The Supreme Overlord

Chapter 4

"Dad!" Tanner's voice shook as memories of his father's commanding presence flooded his mind.

Back then, Gavin had been the wealthiest man in Caridonia, with a fortune worth billions.

Despite his wealth, he'd remained humble and kind-hearted, always teaching Tanner that wealth came with responsibility—to help others and never abuse one's power.

Above all, he'd taught his son the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.

Those lessons had carried Tanner through countless setbacks over the past five years. His current position as Commander of the Meriland Northern Warzone owed much to his father's teachings.

And now, this wonderful father was about to have both his kidneys forcibly removed.

"Ryder!" Tanner called out. "Look after my mother!" Without another word, he bolted from the villa like a bullet.

Outside the city limits stood Jaxon's suburban villa.

Though lavishly decorated, the mansion held a dark secret—the unmistakable smell of blood from countless innocent victims lingered in the air.

"Ahhh!" A pain-filled scream echoed from the second floor.

Upstairs, a room had been converted into a makeshift operating theater. Several doctors in white coats stood by with cold indifference.

In the center, strapped down to a hospital bed, lay a haggard man in his fifties, his shirt removed.

This was Gavin, Tanner's father.

Terror filled his eyes as he took in the sterile smell and the surgical instruments laid out beside him, understanding all too well what they meant for him.

"Hahaha!" A young man in expensive clothes stumbled into the room, his face pale and his steps unsteady.

He dropped into a chair beside Gavin and roughly grabbed his chin. "Why bother screaming, Gavin? Don't tell me you're actually hoping someone will rescue you?"

"Please, Mr. Price," Gavin pleaded, "your father already destroyed my family and had my back broken. Haven't I suffered enough? Let me go." The once-proud billionaire of Caridonia had changed dramatically over those five years of torment. His hair had turned gray, his spirit broken to the point where he was now begging someone young enough to be his son.

"I swear I'll keep quiet about all this. I won't cause any trouble..." he added.

Before he could finish, Jaxon's hand cracked across his face, drawing blood.

With a sneer, Jaxon planted one foot on his chair and ground the other into Gavin's face. "Sure, my father killed your family," Jaxon spat, "but wasn't he merciful enough to let you and your wife live this long? The least you can do is show your gratitude by giving me your kidneys."

He pressed his foot down harder. "You're refusing to give them up? After all my father's generosity?"

"Who would've thought someone your age, with a broken back, would have such healthy kidneys?" Jaxon laughed. "Don't worry—they won't go to waste."

Years of drug abuse and debauchery had taken their toll on Jaxon's kidneys.

By some twist of fate, Gavin's kidneys were a perfect match, and Jaxon was determined to have them.

Gavin shut his eyes, the bitter reality sinking in—he wouldn't leave this place alive.

His heart ached thinking of Laura, his wife, trapped somewhere in Jaxon's clutches.

And then there was Tanner, his beloved son who'd vanished five years ago. He was wondering if he was still breathing, or still out there somewhere.

"Mr. Price!" A guard burst through the door.

"Mr. Bennett just radioed in. He said Gavin's son Tanner has surfaced. He's trying to get to his mother."

"My son?" Life flickered in Gavin's hollow eyes.

His boy was alive! And he'd come back for Laura!

To Gavin, if only they could make it to safety, that would be enough. He could face whatever came next.

But fear gripped him again. Noah had an army of men at his command. He was worried about what chance Tanner had of getting his mother out alive.

"Perfect. Walking right into our hands." The guard hadn't mentioned Noah's fate, so Jaxon assumed everything was going according to plan.

He then ordered, "Tell Noah to keep them breathing. I want them both brought here."

He struck Gavin's face, his lips twisting into a cruel smile.

"Twenty armed men against your boy, Gavin. Did you really think he stood a chance? But don't worry; you'll get front-row seats to the show. While these fine doctors help themselves to your kidneys, I'll take my time with your son. And your wife?" His voice dripped with malice. "Well, let's just say she'll go out screaming. Then it's curtains for all of you!"

He threw back his head and laughed. "One big happy family reunion! Aren't I generous?"

"You sick b*stard!" Gavin thrashed against his restraints, rage burning through his veins. "I'll haunt you till the day you die!"

He'd stomached the humiliation, the begging, all to keep them safe. Now, with death coming for them all, he had nothing left to lose.

"Move it!" Jaxon snapped at the surgical team. "I've got my father's fiftieth to get to after this. The Supreme Commander of the Meriland Northern Warzone is bringing his whole army, 120,000 strong, to Caridonia. My father wants him at the party. Play my cards right with him, and I'm set for life. So get on with it!"

The words crushed what little hope Gavin had left.

Not only would his family be wiped out, but the Prices would cozy up to the Supreme Commander.

His head spun. How could fate be so cruel? How could the general be so blind to the evil right?

"Ah!" Bloodcurdling screams suddenly ripped through the villa, followed by the sickening sounds of breaking bones and tearing flesh.

"What the hell?" Jaxon's smug expression faltered. He wondered who would dare attack his fortress.

The place was crawling with security—over a hundred battle-hardened soldiers, fifty former special forces operators, and some of the deadliest assassins money could buy.

"Check it out," he barked at two of the guards.

Before they could move, the steel door exploded inward with a deafening boom, the force of the blow turning the guards into bloody mist.

As the dust settled, a figure emerged in the doorway.

"Dad!" Tanner's voice cracked at the sight of his father strapped to the operating table. Tears streamed down his face as he crossed the room in a blur, ripping away the restraints and pulling his father into his arms.

"Dad, thank God," he choked out. "You're alive. I made it in time."

Five years earlier, before he'd thrown him into the water, Tanner had watched helplessly as his proud father, a man who'd always carried himself with such dignity, had begged Landon.

He'd begged for his son's life, licked Landon's shoes, and endured every degradation imaginable, all to save Tanner.

The memory burned like acid in his soul—his life bought with his father's humiliation.

But this wasn't five years ago.

Never again would his father have to beg. Never again would anyone dare to humiliate him.

'Dad,' he thought grimly, 'today I will make them pay. Every last one of them.'