2024-10-23 17:35:00“Is this why you disturbed my busy schedule?” Keisha asked, crossing her arms and giving Zen a mock-serious look.
Zen shrugged, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “I guess.”Keisha raised an eyebrow, her tone shifting slightly. “I am disappointed in you, Chief. Respectfully.”He chuckled, shaking his head. “You always get away with respectfully shading me, don’t you?”“Only because you make it so easy,” she shot back, a smirk breaking through her stern facade.As they exchanged their banter, their attention turned to the park where the brother and sister sat, now playing with a toy car that Keisha seemed to have brought at Zen's behest. The sight of them brought warmth.Zen’s expression softened. He walked over to the older sister, who was still watching her brother play. “Hey,” he said gently. “Talk to me. Why were you crying?”“I..I wasn’t, he was the one crying,” the little girl said, with an embarrassed fluster.
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The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War Chapter 69
Keisha stood at the ice cream shop counter, scanning the colorful array of flavors. “What do you want, kiddos?” she asked, crouching down to meet their eager faces.“I want chocolate!” the little boy exclaimed, bouncing on his toes. His sister nodded enthusiastically, “And sprinkles!”Keisha chuckled, glancing at Zen, who was leaning against the counter, arms crossed and watching them with a soft smile. “Two chocolate cones with sprinkles coming right up,” she said, turning back to the clerk.As they waited, Zen approached the kids. “So, what’s your favorite thing about ice cream?” he asked, kneeling down to their level.“It makes me happy!” the boy said, his face lighting up. “And it’s cold, like winter!”“I love winter!” Zen replied, enjoying the innocence of their conversation. “What about you?” he asked the girl.“I like sharing it with my brother,” she said, glancing at her sibling with a fond smile.Zen felt a warm
The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War Chapter 70
Zen leaned back in the leather seat of the limo, eyes scanning the streets outside as they drove. The silence between him and Keisha was comfortable, but Zen’s thoughts were focused on the Rossi situation. Without looking away from the window, he broke the silence.“Keisha, why is Malia’s mother running Rossi Constructions? Isn’t Malia supposed to be handling this?”Keisha, sitting next to him, didn’t miss a beat as she responded, her voice steady. “Malia runs two separate companies. Her real estate company secures the deals and handles the finances, while Rossi Constructions is responsible for carrying out the projects. It’s a way to keep everything in-house and maintain control over both the funding and execution.”Zen nodded slowly, processing the information. “So, the money never leaves their circle.”“Exactly,” Keisha replied, her tone slightly amused. “They’ve created a neat little system where the real estate company assigns funds to Rossi Constructions, and both companies are
The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War Chapter 71
Zen closed the office door behind him, the quiet hum of the city outside barely breaking the silence of the room. His office, cold and impersonal, hadn’t seen much of him lately. Zen rarely spent time here. Everything important happened outside these four walls.Just as he began to sit, there was a soft knock.“Come in.”Anna stepped inside with a tray in her hands, balancing two cups of coffee. She had an unusual air of calm around her, always steady. Her figure was small in comparison to the tall doorway, but her presence wasn’t.“I didn’t expect to see you today,” Zen said with a smirk. “You’re a character I only see once in a while.”Anna smiled warmly as she set the tray on his desk. “It’s my pleasure, sir. I try to stay out of the way unless needed.”He picked up one of the cups, savoring the warmth in his hand. “Still, you manage to show up when it matters.”Anna glanced at him, a twinkle of admiration in her eyes. “I’ve learned from the best.”Zen raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War Chapter 72
The next day Mrs. Evelyn marched right up to the receptionist, her face hard, her lips pressed into a thin line. Without wasting a second, she said, "I need to speak with the heads of Mega Enterprises. Immediately."The receptionist, a young woman with glasses that kept slipping down her nose, blinked up at her. "Do you have an appointment, ma'am?" she asked, her fingers hesitating over the keyboard."I didn’t come here to discuss appointments. I came to discuss why Mega is demanding fifty percent from a loan that isn’t even due!" Mrs. Evelyn’s voice rose, causing a few heads to turn in their direction.The receptionist cleared her throat, trying to maintain her composure. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but without an appointment, I can't—"Malia stepped forward, her voice quieter but equally firm. "Look, we don’t want to cause a scene. We just need answers. Who's in charge? The CEO? Let us talk to her."The receptionist, flustered, typed something quickly into her computer. "The CEO, Ms. Willow,
