The Mysterious Chairman Keith

Chapter 10

SOMETHING WAS VERY WRONG 

“Please, enjoy yourselves as we await the entrance of the new chairman and leader of the Nightingale Group of Companies." The speaker gave one final sentence before leaving the stage.

The golden glow of the chandeliers poured over the marble hall like molten light. Guests clustered near the banquet tables, voices rising with laughter and the faint chime of crystal glasses.

Jamie Darwin was once again at the center of attention. Surrounded by businessmen and young heirs, he wore that same confident smirk that had always grated on Manuel’s nerves. Beside him, Lisa’s laughter was soft and polished, every gesture rehearsed to perfection.

They looked untouchable.

Manuel stood a few meters away, silent, watching them. His presence didn’t draw attention this time—until Lisa’s sharp, sugary voice cut through the chatter.

“Well, well,” she said loudly, enough for nearby guests to hear. “If it isn’t my ex. Still pretending to belong here, Manuel?”

A few heads turned. Jamie folded his arms, grinning. “You really don’t know when to quit, do you? You got lucky sneaking in earlier, but this is where the real people gather.”

Lisa’s tone dripped with disdain. “You think flashing a stolen card makes you special? Trash doesn’t turn into gold just because it walks into a ballroom.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd. A few guests exchanged knowing smirks; others whispered about the “ex-boyfriend” daring to show his face where the city’s elite stood.

Manuel’s expression didn’t change. His calm made their mockery seem small.

Jamie puffed his chest, clearly enjoying the spectacle. “Let me tell you something, Reeves—while you’re playing pretend, I’m about to finalize a deal with the Nightingale Group itself. Once the chairman signs it, my family’s company jumps to second-tier status overnight. You? You’ll still be nothing.”

Manuel met his gaze evenly. “He won’t sign it for you.”

For a heartbeat, the words seemed to hang in the air—quiet, sharp.

Then came the laughter.

It started with Jamie, then spread like wildfire through the crowd. Even Lisa covered her mouth, pretending to be polite as her eyes gleamed with malice.

“Oh my God,” she said between giggles. “Did he just say that like he’s the chairman himself?”

“Delusional,” someone muttered. “Must’ve hit his head trying to sneak in.”

Jamie shook his head, still laughing. “You really are something, Reeves. You think the chairman of Nightingale Group would even breathe the same air as you? You’re lucky they haven’t kicked you out yet.”

Manuel didn’t bother replying. He only glanced at his watch, his calmness unnerving in the middle of their mockery.

Then, the sound of firm footsteps echoed from the side corridor.

“Mr. Mike Roddick has arrived!” a staff member announced.

The crowd straightened instantly. Conversations died down. A tall man in a dark tailored suit entered, flanked by assistants. His silver tie clip gleamed under the lights—a quiet symbol of his senior status within the company.

Jamie and Lisa exchanged triumphant glances.

“Now you’ll see,” Jamie whispered.

Roddick walked with purpose toward the main area, shaking hands as he passed. “Good evening, everyone. The chairman will be here shortly. Please make sure all guests are properly arranged before the announcement.”

Jamie seized his chance, stepping forward eagerly. “Mr. Roddick! Sir!”

Roddick turned, his brow lifting. “Yes?”

“I’m Jamie Darwin, from Darwin Industries,” Jamie said quickly, gesturing toward Lisa. “We have an approved proposal awaiting the chairman’s signature. But before that, we ran into a little problem.”

Roddick frowned slightly. “Problem?”

Lisa chimed in smoothly, her tone sweet but cutting. “That man right there.” She pointed toward Manuel, who stood calmly by the window. “He’s been pretending to be the chairman. He’s harassing guests and claiming he has the authority to decide contracts. We tried to warn security, but he’s been making a scene.”

Roddick’s eyes followed her hand to Manuel. His expression hardened immediately.

He had never seen the young man before. To him, Manuel was just another troublemaker ruining an important evening.

“Is that so?” Roddick said coldly, adjusting his cufflinks. “Security.”

Several guards stepped forward.

Jamie smirked, barely hiding his satisfaction. “Told you. Let’s see how long he stays calm now.”

Lisa leaned close, voice dripping with amusement. “Maybe he’ll learn that pretending to be someone you’re not only works until real power walks in.”

Roddick looked Manuel up and down. “You’re the one pretending to be our chairman?”

Manuel’s gaze was level. “Pretending isn’t something I have to do.”

A ripple of shock swept through the onlookers—half disbelief, half amusement.

Roddick’s expression darkened. “So it’s true—you’re mocking us.”

He turned sharply to the guards. “Break his leg. Drag him outside and make sure he never steps foot in this building again.”

The guards started forward. Jamie’s grin widened, and Lisa’s eyes sparkled with cruel satisfaction.

“Serves him right,” she whispered. “Let’s see how proud he looks now.”

But before the guards could reach Manuel, a voice sliced through the tension like ice.

“Stop.”

The single word carried enough weight to halt every movement in the room.

All eyes turned toward the entrance.

Laura Ivanovich walked in, heels clicking against marble, her tailored black suit cutting a perfect silhouette against the golden light. Her expression was unreadable, but the coldness in her eyes was unmistakable.

Roddick froze. “Ms. Ivanovich—!”

He stepped back instinctively, color draining from his face.

The guests who moments ago were sneering now straightened immediately, whispering her name in alarm.

Jamie blinked, confused. “Who’s that?” he murmured to Lisa.

Lisa frowned, sensing danger she couldn’t yet name.

Laura’s gaze swept over the scene, taking in the guards, the stunned crowd, and finally settling on Manuel. Her tone was deceptively calm. “Would someone like to explain why you’re ordering my company’s guest to be assaulted?”

The silence that followed was absolute.

Roddick’s mouth opened, but no words came out. His forehead beaded with sweat.

Jamie’s confident smirk faltered for the first time. “Guest…?”

Laura took one slow step forward. The temperature in the hall seemed to drop.

“Mr. Roddick,” she said quietly, “I suggest you think very carefully before you answer.”

And for the first time that evening, everyone realized. Something was very, very wrong.