Chapter 4 A Minor Official

No one needed to check or confirm what happened; it was clear that Dean had met his end. The sudden peace was akin to a fierce dog being abruptly silenced after being taken away. It was obvious that he was dead. They actually executed him under Mark's orders? Tamara and Eddie, still reeling from shock, slowly returned to their seats in the room. "Mark, what kind of authority do you wield? It seems like your word is law," Tamara said, forcing a smile to conceal her underlying fear. Just moments earlier, Mark wouldn't have garnered a second thought from her, but now there was a hint of deference in her tone. "Yes, Mark, I always knew you were destined for great things," Eddie chimed in awkwardly, his smile strained. "We were all deceived by Dean. Please forgive us for that misunderstanding." His smile looked extremely disturbing. Greg and Laurel's uncles, who had gathered to celebrate with Eddie's family, observed in silence. They didn't dare to say much regarding what happened, but they were certainly intrigued by Mark's sudden display of power. Could this man, once a penniless nobody a decade ago, truly have risen to such prominence? Mark, aware of the scrutiny, maintained his composed demeanor. "I wouldn't claim to hold a high position, but I have some military achievements. Returning to Seraphia this time, I've been assigned a modest role." He refrained from disclosing his true identity due to a special mission entrusted by Yantara's monarch. Following a decade of turmoil and war, Yantara emerged victorious, but neighboring nations remained hostile, dispatching numerous spies to disrupt Yantara's energy channel. The protection of the energy channel, pivotal to the nation's fate, was a sacred duty passed down through generations. Seraphia held a key position in this defense. Hence, Mark's return was not just a homecoming; he was here on an important mission. As the head of Yantara's twenty legendary generals, Mark had been tasked with this crucial mission due to the monarch's multiple requests. He had to maintain secrecy, returning to Seraphia as a minor official. For now, he didn't want to reveal that he was a minor official; he preferred Tamara and Eddie to speculate about his status. If the Claytons knew his role was less esteemed than Josh's, they would undoubtedly press for Laurel's divorce from him. Mark needed to stabilize his marriage with Laurel before compensating her for ten years of waiting. Once his duty eased, he would shower her with all the luxury imaginable. "Mark, so you hold an official position now? Is it higher than Josh's rank as a Three-Star Warrior Captain?" Tamara's eyes gleamed with anticipation. A higher rank for Mark could mean prosperity for their family. That would make the lost of Dean a matter not worth mentioning. "Absolutely! Didn't you witness Josh bowing to our son-in-law just now? Laurel has a discerning eye! So, what rank do you hold?" Eddie flattered Mark eagerly, forgetting his previous disdain completely. Mark avoided divulging specifics and redirected the conversation. "My rank isn't the focus. What matters is that Dean violated the law. I executed him on the Defender's orders, and it was justified." "Yes, you're right … " The Claytons nodded in agreement. "Five years ago, marriages during the Miles Apart Marriage Campaign were of paramount importance. The Yantara monarch decreed that no one should interfere if both parties wished to remain married. I've heard there will soon be rewards to recognize the contributions of those from the West Conquest." Tamara and Eddie beamed at the prospect of potential rewards. If Mark's position held weight, the rewards could be substantial—potentially millions in cash. With the situation momentarily settled, Mark prepared to depart. He had only just landed, and many matters required his attention. "Now that the issue with Dean is settled, I must report to my unit. Once settled, I'll visit you to pay my respects to you and the elders properly," Mark said to Eddie and Tamara with a respectful bow. Despite this being his first formal visit and despite their earlier treatment, he maintained decorum toward Laurel's family, seeing as they were her elders. "Of course. Focus on your duties first. There's no hurry here! You and Laurel are already married; there's no need for formality," Eddie replied understandingly. Tamara escorted Mark to the door with evident warmth, treating him almost as if he were her own son. Outside, Laurel followed Mark, feeling a pang of anxiety that he might disappear again without warning. "Quickly, find a young and agile person to shadow him. Discover which government office our son-in-law has joined and his rank. Let's make Dad proud!" Eddie proclaimed proudly as soon as Mark stepped outside. His brothers congratulated Eddie outwardly, but jealousy simmered within them. Eddie's family's standing within the clan had never been particularly high, and Mark's status, which elevated their standing, only exacerbated their envy. Greg, however, paid little mind to such concerns. He was simply delighted to have a son-in-law in a prominent position. Once he found out Mark's precise rank, he planned to host a lavish banquet for all his acquaintances, celebrating Mark's newfound prestige in his later years and trying to gain some praise from it. "Eddie, I think we can assign the Veridian project to Laurel. You can mentor her. The youth represent Clayton Group's future hopes," Greg remarked as he prepared to depart, eliciting beaming smiles from Eddie and Tamara. The Veridian project had long been a contentious issue among Eddie and his brothers. Greg's swift decision was clearly aimed at ingratiating himself with Mark. Despite their discomfort, the others dared not voice their objections. Meanwhile, Laurel accompanied Mark to report for duty. They arrived at a long-abandoned office building in Seraphia, its facade marked with the imposing sign: Seraphia's Water and Power Management Center. "Is this where they've stationed you? It seems ... rather humble," Laurel remarked in surprise, expecting Mark to be assigned to a more prestigious government bureau. "Are you disappointed with my modest position?" Mark teased lightly. "Not at all. I'm just glad you're back and are taking on a leadership role. We'll build a good life together," Laurel replied contentedly, harboring no ill feelings towards Mark. In fact, she intended to help him tidy up his dusty office. However, Laurel's acceptance did not echo the sentiments of the Claytons. Back at the house, they eagerly awaited updates from their informant. Upon learning that Mark held a minor leadership position at the Water and Power Management Center, their anger knew no bounds. "I thought this worthless fool had achieved something in the past decade, but he's returned with nothing to show for it! No wonder his name isn't on the esteemed hero list. He's been assigned to this useless unit," Eddie bitterly cursed, regretting his earlier praise of Mark, even calling him his son-in-law. "Exactly! Anyone on that list gains entry to the top units in Seraphia. This man must have dodged the war and ran away. That must be the only explanation for him landing such a dead-end position. He's working in a dumpsite! I'd wager being a delivery boy would be more respectable!" Tamara seethed, her heart aching at the audacity Mark had displayed earlier. Dean seemed like a promising husband for Laurel, but Mark ended him! Upon being reminded of that, she felt an urge to slap him. Most of Seraphia's water and power infrastructure oversight had been privatized long ago, rendering the official Water and Power Management Center defunct for nearly a decade—it was now a mere dumpsite in the eyes of the public. Mark's placement there ensured him nothing but scorn.