CHAPTER 28: THE BIG PRESENT

Hilton Group.

"Mr. Hilton, Andrew is convinced we were the ones who moved the money."

"Two hundred million? You think I’d stoop so low?" Lucas’s tone was ice.

Alex sighed. "Andrew finally secured funding, only to have it vanish overnight. And now, with your marriage to Sophia on the horizon, it’s no wonder his mind is spinning."

"Ugly men love to stir up trouble. Let him."

"Mr. Hilton, your uncle called me earlier. He wants you home tonight for a family dinner."

Lucas’s private phone number was known only to Alex and a handful of close friends. If Aiden wanted to reach him, he had no choice but to go through Alex.

"Family dinner?" Lucas gave a sharp laugh. "More like a pack of jackals waiting to sneer behind polite smiles."

"You’ve been more than generous with them, and yet they don’t appreciate it. How much longer will you keep indulging them?"

"Jumping fleas only prove entertaining when they bite. Otherwise, why waste my time?"

Lucas gripped the arms of his wheelchair—then stood.

"Mr. Hilton, you..." Alex’s voice faltered.

"At my wedding to Sophia, I’ll be giving them a gift they’ll never forget."

"A gift?"

"I’ll expose the truth about Sophia’s children. Let the self-righteous choke on it. Isn’t that what they’re waiting for?"

His cold glance cut deeper than a blade.

Alex swallowed hard. Mr. Hilton had just sold out Miss Morgan again.

...

Meanwhile, back at the villa, Sophia lay sprawled across the bed, replaying the mess in her mind, trying to pin down who had leaked the news.

"Mommy, what’s wrong?" Angela climbed up beside her with a plate of fruit, gently feeding her before speaking her thoughts.

"Angela... maybe I’ve trusted Lucas too much." Her voice was low, uncertain. Had she been selfish to drag the children into this mess?

"Mommy, you’ve changed since coming back. I don’t know what happened to you abroad, but I just want you to be happy, not weighed down like this."

Angela’s tone was far too calm, far too wise for a five-year-old. "Lucas isn’t easy to deal with. I’m afraid... what if this is all part of his plan?"

Sophia frowned. "He feels so familiar to me, but I can’t place him."

"No matter what, we’re here for you. You don’t need to be afraid. As for this marriage... maybe it’s just both of you using each other."

But she couldn’t tell Mommy the truth—that Lucas was their father. If she did, and Lucas decided to fight her for custody, they would stand no chance against him. They were still too small.

Just then, Faye skipped in out of nowhere, tilting her innocent little face up. "Mommy, I heard your friend wants to see you?"

Sophia scooped her up with a sigh. "For such a little girl, you sure know a lot."

On her laptop screen glowed an email invitation to a class reunion. A cold smile curved her lips.

So many people in this world really did look down on others.

Tomorrow, noon, at the DZ Hotel. Formal dress required.

"Mommy, can I come too?"

"You want to go?"

Sophia hesitated. Bringing all six kids would definitely cause a stir.

"Fine. Tomorrow I’ll take you all out—but you must promise to behave."

"Yay! I’ll tell my brothers and Faye!"

Sophia’s smile lingered, then faded as another thought struck her. The children were five already. It was time to think seriously about school.

She quickly typed a reply to the reunion email before setting the laptop aside with a long exhale.

Evening.

Inside the Hilton villa.

"Why isn’t he back yet? He said six o’clock—it’s almost seven!"

"Exactly, Aiden. How long does Lucas plan to keep us waiting? I’m starving."

Aiden’s eyes flashed cold as ice. "One more word out of you, and forget about ever seeing a share of Hilton Group. Shut your mouth."

The woman at his side pouted, instantly silenced.

By eight o’clock, the sharp blare of a car horn finally broke the tension.

Lucas pushed open the door. The air in the room froze solid.

"Well, well... looks like all the aunts and uncles are here."

"Lucas, your uncle worked hard to arrange this dinner. You should appreciate it."

Aiden stepped forward to push his wheelchair, but Lucas smoothly wheeled himself back. "I can manage on my own. A couple of stairs won’t cripple me—otherwise, my perfectly good legs might actually get worse."

Aiden’s face burned with embarrassment. Lucas had cut him down with no mercy, leaving him no dignity.

At the table, Lucas ate calmly, unhurried. The others, however, shifted nervously, their gazes glued to him.

Julia nudged Aiden. "Say something already."

"Quit panicking," he hissed back, frowning, still trying to gauge Lucas’s mood.

Finally Richard broke. "Brother, we all received your wedding invitation. But today I found out... Sophia has six kids! Don’t tell me you didn’t know?"

Lucas elegantly sliced the last bite of steak, placed it in his mouth, and commented as if reviewing a meal: "Overcooked. Make sure the chef does better next time."

"Brother, I’m talking to you!"

"And who said I had to answer?" Lucas’s casual glance cut sharper than any blade. Richard nearly jumped out of his chair.

"Even so, basic manners—"

"In my world, I am the manners. If you don’t like it, the kitchen or the bathroom are always open. Go take a break."

Lucas reached for fruit, eating lazily as if Richard were invisible.

"Lucas, how can you talk like this? Richard only means well! Sophia may be the designer Luna, but her private life is a mess. We’re just trying to protect you—you can’t be reckless."

"Ah, Aunt Julia... how thoughtful of you."

She lifted her chin, self-satisfied. "Of course. Who else would look out for you? Lucas, you’ve carried Hilton Group alone long enough. Hand over some of that burden—let us share the responsibility."

Lucas let out a low, cutting laugh. "Aunt Julia, you’ve been eyeing Hilton Group for years. Back when Grandfather was alive, you schemed plenty of times and failed. Still not ready to give up? Should I admire your persistence?"

Richard shot to his feet, his chair screeching against the marble floor. "Lucas, that’s enough! Don’t you dare speak to my mother like that!"

"Yes, Lucas, no matter what—she’s still—"

The sharp slam of Lucas’s wine glass against the table silenced them all.

"Hilton Group feeds a pack of useless leeches. Do you think that’s me giving you face? Out of respect for Grandfather, I’ve tolerated you far too long.

"If you think your share isn’t enough, just say so. I’ll teach you what it means to value what you already have."

He leaned back, voice cool and deadly. "I came to this so-called dinner only because I didn’t feel like tearing this family apart. But if you don’t want things to get ugly, keep your mouths out of my business."

"And one more thing—about Sophia. I don’t want to hear her name dragged through the mud again. Not once more."

His gaze swept the room, pinning each of them in place.

"Lastly—be on time. Five days from now, you will attend our wedding."