Chapter 16
last update2024-08-20 04:12:35

The rain began to drizzle, so Zen got in his car and started following behind her, keeping a respectful distance. The rain grew heavier, with Natasha walking briskly along the sidewalk, trying to shield herself from the downpour with her arms.

Pulling up beside her, Zen rolled down the window. "Natasha, get in. You’ll catch a cold out here."

She glanced at him, her hair plastered to her face. She shook her head. "We don’t even know each other, stop calling my name so informally and No, thank you. I can manage."

The rain intensified, and Zen persisted. "Just get in the car you stubborn woman."

She hesitated, the rain now a relentless torrent, she opened the door and slipped into the passenger seat. She shivered as she settled in, the warmth of the car felt like heaven compared to the cold rain outside.

Zen handed her a towel from the back seat. "Here, dry off a bit."

Natasha accepted the towel, drying her face and hair. "Thanks. I didn’t think it would rain this hard."

Zen turned on th
Continue Reading on MegaNovel
Scan code to download App

Related Chapters

  • The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War   Chapter 17

    As Robert's footsteps receded up the staircase, a heavy silence enveloped the room. Zen and Nia were left in an awkward stillness, both aware of each other but unsure how to break the quiet. Nia fidgeted with the hem of her dress, glancing at Zen from the corner of her eye. “So… Tom?” Nia started, her voice soft.Zen turned his gaze to her, his expression calm and composed as always. “Yes.”Nia bit her lip, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks. “I, um, I was just wondering… about you.”Zen raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her nervousness. “What about me?”“Well, I mean… you’re a bit of a mystery,” she admitted, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for a safe spot to land. “Why did you… I mean, why did you marry Malia?”Zen’s expression didn’t change, but there was a subtle shift in his demeanor. “It was an arranged marriage.”“Oh,” Nia responded, nodding slowly. She didn’t push further.Zen shrugged slightly. “It’s not something I dwell on.”Nia’s curiosity got the better o

  • The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War   Chapter 18

    Zen awoke to the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. The room was silent except for the faint sound of birds chirping outside. He sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Just as he was about to get out of bed, there was a soft knock on the door.“Come in,” he called out, his voice still groggy from sleep.The door opened quietly, and Keisha stepped inside. She was calm and composed as always, her expression neutral. Zen watched her carefully as she entered the room. “Good morning, Chief,” Keisha greeted him, her voice soft but professional.“Morning,” Zen replied, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He stretched his arms and then fixed his gaze on her. “Where have you been, Keisha?”She hesitated for the briefest of moments before responding, “I apologize for my absence. I had to monitor your overseas business dealings. There were some urgent matters that required my attention.”Zen studied her, noting the calmness in her demeanor. Inwardly, he thought,

  • The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War   Chapter 19

    Zen's phone buzzed, pulling him away from his thoughts. He glanced at the screen to see Nia’s name pop up. With a slight smile, he answered the call, his voice calm and composed.“Hey, Nia,” Zen greeted her, leaning back in his chair.“Hi, Tom,” Nia’s voice sounded a bit unsure, but there was a hint of excitement. “I was thinking… would you be free to hang out today?”Zen paused for a moment, his gaze drifting towards Keisha, who had just walked into the room. He caught her eye, and she raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for his question.“Keisha,” Zen called out, covering the phone with his hand, “Do I have anything on my schedule today?”Keisha, ever the picture of calm efficiency, gave him a quick glance and shook her head. “Your schedule is empty as always,” she said, her voice carrying a subtle hint of amusement. Zen chuckled softly at her departure and returned to the phone. “Looks like I’m free,” he said to Nia, his tone light. “I’ll pick you up in a bit.”“Oh, great! Thanks, Z

