GOD OF WAR REVENGE

Episode 3

Claire stood frozen, her breath catching in her throat as she saw Lucas standing at the entrance of the room. For a moment, she couldn’t believe her eyes. The man who had been lost in a coma for so long, who had been little more than a shadow of himself, was now standing tall, his eyes clear and sharp.

"Lucas?" she whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief. "Is it really you?"

Lucas gave her a small, reassuring smile, the warmth in his eyes unmistakable. "It’s me, Claire," he said softly.

Tears welled up in Claire’s eyes, but this time they were tears of joy. She rushed forward, throwing her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. "I can’t believe it," she sobbed, her voice choked with emotion. "You’re awake! You’re really awake!"

Lucas gently held her close, his hand stroking her hair as she wept with happiness. "I’m here, Claire," he whispered, his voice steady and comforting. "And I’m not going anywhere."

Claire pulled back slightly, looking up at him through her tears. "I thought I’d lost you forever," she said, her voice still trembling. "I prayed every day for this moment, but I didn’t think it would ever come."

Lucas wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb, his touch gentle. "I’m back," he said quietly. "And I’m here to stay. We’ll face everything together, just like we always have."

The happiness in Claire’s heart was overwhelming. After everything they had been through, Lucas had finally returned to her. The man she loved was back, and for the first time in so long, she felt a glimmer of hope.

But their moment of joy was interrupted by the sound of a mocking voice, shattering the warmth that had filled the room.

"So what if he’s awake now?" sneered Vanessa, Claire’s cousin, her voice dripping with contempt. "It’s not like he’s suddenly rich or important. He’s still just as worthless as he was before."

Claire stiffened, her joy dampened by the harsh words. She slowly released Lucas, turning to face Vanessa, who was eyeing them both with a smug expression.

"Honestly, Claire," Vanessa continued, her tone laced with mockery, "you’re acting like he’s some kind of miracle. But look at him! He’s got nothing—no money, no power, nothing to offer. Just because he’s not drooling in a corner anymore doesn’t mean he’s suddenly capable of anything."

The guests burst into laughter, and the mocking intensified. Claire felt her blood boil, but Lucas remained composed, his eyes never leaving Vanessa’s.

Finally, Claire’s grandfather cleared his throat, silencing the room. "Enough," he said, his voice heavy with authority. "Let’s focus on what matters."

The atmosphere in the room shifted. The guests, who had been taken aback by Lucas’s sudden recovery, now turned their attention to Claire’s grandfather as he cleared his throat, signaling for silence.

"Listen closely," the old man began, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "I’ve decided that whoever can secure an investment from CrestView Group will be awarded 10% of the family’s shares and the position of CEO."

The announcement sent a wave of shock through the crowd. Gasps and whispers filled the room as everyone processed the significance of what the patriarch had just declared. Ten percent of the family shares and the CEO position were powerful incentives—life-changing rewards that everyone in the family coveted.

Vanessa’s eyes gleamed with confidence. She stepped forward, her voice filled with arrogance. "Grandfather, you can count on me. My boyfriend has great power and influence. He’ll definitely help me secure the investment."

The room buzzed with excitement, most people nodding in agreement. Vanessa’s boyfriend was well-known for his connections and resources. It seemed like a sure thing that she would win the competition and inherit the family fortune.

No one, however, knew that Lucas was the true owner of CrestView Group. He watched the scene unfold, a calm, knowing expression on his face. This was the moment he had been waiting for—a chance to turn the tables on those who had belittled and underestimated him and Claire.

Claire’s grandfather nodded approvingly at Vanessa. "Very well," he said. "If you succeed in securing the investment, Vanessa, you will inherit the family."

The crowd murmured in agreement, clearly believing Vanessa’s victory was all but guaranteed. But Lucas wasn’t finished. He turned to face the old man, his voice steady and challenging. "And what about Claire?" he asked. "If she secures the investment, will she be eligible to inherit the family as well?"

The room fell silent for a moment, then erupted into laughter. The idea seemed absurd to them. How could Claire, who had been all but cast out of the family, possibly compete with Vanessa?

"Are you serious?" one guest snickered. "She doesn’t stand a chance!"

"She couldn’t even bring a decent gift to the party," another mocked. "How does she expect to pull off something like this?"

The laughter grew louder, filling the room with mockery. Vanessa smirked, crossing her arms. "You must be joking," she said, eyeing Claire with disdain. "She’s been nothing but a failure since she married this… this cripple. How could she possibly win?"

Lucas didn’t flinch. He simply waited, his eyes locked on Claire’s grandfather. The old man, sensing the tension, raised his hand to quiet the room.

"If Claire manages to secure the investment," he said slowly, "I will return the dividends from her company that I withheld after Lucas left her."

The laughter died down as the guests absorbed his words. It was a surprising concession, but there was a catch, and everyone knew it.

"But there’s a condition," the grandfather added, his eyes narrowing. "Before she even attempts to secure the investment, she must collect the debts owed by the casino bully."

A hush fell over the room. The casino bully was notorious, a dangerous man with a reputation for ruthlessness. Everyone knew that collecting debts from him was almost impossible—certainly not a task for someone like Claire.

Claire hesitated, the weight of the challenge pressing down on her. She had endured so much already, and this task seemed almost insurmountable. How could she possibly succeed where so many others had failed?

But then Lucas stepped forward, his presence strong and reassuring. He looked at Claire, his voice filled with quiet confidence. "You can do this," he said, his tone firm. "I’ll help you. Together, we can make it happen."

Claire searched his eyes, finding in them the strength she needed. This was the man she had always believed in, the man who had just shown he was far more powerful than anyone realized. If Lucas believed they could do it, then maybe—just maybe—they could.

The room was still, the tension palpable. Everyone was waiting to see what Claire would do. Would she take on the impossible challenge, or would she back down, proving her doubters right?

Finally, Claire straightened her shoulders and nodded, her resolve firming. "I accept the challenge," she declared, her voice steady and clear.

The room erupted in whispers once more, everyone speculating on what would happen next. Vanessa’s confident smirk faded slightly, but she quickly masked it, convinced that Claire’s attempt would end in failure.

Lucas’s eyes glinted with determination. He had kept his true identity hidden long enough, but now it was time to show them all the real power he wielded. CrestView Group was his, and with it, he would turn the tide in their favor.

As the crowd continued to chatter, Lucas leaned in close to Claire, his voice low so only she could hear. "Trust me," he whispered. "This is just the beginning. They have no idea what’s coming."