Inside the conference room, Silva stepped in—only to halt mid-step, visibly taken aback. Sitting across the table was June.
"What's all this about?"
she thought sharply.
"Is this a joke? And why didn't Father inform me she'll be here?"
"Are you going to just stand there, or take a seat?"
Lucius's voice cut through the tension.
"Of course, F—"
Silva began, but her words were abruptly cut off as June spoke up with a sweet, calculated smile.
"Please, Father, be easy on her. After all, she's the bride of our savior, you know,"
June said, flashing a smile at Silva.
"What is this?"
Silva thought, her gaze flicking between them.
"Is this some pathetic attempt to keep me on my toes, Father?"
She sat down, her icy smile fixed on June.
Just then, Richard entered. Their father's face lit up with excitement as he gestured for him to sit.
"This bastard again? What else should I expect—he's on the current list of successors,"
Silva thought, her eyes narrowing at Richard's cold gaze.
"Which makes me wonder... is Asher trying to take him out too?"
She sneered inwardly, both mockingly and knowingly.
Meanwhile, Michael remained seated across from Christian, who had casually invited him in—his arm draped over the chair, his presence radiating a sinister and arrogant air of superiority. Yet Michael stayed calm, unshaken.
"So tell me,"
Christian said coldly,
"what's the point of this court scheme again? I'm sure a smart man like you knows you're just wasting money on a fake pregnancy."
"Smart?"
Christian sneered inwardly.
"Then again, you should never underestimate a pathological clown like him."
Just then, Michael's sharp voice snapped Christian out of his thoughts.
"Mr. Christian, let's cut the nonsense."
"We both know you're the one in need of that fake pregnancy pinned on me, don't we?"
Michael smiled coolly.
"So why not hand her over? Besides, the internet's already doing a fantastic job painting your image in a less-than-flattering light."
"Really?"
Christian responded, his gaze unsettlingly still.
"Because the internet I know seems to have you pegged as an abusive man—explains why your company's sales are plummeting."
He leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper with a menacing undertone.
"So, I'll say this once more—out of generosity. Do you really want to take this to court?"
"Is this a threat?"
Michael responded, masking his terror and fear behind a forced calm.
"Of course not... in fact, you're free to do as you wish,"
Christian said, stepping back with a smile.
"If you don't value your existence, that is."
"Ah, right... people like him base their power on supremacy, looking down on those they deem lesser, just as history has shown us time and time again,"
Michael thought to himself.
"Alright, fine. You're right. I give up,"
Michael said with a smile, getting up to leave.
"It would be foolish of me to win a court case against a giant like you,"
he added, pausing by the automatic noise-canceling door.
"So you're right. My only option is to give in, Mister Christian."
He turned back to look at Christian with a challenging gaze.
"And I'm sure you don't actually believe that, do you?"
Michael thought, walking away with a smirk on his lips.
Meanwhile, Christian sneered, seeing through Michael's act.
"I'm sure even he knows that was pathetic."
Christian picked up his phone and called Jayden.
"I need you to keep an eye on him."
"On it!"Jayden replied with a sweet smile."But why bother yourself with someone like him?"
"I have a feeling he's up to something… something intricate,"Christian said, his tone low and thoughtful.
"Besides, based on those glares and his choice of words, it's written all over his face—he thinks a powerful figure like me will eventually be taken down."
Christian chuckled softly at the thought, a sneer forming on his lips.
Jayden's voice cut through."So why don't you just finish him off?"
"No,"Christian replied, smirking."I'm intrigued. I want to see which path he'll take in seeking his revenge."
Just then, it hit Jayden. He abruptly stood, letting his fruit drop from his hand.
"Don't tell me… you think he might ally himself with him?"
"The probability is quite high,"Christian said, smirking as he stared out at the glowing metropolis."That's why I told you to keep an eye on him—because I need solid justification to end him myself."
"Alright, got it,"Jayden replied cheerfully, already moving into action.
"Besides, I behaved that way and said those things as a test for him,"
Christian thought, recalling his earlier interaction with Michael."Now let's wait patiently and see how this seed will blossom—or what path he'll choose to take against me."
"And by the way, I'm sure you're aware Brandon's arriving on Thursday?"Christian asked calmly, each word measured.
"Of course. Granny Elaine told me, and I even got invited to his homecoming on Friday—unlike someone I know here,"Jayden teased with a smirk.
"Shut it. Just make sure you keep an eye out for any suspicious activity,"Christian replied coldly."Especially, I need you to look after Christiana and my wife's safety."
"Oh? Your wife now?"Jayden said mischievously."How cruel of you—as always."
"I'm 💯 sure he's plotting something involving her,"Christian muttered, his eyes narrowing with a calculating gaze."After all, she was the woman Granny originally chose for him. And now… she's mine."
"You're right. But the question is—what exactly might he be planning this time?"Jayden asked seriously, sitting up from his relaxed position, now fully alert.
"I don't know yet. There are multiple possibilities. That's why I need you to stay sharp. After all—prevention is better than cure."Christian said firmly.
"Alright, fine. Count on me."
As Jayden hung up, Christian sat down, lost in thought.
"She allied herself with his older half-brother behind my back. So the possibility of her being deceived by Brandon—despite her been Smart and cunning—is dangerously high."
"I'd rather cut off all possible ways for him to interact with her."