  • The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War   Chapter 20

    The drive was smooth and uneventful, the car gliding down the streets with ease. As they got closer to the destination, the cityscape began to give way to more greenery, the buildings thinning out until they were surrounded by a lush, verdant landscape. When they finally pulled into the parking lot of the Fountain of Love, Zen took a moment to appreciate the serene beauty of the place.True to its name, the area was filled with elegantly designed fountains, each surrounded by carefully tended gardens. The sound of running water mingled with the soft rustle of leaves, creating an atmosphere of tranquility that was immediately soothing.“This is… nice,” Zen said, a note of surprise in his voice as he stepped out of the car.“I thought you might like it,” Nia said, her nervousness fading as she saw his reaction.They began to walk along one of the paths, the gravel crunching softly underfoot. Nia pointed out different plants and fountains, her enthusiasm infectious. As they walked, Nia’

  • The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War   Chapter 21

    The waiter hesitated, unsure if he had heard correctly. “The… Golden Special, sir?” he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief.“That’s right,” Zen confirmed, his tone as calm as ever. “Two plates, if you don’t mind.”Paul’s sneer faltered slightly as he realized what Zen had ordered. The Golden Special was the restaurant’s most expensive dish, renowned for its rarity and luxury. It cost a staggering $30,000 per plate—an amount that even Paul himself would hesitate to spend on a single meal.“You’re bluffing,” he said, trying to regain his composure. “There’s no way you can afford that.”Without a word, Zen reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a sleek, black card, handing it to the waiter. The waiter’s eyes widened as he took the card, recognizing it immediately.Around them, the murmurs in the restaurant grew louder. Whispers spread quickly as people took note of the black card Zen had handed over.“Isn’t that…?”“Yes, it is. That’s a black card.”“But only the highest of

  • The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War   Chapter 22

    Nia nodded, her voice lowering to a sultry tone. "Yes, that’s so."There was a brief silence as they held each other’s gaze, the tension between them was electric. Zen broke the silence first, his voice calm and measured."You’re not like most girls, Nia," he said, his eyes searching hers. "Initially i thought you were shy and timid but you’re none of that. You’re straightforward, direct… you don’t play games. I admire that."Nia’s heart skipped a beat at his words, but she kept her composure, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I don’t see the point in games," she said quietly. "Life’s too short for that."Zen nodded in agreement. "You’re right," he said. "Life is too short. And it’s rare to meet someone who’s as real as you are."Nia blushed at the compliment, feeling a warmth spread through her. "Thank you, Tom," she said softly. "That means a lot to me."Zen leaned backwards again, his eyes never leaving hers. "I’m just telling the truth," he said simply. Nia bit her lip, her hear

  • The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War   Chapter 23

    Without warning, a thug lunged at Zen, aiming the blade at his side. But Zen was faster. He sidestepped the attack with fluid precision, grabbing the thug’s wrist and twisting it with enough force to disarm him. The switchblade clattered to the ground as Zen delivered a swift elbow to the thug’s face, sending him sprawling. Zen clenched his jaw, he had thought Natasha would want the best for herself and now she had led him straight into a trap. "In the end, you ended up like everyone else," he replied, his voice laced with disappointment. Before Natasha could respond, the man standing next to her stepped forward, a sneer on his face. "Touching, really. But we’re not here to chat. You’re coming with us, and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll cooperate." Zen’s eyes flicked to the man, sizing him up. "And if I don’t?" The man chuckled, pulling out a switchblade, the sharp edge glinting under the light. "Then things get messy." Zen’s expression didn’t change, but there was a dan

  • The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War   Chapter 24

    Zen’s grip on the steering wheel tightened as Willow explained the details. “So, Silas Wales owns Policy Entertainment?” he asked, his voice calm but carrying a sprinkle of irritation.“Yes,” Willow confirmed. “We only found out after re-examining the case. He’s been using actresses from the company to sweeten his business deals—one of his many schemes to get ahead.”Zen’s face hardened, his jaw clenching with disgust. “That’s revolting. I should’ve given him a worse beating last time,” he muttered.“Well, there’s also something I must say,” Willow advised carefully. “The Wales family is known for being ruthless. The fact that they haven’t responded yet likely means they’re letting Silas handle his own mess. If you escalate things, it could draw the entire family’s ire.”Zen snorted, his eyes narrowing. “Do you think I’m afraid of them? How dare you underestimate me?”“Ah—” Willow came back to reality, but Zen cut her off sharply.“I’ve heard enough.” He ended the call with a swipe, s

