Chapter 49 - 49 - Confrontation at the Mansion: Ambition and Scorn_Rise of The Abandoned Husband

I stood at the window of my apartment, watching the morning light spread across Havenwood City. Today was the meeting at the No. 1 Grand Mansion—a gathering where Roman Volkov would officially select his partner for the herbpany. Though everyone thought this meeting was about forming new business rtionships, it was really about establishing who held true power in this city.

 My phone buzzed with a message from Isabelle: "Remember what we discussed. You don''t need to prove anything to anyone but yourself."

 I smiled, recalling our conversation from the other night. Isabelle could have easily pulled strings to ce me at the top of Havenwood''s social hierarchy. She had the connections and resources to turn me into a prominent figure overnight. But she understood something crucial about me—I needed to forge my own path.

 Another message arrived: "They''ll underestimate you. Use it."

 She was right. Being underestimated had be my greatest advantage.

 ---

 The No. 1 Grand Mansion lived up to its name. The sprawling estate sat on the highest hill in Havenwood, its marble fa?ade gleaming in the midday sun. A line of luxury vehicles snaked up the private drive—Bentleys, Rolls-Royces, and custom sports cars, each more ostentatious than thest.

 Inside, the grand ballroom buzzed with Havenwood''s elite. Men in tailored suits and women dripping with jewelry clustered in tight groups, theirughter just a bit too loud, their smiles not quite reaching their eyes. The air was thick with expensive cologne, ambition, and desperation.

 I spotted the Prescott brothers, Damian and Alec, standing awkwardly by the refreshment table. Their usual confidence had evaporated. When they noticed me, Damian''s face twisted with regret.

 "Knight," he acknowledged with a stiff nod. "Looks like you were right about the Soul Nourishment Pills."

 Alec couldn''t meet my eyes. "We should have listened to you when you approached us. Ourpany has lost significant market share to Volkov''s distribution."

 "The market rewards those who take risks," I replied, keeping my tone neutral. "There will be other opportunities."

 "Not like this one," Damian muttered, ncing toward the entrance where amotion had erupted.

 Sebastian Hawthorne had arrived, nked by his personal security. Tall and imposing with silver-streaked dark hair, Sebastian carried himself with the assurance of someone who had never heard the word "no." The crowd parted like water around a boulder as he moved through the room.

 "Hawthorne Pharmaceuticals will secure this partnership," Alec whispered. "They''ve already invested millions in new production facilities."

 I watched as businessmen practically tripped over themselves to shake Sebastian''s hand. Their eagerness reminded me of how people once treated me—with dismissal and contempt. Now they offered the same deference to Sebastian that they denied me.

 "Look who else arrived," Damian nodded toward the entrance.

 Gideon ckwood strode in with Seraphina Sterling on his arm. My ex-wife wore a crimson dress that hugged her curves, her golden hair swept into an borate updo. She looked polished, beautiful, and utterly cold.

 Gideon spotted me immediately. A smug smile spread across his face as he whispered something to Seraphina. They changed course, heading directly toward me.

 "Well, well," Gideon''s voice dripped with mock surprise. "Look who managed to sneak past security."

 I took a sip of my drink. "Hello, Gideon. Seraphina."

 Seraphina''s gaze flicked over me, deliberately assessing. "I''m surprised the Ashworths let their pet wander off-leash."

 A few nearby conversations stopped as people turned to watch our interaction.

 "I wasn''t aware I needed permission to attend business meetings," I replied calmly.

 Gideonughed, too loudly. "Business meetings? Is that what you think this is?" He gestured around the room. "This is where real power yers decide the future of Havenwood. Not former live-in sons-inw ying at being businessmen."

 I noticed the Prescott brothers slowly backing away, unwilling to be associated with whatever confrontation was brewing.

 "I''m curious," I said, deliberately changing the subject. "How did you secure an invitation? Last I checked, ckwood Industries was struggling to maintain market share."

 A muscle twitched in Gideon''s jaw. "Unlike you, I have legitimate business connections. The Hawthornes have personally guaranteed our involvement in this venture."

