Chapter 1

Outside the car window, this bustling metropolis still blazed with lights.

Three years—it seemed nothing had changed. But my heartbeat quickened with each passing moment, an inexplicable unease churning in my chest.

"Sir," Rex hesitated, "Are you sure you don't want to rest at the manor first? Miss Voss—I could go notify her..."

"No need." I cut him off. "I want to surprise her."

The car stopped in front of the Voss Group tower.

This skyscraper piercing the clouds was the life's work of Elena's father, and the commercial empire she had single-handedly managed.

The brilliantly lit building gave me an eerie sense of silence.

I strode into the lobby. The receptionist at the front desk saw me and her face turned deathly pale.

"War... War King!" She stood up in terror.

"Where is Elena Voss?" I asked directly.

The receptionist's eyes began to dart around, her lips trembling, unable to speak.

An ominous premonition seized my heart like a vice.

"Speak!" My voice thundered.

"Miss Voss... she has already..." Tears burst from the receptionist's eyes. "Three months ago, Miss Voss fell from a building and died..."

BOOM—

My mind went blank. The world seemed to freeze in that moment.

Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

I grabbed the receptionist's shoulder: "Say that again?"

"It's true... it's true..." The receptionist trembled all over. "The group is now being managed by Mr. Marcus. Miss Voss's memorial is on the top floor..."

I released my grip, walking toward the elevator like the living dead. Rex tried to follow, but I stopped him with a look.

The elevator rose slowly, each second like torture to my heart. Elena's smile kept appearing in my mind. She said she would wait for me forever—how could she just...

DING—

Top floor.

The elevator doors opened to a scene of desolate white.

The so-called "memorial" was just an empty conference room with a black-and-white photograph in the corner, sparse flowers scattered around it. Elena in the photo was still so beautiful, so gentle, but her eyes held a sadness I had never seen before.

I walked slowly to the photograph and my knees buckled as I knelt down.

"Elena..."

I reached out with trembling hands to touch her face, but felt only the cold frame.

Three years. Three full years of bloody battles. I had fantasized countless times about this homecoming. I wanted to see her smile, see her cry, hold her in my arms, tell her how much I missed her.

But now, it was all an illusion.

"Mr. Kyle Voss, long time no see."

A mocking voice came from behind. I turned slowly to see a fat middle-aged man swagger in, followed by seven or eight bodyguards.

Marcus Voss—Elena's uncle.

"I heard the War King has returned, so I came specially to greet you." Marcus wore a false smile. "Such a pity about Elena, that child had a bitter fate. You were destined but not meant to be..."

"How did she die?" My voice was as cold as the northern winter wind.

Marcus sighed and shook his head: "Alas, it's a long story. Elena, that child, mismanaged the company, embezzled public funds. After being discovered by the board, she jumped from the building in guilt..."

"You're lying."

"War King, this isn't just my word," Marcus spread his hands. "The police have a complete investigation report, and the board has resolutions. Elena committed serious crimes. If not for the Voss family's reputation, she would have been publicly prosecuted..."

"Enough!" I stood up abruptly, my killing intent exploding like a tangible force.

Marcus's bodyguards stepped forward but were paralyzed by my glare. On the battlefield, I had killed more people than they had seen corpses.

"Marcus," I said word by word, "Whether Elena is alive or dead, I will uncover the truth. If I find anyone harmed her..."

I paused, the murderous intent in my eyes freezing the air.

"I will make everyone suffer a fate worse than death."

With that, I turned and left. Behind me came Marcus's forced calm voice: "War King, I hope you can be rational. Elena's case has been closed. Let the past be the past..."

I didn't look back.

Exiting the elevator, Rex immediately approached: "Sir!"

"Investigate!" I gritted my teeth. "Find out exactly what happened three months ago. Use all intelligence networks—I want to know every detail about Elena!"

"Yes!"