Rise of the God of War

Chapter 2

Erwin stared at his phone screen coldly, his gaze sharp like a hawk targeting its prey. The call connected, and from the other end came a respectful, confident voice.

"Commander?" the voice asked, even though he already knew who was calling.

"Prepare CrestView Group," Erwin ordered without hesitation. "Bring them to this city. I want them fully operational here and to help... my wife."

"Of course," the voice replied without a trace of hesitation.

Erwin hung up and put his phone in his pocket. He stared out the window of his gloomy room. Three years on the battlefield had given him far more power than he had ever imagined. Crestview Group was not just a company but a commercial empire that he had built from the ground up during his military glory days. With their financial and strategic support, Erwin had the power to change anyone’s fate—including Ayesha, who had endured all the hardships.

Shortly after the call, news of CrestView Group’s arrival spread throughout the city. The once-calm city was now shaking. Crestview Group was known for its immense influence in various industries, from technology to property. Their presence in the city inevitably became a hot topic of conversation. Businessmen, politicians, and even the nobility began to worry and wonder what would happen next.

***

On the other side of town, Ayesha stood awkwardly amidst the lavish crowd of her grandfather’s birthday party. Crystal chandeliers glittered from the ceiling, classical music played softly, and guests in expensive clothes were scattered throughout the room, laughing and chatting, oblivious to her presence.

With trembling hands, Ayesha held the scarf that she had knitted herself for two whole months. Each thread in the scarf represents her love for her grandfather, even though their relationship has long been strained because Ayesha's family never appreciated anything she did. But she still came, hoping that at least her grandfather would appreciate her efforts this time.

When it was her turn to give the gift, Ayesha walked forward with the scarf in her hand, giving it to her grandfather with a small hope in her heart. However, the scarf was immediately received with a hurtful sneer.

"What is this?" Her grandfather lifted the scarf with two fingers as if it were a worthless, old rag. "Is this all you brought to my birthday party?"

Ayesha gasped, feeling the pain seeping into her. She opened her mouth, wanting to explain, but before she could say anything, her cousin, Liana, stepped forward with a sneer on her face.

"Dad, are you really going to accept a cheap rag like this?" Liana sneered, then grabbed the scarf from their grandfather's hand. "Even a dog wouldn't use it."

With a cruel move, Liana threw the scarf into the fireplace. The flames immediately engulfed it, burning Ayesha's hard work and love in a matter of seconds.

Cynical laughter filled the room, and the guests did not attempt to hide their mockery. Ayesha stood still, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.

"Why did you bother coming?" another of her cousins, Gita, said in a disdainful tone. "Even a seat at this party is too valuable to be occupied by someone who can't even give a decent gift."

Ayesha looked down, feeling the cold stares and scorn directed at her from all over the room. The chairs had been arranged luxuriously, and each guest placed according to the value of the gift they gave. The guests sat on the plush chairs, while Ayesha was left standing on the side, without a place. She was the only one without a seat, a deliberate insult by her family to show how worthless she was in their eyes.

The crowd at the birthday party continued to laugh and taunt Ayesha. The atmosphere was getting stifling, making her feel like a stranger in her own family. However, suddenly, their laughter stopped when a calm but firm voice sounded from the other end of the room.

"Stop insulting my wife."

All eyes immediately turned towards the door. Standing there was a man with a sharp gaze, dressed simply, but his aura radiated power and authority that could not be ignored. Erwin. The crowd that had previously laughed out loud now fell silent, trying to recognize the figure who had spoken.

Ayesha turned her head quickly, her eyes widening when she saw her husband. She looked different, much stronger, more authoritative than before. But, how was that possible? Wasn't Erwin still stupid and retarded a few days ago?

Ayesha's grandfather, with a face full of arrogance, looked Erwin up and down with a look of disdain.

"And who are you to dare speak here, in front of our family? This is a family party. Beggars are not invited."

Ayesha's cousins ​​started laughing again, mocking Erwin who seemed to have come empty-handed. They thought that he was still a despicable and useless figure.

However, Erwin did not waver. He walked calmly towards Ayesha, standing beside her. His gaze was sharp, signaling that everything had changed. Ayesha felt her heart beat faster, a mixture of relief and confusion within her.

"I am her husband," Erwin replied emotionlessly. "And I came to make sure that she gets the respect she deserves."

Liana, who had always been the most vocal in insulting Ayesha, chuckled sarcastically.

"Oh really? Respect? With what? With worthless gifts like the old rags you gave me?"

Erwin did not react to the taunt. Instead, he looked directly at Ayesha's grandfather and said, "What if I donate ten billion US dollars to your family? Would that be enough to make you respect my wife?"

Erwin's words immediately silenced the room. The guests looked at each other, and soon, loud laughter erupted. Everyone was laughing at what they considered an impossible fantasy.

"Ten billion US dollars?" Ayesha's grandfather burst out laughing. "You are absolutely crazy! Do you think you can fool us with those empty promises?"

Some of the guests started clapping sarcastically, mocking Erwin's statement. The security guards began to move forward, intending to grab Erwin and throw him out of the party. However, with quick, practiced movements, Erwin easily evaded them. His movements were subtle yet effective, making the security guards look clumsy and helpless.

The crowd was shocked, beginning to realize that there was something different about this man. The looks of disdain on the faces of the guests began to change. They watched as Erwin evaded every attempt by the security guards to catch him with movements that seemed too fast to be seen.

None of them could say anything. Even Ayesha’s grandfather, who had always looked down on Erwin, was speechless in astonishment. They knew of CrestView Group, a company with extraordinary commercial power, and the fact that this man—the man they had once looked down on—had it was something they had never imagined.