The Ryu Dynasty Returns

Chapter 15:

“Look who finally decided to show up.”

Elias’s mocking voice echoed across the parking grounds as Odessa brought the old vehicle to a stop. It let out a violent cough-like sound.

Several members of the Chen family turned around immediately alongside some of the guests still outside the hall.

Alyssa wrinkled her face in disgust. The contrast was too difficult to ignore.

“I was beginning to think that the car had broken down halfway here.”

Luxury vehicles worth millions filled the parking area while the rusting car Odessa had driven looked as though it belonged in a dumb yard than there.

Laughter quickly spread across the crowd.

“It probably did,” one of the cousins snickered.

“Several times.”

More laughter followed.

Odessa’s expression darkened as she stepped out of the car. They had driven here in the Mercedes she had bought with her money and they were still standing here making fun of her.

Riven followed behind her calmly, completely indifferent to the ridicule. His eyes swept over the familiar grounds of the Zhao residence, a small smile tugged at his lips.

For a brief moment, Damon’s memories surfaced in his mind and the smile vanished instantly, replaced with a fleeting look of sadness.

Elias noticed his expression and mistook it as that of fascination and he sneered.

“You haven’t seen such amount of wealth before? And they said you grew up here.”

His arms spread toward the grand estate.

“I suppose this is your first time seeing such amount of riches. Don’t get too accustomed to it though because in due time, my sister will be the heiress to all these.”

Alyssa blushed red at her brother’s statement, she nudged him playfully on the shoulder.

“Don’t say such things outside.”

Elias shrugged. “But it’s true. Let’s give them a glimpse of what it feels like to be royalty but they won’t be able to taste because it’s all yours little sister.”

Riven couldn’t help but chuckle attracting Elias’s attention back to him.

His brows shot up with a frown. “And what’s so funny?”

Before anyone could speak further, Old Lady Chen cut in.

“And what are you all here standing and blickering around for? Let’s go in.”

Elias’s jaw twitched as he reluctantly peeled his gaze away from Riven. As the Chen family walked into the hall with Riven behind, no one noticed how respectfully the guards reacted towards Riven.

One of them stiffened upon seeing him while the others gave a slight bow before quickly looking away.

The banquet was filled with dignified guests with simmering dresses and well made customs suits. Waiters weaved through the crowd, refilling cups and handing out glasses filled with champagne.

All heads turned towards the entrance as soon as the Chen family walked right in. Several brows shot up with curiosity.

“Is that the Chen family?” One said with confusion.

“Yes, indeed. I wonder what they are doing here,” another responded, sipping from her glass.

“Perhaps the Zhao family has formed an alliance with them?”

It wasn't new news that the Chen family had fallen from high graces in Kairen City. Why that happened, no one knows.

Then Chen family walk deeper into the hall, others greet Old Lady Chen with a slight dip of their heads which she returns gracefully.

Meanwhile, some eyes drift towards Riven.

“I heard Odessa Chen had gotten married to a man rumored to be the Wei’s family heir,” One woman said as she stared at Riven, her gaze sweeping over him.

“Really?” Her companion questioned with a furrowed brow. “Isn’t he mentally unstable? Why would Giselle Chen let her granddaughter marry such a man?”

One of the men let out a scowl.

“Who knows? After all, the Chen family has fallen from grace to grass so perhaps letting her granddaughter get married to such a man, Giselle thinks the Zhao’s heir will warm up to them.”

“Well, it seems to be working.”

Old Lady Chen’s face turned a little sullen as she listened to the whispers around her. Most of them were staring at her family with pity in their eyes but she slowly straightened up her shoulders as they approached the table meant for them.

Once her granddaughter gets the attention of the Zhao’s heir, all these people mocking them will definitely come to seek favors from her!

“Alyssa, you must not fail tonight,” she said with a chastising tone. “Your future depends on the actions you would take tonight.”

“I won’t fail you grandma,” Alyssa replied with a confident smile.

In Alyssa’s mind, she was already imagining herself as the heiress of the Zhao Empire. Married into one of the most powerful families in Kairen City.

She would be respected. Servants at her beck and call and best of all, her cousin would be beneath her. Odessa will no longer be a competition but will be crushed and reduced to nothing!

As Alyssa was lost in her thoughts, the grand doors opened attracting everybody’s attention. The music began to switch to slow, classical tune as Orion Zhao strided in alongside other members of his household.

A silent hush came over the hall as everyone stood up with respect in their eyes for the young heir. Several of the single ladies also had their eyes on Orion including Alyssa who couldn’t help but drool at his sight.

He was even better looking than she had thought!

“Thank you all for honoring this invitation.”

Orion’s calm voice carried effortlessly across the hall.

“The Zhao group has always valued long standing relationships and mutual prosperity. Today’s gathering isn’t simply a banquet but a way of strengthening bonds.”

His eyes swept over the hall.

“The future of Kairen City will not be built by one family alone but by our collective efforts and wisdom to recognize value where others fail to see it.”

A faint smile appeared on his face.

“I hope everyone enjoys this evening.”

With that, Orion raised his glass.

“To new beginnings.”