THE UNSEEN HEIR

A Breach Has Occurred.

The grand ballroom erupted into a frenzy of frantic whispers and wild excitement. The reclusive Lancaster heir was a myth, a shadow king who controlled the entire city’s economy from behind closed doors. To actually see him in person was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Chloe’s eyes practically turned into dollar signs, her breathing becoming shallow with eagerness.

"We must secure an audience with the boss after the announcements, Justin! I am entirely confident that after I officially get this contract, I can leverage my entrepreneurial status to build an even deeper, better cooperative relationship directly with the head of the Lancaster Empire himself."

Justin’s face paled slightly, but he quickly forced a smug grin, nodding along to hide his trembling hands. "Of course, babe. And let's be real—the moment the big boss steps onto that stage, he will surely see right through Lorenzo's pathetic, low-class disguise. He’ll have his elite security team throw this stray dog out into the street where he belongs."

"Oh, absolutely," Chloe agreed, her eyes gleaming with a manic, vengeful delight. "Tonight is definitely going to be very, very interesting."

Visualizing the exact imagery of Lorenzo and Roxana being brutally dragged out by their hair by armed guards, Chloe couldn't contain her malice and let out a loud, vindictive laugh right next to their table.

Lorenzo merely leaned back, an incredibly dark, knowing smile playing on the corners of his lips.

The host on stage raised her hand, silencing the murmuring crowd as a massive digital screen illuminated behind her. "And now, for the moment you have all been waiting for. The selection process was grueling, but our board has finalized the list. The first master partner company entering deep cooperation with Vanguard Apex is... Apex Logistics!"

The crowd clapped as a corporate logo flashed on the screen.

"The second master partner company is... Vertex Infrastructure!"

Chloe’s chest puffed out, her fingers gripping her designer clutch so tightly her knuckles turned white with anticipation.

She leaned over the VIP barrier, looking down at Roxana with an insufferable, haughty sneer. "The third and final slot must be my company, the Hawthorne Conglomerate. See that, Roxana? Two massive companies have already been announced, and your pathetic little name is completely out of the running. Give up."

Roxana’s brow furrowed, a cold wave of panic making her vision spin. Her hands shook against the leather folder. Was this really it? Was she truly destined to be sent back to the Sterling slaughterhouse because her proposal couldn't even make the list?

Lorenzo’s arm tightened around her, his voice cutting through her spiraling thoughts like an iron blade. He shot a chilling look at Chloe. "Listen to the hostess finish the announcement before you open your mouth, Chloe. Are you absolutely certain the last company belongs to you?"

At that exact microsecond, the host smiled warmly at the teleprompter. "And our third, final, and primary partner for the upcoming decade... The Hawthorne Conglomerate!"

Chloe was instantly overjoyed. She stood up, tossing her hair back proudly as she boasted loudly to the entire VIP lounge. "Listen carefully, you losers—is that my company or not?! I told you I earned this crown through my own genius! Hey, Roxana, where is your company's name? Is it hidden somewhere in the cracks of the wall?"

Roxana’s heart dropped into her stomach, a sudden, crushing dejection washing over her as she stared at the stage in absolute defeat.

Lorenzo, however, didn't panic. His brow furrowed deeply. His eyes darkened to pitch-black as he stared at the corporate logo on the screen.

A breach had occurred.

Someone had actively tampered with his final master partner list behind the scenes, overriding his direct command to favor Chloe's firm.

Without a single word, Lorenzo’s face turned into an icy mask of complete, murderous authority.

He reached into his pocket, pulled out his smartphone, and dialed a private, direct line to his head of security.

"President Iris," Lorenzo said, his voice dropping into a low, yet calm tone as the call connected instantly. "Is there a mistake in the master partner list for today's banquet? I explicitly instructed my butler to contact you yesterday regarding the final selection."

Chloe, who was standing close enough to catch the words over the noise of the ballroom, let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "President Iris? Who on earth is President Iris? I’ve never even heard that name in Oakhaven's high society. Look at you, Lorenzo, desperately making up names into an empty phone. You're up to your pathetic, fraudulent tricks again to save face in front of your little girlfriend."

While Chloe continued to jeer, Justin’s posture stiffened.

He swallowed hard, a cold knot of dread tightly winding in his stomach.

Something felt entirely off.

Lorenzo was far too calm, his eyes holding the icy composure of a predator watching its prey step into a trap.

Justin had a nagging, persistent feeling that Lorenzo's presence today boded nothing but absolute ill for his carefully crafted house of cards.

Justin leaned into Chloe's ear, his voice urgent. "Chloe, we need to drive Lorenzo away right now. He used a fake VIP invitation to bypass the outer gates earlier, clearly relying on some low-level connection he has here at Vanguard Apex. If we can publicly expose his true colors right now, the supreme boss of the Lancaster Empire will surely applaud us for protecting the integrity of his gala."

Chloe’s eyes lit up with malicious glee. "You're right."

Wasting no time, Chloe scanned the room and quickly found Manager Harold pacing near the VIP buffet.

She marched over, pulling Justin along. "Manager Harold! Those two over there—Lorenzo and Roxana—they used fake VIP invitations to get inside the hall earlier. Justin and I both heard the security guard outside say it was an absolute forgery before Director Victoria forced her way over."

Harold’s face hardened.

He was already on edge after failing to access the secure terminal earlier, and his blind nepotism for his nephew, Justin, completely overrode his professional caution.

Believing their words entirely, Harold marched toward the lounge table and summoned a squad of nearby security guards, pointing a rigid finger at Lorenzo and Roxana. "You men, expel these two impostors immediately!"