Chapter 4
The oppressive silence of the ballroom shattered under the weight of Magnus’s demand. The murmurs of the fifty guests erupted into a cacophony of shocked whispers and sharp accusations. The elite of the criminal underworld, who had just minutes ago laughed at their boss's humiliation, now scrambled to distance themselves from the exposed traitor.
Roderick remained glued to the upholstered chair, his hand still desperately clutching the lapel of his jacket. The arrogance that had fueled his coup was completely extinguished, replaced by the sheer, unadulterated terror of a man who had just played his final hand and lost everything.
"This is a trick!" Roderick shouted, his voice cracking as he looked wildly around the room, seeking an ally among the capos. "The girl doctored the footage! She’s trying to protect him! He paid her to frame me!"
"Do you believe my housemaid possesses the technical expertise to forge security footage in the middle of a crowded banquet?" Magnus inquired, his tone dripping with lethal sarcasm. He took a slow, deliberate step forward, completely ignoring the two bodyguards who instinctively parted to let him pass.
"Don't come any closer!" Roderick panicked, shrinking back into the chair.
"Are you going to produce the pendant, Roderick, or must I demonstrate to this room exactly what happens to those who steal from our foundation?" Magnus asked, stopping just a foot away from his uncle. His broad shoulders blocked the older man's view of the exit.
Elowen stood perfectly still behind Magnus, her hands folded tightly over her white apron. She watched the broad expanse of his back, feeling a profound mixture of awe and terror. The man she had just protected was a ruthless killer, yet he was the only source of safety in a room full of vipers.
"Take his jacket," Magnus commanded softly, not taking his eyes off his uncle.
The white American bodyguard, recognizing that his allegiance to Roderick was a death sentence, moved instantly. He grabbed Roderick by the shoulders, hauled him roughly to his feet, and expertly stripped the expensive formal jacket from his body despite the older man's thrashing protests.
The bodyguard reached into the inner pocket and pulled out a heavy, glittering object. The diamond charity pendant caught the luminous lighting of the chandeliers, flashing brilliantly in the tense air.
He held it up for the entire room to see.
A collective gasp echoed across the banquet tables. The proof was undeniable.
"He planted it!" Roderick screamed, pointing a trembling finger at the bodyguard. "You all saw it! They are conspiring against me!"
"Do you think anyone in this room believes a single word you say?" Magnus asked quietly, taking the diamond pendant from the bodyguard. He held it up, inspecting the flawless stones, before slipping it into his own pocket.
He turned his head slightly, his cold eyes sweeping over the guests who had laughed at him mere minutes before. The relatives who had raised their phones now looked at the floor, terrified of meeting his gaze.
"Did you all enjoy the show?" Magnus asked the crowd, his voice projecting effortlessly. "Did you find it amusing when a thief attempted to execute the head of this family?"
No one answered. The silence was absolute.
"Marcus," Magnus said, addressing one of his loyal capos seated at a nearby table. "Will you escort my uncle to the sub-basement holding cells? Ensure he is kept comfortable until I have time to deal with him."
"No! Magnus, please!" Roderick shrieked as Marcus and two other men grabbed him roughly by the arms. "I'm your blood! You can't do this! I was just trying to show them you were weak! You need me!"
"Does a king need a court jester who steals from children?" Magnus asked, turning his back on his uncle completely.
Roderick's panicked screams echoed down the long hallway as he was dragged out of the ballroom, the heavy mahogany doors slamming shut behind him, sealing his fate in the dark.
Magnus stood in the center of the room, the adrenaline slowly bleeding out of his system. He turned back to Elowen, his expression softening instantly as he took in her pale, terrified face.
"Are you harmed anywhere, Elowen?" Magnus asked, his deep voice losing the lethal edge it had carried moments before.
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"I am fine, Mr. Arden," Elowen whispered, her voice trembling as she kept her hands folded over her apron. "I just... I didn't know what else to do."
"Do you know that you just saved my life, and my empire?" Magnus asked, stepping closer to her, his tattooed hand reaching out to gently touch her arm.
