King of modern warfare

CHAPTER1 :Glory Returns

Riverdale, Verdant City!

Airport!

Chasel Mills stepped off the private jet, wearing a pair of distinctive black

combat boots. He stood tall, his eyes

sparkling like stars, but his face

appeared a bit pale.

Waiting to greet Chasel was a young woman in a black uniform, exuding confidence and grace. Evern in her

standard attire, her curvy figure was

hard to miss, adding an unexpected

allure to her presence.

However, Chasel seemed oblivious to the

beauty before him, lost in thought.

"Suzaku, have you found any results from the investigation I asked you to do?"

Five years ago, at just twenty years old, he had founded the Beiqing Group, quickly becoming a dark horse in Verdant City's business scene. The

company's value had skyrocheted, but

just as he was about to go public, he was

betrayed by his partner.

Charlotte Walker, the company's vice president, had drugged him and falsely accused him of rape, even orchestrating

a media frenzy to catch him in the act!

At that moment, under the influence of the drug, he had lost his senses and, in a desperate escape, was saved by a mysterious woman. In his dazed state,

they had ended up together, which

ultimately saved his life.

But when he finally regained

consciousness, he found himself in prison,

with no memory of who she was.

A month into his incarceration, he was selected to join a mysterious unit,

marking the beginning of a five-year

military career.

For five years, he had been embroiled in

battles, unable to break free.Until today!

He had succeeded and was finally

returning homel

This was a knot in his heart.

Upon hearing this, Suzaku immediately saluted sharply. "Report, Aurelian. We have some leads. By tonight at the latest,

we will have results."

Her clear voice carried admiration,

respect, and a hint of fear!

"Good!"

At her words, Chasel trembled slightly. A

flicker of emotion crossed his usually But then he broke into a violent cough.

Suzaku quickly pulled out a white silk handkerchief and handed it to Chasel.

"Aurelian, are you alright?"

Her strikingly handsome face was filled with concern!

If it weren't for that battle a month ago, this man, who was almost god-like, wouldn't have been so severely injured!

Yet it was precisely that battle that had vanquished all enemies, allowing this

man to achieve legendary status.

Afterward, at the peak of his power, he

honorably retired and took charge of the most mysterious organization in China, "Aurelian!"

The name Aurelian was not just a title; it represented supreme glory and a belief!

Aurelian Mills was a living legend!

It was also because of this that after stepping down from his position as the "Commander of the Northern Region," Chasel no longer needed to oversee the

North. This was why he finally had the

time to return to Verdant City!

"Im fine!'"Chasel coughed a couple more times, pulling away the handkerchief that was now stained bright red, but he acted as if he hadn't noticed it at all.

"Filial piety comes first!'" Images of his family flashed in his mind. "Let me

change clothes first, then take me to the

Mills family!"

With that, he stepped forward and exited the airport, with Suzaku respectfully

following closely behind.

Verdant City, I'm back!

All the past grievances will finally come

to an end!

Outside an old residential complex,

Chasel paused.

The Mills family had shown him

immense kindness.

Especially his adoptive father, Gilberto Mills, who had taken him from the orphanage and treated him as his own.

Even after having a biological daughter, Nora Mills, his love for Chasel had never wavered!

Gilberto had often said that once he and

Nora grew up, they would get married.

Keeping it in the family!

Nora Mills had always been very close

to Chasel, like a little shadow.

He knew every little mole on her body and exactly where they were!

If he hadn't been framed and sent to prison back then, he might have been

married to Nora Mills by now.

Thinking of this, Chasel couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Time had passed, and he was no longer the promising young entrepreneur he

once was. To outsiders, he was just an

ex-convict, a rapist.

It seemed that many people and things had changed beyond recognition!

Quickly shaking off these thoughts, Chasel stepped into the neighborhood.

Even though it had been five years since he last returned, he still found his way to the Mills family home with ease.

His five years of tough experiences had made Chasel adopt a serious demeanor, exuding an air of authority without

needing to raise his voice.

Standing in front of the door, he paused for a moment, then suddenly put on a

warm smile. The commanding presence he usually carried slowly faded away,leaving him looking like an ordinary

neighbor.

However, his face had a pale hue,

making him appear somewhat unwell.

He knocked on the door.

Before long, the door swung open.

"Who is it?"

A middle-aged woman appeared before

Chasel, her face lit up with a bright

smile.

But soon, the smile on her face began to

freeze.

"You.. you are... Chasel Mills?" The

middle-aged woman's face displayeda

look of disbelief.

"Mom!" Chasel called out.

"Don't call me that! I don't have a son like you!" The woman's expression turned icy.

Having a criminal in the family who had Committed violence against womern had

brought them nothing but shame over theyears, and they had faced countless

judgmental stares.

"Monica, who's here? Welcome the guest in, let's have a meal!" At that moment, a man with graying hair and a cigarette in hand appeared before Chasel.

Seeing him made Chasel tremble slightly.

"Dad, you should smoke less. Take care of your health!" Chasel said, his voice carrying a barely noticeable tremor.

"Chasel?" Gilberto Mills paused

mid-drag, seemingly in disbelief. He

pinched his arm hard, as if to confirm he

wasn't dreaming. After feeling the pain,he looked Chasel up and down, his

excitement bubbling over. "Chasel, you're

finally back! Where have you been all

these years?"

While everyone else had said Chasel was sentenced for attempted crimes, only Gilberto had never believed it, no matter what.

Since Chasel was imprisoned, he had

completely disappeared from everyone's

radar! He couldn't even find a way to

visit him or anyone to talk to.

"Dad, it's complicated," Chasel said, his

expression a mix of emotions."It's okay, it's okay! You're back, that's what matters! We'll have plenty of time to talk, father and son!" Gilberto said, his eyes slightly red and filled with

excitement.

"What are you blocking the door for?

Hurry, let Chasel in!"

Then, Gilberto suddenly realized that Chasel was still standing outside.

"On such an important day, you're making a scene..." Monica Anderson whispered, then turned to Chasel.

"Chasel, since you're back, it's not like

you're going to miss a day. Why don't

you come back tomorrow?"Chasel was at a loss for words. He felt stuck, unsure whether to go in or stay out.

"What are you talking about?" Gilberto's

expression turned cold.

"Chasel, don't just stand there! Come

inside!"

With that, Gilberto reached out to pull

Chasel into the house.

Monica Anderson's expression wasn't

great, but she stepped aside to let Chasel

into the house.

Once inside, Chasel noticed that there

were quite a few people gathered. Most were familiar faces-relatives from theMills family!

In the center of the room stood a striking young man with an air of sophistication, clearly a wealthy heir, surrounded by a group of relatives who were treating him

like royalty.

"Samir, from now on, you'll have to take good care of our Noral" one aunt said

enthusiastically.

"Nora has been spoiled by her parents since she was little. If she acts a bit

spoiled, please bear with her!" another

chimed in.

"Of course, if she throws a tantrum, just let us know, and we'll handle it!" a few aunts added, all talķing over each other.

"Come on, aunts, what are you talking about? Im not spoiled or unreasonable at all..." Nora protested from beside the young man. She had her hair tied in a ponytail, her figure curvy and her outfit stylish, and she blinked playfully.

"Exactly, aunts! Nora is very sensible. I promise that once she marries me, Ill treat her like a princess. We'll have a housekeeper to handle everything at home, and all she'll need to do is shop and have fun. Ill spoil her rotten: she

won't need to worry about anything else,"

the young man said, flashing a gentlemanly smile at the relatives,

though there was a hint of impatience in

his eyes toward these "simple" aunts.

"Right, we were just being overly Concerned. Nora marrying Samir means she's marrying into wealth and will be living a life of luxury" one of the aunts quickly replied, her eyes betraying a hint

of envy.

At that moment, Gilberto Mills

approached with Chasel in tow. Chasel

noticed that there was someone else

behind Gilberto.

Nora Mills felt a wave of curiosity."Dad, is your friend here?" she asked.

But the moment she saw the visitor, the

smile in her eyes froze instantly.

A brief moment of panic surged within

her, and she instinctively moved away

from Samir.

"Nora, long time no see!" Chasel said with a grin.

However, the momentary panic faded

quickly, and Nora's expression turned icy. "When did you get out of prison?"

CHAPTER 2:

Things have changed, people have changed.

Nora's change in attitude instantly chilled the previously cheerful atmosphere. Chasel Mills' smile froze on his face.

He had thought that after five years, things might have changed, but he never expected people to be so cold-hearted. The girl who used to cling to him every day and declared she wanted to marry him had transformed so drastically.

"This is... Chasel, right? You're back..."

A few aunts exchanged awkward glances, their expressions shifting slightly. Years ago, Chasel had been a young entrepreneur who founded the Beiqing Group, becoming a well-known star businessman in Verdant City. These aunts had treated him like royalty, openly praising the Mills family for producing such talent and trying to curry favor with him.

But now, not a single one of them stood up to greet him. After a dry acknowledgment, they fell silent.

However, Nora's aunt showed no restraint: "Chasel, what are you back for? Don't you think you've embarrassed the Mills family enough? Are you planning to come back and cause moretrouble, or did you just want to interrupt Nora and Samir's wedding?"

Seeing her aunt speak up, Monica Anderson's expression darkened. "Chasel, although Anguo jokingly promised you a future with Nora back then, times have changed. Nora has found her own happiness now. Don't take it the wrong way, but you can't give her happiness anymore. If you truly care for her, you should let go of this idea and not come back at this time!"

"Enough!" Just as Monica was about to say more, Gilberto suddenly erupted, "Chasel has finally come back, and you can't hold your tongues for a moment? Iswear, one word from me is worth a thousand..."

However, Gilberto's words were cut short.

