Night had already swallowed Ironhaven by the time Marcus returned to the Bennett family villa.
The mansion glowed with warm golden lights, standing proudly on the hill like a palace overlooking the city. From the outside, it looked like the home of a perfect, successful family.
Inside, however, Marcus knew better.
Laughter echoed from the living room as he stepped through the front door.
The Bennett family was having a good time.
Wine glasses clinked together while soft music played in the background. Jonathan and Sylvester were discussing business deals while Emily scrolled through photos from the banquet.
Sophie sat on the sofa, her legs crossed elegantly.
The moment she noticed Marcus entering the house, her smile disappeared.
"So the great businessman finally returns," she said coldly.
The room grew quiet with hostility.
Marcus removed his wet jacket and hung it beside the door.
No one greeted him. Instead they all glared at him.
It was as if he were a stranger who had wandered into their home by mistake.
Sophie stood up slowly.
"I heard something interesting today," she continued.
Marcus looked at her calmly.
"What did you hear?"
"You actually think you can get a contract from Vanguard Enterprises?" Her voice carried open ridicule.
Emily burst out laughing.
"Even mid-tier corporations can't reach Vanguard. And you think a useless son-in-law can?"
Marcus remained silent.
Sophie walked closer, her heels clicking against the marble floor.
Her expression turned bitter.
"I actually hope you fail."
The words were spoken quietly, but they struck harder than a slap coming from someone he called his wife.
Marcus looked at her.
"Why?"
Sophie's eyes hardened.
"Because then I can finally divorce you."
Marcus's brows lifted slightly as he studied her face.
"Why haven't you divorced me already? Why wait till then?"
Sophie's lips tightened.
That question stabbed directly into her pride.
Five years ago, when Sir Bennett arranged their marriage, the old man had personally written the marriage clause.
The two could only divorce on grounds of infidelity.
And the cheater would lose everything.
Money. Property. Inheritance. Everything.
At the time, it was meant to protect the marriage.
But now it has become Sophie's prison. She could not leave Marcus. Not without losing everything.
Her nails dug into her palm.
"You think I want to stay married to you?" she said through clenched teeth.
Marcus didn't answer. He already knew the truth.
She hated him.
The only reason she remained his wife was because of a piece of paper written by an old man lying helpless in a hospital bed.
Marcus turned toward the stairs. He had no interest in arguing. But before he could leave—
"Stop."
Margaret Bennett's voice cut through the room like a blade.
Marcus turned.
His mother-in-law slowly rose from her chair.
Unlike Sophie's cold anger, Margaret's eyes held pure disgust.
"Marcus Hale," she said.
"I'm tired of seeing you in this house."
She walked to the table and placed a thick envelope down.
"Take it."
Marcus looked at it.
"What is it?"
"Money."
Her voice was blunt.
"Two hundred thousand dollars."
Emily smirked.
"That's probably the largest amount of money he's ever seen."
Margaret folded her arms.
"Take it, sign the divorce papers and leave my family."
Marcus stared at the envelope.
Two hundred thousand dollars. For someone with nothing, it was a fortune.
Margaret watched him carefully.
She was certain he would grab the money immediately.
But Marcus simply shook his head.
"I can't."
The words stunned the room.
Margaret's face darkened.
"What did you say?"
Marcus spoke calmly.
"Grandpa arranged the marriage."
"I won't go against his will."
The rejection hit Margaret like a slap. Her expression twisted with rage.
"You ungrateful parasite!"
The envelope flew across the room as she hurled it away.
"You think you deserve my daughter?"
Her voice rose sharply.
"You're nothing but a gardener we picked up from the streets!"
Sophie turned away silently. She didn't defend him. She never did.
Margaret pointed toward the backyard.
"If you want to stay here, you'll stay where servants belong."
"The boys' quarters."
Marcus's eyes darkened slightly.
Margaret continued coldly.
"You have seven days."
"Either you bring the Vanguard contract…"
"Or you disappear from this family forever."
Half an hour later, Marcus walked toward the small servant building behind the mansion.
The wind rustled through the empty backyard.
The boys' quarters looked abandoned.
Inside the room barely larger than a storage closet. was single bunk bed that has seen better days. Beside it, a chair standing on its last hind legs. The light was all too dim, he could barely see anything. Everything was covered with dust.fli
Marcus sat down slowly.
For five years he had tolerated humiliation after humiliation.
But tonight…
Something inside him finally shifted.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the black card. The insignia gleamed under the light.
The symbol of the Supreme Army Faction.
Marcus stared at it quietly.
For five years, he had hidden from that world.
He had buried his past. Buried the war. Buried the title they once gave him.
The War God.
But tonight…
He had no choice.
Marcus dialed the number. The call connected instantly.
A respectful voice answered.
"Commander."
Marcus leaned back.
"Bring me the chairman of Vanguard Enterprises."
There was no hesitation.
"Yes, Commander."
The call ended.
Marcus closed his eyes.
He had never intended to return to that life, but the Bennett family had forced his hand.
An hour later.
An abandoned warehouse stood quietly at the edge of the city.
Black SUVs surrounded the building. Inside, soldiers stood silently like statues.
Soon, the large metal doors opened and a luxury sedan rolled in.
A man stepped out nervously.
Leonard Reynolds,Chairman of Vanguard Enterprises. One of the most powerful businessmen in Ironhaven.
But tonight he looked like a man walking toward his execution.
Before arriving, he had made frantic inquiries.
The men who summoned him were connected to the Supreme Army Faction.
And behind that faction stood the most feared man in the country.
Viktor, The Supreme Commander General of the Supreme Army Squadron.
God of Ironhaven.
Rumors whispered in elite circles claimed the Supreme Commander even controlled the mysterious Sovereign Consortium.
Leonard wiped the sweat from his forehead as he entered the dim warehouse.
At the far end of the room, a man was seated was seated on a single chair, surrounded by shadows.
Leonard could not see his face.
But the moment he felt the presence in the darkness, his legs weakened.
Without thinking, he dropped to one knee.
"General!"
"Leonard Reynolds." Marcus's voice came from the shadows.
Leonard trembled.
Why would the Supreme General concern himself with the name of a nobody like him. Did he offend someone up the ladder? Or missed his taxes to the City Lord?
Leonard quickly bowed his head.
"General! If I have done anything wrong, please forgive me!"
Marcus ignored the panic.
"Tomorrow," he said calmly.
"The son-in-law of Bennett Industrial Holdings will approach you."
Leonard blinked in confusion.
Marcus continued.
"He will request a fifty-million-dollar construction deal."
"You will give him everything he asks for."
Leonard bowed deeply.
"As you wish, General. I will take care of everything!"
Marcus added one final command.
"You will personally handle the deal."
Leonard nodded repeatedly.
"Understood!"
"If you mess this up, you'll have hell to pay."
"I won't! I promise! Please allow me prove myself to you."
Moments later he was escorted out of the warehouse.
As the cars disappeared into the night, one of Marcus's soldiers stepped forward.
"Commander."
Marcus remained seated.
"What is it?"
The soldier leaned closer.
"Boss… we found information about who betrayed you on the battlefield."
Marcus slowly opened his eyes.
"I see."
His voice was cold.
"Time to collect my debt."
The soldier hesitated.
"There's something else."
Marcus looked up.
"What?"
The soldier spoke carefully.
"He wants to see you first."
Marcus frowned slightly.
"Who?"
The soldier answered.
"The Supreme Commander General."