The Grand Aurora International stood like a monument of excess beneath the velvet night sky.
An eight-star hotel and one of the crown jewels of the Lancaster Family empire.
Its crystal façade shimmered beneath cascading gold lights. Imported marble lined the entrance. Tonight, it was fully booked. Not a single suite was vacant. The hotel was not only the Lancaster Family's most popular establishment, but also their highest-grossing property worldwide.
Inside a black Maybach parked across the driveway, Nicholas sat quietly in the back seat. His gaze remained calm as he observed through the tinted glass.
At the entrance, a middle-aged couple dressed in formal attire welcomed guests with cheerful smiles. The Lancasters' second master and his wife moved in perfect sync as they bowed and ushered guests inside.
"Ah, isn't this Phoebe, the Grant family's only princess? Your glow overshadows everything else. Please come inside. You are most welcome."
"Oh no. Madam Naomi looks younger than girls in their teens. I will have to ask for advice on how to stay young and beautiful."
"Oh, stop teasing. Please come in."
"Mr. Grant, thank you for honoring our invitation."
"Who would refuse an invite from the Lancaster family? You are too kind, Madam."
"Hahaha."
As the family had their invitation checked and were ushered inside, a man in a tailored suit approached discreetly. He leaned in and whispered something into their ears.
The couple's expressions changed instantly. The second master, Gregory Lancaster, staggered half a step backward. His wife, Naomi, nearly lost her footing in shock.
"I will leave this to you, Madam. Please take care of the incoming guests," Gregory said, gently patting Naomi's shoulder before quickly excusing himself.
Left alone, she forced her smile back into place and continued welcoming guests as though nothing had happened.
Nicholas' lips curved faintly.
"Efficient," he murmured.
Alfred, seated in front, replied softly, "The board members have begun receiving the preliminary reports."
Before Nicholas could respond, headlights swept across the entrance. A luxury Mercedes-Benz SUV rolled to a smooth stop and the rear door opened.
A man stepped out first, impeccably dressed. Then Evelyn Cooper emerged. She wore a fitted crimson evening gown, diamonds resting elegantly along her collarbone. Her posture radiated pride and satisfaction.
The man extended his arm and she hooked hers through it naturally. Together, they ascended the steps, ignoring greetings from those who recognized them.
Nicholas' gaze darkened slightly. The golden mark on his hand pulsed.
[KIPS has detected a Core Presence.]
[Activate Secret Archive Access?]
"Yes."
The world dimmed subtly. Data streamed across his vision.
TARGET: Adrian Wales
Status: Sole Heir — Wales Consortium
Asset Overview:
• Global shipping dominance across three continents
• Controlling shares in five international oil refineries
• 18% silent stake in the Eastern Financial Reserve
• Private defense contracts with multiple sovereign states
• Estimated family valuation: $420 billion plus
Influence Index: Extremely High
Psychological State: Elevated anticipation
Hidden Intent Detected:
• Proposal prepared
• Engagement ring secured on person
• Planned public proposal during primary toast segment
Probability of Proposal Tonight: 93.6%
Awareness Level:
• Evelyn Cooper: Unaware
• Lancaster Family: Unaware
• Media: Unaware
Nicholas' eyes narrowed faintly.
"So that's the plan."
Alfred turned slightly. "Master?"
"The Wales heir intends to propose tonight."
Alfred's brows lifted slightly in confusion. "Publicly?"
Nicholas kept his gaze fixed on Evelyn as she disappeared into the hotel.
"Very publicly."
Alfred knowingly gazed at Nicholas wondering how he knew.
Inside the grand entrance hall, guests parted instinctively as Adrian Wales guided Evelyn forward like a conqueror presenting his prize.
Nicholas' fingers tapped lightly against the leather armrest.
"Scan criminal background. Full depth," he thought.
The golden mark pulsed. Data streamed, then abruptly glitched. The translucent interface flickered violently.
[Access Denied.]
Nicholas' brows furrowed.
"Denied?"
He had never seen SSA refuse a request before.
[Warning.]
[Data volume exceeds safe archival parameters.]
[Content severity beyond psychological tolerance threshold.]
[System safeguard engaged to prevent SSA structural collapse.]
Nicholas' eyes darkened.
"What does that mean?"
There was a brief pause.
[The Wales Family criminal record contains extreme-scale violations.]
[Graphic content density exceeds permitted host exposure level.]
[To preserve system integrity, full archive has been sealed.]
For the first time since using SSA, Nicholas felt genuine shock.