Nora quickly interjected, "Dad!"

She knew her father's temper; he was about to say something about her marrying Chasel again. There was no way she could marry a rapist, even if he was the person she once claimed she would marry no matter what.

Seeing his daughter so anxious, Gilberto let out a heavy sigh but chose not to continue."Chasel, we need to talk!"

With that, Nora Mills turned and walked outside.

Chasel remained silent but followed her. Even though he tried to tone down his presence to appear like an ordinary young man next door, years of military discipline still showed in his steady gait. Each step he took was measured and consistent, almost as if he were marching.

While others didn't notice, Samir did. He glanced at the two of them, a flicker of hostility crossing his eyes."Chasel..." Once they reached the balcony, Nora looked up at him.

Before she could say anything else, Chasel forced a smile and said, "You never used to call me by my full name like that!"

At his words, Nora's gaze flickered slightly, but she retorted coldly, "You know that was in the past. Now, I don't even want to mention your name!"

God knows how heartbroken and desperate she felt when she found out that Chasel had been imprisoned for rape. It was like being betrayed by someone she had admired for years!After the pain came hatred. And after the hatred, she had completely erased Chasel from her heart.

"I was framed!" Chasel insisted.

"Maybe," Nora replied, her tone laced with skepticism.

It was clear that Nora Mills didn't believe him.

"I called you out here just to tell you that there's no possibility for us anymore. I'm in the South, you're in the North, and we will never cross paths again!"

Chasel maintained his smile, but it was tinged with bitterness.Years ago, Nora hadn't said anything like that.

"We're from different places—one in the South and one in the North. If we keep heading South, we'll eventually reach the North. If we keep going North, we'll end up in the South. We are forever inseparable!"

But he didn't care about that anymore.

After five years of a tough life, facing life and death, Chasel had long since moved on from his feelings for Nora. That affection had been buried deep within him and had gradually faded.What mattered more to him now was the bond of family he shared with Nora.

This time, he had only come back to see his adoptive parents and Nora.

However, aside from his adoptive father, everyone else had misunderstood him.

"I don't want you to ruin my current relationship, and I don't want my parents to argue because of you!"

"Over the years, they've faced enough gossip because of you! Even though you've been to prison, with your skills, finding a job shouldn't be too hard. Just work steadily and be a good person.Don't bring shame to Mom and Dad!"

A flicker of sympathy crossed Nora's heart, but she still spoke coldly.

Especially when she emphasized the words "be a good person."

"Don't worry, I'm not here to cause trouble for you, nor will I let my parents suffer because of me!"

Chasel wiped the smile off his face and took a deep breath, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside him. He then turned and walked toward the living room.

Nora Mills felt a flash of disappointment cross her face. Five years in prison, five years disconnected from society—could he really adapt to the world now? Moreover, finding a job would be tough for someone with a criminal record, especially with Chasel's past crimes that made everyone look down on him. What right did he have to say anything? Even her own relatives despised him, let alone others.

What bothered her most was Chasel's comment about not coming back to bother her. It left a sour feeling in her heart.

Upon returning to the living room, Samir, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. "Nora, aren't you going to introduce us?"

Nora instinctively glanced at Chasel before walking over to Samir, linking her arm with his. "This is my boyfriend and fiancé, Samir, the vice president of Tianchen Pharmaceuticals!"

Samir smiled, "I'm just a figurehead fornow. The company is busy preparing for an IPO, and my dad is still in charge. I need to train for a few more years before he hands over the reins to me!" His tone was humble, but there was an undeniable pride in his eyes.

"And this is... Chasel!" Nora looked back at Chasel, not elaborating further.

"Hello, I'm Nora's brother, Chasel!" Chasel extended his hand. In this day and age, the only people he treated with such courtesy were his comrades and a few respected elders; no one else, no matter how powerful, earned that privilege from him.But since Samir was Nora's fiancé, that made him Chasel's brother-in-law. Chasel extended his hand with a friendly gesture. However, a hint of awkwardness crossed Samir's face, as if he felt a bit apologetic. "Hello, but I'm sorry, I don't usually shake hands with others. Really sorry about that!"

Chasel's resolute gaze seemed to deepen at that moment, and he calmly withdrew his hand. Nora Mills showed a brief flash of embarrassment, but it quickly faded.

"Chasel Mills?" It was only then that surprise flickered in Samir's eyes, as if he had just pieced it together after some thought. "Wasn't there a strong... in Verdant City five years ago...?"

At this point, Samir suddenly seemed to realize he had misspoken and quickly corrected himself. "Sorry, it must just be a coincidence with the name."

Chasel's expression remained unchanged. The Mills family relatives, including Monica Anderson and Nora, felt a wave of embarrassment wash over them, their expressions turning sour as they glanced at Chasel. They thought it was a mistake to have adopted him in the first place.

Only Gilberto shot a dissatisfied look at Samir, feeling that this prospective son-in-law was a bit hypocritical. He quickly tried to change the subject. "Isn't it almost mealtime? Is dinner ready?"

Upon hearing this, Monica Anderson immediately caught on.

"Just a moment, just a moment!"

"Today is Samir's first time at our home; we have to make sure he enjoys Auntie's cooking!"

Monica Anderson looked at Samir with satisfaction, like a mother-in-law admiring her son-in-law. He was handsome, came from a family that owned a business, was wealthy, and polite.

With that, she headed toward the kitchen, seemingly ignoring Chasel.

"Come on, let's have a drink, just the two of us!"

Gilberto Mills was quite attentive to Chasel.

"Sure, I'll join you!" Chasel replied with a smile.

Even though he was still recovering from a serious injury and shouldn't be drinking, he pushed those thoughts aside.

Soon, the food was served, and everyone gathered around the table.

However, before anyone could pick up their chopsticks, Samir received a phone call and stepped outside for a moment. When he returned, he was holding two beautifully wrapped boxes.

"Uncle, I heard from Nora that you enjoy smoking. I had someone specially go to the Dunhill headquarters in the UK to get this pipe for you. It's a limited edition, only five hundred made worldwide. And this is some handmade tobacco I brought back from Italy. I hope you like it!"

Once back at the table, Samir handed the gift box containing the pipe and tobacco to Gilberto.

"Yeah, Dad, Samir put in a lot of effort to get these!"

Nora beamed with joy.

"There are only five hundred of these in the world! They must be so expensive, probably over ten thousand!"

Her aunt gasped, her face a mix of astonishment and envy.

"The original price isn't that high, just fifty thousand," Samir replied with a smile. "It's just that because it's a limited edition, it's hard for ordinary people to get their hands on!" "Fifty thousand?"

The Mills family was completely taken aback.

Once they got home, they would definitely look up the value of the gifts Samir had given them. He had brought gifts for each of them, and they seemed quite valuable.

Samir noticed that they were only focused on the price and missed the part about how ordinary people couldn't buy them.

This wasn't just about money; it was about status!

Unfortunately, they didn't understand this, and he couldn't help but feel a bit disdainful. The Mills family relatives were ultimately not up to par.

After the wedding, he would have to make sure Nora Mills Cut ties with them. The daughter-in-law of the Lee familyneeded to be noble and elegant!

"This needs to be taken care of; we can't let it get damaged!"

Monica Anderson noticed that Gilberto Mills didn't seem too thrilled, so she quickly took it from him, her heart filled with joy. She was so pleased with her daughter's choice of a son-in-law who was so generous.

At that moment, Berloff's aunt turned to Chasel and said with a hint of jealousy, "Samir really cares about his father-in-law. I just wonder if someone has prepared any gifts now that he's back?"Samir couldn't help but smile inwardly.

Finally, his aunt was getting to the point.

Everyone's eyes turned to Chasel in unison.

CHAPTER 3: INTRODUCING THE JOB.

Seeing this, Gilberto's expression darkened immediately.

"Have you all lost your minds over money?"

"Chasel coming back healthy is the best gift!"

Gilberto's displeasure was evident.

The others fell silent, sensing the tension in the air, especially his sister-in-law, who realized Gilberto's words were aimed directly at her. Her face turned sour.Her gaze toward Chasel became increasingly hostile.

A disaster!

How could someone like him not rot in prison?

What was he back for? To bring everyone trouble!

Chasel seemed oblivious to his aunt's glare.

He reached into the pocket of his trench coat.

"Dad, I know you enjoy a few puffs every day. I didn't bring any fancy gifts this time; like my brother-in-law, I brought you a smoking pipe and some tobacco leaves!"

"I was planning to give them to you after dinner!"

As he spoke, Chasel pulled out a smoking pipe and a regular plastic bag filled with sun-dried tobacco leaves, still in whole sheets and not yet shredded!

Samir, who had been staring at Chasel, let out a sigh of relief. He had feared that Chasel would pull out something more valuable than his own gift to one-up him.Who would have thought it was just some cheap stuff made in the countryside! It was downright embarrassing!

Aunt and the other relatives exchanged disdainful glances at the sight.

Of all the things to bring, you chose to show up with a cheap smoking pipe and tobacco leaves. Even if it was low-quality, that would be fine. But after Samir gifted a global limited edition luxury pipe and premium tobacco, your low-end pipe made of ordinary bamboo and uncut leaves was just too much. The stark contrast was painfully obvious, making it a self-inflicted humiliation! "If it were me, I'd rather say I didn't bring a gift at all than show up with that!" Aunt couldn't hold back her sarcastic remark.

The other relatives and Samir looked on, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

Only Monica and Nora exchanged glances, their expressions shifting to something more complex.

Sure enough, when Gilberto saw the smoking pipe and tobacco leaves in Mitchell's hands, his face lit up with joy as if he had stumbled upon a priceless treasure. He took them eagerly and exclaimed, "Is this made by our hometown's Harris family?"