Latest Chapter

  • Chapter 137

    The press conference was a masterclass in corporate theater. Zen stood on the podium at the future site of Skyline, the skeletal framework of the unfinished building rising behind him like the bones of a slumbering giant. Construction equipment gleamed in the afternoon sun, workers in Mega-branded safety gear positioned strategically in the background.Camera flashes punctuated his arrival as journalists frantically took notes. The city's most prominent business reporters had rushed to the site following Mega's cryptic announcement of "significant developments regarding the Skyline project."Zen adjusted the microphone, his expression betraying nothing of the calculated vengeance driving his actions. Sinclair stood to the side, scanning the crowd with practiced vigilance, while Keisha managed the press at the perimeter."Good afternoon," Zen began, his voice carrying across the assembled media with commanding precision. "Thank you for joining us on such short notice. Today marks a sig

  • Chapter 136

    Night had fallen across the city as Zen sat alone in his office, the only illumination coming from his desk lamp and the soft glow of his computer screen. The Rossi loan documents were spread before him, each page meticulously annotated with his observations. The evidence was damning—predatory terms, hidden clauses, and what appeared to be deliberate manipulation of financial projections to ensure default.Mrs. Rossi had overplayed her hand, and now Zen had everything he needed to take control of the Skyline project.A soft ping from his security system alerted him to movement in the outer office. Zen glanced at his watch—11:47 PM. The cleaning staff had already finished hours ago, and his assistant had left shortly after six.He wasn't expecting anyone.With calmness, Zen closed the folder containing the loan documents and slid it into his desk drawer. He then pressed a concealed button beneath his desk, activating the silent recording system he'd installed for exactly this type of s

  • Chapter 135

    The Skyline project dominated the horizon, its partially completed towers rising like monoliths against the afternoon sky. Construction cranes swung in choreographed precision, while teams of workers navigated the massive structure with efficiency. Despite being 15 percent complete, the development already commanded attention—a testament to Tom's architectural vision and business ambition.Zen stood at the edge of the site, ostensibly reviewing progress reports while actually conducting a far more strategic assessment. Following Wilson's revelations about the underground infrastructure connections, a personal inspection had become necessary."The north tower foundation is proceeding ahead of schedule," James Wilson explained as they walked the perimeter. "Structural integrity tests exceeded specifications by twelve percent.""And the sublevel excavation?" Zen asked, his attention focused on the massive pit that would eventually become the project's underground parking and service are

  • Chapter 134

    Back in Zen’s Home country, after the whole heat has died down.Evelyn Rossi's office occupied the entire top floor of the Rossi Enterprises headquarters, a testament to both her inflated sense of importance and desperate need for the appearance of power. Floor-to-ceiling windows provided a 360-degree view of the city, including—Zen noted with satisfaction—a perfect sightline to the Skyline project rising in the distance. A project she'd foolishly leveraged her company to infiltrate."Mr. Diel," she greeted as he was ushered in by her assistant. Her voice carried the brittle warmth of someone trying to mask anxiety behind social pleasantries. "What an unexpected pleasure. I was beginning to think you were avoiding me."Zen moved into the spacious office with confident strides, each step calculated to remind her who truly held power in this room. He didn't wait for her invitation before settling comfortably in the chair opposite her desk."Avoiding you, Evelyn? Quite the contrary. I've

