The Sovereign's Return

Chapter 9

Inside the main summit ballroom, the sheer scale of the venue was breathtaking. Soaring ceilings adorned with golden relief work reflected the light from massive crystal chandeliers, while smooth jazz played softly in the background. Waiters in pristine white jackets moved gracefully through the crowd, carrying silver trays of fine champagne and vintage wines.

Ryan walked slowly into the center of the hall, taking in the surroundings with a calm, unhurried gaze. Evelyn walked beside him, her sharp eyes constantly monitoring the flow of guests and security personnel.

"Evelyn," Ryan said softly, turning to her with a subtle smile. "Go ahead and take care of your executive duties. I'd like to walk around and observe the room on my own for a bit."

Evelyn hesitated, a faint frown touching her brow. "Mr. Carter, considering the situation with Damian and Claire, as well as the ongoing transition, it might be more convenient if I remain by your side to manage any unexpected disruptions."

"I'll be fine," Ryan replied, his tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable weight of authority. "It's rare for me to see how the city's high society behaves when they don't know who I am. Go make sure Marcus has everything he needs for the main announcement."

Evelyn looked into his calm dark eyes, nodded respectfully, and bowed her head slightly. "Understood, Chairman. I will be near the main stage if you require anything."

With a final attentive glance, she turned and slipped effortlessly into the moving crowd.

Left to himself, Ryan wandered casually through the bustling ballroom. Because he had kept his life humble for years, none of the high-profile guests recognized him. Around him, groups of tech entrepreneurs, real estate magnates, and venture capitalists were huddled together, sipping champagne and speaking in animated, eager whispers. The primary topic of discussion across every circle was singular: the mysterious new Chairman of Carter Group, who was rumored to be making his official public debut tonight.

"Have you heard anything about the late Jonathan Carter's heir?" a wealthy investor in a gray tuxedo whispered to his associate near a cocktail table. "They say he's been kept completely hidden from the public eye for years."

"Whoever he is, he now controls the largest capital reserve in the state," the second businessman replied, shaking his head in envy. "Every firm in this room is desperate to get his signature on their allocation documents tonight."

Ryan listened with a quiet, unbothered smile, swirling the sparkling water in his glass as he passed by unnoticed.

Suddenly, a loud, confident laugh cut through the quiet murmur of the crowd.

Nearby, a dense circle of attendees had gathered around Damian Blackwood and Claire Morgan. As the head of a rising star tech enterprise that was aggressively pushing toward a high-profile IPO, Damian was currently being swarmed by eager junior founders and mid-tier investors looking to curry favor.

"Damian, your Series A figures were astonishing!" one founder praised enthusiastically. "With Carter Group's pre-IPO backing tonight, Blackwood Group will easily reach a multi-billion-dollar valuation by next month!"

"Naturally," Damian boomed, expanding his chest as he wrapped his arm tightly around Claire's waist. "Carter Group recognizes true market leadership. We've built a bulletproof platform, and tonight is simply the formal celebration of our ascendancy."

Claire stood by his side, beaming with pride, her hand resting gracefully against her emerald dress. But as her eyes casually scanned the perimeter of the room, her smile froze.

Standing near a carved marble display a short distance away, looking entirely unbothered and sipping his water, was Ryan. He was alone.

"Damian," Claire muttered under her breath, nudging his arm softly and nodding in Ryan's direction.

Damian turned his head, and the moment he saw Ryan standing by himself without Evelyn, a loud, disdainful scoff erupted from his throat. Leaving the admiring crowd behind, Damian arrogantly strode over to Ryan, with Claire trailing close behind.

"Well, well, look who got dropped like a hot rock," Damian sneered, stopping three feet away and looking down at Ryan with supreme arrogance. "Where did your wealthy sugar mommy go, Ryan? Did she finally realize you were just a useless, empty shell and leave you to wander the party alone?"

Ryan turned his head slowly, looking at Damian with a calm, steady gaze. Rather than showing a single trace of anger or humiliation, Ryan let out a soft, amused breath.

"You seem remarkably obsessed with the concept of kept men, Damian," Ryan spoke softly, his voice clear and completely composed. "Given how effortlessly you identify them in every crowd, I can only assume you have extensive personal experience in being supported by wealthy patrons."

Damian's face instantly flushed a angry red, his confidence staggering for a split second under the sudden, razor-sharp retaliation. "You insolent street dog! How dare you!"

"Damian!" Claire snapped, stepping forward with her eyes flashing in annoyance at Ryan. "Ryan, stop putting on this pathetic, bitter front! Damian is on the verge of finalizing a fifty-million-dollar anchor investment with Carter Group! He is about to step into the highest tier of the financial elite, while you have nothing! If you have any sanity left, you should leave before security drags you out!"

"Fifty million dollars?" Ryan raised an eyebrow slightly, his lips curving into a cold, dangerous smile as he set his glass down on a nearby tray. He looked Damian dead in the eye. "Then allow me to save you the trouble of waiting around, Damian. Carter Group will not be signing any contract with you tonight. In fact, they will never sign a contract with Blackwood Group."

The surrounding guests gasped, a sudden, heavy hush falling over the immediate circle.

Damian stared at Ryan in disbelief before bursting into a loud, hysterical laugh that echoed across the nearby tables. "Me? Not getting signed?! Who the hell do you think you are, Carter?! Are you seriously standing here, a washed-up, dumped nobody, pretending you have the authority to decide Carter Group's institutional investments?!"

Several surrounding business leaders joined in with quiet, mocking chuckles, shaking their heads at Ryan's audacious declaration. To them, a young man who had been publicly mocked as a kept partner was now claiming to speak for the most powerful conglomerate in the city.

Damian waved his hand dismissively, his face twisting into a cold sneer. "I was going to let you watch my moment of glory, but your loud mouth has ruined my mood. I'm going to find Director Vance right now, get our contract finalized, and then personally have the guards throw your broke ass out into the rain!"

Damian turned on his heel, grabbing Claire's wrist to lead her toward the central stage.

FLICKER!

Before Damian could take three steps, the bright overhead crystal chandeliers suddenly dimmed into a soft, focused illumination. A spotlight illuminated the grand wooden podium on the elevated central stage.

Marcus Vance, immaculate in his dark tuxedo, walked slowly up the wooden steps to the podium, accompanied by Evelyn Hayes, who stood poised at his side with an executive folder. As the Executive Director of the board, Marcus gripped the edges of the stand and cleared his throat into the microphone, signaling the formal commencement of the summit.