RISE OF AN ESTRANGED TRILLIONAIRE SON

Chapter8

The windows of the penthouse were covered with rain drops. Heavy rain poured outside. But inside, it was warm and loud. The air smelled of perfume and champagne. A jazz band played soft music in the corner.

It was Emily Harris’s thirtieth birthday gala. The Harris Estate ballroom, usually cold and empty, was packed with people. Chandeliers lit up the room like daylight. Dresses swished past in bright colors, tuxedos gleamed. Waiters carried trays of champagne that never seemed to run out. Laughter rang out, though most of it sounded fake.

Veronica Harris stood near the fireplace in a red velvet dress, soaking up attention. She smiled tightly, nodding as people praised her. This party in all reality wasn’t really for Emily. It was a show. A sort of show off that, even with the company in trouble, the Harris name still mattered.

Emily stood next to her, dressed in pale blue silk. She smiled when people spoke to her, but her eyes looked tired. The last year had worn her down. Memories of the failing business, her mother’s control, and a husband she didn’t want, weighed on her mind. No one mentioned Adrian Carter. He wasn’t supposed to be mentioned at all. He didn’t even matter.

Near the drinks table, a man with silver hair was talking to Veronica. “I hear ReedTech just took over a logistics company. That new CEO is cleaning the house fast.”

Veronica’s smile faltered for half a second. “Ruthless,” she said, then added quickly, “But Harris Industries has survived worse. We have the strength and vision.” She looked at Emily when she said it, and Emily looked away. She knew better than anyone that it was all lies. But what she feared the most was the whole world knowing someday that it was all lies.

Then something shifted in the room. The chatter died down, almost like someone had pressed an invisible mute button. Everyone gathered there, slowly turned toward the main doors with curiosity and unease mixing in their expressions. Even the guards were affected. The security guard inside took a cautious step forward, with his brows knitting together.

All eyes fell on the man who was standing in the doorway. He wasn’t on the guest list. No one had announced him. Yet, he carried himself as if he owned the place. He was tall, with a perfectly cut charcoal suit. The suit hugged his frame just right. His dark hair was perfectly slicked back.

But that wasn’t the shocking thing. It was his face. That face, people recognized it. Only that it was different now, and it made the people there doubt if he was actually the one. His face looked hard. His ice-blue eyes were cold and sharp. They didn’t even blink as they swept over the room, scanning each person like he was looking for someone. Or like he had lost something. The whole room remained silent and without knowing, everyone had the same thoughts.

Them the whispers started.

“Is that…?”

“It can’t be…”

“Adrian Carter?”

But this wasn’t the Adrian Carter they knew. He was no longer the quiet errand boy, or the shadow in the Harris home. This man walked like he owned the room. People moved aside without a word as he headed for the fireplace. Veronica stood stiff. Her face suddenly turned pale. Emily’s hand went to her mouth.

He stopped a few steps away from them. His eyes locked on Veronica. “Veronica,” he said. Then, turning briefly to Emily, “Emily.” Her breath caught. “Nice party. Sorry for the interruption.”

Veronica’s voice shook with anger. “Adrian! What is the meaning of this? How dare you? Security!”

The guard stepped forward, but the man who had walked in with Adrian, taller, heavier, with a hand inside his jacket, made him stop. Adrian raised a finger, silencing Veronica. “For those who don’t recognize me… my name is Adrian Carter-Reed. CEO of ReedTech Incorporated.”

Gasps filled the room. The name alone was enough to stun people.

“You may remember my late father, Jonathan Reed,” he went on. “Or maybe you remember the offers ReedTech made to buy Harris Industries. Offers you rejected.” His gaze swept the board members.

Veronica’s voice rose. “Lies! You’re nothing! A delivery boy in a suit!”

Adrian smiled coldly. His bodyguard handed him a leather folder. He pulled out a single page. “This is a copy of the acquisition agreement filed this afternoon. ReedTech now owns ninety-two percent of Harris Industries. As of right now, Harris Industries no longer exists as its own company. It belongs to me.”

The room erupted as shocked gasps escaped the lips of the guests gathered. Emily’s legs went weak. She wished this was some stumt. She prayed it was maybe a dream. But this wasn’t a stunt. It was real.

Adrian turned back to Veronica. “Your position as COO is terminated. Effective immediately.”

The board members, whom Veronica had insisted must be present at the party, all stared at each other. They of course were unable to utter a word due to the amount of shock that held their tongue. Adrian then looked at Emily with a cold smile. His eyes softened a bit. His voice was calm but heavy. “Emily, the company you were meant to inherit now belongs to me. Happy birthday.”

Emily flinched like he’d slapped her.

Adrian gave the room one last look. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.” Then he turned and walked out, his bodyguard at his side. At the door, he paused.

“Actually scratch that. The party’s over,” he said with a voice of authority that shook the room and left. And just like that, everyone grabbed their things with whispers filling the room, as they left one after the other. And not even Veronica or Emily could stop them.