The Monarch Crown System

1. No Celeste, No Deal

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am confident that this proposal will drastically increase the demand for Northcrest Development’s services, bringing remarkable benefits not only to the company but also to us, the affiliated partners.”

With that, Elias ended his presentation and returned to his seat as the conference room erupted into polite applause.

“Who would’ve thought he had this much sense?” one associate muttered under his breath.

“I’m shocked,” another whispered back. “Weren’t they the ones calling him a worthless son-in-law living off his wife’s family? Maybe he’s the real brain behind their company’s few accomplishments.”

“Accomplishments?” the first man scoffed. “That was only because of his mother—remember? The notorious ex-CEO of Northcrest Development. She only got things done by leaning on the men she entertained.”

“And once she ran off with that teenage boy, Henry Halston practically had to beg to keep his family’s company afloat,” the second man added.

“That still doesn’t make Elias any less capable. His mother was the wild one, not him.”

“Capable?” The man snorted. “What capable man depends on his in-laws for food and a roof over his head? What use is intelligence if it can’t even pay the bills?”

Elias cleared his throat sharply, turning just enough to meet both their eyes. The color drained from their faces.

“Apologies,” they mumbled, looking down.

A heavy silence settled over the conference room of Northcrest Development, the most powerful construction firm in Veriton City.

At the head of the long table sat Henry Halston, CEO of Halston Construction—and Elias’s father-in-law. Opposite him was Damien Kings, the new CEO of Northcrest Development, his presence cold and domineering.

Elias’s mother once held that very position—until she divorced his father and ran off with her boyfriend. The moment she disappeared, Damien Kings took over and fired Elias without hesitation. Now Elias had no choice but to work under Henry Halston, whose smaller company depended entirely on Northcrest for contracts.

Today, they were presenting a proposal, hoping to secure a project before their rival, J&P Construction, beat them to it.

Damien had never hidden his obsession with Celeste. Before he had money or power, he’d pursued her relentlessly. But Celeste chose Elias instead—then an assistant manager at Northcrest—bruising Damien’s pride. Many believed that firing Elias was Damien’s first act of revenge after becoming CEO.

“Well,” Damien finally spoke, leaning back with a slow, calculating smile, “I must admit, the proposal is… impressive.” His fingers brushed his chin thoughtfully. “You’ve clearly invested a great deal of time and effort.”

Henry sat forward eagerly.

“But,” Damien continued, his voice dipping into something darker, “before I can consider approving it, one important condition needs to be addressed.”

Elias stiffened, dread crawling through his chest. He already knew where this was headed.

“And what condition is that, Mr. Kings?” Henry asked, strain and hope mixing in his voice.

Damien didn’t hesitate.

“Celeste,” he said evenly. “I will approve this partnership only if you allow me to marry Celeste.”

Gasps exploded across the room.

“Is he insane?” someone whispered.

“She’s married to Elias!”

“Married to a man who sleeps in the storage room,” someone else scoffed.

“Well, who would want a son-in-law who can’t even support himself?”

“Honestly, Damien Kings is the better match—powerful, wealthy—”

The murmurs swelled until Henry Halston’s expression slowly shifted from shock to… dangerous delight.

At that moment, one of Northcrest’s senior executives leaned toward Damien, lowering his voice to whisper into his ear.

“I’m sorry, sir,” the executive whispered cautiously to Damien, “I don’t think you realize that Celeste is already married to Elias.”

“Oh, I’m well aware,” Damien Kings replied, smiling with cold amusement as he waved the concern away.

“But tell me—what use is a jobless husband to a woman as beautiful as Celeste?”

He tilted his head, eyes roaming boldly over her.

“A woman like her deserves a man who can nurture her beauty… not one who drags her down with his poverty.”

He clasped his hands leisurely.

“And since I have the means, Mr. Halston, I’m willing to have my marriage annulled. Celeste can take her rightful place at my side. Those are my terms.”

“She’s so lucky…” a woman in the audience whispered.

“If that were me, I wouldn’t hesitate,” another agreed, practically swooning.

The entire exchange made Elias’ blood boil. His chair scraped loudly as he shot to his feet, fists clenched.

“You can’t be serious! Celeste is my wife—my wife—and I won’t let you take her from me!”

Damien didn’t even flinch. He lazily turned his head toward Elias.

“Who let this stray into the conference room?” he said with a mocking sigh. “This space is for honourable men, not errand boys who fetch coffee and sleep in storage rooms.”

He leaned back, voice turning icy.

“I’m quite serious, boy. Celeste will be my wife—or this deal dies here.”

Then, a warning glance toward Henry:

“And Mr. Halston… I suggest you keep your dog on a leash, unless you want me to reconsider offering you this opportunity.”

Henry immediately grabbed Elias by the shirt, yanking him down.

“Shh!” He hissed, cheeks burning with embarrassment—and annoyance.

“Will you shut up, Elias? Do you want to ruin everything me? You’ve already contributed nothing to this family. Just… stay quiet for once.”

Her whisper was loud enough for several people around them to hear.

A refined-looking woman—Ms Cee, one of Northcrest’s executives—tried to intervene.

“Mr. Kings,” she began nervously, “forgive me, but perhaps we might explore an arrangement that doesn’t involve—”

“I don’t CARE that she’s married!” Damien roared, slamming his fist onto the table. The microphones vibrated.

“I want Celeste. That is final. No Celeste, no deal.”

Elias leaned forward, eyes blazing.

“Over my dead body will you take my wife from me!”

Damien glowered.

“Mr. Halston,” he said coldly, “control your mutt. My patience is razor thin. If I hear another word from this… failure you call a son-in-law, I’ll rip this contract apart myself.”

Henry lifted a hand sharply, silencing Elias like a disobedient child.

“Enough! Elias, shut your mouth. You’re embarrassing this family.”

A wave of whispers washed through the room.

Everyone knew the truth—

Elias had become little more than an errand boy for the Halstons after his family went bankrupt. They tolerated him only because of the influence his mother once had as Northcrest’s CEO.

But once she vanished, leaving Elias and his father penniless, the Halstons dropped him like a stone.

From beloved son-in-law to unwanted burden.

“Leave the room,” Henry said coldly without looking at him.

“Right now. If you still want a roof over your head tonight… get out.”

Damien burst into laughter, unable to contain himself.

Elias stood there trembling—not with fear, but humiliation so deep it stung his lungs.

He had never felt so small.

So powerless.

So thoroughly discarded.

Trying to keep what dignity he had left, he rose quietly.

He swallowed hard.

Without a word, he walked out of the hall as whispers trailed behind him like knives.

Henry Halston straightened his jacket and forced a respectful smile.

“I deeply apologize for that embarrassment, Mr. Kings. Give me a few days to discuss this with my daughter. We will definitely get back to you.”

Damien smirked.

“Take your time, Mr. Halston. My offer stands until the end of the week. After that… it disappears.”