  • Chapter 133

    The yacht cut through darkening waters, its engines humming at three-quarter power as it navigated away from Saint-Malo's harbor. Security personnel had settled into cruising positions—two on the aft deck, one on the forward observation point, and two inside the main cabin with Zharkov and Nia. The remaining guards were likely positioned on the bridge and in the engine room, maintaining operational security throughout the vessel.Zen and Henri remained concealed near the outer deck storage compartments, using the shadows cast by the yacht's exterior lighting to avoid detection. The increasing distance from shore worked in their favor—intervention from harbor authorities becoming less likely with each passing minute."Approaching optimal position," Henri noted quietly, checking the GPS coordinates on his tactical device. "Five minutes to designated extraction point."Zen nodded. They had identified a stretch of water approximately three nautical miles from shore—far enough to avoid imm

  • Chapter 132

    Saint-Malo's ancient granite walls rose against the darkening sky, silhouetted by the setting sun as it dipped into the English Channel. The medieval fortifications had withstood centuries of sieges and storms, but now they served as mere backdrop to a far more immediate conflict. NiaZen studied the waterfront property through high-powered binoculars, his position on a neighboring rooftop offering optimal surveillance while maintaining adequate distance. The target—a modernist villa constructed with obvious disregard for the historic surroundings—sat directly on the water, complete with private dock where a sleek yacht waited, engines idling."Preparations for immediate departure," he noted, observing increased activity around the vessel. "Security detail?"Beside him, Henri adjusted his own observation equipment. "Eight visible. Professionally positioned. Two on the main approach, two patrolling the perimeter, four on the property itself.""Armed?""Concealed, but evident from their

  • Chapter 131

    "Eighty-five seconds," the commander announced with professional detachment. "More than enough time for my departure, but rather challenging for yours."Zen maintained his aim, mind calculating options with cold efficiency. The commander held a decisive advantage with Catherine as hostage, but his announced departure suggested a tactical opportunity—he needed to move, which meant a moment of vulnerability."Your men upstairs?" Zen asked. "They're aware of Protocol Omega?"A flicker of something—annoyance, perhaps—crossed the commander's face. "My team understands operational necessities."Expendable assets, then. The commander had no intention of extracting his full team. Only himself, with Catherine as insurance, and the evidence they'd recovered.Catherine had remained silent, her posture tense but controlled. Now she caught Zen's gaze with deliberate intent, her eyes flicking briefly toward the ceiling—a message.Zen followed her glance, noting a specific pattern in the cellar's ov

  • Chapter 130

    The chateau had transformed from elegant estate to tactical battleground in a matter of minutes. Emergency systems filled corridors with obscuring mist while strategic power failures created a disorienting environment of alternating darkness and strobing emergency lights. The cacophony of alarms, sprinklers, and intermittent gunfire completed the sensory disruption Sinclair had engineered."Status?" Zen asked as Sinclair emerged from the safe room, moving with obvious discomfort but determination."Mobile, armed, and extremely irritated," Sinclair replied, accepting the weapon Zen offered him. "Evacuation route?""Compromised," Zen stated, gesturing to the bound Marie. "She's been working with Marcus. Likely provided the layout and security details."Sinclair's eyes narrowed as he took in the situation. "Dr. Benoit?""Uncertain. Claims loyalty to Catherine."Benoit straightened, indignation overcoming caution. "I've served Catherine faithfully for years. Marie is the traitor, not me."

  • Chapter 129

    Zen assessed their deteriorating tactical situation with cold precision. The intruders had effectively split their forces—one team maintaining pressure on him and Henri, another moving toward Sinclair's location, and likely a third searching for Catherine and the evidence drives."We need to reach Sinclair," he told Henri. "Before they do."Henri nodded grimly. "Secondary passage through the library. Concealed door behind the east bookcase."They moved in coordinated retreat, covering each other's movements while maintaining suppressive fire to slow the intruders' advance. The smoke provided useful cover, but it would dissipate soon, eliminating that advantage.As they reached the library, a sudden burst of gunfire from another section of the chateau confirmed Zen's assessment—the attack was proceeding on multiple fronts simultaneously."That came from near the kitchen," Henri noted, concern evident in his voice. "The safe room...""Sinclair's armed," Zen reminded him. "And Marie is w

Scan code to read on App