Chapter 2: The Secret Owner
Chapter 2: The Secret Owner
Inside the Grand Crescent Hotel ballroom, the world's elite gathered beneath crystal chandeliers worth millions.
The summit chairman, Victor Langford, stood on stage preparing his opening speech.
He noticed movement near the entrance.
His eyes landed on Julian.
The color drained from his face.
The microphone nearly slipped from his hand.
Because unlike everyone else in the room—
Victor recognized him instantly.
Five years earlier, Julian Cross had vanished.
Officially, he had retired.
Unofficially, rumors claimed he had lost everything.
Others believed he had died.
But Victor knew the truth.
Julian hadn't disappeared.
He had simply stepped away.
And before leaving, he had quietly purchased controlling ownership of the Blackstone Group.
The same organization hosting tonight's summit.
The same organization everyone worshipped.
Victor hurried off the stage.
Hundreds of guests stared in confusion.
The chairman of the summit approached Julian.
Then—
To everyone's shock—
Victor bowed.
Not a handshake.
Not a nod.
A bow.
The ballroom froze.
A billionaire dropped his champagne glass.
A senator nearly stumbled backward.
Nobody understood what they were seeing.
Victor spoke softly.
"Welcome back, Mr. Cross."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Then whispers exploded across the room.
"Mr. Cross?"
"That Cross?"
"No way..."
"The founder?"
"The owner?"
Julian glanced around the ballroom.
At the people who had laughed.
The people who had mocked him.
The people who judged him by his jacket.
Then he simply smiled.
May you like
"I see nothing has changed."
Nobody laughed anymore.
