Back to Claim What’s Mine

Chapter 006

“My… daughter…”

“I… have a daughter?”

Conrad Stone’s demeanor, usually as immovable as a mountain, shattered instantly. His lips trembled, struggling to form the words. The sentence hung in the air, heavy with shock.

His eyes, usually steely and impenetrable, swirled with a chaotic mix of emotions. There was joy—a sudden, blinding flash of it—followed by expectation, confusion, and then, overwhelmingly, guilt.

Five years.

For five years, he had bled for his country. He had faced death a thousand times and never flinched. He had done right by the nation, by his soldiers, by the people.

But he had failed Celeste Lynn.

They were two people who should have never crossed paths, bound together by a twist of cruel fate. That night, five years ago, Conrad had been delirious, his mind clouded by drugs and trauma. Celeste had been his savior, his only lifeline.

It was a night where lightning struck the earth. A collision of souls. For both of them, it was their first time. It was painful, yet it was the only solace in a world of chaos.

Now, five years later, Conrad learned that his actions that night had left a permanent mark. She had borne his child.

The thought solidified in his mind. His gaze hardened, the confusion burning away to reveal a fierce, terrifying resolve. He exuded an aura of authority that naturally commanded submission.

So be it.

Since I cannot repay the debt of absence from the last five years, then…

I will ensure you have a lifetime of peace, joy, and safety. I will burn the world down before I let anyone harm you.

Conrad smiled faintly, a soft expression that looked foreign on his warrior’s face. “She works at The Zenith Tower, correct?”

“Yes, Supreme Commander.”

Phoenix watched him through the rearview mirror. She sensed the shift. The Dragon had awakened not for war, but for home.

“Buy the entire Zenith Tower.”

“Yes, sir.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Phoenix pulled out her encrypted phone. She dialed a number and issued the command, relaying the Supreme Commander’s will.

If anyone on the streets of Haven City had heard this conversation, they would have laughed until they cried.

The Zenith Tower, also known as the Pearl of the City, stood one hundred stories tall. It was the epicenter of the city’s elite. To work there was a badge of honor; to own an office there was a sign of immense power. It wasn't just a building; it was a symbol of the commercial hierarchy of Haven City.

And these two people, sitting in a car, had just decided to buy the whole thing as casually as one might buy a carton of milk.

But those who knew Conrad Stone knew that money was irrelevant. The cash flow under the command of The Vanguard was astronomical. To him, wealth was just a logistical statistic.

Less than thirty seconds later, Phoenix’s phone buzzed.

She answered with a curt monosyllable, hung up, and turned her head slightly. “Supreme Commander, it is done. The Zenith Tower is now under your name.”

“Additionally, the former owner, Zane Tucker, is asking if you have time. He wishes to organize a grand handover ceremony for you—”

“No time,” Conrad cut her off.

“Let him manage it for another month. We will discuss it then.”

“Understood.” Phoenix nodded and fell silent, focusing on the road.

Back at the Lynn estate, after chasing Conrad away, Caroline Lynn sat alone on the sofa, staring blankly at the wall.

Martha Pierce, Bella Pierce, and Howard Lynn sat in a circle around the still-unconscious Arthur Lynn. Their faces were etched with gloom. Losing Arthur was like losing the central pillar of their house; the roof was about to collapse on them.

“We should start preparing for the funeral,” Howard Lynn said, standing up. His voice was heavy with feigned grief.

The room shuddered. Yet, looking at Arthur’s peaceful face, no one argued. The reality of their situation was setting in.

“Cough—cough—”

Suddenly, a sound broke the morbid silence. Arthur Lynn’s eyelids fluttered. Slowly, groggily, he opened his eyes.

“…”

The Lynn family froze. They stared at him like they were seeing a ghost. For three seconds, nobody moved. Then, chaos erupted.

“Big brother! You’re awake!”

“You scared us to death! Are you okay?”

“Dad!”

A collective sigh of relief swept through the room. The crushing weight on their chests vanished. Caroline Lynn rushed forward, throwing her arms around her father, weeping openly.

Arthur Lynn blinked, confused by the display of intense emotion. He patted Caroline’s back awkwardly.

Memory flooded back. He had been in his study, preparing the proposal for the bidding. He was thirsty. He drank a cup of tea. Then, agony. His heart seized. He reached for his medicine, but it was gone. Darkness took him.

He checked his own body. He took a deep breath. No pain. No tightness.

“I’m not dead yet, why are you all crying?” Arthur grumbled, though a smile tugged at his lips.

He sat up straighter, flexing his hands. “Actually, I feel… good. Incredible, even. I don’t feel any pain at all. Did you hire a miracle doctor?”

“This…”

The question hung in the air like a guillotine. The smiles on the faces of Martha Pierce, Bella, and the others froze into rictus masks of awkwardness.

From start to finish, only one person had treated Arthur.

Conrad Stone.

The realization hit them simultaneously. Martha Pierce and Caroline Lynn looked as though they had swallowed live flies. Their expressions went blank.

“Impossible… it’s impossible…”

“It must have been blind luck. A dead cat bouncing. Yes, purely coincidental!” Bella whispered frantically to her sister.

“What is going on?” Arthur noticed the strange exchange of glances. His expression darkened.

Now that he was recovered, the aura of the patriarch returned. He looked stern, commanding.

Martha and Caroline stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

“Speak! Do you not listen to me anymore?” Arthur’s voice boomed.

Startled, Martha Pierce had no choice but to explain. She gritted her teeth and recounted Conrad Stone’s visit. Even as she tried to frame it as luck or coincidence, the facts remained: Conrad treated him, and now he was well.

“What? Conrad was here?”

“And he treated me?”

Visibly shaken, Arthur Lynn pinched his own arm hard.

Pain.

It wasn’t a dream.

Arthur’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Where is he? Where is Conrad?”

Caroline Lynn’s face turned scarlet. She lowered her head, her voice barely audible. “I… I kicked him out.”

“What?!”

Arthur’s eyes bulged with rage. He pointed a trembling finger at Caroline. “You grew up together! Did a dog eat your conscience? He saved my life, and you kicked him out? What gives you the right?”

“Look at what you’ve done! Biting the hand that feeds you. Ungrateful wretches! This is not how the Lynn family behaves!”

“Cough—cough—”

Overcome with righteous indignation, Arthur began to cough violently.

Martha Pierce rushed over to pat his back. “Careful, Arthur. You just recovered. Don’t get worked up.”

She knew her husband’s temper. Once he decided something, nine bulls couldn’t pull him back. She decided to use a delaying tactic.

“Arthur, listen. Conrad will surely come back. But right now, the most urgent matter is the bidding this afternoon. What are we going to do?”

The diversion worked. The entire room turned their eyes to Arthur.

It was a blatant subject change, but undeniable. The bidding was life or death for the company.

Arthur frowned, his anger simmering down into grim determination. “I can’t go in this condition. Martha, you take Caroline and go representing Orion Innovations.”

“You’re the design director, so you need to be there anyway. And Caroline needs to find work. It’s a good opportunity for her to broaden her horizons.”