Chapter 5: A New Beginning

The world was momentarily tilted in confusion for Darion as he lay there in that dark alleyway bleeding freely on the ground with the scared girl's screams slowly fading away. Even at that moment, he could only think of one thing, why wasn't he able to defend himself? He had regained his legs, but why didn't he regain his martial arts skills?! 

Three years ago, before the ambush, Darion was a decorated war hero, a war god who stood at the level of grandmaster in martial arts cultivation, which consisted of Warrior, Master, Red Master, Sect Master, and Grand Master in ascending order. With the way things stood at the moment, it was clear that Darion wasn't even on the warrior level!

The thugs laughed at him as he bled out and the girl he tried to save kept crying and calling out to him, afraid that the brave stranger had freely given his life for her. All these didn't matter to Darion at the moment, he was dying, and at this point, he could only wish that he had lived long enough to take care of a lot of things before his untimely demise. Darion's eyelids became heavy, and then his eyes finally closed, only to open almost immediately.

The tingling sensation he had felt just before he was able to walk again was now all over his body as he pushed himself up from the ground. The thugs who were laughing a while ago stepped back in disbelief and the girl went quiet as they all fixed their eyes upon him. What was most surprising was the fact that his wound, which was bleeding a while ago, was now slowly closing up and healing quite fast too!

"Beat him up!" The gang leader yelled after he had recovered from his initial shock. The thugs attacked again, and this time, the girl, realizing she was no longer held by the gang leader, turned and took flight into the night.

His training kicked in, and within a short while, Darion had made short work out of all three thugs, leaving them all on the ground and groaning. It was then he realized that his skills had returned but stuck at the Warrior level. He needed to unlock his skills but first, there was something he needed to do…

Meanwhile, completely oblivious to all that was happening and far from the alley sat Devra Hays with her family at the dinner table. At the head of the table sat the multi-billionaire head of the family, Tobias Hays. The old man sat on a Red Master's chair at the head of the table while all family members sat on either side of the table, with Devra sitting uncomfortably next to her brother and rival, Gary Hays. Devra ate in silence but was aware of the intense gaze fixed on her by Tobias who always wore a scowl on his face. 

"You have no ground here to solidify your claims, sister." Gary was saying in a drawl. "A woman has never headed the family. Even though you're the oldest, you won't be head of the family. I admire what you have going on for yourself, but your company, Helios Industries, must be merged with the family business as mine."

Devra almost spat out her drink when she heard this statement. A look at her brother and she could see that he meant that! She was cheated from her position in the family business, she was made to marry a cripple whom she had no feelings for and now her family would see her give up the very company she had suffered and toiled day and night to build for herself?! No way.

"And why do you think I'll do that?" Devra spat out at her brother.

"Because it's the right thing to do." Tobias' deep voice interrupted before Gary could answer.

Devra's shoulders tensed immediately but she still dared to reply. "No!" She objected strongly.

"I beg your pardon?" Tobias asked with his eyes narrowing and his frown deepening.

"I will not give up Helios Industries." Devra declared.

"YOU DARE TO OBJECT?!" Tobias thundered, hitting the table with his huge bear of a hand and causing nearby maids and servants to tremble slightly. "On what grounds do you think you stand to say that?" He questioned.

Devra flashed a look at Gary's face and was enraged to see the smirk and I told you so clearly written on his face. "You all took my position away from me because of my gender. In as much I'm the actual heiress here, you named Gary here the head of the family business. Helios Industries is a company I've built with my sweat and blood. Why would I give it to Gary now?" The pain she felt was evident on her face and her voice did well to convey it as well.

"Because you're still a Hays and your place is in the family business right under your brother's wing." It was her grandmother who answered now.

Devra just couldn't believe it! "You're a woman like me." She turned to her grandmother. "Why do you choose to take part in this torture? Why do you choose to do this to me?"

"Because it's the right thing to do!" Tobias chirped in again. "A woman must not head the family unless we want to be mocked and ridiculed by the other families. No, nothing of the sort will happen while I still draw breath!"

Devra was about to speak again when Tobias raised a hand suddenly to silence her. "You have two options here, Devra, relinquish Helios Industries and join the family business to support your brother, or you'll risk being disowned by this family."

Her heart skipped a beat, and she stared at the stone-cold hard face before her in disbelief. Tobias' and her grandmother, Lady Orlena's faces were set without emotions, but Gary smiled darkly with his heart, already imagining how life without Devra constantly getting into his hair would feel.

Devra paused for a moment and then sighed. A light smile tugged at the corners of her lips because she had already made up her mind. She stood up slowly with her eyes set defiantly on Tobias but before she could speak….

"Devra isn't giving up her company!" The voice broke the momentary spell that had taken over the room. Every head turned immediately towards the direction of the door to see Darion walking confidently in. Devra's eyes bulged in shock!