CHAPTER 2: THE SECRET OWNER OF THE EMPIRE
Arthur Vance-Rothschild rarely attended public events.
When he did, people listened.
So when he stepped into the aisle, every conversation died instantly.
Victoria forced a nervous smile.
"Mr. Vance-Rothschild, surely you understand—"
"No."
His voice was calm.
Dangerously calm.
Then he turned toward Camila.
"You should have checked the land registry before insulting him."
Confusion spread across the ballroom.
Camila frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Arthur took another step.
"This estate doesn't belong to the company you rented it from."
The guests exchanged uncertain glances.
Arthur pointed directly at Ethan.
"It belongs to him."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Several executives in the audience suddenly stood up.
Because they understood exactly what Arthur was saying.
Ethan wasn't poor.
He wasn't dependent.
He wasn't a nobody.
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He was one of the wealthiest private investors in the country.
And everyone in the room except Camila already knew it.
