The General's Daughter: The Mission-Chapter 110: Asher Is Back

"Mommmyyy—!"

Shay’s bright, childish voice rang across the distance between them the moment the group stepped out of the forest.

The little girl came barreling toward them like a tiny whirlwind—small feet pounding the ground, her small arms already stretched wide.

Before Lara could even fully react—

Thud.

Shay launched herself straight into her.

Even though Lara had seen it coming, the force of the enthusiastic collision still pushed her a step backward. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

A steady hand caught her arm.

It was Ares.

His grip was firm, anchoring her before she could lose her balance.

For a brief second, Lara felt the quiet strength in his hold before he released her again.

Meanwhile, Shay had already wrapped both arms tightly around Lara’s waist.

"Mommy, why didn’t you take me with you?" she demanded, puffing her cheeks into an exaggerated pout.

Her wide eyes were full of wounded accusation.

Lara sighed softly, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. She bent down and scooped Shay into her arms with practiced ease.

"You were napping so soundly," Lara said gently, lifting her. "Besides, the forest isn’t safe for you."

The little girl immediately wrapped her arms around Lara’s neck like a koala clinging to a tree.

"But I want to go too," she muttered stubbornly. Her eyes suddenly brightened with a new idea.

"Then can you teach me fishing?"

The request came with the hopeful urgency only children could manage.

Lara opened her mouth to answer—

"Shay," Ares’ voice was calm but firm. "We need to go back to the mansion. It’ll be dark soon."

Shay deflated slightly.

Her lips parted as if she still wanted to protest.

But before she could say anything else—

Scarlet stepped in smoothly.

"Be good, sweetie," she said with a gentle smile. "Your father said we’re leaving, so let’s listen to him."

Her tone was warm and coaxing, though the timing was deliberate.

Shay’s shoulders slumped in defeat.

"...Okay."

She slid down from Lara’s arms, her small face still wearing a sulky expression as she turned to gather her things.

...

The trip back to the mansion was much faster than the journey to the island that morning.

The sky gradually darkened as the vehicles crossed the quiet roads, the last streaks of sunset fading behind the distant hills.

By the time they arrived, dusk had already settled.

The white mansion stood proudly against the deepening twilight, its grand structure illuminated by rows of soft golden lights that glowed warmly along the walls and balconies.

From a distance, it looked almost like a palace.

The enormous iron gates creaked open slowly as the two black SUVs approached.

Their engines hummed quietly as they rolled past the entrance and into the vast mansion.

When the vehicles finally stopped, the doors opened one by one.

The evening air was cooler now.

Shay immediately ran to Lara again the moment she stepped out.

This time she clung tightly to her side, wrapping both arms around Lara’s waist as if afraid she might disappear.

On Lara’s other side, Sandro walked quietly beside her, unusually subdued.

Together they moved toward the mansion’s towering entrance.

Shay tilted her head up, looking at Lara with hopeful eyes.

"Mommy... will you sleep with me tonight?"

Her voice was softer now. Almost pleading.

Before Lara could answer—

The massive wooden doors of the mansion swung open.

Shay’s small voice carried straight into the brightly lit hall beyond.

The living room lights spilled across polished marble floors as the group stepped inside the mansion.

But they were not alone.

A man stood by the tall window at the far end of the room.

He was nearly as tall as Ares, his broad frame outlined against the dimming sky outside. One hand rested casually in his pocket while the other held the curtain aside.

He wore a simple blue polo shirt and black jeans, yet the casual clothes did little to soften the quiet authority in his posture.

He had clearly been there for a while.

Waiting.

Lara felt a sudden pressure at her side.

Shay’s small hand had tightened around her fingers.

The man slowly turned. The movement was unhurried and deliberate.

His gaze landed on Shay first.

Something flickered in his eyes—something deep and complicated. Surprise. Relief. Something darker beneath it.

Then his eyes shifted. And met Lara’s.

For a brief second, the world seemed to pause.

His eyes were the same color as Ares’.

And the resemblance between them was unmistakable—the same sharp bone structure, the same imposing height, though this man carried himself with a colder stillness.

The air in the living room grew heavy. No one spoke.

The silence stretched long enough to become uncomfortable.

Then Liam cleared his throat and stepped forward.

"Asher... it’s you. You’re back."

The words broke the tension.

In the next moment, the three Norse brothers moved toward the man almost at the same time.

Logan was the first to reach him, clasping his hand firmly.

"It’s been a year, hasn’t it?" Logan said with a crooked grin. "You finally decided to come out of your seclusion."

Asher’s lips barely moved.

"Yeah," he replied flatly. "It’s been a year."

But his attention was already drifting past them.

His gaze settled on the tall figure standing a few steps away.

Ares.

Even in the large living room, Ares’ presence dominated the space like a silent storm.

The two men looked at each other. For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Asher’s eyes moved again. Back to Lara.

"I didn’t know you found Shay a stepmother."

The statement cut cleanly through the room. His tone was calm. But the accusation underneath it was unmistakable.

Scarlet felt the atmosphere shift instantly.

Before the tension could sharpen further, she stepped forward with practiced grace.

"Oh—nothing like that," she said lightly.

Her voice was sweet as honey as she slipped her hand around Ares’ arm, leaning close to him as if the gesture was completely natural.

"She’s just Shay’s governess."

The words floated across the room. For a second, no one spoke.

Asher’s gaze returned to Lara.

Slowly. Carefully.

His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, studying her face as though he were searching for something buried deep in his memory.

As if her presence stirred a memory he could not quite grasp.