The banquet ended not with applause, but with whispers sharp as knives. Servants cleared dishes in tense silence, their eyes darting between the stunned faces of the Mercedes family and the man who had just turned their world upside down.
Cole Ambers.
The useless son-in-law.
The shadow in the corner.
And now, the man holding a contract with Falcon Holdings.
Vivienne's jeweled hand trembled as she dabbed her lips with a napkin. "Impossible," she muttered, shaking her head like she could erase what she had just seen. "This is a trick. A forgery."
Marcus stood rooted in place, the contract crumpled slightly in his grip. His face was pale beneath the chandelier light, the arrogance drained out of him. "How could you…?" he whispered, though his words were more to himself than to Cole.
At the head of the long table, Harold Mercedes finally broke his silence. His voice was low, grave, but it silenced the entire hall instantly.
"Sit down."
Marcus obeyed like a child scolded. Vivienne dropped heavily into her chair. The rest of the family followed.
Cole remained standing. His face was calm, but his eyes, dark and unyielding, fixed on his father-in-law.
"Explain," Harold demanded.
Cole inclined his head slightly. "There is little to explain. Falcon Holdings is looking to expand into this city. I arranged for them to choose Mercedes Corporation as their local partner. The contract is valid, signed by Chairman Zane Falcon himself. The terms are generous."
The weight of his words struck like thunder.
For decades, the Mercedes family had clawed for recognition among the city's elite. Now, the door to true power had been handed to them not by Marcus, not by Vivienne, not by Harold's years of toil, but by the man they despised most.
Vivienne slammed the table. "Lies! You expect us to believe Falcon Holdings! Falcon Holdings would trust you with this?" She jabbed a manicured finger at him, her voice shrill. "A penniless nobody? A parasite?"
Cole didn't flinch. "Believe what you will. The contract speaks for itself."
Harold stretched out his hand. Marcus reluctantly passed him the paper. The patriarch studied every line, every seal, every signature. His frown deepened, but not from suspicion,from the dawning realization that it was genuine.
When Harold finally looked up, his eyes bore into Cole like drills. For the first time in years, there was no disgust in them. No dismissal. Only calculation.
The silence stretched. Then Harold folded the contract neatly and set it beside his plate.
"This matter is not to leave this room. Not until I verify it personally."
"Yes, Father," Marcus said quickly, relief flickering in his eyes. If Harold found even the smallest flaw, Cole would be ruined.Vivienne smirked coldly, already imagining the contract proven false.
Cole only inclined his head again. "As you wish."
The banquet dissolved soon after. Guests left in murmurs, their excitement barely contained. By morning, the entire city would be buzzing with rumors of the mysterious son-in-law who had tied Mercedes Corporation to Falcon Holdings.
In the grand foyer, Andriana tugged at Cole's arm. "Come," she whispered urgently.
They walked out into the night air, the glow of chandeliers fading behind them. A black Mercedes idled at the curb, waiting. But Andriana stopped short, turning on him with eyes that blazed with confusion.
"Cole…" Her voice wavered. "Tell me the truth. What just happened there? How do you know Falcon Holdings? How did you even get that contract?"
He met her gaze, his expression unreadable. For a long moment, he said nothing, as if weighing whether she was ready to hear the truth.
Finally, he spoke.
"I told you before, Andriana. My time would come. Tonight was the first step."
"That's not an answer!" she snapped, her voice rising before softening again. "Do you know what you've done? If that contract is fake, Father will destroy you. Marcus will ruin you. And if it's real…" She trailed off, trembling. "Then everything I thought I knew about you is a lie."
Cole's hand brushed her cheek, tender but firm. "Everything I've done, I've done to protect you. To protect us. The rest… you'll understand soon."
Andriana bit her lip, torn between the man she had defended all these years and the stranger standing before her.
The car door opened behind them. Marcus stood there, his face shadowed under the porch light. His smile was sharp, venomous.
"Well, brother-in-law," he drawled, though the usual arrogance was forced now, strained. "Enjoy your little victory tonight. But don't get too comfortable. By tomorrow, the world will see you for the fraud you are."
He slid into the car before either of them could reply, the door slamming shut like a gunshot. The vehicle pulled away, taillights vanishing into the night.
Andriana's hand tightened on Cole's sleeve. "He won't stop. None of them will."