"How heinous," he muttered under his breath.
The golden glow dimmed slightly.
[Severity index: Catastrophic.]
[Recommendation: Avoid direct confrontation until strength attributes increase.]
Nicholas' jaw tightened.
Through the glass doors, he saw Evelyn laughing softly at something Adrian whispered into her ear.
She believed she had found a family strong enough to rival any. The Wales were more than powerful. They were monstrous. But that would not stop him from ruining every one of them who had caused him distress and destruction.
The interface flickered again.
[Strategic Intent Detected.]
[Marriage proposal designed as political acquisition.]
[Post-marriage projection:]
• Cooper Family leadership absorption within 24 months
• Financial restructuring under Wales control
• Illegal asset rerouting through Cooper corporate channels
• Liability concentration onto Cooper subsidiaries
[Final projection: Cooper Family positioned as primary scapegoat in event of federal exposure.]
Nicholas' eyes turned cold.
"So they intend to marry her, control the Coopers, then discard them when convenient."
[Correct.]
[System Suggestion: Non-interference.]
[Allow Wales Consortium to utilize Cooper Family.]
[Projected Outcome: Cooper collapses within 3 to 5 years.]
[No strategic disadvantage to Host.]
Nicholas sneered.
"They used me when I was weak," he said quietly. "Now she is about to walk into something far worse."
[Emotional deviation detected.]
His gaze sharpened.
"And I will not let the Wales use her as a pawn for more filth."
[Personal revenge motivation identified.]
"Nor can I wait three to five years for the Cooper family to fall and never rise again."
Alfred stepped out and opened the car door. Cool night air brushed against Nicholas' face as he stepped out.
"Prepare the secondary projection," Nicholas ordered softly.
"Understood, Master."
The golden interface shimmered once more.
[Warning: Direct interference with Wales Consortium increases host mortality probability by 37%.]
Nicholas' lips curved slightly.
"Then I will simply have to become stronger."
His gaze locked onto the grand entrance.
"Tonight, no proposal will happen."
****
Nicholas walked ahead while Alfred followed slightly behind, accompanied by two imposing bodyguards.
The moment they reached the top of the marble steps, Madam Naomi Lancaster looked up.
Her polite, rehearsed smile froze. Without doubt, she recognized Alfred Whitmore instantly. Not just as a businessman, but as the public face of Whitmore Holdings.
The man who handled international negotiations. The man who stood before cameras on behalf of the unseen president.
If Alfred was here…
And walking slightly behind this young man…
Then that meant only one thing.
Her breath caught. Without hesitation, Naomi Lancaster bowed deeply.
"President Whitmore, it is our honor to welcome you," she said with the utmost respect.
The entire entrance fell silent. Several elites who were already inside turned toward the doors, curiosity flashing across their faces.
Among them was Evelyn.
The moment she heard the subtle commotion, she turned around. What she saw made her heart skip.
Naomi Lancaster, the Second Mistress of the Lancaster Family, rumored to be the wealthiest family on the surface and second only to the Wales in true power, was bowing.
Bowing to Nicholas.
Her useless, forsaken, abandoned ex-husband.
And behind him stood Alfred Whitmore, the man her father had tried multiple times to contact.
No one in the hall failed to recognize Alfred. He was a prominent figure, the public face of Whitmore Holdings. Everyone knew that behind him stood the true president, a man whose identity remained hidden.
Yet Alfred stood behind Nicholas with unmistakable deference.
Evelyn froze.
Her fingers tightened instinctively around Adrian's arm.
Her mind raced.
Was the weak man she divorced just days ago some hidden heir?
Impossible.
His family had fallen. They were destroyed, convicted, and stripped of everything.
Unless… unless everything she believed had been wrong.
Her breath turned shallow.
No.
It had to be a ploy.
Nicholas must be staging this to regain her attention.
There was no other explanation.
Nicholas, who could not be bothered by the complex emotions and questions written all over Evelyn's face, ignored her completely.
He had just taken three steps when a chuckle rumbled through the air.
"I never would have thought the injury from my thorny rod would heal so fast.
Nicholas, how is your face perfectly fine without a scar?
Huh?
An abandoned dog from the Cooper family claiming airs and pretending to be some mysterious president.
Your act is pathetic.
Why don't you kneel and beg me?
I might consider letting you off and helping you escape the investigation.
If Madam Naomi finds out you're nothing but a scam, a liar, and a good-for-nothing pretending to be a rich sir, you won't be able to escape prison."
Evelyn smirked.