Just as the two entered, the entire throne hall turned silent.
Every gaze shifted toward them, the sound of their footsteps echoing across the marble floor.
Selena Vega and Jack Klassen walked side by side until they stood before King Edward’s throne.
Then, in perfect unison, they knelt on one knee, their heads bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty," Selena said with grace.
"Selena Vega, greets the sun of the Avaloria empire."
Jack followed immediately, his deep voice calm and steady. "Jack Klassen, of Klassen Forgeworks, greets the Sun of Avaloria."
Their professionalism and posure manded quiet respect, even from the nobles who moments ago were whispering among themselves.
Cian’s breath hitched slightly as his eyes widened.
’He’s really here... but why? I thought I convinced him to give me some more time.’
King Edward nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
"Rise," he said simply.
Selena and Jack stood.
Alyssa, who had been standing near the side, walked toward her daughter, her tone sharp but worried.
"Why were you not answering my calls?"
Selena sighed softly. "I was busy finding him, Mom," she said, nodding toward Jack. "I had to make sure he received the message in time."
Alyssa’s stern expression softened a little as she nodded. "I see."
Selena then turned her eyes toward Alex. "So, how’s the situation?"
Alyssa folded her arms, smirking faintly. "The kid still has his head attached to his shoulders."
Selena chuckled. "Good. Let’s make sure it stays that way."
Hearing their casual exchange, Alex frowned. "You do know I can hear you both, right?"
Both women turned to him and smiled in perfect synchronization, that same teasing, knowing smile that made Alex’s eyelid twitch.
’Oh, for god’s sake,’ he thought, ’why do they both smile like that even their smile is same? It’s infuriating!’
Meanwhile, Edward turned his attention to Jack, his tone curious but posed.
"Mr. Klassen, I assume you didn’t e here without reason. You said you had something to contribute regarding this matter i beleive it should be something really important for you to have e here personally ?"
Jack nodded firmly. "Yes, Your Majesty. I came because I heard that this matter involves a certain pany—one that recently developed an antidote for Abyssal Corruption. The pany known as Genesis Biotech."
A low murmur swept through the room. But before Jack could continue, Cian’s voice cut in sharply.
"Mr. Klassen. Long time no see can we talk alone for a bit."
Jack turned his head slightly, his calm expression unchanging.
"Will you please excuse me, Mr. Cian? I’m in the middle of something important right now."
The entire hall went silent again.
Cian’s mouth twitched in restrained anger while Jack continued, his tone deliberately louder so everyone could hear.
"The pany that developed the cure belongs to two people. And one of them," he said, glancing at Selena, "is standing right here—Miss Selena Vega."
Gasps filled the room.
Even King Edward blinked in surprise. "Selena... you?"
He had known about the recent wealth and influence selena has gained but did not knew this, so this revelation still shocked him. The mysterious co-owner of the pany everyone was talking about was standing right here in his court.
Before he could say more, Saintess Liana suddenly stood up, her voice echoing through the chamber.
"She’s lying! Your Majesty, that pany now belongs to the Holy Empire!"
Everyone turned toward her as she continued, her tone confident and accusing.
"To develop the cure, massive funding was required. At that time, one of Genesis Biotech’s employees—someone named Lucifer Morningstar—approached us with an offer. He requested five billion credits in research funding. In return, once the cure was pleted, the pany would sell both the formula and ownership to the Holy Empire for one hundred billion credits."
Gasps erupted across the room.
Liana smiled proudly. "We finalized the purchase two months ago. We now own eighty percent of Genesis Biotech. The pany and the cure belong to the Holy Empire."
For a moment, everyone was speechless.
King Edward slowly turned toward Alex, who was... smiling.
That smug, knowing smile.
’Do they seriously not know?’ Edward thought, suppressing an amused sigh. ’That he’s Lucifer Morningstar?’
Then he turned toward Selena. "Selena, you do realize that pany is now worth trillions , right? Why did you make such an agreement?"
Selena remained calm. "Your Majesty, that wasn’t my decision. It was my partner’s plan."
Edward’s brows furrowed. "And who is this partner of yours?"
Selena gestured slightly toward Alex. "Alex Dragonheart."
The entire court broke into a frenzy of murmurs.
Edward rubbed his temples, exhaling heavily. "Selena, why didn’t you e to me if you needed funding? You trusted a seventeen-year-old boy and lost us an empire’s worth of fortune. That’s not just your loss—it’s Avaloria’s loss as well."
The nobles immediately began muttering in agreement, their voices growing louder.
"What foolishness!"
"A mere child handling such a deal?"
"Seventeen and thinks he can outsmart the Holy Empire?"
"What arrogance!"
The insults piled up, echoing across the chamber.
Alex stood there, arms crossed, expression flat. Then he muttered under his breath,
"A bunch of idiots."
Cian and Liana both sneered openly, their expressions dripping with amusement.
But before they could gloat further, Selena’s voice rang out once again, calm and clear.
"Your Majesty, that’s where Mr. Jack Klassen es into play."
The mention of his name silenced the room instantly.
Cian’s breath hitched as he looked between Jack and Alex. Both men were smiling—calm, confident, and eerily posed.
A chill ran down his spine as an awful realization began to take shape.
’No... no, it can’t be...’
But his thoughts were interrupted as Jack began walking slowly toward him. His heavy boots echoed through the marble hall, each step carrying weight.
Jack stopped a few feet away from Cian and said in a low, deliberate tone,
"Mr. Cian, about the loan you took from me two months ago—"
Cian froze, eyes widening.
Jack’s calm expression didn’t waver. "You promised to return it within forty-five days. It’s been over sixty. So tell me..."
Jack leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping like thunder.
"So Where’s. My. Money?"
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