Chapter 169: Bonus Chapter (Project_Hatred): The Truth Behind the Banquet
Mason took a deep breath before finally revealing everything.
"Chairman Lucas... my family owns Empire Group. We’ve always believed in doing business the right way. We compete fairly. We follow the rules."
A bitter smile appeared on his face.
"But... companies that follow the rules don’t always come out on top. Especially when they’re competing against the Reid Group.
They’ve cost us more than a few opportunities over the years. Not openly... but behind the scenes. There have been plenty of dirty tricks."
Lucas listened quietly without interrupting.
Mason continued, "A few days from now, the city is holding one of the biggest land auctions in recent years. Several prime pieces of land will be up for bidding. Every major real estate company in Silvermont has their eyes on these plots. Whoever secures the best location will have a huge advantage for the next several years. If Empire Group can acquire one of those plots, our company will finally have the opportunity to reach the next level. It could completely change our future."
He paused before letting out a helpless sigh.
"The problem is... about two months ago, we fell into a trap carefully prepared by the Reid Group. Because of it, a large portion of our working capital is still tied up. We’ve been trying everything to free it, but we haven’t succeeded. And with the land auction coming up... the timing couldn’t be worse."
Looking directly at Lucas, Mason continued, "So... I originally wanted to invite you to tonight’s banquet. I hoped you could simply come and take a look. I wasn’t asking you to do anything. I just thought... it might create an opportunity."
Lucas remained silent.
Although Mason hadn’t said everything outright, Lucas could already tell where the conversation was heading. He slowly leaned back in his chair, his expression becoming noticeably calmer...
But also colder.
He wasn’t someone who enjoyed being dragged into other people’s business for no reason, especially if someone intended to use his influence as leverage.
Noticing the subtle change in Lucas’s expression, Mason’s heart immediately tightened. A thin layer of sweat formed on his forehead.
He knew... if Lucas misunderstood his intentions now, everything would be over. Empire Group desperately needed allies, and they absolutely couldn’t afford to offend Lucas at such a critical moment.
He quickly raised both hands slightly.
"Chairman Lucas... please don’t misunderstand. I never intended to use you. I only wanted to explain why I invited you."
He hesitated briefly before continuing.
"...The last time I delivered your car... I happened to see Maya at your villa. I could tell... the two of you seemed very close."
Lucas’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Seeing that he had finally captured Lucas’s attention, Mason continued.
"You know about the Laurent Family, don’t you? They’ve been struggling for quite some time."
Lucas gave a small nod.
Mason sighed.
"What most people don’t know... is that the Reid Family has already been privately discussing a marriage alliance with the Laurent Family. They’ve been preparing it for quite a while."
He paused before looking directly into Lucas’s eyes.
"And tonight... the Reid Family intends to make it official. The real purpose of this banquet... is for Malrik Reid... to publicly announce his engagement to Maya."
The office suddenly fell silent.
Even the air seemed noticeably heavier.
The moment Lucas heard the name, his expression changed once again.
"...Malrik?"
He quietly repeated the name under his breath.
It sounded...
Uncomfortably familiar.
He was certain he had heard it somewhere before.
For several long seconds, Lucas searched through his memories.
Then suddenly~
Everything clicked.
His pupils contracted.
"So that’s it..."
At last...
He understood the strange detail the System had been showing him all this time.
Maya’s status had never been displayed as Single.
Instead...
It had always shown only one word.
Unmarried.
At first...
He couldn’t understand the difference.
But now...
Everything finally made sense.
If the Reid Family had already arranged a marriage alliance with the Laurent Family, then Maya wasn’t technically in a relationship.
Nor was she truly single.
She was...
A woman whose marriage had already been arranged, waiting only for the official announcement.
That perfectly explained why the System had deliberately chosen the word Unmarried instead of Single.
Still...
Something didn’t add up.
Lucas frowned deeply.
"If that’s really the case... then why..."
He fell into thought.
Ever since meeting Maya, her Favorability toward him had been steadily increasing.
It had even increased again today.
Someone who was genuinely looking forward to marrying another man...
Wouldn’t react that way.
Unless...
This engagement wasn’t something she wanted at all.
Lucas immediately recalled the desperation hidden in Maya’s eyes earlier that day.
Her urgent need for money.
Her determination to save her family through her own efforts.
Her refusal to simply accept charity.
Everything suddenly fit together.
"...So that’s why."
A cold light flashed across his eyes.
Just then...
Another thought crossed his mind.
Malrik...
Why did that name still feel so familiar?
It was as though...
He had already crossed paths with that person before.
Lucas looked toward Mason.
"Do you have a picture of him?"
"I don’t know why... but that name keeps ringing a bell. It feels like I’ve seen him somewhere."
Mason didn’t waste even a second.
"Of course."
He immediately unlocked his phone and opened Empire Group’s internal business chat.
Since Malrik Reid was one of the most well-known young businessmen in Silvermont, finding a clear photo of him was effortless.
Within moments...
A high-definition portrait appeared on the screen.
Mason walked over and handed the phone to Lucas.
Lucas stared at the photo quietly.
One second...
Two seconds...
Three seconds...
Then...
Recognition suddenly flashed across his face.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"...So that’s him."
A faint smile slowly appeared on his lips.
"So..."
"He’s the Malrik whose car Mia smashed that day."
"No wonder the name sounded so familiar."
Lucas finally remembered.
That day...
After Mia had accidentally smashed the luxury sports car...
He had personally stepped in and settled the entire matter on the spot.
Back then...
His attention had been focused entirely on comforting Mia and resolving the conflict peacefully.
He hadn’t paid much attention to the owner of the car.
He certainly hadn’t expected...
That the same man would turn out to be Maya Laurent’s arranged fiancé.
What a coincidence.
Or perhaps...
Fate simply had a strange sense of humor.
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