"Yep! Uncle Harris made the pipe himself, and he dried the tobacco leaves too. I specifically asked him to save some whole leaves for me!" Chasel good too.

"Good kid! No wonder you're my son. You know I only like to smoke pipes from the Harris family and prefer to cut the leaves to my liking!"

"Nothing beats our local products! Those foreign trinkets just don't appeal to me!" Gilberto laughed heartily, playfully slapping Chasel on the shoulder.

Just as Gilberto's hand was about to land on his shoulder, Chasel instinctively tensed up, almost ready to retaliate. But then he realized they were no longer on the battlefield, so he let Gilberto's hand rest on his shoulder.At that moment, Samir's expression darkened. He sensed that Gilberto didn't genuinely appreciate those cheap goods; it felt more like he was trying to save face for Chasel.

This old man really doesn't care about my feelings. Once I marry Nora, I'll make sure to kick this father-in-law to the curb. He can go live with his useless adopted son!

However, Samir kept his composure, knowing he needed to maintain a good relationship with his future father-in-law before the wedding. He quickly gathered his thoughts and smiled, "Since you prefer local products, Uncle, I'll be sure to pay more attention in the future. I'll ask for your preferences first instead of blindly trying to please you!"

His performance was gracious and appropriate, making the relatives sigh in admiration. This was what a young talent should be like, unlike Chasel, who was nothing but a disgrace!

Samir's demeanor instantly cleared the awkward atmosphere from earlier. Monica Anderson quickly chimed in, "We all see Samir's filial piety!"

"Come on, let's eat some vegetables first!"Nora Mills shot a deep glance at Chasel. She thought to herself, you only know what Dad likes and took advantage of that.

Soon, everyone began to pick up their chopsticks.

Glasses clinked!

"Cheers, Dad!"

Chasel poured wine for Gilberto, then filled his own glass. After toasting, he downed it in one go, showcasing the boldness typical of a military man!

"How crude!" Samir, who considered his aunt and other relatives beneath him, watched as Chasel behaved nothing like Samir himself. While Samir ate and drank with a casual air, Chasel moved with grace and elegance, like a true gentleman. This only fueled their disdain.

After several rounds of drinks and a variety of dishes, Samir suddenly turned to Chasel and asked, "Now that you're back, do you have a job lined up?"

Before Chasel could respond, his aunt sneered, "A guy who just got back from... where would he find a job? I bet he came back because no one wanted him out there, just to mooch off his parents..."With a criminal record, what kind of job could he possibly get?

"I tell you, brother, sister-in-law, you can't spoil someone like this. If you hadn't pampered him since he was little, he wouldn't have ended up like this."

Gilberto's face darkened completely. "Can't you keep your mouth shut even during dinner?"

"Fine, if you won't say anything, then I won't either!" Chasel's aunt pouted. Now that Gilberto had a golden son-in-law, they would need to rely on his family more in the future, so she didn't dare to truly offend him."I was thinking, my family's company is currently preparing for an IPO and really needs talent. If Chasel is looking for work, he could consider joining us. After all, we're family, and I can look out for him," Samir quickly chimed in.

His flattering words left everyone feeling quite pleased. The relatives, especially those with children about to enter the workforce, had their eyes light up. If Samir was willing to help, their kids could land jobs at his company, which would soon be a publicly listed one.

Instantly, the way these relatives looked at Samir became even more fervent, and their satisfaction grew. Even Gilberto's expression softened significantly, and he finally nodded in approval at Samir.

Then he turned to Chasel and asked, "Chasel, do you have a job right now?"

Chasel, not daring to hide anything from his adoptive father, replied, "Not at the moment."

"Well then, why not consider Samir's company?" Gilberto Mills suggested. He knew that after spending five years in prison, it would be tough for Chasel to find a decent job. Joining Samir's company could be a great opportunity. With Chasel's abilities, he could certainly make a name for himself and build a better resume. Even if he decided to leave later, he wouldn't be stuck doing manual labor.

Chasel understood Gilberto Mills's good intentions but he also knows that samir has ulterior motives. Sure enough, before Chasel could respond, Samir spoke up again, looking at Mitchell Anderson and asking, "Chasel, do you have a master's degree or just a bachelor's?"

"Don't get me wrong; each position has its own requirements regarding education. I'm just trying to understand the situation to see what kind of job can be arranged," Samir said.

As soon as he spoke, the expressions on several relatives' faces changed dramatically, turning into a mix of glee and schadenfreude.

"He attended a prestigious university butdropped out voluntarily!" Nora Mills chimed in, noticing that Chasel was ignoring Samir. She assumed it was because Chasel was too proud to respond, so she decided to speak on his behalf.

Even though she despised Chasel at the moment, she still hoped he could find a job and adapt to society in five years, so his parents wouldn't have to worry. Of course, she wasn't being entirely truthful; Chasel didn't drop out voluntarily—he was expelled after going to prison due to his poor reputation.

"I see," Samir pondered for a moment before continuing, "With just a high school diploma, you can only work as a security guard or a warehouse manager. It pays about three thousand a month, with food and lodging included. While the salary isn't high, the work is easy. If you do well, I can promote you and give you a raise in a few months. That way, no one will have anything to say!"

Promotion and a raise!

Upon hearing this, Chasel's aunt and the other relatives widened their eyes in surprise. Initially, they had relished the idea of Chasel becoming a security guard or warehouse manager, but now they felt a twinge of envy at the prospect of a promotion and raise."You should thank Samir properly!" one of them urged.

"Yeah, if it were anyone else, they wouldn't even offer you a job, let alone guarantee a promotion and raise!" another added.

Gilberto Mills decided to keep quiet this time. Since Samir had promised a promotion and a raise, being a warehouse manager was better than being a security guard. It was a step up, after all.

However, just as Samir was arranging everything clearly, Chasel raised an eyebrow and looked around at Samir and the relatives. "Did I ever say I wanted to work at your company?"

In that moment, Chasel's expression turned icy. His gaze was sharp and piercing!

CHAPTER 4 :MOTHER-DAUGHTER NEWS

All the relatives, along with Samir, were intimidated by Chasel Mills' domineering gaze. They froze for a moment!

But soon, Chasel's aunt reacted, "What's wrong? Samir is just trying to help you find a job, and you're biting the hand that feeds you? You should take a good look at yourself!"

Chasel stood up, his eyes lowering as he wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin while staring at his aunt.

Instantly, his aunt felt a chill run down her spine. Under Chasel's terrifying gaze,she swallowed the rest of her words.

"Chasel, you're really disappointing!"

At that moment, Nora spoke softly, her eyes filled with disappointment as she looked at Chasel.

He had a chance and didn't know how to seize it. Ignoring her good intentions, she regretted covering for him by saying he had voluntarily dropped out. If Samir found out, he would surely think too much about it.

She risked being misunderstood by her boyfriend, yet Chasel was so ungrateful. She really didn't understand what shesaw in him back then.

Chasel didn't argue with Nora's words. Just then, the door of the Mills family home rang again.

"Who is it?"

Monica Anderson asked in confusion, wondering why there were so many unexpected guests today.

When the door swung open, Monica Anderson was greeted by a young, beautiful woman with a confident demeanor standing outside.

The key detail? She was dressed in a uniform."Um... who are you looking for?" Monica asked, feeling a bit anxious.

Could she be looking for Chasel?

"Hello, ma'am. I'm Suzaku, here to see Chasel!" Suzaku replied, her voice clear and assertive.

At the mention of Chasel's name, Monica'sexpression darkened.

Could it be that Chasel had escaped from prison? A fugitive?

Not daring to stop her, Monica reluctantly let Suzaku inside.

Her gaze toward Chasel was filled with disdain.

What a disgrace! This was beyond embarrassing.

As soon as Suzaku stepped in, everyone noticed her, especially the eye-catching uniform she wore.

"She's not here to arrest Chasel, is she?"Monica's sister-in-law said with a hint of schadenfreude.

The other relatives also wore grim expressions.

In that moment, everyone shared Monica's suspicion.

Was Chasel really a fugitive?

If they got caught at home, it would definitely spread throughout the neighborhood. The Mills family's reputation would be completely ruined.

Nora cast a disdainful glance at Chasel before shifting her gaze elsewhere, no longer wanting to look at him.Samir's eyes lit up when he saw Suzaku's figure and beauty, but when he glanced back at Chasel, his expression turned to one of schadenfreude.

Only Gilberto quickly stood up and approached Suzaku, his voice trembling slightly. "Comrade, there... there must be some mistake!"

He had heard Suzaku say she was looking for Chasel.

"Hello, Uncle. There's no mistake. I'm here to report to Chasel about work!" Suzaku quickly explained as she noticed everyone's tension rising. "Oh, I see. That's good, that's good." Gilberto let out a sigh of relief.

As he looked at Suzaku's outfit, he began to realize her identity. However, in an instant, Gilberto's eyes widened, and his tone became excited. "Young lady, you... you said you're here to report to Chasel. Does that mean... he is... also...?"

At that moment, Gilberto Mills was so thrilled that he stumbled over his words.

"That's right, I'm his subordinate!" Suzaku stood tall and confident, feeling genuine respect for Chasel' adoptive father.

With that confirmation, Gilberto felt arush of excitement.

Gilberto suddenly burst into tears of joy. His weathered face was lit up with a broad smile, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Good kid, I knew it! I knew you weren't that kind of person. All these years, I couldn't find you because you were off serving in the military and making a name for yourself. You've really brought honor to the Mills family!"

Gilberto slapped Chasel on the shoulder, overwhelmed with excitement and pride.

Meanwhile, Monica, Nora, and all the relatives stood there, dumbfounded.

Chasel had just gotten out of prison, right?

But now, he had gone into the military?