The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War Chapter 73
Keisha’s lips curved into a tight smile, her patience visibly running thin. "I have nothing else to say to either of you," she said firmly. She folded her arms, her gaze hardening as she added, "You can either leave now, or I’ll have security escort you out. Your choice."Mrs. Evelyn’s eyes flashed with anger, her fists clenched at her sides. Malia placed a hand on her mother’s arm, trying to hold her back from another outburst. It was clear that neither of them wanted to cause more of a scene. Malia's face was flushed, her expression one of frustration and exhaustion. She glanced around, feeling the eyes of the staff and other visitors in the building, watching the commotion unfold. She swallowed hard, knowing it was time to retreat.Without another word, Mrs. Evelyn turned sharply on her heels, pulling her daughter along with her. They strode towards the entrancea. As the automatic doors slid open for them to exit, Keisha watched with a cold, silent satisfaction. Just as the door wa
The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War Chapter 74
Zen’s fingers tapped rhythmically against the steering wheel as he drove, the low hum of the engine the only sound in the car. His eyes were focused on the road, but his mind wandered back to the little boy and girl he had met before. There was something about their situation that had gnawed at him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He tightened his grip on the wheel as he neared their neighborhood, determined to see what was happening.As he approached the street where their small, rundown house stood, Zen slowed the car. His gaze locked onto a bull dozer, its engine rumbling as workers prepared it to tear the house down. A chill ran through him. This was worse than he expected. He pulled over quickly, parking the car at the curb. The scene before him was chaotic, with the rumble of the machinery drowning out the sound of the kids’ voices.He stepped out of the car, his boots crunching on the gravel, and made his way toward the house. The kids were standing
The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War Chapter 75
Zen glanced at his watch, noting it was exactly 2 PM. He turned to the children, their faces etched with uncertainty. “Listen, I know your uncle and aunt aren’t coming back. I’ve seen enough to know they’ve abandoned you, but I won’t abandon you.” The little boy’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What do you mean? They said they would come back!”Zen shook his head, kneeling to meet their gaze. “They might have said that, but it’s just a lie to keep you calm. Sometimes adults make choices that aren’t right, and we have to be brave enough to face the truth.”Suddenly, a car pulled up behind him, cutting through the moment. The engine’s low growl faded, and a familiar face emerged. It was Keisha. The workers who were getting ready to demolish the house stopped what they were doing, turning their attention to her.Zen stood up, keeping his eyes on the workers as they moved uneasily. “I’ll have to tell you to leave now with your machinery,” he said firmly, pointing toward the bulldozer. One
The Useless Son-In-law is a God of War Chapter 76
The cab bounced along the uneven streets, jostling the occupants in the back seat. The children’s uncle and aunt laughed heartily, their voices loud and carefree.“Can you believe those kids? Always a pain in the ass!” the uncle chuckled, leaning back comfortably against the seat. “I’m just glad we finally got rid of them. Moving to another city? Perfect. No one will find us.”The aunt grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Right? We can finally live our lives without those two getting in the way. No more babysitting nightmares!”As they spoke, the uncle glanced out the window, his smile fading slightly. “Hey, we’ve passed the corner before, haven’t we? Why does it feel like we’re just going in circles?”He turned to the driver, frowning. “Hey! This isn’t the way to the bus stop, is it?”The driver, a middle-aged man with a thick accent, looked back at him in the rearview mirror. “No, no, it’s not. Just taking a shortcut.”“A shortcut? This doesn’t look like a shortcut!” The uncl
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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
