The receptionist at the front desk flashed a professional smile, stepping in to block the way.
"I'm here to see..." Kael Renforth started, but paused before saying the name. "...Lyria."
He hesitated, the memories of their last encounter still fresh in his mind. The last time he had visited, Lyria had thrown him out in a fury. Returning here now stirred a mixture of emotions—regret, determination, and something unspoken.
The receptionist's gaze swept over Kael, sizing him up. A man seeking Lyria Denvair was nothing new, but Kael stood out—and not in a good way. He was plain-looking, dressed modestly, and worst of all, carrying breakfast in hand.
The audacity, she thought. Did just anyone think they could walk in and meet Ms. Denvair?
With a roll of her eyes, she snapped, "Ms. Denvair has stated she's not meeting anyone without an appointment. Please leave."
Kael said nothing. Explaining himself seemed pointless. Should he declare he was her husband? The idea felt absurd—more likely to invite ridicule than respect.
Just as he opened his mouth to respond, the elevator doors slid open. A woman stepped out, her eyes widening the instant they landed on him.
"You... you're alive!"
Celine froze, her voice filled with disbelief. She stared at Kael as though he were a ghost, her shock palpable.
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Everyone had assumed Kael Renforth's fate had been sealed the day he was taken by Deven. Few survived such an ordeal. Yet here he was, standing in front of her, whole and unbroken.
Kael gave her a slight nod, acknowledging her reaction without elaboration.
Celine quickly recovered, her expression hardening. "What are you doing here?"
Kael lifted the thermal container in his hand. "I brought breakfast for your sister."
Celine frowned, irritation bubbling beneath her composed exterior. The company was on the brink of crisis, and here Kael was, showing up with breakfast like it could solve anything. Did he think a warm meal would erase the chaos they were facing?
Before she could respond, a smug voice cut through the tension.
"Well, well, isn't this a surprise?"
Turning, they saw a man striding towards them, his appearance flashy and ostentatious. Ezio Joffe's expression dripped with mockery as his gaze landed on Kael.
"The famed Denvair family's son-in-law graces us with his presence. To what do we owe the honor?"
Celine bristled, her anger flaring. "Mind your own business, Joffe. He's family, and that's all you need to know!"
Ezio laughed, clearly enjoying himself. He held up a stack of documents, waving them in the air. "Family, you say? Funny—since I'm here to terminate our contracts. Your family's reputation isn't what it used to be. But don't worry, we'll even pay the penalty fees."
Celine's face reddened, her fists clenching at her sides. "You can't just—"
"Oh, but I can," Ezio interrupted. "Business is business, sweetheart. And let's not pretend this has anything to do with the favors your grandfather did for mine. Times have changed. You're no longer in a position to demand loyalty."
His beady eyes shifted to Kael, disdain etched into every line of his face. "And look at this," he sneered. "The great Denvair family's son-in-law. What a joke. A man who can't even hold his own, let alone protect his wife's legacy."
Kael remained silent, his expression unreadable. He stood straight, unmoving, as the mockery rolled off him like water.
Ezio took another step closer, his tone growing louder and more derisive. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Or are you just too dumb to—"
The sound of a slap echoed across the lobby, cutting Ezio off mid-sentence.
Kael's hand had moved so fast, most hadn't even seen it happen. Ezio staggered, one hand flying to his now-reddened cheek, his eyes wide with shock.
The room fell silent, the collective disbelief thick in the air.
Kael finally broke his silence, his voice calm but firm. "If you have business with the Denvair family, handle it with respect. Otherwise, leave."
Ezio's shock quickly turned to rage. "You dare—"
Kael stepped closer, his presence suddenly overwhelming. For a brief moment, the easygoing but contemptuous demeanor Ezio had flaunted was replaced with hesitation, even fear.
"Try me," Kael said quietly.
Ezio backed away, muttering curses under his breath before storming out of the building.
Celine stared at Kael, her emotions a mix of astonishment and frustration.
"What... what was that?" she demanded, her voice trembling.
Kael turned to her, his expression softening slightly. "You said I should fight back."
Celine opened her mouth to argue but found herself at a loss. For the first time, she saw a side of her brother-in-law she had never expected.