War God Returns: Lein Ashford

Chapter 005

Lein stepped out of the Anthony Mansion with calm steps. The large door behind him closed, separating him from the laughter and mockery still faintly heard from inside the ballroom.

He stopped for a moment in the front yard, staring at the magnificent mansion that was once his home—the Ashford family home.

"They're laughing," Lein thought to himself, his face remaining cold. "Good. Let them feel everything is safe, everything is still fine."

A thin smile carved on his lips—a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"I could destroy them right now. But that's too easy. Too fast."

He remembered his mother's pale face, and Lily trembling as she hugged him.

For five years they lived like slaves.

"I'll let them laugh with satisfaction. And when they feel on top of the world... I'll destroy them. Slowly, painfully, until they kneel at Mom and Lily's feet, crying and begging for mercy."

Lein walked out of the gate, then hailed a passing taxi.

"Corholt General Hospital," he said briefly.

The taxi drove off, leaving the Anthony mansion in the darkness of night.

---

Twenty minutes later, Lein arrived at the hospital.

He walked quickly to the VIP Presidential Suite on the fifth floor. His steps were firm, his gaze focused.

As soon as the door opened, he saw Lily sitting beside their mother's bed. Her face was still wet with tears, but her expression was calmer than before.

In the corner of the room, Doctor Wilson stood holding a medical chart. As soon as he saw Lein enter, he immediately bowed respectfully—very different from his previous attitude.

"Sir," Wilson greeted in a tone full of respect while returning Lein's black card. "Your mother's condition is stable. Blood pressure normal, heart rhythm regular. With intensive care for a few days, she will fully recover."

Lein nodded briefly and took back his card. "Good. Make sure she gets the best care. No negligence whatsoever."

"Of course, Sir! I will personally supervise!" Wilson answered quickly, almost nervously.

Lein didn't glance at him again. His gaze shifted to Lily, then he stepped closer.

Lily raised her face. Her eyes were still red, but there was a little light of hope there—a light that had been lost for a long time.

"Brother..." she whispered softly.

Lein smiled thinly—a warm smile, very different from the cold smile he showed at the Anthony mansion.

He gently stroked Lily's head. "It's time we went home."

Lily showed a bitter expression. "Home? But—"

"Come on," Lein interrupted in a gentle but firm tone. "Let's find a new home."

Lily fell silent. Her eyes widened.

A new home?

Lein extended his hand. "Mom will be safe here. This doctor will take care of her. Now, let's go."

Wilson nodded in agreement, "Don't worry, Young Miss. I will guard your mother with my own life!"

Lily stared at her brother's outstretched hand—a strong hand, a hand that made her feel safe for the first time in five years.

Slowly, she grasped it.

And for the first time in five years...

Lily smiled genuinely.

---

Lein and Lily left the hospital, then hailed a passing taxi.

"To Stellar Properties," Lein told the taxi driver.

Stellar Properties was one of the largest property agencies in Corholt City—a place where only rich people came to buy luxury homes.

Lily sat next to Lein nervously. Her hands squeezed the hem of her shirt—a habit that appeared whenever she was anxious.

"Brother... are we really going to buy a house?" she asked softly, her voice almost inaudible.

Lein looked at her with a gentle gaze. "Yes. We will never return to the Anthony mansion again."

Lily looked down, her eyes teary. But this time, they weren't tears of sadness. They were tears of happiness.

Fifteen minutes later, the taxi stopped in front of a tall white building with a large gold logo reading "Stellar Properties."

Lein and Lily got out of the taxi, then walked in.

As soon as the automatic glass door opened, they were greeted by a luxurious lobby with gleaming marble floors, a large crystal chandelier on the ceiling, and rows of neat reception desks.

But as soon as several senior employees standing near the desk saw Lein and Lily, their gazes immediately changed.

Lein's shirt was wrinkled. His jeans were worn. His old bag looked like secondhand goods.

Lily was even worse. Her clothes were simple like a maid's, her face was pale, and her eyes kept glancing down nervously.

A middle-aged woman in a black blazer—one of the senior salespeople, glanced at Lein and Lily, then whispered to her colleague in a cynical tone.

"Poor people again," she muttered softly, but loud enough to be heard. "Probably just want to ask questions and waste our time."

Her colleague, a large-bodied man with a red tie, nodded in agreement. "Look at their appearance. They don't even know the price of the cheapest house here."

They both laughed softly, then turned around, pretending to be busy with documents on their desks.

Lein stepped forward, approaching the reception desk.

"Excuse me," he said in a calm tone.

No one answered.

The middle-aged woman didn't even lift her head, continuing to busy herself with her laptop as if she heard nothing.

"Excuse me," Lein repeated, this time a bit louder.

The woman finally lifted her head, looking at Lein with a cold and contemptuous gaze.

"What?" she asked in a curt tone.

"I want to buy a house," Lein answered calmly.

The woman almost laughed. She looked Lein up and down with a condescending gaze.

"Buy a house?" she repeated in a mocking tone. "You know this is Stellar Properties, right? Not a convenience store."

The large-bodied man beside her chuckled. "The cheapest house here is 10 million dollars. Do you have that much money?"

Lily standing beside Lein immediately felt her face heat up. The stares of those employees... exactly like the Anthony family's stares.

Belittling. Condescending. Full of contempt.

She gently pulled Lein's sleeve. "Brother... let's just leave," she whispered in a trembling voice.

But Lein didn't move.

His eyes remained calm, his gaze remained cold.

Before he could speak again, the sound of quick footsteps was heard from the side corridor.

A young girl, probably in her early twenties, ran up to them. Her hair was tied in a neat ponytail, her face was fresh, and her eyes shone with enthusiasm.

She wore a light blue blazer—a new employee uniform.

"Welcome to Stellar Properties!" she greeted with a friendly smile while bowing politely. "I'm Emma. Can I help you?"

The middle-aged woman and large-bodied man immediately glanced at Emma with condescending looks.

"Emma, don't waste your time," the woman said in a cynical tone. "They're just poor people wanting to ask questions."

Emma frowned, but she kept smiling at Lein and Lily. "It's okay. All guests are valued guests."

The large-bodied man snorted loudly. "Typical new employee. No experience. You'll regret it."

Emma ignored them. She looked at Lein with a sincere gaze. "Sir, can I help you?"

Lein looked at her for a moment, then nodded. "I want to see the best house you have."

Emma paused for a moment. She glanced at Lein and Lily with doubt—not because she was looking down on them, but because she was worried they would be disappointed when they saw the price.

But... she had decided to serve them well.

"Alright, Sir. Please follow me."