Dominic’s expression darkened “As long as you agree to sleep with me, I’ll leave Darius alone.” His gaze shifted toward Darius “Refuse, and I’ll make sure he ends up back in prison.” “Don’t even think about it.” Seraphina’s answer came immediately.
She would rather die than agree to something like that “Fine.” Dominic smiled coldly “Then wait and see.” With that, he turned and walked away.
Seraphina stood there, her face pale.
Darius noticed immediately and took her hand “What happened?” Seraphina shook her head “Nothing.” But she knew Dominic wouldn’t simply let it go.
The thought stayed with her as they walked through the villa.
Then, halfway down the corridor— A group of armed officers suddenly surrounded them.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Weapons were raised.
Their cold muzzles were pointed directly at Darius and his family.
Seraphina’s face drained of color.
She instinctively grabbed Darius’s hand.
Malcolm and Helena froze behind them.
They immediately understood what this was.
Dominic’s retaliation.
A man dressed in a black tactical uniform stepped forward.
Dark goggles concealed his eyes as he stared at Darius “Mr Whitaker.” His voice was cold “Is this the man you reported?” Dominic stood nearby, a faint smile on his face “Yes.” He pointed at Darius.
“This man was released from prison today.
How is someone like him qualified to attend a banquet like this?” Dominic’s tone grew more serious.
“I have reason to believe he didn’t come here with good intentions.” He looked toward the captain “And if something happens tonight, Captain West…
I’m afraid you won’t be able to explain it.” “What?” Shawn West’s expression changed.
As deputy captain of the special police unit, he was responsible for security inside the venue.
He had no idea how Darius and his family had entered without invitations.
Dominic glanced at Seraphina with a satisfied smile before turning back to Shawn.
“Captain West, regardless of the circumstances, I suggest you detain him first.
We can’t afford to ignore a potential security risk.” “That makes sense.” Shawn’s gaze hardened.
“You were released from prison today, yet you’re attending a banquet with this level of security?” He looked at Darius “Show me your invitation.” Seraphina went pale.
So did Malcolm and Helena.
They didn’t have one “Go on.” Dominic pressed “Show Captain West your invitation.” “We don’t have one.” Darius’s voice was calm.
Dominic’s eyes immediately lit up “Haha!
Did you hear that, Captain West?” He pointed at Darius.
“They don’t have invitations at all.
Isn’t that suspicious enough?” Shawn’s expression turned cold “Take them away.” Seraphina panicked.
If they were detained, she and her parents might eventually be released.
But Darius She knew Dominic would do everything possible to use this against him and send him back to prison.
“Wait!” Seraphina stepped forward.
Her voice shook with anger.
“We entered through the security checkpoint at the main entrance.
Why are you suddenly saying we’re a security risk?” Dominic sneered “Impossible.” He folded his arms “Everyone who enters this place needs an invitation.” His eyes moved toward Darius.
“Even the guest of honor at tonight’s banquet the God of War himself would need to be properly authorized.” He smiled coldly “So if you don’t have an invitation, there’s obviously a problem.” “I’ve never heard of anyone being allowed inside without an invitation.” Shawn West’s tone was firm.
Every influential guest attending tonight’s banquet had arrived with proper authorization.
“Take all four of them away.” At the order, the officers stepped forward.
Malcolm and Helena closed their eyes in fear.
Things had gone from bad to worse.
Seraphina’s face had turned pale.
Beside them, Dominic smiled “Seraphina, just accept it.” He looked pleased with himself.
“You should have agreed when I gave you the chance.” Then “Who told you an invitation was the only way to get in?” Darius’s calm voice cut through the tension.
Everyone turned to look at him.
Seraphina immediately grabbed his arm, silently urging him not to say anything else.
Malcolm and Helena were equally alarmed.
Was Darius trying to make things even worse?
But Darius gently patted Seraphina’s hand “Trust me one more time.” Seraphina looked at him.
For a few seconds, she said nothing.
Then she slowly nodded “Okay.” Darius turned his attention to Shawn “Ask your superior one question.” Shawn frowned “What question?” “Ask whether Darius Ashbourne is allowed to enter without an invitation.” For a brief moment, there was silence.
Then Dominic burst out laughing “Did prison damage your brain?” He looked at Darius as if he had heard the most ridiculous thing imaginable “Who exactly do you think you are?” Shawn’s expression darkened.
“You want me to call my superior and ask whether he knows you?” “Fine.” A mocking smile appeared on Dominic’s face.
The others watched with amusement.
They were more than happy to see how this would end.
A crowd had gathered around them.
Malcolm, Helena, and Seraphina all lowered their heads.
This was humiliating Completely humiliating.
Shawn West pressed a hand to his earpiece and contacted Fisher Hart, the captain of the special police unit.
“Captain, there’s someone here claiming that—” Shawn suddenly stopped.
The voice coming through his earpiece continued.
His expression changed.
The color drained from his face.
Slowly, he turned toward Darius.
Fear filled his eyes “I…
I understand.” His voice trembled.
“Yes, Captain.” Dominic stepped forward, eager for the answer “Well?” He smiled “What did your captain say?” Slap!
The answer came without warning.
Dominic was sent staggering backward, blood immediately filling his mouth.
The surrounding crowd fell silent.
Dominic touched his face in disbelief.
“Captain West…
what the hell are you doing?” Shawn stepped forward and drove his fist into Dominic’s face.
Dominic collapsed to the floor “Why?” Shawn glared down at him.
“You used your position and connections to settle a personal score.
You deliberately caused trouble for Miss Vale and falsely accused legitimate guests of threatening the security of this banquet.” He pointed toward Darius and Seraphina “They were permitted to enter.” Dominic’s expression changed.
Shawn’s voice grew colder.
“You, on the other hand, have disrupted the banquet and abused official security personnel for your own personal agenda.” He turned toward his officers “Take him away.” Two officers immediately stepped forward.
Dominic struggled “Wait!
You can’t—” They grabbed him and dragged him away.
He looked less like the confident son of a corporate chairman now and more like a man who had suddenly realized he had made a terrible mistake.
Shawn didn’t dare remain any longer.
He turned toward Darius and Seraphina “My apologies, Mr Ashbourne.
Miss Vale.” Then he quickly led his men away.
Silence returned to the corridor.
Seraphina stood frozen.
Malcolm and Helena were equally stunned.
None of them could understand what had just happened.
They had been seconds away from being dragged out of the villa.
And suddenly everything had been turned around.
They slowly turned toward Darius.