And it seemed he had even made a bit of a name for himself!

The shock was too much for them to handle.

In an instant, the face of Chasel's aunt turned a deep shade of purple.

Those who had previously mocked Chasel exchanged glances, their heads hung low.Nora trembled slightly, looking at Chasel with a complex mix of emotions.

"Dad, I've already retired!" Chasel said with a smile, not hiding anything.

"I don't care! Retired or not, you're still the pride of the Mills family!" Gilberto exclaimed, his face still flushed with excitement.

Chasel chose not to say more.

As long as his adoptive father was happy, that was all that mattered!

"Report, Aurelian, I've cleared up everything you asked me to investigate!" Suzaku said, stepping in front of Chasel his smile fading as he spoke seriously.

"Good!" Chasel nodded.

He then turned to Gilberto Mills and Monica Anderson.Dad, Mom, I have some things to take care of, so I won't be able to stay with you for now. I'll come back to see you once I'm done!"

Chasel spoke with deep respect.

"Chasel, your matters are important. Don't let anything hold you back; go quickly," Gilberto urged. "And remember, if you have time, come home often! This will always be your home!"

"Don't worry, Dad. This will always bemy home!" Chasel replied with a smile.

He then looked at Nora. "Nora, I wish you happiness!"

"Samir, Nora is a good girl. Don't let herDon't let her down!" Chasel added, turning his sharp gaze toward Samir.

The atmosphere was chilling! Samir felt a tightness in his chest; he could clearly sense the threat in Chasel' words. An uneasy feeling washed over him, but he didn't dare to argue back.

Chasel paid no mind to their reactions. After speaking, he turned and walked toward the door with Suzaku by his side.

His steps were steady!

That figure, not particularly muscular, suddenly appeared so dignified and imposing at that moment!

Moments later, Chasel and Suzaku vanished from everyone's sight.

It took a while for everyone to snap backto reality.

The once lively restaurant was now silent, with no one daring to pick up their chopsticks.

Especially Nora, who bit her red lip tightly, her delicate fists clenched.

Was he not that despicable criminal?

Had she misunderstood him?

No way!

Five years ago, he had indeed been arrested and sentenced to prison. That was an undeniable fact.Yet today, the situation was laid out so clearly before her.

Regardless of the truth, in that moment, Nora felt as if she had lost something deep within her heart.

Something she could never retrieve!

Noticing Nora's dazed expression, Samir recalled how she had been keeping a slight distance from him ever since Chasel appeared. A flicker of malice crossed Samir's eyes.

But the moment of laughter was fleeting.

"I don't want to jump to conclusions about others," Nora said with a smile, "but I justwant to remind everyone that the Suzaku we just saw doesn't have any shoulder insignia!"

Huh?

At her words, Nora paused.

Not just her, but her aunt and the others also began to realize.

"That's right, I remember! No shoulder insignia!" her aunt exclaimed. "Could it be that her uniform is fake?"

"I think it's possible. It's been five years; who doesn't know that? How could he suddenly become a soldier?" "And even if we assume he did join, it's only been a few years. How could he possibly have subordinates? The most experienced person in the squad? He doesn't have the qualifications!"

"Now that you mention it, he does look a bit off. Just look at his skinny frame and pale face; he looks sickly, like a ghost. How could he be a soldier? I think he just wanted to save face and hired someone to play the part!"

"Absolutely! And claiming he's retired? Clearly, he's just afraid of being exposed and made up an excuse for himself."At that moment, all the relatives had turned into little detectives, picking up on the details and speculating.

One would chime in, and another would follow.

In any case, they reached a conclusion.

Chasel was pretending.

Suzaku was someone Chasel hired to act.

Gilberto had initially wanted to scold these relatives and refute their claims.

But in the end, he still didn't speak up.

These relatives, while harsh in their words, weren't entirely wrong.

Chasel, could it be that he really did invite someone to deceive them?

Even Gilberto Mills, who had always trusted Chasel, felt a twinge of doubt in his heart at that moment.

"Five years in prison didn't teach you to recognize your mistakes, nor did it help you grow. Instead, you come out and play these petty tricks."

"For the sake of your pride, you deceive your parents and refuse a hard-earned job. Chasel, you really are a lost cause!"

Nora Mills listened to her relatives criticize Chasel, feeling utterly disappointed.

Meanwhile, Chasel had already left the community with Suzaku.

Outside the community, a green jeep was parked!

Once inside, Suzaku handed Chasel a photograph.

The photo featured a beautiful woman, mature and graceful, with an air of intelligence.

"Report to Aurelian, her name is Michelle Allen. She is the daughter of the Riverborough Allen family, and five years ago, she was the one who saved you by chance!"

"Michelle Allen is still unmarried, and not only that, she has a daughter—your daughter!""Because of the child, Michelle has severed ties with the Riverborough Allen family and started a small company inVerdant City, raising her daughter on her own."

"Yesterday, she posted a job listing for a personal assistant. From my investigation, it turns out the only duty of this assistant is to pretend to be the child's father, occasionally playing with the child to keep them happy!"

At these words, Chasel felt a jolt run through him! His eyes sparkled with intensity, sharp and commanding, as he spoke in a chilling tone, "Tell all the applicants to get lost. My daughter can only have one father—me. No one else is qualified!''

Suzaku paused for a moment before responding, "Michelle Allen seems to harbor a deep resentment towards the child's biological father, which is you."

Chasel was taken aback, and a look of guilt washed over his face. Years ago, while Michelle had saved him, it was to take him to the hospital, not to become a remedy herself. At that time, Chasel had been out of his mind, and meeting Michelle felt like grasping a lifeline in a vast ocean—he acted purely on instinct.

That night had left Michelle with memories that haunted her like a nightmare.Finally, Chasel sighed, "In that case, I can't reveal my identity. Help me submit a resume; I'll go for the interview tomorrow!"

Michelle Allen, I'm back! I will do everything I can to make up for the pain I've caused you!.

CHAPTER 5:

Suddenly, Chasel spoke up.

Michelle, who had been wearing a gentle smile, instantly changed her expression at Chasel's question. The smile vanished, replaced by a cold demeanor.

"Part of this job is to stick to your responsibilities. Don't ask what you shouldn't, and don't meddle in what doesn't concern you. Can you manage that?" Michelle asked icily.

"Of course!" Chasel nodded again, though inside, he felt a deep bitterness. It seemed that Michelle truly despised him, to the point where even mentioning her father was off-limits. Bitterness! Guilt!

In that moment, Chasel's emotions were a tangled mess. At least he was back before it was too late!

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the office.

"Mr. Payne, you can't go in without Miss Michelle's permission!"

The receptionist's voice came from the hallway, seemingly trying to stop someone.

Hearing this, Michelle's expression shifted. Her delicate, fair hands instinctively clenched tightly.At that moment, the office door was pushed open.

A young man dressed in high-end designer brands walked in.

He wasn't exceptionally handsome, but with the backing of wealth, he carried an undeniable presence.

"Michelle, how dare you look for other men behind my back?"

As soon as he entered, he ignored Chasel completely, his face dark as he fixed his gaze on Michelle, his voice cold.

"Payne Cain, watch your mouth," Michelle shot back, her pretty face filledwith anger.

Payne Cain was a direct descendant of the Cain family, a local wealthy clan in Verdant City, and he was a constant source of annoyance for her.

"Michelle, don't push your luck. In all of Verdant City, who doesn't know that you're the woman I've set my sights on? The only reason I haven't forced you is that I want to conquer you slowly. But if you dare to openly recruit other men, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Payne's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes filled with possessiveness.Was he interested in Michelle? Absolutely!

With her stunning figure, beautiful looks, and outstanding charm, she had a mature allure that was hard to resist.

If he merely wanted to sleep with her, there were countless ways to do so.

However, Payne had learned that Michelle had ties to the Allen family in the provincial capital, but their relationship was currently strained, and she had severed ties with them.

He had been relentlessly pursuing Michelle, not just to win her over, butalso to establish a connection with the powerful Allen family in the provincial capital. Michelle was his obsession; he couldn't allow anyone else to touch her!

"Get out of my company right now, or I'll call the police!" Michelle said coldly.

"Call the police? Ha! Go ahead, let's see if it does any good!" Payne Cain sneered.

"What do you want?" Michelle's teeth clenched, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Simple. I want you to submit to me! Otherwise, with just one phone call, I can bring your company to its knees. I can easily get your daughter expelled from school, leaving her without a kindergarten to attend. Do you believe me?"

"You wanted to find a father for your child, right? Well, if you submit to me, I'll reluctantly step in as her dad. Everyone wins!" Payne said with a smirk, clearly feeling like he had Michelle right where he wanted her.

He could have played the waiting game with Michelle, but now that she dared to seek out another man, he felt justified in using more aggressive tactics. Once he made his move, he was confident he could make her come back to him!"Want to be the child's father? Are you looking for death?"

Just as Payne was basking in his smugness, a chilling aura suddenly enveloped the entire office!

A voice, as if it came from the depths of the underworld, filled the air with a strong sense of menace, ringing in his ears.W-What are you going to do?" Payne stammered, fear creeping into his voice.

Even now, his cheeks burned with pain from the earlier confrontation. He considered himself a civilized person and had no intention of getting into a fight!

"If you come any closer, I'll call the police!" Payne blurted out, but as Chasel continued to close the distance, the imposing pressure from him made it impossible for Payne to muster any bravado. He couldn't even manage a defiant word.

"Call the police?" Chasel suddenly halted, a smirk playing on his lips. "Go ahead!"

"You'll regret this," Payne shot back, a flicker of malice flashing in his eyes.

The Cain family had managed to establish themselves alongside the Walker family in Verdant City, not just because of their wealth but also due to well-established connections. They were a tight-knit community of mutual interests!

