Chapter 4

"You are the famous director of the Dragon Empire?" Brandon was surprised as he gave the man a look over.

From his behavior and how young the man appeared to be, he found it really unbelievable that he was the famous director managing the Dragon Empire.

Dragon Empire is a group of companies that cut across several sectors of the country's economy.

The empire is said to rule seventy percent of the national economy and is also a force to be reckoned with in the international market.

Unlike many huge businesses around the globe with a long history, it is said that the Dragon Empire is a first-generation wealth, and the previous CEO worked tirelessly to get it where it is without dying under the pressure of the big companies with a long history.

And everywhere the empire is mentioned, there is always the name Henry Adams accompanying it.

The man who had single-handedly managed both the national and international affairs of the empire after the passing of the former CEO, who had no heir to succeed him.

There were rumors that the CEO had left the empire to the director due to his faithfulness in the business, and even more rumors that the director was the reason the CEO had died so mysteriously and so suddenly.

Nobody had ever considered that the man who had died at age ninety had died peacefully without anyone stabbing him in the back.

To the people, it was all a war about who got the big pie.

Brandon felt his heart beating rapidly against his ribcage as he took in the appearance of the man before him, finally realizing why he thought he was familiar with the club the night before.

Unable to look directly at him anymore, Brandon bowed deeply and began to apologize for his ill manners.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Henry Adams. I was not aware it was you. Please forgive my ignorance."

Henry cleared his throat awkwardly, not knowing how to respond to the apology of the one wearing the dragon ring. He rubbed his nape in frustration and muttered,

"It's fine, get up."

A cold shiver ran down Brandon's back, and fear gripped his heart as he heard the subtle irritation in Henry's tone. He bowed deeper as sweat began to form on his forehead as several scenarios of him being punished began to play in his mind.

"I really am sorry; I didn't mean to be disrespectful! I was just irritated about the event from the previous night," he rasped out.

"It's alright; anyone would be considering what happened. Have a seat; we need to talk," Henry replied, pointing to the other couch in the room.

"The ring..." He continued, and Brandon immediately tried removing it from his finger, only to see it was not moving.

"I think it's stuck from how long I have worn it. Is Mr. Henry interested in acquiring this ring? It's nothing valuable though," Brandon explained timidly, and Henry shook his head.

"I'm not; I'm just curious. Did you notice anything strange when you wore the ring?" He repeated his previous question, and Brandon hesitated with a thoughtful expression.

"I'm not really an attentive person, and I may have missed the important things. Is there something specific you are looking for?" He asked worriedly.

"You know about the late CEO of the Dragon Empire?" He asked solemnly as he walked to the other side of the room. He placed his hand on the wall, and a bookshelf emerged from the once-empty room.

Brandon, seeing the display, tried to but failed to school his expression as his mouth went wide in awe at the technology.

"I have heard about him, but only a little is known about his physical appearance since he doesn't attend public events," he replied, and Henry nodded knowingly.

"He hated crowded places; that's why he doesn't go out, not because of his old age. The man was still so strong and agile even on his deathbed," he said with a chuckle at the fond memory of the man he respected the most.

"What about him? Does the ring belong to him?"

"Yes. The ring was his, and it is a symbol that represents the highest authority in the dragon empire," Henry announced coldly as he turned back to Brandon with a picture frame in hand.

"Everyone thinks that he never gave birth, but the information is fake. He had a child in his early years, but he lost his son and his grandson in a car accident shortly after his grandson was born," Henry explained, his voice sounding casual, but Brandon noticed the pain hidden in it.

As someone who had also lost a loved one, he could relate to the pain Henry was feeling at the moment, which is why he didn't say a thing despite the hundreds of questions dancing around in his head.

"It was the grief and sadness that led to the death of his wife, and after losing all his family, he dedicated his life to the Dragon Empire, which at that time was just a small business. He wanted to help all the deceased realise their dreams, so he ventured into different parts of business, learning as he went," Henry continued while handing the picture frame to Brandon, who held it close as if he were holding a treasure.

Brandon turned the face of the frame upward and frowned as he noticed the people in the picture.

One of them looked exactly like him, with the same eyes, hair, and build, except he was a lot older than he is. Standing beside him is a woman in her late twenties with bright eyes and straight black hair.

The two had a bright smile on their faces as they peered down at the baby in the cot.

Confused about what he had just seen, Brandon looked up to see Henry on his knees with his head bowed.

"Welcome back, Young Master Brandon; we've been waiting for you."