The Sylvers thought... finally... maybe the Mayor would fix this. Maybe he would put that man, Cassian, back in his place.

But when the Mayor stepped into the hall, everyone froze. Quiet. Calm. Steady. He cleared his throat.

"I'm here today to give Mr. Cassian Vale the Certificate of Valor-for his bravery... and everything he's done for S. City."

The room went silent. Just for a second... then whispers, gasps, murmurs exploded.

One cousin blinked. Stupid look on his face.

"Wait... what? Did I hear that right? An award? For him?"

Another scoffed, voice shaking like they were scared.

"An award? Him? Are you serious?"

Scot Sylver, the oldest cousin, jumped up, face red, veins popping.

"Mr. Mayor! W-with all due respect-this must be a mistake! Cassian... he's... he's not... stable! How could he... do something brave? Um... um..."

The Mayor's eyes narrowed. Cold. Sharp. Didn't move.

"Are you saying I have bad judgment, Mr. Sylver? Or that our officers are dumb? That we can't see bravery when it's right in front of us?"

Trump Julan stepped forward, bowing a little, face forced polite.

"No, Mayor... we didn't mean... we just-"

Before he could finish, Julan Sylver, the patriarch, slammed his big hand on the table. BOOM! His voice shook the walls.

"If you can't talk properly, shut up! Fool-get out of my sight!"

Trump's face went dark. He stepped back. Pride crushed.

Julan turned to the Mayor, forcing a fake polite smile.

"Please, Mr. Mayor, have a seat. At least... let us offer tea."

The Mayor waved him off. No nonsense.

"No need. I'll just give the award and leave."

He nodded at his men.

"Bring it forward."

The Sylvers stared. Mouths open. Faces twisted. Their perfect little world... crumbling.

The man they mocked, laughed at, humiliated... the man they thought was crazy... was about to be honored.

Two officers came forward, holding a certificate and a red banner with gold letters. The Mayor gave a small smile, shook Cassian's hand, and handed him the award.

Swish.

In perfect unison, the Mayor and the officers saluted.

Cassian saluted back. Calm on the outside. Inside... he knew his aide had set all this up quietly.

The Sylvers froze. Mouths hanging open. Their smug, cocky faces melted into confusion.

"What... what's going on?" one whispered. "Could this... lunatic... actually be... heroic?"

The Mayor ignored them. Calm. Steady.

"Mr. Cassian," he said, voice smooth, "would you like a ride home? I happen to be going that way myself."

Marla screamed across the hall.

"He can't! He hit me! He has to pay! Arrest him!"

The Mayor's face darkened. Cold.

"Mr. Sylver... seems your family manners have improved since my last visit," he said.

Julan's face went red. He spun toward Marla, furious.

"Shut your mouth, girl! Haven't you embarrassed us enough?"

He forced a stiff, fake smile and turned back to the Mayor.

"Please, don't mind her rudeness. I will personally escort you."

The Mayor snorted. Didn't even care. Turned calmly to Cassian.

"Please."

Cassian nodded. Calm. Collected.

The Sylvers could only stand there, shocked. Mouths open. Eyes wide. Fury burned in their chests, but not one dared say a word. Humiliation had finished them.

Minutes passed. Footsteps faded. Guests left quietly, whispers chasing them out the doors.

Marla lay on the hospital bed in S. City Central. Bandages on her temple. Face tight with fury. Painkillers made the hurt dull, but the shame? Still sharp. She ground her teeth until her jaw ached.

Across from her, Gideon Sylver, her father's oldest son, slick in a sharp suit, all calm menace.

"You're smart, Gideon," Marla hissed. "You gotta do something. They can't get away with this. Ardenne... that lunatic... they have to be ruined. Our family's honor can't crack."

Gideon licked his lips slow, like a predator smelling blood.

"Of course," he said soft, polite, deadly. "Ardenne still works at the company. Plenty of ways to make trouble for her."

Marla's eyes flashed bright, vicious.

