THE CASTAWAY HEIR: POWER UNSEEN

CHAPTER 10

Downstairs, Brandon had just slipped his phone into his pocket after a terse call.

His dark eyes flicked toward Jessica before he jerked his chin toward the black sedan parked at the curb.

“Get in,” he said.

Jessica hesitated.

For a moment she considered declining, making some excuse about heading home.

A whole day of confrontations—first with Ava Bennet and her poisonous words, then Brandon’s unexpected generosity—had left her drained.

But Brandon’s tone carried no room for negotiation.

He wasn’t a man who explained himself easily, and in the few hours she had known him, she had already sensed that resistance only prolonged matters.

She nodded quietly and slid into the backseat.

As the engine purred to life, Jessica finally sunmoned the courage to ask.

“Where… where are we going?”

Brandon didn’t answer immediately.

His gaze was fixed outside. For a long stretch of silence, only the hum of the road filled the air.

When the car slowed and finally rolled to a stop, Jessica’s breath caught.

They were outside the Grand Bell Pavilion—thr night’s venue for the bell-ringing banquet.

It was a glittering gala where the elite gathered to witness and celebrate landmark financial deals.

The arched entrance sparkled with chandeliers that lit up the marble steps, while a red carpet flowed into the building.

Well-dressed men and women streamed in.

Brandon opened the door for Jessica, his expression unreadable.

“Get out,” he said.

Jessica blinked at him, stunned.

“Here? But… why?”

Brandon remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Reluctantly, Jessica stepped out, her heels clicking on the polished stone.

The moment she straightened her dress and looked toward the crowd, they sighted Sophia.

She was draped in a custom evening gown that shimmered like liquid gold.

Everything about her exuded pride.

She stood at the center of a circle of admirers, each of them gushing congratulations for her success and her newfound position.

The moment Jessica stopped moving, whispers rippled through the cluster of onlookers.

One sharp-eyed guest leaned toward another guest, murmuring just loud enough for all to hear:

“Isn’t that Jessica Marion? The bankrupt CEO from last month… Marion Investments?”

Gasps followed and heads turned toward Jessica with open curiosity.

Sophia noticed Brandon and Jessica instantly.

She raised her champagne glass with a tinkling laugh and made a delicate gesture.

“Give me a moment,” she told Ryan and then signalled to those blocking her path.

The crowd parted obediently as she stepped forward with Ryan keeping pace at her side.

Ryan leaned down toward Sophia, lowering his voice.

“Shall I excuse myself?”

Sophia’s laughter was like bells.

“Oh, Ryan, don’t be so gentlemanly. You’re my partner, aren’t you? And partners are involved in each other's businesses.”

She slipped her arm into his, linking them together.

The gesture was not lost on anyone watching.

Sophia had just declared Ryan her chosen partner—in front of Brandon.

Brandon’s face remained carved from stone as Sophia moved towards him.

“I’ve already signed the divorce papers,” She said coolly.

“And what the hell do you plan to do with all that junk you left at home? It’s cluttering the place. Honestly, I’d have thrown it all out, but I thought I’d at least give you the courtesy of deciding first.”

Brandon didn’t flinch. Instead his expression was calm and unreadable.

“Handle it yourself,” he said flatly. “I don’t need any of it.”

Sophia let out a sharp laugh, full of mockery.

“Of course you don’t. What would a man like you even do with branded things? You’re too broke to appreciate them. Maybe sell a few pieces on the street — that might keep you alive for a week or two.”

A few people nearby chuckled, enjoying the scene.

The humiliation hung thick in the air.

Ryan stepped forward, smirking.

“You really think acting tough makes you look dignified?” he jeered. “You’re just a broke fool pretending you still have pride. Pride doesn’t pay rent. Better worry about your next meal instead.”

Sophia threw her head back and laughed, linking her arm with Ryan’s.

“He’s right,” she said sweetly.

“Brandon, if you had half a brain, you’d take what I’m offering while I’m still feeling generous. When my mood changes, you won’t even have a place left to beg.”

Their laughter echoed through the room.

Brandon ignored them completely. To him, these two were complete fools.

Meanwhilw, Jessica who.had been listening to the exchange couldn't bear it any longer.

She stepped forward with her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles went white.

Her voice cut through the laughter, sharp and furious.

“Enough!” she snapped.

“Haven’t you humiliated him enough? Who the hell talks about old possessions like they’re payment for a divorce?

If you really wanted to make things right, you’d compensate him properly — with money.

A few hundred thousand at least! But no, you can’t even manage that, and still you stand here spilling trash!”

Sophia’s smile froze.

Slowly, her eyes narrowed into slits.

“And who do you think you are?” Her voice dripped with contempt.

She stepped closer, her voice rising.

“A bankrupt nobody! A failed CEO whose company collapsed before it even had a chance to rise. You dare lecture me? You think you’re qualified?”

She laughed harshly, drawing stares from all sides.

“Look at yourself. What are you even doing here? Did you come to mooch food and drink at someone else’s celebration? Or maybe you thought you’d find a new ‘benefactor’ to leech off?”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Jessica’s face went pale, but she stood tall.

She had faced ruin, betrayal, and abandonment before.

But this—being called a parasite in front of a hundred sneering eyes—was something else.

Before she could react, Sophia lifted her manicured hand and waved toward the edge of the hall.

“Guards! Check if this woman even has a valid pass. I want to know who dared let her in here.”