Quickly, Payne dialed a number.

"Uncle Steven, it's Payne..."

Before Payne Cain could finish his sentence, Chasel had appeared beside him, snatching his phone and speaking into it, "Payne Cain, at New Rising Tower, room 1805, involved in harassment, intimidation, and threats..."

After saying that, Chasel hung up the phone.Payne Cain regarded Chasel's actions with indifference. Did he really think this would change anything for him? It was laughable.

All he needed to do was mention that he was Payne Cain from the Cain family, and that would be enough. Everything else was trivial.

Michelle Allen, standing nearby, had a complex expression on her face. To her, Chasel seemed very righteous. However, she thought Chasel was a bit too naive. If calling the police would have worked on Payne Cain, he wouldn't have dared to harass her in the first place.But now that things had come to this, Michelle decided not to say more. Chasel was here for an interview, and he had offended Payne Cain for her sake. If anything were to happen to Chasel, she would find a way to protect him.

People who weren't afraid to offend others and stood up for others were becoming rare.

Meanwhile, Chasel Mills pulled out his own phone and sent out an audio message and text.

"I demand the Verdant City authorities to enforce the law fairly!"Chasel' small gesture went unnoticed.

Michelle Allen was deep in thought, trying to figure out how to resolve the situation.

Payne, on the other hand, was fixated on Chasel, counting down the moments until his demise, while plotting how to get back at him to vent his frustration.

Half an hour later, a commotion erupted in the office.

A group of people walked in.

Leading them was a middle-aged man.

Upon seeing the man, Payne immediately became excited. "Uncle Steven! That's him! He hit me and slandered me..."

Michelle Allen quickly interjected, "Chasel only acted out because Payne insulted and threatened me first..."

However, before Michelle could finish her explanation, the man referred to as "Uncle Steven" waved his hand dismissively. "I already know what happened!"

Michelle's face fell at his response.

Sure enough, he wasn't even willing to listen to her side of the story.

Payne Cain wore a smug expression, looking at Chasel as if he were staring at a dead man.

Only Chasel remained seated in his chair, maintaining a perfect posture, completely unfazed.

Even with Steven leading the group, Chasel showed no sign of attention, not even a flicker of his eyelids.

"You were so talkative just a moment ago. What happened? Scared now?" Payne Cain sneered, touching his swollen cheeks, his eyes filled with resentment as he stared at Chasel.

"Uncle Steven, get someone to arresthim!" Payne said, looking down at Chasel with excitement.

Seeing this, Michelle immediately stood up.

But just then, Steven let out a cold snort. "We've already investigated the situation. Payne, you are involved in harassment of unmarried women, using methods that include but are not limited to intimidation, threats, and humiliation. The evidence is irrefutable. Come with us, Payne."

As he spoke, Steven turned to Payne, and an audio clip began to play from his phone.The excitement on Payne's face slowly froze.

Michelle Allen's eyes widened in disbelief as she watched the scene unfold!

CHAPTER 6:THE EVIDENCE IS CONCLUSIVE.

Payne felt as if he was being stalked by a ferocious beast ready to pounce on him. A chill ran down his spine, and his scalp prickled with unease. Just one sentence was enough to make him tremble uncontrollably.

Anger surged within him; he couldn't believe he was so easily intimidated by mere words.

"What the hell are you? How dare you threaten me?" Payne turned around, shouting furiously.Upon seeing the resume in Chasel's hand, realization dawned on him, and a sinister smile crept onto his face. "So you're here for an interview. Here's your chance: kneel down, apologize, and then get the hell out of here. If you do that, I won't hold it against you. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?" Chasel asked, a curious smile playing on his lips.

"Otherwise, you will experience the methods of the Cain family in Verdant City!" Payne said with a forced smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"The Cain family?" Chasel replied, a hint of amusement in his tone.

Yet, a glint of coldness flashed in his eyes! The information Suzaku had given him revealed that after Chasel was imprisoned, Charlotte took control of the Beiqing Group and quickly renamed it the Walker family!

The Walker family had transformedover the past five years from an inconspicuous little clan in Verdant City to one of its new elites, rivaling even some of the established wealthy families! The Cain family, on the other hand, was the family of Charlotte's mother. Now, it was the Walker family that everyone looked up to, becoming one of the local powerhouses in Verdant City.

Originally, Chasel had planned to deal with these grudges last. But now that the Cain family had come forward, he didn't mind taking them on first.

Chasel smirked. "What's wrong? Scared? Let me tell you, kid, it's too late. If you don't kneel and apologize today..."Payne sneered. But before he could finish his sentence, he was abruptly cut off!

A slap interrupted him, landing hard against his face.

"Shut up!"

Chasel raised his hand and delivered a sharp slap. Instantly, a clear five-finger mark appeared on Payne's right cheek, and his face began to swell visibly.

"You... you dare hit me?"

Payne was in shock. For years, he had been treated like a star, surrounded by admiration wherever he went. Whowould dare to hit him?

But in response, Chasel delivered another slap, this time landing hard on the other side of his face.

Soon, Payne's other cheek was swollen as well.

"I not only dare to hit you, but I could also kill you. Do you believe me?"

Chasel wore a warm smile, but his words were laced with a chilling threat.

Payne fell silent, suddenly unable to retort!

"Now, I'm giving you a chance. Kneeldown and apologize to Miss Michelle. Otherwise, you'll get a taste of my methods!"

Chasel's gaze fell, his deep eyes filled with a murderous intent.

It was only then that Michelle Allen realized the gravity of the situation.

This was bad!

Chasel had actually hit Payne Cain.

Michelle wasn't worried about herself; she was concerned for Chasel, feeling guilty that he was dragged into this mess because of her."I'm so sorry, I've put you in danger. You need to leave, quickly get out of Verdant City and don't come back. Otherwise, you won't be able to handle the wrath of the Cain family."

Michelle Allen rushed over to Chasel, her stunning face filled with worry. She wasn't surprised that Chasel had stood up for her and confronted Payne Cain. After all, Chasel had served in the military—he was a tough guy, principled and just. Seeing Payne harass her was something he couldn't tolerate.

But the Cain family was powerful, and Chasel couldn't afford to make enemies with them."Miss Michelle, don't worry, it's all good!" Chasel said with a reassuring smile.

Yet, Michelle couldn't truly relax. She sensed that Chasel, having spent so long in the military, was used to the pure camaraderie of soldiers and didn't fully grasp the treachery of the outside world.

She quickly turned back to Payne. "He's a veteran! If you dare to retaliate against him..."

"And what if I do?" Payne sneered, his face twisted with rage. "Look at him! Is he in the kitchen brigade or is he a performer? What can he do? In Verdant City, my Cain family fears no one!""Unless you want me to let him go, you need to be my girlfriend starting tonight and keep me company!" Payne said viciously.

He hadn't forgotten his ultimate goal.

"You... shameless!" Michelle glared at him, her beautiful eyes filled with anger and humiliation.

"It seems you still haven't learned your lesson. I told you to kneel and apologize to Miss Michelle, or I'll make your life a living hell!" Chasel's gaze was sharp, radiating a chilling aura as he stepped closer to Payne Cain."W-What are you going to do?" Payne stammered, fear creeping into his voice.

Even now, his cheeks burned with pain from the earlier confrontation. He considered himself a civilized person and had no intention of getting into a fight!

"If you come any closer, I'll call the police!" Payne blurted out, but as Chasel continued to close the distance, the imposing pressure from him made it impossible for Payne to muster any bravado. He couldn't even manage a defiant word.

"Call the police?" Chasel suddenly halted, a smirk playing on his lips. "Go ahead!"

"You'll regret this," Payne shot back, a flicker of malice flashing in his eyes.

The Cain family had managed to establish themselves alongside the Walker family in Verdant City, not just because of their wealth but also due to well-established connections. They were a tight-knit community of mutual interests!

Quickly, Payne dialed a number.

"Uncle Steven, it's Payne..."

Before Payne Cain could finish his sentence, Chasel had appeared beside him, snatching his phone and speaking into it, "Payne Cain, at New Rising Tower, room 1805, involved in harassment, intimidation, and threats..."

After saying that, Chasel hung up the phone.Payne Cain regarded Chasel's actions with indifference. Did he really think this would change anything for him? It was laughable.

All he needed to do was mention that he was Payne Cain from the Cain family, and that would be enough. Everything else was trivial.

Michelle Allen, standing nearby, had a complex expression on her face. To her, Chasel seemed very righteous. However, she thought Chasel was a bit too naive. If calling the police would have worked on Payne Cain, he wouldn't have dared to harass her in the first place.But now that things had come to this, Michelle decided not to say more. Chasel was here for an interview, and he had offended Payne Cain for her sake. If anything were to happen to Chasel, she would find a way to protect him.

People who weren't afraid to offend others and stood up for others were becoming rare.

Meanwhile, Chasel Mills pulled out his own phone and sent out an audio message and text.

"I demand the Verdant City authorities to enforce the law fairly!"Chasel' small gesture went unnoticed.

Michelle Allen was deep in thought, trying to figure out how to resolve the situation.

Payne, on the other hand, was fixated on Chasel, counting down the moments until his demise, while plotting how to get back at him to vent his frustration.

Half an hour later, a commotion erupted in the office.

A group of people walked in.

Leading them was a middle-aged man.

Upon seeing the man, Payne immediately became excited. "Uncle Steven! That's him! He hit me and slandered me..."

Michelle Allen quickly interjected, "Chasel only acted out because Payne insulted and threatened me first..."

However, before Michelle could finish her explanation, the man referred to as "Uncle Steven" waved his hand dismissively. "I already know what happened!"

Michelle's face fell at his response.

