Chapter 4
566 Words
The moment I appeared, the entire ballroom fell silent.
The custom haute couture gown draped perfectly over my figure. The sapphire necklace around my neck sparkled like captured starlight. Every socialite in attendance was instantly overshadowed.
Henry blinked in surprise. Clearly, he had no idea how much my outfit was worth. He probably assumed I'd rented everything.
"Sharon! What are you standing there for? Get up here!"
He barked orders from the stage.
Tiffany hurried over and grabbed my wrist so hard her nails nearly dug into my skin.
"You little brat. At least you're smart enough to show up. Get on stage and sign those papers. Don't test us in front of everyone, or it'll be nasty!"
I glanced at her coldly, and allowed her to drag me forward.
At center stage stood Victor James, fat, sweaty, and lecherous.
His eyes wandered shamelessly over my body. Drool practically pooled at the corners of his mouth.
"Mr. Powell, your daughter gets prettier every year. Why don't you just let her come home with me tonight?"
He rubbed his hands eagerly.
Henry burst into laughter. "As long as you're happy, Mr. James. We're family from now on."
He slapped the marriage agreement and organ donation form onto the table. A gold fountain pen rested beside them.
"Sign them, Sharon."
He looked down at me arrogantly. The guests below started chiming in.
"Come on, sign them! Your parents only want what's best for you!"
"Exactly! Marrying Mr. James is a blessing. And saving your brother's life makes you such a good daughter."
"Mr. Powell really raised his child well!"
Several bodyguards quietly moved in closer, blocking every possible escape route.
Tiffany grabbed the pen and shoved it into my hand. "Sign! Now!"
I lowered my eyes, looking at the two contracts. Contracts that were nothing more than bills of sale for my body and my future.
Suddenly, I laughed. The microphone amplified my laughter. It echoed throughout the entire ballroom.
Henry's face darkened. "What are you laughing at?"
I slowly raised my head. My gaze was sharp enough to cut flesh. I swept my eyes across Henry and Tiffany.
"I'm laughing because even now... you're still dreaming about fame and fortune. Even though you're already standing at the edge of your own graves."
Henry exploded, "You little b***h! What nonsense are you talking about?! Somebody grab her! Force her hand to sign!"
Several bodyguards lunged toward me.
I casually glanced at my watch. "It's about time."
Just as their fingers were about to touch me...
Boom!
The ballroom doors burst open. Kicked in from the outside.
Dozens of hulking bodyguards dressed in black suits and dark sunglasses stormed into the hall like a tidal wave. Henry's cheap hired guards were slammed to the floor within seconds.
The synchronized thud of military boots striking the floor echoed through the hall, carrying an almost suffocating sense of authority. The crowd instinctively moved aside, parting to create a wide path.
Dressed in a bespoke black suit, Conrad walked into the venue with unhurried confidence, commanding the room as though he owned it.
Ignoring every shocked stare in the room, he walked straight toward the stage.
Then under the stunned gaze of the city's wealthiest families and media elites. The youngest financial emperor in the capital lowered his head slightly, respectfully extending a document toward me.
"Miss Powell, your knight has arrived."
- Writer
