Chapter 212 Henderson's Request
He walked to the door, his footsteps silent on the polished marble floor.
Opening it, he was met with the sight of Henderson, standing with his usual rigid posture. Despite the professionalism in his demeanour, there was a flicker of hesitance in Henderson's eyes.
"Boss," Henderson greeted, his voice steady but tinged with formality. "I hope I'm not disturbing your peace."
Noah's calm smile softened the edge of Henderson's tension. "Not at all," he replied, stepping aside to let him in. "Come in."
Henderson hesitated briefly, then nodded and stepped inside, his boots clicking faintly against the floor. His sharp eyes scanned the room instinctively before he turned back to Noah, who closed the door with a soft click. Enjoy new chapters from empire
"Take a seat," Noah gestured toward the armchair across from the couch. Henderson hesitated again but eventually obliged, sitting on the edge of the chair as though ready to spring up at a moment's notice.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
Noah leaned back onto the couch, his body language relaxed but his gaze keen. "What brings you here at this hour?" he asked, his tone casual, almost inviting.
Although Noah posed the question, he already knew the reason. He had orchestrated this moment with meticulous care.
Henderson cleared his throat, his gaze momentarily darting to the floor before meeting Noah's. "Boss, I wanted to thank you for the tea you've given me. It's helped me immensely with a few health issues."
Noah nodded slightly, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint, knowing smile. "I see. Well, you're welcome," he said, his tone warm yet laced with an undercurrent of purpose as if he had anticipated this exact revelation.
In Henderson's mind, the pieces started to fall into place. 'He knew. He had to have known. Maybe his connections in the military tipped him off about my injuries. Or maybe it's something else...' Regardless, the 'why' didn't matter to Henderson at this moment.
Clearing his throat again, Henderson gathered his courage. "Boss, I want to ask for a favour."
Noah's gaze sharpened slightly, though his expression remained calm. "Go on."
"I... I want more of that tea. It's not just for casual drinking; it's something I need. That tea—" Henderson hesitated, his emotions tightening his voice. "It's given me a glimpse of what I used to be. I want to go back to the military. I want to feel that strength again, to reclaim what I've lost. But for that, I need more of that tea. I need to heal completely."
Noah's smile widened, though his eyes remained unreadable. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees as his fingers interlaced. "You know," he began, his voice calm yet cutting through the air like a blade, "that tea can only heal you slightly. It will not completely cure you."
Henderson's face fell, the weight of disappointment settling over him. His shoulders sagged, and his voice softened. "I see..." he began, but Noah's voice cut through his despair like lightning.
"But."
Henderson's head shot up, his eyes locking onto Noah's. That single word carried the weight of possibility, of something he hadn't dared hope for.
Noah leaned back again, his calm smile now carrying a hint of something sharper—confidence, control, and opportunity all wrapped together. "But there's more to healing than just tea. And more to strength than just recovery. You've proven yourself capable, Henderson, both in the past and here. That's why you're with me now."
Henderson's brow furrowed slightly, unsure of where Noah was leading.
"I'll help you," Noah said plainly, his voice leaving no room for doubt. "But it won't just be through tea. You'll train under my guidance. You'll become better than you were before—stronger, faster, sharper. The injuries that sidelined you? They'll become a thing of the past. But in exchange..." Noah's tone grew deliberate, "I expect loyalty. Complete and unwavering."
Henderson's breath hitched. The words struck him hard, not out of fear, but out of the weight of the opportunity Noah was dangling before him. It wasn't just about healing or going back to what he was—it was about becoming more.
"Yes," Henderson said firmly, the hesitation gone from his voice. "The military always had my loyalty."
Noah's smile vanished instantly, the warmth in his expression replaced by a sharp, icy gaze. His tone dropped an octave, calm but carrying a weight that made Henderson straighten instinctively.
"No, Henderson," Noah said, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. "You didn't hear me clearly. I said complete loyalty to me. Not to the military, not to Lieutenant Adam—no one else but me and me alone."
Henderson's face contorted as the meaning behind Noah's words settled in. His brows furrowed, and his lips parted slightly, but no words came out. He realized this wasn't a casual offer.
It was a pivotal moment, one that would shape his future.
Noah leaned back into the couch, his sharp gaze never leaving Henderson's face. His tone softened, but only slightly. "Of course, Henderson, I won't go against the military. But you know better than anyone that life isn't a straight line. It throws curveballs—situations you can't avoid, power struggles you can't control. There may come a day when I'm opposed, or worse, oppressed, by someone higher up. When that day comes, I need to know you'll stand by me."
Henderson's mind raced as he tried to process the implications. 'This man... he's not just looking for support. He's planning for every possibility, including the worst-case scenario.'
Noah didn't give him time to respond, continuing with deliberate precision. "You've been given a second chance, Henderson. A chance to start a new path. Not just for yourself, but with your old teammates. Nathan, Natasha, Theo..." Noah paused, allowing the names to settle in Henderson's mind.
Henderson's eyes widened in shock, his jaw slackening. "You... You know them?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Oh, I know them very well," Noah replied, his lips curving into a faint, knowing smile. "I'm their captain now."
The weight of Noah's words hit Henderson like a freight train. His former teammates—the people he trusted his life with, the ones he thought he'd never see again—were now under Noah's command.
Henderson clenched his fists, his emotions a mixture of disbelief, admiration, and an odd sense of relief. "You... You've already brought them together?"
Noah nodded, leaning forward slightly. His gaze bore into Henderson's, making it clear he was serious. "They're waiting for you. But the question is, will you join them? Will you stand by me—not just as a subordinate, but as someone I can trust unconditionally?"
Henderson swallowed hard, the gravity of the situation sinking in. He thought about his life, the injuries that had sidelined him, the bitterness he carried for years. This wasn't just about loyalty—it was about purpose, about being part of something greater than himself again.
"I..." Henderson started, his voice trembling slightly before he straightened his back. "Yes. My loyalty is yours, Noah."
Noah's smile returned, this time genuine but still carrying that edge of control. "Good. Welcome to your new path, Henderson."
As Noah stood and extended his hand, Henderson took it without hesitation, gripping it firmly. He wasn't sure where this path would lead, but for the first time in years, he felt a sense of direction—and hope. Noah, on the other hand, felt satisfaction. Piece by piece, his plan was coming together.
Noah led Henderson to the guest room, the soft light casting a warm glow over the minimalist decor. The room was neat, with a simple bed and a nightstand. Noah gestured toward the bed.
"Lie down and take off your shirt," Noah instructed, his tone firm but calm.
Henderson nodded and complied. As he removed his shirt, the scars across his torso became visible—testaments to a life lived on the edge, with battles fought and survived. His physique was still impressive, a testament to his discipline despite the injury.
"Still keeping in shape," Noah remarked, his tone neutral but observant.
"It's the least I can do," Henderson replied. "The body's a soldier's tool. Even with my injury, I couldn't let it waste away."
Noah gave a small nod before stepping out of the room. "Wait here," he said. "I'll get what I need."
Outside the room, Noah opened his inventory. He retrieved a set of acupuncture needles and a small vial of an advanced medicinal solution he'd purchased earlier from the Exchange Shop. This solution was known for its extraordinary ability to accelerate cellular repair.
Returning to the room, Noah found Henderson lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Alright, this may feel strange, but it's necessary," Noah said as he rolled up his sleeves.
"What exactly are you going to do?" Henderson asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"Something that will get you back on your feet without any issues," Noah replied cryptically, placing the needles and vial on the nightstand. He pulled on a pair of sterile gloves and began preparing the solution.