Chapter Five

 Darian arrived at the party and blended in with the crowd. He was acknowledged by a few business elites who knew his father and brother and that was it. He hated it, hated that he was always in their shadow. But at the moment, it did not deter him, since his main goal was to meet with the famous Ivan Arthur who was the most influential businessman at the moment, throwing his asshole of a brother of the position without even lifting a finger. Darian was impressed, he slipped a glass of wine past a waiter who walked past him and waited tensely when he saw Arthur approach his table.

 "Hello to you there," Mr Ivan waved at Darian who was still scrutinizing him.

 Darian suddenly lost the ability to speak as Ivan smiled crinkly at him. The most influential business magnate cared to acknowledge him. It was too good to be true.

 "Hello," Darian said inspite the giddy feeling that raked through him. On second thoughts, he put his hand forward for a handshake.

 "It's an honor to finally meet you. I'm Darian Brown."

 Ivan smiled, a knowing one "Ivan Arthur. It's nice to see you too."

 One of Ivan's men walked forward and whispered something to him, and Ivan was led to the heart of the garden where he gave his speech. Darian stared on long after he was gone, in disbelief. Ivan had smiled at him, shook hands with him, and acknowledged him.

 "Good evening, esteemed business elites and CEO's. It's a pleasure meeting all of you. It is not a new thing that Arthur's group just emerged in Manhattan. We are interested in the development and maintenance of relationships with key stakeholders and hope that you will extend your warm hands to us..."

 Arthur finished speaking shortly after making a toast to unity and relationships, and a thunderous applause rapt the air. After talking with more prospective stakeholders of his company, and proposing new projects with the many CEOs that were willing to collaborate with him, Ivan retired to the estate.

  "He is back and demands your presence, Miss Olivia. Shall we?" 

 Olivia was flanked by maids as she took the tour downstairs to meet Ivan who had a big smile plastered on his face.

 "Olivia, how are you holding up?"

 "Better than I expected, Uncle. The books are brainstorming and my tutor is quite thorough." She fell silent and then blurted out a second later "How did the party go? Did Darian make it? Did you manage to convince the elites to collaborate with you on the recent project?"

 "All of that took place, my dear."

 "You got an invitation card," She stretched the fancy envelope towards him and he raised a brow.

 "A charity event that will take place tomorrow."

 "This is quite impromptu. I have to meet up with the delegates from Australia tomorrow. How about you stand in for me?"

 Olivia tucked a piece of stray hair behind her ear and stared ahead before thoughtfully saying "I'm quite certain that Damian will be there tomorrow, I do not want to reveal myself yet."

 "That's true," Ivan nodded "Talking about disclosure, I already finalized plans for the unveiling party."

"It's just a matter of time." 

**************

 Damian shot a glare at his secretary who had a pathetic expression on her face. 

 "Leave it on the table and get out."

 Willow did just that, unwilling to incur the wrath of her boss who had a temper as short as the skirts she wore to parties in sophomore year.

 Damian opened the envelope and skimmed through the card, it was an invitation to a charity event. 

 As he predicted, he met with several other elites in the business world. Men and women, whose dresses spelled splendor, were gathered for a charity auction, and since the most influential businessmen were philanthropists, it did not take long before a substantial amount of money was generated. The highest amount was generated by Ivan Arthur.

 Damian narrowed his eyes at the mention of the name and positioned well to see the man who had made waves in just a few weeks of invading Manhattan. He was a bit awed and also angry for not receiving an invitation to his Introduction party. 

 Ivan Arthur exchanged stares with Damian as he gave a brief speech before retiring to his seat. As he did, fury seared in his chest cavity like fire as he thought of the poker-faced man he had seen minutes ago. The same man who treated Olivia badly for five years, used her... 

 The event ended much later to Damian's relief. As he walked out, he came face to face with Ivan Arthur. The latter was having a conversation with a well-known businessman who acknowledged him immediately. 

"Look who we have here" The man waved at Damien who slowed down his pace and went to join the men. "Mr Arthur, meet Damien Brown. He's the..." 

 "I'm familiar with his titles," Mr Ivan said, cutting him off with an easy-going smile on his face. He turned to Damien and offered his hand for a handshake. "It's nice to meet you, Mr Brown" 

Damien accepted his hand and tried to mask his shocked expression. The man knew him, he was familiar with his titles but still didn't extend an invitation to him. That was the first bombshell that shattered Damian's value, decreasing it in a matter of minutes.

