Awakening The Hidden Dragon

CH 0008 On 1 CONDITION?

Byron's excitement faltered. "Condition? What condition?"

"The representative learned about your wedding today to Emilia Martin. Knowing that post-marriage typically involves extended honeymoon periods and divided attention, they want the partnership to begin immediately with your full focus. Therefore, the condition is simple: you must call off your wedding and not marry anyone for the duration of this partnership—at least until the project between Gates Corporation and the Voss family is completed."

Byron's face went through a series of emotions—confusion, disbelief, fear.

"You want me to... cancel my wedding? Right now? For a business deal?"

"For an eighty-million-dollar partnership with one of the most prestigious corporations in the country, yes," Watson confirmed.

"But the Martins—Emilia 's father will—he'll destroy us! He has connections, power! If I humiliate his daughter like this—"

"With all due respect, Mr. Voss," Watson said quietly, "the Martin family's investment was going to be what? Ten million? Twenty million? And that comes with marriage obligations, family entanglements, loss of autonomy. This is eighty million dollars, clean partnership, with the backing of Gates Corporation's global network and reputation."

Byron's hands were shaking. He looked at the empty ballroom, at the altar where he was supposed to marry Emilia in minutes, at the flowers that cost a fortune.

Then he looked at Knox—really looked at him for the first time. This man in casual clothes who hadn't said a single word but somehow felt more dangerous than anyone Byron had ever met.

"Who are you?" Byron asked Knox directly.

Knox didn't answer. Just met Byron's gaze with those cold, calculating eyes.

Watson stepped smoothly between them. "My associate here represents certain interests aligned with Gates Corporation. That's all you need to know, Mr. Voss."

Byron swallowed hard. Something about this felt wrong. But eighty million dollars. Gates Corporation. Salvation for his family.

"I need to think about this," Byron said finally, his voice hoarse.

"Of course," Watson replied, pulling out a folder. "But according to the representative, you only have 24 hours to decide. Otherwise, the proposal will be withdrawn immediately. Here's the paperwork. All the details, terms, and conditions. Please go through it carefully and sign if you make up your mind."

Watson handed the folder to Byron, who took it with trembling hands.

Byron stared at the Gates Corporation logo on the cover, then back at Watson, then at the silent, intimidating figure of Knox in the background.

"24 hours," Watson confirmed. "After that, the offer disappears. Forever."

"And my wedding?"

"That decision is entirely yours, Mr. Voss. But I should mention—the Martin family is waiting outside. Very angry. I am very confused. The longer you delay, the more... complicated that conversation becomes."

Byron closed his eyes, the weight of the decision crushing him.

When he opened them again, he looked at the contract in his hands.

Eighty million dollars.

Or a marriage to save his family through someone else's wealth.

"I'll... I'll read through this," Byron said quietly. "I'll give you my answer soon."

"Very good," Watson said with a slight bow. "You have my number in the contract. When you're ready, call me."

He turned to leave, gesturing for Knox to follow.

Byron watched them until they were out of sight. He stood alone at his ruined altar, clutching an eighty-million-dollar deal in his shaky hands. His mind was unsettled and filled with so many thoughts.

The Martins family might destroy his family for this humiliation. Emilia's father had connections everywhere—politicians, judges, business moguls. One phone call and the Voss family would be blacklisted from every major deal in South City.

Byron looked at the contract in his hands, then at the empty chairs where his wedding guests should have been.

Outside the hotel, chaos reigned. The Voss family stood in a cluster—Lady Morgan in her expensive gown, looking murderous. The Martin family stood separately—Emilia in her wedding dress, crying, her father red-faced with rage.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Lady Morgan shouted at hotel staff. "Where is my son?!"

“I'm going to sue this hotel into Oblivion. Do you know who I am?”

Watson escorted Knox out a side entrance, unnoticed in the commotion.

"Well done," Knox said quietly as he walked to the waiting car.

"Thank you, young master. Do you think he'll sign?"

Knox's smile was cold. "He will. Desperate men always take the bait. They're too busy drowning to see the shark beneath the surface."

"And when he does?"

"Then the real game begins," Knox said, sliding into the car. "Lady Morgan tortured my mother for seven years. Now I'm going to give her family hope. Make them believe they're saved. Let them celebrate. Let them feel relief."

"And then?"

Knox's eyes were ice. "And then why don't you just wait and find out." He uttered, his eyes dark.

The car pulled away from Golden Hotel, leaving the chaos and confusion behind.

Inside, Byron Voss stared at the contract, his future hanging in the balance.

Outside, Lady Morgan screamed at hotel staff, demanding answers, but Watson was able to resolve the commotion. Yes, the Voss and Martins family are one of the richest families in the city, but I’d rather be on their bad side than offend a Rivera.

“An important guest wanted to have a one on one conversation with the groom and he needed no interruptions or third parties. Forgive me for the inconvenience, ladies and gentlemen,” He calmly explains.

“I don’t think you understand the gravity of what you just did.. It's my son’s wedding! We booked this fucking building!”

“I understand you ma’am, and I deeply apologize on behalf of the sudden change, and we hope you can consider rescheduling.”

…

Everyone in the Voss family had arrived and was seated in the grand drawing room of the Voss mansion. The room was decorated with expensive artwork and antique furniture—remnants of better days when the Voss name still commanded respect in South City.

Lady Morgan was the only one left, and everyone was waiting for her. Soon she stepped in with a luxurious emerald gown and white gloves, her silver hair perfectly styled, Golden s glittering at her throat. She studied the room carefully to see if everyone had arrived as requested.

She took her seat at the head of the long mahogany table, facing them all. "I can see you all made it as requested."

Then her eyes quickly turned to Byron, and fury could be seen burning in them. No one dared to speak now.

"Byron," she said flatly.

Byron was expecting this from the outset, so he had prepared his mind. He'd spent the whole night reading and rereading the Gates Corporation contract, barely sleeping, barely eating.

"Your wedding with Emilia Martin didn't pull through three days ago because of some unwanted guest booking the whole of Golden Hotel for himself," Lady Morgan pressed with barely controlled rage. "The humiliation we suffered—and you haven't even had the decency to explain yourself! The wedding will be rescheduled tomorrow. I've already begun damage control with the Martins. No questions asked."

Byron took a deep breath. "I won't be getting married to Emilia Martin, Mother."

The room went deathly silent.

Lady Morgan's face darkened immediately, a vein pulsing in her temple. "What did you just say?"

"Mother, I won't be marrying Emilia Martin. Let me explain."

"Then get ready to be stripped of your inheritance, your position in this company, and the Voss name!" she thundered, slamming her hand on the table. "I will give everything to your brother instead! You ungrateful, foolish boy!"

"Please, Mother, hear me out! I got a partnership deal for us!"

At that moment, Lady Morgan remembered the reason why the wedding was cancelled in the first place. The mysterious guest who'd booked the entire hotel had wanted a partnership deal with Byron. According to the rumors she'd heard, this guest represented someone incredibly wealthy and powerful.

Lady Morgan's expression softened slightly, though suspicion remained in her eyes. "Partnership deal? Oh yes, a guest booked the hotel wanted a partnership with you?" Her interest was clearly piqued despite her anger.