"Fire her," she snapped. "And let her whole family feel it. Call them. Now."

Gideon shook his head, smirked. "No. Too obvious. Too blunt. Let the vultures peck each other first. Let them fight over the 'madman' son-in-law. They'll tear themselves apart. When they're spent, we swoop in. Take the pieces."

Marla blinked. Then a cruel grin spread across her face.

"Perfect. Let them eat each other alive. Well done."

She grabbed the phone. Dialed. The line clicked, a fawning voice answered.

"Mrs. Sylver? It's late... everything alright?"

Violet's voice dripped with scorn.

"How dare you ask if you care?" she snapped. "Your granddaughter caused trouble-pushed my child, spat in our face. By the way, congratulations. Your 'mentally ill' son-in-law crawled back. He takes care of you now. You have nothing left in the Sylver family."

A startled cry came through the line. Someone tried to soothe, explain, plead.

"Madam, please-calm down... tell me what-"

Marla cut him off, sharp as a whip.

"An apology won't do. I want them to kneel. By ten tomorrow morning, Ardenne and her whole family will kneel at the company gates. Beg for forgiveness. Fail? They're done. No job. No home. Nowhere. Understand?"

The voice stammered, promising to obey.

Marla hung up. Spat. Muttered.

"Pathetic lot. Humiliate them. Make them bow every day. That's the price for defiance."

She paused. Fingers brushing her jaw. Her voice softened... almost tender.

"And... be gentle. Find me the best dentist in the city. I want this jaw fixed right."

The mayor's convoy dropped them at the edge of the southern district.

This wasn't shiny S. City streets. Narrow lanes, cracked pavement, walls streaked with grime. Rusted balconies sagged over alleys. The air smelled thick-diesel, rot, wet trash. Cheap, broken, forgotten. People learned to survive here when the world gave nothing.

Sandra led Cassian down a bumpy alley. Shoulders stiff, but steady. Cassian followed, coat scraping rusted railings. Heart heavy. Every step careful. He had expected hardship. Not like this.

Fifteen minutes later, they stopped at a tiny public park, overgrown and wild. Ardenne dug in her bag, pulled a small key, slid it into an iron door hidden behind the public toilets.

The door groaned open. A smell hit them.

Inside was one tiny room, no bigger than ten square meters. A lifetime of surviving crammed inside. Narrow bunk bed. Cardboard box as table. Glass jar of water. A couple battered toothbrushes. Blankets folded neat on the lower bunk. Clutter everywhere. Someone cared.

A gust rattled the door. Damp. Cold. Tired.

But Ardenne and Emma moved like it was palace halls.

Cassian's throat tightened. Vision blurred.

The truth hit harder than any blade. Sylver had wealth, marble, pride. Ardenne and Emma? They'd been living here. A cupboard of a room. Behind public toilets. While the Sylver feasted.

Blood rose hot in Cassian's mouth. He coughed violently, choking on iron and pain, spitting blood onto the floor.

"Daddy-"

Emma's small voice trembled. Swollen lips, wide fearful eyes, hope tangled with fear. She slid close to Sandra, clinging. Whispered,

"He's... he's my daddy, right? He's really my daddy?"

Cassian's chest tightened like a vice. He knelt, shaking, reaching for her. Voice breaking.

"Yes... Emma... it's me. I'm your daddy. Always."

Ardenne's eyes met his. No words. Just a trembling nod. Exhausted. Broken. But alive.

Cassian's tears didn't stop. Hot, ugly streaks running down his face. Years of holding in everything poured out now. Real men, the kind who fought wars, didn't cry over comfort. They cried over the wounds life carved deep inside.

Then-bam! A voice. Sharp, nasty, full of hate, cutting through the tiny, damp room like a knife.

"Lunatic! You come back here? Haven't we suffered enough because of you?"

From the yard outside, a man charged. Stocky. Red face. Gripping a wooden plank like he wanted to bash the world. Paid by someone? Poisoned by the Sylver? Doesn't matter.

