THE KING RETURNS FOR WAR!

Chapter 4: Marcus Tang Appears

Marcus Tang stood in the center of the ballroom, and everyone gravitated toward him like planets to the sun.

"Mr. Tang! Welcome!"

"It's an honor to have you here!"

"Mr. Tang, I wanted to discuss the merger—"

Marcus smiled politely, nodding at the appropriate moments. But his attention was elsewhere.

His eyes were fixed on Elena.

Derek noticed and stepped forward quickly. "Mr. Tang, allow me to introduce—"

"That won't be necessary." Marcus walked past Derek without a glance. He moved through the crowd with purpose, people scrambling out of his way.

He stopped directly in front of Elena.

"Miss Bennett," Marcus said smoothly. "We meet again."

Elena's face went pale. She took a small step back, closer to Adrian. "Mr. Tang."

Adrian watched Marcus carefully. His expression remained neutral, but his eyes had sharpened.

Marcus smiled at Elena, completely ignoring Adrian's presence. "You look beautiful tonight. That dress suits you."

"Thank you," Elena said quietly, her discomfort obvious.

"I've been trying to reach you," Marcus continued. "You haven't returned my calls."

"I've been busy—"

"Too busy to consider my offer?" Marcus tilted his head. "Vice President of Marketing. Salary of five hundred thousand a year. Full benefits. Company car. Did you think about it?"

The crowd murmured. Five hundred thousand? For someone like Elena?

Patricia pushed forward, her eyes gleaming. "Five hundred thousand?! Elena, why didn't you tell me about this?"

Elena's hands clenched at her sides. "Because I'm not interested, Mr. Tang. I already told you that."

"You also returned my gifts," Marcus said. "The jewelry, the flowers, the designer bags. Why?"

"Because I'm married." Elena's voice was firm despite her nervousness.

Marcus finally looked at Adrian. Really looked at him. His eyes traveled from Adrian's face down to his simple clothes, then back up. Assessing. Judging.

"So this is your husband," Marcus said. His tone made it clear what he thought. "The ex-convict."

Adrian said nothing. He simply met Marcus's gaze, his expression blank.

Marcus turned back to Elena. "Miss Bennett—Elena—you're wasting your life. This man has nothing. No money, no prospects, no future. He's a criminal."

"He's my husband," Elena said quietly.

"A husband who can't provide for you." Marcus stepped closer. "I can give you everything you deserve. Wealth, status, security. Divorce him. Be with someone worthy of you."

The crowd exploded into murmurs.

"She should accept!"

"Marcus Tang! Any woman would be lucky!"

"What is she thinking?"

Patricia practically shoved Elena forward. "Darling! Say yes! Mr. Tang is offering you everything! A real life! Don't be stupid!"

"Mother, stop—"

"Five hundred thousand a year!" Patricia was almost hysterical. "Designer clothes! Luxury! Everything you've sacrificed for this... this criminal!" She pointed at Adrian with disgust.

Derek joined in, his voice carrying across the room. "Elena, be reasonable. Look at what you're choosing." He gestured at Adrian. "A convict with nothing. Versus Marcus Tang. The most eligible bachelor in the city."

More voices joined in.

"She'd be crazy to refuse!"

"Think of her future!"

"What loyalty to a criminal?"

Elena's face was burning, but she stood straighter. She looked directly at Marcus, her voice steady despite the pressure.

"Mr. Tang, I appreciate your... interest. But I'm married."

"To a man who can't take care of you," Marcus said.

"To a man I love." Elena's voice was firm. "I don't need wealth or status. I have what matters."

The crowd fell silent. Then someone laughed.

"She's insane."

"Love? Love doesn't pay bills."

"What a waste."

Marcus's expression darkened. His smile disappeared, replaced by something colder. He wasn't used to rejection. Especially not for someone like Adrian.

"You love him?" Marcus's voice had an edge now. "This convict? This nobody?"

"Yes," Elena said simply.

