The Lost Heir: Trials of an Empire Reclaimed

Chapter 006

The lobby buzzed with tension as the flashing red and blue lights from outside pierced through the glass doors, casting eerie reflections on the polished marble floor.

Two police officers entered, their boots clicking sharply against the tiles.

Their stern expressions silenced the murmurs of the crowd gathered near the reception desk.

Silas stood between the guards, his shoulders tense but his head held high.

His sharp jawline was set in defiance, but a flicker of unease crossed his eyes. He couldn’t let them take him—not like this.

“That’s him,” the receptionist said, pointing an accusatory finger. Her voice was tinged with disdain. “He tried using a stolen card. Likely a scammer.”

Damien leaned casually against the counter, arms crossed, his posture radiating smug satisfaction.

A triumphant grin stretched across his face, and he shot Silas a look that said, This is what you deserve.

Beside Damien, the brunette he came

With chuckled softly, her gaze filled with amusement.

She whispered something in Damien’s ear, and he responded with a low, knowing laugh.

One of the officers approached Silas, his expression neutral but firm. “Sir, we’ve been called about fraudulent activity involving you. You’ll need to come with us for questioning.”

Silas’s jaw tightened, his hands balling into fists at his sides. “Fraudulent? I’ve done nothing wrong.” His voice was steady, but there was a slight tremor beneath the surface.

Damien scoffed, pushing off the counter. “Don’t make it harder than it needs to be, Silas. Just admit you’re a fraud and save everyone the time.” His voice was laced with mock sympathy, each word dripping with venom.

Silas didn’t so much as glance at him, his gaze locked on the officer. “This is a misunderstanding,” he said evenly. “That card is mine.”

The officer raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “Do you have proof of ownership? ID? Anything that can verify your claim?”

Silas’s lips parted, but no words came. His silence was damning. He clenched his fists tighter, the nails digging into his palms.

“I don’t need to prove anything. It’s mine, and I’m not going anywhere.”

The receptionist let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “Still lying. Typical. These scammers always think they’re smarter than everyone else.”

Damien shook his head, stepping closer. “You’re embarrassing yourself, Silas. Just go quietly. Or are you waiting for me to personally escort you out?”

Silas finally turned to face him, his eyes blazing. His voice dropped to a low, dangerous tone. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? Watching me struggle? Watching them drag me through the mud?”

Damien smirked, tilting his head as if considering the question. “Enjoying it? Oh, Silas, I’m *relishing* it. You’ve always been so self-righteous, so... above everyone else. It’s about time someone brought you back down to earth.”

Silas’s glare hardened, his breath coming in short, controlled bursts. He looked at the officer again, his tone icy. “You’re making a mistake. I didn’t steal anything.”

The officers exchanged wary glances. One stepped closer, his hand resting on his holster. “Sir, resisting will only make things worse. Let’s not escalate this situation.”

Silas’s patience snapped. “Escalate? You’re listening to a man who humiliated me for sport and a receptionist who judged me the second I walked in here! You want the truth?” His voice rose, echoing through the lobby. “Here it is: if you force me to go with you, the wrath of my clan will fall on every single one of you!”

The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air like a storm cloud.

Then Damien burst into laughter. It was loud and mocking, cutting through the tension like a knife. He doubled over, clutching his sides as tears streamed from his eyes. “Your… clan?” he choked out between laughs. “Oh, Silas. That’s rich. You? Part of the biggest empire in the city? Please. Do you hear yourself?”

Silas didn’t flinch, his gaze unwavering. “Laugh all you want, Damien. But when I’m proven right, we’ll see who’s laughing then.”

Damien straightened, his laughter subsiding into a smug grin. “Oh, please, enlighten us. Which clan are you claiming to be part of? The city’s elite? The Kingsleys? Maybe the Wellingtons?” His voice was thick with sarcasm, each word a dagger aimed at Silas’s pride.

Silas’s expression didn’t change. “Mock all you want,” he said quietly but firmly. “But I’ll show you the truth. And when I do, you’ll regret every word you’ve said to me.”

The officer frowned, his patience wearing thin. “And how exactly do you plan to do that?”

Silas straightened his back, his voice resolute. “I want a phone call.”

The receptionist rolled her eyes dramatically. “A phone call? To who? Your imaginary billionaire family? Let me guess—they’re all conveniently ‘out of town,’ right?”

Silas didn’t so much as glance in her direction. His focus was entirely on the officers. “I’ll call the family’s butler. He’ll come here and clear everything up.” He squared his shoulders, his tone unyielding. “Let me make the call. If I’m lying, take me wherever you want. But if I’m right, every single person in this room will regret what they’ve done.”