The towering crystal chandeliers of the grand hall suddenly dimmed into total darkness, leaving only a single, brilliant white spotlight illuminating the center of the stage.President Iris stood directly under the beam, holding the microphone as her voice echoed through the breathless silence of the ballroom."Ladies and gentlemen, pillars of our economic future," Iris announced with absolute authority. "The enterprise names announced tonight are Vanguard Apex's future strategic partners, and each will receive an initial contract worth ten million dollars. For the subsequent contract signing and processing, please contact my personal assistant tomorrow morning. And now...please welcome our company's supreme boss, the true master of the Lancaster Empire, to come up and deliver his inaugural speech."Beside the VIP table, Lorenzo Lancaster calmly set his cloth napkin down on the glass. The gentle, unbothered student persona he had worn like a heavy coat for years completely melted away

Barry’s bloodshot eyes slowly snapped over to Chloe.The moment he looked at her gold dress, the agonizing pain in his broken wrist flared to life, reminding him of his brutal suffering.His family was slightly inferior to the Lancaster dynasty, but he was the only son of his family—his father's only living child.Both of his hands had been horribly crippled this afternoon, his tendons ruined. He couldn't swallow this burning resentment.And it was all because of the woman standing in front of him. If Chloe hadn't secretly transferred ten million dollars into his account and explicitly instructed him to break and ruin Roxana, he never would have been beaten into a pulp by that faceless demon."You," Barry growled, his voice dropping into a register of pure malice. "You think you're safe?"Chloe blinked, her haughty smile faltering. "Lord Barry? What are you—""Grab her too," Barry ordered his remaining men, his face contorting into an ugly scowl. "Take the Hawthorne bitch as well."Ch

Lorenzo didn't retreat.He ducked beneath the strike, his movement so fluid it defied the narrow space of the VIP lounge.Catching the mercenary’s extended arm, Lorenzo used the man’s own momentum, pivoting sharply to drive his elbow directly into the brute’s ribcage.A sickening crunch echoed through the lounge as the man collapsed instantly, gasping for air.Before the first man even hit the floor, two more mercenaries closed in from his flanks, executing a synchronized high-low kick combination.Lorenzo leapt backward, his sneakers scraping against the marble as the kicks sliced empty air.Springing off a heavy mahogany pillar, he propelled himself forward, delivering a brutal, flying double-kick that caught both men squarely in the chest.They crashed backward through a glass display table, shattering expensive crystals into thousands of glittering shards.The remaining three mercenaries drew concealed batons, moving in with ruthless, defensive caution.One swung wildly at Lorenzo

They walked past a weeping, ruined Chloe who was left cradling her shattered golden crown, and stepped out of the grand ballroom."Lorenzo...you completely angered Barry Sterling again. His family's underground network is vast and unforgiving. They won't stop until they find you and make you pay for what you did to his hands. I'm so afraid I've brought complete, permanent ruin to your life."Lorenzo looked down at her, a gentle, unshakeable reassurance coloring his handsome features as he navigated the exit. "I told you before, Roxana—I am not afraid of the Sterling family. Focus on your victory tonight. You won the partnership. Leave the shadows and the retaliation to me."The cool night air of Oakhaven hit their faces as the heavy glass doors closed behind them, exiting the magnificent, bright plaza.Lorenzo led her past the long line of waiting luxury vehicles and drivers, walking straight over to his sleek, silver electric scooter parked at the edge of the lot.He carefully helped

"Who the hell are you?" Beatrice demanded, stepping forward aggressively. "How dare you barge into our home? Roxana, what is the meaning of this? Who is this nobody?"Roxana didn't flinch.Stepping closer to Lorenzo, she smoothly linked her arm through his, drawing herself flush against his side with a silent authority. "This is Lorenzo. He is my boyfriend."Beatrice gasped loudly, her face turning a dark, dangerous shade of crimson. "Your boyfriend?! Are you completely insane?!" She cursed at her stepdaughter, stomping her foot."I went out of my way to find a decent, highly influential match to save this household, and you have the absolute audacity to reject Lord Barry, run away, and bring some broke street rat home instead?!"Hearing the loud commotion, the heavy glass doors of the study slid open, and Roxana’s father, Richard, walked slowly into the room.His face was drawn with stress, but the moment he looked at Lorenzo, an expression of profound disdain crossed his features.R