Chapter 1
On a mysterious island in the Pacific Ocean, shrouded in mist, Air Force One landed.
"Dene Scott, five-star General from Markovia, Rick Mitchell, Godfather of the Mafia, Roderick Rothschild, head of the Rothschild family, and Vice President Bruce Green are here to seek an audience with Lord Hades!"
These four powerful figures, standing at the pinnacle of their respective domains, fixed their eyes on the villa's door. Sweat beaded on their foreheads, and their hands trembled slightly.
But the villa remained silent.
"Please, Lord Hades, return to the White House to continue serving as a five-star general!"
Their voices were unified and resolute, tinged with deep pleading.
Then, a cold and commanding voice emerged from the villa, "Lord Hades, under the escort of the Obsidian Shield, has already departed for Millbrook City. You may leave!"
The four men froze, their faces instantly filled with shock and disbelief.
In Millbrook City, an extended Rolls-Royce glided slowly down the street, escorted by hundreds of agents from the Sunstone Guard.
Inside the car, a young man lit a cigar, his sharp gaze shifting to the shadowy figure beside him. "How's the investigation going?"
Smoke swirled in the air, the man's piercing eyes cutting through the haze.
His chiseled features appeared and disappeared in the drifting smoke, adding to his enigmatic and commanding aura.
Cyrus Parker's mind wandered back to that bloody night eight years ago. His eyes burned with pain and hatred.
Eight years ago, a mysterious group massacred his Parker family.
A teenage girl passing by had rushed in to save him but was gravely injured by multiple sword strikes. Her fate had remained unknown.
After escaping, Cyrus joined the military by chance, becoming a soldier. Over eight years of bloodshed, he rose from an unknown private to a five-star general, earning the title "Lord Hades." He founded the Obsidian Shield, with Shadow becoming its top agent.
Shadow said respectfully, "Lord Hades, we've confirmed that your savior was Josephine Thompson, the second daughter of the Thompson family. Because of that incident, her tendons were severed, her face disfigured, and she now lives worse than a slave in the Thompson family."
Cyrus's eyes sharpened like a dagger, his fists clenching involuntarily.
Shadow continued, "Eight years ago, the Parker family was eliminated by the four major families of Millbrook City, including the Jenkins, Robinson, Anderson, and Brooks families."
Cyrus gritted his teeth, hissing, "How dare they!"
His voice was as cold as the depths of hell, sending chills down the spine.
"Lord Hades, such minor matters shouldn't require your personal attention. With just an order from you, the Obsidian Shield can destroy all four families in a single night!" Shadow's tone was firm and resolute, his loyalty unwavering.
Cyrus cast a cold glance at Shadow and replied, "This is the Parker family's blood feud with them. I will make them pay for it."
His words carried unshakable determination and authority.
At the Thompson family estate, the atmosphere was lively.
Today was Jennifer Thompson and Nolan Jenkins's engagement day.
Nolan, a member of a branch of the four major families, held considerable status.
The Thompson family wore proud smiles, basking in the glory of this connection.
But not everyone was happy at this very moment. A masked woman sat in a wheelchair, her body trembling slightly.
Her eyes, hidden behind the mask, revealed endless sadness and desolation.
The Thompson family's festivities stood in stark contrast to her solitude.
Thud!
Someone shoved Josephine, causing her to fall face-first to the ground, her mask slipping off.
The scars beneath the mask made everyone gasp, and the room fell into stunned silence.
Her once beautiful face was now marred by grotesque scars, twisting like centipedes, making it unbearable to look at.
Jennifer sneered in disgust, "How disgusting. Why is this monster here?"
Nolan frowned, his tone cold. "Get her out of here now. Don't ruin everyone's mood."
Josephine lay trembling on the ground like a fallen leaf, her eyes filled with fear and helplessness.
The cold stares and mocking laughter around her pierced her fragile heart like daggers.
"Please, can someone help me up?" Josephine's voice was tearful, utterly humble.
With her severed tendons and frail body, she struggled to rise, only to fall again and again.
Tears streamed from her eyes, blurring her vision.
"I really can't get up... Please..." Her voice grew weaker, her pleas barely audible amidst the festive engagement scene.
"My dear cousin, let me help you..." Jennifer said mockingly.
Pretending to be concerned, Jennifer helped Josephine up, only to "accidentally" let her slip and fall again.
Josephine's body hit the ground hard with a sickening thud. She groaned in pain, her eyes brimming with despair.
"Hahaha!" Jennifer's sharp laughter echoed in the room. "You useless piece of sh*t. Did you think I'd help you?"
The crowd erupted in laughter, treating her misery as entertainment.
Josephine gasped for breath, her tears mixing with her disheveled hair.
"You monster, you've ruined my mood. Don't think I'll let you off so easily," Jennifer said venomously.
She picked up a plate of food and threw it on the ground before grabbing Josephine's hair.
"Eat it! Finish it all, and I'll let you leave!" Jennifer's face twisted with malice as she yanked Josephine's hair, forcing her face toward the food. Josephine's eyes filled with humiliation and pain as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"I... I'll eat it..." Josephine whispered, her voice trembling, her lips quivering. She had no strength left to resist.
Some onlookers watched coldly, others smirked with schadenfreude, but not a single person spoke up for her.