Austin's eyes lingered in the direction of the familiar figure for a few seconds before shrugging his shoulders, as he followed Rebecca into the room.
''You still haven't told me what this whole meeting is all about,'' Austin said, the door closing behind him.''Jeez, you saw those reporters?'' His eyes widened, still marvelled about why a bunch of reporters was flocking them.''You make it seem like something alien.'' Rebecca smiled, throwing a teasing gaze at Austin.''Well, to satisfy your curiosity… this is a family bidding meeting,''''A family bidding meeting?''''Yes, renowned, wealthy family come together to do… you know, business shit.'' Rebecca winked.''Oh…'' Austin nodded, a part of him still finding it difficult to connect the dots.However, he didn't have an opportunity to think much about it, as they soon entered the large hall connected to the room.Inside, all eyes turned in their direction, each person sending a warm gesture to the new arrivals.Austin's heart couldn't help but skip, seeing so many people paying him attention. Fortunately, though, Rebecca stood just a breath away, and the onlookers soon averted their gaze. Returning to their previous dealings.''These are scions of powerful families that controlled wealth with their fingertips,'' Rebecca whispered, leading Austin to a more secluded area.''It actually sounds frightening when you put it that way.'' Austin giggled, followed by a short silence between the duo.''That reminds me…'' Austin shifted his gaze to Rebecca.''Uh?''''Do you know any family called Barrett?'' He asked, his face contorting for a moment before masking it with a smile.''Barrett?'' Rebecca turned to another lady who had been with them all along.The lady who appeared to be the secretary swiped through the tablet in her hand, and a few seconds later she nodded, confirming Austin's inquiry.''They're part of the new, small families who were selected through the less privileged system passed by the board of directors in the last, grand meeting,'' The secretary answered in an all-professional tone.''You know them?'' Rebecca asked, her brows furrowed.''Um, ah… actually, some things went south during my last delivery, but… you know what-''''Remove them from part of the beneficiary candidates,'' Rebecca uttered, her voice beaming with finality.''Yes ma'am,'' The secretary said, making necessary adjustments to the list.Soon enough, a door opened, different from the one Austin and his company used. And standing there were Marcus and Lana.Lana had a new bag made from fine, black leather, complementing her long, black, dress.'So many riches to cling to,' she thought to herself, flashing a bright smile at Marcus.''Mr Marcus, you're here.'' A young man came to greet the door, offering them a handshake.''Of course, of course.'' Marcus adjusted his suit, his face devoid of his usual arrogance.''A big congratulations to you, it's such a big win for your family, I must say.'' The gentleman smiled.''All thanks goes to you, Oliver, if you weren't working in the secretary's office, how would I have received that clue?'' Marcus laughed, patting Oliver's shoulder.''Well, I was just lucky, regardless, though, don't forget me when the deal strikes.'' Oliver sent him a knowing look, making Marcus laugh.''If there's one thing I can assure you about me, it's the fact that I'm not an ingrate, isn't it, sweetie?''''Of course.'' Lana smiled, holding her leather bag tighter.''Well, I'm just kidding, I've known you for a while now, and your good personality speaks volumes,'' Oliver said.''Again, some rumours are spreading among the workers that there a new heir will be chosen today.''''I also saw the media trying to take the picture of an elegant gent a while back, such a big commotion they created.'' Oliver snickered.''Could he be the new heir they're referring to?'' Lana asked, her