Cold rain fell over the glittering skyline of Ironhaven City.
Tonight was no ordinary gathering.
The Bennett family was hosting a lavish banquet to celebrate a multi-million-dollar corporate merger, a deal that had further strengthened their influence over the city's business empire. Important guests from across Ironhaven had arrived to witness the event.
Yet, standing just outside the glow of the lights and beneath the pouring rain was a man no one cared to notice.
Marcus Hale.
His thin black suit clung to his body, soaked completely through. The fabric had clearly seen better days, its worn edges betraying years of hardship.
A security guard eventually noticed him lingering nearby and frowned in irritation. Walking forward, the guard blocked Marcus's path with an impatient expression.
"The delivery entrance is around the back," he said coldly, barely hiding his contempt.
Marcus slowly raised his head.
Even though he looked exhausted and drenched, there was something strangely calm about him. His gaze was piercing.
"I'm not here to deliver anything," Marcus replied.
The guard scoffed, clearly annoyed.
Before Marcus could say anything else, a burst of laughter suddenly echoed from behind.
"Well, well… if it isn't the Bennett family's famous useless son-in-law."
The mocking voice was loud enough for several nearby guests to hear.
Marcus didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.
A sleek red sports car had just pulled up behind him.The driver's door opened, and a tall young man stepped out confidently, adjusting the expensive watch on his wrist.
Jason Bennett.
One of the youngest heirs of the Bennett family.
Jason slowly walked toward Marcus, his lips curling into a smug smile as he looked him up and down with open disdain.
"You still haven't divorced my cousin after five years?" Jason said mockingly. "Living off the Bennett family like the street rat you're."
Several well-dressed guests nearby had already begun whispering among themselves.
"Is that Marcus Hale?"
"The useless husband?"
Jason ginned, enjoying Marcus' humiliation.
"You know what, Marcus?" he suddenly said. Reaching ointo his pocket, he pulled out a thick stack of cash and casually tossed it onto the wet pavement in front of Marcus.
The bills scattered across the ground, instantly soaking in the rain.
"If you kneel down and apologize for embarrassing the Bennett family," Jason continued, his grin widening, "I might allow you to come inside tonight."
Marcus lowered his gaze to the wet money lying at his feet. Then, slowly, he lifted his eyes again.
Five years ago, when Marcus Hale walked into a room, silence followed him like a shadow. Entire battalions once trembled at the mere mention of his title.
The War God.
But now…
He was nothing more than a laughingstock standing in the rain.
Jason leaned closer, clearly enjoying the moment.
"What's wrong?" he sneered. "Too proud to kneel?"
Marcus stared at him calmly.
"I will never kneel for a little boy."
Gasps rippled through the crowd as everyone stared at Marcus in disbelief.
How dare he?
This useless son-in-law had just insulted a member of the Bennett family!
Before anyone could react, a sharp female voice suddenly cut through the tension.
"What is going on here?!"
A middle-aged woman in a luxurious evening gown stormed out of the hotel entrance, her expression dark with anger.
It was Mrs. Margret Bennett.
The daughter of Sir Bennett and the current head of the Bennett family.
Her gaze landed on Marcus, and her face immediately twisted in disgust.
"You disgusting piece of garbage," she snapped. "Must you embarrass this family everywhere you go?"
Marcus opened his mouth slightly.
"Mother, I was just trying to—"
"Bastard!" she shouted furiously. "Do I look like the mother of a useless man like you?"
More members of the Bennett family began stepping outside after hearing the commotion.
Jonathan Bennett.
Emily Bennett.
Sophie Bennett.
Marcus's wife.
The moment Sophie saw him standing there drenched in the rain, her expression immediately turned cold.
"Can you stop disgracing me for once?" she said sharply.
Marcus felt his chest tighten.
"Every single day I regret Grandpa forcing me to marry you," Sophie continued. "Do you have to remind everyone of my shame tonight?"
Emily Bennett crossed her arms and smirked.
"Sister, maybe you should keep your husband on a leash," she said mockingly.
Her fiancé Sylvester chuckled beside her.
"Marcus, just go home," Sylvester added arrogantly. "You weren't invited here anyway."
Marcus looked at him calmly.
"Why not? You're only a fiancé and not even a real member of the family yet, but you were invited."
