Back inside the quiet study of the Mikaelson mansion, Chris was already analyzing his next move against the Gordon family. He sat behind his large desk, his eyes fixed on the lit screen of his tablet. He had successfully secured the Antonios' entire business structure, but he was not anywhere near finished with Gordon-Levitt. The financial war was moving fast, and Chris wanted to make sure his enemies had absolutely no way to escape the trap.Suddenly, the heavy mahogany doors of the study clicked open with a soft metallic sound. Chris looked up from his tablet. Lynda walked into the room, a sharp, knowing smirk spreading across her face. She stepped to the side to clear the doorway. Standing right behind her was the elegant, cold-faced woman who had been standing next to Levitt at the Aura Elite boutique just a few hours ago. In her right hand, she was carrying the large, pristine luxury garment bag from the store. The heavy fabric of the bag rustled softly as she moved."Young Master

Michelle’s father stared at the glowing tablet screen, his eyes completely wide with disbelief. The heavy silence that had filled the parlor just a few moments ago was totally replaced by a shock so deep that he could not speak."You are just giving it back to us?" her father asked, his voice shaking as he looked up from the legal documents. "Chris, this cost two hundred million dollars. We cannot possibly repay you for this.""I do not expect you to pay me back Sir," Chris said, his voice calm and steady. He took a small step closer to the mahogany table. "But there is a strict legal condition attached to this transfer. I have already structured the new corporate framework before I drove over here."Michelle’s father adjusted his glasses, his eyes scanning the fine print on the screen. "What kind of condition, Chris?""Michelle will hold a seventy percent majority stake in the new corporation," Chris explained clearly, pointing a finger at the digital contract. "I will personally hol

Later that evening, the high-society atmosphere of Arcadia City shifted entirely to the grand ballroom of the Crystal Palace Hotel. A massive reunion gathering had been organized for the heirs and heiresses of the city's most prominent families.The entire venue was glittering with massive crystal chandeliers, polished marble floors, and the soft, elegant sound of live classical music playing from the balcony. Every corner of the room dripped with old-money luxury and immense corporate power. Michelle walked arm-in-arm with Chris into the dazzling room, and nearly every single head turned to look at them.She looked absolutely breathtaking. She was wearing the magnificent, one-of-one haute couture gown that Chris had recovered for her. The premium fabric caught the light beautifully with every step she took, and the matching luxury designer bag rested elegantly in her hand. Her head was held high, her hair was perfectly styled, and the radiant smile on her face showed absolute confiden

The heavy circle of elite heirs continued to point and laugh, throwing out one nasty comment after another. The insults shifted entirely toward Chris. They accused him of being a fraudulent shadow of a man who could not even buy a meal, let alone stand beside a high-society woman without causing a major scene."Look at him, he just stands there like a statue," Julian mocked, pointing his finger right at Chris's chest. "He knows he does not belong here. He cannot even open his mouth to defend himself because he knows every single word we are saying is the truth.""He is probably just terrified that the hotel security will realize his invitation is fake," Marcus chimed in with a loud, booming laugh. "Hey, Chris, if you leave right now through the back door, I won't tell the manager that a total nobody sneaked into the VIP lounge."But as the crowd's mockery reached a noisy fever pitch, a sharp-eyed fashion heiress standing in Ivonne’s tight circle suddenly stopped laughing. Her jaw drop

Aileen completely ignored Ivonne’s frantic whining, treating her as if she were completely invisible. She turned back to Chris, her posture still perfectly respectful."Young Master, if I may ask... what brings you to this reunion tonight?" Aileen asked, her voice low and polite.Chris shrugged carelessly, adjusting his cuffs with a touch of wit. "I was a bit bored back at the estate, so I decided to tag along with Michelle. I didn't realize it would be quite this loud."Aileen’s eyes shifted to Michelle, and a look of realization dawned on her face. "Ah, Lady Antonio. Forgive me, I completely forgot we were in the same class set back during our academy days. It is truly an honor to have you here."Seeing Aileen treat Michelle like royalty completely infuriated Ivonne. Her jealousy blinded her to the danger staring her right in the face. Step by step, she marched right up to them, her voice shrill and mocking."Class set or not, Aileen, you're making a massive mistake!" Ivonne shouted