Then, the whispers began.
“So that’s the truth…”
“Liam wasn’t working alone.”
“Behind him was Alex Reid—the true mastermind!”
The shock quickly turned to awe. The murmurs became exciting.
“No wonder JoySync Technologies, a mid-tier company, was able to develop such groundbreaking retinal-iris technology!”
“It all makes sense now! With Alex Reid backing them, success was inevitable!”
“Only someone like the CEO of Reid Industries would have the vision, and the sheer courage to fund such an ambitious project.”
Admiration swept through the room like wildfire.
“He’s truly on a whole different level.”
The reporters were scrambling to capture every detail, knowing that this revelation was a bombshell that would shake the entire industry.
Liam’s gratitude. The audience’s reverence. Everything centered on one man… Alex Reid.
Ethan’s fingers twitched. His breathing grew shallow. His chest felt tight, as if something was crushing him from the inside. His vision blurred with rage. His nails dug into his palms, but he barely noticed.
His thoughts spiraled into chaos.
“The retinal-iris technology—I was the one who saw its potential first!” Etham muttered to himself. “I was the one who invested in Liam’s company!” His hands shook violently, but not from fear.
From pure, unfiltered humiliation.
“Why… Why is everyone praising Alex Reid?” His heart pounded mercilessly, his emotions threatening to boil over. His investment—his hundred and fifty million dollars! It was his money that had fueled this project!
And yet… He was the one who lost everything. While Ethan was being humiliated in front of everyone… Alex was the one being honored.
His breathing grew erratic, his fury reaching a breaking point. Ethan suddenly lurched forward, his face twisted in rage and desperation.
His voice, hoarse with fury, shattered the silence.
“No!” His scream echoed through the hall, filled with resentment, disbelief, and sheer unwillingness to accept reality.
“This should be my moment! I should be the one in the spotlight!” His eyes, wild and bloodshot, darted across the room.
But… No one was looking at him. The cameras had shifted away. The audience’s attention was entirely on Alex and Liam.
The realization hit him like a truck. His entire body trembled.
“You’re all blind!” His voice cracked with desperation.
“Without my investment, none of this would have been possible! I should be the one being thanked!” He clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white.
“This is my achievement! This is my glory!” Ethan shouted from the top of his lunga intended for anyone to side with him or hear him properly.
But… His words fell on deaf ears. Liam didn’t even glance at him. The audience? Some were already chuckling.
Ethan Carter’s furious roar echoed through the grand hall, filled with guests, investors, and business elites.
Yet! No one paid him any attention. Not a single person turned to look at him. It was as if, in that moment, his presence had completely disappeared.
The reason was clear, from the moment Liam Jensen bowed deeply to Alex thanked him and clearly stated how Alex helped him, the balance of power had completely shifted.
Lily had been standing in shock, trying to process what had just happened. But when her eyes landed on Liam’s deep, unwavering bow, something in her mind clicked.
She finally understood everything. Her breath hitched, her body stiffened, and a sharp wave of anger washed over her. Her eyes, filled with disbelief and fury, locked onto Alex.
Then… she snapped. Her hand shot up, her trembling finger pointing directly at him, and she screamed.
“Alex…!” Her voice shook with rage, yet it rang loud and clear throughout the hall.
“This was all part of your plan, wasn’t it?!” The emotions she had been holding back burst out all at once.
“You knew I had a hundred and fifty million in my saving!” Her face twisted with a mix of anger and realization.
“You knew how much I loved Ethan!” Her voice cracked slightly, but she forced herself to continue.
“So you set up this entire scheme—just to use my love for Ethan against me!” She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to steady her voice.
But her fury only grew stronger.
“You tricked me into investing! You let me believe in this project! You made me think I was helping him!”
Her hands clenched into fists so tightly that her nails dug deep into her palms, but she barely noticed the pain.
“And now, after everything, you’ve humiliated Ethan in front of everyone!” Her breathing was erratic, her voice raw from shouting.
“Alex, do you have any shame at all?!” The weight of her accusation filled the room, yet Alex remained completely calm.
His expression never changed. That calmness, that indifference, made her explode even more.
“Are you even human?!” The moment those words left her mouth, a sharp, powerful voice cut through the air like a blade.
“Enough!” The force behind the voice was so intense that Lily flinched on instinct. She turned, and her eyes met Liam’s. He had stepped forward, his gaze burning with both anger and deep respect.
But that anger… was directed at her. His presence was overwhelming, and his cold, piercing stare made her feel small. His voice was filled with disappointment and scorn.
“You have no right to speak to Mr. Alex like that.”
Lily felt a chill run down her spine. But Liam didn’t stop there. His words, once calm and composed, now carried a sharp edge of cold fury.
“Do you even understand what Mr. Alex has done for you?”
Lily froze. Her mind went blank for a second. Liam took a step closer, his voice growing heavier.
“You spent years studying abroad, living in absolute luxury, without a single worry in the world.” His words were slow, deliberate, each one hitting her like a slap to the face.
“Who do you think made that happen?” Lily opened her mouth, but no words came out. Liam’s expression grew colder.
“Mr. Alex handled everything for you. He made sure you had the best education, the best living conditions, the best future.” Lily staggered back slightly, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
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Bonus Chapters on: 500, 1000, 1500 Power Stones.
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(A/N: Soon! Some Golden tickets guys!!!)
Don’t forget to add this novel to your library and sent some power stones for support if you like the novel.