that strength earlier came from.”

Tom looked at him deeply. “That’s exactly why.”

The door closed.

Ares stood alone in the room. He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at his hands.

“Life is strange,” he muttered. “This morning I was thrown out, now I’m in the Cole Mansion.”

He lay down slowly. His stomach was full, his body began to feel tired.

“Tomorrow…” he said softly. “Maybe a new beginning.”

Inside his chest, the seal pulsed very faintly. It did not feel painful.

“Maybe this is an opportunity. I must use it well so I can rise again and prove to Rachel that I am not a worthless man!”