CHAPTER 1 — THE NAME THAT STOPPED THE WORLD
The room became so quiet that even the shattered crystal on the marble floor seemed loud.
The young man struggled to stand, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth after the devastating punch.
"You old bastard..." he spat.
"You have no idea who you're dealing with."
The older man never answered.
His attention remained on the young woman trembling in his arms.
Blood stained the pale pink silk robe she had worn only hours earlier to celebrate what was supposed to be the happiest night of her life.
She forced her swollen lips to move.
"D...Dad..."
The attacker froze.
"What?"
The word echoed across the ballroom.
The elegant woman in the red dress slowly lowered her champagne glass.
She stared at the older man.
Then at the wounded girl.
"Dad?"
The older man gently brushed blood away from the young woman's cheek.
"I'm here, Emily."
"You don't have to fight anymore."
The attacker laughed nervously.
"No."
"Impossible."
"She told everyone she grew up in foster care."
The older man's eyes slowly lifted.
For the first time...
He looked directly at the man who had nearly beaten his daughter to death.
"Because I ordered it."
Nobody understood.
Not yet.
"My enemies have searched for my daughter for twenty-three years."
"I hid her from every one of them."
Emily weakly grabbed his sleeve.
"I'm sorry..."
"You warned me not to trust him."
He kissed her forehead.
"You trusted with your heart."
"He betrayed you."
"That shame belongs to him."
Outside...
Black SUVs silently filled the driveway.
One after another.
Dozens.
Armed security officers entered the mansion without saying a word.
Every guest suddenly realized something terrifying.
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This wasn't simply a wealthy father.
This was someone powerful enough to make governments nervous.
