My Substitute CEO Bride

"Hey, hey, hey! I didn't say that! Don't go putting words in my mouth!" Francel protested, but Marcus wasn't about to let him get a word in edgewise.

“Listen up! Standing before you is the head of the Malrose family, Marcus Malrose! I'm the man destined to become a god!" Marcus roared, cutting Francel

off.

Marcus launched another attack. Francel, now weaponless, had no choice but to keep dodging. Even as he evaded the onslaught, he began to piece together why his weapon had been so easily destroyed.

Cold energy was the Malrose family's ancestral energy cultivation method that was thought to be lost after a catastrophic event that led to their decline and subsequent expulsion from the upper echelons by the Four Great Families.

For Marcus, this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. He was determined to restore his family's honor no matter what.

Francel's arm was frozen solid, forcing him to retreat. He knew that moving it now would likely cause it to shatter into pieces. Just as he found himself in a tight spot, a little girl of about seven or eight years old, suddenly came running toward him.

"Old man! Catch this!" she shouted.

"Got it!" Francel grabbed the wooden staff she threw to him and, with a swift strike, shattered the ice encasing his right hand.

"Come on, let's continue,” he said, ready to re-engage. Unexpectedly, Marcus withdrew.

"Maybe another time," he said, to Francel's confusion.noveldrama

"Huh? What's this all about?"

"Is that your daughter?" Marcus asked.

Francel replied, "Sort of. She's been hanging around with our Stick Gang."

A trace of pity flickered in Marcus' eyes. "Let's call it a day. I'm done fighting."

Francel was taken aback. Just moments ago, Marcus had been spouting all that dramatic talk, and now, he was suddenly backing down?

"That won't do!" the little girl suddenly chimed in as she walked over. "You broke a lot of people's stuff! Old man, don't listen to him! Teach him a lesson!"

"She's right. You destroyed so many things. I can't just let that slide," Francel said, raising his staff.

Marcus did not argue. He acknowledged that he had lost control of himself and was willing to accept punishment.

"You're right. I lost my mind for a moment, but the chase helped me regain some clarity. If I deserve punishment, then do what you must," Marcus said, ready.

Francel was unsure of what to do. It seemed that Marcus' actions had not been entirely his own doing. Just then, the little girl walked up to Marcus and kicked him in the knee before quickly scurrying back to Francel.

Seeing that Marcus did not react, Francel decided to leave with the girl.

"We'll see each other on the battlefield," he said.

Marcus nodded in agreement.

By the time they returned to the Stick Gang, it was already night. The day had been an eventful one. The group gathered around, sharing the strange and unusual happening from the past few days.

"Did you hear? There was a huge fire in the outskirts recently!"

"What? Another explosion somewhere?"

"Life sure isn't peaceful these days."

Everyone chatted casually while drinking cheap, homemade liquor. They talked about anything and everything while Francel squatted quietly in the corner, eating. Just then, the little girl from earlier approached him with a piece of candy. Francel shook his head. "Girl, you eat it."

The girl shook her head too, then sat beside Francel. The flickering flames of the fire brought warmth and also stirred up memories.

It was a rainy night when Francel was returning to the Stick Gang under the cover of darkness. Suddenly, his keen ears caught the sound of crying. Following the sound, he discovered a small child who had been abandoned at the entrance. Left with no other choice, he took her in. Everyone in the gang liked the little girl, but they could barely support themselves, let alone take in another mouth to feed. Despite that, Francel decided to keep her, feeling a sense of responsibility toward the child who had come into their lives.