Evelyn spun around, her eyes wide, her heart dropping. “Kage—I didn’t mean—” “You didn’t mean what?” Kage shouted, his hands balled into fists, his eyes burning. “That I’m nothing? That you’d rather be with that loser Gary? I heard you, Evelyn! I heard every word!” Madam Ann stepped between them, her voice sharp, her hands raised. “Enough! Both of you, shut up, please! We don’t have time for this drama. The inauguration is in two days, and we need to be united, not fighting over some slave!” Kage ignored her, his eyes locked on Evelyn, his voice low and dangerous. “You want Gary? Fine. Go to him. But don’t come crying to me when he shows you who he really is. I’m done.” He turned and stormed out, slamming the door so hard the glass rattled. Evelyn’s hands flew to her face, her voice a sob, her body shaking. “Kage, wait!” She ran after him, but her mother stopped her. “Let him leave, Evelyn. Are you forgetting? We are now on top. He no longer qualifies to be your husband. Howard

“First of all, cheers to all of you for coming here. This event is currently being viewed by 400 million people around the world. But you are not streaming it. You are here because you were invited. You earned your place in those seats. By the way, I might turn lesbian because I see so many pretty women today.” The host said, and almost everyone cranked up with laughter. Some people, however, were offended by her joke, but the laughter suppressed it. No one gave a damn about how they felt. In a billionaires’ gathering, no one took anything to heart. Because it was true, wealthy men detached emotions from business. The Lancaster family sat in one row in the middle of the mighty hall filled with over 2,000 participants. Evelyn looked like a golden apple freshly plucked from the tree. Her dress was so beautiful, elegant, and revealing, stealing the eyes of those around her, including Kage. But Gary did not even look at her twice, despite sitting next to her. It was evident that he

Gary slowly got up from his seat as everyone gasped in disbelief. In an instant, all eyes in the hall locked on him, the air thick with shock, the crowd’s gasps echoing loud. Gary stood tall, his face hard, his eyes burning with a fire no one could miss. The spotlight hit him, his simple suit suddenly looking out of place among the glittering gowns and diamond-encrusted watches, but his presence screamed power. It was not connecting. Was this not the man who was just abused? Called a thief? A fraud? “What the hell?!” Donald shot up, his voice a shout, his face red. “This fool thinks he’s the heir? Look around, you idiot! No one’s standing but you! Sit down and stop embarrassing yourself, asshole!” William yanked him down fast, his voice a hiss, his eyes wide. “Shut up, Donald! Everyone’s staring!” But his hands shook, his mind racing—Gary, the heir? No way. Madam Ann’s face went pale, her hands trembling, her voice a snarl. “What’s he doing?! That bastard’s trying to steal the

Everyone froze, heads whipping around, eyes wide. Gary stepped forward, his face hard, his eyes burning with rage. The simple suit he wore drew a stark contrast to Felix’s wealth, but he did not care. He could buy Felix. The crowd nearby gasped, their whispers buzzing, their eyes darting between the two men. Felix’s grip on Evelyn’s wrist tightened, his eyes narrowing, his voice a low growl. “Who the hell are you to talk to me like that?” Gary didn’t flinch, his voice steady, his eyes locked on Felix. “I’m the guy telling you to back off. She said no. You deaf?” The crowd’s whispers exploded, their gasps loud, their eyes wide. No one talked to Felix like that—no one except the Wang Empire. Madam Ann’s face went pale, her hands shaking, her voice a hiss. “Gary, you idiot! Do you know who he is?!” William and Donald stepped closer, their faces red, their voices low. “You’re dead, Gary,” William growled. “You just signed your death warrant.” Felix let go of Evelyn’s wrist, his eyes

“I will speak to Miss. Serena, mom. Let’s hope she listens to me this time. But if you turn your backs on me again, whatever happens to you will be on your head. I am a nobody, but I know just how to figure out my way.” Back inside the hall, Serena Voss took the mic for a brief announcement. “The initial announcement was a mistake. We meant to say, Branstad, ex-governor Branstad no longer has any dealings with the Wang Empire. As for the Lancaster, they retain their $450 million signed contract.” The crowd gasped, whispers breaking out, heads turning fast. Madam Ann’s eyes widened, her voice a shaky whisper, her hands trembling. “Gary… you… you did it?” Gary nodded, his voice soft, his smile small. “I told you, Mom. I’ll help—on my terms.” Evelyn stepped closer, her voice a whisper, eyes wet. “Gary… I… I don’t know what to say…” Gary looked at her, his voice low, his eyes steady. “You don’t have to say anything, Evelyn. You made your choice. I’m just doing what’s right for the f