Crown of Fortune

Chapter 6 Alaric Takes Action

Alaric calmly punched in Gideon's number, his voice steady. "Gideon, look into the projects Jade's been negotiating at Auriga Global. Check if there's a million-dollar deal in play, and identify the company and person responsible."

The response came with instant deference. "Young Master, Auriga Global is actually one of our family's investments. I'll have Chairman Sydney personally pay you a visit."

Huh?

Auriga Global belonged to their family?

Nice power move, Dad.

A flash of regret shot through him—why hadn't he claimed the family empire sooner?

"Unnecessary. Just clear all bureaucratic hurdles for Jade immediately," Alaric replied coolly.

"With respect, Young Master," Gideon suggested, "why not simply acquire the other company? Funds aren't an obstacle."

Bloody hell!

Acquisition?

Classic aristocratic butler thinking.

Since when do you throw your weight around, Gideon?

"Subtlety, ever heard of it? If I wanted to buy them out, I wouldn't have waited," Alaric retorted, exasperated.

"Understood, Young Master. Ten minutes," Gideon conceded.

The call ended and Gideon moved with military precision, instructing his secretary to summon Henry, CEO of Auriga Global.

When Henry's phone displayed Gideon's secretary's caller ID, his pulse spiked as adrenaline flooded his veins. "Chairman Gideon! What can I do for you?"

This was Olympus Reach's wealthiest man! The titan behind Nexora Group! People would kill for five minutes of his time.

"Henry," Gideon's voice carried ironclad authority, "it's not my request—it's my Young Master's."

To the Young Master, Gideon was the picture of deference. To outsiders? An untouchable titan of industry who commanded fear.

"Y-Young Master?"

Henry froze in his CEO chair, ice-cold sweat soaking through his dress shirt.

Gideon answered to someone higher?

What unimaginable power lurked above even Olympus Reach's king?

"What...what does the Young Master require of me?" Henry stammered, walking on eggshells.

"There's an employee named Jade in your company. Who's the client she's been dealing with recently?" Butler Hale inquired over the phone.

Mr. Sydney knew Jade well - the marketing department VP, a capable woman he'd secretly desired for years.

Never mind that she was married.

If anything, that made her more interesting.

Beads of sweat formed on Mr. Sydney's forehead as he hurried to the marketing department.

The entire Auriga Global marketing team fell silent when their chairman entered.

"Where's Vice President Kingsley?" Mr. Sydney asked.

"She's out negotiating a business deal," an employee replied.

"Which company?" he pressed.

"Mr. Rowan from Vitalis Pharma," came the response.

Picking up his phone, Mr. Sydney turned and spoke respectfully, "Mr. Hale, it's Vitalis Pharma's Mr. Rowan."

"Understood," Hale replied before ending the call.

Within minutes, Hale used his connections to deliver a warning to Vitalis Pharma.

After decades of service, the butler could read his young master's intentions perfectly.

This Rowan fellow had clearly offended the young master.

Six minutes later, Alaric's phone rang as he returned to the hospital. "Young master, the matter has been handled."

"Good. Keep Jade in the dark about this. And silence anyone who might talk - I won't tolerate loose lips," Alaric instructed.

"Understood, young master. Discretion is paramount," Hale responded.

Hanging up, Alaric gazed at the hospital building with a wry smile.

Jade, oh Jade, you always claim you can't rely on me.

Now you'll see how easily I can help you with just a word.

I wonder what expression you'll wear when you finally learn it was me helping you?

Meanwhile, back at the Hilton's sixth-floor restaurant...

A thoroughly intoxicated Mr. Rowan was getting inappropriate across the table.

"Vice President Kingsley, if you keep eating without drinking, I'll take it as disrespect," Rowan said, his expression darkening.

Jade forced a polite smile. "You misunderstand, Mr. Rowan. I'm unwell and can't drink alcohol."

This fat guy wouldn't stop touching her - really annoying.

"Hmph! If that's your attitude, Vice President, then we have nothing further to discuss."

Rowan scoffed icily, his voice laced with threat. "Ms. Kingsley, you should understand that Auriga Global isn't the only company vying for our partnership. Dozens of firms are begging for my attention."

At his words, Jade's brows furrowed sharply as she hesitated, her gaze falling upon the glass of red wine before her.

"Very well, I'll drink with you, Mr. Rowan," she conceded.

She picked up the bottle and poured herself a full glass.

Rowan's beady eyes gleamed as he studied her under the chandelier's glow. She was breathtaking—exuding sophisticated beauty, every curve radiating allure.

Jade tossed back the wine in a single swallow. "There. Are we done? Now about our collaboration—"

"No need to rush, Ms. Kingsley," Rowan interrupted with a predatory grin. "Why don't we continue this discussion somewhere more private?" His true intentions for the evening now laid bare.

