Chapter 18 Kayden Stepped Forward

The banquet had barely begun when Georgia found herself feeling out of place. Seated next to Tony instead of Kayden, she felt her nerves prickling. Being near Kayden always made her feel calm and grounded. But Tony? He made her restless. He wasn’t the one her heart wanted.

Her eyes darted around the room, searching for Kayden. Finally, she spotted him sitting at a table near the door, looking as distant and aloof as ever. After a brief pause, she made up her mind. Rising from her seat, she moved toward him.

“Come with me,” she said, grabbing his arm without warning. Before he could resist, she pulled him across the room.

Moments later, they stood before the table where Elizabeth was seated, surrounded by family members and guests. Georgia pulled out a chair and gestured for Kayden to sit.

“Here,” she said firmly. “Sit here.”

The room froze as Elizabeth slammed her hand on the table, her voice sharp and commanding. “He cannot sit here!”

Georgia bristled but kept her voice steady. “Why not? He’s my husband. He has every right to be here.”

Elizabeth rose to her feet, her face flushed with anger. “Because I said no! Who do you think he is? What right does he have to sit at this table?” Her voice carried across the hall, drawing murmurs from the other guests.

Scarlett, ever eager to stir the pot, stood up with a sneer. “Georgia, what on earth are you doing? Why would you bring him here, of all places? This is supposed to be a celebration, not a circus.” She shot a saccharine smile toward Tony. “Don’t worry, Tony. We’ll take care of this little… issue.”

Georgia’s frustration boiled over. “Grandma, no matter what you think of him, Kayden is still my husband—Grandpa arranged our marriage himself! He’s part of this family, whether you like it or not. Fine. If he’s not welcome here, then I’ll sit with him in the back.”

“Stop!” Elizabeth barked, her voice shaking with fury. She scanned the room, her eyes narrowing as she made her decision. “Enough of this nonsense. From this moment forward, Kayden is no longer your husband. I hereby announce that Georgia and Kayden are to be divorced. And today—” she turned to Tony with a satisfied smile, “Georgia will be engaged to Mr. Tony Scott.”

The room erupted in shocked whispers, but Georgia’s voice cut through the noise. “I won’t!” she said, shaking her head. “You promised me! You said if I signed the contract, you wouldn’t force me to divorce him. I’ve done everything you asked. Why are you going back on your word?”

Elizabeth gave a cold, humorless laugh. “Do you honestly think you could’ve signed that contract without Mr. Scott’s help? He made it happen. He’s the one who deserves your gratitude—and your hand. This marriage”—she waved dismissively toward Kayden—“is over.”

Georgia stared at her grandmother in disbelief. The old woman’s obsession with the family’s interests knew no bounds. But this? This was a step too far.

Kayden, standing silently beside Georgia, clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. His jaw tightened, his dark eyes burning with restrained fury. If not for Georgia standing so close, he might’ve—

Suddenly, a deep, mechanical roar echoed from outside the venue. Heads turned, the sound growing louder and closer. It was unmistakable—the rhythmic thrum of helicopter blades. Moments later, the ground seemed to vibrate with the rumble of heavy vehicles.

The hall erupted into chaos.

A man in his sixties burst into the room, his face pale. “Elizabeth!” he called out, his voice trembling. “There are eight military helicopters circling the hotel—and about a hundred military vehicles parked out front. They’ve locked down the entire building and ordered everyone to stay put. Only members of the Adams family are allowed to remain.”

Silence fell over the crowd. The announcement hit like a thunderclap, leaving everyone stunned.

“What’s going on?” Elizabeth demanded, her voice unsteady.

The butler shook his head. “I—I don’t know, ma’am.”

Guests began to edge toward the doors, curiosity getting the better of them. Those who reached the entrance froze in their tracks, their faces pale with shock.

Outside, rows of soldiers stood like statues, their uniforms immaculate, their expressions grim. Hundreds of them, flanked by military vehicles, formed an unbreakable wall of steel. The sight was unlike anything anyone in the room had ever seen.

Even Elizabeth, who prided herself on her composure, was visibly shaken. Her hands trembled as she stared at the scene unfolding outside.

The helicopters descended slowly, hovering just meters above the ground. From each one, a figure leaped out—eight men in total, their presence commanding and their movements precise. Their hardened faces left no doubt: these were seasoned warriors.

Once in position, they raised their voices, speaking in turn with firm conviction, their words carrying through the crowd.

“Defender of the South,” the first man called. “The Heaven Regiment requests your leadership.”

The second spoke immediately after. “The Earth Regiment is all here for you.”

Then came the third. “The Water Regiment need your guidance, Defender of the South.”

And the fourth. “The Thunder Regiment, we stand ready, Defender of the South.”

Their voices were steady, deliberate—not a plea, but a formal call to action. The crowd fell silent, the weight of the moment settling over them. Then, as one, the eight men dropped to their knees.

“Defender of the South,” they said firmly, their heads bowed. “We’re all ready to follow you.”

Behind them, their soldiers stood tall, raising their weapons in unison. One of them shouted, his voice breaking the tension. “To the Defender!” The others echoed him twice more, their voices growing louder each time, like rolling thunder.

The sound was deafening, shaking the venue to its core. And then, just as suddenly, silence fell. The weight of the moment was suffocating, the air thick with anticipation.

Greedy Wolf, a towering figure clad in a dark uniform, stepped forward. In his hands, he held a broken, rusted sword. Dropping to one knee, he raised the sword high above his head.

“The Broken Sword is delivered,” he declared, his voice steady and resolute. “I, the Iron-faced Knight Greedy Wolf, humbly request Your Highness to return to the battlefield. The enemy has sent 800,000 reinforcements to the border. If you do not retake command, the border will fall, and countless lives will be lost. Defender of the South, the country needs you!”

Behind him, the soldiers raised their voices once more, their plea reverberating through the hall. “Defender of the South, the country needs you!”

The Adams family looked on in stunned confusion. Elizabeth turned to Scarlett, her voice barely a whisper. “Who… who is the Defender of the South?”

Scarlett, ever quick to jump to conclusions, pointed toward Tony. “It must be him! Who else could it be? He’s the deputy commander. It has to be Tony!”

Elizabeth’s eyes lit up with pride. “Of course! Tony, it’s you! I always knew you were destined for greatness!”

But Tony’s face had gone pale. He took a hesitant step forward, his legs trembling. “Are… are you here for me?” he asked, his voice barely audible.

“Get lost!” came a thunderous roar from within the hotel.

All eyes turned as a figure emerged from the shadows, his presence commanding and his gaze cold.

Kayden stepped forward.