THE SOVEREIGN RISE OF THE ABANDONED HUSBAND

Blood in the Ballroom

Inside the grand ballroom of the Pierce Group Headquarters, the atmosphere was lively. Beautiful crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and music played softly in the background.

The room was filled with rich investors, local business owners, international partners, and media reporters. Everyone was dressed in expensive clothes, drinking champagne and talking about the Pierce family’s future.

Old Mrs. Pierce stood near the entrance, greeting the high-status guests with a proud smile. Chloe stood right beside her, wearing a beautiful white designer dress. She looked sophisticated and pure, as though nothing had happened the day before.

Victoria, Chloe’s mother, was talking loudly to a group of wealthy women. "Yes, my Chloe is finally free from that loser delivery boy. The divorce is happening today. Soon, our family will merge with the Montgomery Group, and we are also looking forward to a massive partnership with Vanguard Apex!"

Several women smiled and congratulated her. Chloe lifted her champagne glass with a small smile, enjoying the attention.

Nearby, Julian Montgomery sat comfortably in a plush VIP chair. He was still recovering from his kidney transplant, but he had insisted on attending the gala because of the possible merger between the Pierce and Montgomery families. Everything was going exactly the way Chloe wanted.

Then, suddenly, a loud commotion came from the front doors of the building.

The glass doors slid open, and Richard stumbled into the lobby.

The guests in the ballroom stopped talking and turned to look at him. Murmurs immediately spread through the crowd as people stared in disbelief.

Richard looked like a total mess. His hair was disheveled, his expensive designer shirt was wrinkled and streaked with dirt, and a dark bruise was already forming across his nose. When he had swerved violently to avoid the Maybach on the bridge, his face had struck the dashboard. He was still shaken by how close he had come to crashing into the barrier.

"Richard!" Victoria screamed. Her champagne glass slipped from her fingers and shattered across the marble floor. She rushed toward her son in a panic. "My baby! What happened to you? Who did this?!"

Old Mrs. Pierce immediately walked over, leaning heavily on her silver-headed cane. Her face twisted with embarrassment as she looked Richard up and down.

"Richard! You are the future successor of this family. How can you walk into our annual gala looking like this in front of all these important people? Where is Ethan?! Did you get his signature?"

Chloe hurried over too, her eyes wide. "Richard, did you find him? Did he sign the confession papers?"

Richard's jaw tightened. He was too humiliated to admit what had really happened. He couldn't tell his grandmother, his mother, or the wealthy investors that he had nearly wrecked his own Maserati while trying to intimidate what he thought was a random luxury motorcade. Worse, he still had no confession and no Ethan.

"I found him," Richard muttered.

Chloe frowned. "Then where is he?"

Richard wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "He is on his way here."

Old Mrs. Pierce's eyes narrowed. "On his way here?"

Richard nodded reluctantly. "He told me himself. He said he's coming to the headquarters."

Victoria crossed her arms angrily. "That ungrateful thing actually has the nerve to show his face here after demanding a divorce?"

Herman Pierce, Chloe’s father, stepped forward from the group of directors. "Good. Let him come. We should have dealt with that useless man years ago."

Victoria immediately nodded. "Exactly! After everything this family has done for him, he suddenly thinks he can walk away and embarrass Chloe?"

Chloe lowered her eyes and forced a hurt expression onto her face. "He has already humiliated me enough."

Old Mrs. Pierce struck her silver cane against the marble floor. The sharp sound silenced everyone nearby.

"Then stop standing there looking useless, Richard."

Richard stiffened.

The old woman turned toward the back of the ballroom. "Marcus!"

The chief of corporate security immediately stepped forward. Marcus was a massive man, easily weighing more than two hundred pounds. Behind him stood several muscular security guards employed by the Pierce Group.

"Madam," Marcus replied respectfully.

Old Mrs. Pierce pointed toward the ballroom entrance. "Take ten of our strongest security guards and secure the main doors."

Marcus straightened.

"The moment Ethan steps inside this building, drag him into this ballroom. I don't care if he screams. I don't care if he resists. Force him to his knees and make him sign that confession."

Victoria smiled. Chloe's lips curved slightly too.

Old Mrs. Pierce continued, "If he refuses, break his legs if you have to. I will not allow a worthless live-in son-in-law to destroy this family’s reputation on the most important business day of our lives."

"Yes, Madam!" Marcus replied, bowing deeply.

Herman glanced toward the entrance. "Shouldn't we involve the police? If Ethan refuses to cooperate, we can have him arrested."

"No," Old Mrs. Pierce snapped.

Herman fell silent.

The matriarch looked around at the investors and media representatives filling the ballroom. "Look around you. The representatives from Vanguard Apex could arrive at any moment. Do you want police sirens outside our headquarters while we are trying to negotiate the biggest financial deal in Pierce family history?"

Herman shook his head. "Of course not."

"This is a family matter," Old Mrs. Pierce said coldly. "We will handle it ourselves."

