The War God Is Back

Chapter 7

“I can’t be dismissed,” I said calmly, my gaze fixed on Reginald across the table. “I wasn’t at fault. If anyone should be shown the door, it’s Bruno. He’s the one who started the fight, not me.”

The moment the words left my mouth, Reginald’s expression darkened. His face flushed red, and without warning, he slammed his hand hard against the table, the sharp sound echoing through the room.

“How dare you try to dictate terms here, Justin?” he thundered. “This is my company, and I decide who stays and who leaves!”

I didn’t flinch, nor did I look away. His anger rolled off me without effect.

He continued, his voice still raised. “This company runs on its own rules and regulations. Just because your brother happens to be the son-in-law of the owner doesn’t mean you’re above them. Don’t fool yourself into thinking your family ties will protect you.”

He leaned forward slightly, his tone turning sharper, more threatening. “You think you can walk in here, make demands, and get away with it? If you keep pushing me, I’ll process your dismissal letter right now.”

Before I could respond, the door suddenly burst open.

“Sir!” his secretary rushed in, slightly out of breath. “We have a visitor—Mr. Alexander Monroe, Director of Monroe Group Enterprises.”

The shift in Reginald was immediate and almost comical. His anger vanished as if it had never existed, replaced by stiff formality. “Monroe?” he repeated, straightening his tie while wiping his palms discreetly against his trousers. Without another word, he hurried out of the room.

I leaned back in my chair, watching him go, curiosity beginning to stir. It didn’t take long before footsteps returned.

The man who entered carried himself with quiet confidence. He was tall, sharply dressed, and had the kind of presence that naturally drew attention.

“Justin George,” he said with a warm, familiar smile as his eyes settled on me. “It’s been a while.”

I rose slowly, studying him, trying to place where I might have seen him before. There was something about him that felt familiar, but I couldn’t quite grasp it.

Before I could speak, he approached, extending his hand toward me. I shook it, still searching my memory.

Reginald followed closely behind him, his demeanor completely transformed. A wide, almost desperate smile spread across his face. “Mr. Monroe! What an unexpected honor!” he said eagerly. “I’ve sent countless letters over the past few months, hoping for an opportunity to meet you, and now you’re here. May I ask what brings you? Are you here to discuss the collaboration project we proposed?”

Alexander Monroe didn’t answer him immediately. Instead, his attention remained on me.

“I’m not here for business,” he said at last, his tone calm and deliberate. “I came because I’ve been looking for someone.”

Then, without hesitation, he pointed directly at me.

“He’s the one.”

Confusion crept in. I frowned slightly, trying to make sense of it. “Who are you?” I asked.

“Alexander Monroe,” he replied, his grip firm as we shook hands again. Then he added, “An old friend of Magnus.”

At the mention of that name, something clicked.

I glanced briefly at Reginald, who was watching us with barely concealed curiosity, then turned back to Alexander. “Can we talk somewhere else?” I asked quietly. This wasn’t a conversation I wanted overheard.

Alexander nodded without hesitation. “Of course.”

He turned and headed for the exit, and I moved to follow. Just as I stepped forward, Reginald grabbed my arm, stopping me.

“How do you know Alexander?” he asked urgently. “Please… when you speak with him, make sure you say something good about me. I’ve been trying to reconnect with him for years, but he always shuts me out.”

I pulled my arm free without answering and walked past him, leaving him standing there as I followed Alexander outside.

The air outside felt different—cleaner, quieter. Alexander led me to a sleek black car parked near the entrance. We stopped beside it, and I didn’t waste any time.

“Has Magnus found Marcus Kade?” I asked directly.

Alexander didn’t respond right away. Instead, he pulled out his phone, unlocked it, and opened a video before handing it to me.

I watched carefully.

The footage showed a frail man seated in a wheelchair inside what looked like a hospital room. He faced a large window overlooking the ocean, his expression distant, almost lost. As the camera slowly zoomed in, my attention shifted to his neck.

There it was.

A scar.

Distinct. Unmistakable.

I recognized it immediately.

Marcus Kade.

I had trained him myself once. There was no doubt.

The video ended, and just as I was about to speak, Alexander’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen before handing it to me.

“Mangus,” the caller ID read.

I accepted the call.

“Justin,” Magnus’s voice came through. “Have you confirmed it?”

“Yes,” I replied without hesitation. “It’s him. Marcus.”

“Good,” he said. “I’ll contact you again soon. Stay sharp.”

The call ended shortly after. I handed the phone back to Alexander, who had already taken out a piece of paper and written something on it. He passed it to me.

“That’s his location,” he said.

I nodded and slipped the paper into my pocket. “Thanks.”

Without another word, he turned, got into his car, and drove off.

I had just begun to tuck the paper away properly when I heard the sound of another vehicle pulling up. I looked up to see my older brother, Vinie, stepping out of his car.

His eyes immediately caught the motion of me slipping something into my pocket.

“Who was that?” he asked, glancing toward the direction Alexander had driven off.

“Just an old friend,” I replied.

He didn’t press the matter. Instead, his expression shifted slightly. “I heard about what happened inside,” he said. “Reginald can be difficult, I know. But… try not to lose your temper when people talk badly about me.”

I let out a quiet breath as he continued.

“People will always talk,” he said with a faint shrug. “I’m used to it.”

I didn’t answer right away. Being a soldier—and a captain—meant discipline, control, and responsibility. But it also meant protecting the people who mattered. And family stood above everything else. No matter what anyone said, I couldn’t just stand by and listen to them be disrespected.

Still, I pushed the thought aside.

“So what brings you here, Vinie?” I asked, shifting the topic. “You said you wouldn’t be visiting anytime soon. What changed?”

A small smile appeared on his face. “Actually, my wife wanted to talk to you.”

That caught me off guard. “Your wife? About what?”

“She wants to promote you,” he said simply. “To company manager.”

I blinked, genuinely surprised. “Wait… what?” I said. “That doesn’t make sense. Why would she want to promote me?”