The True Heir’s Ex Regrets: I'm The Real Billionaire!

Chapter 8

Lana scoffed, her jealousy flaring even hotter. "Girlfriend? A disfavored, poor young lady whose company is heavily in debt really thinks she can climb the social ladder by seducing a beggar. What a perfect match."

 

Lana crossed her arms triumphantly. "I would love to see how the two of you even get through the front door today. This is the Mercer Group. You can't just enter by smiling at the security guards."

 

Dane looked directly into Lana's arrogant eyes. "Let's make a bet then."

 

Lana paused. "What bet?"

 

"Whoever cannot get through those front doors tonight," Dane said, his voice echoing in the quiet courtyard, "must kneel right here at the entrance and publicly apologize to the other."

 

Mara's heart pounded in her chest. She grabbed Dane's sleeve and whispered frantically, "Dane, no! Maybe we should just leave. We don't have invitations. They will humiliate us."

 

Dane squeezed her waist gently, his eyes never leaving Lana. "Trust me," he whispered back.

 

More onlookers gathered around, whispering excitedly about the high-stakes drama.

 

Cade laughed loudly, completely confident. "You really are an idiot! Lana was selected as one of the city's top ten renowned female entrepreneurs this year. She gets more VIP invitations to banquets than she can even attend! There is absolutely no way she cannot get in."

 

"I agree to the bet," Lana sneered, her eyes gleaming with malice. She looked at Mara. "Prepare your knees. You are going to be scrubbing the pavement tonight."

 

Lana turned immediately to the head security guard standing at the door. "Guard! Check this woman's identity strictly. They are trying to sneak in to steal food!"

 

The head guard, a large man in a tailored suit, frowned and stepped in front of Mara. He looked her up and down dismissively. "Miss, please produce your official invitation. If you do not have one, I will have you physically thrown off the property immediately."

 

Mara froze, her hands shaking violently. She didn't have one. She had planned to wait in the lobby and beg to speak to a manager.

 

Dane frowned, his eyes narrowing at the guard. "Why are you only checking her invitation? You haven't even checked Lana's identity yet."

 

Lana laughed, flipping her expensive hair over her shoulder. "I am a regular VIP at these high-society banquets. How could I possibly be the same as you poor rats?"

 

She reached into her designer purse. "But since you asked so nicely, I will be gracious and show you."

 

Lana proudly pulled out a gleaming, heavy golden invitation and handed it to the guard.

 

The guard took it, barely glanced at it for one second, and bowed respectfully. "It is genuine, Miss Hayes. Please go inside."

 

Lana smirked and pointed directly at Mara. "Now check hers."

 

The guard turned back to Mara, crossing his massive arms. "Your invitation, miss. Now."

 

Mara looked down at her feet, her face burning with deep humiliation. She had failed before she even started. Horizon Corp was doomed.

 

"You've been awfully quiet all this time," Lana taunted loudly, enjoying every second of Mara's pain. "You must be feeling incredibly guilty because you can't produce a single piece of paper, right? Time to kneel!"

 

Dane calmly stepped in front of Mara. He reached into his cheap jeans pocket.

 

"Here," Dane said firmly.

 

He pulled out a simple, silver-gray card and handed it directly to the head security guard.

 

The guard took the silver-gray card. He looked at it for exactly two seconds. Then, a look of pure disgust crossed his face.

 

"Sir," the guard said loudly, making sure the entire crowd heard. "This invitation of yours is completely invalid."

 

Lana and Cade instantly burst into hysterical laughter.

 

"A fake invitation!" Lana wiped a tear from her eye. "You actually forged a Mercer Group invitation? You are going to jail!"

 

Mara felt her legs go weak. She pulled desperately on Dane's arm, tears stinging her eyes. "Dane, please. Let's just leave. I can't do this."

 

Dane stood like a rock. He looked the arrogant guard dead in the eye.

 

"Are you absolutely sure you are familiar with all types of VIP invitations for this company?" Dane asked coldly.

 

The guard sneered, stepping aggressively toward Dane. "I have worked here for years. I have never seen a cheap piece of cardboard like this in my life. It is definitely a fake. Get lost right now, both of you, and don't disturb our wealthy guests."

 

Lana clapped her hands together. "Guards! Throw them onto the street! And make sure they kneel first!"

 

Two more heavy security guards stepped forward, reaching out to violently grab Dane and Mara by the shoulders.

 

"Wait a moment!"

 

A sharp, authoritative female voice echoed loudly from the grand lobby.

 

Everyone froze.

 

A stunning woman in a razor-sharp business suit was power-walking toward the glass doors. Her high heels clicked aggressively against the marble floor. Her face was dark with absolute fury. Right behind her walked another sharply dressed woman with an imposing, icy aura.