William's attempt to defuse the situation backfired."Who do you think you are? This doesn't concern you. Get lost!" Pierre dismissed William with a disdainful glance.Blake said with a sneer, "Aren't you the hotel manager? What? You think you're important enough for the Lowell family to listen to you?"William's head buzzed, and he quickly tried to explain, "Sir Lowell, Mr. Blake, please don't misunderstand. The military entrusted us with this event. If anything goes wrong, we'll face their wrath."Besides, this gentleman is also a guest tonight. He's under our hotel's protection, and we can't allow any harm to come to him.""He's a guest? Are you kidding me? Didn't you say his invitation was fake?" Delilah exclaimed in disbelief.The Lowell family members looked equally unhappy.William, sweating profusely, said, "I made a mistake earlier. This gentleman is indeed a guest tonight, invited by the War Department."That revelation caused uneasiness among the crowd. They wondered
Seeing the disbelief on Leona and Nadine's faces, Matthias shrugged and gently guided Leona to her seat.He sat down with Danielle in his arms and said softly, "Don't worry. These seats are reserved for us. Don't you trust me?""I trust you!" Leona replied, though her face was still filled with curiosity and confusion.Not far from them, Pierre and his group noticed Matthias sitting at table one. Their faces darkened as they hurled insults and mockery."How dare you! Matthias, what gives you the right to sit there?""These seats reserved for you? Matthias, you sure know how to spin a lie!"Pierre mocked, "The Lowell family is among New Avalbourne's top three. We're honored to be seated at table three by Mr. Bridges. You're nothing but trash, Matthias. What right do you have to sit at table one? Get up and leave before we make you!"Stuart joined in with a vicious tone. "Matthias, get up and scram! Find a corner in the back and wait quietly for your death after the banquet!"Del
"Dad, my hand! My hand!" Carlile cried, his face pale and tears streaming down his face. With both hands useless, he had become a cripple."Matthias! You've gone too far! This is the Hero's Banquet! How dare you resort to violence?" Stuart glared at Matthias, his eyes filled with hatred."Get lost! If you dare show your face again, I'll cripple every member of the Reilley family!" Matthias warned him coldly.Stuart was about to continue his tirade but fell silent at those words.That commotion lasted only a few moments, but it was enough for the Lowell and Ramsay families to spring into action. They all stood up at once and rushed toward Matthias."Matthias, you're too outrageous. You don't deserve to attend the Hero's Banquet, let alone sit here," Pierre said coldly, approaching Matthias with his cane."You dare to injure someone at the Hero's Banquet, disregarding the military's rules. Now, we're going to kill you, and I want to see who has a problem with that.""We were going
As the woman's voice broke the tense atmosphere, everyone turned to look, curious and annoyed at the one who dared scold them. However, their frowns quickly turned to smiles when they saw the newcomer.A young woman in her mid-20s approached them, wearing subtle makeup and an elegant purple and gold dress that exuded understated grace. Her presence alone hinted at her importance.Nadine's face paled as she hurried to Matthias and whispered, "We need to leave. That's Hazel Garcia, Dalton's wife!"Before she could finish, Pierre's laughter rang out. "Mrs. Archer! The banquet hasn't started yet. What brings you here so early?"Hazel recognized Pierre and greeted him with a smile. Despite her initial haughty entrance, she knew which families deserved respect. Even with Dalton's status in Reirmunt, there were those they needed to have a good rapport with."Sir Lowell, why aren't you seated yet? I couldn't see clearly through the crowd earlier, and my words were rather rude. But they we
"I was just going to let Dalton deal with you after we broke your legs. I didn't want to get involved, being a delicate woman and all. But you've forced my hand with your disrespect, and you'll pay the price!"I hear you have an invitation to tonight's event. Well, I'll find out who was foolish enough to give one to you. Everyone associated with you will face consequences for your stupidity!"Hazel's arrogance knew no bounds. As Dalton's wife, she believed she could punish anyone who dared question or disrespect her.One of Hazel's four bodyguards chuckled menacingly. "You heard Mrs. Archer. On your knees!"Without warning, he aimed a vicious kick at Matthias as his other companions also sprang into action—one targeting Alpha while the other two went for Leona and Nadine. It was clear that they aimed to cripple Matthias and his family in one swift strike.Matthias was instantly enraged, and a terrifying aura emanated from him as he faced the oncoming attacker."You're asking for
Hazel's face contorted with rage. She had not expected Matthias to not only threaten her publicly but also kill her bodyguards. The humiliation she suffered in front of Reirmunt's most influential families was beyond words."Matthias, you're a dead man! Get on your knees and beg for mercy!" Pierre shouted.Matthias had committed murder at the Hero's Banquet—a clear insult against Dalton and a challenge to the military.Stuart uttered through gritted teeth, "Matthias, you're finished. You not only insulted the Reilley family, but you've also caused chaos at the Hero's Banquet! The only way you can pay for your crimes is with your death!"Inwardly, he was gleeful. Matthias had made an enemy of Dalton, who would surely deal with him harshly when he arrived.Hazel stormed up to Matthias, jabbing a finger in his face. "Do you have any idea what you've done? Do you know who I am? I'm Dalton's wife! You're a dead man walking! Kneel and beg for forgiveness!"Matthias glanced at Hazel and
"Kill him! Kill them all!" Hazel roared.Suddenly, another sharp smack echoed through the room—Matthias had slapped Hazel again. The crowd gasped in shock, believing he had pushed things to the brink."Say one more word, and I'll kill you with my own hands," Matthias growled, his eyes cold and murderous.He had Alpha kill Hazel's bodyguards because they had attacked first, even targeting Leona and Danielle. However, Hazel's constant threats against his family pushed him over the edge. If she had not been a woman, she would already be dead."Mrs. Archer, are you alright?" Danielle rushed to Hazel's side, looking concerned, while others crowded around her, offering sympathy and support.Hazel glared at Matthias in silence, seething with rage."You slapped me twice and killed my men. Do you understand what's coming for you?" Hazel's tone was icy.Matthias sneered. "What's coming for me? What? Dalton? He's as worthless as a speck of dust to me."The room erupted in shocked murmurs.
The ballroom emptied quickly as most guests rushed to greet Dalton. A few members of the Lowell and Reilley families stayed behind, clearly tasked with keeping an eye on Matthias and his group.Nadine leaned close to Matthias, whispering anxiously, "Matt, why don't you take out these guys? Then, we can slip away."Matthias shook his head and took a seat, brushing it off. "No need. We're guests, and the party isn't over yet. Why should we leave?""Matt, this isn't the time to be stubborn! Don't you know who Dalton is? He's the Lord of War! This whole party is for him!" Nadine hissed, exasperated by Matthias' calm demeanor.She looked to Leona for support, but Leona just gave a small, resigned smile. Besides, she trusted Matthias, and if he did not want to leave, she would not try to persuade him otherwise.Nadine sighed heavily and sank into a chair, feeling utterly hopeless.Dalton strode down the red carpet at the hotel entrance in a sharp suit, radiating arrogance. The Reirmunt