He swung the plank high. Eyes wild.

Bang!

The wood slammed into the doorframe. Crack. Dust fell. Plaster chipped. Emma screamed, shrieking, clinging to Ardenne.

Cassian wiped his face. His muscles coiled like steel.

The man tried to push the door. Cassian didn't think. He moved faster than a normal person could.

One step. One motion. His fist shot out. Hit the man so hard he stumbled. The plank flew from his hands.

"Back," Cassian growled. Voice low, cold, dangerous. "One step closer... and you'll wish you never existed."

Bang!

Bang!

The old stick hit Cassian's head. Pain exploded-hot, sharp. Blood ran down his temple, thick and angry.

"Dad! Mom! Stop! Stop it!" Ardenne screamed, voice cracking, trembling, echoing off the tiny walls. She ran forward, desperate, but...

A hand grabbed her wrist. Iron grip. Hard. Pain shot up her arm. She froze mid-step.

"Don't you dare stop him, Ardenne!" the woman hissed, eyes wild, furious. "Let him destroy this bastard! If it wasn't for him... this madman... we wouldn't even be here!"

Martha Brooks, Ardenne's mother, looked like a lion ready to kill.

"Six years! SIX YEARS!" she roared, voice raw and broken. "Because of him, Violet and her family spat on us! Because of him, Violet went and married Benton Sylver! That man should have been YOUR husband, Ardenne! Do you know how they laugh at us? How they humiliated us?"

She stomped the floor. Boards trembled.

"If not for this lunatic... you'd be living in luxury! Mistress of Benton Sylver! And instead... look at you! Rotting here... in this... this public toilet with a madman and his kid!"

Her hands shook, pointed like knives. "Every time I see Marla in the papers, I want to tear her apart! And you... you threw everything away for him? For this useless man and that child? Are you crazy too?"

Martha's eyes were fire. Red, burning, shaking fingers like they wanted to scratch Cassian apart. Hate poured off her, thick and hot.

Behind her, Henry Sylver Ardenne's dad gritted his teeth, holding the broken stick like it was a sword of revenge.

"Yes!" he yelled, voice raw, trembling. "Six years! SIX YEARS because of you! You ruined everything! Today... today you pay!"

He swung the stick down hard.

Slap!

It snapped in two. But Cassian didn't move. Not a step. Blood ran down his face, but his eyes... calm. Deadly calm.

Ardenne screamed, panic ripping her voice. "Dad! Stop it! Stop hitting him!" She ran forward, pounding weak fists against Henry's chest.

Cassian finally spoke, low but full of fire under the calm. "Mom... Dad... six years ago, it was my fault. I failed. I failed to protect her. I failed to protect all of you."

He bent slightly, looking at Ardenne and Emma. "But I'm back. I swear. I'll fix it. I'll protect Ardenne. I'll protect our daughter. No one will hurt them like that again-"

"Enough!" Martha spat, face twisted in disgust. "Useless fool! What good are you? You brought nothing but shame! Nothing but ruin!"

"Mom!" Ardenne cried, voice breaking. "It's not his fault!"

"Not his fault?" Martha screamed. "Whose fault then? He disappears with a snap if the Sylver say! Tomorrow you'll divorce him-both of you! If he wants to die, let him die alone! Don't drag the family into this!"

Ardenne shook, tears falling. "Mom! Dad! Stop forcing me! Six years ago you decided everything. Now again! Can't you let me live? I'm not your puppet!"

"Cry! Cry! Cry!" Martha yelled, slapping her thigh. "Always crying! We do this for your own good!"

Then-

A small figure darted from behind the bunk bed. Ardenne.

The little girl looked pale, eyes swollen, clothes torn, arms shaking. She ran to Henry, threw herself around his legs, looking up with wide, teary eyes.

"Grandpa... Grandma... please! Don't hit Dad! Don't yell at Mommy! If you want to hit someone... hit me! It's my fault Daddy is hurt... Please... please don't be mad anymore..."

