The Sovereign's Return

Chapter 10

The moment the distinguished, white-haired Executive Director Marcus Vance appeared under the main spotlight on stage, the entire grand ballroom fell into an instant, respectful silence. Hundreds of elite attendees immediately turned their attention away from their private conversations, stepping toward the center of the hall to hear the long-awaited opening address.

Claire turned her head back toward the carved marble display where Ryan had been standing moments before, only to find the space completely empty.

She leaned in close to Damian, whispering anxiously under her breath, "Damian... Ryan isn't where he was standing. He vanished."

Damian didn't even bother to turn around, letting out a quiet, dismissive scoff. "So what? The loser finally realized he was way out of his depth and snuck out the back door like a cowed dog. He knows that once Director Vance signs our deal, he'll be nothing more than an ant under my shoe."

Claire's chest tightened with a sudden, unexplainable sense of unease. Her heart gave an uncomfortable flutter—she had known Ryan for four long years, and despite his humble demeanor, Ryan had never been a man to run away or cower when confronted.

Her eyes frantically scanned the vast, crowded ballroom, moving past the dressed-up investors and socialites. Finally, near the far eastern side of the room beside a towering seven-tier champagne fountain, she spotted him.

Ryan hadn't left the building at all.

He was standing quietly beside the crystal glasses, holding a newly poured glass of champagne in his hand. His body was relaxed, his charcoal suit impeccably structured under the dim lights, and his dark eyes were fixed peacefully on the main stage—looking for all the world like a relaxed spectator watching a predictable play unfold.

Damian followed Claire's lingering gaze and spotted Ryan near the champagne fountain. A harsh, cruel smirk instantly spread across his face.

"Look at him, hiding in the far corner like a frightened rat," Damian sneered softly. He adjusted his velvet lapels and turned his body toward the champagne fountain. "Before Director Vance calls me up to sign the master papers, I'm going to give that arrogant trash one final reality check."

Ignoring Claire's quiet attempt to pull his sleeve, Damian strode confidently across the marble floor, intentionally stopping directly in front of Ryan just as Marcus Vance began speaking into the stage microphone.

"What's the matter, Ryan?" Damian mocked loudly in a sharp, quiet whisper, ensuring the surrounding guests heard every word. "Hiding all the way over by the drinks? Are you standing here waiting to watch me sign the fifty-million-dollar check with Carter Group, or are you just praying the guards don't notice you?"

Around them, several nearby executives glanced over, recognizing Damian and chuckling quietly at the obvious confrontation.

Up on the high stage, Marcus Vance finished his brief opening remarks regarding Carter Group's stellar financial performance over the past fiscal year. He adjusted his glasses, looking out over the sea of faces.

"And now," Marcus's booming voice echoed clearly through the high-end sound system across every corner of the grand ballroom, "it is my highest honor to present to you the newly acceded Chairman of Carter Group, who will personally guide our conglomerate into its next era of expansion!"

A wave of thunderous applause broke out across the room. Executives leaned forward, eager to see the mysterious heir finally step up to the podium.

However, the spotlight remained focused on an empty space beside the microphone. Ryan did not move from his spot beside the champagne fountain.

Up on stage, Marcus Vance froze. He turned his head frantically to look at Evelyn Hayes, his eyes filled with silent panic.

Evelyn, standing poised in her floor-length gown, simply offered a subtle, light shrug of her shoulders. Her subtle facial expression and unbothered physical posture communicated her message with complete clarity: Don't look at me, Director Vance. Ryan sent me away to manage my own tasks earlier; I have no idea where he chose to stand.

Sweat broke out along Marcus's hairline. He quickly scanned the vast room, his sharp eyes cutting through the crowd until he spotted the small commotion near the far eastern champagne fountain—where Damian Blackwood was aggressively confronting a tall young man in a charcoal three-piece suit.

Recognizing Ryan instantly, Marcus's heart nearly stopped.

Without saying another word into the microphone, the white-haired Executive Director abruptly stepped away from the podium. He hurried down the carpeted stage stairs and began pushing through the crowded ballroom, walking with rapid, urgent strides straight toward the eastern corner.

The entire ballroom fell into a bewildered, breathless hush. Hundreds of guests turned their heads in confusion, watching the distinguished veteran director march hastily through the crowd.

Damian, seeing Marcus Vance walking directly toward his position, felt his heart leap with immense, triumphant joy. He assumed Marcus had seen him standing there and was personally walking over to greet him and hand over the pre-IPO allocation documents in front of the entire elite gathering!

Damian immediately straightened his velvet tuxedo, thrust his chin out proudly, and took half a step forward with a wide, expectant grin. He turned to shot Ryan a victorious, mocking glare. "Look closely, Ryan! Director Vance is walking over to sign our deal right now!"

Marcus Vance reached the champagne fountain. Completely ignoring Damian's outstretched hand and beaming smile, Marcus brushed right past Damian's shoulder without giving him a single glance.

In front of the entire silent, frozen ballroom, the white-haired Executive Director stopped directly in front of Ryan Carter.

Marcus lowered his head, bending his upper body into a deep, trembling ninety-degree bow of absolute executive deference.

"Chairman," Marcus spoke, his respectful voice carrying clearly across the quiet circle. "Why are you standing all the way out here in the corner? Please, the stage is ready for your address."

A collective, violent gasp erupted across the entire room. The air felt as though it had been sucked out of the hall, leaving behind a heavy, suffocating silence.

Evelyn Hayes stepped smoothly out from the parting crowd, walking up to stand beside Ryan's right shoulder. She adjusted her suit jacket and turned her emerald eyes toward Damian, speaking in a crisp, razor-sharp corporate tone that echoed across the room.

"Mr. Blackwood," Evelyn said calmly, her voice cold and unyielding. "Although you have encountered each other previously, allow me to make the formal introduction. This is the sole equity owner and newly acceded Chairman of Carter Group—Mr. Ryan Carter."

Damian's arrogant smile did not just fade—it froze, shattered, and crumbled into complete, chaotic ruin. His eyes bulged in utter horror, his jaw hanging open as his face drained of every single drop of blood, turning as white as a corpse.

Beside him, Claire felt her legs turn to water. The image of the beaten, bloody man dragged out into the wet alleyway two nights ago flashed violently through her mind, colliding with the terrifying reality standing before her.

Her lips trembled uncontrollably as a faint, horrified whisper escaped her throat.

"It's... it's you...?"

Ryan didn't even bother to glance at their pale, shattered faces. He took a quiet sip of his champagne, turned to Evelyn, and spoke in a calm, flat tone that sealed their fate forever.

"Evelyn. Tell Mr. Blackwood that there is no need to discuss any contracts. Blackwood Group is officially blacklisted from all Carter Group investments."

Damian stood rooted to the spot like a stone statue, his fingers still clutching his worthless presentation notes, completely paralyzed as the overwhelming, catastrophic reality of his total financial ruin began its terrifying collapse.