The heavy grand doors of Imperial Hotel’s central ballroom swung open, revealing a world of blinding crystal chandeliers, gold-leaf pillars, and floor-to-ceiling glass looking out over the illuminated capital.The air inside was thick with the scent of expensive perfume, and champagne. Every major figure in the commercial ecosystem was present—venture capitalists, industrial titans, board members from all three secondary families, and international press correspondents with high-powered camera lenses focused on the central dais.At the heart of the room, standing beneath the chandelier, was Chloe.She looked nothing short of regal. Her tailored, deep blue gown featured a sweeping three-foot silk train embroidered with subtle metallic thread, designed to catch the light with every step.Rounding out her look were the heirloom ruby-and-diamond necklace of the Hawthorne Family and a custom-crafted tiara pin tucked into her updo—a statement so blatantly aggressive it left no doubt in anyo

Another wave of quiet laughter rippled through the surrounding crowd.Abigail shook her head with exaggerated disappointment. "Honestly, Roxana, if you were going to hire a fake partner to save face before the family board, you should have at least paid him enough to buy a decent tuxedo and show up on time."Roxana’s fingers tightened slightly around her phone inside her clutch. Her heart took a sharp, painful dip, a sudden, burning flush rising to her neck as dozens of mocking eyes locked onto her.She refused to lower her head, or give them the satisfaction of a reaction, but the absence of Lorenzo beside her in this exact, brutal moment felt like a physical blow."He doesn't need to explain his schedule to you, Chloe," Roxana said, her voice icy despite the storm brewing inside her chest."Because he abandoned you!" Chloe laughed triumphantly, taking another step forward, her eyes flashing with cruel delight. "He realized what everyone else in this room already knows—that you’re ab

Roxana’s eyes flared with fire, her fingers tightening into a sharp edge. She opened her mouth to crush them with a single sentence, but Lorenzo’s hand subtly moved, his fingers resting lightly against the small of her back.Lorenzo didn't lose his temper. He simply stood there, his dark, piercing eyes locking onto Justin with a quiet amusement that made Justin’s condescending smile falter slightly around the edges."Keep your old suits, Justin," Lorenzo replied smoothly, his tone laced with a calm, sarcastic edge that cut straight through their noisy performance."Given your family's mounting offshore debt, you’re going to need every single one of them when the liquidation notices start arriving."Justin’s face turned instantly pale, his jaw tightening so hard a muscle twitched in his cheek. "You—!"Chloe’s cheeks burned crimson with fury. She took a fierce step toward Lorenzo, her eyes flashing like hot coals, ready to scream a sharp, vicious retort that would tear him apart in fron

The heavy silence that followed the announcer’s voice settled over the grand hall like a physical weight.On the central elevated podium, Elder Zach stepped toward the microphone, a thick, gold-embossed leather folder resting firmly in his aged hands.Flanking him were four senior directors of the governing council, their stoic, unreadable faces reflecting the harsh glow of the spotlights.Beside Lorenzo, Roxana felt the cool air of the ballroom brush against her skin, but inside, her blood was running like molten ice.Slowly, almost instinctively, her fingers reached sideways, her hand sliding into Lorenzo’s large, warm palm. Her fingers laced through his, holding on with a desperate grip that betrayed the storm raging inside her chest.Lorenzo felt the sudden, distinct tremor running through her hand.Without breaking his forward posture, he subtly shifted his grip, his strong, calloused fingers wrapping around hers with a reassuring warmth that comforted her in silence. He leaned d

She turned wildly toward the main family board, pointing an accusing, trembling finger at her uncles and aunts. "You betrayed me! All of you! You took our family’s gifts! You drank our expensive champagne that you can never afford! Which one of you secretly backed her behind my back?! Who took her money?!"Abigail rushed forward, her face pale with horror as she tried to grab her daughter’s arm. "Chloe, darling, please! Stop this, the press is recording—""Get off me!" Chloe shoved her mother away violently, her hair loosening from its updo, her tiara pin slipping lopsidedly against her forehead. "They lied to us, Mother! Someone tampered with the Patriarch's decree! Someone manipulated the council!"She spun around, glare locking onto Elder Zach like a frantic, cornered animal. "I want to see the original succession documents! I demand immediate access to the Patriarch's vault! Show me the signatures right now!""The Patriarch’s sealed decree is confidential and legally binding," Zac