Cassian's voice shook the air. "Mom... Dad... six years ago, it was my fault. I failed. I didn't protect her. I didn't protect all of you."

He looked at Ardenne, then Emma. "But I'm back. I'll make it right. I'll take care of you both. I swear... no one will ever hurt you again."

"Enough of this nonsense!" Martha spat on the floor, disgust cutting through her voice. "You worthless, crazy fool! What can you offer? What can you fix? You're nothing but a curse, a shame on this family!"

"Mom!" Ardenne cried, tears running fast. "It's not his fault!"

"Not his fault?!" Martha shrieked, jaw tight. "Then whose fault is it?! Does he think he's untouchable now? One word from Sylver and he disappears again! Tomorrow, you'll divorce him-both of you! If he wants to die, let him do it alone! Don't drag the family into this!"

Ardenne's sobs broke free. "Mom! Dad! Why can't you just let me live my life? Six years ago, you chose for me. Now again! I'm not your puppet!"

"Cry, cry, cry!" Martha yelled, slapping her thigh. "Always crying! We're doing this for your own good!"

Then-

A small figure darted from behind the bunk bed. Ardenne.

Her face pale, eyes swollen, clothes ripped, arms shaking. She ran forward, throwing herself around Henry's legs, looking up with tearful eyes.

"Grandpa... Grandma... please! Don't hit Dad! Don't yell at Mommy anymore! If you want to hit someone... hit me. It's my fault Daddy is hurt... please... don't be angry anymore..."

The room froze.

Henry's hand hung midair. The stick slipped from his fingers. Slowly, his grip loosened, and he crouched, patting Ardenne's head. "Go back inside, sweetheart... Grandpa's not mad anymore..."

But Amelia's little body went limp.

"Amelia!" Ardenne screamed, dropping to her knees, hugging her daughter tight.

Henry froze. "I... I didn't mean to..."

"Enough!" Ardenne sobbed, trembling. "Enough, Dad! Go! Just... leave us alone!"

Henry could say nothing.

After a long pause, he exhaled, heavy and defeated. "Let's go, Martha. She's made her choice."

Martha's glare lingered on Cassian, a storm of hatred and pain. "Fine. But this madman stays away from us. He is no longer family."

She grabbed Cassian's arm, yanking him roughly toward the park exit. He didn't resist.

Ardenne carried Emma inside, slamming the door behind them. Outside, Martha and Henry's curses faded as they rode off on the old electric bike.

Cassian sat on the curb. For a long while, he did nothing. Just sat.

Then, the rumble of an off-road vehicle cut through the silence. The door slammed open, and Lyra Quin jumped out.

"Soverign, sir!" he called.

"Those people deserve worse than words," Lyra began, breathless. "Tell me, and I'll-"

Cassian lifted a hand. "Not like that."

"It's not heroism I want," he said slowly. "And don't make a scene. S. City's fools would make a spectacle of it."

Lyra exhaled, nodding. "The mayor... he wanted to be discreet. He guessed they'd recognize you. I tried to stop him, but... well, he's the mayor. He trusted me to find a reason."

Cassian 's eyes narrowed. "Our unit has holdings here. Sylver are nothing but a shopfront. Find us a house. Tomorrow, Ardenne and Emma get a proper home. Not that... that hole. Find three options. Then... find out what Sylver needs most. Quietly. Send someone to the company."

Lyra hesitated. "You're not going to use the regiment?"

"No. You can go."

Lyra left, shoulders tight, helpless.

Cassian sat. An hour passed. Finally, he stood. He returned to the park, sitting by the gate of their tiny refuge. Behind that rusty iron door was everything he had failed to protect. From tonight onward... he would guard them. Give them peace, safety, and a life he had denied for too long.

The gate creaked open.

Ardenne aappeared. Damp hair tied messy, a small pack of biscuits clutched in her hand.

She tiptoed to him, stretching out her little hand. "Dad... you haven't eaten. These are biscuits Mum bought. You should eat them before you get hungry."

