Rise of the God of War

Chapter3

Ayesha hugged Erwin. Finally, the man she had loved, the man she had cared for with devotion, had returned to his old self—or even better than before. However, their happiness was interrupted when a cynical voice from the corner of the room was heard.

“So what if he’s recovered? He’s still nothing more than a poor man with nothing!” Liana sneered, her eyes looking at Ayesha with disdain.

“No matter how strong he is now, money still talks. And unfortunately, he has nothing.”

The guests whispered to each other, discussing how even though Erwin had recovered, he still seemed to have nothing to show that he was better than them. A sinister smile appeared on the faces of Ayesha’s other cousins as if waiting for the man to give up on the fact that he was nothing more than a beggar.

However, before Erwin could respond, Ayesha’s grandfather stood up from his chair arrogantly.

“Silence, everyone!” His voice echoed throughout the hall, restoring the calm. His gaze was calculating as he looked at the crowd of guests.

“There is one thing you must know. Whoever among you can secure an investment from CrestView Group will be given 10% of the family shares and the position of CEO of our family company.”

The crowd fell silent, shocked by Grandfather’s announcement. They all knew how powerful CrestView Group was in the business world. Obtaining an investment from such a large company was a guarantee of immense wealth and power. Everyone’s eyes immediately focused on the huge prize on offer.

“Father, is that really true?” one of the family members asked with a trembling voice. “You mean whoever can secure the investment will lead the family?”

"That's right. This family needs a leader who can lead us to a new era of glory. If someone can get investment from CrestView Group, it's a sign that they are worthy of leading."

Ayesha's cousins ​​began to glance at each other with ambition. Each of them knew that this was a golden opportunity that they would not waste. Getting CrestView Group's support meant gaining control of the family, wealth, and power that they had always wanted.

Liana smiled broadly, full of confidence. She stepped forward, looking at her grandfather and the other guests.

"Then, I think I will be the heir of this family. My boyfriend has extensive connections and great power. I'm sure he can help get investment from CrestView Group without any problems."

The crowd began to whisper, impressed by Liana's confidence. Many of them knew that Liana's boyfriend was an influential man who had power in the business circle. There was no reason for them to doubt that she might succeed in her attempt to get the investment. Gazes filled with envy and admiration began to fall on her as if she had already succeeded in becoming the heir of the family.

In the corner of the room, Erwin remained calm. He did not say a word, just observing how the situation developed.

Erwin was satisfied seeing the arrogance radiating from Liana and her cousins. They had no idea who he really was, and he intended to take advantage of this moment to take revenge unexpectedly. In his mind, he had already devised a strategy to surprise all of them, including Ayesha's grandfather, who had always looked down on him.

As the party continued, the atmosphere became more and more filled with talk about the Crestview Group and the huge prize promised by Ayesha's grandfather.

Liana stepped closer to Ayesha and Erwin, her smile still full of arrogance.

"Just watch, Ayesha. When my boyfriend gets that investment, I will be the leader of this family. And you two? You will only be spectators in our glory."

Ayesha felt angry and hurt by Liana's words, but before she could respond, Erwin gently grabbed her hand.

"Listen well, let them think they have won. When the time comes, we will make them see who is really in charge."

Ayesha nodded, though her heart was still filled with confusion. However, Erwin's calm presence made her feel stronger. Deep inside, she knew that no matter what happened, they would face it together—and this time, Erwin was not the weak man they had once despised.

Erwin stepped into the middle of the room, facing Ayesha's grandfather who was sitting in his chair directly.

"Grandpa, I want to ask you one thing. If Ayesha succeeds in getting investment from CrestView Group, is she also qualified to inherit this family?"

The crowd that had been silent suddenly burst into laughter. The guests, Ayesha's cousins, and especially Liana, looked at Erwin with mockery. They thought the question was absurd, even stupid. To them, Ayesha, who had been humiliated for years, could not possibly beat her cousins ​​, who were full of ambition and power.

"Are you serious? Do you think a woman who has nothing like her can get such a big investment? This is just an empty dream!"

"That's right! No matter what happens, Ayesha will only be a shadow of all of us. Besides, what can she do? Even knitting a scarf is considered worthless, let alone talking about a big investment like Crestview Group!" Liana grinned sarcastically.

The laughter grew louder, the mocking sound piercing Ayesha's ears. She felt her chest throbbing, squeezed between shame. Her entire body felt stiff amidst the endless ridicule. How could she possibly live up to Erwin’s expectations, let alone realize something that even her own family doubted?

However, Ayesha’s arrogant grandfather raised his hand, signaling for the crowd to be silent. His gaze was sharp and calculating as he stared at Erwin and Ayesha.

“If Ayesha can get the investment, I will return all the dividends from the family company that I have been withholding from her after you, Erwin, left her.”

The crowd’s voices were muffled as they listened to Grandfather’s words. Something valuable was at stake here, and everyone knew how much the dividends meant to Ayesha. However, Grandfather was not finished speaking.

“But, there is a condition.”

Grandfather’s gaze became sharper, full of demands. “Before Ayesha can claim her rights, she must first collect the debt from the casino’s long-delinquent intruder. Without that, no investment or dividends will be given to her.”

Those words were like rocks that plunged Ayesha into the abyss. Casino debt? How could she, a woman who had never been involved in such a dark world, possibly deal with a bully who would definitely refuse to pay? She hesitated, fear creeping into her mind. This was not a challenge she was used to, and the idea of ​​facing such people made her feel helpless.

"I..." Ayesha opened her mouth, but no words came out. Hesitation overwhelmed her.

Erwin noticed the anxiety on her face and without hesitation, stepped closer, gently touching her arm.

"Ayesha, don't worry. Accept the challenge."

Ayesha turned to him, her eyes filled with confusion.

"But how could I...?"

"We can do it together. I'll help you. Trust me."

Ayesha took a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heart. The gazes of her entire family were still on her, waiting to see if she would back down or face this challenge head-on.

"I... I accept the challenge," Ayesha said in a shaky, but clear voice.

The crowd was silent for a moment, seemingly shocked by her courage. They may have underestimated Ayesha before, but there was something in the way she stood beside Erwin that suggested there was more than just determination behind her decision.