THE MYSTERIOUS HEIR RETURNS

The Unexpected Guest

Christmas Eve had transformed the headquarters of Alexander Corporation into a magnificent display of wealth and celebration. The enormous building was covered in golden lights, while beautifully decorated Christmas trees stood throughout the grand entrance, and crystal decorations reflected the warm glow of the chandeliers across the polished marble floor.

Outside, expensive cars continued arriving one after another as some of the most influential people in Dervadia gathered for the annual celebration.

Inside the enormous hall, wealthy businessmen, politicians, investors, celebrities, and members of powerful families moved among one another while enjoying expensive delicacies.

Their conversations filled the room with a constant murmur as they discussed business, economics, politics, investments, and matters that could affect the future of some of the most powerful institutions in Dervadia.

Then Ethan walked through the entrance.

His appearance immediately separated him from almost everyone else in the hall. He wore a long, worn-off brown coat over a cheap, simple shirt and faded trousers, with a pair of modest boots. Nothing about his clothing suggested that he belonged among people who spent more money on a single outfit than many families earned in months.

Yet Ethan did not look uncomfortable.

He walked with a calm confidence that made it difficult to believe he was impressed by the wealth surrounding him. His posture remained straight, his expression was composed, and his eyes moved across the enormous hall without hesitation. He knew exactly why he was there, and the opinions of strangers had no power over him.

A young woman near the entrance looked him over before leaning toward the man beside her.

“Who allowed him inside?” the young woman asked.

The man glanced at Ethan and smiled mockingly. “Maybe the security team has started letting anyone in,” he replied.

Ethan heard them but gave no reaction. He had learned long ago that people who judged others by their clothes often had very little else to measure them by.

He continued walking until he reached one of the tables filled with food. He had traveled a long distance to reach Dervadia and had barely eaten since leaving the airfield, so he picked up a plate and calmly served himself. He chose some roasted meat, vegetables, bread, and several dishes he did not recognize before taking a seat at a nearby table.

The whispers around him gradually became louder.

“Is he seriously eating?” one guest whispered.

“Look at his appearance,” another guest remarked.

“He must have come with someone,” a third person said.

“I doubt it,” another concluded.

Ethan ignored them and continued eating.

A few moments later, a tall man wearing the formal uniform of Alexander Corporation's security department approached him. His name was Marcus Hale, and he had been responsible for security at the celebration for several years. He stopped beside Ethan and looked down at him with an expression that made his opinion immediately obvious.

“Excuse me, sir. May I ask who you're here with?” Marcus asked.

Ethan looked up from his plate.

“I'm here to see Diana Alexander,” Ethan replied.

Marcus frowned. “Diana?”

“Yes,” Ethan answered.

“And your name?” Marcus asked.

Ethan looked at him calmly for a moment before answering.

“My name is Ethan.”

Marcus waited, clearly expecting more. “Ethan? What is your surname?”

Ethan remained composed. He had no intention of revealing his full identity yet. He had come to this Christmas Eve celebration for a reason, and he would reveal who he truly was only when the right moment came, especially when Diana finally appeared before him.

“You can call me Mr. Ethan,” he replied calmly. “Or simply Ethan.”

Marcus stared at him for a moment, clearly dissatisfied with the answer.

“Mr. Ethan, may I see your invitation?” Marcus asked.

“I don't have one,” Ethan replied.

Marcus stared at him. “You don't have an invitation?”

“No,” Ethan answered.

“Then I'm afraid you can't remain here,” Marcus said.

Ethan calmly placed his fork on the plate. “I didn't come here for the celebration,” he said.

Marcus looked confused. “Then why did you come?”

“To see Diana,” Ethan replied.

A few guests nearby had already begun paying attention to their conversation.

Marcus lowered his voice. “Mr. Ethan, this is a private Christmas celebration hosted by Alexander Corporation. You can't simply walk in here and demand to see the CEO.”

Ethan looked directly at him.

“I didn't demand anything,” he replied.

“Then what exactly are you doing?” Marcus asked.

“Waiting to see her,” Ethan answered.

Marcus's expression hardened. “You should leave before this becomes embarrassing.”

Ethan remained seated for another moment before slowly standing. He calmly adjusted his shirt, straightening it before sitting back down. Although Marcus was dressed in a professional security uniform, Ethan stood noticeably taller and broader than him, his well-trained physique making Marcus's presence seem smaller by comparison.

“I'll leave after I see Diana,” he said nonchalantly.

Marcus stared at him. “Do you even know who Miss Alexander is?” he asked.

“Yes,” Ethan replied.

“She is the CEO and heiress of Alexander Corporation. People spend months trying to secure a meeting with her,” Marcus said.

“I don't need months,” Ethan replied.

Marcus gave a humorless laugh. “And why is that?”

Ethan's expression remained completely calm. “Because she's my fiancée,” he answered.

The words immediately silenced the people closest to them.

Marcus stared at Ethan as though he had misunderstood him.

“Your fiancée?” Marcus asked.

“Yes,” Ethan replied.

Someone nearby laughed, and within seconds, several other guests joined in.

Marcus shook his head. “Do you expect anyone here to believe that Miss Alexander is engaged to you?”

Ethan's eyes remained fixed on him. “I didn't come here to make you believe me,” he replied.

The laughter gradually disappeared.

Marcus stepped closer. “Then prove it.”

Ethan's expression did not change. “Call her,” he said.

The confidence in his voice made Marcus hesitate for a moment. He had dealt with arrogant heirs, drunk businessmen, and wealthy men who believed their money gave them the right to do anything, but Ethan was different. The young man wasn't trying to impress anyone, and he wasn't behaving like someone afraid of being thrown out.

Marcus finally touched the communication device attached to his uniform.

“Security to the main hall,” he ordered.

Several guards immediately appeared from different entrances.

The atmosphere changed instantly.

Marcus pointed toward the entrance.

“Escort him outside,” he ordered.

One of the guards walked toward Ethan and reached for his arm.

Ethan caught the man's wrist before he could grab him. He twisted it with controlled force, causing the guard to bend forward, and before the man could recover, Ethan released him and stepped aside as another guard rushed toward him.

The second guard threw a punch, but Ethan blocked it and drove a short strike into his chest, sending him stumbling backward into a table. Two more guards attacked almost simultaneously, forcing Ethan to move quickly. He avoided the first man's strike, caught him by the shoulder, and threw him into the path of the second guard before turning toward the final attacker and knocking him to the marble floor.

Within seconds, all four guards were completely down.

Gasps and whispers multiplied. Who was this man? How had he neutralized trained security so quickly and effortlessly?

Then the hall became completely silent. Ethan stood among them without even appearing tired. His wears remained almost perfectly in place, and his expression showed no excitement or fear.

Marcus stared at the fallen guards before slowly turning back toward Ethan, his eyes widening as he instinctively took a step backward.

“What are you?” he asked, his voice trembling slightly as he stared at Ethan in disbelief.