Ring of Power: The Billionaire's Secret

10 - The Final Gambit

Derek's smile got wider. This was better. This was what he needed. People recognizing him. Respecting him.

A businessman approached with an extended hand. "Derek Mitchell. Your father's construction deal is the talk of the evening. Fifty million, correct?"

"That's right," Derek said, shaking firmly. "Just waiting on the chairman's signature. Should be done any minute now."

"Impressive work."

Maya stood beside him, her confidence returning. The whispers were about Derek's success now, not about Jake. This was how it should be.

Then Derek saw him.

Jake stood near the refreshment table, alone, looking around like he didn't quite belong. The expensive suit couldn't hide what he was—an outsider trying to fit in.

"Look at that," Derek muttered to Maya. "Still here. Still pretending."

Maya's expression hardened. "Should we do something?"

"Let's remind him where he stands."

They walked over. The crowd parted for Derek—people knew his name, his family's influence. Jake noticed them approaching but didn't move.

"Well, well," Maya said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Still here, Jake? I'm surprised security let you stay after that whole mess outside."

Jake met her eyes. "I have every right to be here."

"Right." Derek laughed. "Because of that fake card? Come on, man. Everyone knows you're not actually supposed to be here. You probably found that card somewhere. Or had it made. Whatever scam you're running, it won't last."

"It's not a scam."

"Sure it's not." Maya crossed her arms. "You know what's pathetic? That you had to sneak into an event like this just to feel important for once in your miserable life. You're still the same garbage you always were, Jake. A fancy suit doesn't change that."

People nearby were watching now. Listening. Some pulled out phones.

Derek stepped closer. "You really think having some card makes you special? Makes you comparable to people like me? My family built our empire over generations. We have real power. Real connections. You? You're nothing. A nobody who washed dishes yesterday."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Jake said quietly.

"Oh please." Derek's voice got louder. "You want to know what's happening today? Right now? My father's deal is about to be finalized. Fifty million dollars. All it needs is the chairman's signature. And once that happens, my family moves up. We become second-tier. Untouchable."

"The chairman won't sign it," Jake said.

The words hung in the air.

Then Derek laughed. Actually laughed. "What? What did you just say?"

"I said the chairman won't sign your father's deal."

Maya's eyes went wide. Then she started laughing too. "Oh my God. Are you serious right now?"

The crowd was growing. More people gathering to watch. To listen.

"Did you hear that?" Derek called out to them. "Jake here thinks he knows what the chairman will do! What are you, his personal assistant now?"

Laughter erupted. Real laughter. People found it genuinely funny.

"That's rich," someone said.

"The dishwasher pretending to know the chairman's mind!"

"Who does this guy think he is?"

Jake's expression didn't change. He just stood there. Calm. Quiet.

"You're delusional," Maya said, wiping tears from laughing. "Completely delusional. You don't know anything about what the chairman will or won't do. You're just some pathetic ex-boyfriend who can't accept that I moved on to someone better."

Derek put his arm around Maya. "Face it, Jake. You lost. You'll always be a loser. Some people are just born for the bottom, and that's you."

More laughter. More phones recording.

Jake opened his mouth to respond when someone shouted from near the stage.

"The chairman is arriving!"

The entire hall went silent. Instantly. Like someone had hit a mute button.

Everyone turned toward the main entrance. Straightening their clothes. Fixing their hair. Preparing to meet the most powerful person in the building.

"Finally," Derek muttered. He smoothed his jacket. "Time to seal the deal. And maybe the chairman can throw this clown out personally."

"The chairman will be accompanied by Sora Chen, our CEO," someone announced. "Please welcome them."

The name sent a ripple through the crowd. Sora Chen. The second-in-command. The woman who ran the day-to-day operations of Titan Enterprises with an iron fist.

Derek had heard stories about her. Everyone had. She was brilliant. Ruthless. Showed no mercy to incompetence or failure. Fired people on the spot if they disappointed her. Made grown men cry in meetings.

She was feared more than respected. But both came in equal measure.

The crowd shifted. Creating a path from the entrance to the stage. Everyone waiting. Watching.

Then the door opened.

A man walked in first. Late thirties. Asian. Expensive suit. Cold expression. He moved with authority, like he owned every room he entered.

Derek recognized him. William Zhao. Senior board member. One of Marcus Vale's closest allies.

"Who's that?" Maya whispered.

