Chapter 2 Supreme Authority

• "Lord Mark, shall we accompany you inside?"
• Both the driver and the middle-aged man in the passenger seat stepped out respectfully and asked.
• "No need. Wait here. If I call for you, then come."
• Mark's expression remained composed as he strode towards the entrance of the Claytons' mansion alone.
• Seeing the dozen black Mercedes parked there, he started to suspect what might be unfolding inside.
• Could someone already be causing trouble?
• "Take it. Go ahead! What use is there in snatching that useless piece of paper?"
• As soon as Mark entered, he witnessed a scene that ignited his fury.
• A man ripped a certificate from the tearful Laurel's hands, tore it in two, and flung it to the ground.
• Upon closer inspection, Mark recognized the marriage certificate he and Laurel had once cherished, now marred by a distinct black footprint.
• Click, clack ...
• Footsteps echoed on the hardwood floor. The boisterous crowd finally noticed a young man in a suit entering the room.
• They watched as he bent down to retrieve the discarded certificate.
• Dean, assuming him to be a young Clayton, sneered, "Why bother picking that up? It's just a worthless piece of paper now. Does anyone in the Clayton family object to my marrying Laurel?"
• Tamara and Eddie vehemently shook their heads, quickly responding, "Mr. Coleman, of course not. Even the head of the Clayton family is here today. Who would dare oppose your union with Laurel?"
• Tamara then turned sharply to Mark, still crouched by the torn certificate, and scolded, "Whose child are you? What are you doing? Hurry and throw that trash away!"
• Laurel's expression changed upon hearing this, and she hurried over to snatch the torn certificate from Mark. "Give it back to me!"
• "How young we were back then."
• A voice filled with emotion pierced the room.
• Laurel froze. This voice ...
• It's so familiar.
• Her lips trembled as she cautiously studied the man before her.
• His features were chiseled, exuding masculinity.
• He had a buzz cut and a hint of stubble.
• He had changed; he had grown more mature.
• But there was no mistaking it—it was him.
• "You're finally back. I thought you were dead!"
• In an instant, all of Laurel's pent-up grievances and sorrows poured out, and she began sobbing uncontrollably.
• But she didn't rush to embrace him just yet.
• Mark's heart warmed at the sight, memories flooding back of the young girl who had chased after the train, weeping, ten years ago.
• Mark smiled softly and wiped Laurel's tears away gently.
• Then, his expression turned cold.
• "Five years ago, when the eight nations threatened our Nordwest borders, our Yantara monarch decreed that the Nordwest warriors could marry their distant loves. This certificate represents a history that should be legendary. How dare you, a nobody, dare to disgrace it!"
• Mark's eyes gleamed sharply, fixing Dean with a stare that passed judgment.
• Dean realized that the man before him might be Laurel's husband, Mark, and was about to confront him when Mark's words rendered him speechless.
• Mark spoke of Yantara, the world, and history—how could a commoner like Dean argue against such weighty matters?
• Standing nearby, Josh felt a surge of respect upon hearing Mark speak.
• As a seasoned soldier who had fought the decade-long war in Nordwest, Josh understood the significance of war and history better than most. Hearing Mark's words, he was filled with regret.
• I'm such an idiot!
• Josh had returned honorably after the war, and Dean had come seeking support, bringing along his family amidst fanfare and appeals from relatives. Josh, swayed by their pleas, had agreed to forcefully annul Laurel's marriage to Mark.
• Before making this decision, he checked Seraphia's hero list and believed that Mark had perished in battle as his name was absent from the list. Only then had he ordered the Seraphia Marriage Bureau to proceed.
• But now, Mark was standing right in front of him.
• Having already taken action, Josh couldn't let himself be cowed by an unknown figure. As a Three-Star Warrior Captain, he technically outranked Mark in military hierarchy.
• "Are you Mark?" Josh asked, his expression grave as he maintained the demeanor of a Three-Star Warrior Captain.
• "And if I am?" Mark replied calmly.
• Josh narrowed his eyes. If this is indeed the Mark who has gone to fight in Nordwest, why hasn't he saluted me, a Three-Star Warrior Captain?
• Tamara and Eddie, upon seeing Mark return, brimmed with anger. Their plans were nearly complete—why did this useless man have to return now?
• "Um ... sir, you must help us. Our daughter can't marry this useless man. She's agreed to the divorce," Tamara implored Josh, her tone pleading.
• "Mom, when did I ever agree to divorce? I never said that!" Laurel retorted stubbornly, her eyes brimming with frustration.
• "Laurel, are you defying us? Do you want to shame the Claytons? Look at this worthless man, showing up empty-handed. He's unable to afford even a small gift when visiting us for the first time. How will you live with him?" Tamara shouted, her face flushed with anger.
• "Laurel, you should show some gratitude and understand your place!" Eddie added sternly.
• Seeing Laurel's parents staunchly supporting Dean, Josh felt more assured. With his rank as a Three-Star Warrior Captain, he believed he could quell this situation.
• "Mark, you coerced Laurel into marriage. Her parents have testified to this truthfully. Do you deny it? If you repent now and divorce Laurel, I won't pursue this further. Given your service in Nordwest, I can even add your name to Seraphia's hero list. How about that?" Josh's words held both threat and promise.
• Laurel, panicked, clung tightly to Mark's arm, feeling utterly helpless.
• "A mere Three-Star Captain, flaunting your authority here? Do you realize your words alone could warrant your death a thousand times over?"
• Mark's response was unexpected. Instead of being cowed by Josh's rank, he countered with unwavering confidence.
• Everyone was stunned, and Josh's face darkened. Wearing the uniform of a Three-Star Warrior Captain, he couldn't believe he was being challenged by an unknown man.
• "Mark, you've got guts. Do you think you can determine my fate?" Josh shouted angrily.
• "You're still obstinate, huh? Don't you remember whose orders brought you here?" Mark's question hit Josh like a thunderbolt.
• The Defender?
• Josh had wondered why the Defender had ordered him to rush to the Claytons within twenty minutes, yet he hadn't seen him there.
• Could Mark be connected to the Defender?
• "Bow!"
• Mark's authoritative command reverberated through the room, startling everyone in the Clayton household.
• How dare he confront a Three-Star Warrior Captain! Either he is audacious beyond belief, or he has truly made a name for himself.
• Eddie and Tamara watched in stunned silence as Josh and Mark faced off, the tension palpable as no one dared to speak.
• Dean, too, was in a panic. Josh appeared genuinely afraid.
• "Are you defying orders?" Mark's voice rang out again.
• Cold sweat trickled down Josh's back. His legs felt like jelly, and he bowed before Mark.
• "I would never dare to defy the Defender's command!"
• Moments ago, Josh had been full of confidence, but now, believing Mark to be closely associated with the Defender, he bowed, overwhelmed with fear.