The Monarch Crown System

22. Judged Too Quickly

Damien stood where he was, staring at Elias as though the world had tilted slightly off its axis. Five billion. Shareholder. Victor Reed’s respect. None of it aligned with the man he thought he knew.

“This… this is not possible,” he muttered, his voice strained. He took a step forward, his eyes fixed on Victor. “Sir, you must be mistaken. There has to be some kind of error.”

Victor did not raise his voice and he did not look offended, but the temperature around him dropped. “Enough,” he said flatly. “Don’t test my patience by pretending you did not hear me the first time.”

Damien swallowed hard. “I just want to be sure. This man—”

Victor turned to him fully now, his gaze sharp and cold. “You and your family have already crossed a line today. I suggest you stop trying to create trouble where there is none. Any further disrespect toward him will not end well for you. Is that clear?”

The words landed with finality.

Damien’s shoulders sagged and the last trace of arrogance drained from his face. Slowly and almost unwillingly, he bowed his head in shame.

Then, Mr Victor cleared  his throat, turned to Elias,  and said, “I… I apologize Mr Elias. “I guess this was all a misunderstanding. I apologize sir. Please forgive him.”

A stunned silence followed. Susan’s lips parted in disbelief. Henry looked away, unable to meet Elias’s eyes. Celeste stood frozen, her face pale, her fingers trembling at her sides.

“It’s fine,” Elias said evenly. “I have somewhere else to be.”

Victor blinked. “Sir, the signing—”

“We’ll complete it another day,” Elias replied. “There’s no rush.”

Victor nodded immediately. “As you wish.”

Elias turned slightly and looked at Kiara. “Shall we?”

Kiara hesitated for only a second before nodding. “Yes.”

They walked past the table, past the stunned faces, past the guards who now stood rigid and silent. No one dared to stop them. No one dared to speak. Then the doors of the hotel closed softly behind them.

Outside the hotel was cooler and quieter.

Kiara stopped walking. She turned to Elias, her brows drawn together, confusion and curiosity swirling in her eyes. “Elias… who are you really?”

Elias paused. Then he shook his head gently. “There’s no need to ask. It’s a personal matter.”

Kiara searched his face as she clearly wanted him to say more, but he shifted the conversation before she could.

“What about you?” he asked. “What do you plan to do now?”

Kiara’s lips pressed together. She looked away, her voice soft when she spoke. “That’s the problem. I don’t have a plan.” She exhaled slowly. “I can’t stay with my parents. Not like this. They won’t stop pressuring me.”

Elias was about to respond When footsteps closed in behind them. Voices followed. Kiara turned, her breath catching.

“So now you remember money?” Susan snapped. “You didn’t think about that when you were busy embarrassing yourself in there. Choosing this… man over your own family.”

Kiara turned slowly.

The Halstons had followed them outside, their faces tight with anger. Whatever shock they had felt inside the restaurant had already turned into resentment.

“You still need funds for your final year,” Henry added coldly. “And yet you stood there and sided with him. Do you think pride will pay your tuition?”

Susan scoffed. “Or your rent? Or your food?”

Kiara’s fingers curled into her palms. “I didn’t choose him. I chose not to be forced into a marriage I don’t want.”

“That’s the same thing,” Susan snapped back. “You rejected security for foolishness.”

Elias said nothing. He simply stood beside Kiara, his expression unreadable.

Then, Damien stepped forward, adjusting his jacket as though he was trying to regain control of the situation.

“You still have a chance, Kiara,” he said calmly, almost generously. “Beg me for forgiveness now and we’ll leave together. I’ll pretend none of what happened inside ever occurred.”

Kiara stared at him in disbelief.

Then Elias finally spoke. “So you all still believe that I am beneath you?” he said evenly. “Kiara doesn’t need your help,” he continued quietly. “I’m here for her.”

For a split second, no one responded. Then out of nowhere, Celeste laughed dismissively.

“That is enough,” she said, shaking her head. “Do you really expect us to believe you suddenly have that kind of money?” She stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. “That so-called five billion is a lie. The twelve million I gave you, you used it to bribe Victor. That’s all this is. A cheap performance.”

Elias squinted his face briefly, then he chuckled..“You think twelve million would buy Victor Reed?” he asked irritatedly.

Celeste’s jaw tightened. “That’s the only explanation.”

Elias shook his head slowly. “To someone like Victor, twelve million is scraps.” His gaze hardened, just slightly. “And he doesn’t take scraps.”

Susan’s patience snapped. “I’ve had enough,” she said coldly, her voice carrying a finality that made Kiara’s chest tighten. “If this is the path you’ve chosen, then don’t come back to our house.”

Kiara froze.

“You can return tonight,” Susan continued, “pack your things, and leave. We are done supporting foolishness.”

Henry did not stop her. He only looked away. Celeste crossed her arms, her lips tight with satisfaction. Damien watched silently, his eyes flicking between Kiara and Elias.

Kiara felt the ground shift beneath her. “Mom—”

“You’ve made your choice,” Susan cut in. “Now live with it.”

That was the last straw for Elias. Then he took one slow step forward, positioning himself slightly in front of Kiara.

“If that’s the case,” he said, “then I suppose I should give Kiara a gift.”

They all looked at him.

“A gift?” Celeste repeated flatly.

“Yes,” Elias said. “A place to stay.”

Susan laughed sharply. “With what money?”

“A villa,” Elias continued, unbothered.

Celeste scoffed. “This is getting embarrassing.”

“Even the cheapest villa in this area,” Henry added, “is far beyond what you can afford.”

Damien smirked. “You should stop before you humiliate yourself further.”

Elias listened quietly, then nodded once. “Alright,” he said. “Why don’t you follow us?”

They paused.

“Follow you where?” Susan asked suspiciously.

“To the villa,” Elias replied. “You can watch me buy it.”

For a moment, no one spoke. Then they burst into hysterical laughter.

“Oh, sure,” Celeste said mockingly. “Why not?”

“Yes,” Susan added. “Let’s go see this imaginary villa.”

Damien chuckled. “This should be interesting.”

Elias nodded once, then turned to Kiara. “Come.”

Kiara hesitated, her heart racing, uncertainty swirling inside her.

But she followed him.

Behind them, the Halstons walked on with thin smiles and quiet anticipation, already rehearsing the ridicule they believed was coming