Cassian froze. The tiny warmth, the earnest voice... it cut through every wall he had built. His throat burned.

Ardenne didn't notice his silence. She sat beside him. Cassian reached out gently.

"Don't. Sit on the bag, not the ground."

She nodded, swinging her feet above the floor.

Long pause. Then, small voice, uncertain: "Are you really my dad?"

Cassian looked down. Nodded.

Ardenne's lips trembled. "Then... why did you go away? All these years... I missed you. Everyone has a dad... except me. Will you leave again? Grandpa... Grandma... they bully Mum and me... did they bully you too? Is that why you left?"

Cassian's chest twisted. Every word cut him.

She tugged his sleeve. "Daddy... don't leave again, okay? I'll be good, I promise."

Tears fell. Cassian couldn't stop them. They blurred his vision, all he could see was her small, hopeful face.

"I won't leave again," he whispered.

Ardenne tilted her head, big curious eyes fixed on him. "Did you... have it hard outside? You didn't have a mummy to take care of you, did you?"

Cassian gave a small, shaky smile, wiping a tear that streaked down his cheek.

"If anything... anything happens to you, you tell me, okay? Don't keep it all inside," he said, voice rough.

Ardenne's face lit up suddenly. "Oh! I almost forgot! I have a surprise for you!"

Before he could ask what, she bounced up, tugging at his hand. "Come on! Come see!"

Cassian followed, curious, careful not to rush her. She led him to the far side of the park, near the abandoned public restroom. Wild weeds, small scraggly trees, shoved aside with tiny, determined hands.

Behind the overgrowth... a little corner, hidden.

A scruffy yellow dog wagged its tail, sitting beside a pile of dirty plastic bottles and crushed cans.

Ardenne pointed with a pout. "Bad little puppy! You bit my bottles again!"

Then, turning to Cassian, her face so proud it hurt to look at: "Look, Daddy! Isn't it amazing? I picked all these up myself! You can sell them... and buy Mum a gift! Then she won't be angry with you anymore!"

Cassian froze. He crouched slowly, his hand trembling over his mouth. His chest heaved like it wanted to tear itself apart. And then... the tears came. Ugly, hot, unstoppable.

Ardenne's smile faltered. She slid beside him, tiny hands on his arm. "Daddy... don't cry," she whispered, voice trembling. "I'll be a good girl from now on. I promise."

Cassian leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers, letting the sobs shake him. "I... I won't let anyone hurt you again. I promise, Ardenne. Never again..."

Cassian had spent the night on the cold doorstep. Before dawn he slipped out, bought a bag of warm fried dough sticks and two little cartons of milk. He came back to the iron door where Ardenne and Emma slept. The room smelled of damp, of old rain, and a faint bleach from the public restroom nearby. No table, no chairs, nothing that felt like a home. So, they carried breakfast to the park bench outside, huddled close to share the tiny warmth of the meal.

Ardenne attacked the dough sticks like a tiny tornado. Three sticks vanished before Cassian could blink. She gulped down the milk cartons, one after the other, then threw her head back and squealed. "Woo-Mummy! This is the best ever! My belly's so full!" Her laugh was wild, pure, and Cassian felt like his chest might crack from it.

Ardenne watched her, smiling softly. Cassian's throat tightened. He wanted to scoop them both up and never let go, feel them safe forever. But he just sat still, letting the park bench be enough for now.

The walk to Ardenne's school passed the old resettlement blocks. The kindergarten squeezed into a low, tired building, windows small, paint peeling on the stairwell. Eight kids, patched clothes, messy hair, scrambled around inside. Ardenne waved to them all, hugging tightly before running back to Cassia. She cupped his cheek, gave him a ridiculous exaggerated wink, then slipped into class. Behind the teacher's back, she whispered, "Dad-good luck," and made a silly face. Cassian just smiled and nodded.

Ardenne hurried on toward the bus stop, glancing back at him. "I'm going to the office," she said. "Why are you coming with me?"