Sylvester's face darkened.
"Just because grandpa accepted you in the family doesn't mean you measure up to me. Street rat." he sneered.
The others burst into laughter again.
"Yes, brother-in-law,you're not invited." Emily said mockingly, "we'll call you after the banquet so you can clean the hall."
"At least then you'll finally be useful," Mrs. Bennett added coldly.
Marcus clenched his fists tightly.
His nails dug into his palms, but he forced himself to remain calm. One rule from his military days echoed quietly in his mind.
Never reveal weakness in front of the enemy.
Finally, Mrs. Bennett waved her hand impatiently.
"Enough. Everyone, go back inside. The guests are waiting."
The Bennett family gave Marcus one last look of disdain before turning around and walking back into the hotel.
The massive doors closed behind them.
Marcus was left standing alone in the rain.
But Marcus Hale had endured far worse than humiliation.
Slowly, he turned away from the hotel and began walking down the street. There was only one place he needed to go tonight. He turned to walk towards the hospital.
Despite everything, there was still one person in the Bennett family who had once treated him like a human being.
Sir Bennett.
The old man had been the one who rescued Marcus years ago when he had been nothing but a half-dead soldier collapsing outside the Bennett estate gates. Not only had the old man saved his life, he had also allowed Marcus to work as a gardener and eventually insisted that Marcus marry his beloved granddaughter, Sophie.
At that time, no one had dared to question the old man's decision. He later gave Marcus a position in the family company.
But everything changed after the accident.
During a company banquet two years ago, Sir Bennett suddenly suffered a devastating stroke. Since that day, he had been unable to speak or move his body.
With the old man indisposed, the rest of the Bennett family quickly revealed their true faces.
He had been reduced to nothing more than a useless burden they were desperate to throw out of the family.
Thinking about this made Marcus's blood boil.
Sir Bennett lay silently on the hospital bed, his frail body covered by a thin blanket. Machines beeped softly beside him, monitoring his fragile condition.
Marcus stepped forward and gently picked up a towel from the bedside table.
Just like every other night, he began carefully cleaning the old man's body.
"Grandpa," Marcus murmured quietly while wiping the old man's hands.
"I know what happened was no accident. I will avenge you soon."
"They will pay for everything. Every. Single.Thing."
Suddenly, Sir Bennett's body started jerking violently on the bed.
The machines beside him began beeping rapidly.
"Grandpa!"
Marcus grabbed his hand in panic.
"Grandpa, can you hear me?!"
Sir Bennett's body convulsed again, his breathing becoming erratic.
Marcus's heart pounded violently.
"Doctor! Nurse!"
He rushed toward the hallway.
"Doctor!"
Within seconds, several nurses and doctors came running down the corridor.
"Step aside!" one of them shouted urgently.
They quickly pushed Marcus away from the bed and surrounded Sir Bennett.
"It's an emergency," another doctor said grimly.
Marcus was forced out of the room as the door slammed shut in front of him.
Through the glass window, he could see doctors rushing around the bed, frantically adjusting machines and injecting medications.
Marcus clenched his fists. The Bennett family had to know about this.
Without wasting another second, Marcus turned and ran out of the nursing home.
He dashed across the street without even looking at the traffic. Suddenly a loud horn blared.
A black luxury car screeched to a halt just inches away from his body.
Marcus stumbled backward slightly, then, he realized something strange.
Behind the car were more vehicles.
Soon, the entire street was filled with black SUVs lined up in perfect formation.
The doors opened simultaneously and dozens of men stepped out.
Every single one of them was dressed in identical black suits, their movements sharp and disciplined like trained soldiers.
Marcus frowned slightly, wondering what was happening.
Then one man stepped forward from the center vehicle.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and carried himself with the calm authority of someone used to commanding power.
The man walked directly toward Marcus.
Without hesitation—
He dropped to one knee.
The other men immediately followed.Dozens of them knelt on the wet road,their heads bowed in absolute respect.
The leader's deep voice broke the silence.
"Commander."
Marcus's eyes narrowed slightly.
"For five years we have looked everywhere for you," the man continued respectfully.
"But Finally, you're here."
"On your feet Soldiers." Marcus said,his voice dripping with authority.
Immediately the whole battalion rose in salute of The Commander General of the Supreme Army Squadron.