The unstoppable vengeance of Micheal Krux.

46; Not My Father

Chapter 46; Not My Father

The moment Richard Krux stepped into the hotel lobby, conversations began dying around him.

Some guests recognized him immediately.

Others only knew him from magazines and business channels.

Either way, people paid attention.

Richard Krux was not just another businessman. He was one of the most respected names in the country, a man whose approval could open doors and whose disapproval could destroy careers.

Five years ago, when Michael fell, Richard had publicly distanced himself from his son.

Many people still remembered it.

And now, after years of silence, he had appeared at the exact same event where Michael was dominating every headline.

Nobody believed it was a coincidence.

Layla stood frozen beside Michael as reporters immediately swarmed toward the lobby entrance.

Questions flew from every direction.

"Mr. Krux, are you here to support your son?"

"Have you reconciled?"

"Will the Krux family invest in Luxter Energy?"

Security tried creating space, but the reporters only pushed harder.

Richard ignored them all.

His eyes were fixed on Michael.

For a moment, neither man moved.

The distance between them wasn't more than twenty feet.

Yet it felt much larger.

Five years of anger.

Five years of betrayal.

Five years of silence.

All standing between them.

Gabriel, who had arrived moments earlier, watched carefully from the side.

His face revealed nothing.

But inside, his mind was racing.

Because if the Krux family and Michael reunited, everything could change.

Michael already had money.

Influence.

Investors.

Momentum.

Adding the full power of the Krux family to that equation would be disastrous.

The entire balance of power would shift overnight.

Richard finally began walking forward.

The crowd parted automatically.

Nobody wanted to stand in his way.

Layla glanced toward Michael.

He hadn't moved.

His expression remained calm.

Too calm.

The kind of calm that usually appeared right before something unpleasant happened.

Richard stopped directly in front of him.

For several seconds, neither man spoke.

The silence became uncomfortable.

Then Richard offered a small smile.

"Michael."

The word sounded strange coming from him.

As if he hadn't spoken his son's name in years.

Michael stared at him quietly.

"Richard."

Several people nearby exchanged surprised looks.

The smile on Richard's face faded slightly.

"I came to talk."

Michael nodded once. "Then talk."

Richard looked around briefly at the reporters gathering nearby.

"This isn't the place."

Michael glanced around too.

"Funny," he replied. "You didn't seem worried about public places five years ago."

Layla saw the words hit their target immediately.

Richard's jaw tightened.

Several reporters began writing furiously.

Even Gabriel looked uncomfortable.

Nobody had forgotten what happened five years ago.

But hearing Michael mention it publicly was different.

Richard lowered his voice.

"I deserve that."

The answer surprised everyone.

Including Michael.

A murmur spread through the crowd.

Powerful men rarely admitted fault publicly.

Especially men like Richard Krux.

Michael folded his arms.

"You came all the way here to apologize?"

"No."

The answer came immediately.

Richard looked directly into his son's eyes.

"I came because you're making a mistake."

The atmosphere changed instantly.

Layla frowned.

Even Michael looked mildly amused.

"A mistake?"

Richard nodded.

"You're chasing the wrong people."

Michael's smile disappeared.

Nearby, Gabriel suddenly became very interested in the conversation.

"So we're doing this now," Michael said quietly.

Richard sighed heavily.

"You don't know the full story."

Michael laughed.

A genuine laugh this time.

Several people turned toward him in surprise.

Because there was nothing humorous about the situation.

"You sound exactly like David."

For the first time, Richard looked genuinely concerned.

"You saw him?"

"Tonight."

Richard closed his eyes briefly.

That reaction didn't escape Michael.

Nor did it escape Layla.

Something wasn't right.

Both David and Richard seemed terrified of the same thing.

The question was why.

Michael took a step closer.

"What are you all hiding?"

Richard remained silent.

Michael continued staring at him.

The reporters had stopped asking questions now.

Nobody wanted to interrupt.

This was better than any interview.

Better than any headline.

Because whatever was happening between father and son was real.

Finally, Richard spoke.

"Your mother kept records."

Michael's expression hardened immediately.

"What records?"

Richard glanced toward the crowd.

Then toward Gabriel.

Then toward Layla.

His hesitation lasted only a second.

But it was enough.

Michael followed his gaze.

And suddenly understood.

This wasn't just about him.

This involved the Luxters too.

Richard's voice became quieter.

"The people responsible for what happened five years ago weren't acting alone."

Gabriel's face changed slightly.

A small change.

Most people would miss it.

Michael didn't.

Neither did Layla.

Her heartbeat quickened.

Because for the first time all evening, Gabriel looked nervous.

Not angry.

Not irritated.

Nervous.

Michael slowly turned toward him.

Gabriel immediately recovered.

Too quickly.

Almost like a man realizing he'd revealed something he shouldn't.

Michael's eyes narrowed.

Then Richard said the one sentence that made the entire lobby go silent.

"The night your mother died, she wasn't meeting a member of the Luxter family."

Michael froze.

Layla froze.

Even Gabriel stopped breathing for a moment.

Nobody expected that.

For years, Michael's hatred had pointed in one direction.

Toward the Luxters.

Toward Gabriel.

Toward the people he believed destroyed his life.

But now Richard was suggesting something entirely different.

Something much bigger.

Michael's voice became dangerously quiet.

"Who was she meeting?"

Richard looked at him.

Then slowly shook his head.

"Not here."

Michael stared at him.

The crowd stared at him.

The reporters stared at him.

Then, from somewhere behind them, a woman's voice suddenly cut through the silence.

"He won't tell you."

Everyone turned.

Layla's eyes widened.

Michael's expression darkened.

Because standing at the entrance of the hotel was a woman neither of them expected to see.

And judging by the look on Richard Krux's face, she was the last person in the world he wanted standing there.