Chapter One

In Eldrida, a private jet landed at the Valtara International Airport, where all international and domestic flights experienced a ten hour delay because of its arrival. 

At the private passageway were ten men in suits, leather polished shoes and armed to the teeth. Their faces as serious as ever, standing as straight as a stretched twine.

Every few seconds, they would raise their wrist to take a look at the time, for a very important person was about to make an appearance.

Most of the individuals in the upper class society of the city had learned about his arrival, but no one had the capability to get an inch closer to the private passage way.

The regular members of society stood outside the airport in astonishment waiting to lay their eyes on the War lord.

Finally, there were movements coming from the passageway.

"Strongest One... Strongest One!!!"  the mass cried out, their eyes filled with awe and admiration at the sight of the undefeatable gladiator on his return.

He, who was named the Strongest One, The War Lord, was the one and only five-star commander in the history of the country Valtara. He once inflicted a crushing defeat on the strongest battalions and army in eighteen different countries. He was an overbearing and formidable man.

***

Setting foot on his home soil, Authur King was overcome with emotions. 

A long time ago, he used to be an orphan who was abandoned on the streets of the city and then he was adopted by the Armstrong family. However, the Armstrong family had never been fond of him. His adoptive parents  had a tendency to physically abuse him, and always treated him like an outsider. But atleast he had a roof over his head. As for the rest of society, they treated him as a nobody. But, he didn't care a stiver. 

At last, Arthur grew older and with a lot of hard work and persiverence, he established The Ten Group the largest dark horse in the city's business community. And as the years flew past, it quickly became a company with billions of assets, it was ranked among the forefront of the city, pushing his adoptive family name to the top. 

However, not only did the Armstrong family show no signs of appreciation, they even harbored a sense of dissatisfaction towards him. Jealous of his success, they regarded him as a thorn in their flesh and coveted the Ten Group. No matter his wealth, they all saw him as an outsider in the Armstrong family's eyes. 

Eventually, on Authur's wedding night, the Armstrong family plotted a frame up against him that would lead to his demise. By getting him drunk before tossing him onto his step sister's bed. They wanted to create the illusion that he was doing something untoward to her and was caught in bed by his step brother and adoptive parents. That night, the Armstrong family had brutally abused him physically, broken his limbs and left him on the road like a wild dog. Not only was he handicapped, but he also had to take the fall for something he didn't commit. 

From a tycoon in the business world, he had become the target of disdain overnight. In the country, marriage infidelity is considered as a huge purnishable offense. The next day, he had been punished for several crimes, crimes which held tangible evidence that were falsely planted by the Armstrong family and he was sentenced to five years in prison. 

He could never forget the ruthless and sinister faces of everyone in the Armstrong family and the ridicule of his friends and business partners. More so, he could never wipe away the look of disappointment on his newly wedded wife, Amanda's face. 

He had regarded the Armstrong family as his home and devoted himself to the family name. Yet, they treated him like trash, it felt like a knife was being twisted at his back every time he thought about it. How he hated the Armstrong family, his family!. 

But, after serving less than half the time of his sentence, who would have thought that Authur had been secretly transfered away from prison to join the military. In a few years, he dominated the military world rising from rank to rank to become the one and only Five star Commander in history. He achieved all this under a false identity and name, going by the name Damien Star. 

Now that he came back, his family are clueless that he is the one they screwed years ago, they always thought he had died off in prison. 

***

"How's it going. Ten Ashure?" Authur asked. 

Ten Ashure, the general of the Five Great Scout Regiment, took a step forward and said respectfully, "Sir, I'm afraid your wife, Ms. Amanda Cortez will remarry at ten o'clock tonight sir!". Ever since Amanda's husband was sent to prison on their wedding night, she had been living like a widow. And right now, the person he couldn't wait to see the most was Amanda. 

After a moment of hesitation, Ten Ashure continued, "To add on sir, the Armstrong family is holding a successful listing celebration banquet at the Dyson Grey Hotel tonight! Many people of the Upper class society were invited, including you my lord. But, I didn't accept nor refuse the invite directly". 

