Chapter 1 - The Blood on the Marble Floor
The grand military auditorium buzzed with hundreds of uniformed officers, distinguished guests, and proud families. American flags hung ceiling-to-floor between warm chandeliers, illuminating the stage set for the Trident ceremony.
Derrick stood quietly in the hallway dressed in a dark suit. His sharp features and calm presence carried an unyielding aura.
His mother, dressed in an expensive designer gown, pointed dismissively toward the back rows.
"Move to the back, Derrick," she spat softly, sneering as distant relatives chuckled behind her. "You're an embarrassment to Ryan's big day."
Before Derrick could respond, his younger brother Ryan stepped forward in a white Navy dress uniform. His face twisted with arrogant rage as he grabbed Derrick's lapel.
Without warning, Ryan threw a hard, sudden punch across Derrick's jaw.
The blow resonated through the corridor. A single drop of blood fell onto the white floor tile.
Derrick absorbed the strike without stumbling. He slowly reached up, wiping the smudge of blood with absolute, chilling calm.
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"Know your place before I embarrass you even more," Ryan whispered maliciously.
👉 What classified authority allows Derrick to stay completely unfazed after taking a blow from a decorated officer?