 Damian remained silent, he tried to read no meaning to Ivan's words but it still hit when he thought about it. Was there any special reason for omitting his name or did the man not know him at all? 

 "Owner of Ace companies and most influential business magnate, well until..."

 "Until the title became mine?" Ivan laughed "There's no need to worry. These things happen, and you might surely regain your title in a short while."

 Damian could not tell if Ivan was truly sympathetical or just being sarcastic. There was something peculiar about the man that he could not pinpoint and he was eager to talk some more with him. To unravel his intrincate nature.

 "I didn't see you at the Introduction party. Were you not in attendance?" The man standing between them asked. 

"Let's say I wasn't invited"

 Ivan's eyes twinkled with mischief. How did his niece end up with such a bastard?

 "You were omitted?" He frowned, acting quite ignorant "I didn't realize that. Besides, who would host a party and not invite you?" 

 "All things being equal, I hope to work with you in the future," Ivan said again, bracing up to take his leave. The presence of Damian irritated him greatly and if no one was around, he would have ordered his men to throw him into a creepy dark dungeon forever, where no one could get to him.

 "Same here," They exchanged handshakes before Ivan took his leave.

  "It's just a matter of time, Damian. I will crush you." Ivan muttered once seated at the rear of his Tesla Model 3, his most recent vehicle.

With her uncle gone, Olivia busied herself with watering the flowers in the garden when she was done with the tutor set up for her. She was being groomed for what awaited her and she felt alive for once, important.

 "Olivia,"

 "Uncle Ivan," Olivia dropped the can and wiped her hands, approaching him.

 "How did it go?"

 "I met him. You were right, he is a proper asshole."

"What's the plan?"

 "What we discussed, of course. There will be slight changes in the plan though. Send out the invitation cards today. I need to rile up that bastard."

 "I can't wait," Olivia tucked a corner of her lips above. She knew the man she married, one filled with self-inflated ego. He would rage and probably burn down his estate with his temper if what they were planning finally fell in place.

****************

 The next morning, Damian sat in his office while his assistant, Francis made reports and filled him in on everything that was happening in the company, as well as the business world. 

"Arthur's group is hosting an unveiling party. He will reveal the next person to head the group tonight."

 Damian remained silent.

"Another invitation had been sent out but it seems you didn't get any just like the last time."

*****************

 Evening covered rapidly and soon, Olivia, Ivan, and their men arrived at the event before Ivan could be called to give his opening speech.

 It was a lavish ballroom, filled with tuxedo-clad men and women in sheen gowns. The scent of luxurious perfume, and sound of polite conversations, and the tinkling of wine glasses pervaded the air.

 Olivia descended from the McLaren F1, by putting out a sleekly heeled foot first before the next. The guests all turned to stare as she walked in with the lethal grace of a lioness. Her beauty was ravishing, it made the elites gape in wonder.

  She was exceptionally beautiful and her hair bounced as she confidently walked to the seat meant for her.

 She watched proudly as Ivan opened the ceremony and acknowledged important people present, including the prime minister.

 Meanwhile, Damian stood in his study with a glass of wine in hand as he stared at the television. He was angry that he still didn't get an invitation meanwhile his twin, Darian was in attendance. He was also a bit curious to see who would take over from Mr Ivan whom he found to be a cunning yet pragmatic man.

 "And now, to the main purpose of this gathering..." Ivan dished one of his genuine smiles at the camera and continued "Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pride that I stand before you today to announce the transition of leadership at our company. After many years of hard work and dedication, I am pleased to hand over the reins to my niece, who has proven herself to be a worthy successor. I do not doubt that she will lead this company into a bright future and make something even more solid come from Arthur groups."

 Darian who was in attendance wondered who the lucky lady was while Damian raised a brow in perplexity and took a sip off his glass.

 "Here comes the next heir to Arthur groups, Olivia Davidson!"

 Few gasps could be heard from the crowd while a thunderous applause rapt the air.

 The curtains behind Ivan parted slowly to reveal Olivia who was draped in a sleek Chanel dress, silver heels, and a subtle diamond brooch. She moved gracefully to the podium with a smile and the applause intensified as the lights poured on her.

 Darian's eyes grew into large circles as Olivia was unveiled, his mouth forming into a mute O. He was flabbergasted and kept staring in a catatonic stupor.

 Damian, on the other hand, felt his muscles stiffen the instant he saw her gloriously emerge from behind the curtains. He stood unblinking, obviously struck speechless, and he did not know when the glass slipped out of his grip.

 It shattered into many tiny fragments.