"William Zhao," Derek said. "Big player. If he's here, it means the chairman is right behind him."

William walked to the center of the hall. His eyes swept over the crowd. Cold. Assessing. Judging.

Then he spoke. His voice carried easily across the silent room.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for your patience. The chairman will be delayed by a few minutes. In the meantime, I've been informed of a disturbance in the hall."

Derek's stomach clenched. Something about William's tone.

"It's been brought to my attention," William continued, "that there's someone here who doesn't belong. Someone who's been causing problems. Making outlandish claims."

Derek's eyes lit up. He looked at Jake. This was perfect.

'They're talking about him,' Derek realized. 'They're going to throw him out. Finally.'

"Sir!" Derek called out, stepping forward. "Sir, I can help. I know exactly who you're talking about."

William's cold eyes turned to Derek. "Do you?"

"Yes, sir. His name is Jake Morrison. He's been claiming he has legitimate access to this event, but his card is fake. He's also been saying crazy things about knowing what the chairman will do. He's clearly mentally unstable."

Maya joined in, pointing at Jake. "That's him! He's been harassing us all evening! He even assaulted security guards outside!"

The crowd murmured. People nodding. Agreeing.

"Is this true?" William asked Jake directly.

Jake met his eyes. "I defended myself when six guards attacked me. And my card is real."

"He's lying!" Derek's voice got louder. "The lobby manager already confirmed the card was fake! This guy is a con artist! He probably stole that card from someone!"

"Throw him out!" someone in the crowd shouted.

"He doesn't belong here!"

"Call the police!"

William held up his hand. Silence fell. He looked at Jake for a long moment. "Do you have proof of your identity? Proof that you're supposed to be here?"

"My card is my proof," Jake said simply.

"That's not good enough." William turned to the guards. "Remove him. Escort him from the building and ban him from the premises."

"Yes, sir!"

Six guards moved toward Jake. Big guys. Armed. They surrounded him quickly.

Derek felt triumph surge through him. Finally. Finally Jake was getting what he deserved.

One guard grabbed Jake's arm. "Sir, you need to come with us. Don't make this difficult."

Jake didn't resist. Just looked at the guard. "You're all making a mistake."

"The only mistake is you being here," the guard said, pulling harder. "Now move."

"Yeah, move!" Derek called out. "Get out of here, you fraud!"

Maya laughed. "Goodbye, Jake! Hope you learned your lesson!"

The crowd joined in. Mocking. Jeering. Phones recording Jake being dragged away.

But Jake didn't look scared. Didn't look defeated. He just looked... calm. Like he knew something they didn't.

That made Derek nervous.

Then everything went wrong.

Another guard stepped forward. Drew his weapon. The metallic click of the safety disengaging cut through the noise.

He pointed the gun at Jake's chest. "On your knees. Now."

The hall went silent again. People backing away. Scared.

"Whoa," Derek said. "That's maybe a bit much—"

"Shut up!" the guard barked. "This man assaulted six of my colleagues. Put three in the hospital. He's dangerous."

"I didn't put anyone in the hospital," Jake said calmly. "I defended myself."

"Shut up and get on your knees!"

Jake looked at the gun. At the guard. Then smiled.

A small smile. Confident. Almost amused.

"You really shouldn't have done that," Jake said quietly.

"Last warning! Knees! Now!"

"No."

The guard's face went red. His finger moved to the trigger. "I said—"

BANG!

The door at the far end of the hall exploded open. The sound like a gunshot. Everyone screamed. Ducked. Panicked.

A woman strode through the entrance.

Tall. Asian. Mid-thirties. Wearing a suit that screamed power. Her hair pulled back in a bun. Her expression hardened.

Behind her came bodyguards. Dozens of them. All in black suits. All moving with military precision.

And on the guard's forehead appeared three red dots. Laser sights. From sniper rifles positioned outside the windows.

The temperature in the room dropped. Derek could see his breath.

Everyone knew who she was.

Sora Chen. The CEO. The woman who could end careers with a word.

She walked toward the center of the hall. Her heels clicking on marble. Each step deliberate. Terrifying.

The crowd parted like water. Nobody wanted to be near her path.

She stopped ten feet from Jake. From the guard still pointing his gun.

Her eyes locked onto the weapon. Onto the guard's trembling hand.

When she spoke, her voice was quiet. But it carried to every corner of the hall.

"How dare you point a gun at Mr. Jake?"