WHO IS MALIK HAMPTON?

A Toast to Shadows

The ballroom glittered with lights and laughter as the party continued, as if the last few minutes hadn’t cracked the ground beneath it. Sarah stood tall beside Michelle, with a champagne flute poised but untouched in her hand. Powerful people around her clinked glasses and smiled, celebrating a night that nearly destroyed them.

Malik stood at the edge of it all. Not quite in the light and not quite invisible. His actions tonight had shocked them all, but that didn’t change who he was in their eyes—and the Roys were ready to remind him of that.

The laughter from the Roys' corner was louder than the orchestra now. David leaned toward Evelyn, pretending to whisper, but his voice carried just enough.

"Even a cleaner can shine in a suit. But you know what they say—scrub a street dog, and he still smells like trash," David said, gesturing for Evelyn to look toward Malik.

Evelyn's gaze turned to Malik, but she didn’t laugh. She just looked away, uncomfortable—especially after what he had done tonight.

Malik noticed the shifting glances and clenched his jaw. He reached for a glass of water on a nearby tray, but the server pulled it away too quickly, not recognizing him as a guest.

He ignored it and just smiled. That same quiet smile that had become his shield.

Sarah approached him from behind, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. She didn’t touch him, but her presence settled over him like a warm mist.

“Thank you,” she said.

Malik turned, surprised by her tone. It wasn’t curt—it was soft, hesitant.

“For?” he asked.

Sarah glanced around as if searching for someone.

“For not embarrassing me. For showing up with the gift. If you hadn’t... tonight would’ve destroyed Roy Enterprises,” she whispered.

Malik looked down, flushed, suddenly shy.

“I just played my part. Delivered the gift. Nothing more.”

Sarah tilted her head, studying him. “But it wasn’t just that. You spoke with such confidence earlier. About Olivia. About Michelle. It felt like you knew things you shouldn’t. Like someone else entirely.”

Malik met her eyes and shrugged.

“Just lucky, I guess.”

Sarah didn’t believe him. But for the first time in a long time, she didn’t want to argue. The doubt she’d carried about Malik being a burden, a shadow in her life, was softening. There was something more to him—something she couldn’t place yet.

Across the room, Michelle raised his glass toward Sarah from a distance. She blinked, then glanced down at her untouched flute.

“I should go. Michelle wants to talk,” she whispered.

Malik gently reached out and caught her wrist, just for a moment.

Sarah noticed the weight in his gesture and turned back.

“What is it?” she asked.

Malik hesitated. Words danced on the edge of his tongue, but they wouldn’t form. Instead, he asked, “The gift you brought for Grandpa... what was it?”

Sarah blinked. The question caught her off guard.

“It was a vintage wine. A 1923 Pomerol. Or... it was supposed to be. But when we opened it, it was fake. A cheap replica,” she said, looking down, shame flickering in her eyes.

Malik frowned. “You’re sure it was switched?”

She nodded. “I think Janet had help. I trusted the maid who watched it. Told her not to let anyone near it, but I could sense something was off when she returned it to me.”

“Which maid?” Malik asked calmly.

Sarah gestured subtly toward a woman serving guests near the piano.

“Her. That’s Nina. She’s been with us for years.”

Malik studied Nina’s face with an unreadable expression. Sarah noticed.

“Why do you care? We already won,” she said, confused.

Malik gave her a hollow smile.

“Just curious.”

From the corner of the room, Michelle watched them with sharp eyes. He saw Sarah’s hand still close to Malik’s and sensed the tension in her brow—the concern that hadn’t been there before.

With deliberate slowness, Michelle stepped forward, cutting through the crowd. He didn’t acknowledge Malik. Not even a glance.

“Sarah, the board wants to toast to your victory. Come. You deserve it,” he said smoothly.

Sarah’s eyes locked on Michelle, and she hesitated. She turned to Malik, her eyes flicking between the two men. Michelle’s hand was extended, while Malik’s expression remained unreadable.

“I’ll be right there,” she said, gently pulling away from Malik’s grasp.

Michelle’s gaze finally settled on Malik, cold and smug.

“Shouldn’t you be cleaning up the mess by now? Or isn’t that what you do, cleaner?” he said with a mocking smile. So Sarah herself could feel embarrassed and the people watching could see more of him — he'd won all the victory for today.

A few nearby guests chuckled just as he had hoped and his insult hung in the air like smoke.

Malik didn’t flinch. He met Michelle’s gaze evenly. “I only clean up what others can’t fix.” He responded.

Michelle stiffened, but Sarah stepped between them.

“Enough,” she said. Her voice carried more weight than before.

Michelle gave her a tight smile. “Of course. Come, Sarah.”

Sarah let Michelle lead her away, but her eyes lingered on Malik. And what she saw in his expression made her heart twist.

From a corner of the ballroom, Janet watched with narrowed eyes as Sarah followed Michelle. She seized the moment and walked up to Malik with a voice dripping with mockery.

“Well, that was entertaining, poor Malik. You really thought you had won, didn’t you? But look—Sarah chose the right suitor. You’re just a cleaner. A nobody. A delivery boy who handed over a gift that wasn’t even yours.” Janet sneered. “

Malik’s lips twitched, but he said nothing. He could feel the eyes on him—John’s, David’s, Evelyn’s—all waiting for a reaction. And he thought of Sarah. He wouldn’t let her down. Not again.

He stepped closer to Janet and whispered, “I might be a cleaner. But I’m not a thief—or a manipulator who would do anything to get what she wants.”

Janet laughed aloud, drawing more attention.

“Oh, you’re insane now, too? Keep dreaming, Malik.” She said, her voice loud enough to reach nearby guests. 

Malik’s eyes sharpened. He stepped even closer.

“You’ll regret it soon. When your secret’s exposed,” he whispered.

That silenced her momentarily. Even Sarah, now standing a few feet away, twisted.

“What secret?” she asked, her voice laced with tension.

The guests fell silent, their attention riveted on Malik as he held Janet’s gaze.

“You’ll find out soon,” he said simply.