All Chapters of Awakening The Hidden Dragon : Chapter 31
- Chapter 40
44 chapters
CH ~ 0031 CHAOS IN THE HALL
Carol waited for the congratulations to die down."But tonight isn't just about partnerships," she continued. "It's about leadership. Vision. The future direction of Gates Corporation."The ballroom went still.Everyone leaned forward.This was it...The moment they'd all been waiting for."I know," Carol said, a ghost of a smile touching her lips, "that many of you have been curious about Gates Corporation's new president. Who he is. What his vision entails. Why has he remained anonymous for so long."Murmuring spread through the ballroom like wildfire.Heads turned, looking at each other, trying to guess."Is he here?""Will we finally see him?""Who could it be?"In the V-vip section, Elena turned to Knox with excitement in her eyes."This is it," she whispered. "We're actually going to see him."Meanwhile, Ethan who just got out of the restroom had been taking several stairs and he seemed to have lost his way back to the diamond section. Right as he was about taking the next turn,
CH ~ 0032 REVEALING HIS IDENTITY
Then he stepped back—slow, deliberate—and stopped in front of a group of broad-shouldered men standing near the drinks. “Hello big people, sorry to intrude, but you seem rather strapping…” he began, fishing his wallet out. “Here’s a thousand dollars. Will you be so kind as to go hit that man down there?” He pointed at Ethan, who was now standing Elena. The men exchanged puzzled glances. “Really?” one asked, surprised. “There’s an extra thousand if he goes down,” Knox added casually raising more dollar bills. The man grinned. “Bet.” He took the money and turned away with a bounce in his step—almost excited. “Make it a good one,” Knox called behind him. Seconds later.. A punch landed in Ethan's jaw, sending him flying across the hall.A loud scream was heard, wind bottles splashed and in that instant, Chaos rippled across Ethan’s side of the hall. Knox watched the action but was unimpressed. Unsatisfied, he turned back to the group. “Here’s a hundred—go help your friend
CH ~ 0033 TEAMING UP WITH BYRON
Slowly, Knox reached the podium. Carol Duncan stepped back, her expression professional but her eyes holding the faintest gleam of satisfaction. Knox stood before the microphone, the spotlight making his features sharp and clear for everyone to see except, his hat was hiding a little bit of his facial features. The whispers grew louder. "I don't know what I expected, but it's definitely not this. They said he was an old man." The lady beside Elena raised her breast firmly, adjusting in perfect position, "He's my type. Men love soft things that can put them to bed, I'll shoot my shot the moment he gets back to his seat." Elena on the other end was too stunned to speak. Knox let the silence stretch. Let the confusion build. Let them wonder. Then he spoke. His voice was calm. Clear. Carrying through the sound system with quiet authority. "Good evening people." The ballroom fell silent. "I know you were all expecting to meet the president of Gates Corporation tonight." Hea
CH ~ 0034 EVIL TWIST
He cleared his throat, his voice barely above, "What do you think people will say? She left Byron Voss for a mediocre man. That shame will rub off on you." Byron's face had gone red. His breathing came faster. "I don't have any claim on Elena," Byron said, but his voice lacked conviction. "Maybe not legally," Ethan replied. "But come on. Everyone knows you two were perfect together. The wedding was called off for reasons beyond your control. That doesn't mean it's over. That doesn't mean you just give up and let some parasites swoop in." Byron stared up at the V-vip section. At Elena, laughing at something the young man was saying. He was sitting comfortably beside the woman who was supposed to be his fiance even wife if he didn't trade it. Rage bubbled up—hot and irrational and all-consuming. "Excuse me," Byron said tightly. And he started walking toward the V-vip stairs, causing Ethan to smirk devilishly. The security guards at the V-vip entrance moved to block By
CH ~ 0035 TIP OF AN ICEBERG
"Two."Lady Morgan's eyes found her son in the V-vip section."Three."Byron's legs felt like water."Four."He couldn't move. He couldn't even process his next move."Five."Lady Morgan started pushing through the crowd toward the stairs."Six."Byron's survival instincts finally kicked in.He stumbled toward the staircase."Seven."He descended, nearly falling in his haste."Eight."Byron burst into the main ballroom floor, raising his hands."It was me!" His voice cracked. "I did it! But it was a slip of judgment—I didn't mean—"Carol's eyes locked onto him."Byron Voss."The name echoed through the silent ballroom.Byron rushed forward, panic written across his face."Ms. Duncan, please. It was a moment of anger. A slip of the tongue. I apologize profusely. I didn't mean any disrespect to the president—""It's too late for apologies, Mr. Voss." Carol's voice was ice.Lady Morgan froze the moment she heard her son's name through the mic, her expression carefully controlled despite
