MONARCH OF BILLIONS: CAPITAL CONQUEST

CHAPTER 7: SHOCK

“Sir, this way.. lemme take you through the fast track.” The security guard said with his head bowed low.

Christopher simply nodded and followed the guard, but someone rushed over in frantic steps, “Stop! Chris, it's impossible for you to get an ordinary invitation to this banquet, much more a VVIP invitation reserved for only three people. You must have stolen it!”

Christopher stared at her with pity in his eyes, he shook his head, but before he could reply Helene continued,

“Just admit you stole the invitation to impress me, and I promise you, for the sake of our past, I won't make it hard on you. I'll tell the security to be lenient with you.”

At this point, Christopher knew there must be something wrong with this woman's brain.. ‘Surely she's not a retard, is she? If she is, then I must have been blind to have fallen for her.’ he thought.

“Think whatever you want.” He turned to the security, “Let's go.” And with that he left the Sebastian family and Robinson raging and in shock.

*

Sabio rushed to greet him, “Good evening Mr Christopher, it's so nice of you to honor our invitation. Please come, my Boss is waiting for you at the VIP lounge.”

Christopher nodded and followed him. They took an elevator to the second floor, and Sabio led him to a door.

“Please Sir, do go in.”

Christopher nodded, opened the door, and went in.

The moment he went in and came face to face with the chairwoman of Pamela Pharmaceutical, he stopped, and so did she.

“It's You!?” They both said at once.

Mellah stood up from the plush sofa she was seated on and walked towards him, “So you're Christopher. And you're the one who saved me back at the restaurant today. You turned things around in the restaurant.. and you also bought 30% of my company shares, becoming the second largest shareholder of my company. Did you do it to impress me after you left the restaurant?.”

“Impress you?” Christopher asked with confusion, “Before now, I didn't even know who you were.”

“Perharps, but you know what? Because of you, I've been on edge all day.” She said, walking closer towards him.

“Why?” He asked.

“Why? I've been Pamela Pharmaceutical's biggest shareholder, only worrying about minor shareholders ganging up on me, and suddenly someone breaks that balance by buying out a huge chunk of ownership equity, surpassing all the minor shareholders by a mile. Who wouldn't be nervous? I had actually thought some business tycoon was coming, but nope, it's you.”

Seeing Christopher's silence, she thought she might have gone so far in her outburst, “I apologize for my words just now, please have a seat, the banquet will begin in twenty minutes. I hope we can talk before heading for the banquet together.”

At that moment, Christopher suddenly felt awkward, “Uhmm, Miss Mellah?”

“Just call me Mellah.” She said sweetly.

“Okay. Mellah, I didn't have the chance to change my clothes before rushing over for the banquet..”

“Oh pish posh! Don't worry about that.” She said with a sweet smile on her face.. Christopher couldn't help but marvel at her beauty. Even Helene who had once placed him under her thumb, couldn't be compared with the goddess in front of him. But Christopher didn't let any expression leak out, he had to maintain his Alpha male expression.

“Alright, I'll have to trouble you, Mellah.” He said with a stoic expression.

“O-oh okay..” Mellah's smile cracked a bit, but then she stood and gestured to him. “Come Chris, let's go suit shopping.” But as he stood up, she walked closer to him, too close even. “Christopher, when you saved me, you said your ex-wife’s grandma often gets fishbone caught in her throat.” Seeing him nod, she continues, “Your ex-wife is Helene Sebastian, right?”

“How did you know?” He asked with a frown.

“Don't read much into it. When I asked my people to pull up your information after you bought the shares, it also came up. At that time I didn't think much about it. But now it makes sense.” She said,

“What makes sense, and why did you ask?” The frown on his face hasn't left.

Mellah simply put on her sweetest smile, “Your ex-wife came in here with my fiance. I believe we can help each other. I don't want to marry the asshole, and I'm sure you don't want to lose face in front of your cheating ex-wife. So how about we pretend to be a couple.” She said while playing with hair and acting cute.

*

“Wow, isn't that a sculpture of Caesar Marcus Aurelius? Isn't it supposed to be in the capital’s museum?” Helene said with awe as she stared at the stone sculpture.

“I already got inside info.. Apparently the museum decided this sculpture be sold off. Pamela Pharmaceutical is simply helping the museum auction it.” Robins said, “The starting bid is around five million. I'm getting it today, my old man specifically asked for it.”

“The old master has great taste, such a historical artifact isn't for just anyone.” Mr Sebastian commented.

“Events like this, only people of our standing can attend.” Victoria said in a condescending manner. “Unlike that ex-husband of yours who couldn't even afford a decent suit, and still had the guts to steal an invitation just to follow behind you.”

“Mom, enough, I'm embarrassed by him already. It's a good thing the guard led him away. I'm sure he's scrubbing the toilet somewhere in this building.” Helene said with an annoyed expression on her face. She couldn't believe Christopher had followed her here. What was he expecting, that will see his arrival as a romantic grand gesture, and run into his arms? Dream on.

At that moment, the banquet door opened, and a couple walked in. The man was dressed in a midnight-black Brioni Vanquish II bespoke tuxedo, cut from the rarest vicuña wool blend, the lapels lined with hand-stitched black silk. A Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime glinted under his cuff, and his shoes were Berluti bespoke alligators, polished to a liquid shine. No tie, just a flawless black diamond stud at the collar.

The woman beside him stopped every conversation. She wore a custom Elie Saab Haute Couture gown in champagne silk, completely encrusted with a cascade of natural white diamonds and pearls that caught the light with every breath. Her clutch was a Hermès diamond Himalaya Birkin, and around her neck sat a Graff Vivid Yellow diamond necklace worth more than most mansions. Her heels were Louboutin couture, dusted in 24k gold.

Their attire spoke of millions that ordinary rich people won't dare splurge on clothes alone.

The guests were stunned by them, and everyone stopped their conversation and even the waiters found themselves unconsciously staring at the newcomers.

“Who's that guy? I've never seen him before.” Someone said,

“The woman with him is so classy.” Another commented.

Victoria stared hard on the young man's face, her eyes widening in disbelief, “Helene!” She said aloud, “Doesn't that guy look familiar?”

Seeing the dashing young man oozing out charisma and charm, Helene felt her heart thump.. like a young maiden falling in love for the first time, but then realization dawned on her.. that face, isn't that?? “CHRISTOPHER!?”

The young couple stopped, and the man turned to face Helene. It was certainly Christopher.

“Christopher, you got a new look. I almost didn't recognize you.” Helene said with a condescending smile as she walked towards him, “Did you rent that suit, or borrow it.”

“I bought it..” Christopher replied nonchalantly.

“Hah! Bought it? With what money?” Helene sneered. She then turned to the beautiful lady beside Christopher, “Don't tell me you've latched onto a rich lady and had her buy it for you.”

Christopher stared at her for a few seconds. He shook his head, “Lately I was beginning to wonder if I was blind back then to have fallen for you. With the brain you've got in there, the phrase ‘all beauty but no brains’ fits you perfectly.” He then held Mellah's hand, shoving past Helene, “Now if you'll excuse me, I've got an important banquet to sit through.”

At that moment, the announcer called out, “Ladies and Gentlemen, please give a round of applause as we welcome the chairwoman of Pamela Pharmaceutical Company, Miss Mellah Cross.. and the second largest shareholder of Pamela Pharmaceutical, Mister Christopher Bonds to the stage.”

“WHAT!!??” The entire Sebastian family shouted in undisguised shock.