Chapter 57

"Lucian?"

Gasps erupted through the grand hall.

Every head swiveled toward the entrance. Lucian Blackwood stood framed in the doorway, an elegant woman at his side.

Her porcelain skin glowed, her features exquisitely sculpted. Every movement carried innate grace.

"Aurora Sinclair?"

Someone blurted the name aloud.

Violette's pupils contracted. Why was she with Lucian?

Before anyone could react, Victor Montgomery sneered, "You dare show your face?"

"Mr. Blackwood will arrive any moment," Zachary Winthrop added with mock concern. "Shouldn't you be running for your life instead of walking to your doom?"

Dylan Prescott and Nina Rutherford exchanged smirks.

"I came to celebrate Violette's birthday." Lucian's calm voice cut through the tension. Behind him, servers carried stacks of gilded gift boxes.

"Celebrate?" Zachary scoffed. "You think you're worthy?"

"Allow me to handle this." Charles Kensington stepped forward, his smile dripping with condescension.

Dylan muttered, "This venue belongs to Mr. Kensington. Is Lucian begging for humiliation?"

"Let's watch him get thrown out," Jasper Kensington snickered.

Charles looked down his nose at Lucian. "This is my private event. No invitation means no entry."

"Frankly, you don't belong here."

"Security!" he barked. "Remove these trespassers!"

The guards hesitated. "Sir, this is an exclusive gathering..."

"I'll pay double." Lucian's tone never wavered.

The security team froze.

"Double?" Charles laughed. "After swindling my son, now you challenge my wealth?"

As Southridge's richest man, he'd never lost a financial battle.

The crowd tittered. Beating Jasper in a spending contest meant nothing against a true tycoon.

"Name your terms." Lucian remained unruffled.

Violette stamped her foot. "Lucian, stop! You can't possibly—"

Charles lifted his chin. "You want a bidding war? Let's make it interesting."

He'd spend any amount to curry favor with the incoming Mr. Blackwood.

"Very well." Lucian gave Violette's hand a reassuring pat.

The guards scurried to fetch the owner.

All eyes gleamed with anticipation.

A portly man with long hair hurried in. His gaze lingered on Lucian, recognition flickering.

"Mr. Zhang." Zachary greeted him obsequiously.

This venue owner moved in powerful circles, far above Zachary's league.

"Shall we begin the auction?" Mr. Zhang asked with interest.

"No." Charles smirked. "Every bid gets paid immediately. No refunds—consider it birthday entertainment for Violette."

The room buzzed.

This wasn't mere posturing. The loser would forfeit actual millions.

"Still game?" Charles taunted.

Try me, boy. You're out of your depth.