The Supreme Overlord

Chapter 9

"What? Dad, are you saying Rebecca isn't dead?" Tanner asked in shock.

"That's right, she's not dead," Gavin replied.

"Really?" Tanner, who had been drowning in despair moments ago, immediately perked up, standing up in excitement.

At just over twenty years old, he was already serving as the commander of Meriland. Young, accomplished, and with a striking appearance, he attracted admiration from countless exceptional and beautiful women.

From commoners to princesses, anyone who met him couldn't help but fall deeply in love, many even vowing to marry no one but him.

Yet for the past five years, Tanner had remained completely free of any romantic rumors.

The reason was simple: Rebecca, his beloved wife.

He and Rebecca had made a lifelong promise—to love only each other in this lifetime. Even if one of them passed away, the other would remain faithful to their love until the end of their days.

So, ever since Rebecca's supposed death five years ago, Tanner had sworn never to remarry.

But now, to his utter shock and joy, Rebecca was alive.

Overwhelmed with happiness, he looked at Gavin with bright, eager eyes. "Dad, where is Rebecca now? Is she okay? And our child—he should be four years old by now, right?"

Tanner couldn't help but think about the hardships Rebecca must have endured, especially after his parents had suffered so much.

But no matter what—whether she had been tortured, disfigured, or faced unimaginable struggles—he was determined to find her and cherish her just as deeply as before.

'Rebecca, wait for me. I'm now the Supreme Commander of Meriland. I'll make sure you become the happiest woman in the world!' he thought.

"You don't know yet?" Gavin's expression darkened with anger as he watched Tanner's excitement. "Rebecca has already betrayed you!"

"Dad, that's not true, right?" Tanner froze, disbelief washing over him. They had loved each other so deeply. He didn't believe Rebecca could possibly betray him.

Laura sighed heavily, her expression filled with pity as she looked at her son.

"For some reason, Rebecca didn't actually die. When your dad found out, he was overjoyed and went to the James family to bring her back. But they beat him out of their house."

"The James family said Rebecca is now with the son of the Caridonia Defense Brigade commander. Your child was forcibly aborted. And she's probably going to marry that commander's son soon."

Hearing Laura's words, Gavin slammed his hand on the hospital bed in fury.

"I looked into it. Our family's downfall is tied to that commander. And now Rebecca is with his son. If that's not betrayal, then what is?"

"Rebecca, she actually—!" Tanner felt as if he'd been struck by lightning, his entire body stiffening.

He had loved her so deeply.

For her, he had rejected countless exceptional women, only for her to turn around and betray him. She had aborted their child and was now planning to marry the son of some worthless commander.

"I'm going to find her!" Tanner growled, his voice filled with anger, as he turned and stormed out of the hospital.

"Tanner, don't go! You can't take on the James family as they are now!" His parents grew anxious.

The James family had become incredibly powerful, and with the commander's son as their backer, Tanner would be at a severe disadvantage.

"Ma'am, sir, don't worry. It'll be fine," Ryder reassured them with a calm smile.

But inwardly, he thought, 'They're worrying too much. Is there anyone in this world the Supreme Commander can't handle?' He quickly followed after Tanner.

At the James family villa, Tanner stood at the entrance, his brows furrowed. Five years ago, he had taken Rebecca from this very place as his bride, filled with joy and hope for their future.

He never imagined that today, he would return here, burning with anger, to demand justice.

As Tanner approached the James family villa, he stopped at the gate. Through the iron fence, he saw a shocking scene unfolding in the courtyard.

A four-year-old girl with a sweet face stood there, but she was wearing tattered clothes. She was painfully thin, her skin sallow, and her entire body filthy. Around her neck was a dog chain, tying her to the yard like an animal.

A plump maid walked over, carrying a slop bucket. With an expression of disdain, she dumped leftover food into a dirty bowl in front of the little girl.

"Eat it!" the maid barked, kicking the girl hard on her backside.

"Waah..." The little girl cried out in pain, her small voice trembling.

"Stop crying! You're so noisy!" The maid kicked her again, this time even harder. The girl whimpered, suppressing her pain and swallowing her tears.

Seeing her submit, the maid smirked smugly. "You're lucky today. There's a lot of leftover food from the dog, so you can eat your fill."

Tanner, watching this horrific scene, felt a surge of uncontrollable anger rise in his chest. 'What could a four-year-old child have possibly done to deserve such cruel treatment? What kind of laws would allow this kind of abuse?'

His mind flashed back to five years ago when he had married Rebecca. Back then, the James family had seemed kind and respectable. How could they have become so heartless and cruel?

Although he didn't know this little girl, his sense of justice and duty compelled him to step in and save her.

"No, I don't want to eat dog food. Waah..." The little girl started crying again, her small body trembling. "Mommy said eating dog food will make me sick. I want clean food... waah... I want Mommy, I want Daddy... waah..."

Smack! The plump maid, now furious, slapped the girl hard across the face, leaving her cheek red and swollen. "How dare you be picky? You, a filthy brat, think you deserve clean food?" the maid yelled angrily. "You're just as worthless as your mother Rebecca! And you're looking for your dad? Your dad's long dead! You're nothing but a b*stard nobody wants!"

"No, it's not true!" The little girl, terrified but defiant, cried as she tried to argue back.

"I'm not a b*stard! I have a daddy! Mommy said my daddy's name is Tanner Morgan! He's a great hero! If I'm in trouble, Daddy will definitely come to save me like a hero. Daddy, please come save me... I hurt... I'm so scared... waah..." Though terrified, the little girl still retorted.

"I told you, your dad's dead! You're really asking for it!" the maid screamed, raising her hand to slap the girl again, this time even harder.

Boom! Suddenly, the iron gate of the villa burst open with a deafening blast of air.

The maid froze in fear, her hand halfway raised. "Who dares to break into the James family's property? Do you have a death wish?"

The little girl, sensing something, turned her head and looked toward the gate. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she saw the tall figure standing there. "Daddy? Is Daddy here to save me?"

"You..." Tanner stepped through the broken gate, his gaze fixed on the little girl. The more he looked at her, the more she resembled Rebecca—and himself.

Her eyebrows, her nose, her mouth, her eyes... everything about her was so familiar.

In an instant, Tanner rushed to the little girl, snapping the chain around her neck as if it were nothing.

He crouched down in front of her, cupping her small, tear-streaked face in his hands. His eyes searched hers, his voice trembling with emotion.

'Could it be... my parents were wrong? Did Rebecca not abort our child back then? Did she... did she give birth after all?' he wondered.

"Are... Are you my daughter?" he asked.