THE BASTARD SON IS REAL HEIR

CHAPTER 8

The moment Marcus Romano spoke, the entire atmosphere in the grand hall shifted.

Vittorio Kyler's desperation transformed into groveling reverence. He practically stumbled forward, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and worship.

"Mr. Marcus, we are so honored—truly, deeply honored—by your presence here tonight!" Vittorio's hands clasped together as if in prayer. "The fact that someone of your stature would personally oversee our humble partnership is... it's beyond words!"

"Indeed!" Isabella rushed to add, her earlier shrillness replaced with honeyed tones. "The Kyler family has dreamed of this moment! To have the Senior Regional Director of Harper Group Holdings himself grace our home!"

The crowd erupted in murmurs of awe.

"Senior Regional Director?"

"That's an executive position!"

"He controls billions in assets!"

"The Kyler family is truly blessed!"

Marcus Romano stood perfectly still, his expression carved from stone, radiating an authority that made even the wealthiest guests feel small. At fifty-two, his silver-streaked hair and sharp features gave him the appearance of a predator in human form. One word from him could elevate a family to legendary status—or destroy them completely.

"Mr. Marcus," Vittorio continued, his voice cracking with emotion, "if I may be so bold... would you permit me to bring you refreshment? The finest wine from our cellars? Anything you desire, we shall provide!"

Marco stepped forward despite his bleeding cheek, his earlier bravado replaced with desperate politeness. "Sir, please know that the Kyler family holds the Harper Group in the highest esteem! We would never—never—do anything to jeopardize this sacred partnership!"

"Sacred indeed," Giulia added smoothly, her cold beauty perfectly composed. "The Harper Group represents everything we aspire to—integrity, excellence, power. We are merely humble servants hoping to prove ourselves worthy."

An elderly businessman in the crowd actually bowed. "Mr. Marcus, it is an honor just to breathe the same air as someone of your position!"

"Truly!" another guest echoed. "One word from you could change our entire city's economic landscape!"

Marcus allowed the flattery to wash over him, his expression never changing. His eyes remained fixed on Arjun, calculating, measuring.

Finally, he spoke. "The Kyler family raises valid concerns. You've disrupted their celebration. Assaulted their heir. Made serious accusations without presenting evidence."

Vittorio's face lit up with hope. "Exactly! Thank you, Mr. Marcus! This vagrant has—"

Marcus raised one finger. Vittorio's mouth snapped shut instantly.

"However," Marcus continued, his voice dropping to something colder, "the Harper Group values order above all else. Justice. Proper procedure." He turned fully to face Arjun. "I am a reasonable man. I will give you one chance to resolve this peacefully."

The hall fell silent, every guest straining to hear.

"Kneel," Marcus said simply. "Apologize to the Kyler family for your disruption. Beg their forgiveness for your accusations. Do this, and you may leave quietly. Refuse..." His smile was thin, dangerous. "And I will ensure you never work, eat, or sleep comfortably in this city again."

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"There!" Isabella crowed triumphantly. "You hear that? Kneel, you worthless dog! Kneel and beg!"

"On your knees, brother," Marco sneered, touching his bandaged nose. "Where you belong. Where you've always belonged."

"This is what happens," Giulia said coldly, examining her nails, "when trash forgets its place. At least now he'll learn humility."

The crowd pressed closer, eager to witness Arjun's humiliation.

"Well?" Marcus's voice carried absolute authority. "What is your answer?"

Arjun met his gaze without flinching, without fear, without the slightest hint of submission. When he spoke, his voice was calm, measured, and utterly unyielding.

"No."

The single word fell like a bomb.

"What?" Marco's voice cracked with disbelief.

"Did he just—"

"He refused?"

"Is he insane?"

Marcus's expression darkened dangerously. "You refuse my generosity?"

"I refuse to apologize," Arjun corrected calmly, "for speaking the truth. I refuse to kneel to people who desecrate graves and hire thugs. And I refuse to leave." He paused, his cold smile returning. "I'm staying right where I am."

