Chapter 9 They Will Pay

• The number of soldiers swelled until a full one hundred men stood inside Luke’s lounge.
• Wei quickly lowered his head, hoping Luke wouldn’t notice him. Luke, meanwhile, stared in disbelief at the armed formation before him.
• “What is the meaning of all this?” he demanded.
• The soldiers bowed in unison and chorused, “Sorry for being late, Young Master Oliver Smith!”
• “Apology accepted,” Oliver replied.
• The soldiers lifted their gaze. Luke, trying to keep his composure, straightened his shirt and approached Oliver.
• “Does this look like a cinematic stage to you? What’s this little drama you’re putting on here?”
• Oliver turned sharply to face him. “The drama you asked for is here, Luke Walker.”
• Luke actually believed the scene was staged. He couldn’t stop himself from laughing.
• Zora, weak and dazed, struggled to make sense of the chaos.
• “You teenage brat!” Luke started, “The nerve to—”
• A cold barrel pressed against his temple before he could finish.
• “Not another word against our master,” one soldier growled.
• Luke laughed again. “Tell them the script is over.”
• But when the soldiers’ fingers tightened on their triggers, Luke’s smirk faltered. He realized this was no game.
• “Attack!” he shouted.
• His guards surged forward, but each gunshot that rang out left one of them sprawled lifeless on the floor. Team Elite moved with deadly precision, focusing on their targets. One by one, Luke’s men fell—everyone except Wei, whom the soldiers recognized and spared.
• Silence fell over the room. Luke stood frozen, staring at the bodies of his guards. He looked up at Oliver, who was grinning.
• “Does this still look like a child’s play to you? Is this part of the script, Luke Walker?”
• Luke stayed silent. His eyes darted to Wei, who quietly slipped out of the room.
• “I love serving my enemies whenever I have the chance,” Oliver said coldly. “Today, it’s your turn.”
• He turned to his army, their formation tight around the lounge.
• “You can’t do more than a dead man, Luke. My father is the chairman of C Group, and Alexander Grey is our—”
• “Go, men! Go!” Oliver commanded.
• The soldiers holstered their weapons and closed in on Luke.
• “What the—” Luke muttered, but before he could react, one soldier slammed his head into the nearest wall. Another grabbed his chin and kicked him straight into the arms of a third soldier, who sent him crashing to the ground with a slap.
• “You all will—”
• His words were cut short by another sharp slap. He was lifted off the floor and thrown onto the glass table. The impact sent pain shooting through his ankle.
• “Tell me, Luke Walker,” Oliver taunted, “is this still child’s play? Still Bollywood movies to you?”
• Luke’s vision blurred. Blood streaked his face as he coughed and spat more onto the floor.
• “Young Master Thale, should we finish him?” one soldier asked.
• Oliver walked over, stepping close as another soldier ground Luke’s fingers under his boot.
• “You bastard! You will pay—”
• The rest of the threat was slapped out of him. Oliver gripped his chin and smirked.
• “You know I could end you right here, right now. But I have other things to do. Your suffering doesn’t end today, Luke Walker—I’ve got plenty more planned for you.”
• He slammed Luke’s head onto the glass table one final time.
• “Unfortunately, there’s no need to kill him. He still has lessons to learn the hard way.”
• “Copied, sir!” the soldiers echoed.
• Oliver rushed to Zora, who was barely conscious, and scooped her into his arms.
• “I appreciate your efficiency,” he told his army.
• “No worries, Young Master. We’re always at your service!” they responded as one.
• Oliver saluted them before striding out.
• ---
• The bell rang, and someone opened the door for Oliver and Zora. As soon as he stepped inside, a sharp slap struck his cheek.
• He looked up into Miranda’s furious face.
• “How dare you?” she hissed.
• Zora slid weakly from Oliver’s arms, too drained to speak. Miranda helped her into a seat, then turned on Oliver.
• “What did you do to Luke Walker? You brought a private army to beat him up?”
• Oliver didn’t answer. He stood still, taking her fury in silence.
• “Mom,” Zora whispered, “Luke Walker is at fault here. He… he did this to me. He tried to—”
• Miranda slapped Oliver again. “Your opinion is not needed, Oliver. You are wrong in this situation.”
• She stepped closer, eyes blazing. “I am not done here. I will still come back to you.”
• Oliver met her glare. “Likewise, I am not done here either. The vengeance I’ve been seeking in this family is here now. And you will all pay—including Ronald Carson.”