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'll be too funny if you fall for his little trick, young lady.''''So, tell me, what made you mistake this dead load for a VIP?'' Lana pushed her question further, ready to troll Austin once more.''That's none of your business— frogs in the well,'' Katerina said, her voice curt and sharp.''Y-you.'' Lana gritted her teeth, faced with such a ridiculing comment.''And why are you here?'' Katerina's eyebrows arched, her eyes fixed on Lana.''Hmph, of course, we're invited… we aren't some posers and a naive wannabe star girl.'' Lana snorted, flaunting their invite plaque.''Let me properly introduce myself, angel.'' Marcus adjusted his suit, a wide grin plastered on his face.''I'm Marcus Barrett, one of the new candidates of this esteemed gathering, an elegant lady like you should be in close quarters with an honourable gentleman like me, huh, beauty?'' Marcus offered a friendly handshake, not minding that Lana was right beside him.However, Marcus' hand hanged mid-air, as the time kept ticking until he finally couldn't bear the shame any more.His face turned ugly with embarrassment, having been shunned twice in the span of a few minutes.'This blood-sucking whore,' He thought inwardly.Treating the two people as farts, Katerina turned her attention to Austin, offering him a warm hug which lingered for a few seconds, making Marcus' face burn with a torrent of dark emotions.''Give me a few minutes please, lots of work.'' She smiled, her face radiating with a reassuring smile.After she left the three, Lana, who couldn't hold on to her fuming rage any more, finally got the chance to let it out.''A cheap slot with such a sickening, fake-ass personality.'' She mumbled, her face a shade of tomato.''Only a dimwit like you can she deceive with such poor acting, I saw through her right as she entered.''''And I don't remember asking for an explanation.'' Austin shot back in a calm tone.''You've got gut now, I see.'' Marcus sent Austin a contemptuous look.''Well, tell your fake slut that she'll regret choosing you over me by the time I become one of the candidates.'' Marcus raised his shoulder, flaunting his supposed new status.Sneering, Austin laughed. ''Heavens knew who will regret it very soon.''''You dare talk back at me, do you know who I am?''''A grumpy fellow who should get his depression level checked," Austin said, ignoring the look on Marcus' face.Marcus was about to call for the guards, but Lana pulled him away.''A mere destined-to-be-slave like him shouldn't make you flare up, baby.'' She whispered, making Marcus reason with her.''Hmph.'' Marcus snorted.'How could such a hot chick ignore me for that brat.' He wondered, licking his lower lips as he turned backwards in Austin's direction.There, he saw Austin busying himself with different dishes.'He's not even classy.' He frowned.Austin didn't care about his opinion, though. He had been starving all day long, owing to his swift change of schedule since yesterday. Hence, he dug into the food right away.After a while, the host gathered everyone's attention as she made the opening speech alongside the introduction of the important guest of the event.Following that, the hall fell into silence as a lady walked in slow steps filled with purpose onto the stage.The air around her commanded authority, her evening dress exuding brilliance and class.''Isn't she too beautiful?'' A man couldn't help but murmur, almost losing the grip of his wine cup.''Almost like a fairy from heaven,'' Another one added.However, the more shocked one was none other than Marcus.His eyes widened in horror, his chest tightening as realization dawned on him.That person he referred to as a cheap slut posing to be an influential guest was actually a big shot.Instantly, his palms felt sweaty as his mind raced with various thoughts.He could only hope that Katerina didn't take offence in his not-so-gentlemanly utterances. And at best, she wouldn't try to teach him a lesson.Otherwise… he would be risking his spot for one of the candidates. A position he had spent tons of money and energy on.Unfazed by the background noise and admiration, Katerina grasped the mic, ready to welcome the dignitaries present.However…''Bitch!'' A discordant voice beamed from nowhere, making everyone in the hall freeze in their thoughts.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-
The soft, morning sun rays grazed Christopher Blake, Austin's biological father, as he stepped out of the plane.He held a little brown box, and from the large smile on his not-so-wrinkled face, one could figure out his present mood.He had been on Austin's neck to come take over the company. However, ever since his only son left the house after their minor dispute, he has never answered or returned his calls.He blocked him out of his life. He couldn't even invite him to his wedding. If not for his complex chains of information, he might not even know that his son had a wife.However, everything was now in the past. His son had agreed to his demand, and he couldn't wait to go see him after so many years of longing and loneliness.'I'm sure he would've grown more beards now, any even taller?' Christopher grinned, as he mesmerized himself in reverie.He had yet to even take a few steps on the solid ground of the airport when he bumped into a man.Caught off guard, the box in his hands