The Formidable Son-In-Law: The Charismatic Lucas Gray Chapter 1 Retiring After Success

Wind howled fiercely, scattering leaves everywhere.

Lucas Gray wrapped his coat tighter and gazed once more at the campground he knew so intimately, along with the recognizable faces. His jaw tightened firmly.

"Let's go."

Lucas spun around and climbed aboard the helicopter's open hatch, which had waited patiently nearby for ages.

Behind him stood squads of tall, ripped, and brawny soldiers aligned in perfect rows. Tears brimmed in their eyes, but they held steady with rigid postures against the chilly gusts, snapping off crisp, respectful military salutes in sync.

"Farewell from the Assault Team, Captain!"

"Farewell from the Special Forces, Captain!"

"Farewell from the Logistics Team, Captain!"

…

As the chopper's rotors whirred relentlessly, the thunderous cries rang out one after another.

It brimmed with fervor and glory!

"Captain, can you really bear to…" Jordan grumbled, reluctance shining in his gaze as he brushed away his tears and sealed the helicopter hatch.

The helicopter's blades spun faster, lifting it into the sky. The known campground and squads shrank into distant specks below.

Lucas averted his eyes and remarked with a subtle grin, "Everything comes to an end someday. There's no longer a need for me to continue staying here."

He had dwelled on this soil for a full six years.

In those six years, Lucas rocketed from rookie soldier to a mighty general wielding immense power, surviving countless brushes with death.

The unbeatable Falcon Regiment he led staunchly defended the expansive lands bordering Calico state.

And Lucas earned the title of the supreme God of War among the Falcon Regiment's tens of thousands, thanks to his superb leadership and battle prowess.

Calico stood impregnable now, deterring any invaders.

With victory secured, he could step away from it all, even at just twenty-eight.

The chopper soared southward to the closest airport.

Lucas drew an old-fashioned pocket watch from his pocket, revealing a faded photo inside.

It captured him and a young lady from six years back, when he still looked a bit boyish.

The lady's features were stunning, refined, and flawless. Her lips pressed in defiance, while her angled, sparkling eyes pierced right through the image toward Lucas's palm.

That absurd incident from back then lingered sharply in his mind.

Lucas gave a wry smile as memories from six years prior flooded back.

Back then, fresh college grad Cheyenne Carter had boldly founded Brilliance Corporation with her sharp courage and smarts, becoming a dazzling, renowned female CEO.

Yet her reputation crumbled fast.

The glamorous young beauty of a CEO hid a scandalous secret—she'd tangled with the company driver!

The press blew it up with vicious, fabricated gossip pieces.

Cheyenne's prestige shattered in a night, dragging Brilliance Corporation into crisis.

Few cared to uncover they'd both been dosed with drugs.

The public craved juicy scandals, and the Carters aimed to hush it up.

In the end, the driver wed into the Carter family, taking her as his wife.

But the wedding failed to salvage Cheyenne's or the Carters' standing.

Folks ridiculed Orange County's top stunner, once everyone's idol, and sneered at the broke driver who struck gold marrying rich.

That broke driver was Lucas.

They both knew the real story behind their union.

Before long, Lucas slipped away to the army base, swearing to rise high enough to match the heaven-blessed woman.

Six years later, he came home triumphant.

Gazing at the photo's woman, complex feelings of regret and sorrow stirred in Lucas.

He pondered her life these years apart.

——

"Finally back!" Jordan arched his back and eyed Lucas lost in reminiscence.

They wove through the bustling Orange County International Airport and grabbed quick eats from the mall just outside.

"Captain… No, I mean, Lucas, your hometown is in Orange County, isn't it?"

Lucas nodded offhandedly.

It had been ages since they'd left Orange County, and fresh return meant plenty to handle.

"Mommy… I want Mommy…" Suddenly, a childish, clear sob echoed close by.

Lucas came to an abrupt halt.

22:44

Somehow, the soft sobs were pulling fiercely at his heart.

Parting the surrounding crowd, Lucas traced the source of the cries.

A small girl stood beneath a nearby billboard, sobbing with tears streaming down her cheeks.

About four or five years old, the girl clutched a plush rabbit to her chest. Her delicate jade-like face bore large dark eyes filled with tears. Her tiny nose twitched from crying, making her seem incredibly cute and heartbreaking, which caused Lucas's heart to twist painfully.

Strangely enough, she looked oddly familiar to him.

Just then, the girl spotted Lucas too, and her crying stopped suddenly.

Her eyes brimming with shock, she dashed forward and latched onto his leg! "Daddy!"

Lucas froze in shock, completely unsure of how to react.