Cole's eyes narrowed, a faint glint of steel flashing in them. "Let them come."
For the first time that night, his voice held the weight of something deeper, something dangerous.
The Mercedes estate was quiet by the time Marcus stormed into his private study. He slammed the door, sending a shelf of books trembling.Vivienne was already waiting inside, pacing like a caged lioness. Her earrings swayed as she turned, fury etched into every line of her elegant face.
"Marcus," she hissed, "we cannot let this stand. Do you understand? If Harold believes that contract is genuine, he'll start seeing Cole as an asset instead of a burden. And if that happens"
"He'll take my place." Marcus's voice was low, trembling with rage. "That's what you're afraid of, isn't it, Mother? He'll replace me as Father's heir."
Vivienne's eyes softened briefly at her son's words, but her resolve hardened again almost instantly. "Then we won't give him the chance. We'll prove that the contract is a fake one."
Marcus dragged a hand down his face. "But I looked at it, Mother. The seals, the signatures if it's forged, it's flawless. Even Father couldn't spot a flaw."
Vivienne's lips curled into a smile that held no warmth. "Then we won't rely on Father. We'll go directly to Falcon Holdings. If they deny any knowledge of this deal, Cole will be exposed. Not only to us, but to the entire city. Do you understand what that means?"
Marcus's heart pounded. The thought of publicly destroying Cole sent a dark thrill through him. "Yes," he whispered. "We'll ruin him completely."
Vivienne leaned closer, her perfume sharp in the air. "Good. I'll make the call tomorrow. By the time Falcon Holdings denies him, that parasite will be crawling in the gutter where he belongs."
For the first time since the banquet, Marcus's smile returned. It wasn't the boyish grin of arrogance, it was sharper now, crueler, fueled by hatred.
"Let's see how the useless son-in-law survives this."
Meanwhile, across the city, Cole and Andriana walked into their modest villa. The night was still, but tension hung thick in the air.
Andriana didn't wait for him to remove his jacket before speaking. "Cole… please. No more half-truths. If you don't tell me who you really are, I…." Her voice cracked. "I don't know how much longer I can stand against them."
Cole hung his jacket neatly on the rack before turning to face her. His calmness was almost infuriating.
"Andriana," he said softly, "I've never lied to you. I've only hidden parts of myself because the time wasn't right. But tonight… the storm has begun. And when it passes, you'll see everything."
She shook her head, tears glimmering in her eyes. "You speak in riddles. Do you know how hard it is for me to defend you when I don't even know the truth?"
Cole stepped forward, cupping her face in his hands. "Trust me for a little longer. That's all I ask."
Her lips trembled. She wanted to demand more. To scream. But when she looked into his eyes, steady and unyielding, the words died. She had seen that look before, when they had nothing, when everyone mocked them, when even her mother tried to separate them. It was the same look that had held her together all these years.
"Fine," she whispered at last. "I'll wait. But Cole… if you're lying to me, it will break me."
He kissed her forehead, lingering there. "I would rather die than betray you."
Later that night, when Andriana finally slept, Cole stood on the balcony alone. The city lights stretched before him like rivers of fire. He pulled a phone from his pocket, not the cheap device Andriana knew, but a sleek, encrypted model that gleamed faintly under the moonlight.
He pressed one button. It rang once before a voice answered immediately.
"Young Master," the voice said, crisp and deferential.
Cole's jaw tightened. "Report."
"Everything has been prepared. Falcon Holdings has honored your agreement. Chairman Zane himself signed the contract, as ordered. The Mercedes family will soon realize your position is unshakable."
"Good," Cole murmured. He glanced back into the villa where Andriana slept peacefully. "Keep monitoring Marcus and his mother. They'll strike soon."
"Yes, Young Master. There's something else." The voice hesitated. "An old acquaintance of yours has arrived in the city. He… he's asking for an audience."
Cole's grip tightened on the railing. His eyes darkened. "Who?"
The voice lowered. "Damien Kross."
For the first time that night, Cole's calm expression cracked. His chest tightened with a mix of memory and fury. Damien Kross,once his sworn brother, now his greatest betrayer.
A storm gathered in Cole's heart, silent but deadly.
"Tell him nothing," Cole said coldly. "If Damien wants to see me… he'll have to crawl."