Sure enough, he wasn't even willing to listen to her side of the story.

Payne Cain wore a smug expression, looking at Chasel as if he were staring at a dead man.

Only Chasel remained seated in his chair, maintaining a perfect posture, completely unfazed.

Even with Steven leading the group, Chasel showed no sign of attention, not even a flicker of his eyelids.

"You were so talkative just a moment ago. What happened? Scared now?" Payne Cain sneered, touching his swollen cheeks, his eyes filled with resentment as he stared at Chasel.

"Uncle Steven, get someone to arresthim!" Payne said, looking down at Chasel with excitement.

Seeing this, Michelle immediately stood up.

But just then, Steven let out a cold snort. "We've already investigated the situation. Payne, you are involved in harassment of unmarried women, using methods that include but are not limited to intimidation, threats, and humiliation. The evidence is irrefutable. Come with us, Payne."

As he spoke, Steven turned to Payne, and an audio clip began to play from his phone.The excitement on Payne's face slowly froze.

Michelle Allen's eyes widened in disbelief as she watched the scene unfold!

CHAPTER 7:Money is just a string of numbers

.The audio played back Payne's threatening words directed at Michelle, each word crystal clear.

"Wait... Uncle Steven, you must be mistaken. The one you should be arresting is him!"

"He hit me!" Payne exclaimed, pointing at Chasel.

"That's right. You're coming with us," Steven said, furrowing his brow and speaking sternly.

"Uncle Steven..." Payne began to protest,but Steven's frown deepened, and he barked, "Take him away!"

Immediately, two men rushed out from behind him to apprehend Payne. Seeing that Steven was serious, Payne dared not say another word and complied obediently."Miss Allen, we will thoroughly investigate this matter and ensure you get a proper resolution," Steven assured Michelle.

"Thank you so much!" Michelle replied, her face lighting up with joy.

"It's our duty," Steven smiled in response.

With that, he led Payne out of the office.

After a long moment, Michelle finally reacted.

She looked at the beaming face in front of her and said, "See, Miss Michelle? It worked after all!"Michelle nodded.

Although she was surprised and the outcome was far beyond her expectations, it was ultimately a good result.

However, she sighed, "Chasel, you were too impulsive!"

"If it weren't for this time, and if luck hadn't been on your side, you could have ended up in prison!"

As she mentioned "prison," Michelle's expression darkened.

She recalled that night and the scum still locked away.She didn't know who that person was, nor did she want to. All she knew was that he was behind bars, getting what he deserved.

After thinking it over, Michelle still felt uneasy. "Chasel, it's because of me that you offended Payne Cain. With the power of the Cain family, he'll be out soon, and when he is, he'll come after you. I feel responsible for what happened today, so I want to offer you some compensation. You should leave Verdant City for now."

Chasel shook his head. "No need. He won't be getting out anytime soon, and even if he does, he won't dare to come after me!" "You're being naive. Payne Cain is a direct descendant of the Cain family. They won't let him stay locked up forever!" Michelle's tone turned cold.

She thought Chasel was being incredibly foolish.

"As long as I'm alive, who would dare to act unjustly in front of me!"

A cold glint flashed in Chasel' eyes.

"What did you say?" Michelle asked, slightly taken aback.

"Nothing. I mean, I've signed the contract, so our employment relationship is now official. Plus, I really need this job!"Chasel replied, picking up the pen and swiftly signing his name on the contract Michelle had presented. He handed it back to her.

"You..." Michelle's beautiful eyes turned icy.

"Alright, since you've signed the contract, you understand the terms, right? During your employment, you must follow my instructions regarding work!" Michelle said, her tone sharp.

"Of course!" Chasel nodded.

Finally, he was going to see his daughter.

Chasel couldn't help but feel a surge ofanticipation in his heart.

"At five o'clock tonight, you'll come with me to pick up my daughter from school!" Michelle instructed. "And if the Cain family gives you any trouble, call me immediately!"

With that, Michelle handed Chasel a business card.

"Got it!" he replied confidently.

Chasel nodded again before leaving Michelle's office.

Once downstairs, he found Suzaku waiting for him in the parking lot."Aurelian, the house has been arranged for you at Xiangti Villa District. The air and environment there are excellent for your recovery!" Suzaku said as Chasel got into the car, handing him the keys and access card.

"Is it rented?" Chasel frowned.

Xiangti Villa District was a well-known upscale neighborhood in Verdant City, where each villa was worth at least ten million. Moreover, it wasn't just about having money; only the elite could live there!

Chasel held one of the nine limited edition Supreme Black Cards in thecountry, a symbol of his identity as an Aurelian Black Card holder! It was accepted at all banks, with no spending limit!

However, Chasel had never touched a single cent of it and never intended to.

"It's purchased!" Suzaku stuck out her tongue, looking a bit playful and cute, a stark contrast to her usual poised demeanor, which added a different charm to her appearance.

"I bought it with my own money!" Suzaku quickly explained.

He knew that Chasel disliked extravagance.

Chasel let out a sigh and chose not to say anything further.

He understood Suzaku's position well. Although Suzaku was just one of his subordinates in front of him, showing respect and deference, his true identity was one that everyone in Verdant City and even the entire Riverdale could only look up to!

For Suzaku, money was merely a string of numbers.

"By the way, gather all the evidence of Payne Cain's illegal activities and hand it over to the Verdant City authorities. Let them deliver justice!" Chasel instructed again.

Then, he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest.

...

At five o'clock in the afternoon, Chaselarrived right on time to meet Michelle.

"You're quite punctual, not a minute more, not a minute less!" Michelle said, a bit annoyed.

In reality, she had been waiting for Chasel for almost half an hour.

Even though she knew Chasel was not at fault, her feminine nature still left her feeling a bit displeased.

"It's just a habit!" Chasel apologized.

"My daughter's name is Belle. Just remember that you went off to serve in the military, a hero defending our country, and today is the first time youhave a chance to come back and see her..." Michelle said as she drove, giving Chasel a rundown of Belle's likes, personality, and more.

Chasel nodded continuously, committing everything Michelle said about Belle to memory.

When they arrived at the kindergarten, it was just in time for the school to let out. Many parents were there to pick up their kids.

As Chasel and Michelle reached the entrance, a little girl in a cute dress, carrying a small backpack and sporting two little pigtails, came running towardthem. She had a bit of baby fat and looked as delicate as a porcelain doll, stretching out her tiny hands toward Michelle.

"Mommy!" the little girl called out happily, her voice still carrying a hint of childish innocence.

Chasel felt a jolt at the sight of her. This battle-hardened man, who had faced countless dangers, felt his eyes mist up at that moment.

This... this is my daughter!

But as the little girl rushed over, she brushed past Chasel and dove straight into Michelle's arms.

"Mommy, you said Daddy would be coming back soon! Where is he? When will he come to pick me up from school?"

Belle blinked her beautiful eyes, which sparkled like black jewels, filled with a hint of expectation as she looked at Michelle Allen.

Upon hearing this, Chasel felt a jolt in his heart.

"Daddy's right here," Michelle said, picking up Belle and pointing at Chasel. "He's your daddy!"

Belle widened her eyes and scrutinizedChasel, but instead of the excitement she had imagined, her lips quivered, and tears welled up in her eyes. "No, he's not my daddy!"

"Mommy, you're lying! You're lying!"

"What's wrong? He is your daddy!" Michelle's face flashed with a hint of panic as Belle called out her lie.

With a quivering voice, Belle replied, "You said Daddy is a hero who protects our country, but he's not wearing a police uniform. He's not! He just isn't!".

CHAPTER 8: BELLE

Belle's words left Michelle and Chasel both amused and exasperated. The tension in the room instantly eased.

"Belle, Daddy is back, so you can't wear that anymore!" Michelle quickly explained.

"No! I don't care! He's not my Daddy; he just isn't!" Belle's eyes were filled with tears, her voice trembling, making it hard for anyone not to feel their heart melt.

Michelle hadn't expected that a child's logic could be so simple yet so stubborn."Just wait a moment, I'll be right back!" Chasel said quickly, turning to leave.

"Mommy, I want Daddy! I want Daddy!" Belle cried. "All the other kids at preschool have Daddies, and I don't!"

"They all say I'm a wild child!"

Belle buried her face in Michelle's arms, tears streaming down her cheeks as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Michelle held Belle tightly, her own voice choked with emotion. "Belle isn't a wild child. Belle has a Daddy, and he's back now."

"Just be good, Belle. Don't cry! Daddywill be here soon!"

Michelle kept comforting Belle. Although Chasel hadn't said anything, Michelle had a good idea of where he had gone. She just hoped he would return soon.

Every time Belle cried out for her dad, Michelle felt helpless and heartbroken. The more Belle cried, the more Michelle despised that man.

Moments later, while Michelle was still soothing Belle in her arms, the little girl suddenly stopped crying. She wiped her tears with her tiny hands, her eyes widening in surprise as she looked over Michelle's shoulder."Daddy!" Belle whispered.

Michelle quickly followed Belle's gaze and turned around.

In an instant, her eyes widened in shock. There stood Chasel, dressed in military gear, striding toward them in the warm glow of the setting sun.

He looked dignified and commanding, standing out amidst the bustling traffic and the crowd.

He was truly a sight to behold!

"Daddy, it really is Daddy!" Belle exclaimed, her face lighting up with joyBelle immediately broke into a joyful smile, wriggling out of Michelle's embrace. She took small, excited steps, her little hands reaching out as she stumbled toward Chasel.

"Daddy, you're back!"

In that moment, Chasel felt his eyes well up with tears. A radiant smile spread across his face, one that came straight from the heart. He scooped Belle up into his arms, holding her tightly.

