The Strongest General Has Returned

Chapter 2

A month had passed since Abigail found her father's address hidden among her mother's belongings. Using her meager savings, she purchased a paper, an envelope, and a stamp, conveying all her yearning for her father into a heartfelt letter.

'If only Dad could see this letter,' she thought. 'He's a true hero. He will protect me and Mommy from these bad guys.' The more she dwelled on this idea, the more determined she grew.

The next moment, Jasper's cruel laughter shattered Abigail's hope. He pushed her to the ground. Holding his phone, he recorded Abigail, who now lay on the ground, drenched and helpless.

"Go to hell, you pathetic little bastard! You're nothing but a piece of s**t! Perhaps the rain will help wake you up!" Jasper snickered, planning to show Yvette the video to emphasize that marrying him was her only choice. If she should comply, he might send Abigail to an orphanage out of pity. If not, he vowed to ensure Abigail suffered on the streets.

"Daddy! Where are you?" Abigail cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. A strong push like this was too much for a 7-year-old girl to bear.

Nobody dared to intervene, though. They viewed Abigail as a thief, an unwanted child unworthy of their attention. They even feared she would have a bad influence on their children at school.

"Stop crying for your father! You don't even have one, do you understand?" Jasper bellowed, walking over to stomp on Abigail's leg.

The sharp pain made Abigail lie motionless. Each throb shot through her body. The cold rain made her tremble uncontrollably.

Jasper continued filming. A sadistic grin appeared on his face as he thought of something. "Come on, say 'my dad is a piece of s**t' a hundred times, and I might let you go. Or I'll call the police and tell them you're a thief. Then they'll throw you in a cell!"

When Abigail heard his words, fear gripped her heart. However, she clung to the packet of gummy bears, exclaiming, "My daddy... My daddy is a real hero! And I am not a thief! You... You're a bad guy! Mom says police officers only catch baddies like you!" Each press of Jasper's foot made her cough, yet she endured the pain and shouted with all her might, not willing to give up.

"You've got some guts, you filthy little bastard!" Jasper's face darkened, his hand poised for a punishing slap. "I'll teach you a goddamn lesson!"

The onlookers stood rooted to the spot, unmoved to lend a hand.

"She's lying! She's as cunning as her mother!" someone exclaimed.

"She should be arrested! I don't want a thief to be my son's classmate!" a woman yelled.

"Well, she's getting what she deserves," another commented.

"Stay away from her!" Just then, a taxi screeched to a halt nearby. Lyle, wearing a stormy expression, leaped out like a demon from hell and delivered a forceful kick to Jasper's gut.

Spurting blood, Jasper was sent flying backward before crashing to the ground.

Lyle rushed to the weeping Abigail and helped her up gently. Right in front of him was his flesh and blood, who was mistreated and tormented every day. Stricken with severe leukemia, her pale face bore the marks of hunger.

Just witnessing Jasper's brutal stamp on her leg tore Lyle's heart apart. His eyes blazed with burning rage. The air around him seemed to freeze as the rain came to a stop.

Sprawled on the ground, Jasper spat another mouthful of blood and roared, "How dare you hit me? Who the f*ck do you think you are? Back the hell off, you mother*cker! Or you'll be in big trouble!" His eyes were fixed on Lyle as he motioned to his bodyguards. In an instant, five or six burly men in black suits surrounded Lyle.

The onlookers sneered, looking at Lyle as if he were a psycho.

"Did you guys see that? This guy stood up for that kid. Is he out of his mind? How could he offend a big shot like Mr. Nolan?"

"Yeah, this guy's in for a beating from those goons!"

Amidst mockery, Jasper, feeling bolstered by his bodyguards, held his head high. He thought, 'What does this dumbass think he can do? With my wealth and influence, getting rid of him will be a piece of cake.'

"Trouble?" Lyle lifted his head slowly, his gaze tinged with fury. Lyle glared at him, as if Jasper were already six feet under the ground. His gaze sent chills down Jasper's spine, halting his arrogance.

As Lyle cast his eyes downward, Jasper's fear subsided. Only then did Lyle notice Abigail's movement and hear her whisper, "Thank you, sir."

Abigail's feeble smile made Lyle shiver. 'On our first meeting, my daughter calls me 'Sir'?' he wondered.

Guilt and yearning flooded Lyle's being. Holding Abigail close, he wrestled with the ache of hiding his true identity. He feared that he would startle her with his abrupt appearance. Shielding her under an umbrella, he held her tightly, craving an undisturbed moment with his daughter.

The bond between father and daughter created a beautiful moment. Yet, the thought of Jasper's arrogant expression when he trampled on Abigail fueled Lyle's anger. "Hold on, sweetie. This isn't the end. I will teach that bad guy a lesson," Lyle reassured her.

Hearing this, Abigail quickly pleaded, "Please don't do that, sir. Please..." Fear appeared on her face as she whispered, "He is my mommy's employer. If you hit him, my mommy will lose her job. Please just take me home. Don't hurt him, okay?"

'Her employer?' Lyle's eyes narrowed as he recalled his subordinate's briefing in the car. He wondered what ties this man had to Yvette.