Marcus stared at her for a long moment. Then his lips curved into a cold smile.

"Interesting." He finally acknowledged Adrian properly. "Tell me, Mr. Kane. How does it feel? Watching your wife struggle in poverty while men like me offer her the world?"

Adrian's expression didn't change. "She made her choice."

"A foolish choice," Marcus said. "But let's make this interesting."

He gestured to the front of the ballroom, where a stage had been set up. Display cases lined the stage, each containing valuable items. The charity auction.

"Tonight's auction," Marcus said loudly, addressing the entire room. "Let's have a little bet."

The crowd pressed closer, sensing drama.

Derek's eyes lit up. "A bet? What kind of bet?"

Marcus kept his gaze on Adrian. "Simple. If Mr. Kane can afford to purchase a single item at tonight's auction—any single item—I'll leave Elena alone. Completely. I'll never contact her again."

The crowd murmured with interest.

"But," Marcus continued, his smile widening, "when he can't afford even one item, he signs divorce papers. Tonight. Right here."

Gasps echoed through the ballroom.

Patricia clapped her hands together. "Yes! Perfect! Elena, this is your chance!"

Derek stepped forward, grinning. "Come on, brother. It's just one item. Unless you're scared?"

Adrian stood quietly. His face revealed nothing.

Marcus pulled out a folded document from his inner pocket. "I took the liberty of having divorce papers prepared. Just in case." He held them up for everyone to see. "So, Mr. Kane. Do we have a deal?"

The entire ballroom waited.

Elena grabbed Adrian's arm. "Don't. Please. We'll just leave—"

"Which item?" Adrian's voice was calm.

Marcus blinked. "What?"

"Which item do I need to buy?" Adrian repeated, his tone unchanged.

Marcus's smile returned, more confident now. "Any item. Your choice. Any single item from tonight's auction."

Derek laughed. "He's actually considering it! This is great!"

"The man's delusional," someone whispered.

"Does he even know how much these items cost?"

Adrian walked toward the stage slowly. The crowd parted. He stopped in front of the display cases, looking at each item carefully.

Antique vases. Designer jewelry. Rare artwork. A vintage watch. Each item had a card listing its starting bid.

$50,000.

$75,000.

$120,000.

$200,000.

Adrian's eyes stopped on the final case. The centerpiece of the auction.

A jade pendant. Ancient, flawless. The card read: Starting bid - $500,000.

He stared at it for a moment. Then his lips curved slightly. Not quite a smile. Something colder.

"Alright," he said quietly.

Marcus laughed. Actually laughed. "Alright? Just like that?"

"Just like that," Adrian confirmed.

The crowd exploded into whispers.

"He agreed!"

"Is he insane?"

"He doesn't have that kind of money!"

Derek was grinning widely. "Brother, do you even know what you just agreed to? The cheapest item here starts at fifty thousand!"

"I know," Adrian said calmly.

Marcus pulled out an expensive pen. "Then let's make it official. If you can't afford a single item, you sign these divorce papers immediately."

He held out the papers.

Adrian took them. Glanced at them briefly. Then looked at Marcus.

"And if I can?"

"Then I'll never contact Elena again," Marcus said confidently. "You have my word."

"Your word," Adrian repeated. His tone suggested what he thought of that.

Marcus's jaw tightened slightly. "The Tang family doesn't break promises."

Adrian folded the papers and slipped them into his pocket. "Good."

Marcus laughed again, louder this time. Others joined in.

"This is perfect!" Derek said. "We'll finally be rid of you, brother!"

Patricia was practically dancing. "Elena! Get ready to sign! Your nightmare is almost over!"

Elena looked devastated. "Adrian, please—"

Adrian took her hand gently. "Trust me."

His eyes met hers. Calm. Steady. Certain.

Elena swallowed hard and nodded.

Marcus gestured to the auctioneer, who'd been waiting nervously. "Let's begin. I'm eager to see how this plays out."