2024-09-02 07:04:00The light on Zen’s phone blinked, pulling him back to reality. He picked it up and answered with a quiet, “Yeah?”
Keisha’s voice came through, slightly muffled. “Malia has eaten the bait.” Zen's lips curled into a sly smile. “Perfect,” he replied coolly. “Thanks, Keisha.” Without another word, he hung up, his smile lingering as he thought about the next steps in his plan. Almost immediately, his phone buzzed again. It was Willow. “Tom, your suit is ready,” she said cheerfully. “You forgot about the big four families’ party tonight, didn’t you?” “Shiiii!” Zen cursed, realizing he’d almost let it slip his mind. “Thanks for the reminder, Willow.” Sensing an opportunity, Willow's tone became teasing. “So... when should I be ready?” she asked, trying to sound casual. Zen chuckled. “Sorry, Willow, but I already have a date for the night.” He could almost hear her pout through the phone.
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The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War Chapter 35
As Zen and Rosalia drove through the bustling streets toward the event hall, a tense silence filled the car. Rosalia’s eyes fixed ahead, seeming lost in thought. Zen, however, couldn't help but glance at her every now and then. He finally broke the silence, his voice was low. "Rosalia," he began, "what’s the real deal with this Big Four gala?"Rosalia turned her head slightly, a faint smile playing at her lips. "The gala?" She echoed. "Well, on the surface, it’s a charity event. But in reality, it's more about maintaining the balance of power. The Big Four families—they need the world to see them together, to remind everyone that their alliance is still strong, still in control."Zen nodded slowly, processing her words. "So, it's more like a show of strength than an actual charity event," he said.Rosalia chuckled. "Exactly. They have to appear united, to let the public know that their power isn't waning. It’s about reassurance—both to the people and to themselves."Zen frowned, glanc
The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War Chapter 36
As they weaved through the bustling crowd, Rosalia led Zen with a firm grip on his arm. The grand hall echoed with laughter and chatter, but the moment she approached a group of older men standing at the center, the noise seemed to diminish. Zen could feel the weight of every gaze in the room. "Come," Rosalia whispered, pulling him closer. "I want you to meet my grandfather, the patriarch of the Albrecht family."Zen’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn’t say a word. He followed her with a relaxed posture. As they reached the group, Zen found himself standing before the Big Four—powerful men whose influence stretched across the country.Rosalia's grandfather, a tall man with a deceptively cheerful face, stepped forward, his smile was wide. “Rosalia, my dear,” he greeted warmly, his voice carrying an air of authority. “Grandfather,” Rosalia said, with a respectful but light tone. “I’d like you to meet Tom.”Zen stood his ground, unbending, unbowed. No gestures of respect, no nods. J
The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War Chapter 37
Zen leaned over to Rosalia. “Hey, could you point me to the restroom?”Rosalia nodded and stood up. “I’ll take you there.”Zen gently placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. “No need to stress yourself. Just point me in the right direction.”She gave him a small smile and pointed down a hallway. “It’s straight down there. The last door on the left.”“Thanks,” Zen replied, giving her a nod before making his way toward the restroom.___As he finished washing his hands and stepped out of the restroom, he almost bumped into two men waiting outside—Silas Wales and his friend, Dave. Zen’s eyes met Silas's, and he recognized the familiar sneer. Silas, whose ego Zen had bruised in a previous encounter, clearly hadn’t forgotten.“Long time no see,” Silas said with a forced smile, his tone dripping with condescension.Zen raised an eyebrow, with a calm expression. “It’s been a while, Silas,” he replied evenly, not showing any hint of concern.Dave smirked, leaning against the wall. “Still
The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War Chapter 38
As Silas approached Zen, his hand extended, ready to search him, a smirk played on his lips. Zen’s gaze was steady, though his eyes were sharp with amusement. Silas’ hand brushed against the necklace, and his smile broadened. “Gotcha!” Silas whispered triumphantly, drawing out the diamond necklace. “Here it is—”Before he could finish, a loud crash echoed through the hall. Glass shattered from above, and the lights abruptly went out. Smoke bombs went off and suddenly the room was filled with a thick fog and gasps of shock as chaos erupted.Zen’s hand trembled, his face paling. “I finally had the chance to—” His voice wavered, barely audible. “I finally had the chance to have some fun.” The hall plunged into darkness, and the room was enveloped in a higher degree of chaos, broken only by distant shouts and hurried footsteps. From the shadows, Sinclair appeared, his voice cutting through the confusion. “Chief. Looks like there’s trouble.”Zen’s eyes darted around as the invaders, clad
