The entire crowd was gasping at the sight of him, no one really wanted to socialize with him. “You do not seem so pleased to see me,” Magnus spoke with a sarcastic gleam in his eyes, “I mean, I know we are rivalries but come on, we can put the past behind us, you know and move on.” Marcus was still gazing at him and now his anger grew to a seethed one. Marco could see the discomfort Magnus was causing for everyone and moved closer to the event to take the spotlight and salvage the situation. “You got me locked up with your twisted lies and you thought the law would keep me away forever, ain't it?” Magnus whispered through clenched teeth yet, everyone could his words. “Well, news flash, I still got out!” He groaned proudly and Marcus felt a sting in his heart. How was that even possible? He thought to himself whilst still trying to coin his words for a formal attack on Magnus. “Here you are, holding the mic and about to give a speech that would deceive people into thinking that y
Marcus stood in the ruins of the event hall, staring at the scattered champagne glasses, abandoned tables, and the wilted bouquets meant for a celebration that never happened. The crowd’s murmurs of discontent still echoed faintly in his mind. His knuckles were white as he gripped the edge of a podium, glaring at the exit Magnus and Lady Theresa had smugly walked through. “Sabotaged right under my nose,” Marcus muttered to himself. Marco approached him cautiously, his brotherly façade barely concealing the growing frustration beneath. “They played you perfectly,” Marco whispered, leaning close. “But don’t let them see you like this. We’ve got damage control to handle.” Mara stepped beside them, her previously radiant face now painted with a mix of confusion and frustration. “What’s the plan now, Marcus? Do we release a statement, try to spin this?” Marcus exhaled heavily, pushing his emotions deep down where they couldn’t interfere with his next move. “No.” His voice was cold. Cal
Back at his mansion, Marcus prepared for Magnus’s event. He wasn’t going to let his enemy steal the spotlight again. This time, he had a plan—a dangerous, calculated gamble that could either restore his reputation or destroy him entirely.Marco and Mara watched him from the sidelines, both silently calculating their next moves. They knew Marcus was planning something big, but neither of them knew exactly what. And in a world where alliances shifted like sand, trust was a luxury none of them could afford.As Marcus adjusted his tie and stared at his reflection in the mirror, he allowed himself a rare moment of vulnerability. His mind drifted to Camelia—her laugh, her warmth, the way she used to believe in him. He’d thought he could forget her, but the memory lingered, gnawing at the edges of his conscience.For the briefest moment, Marcus wondered if he’d made a mistake.But it was too late for second-guessing. The game was already in motion, and there was no turning back.With one las
The rest of the evening was a blur of forced smiles and shallow conversations. Marcus moved through the crowd, shaking hands with investors and donors, but his mind stayed on Magnus. Every interaction felt like a distraction, a waste of time compared to the real threat lurking just across the room.Meanwhile, Magnus worked the crowd with effortless charm, spinning tales of his “unjust imprisonment” and painting himself as the victim of Marcus’s ambition. The guests, eager for gossip, lapped up his stories, their opinions of Marcus slowly souring with every word Magnus uttered.Mara stayed close to Marcus, her presence a steadying influence, but even she could sense the tide turning against them. Whispers followed them wherever they went, and the once-warm smiles of the guests grew colder, more guarded.“Marcus,” Mara whispered as they approached the bar, “he’s poisoning them against you.”“I know,” Marcus muttered, grabbing a glass of whiskey from the bartender. “But we can’t confront
The sting of humiliation clung to Marcus’s skin as if it were a second layer. The once-grand ballroom now felt suffocating. Guests milled about in tight clusters, whispering behind half-raised champagne glasses, casting furtive glances in his direction. Magnus and Lady Theresa had thrown down the gauntlet in the most public, brutal way possible—and walked off the stage victorious. For the first time in years, Marcus felt like prey.Mara tugged at his arm again. "Marcus, let’s leave now. They’re not worth it."Marcus didn’t budge, his eyes locked on the empty stage. Fury boiled within him, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. Every part of him wanted to storm after Magnus, to rip the smug grin off his face and return the humiliation tenfold. But Marcus knew that reacting here, in front of everyone, would only deepen the damage Magnus had inflicted. He had to play this smarter.Marco appeared beside him, a mask of calm on his face, though Marcus could see the tension i
The following days were a strange lull. Magnus continued to bask in his newfound social prominence, using every opportunity to dig at Marcus. Rumors spread fast in their world, and soon, everyone believed that Marcus was the villain and Magnus the misunderstood hero.Marcus, however, kept his head down. Publicly, he attended to his businesses and stayed out of the spotlight. But behind the scenes, he was preparing for war. Marco worked tirelessly, pulling favors and gathering intel on Magnus. Mara, always by Marcus’s side, watched and waited, ready to make her move when the time was right.Late one night, Marcus stood at the floor-to-ceiling window of his penthouse, staring out at the city. His reflection stared back at him, cold and determined. Magnus had made a mistake by coming after him. And soon, he would pay for it.Mara approached him from behind, slipping her arms around his waist. “We’ll win,” she whispered against his ear.Marcus placed his hand over hers, his grip firm. “Ye
The following days were a blur of tension and unease. Marcus immersed himself in work, but every time he glanced at the headlines or checked his social media, his stomach twisted with frustration. Mara’s smiling face next to his, basking in the glory of the charity event, taunted him. She was the perfect partner, a sparkling jewel in the spotlight, while he felt like a tarnished coin.One evening, after a particularly grueling day, Marcus decided he needed a break. He poured himself a glass of whiskey and sank into the plush couch in his living room, staring blankly at the wall. The flickering light from the fireplace cast dancing shadows, but his thoughts were far from calm.Just then, the doorbell rang, pulling him from his spiral of despair. He reluctantly rose to answer it, unsure of who could be visiting him at this hour. Opening the door, he found Mara standing there, her hair tousled and her eyes sparkling with excitement.“Marcus! I was just in the neighborhood and thought I’d
As Marcus surveyed the crowded ballroom, he felt a rush of anticipation mixed with anxiety. The event was shaping up to be a dazzling affair, a night filled with laughter, networking, and the promise of significant contributions to the charity they were supporting. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that Magnus was lurking in the shadows, ready to make a move.“Are you ready?” Mara asked, her voice cutting through his thoughts. She stood beside him, radiating confidence in her stunning gown, a cascade of deep emerald that highlighted her features perfectly.“I guess as ready as I’ll ever be,” Marcus replied, forcing a smile. “Let’s show them what we’re made of.”Mara nodded, her enthusiasm infectious. “Just remember, focus on the positives. Tonight is about showcasing the Blackwood legacy, and you’re at the center of it.”As the event kicked off, Marcus took a deep breath and stepped into the spotlight. He greeted the crowd, thanking everyone for their presence and generosity. As he be