Damien King did everything in his power to ensure his son received the best training possible. He spared no expense, hiring every expert who could help Alexander become stronger and more capable.
"That's not the correct posture for a powerful man, Alexander!" one of his trainers barked, noticing the mistake in his stance.
Despite the sharp reprimand, Alexander remained quiet and simply adjusted his posture. Though his body was already exhausted from the intense combat training he had endured earlier, he pressed on and continued with his next lesson, which focused on the proper etiquette for someone who exudes power and authority.
In his mind, Alexander understood that this was more than just another lesson—it was a necessary step toward becoming the man he aspired to be: powerful, unshaken, and fearless.
"Yes, that's it! Keep going," his trainer encouraged as Alexander followed the instructions without complaint.
He diligently worked through the lesson, carrying on until the hour-long session came to an end. Exhausted, Alexander finally sank down to the floor, feeling the weight of the fatigue in his bones.
Meanwhile, Damien observed from a distance, his gaze sharp and unwavering as he watched his son. There was no trace of sympathy in his eyes; he didn't feel sorry for Alexander. Instead, he allowed his son to face the challenge alone. Damien wanted his son to learn the value of perseverance, to understand that enduring hardships was part of the process. He firmly believed that all the struggle and sacrifice would ultimately pay off, shaping Alexander into a man capable of inheriting his legacy.
"Are you sure he can overcome all the challenges you're throwing at him, Sir?" Keiran asked Damien, his tone laced with curiosity and a hint of concern.
Keiran Dee was Damien's right-hand man—the only person he truly trusted. He was also the one who had found Alexander all those years ago.
"He has to overcome them. He won't become strong if he gives up," Damien replied firmly, his voice unwavering.
Keiran studied his expression for a moment before asking another question, one that made Damien pause.
"If he manages to surpass everything, when will you finally introduce him to everyone?"
"When he's ready to face real battles."
Keiran simply nodded, saying nothing more. Both of them turned their attention back to Alexander, who was still sitting on the floor, his chest rising and falling as he struggled to catch his breath. Exhaustion was evident on his face.
"He's already tired. He should rest," Keiran remarked.
"Let him do what he wants, Keiran," Damien responded indifferently.
Keiran let out a sigh. "But if he pushes himself too hard, he might end up with a more serious injury. Remember, he still hasn't fully recovered from the wounds he got from the Johnson family."
Damien's expression remained unreadable, but at the mention of the Johnsons, his interest piqued. "Speaking of them, any updates?"
From the moment Alexander arrived at his estate, Damien had wasted no time. He had ordered Keiran to keep a close watch on the Johnson family, gathering every piece of information that could be useful.
Keiran didn't hesitate to report. "The Carters and Johnsons are set to reunite soon," he stated plainly. "And, interestingly enough, I've discovered that the marriage between your son and Sophia Johnson isn't legally valid. Also, all the luxury they flaunt—their house, their expensive possessions—everything belongs to Alexander."
A smirk played on Damien's lips upon hearing this revelation.
"Dig deeper. I want solid proof that my son owns everything they have. That information will be useful to him when he returns," Damien ordered.
Keiran gave a firm nod. "I'll take care of it, Sir."
"Go now. Just comeback when you have another information to feed me."
For the last time, Keiran Dee nodded his head before leaving the estate.
Meanwhile, Damien remained standing, his gaze locked onto his son, who was still catching his breath.
Alexander clenched his fists as he wiped the sweat off his forehead. His entire body ached, but he refused to show weakness. He had endured worse, and he knew that giving up was never an option. Slowly, he pushed himself off the floor, straightening his back despite the pain shooting through his limbs.
Damien smirked at the sight. Good. He's learning.
"Alexander," he called out, his voice firm but composed.
Alexander immediately turned to face his father, standing at full attention despite his exhaustion.
"Rest now. You still have trainings tomorrow," Damien said.
Alexander nodded his head. He made himself out of the training grounds.
"Rest now. You still have training tomorrow," Damien said.
Alexander nodded silently and made his way out of the training grounds. He walked quietly toward his room, feeling the exhaustion weighing down on his body. Every step reminded him of the pain from his earlier training, but he pushed through it without complaint.
Since arriving at his father's estate, Alexander hadn't wasted a single moment. Despite the wounds he had suffered at the hands of the Johnson family, he had forced himself to train. He endured every ache and every moment of exhaustion because he knew—one day, all of this would be worth it.
When he finally reached his room, Alexander didn't waste a second—he collapsed onto his soft bed, his body sinking into the comfort of the mattress. Every muscle in his body ached from exhaustion, and even though he knew he should clean up, he simply didn't have the energy to move.
His eyelids felt heavy as he let out a tired breath. The sticky sweat on his skin made him uncomfortable, but at that moment, he didn't care. His body had reached its limit, and sleep quickly pulled him into its embrace, offering him the rest he desperately needed.
On the flip side, at the Johnson family's residence, everyone was busy preparing for the upcoming wedding of Sophia Johnson and Jason Carter in just a few days.
"I can't wait for my wedding! I'm so excited!" Sophia exclaimed, practically glowing with anticipation.
Sam, one of her friends, however, gave her a skeptical look. "Girl, don't get too excited," she cautioned.
Claire, another friend in the group, quickly jumped in, rolling her eyes. "Oh, come on! In just a few days, Sophia will be marrying the richest man around. Let her be excited! She deserves to celebrate. Don't be a killjoy for our soon-to-be Mrs. Carter."
Just as the atmosphere remained lighthearted, Sam suddenly spoke up, tilting her head slightly. "But wait… isn't Sophia still legally married to her previous husband? What was his name again? Oh, right—Alexander."
The moment those words left Sam's mouth, the mood in the room shifted. Sophia's smile instantly disappeared, her expression hardening as she turned to glare at Sam. The mention of Alexander's name was enough to ruin her mood, and it was clear she wanted nothing to do with that part of her past.
"Our marriage was never real," she snapped, her tone sharp and irritated. "And can you not mention his name again? It's annoying."
Sam raised an eyebrow but chose not to argue. Instead, she quietly sipped her juice, deciding it was best to drop the subject.
On the surface, everything seemed perfect for Sophia. She was about to marry into one of the wealthiest families, surrounded by luxury and admiration. But what she didn't realize was that the past she was so desperate to erase was slowly catching up to her. Karma was already on its way, and she had no idea what was coming.