The Ryu Dynasty Returns

Chapter 2:

“Father, I—“

For the first time since entering into the courtroom, Valentin had gone speechless. He swallowed thickly, his palms becoming sweaty as his body shook with fear and tension.

All around him, everyone gasp at the content of the news. Pictures of Valentin at different gambling houses, losing money filled the internet as well as close up snapshots of him and the secetary he had slept with to get secrets about a rival company in bed.

The stock of the Gao Company was going down by the minute as every media outlet carried this hot news.

“Valentin, answer me!” His father roared once more. “Who have you offended? The Company is losing its shareholders because of your foolishness!”

“Father…. listen to me…. I am being framed!” Valentin stammered in panic. “Don’t believe whatever you see. They are all lies! Those photos might have made using AI.”

“AI?! Do you think we are foolish?! Come over here right away and explain all these to your grandfather and pray to the heavens that he doesn’t disown you. You good for nothing!”

The call went dead instantly.

People who had been supporting Valentin a few minutes ago were now staring at him with suspicion as they spoke amongst themselves.

Who would have thought that the philanthropist who they had been asslicking actually had skeletons in his wardrobe?

Valentin’s face reddened with anger as he glared at Riven.

“I don’t know how you did this but trust me, you will regret this!” He threatened before hurrying away like his pants were on fire.

Silence returned to the courthouse.

Elias looked flustered as he cleared his throat. “Well, that was quite unfortunate,” he glanced up at Riven. “But exposing Valentin has nothing to do with proving your identity! If anything, you are trying to switch the attention of all of us—“

He looked at the crowd.

“—this fraud’s way goes deeper than we all thought. He must have obtained confidential information about the Gao family illegally or he must have some help to manipulate this situation! Either way, he has still refused to show us the mark.”

“Yes! That’s indeed true,” Damian, one of those who had suspected Valentin said. “He definitely got help from someone outside to expose Young Master Gao!”

“We must still look for the mark!”

“Get rid of this nuisance immediately!”

As the men advanced towards him once more based on Elias’ urging, Riven’s fist clenched at his sides as he stared at them all. His expression darkened.

At that moment, Odessa instantly stood in front of him. She looked at Elias with a frown.

“I think you have caused enough ruckus here, Elias.”

Elias furrowed a brow.

“What do you mean?” He glanced at Odessa and then at Riven, a smirk playing at his lips. “Or are you against us finding out the truth against this man because you had hired him as a actor to play the part of the Wei’s heir so you can decieve grandma?”

Odessa’s face went red instantly at the accusation.

“What are you saying?!” She snapped. “How can I do such a thing? If you keep accusing me wrongly, I will call grandma right now and tell her about your friendship with Valentin Gao. Who knows maybe you too must have stolen money from the company to fund your personal ventures.”

Elias’s face flustered once more, his jaw grinding against each other as he glared at the couple.

“This isn’t over yet, Odessa. Don’t think grandma will be in support of your so-called wedding!” He sneered.

With that, Elias walked out of the courthouse angrily with his minions behind him.

Peace slowly returned back to the courtroom. The registrar stared at the couple.

“Shall we proceed with the ceremony?”

Odessa glanced at Riven with uncertainty. “Who are you really?”

Riven’s calm gaze raked over her for a moment before responding. “The man your grandfather had chosen for you.”

Seeing that Odessa wasn’t satisfied with his answer, Riven hesitatingly revealed the birthmark to Odessa. Odessa released a sigh of a relief as her doubts began to disappear.

“We can proceed.”

The soft slap of the stamp on the marriage certificate sealed their fates as a married couple. Odessa stared at the certificate with mixed feelings. Just as they were about leaving, the blaring ringing tone of a phone cut through the silence in the air.

Odessa reached into her purse and retrieved her phone.

“Grandma—“

“ODESSA CHEN!” Came a very loud authoritative voice. “If you return to the manor with that thing you call a husband, be prepared to lose the position you so desperately desire!”

The call instantly dead.

Odessa’s face went pale as she lowered the phone slowly. She looked up at Riven and said quietly, “My family is waiting for us.”