Chapter 70 New Heir
The Devereaux Hall glimmered like a palace of glass and gold as the late afternoon sun soaked every window in warm, amber light. Their events were always extravagant, always meticulously planned, but today carried an air sharper than luxury, an heir announcement. A passing of power.
Guests filled the grand foyer in swirls of silk, polished shoes, tailored suits that cost more than some people’s cars. Cameramen hovered like flies near chandeliers, whispering updates into mics, while corporate elites exchanged smiles that were too perfect to be anything but masks.
The Valmere family arrived together, a walking wall of elegance and quiet intimidation. Caelum in deep navy. Lysander in sharp grey. Knight and Casper in a minimalist black suit. Lucio in a dark wine-tone ensemble that made the media turn their cameras instantly. While aston.... he is in Kuwait for another business meeting and contract signing.
Deborah walked between them, radiant in a deep emerald gown that hugged her waist and brought out the intensity of her eyes, eyes still holding the faint residue of last night’s frustration. But today, she hid it well. Her spine was straight, her chin subtly raised. Every step she took held a quiet command.
The moment they stepped inside, attention shifted. A soft wave. A ripple.
People knew who the Valmeres were.
People watched.
And then...whispers began.
“They say the Devereaux heir is arriving soon.”
“I heard he’s been abroad for years.”
“They say he’s young… brilliant… ruthless.”
“Handsome,” added a woman with a low giggle, fanning herself.
Deborah didn’t react, but Lysander smirked. “Sounds like someone we know,” he murmured, nudging Lucio.
“Not everything is a competition,” Knight murmured.
“Everything is a competition,” Caelum corrected. “Especially tonight.”
A commotion near the staircase pulled everyone’s attention. The crowd parted subtly, as though pushed back by invisible hands.
A man descended the marble steps slowly, confidently.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dark hair swept neatly back.
Eyes sharp, amber-brown, catching the light like polished metal. A calm, intimidating elegance wrapped around him like a second suit.
And when he reached the bottom of the stairs, he gave a small nod to the room.
Immediately, everyone applauded.
“The Devereaux heir,” someone whispered breathlessly.
Lucio exhaled, impressed in a way he didn’t show often. “He looks young,” he said quietly. “Maybe 26… 27.”
“Sharp posture,” Knight noted. “He’s trained for this.”
Caelum crossed his arms. “Good. About time they passed the torch.”
Lysander raised a brow. “He’s handsome.... Very handsome... Ridiculously handsome.... Handsome in a way that’s almost illegal.”
Deborah elbowed him. “Can you be serious for five minutes?”
“No,” Lysander said instantly.
But her own gaze lingered on the new heir for a moment longer than she intended. There was something about him, an aura of tightly controlled power, charm sharpened into a blade, confidence without arrogance. He carried the Devereaux legacy like it weighed nothing.
And then....his gaze caught hers.
For the briefest moment, he paused.
A blink. A flicker of recognition, or curiosity. She wasn’t sure.
He walked toward them with steady, measured steps. The Valmere boys subtly shifted, forming a natural but imposing presence around Deborah.
“Valmere..... nice meeting you,” the heir greeted first, voice smooth, low.
Lucio shook his hand with a firm grip. “Devereaux. Or should we say… congratulations.”
“Thank you,” the heir replied with a faint, polite smile.
He looked at Deborah next.
“Miss…?”
“Deborah. Deborah Valmere,” she answered.
His eyes warmed his head nod. “Deborah. A beautiful name.”
Lysander clapped a hand on Lucio’s shoulder dramatically and whisper. “He’s flirting. I like him already.”
Deborah swatted Lysander’s arm. “Ignore him.”
The heir chuckled softly, then shifted to business just as quickly.
“I hope tonight’s meeting won’t bore you,” he said. “There will be upcoming partnerships, restructuring plans, expansions… and of course, we need the Valmere industries involved.”
Caelum nodded. “We’re listening.”
Knight added, “We’re curious about your international branch.”
“And your tourism project in the North,” Lucio said.
Deborah folded her arms. “And your new financial board. They’re rumored to be problematic.”
The heir’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “You’re direct.”
“I don’t like wasting time,” she said.
He smiled, a slow, approving curve. “I appreciate that.”
Before Deborah could respond, her phone buzzed. She glanced down, seeing her secretary’s name.
“Excuse me,” she said, stepping aside and go somewhere quiet to answer. “Luna? Yes, I’m here....Update me. About that.... we will finalize it later and I will check it tomorrow.”
She pressed the phone to her ear, voice shifting into business mode.
“Yes, finalize the documents. No, don’t send the files yet. Wait for my..... hey! what—?”
Her phone nearly slipped from her hand when a strong grip wrapped around her wrist.
Someone pulled her, not violently, but decisively, leading her away from the hallway, away from the open space, away from the eyes.
She spun, ready to snap.... “Who do you think—”
Her words froze. Her breath stopped. Her heartbeat stumbled.
Because it was him.
Luther.
He stood too close, shadows clinging to the angles of his jaw, eyes darker and sharper than last night, eyes that pinned her in place effortlessly.
Her voice died before it could form. Her phone lowered slowly.
Her irritation evaporated, replaced with a rush of heat she didn’t want to acknowledge.
Luther’s jaw flexed, his grip still firm around her wrist, but not enough to hurt, just enough to keep her still.
He leaned in, slowly, deliberately.
Close enough that she felt the warmth of his breath brush her cheek.
Then, in a low voice that curled down her spine like velvet dipped in danger, he said...
“Deborah… I missed you please comeback.”