The Zillionaire's wrath

CHAPTER 8: The Shadow of the Senator

Steve continued the introductions, but my focus kept drifting back to Maria Curry. 

Her sleek, blonde hair cascaded down her back, swaying with every step she took, and the subtle, firm movement of her frame under that tailored blazer made it impossible to look away.

She moved with a grace that felt like a quiet command. Maria was the first woman in years, outside of the betrayal that was Samantha, who had managed to hold my attention for longer than a fleeting second.

"Henry," Steve called out, pulling me back to reality as we headed toward the elevator. "We have to return to New York immediately. You need to prepare for tonight."

I frowned, the transition already making my head spin. "Tonight? What happens tonight?"

"An opulent gathering at a Senator’s estate. It’s a birthday celebration, but in reality, it’s a theater for the most powerful business leaders in the city to flex their influence," Steve explained as the elevator began its ascent. "You will be there, Henry. A formal invitation arrived at my desk an hour ago, addressed to the CEO of the Rowland Dynasty."

"How does he know who I am? I haven't even made a public statement," I asked, tugging at my tie. It felt like a noose, a constant reminder of the role I was being forced to play.

Steve grinned, a flash in his eyes. "You’re fitting into the role perfectly. No one in that room knows your face. That is precisely why everyone will be there—to see the mystery man who has suddenly inherited a kingdom. You will be the center of gravity in a room full of sharks."

The thought sent a jolt of genuine terror through my chest and it made me feel…exposed. I looked at Steve with eyes that betrayed my hesitation. "I don’t know. I’ve never been under this kind of pressure. I’m just used to being..."

"In the shadows? Curled up in a studio apartment that your ex-girlfriend’s mother paid for?" 

Steve interrupted, his voice dropping into a cold, hard tone. "You need to show them who you are now, Henry. Every word you speak tonight will be headline news tomorrow. From this moment on, people will be looking to meet you, overthrow you, or kill you. That is the price of the crown."

"That's warped," I muttered.

"Money and power are warped, Henry. You have to be ruthless. You have to be cold. Never let anyone see your next move. That is what it takes to survive at this altitude." He replied flatly, clearly noting that there was no room for excuse.

I took a sharp breath, squaring my shoulders. "Let's do it."

"And one more thing," Steve added, his gaze drifting to the door where Maria had just exited. "Keep your eyes on the horizon. Women like Maria? They are not of your class. She is a secretary. Nothing more."

A strange, uncomfortable lump formed in my throat. I looked away, my heart thumping against my ribs. I didn't understand why Steve’s dismissal of her bothered me, but the rhythm of my pulse told me everything I needed to know.

I was nervous, but I had learned to bury it under a cluster of icy silence. During the flight back to New York, Steve had drilled me on names, faces, and family secrets until my brain felt like it was going to liquefy.

"Remember, you don't have to shake anyone’s hand if you don't wish to," Steve reminded me as we prepped for the event. "You are the apex predator in that room."

I remembered that advice when I was adjusting my tie. I had allowed one of the maids to assist me, and the proximity had left me feeling like a coiled spring. I shook it off, walking down the stairs into the vast living room.

"You look like a zillion bucks," Steve grinned.

"I feel stuffed in this," I complained with a frown, smoothing out the charcoal wool.

He handed me a black envelope with heavy, golden embroidery. As we sat in the middle of a twenty-car convoy, I opened it. My heart nearly stopped. "The time says 7:00 PM, Steve. It’s almost 9:00!"

"Going late creates anticipation," he replied, calm as a lake. "As the wealthiest man in the room, you do not show up early. You show up when you are expected to be the focal point."

The Senator’s house was a fortress, but compared to my estate, it looked like a starter home. I stepped out of the Mercedes, my face had grown accustomed to the mask of absolute, calculated indifference.

I walked up the red-carpeted stairs, keeping my stride measured and heavy. The guards at the door stopped us, but one glance at the black envelope was enough for them to bow and scramble aside.

I felt a rush of adrenaline. This was power.

A woman in a gown that shimmered like liquid starlight approached me with a tray of champagne. She paused, squinting at my face. "May I lead you to the ballroom, Mr...?"

I didn't reach for the glass. I just stared into her eyes, letting the silence stretch until she felt the weight of it and her hesitation began to show.

"Mr. Henry Rowland," Steve’s voice boomed from behind me. "CEO of the Rowland Dynasty."

The lady’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening. "Oh my... you’re the man of the hour!" Her demeanor shifted from professional to overtly flirtatious. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Rowland. I hope we get to speak more once you’ve settled in."

She flashed a radiant, calculated smile and melted into the crowd. I frowned, turning to Steve. "She wasn't on the list. Who was that?"

Steve looked annoyed, his lips pressing into a thin line. "That was Mrs. Gladis. She owns one of the largest marketing empires in the state. She’s a dangerous shark, Henry. Someone you need to keep a very close eye on."

I watched her blonde hair disappear into the ballroom. I knew I should stay away—Steve had warned me—but I was already intrigued. 

I hadn't even spent a minute with her, and I knew she was playing a game I was only just beginning to learn.