The Guardian's Oath

Chapter 2

Josh withdrew his gaze and looked at Lizzie gently. "Lizzie, may I use your phone?" Lizzie handed over her phone.

Josh stepped outside the villa and dialed a number in his memory. The call was quickly answered by a deep, familiar voice, "Hello?"

Recognizing the voice, Josh called out softly, "Bat, it's me."

There was a brief silence on the other end before a trembling voice responded, "General?"

The man was Grover Martin, the top among the eight captains of the War God Legion. There was no one above him but Josh Parker!

The nickname "Bat" was exactly given by Josh, who was the supreme commander of the eight captains of the War God Legion.

Josh replied calmly, "Yes, it's me."

Grover's voice broke with emotion, "General... it's you! Where have you been? The troops are frantic with worry!"

The whereabouts of the War God was the highest national secret, known to no one outside the inner circle. Even if Grover had to turn the country upside down, he must find the War God!

"We'll discuss that later," Josh ordered coldly, "I need you to do something. The Evoque Investment Group is taking over Granville immediately and declaring an investment of fifty billion dollars in the city!"

Over the past four years, while the War God Legion was engaged in battles, it also managed the world-renowned Evoque Investment Group, which was used to raise military funds.

Now that the wars were over and the War God had returned, it was time for Evoque Group to make its mark on the global stage!

"Yes sir!" Grover responded without hesitation, "If anyone dares to challenge the authority of the War God Legion, I will deal with them and ensure your return!"

Josh nodded. "Good."

***

Just as everyone thought Josh's mention of fifty billion dollars was a joke, a storm was quietly brewing in Granville City.

At the banquet, Monte's phone vibrated wildly while he was eating foie gras.

Unlocking his phone with confusion, Monte's eyes widened, and his breath quickened.

"What?" Monte exclaimed, "The Evoque Group is taking over Granville and bringing a fifty-billion-dollar investment?"

At the same time, Alani and Erick also received the news on their phones. They looked at Monte with disbelief. "Grandpa, is this true?"

Monte stared at his phone, lost in thought for a moment. "The Evoque Group has issued an official statement. It can't be wrong!"

However, Monte hesitated slightly, glancing at Josh with a trace of doubt, 'Fifty billion... is it a coincidence, or does it have something to do with that retard?'

But soon, Monte shook his head and denied himself, 'It must be a coincidence! How could a fool be involved with the Evoque Group?'

With this thought, Monte made a swift decision.

"Everyone, quiet down. I have something to say," Monte announced from the head of the table, his authority as clear as ever despite his age.

The room fell silent as all curious eyes turned to him.

Monte's voice trembled with excitement, "Just now, the Evoque Group has taken over Granville City and announced an investment of fifty billion dollars!"

The room gasped in shock.

Everyone understood that any family receiving a fifty-billion-dollar investment would become the top family in Granville overnight! This was an unprecedented opportunity!

Monte surveyed the room, the murmur of conversation dying down.

He continued, "I announce that any member of the Olson family who secures this Evoque investment will be rewarded with thirty percent of the company's shares and take over the Olson Group!"

Weee! The room erupted in astonishment.

Thirty percent of the shares represented over one hundred million dollars in assets! More importantly, taking over the Olson Group meant consolidating control of the Olson family and becoming the unrivaled leader in Granville!

But everyone's faces fell. Not only were they unable to secure the investment, but they didn't even have the chance to meet with the Evoque Group.

"Don't worry, Grandpa," Alani said confidently as she stood up, "Mr. Crawford has already helped me draft a proposal. I believe we can secure the Evoque investment soon!"

The room was abuzz again.

Soren Crawford, Alani's boyfriend, was a prominent member of a top family in Granville. With his help, securing the investment seemed a mere formality!

"Excellent! As expected of my favorite granddaughter! If you secure the investment, you will be the sole heiress of the Olson family!" Monte said with satisfaction, "In three days, you'll have access to the gold card for Marsha Manor on your birthday."

Upon hearing this, Valerie's face turned pale, 'If Alani becomes the head of the family, we won't even have a chance to survive!'

Seeing Valerie's pale face, Josh spoke up, "In that case, if Lizzie secures the investment, will she also become the heiress of the Olson family?"

The room fell silent. Then, laughter erupted.

Erick sneered at Josh's naive suggestion, "Alani has the help of Mr. Crawford from a top family. What does Lizzie have? A fool like you?"

Alani looked over triumphantly. "This fool just recovered, so he doesn't know that Lizzie's company is bankrupt, and she's been desperately borrowing money. Who knows how many men she's been with privately!"

Such harsh words made Lizzie's eyes well up with grievous tears. "Alani, if you hadn't persuade the shareholders to withdraw their investment, my company wouldn't have gone bankrupt!"

"Enough!" Monte interjected, pretending to be fair. "If Lizzie is capable, she can have the shares and the position of heiress."

Valerie's eyes lit up. She saw hope in her foolish son-in-law.

But Monte's tone changed abruptly, "However, you all must first go and recover the debt from Darryl."

Upon this, Valerie's dreams were shattered.

Darryl Spencer, the notorious gangster in Granville, owed the Olson family eight million dollars. When the Olson family attempted to collect the debt, they were beaten into a pulp. Lizzie going after the debt was likely to be fatal.

Valerie quickly spoke up, "Dad, Lizzie can't go. Mr. Mitchell from Garnetp Group has been pursuing her. What if she gets disfigured?"

Garnetp Group was a top family in Granville and Valerie's fallback. If Lizzie married Sage Mitchell, Alani wouldn't be fit to be her maid.

"It's fine if you don't go," Monte said with a sneer, "Then don't blame anyone else; the chance to success has been given to you!"

Lizzie and her family's faces turned pale as they hesitated.

Seeing Lizzie's suffering, Josh decided to help her retrieve the debt. He spoke softly, "Lizzie, just agree!"

"What?" Lizzie was taken aback, thinking she had misheard. She quickly said, "Darryl is ruthless. I'm afraid we can't get the money back."

Josh's expression was serious. "Lizzie, do you trust me?"

Lizzie looked at Josh, nodding firmly. "I trust you, always."

With Lizzie's response, Josh's heart warmed. He stepped forward, his voice ringing out clearly in the hall, "How ridiculous! The prestigious Olson family of Granville can't even recover eight million dollars in debt."

"I will go and collect it! Darryl will hand eight million dollars over with respect in three hours!"