The temperature in the hall seemed to drop ten degrees.

Marcus's face went from stone to volcanic fury in an instant. "You dare speak to me this way? Do you have any idea who I am? What I can do to you with a single phone call?"

"I have some idea," Arjun replied evenly.

"You arrogant little—" Marcus took a step forward, his voice rising to a thunderous roar. "I could have you arrested! Blacklisted from every business in this country! I could make you disappear into poverty so deep your grandchildren would still be paying for your insolence!"

"Please do," Arjun said softly. "I'm very curious to see you try."

The crowd erupted in scandalized whispers.

"He's lost his mind!"

"Suicidal!"

"Mr. Marcus will destroy him!"

Vittorio's face glowed with vicious satisfaction. "Mr. Marcus, please! Allow me to call the police myself! This vagrant clearly needs to be institutionalized!"

"He's mentally ill," Isabella added eagerly. "Completely deranged! He doesn't understand the magnitude of his offense!"

Marcus's hands clenched into fists, his professional composure cracking. "You come here—to a Harper Group partnership celebration—and cause chaos on our turf? On Harper family territory?" His voice dropped to something lethal. "Who gave you the courage? Who gave you the right to behave this way on Harper family business?"

"I did."

The voice came from the entrance, clear and cold as winter steel.

Every head turned.

Priya stepped forward, her crimson gown flowing like blood, her presence commanding instant attention. She moved with the confidence of someone born to wealth and power, someone who had never—not once in her life—been told no.

The crowd's confusion was palpable.

"Who is that?"

"Some woman with him?"

"His sugar mama?"

Isabella laughed, high and mocking. "Oh, this is rich! You brought your desperate old girlfriend to protect you? What's she going to do, Arjun? Buy your way out of trouble?"

"How pathetic," Marco sneered. "Hiding behind a woman's skirts. Very manly, brother."

"Mr. Marcus," Vittorio said smoothly, his confidence absolute, "I apologize for this additional disruption. This woman is clearly another delusional associate of my failed son. If you'd like, I can have security escort them both—"

"One word," Giulia interrupted coldly, her ice-blue eyes fixed on Priya with contempt. "Mr. Marcus only needs to say one word and both of you will be thrown out like the garbage you are. Probably arrested too."

"Yes!" Isabella's voice rose with glee. "One word! That's all it takes! Mr. Marcus, please—say the word! Have them both removed! Make an example of them!"

The crowd murmured agreement, sensing blood in the water.

"This has gone on long enough," an elderly businessman declared. "Mr. Marcus, surely you won't allow this farce to continue? Your authority is being questioned!"

"Throw them out!"

"They're disrespecting the Harper Group!"

"Make them pay!"

Marcus opened his mouth, his expression murderous, ready to deliver the command that would end this ridiculous charade once and for all.

Then he looked at Priya.

Really looked at her.

His face went from red to white in an instant.

His eyes widened with something that looked like recognition. Then horror. Then absolute terror.

"You..." His voice came out strangled. "You're..."

"Yes," Priya said softly, her smile razor-sharp. "I am."

Marcus's professional composure shattered completely. He moved faster than anyone thought possible for a man his age, his hand rising high—

And crashing down across Vittorio Kyler's face with a force that sent the older man spinning.

Vittorio crashed into a decorative pillar, blood exploding from his nose, his eyes wide with shock and incomprehension.

The hall erupted in chaos.

"Mr. Marcus!"

"What—"

"Why did he—"

Isabella screamed. Marco stumbled backward, his face pale as death. Giulia's cold mask finally cracked, shock replacing her usual indifference.

Marcus didn't acknowledge any of them. His entire body was trembling as he turned back to Priya, and then—in front of two hundred witnesses—the Senior Regional Director of Harper Group Holdings, one of the most powerful men in the business world, bowed.

Deeply.

Respectfully.

With his head nearly touching his knees.

"Miss Priya," Marcus said, his voice shaking. "Please forgive my ignorance. I didn't realize—I wasn't informed—I would never have—"