Chapter 266
Morning arrived gently, sunlight seeping through the tent’s fabric walls like a warm secret. Birds sang overhead, their cheerful notes blending with the distant, muffled hum of conference staff already bustling about—voices, footsteps, the clink of glassware. The world was waking up, whether anyone felt ready or not.
A polite knock broke the calm.
James stepped in moments later, dark hair perfectly in place as always, glasses catching the light as he held up his tablet like a man delivering news that absolutely could not wait. “Morning, you two,” he said. “Hope you slept well p>
Eliana was still curled comfortably in bed, a cup of herbal tea cradled in both hands like it was sacred. She smiled up at him. “We did, James. What chaos are we dealing with today p>
James adjusted his glasses and glanced toward Rafael, who was already dressed in a sharp designer suit, seated neatly in his wheelchair—pretense firmly locked in for the day. “The hosts want you to give a speech in the central hall tent,” James said. “Topic: tech dominance. Your rise in tech, real estate, and pharma. They didn’t tell us beforehand—classic last-minute ambush. They want to see you stumble.” His tone sharpened. “I can shut it down if you want p>
Rafael’s lips curled into a slow, dangerous smirk, his piercing eyes sharp beneath the practiced haze. “No,” he said calmly. “I’ll do it. Let them think they’re clever p>
Eliana’s eyes widened, her fingers tightening around her teacup. “A speech?” she echoed. “In front of everyone? With no prep? Rafael, they’re trying to humiliate you—to make you look weak p>
He reached for her hand, squeezing it gently, grounding her. “Princess,” he murmured, “I’ve dominated boardrooms from this chair. If they want to test the ’blind and paralyzed’ CEO, I’ll give them a lesson in dominance.” His smirk deepened. “Relax. This face means I’m very ready p>
She exhaled slowly, her quiet strength settling back into place. “Okay,” she said. “If you’re confident, then so am I p>
Breakfast was indulgent—fresh fruits, flaky artisanal pastries, rich coffee—all served on their private deck overlooking the mountains. Afterward, they dressed for battle.
Eliana slipped into a flowing soft-pink maternity dress that framed her natural elegance and the gentle curve of her pregnancy. She glowed without trying. Rafael’s suit was immaculate, his dark wavy hair styled with precision—every inch the untouchable titan they wanted to doubt.
The central hall tent was massive, cathedral-like, its reinforced fabric walls stretching high above rows of plush seating. Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead. The air buzzed with anticipation—family, rivals, admirers, enemies, all packed together in one elegant pressure cooker.
Whispers spread quickly.
“Rafael Vexley is speaking p>
“The recluse himself p>
“I thought he never p>
Mirabel sat rigid, icy elegance barely masking her fury. Charles beside her looked older somehow, regret carved deep into his stern face. Sarai and Bianca lurked mid-row, envy sharp in their eyes. Jason hovered near the back, his charming mask slipping. Henry sat quietly beside Isabella, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else on earth. Isabella, ever gentle, kept patting his leg like she was soothing a restless child.
When James wheeled Rafael onto the stage, silence swept the room.
Eliana sat front row—visible, radiant, unmissable.
Rafael adjusted the microphone, his voice smooth, commanding, edged with dry sarcasm. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, “they asked me to speak on dominating tech.” He paused for dramatic effects. And then smiled faintly. “Which is funny, considering how many people doubted a ’blind and paralyzed’ man could dominate anything p>
Nervous chuckles rippled through the crowd.
“Tech isn’t about sight,” he continued. “It’s about vision. I rebuilt my grandfather’s empire by seeing what others ignored—opportunity hiding inside chaos. In real estate, I bought properties people laughed at and turned them into goldmines. In pharma, I invested in cures, not symptoms p>
He leaned back slightly. “And paralysis?” he added. “It taught me how to move mountains without taking a single step p>
The room leaned in.
He wove data with personal anecdotes, humor cutting clean and precise. “And for anyone who thinks gadgets replace grit—try running a merger without legs,” he said dryly. “Spoiler: you don’t need them p>
Laughter erupted—real, loud, unstoppable.
By the end, doubt had dissolved into awe. Whispers shifted.
“He’s brilliant p>
“How does he do it p>
Applause thundered.
CEOs, investors, power players swarmed the stage, orbiting Rafael like moths to fire. Eliana watched with pride—but as the crowd thickened, she quietly excused herself, slipping away toward the restrooms.
Near the entrance, she collided gently with someone moving just as distracted.
Henry steadied her instantly. “Eliana?” he said. “Oh—sorry. I didn’t see you p>
She blinked, honey eyes filling with surprise… and pain. “Henry,” she said softly. “It’s… good to see you. How have you been p>
He smiled faintly, careful, kind—just like always. “I’ve been okay. Busy.” He hesitated, then added honestly, “Seeing you here—smiling like that, with Rafael—it hurts. I miss you. More than anything else.” His voice dropped. “But what hurts most is that it feels like our separation didn’t hit you the same way p>
Her throat tightened. Old wounds stirred.
“I do miss you, Henry,” she said. “You’re my best friend—or were. I never meant to hurt you. Things just… happened. What I have with Rafael is different, but that doesn’t erase what we had p>
He nodded slowly, sadness softening into acceptance. “You don’t owe me explanations,” he said gently. “Eliana. I get it. Life moves on. Just… be happy. That’s all I ever wanted for you p>
And somehow, that hurt more than anger ever could.
From a distance, Isabella watched, she had been so excited over a closed deal, so she had ran after Henry to tell him; but when she saw them talking, her excitement faded as she assessed the scene. Not threatened, but aware—Henry’s lingering gaze on Eliana spoke volumes. She didn’t interrupt, she simply observed.
Meanwhile, Charles Vexley paced the edges of the hall, his silver hair catching the light, sharp features drawn in frustration. Deals he’d chased since yesterday—partnerships, investments—all fell through. Eyes gravitated to Rafael, his ’useless’ son laughing among top executives, pretending Charles didn’t exist. Regret gnawed at him; he’d let Mirabel convince him Rafael would ruin the company because he was disabled, so he had cut Rafael from his will when he needed support most. Now, watching from the sidelines how the world worshiped his son, pain twisted his gut. “What have I done?” he muttered.
Mirabel approached, her tall frame elegant in pearls and silk, voice smooth. “Charles, darling, we need to discuss that merger p>
He snapped, his voice booming in front of onlookers. “Enough, Mirabel! Your schemes got me here—watching my son thrive without me. Leave me alone!” He stormed out, leaving her embarrassed, cheeks flushing under her smooth brown skin as whispers rippled.
The hall’s energy shifted, old wounds raw and exposed.