CH ~ 0036 THE LOUNGE
The Gates Corporation celebration had officially concluded at midnight, but the after-party was just beginning.The hotel's Golden Lounge—a private members-only space on the 45th floor—had been reserved for the evening's most elite guests. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered panoramic views of South River's glittering skyline. Soft jazz played from hidden speakers. Waiters circulated with top-shelf liquor and delicate canapés.This was where real deals were made.Where alliances were formed in whispered conversations over expensive scotch.Where the people who truly ran South River gathered away from cameras and crowds.Knox Rivera stood alone near the windows, a glass of water in his hand, watching the city lights below.He'd left Elena with her father twenty minutes ago—James had been cornered by several business associates eager to discuss the Martin family's relationship with Gates Corporation, and Elena had given Knox an apologetic look before being pulled into the conversation.Kno
CH ~ 0037 AS PLANNED
No one in the crowd noticed a thing. Not only was the music loud, most of the people were busy sealing deals. Nothing mattered more because a gathering like this was once in a lifetime and most of them had looked forward to this part of the event to make meaningful connections.Ethan's shock transformed into rage.His face flushed crimson, and not just from the slap."You dare?" Ethan's voice shook. "You put your hands on me? In front of all these people?"He straightened, rolling his shoulders, his fists clenching."All right, Rivera. You want to do this? Let's do this. You've been asking for a beating since the day you crawled out of prison. Here it comes."Ethan started forward, arrogant, certain of victory.He'd never been in a real fight in his life.But he'd watched movies. Hired trainers. Convinced himself that money could buy fighting ability the same way it bought everything else.Knox stood perfectly still, watching Ethan approach with the calm of a man who'd survived six ye
CH ~ 0038 AN AMBUSH
In less than a week after the event, Knox kept receiving death threats and spam calls from a strange number.And right now, Fred had been able to track and find out who the person was. Fred knew his boss wouldn't handle it likely after finding the person out, so he had been calling Knox nonstop since he was out of town.Nonetheless, Knox picked up the call."Hello, young master. Don't tell me you're going to meet with a man as dangerous as Robert." The concern in Fred's voice was evident."Actually, I am." Knox's tone was casual, unbothered. "We're going to come to a mutual agreement and put a stop to this once and for all.""Young master Rivera, with all due respect, Mr. Chen expects me to keep you safe and to keep a watchful eye on you." Fred paused. "I strongly suggest you don't meet with this man. There is nothing he can do to you and even if he dares try, just give me the word. I'll wipe his entire existence from the surface of that earth."Truthfully, Knox had already weighed t
CH ~ 0039 UNEXPECTED
"All right. All right." Hands still raised, Knox stepped out and shut the door behind him.The man at the window snatched the keys and climbed inside to drive the car to his boss. He turned the key, the engine did not start."Hey!" he snapped. "Come here and start this car or I'll blow your brains off."Knox sighed and approached. He tried the ignition. Still nothing.Then the car completely turned off.Knox almost smiled. The Benz was designed to recognize its registered owner. It was also equipped to detect the illegal firearm the man had been carrying. Together, those two signals had shut the vehicle completely.The moment Knox saw the gunman distracted by the car's sudden problem, he frowned. Without second thought, Knox grabbed the weapon cleanly, turned it around, and pressed it back against the man before he could react.The other men raised their guns instantly."Shoot," Knox snapped, his voice low and devoid of warmth, "and I'll blow his brains out."Everywhere went still.T
CH ~ 0040 LADY VOSS IN PRISON
Meanwhile, in an abandoned building in the city, an old man paced inside back and forth, checking his wristwatch every few seconds. On one hand, a walking stick. In the other, a pistol.Not only will he waste his bullets on that twat almost killed his son and cost him his chance of ever working with Gates. He was going to do as Ethan said, finish him and throw his remains in the lagoon.His guards stood still along the walls, watching him without speaking. No one dared say a word. A fleet of vehicles surrounded the building outside, engines cool, men waiting."He said fifteen minutes." Robert spat the words out. "Where the hell is he? That bastard thinks he can just show up late?"Then his bodyguard noticed headlights.A black Ford rolled up to the entrance. Behind it, several black SUVs moved in quietly, flanking the building. Robert stood still, hand tightening on his pistol. He thumbed off the safety. Whatever came through those doors, he was going to be ready.The doors opened and