Cassian shrugged, a small grin tugging at his lips. "I'm not leaving you two alone yet," he said softly.

His gaze flicked to Emma's classroom, then back to Ardenne. "Some things I need to see for myself."

"Because I will not stand by while they humiliate you," Cassian said, quiet but hard.

Ardenne stopped, staring at him long enough for the world to shrink down. She set her jaw tight. "No violence," she said. Eyes sharp. "If you can't promise that... stay away. Don't come near us. Don't do it."

Cassian opened his mouth, closed it. He sighed, nodding.

Forty minutes later, the glass tower loomed. Twenty floors of shiny ambition. Sylver Group, it read in cold block letters at the top.

They reached the gate. A uniformed guard stepped forward. "Stop. Who gave you permission? Do you even work here?"

Ardenne flashed her ID. "Of course I work here."

The man sneered. "ID card? Could be fake. Who are you trying to fool?"

Cassian stepped closer. His voice was low, calm, dangerous. "Clear the way."

The guard's jaw tightened. "You-who do you think you are? Out! Brothers-backup!"

Security spilled through like chess pieces. Phones up, rubber batons in hand, ready to make a show.

"You think you're strong?" one barked. "Lift a finger, we'll make a viral spectacle of you."

Another snorted. "Arrogant bastard-thinks he's untouchable because he can fight a little. Fool."

The lead clicked his walkie. "Manager-sir, the people you were waiting for are here."

Ardenne's lips went white. She knew the choreography: Marla's cruelty dressed in uniforms, set to humiliate them.

Cassian's eyes scanned them all. "I'll say it once. Anyone who values their life-get out of the way."

The guards laughed. "Oh? You gonna fight us?"

"We've got orders. We'll finish him quick."

The manager stepped forward, immaculate, backing his guards with the Sylver' full weight. "Shut off your cameras," he said. Phones blinked dark instantly.

Then, a shadow in sunglasses appeared. Marla rolled forward, bruised, swollen, mask half-lifted. Her lips were a thin line of fury. She had pushed herself here despite the doctor's warning. Pain didn't stop her. She wanted the spotlight. She wanted control.

"Ardenne, has your mad husband had another episode? Always daydreaming, always boasting. Pity you ended up with such a waste," Marla spat.

Gideon Sylver materialized at her shoulder, perfectly polished. "Boasting never cost anyone a dime," he sneered. "Go on-beg us to let you in. Make a scene. We'll laugh."

The guards laughed with them.

Ardenne's face burned. She swallowed hard. She couldn't leave Ardenne. She couldn't lose her job. So she straightened.

"Marla, I-" Her throat closed. She forced it out. "What happened yesterday was wrong. I... I apologise on Cassian's behalf. We'll cover your medical expenses. Please... don't revoke my position. Emma needs school."

Marla pulled off the mask. The bruise looked worse. She sneered. "Phooey. You think an apology fixes this? A cheque? Pathetic. Kneel. Crawl. Maybe then I'll forgive you."

Ardened's body trembled. "Don't you dare-"

Marla cut her off, cruel and sharp. "Your fault yesterday. Don't forget: Sylver Group is ours. And don't forget-I'm Sylver too. And I own a piece of this company."

Ardenne opened her mouth. "I-"

"Delusional?" Marla laughed. "You think you have a right here? Embarrassing. Know your place. Don't kneel? Then pay. Two million. That will fix my face. Buy back dignity. Can you afford it?"

Ardenne froze. "Two million?" she whispered. "You're shameless."

Marla's eyes burned like ice. "Bitch!"

"How dare you call me shameless?"

She flicked her gaze to her brother. "Gideo -teach her a lesson."

Gideon's lips twisted into a cruel sneer. "Oh, I'm very good at this," he said, walking forward like a predator.

"I suggest you don't dodge, little worker," he taunted. "Otherwise losing your job won't be enough punishment. Tsk, tsk... such a pretty face-slapping it should really hurt."