Chapter 5 Who Are You?

• Chris stood firm, his jaw set like stone.
• "Have you suddenly gone dumb?" he barked. "I asked you a damn question!"
• Benjamin hadn’t moved a muscle since the confrontation began. But now, he finally looked up, lips pressed in a flat line.
• "You expect me to tell you if these items are real or fake?" His voice was low, controlled. "Well, I’ve got nothing to say unless you pay for every damn thing you smashed—$2.4 billion worth."
• Chris let out a scoff that turned into a bitter laugh. "I’d be the world’s biggest idiot if I handed you that kind of money."
• The words barely left his mouth when a SLAP landed on his face! Karen’s palm landed on his cheek so hard the sound echoed across the room.
• "How dare you destroy the gifts Benjamin got for me!" Her voice cracked like thunder, eyes blazing.
• "You ruined items you can’t even afford to dream of!" she snapped. Chris’s nostrils flared. His fingers twitched at his sides, tempted to fight back—but Ava’s face flashed in his mind. He swallowed the urge.
• "I won’t take this lightly, Chris!" Karen stepped closer, eyes locked onto his. "You’re going to kneel and apologize to Mr. Burton or—"
• "With all due respect," Chris interrupted, voice sharp, "but not even in my seventeenth generation will I kneel before this counterfeit billionaire."
• That did it. Benjamin’s entire posture shifted. His fists curled. For a second, the mask slipped and there it was. The sting of pride wounded.
• Five years ago, Chris used to salute him like a general. Now? This same man stared him down with contempt.
• Benjamin inhaled slowly and forced a smile. "I’ll let this go if you can provide gifts more valuable than mine."
• Chris tilted his head. "You mean the real $10 million price or that inflated fairy tale you pulled—$2.4 billion?"
• Benjamin’s lips twitched with mockery. "Sure, go ahead and beat that fake price. I swear on my income you won’t break even five hundred bucks."
• "And if I do?" Chris asked, eyes narrowed.
• Benjamin smirked. "Then I’ll kneel and kiss the damn ground if I have to."
• The moment the words left his mouth, Chris snapped his fingers.
• A sharp gust swept through the room as Miss Poison entered in full stride, five Dragon members flanking her like a black wave. Each held a tray draped in velvet, their faces unreadable behind mirrored sunglasses.
• Miss Poison’s voice was cool and clear. "A diamond necklace worth $3 billion."
• Gasps echoed everywhere.
• "Ten gold wristwatches—$10 billion."
• Mouths dropped.
• "Rome’s five-hundred-year-old statue. $70 billion."
• The guests leaned in, stunned.
• "An elixir of life, valued at $40 billion. And finally..." she turned, presenting a tiny crystal key. "Access to an emerald villa worth $470 billion."
• The trays were placed before Karen Nile like offerings to a queen.
• "In total: $500 billion," Miss Poison declared, her voice ringing out like a bell. "All gifts delivered to Mrs. Karen Nile—by the order of the Dragon Lord."
• Gasps exploded from the guests. Whispers swept through the crowd like wildfire.
• Chris didn’t say a word. Hands tucked into his pockets, he just stood there, silent and calm like a storm waiting to break.
• Benjamin’s eyes darted between Miss Poison and Chris, disbelief painted on his face. "How the hell…?"
• Chris finally spoke, turning toward Karen. "Hope you’re satisfied, Aunt. This is what happens when people mess with the Dragon Lord."
• Miss Poison stepped forward, a faint smile on her lips. "Mrs. Nile, the Dragon Lord sends his regards. Our job here is done."
• Karen tried to thank her, but Miss Poison cut her off. "The Dragons don’t linger. We deliver, then disappear."
• With that, she turned and walked out, leaving behind only silence and awe.
• Ava stared at Chris. Did he really just…? Her mind raced. Miss Poison came because of him? No one else had the power to summon the Dragons like that. Something was off—very off.
• "Alright, Benjamin," Chris said, his voice as cold as steel. "Time to keep your word. You dared me to bring gifts worth over five hundred bucks. I delivered half a trillion. Now get on your knees."
• Benjamin’s face twisted. "You’re delusional! These weren’t gifts from you. They were from the Dragon Lord! Were you deaf?"
• Chris didn’t flinch, but the muscle in his jaw ticked.
• "I’m not kneeling to someone like you. Not today, not ever. You’re still the same poor, pitiful excuse of a man. And that’s all you’ll ever be!" Benjamin growled.
• Chris’s hands clenched at his sides, blood roaring in his ears. He wanted to rip that smug smile off Benjamin’s face. But Miss Poison had done exactly what he asked—kept his identity sealed.
• So he stayed still. Quiet. Boiling inside.
• Benjamin adjusted his suit jacket and turned to Karen. "I’ll be leaving now, Mrs. Nile."
• Then to Chris: "I’m not done with you. My brother took your wife—and soon, I’ll take Ava too. You were born to come second."
• He leaned in, voice venomous. "Remember when you used to call me BOSS? Well, you’ll die with that word in your mouth."
• He walked out with a huff, leaving the room colder than when he entered.
• Chris exhaled sharply, trying to shake off the rage. He turned to Mr. Josh, his godfather, and gave a polite nod. When the world spat him out, Josh had picked him up—trained him like his own blood. But his wife? She never saw him as anything but trash.
• That’s why Chris hid his identity. To protect Ava. From enemies like Benjamin, who would burn everything to take what wasn’t theirs.
• Chris had one vow now—Ava will never marry that man. Even if it meant living under Karen Nile’s roof.
• But Karen wasn’t exactly throwing a welcome party.
• That evening, she called Chris to the dining room.
• "I only allowed you into this house because we raised you." Her voice was firm, laced with ice. "Yes, you turned into an ex-convict, but I still brought you back."
• She leaned forward, pointing a finger. "But don’t get too comfortable. I didn’t bring you here so you can feed off my daughter’s salary."
• Chris met her gaze calmly. "I understand, Aunt Karen. I’ll get a job."
• Karen gave a dry laugh. "Oh, I already found one for you."
• Chris blinked. "You did?"
• She folded her arms. "Yes. I called Mr. Burton earlier today. He agreed to take you in."
• Her voice hardened. "Starting tomorrow, you’ll be working for Benjamin."