She turned back toward Richard. "And you. Go clean yourself up. You have embarrassed this family enough for one morning."

Richard's face turned red. "Grandma—"

"Go!"

Richard clenched his fists but said nothing.

Marcus immediately signaled his burly guards. Ten large men moved into a tight formation near the main entrance of the ballroom. Several guests noticed the sudden security arrangement and began talking among themselves.

Victoria quickly forced a smile and turned toward them. "Please, everyone, don't concern yourselves. It's simply a small family issue."

Old Mrs. Pierce nodded firmly. "Nothing that will interfere with today's celebration."

Chloe secretly smiled as she wiped away the last of her fake tears. Her eyes shifted toward Julian.

Julian Montgomery sat comfortably in his VIP chair nearby, smiling back at her. Once Ethan was forced into signing the confession, the entire situation would be over. Everyone would believe that Ethan had abused her, cheated on her, and abandoned their marriage.

Ethan would become the villain, and Chloe would walk away as the innocent victim.

ust then, the mood inside the ballroom began to shift again. Several corporate directors hurried toward the front of the room.

Old Mrs. Pierce immediately noticed. "What is happening?"

Before anyone could answer, Chloe's cousin Oliver rushed through the crowd with a laptop clutched tightly in his hands. His face was glowing with excitement.

"Grandma!"

Old Mrs. Pierce turned sharply. "Why are you shouting?"

Oliver practically ran toward the family. "Forget about the delivery boy for a second! I just received something much more important!"

Every member of the Pierce family immediately focused on him.

Oliver placed his laptop on a nearby table and opened the screen. "I used one of my high-level contacts inside the financial district. I sent an official urgent digital request directly through Vanguard Apex Group's executive corporate network."

Old Mrs. Pierce's eyes widened. "You contacted Vanguard?"

Oliver nodded proudly. "I told them that our entire family, our shareholders, our international venture capitalists, and our corporate partners are gathered here today. I requested an immediate portfolio review from the new Supreme Chairman's office."

Herman stepped closer. "And?"

Oliver's smile widened. "They replied."

The Pierce family froze. Even Julian leaned forward in his chair.

Old Mrs. Pierce gripped her cane tightly. "What did they say?"

Oliver turned the laptop around. "The system sent an automated executive confirmation less than two minutes ago. The new Supreme Chairman of Vanguard Apex Group is already in this district."

Gasps erupted around the Pierce family.

Oliver continued excitedly, "And his office accepted our invitation!"

Old Mrs. Pierce's mouth fell open while victoria grabbed Chloe's arm.

"Oh my God."

Oliver laughed. "His executive convoy is heading toward our headquarters right now!"

The Pierce directors immediately erupted into excited chatter.. All thoughts of Ethan disappeared from old Mrs Peirce mind as a huge smile spread across her face.

"Brilliant!"

She reached out and grabbed Oliver's shoulder. "Absolutely brilliant! Oliver, if you truly managed to bring the Supreme Chairman of Vanguard Apex into this building, you may have just saved our entire family!"

Oliver straightened proudly. "I told you I could do it, Grandma."

Herman's expression tightened with jealousy, but Old Mrs. Pierce didn't notice.

She turned toward the ballroom. "Everyone, prepare yourselves!"

The nearby Pierce family members immediately straightened their clothes. Victoria adjusted her designer dress. Chloe quickly checked her hair and makeup. Even Julian sat straighter in his VIP chair.

Old Mrs. Pierce pointed toward several employees. "Make sure the champagne is ready! Clear the main walkway! I want every member of this family looking respectable when the Supreme Chairman enters."

She turned toward Marcus. "Marcus!"

The security chief immediately looked at her. "Madam!"

"Move your guards away from the center of the entrance. Do not let them interfere with Vanguard's delegation."

Marcus nodded. "Understood."

"But keep them nearby," Old Mrs. Pierce added coldly. "If Ethan tries to sneak into this building during the celebration, grab him quietly."

Marcus smiled. "Of course."

"We will deal with that piece of trash after we secure our deal with Vanguard."

Chloe smiled confidently. To her, Ethan could wait. Once the Pierces secured Vanguard Apex's investment, she believed her family would become untouchable.

At that exact moment, the glass doors of the lower lobby slid open once again.

A professional voice called through the entrance hall.

"Attention, distinguished guests."

The entire ballroom slowly fell silent. Old Mrs. Pierce's breathing quickened with chloe standing beside her,Oliver picked up his laptop and stood proudly behind them.

Every investor in the ballroom turned toward the entrance.

Outside the massive glass doors, several black vehicles could be seen approaching the red carpet. Two armored SUVs moved into position. Between them was a magnificent, pristine black Mercedes-Maybach with dark tinted window.

The Pierce family stared in awe.

The professional announcer raised his voice.

"Presenting..."

The Maybach came to a smooth stop directly in front of the entrance.

"...the executive convoy of the Vanguard Apex Group