 "Is that so?"

 "Sebastian Hawthorne and I havee to an understanding," he boasted, puffing out his chest. "Our families will be working very closely together."

 "How convenient for you."

 Seraphina stepped forward, her perfume suffocating in its intensity. "You know what your problem is, Liam? You never understood how things work. Sess isn''t about what you know—it''s about who you know."

 "And who you sleep with?" I asked mildly.

 Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Watch yourself. You''re not among friends here."

 Gideon ced his hand possessively on Seraphina''s waist. "Once this partnership is finalized, ckwood Industries will control distribution of the Soul Nourishment Pills throughout the eastern seaboard. The Hawthornes have already drawn up the contracts."

 "Interesting theory," I replied. "Though I suspect Roman Volkov might have different ns."

 "Roman Volkov is a nobody who got lucky," Gideon scoffed. "He doesn''t have the capacity to scale production without backing from established pharmaceuticalpanies. Sebastian Hawthorne will crush him if he doesn''t cooperate."

 I fought to keep my expression neutral. If only they knew who actually created the Soul Nourishment Pills. Their ignorance was almost amusing.

 "I suppose we''ll see how things unfold," I said.

 Seraphina''sugh was brittle. "Still clinging to delusions. Some things never change." She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Tell me, Liam, does Isabelle Ashworth know how pathetic you really are? Or have you managed to fool her too?"

 Before I could respond, a hush fell over the room. Roman Volkov had finally arrived, apanied by a team ofwyers carrying briefcases. He looked nervous but determined as he made his way to the small stage at the front of the ballroom.

 "Ladies and gentlemen," Roman began, his voice trembling slightly. "Thank you foring today. I know many of you are interested in forming partnerships with mypany regarding the distribution of the Soul Nourishment Pills."

 Sebastian Hawthorne moved toward the front, positioning himself prominently. The message was clear—he expected to be called up first.

 Gideon smirked at me. "Watch and learn how real business is conducted." Enjoyingthestory?Discovermoreon*.</abbr>

 "I''d like to rify something before we proceed," Roman continued, gaining confidence. "While I appreciate all the interest, I''ve already secured an exclusive production and distribution arrangement with my primary partner."

 Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Sebastian Hawthorne''s expression darkened.

 "This meeting isn''t about selecting a new partner," Roman exined. "It''s about introducing you to the actual creator and true owner of the Soul Nourishment Pill form."

 All eyes turned toward the side entrance as Roman gestured dramatically. But no one appeared.

 Gideon snickered. "Looks like your distributor friend is having some technical difficulties."

 Roman looked around in confusion, then his gazended on me. Relief washed over his face. "There he is! Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce the brilliant mind behind the Soul Nourishment Pills—Mr. Liam Knight!"

 The room fell silent as every head turned in my direction. Sebastian Hawthorne''s face flushed with anger. The Prescott brothers gaped openly.

 Gideon''s smug smile froze, then crumbled. "That''s... that''s impossible. You''re lying."

 I calmly handed my empty ss to a passing waiter and walked toward the stage. The crowd parted, this time for me.

 "This is absurd," Seraphina hissed loudly enough for those nearby to hear. "He was nothing but a useless live-in son-inw for three years. He couldn''t create a form like that."

 I paused beside her, meeting her gaze directly. "Yet here we are."

 As I took my ce next to Roman on the stage, I nced back at Gideon and Seraphina. They stood frozen in shock, their carefully constructed ns crumbling around them.

 Roman handed me the microphone. The room waited in tense silence.

 Seraphina recovered first, her voice cutting through the quiet. "This is some kind of scam. The Ashworths must have put him up to this."

 Gideon nodded vigorously. "Exactly! He''s just their puppet. The formtion must havee from Veridia City''s researchbs."

 Then, Seraphina Sterling looked at me and mocked, "That''s why I say, ability is innate. A loser is a loser, even if they cling to the Ashworth family, they''re still just losers!"

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Chapter 49 - 49 - Confrontation at the Mansion: Ambition and Scorn