Cansington Station.

A tall, muscular man in a dark coat and dark glasses exited, his phone glued to his ear.

“Have you got the information?”

“Yes, General. The girl who saved you from the fire ten years ago is Thea Callahan. She survived, but was badly disfigured.”

The man tightened his grip on the phone, his expression darkening. It was a hot summer day, but the temperature plummeted. A gust of cold wind swept past, causing those nearby to shiver involuntarily.

His name was James Caden. Ten years ago, the Cadens had been burned alive in a targeted attack. A young girl, disregarding her own safety, had rushed into the inferno and saved him. All thirty-eight Cadens perished that night, extinguishing the prominent Cansington family. After his rescue, he’d jumped into a river to escape, eventually ending up on the Southern Plains where he became a soldier.

Over ten years, he rose through the ranks, from an ordinary soldier to General. He’d single-handedly challenged an elite army of 30,000, completing a solo mission to infiltrate the enemy camp and capture their general. He was the legendary Dragon General of the Southern Plains, the Black Dragon—a name that instilled fear in his enemies. He was the youngest general Sol had ever seen.

Upon becoming General, he retired and returned to Cansington to settle debts and exact revenge—to repay Thea for saving his life and avenge his family.

“I want all the information you have on Thea.”

“I've sent it to your email, sir. Please take a look.”

James hung up and checked his email. A message awaited:

Thea Callahan, female, 27 years old. The Callahans were a second-class family in Cansington. Ten years ago, Thea, a Year 3 senior high student, was on a day trip to the suburbs when she heard cries for help from a burning villa. Disregarding her safety, she rescued a young man—James.

The accident drastically altered Thea's life. Although she survived, she suffered severe burns, leaving her horribly disfigured and the target of relentless bullying.

“Thea, I owe you my life. I’ll spend the rest of it repaying this debt.”

“The Xaviers, Frasiers, Zimmermans, and Wilsons owe me a life debt. Now that I’m back, they will pay—for my family’s deaths, they will pay in blood.”

James clenched his fists, entering an unmarked multi-purpose vehicle driven by a man in a black tank top and cap.

“General, the Callahans will be selecting a husband for Thea in three days. Patriarch Lex Callahan has issued a statement: any suitor willing to marry into the Callahan family will receive their protection after the wedding.”

James frowned. “Selecting a husband?”

“Sir, the Callahans are prestigious, but Thea is now Cansington’s laughingstock. No one will marry her. Old Mr. Callahan, desperate, devised this plan. Despite her disfigurement, many covet the family’s wealth and business, making marriage an attractive proposition.”

At the Callahans’ villa, every important family member had gathered for Lex Callahan’s selection of a husband for his granddaughter. Ten suitors remained after a rigorous selection process. They stood in the foyer, varying widely in age, appearance, and background—none particularly impressive, including James.

Without Thea, he would have perished in the fire. Without Thea, there would be no James, no Black Dragon.

A veiled girl sat on a couch, her face completely obscured. An old man in a three-piece suit, leaning on a dragon-headed cane, announced, “I’ve chosen… James Caden.”

The veiled girl shuddered. Had her fate been sealed? She knew that since rushing into the fire ten years ago, she had lost everything.

The other suitors departed, disappointed. James remained motionless. Then, a man approached, clapping James on the back and sneering, “Treat my cousin well. She may be disfigured, but she’s still a woman. I’m sure she’ll satisfy you.” It was Tommy Callahan, the eldest grandson.

James ignored him, focusing on Thea. Though he couldn’t see her face, he saw the wet veil—evidence of her tears.

“Thea, go home. I have an appointment.” A middle-aged woman, Thea’s mother, Gladys Hill, departed with an expression of disgust, thoroughly disappointed her daughter had to marry a man from the streets. Thea’s father, Benjamin, similarly dismissed his daughter before leaving.

The remaining Callahans openly mocked James: a tall, strong man willing to marry Thea, the town’s laughingstock?

James approached Thea, extending his arm. The silently weeping Thea was stunned.

“From now on, I’ll protect you. Come with me, and you’ll have the world. I’ll make you the happiest woman on earth.”

His voice was strong and unwavering. She forgot the mocking faces, seeing only the tall, powerful, yet gentle man before her.

He took her hand, gently saying, “Let’s go.”

An unmarked multi-purpose vehicle and two men in black suits waited outside. As the men began to address him as “General,” James waved them off. “Take me to the House of Royals. I need to tend to my wife’s injuries.”

James was not only the legendary Dragon General of the Southern Plains; he was also a skilled physician. Treating Thea’s scars would be a simple task.

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