Nathan had bravely forged a path through bloodshed to fight off their country's enemies.

Ken recalled that Nathan had fought in the Middle Eastern War and had come to be considered a national hero after he had defeated all his enemies.

How could the fragile woman before them be his wife?

"Don't worry about it. Nathan Morrison is a fearsome man. No idiot would dare to sell his wife. From what I know, he's still single."

Unfazed, Ken reassured his men. "I bet her husband just has the same name as him. Keep calling her husband until he brings 20 million dollars."

Ken's men kept trying to contact Nathan.

Devastated, Suzanne slumped into a corner and closed her eyes in despair.

…

Some time passed before a deafening boom resounded, shaking the ground.

Suzanne shuddered and opened her eyes.

The men in the room, who had been playing cards while waiting for the money, were alarmed.

Someone from the outside cried anxiously, "We're in trouble. Someone blasted our gate apart!"

"Blasted?" Ken exclaimed, terrified. "Who did it?"

"I-It's the military. T-They've surrounded us," the other man replied shakily as he pointed upward. "T-There're also two military helicopters …"

"You mean the military that fought in the Rugria-Ostait conflict? W-We're in deep shit!"

Ken yanked Suzanne up and snarled, "Is your husband the leader of the Norvanian military?"

Suzanne nodded weakly. Ken immediately regretted his choice and quickly held her hostage at gunpoint.

Outside, dozens of military vehicles surrounded the building. Hundreds of imposing but calm soldiers stood at attention, armed with the latest weaponry and combat gear.

At the same time, two fighter jets circled above them, and armed snipers kept their guns aimed at their targets.

The grand scene and immense pressure made some of the criminals cower in fear and surrender immediately.

Ken, who held Suzanne hostage, roared, "Let me go, or I'll kill her!"

A car door somewhere at the back of the military vehicles opened, and a domineering man stepped out.

The rugged yet handsome man wore a black combat suit that made him seem even more powerful.

He had an icy demeanor, which chilled everyone around him.

As soon as Suzanne saw the man, her eyes lit up, and her heart began to pound rapidly.

It was Nathan!

Nathan shot them a piercing look and commanded coldly, "Release her."

Trembling like a leaf, Ken stammered, "I-I had no idea she's your wife, General. I-I'll release her if you let me go."

Nathan's icy eyes had never once landed on Suzanne.

Instead, he slowly raised his gun and aimed it at Ken. In a chilling voice, Nathan simply said, "If she dies, so will you. Seven bullets are more than enough to kill you."

Shaking in fear, Ken shouted threateningly, "Then, I'll take your wife down with me!"

Nathan had never been one to succumb to threats, and a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.

Suddenly, the sound of seven gunshots pierced through Suzanne's ears.

Her body jolted violently before freezing in shock as her eyes screwed shut. She could feel blood splattering on her cheeks.

At that moment, calling herself Nathan's wife seemed bitterly ironic.

Nathan was here to save the thousands of victims trapped here, not her. So he wouldn't mind it if he accidentally killed her.

Suzanne felt her heart clench in pain. Unable to endure the terror, she collapsed, losing consciousness.

…

The military headquarters was Norvania's largest weaponry production base and was heavily armed.

"No!"

A nightmare jolted Suzanne awake. Her eyes shot open, and she found herself drenched in sweat.

She panted softly and surveyed her surroundings.

Her eyes quickly landed on a woman standing by her bedside. The woman had a plastic face. She feigned innocence as she held a tray with a glass of warm water and some food.

"You're awake? Nate asked me to bring some food for you," Sally said indifferently.

"Thank you," Suzanne replied softly, propping her body up using her elbows. She felt weak after not having eaten anything for an entire day.

Sally smirked in response. "It's a pity you don't deserve this."

She took a step back and flung the tray to the ground before throwing herself down as well.

Loud clatters rang out, and Sally cried out tearfully, "Ouch!"

Suzanne froze in shock.

The door immediately swung open, and Nathan entered the room.

His expression hardened when he saw Sally on the floor.

Nathan's subordinate, Cole Gilbert, stood next to him.

Nathan walked over to Sally and helped her up. "Are you okay?"

Sally lowered her head and put on a pitiful expression. "Suzanne didn't want anything, but I kept pressuring her to eat something. It's my fault that the food was wasted and the floor got dirty."

"Leave this to me. You should go rest," Nathan said gently.

Sally nodded. Before leaving, she held Nathan's hand and reminded him softly. "Nate, this is my fault, so don't get mad at her."

Nathan nodded in response.

Suzanne watched Sally's clumsy performance with a hint of disgust.

The room quickly became quiet after Sally left the room. Nathan's imposing presence made the room feel colder and more suffocating. It made Suzanne feel even more nervous.

Nathan towered over her as he looked at her with a cold and distant gaze. "What's with the temper?"

Suzanne knew that he would never believe that the woman he loved had put on a show. Still, she refuted weakly, "I didn't do anything."

Nathan's expression grew colder, and he said seriously, "I won't let it slide if you treat Sally like this again."

His words slashed her like whips, and the agonizing pain had her eyes tearing up instantly.

She lowered her head slowly, not wanting him to see her distress.

After a moment, she murmured, "Mr. Morrison, I had no idea you were forced to marry me because of your grandmother.

"She told me that you liked me, and I thought you'd be a good man to spend my life with. That's why I agreed to this marriage. However, it seems like there's been a mistake."

Suzanne's heart throbbed, but she pretended to be indifferent. "You're actually in love with someone else. Besides, earlier, you fired away without caring about whether I would get hit. There's no reason to keep staying in a marriage like this."