No Matter The Cost
Author: Toothpick Jones
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-14 16:43:46

Eric was out of his head on the way home. He couldn't believe what had transpired from the moment he got there up to this very moment.

“You both can't be serious. I don't believe any of this is serious. You can't actually be serious”. This was the third time he said this on the drive home and all three times he was ignored.

“How am I going to let that stinking silly cousin of mine get what she wants just because one stupid old man said he won't work with them until she signs that she's still a member of the family. A family that as far as I'm concerned no longer even wants her to be a part of. Why is partnering with an old fool so important?” Eric thought maliciously.

“Grandfather will never agree to this deal. He obviously knows better than both of you”, he said to his parents.

“So you think you know better than both of us?” Raymond replied to him.

“Apparently yes at least I know that someone like Maliya is not supposed to have any part in the affairs of this family let alone t
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  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    The Meeting

    Andrew hands landed on something soft, and his subconscious guided them to form a gentle circle, as if cradling a delicate object. The sensation brought him a strange sense of satisfaction, and he pinched it.That's when he turned and he saw her - a woman with a veil, lying close to him. The veil obscured her face.“Ah……”Maliya Coker was startled awake by the pinch and realized she was naked. She screamed and pushed Andrew away. She quickly used the blanket to wrap herself.“Oh…no…. What….just….happened,” Maliya mumbled, her eyes darting everywhere nervously. She couldn't recognize where she was, her eyes darted to Andrew and back to her body. Tears began to flow freely from her eyes she can't believe she had been raped. She glared at him with disgust, her anger and humiliation simmering just below the surface. Every fiber of her being yearned to lash out, to scratch his face and inflict some measure of pain on him.But she knew she couldn't. He was stronger, and he had just raped

  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    Fear

    “Maliya Coker," he muttered, his voice barely audible. Pete nodded solemnly.Andrew's eyes drifted shut, and he was instantly transported back to that fateful day. He found himself standing amid a fire, flames engulfing everything around him. Just as all hope seems lost, a woman rushed into the burning building, she grasped Andrew's hand, pulling him to safety just as the flames were about to consume him.When he woke up, he found himself in the south. Yet, over the next ten years, he rose through the ranks to become one of the most powerful Marshals in Aradoma.Now, he had returned, driven by a singular purpose: to find his benefactor and repay the debt he owed her.Andrew's eyes snapped open, his gaze fell upon the envelope.As he reached for the envelope, Pete spoke, his words laced with concern.“Her face has been disfigured, and she's not doing well.”Andrew's heart sank, guilt washing over him. He felt responsible for her suffering.“It's fine,” he said, his voice firm, as he u

  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    Shame

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  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    Maliya's Recovery

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  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    Grandfather's Bet

    "You may kiss the bride." Andrew drew Maliya close and kissed her. The crowd clapped."You're the prettiest bride I've seen," Andrew said. Maliya's cheeks turned red.Andrew drove Maliya to her home. When they arrived, he saw she was nervous. He took her hand and kissed it."You have me," he said. She nodded.They opened the door and found Babara and Barth, Maliya's dad, inside. They didn't notice them."You good-for-nothing man, all you ever do is eat!" Babara exclaimed angrily at Barth, who let out a frustrated sigh."Can you just stop? I'll give you the money for now, I'm out of cash," Barth said, trying to placate her.Babara let out a bitter chuckle. "Tell me when you ever had money. Tell me, because ever since I married you, I've done nothing but suffer."Barth continued to sip his tea, ignoring Babara's outburst, which only fueled her anger further."You're a waste of the Coker's family name! Your mother should have just aborted you!" Babara spat venomously at Barth.Barth stoo

  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    The Gift

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  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    Delivering His Gift

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  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    The Jefferson Celebration Banquet

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  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    

    No Matter The Cost

    Eric was out of his head on the way home. He couldn't believe what had transpired from the moment he got there up to this very moment. “You both can't be serious. I don't believe any of this is serious. You can't actually be serious”. This was the third time he said this on the drive home and all three times he was ignored. “How am I going to let that stinking silly cousin of mine get what she wants just because one stupid old man said he won't work with them until she signs that she's still a member of the family. A family that as far as I'm concerned no longer even wants her to be a part of. Why is partnering with an old fool so important?” Eric thought maliciously. “Grandfather will never agree to this deal. He obviously knows better than both of you”, he said to his parents. “So you think you know better than both of us?” Raymond replied to him. “Apparently yes at least I know that someone like Maliya is not supposed to have any part in the affairs of this family let alone t

  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    

    Maliya's Only Condition

    Andrew stood side by side with Maliya as they waited for Raymond Coker, Eric Coker and Aunt Maira to come out of the car and apologise to Maliya. Andrew knew they would do whatever he wanted because of how desperate they were to take Maliya back just so the partnership with the Green Group could go on. Aunt Maira was the first to come out. Raymond Coker was the next and finally Eric Coker who came out looking angry and ready for a fight. But of course he would not dare fight anyone not at this point. “Maliya dear, I'm sorry for kicking you out of the house. Truly truly sorry. We were just angry because of the situation but now we clearly understand. Can you please find it in your heart to forgive us all”, Maira pleaded.“You're only supposed to apologise for what you did. Everyone will get his or her turn to do theirs”, Andrew told Maira.“Alright then”, she said, "Maliya Darling please do find it in your heart to forgive your dear old Aunt Maira. I didn't mean to hurt you in whatev

