Chapter 9

Adistinctive, elongated black Rolls-Royce pulled up, followed by a convoy of 15 presidential-style armored cars. All were

adorned with license plates bearing the word ‘ALEX’. They screeched to a halt before Alexander.

“Your Lordship, we received your order and handled everything!”

Atall woman in military attire led nearly 100 heavily armed elite soldiers who marched to Alexander’s side. They all half-knelt in

unison, presenting two small booklets.

Those were divorce papers.

“Very well.” Alexander accepted the divorce papers and tore one booklet into shreds before flinging the other toward Zoe.

Swish! The document landed precisely in Zoe’s hand.

“This is...” Zoe flipped open the booklet to check its contents, including the stamps and dates. She stood stunned for quite some

time, then gradually looked up in disbelief as she witnessed the surreal scene unfolding before her.

These cars, these people, the intimidating soldiers, the woman in military attire, the license plates, and them addressing him

‘Your Lordship’...

What in the world had just happened?

Who exactly was Alexander?!

Herbert and the Dorvall family bodyguards shared Zoe’s bewildered thoughts. Even passersby on the street were shocked by the

scene, all eyes fixed firmly on Alexander. They had never seen such an extravagant motorcade, hundreds of elite soldiers, anda

nonchalant, handsome young man...

It was an extraordinary sight typically reserved for dramas!

“A-Are they filming a movie?” One onlooker speculated from a distance, trying to make sense of the situation. “A military-themed

television series, perhaps? Look at those soldiers, fully armed and all. It looks so real. They're so professional!”

Some looked at Zoe and Amber, then at Herbert and Alexander holding little Olivia, with obvious admiration.

“Look at those two actresses; they’re so beautiful! There’s a child, handsome men, bodyguards... This must be one of those

‘domineering CEO’ dramas!”

12

+15 BONOS

“Which production crew is shooting this? Where’s the camera? I haven't seen any... What’s going on?”

The passersby chatted, sharing speculation and thoughts about what they were seeing.

Hearing the murmurs of the passersby, Zoe suddenly had an epiphany and blurted out, “Filming?”

This had to be an act!

Alexander must have staged this entire spectacle with actors and rented luxury cars. The ‘ALEX’ license plates were another

dramatic touch straight out of TV or movie screens that did not exist in real life.

“Where did you find these actors, Alexander? They're nailing their roles well, I'll give you that!” Zoe could not help but chuckle,

looking at Alexander mockingly. ” What's the point of pretending to be someone you're not and glorifying yourself? The luxury

cars and the elite soldiers that immediately greet you, even half- kneeling... What an impressive script!”

Then, she continued, “Someone worthless will always be worthless, even putting up a show before me! Saying you're

hypocritical is giving you too much credit! You’re so good at pretending, aren’t you? Go on, give us a show!”

Meanwhile, Herbert seemed to have also ‘figured it out’.

After the initial shock, he disdainfully remarked, “I almost fell for it. Mister Kane, I bet this production team cost a fortune and

effort, huh? And how much does a day’s rental cost for this convoy of cars? You’re so embarrassing!”

Alexander shook his head and smiled. Like a lion that would not concern itself with the taunts of hyenas, or a dragon that would

not acknowledge the mockery of ants, he, the formidable Lord of War Alexander Kane, had no intention of taking these two

insignificant clowns seriously.

“Amber,” Alexander gently called her name, then slowly turned and put Olivia beside him.

Thud!

He gracefully sank to one knee, taking a half-kneeling position on the ground. Behind Alexander was Maxine Griffith, one of the

Four Dukes of War of the Temple of War. Behind her stood 99 personal guards of the Temple of War, all half-kneeling in

formation, creating a huge heart-shaped arrangement.

In this colossal heart formation, Alexander stood at its center.

+15 BONOS

Alexander locked eyes with Amber, his gaze overflowing with boundless affection. “I was lied to for five years and loved the

wrong person. It wasn’t until today that I finally found you and our daughter! Zoe and I are already divorced, ending the deceitful,

sham marriage. Now, I hope you'll accept my proposal and let me protect you and Olivia, giving you the best of the best.”

Alexander then reached into his pocket and retrieved a proposal token. It was not a traditional engagement ring but rather a

petite golden insignia adorned with a bas-relief on the front and the reverse with the inscription ‘ALEX’.

It was as if the essence of the battlefield was held within it, radiating an intense, almost palpable aura of violence.