chapter2

The name Nathan Morrison carried the weight of a legend. Throughout Norvania, he was revered as the hero who had forged a path through the most brutal conflicts in history to secure the nation's borders.

Ken, trying to steady his nerves, looked at the bruised, fragile woman in the corner. "Don't let her get in your heads," he scoffed to his men, though his voice lacked its earlier conviction. "A man like Nathan Morrison doesn't have a wife who can be sold for a gambling debt. The General is famously single. This is just a coincidence of names."

Reassured by their leader’s denial, the men returned to their cards, while Suzanne remained slumped against the wall, her spirit dampened by the memory of Sally’s voice on the phone.

Their complacency was shattered by a deafening roar that shook the very foundations of the building. Dust rained from the ceiling as a lookout scrambled into the room, his face drained of color.

"We’re surrounded!" he shrieked. "The perimeter gate was just leveled by an explosive breach!"

"By who?" Ken demanded, reaching for his weapon.

"The military! There are armored units everywhere... and two combat helicopters are hovering directly above us!"

The air in the room turned cold. This wasn't a local police raid; this was a specialized strike force. Ken’s eyes darted back to Suzanne, a look of pure terror dawning on his face. He lunged forward, dragging her up and pressing a firearm to her temple. "Is he really the Commander?"

Suzanne could only nod weakly.

Outside, the scene was one of absolute tactical dominance. Dozens of high-mobility military vehicles formed a steel ring around the hideout. Hundreds of soldiers stood in perfect, silent formation, their specialized combat gear gleaming under the sun. Above, the rhythmic thrum of fighter jets added to the crushing psychological pressure.

Facing an impossible situation, several of Ken’s associates dropped their weapons and raised their hands in immediate surrender. Ken, however, held onto Suzanne as a human shield, shouting into the wind, "Back off, or I’ll end this right now!"

A heavy silence fell as a matte-black command vehicle drifted to a halt at the front of the line. The door opened, and a man stepped out into the clearing.

He was imposing, his rugged features framed by an icy, untouchable demeanor. He wore a black tactical suit that emphasized his commanding presence. As Suzanne’s blurred vision cleared, her heart skipped a beat.

It was Nathan.

He didn't look like the man she had pined for at family gatherings; he looked like the incarnation of Norvania’s military might. His piercing gaze swept over the scene, landing on the captors with a chilling lack of emotion.

"Release her," Nathan commanded. His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried over the roar of the engines with absolute authority.

"I... I didn't know, General!" Ken stammered, his grip shaking so hard the weapon rattled against Suzanne’s skin. "Let me walk out of here, and she stays safe. That’s the deal!"

Nathan’s eyes remained fixed on the target. Not once did he look directly at Suzanne’s face or acknowledge her distress. Instead, he slowly raised his sidearm, his aim steady and lethal.

"You aren't in a position to negotiate," Nathan said, his voice dropping to a deadly, quiet tone. "If she is harmed, the consequences will be absolute. I have seven rounds in this magazine—more than enough to ensure you never leave this mountain."