"Daddy, why didn't you come back to see me? Did you know how much I missed you?" Belle clung to Chasel's neck, as if afraid he might disappear at any moment.

"Daddy, are you going to leave me and Mommy again?"

"Daddy, will you still pick me up from school?"

Belle kept firing questions, her grip never loosening for a second.

"Belle, I promise I'll always be by your side from now on. Don't worry, Daddy won't leave you again!"

Chasel gently patted Belle's little head, smoothing out her two braids as he spoke with conviction."Yay! That's amazing! Daddy will never leave me again!"

Belle shouted with joy. Then, she finally released her grip on Chasel's neck and extended her pinky finger. "Let's make a pinky promise!"

Chasel was taken aback for a moment, then quickly extended his hand.

"Promise on a hook, a hundred years without changing!"

Belle was overjoyed.

Chasel chuckled as he linked pinkies with her, then they bumped their thumbs together to seal the deal.Michelle, watching the heartwarming scene between father and daughter, felt a moment of daze.

It had been a long time since Belle had laughed so happily. She thought to herself that even if it was a lie, this time, she had done the right thing.

A kind lie was far better than a cruel truth.

Before long, Belle asked Chasel to set her down.

Then, she reached out her little hand and pulled Chasel over to Michelle.

Next, she extended her other hand tograsp one of Michelle's delicate fingers, gently pulling her hand to meet Chasel's larger one.

At the moment of contact, Michelle's face flushed a deep red.

Her soft palm trembled slightly, but ultimately, she kept her hand in place to avoid raising any suspicion with Belle.

"Daddy, that's not right. You need to hold Mommy's hand!"

Seeing that Chasel wasn't making any moves, Belle began to correct him.

Chasel didn't think much of it, but after all, he and Michelle were still juststrangers in a professional relationship. He glanced at her, noticing her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red. She gently nodded in response.

With her approval, Chasel finally took Michelle's delicate hand in his. The moment their hands touched, he felt a smooth, soft sensation that was unlike anything he had ever experienced before.

This was a new feeling for Chasel. Over the past five years, he had completed countless missions, faced life-and-death situations, and ultimately earned glory before retiring in honor. Now, he was in charge of the most mysterious organization in China, "Aurelian," a name that commanded respect and fear.

Yet, aside from that one brief encounter with Michelle five years ago, he had never touched a woman. Even that night, he had lost consciousness and acted purely on instinct, without truly feeling anything.At that moment, Chasel was nothing like the formidable Aurelian Mills who struck fear into his enemies. Instead, he felt like a shy young man, his breath quickening with excitement.

Seeing Chasel and Michelle holding hands, Belle placed her small hand on top of theirs and exclaimed, "From now on, Daddy, Mommy, and little Belle will never be apart!"

"That's right, we will never be apart!" Chasel quickly echoed, his heart swelling with warmth.

Belle eagerly pulled Chasel along to a nearby classmate. "Rylee, did you see?This is my dad! He came to pick me up from school!"

"Tatum, I have a dad, so you can't tease me about not having one anymore."

...

Belle continued to introduce Chasel proudly to one classmate after another.

Chasel played along, smiling and warmly greeting each student.

If any of Chasel's enemies had seen this scene, they would have been left speechless. The fierce and ruthless Aurelian Mills, known for his cold demeanor on the battlefield, hadsuddenly turned into such a gentle figure.

However, when Belle led Chasel to a well-dressed little boy, before she could introduce him, the boy reached out to push Belle away, sneering, "Who knows if this is really your dad? Get away from me, you dad-less brat!"

Chasel reacted swiftly. He immediately scooped Belle up in his arms, preventing the boy's hand from touching her.

But the boy, in his eagerness to shove Belle, lost his balance and stumbled forward.Chasel's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness, but he quickly reached out to steady the boy, preventing him from falling.

Yet, this scene caught the attention of a glamorous woman nearby, who immediately exploded with rage. "How dare you bully my son? Do you know who I am? If Larry gets hurt, you'll regret it!"

As she spoke, the boy named Larry pushed Chasel's hand away and glared at him with venomous eyes, bursting into tears. "Mom, he hit me!"

CHAPTER 9:DO YOU DARE TO HIT ME."

You dare to hit my son? Are you tired of living?" The young woman exclaimed, her fury evident.

Chasel furrowed his brows, while Remi's gaze sharpened like a knife, locking onto the woman. His voice grew colder, "What? You want to blame someone without knowing the facts?"

"I don't care about right or wrong. All I know is my son is crying, and that means it's your fault!" The woman stormed over, raising her hand without hesitation to slap Chasel.Chasel's eyes turned icy, and Remi quickly sidestepped, dodging the woman's slap!

"You dare to dodge?" The woman fumed with anger and embarrassment.

"So you mean to say that you can hit me, and I just have to stand here and take it?" Chasel's voice became increasingly sharp.

"Exactly! Do you really think you can scare me just because you're dressed like that?" Despite her stunning looks, the woman was incredibly arrogant, her posture defiant. "But I've changed my mind. I won't dirty my hands hitting you.Instead, I want you to kneel and apologize!"

"Not just you, but that wild girl too! Both of you kneel and apologize to my son!"

"Otherwise, I'll make sure you regret it!" The woman barked.

Her fierce demeanor made Belle shrink back, hiding behind Chasel.

At that moment, Michelle also rushed over.

"Belle, don't be afraid."

Chasel quickly pulled Belle into his embrace."Ah, so it's you, you little vixen. When did you find such a toy boy? If you can't stand being lonely, at least find a strong man. What's the use of a pretty boy?"

The young woman shot a jealous glance at Michelle and sneered. She remembered Michelle from the last time she and her husband picked up their child from school. Her husband had been staring at Michelle for a long time.

"Shut your mouth!"

Chasel spat out the words, stepping forward. Suddenly, he delivered a sharp slap across the young woman's face.Smack!

The sound rang out clearly.

"You... you dare hit me?" The young woman covered her cheek, her face filled with disbelief. "Do you know who I am? I am..."

"I don't care who you are. That slap was With three swift slaps, he left the young woman dazed.

"You... you dare hit me?"

The woman stood frozen, disbelief etched on her face. If it weren't for the stinging pain on her cheek, she wouldn't have believed that someone in Verdant City would dare to strike her.

"I not only dare to hit you, but I would also dare to kill you. Do you believe me?"

Chasel's eyes darkened, a hint of murderous intent flickering within.

That look sent a shiver down thewoman's spine.

She bit her lip, her threatening words hovering on the tip of her tongue, but ultimately, she didn't dare to voice them.

Instead, her eyes were filled with resentment and malice.

At that moment, Michelle stood up, cradling Belle in her arms, and approached Chasel. She softly said, "Could you please hold Belle for me?"

Chasel quickly took Belle into his arms.

Meanwhile, Michelle, who had been smiling gently at Belle, now wore a progressively colder expression as she walked toward the young woman.

"When it comes to the kids, if there's a misunderstanding, we can sort it out. If it's Belle's fault, we will certainly apologize. But you shouldn't blame my daughter without reason. Even if you insult me, I'll pretend I didn't hear it. However, you have no right to intimidate my daughter."

"As you said, if your son cried, then it's someone else's fault. Well, I want to say this: you scared my daughter, and I won't get into who's right or wrong. Besides, this is clearly your fault, and I will seek justice for my daughter!"With that, a loud slap echoed through the air. Michelle Allen had just struck the woman across the face.

You can bully her, but you absolutely cannot bully her daughter. For Belle, she would even be willing to sever ties with her parents, abandon her status as the heiress of the Riverborough Allen family, and give up all the wealth and luxury that came with it. She would not tolerate anyone mistreating Belle.

This scene left everyone around stunned. It was a couple's tag team, after all!

While many parents who had come to pick up their kids could see that the fault did not lie with Michelle and her husband, some recognized the woman involved. That was Onyx, the sister-in-law of Charlotte Walker from the prestigious Walker family. The Walkers were the new elite in Verdant City.

By taking such action, this couple was essentially slapping the Walker family in the face, completely burning their bridges with them. Although many in the crowd disapproved of Onyx's behavior and felt a sense of relief at Michelle's boldness, they could only mourn for Michelle Allen and Chasel.

One by one, they began to distance themselves from the couple. Especially the families who had previously exchanged greetings with Belle and Chasel hurriedly took their children and left.

The meaning was clear: there was no connection between their family and theirs, not even a penny. Chasel remained indifferent to the reactions of the parents. Instead, he found himself lost in thought as he watched Michelle Allen's graceful figure.

Michelle Allen gave off an impression of being gentle, elegant, and well-mannered. He never expected her to take such an extreme action. In that moment, Chasel saw a different side of Michelle Allen.

Meanwhile, in Verdant City, at the Cain Family Group, on the twenty-eighth floor, a group of people exited the conference room.

At the forefront was a well-groomed man in his late twenties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a sharp suit.

"Young Master..." An elderly man who had been waiting outside hurried forward as soon as he saw the man.

However, before the elder could finish his greeting, the man interrupted him."Herbie, I've told you many times, at the company, don't call me Young Master. Call me Mr. Cain!"

The elder rubbed his forehead. "See, I forgot again!"

"I'm here to tell you that the young master has been detained!"

At those words, Clayton Cain's expression froze in shock.

"Follow me to my office!"

With that, Clayton led the elderly man to his office as the assistant manager. Once inside, Clayton settled onto the leather sofa beside the coffee table, removed hisglasses, and rubbed his forehead, the weariness evident in his eyes.

After a long pause, he finally spoke with a hint of frustration, "My brother, although he's not the brightest and lacks real skills, he loves to stir up trouble, trying to seize power. He often shows off and acts like a spoiled brat. But heknows where to draw the line; he wouldn't offend someone he shouldn't."

