Chapter 32 Defying the King
"So what's your plan? If you don't come, company stock could be affected because the new CEO would be seen as incompetent or... not real."
Elijah smirked slightly, his genius brain starting to work. "Who says I'm not coming? I will come. But New York won't see my real face that easily."
He grabbed his phone and sent an additional message to Elena.
\[There's a big gala in New York tonight. My client's company gave me two VIP tickets as a bonus. You have to come with me, Ángel. Wear your prettiest dress. I'll pick you up at 7.\]
Elijah then looked back at Marcus. "Marcus, prepare the most expensive masquerade mask ever made. Tonight's party theme is Classic Elegance, right? I'll have the committee add an extra rule: all VIP guests in the main area must wear masks for the first hour for the 'mystery' of art."
"You want to bring Miss Elena into the wolf's den?" Marcus was shocked. "Isabella and the Vance family will definitely be there."
"That's exactly the point," Elijah replied coldly. "I want Elena to see her enemies crumble right before her eyes while she stands next to me. And for those cameras, make sure our IT team hacks every live-streaming frequency tonight. If a single photo of my face without a mask leaks to the internet, I'll raze that building to the ground."
Elijah stood up, straightening his jacket. "Let Alaric think he's winning. We'll see who gives the surprise on stage tonight."
...
Meanwhile, at the Valora Gems office, Elena stared at her phone screen with her heart pounding after reading Elijah's message. "A big gala? VIP tickets?" she muttered in confusion.
She quickly realized that the party Elijah was referring to had to be 'The Grand Gala: NYC Business & Arts Excellence.'
Since morning, the entire design division had been buzzing about that ultra-elite annual event. Even Bianca and her clique had been busy showing off the dresses they would wear just to catch the attention of New York's crown princes.
"Elijah, how could his client give away such luxurious tickets just as a bonus?" Elena thought, panicking. Her logic started spinning anxiously. She was afraid Elijah might do something dangerous, or worse, sacrifice another rich client's secrets just to please her.
\[Elijah, are you insane? That Gala is for billionaires and A-list celebrities! How did your client get tickets? I can't go, my family and Morgan will definitely be there!\] Elena replied with trembling fingers.
At Blackwood Tower, Elijah read her reply while buttoning his shirt cuffs. He chuckled lowly. Elena's fear only became enjoyable fuel for his obsession.
\[My client is one of the main sponsors of the event, Ángel. He gave me the tickets because I handled his 'privacy problem' very well. Worried about your family or Morgan? Don't be afraid. Next to me, you're the safest woman in New York. Remember clause number two of our contract—I'm your personal bodyguard now. Get ready. I don't like being argued with.\]
Elena let out a long sigh, squeezing her phone. That young man's possessive and authoritative side always managed to leave her speechless. On one hand, she was terrified at the thought of having to face Arthur, Leo, Daniel, or even Morgan's assistant there. But on the other hand, the black rose on her desk and Cedric's destruction this morning proved that Elijah had a very solid, invisible shield.
"Fine, let's see how far this mysterious gigolo can protect me," Elena whispered to herself, starting to search through her mind for the best black silk gown to match the grandeur of the night ahead.
Elsewhere, Marcus moved like lightning. In just thirty minutes, the Grand Gala committee's boardroom suddenly erupted in chaos because of an additional sponsor fund injection of fifty million dollars from Blackwood Industries. Along with that massive fund, an absolute rule was sent.
'The first hour of the VIP area requires Masquerade masks for the artistic concept of mystery, and the entire digital broadcasting system will be fully controlled by Blackwood's servers.'
The committee had no choice but to obey the highest ruler's command. Elijah walked toward the large window of his office, staring straight at the Manhattan skyline. His mask had already been prepared by Marcus—a very elegant, pure silver engraved mask.
"Alaric, you want to force me out into the open?" Elijah muttered coldly with his sharpest predator's smile. "I will come out. But tonight, I will lead the party, and Elena will be the one holding the crown."
Meanwhile, on the top floor of Blackwood Tower, directly below the helipad area, the atmosphere in Alaric Blackwood's room felt much more alive. Although he had handed over the CEO position to Elijah a month ago, Alaric still kept his private room in the building as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.
While gripping a glass of expensive whiskey, the middle-aged man stared at the large television screen broadcasting the preparations for 'The Grand Gala at Lincoln Center.'
A triumphant smile was clearly etched on his firm, wrinkled face. His foolish and cunning thoughts were dancing around as he imagined tonight's scenario.
"Hehehe, did he really think he could keep hiding behind that cooking apron and that tiny apartment?" Alaric muttered sarcastically, chuckling mischievously at the thought of his victory.
He turned toward his personal secretary, Robert, who had served him for two decades. "Robert, have all the major media outlets been briefed? I want to make sure not a single camera misses the moment when Elijah steps up to the podium to give his welcome speech."
Robert bowed respectfully, adjusting his large glasses.
"All journalists from both print and international television media are already in strategic positions, Master. They know that the new CEO of Blackwood Industries will officially introduce himself tonight. However..." Robert paused his sentence, looking hesitant. "There's a sudden report from the organizing committee."
Alaric furrowed his eyebrows, placing his whiskey glass on the marble table with a hard clink. "What report? Is that little devil trying to run away?"
"No, Master. Young Master Elijah hasn't canceled his attendance. Quite the opposite—through Marcus, he just personally injected an additional sponsor fund of fifty million dollars," Robert explained, his forehead slightly sweating. "And as the highest sole sponsor, the Young Master issued an absolute, non-negotiable rule. The first hour of the main VIP area requires Masquerade masks for the artistic concept of mystery. Furthermore, all digital broadcasting access for tonight has been transferred to the Young Master's private servers."
Hearing that, the muscles in Alaric's face instantly hardened. The cunning smile he had been showing vanished immediately, replaced by immense irritation. He realized that his stubborn son had just turned the tables.
"Masks? Masquerade!" Alaric roared, his hand slapping the armrest of his leather chair. "Damn it! He's deliberately using my money to cover his own face! That man, he's really challenging me!"