Hades Has Returned

Chapter 008

Jack Brooks sat at the mahogany dining table in the villa, methodically working his way through a simple lunch. The silence of the house was broken only by the vibration of his phone against the table surface. He glanced at the screen: Tia Sutton.

He picked up, putting the phone to his ear while taking another bite of rice.

"I'm heading to the Skydream Club today," Tia Sutton’s voice came through, brisk and devoid of warmth. "Do you want to come?"

Jack chewed slowly, swallowing before answering. "No interest."

He was about to hang up, his finger hovering over the red button, when a deeper, more authoritative voice echoed from the background on the other end of the line. It was George Sutton, Tia's father.

"Jack, don't be like that," George’s voice was persuasive, carrying the weight of familial expectation. "Go and have some fun. Mingle with Tia's friends. You need to build a network if you want to develop yourself in the future. You can't stay isolated forever."

Jack sighed silently. He didn't care for networking, especially not with the vapid social circles his "wife" frequented, but he owed George Sutton a degree of respect. The man had treated him with decency, unlike the rest of the world.

"Fine," Jack said, his tone flat. "I'll be there."

He finished his meal without rushing, cleaned up, and headed to the underground garage. The air was cool and smelled of concrete and gasoline. In the corner sat the aggressive, angular silhouette of a Lamborghini he had taken for a spin yesterday. He frowned at it. The manual transmission was responsive, but the attention it garnered was annoying, and in city traffic, it was more of a chore than a joy.

His eyes shifted to a modest, silver Volkswagen Lavida parked nearby. Automatic transmission. Anonymous. Perfect.

He grabbed the keys and slid into the fabric seat. The engine hummed to life, a quiet contrast to the roaring beast next to it.

Thirty minutes later, Jack Brooks pulled into the parking lot of the Pegasus Stables, a high-end equestrian center that doubled as a playground for Northriver's elite. The scent of hay, expensive leather, and old money hung in the air.

As he stepped out of the car, shielding his eyes against the midday sun, he spotted Tia Sutton standing near the clubhouse entrance. She was surrounded by a gaggle of young women, all dressed in designer equestrian gear that looked like it had never seen a speck of dirt.

"Oh, look who it is! The brother-in-law has arrived!"

Ruby Jordan covered her mouth, her eyes crinkling with a mischievous, almost mocking glint.

Tia shot Ruby a warning glare but didn't move to greet Jack. She merely glanced at him, her expression tightening with embarrassment, before turning back to her circle to continue their conversation.

However, the arrival of Jack Brooks had already soured the mood for the other socialites. They lost interest in their discussion about handbags and vacations, turning their critical gazes upon him like vultures circling a carcass.

"So that's him?" one woman whispered, though loud enough for Jack to hear. "He looks... average. His physique is okay, I suppose, but looks aren't everything. It’s a pity he has no power, no influence, and no money. What good is a handsome skin if the wallet is empty?"

"Look at the way he walks," another chimed in, swirling her iced coffee. "Head up, chest out, face cold as ice. He acts like he's looking down on us. Where does he get that confidence? Does he not know his place?"

"You don't understand," a third woman giggled, leaning in. "He just got out of prison and managed to marry Tia Sutton. Of course he's proud of himself. It’s the classic case of a villain achieving success. A bottom-feeder who latched onto a swan."

Jack’s hearing was far sharper than an average human's. Every word, every sneer, every dripping syllable of sarcasm reached his ears with crystal clarity. His expression remained stoic, but the temperature in his eyes dropped several degrees. These people were insects, buzzing with self-importance.

"Enough," Tia snapped, her face flushing. "Give me some face. Stop talking about him."

Before the tension could escalate, a new group approached. Leading them was Perry Bailey, a Young Master from the Bailey Family, flanked by a posse of wealthy idlers in colorful polo shirts.

Perry walked straight up to Tia, a practiced, charming smile plastered on his face.

"Tia, Director Shaw will be here any minute," Perry announced, checking his expensive watch. "Let's wait for him at the entrance."

He puffed out his chest slightly. "Don't worry about the hierarchy. Although the Myriad Dragons Chamber is incredibly wealthy and powerful, Connor Shaw will still give me some face. I’ve arranged everything."

Tia nodded, relief washing over her features. She needed connections, and Perry was offering a bridge. "Thank you, Young Master Bailey."

"Haha!" Perry laughed, waving his hand dismissively. "Don't be so formal. Just call me Perry. We're all friends here."

Just then, a collective gasp rippled through the crowd gathered outside the clubhouse. Heads turned in unison toward the parking lot entrance.

"Oh my god! Is that... is that Winter Lacy? The eldest daughter of the Lacy Family from Metro City?"

"It is! The medical genius herself!"

