THE PROTECTOR
Chap 8's

“Did you guys see that?  They come with empty hands.”

“Do they not know the rules?  Or do they not respect the God of War at all?”

“I don't think I've seen them before.  Who're they?  Did they sneak in?"

 …

Soon, everyone noticed Aaron and his family.

Hearing various murmurs, Aaron hoped the earth would swallow him.

‘It's too embarrassing.’

It was different from being humiliated in front of someone he knew.

First, they did not feel his presence in this place.  And second, none of them were important people. It's a kind of psychological insult.

Not long after, the room was chaotic.

Everyone turned their gaze to the few men who walked in, wearing military uniforms. The leader of the group was the famous War King, who carried one star on his shoulders.

His imposing aura left everyone speechless.

“Short introduction.  I served in the Eastern War Zone, codenamed Azure Dragon.  I am the right hand God of War!”

Azure Dragon scanned the area with its arrival.

Aaron and his family shuddered in fear when they saw this sight.

“Yeah, this God of War is too scary!  Even his right hand, the War King alone is already like this!”

"No doubt about it!  The God of War is indeed in accordance with the five stars he shoulders!”

Caitlyn was so anxious that her tears wanted to come out.  “At least we have to bring something.  What will happen to us if he thinks we don't respect him?”

“Azure Dragon, may I ask when the God of War arrives?”  ask Jessi.

Azure Dragon smiled.  “To be honest, the God of War is already in our midst now. But He did not stand out and hardly ever attended this kind of event.  It's beyond my expectation that he's actually coming."

His words carried a storm as people looked around frantically to look for this man.

"Stop looking," Azure Dragon said firmly. 

“Need to remember that the God of War rules your every word and action.  I will act as a mediator today.  You can see me if there's anything you need. ”

"Well, isn't this a clue?"  Aaron whispered after hearing this.

And others seem to understand the point as well.

"North Hampton Winston Gonzales presents the God of War with a pair of Legendary Pearls!"

"The North Hampton Evergreen Chamber of Commerce presents to the two hundred year old wild ginseng War God!"

....

Everyone in the place rushed forward to present their luxurious gifts, where several luxurious mansions were included as well.

Seeing them present their gifts one after another, Aaron and Caitlyn lowered their heads in shame. Even Zoey wants to run out.

On the stage, Azure Dragon saw a mountain of gifts piling up before him.  His expression turned colder from minute to minute.

"What do you mean you're doing this?"

The voice of Azure Dragon shocked the audience. Even Jesse, the governor of North Hampton, held his spit. Everyone looked at Azure Dragon, not quite understanding what he meant.

"Do you insult the God of War?"

"No-no.  Not at all."

The words of the Azure Dragon frightened everyone.

“remember these words of mine!  This was what the War God hated the most!  Don't use your tricks on him!  By doing that, you are just looking down on him!”  Azure Dragon denounced, and everyone instantly understood.

Is the God of War short of money?

Absolutely not!

The God of War has unparalleled wealth and power!

“Please hold your anger, Azure Dragon!  We admit to wrong!”

Azure Dragon glanced at the crowd.  "Did anyone not give you a gift just now?"

Everyone looked at each other and found that there was no one who did not give their gifts.

“Dad, raise your hand!  This is your chance!”  Levi reminded.

Zoey and her parents have been listening.  They were relieved to hear that the other party did not like receiving gifts.  Even so, they were not brave enough to raise a hand.

Zoey raised her hand, and everyone looked over.

Azure Dragon looked at Zoey.  "Good very good!  Your attitude is right to come up empty handed! It shows your respect for the God of War!  Good job!"

Hearing the War King's praise, Zoey and her parents stand up involuntarily, overwhelmed by flattery and honor.

"What's your name?"  Ask the Azure Dragon.

“It's nice to meet you, Azure Dragon.  My name is Zoey Lopez.  This is my father, Aaron...” Zoey introduced his family politely.

"That's great.  I will remember your name.  I'll prioritize you and your family for the good things of the future! ” Azure Dragon promised.

Everyone in the room was amazed, including Jesse.

Zoey and her parents expressed their gratitude in confusion. They never dreamed that such a blessing would fall into their lap. Even at the end of the banquet, they felt like they were floating in the clouds.

"Oh my God, this is all real."

Aaron even bagged some business cards from big bosses who had expressed their goodwill to him.

"You're very lucky, young lady!"  Caitlyn series.

Zoey looked at Levi.  “Bu, this is all thanks to Levi!  He hoped the God of War did not like the reward and encouraged me to raise my hand.  I wouldn't have done it if it wasn't for him!"

"Levi really blew us away tonight!"

"Indeed.  Would we even have the opportunity to attend this banquet if it wasn't for him?"

Aaron and Caitlyn's impression of Levi is changing for the better.

"It was just your luck" Levi said. 

“I just asked a friend to give us some invitations, that's it.”

Just then, Zoey looked at Levi with a somewhat different view. It was as if everything was within his control tonight, as if he had resolved everything with just his words.

‘Could he have an influential background?’

'Could he be behind all this?’

‘But how is it possible?  He was imprisoned for six years!’

Zoey rejected the idea soon after.

It was a long and thrilling night, but fortunately, it ended happily. Aaron and Caitlyn feel dizzy from being excited, especially since they have redeemed and proved themselves to the Lopez family.

However, Harry called back then, and Aaron picked up the phone.

"You and Zoey don't have to go to work from tomorrow onwards!"

"What?"

Harry's cold, merciless voice rang out from the phone.  “You have disappointed me greatly.  When are you going to pay back 2.8 million of your debt to me yesterday?”

“Dad, i..”.

“Well, since you can't pay back, I'll take back the company and ask Samuel and Melanie to take over the business."  Harry hung up.

Aaron's phone fell to the ground.

After learning about what happened, Zoey and Caitlyn sobbed, hugging each other.

"What's wrong?"  Levi asked.

"Grandfather took back the company" Zoey snorted.  "We're unemployed now."

 "Hmph, they'll regret it !"

Meanwhile, at Lopez's residence, Fabian asked carefully after Harry hung up, “Isn't it okay we're doing this?  Levi has no influential background, right?”

"Dad, I've been wondering" said Henry. 

“My friend who used to be his classmate, now works at the City Water Maintenance Bureau, and he was there at the banquet.  He says that Levi is nothing but someone who relies on friends to get inside.  Even more ridiculous, only their families did not bring presents.  As if that wasn't embarrassing enough, they even took it seriously when they heard that the God of War didn't like receiving gifts.”

Everyone laughed when they heard what happened.

Harry then snorted coldly.  “I have to take back their company and make them unemployed for humiliating me at Paradise Villa!” He was very angry because of what happened today.

It was Henry who made plans for Harry to take back his company.

"That's fine.  They are a bunch of ungrateful clowns who have never treated Grandpa with respect!”  Samuel chimed. "I swear I'll make their lives miserable!"

Harry looked at Samuel, his face full of ambition.  “The Lopez family depends on you now, Samuel. I don't think we can get to the Western City ecological park development project tomorrow, but it's good.  You have to work harder, Samuel, and give us more projects through your connection.”

"Don't worry, Grandpa" Samuel replied.