ears burning with curiosity.''Umm, maybe… maybe not.'' Oliver shrugged.''Hopefully, we get to meet him one day,'' she said, her face full of beaming with anticipation.''You can actually do it now if you so wish.'' Oliver pointed in another direction, the place reserved for the VIPs.Following his aim, Lana's heart skipped as she saw a familiar gentleman in a well-polished suit.However, she soon shook off her shock as a maniacal grin etched on her face.''Isn't that the-''''Yes, it's him,'' Lana answered Marcus as she took long strides in Austin's direction, followed closely by Marcus.''What's up with these two suddenly?'' Oliver knitted his eyes, watching the two figures walk farther away from him.___''And what's this fraudster doing here?''Austin turned, the familiar voice, catching him by surprise.''You know, at first, I thought you were some important dignitary clad in the suit, but that's just wishful thinking.'' Lana clicked her tongue in disdain.''Excuse me?'' Austin blurted out.''Oh yes I'll, people can't see me talking to a waiter for too long after all.'' Lana snorted.''Your level of shamelessness can actually bring the dead back to life, in case you don't know.'' Marcus chides in.''Well, I'm sorry to break it to you…'' Lana took slow steps forward, just an inch away from Austin.''Here's no place for dead rats like you, so you had better leave this minute and save yourself a face.'' She whispered, her eyes glinting with contempt.''Tsk,'' Austin clicked his tongue.''I hope you both will still have the courage to continue this act very soon.''''Oh my, the chipmunk is issuing a threat.'' Lana covered her mouth, giggling.Austin clenched his fist, hearing her make such a condemning remark. Before he could reply, though…''I wouldn't talk down on the VIP in such a manner if I were you.'' A voice muttered, making everywhere turn silent.Katerina Blake, a relative of Austin, walked down to the scene with poise, her face, forever impassive.Her evening dress clung to her body, revealing her tight curves, and silky skin that bounced back the evening's subtle glow.Upon sighting her, Marcus felt a familiar sensation down his pelvic region, making his face flush. ''What a sweet angel, if I may ask who you are, though?'' He asked, his face softening with a smile.Unfortunately for him, his question fell on deaf ears. Katerina walked past him, not even sparing him a glance.The air around Marcus turned awkward, realizing that a lady had just ignored him, and he couldn't help but grimace. His face wrinkling with displeasure.Lana, on the other hand, also glimpsed at Katerina as she harrumphed, unable to hide her envy, seeing a beautiful lady with a refined composure.''And why did you call this thing a VIP, wait don't tell me he has been going around, posing as a fake, hahaha.'' Lana burst into laughter.''Pardon me, but it
Lana's utterance sounded like a jarring bell in the silent setting, quickly grasping the attention of others. All eyes, falling on her.Katerina paused her speech, her hand still on the mic as she sent Lana a cold look, irritation written all over her face.Yet, she didn't lose her composure or act brashly, considering the important personalities present in the hall.''Who is she?'' a man in a brown suit asked.''I wish I knew.'' The blonde-haired lady sitting beside him shrugged.''Most likely one of these naive heiresses of those tiny families.'' A third company chided in, a man in a black suit, holding a glass of wine.''My thoughts too,'' the first man said. ''This is why I was against the new system, some of those hillbillies think we're equals, leaving their manners unchecked.''”Regardless, messing with Katerina is an unwise decision, even the other powerful families tend to avoid getting in her bad book,'' the lady whispered, glancing left and right before heaving a soft sigh.
''Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Mr Austin Blake as he comes onto the stage.'' Katerina's sonorous voice rang in the hall, making everyone hold their breath for a second.Clap!Clap!A resounding applause rang from one corner, and it soon spread across the hall, submerging the atmosphere in a standing ovation.The guests cheered, seeing the young man climb the stage, his face not at all aloof.Over to Marcus and Lana's table, their bulging eyes and sagging jaw said everything they were feeling inside.''W-what is going on?'' Lana stammered, her eyes fixed on the young man on the stage.The same could be said for Marcus. He had encountered way too many surprises in his life, but this was off the chart.''What… isn't that your ex-husband?''''I think so.''''You think so?'' Marcus rolled his eyes, his attention still on Austin.''See I'm equally lost here, he's supposed to be homeless by now… or could it be that you worked the way for him?''''Worked the way for him? Damn, do you
''I will-'' Just as Lana opened her mouth to speak, Marcus covered her mouth with his two palms, making her gag. He shot her a cold gaze, his veins bulging with fury. ''You're not fucking qualified to go on that damn stage, you dead brain.'' Marcus blurted out, his voice sounding hoarse, exhausted from all the drama. ''Not only did you not keep shut like I warned, but also picked on that woman again, wait… is your brain leaking?'' He released his hold on her, his eyes glinting with fury. ''Keep your doll in check, or she will face the consequences of her rash behaviour,'' Katerina warned in a cold tone, unfazed by the little scene the duo once again created. Lana, on the other hand, still felt as though she wasn't done speaking her mind. But the fiendish look coming from Marcus made her stop whatever thing she planned to do. Seeing that he had got the situation under control to a certain degree, Marcus heaved a sigh of relief. However, his mind remained unsettled, thrown into t
Lana's eyes twitched as a burning sensation zapped to her head, the after effect of the slap lingering on her face.''And what gave you the audacity to think you can judge him?'' Katerina chided in, finally not buying her shit.''Yes, I'm asking.''''You think those few years of humiliation that you and your entourage called marriage is enough to know the real him?''''For someone who can't even afford the basic needs of life without sucking up to a man, you sure think highly of yourself, huh?''A momentary silence hovered in the air, making everyone hold their breath after Katerina's piercing words.''W-what did you just say?'' Lana's face turned aghast, hearing those venous words Katerina spat on her face.However, she didn't receive any reply from Katerina, if anything… the cold gaze from the elegant, but scary lady made her shrink back in apprehension.''And you.'' Lana shifted her gaze to Marcus, her bloodshot eyes, relaying her resentment.''Is this how you want to keep humiliat
After a few hours had passed, the gatherings of the elite finally neared its end.The important personalities bade one another farewell, some drowning in business discussion, while others simply talked about the current trends in the world.Austin and Katerina had extricated themselves from the spotlight, leaving everything for Rebecca to handle.Although Katerina hosted the gathering, everyone still gave her face. Although some still tried their luck to rope in the new, ambitious young man, beaming with valour.Inside a private office, Austin and Katerina sat opposite each other. The subtle golden glow from the chandeliers, basking their faces in a beautiful allure.''So, when can I see my father?'' Austin asked, his eyes filled with a myriad of emotions.Upon hearing his question, Katerina Blake mustered a smile, letting out a soft sigh.''Very soon.''''He's in a business meeting abroad, and it may take a while before his arrival. However, I'm sure he wouldn't take that long,'' she
''Who are you?'' Austin jumped, straining his eyes in cold fright.His gaze stuck to the curtain, wondering if he had started hallucinating again or perhaps the dream had weighed on his mind, more than he thought.However, this place felt too real for it not to be real. Right behind the curtain, he could make out the silhouette of a human figure.Yet… there was no response.The silhouette only stood there like a statue, casting a shadow against the silky curtain fabric.''I said who are you?'' Austin yelled, his voice beginning to sound distorted from terror.As he yelled, he also tried to crawl back to create distance between himself and the enigmatic figure, but the primal fear that weighed on him strapped him down to the same place.''I-if you don't reveal yourself, I'll-''''You'll call the security guards.'' A hoarse voice rang from behind the curtains, its lingering echoes, permeating the room like a menacing spirit.''An impulsive choice, not so intelligent, but perhaps that'
Austin kept moving backwards, until his back touched the wall, halting his advancement.He dared not turn back, and at that moment, he wished the wall would vanish and allow him to continue with his struggle.''My, my… can't move further than that, eh?'' The man let out a sinister chuckle, sending chills down Austin's back.''I… we can settle this amicably.'' Austin stammered, his eyes twitching with every fleeting moment.It didn't take a genius to figure out how ugly his situation was at the moment. He stood no chance against this man, not even in his most unruly fantasies.Forget about the mystery that cloaked the assailant. He also had a gun and knife with him.Assuming he could wrestle his way considering only the knife, then what about the gun?''Damnation.'' Austin gritted his teeth.The fact that he couldn't tell what brought this man here in the first place made the situation even more spontaneous.He couldn't help but wonder if Marcus and Lana could be behind this whole set-