The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War Chapter 39
“Well, now that the excitement is over,” Silas began loudly, trying to regain his composure and draw attention back to himself, “there's still the matter of the missing jewelry—”The woman earlier, in a lavish gown suddenly stepped forward, holding up a glittering diamond necklace. “Oh, Silas!” she exclaimed, interrupting him. “I found it! I must have kept it in my purse without realizing.”The crowd let out a collective sigh of relief, with some chuckling nervously. But Silas wasn’t satisfied. He opened his mouth to argue, “But—”“Silence!” the Albrecht patriarch's voice boomed through the hall, cutting Silas off sharply. His face was stern, his eyes narrowing with impatience. “Enough of this nonsense! We have had more than enough drama for one night.” He turned to the Wales patriarch, who stood nearby, and his voice softened slightly but remained commanding. “See to it that your grandson knows his place and keeps his mouth shut.”The Wales patriarch sighed and turned, giving Silas a
The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War Chapter 40
The room was tense, the air thick with anticipation. The old man's eyes, sharp as ever, studied Zen intently. "You know," the old man began, his voice gravelly but commanding, "there are five major units in the military. Each one is capable of producing soldiers with the kind of strength you demonstrated tonight." He paused, letting his words hang in the air. "So, tell me, young man, which unit are you from?"Zen remained silent, his expression calm and unreadable. The old man’s smile widened, his curiosity piqued."You’re not going to answer? Or are you just being cautious?" he pressed. "You must be aware that anyone who shows such ability is usually affiliated with one of these units. It’s rare to see someone outside the military capable of such feats."Zen's eyes flickered slightly, but he kept his composure. "I’m not affiliated with any unit," he finally said, his voice steady. "I’ve always worked alone."The old man raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Alone, you say? That’s q
The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War Chapter 41
The next day, sunlight was streaming through the windows as Zen drove up to the hospital. He pulls into a parking spot, the engine of his car purring to a stop. As he steps out, a familiar voice cuts through the morning air.“Well, well, well. Look who’s gracing us with his presence,” Tasha teases, a playful smirk on her face. She’s leaning against a nearby wall, her arms crossed over her chest, clearly having been waiting for him.Zen glances over, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Tasha,” he acknowledges with a nod. “What are you doing out here so early?”“I could ask you the same thing,” she retorts, pushing off the wall to walk over to him. “Or maybe you’re just another rich kid who likes making a grand entrance?”Zen chuckles softly, shaking his head. “I didn’t realize driving a regular car was considered grand.”“Oh, please,” Tasha rolls her eyes. “That’s not a regular car, and you know it. I bet there’s a lot more to you than you let on. Probably some trust fund you’re hiding
The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War Chapter 42
Zen and Tasha walked through the hospital entrance, their footsteps echoing in the bustling hallway. The scent of antiseptic in the air, mingling with the quiet hum of activity. Nurses and doctors walking around, their faces set with the seriousness of their duties. Zen is scanning the surroundings, still thinking about the run-in with Sonia, when a familiar voice calls out. “Tom!” Zen turns and sees Nia approaching, her face lighting up with a smile. She was wearing yunusual vibrant scrubs, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. Zen’s surprised to see her here; he hadn’t expected to run into Nia today. He stops in his tracks, and Tasha glances between them, sensing an old connection. “Nia,” Zen says, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “What are you doing here?” Nia shrugs, a playful glint in her eyes. “I could ask you the same thing. But I guess you’re not here for the same reason as everyone else—you’re probably trying to save the world one patient at a time.” Z
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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
