The Greatest God of War

Chapter2

Outside the airport, a line of ten luxury cars waited, one of them being the most expensive and equipped with bulletproof armor.

From that car, an elderly man with white hair in a stylish formal suit stepped out. He had an air of authority. This man was Austin Wallace, the Eldridge family’s head butler.

"Has the Young Master arrived?" Austin asked.

"The Young Master just landed, sir," replied the young servant standing next to him.

Not long after, Austin spotted a young man walking casually with his head held high, exiting the airport.

Quickly, Austin approached. He bowed in respect, followed by fifty other servants.

"Welcome back to Lunaris City, Young Master Ethan," greeted Austin.

Ethan stopped in his tracks and looked at Austin. He recognized the elderly man bowing before him.

"I’m Austin Wallace, the head butler of the Eldridge Family. I’m here to bring you back to the Eldridge home," Austin said as he stood upright again.

Ethan smirked at the words. "And who said I want to go back to that place?"

Max gave Austin and the other servants a sharp look, clearly on high alert.

"The Master is asking you to come home. He wants to make you the new leader of the Eldridge Family," Austin said.

Hearing this, Ethan’s face flushed with anger. His body trembled, and his fists clenched so hard his nails dug into his palms.

"Make me the family leader? Has he forgotten, 15 years ago when I was just 12, how I was cast out along with my mother simply because I was an illegitimate child? My mother and I knelt before all of you, begging, while you all turned away, ignoring us as if we were nothing—even as we cried blood."

"Five years ago, when my mother was gravely ill, I begged you all for help. I stood outside the gates for three days and nights in the falling snow, hoping you’d let us in. And what did you do? You left us out there, without a word of kindness."

"And now that I’ve reached the peak of my success, you want me back to lead you? How ridiculous."

With a cold, vengeful look in his eyes, Ethan continued, "Go back and tell that old man that the Eldridge family means nothing to me. If I ever want it, I’ll take it on my own terms."

The words he had kept bottled up for years finally spilled out, laced with all the right emotions. Becoming the God of War had taught him control, but had this happened three years ago, Austin and the other fifty servants might have disappeared at his hand.

"I understand how you feel, Young Master. But the Master doesn’t just want you to come back and take over. He’s also offering you the Zenith Group, the company your late mother built. It rightfully belongs to you, and only you," Austin said, trying to persuade Ethan.

Ethan smirked again and replied, "Look at how shameless they are. The Zenith Group was my mother’s company, which you took by force. Now you act as if you’re giving it to me as a favor?"

Ethan turned on his heel. As he walked away, he said, "I’ll come to the Zenith Group, but only to take back what belongs to my mother."

And with that, Ethan continued walking.

Max remained standing before Austin and the other servants, glaring at each one of them to commit their faces to memory.

Max had an exceptional memory. It was a unique skill that made him special.

A few moments later, Max hurried to catch up with Ethan.

Austin immediately took out his phone and called Charlie Sheen, the wealthiest man in Lunaris City.

"Charlie, Young Master Ethan has returned. I’m counting on you to take care of him. Whatever he needs, no exceptions," Austin ordered firmly.

"Of course, Mr. Austin. Without the Eldridge family, I’d be nothing. I’ll do whatever it takes to help the Young Master, even if it costs me my life," Charlie replied sincerely.

***

Inside the Taxi

"Where to now, Ethan? Should we head to the hotel to rest first?" Max asked.

"I want to go straight to see Lily. Take me to her parents' house," Ethan replied.

Max nodded and said, "Alright."

He then instructed the driver to take them to Lily’s parents’ house, located in a lower-class neighborhood.

Ethan closed his eyes as painful memories of his mother’s final days resurfaced in his mind.

At the time, in order to pay the hospital bills, Ethan had borrowed $500,000 from Duncan Evans, Lily’s father. But shortly after making the payment, his mother passed away.

The debt to Duncan had been a massive burden on him. To make matters worse, hearing people mock Lily for having a poor husband drove Ethan to make a life-changing decision.

That same day, the military was holding an enlistment drive for soldiers to be sent to war. Without a second thought, Ethan signed up, hoping to earn enough money to repay his debt and become a man worthy of Lily.

"Ethan, we’ve arrived."

Ethan opened his eyes. The neighborhood hadn’t changed much—just a few houses had a fresh coat of paint.

Stepping out of the car, Ethan gazed at a house on the right.

I’m back.

Ethan smiled when he saw a luxury car parked in front of the house, flanked by two regular cars.

He felt relieved, thinking his in-laws’ financial situation had improved, allowing them to afford such a car.

But as he approached the door, he overheard a conversation that pierced his heart.

"Don’t worry, Walter. By tomorrow afternoon, I’ll have Ethan’s death certificate ready. I’ll make sure it’s expedited," a woman inside the house said.

Ethan immediately recognized that voice. It was Grace, his mother-in-law.

"Once the death certificate is done, Lily will officially be single again. Then you can marry her," Grace continued.

"That’s right, Walter. I’ll make sure you become Lily’s husband," Duncan added.

Ethan clenched his fists tightly, his entire body tensing as he listened to his in-laws’ conversation.

I’m still alive. I’m not dead!

"Thank you, Uncle, Aunt. I’ve waited a long time to be with Lily. I can’t wait to marry her," Walter said.

"Don’t worry, Lily will be yours soon. You’re the only one who can make her happy," Grace assured him.

"Of course, Aunt. I’ve already prepared a luxury house and car for her. I’ve also got a special gift for you and Uncle. Plus, I’m investing $20 million in the Evans family business," Walter said confidently.

Laughter echoed through the house, not just from Duncan and Grace but from other members of the Evans family as well.

The promise of a large investment would undoubtedly boost the entire family’s financial standing. Everyone would benefit from the future dividends.

But their laughter came to an abrupt stop when they heard a knock at the door.

"Are we expecting someone?" Duncan asked.

"Maybe it’s Lily. She must be home by now," Grace replied.

Grace quickly rushed to open the door.

But when she opened it, she was shocked by the man standing in front of her.

Her eyes widened, her mouth gaped open, and her face turned pale.

"You—you’re... Ethan? Is that really you?"

*****

Author’s Note:

Thank you so much for reading and being part of this journey!

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