I stood at the window of my apartnt, watching the morning light spread across Havenwood City. Today was the eting at the No. 1 Grand Mansion—a gathering where Roman Volkov would officially select his partner for the herb company. Though everyone thought this eting was about forming new business relationships, it was really about establishing who held true power in this city.
My phone buzzed with a ssage from Isabelle: "Rember what we discussed. You don't need to prove anything to anyone but yourself."
I smiled, recalling our conversation from the other night. Isabelle could have easily pulled strings to place at the top of Havenwood's social hierarchy. She had the connections and resources to turn into a prominent figure overnight. But she understood sothing crucial about —I needed to forge my own path.
Another ssage arrived: "They'll underestimate you. Use it."
She was right. Being underestimated had beco my greatest advantage.
---
The No. 1 Grand Mansion lived up to its na. The sprawling estate sat on the highest hill in Havenwood, its marble façade gleaming in the midday sun. A line of luxury vehicles snaked up the private drive—Bentleys, Rolls-Royces, and custom sports cars, each more ostentatious than the last.
Inside, the grand ballroom buzzed with Havenwood's elite. n in tailored suits and won dripping with jewelry clustered in tight groups, their laughter just a bit too loud, their smiles not quite reaching their eyes. The air was thick with expensive cologne, ambition, and desperation.
I spotted the Prescott brothers, Damian and Alec, standing awkwardly by the refreshnt table. Their usual confidence had evaporated. When they noticed , Damian's face twisted with regret.
"Knight," he acknowledged with a stiff nod. "Looks like you were right about the Soul Nourishnt Pills."
Alec couldn't et my eyes. "We should have listened to you when you approached us. Our company has lost significant market share to Volkov's distribution."
"The market rewards those who take risks," I replied, keeping my tone neutral. "There will be other opportunities."
"Not like this one," Damian muttered, glancing toward the entrance where a commotion had erupted.
Sebastian Hawthorne had arrived, flanked by his personal security. Tall and imposing with silver-streaked dark hair, Sebastian carried himself with the assurance of soone who had never heard the word "no." The crowd parted like water around a boulder as he moved through the room.
"Hawthorne Pharmaceuticals will secure this partnership," Alec whispered. "They've already invested millions in new production facilities."
I watched as businessn practically tripped over themselves to shake Sebastian's hand. Their eagerness reminded of how people once treated —with dismissal and contempt. Now they offered the sa deference to Sebastian that they denied .
"Look who else arrived," Damian nodded toward the entrance.
Gideon Blackwood strode in with Seraphina Sterling on his arm. My ex-wife wore a crimson dress that hugged her curves, her golden hair swept into an elaborate updo. She looked polished, beautiful, and utterly cold.
Gideon spotted imdiately. A smug smile spread across his face as he whispered sothing to Seraphina. They changed course, heading directly toward .
"Well, well," Gideon's voice dripped with mock surprise. "Look who managed to sneak past security."
I took a sip of my drink. "Hello, Gideon. Seraphina."
Seraphina's gaze flicked over , deliberately assessing. "I'm surprised the Ashworths let their pet wander off-leash."
A few nearby conversations stopped as people turned to watch our interaction.
"I wasn't aware I needed permission to attend business etings," I replied calmly.
Gideon laughed, too loudly. "Business etings? Is that what you think this is?" He gestured around the room. "This is where real power players decide the future of Havenwood. Not forr live-in sons-in-law playing at being businessn."
I noticed the Prescott brothers slowly backing away, unwilling to be associated with whatever confrontation was brewing.
"I'm curious," I said, deliberately changing the subject. "How did you secure an invitation? Last I checked, Blackwood Industries was struggling to maintain market share."
A muscle twitched in Gideon's jaw. "Unlike you, I have legitimate business connections. The Hawthornes have personally guaranteed our involvent in this venture."
"Is that so?"
"Sebastian Hawthorne and I have co to an understanding," he boasted, puffing out his chest. "Our families will be working very closely together."
"How convenient for you."
Seraphina stepped forward, her perfu suffocating in its intensity. "You know what your problem is, Liam? You never understood how things work. Success isn't about what you know—it's about who you know."
"And who you sleep with?" I asked mildly.
Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Watch yourself. You're not among friends here."
Gideon placed his hand possessively on Seraphina's waist. "Once this partnership is finalized, Blackwood Industries will control distribution of the Soul Nourishnt Pills throughout the eastern seaboard. The Hawthornes have already drawn up the contracts."
"Interesting theory," I replied. "Though I suspect Roman Volkov might have different plans."
"Roman Volkov is a nobody who got lucky," Gideon scoffed. "He doesn't have the capacity to scale production without backing from established pharmaceutical companies. Sebastian Hawthorne will crush him if he doesn't cooperate."
I fought to keep my expression neutral. If only they knew who actually created the Soul Nourishnt Pills. Their ignorance was almost amusing.
"I suppose we'll see how things unfold," I said.
Seraphina's laugh was brittle. "Still clinging to delusions. So things never change." She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Tell , Liam, does Isabelle Ashworth know how pathetic you really are? Or have you managed to fool her too?"
Before I could respond, a hush fell over the room. Roman Volkov had finally arrived, accompanied by a team of lawyers carrying briefcases. He looked nervous but determined as he made his way to the small stage at the front of the ballroom.
"Ladies and gentlen," Roman began, his voice trembling slightly. "Thank you for coming today. I know many of you are interested in forming partnerships with my company regarding the distribution of the Soul Nourishnt Pills."
Sebastian Hawthorne moved toward the front, positioning himself prominently. The ssage was clear—he expected to be called up first.
Gideon smirked at . "Watch and learn how real business is conducted." Enjoyingthestory?Discovermoreon*.
"I'd like to clarify sothing before we proceed," Roman continued, gaining confidence. "While I appreciate all the interest, I've already secured an exclusive production and distribution arrangent with my primary partner."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Sebastian Hawthorne's expression darkened.
"This eting isn't about selecting a new partner," Roman explained. "It's about introducing you to the actual creator and true owner of the Soul Nourishnt Pill formula."
All eyes turned toward the side entrance as Roman gestured dramatically. But no one appeared.
Gideon snickered. "Looks like your distributor friend is having so technical difficulties."
Roman looked around in confusion, then his gaze landed on . Relief washed over his face. "There he is! Ladies and gentlen, may I introduce the brilliant mind behind the Soul Nourishnt Pills—Mr. Liam Knight!"
The room fell silent as every head turned in my direction. Sebastian Hawthorne's face flushed with anger. The Prescott brothers gaped openly.
Gideon's smug smile froze, then crumbled. "That's... that's impossible. You're lying."
I calmly handed my empty glass to a passing waiter and walked toward the stage. The crowd parted, this ti for .
"This is absurd," Seraphina hissed loudly enough for those nearby to hear. "He was nothing but a useless live-in son-in-law for three years. He couldn't create a formula like that."
I paused beside her, eting her gaze directly. "Yet here we are."
As I took my place next to Roman on the stage, I glanced back at Gideon and Seraphina. They stood frozen in shock, their carefully constructed plans crumbling around them.
Roman handed the microphone. The room waited in tense silence.
Seraphina recovered first, her voice cutting through the quiet. "This is so kind of scam. The Ashworths must have put him up to this."
Gideon nodded vigorously. "Exactly! He's just their puppet. The formulation must have co from Veridia City's research labs."
Then, Seraphina Sterling looked at and mocked, "That's why I say, ability is innate. A loser is a loser, even if they cling to the Ashworth family, they're still just losers!"
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