Chapter 3The Birthday They Kneeled

I deliberately kept my voice low. The last thing I wanted was a scene.

But clearly, Mr. Fairfax had other ideas.

He shot me a look of utter disdain, then bellowed for the whole room to hear, ‘What did you say? You claim to be Chairman Sterling’s husband?!’

His shout grabbed everyone’s attention. The room erupted in thunderous, incredulous laughter.

‘This kid has some serious balls! Trying to ride Raina Sterling’s coattails! We’ve been in this circle for years and never once heard a peep about her getting married!’

‘Exactly! If Raina Sterling got married, it would be the wedding of the century! She said so herself at the business summit three years ago!’

Lena pushed her way forward and spat in my face. ‘Ethan, you are absolutely shameless! Look at yourself! You’re a pathetic, broke loser! Forget Chairman Sterling—even her damn poodle wouldn’t give you the time of day!’

‘Lena, don’t waste your breath on this scum,’ Brock snarled. ‘Just for daring to slander Chairman Sterling’s name, I, Brock Fairfax, am going to destroy him today!’

Before I could say another word, he snatched a heavy steel pipe from a nearby decoration and slammed it into my shin. At the same time, the old man, who had been watching from the sidelines, stepped forward and slapped me hard across the face.

He then turned to his son. ‘Brock, teach this bastard a lesson he’ll never forget. I don’t care if we have to cancel the rest of the party! He needs to learn some respect!’

With his father’s blessing, Brock waved a hand. In seconds, dozens of burly security guards swarmed in, forming a tight circle around me.

In that last, desperate moment, I managed to grab a phone again and redial Raina’s number.

‘Come to the Fairfax estate…’