The moment he finished speaking, his palm slid onto her thigh, fingers creeping upward—

*SMACK!*

Jade sprang to her feet and slapped him hard across the face. "Keep your hands to yourself!" she snapped.

"You f*****g b***h!" Rowan roared, his face contorting with rage as he lunged up, arm raised to strike back—

*RIIING!*

The sudden ringing of his phone shattered the moment. He grabbed the device like a lifeline, glaring at Jade's retreating figure as he snarled, "Who the hell is this?!"

"Rowan! Is that how you address me?!" The voice roared back just as furious.

"Mr. Jessica! So sorry, sir!" Rowan immediately turned servile. "Thought it was another spam call. What can I do for you?"

This was Mr. Jessica—CEO of NovaPharma. Why was he calling now? Though it wrecked his seduction attempt, Rowan didn't dare protest.

"Don't play dumb! Are you deliberately blocking Ms. Kingsley's proposal?" Mr. Jessica's voice trembled with fury.

Just minutes before, he'd received a call from Mr. Gideon, Olympus Reach's wealthiest man. The unmistakable threat in that conversation had chilled his blood.

Rowan had foolishly provoked someone infinitely more powerful!

"H-how did you know about this, sir?" Rowan stammered, bewildered. Had Jade complained? But a mid-level manager wouldn't have direct access to the CEO...

That doesn't make sense. Just a marketing VP wouldn't have direct access to the chairman.

"How the f**k would I know? You trying to get fired?" Chairman Li's voice exploded through the phone. "The deal with Vitalis Pharma is greenlit, effective immediately! And you'd better grovel to VP Kingsley in person. If she doesn't accept your apology, clean out your desk and get out!"

*Slams phone down*

The line went dead, leaving Rowan shell-shocked.

There was no mistaking it—Chairman Li was absolutely livid.

Rowan scrambled after Jade like his life depended on it. "Ms. Kingsley! Please wait!"

Jade turned warily, eyes narrowed. "Mr. Rowan? What now?"

The man practically bowed at her feet, hands clasped. "I'm so sorry! I was completely out of line. We'll sign the contract immediately—please forgive my moment of poor judgment."

Jade's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're serious?"

This million-dollar deal she'd fought for all month! Her commission alone would cover Aria's treatments.

Within ten minutes, the paperwork was signed.

Everything happened so fast Jade was still processing it. "Mr. Rowan, you're saying your chairman personally approved this?"

Rowan plastered on a fake smile. "Exactly! Had I known you were connected to Chairman Jessica, we could've avoided this misunderstanding."

Jade nodded slowly, baffled. She'd never met Vitalis Pharma's chairman. So who had intervened?

Elandor? She'd only mentioned the issue to him that morning.

She needed answers.

The thought made her unconsciously compare Alaric to Elandor—and her husband paled in comparison.

Pathetic. Completely pathetic.

Meanwhile, Alaric remained oblivious that his behind-the-scenes help had been credited to his rival. The realization would have made him furious.

The following afternoon.

Alaric slid into the waiting Bentley limousine.

Today was the day Alaric had arranged to meet someone with Gideon.

Just as the car pulled away, a young woman not far behind narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the scene, muttering under her breath, "That figure looks a bit like Alaric..."

Carrie was at the hospital to visit her cousin's daughter.

She hadn't wanted to come at all, but her parents had insisted—family comes first, and skipping the visit would be rude.

Right as she reached the hospital entrance, she caught sight of Alaric stepping into the car.

Still, there was no way she'd believe her deadbeat brother-in-law could possibly be riding in such a luxury vehicle.

This was a Bentley, for crying out loud!

Shrugging it off, Carrie headed into the inpatient ward.

Inside the moving Bentley, Alaric slouched lazily in his seat and asked, "Gideon, who exactly are we meeting today? Is this going to be a hassle?"

Gideon replied respectfully, "Young Master, no trouble at all. He's a prominent collector in the country—a friend of mine."

"Why should I meet your friend?" Alaric shot back.

Damn it, Gideon. What is this, some old man's midlife crisis?

You're this age and still playing these games?

Gideon smiled warmly. "Young Master, it's just a billion-dollar deal. You'll need to learn the ropes if you're to take over the family assets soon."

Hearing this, Alaric jerked his head up to stare at Gideon.

A billion-dollar deal—small?!

Biting back the urge to snark, he said instead, "Gideon, do you know how the cow died?"*

Unbelievable. Seven years apart, and the old man had only gotten better at showing off.

Here he was, the rightful heir to an empire, and he still felt like he'd just been upstaged.

*A Chinese idiom referring to someone who brags so much they exhaust themselves.