"Moreover, our relationship with the Verdant City authorities has always been good. We've done our fair share of favors, so how could he end up detained? Even if he did something wrong, given the connections between the Cain family and the Walker family, they shouldn't make things difficult for him."

Herbie quickly replied, "I've already intervened, but Steven refuses to release him."

A cold glint flashed across Clayton's face as he said lightly, "It seems our Cain family lacks enough influence. We can't compare to those entrenched families in Verdant City. It looks like Steven is trying to extract some benefits from this. In another ten years, the Cain family will truly be secure in Verdant City."

With that, Clayton picked up his phone and dialed a number.

"Uncle Steven, it's Clayton Cain. I heard my brother was taken away. This is quite the disaster!" Clayton chuckled.

"Ah, Clayton, I was just about to reach out to you. I have no choice but to deal with Payne's situation," Steven replied in a serious tone."What do you mean by that?" Clayton's eyes narrowed, the coldness in them intensifying. He was all too familiar with such tactics.

"This is an order from above, a directive from the provincial capital, demanding strict action," Steven explained, pausing before continuing heavily, "Originally, even with strict measures, Payne would have been back safe and sound in a few days, but..."

"But what?"

Clayton Cain sensed something unusual in the air."I just received another anonymous email. It contains everything Clayton has done over the years," he said, his tone serious.

"Let's not even get into the rest, but especially the incident from a year ago—the suicide of that bar girl. The evidence is solid and points directly at Payne."

"Before you called, the provincial capital issued a directive demanding that we thoroughly investigate this matter. We have no choice but to comply. I wanted to discuss this with you."

"If we want to resolve this, we need to find the source and see who Payne has crossed. Unless that person comes forward, retracts all the evidence, and admits to fabricating it, we'll have to follow the rules."

Steven was also feeling the pressure of the situation.

"Alright, thank you, Uncle Steven. We will definitely resolve this!" Clayton replied, his voice steady.

However, his brow furrowed deeply.

"Did Payne offend someone, or is someone deliberately trying to take down the Cain family?""Use whatever resources you have to investigate!" Clayton commanded in a low voice.

He wasn't particularly concerned about his brother's well-being, but if it involved the reputation or interests of the Cain family, he would not tolerate it.

CHAPTER 10: SLEEP

After giving Onyx a lesson, he finally left with a warning for Chasel Mills and Michelle Allen to watch out.

"Thank you, Chasel!" Michelle said, looking at him with a softer gaze.

After today's events, she was even more convinced that Chasel was a man of strong principles and genuinely cared for Belle. Michelle felt fortunate to have hired someone like him.

"Don't mention it. I'm Belle's dad, so it's my job to protect you both," Chasel replied in a serious tone.Michelle rolled her eyes at him but couldn't help but appreciate his professionalism. He always remembered his role as Belle's father, which was good; it kept Belle from sensing anything unusual.

"Just keep an eye on Belle while I go get the car!" Michelle said.

Before Chasel could respond, Belle chimed in with a sweet smile, "Mommy, Daddy and I will wait for you here."

Michelle playfully pinched Belle's little nose and smiled back.

If this moment were captured, it wouldundoubtedly be a beautiful portrait of a loving family.

Once Michelle left, Belle immediately jumped into Chasel's arms, snuggling up to him. "Daddy, I want ice cream!"

"Alright, Daddy will buy it for you!"

Chasel felt his heart melt at Belle's adorable pout. Without a second thought, he headed to the nearby supermarket to get her an ice cream.

Just as he handed the ice cream to Belle, Michelle drove up.

Chasel quickly lifted Belle into the car. However, when Michelle saw the ice didn't know that. He felt a bit guilty.

Seeing her mom upset, Belle quickly chimed in, "Mommy, I wanted it! I asked Daddy to buy it for me."

"If Mommy doesn't want me to eat it, then I won't."

Michelle looked at Belle's pitiful expression and couldn't help but chuckle. "Just this one, okay? Once Belle gets stronger, you can have more."

"Yay!" Belle exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy.

"Chasel, I'm not mad at you. I'm just worried about Belle getting sick,"Michelle added, her tone softening.

Michelle Allen noticed that her attitude might have been a bit off and quickly said, "I didn't fully understand the situation."

"I'm really sorry about that," Chasel replied, looking apologetic.

At that moment, Belle had already unwrapped her ice cream and started eating.

After taking a small bite, Belle held the ice cream up to Michelle's mouth, saying sweetly, "Mommy, eat!"

Michelle smiled and gently took a smallbite from the ice cream.

Then, Belle turned to Chasel and offered the ice cream to him, cheerfully saying, "Daddy, you eat too!"

Chasel paused, looking at the spot where Michelle had just taken a bite. He felt a bit taken aback.

A light blush crept onto Michelle's fair cheeks.

"Daddy, hurry up and eat!" Belle urged.

"Okay!" Chasel quickly replied, and without thinking about the faint lip mark Michelle had left on the ice cream, he took a big bite right where they both hadnibbled.

Seeing this, Michelle's face seemed to flush an even deeper shade of red.

"Can't you just bite somewhere else?" Michelle said softly, glancing at Chasel.

Sharing an ice cream and biting the same spot felt a bit too intimate for Chasel. He smiled but didn't say anything.

Michelle Allen didn't press the issue further.

When they got home, Michelle had arranged for a nanny to take care of their child, and dinner was already prepared.After dinner, Chasel spent another hour playing with Belle until she finally started to feel tired.

Noticing this, Michelle approached, "Belle, sweetie, it's getting late. Let's go take a bath and get ready for bed!"

"Uh-huh!" Belle nodded obediently. "But I want Daddy to take a bath first. I want to sleep with Mommy and Daddy tonight."

"What?" Michelle's eyes widened in surprise at Belle's words.

"I want to sleep with Mommy and Daddy!" Belle thought her mom hadn't heard her clearly, so she repeated herself Michelle quickly responded, "No way!"

"Why not? Mommy, do you want to leave me and just sleep with Daddy?" Belle said, her voice filled with hurt. "Elio'sfamily does it that way. Elio said his parents let him sleep alone one night a week, and he's not happy about it at all."

Michelle was taken aback!

Chasel was stunned! The two exchanged glances.

Chasel was fine, but a hint of embarrassment crept onto Michelle Allen's face.

What on earth had these kids been talking about?

"Belle, didn't Mommy tell you to sleep by yourself?" Michelle quickly explained.However, before she could finish, Belle jumped up with a loud, "Yay!"

Her little hands and feet danced with joy, clearly thrilled.

"Tatum sleeps with her mom and dad. She told me she sleeps on Daddy's left side, and Mommy sleeps on his right. Daddy hugs both her and Mommy while they sleep. I want to do that too!"

Upon hearing this, Michelle was completely speechless.

Why were these kids sharing their family matters so openly?

"Belle, listen, Mommy needs to tell youthat Daddy has things to do tonight and can't stay at home!" Michelle hurriedly clarified.

She hadn't even considered Belle's question about sleeping arrangements; it had slipped her mind.

"But everyone else sleeps with their mommies and daddies!"

As soon as Michelle spoke, Belle's cheerful expression faded. Her little lips quivered, and tears streamed down her cheeks.

Then, Belle rushed into Chasel' arms, holding him tightly as she cried, "I don't want Daddy to go! All the other kids sleep with their mommies and daddies, and I want to too."

"I don't want to be a kid without a daddy."

"I don't want anyone to call me a wild child. I have a daddy."

"I just want to sleep with Mommy and Daddy!"

The more she spoke, the tighter Belle clung to Chasel, her little hands gripping him fiercely.

Her voice grew more pitiful, and tears began to well up in her beautiful little eyes.

"Daddy, I want to sleep with you and Mommy, okay?"

"Can we do that?"

Hearing Belle's whiny, tearful plea, Chasel couldn't bear to refuse. After all, she was his little princess.

"Okay, okay! Belle can sleep with Daddy and Mommy."

Chasel quickly scooped Belle into his arms, promising her.

"What are you saying?"Michelle Allen shot him a glare, her beautiful eyes narrowing with a hint of coldness as she gritted her teeth and whispered harshly.

She could agree to many of Belle's requests, but sharing a bed with Chasel, a man she still considered a stranger, was out of the question.

Even if Chasel was currently hired by her and was officially Belle's father, that was still unacceptable.

"Just pretend to agree for now," Chasel mouthed silently.

He didn't mind, but he had anticipated Michelle Allen's reaction.

Once Michelle understood Chasel's silent words, her expression softened a bit.

"Belle, Daddy has a mission to complete. I just came back to see you for a little while today, but I have to go out again tonight. Soon, the three of us will be able to live together, okay?" Chasel said, reaching out to wipe away Belle's tears, speaking affectionately.

"That's right, Belle. Daddy is a hero who protects our country and has important work to do," Michelle chimed in quickly.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Belle's face, and Chasel felt a pang of guilt in his heart. He almost changed his mind and agreed to her request.

How could he bear to refuse his little sweetheart?

He hadn't been there for Belle in the past five years, and now he had to turn down her wish. A deep sense of guilt filled Chasel's heart.

"Daddy, will you come back tomorrow?" Belle asked, her eyes sparkling with hope.

Chasel nodded vigorously.

Only then did Belle break into a smile again.

"Well, Dad is leaving now!"

Chasel noticed it was getting late and stood up once more.

"Belle, let's say goodbye to Dad together!"

Michelle demonstrated by waving at Chasel.

To her surprise, Belle chimed in, "Mom, that's not right. You should hug and kiss Dad first before saying goodbye. And you need to tell him to come back early because Belle and I will be waiting for you at home!"

Chasel, who was about to turn around, nearly stumbled at Belle's words.

Michelle's arm, which was waving in the air, froze mid-motion.