The line went dead.Cole stood in the night, the dragon in his chest beginning to stir.
Morning light spilled through the tall windows of the Mercedes estate, gilding the marble floors with gold. But the air inside was anything but warm.
Vivienne sat at the head of the breakfast table, a steaming cup of black coffee untouched before her. Marcus paced behind her like a restless wolf, his jaw clenched, his phone gripped tightly in his hand.
"She still hasn't called back?" Vivienne's voice was sharp.
Marcus shook his head. "Falcon Holdings' secretary said the chairman is out of the country. But I left a message. If they confirm there's no contract, Cole will be finished."
Vivienne's smile was thin, venomous. "Good. Harold will see him for what he is,a fraud, a liar, a parasite. And when he's cast out of this house, Andriana will have no choice but to cut him off."
Marcus stopped pacing, his expression twisting. "And then she'll finally be free to marry someone worthy. Someone who can actually strengthen the Mercedes family."
Vivienne's eyes narrowed. "Do you mean yourself?"
Marcus's grin was smug. "Why not? She's beautiful, intelligent, loyal. If she weren't my sister…"
"Enough," Vivienne snapped, though her lips curved faintly with approval. "Focus on Cole. Once he's gone, Andriana will be a pawn to place where she best benefits us. But until then…"
Her phone buzzed sharply against the table. Both leaned in as she answered.
"Mrs. Mercedes," came a clipped, professional voice, "this is Falcon Holdings' legal department. You inquired about a contract with Mercedes Corporation?"
"Yes," Vivienne said quickly. "We received a supposed partnership agreement last night. Signed by Chairman Zane himself. But I suspect it is fraudulent. Confirm it immediately."
There was a pause on the line. Then the voice replied evenly, "I can confirm that Falcon Holdings has indeed entered into a partnership with Mercedes Corporation. The contract was signed by Chairman Zane Falcon personally. It is authentic."
Vivienne froze. Her blood ran cold. Marcus stared at her, his face draining of color.
"That… that can't be," she whispered.
"I trust this clears the matter," the voice continued. "Good day, Madam."
The line went dead.
Vivienne's hand trembled so violently that the phone slipped from her fingers, clattering against the marble. Marcus bent to pick it up, but his mother's expression stopped him cold.
Her face was pale with rage, her eyes burning with hatred. "It's real," she breathed. "That bastard really did it."
Marcus slammed his fist onto the table, rattling the silverware. "How? How does someone like him have the power to move Falcon Holdings?!"
Vivienne's jaw tightened. "It doesn't matter how. What matters is that he's a threat. And threats must be destroyed."
Her son's lips curled into a snarl. "Then we'll use something other than business. If we can't expose him as a fraud, we'll paint him as a danger. Once the public believes he's a liar or a criminal, no contract in the world can save him."
Vivienne leaned back in her chair, already plotting. "Yes. We'll feed the press. We'll whisper into Father's ear. And if necessary…" She paused, her eyes glinting like steel. "…we'll dig into Cole's past. No man comes from nothing. If he's hiding something, we'll find it."
Marcus's smile returned, cruel and eager. "And when we do, I'll personally drag him out of this house."
Across the city, Cole walked through a bustling street market, the sun casting warm light on rows of vendors selling spices, clothes, and electronics. To any passerby, he looked like an ordinary man, hands in his pockets, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
But his phone buzzed once, a signal only he recognized.He turned into a narrow alley. A man was waiting there, tall, sharp-suited, his posture radiating discipline. His hair was cropped short, his eyes alert.
"Mr. Ambers," the man said with a respectful bow.
Cole nodded slightly. "Mason. Report."
"The Falcons have upheld their side. The contract is beyond question. But there is… another matter."
Cole raised an eyebrow. "Damien?"
Mason hesitated before speaking. "Yes. He arrived last night. He has already made contact with certain underground circles in the city. Rumors say he's positioning himself as a power broker. If he solidifies those alliances, he'll be a threat to your plans."
Cole's jaw tightened. "Damien always was quick to worm his way into the shadows. But he won't get far. Not here."
Mason leaned closer. "There's more. He asked about you, sir. By name. He told his men he intends to… 'finish what he started.'"
