Sebastian took out twelve invitation cards and handed them over “Here.
Check them.” He straightened his back, looking proud.
After all, how many people could produce twelve invitations at once?
But in the next second, the officer’s expression remained completely blank.
“You are restricted from entering.” He paused “Your invitations have been revoked.
You are disqualified from attending the banquet.” “What?” Sebastian and the others froze for a moment, they thought they had heard him wrong.
Augustus immediately stepped forward.
“That’s impossible.
These invitations were personally delivered to our family yesterday by Secretary Silas from Ravenmere Civic Hall.” Sebastian frowned and took a step forward “Officer, there must be some mistake.” He gestured toward the invitations “These are mine.
Check them again.” The officer didn’t move “There’s no mistake.” Sebastian’s expression hardened “I suggest you let us through.” His confidence began to return as the entire Vale Family watched from behind him.
“You know who I am.
I have connections in this city.
I know people above you.” The officer stared at him.
Then the butt of a rifle slammed into Sebastian’s stomach.
Sebastian doubled over and collapsed to his knees.
The entire Vale Family froze “What the hell ” Sebastian looked up, furious and humiliated.
The officer stepped closer and raised his weapon “Restricted means restricted.” His voice was cold “Take your family and leave.” Sebastian’s face turned pale as the barrel of the rifle lowered toward him.
“You wouldn’t dare—” The gunshot exploded through the night.
The bullet struck the ground just inches from Sebastian.
Sebastian screamed and fell backward.
For a moment, no one moved.
Then everyone noticed the dark stain spreading across his trousers.
He had completely lost control of himself.
The Vale Family stared at him in horror.
Their proud and untouchable son-in-law was shaking on the ground.
“Leave.” The officer’s voice cut through the silence “Now.” No one argued again.
The Vale Family quickly pulled Sebastian to his feet and hurried away from the gates.
Behind them Darius remained standing exactly where he was.
Watching.
“You were right.” Malcolm stared at the Vale Family fleeing from the entrance “They really can’t get in.” Even he was shocked by what had just happened.
Darius smiled and reached for Seraphina’s hand “Come on.” He gently pulled her closer “It’s our turn.” “Don’t!” Malcolm immediately stepped back.
“Are you trying to get us killed?
Even Sebastian and the others weren’t allowed inside.
What makes you think we can get in?” Helena quickly moved back as well.
Seraphina’s body tensed “But…
we don’t even have invitations.” Darius looked at her “Didn’t you say you’d give me one last chance?” A faint smile appeared on his face.
“How will you know whether I can do it if you don’t let me try?” Seraphina looked at him for a long moment.
Then she tightened her fingers around his “Okay.” She took a breath “I’ll believe you.” As the four of them approached the security checkpoint, Cordelia’s voice suddenly rang out behind them.
“Officers, wait!” She hurriedly stepped forward.
“Even though they’re technically from the Vale Family, my grandfather threw them out of the family a long time ago.
They have nothing to do with us!” Augustus immediately agreed “That’s right.
They have nothing to do with the Vale Family.” He looked toward Darius and his family with barely concealed disgust.
“Whatever they do has nothing to do with us.
Don’t involve the Vale Family because of them.” Darius slowly turned around.
His gaze landed on them.
Cold.
Sharp.
For some reason, Cordelia’s words died in her throat.
Then Darius turned back toward the entrance.
The four of them reached the security checkpoint.
Seraphina’s fingers tightened around his.
She slowly closed her eyes.
They had come this far.
If they were thrown out now, so be it; at least she had chosen to believe him.
Malcolm and Helena stood behind them, equally tense; none of them knew what was about to happen.
After all, no one here could afford to offend someone at an occasion like this.
“Seraphina?
You can come to this banquet too?
Am I seeing things?” A surprised voice suddenly came from behind.
Seraphina turned around, and her eyes immediately filled with disgust.
Three or four people approached, all dressed in expensive suits and carrying themselves with an air of confidence.
The man leading them was Dominic Whitaker, the son of the chairman of Vanguard Corporation.
Born into a wealthy and influential family, Dominic had pursued Seraphina for a long time.
He had once offered her millions to spend a night with him.
Seraphina had refused without hesitation.
Unable to accept the rejection, Dominic had retaliated by using his family’s influence to target her company until it eventually went bankrupt.
Before that, Seraphina’s company had been doing quite well “Why can’t I come?” Seraphina replied coldly.
Dominic’s gaze shifted to Darius “So this is your husband?” A mocking smile appeared on his face “The one who went to prison?” Dominic stepped closer to Seraphina, lowering his voice “I don’t care how you managed to get in here.” His smile faded.
“But if I want to, I can send your husband back to prison.” He paused “Maybe for another ten or twenty years.” Seraphina knew he wasn’t making an empty threat.
Dominic had the influence and connections to make trouble for Darius.
Her expression immediately became guarded “What exactly do you want?” Dominic’s expression didn’t change.
“As long as you agree to sleep with me, I’ll make sure your husband doesn’t get embarrassed over this.” His eyes flicked toward Darius “But if you refuse…” He let the threat hang for a moment “I can make sure he ends up back in prison.” Seraphina’s face went cold.
Dominic leaned closer, lowering his voice “You know I can do it.”