"I heard the news—she just acquired Lynch Pharmaceuticals with a ten-billion-dollar fund. That is a massive power move. Compared to her, we are nothing but ants."

"Stop dreaming," a man sighed, watching the figure approaching with pure adoration. "Someone like Miss Lacy is in the clouds. We aren't worthy of polishing her shoes. Just seeing her face today is a blessing from our ancestors. Look at that aura... she’s invincible."

Winter Lacy walked toward the club like a queen inspecting her subjects. She wore a striking crimson dress that flowed around her like liquid fire, paired with crystal-encrusted high heels that clicked rhythmically on the pavement. Her legs were long and straight, her posture impeccable. She didn't look left or right; her gaze was fixed forward, radiating a cold, untouchable elegance.

The sheer pressure of her presence made the crowd of wealthy heirs and socialites instinctively part ways.

Since Winter Lacy had arrived in Northriver, she had become the singular standard for perfection. Men desired her; women worshipped her.

Even Tia Sutton, who usually held her head high with pride, felt her confidence crumble. She stared at Winter with a mixture of envy and longing. Tia had always strived to be the best, to be a strong woman in the business world, and Winter Lacy was the physical embodiment of that dream.

Winter was everything Tia wanted to be: breathtakingly beautiful, terrifyingly competent, and powerful enough to make men bow.

As Winter passed by, Tia found herself unconsciously following her. She drifted ten meters, entranced, before she realized what she was doing and stopped. Her hands curled into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms.

One day, Tia vowed internally, her heart pounding with ambition. One day, I will rely on my own efforts to become a peerless phoenix like Winter Lacy.

One day, I will be a star in the sky that the world looks up to.

Her thoughts turned dark as they shifted to her husband. And you, Jack Brooks... you are nothing but an incompetent reptile crawling in the mud. How could you possibly be worthy of me? You are a shackle on my ankle.

The resentment bubbled up, hot and bitter.

Ahead of them, Winter Lacy heard the whispers and gasps. She paused for a microsecond, turning her head slightly. Her eyes swept over the crowd and landed briefly on Jack, who was standing apart from the group, looking bored.

A cold, mocking smile touched her lips.

I heard from Tina Cheney that Jack Brooks became a live-in son-in-law for the Sutton Family, Winter thought, her disdain deepening. It seems the rumors are true.

He must have realized the insurmountable gap between us. He knew he couldn't reach me, so he lowered his head and accepted his fate as a servant in the Sutton Family.

However... even for someone like him, marrying Tia Sutton is punching above his weight. A convict with no background? His life in the Sutton Family will be miserable. What a pathetic worm.

She turned away, dismissing him from her mind as she entered the VIP section of the Skydream Club.

Inside a luxurious private suite, the air was thick with the scent of aromatherapy oils and expensive cigars.

Ted Wolfe, head of the Wolfe Group, lay reclined on a velvet chaise lounge. He was wearing a silk bathrobe, his eyes closed in pleasure as two beautiful young women massaged his legs.

The door opened, and Winter Lacy walked in.

Ted Wolfe’s eyes snapped open. He immediately sat up, waving his hand sharply. The two women bowed and hurriedly exited the room, closing the door behind them.

"Miss Lacy!" Ted greeted her with an ingratiating smile, standing up to pour a glass of vintage red wine. "You’re glowing today. Did something good happen?"

Winter accepted the glass, swirling the crimson liquid. Her expression was placid. "Nothing special. I just ran into a clown outside. It was... amusingly pathetic."

"A clown? At the Pegasus Stables?" Ted looked puzzled but didn't press for details. He knew better than to pry into the affairs of a woman from the Lacy Family. "Well, Miss Lacy, you must be incredibly busy after taking over the Lynch Group's pharmaceutical division. To what do I owe the honor of this meeting?"

Winter took a sip of wine, her eyes sharp. "I haven't been in Northriver for long. I need to familiarize myself with the local power players. I’m hoping to rely on your guidance in the future, Mr. Wolfe."

She paused, placing the glass on the table. "I also heard that Victor Zane, the President of the Myriad Dragons Chamber, is being released from prison soon. I wanted to ask if there’s a reception banquet planned. I would like to pay my respects."

"Miss Lacy, you are too modest!" Ted laughed heartily. "The Lacy Family is a tycoon clan from Metro City with hundreds of billions in assets. You are the disciple of the The Ghost Medic. How could we dare to say we are 'guiding' you? We are the ones who need your favor!"

He leaned forward confidentially. "Victor Zane—my apologies, The Overlord of Northriver—gets out the day after tomorrow. I will be going to the airport to greet him personally. Why don't you wait at the Sky Emperor Hotel? As soon as he arrives, I will introduce you."