For the first time, a flicker of heat flared in Cole's eyes. Memories clawed at him, a battlefield drenched in fire, betrayal searing like steel in his back, Damien's smirk as everything collapsed around him.
Cole's fists clenched at his sides. "If he thinks he can finish it, then he has already forgotten who I am."
Mason's voice lowered. "Shall I deal with him?"
Cole shook his head. "No. Not yet. Let him come. Let him reveal his hand. When the time is right, I'll deal with Damien myself."
Mason nodded once, understanding the unspoken weight of his master's words.
As Cole turned to leave the alley, Mason added, "And your wife, sir? Should she be informed of who you truly are?"
Cole paused, his back to him. For a long moment, silence hung heavy in the air.
Finally, Cole said, "Not yet. If she knew everything, she'd be dragged into the storm. For now… let her believe I'm just her husband."
And with that, he walked back into the crowded street, his figure swallowed by the tide of strangers.The underground club pulsed with bass, neon lights flickering across velvet booths and glass floors. Smoke curled upward, mixing with the scent of liquor and perfume.
Beneath the thrum of music, power shifted silently, men whispered deals, knives were hidden in sleeves, and fortunes were gambled on a single glance.
At the center of it all sat Damien Kross.
His suit was immaculate, dark as midnight, but it was his presence that bent the room around him. Broad-shouldered, scar tracing his jawline, eyes like shards of ice. Damien exuded danger without effort. Around him lounged half a dozen men in black, each armed, each watching the crowd with predator's patience.
A trembling club owner stood before him, wringing his hands. "M-Mr. Kross, I assure you, our establishment"
Damien lifted a finger. The man fell silent instantly.
"I'm not here for your excuses," Damien said, his voice smooth but laced with threat. "I'm here for your loyalty. This city belongs to men with vision. Align yourself with me, and you'll prosper. Refuse…"
He leaned forward, his smile thin. "And I'll bury you so deep your own mother won't remember your name."
The club owner nodded frantically. "Y-Yes, Mr. Kross. I understand. I'm with you."
Damien's smile widened, satisfied. He dismissed the man with a flick of his hand.
As the owner scurried away, one of Damien's men leaned close. "Boss, word is spreading. People are saying the Mercedes family has tied itself to Falcon Holdings."
Damien's expression sharpened. "And who arranged that miracle?"
The man hesitated, then spoke carefully. "They say it was their son-in-law. A man named… Cole Ambers."
Silence crashed over the table. Damien's fingers stilled on his glass. For a long moment, the music and chatter of the club seemed distant, muffled, meaningless.
Then he laughed.
It wasn't a laugh of amusement. It was low, cold, filled with venom. "Cole Ambers. Of course."
He rose to his feet, towering over the booth. His men tensed, sensing the storm in him.
"So the coward crawled out of hiding," Damien sneered. "I should've finished him that night. I should've buried him with my own hands."
One of his lieutenants dared to ask, "What shall we do, Boss?"
Damien drained his glass in one swallow, then hurled it against the wall. It shattered into glittering shards.
"What do we do?" His eyes burned like fire. "We remind him who owns the shadows. If Cole Ambers wants to rise in this city, I'll drag him down, piece by piece. His family, his wife, his pride and everything."
He leaned closer to his men, his voice dropping to a hiss. "Spread the word. Tonight, every street, every alley, every whisper will carry one name. Cole Ambers. The world will know he's back… and that Damien Kross is waiting."
At that very moment, miles away, Cole sat in his villa's study, the glow of a single lamp casting long shadows across the room. Andriana had finally fallen asleep after hours of restless questions, her faith in him fragile but unbroken.
Cole sat alone, his hands clasped before him. His mind wasn't on the contract or the Mercedes family's schemes. It was on a name that echoed like thunder in his chest.
Damien Kross….
The betrayal. The fire. The blood. Memories clawed at him, but he forced them back into the cage of his heart. Not yet. Not tonight.
His phone buzzed again. A message from Mason.
[Movement confirmed. Damien Kross has made contact with local syndicates. He intends to challenge your position directly.]
Cole's lips curled into the faintest smile. For years, he had lived in silence, mocked, ignored, underestimated. But now the shadows themselves stirred.
"Then let him come," Cole murmured, his voice low, steady, dangerous. "I've waited long enough."
The dragon inside him stretched its wings.