THE KING RETURNS FOR WAR!

Chapter 3: The Stone Family Banquet

The Grand Meridian Hotel stood like a monument to wealth. Its golden facade gleamed under bright lights, and luxury cars lined the entrance—Bentleys, Rolls-Royces, Maybachs.

Adrian and Elena stepped out of a taxi.

The contrast was immediate. Brutal.

Elena smoothed down her dress nervously. It was her best—a simple navy blue dress she'd bought years ago. But compared to the designer gowns sweeping past them, it looked cheap. Outdated.

"Adrian, maybe we should—"

"We're going in," Adrian said calmly.

He took her hand. His grip was firm, steady. Elena felt some of her anxiety fade.

They walked toward the entrance. A doorman eyed them suspiciously but checked their invitation and let them through.

The ballroom was massive. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Everyone wore expensive clothes. Waiters moved through the crowd with champagne and hors d'oeuvres.

Elena felt completely out of place.

Whispers started immediately.

"Isn't that Elena Bennett?"

"The one who married the convict?"

"What is she doing here?"

"Look at her dress. How embarrassing."

Elena's face burned. She kept her eyes down.

Adrian's expression didn't change. He scanned the room with cold indifference, taking in every detail. The faces. The exits. The layout.

Patricia Bennett stood near the center of the room, talking to a group of well-dressed women. She was laughing, animated. Then she saw Elena and Adrian.

Her face went cold.

She turned away deliberately. Continued her conversation as if they didn't exist.

Elena's hand tightened on Adrian's arm.

"It's fine," Adrian murmured. "Ignore her."

But the whispers kept coming.

"That's him. Adrian Kane."

"The thief?"

"I heard he stole millions from the Stone family."

"Five years in prison. Can you imagine?"

"And Elena stayed with him. What a waste."

A man in an expensive suit walked past, deliberately bumping into Adrian's shoulder. "Oops. Sorry. Didn't see you there." His tone made it clear it wasn't an accident.

Adrian said nothing. Didn't react. Just stood there, calm and still.

The man smirked and walked away.

Elena looked up at Adrian, worried. "Are you okay?"

"Perfect," Adrian said quietly.

***

A commotion at the main entrance drew everyone's attention.

Derek Stone had arrived.

He walked in like royalty. Designer suit, probably fifty thousand dollars. His hair was styled perfectly. A Rolex gleamed on his wrist. He was surrounded by people—business associates, admirers, hangers-on.

Everyone wanted to be near Derek Stone.

Director of Stone Industries. Net worth in the hundreds of millions. One of the city's rising young elites.

The crowd parted for him.

Derek moved through the ballroom, shaking hands, laughing, commanding attention. Then his eyes landed on Adrian.

He stopped. His expression shifted to surprise. Perfectly calculated surprise.

"Adrian?" Derek's voice carried across the room. "Brother! You're out!"

Every head turned.

Derek walked toward them, his smile wide and welcoming. But his eyes... his eyes were cold. Calculating.

"It's so good to see you!" Derek reached out and pulled Adrian into a hug. "I can't believe it's been five years!"

Adrian stood stiffly, his expression blank. He didn't return the hug.

Derek pulled back, still smiling. "Everyone!" He raised his voice, addressing the crowd. "This is my foster brother, Adrian Kane! Just released from prison!"

Silence fell over the ballroom.

Then someone laughed. Quietly at first. Then others joined in.

Derek kept his arm around Adrian's shoulders, like they were close. Like he cared.

"Adrian's had a difficult time," Derek said, his voice dripping with false sympathy. "But family sticks together, right? Come, brother. Let me introduce you to some people."

He practically dragged Adrian toward the center of the room. Elena followed helplessly, her face pale.

"This is my foster brother," Derek announced to a group of businessmen. "He's looking for a fresh start. Second chances, you know?"

The businessmen looked Adrian up and down. Their expressions ranged from pity to disgust.

"What did you do?" one man asked bluntly.

"Theft," Derek answered before Adrian could speak. "But that's all in the past now. He's served his time."

More laughter. Uncomfortable, mocking laughter.

Derek smiled wider. "Actually, Adrian, I've been thinking. You must be looking for work, right? I could use a driver. The pay is decent. Twenty thousand a year, plus benefits."

The crowd murmured. Some people nodded, like Derek was being incredibly generous.

Patricia pushed through the crowd, dragging Elena with her. "Derek, you're too kind!" Patricia's voice was loud, meant to be heard. "Elena, tell your husband to thank Mr. Stone properly! This is an incredible opportunity!"

Elena looked mortified. "Mother, please—"

"A driver position!" Patricia continued. "With Derek's company! Do you know how lucky that is? For a convict?"

The whispers intensified.

"Twenty thousand? That's generous."

"More than a criminal deserves."

"Derek's too nice."

Derek looked at Adrian expectantly, his smile smug. He'd won. Publicly demonstrated his superiority. Offered charity to the fallen brother. Everyone could see the difference between them now.

Adrian stood quietly. His face showed nothing.

Then he spoke. His voice was calm. Almost casual.

"A driver? That's generous."

Derek's smile widened. "I thought so. We can discuss the details after—"

"But I'm afraid your cars aren't to my standard."

Silence.

Complete, total silence.

Everyone stared at Adrian. Had he really just...?

Derek's smile froze. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Your cars," Adrian repeated calmly. "They're not to my standard."

The crowd gasped. Someone laughed in disbelief.

Patricia's face went red. "Adrian! How dare you—"

Derek held up a hand, silencing her. His expression had changed. The fake warmth was gone. Now there was only cold anger.

"Your standard?" Derek's voice was dangerously quiet. "You most definitely rode here in a taxi. A taxi. And you're talking about standards?"

"Yes," Adrian said simply.

Derek's jaw clenched. "You ungrateful—"

Before he could finish, a commotion erupted at the entrance.

The hotel manager rushed forward, his face flushed with excitement. "Ladies and gentlemen! Mr. Marcus Tang has arrived!"

The entire crowd turned.

Derek's anger instantly disappeared, replaced by delight. "Marcus is here!" He abandoned Adrian immediately, moving toward the entrance with everyone else.

Marcus Tang.

The name alone commanded respect. Twenty-eight years old. Billionaire. Owner of Tang Industries—the largest conglomerate in the city. Real estate, technology, pharmaceuticals. If Derek was wealthy, Marcus was in another league entirely.

Marcus Tang was the real power in this city.

The crowd parted like the Red Sea.

Marcus Tang entered.

He was young, handsome, perfectly groomed. His suit probably cost more than most people made in a year. He walked with the confidence of someone who'd never been told no.

People rushed to greet him. Derek was at the front, bowing slightly. "Mr. Tang! What an honor! We didn't think you'd come!"

Marcus smiled politely, but his eyes scanned the room.

Looking for something. Someone.