War God Returns: Lein Ashford

Chapter 007

Lein and Lily left the Stellar Properties building, then hailed a passing taxi.

"Avalon Hill," Lein told the driver.

The taxi driver nodded, then started driving.

Lily sat beside Lein with hands still trembling. Her eyes stared out the window, but her mind was far away.

A villa worth one hundred million dollars.

Bought in cash.

Without hesitation.

Everything felt like a dream.

Several minutes passed in silence. Only the sound of the taxi engine was heard softly.

Finally, Lily gathered the courage to ask.

"Brother..." she whispered softly, her voice almost inaudible. "Where... where did you get that much money?"

Lein looked at her for a moment, then smiled thinly.

"Five years is a long time, Lily," he answered in a calm tone. "A lot has happened."

Lily frowned. "But... one hundred million dollars, Brother. That's... that's a very large amount."

Her voice trembled slightly. "Even Ashford Corp back then never had that much money at one time."

Lein looked out the window, his gaze calm but distant.

"Money isn't a problem for me," he said softly, but with strong conviction.

He turned to Lily, looking at his sister with a gentle but firm gaze. "What matters now is that you and Mom are safe. You will never live like before again."

Lily looked at her brother with teary eyes.

There were so many questions in her head.

What happened during those five years?

What did Brother do?

Who really is Brother now?

But seeing Lein's gaze that was calm yet full of secrets, Lily knew—this wasn't the time to ask further.

Someday, she would know.

But for now...

She just needed to trust her brother.

Lily nodded slowly, then smiled thinly—a smile filled with trust.

"I trust you, Brother."

Lein gently stroked Lily's head. "Good."

---

Thirty minutes later, the taxi entered the Avalon Hills area.

The road changed—from a busy highway to a wide road surrounded by green trees and tall fences. On the left and right, magnificent mansions with luxurious iron gates could be seen.

Lily stared out the window with her mouth wide open.

This was the most exclusive area in Corholt City—a place where only the richest people lived.

The taxi stopped in front of a large gate with intricate carvings. On top of it, a gold plate was mounted reading:

"Avalon Hill Villa - No. 1"

Lein got out of the taxi, paid the driver, then walked toward the gate.

He took out a small remote that Emma had given him, then pressed the button.

CLICK.

The large gate slowly opened—automatically, with a smooth sound like a whisper.

Lily stood beside Lein, her eyes wide open.

Before them stretched a natural stone pathway leading to a magnificent villa with a modern-classical style. A three-story building with clean white walls, large windows, and a neatly arranged green garden surrounding it.

An infinity pool gleamed beside the villa, its water reflecting the light from garden lamps that began to turn on as dusk arrived.

The view of Corholt City and the mountains in the distance was clearly visible from here—like a living painting.

Lily stood frozen.

Her hands trembled.

Her eyes began to tear up.

"Is this... is this real?"

Lein stepped forward, bringing Lily with him.

They walked through the garden, past the pool, then arrived at the villa's large front door with luxurious wood carvings.

Lein opened the door with a digital key that had been set up.

BEEP.

The door opened.

And as soon as Lily stepped inside...

Her world changed.

The villa lobby was very spacious—high ceilings with a large crystal chandelier hanging gracefully. Shiny white marble floors, a magnificent spiral staircase in the center of the room, and large paintings mounted on the walls.

On the left, a living room with luxurious white sofas, a large-screen TV, and a modern fireplace.

On the right, a dining room with a long teak table, elegant chairs, and a luxurious chandelier above it.

Further in, a modern kitchen could be seen with complete equipment—a large refrigerator, oven, induction stove, all shiny silver.

Lily walked slowly, her eyes sweeping every corner with a disbelieving gaze.

Lein walked beside her calmly. "The first floor has a living room, dining room, kitchen, and one guest room. The second floor has four master bedrooms. The third floor has a study, library, and private gym."

He pointed toward the back. "Outside there's a pool, garden, and gazebo."

Lily didn't answer.

She just walked slowly, touching the walls with her trembling fingers, as if making sure all of this was real.

Lein let her explore.

Lily climbed the stairs slowly, her legs felt heavy. Each step felt like a dream.

She reached the second floor, opened the first room's door.

A large bedroom with a king-size bed, clean white sheets, a large wardrobe, and a wide window facing the city view.

Lily stepped inside, then stood in the middle of the room.

Her eyes swept around.

And suddenly...

Everything hit her at once.

Five years.

Five years sleeping in a narrow and dark servant's room.

Five years waking up early to clean the Anthony mansion.

Five years being beaten, cursed, insulted.

Five years living without hope.

And now...

Now she stood in a bedroom larger than the entire servant's area in the Anthony mansion.

Her legs went weak.

Her body trembled.

And finally—

Her tears fell.

"*Hiks*..."

One drop.

Two drops.

Then her crying exploded.

"*HIKS... HIKS... HUAAAA*..."

Lily fell to her knees on the floor, crying loudly. Her body shook violently, her hands covering her face.

"This... this is impossible..." she sobbed between her tears. "This can't be real... I must be dreaming..."

She shook her head, tears streaming heavily.

"Five years... five years Mom and I lived like slaves... we were beaten... insulted... no one cared about us..."

Her voice choked. "I thought... I thought we would die like that... without hope... without a future..."

Lily looked at her room with eyes filled with tears. "But now... now we have a house like this... a villa worth one hundred million dollars..."

She laughed between her tears—a laugh full of pain and mixed happiness.

"I... I didn't expect... I never expected that one day... the Ashford family would own such a luxurious house again..."

Footsteps were heard from behind her.

Lein stepped in, then knelt beside Lily.

Without saying anything, he hugged his sister tightly.

Lily immediately cried on her brother's chest—crying loudly, releasing all the pain, all the suffering she had held for five years.

Lein gently stroked Lily's hair, letting his sister cry to her heart's content.

"You don't need to hold back your tears anymore, Lily," Lein whispered softly. "You're safe now."

He hugged Lily tighter. "I promise you—no one will be able to hurt you anymore. No one will be able to belittle you anymore. No one."

Lily gripped Lein's shirt tightly, crying even harder.

Lein looked out the window—staring at Corholt City which was beginning to be illuminated by night lights.

Somewhere out there, the Anthony family was still laughing, still feeling safe, still feeling victorious.

But they didn't know...

The real storm... had just begun.

"This is just the beginning, Lily," Lein whispered softly, his eyes narrowing sharply. "We will get everything back. The company. The mansion. Our family name."

A thin smile carved on his lips—a cold smile full of determination.

"And those who tortured you... will pay for everything."