C3 I Am His Man!

"Who's there?"

Emit's voice cut through the air, his gaze fierce and unyielding.

Today's son-in-law selection was the day's main event, a pivotal moment for the Griffiths men to reclaim their authority. Disruptions were unacceptable, especially since the man before him cradled the key to Tella's fate in his arms.

Selena!

"What is your identity?" Emit demanded, his tone low and teetering on the edge of eruption.

For one, no one in Brialedo had dared to challenge the Griffiths' authority in years. This man's audacity to question them was a direct affront in Emit's view.

Moreover, he held Selena, who should have been sequestered by the matriarch. Could this mean their secret plans had been compromised?

With this thought, Emit's anxious gaze shifted to the second floor. He knew all too well Tella's capabilities; aside from the family matriarch, no one could match her.

"Selena!"

Upon the man's arrival, Tella on the second floor caught sight of Selena. She clutched her mouth, fighting to keep her tears at bay.

Since Selena's disappearance, Tella had been living on edge, obediently adhering to the Griffiths' dictates, not daring to step out of line, all in the hope of Selena's safe return.

Now, seeing Selena safe, Tella's heart settled. Yet, as her eyes fell upon the man, a frown creased her brow, a sense of familiarity nagging at her.

"Tella..."

Wood ignored Emit's interrogation, his eyes, like twin stars, fixed on the graceful silhouette above, laden with remorse.

Had it not been for his grave error years ago, which led to Tella's ostracization from the family, none of this would be happening.

"To think they'd choose a drug addict for a son-in-law, heh... The Griffiths really are something!"

A chill emanated from Wood's eyes, his subtle aura of menace dropping the room's temperature.

"Mommy... Mommy... I'm here, and I've brought Daddy back!"

Selena, nestled in Wood's embrace, caught sight of Tella on the second floor and began to wave vigorously.

"Dad?"

A collective gasp filled the room as everyone's gaze shifted to Wood. Was he the deadbeat who had wronged Tella all those years ago?

It had to be said, Tella sure had an eye for "quality"!

Wood was on the lean side, his military uniform faded from too many washes. Despite his striking features, his shabby attire painted a picture of poverty.

"Mom?!"

Wood himself was taken aback. Selena was calling Tella mom?

That meant Selena was his daughter!

"Mommy... Mommy, come down here!"

The little one in Wood's embrace was waving excitedly, a bundle of joy at the prospect of finally having a father after all these years.

"Dad?"

Emit paused, his confusion quickly turning to rage. "You little brat, what are you yelling about? Don't you realize the seriousness of this occasion, you ill-mannered child!"

Selena shuddered at Emit's cruel rebuke, fear flooding her eyes. She buried her face in Wood's chest, trembling uncontrollably.

Wood's heart ached at the sight, his gaze growing icy. If Emit's mere voice could terrify Selena like this, it was a grim indicator of his usual treatment towards her.

"The entire Griffiths family should pay!"

A supreme being's wrath could lay waste to legions.

A chilling aura of death permeated the room, sending shivers down the spines of all present, their eyes darting around in alarm.

"Please, God of Soldier, let me handle this trivial issue..."

Denis stepped in quickly, knowing the dire consequences if Wood's wrath escalated to a bloodbath.

"It's fine, I have it under control," Wood assured with a dismissive wave, his demeanor serene, yet Denis felt a lump in his throat.

As one of the Seven Fiends, Denis knew Wood all too well. That calm facade was a sure sign of his simmering anger.

"Listen up, kid, I don't care who you think you are, but you'd better make yourself scarce. The Griffiths' home is no place for your antics!"

After berating Selena, Emit's glare landed on Wood, his narrow eyes glinting with malice as he covertly gestured for the security guards to take action.

"Kid, are you leaving on your own, or do we need to escort you out?" The security team closed in on Wood, their burly leader glaring with an intimidating presence.

"What if I refuse to leave?"

Wood remained unfazed. Not even an army of millions from beyond could intimidate him, much less a bunch of security guards with more bark than bite.

"Kid, you're rejecting a friendly offer for a harsh penalty. You're asking for trouble!"

The burly leader, seeing Wood's apparent ignorance, roared like a tiger and lunged at him with a raised fist.

"What a foolhardy move, daring to mess with Brother Hei."

"To die by Brother Hei's fist is an honor for him!"

...

The remaining security guards were at ease, chatting and laughing as if they had already envisioned Wood on his knees, begging for mercy.

Brother Hei, a three-time champion of the underground boxing world, would be a sure bet against any ordinary man. But he was up against the current God of Soldiers!

Bang!

The chatter ceased instantly as everyone turned to see Wood, standing tall and unyielding, their faces etched with astonishment.

The underground boxing king had just been kicked dozens of meters away by Wood, spitting blood where he landed!

"You... Who exactly are you?"

Emit was overcome with fear and confusion. Brother Hei, a top fighter brought in by the Griffiths family at great expense, had just been sent flying by Wood's kick.

The terror was palpable!

"I am her man!"

Wood declared with conviction, stirring a commotion, yet to Tella, it struck like a bolt of lightning.

"My... my man?"

Tella gazed at Wood, her gaunt face slowly aligning with the silhouette etched in her memory.

"Could it really be him?"

Her eyes moistened, her slender frame quivering slightly as the injustices of the past years brought tears streaming down her face.

"Tella, I'm sorry. I've returned, and I swear, no one will ever bully you and your child again!"

Wood looked up to see Tella, now a tearful figure on the second floor, and softly made his vow.

A promise from the God of Soldiers was worth its weight in gold!

Hearing this, Tella's tears flowed even more freely. She dashed downstairs and stood before Wood, her voice loud and questioning.

"Sorry? What good is an apology? Do you have any idea what I've endured these past five years?"

"Accusations fly from a thousand fingers, the Yin child branded a harlot, waking to a world of endless criticism."

...

Tella's tearful accusations plunged Wood into silence, his guilt deepening. All this was the result of his past lapse in judgment, a mistake he couldn't easily shake off.

"I'm sorry..."

A thousand words, yet all that emerged was a simple apology.

Snap!

The sharp sound of a slap echoed through the hall, leaving five distinct marks on Wood's face.

Tella snatched Selena from Wood's arms, her voice raw with emotion, "Get out, I don't need your apology...!"

"Get out!"

"Tella, please, let me explain..."

Wood's expression was a mix of pain and regret, but he was met only with Tella's icy demand to leave.

"Wah... Mom... Mommy... don't hit Daddy, don't send Daddy away. Without Daddy, Selena will be fatherless..."

Selena's tears flowed as she was startled by the abrupt turmoil. Her large, tearful eyes looked up at Tella with a heartbreaking plea.

"Mommy, don't you want Eldon?"

Eldon, cradled in Wood's arms, fixed his teary gaze on Tella, his voice trembling, fearful of her rejection.

"Eldon..."

Tella's eyes, filled with tears, fell upon Eldon, who bore a resemblance to her. She whispered through her sobs, "I'm the one who's failed you, I'm so sorry..."