Back at the club entrance, the sun was beating down.

Jack Brooks watched Winter Lacy disappear into the building and felt an urge to curse.

Does this woman haunt me? he wondered irritably. She’s a young mistress from Metro City. Why can’t she just stay there? Why does she have to run around Northriver acting like she owns the place? Everywhere I go, there she is. It’s annoying.

He shook his head and looked around for Tia.

She was still standing near the edge of the driveway, staring blankly in the direction Winter had gone, completely lost in her trance of admiration and jealousy. She had drifted away from the safety of the pedestrian area and was now standing dangerously close to the main access road.

Suddenly, the roar of a high-performance engine shattered the afternoon calm.

VROOOM!

A silver Porsche Carrera GT tore around the corner, drifting sideways at a terrifying speed. The tires screamed against the asphalt, kicking up smoke. It was heading straight for the distracted Tia Sutton.

Tia snapped out of her daze at the sound, but it was too late. The silver monster was hurtling toward her like a missile. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a scream caught in her throat, and she instinctively squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for impact.

Jack’s eyes narrowed.

In a split second, he moved. To the onlookers, he was a blur—a shadow cutting through the light.

He reached Tia, grabbed her waist, and spun her away just as the car swept past.

SCREECH!

The wind from the passing vehicle whipped Tia’s hair across her face. The Porsche drifted through the spot where she had been standing a fraction of a second ago, the rear bumper missing Jack’s leg by inches.

The driver corrected the slide with practiced ease and brought the car to a halt a few dozen yards away.

Silence descended on the entrance.

The driver’s door opened, and a man stepped out. He looked to be about thirty years old, wearing a sharp black suit with a black shirt underneath. His hair was slicked back with pomade, not a strand out of place. He exuded the aura of a sophisticated thug—a corporate gangster.

This was Connor Shaw, the Director of Finance for the Myriad Dragons Chamber and one of Victor Zane's most trusted lieutenants.

The silence broke as the crowd recognized him.

"Wow! That drift was incredible! Director Shaw really lives up to his reputation as the God of Speed of Northriver!"

"If Director Shaw entered professional racing, he'd take the podium for sure. That technique is undeniable!"

"He's a man of so many talents," another bootlicker shouted. "Not just driving, but fighting too! Didn't he take third place in the national amateur combat tournament recently?"

The sycophancy was nauseating. Nobody cared that he had almost killed a woman; they only cared about his status.

Perry Bailey rushed forward, a fawning smile on his face, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. "Director Shaw! Here, have a smoke."

Connor Shaw didn't even look at him. He ignored the cigarette and the compliments, his face a mask of cold arrogance.

"Is the sparring partner ready?" Connor asked, his voice rough like gravel.

His attitude was dismissive, bordering on rude, yet no one in the crowd dared to show dissatisfaction. The Myriad Dragons Chamber was the apex predator of the Northriver business world. Its President, Victor Zane, was a legend—the Jiangbei Great Owl. Even after five years in Alchemy Demon Island Prison, Victor's name still commanded absolute fear.

As one of the The Five Wardens under Victor Zane, Connor Shaw had the capital to look down on everyone here.

"Yes, yes! He's waiting for you inside the club right now!" Perry replied, bowing slightly, unfazed by the rejection.

"Good," Connor sneered, adjusting his cuffs. "I'll go a few rounds. Hopefully, this one isn't like the last weakling who passed out after three punches."

He turned and began to stride toward the entrance, acting as if the near-accident hadn't happened.

However, a voice cut through the air, cold and laced with killing intent.

"Apologize."

Connor Shaw stopped mid-step. The crowd froze.

Jack Brooks stood there, his arm still supporting a trembling Tia. He stared at the back of Connor's head.

"The road is wide enough for ten cars," Jack said, his voice level but carrying a dangerous undercurrent. "Yet you chose to drive straight at a person? Are you blind?"

The accusation hung in the humid air.

"Blind?!"

The onlookers gasped, their eyes widening in horror. Did this nobody just insult Connor Shaw?

Connor slowly turned around. His movements were deliberate, predatory. He locked eyes with Jack, squinting as a glint of icy malice flashed in his pupils.

Tia, realizing what was happening, grabbed Jack's arm in a panic. Her face was pale.

"Jack, are you crazy?" she hissed, terrified. "That is Connor Shaw from the Myriad Dragons Chamber! Shut up! Let it go!"

Connor took a step forward, a cruel smirk playing on his lips.

"Kid," Connor said softly, though everyone could hear him. "Do you have any idea what you are saying? What kind of thing are you? You think you deserve an apology from me?"

He looked Jack up and down, laughing dryly. "You aren't even worthy to wipe the tires of my car."