The Ultimate God-King

9

For a long moment—

No one spoke.

No one even breathed.

Then—

“That’s impossible!!”

Emma’s shrill scream shattered the silence.

She stepped forward, her face twisted with disbelief, finger pointing straight at Conor.

“There’s no way this is real!” she snapped. “John has already fled the city! DragonTech just fired him—there’s no one left who could help us! So this is a lie!”

Her voice rose higher, almost hysterical.

“You expect us to believe you arranged this?!” she laughed sharply. “Who do you think you are?!”

She turned to the others, eyes blazing.

“This is fake! It has to be fake! That call—he must have arranged it in advance! A staged call, a fake invitation—just to fool us!”

Murmurs broke out again.

Ronan, who had been stunned moments ago, slowly narrowed his eyes.

“…Fake?” he muttered.

Doubt crept back into his expression.

He looked at Conor again—this time more carefully.

Simple clothes.

Calm demeanor.

No sign of wealth or power.

Could someone like this… really command DragonTech?

Conor, however, only shrugged lightly.

“The truth will be clear tomorrow,” he said casually. “What are you afraid of?”

Emma’s teeth clenched.

“Fine!” she snapped. “Tomorrow, I’ll personally expose your lie!”

Ronan remained silent for a moment, weighing everything.

Finally, he spoke.

“…You can stay.”

Olivia blinked in surprise.

But before she could react—

“In the basement,” Ronan added coldly. “The storage room.”

The words landed like a verdict.

A few people snickered quietly.

Olivia’s expression darkened. “Grandfather, that’s too—”

“I’ve already decided,” Ronan cut her off.

All eyes turned to Conor.

Would he refuse?

Would he finally reveal his “true identity”?

But instead—

Conor simply nodded.

“Sure,” he said calmly.

No anger.

No resistance.

Just acceptance.

Ronan let out a cold snort.

As expected… he thought. If he were truly someone important, would he agree to sleep in a storage room?

All talk. No substance.

His earlier unease completely vanished.

Tomorrow, his lie will collapse on its own.

But Conor…

Didn’t care.

Storage room? he thought faintly.

A flicker of memory crossed his mind—

War zones.

Deserts.

Frozen mountains.

Sleeping on concrete floors, under gunfire, with nothing but a coat.

Compared to that—

This was practically luxury.

****

The next morning.

The Nelson family arrived at the summit venue, dressed in their finest formal attire.

Luxury cars lined the entrance.

Security was tight.

The atmosphere—elite.

Ronan adjusted his suit, his expression tense.

“Call Carl again,” he said.

Emma frowned, holding her phone. “I’ve been calling him all morning—he’s not answering.”

Olivia stood quietly, her gaze drifting toward Conor.

He looked… completely at ease.

As if none of this mattered.

It only made her more confused.

Who are you… really…?

As they stepped out of the car—

“Carl!”

Ronan’s eyes lit up.

Standing proudly near the entrance was Carl, dressed sharply, his posture confident.

Ronan hurried over.

“Carl, why didn’t you answer our calls?” he asked anxiously. “We’ve been trying to reach you!”

Carl turned—

And froze.

For a split second, genuine shock flashed across his face.

Why are they here?! he thought. They shouldn’t even know this place!

But he recovered quickly, forcing a composed smile.

“My phone… broke,” he said smoothly. “I’ve been busy handling arrangements.”

He adjusted his cuffs.

“Unfortunately, partnership slots are already full,” he added. “It’ll be difficult for—”

Before he could finish—

Emma stepped forward eagerly.

“Of course they’re full!” she said loudly, shooting a triumphant glance at Conor. “Because someone here was lying!”

She crossed her arms, sneering.

“Grandfather, it’s obvious now—Carl is the one who secured our invitation. That man’s ‘call’ yesterday was completely fake!”

Carl blinked.

“…What?” he said, genuinely confused.

“I didn’t—”

But before he could clarify—

A sudden stir rippled through the crowd.

“Look!”

“Someone important just arrived!”

“Is that…?”

A hushed voice spread rapidly:

“It’s Cristina—the CEO’s secretary from DragonTech!”

Instantly, the atmosphere changed.

All eyes turned.

A poised woman stepped out of a sleek black car, dressed impeccably, her aura sharp and professional.

Though “just a secretary,” everyone knew—

She was the CEO’s closest aide.

Her status… was extraordinary.

Cristina glanced down at her phone, checking a photo.

Then she lifted her gaze—

Scanning the crowd.

Slowly.

Precisely.

Then—

She began walking forward.

Straight toward Carl’s group.

Carl’s heart skipped a beat.

She’s coming here?!

His chest swelled with excitement.

Of course… it must be for me.

He quickly straightened his posture, smoothing his suit, lowering his voice urgently.

“Stand properly,” he whispered to the Nelson family. “Don’t embarrass yourselves.”

Ronan and Emma immediately nodded, nervous and excited.

Carl stepped forward confidently, extending his hand with a polite smile.

“Miss Cristina,” he said smoothly, “it’s an honor to—”

She walked right past him.

Didn’t even glance at his hand.

Carl’s smile froze.

His arm hung awkwardly in midair.

Cristina stopped.

Right in front of—

Olivia.

Olivia blinked, completely caught off guard.

Cristina’s expression softened into a polite, professional smile.

She extended her hand.

“You must be Ms. Olivia Nelson,” she said warmly.

“Welcome to our partnership summit.”