HEIR TO POWER

Chapter 3 – The Boy at the Banquet

The invitation came sealed in gold foil. Elegant. Minimal. Expensive without trying. You are cordially invited to the Kingsbridge Midnight Gala. Black tie. No press. No limits.

Robert held it between his fingers like it might burn him. It wasn’t just a party, it was an initiation. A test. A place where kings of industry whispered over caviar and billion-dollar mergers were made in a nod.

“Do I have to go?” he asked, turning to Thomas.

The advisor straightened his tie. “Yes.”

“Because?”

“Because the people who rule the world will be watching. Some to greet you. Some to gut you.”

Robert gave a dry chuckle. “Comforting.”

Two hours later, he stood in front of a mirror in a custom Armani tuxedo, the fabric cold and smooth against his skin. The suit wasn’t tailored to fit him, it was designed to define him.

“Sir,” Thomas said, stepping forward with a silver cufflink case. “These belonged to your father. Pure obsidian. Engraved with the Elba seal.”

Robert fastened them slowly, staring at his reflection, Gone was the man who rode the bus, soaked and shivering, Now there was someone else. Someone sharper. Scarred, but armoured, He wasn’t sure he liked it, But he didn’t look away

The Kingsbridge Midnight Gala was held at the Virelli Estate, a private fortress nestled in the hills beyond the city. The kind of place where security wore tuxedos and carried guns you’d never see.

Lamborghinis, Bentleys, and Maybachs lined the curved driveway, their drivers silent as their masters disappeared into the marbled halls, Robert’s black car pulled up to the front.

The valet opened his door like he knew who he was. “Welcome, Mr. Elba,” he said with a slight bow.

Inside, chandeliers poured light over silk gowns and thousand-dollar shoes. Men laughed softly into crystal glasses. Women eyed each other like predators cloaked in perfume.

A string quartet played in the corner, Wealth had a sound, Robert realized, And this was it. “Elba.”

The voice was smooth, male, and distinctly amused, Robert turned to see a tall man approaching, blonde hair, tanned skin, white smile. Derrick Wolfe.

The name hit like a cold wind. Billionaire investor. Hostile takeover specialist. Owner of five banks, four media outlets, and a reputation for swallowing competition whole.

“I heard the prodigal son returned from the gutter,” Derrick said, swirling his drink. “Didn’t expect him to show up so soon.”

Robert offered a smile. Polite. Empty. “I could say the same about you. Aren’t you supposed to be in court for that market manipulation case?”

Derrick’s eyes glittered. “Dropped. Like bad stock.”

He stepped closer. “You’re wearing your father’s cufflinks.”

Robert tensed, Derrick smiled wider. “They look better on corpses.”

Before Robert could respond, a new figure slid between them like smoke. “Elba,” she purred.

Vanessa Shaw. Hair curled in soft waves, lips blood red, dress clinging like liquid gold. The ex who’d once stood on a rooftop and called him worthless was now eyeing him like prey. “Didn’t think I’d see you here,” she said. “You clean up… better than expected.”

He didn’t blink. “You don’t.”

Her smile cracked slightly, Derrick laughed. “Oh, this is going to be fun.”

The rest of the night blurred, Introductions. Flattery. Hidden threats behind champagne smiles.

A senator leaned in too close. A hedge fund heiress offered a deal she’d never offer sober. A tech mogul hinted at “shared interests”which Robert quickly realized meant surveillance contracts and data theft.

Everyone wanted something, And every smile was a lie, At midnight, Elena Blake appeared at his side. “You survived,” she said dryly.

“Barely.”

“You’ll need thicker skin. And sharper knives.”

Robert nodded slowly. “I’m learning.”

She handed him a flash drive. “This just came in. Internal memo from Orton Tech. Jason’s panicking. He’s trying to liquidate company assets under the radar.”

“Illegal?”

“Very. Especially with your lawyers watching.”

Robert pocketed it, Then paused. “Why give me this now?”

Elena’s eyes were unreadable. “Because Jason isn’t your biggest problem anymore.”

Back at the penthouse, Robert stood once more before the window, drink in hand, Across the skyline, the Virelli Estate still sparkled, Somewhere inside, Derrick Wolfe was laughing.

Vanessa Shaw was watching, And Elena Blake?

She was testing him, He had entered the world of wolves. But Robert Elba wasn’t prey anymore. He was just learning how to bite.

At the same moment, in an unlisted facility beneath the city, a group of masked men stood in a circle around a firelit table. On it lay photos: of Robert, of Thomas, of Elena.

One of the masked men tapped a finger on Robert’s face. “Activate the Protocol,” he said coldly.

“The boy inherits more than gold. He inherits the war.”