  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    

    Apologize to My Wife

    Andrew smiled and hugged Maliya back. He had not seen her this jolly for sometime now. She looked like a little girl as she jumped happily.“She really loves that family of hers despite all they have done to her”, Andrew thought, looking at her with admiration. “Honey, I need to get my things ready. Uncle Raymond will be here soon”, Maliya said as she opened the wardrobe to bring out her clothes.“Alright love. But before we pack your bag,there is something I would like you to see”, Andrew said with a blank face. Noticing his seriousness, Maliya left her clothes in the wardrobe and went to sit next to him,“What is it honey?” Maliya asked, frowningHe turned and faced her, then he said, holding her hands, “I know you love your family and want to go back home honey. But I don't want you to go back without knowing the real truth”.“What truth honey?” Maliya asked with worried eyes.Andrew switched on the television. Fred Green’s face was the first thing that appeared on the television

  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    

    Where is Maliya

    Raymond left his father's room and went back home to quickly shower and change into his clothes. His house was only a few blocks from the Coker family mansion so was home in less than two minutes.He dashed into the house and went directly to the bedroom he shared with his wife. His wife was in the kitchen making breakfast for the family. So he entered their bathroom to have a quick shower. “Dad! Dad! Where are you Dad! You need to come see this. Mum!”, Catherine, who was in the sitting room when her father rushed in.“What is it Catherine? Why are you screaming? What is so urgent that you can't wait till you get to the kitchen to tell me?” Maira asked her daughter when Catherine entered the kitchen. “Mum, where is Dad? I just saw him come in. I thought I'd find him here with you. Something is wrong. Fred Green was on the news right now. He was in a press conference. He just annulled our partnership with the Green Group. The news is still on”, Catherine said and ran off to her paren

  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    

    Find My Granddaughter And Bring Her Home

    Seven o'clock the following morning, at the Coker family mansion. Ring! Ring!Raymond Coker raised his head up a little bit with his eyes closed and stretched his hand to the little bedside table next to his bed. When his hand felt his phone he picked it up and brought it to his ear.“Hello, what can I do for you this morning?” he said without opening his eyes. He hoped that whoever was calling him would be done talking quickly so he could go back to sleep. “Good morning sir. Sir we have a problem”, the factory manager said.“What problem is there?” Raymond asked, slightly worried. “All our trucks that were sent out to the Green Group yesterday evening just returned sir”, the factory manager said.“And? What is the problem? Will you go straight to the point or do you want to keep wasting my time this early Monday morning?” Raymond asked, pretending to be angry when he was actually really worried about what could have gone wrong.“Sir the thing is that the trucks returned fully load

  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    

    The Coker Family Dinner

    The next morning, when Maliya woke up, she was in so much pain. The night before, she could not feel herself. For the past ten years, she had been living in so much ridicule, outright hate and humiliation from her family members. This was all because of the injuries she sustained in the process of trying to save the life of that boy ten years ago which disfigured her face and made her ugly. Everyone in her family blamed her for it. She also blamed herself.“Grandfather, I'm very sorry. Please don't get mad at me. Someone was in there. I only wanted to help him open the door grandfather. I did not know I was going to get caught in the fire too…Please forgive me mom… dad…”, fifteen years old Maliya pleaded with her family. “No one sent you Maliya. Why can't you stay where you are meant to be? Why can't you ever do the right thing… Look what you've done to yourself now… You've ruined your life… Just look at yourself now”, everyone in her family was saying. From that day, her life took

  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    

    Leaving The Coker Mansion

    One of the men tried to touch Maliya but before he even got close enough, Andrew who had been following Maliya closely and watching her family humiliate her took out his anger on the first security man who tried to touch Maliya as well as the second security man who tried to defend his colleague.Andrew was so angry that by the time he was done beating up the security men he had broken the first man’s bone while the second man had lost a tooth. Then he turned to Eric and gave him a punch on his face. He made sure to hit him hard enough to leave a broken nose and one black eye.“Let's go honey. None of these people deserve you my love”, Andrew said and carried her with his strong hands. She felt really light in his arms. Before he carried her, and when he did, she had been crying but by the time they got to the car, she stopped crying. Inside the car, although the drive from the Coker family mansion to Andrew's private hospital, Maliya was quiet. By the time they got to the hospital,

  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    

    You Have Been Cast Out

    Andrew tried to pull Maliya to her feet but she refused to stand. Rather, she stayed on her knees and continued banging the door, crying and begging her mother to forgive her. Although he was strong enough to lift her up if he wanted, he could not bring himself to do that to Maliya. He knew this was a difficult time for her.“This must be really traumatizing for you my love”, he said to himself feeling sad for Maliya. He wished he could take her pain away and carry it like it was his. “Let's go home honey. Your mom is just very upset about the incident, that's all. She will get over it soon my love and everything will be okay again my love”, He continued. He tried to lift her up again. This time she did not struggle. She let him help her to her feet. When she was standing, Andrew pulled her to himself and embraced her. She let him hold her for some minutes while she continued to sob. “I have to talk to Grandfather honey. He is the only one that can make this right. Honey, can we g

  • The Orphan Dragon Marshall    

    Leave here now!

    Andrew kissed Maliya's forehead before leaving. He wanted to buy her lunch from her favorite restaurant. By the time he got to his personal packing space, Pete was already there waiting. When Pete saw Andrew, he rushed to open the door of the car for Andrew then he went back to the driver's seat and drove off.“Any reports Pete?” Andrew asked. “Yes sir. The Jefferson auction assignment was successful. Not one member of the Western army under Major General Zed Jefferson survived. I ensured that. The other Jeffersons are unharmed. I have kept an eye on these past few days. They are all in town, just laying really low. I also questioned the Jefferson's individually about the whereabouts of the lava heart but sir they did not seem to know. Martha Jefferson thought that only Zed Jefferson would know that he is dead now”, Pete said .“Good job Pete. Keep monitoring the Jeffersons. I want to know where they go, why they go there and when they do. ”. Andrew paused and lit a cigarette.“Abo