"I see... What time is?" Authur asked tersely. 

"Seven o'clock sir." 

"Okay. Tell the Armstrong family I will be attending their banquet... Since the time for the two events don't clash, I'll gladly accept the invitation". He finished. 

***

The celebration banquet for the public listing of the Armstrong Group was held at the Dyson Grey Hotel. With help of the Ten Group, the had become a rich and powerful family overnight. 

The hall was bustling with noise and excitement, and sounds of glasses clinking could be heard ringing throughout the air every now and then. 

"Long live the Armstrong family," said Jeffrey, the patriarch of the Armstrong family. "The younger generations are the stars among men. Armstrong Group is now listed and has become an upstart in Eldrida!". 

Jeffrey's three sons and daughter welcomed their guests with bright smiles on their faces. The younger generation of the Armstrong family were all the slugger and prouder because, after today - The Armstrong family would become a powerful family and they would definitely become one of the top rich kids. 

But, the gossips and under words going around the hall was not of the celebration of the Armstrong family listing. 

"Jeffrey, do you know what happened today? Your celebration party is nothing compared to that."  One of them came to gossip about that same topic to Jeffery. 

"Yeah, I heard that a big shot has arrived in Eldrida!" 

"The wealthiest man in the city wanted to meet him but he was chased away by his armed guards, apparently even with all his wealth he's not qualified enough!" 

"So Jace Neilson had been waiting for hours in advance at the airport?!" another man interjected into the conversation. 

Jeffrey nodded. "Yes, I know that too. I even sent my personal assistant to invite him to this celebration party!" 

"No way! Why in the world would this man think about attending such a party?" 

No one seemed to believe it. As a matter of fact, Jeffery didn't believe his invite will be honored. He was merely trying his luck. 

"Dad!" A voice called out. Jason, the second eldest son of the Armstrong family could be seen running over to his father panting out of his breathe. He immediately dropped to his knees at the feet of his father. "The big shot has accepted our invitation to attend our event! He's on his way!". 

"Oh my god! Jason my boy. Please tell me you're serious..." 

Everyone in the Armstrong family could barely conceal their ecstasy as this was their chance to reach the sky in a single bound. The grandchildren of the Armstrong family were gathered together, delight flooding their veins. Authur brother, Benjamin and sister Vicky smiled with contempt. "Well, if it weren't for the outsiders Authur's unfortunate demise, the Armstrong family would not be where it is today." 

"Right, speaking of Authur, whatever happened to him in prison. I heard he died before he could finished his sentence!" someone spoke up abruptly. 

"Please, please, please don't talk about him. He's this family's biggest disgrace!" Jeffery snickered at his children. 

"Everyone, stop what you're doing!. I have a very important announcement" Benjamin's voice was audible to the hall from the stage as he announced the arrival of their long awaited guest. 

A thunderous applause filled the air. A few seconds later, it faded, except for one person. The sound was loud and clear, approaching from afar. On the red carpet, a man stepped into the spotlight, clapping, looking bold and energetic. His stride exuded a majestic and imposing aura, making the onlookers hold their breath. 

"It's... It's... It's.... Authur!" Benjamin exclaimed. Suddenly, all eyes were riveted on him. 

"He's still alive! He's a free man and he's still alive" Jeffery said to himself in astonishment. 

Ignoring the astonished gazes darted at his way, Authur walked step by step towards Jeffery. 

"A little bird told me that the company... My company is now listed. How are you feeling, Jeff, are you happy?" Authur flashed him a cunning smile. 

"How dare you show up here, you godforsaken brat! And what did you just call me?" Jeffery replied angrily. 

Benjamin rose to his feet. "What the hell are you doing here, Authur?". 

Authur sized him up. "Why shouldn't I be here?" 

"Well, for starters, you're an orphan and a tramp our family raised, but you were ungrateful and over ambitious." 

Authur flashed a cunning smile again. "Well, that's not the way I remember it. I believe it was the other way around..."